“Our league philosophy, coaching mandates and the rules that govern play are all developed with this in mind.”

¨       Delbrook Steve Nash Youth Basketball is a developmental league.

¨       Every attempt is made at the beginning of the season to form balanced teams in the hopes that all games will be close and competitive

¨       It is a league where all players are treated equally and FUN is the name of the game.  

¨       Players should be encouraged to take risks, to push themselves outside of their comfort zone and not be afraid to make mistakes.  

¨       While games are competitive at all age levels, respect for the other team and enjoyment for all players should be the number one priority of the coaches. 

¨       Coaches are encouraged to focus on fundamentals and allow kids to play all positions – the tall kid playing only post positions in grade 6/7 could end up needing the skills to play guard in grade 8/9.

¨       Set plays and complicated offenses are not suggested; teaching kids to think while they’re playing is encouraged.

¨       Most importantly, ALL kids deserve equal attention – unskilled players can be taught to be full contributors while skilled players can be made into play-makers, passers and leaders.

Coaches are strongly encouraged NOT to ‘run up the score’ at any age level.  Scores are not kept in the grade 4/5 age group to encourage fun and fair play without worrying about who is winning or losing.  If the score in a grade 6/7 game reaches a point gap of 20 points the scoreboard is turned around until the point gap goes below 20.  The coach of a team that is dominating in a game at any age level is strongly encouraged to take measures to ‘even things out’. While coaches are never expected to tell kids not to try, there are several things that can be done including, on offense: move players into different positions, encourage more passing or target specific shooters; and on defense: discourage taking the ball from a stationary player, allow the other team to bring the ball further across center line, don’t steal the dribble from the weaker dribblers - concentrate on good positional defense.

¨       Equal Play Time - ALL PLAYERS MUST PLAY EQUAL TIME – no player may be double shifted until all players have played; no player may be triple shifted until all players have been double shifted. All players should SIT equal time as well.

¨       Man to Man Defense – in a developmental league, the focus is on teaching the fundamentals of the game.  Man to man defense is a FUNDAMENTAL of basketball that ALL players must learn.  Teaching tall players to stand in the key instead of following their check and keeping an eye on both their check and the ball is doing those kids a disservice – what if those kids need to play a different defensive position in high school ball and haven’t been taught the basics of man on defense?  In addition, man on defense ALLOWS the offense to drive to the basket – another fundamental that we should be teaching and encouraging – not preventing by having tall players stand in the key.  Zone play requires an outside shot.  Kids in grades 4-7 do not have an outside shot!!!  Using zone tactics at this grade level is unfair and does not help to develop good offensive or defensive strategies.  High school basketball does not allow zone play until grade 10!!!  ALL players must play Man to Man Defense. ALL players must be within arms reach of their check when their check is within 3’ of the key.  Post players MAY NOT stand in the key unless their check is within arms reach.  Help defense is allowed and encouraged but not at the expense of man to man play.

¨       No Double Teaming – if a player is stationary they may only be checked by ONE player; if a player is dribbling another player may ‘help’ if they are within reach of the player but they may not ‘leave’ their own check in order to do so. In addition, if a player is picked up by a different check, their original check may not also continue to cover that player as well.    

¨       3 Seconds in the Key – a player may not remain longer than 3 seconds in the opponents’ Key when his/her team has possession of the ball. This rule should be applied with tolerance at the grade 4/5 level, although it should be strictly enforced when a player intentionally stays inside the area to receive the ball.  When a shot has been taken, the ball is no longer in the possession of the offensive team – therefore the offensive players may remain in the Key. The 3 second count starts again if the offensive team rebounds the ball. 

Defensive Foul

Obstruction – impeding with extended arms, hips or knees the progress of a player who is not in the possession of the ball.

Holding – reducing an opponent’s freedom of movement

Pushing – in particular, causing contact by approaching an opponent from behind

Reaching In – any contact with the offensive player involving reaching or lunging for the ball constitutes a foul

Offensive Fouls

Charging – contact caused by the forward movement of a player who has just taken a shot at the basket and does not try to avoid the opponent, or of a dribbler causing contact with a an opponent situated in his path or trying to drive between two defenders when there is no room for him to do so.

1. Games will be two 25 minute halves for players in Grades 4/5.  Half time will be 5 minutes.  Warm up will be 15 minutes.  Each team is allowed three one minute time outs per game (no stop time – no time outs in the last 2 minutes of play)
2. ALL PLAYERS MUST PLAY EQUAL TIME – no player may be double shifted until all players have played; no player may be triple shifted until all players have been double shifted. All players should SIT equal time as well.
3. Only man to man defense is permitted (no zone play allowed – see definition of Man to Man Defense above).
4. A full court press is NOT allowed.
5. No Score will be kept at this level.  The only individual stat recorded will be personal fouls.
6. A jump ball will start the game and then alternating possession.
7. NO DOUBLE TEAMING – if a player is stationary they may only be checked by ONE player; if a player is dribbling another player may ‘help’ if they are within reach of the player but they may not ‘leave’ their own check in order to do so.
8. ***No stealing the ball from a stationary player.  This will encourage players to look up with the ball and not ‘turtle’ with their backs to the basket. They will still have to pivot to create passing lanes but they will have the time and the opportunity to do so.  Lunging for a ball in the hands of a stationary player is a poor defensive technique at the older levels anyway.  To discourage kids from holding the ball in the ‘forbidden zone’ we could allow the defensive player to place their hand on the ball (to prevent a shot) but not allow them to grab the ball away.
9. Substitutions will be allowed on all whistles.  Substitutes must report to the timer. It is suggested that coaches attempt to sub players at the same time so that checks can be matched up. The subs may only be brought into the game by being waved in by either of the 2 Refs on the court.  Coaches and Scorekeepers may not wave the subs in.
10. When the ball and ball handlers’ feet are over the center line, the over and back rule is in effect.
11. The standard key will be used for 3 second violations, etc.
12. The ball will be put into play from the side after all whistles.  Foul line extended.  On foul calls inbounds will be from baseline or sideline, closest spot. The 5 second rule should be extended to 10 seconds for this age group.
13. Possession will be awarded on every foul.
14. Players will be asked to leave the game on their fifth foul.
15. Technicals will be awarded for unsportsmanlike behavior including swearing, ‘back-talking’ the refs, and overly aggressive play.  Two Technicals on an individual will result in being removed from the game.  This applies to Coaches, Parents and Players. Fighting will result in immediate ejection from the game and possibly further disciplinary action.

*** New rule for the 2009/2010 season

1. Games will be two 25-minute halves.  Half time will be 5 minutes.  Warm up will be 15 minutes.  Each team is allowed three one-minute time outs per game No stop time, no time outs in the last 2 minutes of play. 
2. ALL PLAYERS MUST PLAY EQUAL TIME – no player may be double shifted until all players have played; no player may be triple shifted until all players have been double shifted. All players should SIT equal time as well.
3. Only man to man defense is permitted (no zone play allowed – see definition of Man to Man Defense).
4. A full court press is NOT allowed.
5. NO DOUBLE TEAMING – if a player is stationary they may only be checked by ONE player; if a player is dribbling another player may ‘help’ if they are within reach of the player but they may not ‘leave’ their own check in order to do so.  
6. Score will be kept on a flip card on the score table.  The only individual stat recorded will be personal fouls.
7. If the differential in points becomes >20, the score board should be turned around until the score differential is <20.
8. A jump ball will start the game and then alternating possession.
9. Substitutions will be allowed on all whistles.  Substitutes must report to the timer
10. The subs may only be brought into the game by being waved in by either of the 2 Refs on the court.  Coaches and Scorekeepers may not wave the subs in.
11. When the ball and ball handlers’ feet are over the centre line, the over and back rule is in effect.
12. The standard key will be used for 3 second violations, etc.
13. The ball will be put into play from the side after all violation whistles, foul line extended.  On foul calls inbounds will be from baseline or sideline, closest spot. The 5 second rule will apply.   
14. Possession will be awarded after fouls (turn over).  One point and possession will be awarded on a shooting foul. 
15. ***One point will be awarded for every foul after the 7^th team foul. 
16. Players will be asked to leave the game on their fifth foul.
17. Technicals will be awarded for unsportsmanlike behavior including swearing, ‘back-talking’ the refs, and overly aggressive play.  Two Technicals on an individual will result in being removed from the game.  This applies to Coaches, Parents and Players. Fighting will result in immediate ejection from the game and possibly further disciplinary action.

***New rule for 2009/2010 season

1. Games will be two 30-minute halves.  Half time will be 5 minutes.  Warm up will be 15 minutes.  Each team is allowed three one minute time outs per game. N0 stop time, no time outs in the last 2 minutes of play.
2. ALL PLAYERS MUST PLAY EQUAL TIME – no player may be double shifted until all players have played; no player may be triple shifted until all players have been double shifted. All players should SIT equal time as well.  Note:  this rule may be qualified for players that are consistently absent for games and/or practices.
3. Only man to man defense is permitted (no zone play allowed – see definition of Man to Man Defense).
4. A full court press is allowed as long as the score is within 20 points.
5. Score will be kept on a flip card on the score table.  The only individual stat recorded will be personal fouls.
6. A jump ball will start the game and then alternating possession.
7. Substitutions will be allowed on all whistles.  Substitutes must report to the timer.
8. The subs may only be brought into the game by being waved in by either of the 2 Refs on the court.  Coaches and Scorekeepers may not wave the subs in.
9. When the ball and ball handlers’ feet are over the centre line, the over and back rule is in effect.
10. The standard key will be used for 3 second violations, etc.
11. The ball will be put into play from the side after all violation whistles, foul line extended.  On foul calls inbounds will be from baseline or sideline, closest spot. The 5 second rule will apply.  
12. Possession will be awarded after fouls (turn over).  One point and possession will be awarded on a shooting foul. 
13. ***A ‘bonus situation’ occurs after the 7^th team foul – the fouled player will shoot a foul shot for every foul that occurs after the other team’s 7^th foul. The clock may be stopped during the setup for the shot – the ball is ‘live’ after the shot.
14. Players will be asked to leave the game on their fifth foul.
15. Technicals will be awarded for unsportsmanlike behavior including swearing, ‘back-talking’ the refs, and overly aggressive play.  Two Technicals on an individual will result in being removed from the game.  This applies to Coaches, Parents and Players. Fighting will result in immediate ejection from the game and possibly further disciplinary action.

***New rule for 2009/2010 season