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- Basketball Jokes: Why did the basketball player go to jail?… Because he shot the ball!
The following are playing time guidelines based on grade of USA Basketball, the #1 Resource for Youth Basketball Coaching.
The information below can be found at the Youth Guidelines section of USA Basketball.
PLAYING SEGMENT: AGES 7-8 / Grades 1, 2, & 3
PLAYING TIME: Equal playing time
SET DEFENSE: Only player-to- player defense throughout the competition
PRESSING DEFENSE: Pressing is not allowed throughout the competition
DOUBLE-TEAM /CROWDING: Double-team / crowding is not allowed throughout the competition
STEALING FROM THE DRIBBLER: Stealing from a dribbler is not allowed throughout the competition
PLAYING SEGMENT: AGES 9-11 / Grades 4, 5 & 6
PLAYING TIME: Equal playing time in periods 1-3. Coaches discretion in the 4th period and each extra period
SET DEFENSE:
- Only player-to-player defense throughout the competition
- Player-to-player defense may be extended full court in the 4th period and each extra period
- Leading team may not extend the defense over half court when leading by 25 points or more
DOUBLE-TEAM /CROWDING: Double-team/crowding is not allowed throughout the competition. Coach’s discretion throughout the competition.
STEALING FROM THE DRIBBLER: Coach’s discretion throughout the competition.
PLAYING SEGMENT: AGES 12-14 / Grades 7 & 8
PLAYING TIME: Coach’s discretion throughout the competition.
SET DEFENSE:
- All allowed throughout the competition at coach’s discretion
- Pressing allowed throughout the competition
- Leading team may not press when leading by 25 points or more
DOUBLE-TEAM /CROWDING: Allowed throughout the competition at coach’s discretion.
STEALING FROM THE DRIBBLER: Coach’s discretion throughout the competition.
PLAYING SEGMENT: GRADES 9-12
PLAYING TIME: Coach’s discretion throughout the competition
SET DEFENSE:
- All allowed throughout the competition at coach’s discretion.
- Pressing allowed throughout the competition.
- Leading team may not press when leading by 25 points or more.
DOUBLE-TEAM /CROWDING: Allowed throughout the competition at coach’s discretion.
STEALING FROM THE DRIBBLER: Coach’s discretion throughout the competition.