Individual League Rules

(Updated: Aug 2018)

Each league may have their own set of league-specific rules that will supersede rules set for by NFHS.  Such rules include when the defense is allowed to press (i.e., play backcourt defense), type of defense allowed, modified free-throw lines, etc.

As officials, our number one responsibility is to know and apply the rules.  Please read and review the following house rules as it pertains to timeouts, backcourt press, illegal offensive formations, allowable defense, and free-throw lines.

The purpose of the recreational house leagues are to promote sportsmanship and skill development in a competitive environment.  The existence of these league-specific house rules are to reinforce the goals and purposes of the house leagues so they must be enforced consistently.

Click on one of the tabs below for individual league specific rules and other resources:

General Rules for All Age Divisions
Game Length	Four 7-minute stop-clock periods
Timeouts	5 timeouts per game: 3x full timeouts 2x 30-second timeouts Unused timeouts carry into OT and teams will be given one additional full timeout for OT.
Overtime	OT periods will be 3 minutes in length.  During the regular season, if the first OT period ends in a tie, a second "sudden death" OT period will be played in which the first team to score 2 points wins. In playoffs, an unlimited number of 3 minute OT periods will be played to determine a winner.

AYBL Girls 3/4 & Boys 3/4/5
Press	Allowed during the last 2 minutes of the 2nd, 4th, and the entirety of any ensuing overtime periods. Allowed if the offense is attempting to execute a fast break.  If the offense stops and starts walking the ball up, then the defense must back up to behind the half-court line. Not allowed once the winning team is up by 21 or more points. If offense is walking the ball up, defense must back up behind the division line.
Defensive Starting Spot	When the offensive team is walking the ball up the backcourt, the defense must wait at or below the divison line.
Allowable Defenses	All defenses are allowed
Free-Throws	Regular free-throw line, but with a 12-inch buffer for the player to complete the free throw. In other words, players must line up behind the line and is allowed to jump 12 inches over.

AYBL Boys 6 and Above, Girls 5/6 and Above
Press	Not allowed once the winning team is up by 21 or more points.
Allowable Defenses	All defenses are allowed
Free-Throws	Regulation free throw line. Shooters must line up behind the line and may not touch or jump over the line.

General Rules for All Age Divisions
Game Length	1st and 2nd Grade: Four 10-minute running clock periods. Clock stops on timeouts and free-throws. 3rd to 8th grade: Four 6-minute stop-clock quarters Boys HS JV (9-10th Grade): Four 7-minute stop-clock quarters Boys HS Var (11-12th Grade)/Girls HS Varsity: Four 8-minute stop-clock quarters
Timeouts	5 timeouts per game: 3x full timeouts 2x 30-second timeouts Unused timeouts carry into OT and teams will be given one additional full timeout for OT.
Overtime	OT periods will be 3 minutes in length.  In the regular season, only one OT period will be played and games can end in a tie. In playoffs, an unlimited number of 3 minute OT periods will be played to determine a winner.

CLBL 1st and 2nd Grade
Basket and Ball	Basket height set at 8-feet. Ball size is 27.5".
Press	Press and backcourt defense are not allowed at any point in the game. No exceptions.
Defensive Starting Spot	When the offensive team is walking the ball up the backcourt, the defense must wait at or below the top of the key in the frontcourt until the offense has established the ball in the frontcourt prior to engaging in defense.
Trap/Double Team	Proper help defense is allowed (i.e. a defender helping out another defense on a drive to the basket in the lane), but trap and double-teaming are prohibited. Defensive players must maintain player-to-player defense.
Zone Defense	Zone defenses are prohibited. Defensive players must maintain player-to-player defense.
Free-Throws	An imaginary FT line will be placed 24" (2 feet) in front of the marked FT line. Shooters may jump over the imaginary FT line to complete the FT. A single FT will be attempted on shooting fouls where the try was not successful. That FT attempt is worth two points if made. For shooting fouls where the the try was successful (the “and 1”), that FT attempt is worth one point if made.

CLBL 3rd and 4th Grade
Basket and Ball	Basket height set at 9-feet for 3rd Grade Girls/Boys and 4th Grade Girls. Basket height set at 10-feet for 4th grade boys. Ball size is 28.5".
Press	Press and backcourt defense are allowed during the last 60-seconds of the 4th period and the last 60-seconds of the OT period. Note: The fast break exception exists. If the officials determine that the offense is attempting to execute a fast break to beat the defense, then the offense has given up the protection of no press or backcourt defense.
Defensive Starting Spot	When pressing is not allowed and if the offensive team is walking the ball up the backcourt, the defense must wait at or below the top of the key in the frontcourt until the offense has established the ball in the frontcourt prior to engaging in defense.
Trap/Double Team	Proper help defense is allowed (i.e. a defender helping out another defense on a drive to the basket in the lane), but trap and double-teaming are prohibited. Defensive players must maintain player-to-player defense.
Zone Defense	Zone defenses are prohibited. Defensive players must maintain player-to-player defense.
Isolation Offense	Isolation/spread offenses (offense designed to exploit the player-to-player defensive requirement such as "4 corners") are prohibited. Violations may result in a warning, turnover, or technical foul.
Free-Throws	An imaginary FT line will be placed 12" (1 feet) in front of the marked FT line. Shooters may jump over the imaginary FT line to complete the FT.

CLBL 5th and 6th Grade
Basket and Ball	Basket height set at 10-feet. Ball size is 28.5".
Press	Weeks 1-5: Press and backcourt defense are allowed during the last 60-seconds of the 4th period and the last 60-seconds of the OT period as long as the pressing team is not leading by 15 or more points. Weeks 6 on: Week 6 is usually the 2nd weekend of play in January. Press and backcourt defense are allowed in the 2nd half as long as the pressing team is not leading by 15 or more points. Note: The fast break exception exists. If the officials determine that the offense is attempting to execute a fast break to beat the defense, then the offense has given up the protection of no press or backcourt defense.
Defensive Starting Spot	When pressing is not allowed and if the offensive team is walking the ball up the backcourt, the defense must wait at or below the top of the key in the frontcourt until the offense has established the ball in the frontcourt prior to engaging in defense.
Trap/Double Team	Weeks 1-5: Proper help defense is allowed (i.e. a defender helping out another defense on a drive to the basket in the lane). Trap and double-teaming are allowed, but remaining defensive players must maintain player-to-player defense. Weeks 6 on: Week 6 is usually the 2nd weekend of play in January. Trap and double-teams are now allowed.
Zone Defense	Weeks 1-5: Zone defense is not allowed. Defensive players must maintain player-to-player defense. Weeks 6 on: Week 6 is usually the 2nd weekend of play in January. Zone defenses are now allowed in the second half.
Isolation Offense	Isolation offenses (offense designed to exploit the player-to-player defensive requirement such as "4 corners") are prohibited. Violations may result in a warning, turnover, or technical foul. Note: This rule will not be in effect in the second half of the season as defenses are allowed to play zone.
Free-Throws	The marked FT line will be used. Boys may not jump over or touch the marked FT line in order to complete the FT. Girls are allowed to jump over the marked FT line in order to complete the FT.

CLBL 7th Grade and Above
Basket and Ball	Basket height set at 10-feet. Ball size is 28.5" for girls and 29.5" for boys.
Press	Not allowed if the pressing team is leading by 20 points or more.
Defensive Starting Spot	No restrictions.
Trap/Double Team	No restrictions.
Zone Defense	No restrictions.
Isolation Offense	No restrictions.
Free-Throws	The marked FT line will be used. Shooters may not jump over or touch the FT line in order to complete the FT.

General Rules for All Age Divisions
Game Length	3rd to 6th grade will play four 6-minute stop-clock quarters 7th grade and above will play four 7-minute stop-clock quarters
Timeouts	5 timeouts per game: 3x full timeouts 2x 30-second timeouts Unused timeouts carry into OT and teams will be given one additional full timeout for OT.
Overtime	OT periods will be 3 minutes in length.  In the regular season, only one OT period will be played and games can end in a tie. In playoffs, an unlimited number of 3 minute OT periods will be played to determine a winner.

FSBL C Division - 3rd and 4th Grade
Press	Press and backcourt defense is allowed during the last minute of the 2nd, 4th, and any overtime periods. No exceptions to the backcourt press rule even if offense is attempting a fast break. Not allowed once the winning team is up by 12 or more points. If offense is walking the ball up, defense must be behind the top of the key.
Defensive Starting Spot	When pressing is not allowed and if the offensive team is walking the ball up the backcourt, the defense must wait at or below the division line in the frontcourt until the offense has established the ball in the frontcourt prior to engaging in defense.
Allowable Defenses	Defense must be player-to-player. No zone defense allowed (i.e. 2-3, 3-2, 2-1-2) No double-teaming allowed No "trap" defense Proper "help defense" is encouraged in the lane (i.e. teammate stepping into the lane to help defend a drive to the basket)

FSBL B Division - 5th and 6th Grade
Press	(Before Jan.) Allowed during the last minute of the 2nd, 4th, and any overtime periods. (Starting Jan.) Allowed starting with the last minute of the 2nd quarter for the remainder of the game. No exceptions to the backcourt press rule even if offense is attempting a fast break. Not allowed once the winning team is up by 12 or more points. Defense must be behind the top of the key.
Defensive Starting Spot	When pressing is not allowed and if the offensive team is walking the ball up the backcourt, the defense must wait at or below the top of the key in the frontcourt until the offense has established the ball in the frontcourt prior to engaging in defense.
Allowable Defenses	(Before Jan.) Defense must be player-to-player (i.e. man-to-man) (Before Jan.) No zone defense allowed (i.e. 2-3, 3-2, 2-1-2) (Before Jan.) No double teaming is allowed (Before Jan.) No "trap" defense Proper "help defense" is encouraged in the lane (i.e. teammate stepping into the lane to help defend a drive to the basket. (After Jan.) Any defense is allowed in the 2nd half only and any ensuring overtime periods

FSBL A Division - 7th Grade and Above
Press	(Before Jan.) Allowed during the last minute of the 2nd, 4th, and any overtime periods (Starting Jan.) May press for the duration of the game Not allowed once the winning team is up by 12 or more points
Allowable Defenses	No restrictions.
Free-Throws	The marked FT line will be used. Shooters may not jump over or touch the FT line in order to complete the FT.

Loudoun County Middle School Travel Basketball
Game Length	7-minute quarters for all divisions.
Timeouts	5 timeouts per game: 3 full timeouts 2x 20-second timeouts Unused timeouts carry into OT and each team will be given one additional full timeout for each OT period.
Press	Teams may not press if leading by 20 points or more.
Running Clock	Mandatory running clock in the second half if the point differential is 30 points or more.  Clock will stop for injuries and timeouts.
Overtime	OT periods will be 3 minutes in length. One additional 20-second timeout will be granted per team for each OT period. There will be unlimited number of OT periods until a winner is decided.
Uniforms	The home team must wear a light color jersey and the visiting team must wear a dark color jersey. Other uniform violations will be ignored (undershirt color, sleeve color, etc) as long as it does not breach player safety.

Fast Break Rules

League rules dictate situations or time/score restrictions regarding when the defense may play backcourt defense (or press).  Some leagues make the exception that protection for the offense in the backcourt is given up if the offense is attempting a fast break.  This exception may not be true for all leagues so it's important to know which leagues allow this exception.

In leagues in which this exception exists, the enforcement of what is and what is not a fast break as at the discretion of the officials.  Generally speaking, the offense is executing a fast break if the offense is attempting to beat the defense to the basket following a turnover, inbound, or rebound.
Examples of What is a Fast Break:

• A1 gets the rebound, starts the dribble, and tries to run past defenders. A1 is executing a fast break because is A1 is trying to push the pace to overtake the defense in the backcourt.
• A1 gets the rebound and passes immediately to A2 who is at the top of the key. This can be considered a fast break because the pass from A1 to A2 can be construed as trying to overtake the defense in the backcourt.

Examples of What is not a Fast Break:

• A1 gets the rebound, starts the dribble, but does not advance. A1 is protected from Team B playing defense in the backcourt.
• A1 steals the ball at the top of the key and does not dribble. A1 is protected from Team B playing defense in the backcourt.

Backcourt Defense/Press FAQ

When does the no backcourt defense/press start?

• As soon as the offensive team establishes control (holding or dribbling) of the ball (via rebound, inbound, or turnover).

What happens if the defense continues to play backcourt defense/press?

• (1) Vocally remind the defenders to back up (to either behind the half-court line or the top of the key).
• (2) If the defenders still do not back up, then blow whistle to stop play.  Once the defenders are in the front-court, give the ball back to the offense.

What happens if the offense commits a violation when the defense is playing backcourt defense?

• (1) Blow whistle and wait till the defenders back up to the front-court.
• (2) Give the ball back to the offense.

Note: Once control is established, the defense must backup to the frontcourt.  This means that a held ball situation cannot occur.  Do not call a held ball, but instead, blow the whistle and give the ball back to the offensive team.

Examples:

• Player A1 secures the defensive rebound and Player B1 knocks the ball out of Player A's hands.
• Officials shall blow the play dead and inbound the ball back to Team A.

• Player A1 secures the defensive rebound, turns and runs into Player B1, which causes Player A1 to travel.
• Officials shall blow the play dead and inbound the ball back to Team A.

• Player A1 secures the defensive rebound.  Player B1 then comes over and grabs the ball creating a held ball situation.
• Officials shall blow the play dead since there is no backcourt defense and inbound the ball back to Team A.

Illegal Defensive Formations FAQ

What is an illegal defensive formation?

• Defense is that not player-to-player when player-to-player defense is required: i.e. zone defense, trap defense, double-teams, etc.

What happens if the defense plays an illegal defensive formation?

• (1) Blow the whistle and warn both teams that this is an illegal defensive play.
• (2) Inbound the ball back to the offensive team.

What happens if the defense plays an illegal defense formation and this causes a turnover?

• (1) Blow the whistle and warn both teams that this is an illegal defensive play.
• (2) Inbound the ball back to the offensive team.

What happens if defense continues to play defense illegally?

• A technical foul may be issued to the offending team depending on game factors.

Examples:

• Player A1 (from Team A) is dribbling at the top of the key.  Players B1 and B2 (from Team B) trap Player A and secures the ball.
• Officials shall blow the play dead.  Inform both coaches that this is illegal and inbound the ball back to the offensive team.

• Player A1 (from Team A) is guarded by Player B1 (from Team B).  Player A dribbles into Player B2 (from Team B) and Player B2 secures the ball.
• This is a legal play.  Player A1 willingly dribbled into Player B2 to cause this scenario.  

Illegal Offensive Formations FAQ

What is an illegal offensive formation?

• Offensive formations that employ a "spread" or "isolation" play to circumvent player-to-player requirements.

How to recognize an illegal offensive formation?

• (1) At the start of the play, 3-4 players from the offensive team spread out wide to create a 1-on-1 between the ball handler and defender.
• (2) If these offensive players do not move into the lane or execute a play, then this is an illegal offensive formation.

How to enforce an illegal offensive formation?

• (1) Blow the play dead and this will be a turnover for the offensive team.
• (2) Any points scored during the 1-on-1 or isolation play will be negated.
• (3) Continued abuse of this rule may lead to a technical foul assessed to the head coach at the discretion of the official.

Leagues:

• Western Loudoun Basketball League (WLBL)