NEXT STEP ATHLETES BASKETBALL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS
 

A) REGISTRATION
Formal Basketball registration will be October through December.

B) ELIGIBLE CLASSIFICATION 

1st & 2nd boys and girls, 3rd & 4th boys and girls, 5th & 6th boys and girls, 7th & 8th boys and girls

Participants may play up in any age category. 

 

REGULATION GAME: 1&2 

a) Two fifteen-minute halves running clock. Clock stop for time outs only.

b) Players must only guard player with matching wrist bands

c) Overtime the game will be decided by the first team to score

d) 3 minutes between halves/half time.

e) Five fouls disqualifies a player

f) One full time-out per halve and an additional one in overtime

g) Jump ball to begin game and overtime.

h)  “Mercy Rule” will be used once a team is ahead by 15 points or more at
any point during a game. When this rule is applied the remainder of the game
will be played with a running clock except during charged team timeouts or injury timeouts. 

 

REGULATION GAME: 3/4 & 5/6

a) Four eight-minute quarters running clock.  Last two minutes stop clock for dead ball possesions.
b) Two minutes for overtime periods.

c) After first overtime the game will be decided by the first team to score.

d) One minute between quarters and four minutes between halves.
e) Five fouls disqualifies a player.
f) Five seconds in the lane for 3&4. For 5/6 it will be three seconds in the lane.
g) All ages will play (5 on 5).
h) Bonus goes into effect on the 7th team foul. Automatic (2) shot Bonus begins with 10th Team Foul.
i) Three-thirty second time-outs per game. One additional full time-out per overtime
j) Jump ball to begin game and overtime.
k) Three (3) point shot are allowed.
l) A “Mercy Rule” will be used once a team is ahead by 15 points or more at
any point during a game. When this rule is applied the remainder of the game
will be played with a running clock except during charged team timeouts or injury timeouts. 

FULL COURT PRESS: 

When any team is ahead by 15 points or more in any quarter of a game, the NO PRESS rule will apply. This is for all ages. NO PRESS RULE (check special rules for division). No full court press in the offensive teams backcourt after defensive rebound is secured by a player the defense must then drop back to the half-court line. 

GAME CANCELLATION OR CHANGE:
Due to tight scheduling, it is impossible to change a scheduled game. The only exception would be for the death of a family member of a coach or player. Games will be canceled only in the event of severe freezing weather, ice storm, or other serious reasons. If games are canceled, information will be available by calling or on our Facebook page. If a team cannot play at certain times or days, the coach should contact NSA prior to scheduling. Due to COVID this could change.

BENCH PERSONNEL:
During any game or tournament play, except for players, a maximum of two adult coaches are allowed on the players’ bench, no other adults or minors. All Coaches must be NSA background approved or Background Screened. 

COACHES:
Any coach who receives two direct or three indirect technical fouls in a game or is ejected from a game for any reason will be suspended for the next regularly scheduled game. Second time offenders will be suspended for the remainder of the season. All unsportsmanlike technical fouls are assessed to the head coach. 

GYM SUPERVISOR:
The gym supervisor is in charge of the gymnasium. The person in charge has the authority to ask anyone to leave the building. Failure to do so (subject to review by NSA Staff) will result in that person being barred from the program, and the game will be forfeited. 

PROTESTS:
No protests in Youth Basketball. If a coach feels there is an incorrect interpretation of the rules, it must be put in writing and given to the Coordinator so that proper interpretation can be made. The name of the official should be given on the written complaint so that he can be informed of the correct interpretation. All written complaints must be signed by the person filing the complaint. Judgment calls should not be construed to come under rule interpretation. 

HECKLING:
Heckling officials, coaches or players will not be permitted. A technical foul will be assessed to players and coaches. Spectators will be warned by officials and coaches the first time. The second offense will be a technical foul and the individual will be asked to leave the building. 

PROFANITY:
No profanity of any kind is allowed before, during or after a game. A two shot technical foul will be assessed. Profanity should not be used in talking to players or directed to the official. In other words, profanity has no place in this type of program. 

PLAYING TIME:
Each player must play one quarter in the lst half of each game and must make an appearance in the second half. 

UNIFORMS:
All teams will be required to have a number on the back of each shirt.  

MULTI-TEAMING:
Multi-teaming is allowed once the ball is in the area of the free throw line extended, down to the base line of the offensive teams frontcourt. 

F) SPECIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR EACH AGE GROUP:
1) 1 & 2 grades (8" Goals) (5 on 5 Basketball). NO FULL COURT PRESS. Penalty: one warning per quarter, then automatic turnover. Stop play and explain. Man-to-man defense throughout the game. 

1st Half: Guard wristband players only. 2nd Half: Regular Basketball, NO ZONE, Man-to Man Only
Fast Break - Entire Game: Allowed

2) 3rd & 4th grades (10 ft. Goals). 

Entire Game (minor restrictions apply): Regular Basketball, Man-to-Man, Zone, & Match-Up Zone defenses are allowed, Multi-teaming - Entire Game: Allowed from the free throw line extended. 

 

Full Court Press - 1st Half: NOT allowed. 2nd Half: Allowed.
Fast Break - Entire Game: Allowed, 

 

3) 5th & 6th grades (10 ft. Goals). 

Entire Game (minor restrictions apply): Regular Basketball, Man-to-Man, Zone, & Match-Up Zone defenses are allowed, Multi-teaming - Entire Game: Allowed from the free throw line extended. 

Full Court Press - 1st Half: NOT allowed. 2nd Half: Allowed.
Fast Break - Entire Game: Allowed

BALL SIZE 

1&2  3&4 grades 28.5(Size 6) 

5&6 grade boys Mens (Size 7) girls 28.5 (Size 6)

GOAL SIZES

1&2 grades 8 ft 

3&4 grades 10ft 

5&6 grades 10ft