Birmingham YMCA D-II
Basketball Rules Edited: (121113)
Players:
 Only players registered with the YMCA will be allowed to play and wear an approved YMCA jersey.
 Every player will play at least one half of every game, unless injury or child wishes not to.
 Teams with 10 players are to play equal squads: 1-3rd and 2-4th periods, to assure equal playing time.
 Any violation of the participation requirement will result in a forfeiture of the game.
 Each player must have the proper equipment: athletic shoes, shorts or sweats. No black soled footwear.
 Uniforms must be tucked in. No jewelry is allowed during play.
 Hair control devices should be functional only, not decoration.
Coaches:
 All coaches are required to complete a ‘Request to Coach Form(s)’ prior to assuming this responsibility.
 One coach from each team will be allowed on the 1st grade and under court during play to help direct the
team. 2nd grade and up coaches are restricted to the coaches box.
 Coaches cannot question, comment, or exhibit disruptive behavior at anytime to any YMCA staff.
Parents:
 Non member parents, coaches and spectators must remain in the gymnasium and not allowed on the court
nor use the facility.
 Please limit number of spectators and small children for their safety.
Birmingham YMCA Basketball Rules
The Birmingham YMCA will comply with standard high school rules except when they conflict with the
special rules listed below and within the following pages. These rules will be followed by all players,
coaches and teams. Technical Fouls result in (one free throw) will be called for behavior exhibited by:
players, coaches or spectators, outside of the YMCA Code of Conduct and can result in game and
facility ejection.
Special Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Coaches are asked to inform your team of the following rules:
No food or flavored drinks allowed in the gym. Plastic water bottles only.
No smoking allowed in the building or outside any YMCA building.
Parents are to provide supervision for all their children at all times.
No junior / senior high or AAU current team members will be allowed to participate on YMCA teams.
All games are final. No make-up games. Forfeits will not be made up.
Forfeits will result in a scrimmage game among team’s players present.
1
Co-Ed 3-4 Year Olds (half court play)
Players on the court
Ball Size
Goal height
Participation
Substitution
Defense
Length of play
Start of game
Possession/Start of new quarter
Free - Throws
Clock
Pressing / Fast Breaks
Coaches are game referees
Overtime
Time Outs
Lane Violations
Score keeping


5
27-Junior Size
6.5 feet
Play at least ½ the game
Only at quarters
All defense players must fall back to the Xmark.Hands-up
Four-6 minute periods (running clocks) For PH and
AL Teams
Coin toss determines 1st possession
Alternating possessions (A/B throughout)
No
Referee-running clock
No
(2) Coaches max on the floor. One from each team.
No-Ties will stand
2 each half (30 seconds)
No
No
Required zone defense. X Marks are placed on the court. Each player must be within one foot of their mark. Defense
cannot slap, or strip the ball carrier. All hands are raised.
When the defense secures a rebound and has possession of the ball, they must wait until the opposing team sets up
down court, on their X’s.
Co-Ed K-1st Grade (half court play)
Players on the court
Ball size
Goal Height
Participation
Substitution
Defense
Length of play
Start of game
Possession/Start of new
quarter
Forfeits
Clock
Pressing / Fast breaks
Free- Throws
Overtime
Time outs
Lane violations
Score keeping


5
27-Junior size
7 feet
A/B squads: 1,3 and 2,4th periods.
Only at quarters
All defense players must fall back to the X mark. Hands Up.
Four 8 minute periods (running clocks)
Jump ball
Alternating possessions (A/B throughout)
A scrimmage game is played with the players on hand. No
official and running clock.
Referee – running clock
No
No. Fouls will result in a turn-over.
No-Ties will stand
2 each half (30 seconds)
No
No
Required zone defense. X Marks are placed on the court. Each player must have one foot of their mark. Defense cannot
slap, or strip the ball carrier. All hands are raised.
When the defense secures a rebound and has possession of the ball, they must wait until the opposing team sets up
down court, on their X’s.
2
2nd-3rd Grade Boys and 2-4th Girls (half court play)
Players on the court
Ball size
Goal size
Participation
Substitution
Length of play
Start of game
Possession/Start of new
quarter
Free Throws
Clock
Pressing/ Fast
Breaks/Defense
Foul – Outs
Forfeits
Time outs / Overtime
Lane violations
Score keeping



5
27-Junior
8 feet
A/B squads: 1,3 and 2,4th periods.
Only at quarters
Four 8 minute periods
Jump ball
Alternating possessions (A/B throughout)
No. Fouls will result in a turnover
Volunteer- Stop for time outs. Last min. of each period-upon referee whistle.
No Pressing/ Fast Break last 2 minutes of period 2 and 4 only,
Defense max 2 man defense at mid court.
(4) maximum. The (5th) foul player sits.
Scrimmage game is played with attending players, no official.
2 each half (30 seconds) / NO
Offense – 5 seconds
Volunteer – All names & numbers before start of game.
10 point lead – Official Time Out. Referee informs both benches. On offense, The winning team must set their defense in
their backcourt in a zone defense. Fast Break- No for the winning team. The losing team may employ fast breaks at the
2 and 4th period.
Defense 1-4 periods: Defense is limited to 2 defensive players on the ball carrier.
Time Restrictions: Player has 5 seconds to inbound pass and to pass or advance the ball.
4– 5th Grade Boys / 5-7th Grade Girls (full court play)
Players on the court
Ball size
Goal size
Participation
Substitution
Length of play
Start of game/Possession
Fouls
Forfeits
5
28.5
10 feet
A/B squads: 1,3 and 2,4th periods.
Dead Ball- Players must stop at table to check in.
Four - 8 minute periods
Jump ball / (Alternating A/B throughout)
(4 maximum) The (5th) foul player sits. Clock stops for foul shots.
A scrimmage game is played with attending players, no official,
running clock.
Clock
Volunteer- Stop for time outs and foul shots and last min. of each period-upon
referee whistle.
Full Pressing / Fast Breaks
Overtime
Time Outs
Lane violations
Score keeping
Allowed last 2 minutes of period 2 and 4 only
No-Ties will stand
2 each half (30 seconds)
Offense – 3 seconds
Officials –Turn in all names & numbers before start of game.



10 point lead – Official Time Out. . Referee informs both benches. On offense, The winning team cannot fast break. .
When the winning team gets control of the ball, they must wait for the official and until the opposing defense is set.. On
defense, the winning team cannot full, or half court press. They must assume a zone defense in/on the lane. The losing
team may full and half court press and fast break.
During 1-4 periods, defense is limited to 2 defensive players on the ball carrier.
Time Restrictions: Player has 5 seconds to inbound pass and to pass or advance the ball.
3
6th Grade Up (full court play)
Players on the court
Ball size
Goal size
Participation
Substitution
Length of play (vary by
grade)
Start of game
Possession
Clock
5
29.5 Men’s League / 28.5 Ladies’ League
10 feet
A/B squads: 1,3 and 2,4th periods.
Dead Ball only – Players must stop at table to check in.
Four – 9 minute periods 6th – 7th (10 minute periods 8th grade
up)
Jump Ball
Alternating A/B throughout.
Fast Break / Pressing
Forfeits
Yes / Yes
A scrimmage is played with attending players, no official and
running clock.
(4 maximum) The (5th) foul player sits. Clock stops for foul shots.
No-Ties will stand
2 each half (30 seconds)
Offense – 3 seconds
Officials – All names & numbers before start of game.
Fouls
Overtime
Time outs
Lane violations
Score keeping


Volunteer- Stop for time outs and Foul Shots and Last min. of each periodupon referee whistle.
10 point lead – Official Time Out. . Referee informs both benches. On offense, The winning team cannot fast break.
When the winning team gets control of the ball, they must wait for the official and until the opposing defense is set.. On
defense, the winning team cannot full, or half court press. They must assume a zone defense in/on the lane. The losing
team may full and half court press and fast break.
Time Restrictions: Player has 5 seconds to inbound pass and to pass or advance the ball.
4
Types of Personal Fouls
Offended team gets possession of the ball out of bounds or 2 or more free-throws (depending on
age group and team fouls if in the act of shooting.)
Blocking- physically impeding the progress of another player who is still moving
Charging-running into or pushing a defender who is stationary
Hand Checking- using the hands to check the progress of an offensive player when that player is
in front of the defender who is using the hands
Holding- restricting the movement of an opponent
Illegal screen- a form of blocking in which the player setting the screen is still moving when the
defender makes contact
Over the back- infringing on the vertical plane of and making contact with a player who is in
position and attempting to rebound
Pushing- impeding the progress or otherwise moving a player by pushing or shoving
Reaching in- extending an arm and making contact with the ball handler in an attempt to steal the
ball.
Tripping- extending a leg or foot and causing an opponent to lose balance or fall.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct- Player or coach behavior deemed not representative of YMCA code
of conduct will result in a Technical Foul and possible ejection from the game.
Technical fouls are called at the discretion of the referee or YMCA staff resulting from
behavior deemed outside of the YMCA Code of Conduct as exhibited by: Players,
Coaches or Spectators. Technical Fouls result in (one free throw) and can result in game
and facility ejection.
5
YMCA Basketball Defensive Rules
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
3-4yo and K-1st Grade Co-Ed
Defensive players should keep one foot on a given spot on the floor. This is typically a taped
‘X’ or other tape marking. The team is aligned in a 2-1-2 around the key.
X
X
X
X
X
Defensive players should keep both arms raised above their heads.
Defensive players are allowed to leave the ‘X’ only to get a rebound, or in a loose ball
situation. Defensive player on the X CANNOT strip or swat at the offensive ball handler. Fouls
will be called with physical contact on the ball carrier.
No full court pressure or fast breaks are ever allowed. If there is a change of possession, the
team which lost possession must get back and setup on their marks.
Violations such as travelling, double dribble, etc. are rarely ever called. Fouls are also rarely
called- except where aggressive behavior is evident.
2-3rd grade Boys, 2-4th grade Girls and 4-5th grade Boys, 5th-7th grade Girls
2nd -3rd grade boys and 2nd -4th grade girls: Fast break-NO Pressing;
This play is on HALF COURT . For the 2-3rd Boys league and 2-4th grade Girls leagues. Fast Breaks for each team that are
within a (10) point lead. (11) or more points, the winning team cannot use fast breaks. They must hold the ball until the opposing
team defense sets up. The Fast Break is allowable in the last 2 minutes of period 2 and 4. To define Fast Break as: The new
offense can advance the ball down court from any point on the court (usually from a steal) and attempt a score- without allowing
the defense to set up. This age group will Not allow Pressing. Defense must set up beyond the mid court line.
4-5th grade boys and 5-7th grade girls: Fast Break-Full Court Press:
This play is on a FULL COURT. 4-5th grade Boys league, and 5-7th grade Girls leagues. These strategies are for each team
that are within a (10) point lead. (11) points or more, the winning team cannot use either strategy. Both strategies will be allowed
in the last 2 minutes of period 2 and 4. To define Full Court Press as: The defense can have a max. of (2) players in the front
court. The remaining (3) players must set up in the back court, beyond the half court line. To define Fast Break as: The offense
can advance the ball down court from any point on the court (usually from a steal) and attempt a score- without allowing the
defense to set up.
6