SYB IN-TOWN LEAGUE
3rd + 4th Grade Mites (Boys + Girls)
(last revised 11/11/2022)
GAME TIME
- It is the responsibility of the coaches to start the game at the scheduled time. Each gym has games scheduled 1 hour apart and keeping ALL games on time is important for everyone. Games must run no longer than 55 minutes. If games are running late, keep your pre-game warm-ups to 2 minutes and reduce the half-time break to 1 minute (or enough time for a water break).
- If there is no referee, please recruit a coach or parent to get the game started.
- If a team is unable to field five (5) players at start time, please play four on four as the goal is not to forfeit games.
- Play WILL continue with less than five (5) players if a player fouls out or is injured during the game. The other team may continue to play with (5) players.
- Games CANNOT be postponed or re-scheduled by coaches without prior approval of the Commissioner. Generally, we do NOT make up games cancelled or postponed games.
- Weather-related cancellations of games will be posted on SYB web site the day of the game, so have your team members check the SYB web site.
GAME DURATION
Game Length: All games consist of two halves of 16 minutes each with “partial running time” for first 14 minutes and “regular stop time” for the last 2 minutes of each half AND for the entire Overtime period (2 min)
- PARTIAL run time means the clock STOPS only for * substitutions * fouls shots * time outs * injuries but continues to run at all other normal whistle stoppages of play
- REGULAR stop time means the clock STOPS on all whistle stoppages of play, including fouls shots, out-of-bounds, turnovers, etc.
OVERTIME
If the score is tied at the end of regulation, a 2-minute overtime period will be played.
- start OT period with jump ball
- coach can use any eligible players during OT (but not a player who has fouled out)
- clock stops on the whistle and foul shots in overtime
- If a game is tied at the end of the first overtime, the game will end in a tie.
- Playoffs. If the score is still tied at end of first overtime, there will be an additional 1-minute overtime. An overtime period will be played until the game is decided.
TIMEOUTS: All teams have 3 timeouts per game, even if the game goes into overtime.
COURT: Games are played on a full court. Normal out of bounds along the baseline and sidelines.
RIM HEIGHT: 10’
BALL SIZE: 27.5 inches in circumference must be used.
GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP RULE
If a team is up by 20 or more points, the team shall not steal the ball from the opposing team. If the ball is stolen, offense retains possession and check ball behind the arc at the top of the key.
JUMP BALL
All games will start with a jump ball. The alternate possession rule will apply and will be used to determine who starts with the ball at the beginning of the second half.
SHOT CLOCK
No shot clock - however, no stalling is allowed. An offensive team cannot hold the ball outside of the three-point line longer than 25 seconds. Referee should give a five second warning to pass or dribble the ball inside of the three-point line. The ball must stay within the three-point line for at least 5 seconds. Do not strictly enforce but use common sense.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Play will stop every four minutes to allow for substitutions. The timekeeper and referee should stop the game at 12-, 8- and 4-minute marks of each half to allow for substitutions; they should use their judgment when stopping play for these substitutions (i.e., do not stop a fast break).
- No player can play more than two shifts back-to-back. Unless the team has only five players then there are no subs.
- The coaches must use the substitution matrix to ensure even playing time. Our goal is to teach the game and have the kids want to continue to play basketball. The lineup should not be stacked to win a game. There are no A or B teams. Skill level must be evenly distributed. For defensive matchups, coaches should ensure size and skill are factored in when doing the matchups.
- No player can play more than 1 shift more than another teammate, i.e., no player can play 6 shifts unless all other teammates have played 5 shifts --- the intent is to spread out the extra shifts among all players so that the top players do not play substantially more than his/her teammates. It is the coach’s responsibility to abide by this rule and keep track of the number of shifts each player has played.
- During the substitution break, ANY & ALL players sitting on the bench MUST be substituted into the game; this mandatory substitution is not to be used as a time out.
- Coaches should use their best judgment on balancing shifts for beginner/advanced players when games are lopsided.
- Except for injuries, this is the only time that substitutions can be made (i.e., coach may not call time out with 2 minutes remaining and make a substitution).
- Players in foul trouble must continue to play until the next scheduled substitution so they can learn to play in this situation.
INDIVIDUAL FOULS
Players will be disqualified once they have committed their 5th foul. If a player fouls out, a substitution can be made immediately.
TEAM FOULS/BONUS
Teams shoot one-and-one foul shots when opposing team is assessed its 7th team foul of the half. It becomes a two-shot foul when the opposing team reaches 10 fouls.
FREE THROWS
The shooter may use a 12-foot foul line (1 step in front of the actual foul line). Free throw lanes will be limited to four players. On two/three shot fouls, free throw lanes will remain empty, and players can only enter lanes prior to the final attempt. For one-and-one and single free throw attempts, all four players may position themselves on the first attempt. Teams shoot one-on-one foul shot when opposing team is assessed its 7th team foul of the half. Teams shoot 2 shots on the 10th team foul.
TRAVELING VIOLATIONS
In Mites: not strictly enforced – use common sense; in first few games of the season, it is suggested that during the first three games that travel violations called during the first half of the game are explained to the player & that player’s team is allowed to take the ball out of bounds and during the 2nd half of the game, a travel call results in a turnover.
THREE SECOND VIOLATION
It will not be enforced. For kids staying too long in the lane, referees and coaches should encourage them to move.
OFFENSE
Offenses may not spread the court to clear out defenders. All players must be involved in the offense. Clearing out players to create one-on-one matchups is illegal. You may not defend/pressure the player beyond the three-point line. This gives everyone a chance to be on center stage and dribble the ball without the pressure of losing it. And, each player must be given at least one opportunity to bring the ball up the court.
STARTING A POSSESSION
- Except for a fast break, the offensive team should try to make three passes before a shot is taken. While the kids may just pass the ball around the perimeter where it cannot be stolen, it gives everyone a chance to touch the ball. Plus, it is a wonderful opportunity for the kids to learn how to properly pass the ball and catch. They learn the importance of passing and sharing the ball. Also, they can learn how to move without the ball after a pass.
- One or two players should not bring the ball up the court every time. Every player on the team should have two or three chances per game to bring the ball up the court.
SCORING
No 3 Pointers. Baskets made from outside the arc count as two points.
Eliminating the 3-point basket will encourage players to shoot from a developmentally appropriate range and is in accordance with USA Basketball and NBA Age-Appropriate Rules and Standards for Youth Basketball Competitions.
INDIVIDUAL SCORING
No player can score more than 14 points in a single game during regulation time (this limit is removed for overtime)
- If a player with 14 or more points scores again, the points are not awarded, and it will be considered a turnover for his/her team and the opposing team will get the ball.
- If a player with 14 or more points is fouled and awarded free throws, his/her coach must select another player on the court to shoot the free throws.
- If a player reaches the 14-point limit, the other team CANNOT change the defensive match-up against that player to try to gain an advantage against the other players. The same player that had been guarding that player earlier in the shift must continue to guard him for the remainder of the shift. The matchups for any later shifts must be done without considering that a player may be ineligible to score. The “no double-teaming” rule will be strictly enforced to make sure that the defensive player does not “wander” over to help cover eligible scorers.
- If a player who has already scored 13 scores a basket, all the points count in the game score. If a player who has already scored 13 points is fouled and awarded 2 foul shots, he may shoot all the foul shots and all the points count in the game score.
- NOTE: This rule is designed to encourage team play and involvement of all players in the offense, and to prevent one player from dominating the game at the expense of his/her teammates and/or consistently taking advantage of mismatches created during that period or caused by available/missing players that day.
DEFENSE
- Man-to-man defense only, no zone schemes.
- Defense must start inside of the three-point line. You may not defend the player beyond the three-point line. If stolen, offense retains possession. The defense must stay inside of the three-point line like no pressure until half court. This gives everyone a chance to be on center stage and dribble the ball without the pressure of losing it – creating an environment of success for the kids is vital to fostering confidence.
- No double team outside of the paint. If a double team that results in a turnover, the offensive team will retain possession and the ball will be in-bounded from the sideline.
- Help defense is permitted inside of the paint and players may switch to help defend a pick. After that, the defenders should either stick with their own player or "switch" players.
- Defenders need to be within 5’ of their offensive player and should not be so far removed from their offensive player that their positioning is tantamount to a zone. The goal is to get all players to learn how to play man-to-man defense; no defense should be used to leave a weak player unguarded & pressure a more skilled player. Coaches should immediately correct any of their players who "wander" over to double team so that we remain true to the spirit of these rules.
- If the offensive team chooses to spread out to the corners beyond the 3-point arc, the defense is NOT required to defend them closely. The same spirit behind our rules regarding zone defenses should apply to any offensive alignment seeking to unfairly take advantage of the rule requiring man-to-man defense (i.e., no isolating an offensive player on one side of the court while his/her teammates "clear out" on the other side). Let the kids learn how to play TEAM basketball.
- In the last two minutes of the game, defense can start at half-court which prevents the opposing team from stalling or just dribbling outside the three-point line.
DEFENSE MATCHUPS
Players should guard someone of similar skill level. Matchups should not be made to create a distinct advantage for one player over another. Coaches should work together to set up the competitive matchups.
PRESSING
No pressing is allowed during the game.
In the last two minutes of the game, defense can start at half-court which prevents the opposing team from stalling or just dribbling outside the three-point line.
OTHER RULES
All other rules default to standard MIAA High School rules.
GAME RESULTS
The coach of the WINNING Team is responsible for emailing or texting the game score to the division coordinator before the end of the game day.
SEASON ENDING TIEBREAKERS
Any ties in team records at the end of the regular season will be decided first by head-to-head record, then by other standard tiebreakers. The point differential will be capped at 20 for the standings. If unresolved, a coin flip will be used. Since all teams get into the post-season “March Madness” tournament, this will only affect the seedings for that tournament.
TECHNICAL FOULS
Coaches, parents, and players in the in-town program are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with teammates, coaches, parents, or referees, or use abusive or foul language. Coaches and parents especially have the responsibility to serve as role models of respect and good sportsmanship and should reinforce that players should not talk back to and/or argue with referees and should not be disparaging to any teammate or opposing players.
There will be no tolerance for players complaining to or arguing with the referees or coaches about the calls. As coaches, we should be a role model as well so do not argue or complain about any call. No matter how bad you think it is.
SYB will follow high school rules for technical fouls as follows:
- Any player receiving a technical foul during a game will automatically sit out the rest of that game
- Any coach receiving a technical foul during a game will be required to sit on the bench the rest of the game
- Any coach receiving a second technical foul in the same game will be required to leave the bench immediately
Any coach and/or player receiving a technical foul must send an email letter of explanation to the In-Town Commissioner within 24 hours of the incident. All technical fouls will be reported and reviewed by the SYB Board for potential additional disciplinary action, including suspensions.
Rules that Apply Differently according to Division:
- Travel Violations & Fouls: Not strictly enforced – use common sense.
- 3-point shots: Mites: No 3 Pointers. Baskets made from outside the arc count as two points.
- Foul shots: Mites: The shooter may use a 12-foot foul line (1 step in front of the actual foul line). The shooter may not attempt to get a rebound until the ball hits the rim.
- 3 second lane violations: It will not be enforced. For kids staying too long in the lane, referees and coaches should encourage them to move.
- Ball size: Mites: 27.5 inches in circumference must be used.
All other rules default to standard MIAA High School rules
*Coaches: In sensitive areas including playing time, press intensity, defensive pickup, coaches should talk prior to game to ensure the spirit of fair play and balance - the coaches must take responsibility for creating a good experience in the games as well! Also, coaches should huddle with the officials prior to each game to remind refs of division rules and any special circumstances.
