Rules for All Grades
2017 Boys Tri-County Game Rules Rules for All Grades Game periods for the regular season and season-end tournament are: Pre-game warm-up – seven minutes (minimum) Quarter – seven minutes Half-time – five minutes Overtime – first overtime: three minutes per period. If there is a second overtime, first team to score wins. Timeout rules for Tri-County Boys Basketball will follow WIAA Rules. There are three (3) full timeouts, and two (2) “30-second” timeouts, per game. Games in which there is overtime, each team receives an additional full timeout. Unused timeouts from regulation play carry over and may be used in the overtime.
Basketball Size: 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Games – Women’s Regulation Size (28.5”) 7th and 8th Grade Games – Men’s Regulation Size
Rules by Grade Level All Grade Levels:
Any team ahead by 20 points will not be allowed to press in the backcourt. If the lead falls below 20-point margin, the team in the lead may again press until 20-point lead occurs again. Once a team is ahead by 30 points the score will be removed from the scoreboard and the clock will run continuously except for time-outs, injuries, and free throws. (Note: the score will not be put back on the scoreboard if the losing team closes the gap to less than 30 points.) Three-point goals will be recognized in gyms where marked. Technical fouls are shot – points are not automatically awarded.
4th Grade & 5th Grade: When shooting free throws, players must start with their feet behind the free throw line and they may step into the lane with their follow through. The player shooting the free throw cannot be the first to touch the ball following a miss. 4th & 5th Grade:
Lane violations will be four (4) seconds instead of three (3) seconds. Except for the last two minutes of the game: only half-court man-to-man defense will be permitted; no pressure in the backcourt will be allowed; once the defending team gains control of the ball the opposing team must immediately retreat to halfcourt to defend their basket. After the ball changes possession the defense cannot touch the ball in the back-court. If a foul is committed in the back-court, a foul will be charged and any resulting free throws will be shot. A defensive player will not be required to pick up their man until their man enters the three-point arc in the front-court. Except for the last two minutes of the game: double-teaming of an offensive player will only be allowed if the offensive player comes to the defense; the defense will not be allowed to initiate the doubleteam (e.g. a half-court trap). However, a team will be allowed to provide help defense in the lane provided it is not construed to be a zone. Except for the last two minutes of the game: no zone defenses are allowed at any time – formal (e.g. 1-2-2) or informal (i.e. sagging so far off the offensive player that it becomes unclear who the defensive player is guarding). Except for the last two minutes of the game: the penalty for initiating a double-team or zone defense will be one team warning, thereafter, a technical foul will be assessed to the team which will not count towards the bench. During the last two minutes of the game: full-court pressing, either zone or man-to-man shall be allowed by either team; double-teaming of an offensive player shall be allowed; and zone defense in the front-court shall be allowed. Once in the backcourt, man-to-man defense must be played.
6th Grade: No restrictions until winning by 15 points…then must play half court man to man defense.
General Information
Parents who receive a technical foul – may not attend for 2 games Coaches who receive a technical foul – must meet with their community rep for possible game suspension. Bench Contact (SEAT BELT RULE) - Coaches must have contact with the bench at all times. Coaches may stand only to call a time-out or to talk to players on the bench. Coaches who receive a technical foul lose the right to stand …period.
Scorekeeper – Each team will provide one person for the score table. One will run the clock and one will do the scorebook. Person must be at least 14 years of age. The Tri-County Conference will not tolerate harassment, taunting, profanity, or racial comments directed towards coaches, players, officials, scorers, timers, or spectators. People found in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline by the TriCounty Commissioner and their community.
Basketball Size: 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Games – Women’s Regulation Size (28.5”) 7th and 8th Grade Games – Men’s Regulation Size
Rules by Grade Level All Grade Levels:
Any team ahead by 20 points will not be allowed to press in the backcourt. If the lead falls below 20-point margin, the team in the lead may again press until 20-point lead occurs again. Once a team is ahead by 30 points the score will be removed from the scoreboard and the clock will run continuously except for time-outs, injuries, and free throws. (Note: the score will not be put back on the scoreboard if the losing team closes the gap to less than 30 points.) Three-point goals will be recognized in gyms where marked. Technical fouls are shot – points are not automatically awarded.
4th Grade & 5th Grade: When shooting free throws, players must start with their feet behind the free throw line and they may step into the lane with their follow through. The player shooting the free throw cannot be the first to touch the ball following a miss. 4th & 5th Grade:
Lane violations will be four (4) seconds instead of three (3) seconds. Except for the last two minutes of the game: only half-court man-to-man defense will be permitted; no pressure in the backcourt will be allowed; once the defending team gains control of the ball the opposing team must immediately retreat to halfcourt to defend their basket. After the ball changes possession the defense cannot touch the ball in the back-court. If a foul is committed in the back-court, a foul will be charged and any resulting free throws will be shot. A defensive player will not be required to pick up their man until their man enters the three-point arc in the front-court. Except for the last two minutes of the game: double-teaming of an offensive player will only be allowed if the offensive player comes to the defense; the defense will not be allowed to initiate the doubleteam (e.g. a half-court trap). However, a team will be allowed to provide help defense in the lane provided it is not construed to be a zone. Except for the last two minutes of the game: no zone defenses are allowed at any time – formal (e.g. 1-2-2) or informal (i.e. sagging so far off the offensive player that it becomes unclear who the defensive player is guarding). Except for the last two minutes of the game: the penalty for initiating a double-team or zone defense will be one team warning, thereafter, a technical foul will be assessed to the team which will not count towards the bench. During the last two minutes of the game: full-court pressing, either zone or man-to-man shall be allowed by either team; double-teaming of an offensive player shall be allowed; and zone defense in the front-court shall be allowed. Once in the backcourt, man-to-man defense must be played.
6th Grade: No restrictions until winning by 15 points…then must play half court man to man defense.
General Information
Parents who receive a technical foul – may not attend for 2 games Coaches who receive a technical foul – must meet with their community rep for possible game suspension. Bench Contact (SEAT BELT RULE) - Coaches must have contact with the bench at all times. Coaches may stand only to call a time-out or to talk to players on the bench. Coaches who receive a technical foul lose the right to stand …period.
Scorekeeper – Each team will provide one person for the score table. One will run the clock and one will do the scorebook. Person must be at least 14 years of age. The Tri-County Conference will not tolerate harassment, taunting, profanity, or racial comments directed towards coaches, players, officials, scorers, timers, or spectators. People found in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline by the TriCounty Commissioner and their community.
