Basketball Rules

2024-25 Basketball Rules

2024-25 Condensed Rules (Download for Scorers Table)

GRADE DIVISIONS (June 1, 2024, for Player Exemptions)

1st Grade - 6-year-olds, as of June 1
2nd Grade - 7-year-ods, as of June 1
3rd Grade - 8-year-olds, as of June 1
4th Grade - 9-year-olds, as of June 1,
5th Grade - 10-year-olds, as of June 1
6th Grade - 11-year-olds, as of June 1
7th & 8th Grade - ages 12 & 13, as of June 1
9th & 10th Grade - ages 14 &15, as of June 1

DIVISION RANKINGS:

Division 1 - SCHOOL TEAMS
Division 2 - CHURCH TEAMS

Goal Heights

8.5 Feet - 1st through 4th Grade Divisions
10 Feet - 5th-12th Grade Divisions

Ball Size

27.5" - 1st & 2nd Grade Boys and Girls
28.5” - 3rd - 6th Grade Boys & 3rd - 12th Grade Girls
29.5” - 7th -12th Grade Boys

Length of Games

1st - 2nd Grade - Four (4) 9-minute quarters
3rd - 6th Grade Divisions - Two (2) 18-minute halves
7th - 12th Grade Divisions - Two (2) 20-minute halvesTIMEOUTSS - (2) 45-second timeouts per half, DO NOT carry over to 2nd half
CLOCK: Running Clock (Last Minute of 2nd-Half, except when point rules are applied)

The Game

Five v 5, NO OVERTIME
Teams shoot on goals OPPOSITE of their bench for 1st Half.
Halftime is 4-minutes max
Halftime – teams switch goals
Halftime - 1st & 2nd Grade games - players will shoot 1 Free-throw,
***EQUAL # OF SHOTS PER TEAM
3-Point Goals (5th Grade through 12th Grade Divisions ONLY)
1st through 3rd Grade Point Rule - teams with a 15-point lead are restricted to t15'15' Lane
3rd Grade through 6th Grade Point Rule – teams with a 15-point lead are restricted in the 3-Point Arc
7th Grade through 12th Grade Point Rule – teams with a 20-point lead are limited in the 3-Point Arc
5-Second Lane Violation - 1st & 4th Grade Divisions
3-Second Lane Violation – 5th through 12th Grade Divisions
JERSEY: The HOME team jersey is Light, and the GUESTS team is Dark

The Start of Play

A Jump Ball determines 1st possession at center court
Alternate possessions at the start of the second half from Possession Arrow
Teams will switch goals after halftime
Must have four players to start the game
If one team does not have (5) players after the scheduled game time and a
5-Minute Grace Period, the game will be declared a FORFEIT
If the game is announced a FOREFIT, teams will play a scrimmage
Forfeit Scrimmages (two 15-minute halves) will use assigned officials and end 15 minutes before the start of the next game
Exception: 1st-2nd grade divisions may play the game with (4) players.

The Head Coach

The Head Coach MUST meet with officials and submit Scoresheets at the pre-game meeting and is responsible for all behavior issues related to players and fans.
A maximum of two (2) coaches in the bench area—however, only one (1) standing coach at a time.
Exception: 1st-2nd Grade may have a max of (3) coaches.
After one (1) warning, a technical foul may be given
Bench Technical – by either a player or an assistant coach will result in the loss of Coaching Box privileges for the Head Coach
No Coaches are allowed under the backboard area when the ball is in play
Coaches are responsible for seeing that their bench area is cleaned after each game

Players

The suggested maximum number on each roster is 10
Every player (if physically able) should play at least 50% of the game
ESCRA recommends reversible Jerseys (with both light/dark colors)
WHITE T-SHIRTS are the preferred color for undergarments
Legal Numbers MUST be on the front and back.
Uniforms must have numbers and the organization's name.

General Safety

Necklaces, watches, jewelry, earrings, and any pierced body parts on either boys or girls are PROHIBITED.
1st through 4th Grade players with stud earrings may wear tape to cover and play
Players wearing beads must wear a head cover to prevent injury to other players.

The Score

The score will be kept at each game, including fouls and technical fouls
HOWEVER, no league standings will be kept
ESCRA is a Developmental League focusing on fun, fellowship, and instruction

Fouls and Technicals

7 Common Team Fouls = Double Bonus (2 Free Throws)
Offensive and Defensive fouls may be called on any player.
The referee should briefly explain all infractions.
Technical Fouls may be called on any player, coach, or fan.
Player Disqualification - Five (5) fouls and removal from the game. Players remain as bench personnel, not permitted to leave (6 for 1-2nd grade teams)
Coach Ejection - Two (2) technical fouls and removal from the facility within 1-minute after ejection or the game will be canceled
Direct Technicals for unsportsmanlike actions: 3 free throws and possession
Indirect Technicals for rules infractions: 2 free throws and possession
(2) Direct Technicals = (2) Game Suspension
(4) Total Direct Technicals = Suspension from ESCRA Basketball

Substitutions

To enter the game, players check in at tScorer'sr’s Table and kneel at the X.
When the whistle is blown for a dead ball, subs will be waived by the official.
The scorekeeper will notify the officials of substitutes with a short horn when the ball is not in play.
If a player is injured and needs to come out of the game, an official may call atimeoutt to stop the clock. Play will resume at the point of interruption on all inbound plays or rebounds after notification is made by the official to restart the clock.

Pressing and Defense

Zone Defense is allowed
1st & 2nd Grade Defense – players can ONLY play the ball when it crosses 3-Point Arc
1st & 2nd Grade - NO fast breaks
3rd - 6th Grade Defense – players can ONLY play the ball when it crosses Half-court
7th - 12th Grade Defense – teams, can full-court press, and double teams are allowed
After the 15-point and 20-point Rules, Defense outside of the 3-point Arc is an Illegal Defense violation.
Two warnings will be given, and an Intentional Foul will be called for the next violations.

Officials

ESCRA will assign two (2) officials to enforce the rules of the game with
Instruction, fun, fairness, and safety are in mind.
The officials have completed the administration of the game on the court.
One (1) warning will be given to the Head Coach in the event of fan issues.
In the event of an unruly fan, the result is an Indirect Technical on their Head Coach
Please inform the Site Director and YOUR Athletic Director of any issues.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide and promote recreation between churches in the Shelby County area in a Christ-honoring environment.

Our Purpose

Provide athletic competition for all ages.
Promote an environment that will assure a spirit of fair play and sportsmanship.
Promote participation in team sports.
Encourage fellowship that honors Jesus Christ.

Age/Grade Exemptions

In exceptional circumstances, an exemption may be granted for a player to play in a lower-grade division.
Please submit the online Exemption Request at www.escrasports.org.
Tteam'sm’s Recreation Director must request before Nov. 15.
Churches will be notified concerning the status of the exemption, approved/denied
Approvals can be revoked if the exemption information is found to be false.

Playing on More Than One Team

Players are not allowed to play on more than one team within the same sports season Anyone playing for their school, playing on a competitive team, or playing in another league/association within the same sports season may not play in the ESCRA league

Score Sheets

Score sheets (Excel format) are available online at www.escrasports.org for coaches to complete before their games. Please include your Church, Age Division, aPlayer'sr’s first and last names and turn them into the Scorekeeper before tip-off.

Inclement Weather Number

For dangerous driving conditions due to Winter Weather, coaches should call (901) 679-6041 to check if any gyms are closed and games canceled. Please get in touch with this line each Saturday after 8:00 a.m. and weeknights by 3:00 p.m. for updates.

Canceling a Game

Play all games as scheduled.
ESCRA WILL NOT RESCHEDULE GAMES CANCELED GAMES.
For any games canceled, the ESCRA will NOT reschedule games.
PROTOCOL: The Head Coach informs their Director, Director informs topponent'st's director, who also contacts the League
OPEN game slots will be filled with another game for game management.

The Bench (Assistant Coaches)

Only ONE (1) coach can stand and direct play during a game.
The Coaches Box is the area from the bench to the sidelines with seven chairs in length. Substitute players must remain seated.
Teams must have Adult Coaches (25 years old). Exemptions Request may be submitted
A coach receiving (2) Direct Technicals in a game will be ejected from the facility.
The ESCRA Board of Directors will review a coach receiving (3) Direct Technicals in a season to determine eligibility for coaching in future ESCRA games.

Clock Operators / Scorekeepers

The League pays for clock operators and scorekeepers. Location Managers may contact two people for each game. Scorekeepers must ensure that the coaches submit a Score Sheet including the Church name, Division, player numbers, and first and last names.

Reminders

Games begin with PRAYER.
Coaches must, in good faith, keep up with the 50% play rule or face disciplinary actions.
Modified TSSAA Rules apply to all games, with NO overtime.
Free Throws: PLAYERS MAY RELEASE WHEN THE BALL HITS THE RIM.
DIFFERENT THAN HIGH SCHOOL RULES
Free Throws: after 7 team fouls, players will shoot two shots.

(Revised: 10/9/2024)