2026-2027 Draft
Game Structure
Quarter Length: 8 minutes for all grades (3rd–8th) Overtime: 3 minutes, stopped clock
Timeouts
Per game: 3 full + 1 thirty-second per half (no carryover between halves) Per overtime: 1 full (no carryover from regulation or to additional OTs)
Ball Size
| Grade | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd–5th | 28.5 | 28.5 |
| 6th–8th | 29.5 | 28.5 |
Scoring & Shooting
3-point shot: Not allowed in 3rd–4th grade. Allowed from 5th grade up.
Bonus free throws: By quarter — 2 shots on the 5th team foul. No 1-and-1.
Free throw distance:
- 3rd–5th grade: May jump over the line if the ball is released from behind it
- 6th–8th: Standard distance
Free throw lane rules:
- Shooter must wait for the ball to hit the rim before anyone enters the lane (entry permitted on release)
- Maximum 6 players in the lane
- Substitutions allowed after the 1st shot
Defensive Rules
Man-to-man requirement (3rd–5th grade only): First half must be man-to-man. Zone defense permitted only in the second half.
Full-court press (allowed for all grades, with restrictions):
- 3rd–5th grade: Pressing only allowed during the last 2 minutes of each half and the 4th quarter
- 5th grade overtime: pressing allowed the entire OT
- 3rd–4th grade overtime: pressing only in the final minute
- 6th–8th grade: Pressing allowed throughout
Press limits (when leading):
- 3rd–5th grade: no pressing with a 10+ point lead
- 6th–8th grade: no pressing with a 15+ point lead
Backcourt rules:
- 5-second guarding: applies in 5th grade and up (not in 3rd–4th)
- 10-second backcourt: applies to all grades
Fouling Out
Players foul out after 5 personal fouls (any combination of personal and technical fouls) or 2 technical fouls.
Technical & Flagrant Fouls
Result in 2 free throws plus loss of possession. Ejection is mandatory on the 2nd infraction, but referees may eject on the first if warranted. Referees may also charge technicals to benches or fans for poor sportsmanship, such as distracting foul shooters.
Advancing the Ball (Girls Only)
In the last minute of the 4th quarter or overtime, a girls’ team may move the throw-in spot to 28 feet from the end line in their offensive half — on either side at the coach’s discretion — but only when:
- The team in control (or about to receive a throw-in in their backcourt) is granted a timeout
- The ball has not already been advanced by pass or dribble (in any direction) before the timeout
An opponent’s timeout does not grant this option. Boys may not advance.