The Rules

Additional Rules for Seventh and Eighth Grade Players

Referee Zero Tolerance Policy

All persons associated with the team, including players, coaches and spectators, shall support the referees. No one is to address the referee during the game with the following exceptions:

Coaches or players responding to the referee,
Coaches making substitutions,
Coaches, players or spectators pointing out emergencies or safety issues.

At halftime with the other team's coach or after a game, a coach may ask a referee to explain a rule in a polite and constructive way. Polite and friendly feedback can be given to the referee after the game. Absolutely no demonstrative behavior, sarcasm, harassment or intimidation by coaches, players or parents will be tolerated. Referees will report such behavior to the Board.

1st infraction: Referee will ignore
2nd infraction: Warning and/or technical foul
3rd infraction: Technical foul and offender ejected and asked to leave the gym

Clarifications to the Rules for Referees and Coaches

(Posted December 14, 2006)

In grades 3-6 there is no backcourt defense permitted. Coaches are asked to have their players start playing defense closer to the paint (instead of the half-court line to prevent the "wall of defense"). Also, double-teaming is not permitted except on a player driving to the basket for a shot. In grades 3 - 5 we have found that double teaming happens an awful lot. If you find this is happening, feel free to stop the game and explain this to both teams.
In grades 7/8, backcourt defense and double-teaming are permitted, except for teams when they are up by 12 or more points (the trailing team may always press in the backcourt and double-team).
Game clock - Grade 7/8 have 2 - 22 minute halves. This works well if the game starts by 5 past the hour. If necessary, the referees may shorten the second half to ensure the game completes before the end of the hour. The final two minutes of the second half is a 'stop clock'. That is the only time in which the clock stops for a stop in play.
Game Clock - High School - 2 - 27 minute halves, with clock stoppage for free throws, and the final 2 minutes of the second half can also have a stop clock.

NGBA Game Rules for all Grades

STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL RULES WILL BE USED WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:

The teams shall play man-to-man defense only (Grades 7/8 and HS can play zone).
Full court defense is not allowed. The defensive team may not play defense until the offensive team brings the ball across the mid-court line. The offense has 10 seconds to bring the ball passed mid-court.
Each team can exercise 1 time-out per half. A time-out is no more than 1 minute. Only the coach can call time-out. The clock will be stopped during any timeout.
When a player is fouled in the act of shooting, the player will be allowed foul shots. In the final two minutes of the game, the clock will be stopped for any foul shot.
There will be no overtime play. A tie score at the end of regulation play time will remain as a tie.
A player will be disqualified upon committing her 5th foul in a game (except for the 3rd grade).
An offensive player cannot be in the lane for a more than 4 seconds (except for the 3rd grade).

PLAYING TIME AND SUBSTITUTIONS

A team consists of no more than 10 players. [8 in third grade]
Each player must play at least TWO FULL QUARTERS of a game.
No player may play 4 quarters unless all other team members have played 3 quarters.
Coaches should make an effort to play all team members approximately the same amount of time.
Substitutions are permitted only:

In the case of injury or fatigue,

During the 4th quarter ONLY, when:

The coach of winning team is trying to keep the margin between the scores low,

all players on a team have played 2 full quarters. (This should be used to provide more even playing time among all players on a team.)

ALLOCATION OF TIME

Each game will have a warm-up period which shall not exceed 5 minutes.
For grades 3-6 the game will be played in 4 quarters; each quarter will be 10 minutes in length. Grades 7/8 is two 22 minute halves. HS is two 27 minute halves.
Intervals between quarters shall not exceed 2 minutes.
Every effort will be made to start on time (5 minutes after the hour) and to end on time. The referees may shorten the quarters in order to end the game before the hour.

STANDINGS

No team standings will ever be announced.

SAFETY REGULATIONS

From National Federation of State High School Associations, High School
Rules, 1990:

A player shall not be permitted to wear equipment which is
dangerous or confusing to other players. This includes, but is not
limited to, items such as:

A guard, cast or brace made of hard and unyielding leather, plastic, pliable (soft) plastic, metal or any other card substance, even if covered with soft padding when worn on the finger, hand, wrist, elbow, or forearm.
Head wear (exceptions: head bands no wider than 2 inches and made of nonabrasive material may be worn. Rubbercloth (elastic) bands may be used to control hair. Beads and hard barrettes are not allowed.
Jewelry, including, but not limited to, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, including those made of rope, leather, plastic or metal. Earrings are not allowed, even if covered with tape.

NGBA SUPPLEMENTAL SAFETY POLICIES

In the event of uncertainty, the decision of the referees and/or any Board member is final.
A player must wear her team uniform and sneakers while playing a game.
Two adults, preferably the coach and assistant coach, should be present during each team practice.

OTHER POLICIES

Referees will be encouraged to use a stoppage in play to explain rules to players.
Coaches are responsible for the demeanor of the parents, relatives and friends of a player on their team. The referees can award a technical foul as a consequence of spectator disruption.
Running up the score is considered poor sportsmanship. Running up the score will call into question a coach's further participation in this league. The Board may review the incident and take the appropriate action.
No game will ever be replayed, even in the event, for example, of disruption by snow or a fire alarm.
There is no appeal of a referee's decision.
Games may be changed, canceled, or rescheduled at the discretion of the Board. A coach may not change, cancel or reschedule any game.
During a game, only 3 coaches and players officially on the team may be on the bench sideline. All others should be in spectator areas. All coaches must be registered with NGBA.
If a player drops out or quits her team, the coach must inform the Grade Coordinator immediately. A replacement or new player may be added to a team from the waiting list maintained by the Grade Coordinator.

Additional Rules for Seventh and Eighth Grade Players

In the seventh and eight grade we use modified high school rules. High school rules will be used with the following exceptions:

Time: There will be 2 twenty-two minute halves with a five minute intermission. The referee will have the option of shortening the second half if the game is running late or if it is one sided. The game will be running time, except that the clock will stop for timeouts and there will be "stop time" (includes all fouls and out of bound plays) during the last two minutes of the games.
Substitution and Playing Time: There will be free substitution during the game. However, coaches are encouraged to have players play at least 50% of each half of the game without substitution. This allows girls to get into the flow of the game and avoids wasting time on substitutions. There is no need for coaches to substitute every few minutes! NGBA expects that each girl will play an equal amount of time, regardless of her skill level.
How to Substitute: Substitutes will report to the scorer's table and the scorer should get the referee's attention on the next stoppage of play. Substituting "on the fly" or without being allowed into the game by a referee will result in a technical foul.
Timeouts: One per half. Timeouts will be one minute in duration.
Overtime: A game tied at the end of regulation will be declared a tie.
Lane Violations: A violation will be called after 4 seconds.
Zone Defense: Zone defense is permitted.
Backcourt Defense: Teams may play man to man backcourt defense. In order to encourage ball movement, backcourt trapping, double teaming, or zone traps are not allowed. If the score differential is greater than 12 points, backcourt defense of any type will not be allowed. This will be enforced by the referee who will first give a warning and then (on subsequent violations) may, at his or her discretion, assess a technical foul.
Penalty Situation: The seventh foul of each half will result in a penalty situation where, on a non-shooting foul, there will be a "one on one" (i.e. if the first shot is made, a second shot is awarded). On the tenth foul of each half and each foul thereafter, the shooter takes two shots. The scorer must keep track of individual player and team fouls by half at the bottom of the score sheet.

Guidelines for all Players

Our enforcement of the rules of basketball differs according to the grade level.

Referees will use their discretion according to the age and level of play of the teams involved.

The following guidelines should be applied to maintain some consistency within the program.

THIRD GRADE

The third grade program teaches beginning basketball skills. In most cases, the girls are playing basketball for the first time. Our goal is to teach the basics of dribbling, passing, shooting and playing defense.
The role of the referee during games is equal part teacher and referee. Demonstration and instruction is encouraged. A major challenge is to keep the eight girls positioned on the court so that they do not appear to be playing rugby. The referee can also help to give all of the girls a chance to touch the ball.
The number and type of calls will change as the season progresses. In general, we blow the whistle for out of bounds and very blatant fouls or traveling. The referee will instruct the girls regarding no backcourt defense and will help the defending team to move into proper position. No score is kept for third grade games.

FOURTH GRADE

The fourth grade also involves a large number of girls playing for the first time, and many who played last year but don't have a good understanding of the rules.
The first three weeks of the season are used as an adjustment period, with only out of bounds and blatant fouls/ traveling violations called.
Players should be reminded by the referee about proper defensive positioning, back court violations, and 5 second out of bounds plays - although these should not be called during the first two weeks. Referees are encouraged to provide as much instruction and support as possible.
Beginning on the third week, we start to more actively call the violations noted above, but ask referees to explain important rules at the beginning of each quarter and to talk to the girls while the game is in progress. For example, it is fine for the referee to say, "you have ten seconds to get the ball over half court," or "slide with your feet or that will be a foul." A warning that prevents a violation is generally a better learning experience than a whistle - especially early in the season. We also begin to teach four second lane violations in the third week. This is always a difficult concept for the girls to understand, and we ask the coaches to review this in practice the week before. The referee should review the 4 second rule before each quarter.
Players should be warned to move out of the lane when they have been in position for 5-7 seconds ("Number 10, you have to move out of the lane!"). As the season goes along and the girls start to get the idea, the warning can be followed by a whistle for blatant violations.
There is always incredible improvement in play and recognition of the rules during the second half of the forth grade season.

FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE

In the fifth and sixth grade, we fully enforce the NGBA game rules beginning at the first game. There will be some new players, and it usually takes a few weeks for the girls to orient themselves to basketball.
Referees should continue to take an instructional approach appropriate to the grade level and the stage of the basketball season. Early warnings on violations are encouraged. After initial warnings, referees are instructed to make the call. Referees are encouraged to always explain the violation so that the players learn from their mistakes.
Technical Fouls: Bad language, arguing with the referee, violent/ dangerous play, or unsportsmanlike behavior by players or coaches is not tolerated at any level. Particularly for the older grades, referees will call technical fouls. If necessary, the referee will contact an NGBA board member or adult referee for additional assistance.

NGBA

Newton Girls Basketball Association

Newton, Massachusetts