i9 Sports Basketball
Format & Rules
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Programming – League Play Format
Age Group Differences
It is important to acknowledge that not all age groups are created equally. The various
age groups have vastly different needs, abilities and attention spans.
In this section, we will review these differences and highlight how this i9 sports program
will most successfully serve the various needs.
Pee Wee Age Group (4-5 Yr Olds)
In this age group, balance is limited. In addition, preschoolers have limited attention
spans. They learn best with egocentric activities, and visual and auditory clues.
Emphasis should be placed on acquiring fundamental skills, such as running, throwing
and catching. Activities should emphasize fun, playfulness, exploration and
experimentation.1
The main goal of this age group is to keep the kids laughing and having fun while
learning the very basic skills and progression of the sport. While games are played,
they are done so to learn the structure, organization and experience. Competition is not
the focus.
Goal Height
Basketball Size
Program Structure
Time of Play
Game Time Structure
7 foot
27.5 inch
3v3 Half Court or 5v5 Cross Court
60 Minutes Total (30 min practice – 30 min game play)
4 x 6 min quarters; No Time outs
Game Modifications
1. Defensive Structure - Zonal Marking (players must immediately return to marked
area on defense; no back court pressure).
2. 5v5 – On court Coach will be positioned under the basket on defense to organize
the in-bounding rotation of players; this gives all players a chance to be the
center of attention.
3. Half-time free throws – This gives all players a chance to make a basket
uncontested.
Rule Alterations
1. Travel/Double-Dribble enforced on 3rd infraction; 1st/2nd infraction stopped and
rule explained.
2. No steals off of dribble – Keeping kids from stealing the ball helps the
development of both the offensive and defensive player. The offensive player is
able to learn how to dribble properly. The defensive player learns how to play
defense without reaching.
3. Opposition cannot steal the first pass in the offensive half. This allows everyone
on the team to bring the ball up court without the pressure of losing it.
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Junior Age Groups (6-9 Yr Olds)
Growth during middle childhood is not as rapid. Aerobic and anaerobic exercise
capacities increase slowly. Most children achieve mature patterns of fundamental
motor skills, and their posture and balance are better. They are beginning to learn
transitional skills, which are fundamental abilities performed in combination or with
variation (e.g. throwing for distance). Their attention spans remain short, so sports
activities should emphasize fundamental skills and encourage development of
transitional skills. Rules should be flexible; instruction times should be kept short. 2
During these vital years, it is important to keep things fun and encouraging. Make the
biggest deal out of the smallest positives. Focus on skill instruction should happen in
small doses followed by opportunities to use the specific skill in a fun exercise prior to
game play.
6-7 Yr Olds
Goal Height
Basketball Size
Program Structure
Time of Play
Game Time Structure
8 foot
27.5 inch
3v3 Half Court or 5v5 Cross Court
60 Minutes Total (25 min practice – 35 min game play)
4 x 6 min quarters; No Time outs
Game Modifications
1. Defensive Structure - Zonal Marking (players must immediately return to marked
area on defense; no back court pressure).
2. Half-time free throws – This gives all players a chance to make a basket
uncontested
Rule Alterations
1. Travel/Double-Dribble enforced on 2nd infraction; 1st infraction stopped and rule
explained
2. No steals off of dribble - Keeping kids from stealing the ball helps the
development of both the offensive and defensive player. The offensive player is
able to learn how to dribble properly. The defensive player learns how to play
defense without reaching.
8-9 Yr Olds
Goal Height
Basketball Size
Program Structure
Time of Play
Game Time Structure
9 foot
28.5 inch
5v5 Cross Court
75 Minutes Total (30 min practice – 45 min game play)
4 x 7 min quarters; No Time outs
Game Modifications
1. Defensive Structure – Man to Man with Matchups; Opposing players will be
matched based on skill-level and provided color-coordinating wrist bands, thus
making it easy to find their “mark”
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2. No back-court defending allowed
3. Half-time free throws – This gives all players a chance to make a basket
uncontested
Rule Alterations
1. Travel/Double-Dribble enforced 1st obvious infraction
2. No steals off of dribble
Senior Age Group (10-12 Yr Olds)
Strength begins to diverge but the differences are small. Boys and girls are able to
compete evenly. Transitional skills improve and most children are able to master
complex motor skills. Attention spans increase but may remain selective. Children are
ready to learn strategy and more complex play combinations. Coaches should continue
to encourage skill development with an increasing emphasis on strategy and tactics. 3
During this age, game play will become slightly more competitive as they gain control
over the sport’s skill set. As adults, we must continue to support a collaborative sports
experience, meaning competing with the opposition rather than against them.
Goal Height
Basketball Size
Program Structure
Time of Play
Game Time Structure
10 foot
28.5 inch
5v5 Cross-Court (Full-Court if gym is small)
75 Minutes Total (30 min practice – 45 min game play)
4 x 8 min quarters; 1 Time Out per Half
Game Modifications
1. Defensive Structure – At the discretion of the coach
2. No back-court defending allowed
3. Half-time free throws – This gives all players a chance to make a basket
uncontested
Rule Alterations
1. Free-throws will be given for shooting fouls
Source:
1-3
Purcell Dr, Laura. Sport readiness in children and youth. Paediatr Child Health. 2005 JulAug; 10(6): 343–344.
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i9 Sports Basketball Age Group Differences at a Glance
4-5 Yr Olds
6-7 Yr Olds
8-9 Yr Olds
10-12 Yr Olds
7 Ft
8 Ft
9 Ft
10 Ft
27.5 Inch
27.5 Inch
28.5 Inch
28.5 Inch
Program
Structure
3v3 Half-Court or
5v5 Cross-Court
3v3 Half-Court or
5v5 Cross-Court
5v5 Cross-Court
5v5 Cross-Court or
5v5 Full Court
Time of Play
60 Min Total (30
Min Practice; 30
Min Game Time)
60 Min Total (25
Min Practice; 35
Min Game Time)
75 Min Total (30
Min Practice; 45
Min Game Time)
75 Min Total (30
Min Practice; 45
Min Game Time)
4x6 Min Quarters
4x6 Min Quarters
4x7 Min Quarters
4x8 Min Quarters
Optional
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Optional
Yes
Yes
Zonal Marking; Inbounding Coach
on court; HalfTime Free Throws;
No Back-Court
Defending
Zonal Marking;
Half-Time Free
Throws; No BackCourt Defending
Man to Man
Marking; Half-Time
Free Throws; No
Back-Court
Defending
Half-Time Free
Throws; No BackCourt Defending
No Steals off
Dribble
No Steals off
Dribble
No Steals off
Dribble
Free-Throws on
shooting fouls only
Goal Height
Basketball Size
Game Time
Structure
Scores Kept?
Statistics Kept?
Game
Modifications
Rule Alterations
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Explanation of Game Modifications and Rule Alterations
Defensive Structure
Our prescribed defensives structures help bring order to the chaos of youth sports.
They give the players structure that facilitates learning and success. Remember that at
these ages, each child is the center of their own universe. If you fail to emphasize the
appropriate defensive structure, you will quickly see the “bee hive” mentality take over,
meaning all kids are magnetically attracted to the ball creating chaos.
Zonal Marking
The court will be marked in either a 2-3 or 2-1-2 formation. Teach the defensive stance
of knees bent and hands up. When defending, all players must remain in contact with
their zone. Once the ball has been shot on basket, the zones are off and players are
encouraged to grab the rebounds.
Man to Man Marking with Matchups
This practice takes the guess work out of who each player is covering. At the start of
each period the coaches will match their players with one from the opposing team
based on skill level. The goal is to have the best players covering the best players from
the opposition. Each player will be given a coordinating band so that they can quickly
identify their “mark”.
Back-Court Defending
Learning how to break a full-court press is tough. Even the best high school teams
have trouble with it. There is no full-court pressure allowed in any of our divisions.
No Steals
Creating an environment of success for our young participants is vital to fostering child
confidence. Keeping kids from stealing the ball helps the development of both the
offensive and defensive player. The offensive player is able to learn how to dribble
properly. The defensive player learns how to play defense without reaching. By having
a no steals policy, we are making it easier to get the whole team involved in the attack.
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Double-Dribble/Traveling Enforcement
In i9 Sports Basketball, Officials are more of a coach than an official. If they blow the
whistle, they will teach. At the earlier ages we will enforce these rules more loosely.
For the Pee Wee group players can’t take off and run with the ball, but if they take a
couple steps then dribble, that’s OK. Also, two handed dribble is OK to start; at least
they are dribbling!
4 to 5 Yr Old Division:
Travel/Double-Dribble enforced on 3rd infraction;
1st/2nd infraction stopped and rule explained.
6 to 7 Yr Old Division:
Travel/Double-Dribble enforced on 2nd infraction; 1st
infraction stopped and rule explained.
8+ Yr Old Divisions:
Travel/Double-Dribble enforced 1st obvious infraction.
As the season progresses, the officials will tighten the rules as the players start to get it.
Half-Time Free-Throws
Parents love to see their children have success, so let’s give them more of what they
want. The Free-Throw Frenzy will do just that..
During the half-time break, the officials will organize a Free-Throw Frenzy.
Simultaneously, each team will have the opportunity to make as many baskets as they
can in a 60 second period. These shots will be taken from the middle of the key (7.5
feet from the backboard) for the 4-5 yr olds and moved back 2 feet for each age group.
On the official’s command, each team will rotate through their roster taking shots as
quick as they can. The coaches will want to rebound and have two balls in play so each
team can have maximum number of attempts. Points scored will be added to the team
totals.
Coach In-Bounding
In basketball it is very easy for the best, most skillful players to dominate the game.
One way to spread the ball around the team is to have the defending coach, position
themselves under the basket. Then when a basket is scored, they will be able to inbound the ball to a different player each time.
This gives everyone a chance to be on center stage and dribble the ball up the court. It
also speeds up the game.
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i9 Sports Official Basketball Rules
Please keep in mind that the goal at these age groups is learning and FUN!
Players' Equipment
i9 Sports will supply each player with an i9 Sports reversible, mesh game jersey.
Parents supply dark shorts and sneakers. Mouth guards are optional.
Referees
 There will be 1 (one) referee for all 5 on 5 age groups.
 Referees should avoid interfering with the course of play but are considered
part of the court.
 Referees should briefly explain all rule infractions to the offending player.
 More coaching of rules should be provided at the younger ages.
The Start of Play
The winner of a coin toss at the beginning of the game will get possession. The
opposite team will start with possession in the second half. Teams will switch baskets
at half time and a coin toss will determine possession for each overtime period.
Time Outs & Over Time
Any age group between 4 and 7 year olds will not have timeouts. Age groups 8+ will
have One (1), 30-second time out per half.
*In all age groups there will be no overtime in the regular season. Playoff overtime will
be 5 minute periods as needed.
*The clock will run continuously with the exception of free throws for the 10+ division
only.
Offense
Backcourt violations will not be enforced in any 9 or under divisions. The general
backcourt violation rule (half court line) will be enforced for 10+ divisions.
Defense
4-5 Year Old Division Defensive Restrictions:
 No defense in the back court.
 Teams will play zone defense with positions marked for each defensive
player.
 No stealing off of the dribble.
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6-7 Year Old Division Defensive Restrictions:
 No defense in the back court.
 Teams will play zone defense with positions marked for each defensive
player.
 No stealing off of the dribble.
8-9 Year Old Division Defensive Restrictions:
 No defense in the back court.
 Teams will Man-Mark with pre-determined match-ups being indentified with
corresponding arm bands.
 No stealing off of the dribble.
10+ Year Old Division Defensive Restrictions:
 No defense in the back court.
 Teams can play either zone or man to man.
FOULS
Personal fouls: Personal fouls include any type of illegal physical contact:
 Hitting
 Pushing
 Slapping
 Holding
 Illegal Screen – A screen is illegal when the screener moves in order to make
contact with a defender creating an advantage.
Personal foul penalties: If a player is shooting while a being fouled, then he gets two
free throws if his shot doesn't go in, but only one free throw if his shot does go in.


Inbounds. If fouled while not shooting, the ball is given to the team the foul was
committed upon. They get the ball at the nearest side or baseline, out of bounds,
and have 5 seconds to pass the ball onto the court.
Ten or more fouls. If the team committing the foul has ten or more fouls, then the
fouled player receives two free throws.
Charging, or a player control foul, is similar to a blocking foul and occurs when contact
is initiated by the player in control of the ball.
Blocking - Blocking is illegal personal contact resulting from a defender not establishing
position in time to prevent an opponent's drive to the basket.
VIOLATIONS
Traveling - This is defined as taking more than 'a step and a half' without dribbling the
ball is traveling. Moving your pivot foot once you've stopped dribbling is traveling.
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Carrying - Occurs when the dribbling player continues to dribble the ball after allowing
the ball to come to rest in one or both hands.
Double Dribble - Dribbling the ball with both hands on the ball at the same time or
picking up the dribble and then dribbling again is a double dribble.
Held ball - Occasionally, two or more opposing players will gain possession of the ball
at the same time. In order to avoid a prolonged and/or violent tussle, the referee stops
the action and awards the ball to one team or the other on a rotating basis.
Backcourt violation - Once the offense has brought the ball across the mid-court line,
they cannot go back across the line during possession. If they do, the ball is awarded to
the other team to pass inbounds.
Time restrictions - A player passing the ball inbounds has five seconds to pass the
ball. If he does not, then the ball is awarded to the other team. The other time restriction
foul is a player cannot have the ball in play without dribbling for more than five seconds.
When In Doubt, Sit Them Out Policy
If a coach, official or i9 Sports staff member suspects that an athlete may have
sustained a concussion, the player should be removed from play immediately. The
player should not be left alone and the parent/guardian should be notified so they can
follow up accordingly.
Forfeit
 Games must start with at least 1 less player than the game format requires
(example – if playing 5v5, the team must have 4 players present). Any team that
cannot field the required number of players within five minutes of the scheduled
start time shall forfeit the game.
 Forfeit scores will be recorded as 10-0.
Games at the younger age groups should be officiated more loosely with emphasis
placed on instruction.
“and the most important rule of all... HAVE
FUN!!!”
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