Little Dribblers’ Basketball Special Playing Rules (Revised January 2011)
The Official Basketball Rules as adopted by the National Federation of State High School Associations has been adopted as the official Little Dribbler Playing Rules except as changed by the following special rules:
1. QUALIFICATION: Each player on the team roster who is present at the start of the game shall be required to play one uninterrupted quarter in the first half and one uninterrupted half of the third quarter to be “qualified”. The 4th quarter is considered “free substitution”.
If a player is removed from the game due to injury and does not
return, or if she fouls out, she is considered “qualified”. If the player is able to return to play, the player must play one full, uninterrupted quarter in order to be “qualified”. Penalty: Forfeit
2. DEFENSE: Minors Division : 1st, 2nd & 3rd Quarter– Man to Man Defense Only, No Pressing 4th Quarter – Any Defense Allowed, Pressing Allowed Majors Division : 1st and 2nd Quarter – Man to Man Defense Only, No Pressing 3rd & 4th Quarter– Any Defense Allowed, Pressing Allowed Senior Division : Entire game – Any Defense Permitted, Pressing Allowed
ILLEGAL DEFENSE When only Man to Man Defense is allowed, an illegal defense penalty should be called when: a) A team plays a “zone” defense b) A defensive player (in the opinion of the official) follows the ball from one player to the next as opposed to guarding an offensive player (“chasing the ball”), or c) A defensive player (in the opinion of the official) guards an area of the court as opposed to guarding an offensive player. Illegal defense is a judgment call of the official. Officials are cautioned that the illegal defense rule does not prohibit a defensive team from “switching” or “sagging”, so long as the official does not feel that the defense is violating one of the above conditions. A player in the lane with the ball may be double or triple teamed without penalty. Penalty: Technical Foul on the second and subsequent violations. DEFENSE IN THE BACKCOURT (PRESSING): Defense in the backcourt is not allowed once a team has established clear control of the ball on the floor except when pressing is allowed as noted above. Defense includes intercepting a pass, challenging a player with the ball or interfering with a controlled ball. If a player accidentally loses control of the ball, it becomes free to be played by either team. There are three exceptions to this rule: 1. Neither team may press if either team is ahead by 20 points. 2. A team may play defense in the backcourt in order to interrupt an outlet pass to a player “breaking” up the court beyond the defense. 3. A rolled inbound pass is a free ball which may be played by either team. Penalty: Technical Foul on the 2nd and subsequent violations.
4. ISOLATION OFFENSE Coaches should attempt to include all players in the offensive scheme. Isolation plays designed to clear the floor to create one on one situation are strongly discouraged. If the official feels that the offensive scheme violates the rule, he will first warn the coach and if the situations persist, charge a technical foul. 5. LANE VIOLATION: In the Minor divisions, the 5-second lane violation rule will be enforced. In the Major and Senior division the rule will remain as 3-seconds.
6. BASKET: Minors : The basket shall be 8’6” from the floor. Majors and Seniors : The basket shall be 10’ from the floor.
7. BALL: Girls Divisions will use a 28.5” diameter ball.
8. 3-POINT RULE: There will be no 3-point shots in the Minors Divisions. The 3-Point line is in effect in the Majors and Seniors Divisions.
9. CLOCK: In all divisions, the third quarter will be split to facilitate substitution. Halftime will be 4 minutes, but may be shortened if necessary to stay on schedule. Minor Division : Four 8 minute quarters will be played with a running clock. Clock will stop on free throws, injuries and time outs only as directed by the officials. The clock will be stopped on the whistle (UIL rules) during the last 2 minutes of the 4th quarter. Major and Senior Divisions : Four 6 minute quarters using a UIL clock. Overtime in all divisions will be a 2 minute period with a UIL clock.
10. TIME OUTS Each team will receive 2 time outs per half, and one time out during each overtime period. Unused time outs are lost and may not be taking in subsequent periods.