2009-2010
CEDARBURG YOUTH BASKETBALL
4TH & 5TH GRADE RULES
SECTION I
A. ATTENDANCE / UNIFORMS
1. Number of Players. A team with a roster of 10 or more players must have
five (5) players at game time or it will forfeit. A team with a roster of nine or
less players must have five (5) players. Game time is the later of the scheduled
time or 10 minutes after the conclusion of the previous game. There is no
“grace period.”
2. Player Absences. The League Director or his assistant will determine what
constitutes an unexcused absence in each situation. A coach has the right to
not play anyone that has unexcused absences from games or practices as
detailed below. However, the coach must request permission from the League
Director or his assistant and notify the player’s parents at least 24 hours in
advance of the next game. It is the coach’s responsibility to notify each player
of each practice even if a player has been absent. The following unexcused
absences are grounds for a one game suspension:
 Two practices in the same calendar week.
 Three of the last six practices
 One game and two of the four preceding practices
 Two games
3. Uniforms. No one can play without his/her uniform. Team t-shirts may be
worn under the team jersey. Please do not wear another color.
B. PREGAME
1. Basket Height. The basket height will be set at 10 feet for the entire season.
2. Warm-up Time. Ten minutes is allowed for warm-up, unless both coaches
agree to less.
C. GAME RULES
1. Regulation. Four six-minute quarters with a one-minute rest period between
quarters and a five-minute rest period between halves.
2. Overtime. Unlimited number of three minute time periods until a winner is
decided. Teams are allowed free substitution. Anyone who has not fouled out
is eligible. Each team is allowed two timeouts per period – no carryover from
regulation play.
3. Clock Stopped. The clock will be stopped for timeouts, free throws, jump
balls, violations and out-of-bound plays.
4. Jump Balls/Alternate Possessions. Jump balls will be held only at the start of
the game, start of overtime periods and double fouls. All “held balls” or other
instances calling for jump balls will result in alternate possession. Inbound
the ball on the side of the court closest to the jump ball.
5. Timeouts.
a.) Regulation Play - Six per game.
b.) Overtime - Two. No timeouts are carried over from regulation play.
6. Violations.
a.) Free throw lane - The ball must hit the rim before anyone enters the
lane. The shooter may enter the lane after the release if his/her
momentum carries him/her over the line. However, it is a violation if
the shooter takes advantage of this rule in order to gain a rebounding
advantage.
b.) Three seconds – If the team in possession is in the free throw lane for
three seconds without attempting to shoot, it is a violation. A shot
need not hit the rim for the count to start over if the shooting team
regains possession while still in the lane.
c.) Ten seconds – Because backcourt pressure is not allowed, the ten
second count is continuous. If a timeout is called after the ten second
count has begun, when the ball is next in-bounded the count continues
from the point it was at when timeout was called. A timeout does not
restart the count at zero.
d.) Full court pass – Because back court pressure is not allowed, a team
rebounding the ball behind the free throw line may not pass the ball
from behind the line over the center line. It must advance the ball past
the free throw line before passing over the centerline.
e.) Over and back – This violation can occur only after a player has
possession of the ball with both feet and the ball simultaneously in the
front court.
f.) No “safe haven” – Once a team has advanced the ball into the
frontcourt and the ball becomes dead (e.g. timeout or out-of-bounds),
it is a violation to inbound the ball into the backcourt.
g.) Closely guarded 5 seconds – It is a violation if a single defensive
player defends within six feet of a ball handler in the frontcourt for
five consecutive seconds. The count starts over when the ball
handler’s status changes form standing to dribbling and vice versa.
7. Inbounding the ball.
a.) Location - The ball should be put in play from the boundary nearest
the spot where the ball was when play stopped. Exceptions: At the
start of a period or after a technical foul, inbound the ball at mid-court.
b.) Designated Spot – The throw in spot, as designated by the referee, is 3
feet wide with no depth limitation. As long as the thrower keeps one
foot on or over this area until the ball is released, movement within
this area is permitted.
8. Fouls.
a.) Number – Five per player. Anyone fouling out is not eligible for
overtime play.
b.) Free throws – All fouls are shooting fouls; even offensive fouls.
c.) Technical – Two free throws and a personal foul and loss of
possession. Two technicals on a player or coach means ejection.
d.) Backcourt – Because backcourt pressure is not allowed, there can be
no backcourt fouls. However, if contact is flagrant, it is a two shot
technical and a personal foul.
e.) Bonus – Beginning with the fifth foul of each half, all fouls except
technical fouls result in automatic two free throws. A player does not
have to make the first in order to get the second.
f.) Intentional – Automatic two shots and the ball out-of-bounds at mid
court. (“Safe haven” is allowed in this situation.)
g.) Player control – A basket will not count if the scoring player commits
a foul while in the act of scoring.
9. Defense.
a.) Backcourt Pressure – After losing possession of the ball, a team must
retreat to its defensive half of the court before applying pressure to the
opponent’s ball handler. A team can lose possession if a player, not
under defensive pressure passes directly to an opponent.
In the referee’s judgment, inadvertent pressure may be excused if it
does not result in loss of possession or interfere with the possessing
team’s attempt to fast break. If the referee feels a team is violating this
rule to prohibit fast breaks, he shall warn the coach. Repeated
violations shall result in technical fouls and possession by the offended
team.
b.) Three-foot neutral zone – The defensive team must remain three feet
from the centerline until the offensive team has advanced the ball over
the centerline. Once the ball has crossed the centerline, the neutral
zone is eliminated.
c.) Three-front trap not allowed – The defense may not set up with more
than two players between the top of the free throw circle and the
centerline until the ball crosses the centerline. Continuous offenses
without the coaches attempt to correct his/her players will be a
technical foul.
d.) Three-feet on In-bound plays – The defense must stay three feet from
the out-of-bounds line until the ball is passed in. The offense may not
receive a pass in the three-foot zone. Remedy: In-bound the ball
again.
e.) Defensive sportsmanship – Any defense is allowed. Once a team is
ahead by twenty points, the coach that is behind in points has the
option to make the team in the lead use a 2-3 or 2-1-2 zone with all
five defenders staying inside the free throw lane. Also, the coach must
tell his players to stop fast breaking. The penalty for violating this rule
is you tarnished image as a sportsman. The referee must enforce this
rule.
10. Stalling. The offensive team is allowed to stall. They do not have to advance
the ball toward the basket. The defensive team must force the action if they
are behind.
11. Three point shots. Three point shots will be allowed in “final four” games
played at the Community Gym.
12. Free throw lineup. The referee is obligated to fill only the first position on
each side of the lane with the offending teams’ players. All other positions
along the lane can be filled by anyone.
13. Player equipment/apparel. The referee shall not permit any player to wear
equipment or apparel, which, in his/her judgment, is dangerous or confusing
to other players or is not appropriate.
D. PLAYER MINUTES
1. Normal substitutions. Except for foul outs or injuries, the only time a
substitution may be made is at the beginning of a quarter or at the three
minute mark of a quarter. If a player to be replaced is about to shoot a free
throw, his/her replacement will be delayed until the first dead ball after the
free throw.
Substitution time: 30 seconds is allowed for any
substitutions.
2. Check-in. In general, once a team has checked in, the coach cannot change
his team substantially. While allowing for correcting an occasional mistake,
the intent of the rule is to prohibit a coach from gaining an advantage by
adjusting his lineup once he has seen the opponent’s lineup.
3. Player minutes. The amount of time each player must play is determined by
the number of players present at the start of the game for each team. If a
team has 10 players, each will play two quarters. If a team has less than 10
players present, the options available to each coach are spelled out in “Player
Minutes Plan,” Attachment #1. At the end of the game, the scorebook must
indicate which plan was used. In general, present players makeup the time
for absentees in half-quarter segments. The number of segments per player
will vary depending on the number of players absent, absentees’ grade,
absentees’ roster position and the number of players your opponent has.
Attachment #2, “Substitution Plans” illustrates how player minutes must be
divided under each plan.
4. Injury/Foul out substitutions. Use the following sequence of Attachment #3
to determine how to substitute:
a.) The first priority for substitutions must be from eligible players who
have a lower roster position than the injured/fouled out player.
Second, if the departing player is a fourth grader, you must use a
fourth grader first if available.
b.) If there are no players on the bench with a lower roster position, use
the lowest roster position available regardless of grade.
c.) A player’s term as a sub does not affect his planned minutes.
Conversely, a players eligibility as a sub is not affected by his planned
minutes.
d.) A player’s term as a sub may not extend beyond the end of the quarter.
He may be used as a sub only once.
e.) The substituting coach must immediately tell the opposing coach when
the injured/fouled out player was scheduled to play and who the sub is
5.
each time. He must also make sure the scorebook clearly indicates the
same.
Players arriving late. If a player arrives after the game has started, the coach
does not have to play him/her. However, if the coach elects to play him/her,
every effort must be made to follow the applicable “Player Minute Plans”
even if it means a three-minute substitution each quarter. The opposing
coach does not have to change his plan.
SECTION II
A. REFEREE RESPONSIBILITIES
In addition to the understanding and enforcing of game rules, the referee is
responsible for the following:
1. Official score. The running score in the book is the official score. The
scoreboard must agree with the book.
2. Alternate possession. The possession indicator after each jump ball must be
accurate. The indicator should point to the team’s basket – not the bench.
3. Keeping order. NO ONE is allowed to sit behind the scorer’s table except the
scorekeeper and the timekeeper. NO ONE is allowed to shoot at the side
baskets at any time or at the game baskets except the scheduled teams.
SECTION III
A. PLAYER DRAFT
1. Draft sequence/restrictions.
a.) In rounds 1,3,5,7 and 9 teams will draft in reverse order of last year’s
regular season results. All other rounds will be in reverse order of the
previous round. Expansion teams will draw a number for draft
position.
b.) Before the draft begins, expansion teams will each select two fifth
graders. They then follow the normal draft rules below. These players
will be the top ranked players when determining availability for extra
minutes in paragraph (d) below.
c.) Before the draft begins, all draftees that are protected or assigned to
teams in accordance with sections B & D below shall be included on
that team’s roster along with all returning players. Considering this
roster and subsequent draft choices, coaches may not draft a fifth
player in either grade until his roster has four of the other grade –
remaining draft list permitting.
d.) If a team has a total of two players either returning, protected in B or D
below, or an expansion team, it must draft one 5th grader (if available)
after the first round is completed and another 5th grader after the
second round. This is in lieu of the team’s second and fourth round
selections.
If a team has a total of one player either returning or protected in B or
D below, it must draft one 5th grader (if available) after the first round
is completed and another 5th grader after the second round. This is in
lieu of the team’s second and fourth round selections.
e.) When a team has drafted to attain a roster of eight players, it will not
draft again until all other teams have a roster of eight payers. This rule
has precedent over player protection rules in C and D below. Players
normally protected until a designated round must be taken earlier to
comply with the eight player limit. We stop at eight players to insure
that all teams get two from the bottom of the draft list.
f.) If there are not enough players to attain the roster or eight (rule e
above), some teams will stop at seven. The open positions will be
filled from subsequent signups.
B. RETURNING PLAYERS
1. Draft re-entry. All teams retain players returning from last year unless a
player is put back in the draft with the approval of the League Director. If a
player is put back in the draft, at the time of his selection by a new team, his
former team will be compensated with an extra pick on the very next pick.
2. Returning brother/sister. New players that have a brother/sister returning
form last year will be drafted in the round designated by the League Director
or his assistant. This rule is subject to the limitations of A.1.f. above.
3. First year quit – return. A player that quit during his first year and returns will
be placed on his old team without being drafted.
C. NEW PLAYERS
1. Protection. No player will be protected except the head coaches’ child as in
rule D below, a brother/sister as in rule B.2 above or rule C.2 below.
2. New brother/sister. Two children from the same family entering the league
for the first time will be drafted as follows: whichever round one player is
drafted, the other child is automatically assigned on the next round. If a coach
has a child protected until a designated round he cannot elect two children as
“before and after” picks. They must both be selected either before his child or
both after his child. A team may not make this choice if:
a. It will exceed a ten player roster, or
b. It will exceed the eight player limit in A.1.f above, or
c. It will exceed the player maximum in one grade without attaining the
four player minimum in the other grade.
3. Sign-up, No tryout. Players registering before the draft but not trying out will
be included on the draft list, but may not be selected until the third round
unless all coaches agree otherwise. Exceptions: teams with less than three
players returning may select fifth graders not trying out to comply with rules
A.1.b & d above.
4. Sign-up after draft. Players registering after the draft will be assigned to a
team randomly.
D. HEAD COACH’S SON/DAUGHTER
1. First year player. A head coach’s child entering the league must be drafted in
the round designated by the League Director or his assistant, subject to rule
A.1.f above.
2. Second year player, same team, father is new head coach. A father may take
over the same team his child played for the previous year.
3. Second year player, father becomes head coach of different team. If a father
wants to be head coach and his child’s team is not available, the father may
draw for an available team and draft his child in the round designated by the
League Director, subject to rule A.1.f above. The player’s old team will be
compensated by either a choice of a player on the new team or a drafted
choice from the new team as designated by the League Director. The coach of
the player’s new team can protect his child plus one other player.
E. ASSIGNMENT OF HEAD COACHES
1. All head coaches must coach the same team they had the previous year.
2. New head coaches must draw from the available teams unless they takeover
their child’s team from the year before. See rule D.2. above.
Attachment #1
PLAYER MINUTE PLANS
# of Your players
present
10 Players
10 Players
10 Players
10 Players
10 Players
# of Opponent
Players present
10 Players
9 Players
8 Players
7 Players
6 Players
You May Use Plan
10
10
10
10
10
Opponent May Use
Plan
10
9B
8B
7B
6B
9 Players
9 Players
9 Players
9 Players
9 Players
10 Players
9 Players
8 Players
7 Players
6 Players
9B
9A
9A
9A
9A
10
9A
8A
7B
6B
8 Players
8 Players
8 Players
8 Players
8 Players
10 Players
9 Players
8 Players
7 Players
6 Players
8A
8A
8A
8A
8A
10
9A
8A
7B
6B
7 Players
7 Players
7 Players
7 Players
7 Players
10 Players
9 Players
8 Players
7 Players
6 Players
7B
7B
7B
7A
7A
10
9A
8A
7A
6A
6 Players
6 Players
6 Players
6 Players
6 Players
10 Players
9 Players
8 Players
7 Players
6 Players
6B
6B
6B
6A
6A
10
9A
8A
7A
6A
Attachment #2
SUBSTITUTION PLANS
PLAN 10 – Ten Players
10 players each play 12 minutes (2 qrts.)
=
120 minutes
PLAN 9A & 9B – Nine Players
4 players play 15 minutes (2 ½ qrts.)
5 players play 12 minutes (2 qtrs.)
=
=
60 minutes
60 minutes
120 minutes
PLAN 9A
When your opponent has less than 10 players, you may play any four 15 minutes
and the remaining five 12 minutes.
PLAN 9B (In effect if 9-players are present not later than 10-minutes prior to game time)
When your opponent has 10 players, determine the four players playing 15
minutes as follows:
1. 5th grader absent – use anyone with a lower roster position.
2. 4th grader absent – use any 4th grader with a lower roster position first. If not
enough available, use 5th grader with a lower roster position.
If there are not enough players with a lower roster position, use the lowest roster
position available regardless of grade.
PLAN 8A – Eight Players
`
8 players must play 15 minutes (2 ½ qrts.) =
120 minutes
May be used only if your opponent has less than 10 players.
PLAN 8B – Eight Players (rule eliminated before 2004-05 season)
When your opponent has 10 players, determine the players playing more than two
quarters as follows:
Determine four players playing an extra half-quarter for each of the two absentees
independently. Thus, it could happen that a player could play an extra halfquarter for each absentee.
1. 5th grader absent – use anyone with a lower roster position.
2. 4th grader absent – use any 4th grader with a lower roster position first. If not
enough available, use 5th graders with a lower roster position.
If there are not enough players with a lower roster position, use the lowest roster
position available regardless of grade.
PLAN 7A & 7B – Seven Players
5 players play 18 minutes
2 players play 15 minutes
=
=
90 minutes
30 minutes
120 minutes
PLAN 7A
When your opponent has 7 or 6 players, you may play any five 18 minutes and
the remaining two 15 minutes.
PLAN 7B
When your opponent has 10, 9, or 8 players, the five players with the lowest
roster position play 18 minutes and the remaining two play 15 minutes.
PLAN 6A & 6B – Six Players
4 players play 21 minutes
2 players play 18 minutes
=
=
84 minutes
36 minutes
120 minutes
PLAN 6A
When your opponent has 7 or 6 players, you may play any four 21 minutes and
the remaining two 18 minutes.
PLAN 6B
When your opponent has 10, 9, or 8 players, the four players with the lowest
roster position play 21 minutes and the remaining two 18 minutes.
PLAN 9B
Roster
Position
Example1
Grade
Extra?
Example 2
Grade
Extra?
Example 3
Grade Extra?
1
5
5
5
2
4
4
4
3
5
No
5
5
4
4
Must
4
4
5
5
No
5
5
6
4
Must
4
4a
Must
7
5
No
5
Must
5a
Must
8
4
Must
4
Must
4
9
5
No
5
Must
5
Must
10
4
Must
4
Must
4
Must
For absent 4th Grader:
Must user players lower
of the same grade.
If the absentee is a 5th
grader, any four players on
the roster may play extra.
For absent 4th Grader:
Must use players lower
of the same grade. If not
enough 4th graders lower on
the roster, you must use 5th
graders lower on the roster.
For absent 4th Grader:
Must user players lower
of the same grade. If not
enough, use any 5th grader
lower on the roster. If there
are not four lower on the roster
use lowest (4a & b) regardless of
grade.
PLAN 8B
Roster
Position
Example1
Grade
Extra?
Example 2
Grade
Extra?
Example 3
Grade Extra?
1
5
5
5
2
4
4
4
3
5
5
5
No
4
4
4
4
May
5
5
5
5
No
6
4a Must Must
4
4a
May Must
7
5
5
Must Must
4b
May Must
8
4
Must Must
4
Must Must
4c
May Must
9
5
May Must
5
Must Must
5
10
4
Must Must
4
Must Must
4
May
May Must
For absent 4th Grader:
Must use players lower on
roster of same grade (4).
if not enough, use any 5th
graders lower on roster.
For absent 4th Grader:
Must use players lower on
roster of same grade (4).
if not enough, use any 5th
graders lower on roster.
For absent 4th Grader:
Must use a 4th grader lower on
roster. Have a choice from five
players.
For absent 5th Grader:
Must use players lower on
roster. If not enough, use
lowest on roster (4a)
regardless of grade.
For absent 5th Grader:
Must use players lower on
roster of same grade of lower
For absent 5th Grader:
Must use players lower on
roster. If not enough, use
lowest on roster (4a, b & c)
regardless of grade.
Attachment #3
PLAYER FOULS OUT OR IS INJURIED
Are there players lower on
the roster available on the
bench?
NO
Use the first
available player
above the one
fouling out
regardless of
grade.
YES
What grade is the player
fouling out or injured?
5th
Use any player
lower on the
roster regardless
of grade.
4th
Is a 4th grader lower on the
roster available?
NO
Use any 5th
grader lower on
the roster.
YES
Use any 4th grader lower on
the roster.
*A player used as a sub does not alter the original minutes you planned to use him/her.