CoachTex,
I've been involved in a similar program for about 13 years.
1. IMO, the 5-6 Grade Level is about where competitive basketball should begin. Below that it's Instructional with minimal emphasis on Winning & Losing or keeping score.
2. You need people that know the Rules to provide good instruction in any Youth Level. Our Y Program sent a number of volunteers to Ref Schools over the years and these people provide the volunteer officationg up to the 9-12 Grade Level where we go to IABBO Refs.
Some of the IABBO Refs we get are very good, most are good and a few are awful. The kids' safety is the important thing. Fouls must be called to prevent the game from turning into a slugfest.
This Year, we included a Handout for Coaches to educate them about 15 basic NHFS basketball rules. In the Rules for each Level, I preface them by saying that the Rules of the NFHS apply with the following exceptions.....pressing, double-teams, zone restrictions, etc.
Happy to send you our Rules and Handout by separate e-mail if it helps. Anytime.
John
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