Players play. Coaches coach. Referees referee.
PIAA officials apply interscholastic High School rules and their rulings are final.
Teams must have at least 5 players to begin a game. Refer to 'Call-up Procedure' below when there are less than 5 players on a team.
A five minute grace period after scheduled start is permitted, prior to forfeiture.
Once forfeiture is called by the PIAA official it is final.
Division coordinator calls official cancellations for weather, etc.
Playing time rule - Substitution Rule:
All players must play 1 full quarter per half. They must play from start of quarter to the finish of a quarter. Each player must also sit 1 full quarter per game. They must sit from start of quarter to the finish of a quarter. The playing time rule does not apply to both teams if either team has 6 or less players, for any reason... start with 6, someone gets hurt, fouls out.
Home team keeps the official book, an adult is recommended.
Visitor team keeps the official clock and possession arrow, an adult is recommended.
Mandatory Man-to-Man defense during the 3rd quarter, except for K-1 and 2nd grade division.
NO PRESS RULE if leading by 10. Warning 1st & 2nd time, 3rd offense results in a bench technical foul.
Fall-Back rule (press rule)
Grades 1-2: Players must fall back after a change of possession and stay within the 3-point arc on defense at all times. No transition defense is permitted.
Grades 3: Must stay behind the 3-point arc on defense unless last 2 minutes of each half and overtime.
Grades 4-5: Must stay behind the half court line on defense unless last 2 minutes of each half and overtime.
Grades 6 & up: There is no fall back rule.
Division coordinator decides any further rule interpretation and their decision is final.
Tournament playing time rule
For tournament play, a 60% playing time rule, which means for a 12 game schedule, each player must play in 8 games (always round up) to be eligible for tournament play. Legitimate medical conditions could void this rule at the discretion of the board.
1 minute between periods and OT
Clock stops on all whistles
1st overtime 3 minutes, 2nd overtime 2 minutes, 3rd & subsequent overtime 1 minute
Ball Size | Hoop Hgt | Qtrs | Half | Timeouts | Foul shot | Scoring | |
K-1 | 28.5" | 8' | 8 min | 3 min | none2 | no | scoreless |
2nd | 28.5" | 9' | 8 min | 3 min | none2 | no | scoreless |
3rd | 28.5" | 10' | 6 min | 3 min | 2 full - 2 30s | 12' | 2* |
4th | 28.5" | 10' | 6 min | 3 min | 2 full - 2 30s | 15' 3 | 3 |
5th | 28.5" | 10' | 6 min | 3 min | 2 full - 2 30s | 15' 3 | 3 |
6th | 28.5" | 10' | 6 min | 3 min | 2 full - 2 30s | 15' | 3 |
7th-8th | 29.5" | 10' | 6 min | 3 min | 2 full - 2 30s | 15' | 3 |
9th-10th | 29.5" | 10' | 6 min | 3 min | 2 full - 2 30s | 15' | 3 |
11th-12th | 29.5" | 10' | 6 min | 3 min | 2 full - 2 30s | 15' | 3 |
*3 point shots count as only 2 points in 3rd grade, because the defense cannot defend a 3 point shot in 3rd grade. 3 point shots count as 3 starting in the 4th grade division.
No timeouts in K-1 and 2nd grade divisions, however the clock stops every 4 minutes for quick substitutions.
Players are permitted to jump over the free throw line after the shot in K-4 division.
K-1, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Grade divisions have jerseys with players last name on back. It is very important that your coach has the correct spelling.
K-1 & 2nd grade divisions, every player will receive participation trophies.
3rd & 4th grade divisions, top 2 teams receive 1st & 2nd place trophies.
5th & 6th grade divisions, top 2 teams receive 1st & 2nd place T-shirts.