League Rules

1)   High School Rules. Except as noted below, Florida High School rules apply.

2)   Length of Games. For all age divisions except the 5-6 Year- olds, 7-8 girls, 9-10 girls, 7 boys, 8 boys, 9 boys, 10 boys and 16+ boys divisions, the length of games is six minute quarters with a stop clock in effect.  Half time will be three minutes for all age divisions.

For 5-6 year-olds, there will be 6-minute quarters utilizing a running clock.  The clock stops only  for technical fouls and time outs.

For the 7-8 girls, the 9-10 girls,  the 7 boys, 8 boys, 9 boys, and 10 boys divisions, there will be 8-minute quarters utilizing a running clock.  The clock stops only for technical fouls and time outs,  except that it will be a stop clock during the final minute of the fourth quarter.

In the 16+ boys division, quarters will be 7 minutes with a stop clock in effect.
3)   Jump Ball/Alternating Possession. Games start with a jump ball, and thereafter possession will alternate.  Whenever the rotation rules require a split third quarter or split fourth quarter,  possession is maintained by the team with possession of the ball at the end of the first half of the split quarter.

4)   Time Outs Allowed. In all age groups there will be four full time outs per game.  Unused time outs during regular play do not carry over to overtime.

5)   Overtime. Games tied at the end of regulation play result in an additional two-minute overtime period.  In the event the game is still tied after the first overtime, a second two-minute overtime results, and so on, until a winner is decided.  For age groups where coaches’ choice does not apply in the fourth quarter, the first overtime utilizes the first quarter rotation, the second overtime has the second quarter rotation, etc.

6)   Fouls. Players foul out on the fifth personal foul.  Technical fouls charged to a player also count as a personal foul.  If a technical foul is charged to a team coach, it also counts as a team foul.  On the seventh team foul of the half, the bonus (one and one) is in effect.  On the tenth team foul of the half, all fouls are two-shot fouls.

For the 5-6 ,7 boys, and 8 year-old boys, 9 boys, 7-8 girls and 9-10 girls divisions, foul shots are attempted from the inside of the free throw circle.  For the 5-6, 7 boys, 8 boys, and 7-8 girls groups at halftime, free throws are shot (two per player) and the accumulated made free throws are added to the team’s point total prior to the start of the third quarter.  When there is a different number of players on each team, the coach whose team has fewer players assigns one extra free throw to each of the lowest players in his rotation as necessary to equalize the total free throws attempted (after all other players have finished).

7)   Coaches. One coach for each team is allowed on the court for guidance in the 5-6, 7 boys, 8 boys, and 7-8 girls divisions.  Coaches in the younger divisions who exercise the option to coach on the court must remain near the sidelines to avoid endangering the players.  In all divisions, a maximum of two coaches are allowed on the bench (including the coach on the floor for the 5-6 , 7 boys,  8 boys,  and 7-8 girls divisions) with the team players.  A violation of this rule is a technical foul.

8)   Three Point Rule. Three point shots count for three points, even if the defensive restrictions apply.

9)   Illegal Defenses.  Restrictions on defenses apply in all age divisions as follows:

-    5-6 Division – Defense must have both feet within the paint during the entire game; a technical foul will be called for stalling(determined at the officials’ discretion).

-   7 Boys Division – Defense must have both feet within the blue line  extended to the free throw line laterally.  The offense must enter the ball into the free throw lane at least every 10 seconds once the ball is in the front court.  Failure to do so is a violation.

-   8 Boys Division- Defense must have both feet within the blue line extended to the free throw line laterally during the first half; defense must have both feet within the three point circle during the second half.  The offense must enter the ball into the free throw lane at least every 10 seconds once the ball is in the front court; failure to do so is a violation.

-   9 Boys Division – Defense within the three point line in the first half and to half court in the second half.  Full court defense in the last minute of the game. In the first half, the offense must enter the ball into the free throw lane at least every 10 seconds once the ball is in the front court; failure to do so is a violation.

-   10 Boys Division – Half court defense only in the first half, and full court defense will be allowed in the second half of all games.

-    11 Boys Division – Half court defense only in the first half, and full court defense will be allowed in the second half of all games.

-   12-13 Boys Division – Half court defense in the first half, full court defense the entire second   half for the first five games of the regular season.  Full-court defense for the entire game starting with the sixth game through the playoffs.

-  14-15 Boys and 16+ Boys  – Full court defense the entire game.

-  7-8 Girls—Defense inside the blue line extended for the entire game (see 7 boys).

-    9-10 Girls—Defense inside the 3-point line in the first half. Half-court defense in the second half.  Full court defense in the last minute of the game.  In the first half, the offense must enter the ball into the free throw lane at least every 10 seconds once the ball is in the front court; failure to do so is a violation.

-   11-12 Girls – Half court defense the first half; full-court defense will be allowed throughout the second half of all games.

-  13+ Girls—Half court defense in the first half for the first five games of the regular season; Full court defense for the entire game starting with the sixth game through playoffs.

FOR ALL AGE GROUPS, each team shall receive two warnings and thereafter a technical foul will be called for each violation of the defense restriction rules.  In the event a basket is scored as the result of illegal defense, the points shall not count.  If they are counted incorrectly, the error must be identified and points removed as agreed upon by the Division Coordinator and Game Officials prior to the start of the next quarter or the basket will count.  For all age groups where defensive restrictions apply, the offensive throw-in following a time-out during the last half of the fourth quarter must go into the front court.  The officials must warn the players of this rule prior to the throw-in and if the player fails to inbound the ball to the front court, it is a violation.  If the official fails to warn the player, there is no penalty if the ball is inbounded to the backcourt.

10) Minimum Number of Players. In order to begin a game, a team must have at least five players dressed and ready to play no later than five minutes after the scheduled starting time.  Failure to comply with this rule results in a forfeit.  A team may finish the game with as few as three players.

11) Practices. Coaches should conduct one or two practices per week.  Practice sites must be in Boca west of the Turnpike– maximum allowable length of practices is 90 minutes.  Prior to the first game, teams may practice as frequently as the coaches and players wish.  No coach may require extra payments from a parent/player in reference to practices.  Practices may not be held at any facility that is used by the league for regular season games.  Refer to Coaches’ Manual for practice sites.

12) Player Substitution.  Players who must be replaced for any reason (fouling out, injuries, etc.) during their rotation must be substituted for by mutual agreement between the opposing coaches.  Coaches need to remember this is a recreational league and reach a quick decision OUT OF EARSHOT of the players.  The substitute then plays in his regular rotation as well as filling in for the injured player.  If a player continues to be unable to play when the substitute is scheduled to play in a subsequent regular rotation, then both coaches will agree on a subsequent replacement.  If the opposing coaches are unable to agree on a substitute within a reasonable period of time, the Division Coordinator shall select a substitute.  In all instances when a player leaves the game (due to any reason other than an injury where the player must receive urgent medical care), that player must remain in uniform on the bench with his team.  Removing one’s jersey after being disqualified from further participation is a technical foul.

13) Player/Late Arrival. In the older age groups (age 11 and over), any player arriving after the start of the game may not play during the first three quarters.  During the fourth quarter, when the mandatory rotation schedule is not in effect, the coach has sole discretion to determine whether such player will play in that portion of the game.  Violation of this rule is a technical foul on the coach and a second technical foul will be assessed for a rotation violation.  In the younger age groups (age 10 and under) where rotation rules apply throughout the game, late arriving players who arrive after the opening tipoff will not be allowed to play at all that game.  Coaches and Division Coordinators may not override this rule by mutual agreement.  The rule is in place in order to reinforce that players should be at the game a minimum of 20 minutes before the official starting time.
14) Mandatory Rotation Schedule.  Rotation of players will be in effect for all regular season and tournament play and is as follows:  Each player will play a minimum of a quarter and a half (9 minutes).  After the end of the first and second quarters and after the first half of the third quarter there will be a rotation.   The fourth quarter is coaches’ choice (except 5-6, 7 Boys, 8 Boys, 9 Boys, 10 boys, 7-8 Girls, and 9-10 girls, where the rotation continues into the fourth quarter).  If a team only has five or six players, special rules apply for substitution.  Coaches should refer to the Rotation forms in the Coach’s folder distributed prior to the start of the season.  In West Boca Basketball, three or four extra minutes of playing time for two or three of the top players can make an enormous difference in the competitiveness of a game.  Participation is a critical element of the league’s success and rotation rules are established to ensure relatively equal participation by all team members.  WBB asks the support of all Coaches in balancing playing time for the benefit of all participants.

Coaches receive a set of rotation sheets prior to the start of the season.  Rotation sheets must be turned in prior to the beginning of each game to the Division Coordinator.  All players must report to the scorer’s table before entering the game. It is the responsibility of both coaches to ensure that rotations are being followed.  It is not “tattling” to point out that the opposing coach failed to keep the rotation.  Neither coach is empowered by agreement with each other to break these rules. Violation of the rotation rules is a technical foul on the first violation and a game forfeit on the second.  If for any reason a game is continued despite a second technical foul due to rotation violations, the game will be forfeited retroactively at a later date when discovered and confirmed.   On the third violation of the rotation rules by a coach during a season, the Disciplinary Committee will make a determination as to whether that coach is allowed to continue as a coach in this league.

Depending on the number of players, the 5-6 , 7 Boys, 8 Boys, 9 Boys, 7-8 Girls and 9-10 Girls, may follow a “half-quarter” split rotation in the 3^rd and 4^th quarters.  These divisions are subject to a special rule concerning “late arriving” players which is incorporated herein by reference.  The Rotation Schedule must include the jersey numbers at a minimum, not just player names.

WHEN QUARTERS ARE SPLIT INTO TWO “HALVES” DUE TO THE ROTATION, THE TEAM IN POSSESSION ENDING THE FIRST HALF OF THE QUARTER RETAINS POSSESSION TO START THE SECOND HALF OF THE QUARTER IF THEY DO NOT SHOOT.

15) Appeals.  Appeals of outcomes of all games, regular season or tournament, must be brought to the attention of the league Executive Director or, in his absence, a Site Manager or the Division Coordinator WITHIN FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE END OF THE GAME.  A determination is then made as to the rules violation on which the appeal is based and whether or not the outcome will be changed.  All decisions made by the Executive Director in consultation with the officials for the game are final.  If for any reason the rules are unclear with respect to the appeal so that the Executive Director does not feel comfortable making a decision, then the rules committee shall be called for a special meeting to discuss the case and make a decision.  In general, the rules committee shall govern all game outcome appeals which cannot be settled by reasonable interpretation of these rules.

16) Height of Basket. 8- foot height for the 5-6 age group, 7 Boys, 8 boys and 7-8 Girls age group; 8 and ½ foot height for the 9 boys; 9 foot height for 10 boys, and 9-10 Girls.  All other age groups will be at the standard 10-foot height.

17)  Coaches, Uniforms and Age Requirement.

a)  All coaches are required to wear an official coach’s shirt supplied by the league.  Violation of this rule is a technical foul at the beginning of the game on the Coach and is also a team foul.  An assistant or temporary volunteer is exempt from this rule if the head coach is not at the game.  Assistants may purchase and wear a coach’s shirt if they desire but are not required to do so.

b)  All head coaches must be at least 21 years of age and be volunteers.

c)  Each head coach must adopt and enforce, to the best of his/her ability, these rules.  All head coaches must read, sign and return the league mission statement and coach’s agreement before drafting or coaching a team.

d)  Coaches whose child/children are in West Boca Basketball get priority to coach.

Failure to comply with (b) and (c) of this rule may result in immediate removal from participation in the league.

18)  Game Uniform – West Boca Basketball Uniform

Players are required to wear their West Boca Basketball uniform jersey and shorts.  Straight black shorts, or black shorts with a small white or colored logo, will be considered an acceptable alternative to League shorts, but ALL SHORTS with STRIPES are in violation of this rule and will cause a technical foul to be assessed.  If a violation of this rule is brought to the attention of the referee prior to the beginning of a game, one technical foul will be assessed to any team having one or more infractions, and this will be counted as a team foul for the first half.  The game will begin with the administration of free throws.   If both teams have an infraction, the penalties offset and the game will begin with a jump ball.  The Division Coordinator may override this rule if the problem was a league problem in providing the uniform.

19)  Mercy Rule

In any regular season game, any team having a lead of 20 points or more must relax their defense to the next more-restricted area (from full court to half court, or from half court to three point circle, etc.)until the lead is less than 10 points.  The first violation of this rule will result in a warning to the coach and the second violation of this rule during a game will constitute a technical foul.  In all age groups, if a team holds a 20 point lead or more at the beginning of the fourth quarter, a running clock shall be employed until the game ends or the lead is less than 10 points.

20)  Prohibited Conduct. West Boca Basketball, Inc. maintains a recreational league with an emphasis on participation and good sportsmanship.  Any person participating in league activities in any capacity, including but not limited to players, coaches, assistants, officials, parents or spectators, must conform their conduct to the league’s objectives in order to participate in league activities.  Any person participating in league activities in any capacity, including but not limited to players, coaches, assistants, officials, parents or spectators, who engage in unsportsmanlike conduct in any manner, including but not limited to physical abuse, verbal abuse, intentional destruction of League or school property, flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct, cursing or fighting, may be removed from the premises of the practice or game or any other league activity or from participation in the practice or game or any other league activity by the team’s Coach, the officials, the Division Coordinator, a Site Manager, or the Executive Director in consultation with the team’s Coach.

21)   Any violation of this section of the rules which does not result in ejection from a game may still result in a suspension from participation in league activity until further notice and at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee.  Any player or coach who receives two technical fouls or one flagrant foul during one game is automatically ejected from the game and suspended for the next following game without appeal. Further penalties may also be administered based on a review of the incident by the Disciplinary Committee.

The referee, Site Manager or Division Coordinator must notify the Disciplinary Committee, preferably in writing on the day of the event, of any ejection or other violation of this section of the rules. An ejected player is treated as an injured player for rotation purposes.  If a head coach is removed from a game, his or her assistant or a volunteer may take their place.  Any violation of this section of the rules which did not result in an ejection from a game may still result in the following:

Step 1 – Suspension from WBB League activities due to inappropriate conduct;

Step 2 – Informal or formal decision by Disciplinary Committee communicated to such party, including a notice that said party has the burden to request, in writing, a meeting with the Disciplinary Committee to provide grounds for an appeal of the decision.

Step 3 – The Disciplinary Committee may agree to schedule, at the committee’s sole discretion, a hearing in front of the Disciplinary Committee which the coach, parent and/or player may attend (if requested by the player’s parent or coach).  The Disciplinary Committee may take such action as it deems appropriate, including but not limited to, suspension or permanent ejection from the league.

22)  In order to promote good sportsmanship, all players in all divisions are required to line up at the conclusion of each game to shake hands with their opponent.  Violators of this rule will be issued one warning and a second violation will lead to suspension and disciplinary action.

23)  COACHES MAY NOT OVERRIDE THESE RULES DURING GAMES THROUGH MUTUAL AGREEMENT.

24) Copies of Rules. A copy of these rules is available to any player or parent of a player upon request.

NOTE:  The 7 yr old Boys division, the 8 yr old boys, and the 7-8 yr old girls shall include the awarding of 5 bonus points to any team which, during a game, has five different players score a field goal (or two successful free throws during the course of play).  The points shall be awarded immediately upon reaching this team goal.  This rule applies only once per team per game and also applies during any overtime periods.

Revised January 2008