3v3 Summer league general rules & Regulations

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The purpose of Southern Lehigh Youth Basketball (SLYB) is to provide training in the sport of basketball in an atmosphere of good sportsmanship and fair play with an equal opportunity for growth of individual skills, team play and the true enjoyment of playing basketball. We encourage healthy competition in which kids play hard and play to win but not at the expense of belittling opponents, yelling at officials or displaying poor sportsmanship. The following rules should be interpreted consistent with this philosophy and should not be used as a tool to achieve victory on a technicality.

GAME RULES:

● Teams need a minimum of 3 players to participate in a game. 5 Players maximum per team. If a team is short a player you can rotate players from the other team, when available, if both sides agree. You can also use a substitute form another team that is not playing. If you do not have 3 players you can play 2v2. If you do not have at least 2 players the game will be a forfeit. There will be a 5 minute grace period for a late player before a forfeit is announced.

● Playing Time:

      ○ Each player on teams with more than 3 participants must play at least 10 minutes per game.

● Each game will be two (2) halves of ten (10) minutes each in length. The clock will keep running for out of bounds balls and free throws. The clock will be stopped during a time-out or for any injury or player equipment needs (i.e. untied shoes). The clock will stop for any whistle during the last (2) minutes of the game. If either team is behind by 10 points or more, no stoppage of the clock will occur.

● Shots from beyond the arc are worth 3 points, other field goals are worth 2 points, and foul shots are worth 1 point.

● No Coaches:

     ○ Teams will not have coaches and spectators are not allowed to coach from the stands. This league is      

         designed for players to develop basketball skills in a fun, non-coached, low stress environment.

     ○ One adult team representative can help with the team from the bench for time keeping, rules 

         discussions, player feedback, and to support subbing or timeout tips. This should not extend to  

         sideline coaching throughout the game.

● Each team will have Three 30 second timeouts per game w/ One additional timeout if OT is required.

● The first overtime period will be 2 minutes long with each subsequent overtime period being 1 minute until someone wins.

● Possession of the ball changes after each field goal. No “make it, take it”.

● NO STALLING: Due to the limited number of players on the floor, it is extremely difficult to defend a stalling offense; therefore, stalling is not allowed. Stalling is defined as not making an effort to attack the basket within 5 seconds. An attack is considered taking 2 steps towards the basket. The referee will warn the team after the first offense; subsequent offenses will result in a technical foul which will include (2) foul shots and loss of possession.

● Pressing Rules (3rd/4th Grade Only):

• There will be no pressing or trapping beyond the 3 point line for 3rd and 4th grade games. Defense should be picked up at the 3 point line.

● Checking/Takebacks:

     ○ The ball must be “taken back” after each change in possession (steal, defensive rebound, etc…). The 

          defensive team must take the ball back even if the shot is an airball. Failure to properly take the ball 

          back will result in stop in play and and checking the ball at the foul line (No Change in Possession)

     ○ The take back line is the 3 point arc line.

     ○ To properly take the ball back, the player must touch or go over the 3-point arc. The player can also 

          pass to a teammate who is behind the 3 point arc.

     ○ The ball will be checked after each made basket or stop in play for violations, out of bounds calls, etc…

     ○ Checking the ball should occur at the foul line unless it is an out of bounds call. For out of bounds calls 

          the ball should be checked at the line where the ball went out.

     ○ When checking the ball, the offensive player tosses or bounce passes the ball to the defensive player  

         who immediately returns the ball at waist level with a toss or bounce pass. The defensive player must 

         check the ball in a manner that the offensive player can easily control the ball. Once the offensive 

         player receives the ball, the game is live. There will be no “street” moves or funny/cute checking 

         procedures. Failure to check the ball properly will result in a referee warning after the first offense; 

         subsequent offenses will result in a technical foul which will include (2) foul shots and loss of 

         possession.

     ○ During any checking at the foul line the defensive team must wait until the offensive player touches the 

         checked ball to advance beyond the foul line.

● Fouls/Foul Shots:

      ○ Fouls are shots will be performed the same way as a 5v5 full court game.

     ○ Players will have 8 seconds to shoot the free throw after receiving the ball from the referee.

     ○ Bonus will occur on the 7th team foul. Double bonus will occur on the 10th team foul.

     ○ Any player or support person receiving Two technical fouls will be ejected from that game and will not 

         be allowed to attend their next game.

● Substitutions:

     ○ Substitutions can occur on any dead ball including baskets; similar to regular games.

     ○ It is suggested that substitutions are kept to 5 minute intervals to allow for a good flow of game unless 

         there is a player injury or illness.

● The first possession of the game and any OT period possessions will be determined by a coin flip. The team that loses the first possession coin flip will get possession in the second half.

● Any player ejected for fighting will be expelled from the League.

● Each team should supply one responsible person to assist with scorekeeping and/or clock operation.

● Uniforms:

     ○ Official uniforms are not supplied or required. It is the responsibility of the teams to coordinate colors 

         or shirts so the referee can easily tell the difference between the teams.

● Referees:

     ○ All referee decisions are final. We will not tolerate any badgering of the referees. Judgment calls cannot 

         be questioned. The referees will be using their own judgment with respect to individual capabilities of 

         players.

     ○ Remember: Good attitudes towards the referees will create good referee attitudes.

● Sportsmanship:

     ○ Every effort must be made by players and parents to cooperate with the referees.

     ○ Parents and spectators are asked not to coach from the sidelines and let the kids figure things out on 

         their own.

     ○ Positive cheering is encouraged.

     ○ Technical fouls will be imposed against a player or team for any unsportsmanlike behavior including 

         swearing, taunting or inappropriate verbal or physical behavior.