This Friday we are starting our local 4,5,6 year old league. I am just wanting you guys imput on how much to bend the rules and so forth. Any help will be greatful. Thanks

4, 5 and 6 *year old* or 4th, 5th and 6th grade? For four year olds....what rules? for fourth graders, call only what really matters and do a lot of teaching.

4,5,and 6 *year olds*, and if the parent is coacing 3 year olds can play.

WOW! I have never seen this age play basketball. But my 5 yo son played tball this year. They bent the rules a lot: bat around the order every inning. Reverse the order every inning. Nobody gets out. There's a coach at every base. No score is kept. No umpire. Just kids having fun getting to hit the ball and run the bases. And everybody gets a treat when its over.

At that age, I can't imagine that you'd enforce the rules of basketball at all. Just let the coaches try to teach them the fundamentals of the game and let them play. Don't need no stinking refs :)

3 year olds? Playing organized basketball? Those rules need to be bent so much they take on a whole new shape. Good luck.

Basically what I figured, I would be "coaching" more then reffing. Telling the dribble the ball, this kind of thing. At the half time, each player gets 2 shots which counts to the score. :)

I hope you have a small court and short baskets. The lowest level I have done is 9 and under. That young I can only imagine. But double dribble would be all I would worry about. traveling is called on the advantage/disadvantage system. He can't run with the ball all the way down the floor and shoot. Have fun with it. Sounds like a little better than a baby sitting job with exercise.

is this for real...
 

this post smells fishy...3-4-5-6 year olds? dont take the bait!

Brandan --

I'd apply the same general principle in this situation that I would in any other situation, which is, Do What You're Told. Ask your assignor what is the acceptable amount of flexibility, and which things should be called quickly and firmly (for instance, profanity). CYA here as anywhere.

What is so fishy about this post? I mean if they let the kids play they let the kids play.

Nothing fishy unless you are wormy
 

There is nothing fishy about this post, unless you are the worm.

I have worked leagues with this age group represented in the past and would again if the opportunity arose.
These kids are fun and will wear you out with laughter.
Watch out for the parents though.

You do more coaching than anything but it is fun.

We lowered the baskets to six feet for them and they love it.

kids are definitely great at this level, but the parents are the worst ever..."foul, foul, foul, you better not let them knock my young'n down".. you could kill some of these obnoxious parents!!! You really have to enjoy it to put up with all of that B S at that level.. It drives me nuts!

I have a great time doing these games. The kids are out there for the sheer enjoyment of the game. The parents tend to think their kid is the next NBA star. They howl whenever "little Johnny" is fouled and are even worse when you call something on "little Johnny"
I ask the sports director what he is looking for from me and it is usually to ensure no one gets hurt. Like you said, it is more coaching than ref'ing.
My 5 yr old will be playing this season and I am looking forward to watching him.
I usually get a young partner who will be calling some of the younger kids' games. They do it to get them used to being out there and lets them work their style and mechanics. Enjoy it...make sure they share the post game snacks with you.

If the league or the assignor didn't give you any guidelines, talk to both coaches before the game and see what they want called, then tell them what you're going to call. When you make a call, explain to the kid what they did wrong briefly e.g. "Travel sorry but you're not allowed to move the pivot foot 27 times". Have fun.

I would just see how they play first and then ref to their level, sounds to me like I'm not going to call anything but OOB and fouls, unless the kid literally carries the ball from division line to the basket.