PSA BASKETBALL RULES & PROCEDURES

All games scheduled by the PSA Basketball Program are played under the National Federation of High School (NFHS) rules except where modified by the PSA Basketball Rules.

Each team is allowed a Head Coach and an Assistant Coach.  The coaches must be adults, 21 years or older, with a current PSA application. The Head Coach is responsible for the conduct of all persons connected with their team (Assistant Coach, players, parents and fans).  In the event that neither coach is available, a parent may act as the stand-in Head Coach; the parent must be 21 or older.  A coach must fill out a coach’s application every year which will expire on December 31^st. 

Only the players listed on the official roster maintained in the PSA Sports Management System are eligible to participate in games. Guest players are not authorized at any time or under any circumstances. A player may only play on one (1) team per grade. Players may play in their grade or higher.

Teams are limited to 12 players on their roster.  Under special circumstances, teams may petition the Basketball Director for an exemption to the 12-player limit.  Additional players may be added to the official roster prior to the 3^rd week of the season.  After the 3^rd week, coaches may request an exception to the rule by emailing the PSA Basketball Director – basketball@psaplano.org . 

PSA game sheets are provided at the time of the game by PSA. The game sheet will list all players and coaches. Coaches must write down each player’s number and exchange the game sheet with the other team. The home team has the option to use the game sheets as the official book for the game. If the home team elects not to use the PSA provided game sheets, then the visiting team can use them. If the coach does not fill out the game sheet with numbers, it is an automatic two (2) shot technical foul plus possession of the ball. The officials will verify the games sheets.

If a team is up by 25 points, the losing coach has the option to zero out the score on the scoreboard.

Both teams must provide scorekeepers for every game.  The first team listed on the schedule is the home team.  The home team provides the official scorekeeper and keeps the official scorebook. If for some reason the home team cannot provide a scorekeeper, then the visiting scorekeeper keeps the official scorebook.

      Scorekeepers are required to sit on either side of the timekeeper. Scorekeepers may not sit in the stands or on the team bench. The home scorekeeper sits on the left facing the court.

      The scorekeeper must list all players on each team by full name and number. The PSA game sheet contains the full name of the players and coaches.  

      Scorekeepers are required to record overall team score, individual scoring, personal fouls, team fouls, time-outs and player participation. 

      It is recommended for scorekeepers to compare their scorebook at the end of each quarter to ensure there are no discrepancies.

A team must have a minimum of 4 players and 1 coach in order to start the game. If a team is unable to field a team (4 players and 1 coach) within 10 minutes of the scheduled game time the game will be forfeited.  Forfeited games will not be rescheduled. After 10 minutes, the teams can elect to scrimmage and have the officials officiate the game. The scrimmage must end 5 minutes before the other game starts. The game will be recorded as 2 to 0. Please refer to the Forfeiting Procedure under PSA Basketball Procedures

Only eligible players and coaches (limit 2) on the official roster are permitted on the bench.  During the game, coaches are not permitted on the court and must stay within the bench area.  Referees may require that coaches remain seated.  Failure to follow the referees’ instructions may result in a technical foul and ejection.

Games are four (4) six-minute quarters.  The time clock stops on the referees whistle for out of bounds, fouls and timeouts. Games should not start unless both coaches agree.

Teams have ten (10) seconds to get the ball over the half court line.  Timeouts taken prior to crossing the half court line will reset the ten (10) second clock.  When back court pressure is restricted the ten (10) second clock will not be reset.

Mandatory playing time must be addressed starting in the 1st quarter.

·         For kindergarten to 2^nd Grade, players must play 2 full quarters (1 in each half) unless the team has more than 10 players

·         For 3^rd grade and above playing in B or C Divisions:

o   For 10 players: 5 players play the whole first quarter. 5 players play the whole second quarter. No substitutions in the 1st half. .  The remainder of the game may have substitutions as long as everyone plays in the 2nd half.  

o   For less than 10 players: 5 players play the whole first quarter.  Those players that did not play the first quarter play the entire 2nd quarter. Only substitutions allowed are in the 2nd quarter for those that have already played the full 1st quarter. .  The remainder of the game may have substitutions as long as everyone plays in the 2nd half.  

o   For more than 10 players: (Example has 12 players) 5 players play the first quarter.  3 players play the 2nd quarter (the other 2 may be switched out).  The 2 that did not play a full quarter in the 1st half will play the entire 3rd quarter.  The remainder of the game may have substitutions as long as everyone plays in the 2nd half.  

Coaches are responsible to ensure that all players meet their league specific mandatory playing time requirements. 

A coach who has a dispute over playing time must bring the infraction to the attention of the referee and opposing coach in time for it to be resolved during the game.  If a team does not provide a scorekeeper or notify the referee and opposing coach of an apparent violation, there is no basis for a protest. 

Games will start with a center jump ball.  Thereafter, teams will alternate throw-ins on jump ball situations.  The timekeeper will maintain the possession arrow. Teams will start the game shooting at the opposite end of their bench. At the beginning of the third quarter, teams will shoot on their own end.

Prior to entering the game, all players must report to the scorekeeper’s table.  Failure to do so, the official will not allow the substitution until the player is at the scorer’s table.  

Each team is allowed four (4) forty-five (45) second timeouts per game and one (1) forty-five (45) second time out in overtime.  Time outs do not carry over from regulation into overtime.

      Individual Fouls: a player must leave the game after receiving five (5) fouls.  This applies to all grades.

      Teams Fouls:  every foul counts as a team foul, including offensive and technical fouls.  On the seventh (7th) foul, the team will be in the bonus (1 and 1) situation.  On the tenth (10th) foul, the team will be in the double bonus (2 shots). An offensive foul results in turning the ball over to the other team (no foul shots).

      Fouls Shots:  no player may enter the key until the ball hits the rim.  If the ball does not hit the rim, the other team automatically gets the ball.

      Technical Fouls:  a technical foul will result in two (2) free throws and loss of possession.  Two (2) technical fouls against a player or coach will result in ejection from the game.  The player or coach must immediately leave the playing area. Technical fouls assessed for inappropriate behavior by the fans or bench will be assessed to the Head Coach. Officials will fill out an ejection form on the same day.

If the game is tied at the end of regulation, a three (3) minute overtime period will be played (except in the mini league).  If the game remains tied at the end of the first overtime, a sudden death overtime period will be played.  In the sudden death overtime period, the first team scoring any combination of two (2) points wins.  Overtime periods start with a center jump ball.

All uniforms shall have numbers on the front (4”) and back (6”).  Numbers may be up to 2 digits (0-5).  Reversible uniforms are recommended but not required and new uniforms should have the PSA logo on the front.  Uniforms are not included in the registration fee. The team is responsible to purchase their own uniforms and they can be purchased from the PSA Shop (972-208-3860).

When possible, the Home Team should wear light colors. The home team has the option to wear their preferred color. If the two teams’ jerseys are the same color or similar colors and are not reversible, then one team can obtain loaner pennies from PSA. To check a set of pennies requires either a set of keys or a driver’s license.

Disciplinary action may be taken against a coach/player for violation of the rules.  Depending on the severity of the infractions, a recommendation may be made to suspend the coach/player for the remainder of the season or ban the coach/player from all PSA sponsored events.

Fighting will not be tolerated.  Players or coaches, who fight, start or attempt to instigate a fight, will be expelled from further league play.  There are no refunds to players expelled from the league.

Violation of playing time rules is not tolerated.  League coordinators will investigate all suspected playing time violations.  If it is determined that a coach violated the playing time requirements, then the coach will be counseled on the rules and given a warning.  Any further violation will result in an automatic one (1) game suspension.  A coach, who continues to violate the playing time rules, will be brought to the attention of the Basketball Board for disciplinary action.  Disciplinary action may result in additional suspension or immediate replacement of the coach. 

Two (2) technical fouls against a player or coach will result in ejection from the game.  Any ejection also carries an automatic one (1) game suspension.  The suspension will be served in the next scheduled game (regular season, tournament or playoff).

Any spectator who demonstrates rude or abusive behavior will be required to leave the game site immediately.  This behavior may cause the team to be assessed one or more technical fouls.

The Basketball Board will only hear protests for ineligible players and mandatory playing time violations.   Coaches may not protest a referee’s judgment call.  During the regular season, all protests must be submitted to the Basketball Director in writing within 48 hours of the game in question. A protest will not be allowed if the protesting coach did not inform the Referee and opposing coach of the infraction in time for it to be resolved during the game.  During playoffs and tournaments, the time between games does not allow for the normal protest process.  The Basketball Director in conjunction with the League Coordinator or other basketball representative will have the authority to rule on the protest.

      If a team knows they have to forfeit a PSA Basketball Game more than 4 days in advance:

o   Find a team within the same division to play the game

o   Notify the PSA Basketball scheduler of the team replacing your team at scheduler@psaplano.org

o   Notify the opposing coach that you are forfeiting the game and that there will be a team from the same division playing instead

o   If a team cannot be found, then contact the opposing coach and the Basketball scheduler at least 24 hours before game time  

      If for some reason a team must forfeit a game at the last minute (within 24 hours of game time):

o   Contact the opposing coach

o   Send an email to the PSA Basketball scheduler and Basketball director  

o   Contact the PSA Customer Service desk at 972-208-5437

Note: The game score will be recorded as 2 to 0 for all forfeited games.  All coaches should have received a list of teams, coach’s names, and emails that are your division from the league coordinator

Schedule Conflicts should be limited to those situations where a team is unable to fill the minimum number of players (4) and would otherwise be forced to forfeit. In all other cases the games should be played as published.

Please follow these guidelines for resolving scheduling conflicts.

Step 1: Determine any scheduling conflict well in advance.

      Forfeited games will not be rescheduled.

      If a team is unable to field at least 4 players at game time then they must forfeit the game.  Please refer to the Forfeiting Procedure to forfeit your game

Step 2: Coordinate an opponent or game time swap with another team from within your division.

       Coaches should contact, via e-mail or phone, the other teams in their division. Please coordinate these swaps on your own.  Opponent swaps only require the agreement of the two coaches switching games.

       Game time swaps require that all four coaches’ agree with the change and are more difficult to accomplish than one team swapping with another.

       Note: swapping opponents may result in playing a team more than once or not playing a team at all.

       After arranging the swap, email the basketball scheduler at scheduler@psaplano.org and they will update the online schedules to reflect the change.

       In the event that you are unable to arrange a swap and will be forfeiting the game, e-mail the coach you are playing and he/she may attempt to arrange an alternative opponent for the game, in order to avoid both teams losing a game. It will still be counted as a forfeit, but one team gets to play an extra game and the other team gets to play and not just win by forfeit.

A team could be doing really well or not so well playing in a basketball division and is reviewed by PSA to determine if teams should move to a different division. The PSA Basketball Director and the league directors will review the standings after second played game to determine if any teams should move up or down. Coaches can request to be moved down or up by send an email to their league coordinator. If a team is a candidate to be moved, then PSA will solicit those teams that need to move based on their standings. In some cases, PSA may force teams to swap based on their standings.

Before a swap is completed, both coaches must review each other’s basketball game schedule to identify any conflicts. If there are no conflicts or conflicts that can be resolved, then the swap can take place. Each team will take over each other’s schedule.

If a division swap is not possible at the time, then later in the season the standings can be reviewed again for a possible swap.

Process to swap divisions:

      Send an email to your league coordinator and basketball director

      Standings will be reviewed to identify possible teams

      Teams will be emailed

      Possible teams will review their schedules for any conflicts

      Two teams agree and assume the other team’s schedule

      Eight Feet (8ft)

      Junior Ball (27” or 27.5”)

Teams with ten (10) or less players: Each player must play at least one (1) full quarter from start to finish in each half.

Teams with more than ten (10) players: Each player must play one (1) full quarter from start to finish in the game and no player may play in more than one (1) quarter in each half.

These rules may be waived under the following circumstances.

      If a player arrives after the start of the game but before the start of the second half, the coach must play the player one (1) full quarter from start to finish in the second half and is not obligated to play the player in the first half.

      If a player arrives after the start of the second half, the coach is not obligated to play the player.

      A player can be substituted anytime during the game if a player is ill or injured

No defensive pressure in the backcourt.  Once ball control has been established on a rebound, the defensive team must release. 

Initial defensive pressure is not allowed until the ball passes an imaginary line at the top of the key (the yellow line will be used for games at the PSA 1^st Center).  The team on offense must make a timely (5 seconds) attempt to advance the ball across the line at the top of the key, or the referee will call a closely guarded violation and award the ball to the other team.  After the initial penetration, defensive pressure is allowed to continue until change of possession. 

Defensive pressure violations will result in the ball being given back to the offensive team.

      Taken from the bottom of the key.

      Violations are not called

      Not called on players. They may be called on the coaches.

      No Overtime Games

      Shots made behind the three-point line will not count as three points but as two

      3rd Grade:  Junior Ball (27” or 27.5”)

      4th Grade:  Intermediate Ball (28.5”)

      Playing time rules apply to B and C Divisions only

      Each player must play at least one (1) full quarter from start to finish in the first half unless you have more than 10 players. Players must play in both halves.   

      To meet the playing time rules, there is no substitution in the first (1^st) Quarter as well as the Second (2^nd) Quarter when there are Ten (10) players. If less than Ten (10) players, then substitution can happen in the Second (2^nd) Quarter.  If more than Ten (10) players, then substitution must happen in the Second (2^nd) Quarter.

      These rules may be waived under the following circumstances.

1. If a player arrives after the start of the game but before the start of the second half, the coach must play the player one (1) full quarter from start to finish in the second half and is not obligated to play the player in the first half.
2. If a player arrives after the start of the second half, the coach is not obligated to play the player.
3. A player can be substituted anytime during the game if a player is ill or injured

      3rd Grade:  No defensive pressure in the backcourt.  Once ball control has been established on a rebound, the defensive team must release.

      4th Grade:  Full court defensive pressure is permitted only in the second half of the game.

      4th Grade Select Division: Full court defensive pressure is permitted for the entire game

      When a team is ahead by fifteen (15) or more points:  The leading team is restricted to no defensive pressure in the backcourt.  Once ball control has been established on a rebound, the defensive team must release.

      Defensive Pressure violations will result in the ball being given back to the offensive team.  The third defensive pressure violation results in a technical foul, two (2) free throws. 

      3rd Grade Boys & Girls:  Foul shots are taken halfway between the bottom of the key and the regulation free throw line.

      4th Grade Girls & Boys:  Foul shots are taken from the regulation free throw line.

      3rd Grade:  Three-second lane violations are not enforced.

      4th Grade:  Three-second lane violations are enforced.

      Shots made behind the three-point line will count as three (3) points.

Regular Basketball Rules apply unless specified below

      5th Grade Boys, 5th& 6th Grade Girls: Intermediate Ball (28.5”)

      6th Grade Boys: Official Regulation Ball (29.5”)

      Playing time rules apply to B and C Divisions only

      Each player must play at least one (1) full quarter from start to finish in the first half unless you have more than 10 players. Players must play in both halves.   

      To meet the playing time rules, there is no substitution in the first (1^st) Quarter as well as the Second (2^nd) Quarter when there are Ten (10) players. If less than Ten (10) players, then substitution can happen in the Second (2^nd) Quarter.  If more than Ten (10) players, then substitution must happen in the Second (2^nd) Quarter.

      These rules may be waived under the following circumstances.

a.      If a player arrives after the start of the game but before the start of the second half, the coach must play the player one (1) full quarter from start to finish in the second half and is not obligated to play the player in the first half.

b.      If a player arrives after the start of the second half, the coach is not obligated to play the player.

c.       A player can be substituted anytime during the game if a player is ill or injured

      5th Grade:  Full court defensive pressure is permitted only in the second half of the game. 

      5th Grade Select Division and 6th Grade:  Full court defensive pressure is permitted for the entire game.

      When a team is ahead by fifteen (15) or more points: The leading team is restricted to no defensive pressure in the backcourt.  Once ball control has been established on a rebound, the defensive team must release.

      Defensive pressure violations will result in the ball being given back to the offensive team.  The third defensive pressure violation results in a team technical foul, two (2) free throws.

      Girls: Intermediate Ball (28.5”)

      Boys: Official Regulation Ball (29.5”)

      Playing time rules apply to B and C Divisions only

      Each player must play at least one (1) full quarter from start to finish in the first half unless you have more than 10 players. Players must play in both halves.   

      To meet the playing time rules, there is no substitution in the first (1^st) Quarter as well as the Second (2^nd) Quarter when there are Ten (10) players. If less than Ten (10) players, then substitution can happen in the Second (2^nd) Quarter.  If more than Ten (10) players, then substitution must happen in the Second (2^nd) Quarter.

      These rules may be waived under the following circumstances.

a.      If a player arrives after the start of the game but before the start of the second half, the coach must play the player one (1) full quarter from start to finish in the second half and is not obligated to play the player in the first half.

b.      If a player arrives after the start of the second half, the coach is not obligated to play the player.

c.       A player can be substituted anytime during the game if a player is ill or injured

      Full court defensive pressure is permitted for the entire game.

      When a team is ahead by fifteen (15) or more points: The leading team is restricted to no defensive pressure in the backcourt.  Once ball control has been established on a rebound, the defensive team must release.

      Defensive pressure violations will result in the ball being given back to the offensive team.  The third defensive pressure violation results in a team technical foul, two (2) free throws.

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