Malvern League Basketball Rules

 (Revised 11/21/24) 

Rules & Game Management

 Here are Rules and Game Management Notes.

Please note the Bonus Free Throw rule and the Defense policy: 

I. Rules and Exceptions 

A. All games will be played under Federation\PIAA rules. 

            B. Exceptions Reminders and Clarifications to Federation\PIAA rules. 

1. Four 10 minute quarters running clock for the first 9 minutes of each quarter.  Clock stops for the last minute of each quarter, all time outs and unusual delays like injuries and equipment adjustments.  This is up to the discretion of the referee. 

2. Bonus Free Throws - Bonus free throws are now determined each quarter - on the 5^th team foul and any successding foul by team A in each quarter, Team B will shoot 2 bonus free throws (no more one-on-one). Team fouls will reset each quarter and if the game has any Over-time periods, the OT is considered an extension of the 4^th quarter. There is no change to shooting foul rules. 

3. Two Time-Outs per half and one additional Time-Out in any Overtime period. Time-Outs do NOT carry over from the 1st half to 2nd half or into any overtime period.

4. Each player is allowed six personal fouls.

5. The initial overtime period is 2 minutes long. After the first OT, additional OT's are 1 minute long. After the 2nd OT, coaches and Officials may agree to end the game as a tie - this usually occurs with the younger teams.

6. Only the head coach may stand and is restricted to an area covering the length of the bench from the first to last seat.  Do not block the scorekeeper s vision.  All assistant coaches and bench players must remain seated except during time outs and between periods. 

7. Head coach and any player on the court (not an assistant) may request a time out, but the time out is granted only when a referee acknowledges the request.

8. During free throws for K, 1^st and 2^nd graders, the free throw shooter can stand in front of the free throw line a couple of feet. In the 3^rd grade divisions, the free throw shooter should start behind the free throw line and can "drift" over the foul line after they release the ball.  But, for K, 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd graders the shooter cannot rush down the lane for rebound.

9. Teams may begin the game with four players, but the opponent can still play with five(thier choice).  Teams with less than 4 players will forfeit the game but can share players from the other teams in order to play a game.

     II. Game Management Notes 

A. Substitutes must be beckoned into the game by referees. 

B. Pressing, free zone, and other defensive restrictions.

1. All games playing on short (below 10') baskets, which include K, 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd grade divisions, cannot play defense in the backcourt during the entire game.

2. The short basket divisions (K, 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd) grade use the FREE ZONE rule:

The Free Zone is the area in the front court from the mid-court line to the top of the free throw circle. This line is an imaginary line at the top of the free throw circle from sideline to sideline (do not use the 3 point line as the free zone area). Defense cannot engage the opponent in the free zone, except for the last five minutes of the game and OT. In the last 5 minutes of the game and in OT, once the offense (ball) has crossed the mid-court line, the defense will be allowed to defend in the entire front court (no trap/double team defense).

3. For all games involving 4^th, 5^th & 6^th grade teams, there is no full court pressing (in the back court) until the last five minutes of the game and overtime. Please note these teams DO NOT play with a free zone in the front court. Also, a team in these divisions cannot press in the 4^th quarter & OT if they have a lead of 15 points or more.

4. All 7^th and 8^th grade divisions can full court press the entire game, but there is no pressing by a team with a lead of 15 or more points.

5. All 9^th, 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grade divisions: No pressing by a team with a lead of 20 or more points.

6. Man-To-Man / Zone Defense and Trapping.

 For K, 1^st & 2^nd grade divisions, coaches are strongly encouraged to play man-to-man defense, however, these divisions may play man or zone at any time during the game (no trapping/double teaming) within the confines of the Free Zone.

 Teams from 3^rd through 8^th grade must adhere to playing man defense in the 1^st, 2^nd & 4^th quarters and either team has the option to play zone defense in the 3^rd quarter.

 The League understands that learning the fundamentals of man-to-man defense is vital to a player's development, but we also feel it is important to learn zone defense concepts.

 With this in mind, all teams in 3^rd through 8^th grade divisions are strongly encouraged to play man-to-man defense. However, if one or both teams want to play zone, hey can play zone (no trapping) only in the 3^rd quarter. Please noet, if one team wants to play zone in the 3^rd quarterm the other team is NOT required to play zone also. Again, both teams will play man-to-man in the 1^st, 2^ndth & any Overtime periods.

 Remember, this is a league rule that coaches will ahdere to based on the honor system and will not be judged by the referees. Please discuss your defense intent and understanding of the rule prior to the game in your meeting with the referees. Any questions or issues ont he defense rule will be discussed civilly between coaches.

 Regarding Trapping/Double Team Defense...

 For K, 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd grades, there is NO TRAPPING/DOUBLE TEAMING anywhere on the court, regardless if you are playing zone or man defense. Reminder, these ages cannot full court press anytime.

 For 4^th, 5^th, & 6^th Grade, NO trapping/double teaming in the back court or the front court regardless if you are in a zone or man defense. Just to clarify, if a team is permitted (based on point differential or less than 15 points) to play a full court press in the fourth quarter in the last 5 minutes of regulation and OT, that team can only use man defense, but there is still NO double / trapping anywhere on the floor.

 For 7^th Grade and 8^th Grade, Trapping / Double teaming is Not permitted, except...

 Trapping / Double teaming is permitted only in the 3^rd quarter if/when a team is ZONE pressing in the back court, but no trapping is permitted in the front court in that 3^rd quarter. No trapping anywhere on the court when you are playing Man defense in the 1^st, 2^nd & 4^th periods.

 Hopefully, these guidelines will help coaches and keep the games competitively fair.

 C. Three Point Shots

      1. Three point shots are not counted in games using short baskets (K, 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd graders) - they are counted as 2 points.  

D. Half-Time: All grade levels have a 3 minute half-time. 

E. Basket Height & Basketball size 

1. Basket Height for K & 1^st grade is 8.5';2^nd grade is 8.75';3^rd grade is 9.0'; 4^th grade and older is 10'

2. Basketball size: All girls divisions play with the 28.5" ball; all K, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th & 6^th grade boys divisions play with the 28.5" ball. Boys divisions 7^th grade and older play with the 29.5" ball. Referees will select the game ball from one of the team's warm-up balls.

 III. Coaches Responsibilities 

A. Coaches must carry a set of rules with them at games.  Both coaches should meet briefly with referees prior to the game for any questions or clarifications, especially involving the defense rule.

B. Coaches must supervise their team members before, during and after the game.

C. Coaches must supply thier own basic first aid supplies, ice packs, towels, etc.

D. Coaches are to supply your own basketballs for warm-ups. Referees will choose a game ball from one of the teams.

E. Water bottles only are permitted in the bench area BUT sports drinks, gum & food are not permitted in the bench area.   Gym supervisors will make coaches aware of rules at each gym.

F. Each player must play a minimum of 10 minutes per game. This is an honor system rule for the coaches.

G. Please clean up your bench area during and after the game.

H. Remind parents (spectators) to supervise all children while in the gym area.