Playing Rules

2017 - 2018

The following playing rules will be in effect for the 2017-2018Stamford Peace Boys Basketball League (SPBBL) season. The purpose of these rules is to make the games run smoothly, ensure fair play for all players, and eliminate any controversies or disputes. Stamford Peace’s Director of Basketball /SPBBL’s Commissioner reserves the right to amend or add rules during the season as needed – proper notice of any such changes will be provided. Home teams on the schedule are always listed first.

  1. Rules in effect:

National Federation of State High School basketball rules will be in effect, except where specific SPBBL rules differ.

  1. Timing of games:
  1. Games will consist of four 8-minute quarters with a continuous running clock, except that the clock will stop in the following instances:
  1. During all free-throws and substitutions;
  1. On every whistle during the last minute of each half, unless one team is ahead by 20 points or more (the “point differential rule”);and/or
  1. Upon a request from a referee or other official for a “time out”.

LEAGUE OFFICIALS HAVE THE RIGHT TO ADJUST THE RULES/TIME IF NEEDED FOR ANY REASON.

  1. If the “point differential rule” has been triggered,the clock will run in the last minute of the half or game. If the point differential goes below 20, the clock will once again begin to stop on all whistles.
  1. The scorer’s time clock is official and final – the scorer’s horn at the conclusion of each quarter constitutes the end of the quarter.
  1. If a game is tied at the end of regulation, a 2-minute overtime period will be played. Following a second overtime period, the game will be decided by “sudden death”, with the first team to score getting the win. During overtime(s), both team fouls and individual fouls (as applicable) will carry over. The SPBBL substitution pattern shall not apply during any overtime period.
  1. SPBBL personnel will be on site to keep score and manage the clock at every game.
  1. Facilities and Equipment:
  1. Court Size. For Divisions 1-6 (1st thru 6th graders),games will be played full court (2 baskets), across the court-width. For Divisions 7-8(7th thru 8th grades), games will be played full court, regular way. For all Divisions, 3-point lines will be in effect in gymnasium in which an actual 3-point line exists.
  1. Basket Heights. In Division 1, (1st grade), basket heights will be set at 9 feet. In all other grades (Divisions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8), basket heights will be regulation, or 10 feet.
  1. Game Ball. In all grades through 6th grade (Division 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6), a 28.5 ball will be used. In the 7th/8th grades(Division 7 & Division 8), a regular 29.5 ball will be used.
  1. Number of Players: Games in all divisions will be played 5-on-5.
  1. Fouls:
  1. On foul shots, players will align as follows:
  1. A maximum of 7 players may be aligned on the key for all foul shots; the shooter and 3 players on each side of the lane.
  1. All other players must be behind the foul line extended and outside of the 3-point circle.
  1. Players in the 1st /2nd grades(Division 1 & Division 2) may shoot foul shots from one foot inside the regulation foul line (determined in the discretion of the referee); while players in the 3rd grade and older divisions (Division 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8) are required to shoot foul shots from the regulation foul line.

Division 1, Division 2, Division 3 & Division 4 players are allowed to jump over their respective foul lines, providedthat(in the referee’s sole determination) it does not create an advantage for the foul shooter in obtaining his offensive rebound.

  1. No record of individual fouls will be kept for individual players in the Divisions 1-3 (1st thru 3rd grades). For Divisions 4-8 (4th thru 8th grades), an individual player will foul out after his fifth foul in a game.
  1. A “one-and-one” rule will be in effect for all Divisions, beginning with the tenth (10th) foul in each half:
  2. Individual and team fouls (as applicable) in the second half of a game carry over to overtime of that game.
  1. The scorer’s tabulation of individual and team fouls is official and final.
  1. Timeouts
  1. Each team will receive three 45-second timeouts per game. Unused timeouts do not carry over into overtime.
  1. Each team will receive a 45-second timeout in each overtime period.
  1. The scorer’s tabulation of timeouts is official and final – the scorer will also time the length of each timeout.
  1. Defenses:
  1. Except as otherwise stated below, teams in all divisions shall be required to play half-court “man-to-man” defense. In “man-to-man” defense a player must play at least halfway between his/her player and the basket. Players are required to be within the proximity of the person they are guarding. Help defense is allowable when the defender is 2 or more passes away.

A player may leave his/her person to:

  1. Defend against another player driving to the basket, but then he must recover to his own man (no “double team” or trap shall be permitted); and
  2. Stop a fast break layup.
  1. Except as otherwise stated in paragraph D below, teams shall not be permitted to play any form of zone defense, or to “press” beyond half-court. A“zone defense” is defined as an obvious attempt by a player to defend an area rather than his player.
  1. Zone defenses, double teaming, and pressing the ball beyond half court is permissible only as follows:
  1. In the 1st/2nd grades(Division 1 & 2): not at all.
  1. In the 3rd/4th grades(Division 3 & 4): by a team that is itself down by more than 15 points.
  1. In the 5th/6th grades(Division 5 & 6): in the last quarter of each game; and/or by a team that is itself is down by more than 15 points.
  1. In the 7th/8th grades(Division 7 & 8): in the last quarter of each game; and/or by a team that is itself is down by more than 15 points.
  1. In all other instances, teams must pull back beyond the half court line immediately after each change of possession or basket, and must allow the other team to cross the midcourt line.

No team with more than a 15-point lead may press under any circumstances.

  1. Offense:
  1. Possession in the backcourt will be established when a defensive player has taken possession of the ball. Referees will determine possession on close calls in the backcourt. Once possession has been established in the backcourt, the defensive team must release pressure except where full court pressing is permitted (see above). 1st two offenseswill be a warning; 3rd offense is a technical foul; 4th and each additional offense will result in 3 foul shots and the ball. In the case of a technical foul resulting from a violation of this paragraph, the technical foul will not also be a charged personal foul.
  2. 10 Second Back Court Rule: Players will have 10 seconds to get the basketball across the designated “half-court” line and if not, will result in a turnover. Refs will point out the half court line before the beginning of each game.
  1. Playing time: Substitutions will take place in accordance with the SPBBL’s 2017-2018 Substitution Patterns, which are attached and applicable for all divisions.
  1. Bench conduct:
  1. Only members of the team and coaching staff (maximum of two coaches) shall be on the bench or in the bench area. All players not in the game must remain seated on the bench during play.
  1. Any coach, player or parent who is ejected from a game may not attend that team’s next league game.
  1. Tiebreakers – shall be applied in the following order:

1st – Head-to-head competition

2nd – Cumulative point differential for all games (15 points is the maximum point differential considered in any game)

3rd – Least points allowed

NOTE:Team position will be based on league standings as of the completion of the last weekend of the regular season, at which time the above Tiebreakers will be employed.

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