2025 Basketball Rules


 

1.1. Equipment & Facilities

1. Official Ball: Wilson Jet Evolution Leather.  Size 6.

2. Court: Grade 7 & 8 Boys & Girls – Full Court.


1.2. Uniforms

1. A school team shirt must be worn.  Preferably a 4” number on the front and a 6” number on the back.

2. Shorts or Athletic pants must be worn.  No Jeans.

3. Clean athletic shoes must be worn.  No Boots.

4. Jewellery must not be worn.

5. Religious or cultural exceptions apply.

6. Rules will be enforced by either the Officials or Gym Supervisor.


1.3. Rules of Play

1. Start Time: All games shall begin at 5:30 pm.  

2. Grade 7 & 8:

a. FIBA rules.

b. Recent rule adjustments in effect.  (see HSD rule document)


1.4. Officials and Scorekeepers

1. Home school is responsible for supplying competent Officials and Scorekeepers.

2. Minimum 1 Official is needed. 2 is strongly recommended

     -one official at least should be a competent adult

3. Official FIBA score sheets must be used.


1.5.      Playoff Structure

1. Grade 8:

a. All teams are eligible for the playoffs.

b. Hosting playoffs based on regular season rankings - Finals to be hosted at convenor school (CMS or NMS)

c. Champion banners to be presented in both divisions

2. There are no playoffs for grade 7s. 

1.6.     Team Structure

Where a school has more than one team in any category (for example, two grade 7 boys teams), those teams should be split as evenly as possible.  In other words, teams should not be stacked in an attempt to have one team with a better chance at winning.


HSD Basketball Rules for 2025 season
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*Refs – announce these rules to both coaches and team captains before each game.

Game Times:

  • Games Start at 5:30 unless otherwise noted in the schedule. 
  • All games will be running time unless there is only one or 2 games in an evening.
  • 4 – 8 minute quarters.
  • Stop time last two minutes of the game if the game is within 10 points
  • 1 minute coaching between quarters
  • 3 minute half

Substitution:

  • Subs will be made at stoppage in play around the 4 minute mark.
  • Only injury substitutions will be allowed outside of the 4 minute switch.
  • Coaches are required to use Playing Time Tracker to keep track of lineups.

Time outs:

  • 1 timeout per half and 1 additional time out for overtime (playoffs).
  • Timeouts do not carry over.
  • Must be requested by the coach at the scorer’s table and granted at the next stoppage of play or if scored upon.

3 Point Shots:

  • Will count only in grade 8

Bonus:

  • Double bonus (2 shots) on the 5th team foul per quarter.

Free Throw Violations:

  • Either team (excluding the shooter) are ignored if the free throw is successful.

Blocked Shot:

  • If a player returns to the floor without losing control of the ball it is a travelling violation.

5 Second Count:

  • On a player holding the ball anywhere on the court or inbounding the ball.

Half Court Count:

  • 10 seconds to advance the ball into the front court.  
  • Teams do not get a new count if the ball is knocked out of bounds.

Back Over Center:

  • Once you cross the front court with both feet and the ball if dribbling, you are in the front court (includes throw in). All 3 ground contact points must be across centre (foot, foot, and ball if being dribbled).
  • If you are in the front court you cannot throw the ball back over centre.

Basket Interference:

  • The ball gets one chance to score.
  • Once it bounces on the rim once, it may be touched by either team.

Technical Fouls:

  • 1 shot and possession of the ball at centre court on all non shooting fouls.
  • 2 shots if a player is in the act of shooting and misses the shot followed by possession of the ball at centre.
  • A technical foul towards the bench does not count as a team foul towards the bonus.

Unsportsmanlike Foul

  • Any foul that is not a play to get the ball or a play to stop the ball. For example: pushing a player in the back during a shot is not a play on the ball. 
  • They are also a foul from the last defender on a player from behind, or the side, who has a clear path to the basket. 
  • An unsportsmanlike foul results in 2 shots and the ball for the opposing team (unless a basket was scored, then it is 1). 
  • 2 unsportsmanlike fouls, 2 technicals, or 1 one of each result in the player being disqualified. 

General Rules for both 7s & 8s

  • Use run time on 3 game tournament format and stop time in 1or 2 game setting. 4 – 8 minute quarters. 4 - 10 minute quarters in 1 game setting.  3 minute half time. 1 minute coach between quarters.
  • Line changes every 4 minutes (5 minutes in one game setting).  Will be ref controlled, this is not a time-out.
  • Foul shots – players (5) on the lane can go for the rebound off the shooter's release.  The shooter and players outside the 3 pt. line can only go after the rebound when the ball touches the rim.
  • The wide rectangle key is to be used if the gym has it, trapezoid key is the backup option
  • No overtime during regular league play.

Rules Specific to Grade 7

  • Score gets reset every quarter.
  • No time outs
  • Foul shots – 2 feet in from regular free throw line. Schools should have a marker for this
  • No Playoffs
  • 3 pointers do not count (if they shoot from 3 and make it, it will be worth 2 points)

Rules Specific to Grade 8

  • Keep score and send it to the convenor by noon the next day.
  • 1 Time out (1min) per half.
  • 3 pointers count
  • Man to Man press will be allowed in the final quarter of a game that is within 10 points.  The trailing team may press in the final quarter, the leading team may only press if their lead is less than 10 points.

Grade 8 Playoffs:

  • Equal playing time according to Playing Time Tracker.
    • Final 4 minutes and overtime teams may play any lineup they want.
  • Man to Man defence only for grade 8s. No zone allowed.
  • Man to man press will be allowed in the final quarter of a game that is within 10 points.  The trailing team may press in the last quarter, the leading team may only press if their lead is less than 10 points.
  • 4 minute overtime (1 timeout per team).

No Zone Defence

  • Players must guard their man within 6 feet (closely guarded) unless they are leaving their man to play help defence (see definition of help defence below).
  • Zone defence violations will result in an official warning on the first violation. Second violation will result in an unsportsmanlike foul on the violator. The team on offence will get to choose their shooter for the 2 free throws and then inbound the ball from the side.

Help Defence & Double Teaming

  • Help defence is defined as another defender temporarily assisting their teammate to defend an offensive player who is making an attempt to score (therefore has the ball) and is beneath the free throw line extended. This would allow a person to come from the help side to step in and help stop a drive on the other side.
  • Double teaming the ball carrier and rotating playing help defence is allowed. A double team is ONLY allowed on the ball carrier when they are BELOW the foul line attacking the basket (between the foul line extended and the baseline).  
  • Double teams on players without the ball are never permitted. 
  • If an offensive player dribbles directly at a second defensive player and that defensive player steals the ball, it will not be considered an illegal double team.
  • Triple teaming any ball player is never permitted. 

Please email grade 8 results to the League Commissioner the next day.


Paul Reimer paureimer@hsd.ca 

Clearspring Middle School


David Kukkonen dkukkonen@hsd.ca

Niverville Middle School