HVTBL Game Rules 2026-27
B = boys; G = girls; otherwise both
v1 released October 2026
| Rule | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball size | B: 28.5″ G: 27.5″ |
B: 28.5″ G: 27.5″ |
28.5″ | 28.5″ | B: 29.5″ G: 28.5″ |
B: 29.5″ G: 28.5″ |
| Free throw distance | 12 ft | 12 ft | 15 ft + jump* |
Standard | Standard | Standard |
| 3-point shots | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Defense | MTM** all game |
MTM** all game |
MTM** all game |
1H: MTM** 2H: zone OK |
No restriction | No restriction |
| Press in regulation^ | None; pick up at 3-point line | None; pick up at 3-point line | Last 2 min of Q4 | Throughout | Throughout | Throughout |
| Press in OT | None | None | Last 2 min of OT | Entire OT | Entire OT | Entire OT |
| No press when leading by | N/A | N/A | 10+ points | 10+ points | 15+ points | 15+ points |
| 5-second guarding | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
^Grades 3-4: No pressing at any time. Defenders must stay behind the 3-point line, except in the final 2 minutes of Q4 and each OT, when they may pick up at halfcourt.
*May jump over the line if the ball is released from behind it.
| Game clock | Stopped clock. 8-minute quarters and 3-minute overtime for all grades. |
|---|---|
| Timeouts | 3 full per game + 1 30-second per half. Unused 30-second does not carry over. Each OT: 1 full. No carryover from regulation to OT or from OT to OT. |
| Bonus free throws | By quarter: 2 shots on the 5th team foul, all divisions. No 1-and-1. |
| Free throw lane | All players except the shooter may enter on release; shooter waits for ball to hit rim. Maximum 6 players in lane. Substitutions allowed after 1st shot. |
| Backcourt | 10-second backcourt rule applies to all grades. |
| Fouling out | 5 total fouls (any combination of personal and technical), or 2 technical fouls. |
| Technical and flagrant fouls | 2 free throws + loss of possession. Ejection mandatory on 2nd infraction; referee may eject on 1st if warranted. Benches or fans may be charged technicals for poor sportsmanship, including distracting foul shooters. |
| Advance the ball GIRLS ONLY |
Last minute of Q4 or OT: After its own timeout, a girls team may choose a throw-in spot 28 feet from the end line in its offensive half, on either side. Team must control the ball or be due a backcourt throw-in. The ball must not already have been advanced by pass or dribble in any direction before the timeout. Opponent’s timeout does not qualify. BOYS MAY NOT ADVANCE. |
**Man-to-Man Rules: Each defender must legitimately guard an individual opponent. Perimeter trapping and “camping” in the lane are strictly prohibited, as are “disguised” zone defenses.
On a fast break, any player can guard any offensive player going down court. Help side coverage out of a bona fide MTM defense is both acceptable and encouraged. Defenders may converge (trap) in the lane to defend a screen and roll or to help stop a drive to the basket as long as the defender returns to his/her opponent when the ball rotates and the play resets.
On the first violation, officials will explain to coaches and players why the warning was given. Second and further violations will result in a single foul shot for the opposing team, with the offense retaining possession.