[Mark Padgett]

Here are the rules our local rec league used last year for our youngest division. We had about 30 teams in this division.

3rd & 4th Boys and Girls — Introduction to Basketball
The purpose of the 3rd and 4th grade programs is to teach boys and girls the fundamentals of the game, with the greatest emphasis on sportsmanship and fair play. To achieve this goal, special rules apply.

The game consists of 9 minute running quarters, a 3 minute halftime and 1 minute between quarters with the clock stopping only for timeouts, but not for free throws. The score shall not be shown at any time.

Back court guarding, zone defenses and isolation plays (set plays involving only a single offensive player) are not allowed at any time in the game.
In the front court, defensive players must remain within six feet of their offensive player, but may switch. Double teaming (two players only) is allowed only when the
ball-handler is in the key.
Coaches are allowed on the court for match-ups if either of the teams has substituted more than one player, or at the beginning of a quarter, as long as the time taken does not become excessive in the opinion of the officials.
During regulation time, each team receives four full (and no 30-second) timeouts for the game, with no more than two timeouts being allowed per half.
All teams shall use the intermediate size (28.5”) ball.
Players will be allowed up to 5 seconds in the key.
5 second closely guarded calls will not be called.
Free throw shooters shoot from a line four feet shorter than standard.
All games will use a nine foot hoop.
In 3rd and 4th grades, two warnings per team, per type, will be issued for violations of the no back court, zone, illegal double-teaming and isolation rules, followed by team technical fouls.