Jr High Ball
 

I'm assuming that Jr Highs and middle schools use NFHS rules.

I just picked up a couple of games next week at an area jr. high.

Has anyone encountered rule modifications specific to a jr high/middle school league?

Usually they have middle school or elementary school exceptions to the FED rules. I see you're in the Chicago area. Here in Illinois we have the IESA and the SIJHSAA and both have different exceptions. Just ask some of your fellow officials in your area or call the AD at your local middle school. Or send a PM to JRutledge... he can tell you about Chicagoland.

6 minute quarters (3 minute overtime) if strictly by NFHS rules

Really? Where?

I'm not sure I understand your question. If you're asking where on the map there are school that play 6 minute quarters, I believe the answer would be ... lot of places.

If you mean where in the rules is 901c getting 6 minute quarters, it's here:

NFHS 5-5-2: "Games involving only students below the ninth grade shall be played in six-minute quarters..."

and

NFHS 5-7-3: "The length of each extra period shall be four minutes (or half the time of a regulation quarter for non-varsity contests)...."

Here, overtime periods are 2 minutes in any game with quarters less than 8 minutes. They are 4 minutes for varsity games where 8 minute quarters are played.

I was not aware of 5-5-2, to be honest. I'm surprised they addressed it, frankly. Thanks.

I wasn't aware of it either. In fact, when he quoted it as an NFHS rule, I thought he was talking about Naughty French High School rules. (insert your imaginary Naughty French High School image here)

I traded emails with a coach I know. He told me 8th graders play 7 minute quarters. Not sure about 7th graders.

Other than that, it's NFHS rules.

Middle schools in my metro area don't have leagues. There's only rec leagues. Our local rec league plays 9 minute running quarters for 3rd & 4th grade, 6 minute stop time quarters for 5th & 6th and 7 minute stop time quarters for 7th & 8th and also HS. This seems to work out fine.

The "competitive" rec leagues around here mostly play 8 minutes stop time quarters regardless of grade level, except 5th grade (that's the grade they start at) plays 7 minutes.

There are variations all over the place. For example, here in the Omaha area, many of the JH/MS follow the NFHS rule on 6 minute quarters. There are a couple of places where they'll do 8 minute quarters with the clock running. In Iowa, the rule is 6 minute quarters regardless (the state associations actually regulate this, and many schools have separate JH/MS AD's who are there to make sure the rule, among others, is enforced).

Yep, and the state regulates the ball size (smaller ball for MS boys), officiating certification, etc.

Not true. Howard assigns lots of middle school games all over the Portland Metro.

In my area - 5 grade and up all use a men's ball. Wish they wouldn't!

I have such a variety here in the numerous leagues and age categories that I get with the coaches before the game to ensure we all agree on the rules.

I ref in two counties - one county has no MS Games and only Rec and AAU, and the other has MS. MS = 6 minute quarters for 7th grade and 7 minute quarters for 8th.

One Rec league has 20 minute running clocks at all age levels while the other messes with 7 and 8 minute quarters except for the 16-18 yr olds who do 9 minute quarters, which I detest.

I try to carry a copy of the Rec league rules with me at all times just in case.....and their have been cases.