Coach's Nightmare - Officials Making Up Rules

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

And sometimes a closer FT line for the youngest ages...about 10-12 feet instead of 15.

Our local kids rec league, which has been around for over 30 years, pretty much uses straight game rules (however, shorter quarters at upper grades, running clock at lower grades) with only a few exceptions. Little kids (3rd and 4th graders) shoot at 9 foot hoops. They also shoot free throws from a line two feet shorter (as do 5th graders) - we put a strip of adhesive tape on the floor for that. Of course we have mercy rules at all levels since this is a purely recreational league.

Years ago, we didn't allow zones or double teaming at 3rd and 4th grade but then we decided to allow those in exchange not allowing back court guarding at any time during the game. It seems to work fine. In fact, we used to have a rule to not allow back court guarding until the 4th quarter at 5th and 6th grade but it didn't work out and we eliminated it after just one season, so now they can back court guard the whole game except for the mercy rule. Our mercy rule has a larger point differential at the HS level than in 3rd-8th grades.

One thing we are considering for next season is going to running clock in all games. It has to do with the number of games we have and the amount of time we have to get all the games in, not anything else. Oh yeah - our league doesn't allow overtimes in 3rd and 4th grade games. Of course, I don't allow them at any level.

BTW - we use exactly the same rules for boys and girls leagues.