Codes of Conduct
WESTERN LOUDOUN
BASKETBALL LEAGUE
WLBL Rules of the Game
Codes of Conduct
1. Playing Rules House League
1.1 Playing Time
All players must start, play through and finish one (1) quarter in both the first and second half of each game.
Please make sure all team members play accordingly, unless sickness or injury prevents.
Violation of this rule will result in a warning for the first offense, any subsequent violation will result
in immediate suspension of the coach and forfeit of the game.
Dominant Players
In order to assure a team doesn’t play one player throughout a game to gain an advantage over an
opponent. We have implemented the following maximum playing time rule:
In order for a player to play a fourth consecutive quarter; all the players sitting on the bench at the
start of the 4th quarter must have played the previous three quarters. Additionally, and to further
explain: no player can play 4 consecutive uninterrupted quarters without all other players
participating in at least three complete quarters of play.
This rule is in effect for all divisions within the House League.
Failure to adhere to the “Dominant Player” rule will result in a warning and any subsequent violation will
result in a forfeiture of the game. This will be enforced by a Board Official after investigation and
confirmation. Note: The game official is not expected to enforce this rule.
1.2 Basic Defense
1.2.1 Man to Man Defense
All teams at all age levels are required to play man to man defense during the first two quarters of each
game.
 When playing man to man defense, playing “help” defense is acceptable, but the player is expected
to guard a man, not an area – an attempt to guard the player must be made when players move (ie
– cutting, rotating, etc).
 This rule is in effect when the possession of the ball has been established across the half court line.
1.2.2 Zone and Junk Defenses
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Basic zone defenses (2-1-2, 2-3, 1-3-1, 3-2, etc.) are acceptable in the second half and overtime of
games.
No Triangle & 2 or Box & 1 defenses are allowed at any level. This will be in the judgment of the
officials of that game. If playing Man-2-Man you must stay within 5 feet of the person you are
playing. Officials will give one warning and after that technical fouls will be administered to the
bench.
1.3 Pressure Defense
1.3.1 Full Court Defense
Grades 2 through 4
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Full Court Press is considered to be anytime the defensive team attempts to play defense in the
back-court.
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The only exception to this is when the offensive team is attempting to advance the ball via a fast
break, in which case the defensive team is allowed to defend in the back court. This is a judgment
call that is made by the officials.
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Teams may establish a full court press during the last 3 minutes of the 4th period starting with
Game #4 of the regular season. Otherwise if the team with possession chooses to “walk” the ball
up the court, the defensive team must go back into half-court defense.
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There is no press during Games #1 through #3 of the regular season. Both teams must have
played and finished three full games for the game to be considered the 4 th game of the season.
Codes of Conduct
Grades 5 through 6
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Full Court Press is considered to be when the defensive team attempts to play defense in the backcourt on any in-bounds play originating in the back-court.
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Teams may establish a full court press during the entire final (4 th) quarter and overtime unless the
pressing team is winning by 10 or more points.
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Teams are allowed to play defense in the back-court at any time unless the ball is being inbounded in the back-court, in which case they must play half-court defense per the half court
defensive rules unless it is within the Full Court Press Time period.
Grades 7 through 8
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Full Court Press is considered to be when the defensive team attempts to play defense in the backcourt on any in-bounds play originating in the back-court.
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7th & 8th grade leagues can press at any time in the 2nd half (3rd and 4th periods) unless the team is
winning by 10 or more points.
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Teams are allowed to play defense in the back-court at any time unless the ball is being inbounded in the back-court, in which case they must play half-court defense per the half court
defensive rules unless it is within the Full Court Press Time period.
Codes of Conduct
1.3.1 Half Court Defense
Grades 2 through 4
 Trapping in the half court is NOT ALLOWED for grades 2 through 4 UNTIL THE BALL AND/OR
PLAYER CROSS THE THREE POINT LINE OR BELOW. This is to allow teams to establish an
offensive set-up.
Grades 5 through 6
 Trapping in the half court IS ALLOWED for GRADES 5 through 8. A player may not trap until the
ball is established in the half court or the player dribbling the ball is established (See above).
*** Exception – during anytime a full court press is allowed, trapping may occur anywhere on the
court
First violation of any defensive rules will result in a warning, any violation after that may result in a
technical foul against the bench.
1.5 Basket Height & Court Adjustments
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Basket height will be lowered to 9 foot for 2nd grade thru 4th grade divisions. All other
grade/divisions will remain at 10 foot.
Free Throws for 6th & 8th grade league players are shot from the standard 15 ft mark.
Free Throws for 4th & 5th grade league players may be shot from the league adjusted line at 13½ ft.
Free Throws for 2nd & 3rd grade league players may be shot from the league adjusted line at 12 ft.
For 6th grade and below the lane used for calling 3 second calls is inside the league adjusted free
throw line.
1.6 Basketballs
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Girls 2nd / 3rd grade will use an official 27” size ball.
Girls – grade 4th through 8th will use an official 28.5 sized ball
Boys grade 2 will use a 27” size ball
Boys grades 3 – 6 use official 28.5 size ball
Boys 7th & 8th grade levels use official NFHS 29.5 sized ball
Absolutely no personal balls are permitted
House teams are allowed 4 balls for practice
1.7 All Levels
1.
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During games teams will be allowed 3 coaches on the bench (Head Coach & 2 assistants)
If a player is ejected from a game, the player will serve an additional game suspension.
Codes of Conduct
3.
4.
Any coach ejected from a game will serve and additional game suspension.
Excessive technical fouls during the season, will be reviewed by the board and appropriate action
will be administered including possible suspension of player or coach.
This league is set-up for the enjoyment of the game of basketball for all players, not just the few that excel at
the game. Should parents seek more competition, there are other leagues that will accommodate them.
This league is designed to teach each individual the fundamentals of basketball, passing, dribbling, shooting
and defense.
2.0 All-Star Teams (HUSSA)
Every Year WLBL puts together an All-Star Team to participate in a county wide All Star Competition. This
competition is hosted by Seneca Ridge River Bend Basketball League of Sterling, Virginia. This competition
is called HUSSA in honor of the late Wayne Hussa from Seneca Ridge League.
The decision on how many teams to submit into the tournament will be made by the WLBL board each year
after the official start of the season (following the first regular season game).
Normally; WLBL submits 1 team (10 players/team) from each Middle school per grade (5 th, 6th, 7th, 8th
grades) for both boys and girls divisions.
Head Coach Selection:
Head Coaches are selected by the best regular season finish and with board approval.
Assistant coaches are selected by the championship finish (and/or runner up), with board approval.
If the Regular Season Finisher passes on the opportunity to Head coach the All-Star team then the
Championship finisher will have the opportunity to be the Head Coach. If the playoffs have not
concluded (due to schedule conflicts) and the championship has yet to be decided; then the 2nd
regular season finisher will be asked to represent the All-Star team as the Head Coach.
Ultimately; Board approval of the Head coach and the Assistant coach is required.
Team Selection criteria:
Players are selected by each House League Head Coach nominating 10 players from the entire
division – Coaches will nominate players from the entire division; not just their teams.
The players are then compiled and ranked accordingly by the web based scoring system based
upon the votes the coaches cast in the system.
The WLBL board President and Vice President will then review the tabulated results from the
system and announce the selections to the All-Star Coaches. The team roster is supplied to the
Head coach for notification. Once the selections have been supplied to the All-Star Coaches, the
Head coach will reach out to the players to confirm a player commitment to the tournament. If a
player opts out, then the next player on the tabulated results will be supplied to the Head Coach.
After the final teams are selected; the teams will be announced to each Head Coach for
communication to their respective teams
The Criteria for all-star selection should be: Playmaker, Sportsmanship, Skill, Team Play, and
Attitude. We want well rounded (and well mannered) players representing our league to the overall
county.
WLBL Middle School Players are NOT allowed to participate. WLBL House players only
It should be remembered, this is our chance to represent our coaches, our players and our sportsmanship to
the entire county.