3RD & 4TH GRADES
3 RD GRADE
Games are played according to the National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Rules Book (NFHS). Below are modifications and clarifications adopted by KIDSPORTS for teams in the 3 rd grade.
Baskets: 8’6” Balls: Junior Size Free Throw Line: 9’
Free Throw Lane: Rebound positions are moved out one lane space to compensate for portable standards when needed.
TIMING REGULATIONS AND SUBSTITUTION RULES
The game is divided into eight periods. Each period is 5 minutes, running clock. The clock is stopped for timeouts. The clock shall also be stopped while players are lining up for free throw attempts and restarted when the ball is handed to the shooter. If there is a difference of 10 points or less in the score with 2 minutes left in the final period, regulation timing (stop clock) will be used for the remainder of the game. Overtime periods are 2 minutes with a stop clock.
Each team is allowed 3 timeouts per game, plus 1 for each overtime period.
Each team must furnish a line-up card to the KIDSPORTS referee prior to game time. LINE-UP CARDS SHOULD BE FILLED OUT COMPLETELY TO REFLECT THE PERIODS EACH PLAYER IS PROJECTED TO PLAY.
Teams with 9 or fewer players at the game: Each player who starts a period shall play that full period (no substitutions allowed). Each eligible player who did not play the previous period shall play the next period. Each player on a team with 7 or more players at a game must sit out at least two 5-minute periods. Each player on a team with 6 players at a game must sit out at least one 5-minute period.
Teams with 10 players at the game: Each player who starts a period shall play that full period (no substitution allowed). The 5 players who did not play the previous period shall play the next period. At HALF TIME, the coach may re-arrange his or her players so that they have the opportunity to play with a different combination of teammates. As in the first half, all 5 players who did not play in the previous period shall play in the next period.
Teams with 11 or more players at the game: Each player who starts a period shall play that full period (no substitution allowed). Five players who did not play the previous period shall play the next period. Each eligible player must play at least 3 full periods and must never sit out more than two consecutive periods.
(Note: KIDSPORTS substitution rules will not force a team to play with less than 5 players when there are 5 or more players available and eligible.)
EXCEPTIONS TO ALL SUBSTITUTION RULES: When a player must leave the game due to illness or injury, he/she may be substituted for. If the ill or injured player can return to the game, he/she should re-enter the game at the next dead ball opportunity and play their remaining specified periods. A substitute who plays a portion of a period for an injured, ill, or disqualified player will not have to change any of their specified playing periods. However, any player who substitutes an entire period for an ill, injured, or disqualified player must sit out the minimum number of periods as required by their team size.
In overtime, the coach may elect to play any player who has not been disqualified from the game. However, once the overtime lineup is set, no substitution is allowed during the period except for injured or disqualified players.
Penalty for illegal substitution: Correction of the substitution violation will be the first remedy for any violation. Repeat or flagrant violations will result in the following: 1) No free throws will be shot, but an automatic 4 points and possession of the ball will be awarded to the non-offending team and 2) a technical foul will be recorded in the score book against the offending coach. The substitution violation(s) should also be corrected at that time. No points will be awarded after a game has officially ended.
GENERAL RULES: 3 RD GRADE
Three point shots will be allowed where courts are marked.
Coaches can stand to communicate with players.
All officials’ decisions are final and protests are not recognized. Players must wear uniforms as issued.
Absolutely no jewelry or hard hair accessories allowed.
STARTING THE GAME AND SUBSEQUENT POSSESSIONS
Jump ball to start the game and any overtime periods. Subsequent periods: team will receive the ball based on the possession arrow. Ball will be in-bounded in the backcourt to begin periods.
BACK-COURT GUARDING RESTRICTIONS
No backcourt guarding is allowed on any pass being in bounded from backcourt into the backcourt area or at any time a team has gained definite possession in backcourt. Once possession is gained, defensive players may not hinder the offensive team in any way, even by accident. Even if possession is lost and the ball becomes loose, the defensive team cannot interfere or take possession until it crosses mid-court.
The only exception is in the last 30 seconds of the game.
A pass from backcourt to
front-court cannot be
intercepted until the ball
crosses the mid-court line.
When the ball is being
dribbled from back-
court into front-court, the
dribbler may not be
guarded within 6 feet of
the mid-court line until both of the dribbler’s feet and the ball are in front-court.
An inbound pass from front-court or mid-court may not be defended in backcourt. The only exception is during the last 30 seconds of the game as set out below.
Occasional inadvertent violations of the backcourt guarding rule shall be whistled and warned, allowing the possessing team to inbound from back-court. Flagrant and persistent intentional violations will result in an automatic 2 points being awarded, plus continued possession of the ball. The defensive team is not allowed to call a timeout immediately following a backcourt guarding violation.
LAST 30 SECONDS OF THE GAME: Ball in-bounded from the front-court: During the final 30 seconds (including the entire overtime period), any inbound pass from front-court may be defended anywhere on the court, including backcourt. If the ball is to be in-bounded from backcourt or mid-court and either team calls a time-out, the ball shall be in-bounded from the sideline in front-court, at a point mid-way between the baseline and mid-court. The in-bound pass may then be defended anywhere on the court, as set forth above.
DOUBLE-TEAMING
Once the ball is advanced
into front court, only one-on-
one defensive positions may
be established until the
offensive team establishes
possession below the top
of the key (semi-circle)
extended. Once this is
established, trapping or
double-teaming defense may
be used in the entire front-court area.
ZONE DEFENSE
Zone defenses are not allowed. No player may guard an area of the court instead of an opponent. A defensive player may not be in the 3-second key for longer than 3 seconds if it is apparent that the player is not guarding an offensive player.
Basic defensive moves such as switching, sliding through, dropping off on the weak side (help-side defense), and double-teaming the ball are permissible. (See Double-Teaming restrictions above.) This rule is not intended to prevent defensive players from sagging off their offensive player who is not in the scoring area.
Teams detected in violation of this rule will be penalized as follows: 1 st offense: warning issued to coach; 2 nd offense: 2 points and possession to opponent; 3 rd and subsequent offenses: 4 points and possession.
Note: It is not intended that offenses be designed to bring one player with the ball down the court on one side and put four “decoy” players on the other sideline in order to take advantage of this rule. This does not teach kids basketball.
4 th GRADE
Games are played according to the National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Rules Book (NFHS). Below are modifications and clarifications adopted by KIDSPORTS for teams in the 4 th grade.
Baskets: 8’6” Balls: Jr. Free Throw Line: 9’
TIMING REGULATIONS AND SUBSTITUTION RULES
The game is divided into eight periods. Each period is 5 minutes, running clock. The clock is stopped for timeouts. The clock shall also be stopped while players are lining up for free throw attempts and restarted when the ball is handed to the shooter. If there is a difference of 10 points or less in the score with 2 minutes left in the final period, regulation timing (stop clock) will be used for the remainder of the game. Overtime periods are 2 minutes with a stop clock.
Each team is allowed 3 timeouts per game, plus 1 for each overtime period.
Each team must furnish a line-up card to the KIDSPORTS referee prior to game time. LINE-UP CARDS SHOULD BE FILLED OUT COMPLETELY AND REFLECT EACH PERIOD EACH PLAYER IS PROJECTED TO PLAY.
Teams with 9 or fewer players at the game: Each player who starts a period shall play that full period (no substitutions allowed). Each eligible player who did not play the previous period shall play the next period. Each player on a team with 7 or more players at a game must sit out at least two 5-minute periods. Each player on a team with 6 players at a game must sit out at least one 5-minute period.
Teams with 10 players at the game: Each player who starts a period shall play that full period (no substitution allowed). The 5 players who did not play the previous period shall play the next period. At HALF-TIME, the coach may re-arrange his or her players so that they have the opportunity to play with a different combination of teammates. As in the first half, all 5 players who did not play in the previous period shall play in the next period.
Teams with 11 or more players at the game: Each player who starts a period shall play that full period (no substitution allowed). Five players who did not play the previous period shall play the next period. Each eligible player must play at least 3 full periods and must never sit out more than two consecutive periods.
(Note: KIDSPORTS substitution rules will not force a team to play with less than 5 players when there are 5 or more players available and eligible.)
EXCEPTIONS TO ALL SUBSTITUTION RULES: When a player must leave the game due to illness or injury, he/she may be substituted for. If the ill or injured player can return to the game, he/she should re-enter the game at the next dead ball opportunity and play their remaining specified periods. A substitute who plays a portion of a period for an injured, ill, or disqualified player will not have to change any of their specified playing periods. However, any player who substitutes an entire period for an ill, injured, or disqualified player must sit out the minimum number of periods as required by their team size.
Regular playing time requirements do not apply to overtime. The coach may elect to play any player who has not been disqualified from the game. However, once the overtime lineup is set, no substitution is allowed during the period except for injured or disqualified players.
Penalty for illegal substitution: Correction of the substitution violation will be the first remedy for any violation. Repeat or flagrant violations will result in the following: 1) No free throws will be shot, but an automatic 4 points and possession of the ball will be awarded to the non-offending team and 2) a technical foul will be recorded in the score book against the offending coach. The substitution violation(s) should also be corrected at that time. No points will be awarded after a game has officially ended.
GENERAL RULES: 4 th GRADE
Three point shots will be allowed where courts are marked.
Coaches can stand to communicate with players.
All officials’ decisions are final and protests are not recognized. Players must wear uniforms as issued.
Absolutely no jewelry or hard hair accessories allowed.
STARTING THE GAME AND SUBSEQUENT POSSESSIONS
Jump ball to start the game and any overtime periods. Subsequent periods: team will receive the ball based on the possession arrow. Ball will be in-bounded in the backcourt to begin periods.
BACK-COURT GUARDING/TRANSITION DEFENSE
Inbound Pass From Back-Court: No backcourt guarding is allowed on any possession that begins with a pass inbounded from backcourt.
A pass from backcourt to
front-court cannot be
intercepted until the ball
crosses the mid-court line.
When the ball is being
dribbled from back-
court into front-court, the
dribbler may not be
guarded within 6 feet of
the mid-court line until both of the dribbler’s feet and the ball are in front-court.
Inbound Pass From Front-Court: Any pass inbounded from front-court or mid-court may be fully defended during and after the pass, even if passed into backcourt.
LAST 30 SECONDS OF THE GAME: Ball in-bounded from the front-court: During the final 30 seconds (including the entire overtime period), any inbound pass from front-court may be defended anywhere on the court, including backcourt. If the ball is to be in-bounded from backcourt or mid-court and either team calls a time-out, the ball shall be in-bounded from the sideline in front-court, at a point mid-way between the baseline and mid-court. The in-bound pass may then be defended anywhere on the court, as set forth above.
Transition Defense: A team may play defense in the backcourt when the ball is in transition only. Transition means that the defensive team has gained possession (through a rebound of a missed shot or steal, etc.) and is now advancing toward their offensive half of the court. No transition defense is allowed any time a ball is in-bounded in backcourt, i.e. after a made basket, any in-bounds pass or following a time-out.
Occasional inadvertent violations of the backcourt guarding rule shall be whistled and warned, allowing the possessing team to inbound from backcourt. Flagrant
and persistent intentional violations will result in an automatic 2 points being awarded, plus continued possession of the ball. The defensive team is not allowed to call a timeout immediately following a backcourt guarding violation.
DOUBLETEAMING
Once the ball is advanced
Into front court, only one-on-
One defensive position may
be established until the
offensive team establishes
possession below the top
of the key (semi-circle)
extended. Once this is
established, trapping or
double-teaming defense may
be used in the entire front-court area.
ZONE DEFENSE
Zone defenses are not allowed. No player may guard an area of the court instead of an opponent. A defensive player may not be in the 3-second key for longer than 3 seconds if it is apparent that the player is not guarding an offensive player.
Basic defensive moves such as switching, sliding through, dropping off on the weak side (help-side defense), and double-teaming the ball are permissible. (See Double-Teaming restrictions above.) This rule is not intended to prevent defensive players from sagging off their offensive player who is not in the scoring area.
Teams detected in violation of this rule will be penalized as follows: 1 st offense: warning issued to coach; 2 nd offense: 2 points and possession to opponent; 3 rd and subsequent offenses: 4 points and possession.
Note: It is not intended that offenses be designed to bring one player with the ball down the court on one side and put four “decoy” players on the other sideline in order to take advantage of this rule. This does not teach kids basketball.
