Game Rules

Boys’ 8^th Grade Program

National Federation Basketball (Illinois High School) rules shall apply, except as noted below:

GAME TIME

1. Five (5) periods per game. Two (2) in the first half, and three (3) in the second.

2. Each period will be five (5) minutes stop clock.

3. Halftime is at the end of the second period and will be five (5) minutes.

4. Overtime: First and second overtime periods shall be two (2) minutes stop clock. The third overtime period shall be "sudden death". First team to lead by two (2) points wins.

5. Four (4) time-outs per game. No more than three (3) per half.

6. One time-out per overtime plus time-outs not used in second half.

7. Coaches must report starting players at least three (3) minutes prior to the start of the game.

8. Bonus (one and one) free throws will be shot on the seventh (7^th) team foul in the first half and on the tenth (10^th) team foul in the second half. NO SUPER BONUS.

PLAYING TIME

1. Each player must play a minimum of one (1) period whistle to whistle in the first half and second half.

2. No player may play in more than three (3) periods unless all eligible players have played

three (3) entire periods. While the fifth period provides for free substitution provided all eligible players have played one entire period in each half, the overriding rule is that all playing time be divided equally as possible. The following is a schedule of playing time requirements for eligible players.

A. 10 players present at the start of the game:

1. All play two (2) full periods.

2. Five or more play three (3) periods.

3. No one plays four (4) periods.

B. 9 players present at the start of the game:

1. All play two (2) full periods.

2. Seven or more play three (3) periods.

3. No one plays four (4) periods.

C. 8 players present at the start of the game:

1. All play three (3) full periods.

2. One or more play four (4) periods.

3. No one plays in five (5) periods.

D. 7 players present at the start of the game:

1. All play three (3) full periods

2. Four or more play in four (4) periods.

3. No one plays in five (5) periods.

E. 6 players present at the start of the game:

1. All play four (4) full periods.

2. One or more play five (5) periods.

F. In all cases, the extra playing time can be divided only in the fifth (5^th) period.

3. Once a player starts or substitutes in a period, he has played in that period.

4. In the event a player is hurt or injured during the game, the following will occur:

A. An official time out will be called.

B. All players must go to their respective benches.

C. The officials will allow the injured player’s coach to attend to the player.

D. If the player is able to continue, he may do so without going out of the game first.

E. If the player is unable to continue, the coach has one (1) minute to replace the player or be charged with a time out. The player entering the game, as the substitute for the injured player will be charged for a period played, but not for a full period.

F. If any player is bleeding, he must leave the game and may not re-enter the game until the bleeding has stopped.

5. Exception to minimum playing requirements:

A. Three (3) fouls in the first half; the coach may remove the player for that half and the playing time is fulfilled for that half. The player that substitutes for the player in foul trouble must play two (2) whole periods in addition to the partial period.

B. If a coach wishes not to play a player for the minimum time, he must use the following procedures:

1. Obtain permission from the Grade Director by identifying the player and the reasons. (The AHYBA Vice President or President should be called if the Grade Director is unavailable).

2. Notify player's parents and state the reasons. This must be done after receiving permission from the Grade Director and at least 24 hours prior to the game.

3. Notify the opposing team's scorekeeper and coach prior to the start of the game.

C. A player who arrives late for a game (after the opening tip-off) must not play in the first half. This player must play at least one (1) full period but not more than two (2) full periods in the second half unless there are no other eligible players. No player will be allowed to play (4) periods unless the player(s) who arrived late play (2) full periods. The coach has the discretion to play or not to play for one (1) full period a player who arrives after the second half begins unless there are no more eligible players in which case the player can play more than one (1) period.

D. Any eligible player may play in the overtime periods without regard to previous playing time.

E. If there is a technical foul called for unsportsmanlike conduct against a player, that player must sit out the remainder of the period. Any player who receives two (2) technical fouls during a game and/or is ejected from a game will automatically be suspended from their next game.

F. Any player who is ejected from two (2) games during any portion of the season; including playoffs, will not be allowed to participate in the remaining balance of that season.

G. Failure to comply with the playing time rules will result in the forfeiture of the game unless in the judgment of the Rules Committee there were extenuating circumstances.

SPECIAL RULES

1. A team with a lead of 10 or more points may not play defense in the backcourt. The press may be resumed when the lead is less than 10 points.

2. Three point field goals are permitted.

MISCELLANEOUS POINTS

1. All questions should be referred directly to the Grade Director or in his absence, the AHYBA Vice President.

2. Each player must wear the team uniform and basketball shoes, not running, soccer or skateboarding shoes.

3. The home team is designated on all game schedules by the second number. The home team is responsible as official scorer, and the visiting team is to supply the timekeeper.

4. The ball utilized during the game shall be furnished by the home team

5. In the case of a tie for first or second place in regular season play, head to head competition will determine final standings and playoff seedings.

COACHES CONDUCT

For all games, there must be an adult coach on the bench. If no adult coach is present, the team will forfeit the game.

The AHYBA asks that all coaches conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner. Coaches must refrain from:

1. Yelling at or otherwise hassling the officials. Coaches will obviously be allowed some leeway in the heat of the game, but it is important to keep the players' minds on the game and not on the officiating. Officials will be instructed to assess a technical foul for repeated yelling or hassling.

2. Needless delays to start or restart action after timeouts or between periods will result in a bench technical. When the officials signal that play is to be resumed, coaches must return their team to the floor immediately.

3. Coaches are asked to exercise caution and good judgment in their handling of their players during tense game situations. Criticism is a valuable teaching tool, but keep the game in perspective and keep in mind the age of the players that you are dealing with. Parents and players want a "balanced" coaching approach.

4. Any coach/assistant coach who receives two (2) technical fouls during a game and/or is ejected from a game will be automatically suspended from their next game.

Any coach/assistant coach who is ejected from two (2) games during any portion of the season; including playoffs, will not be allowed to participate in the remaining balance of the season.