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WVAL Rules

2022-2023 Basketball Rules


  1. No minimum number of athletes on a team. There is no minimum playing time for each athlete. It is suggested that teams carry at least 10 athletes and play athletes equally when possible.
  2. Jump ball starts the game – thereafter alternate possessions.
  3. 8th Grade: 7-minute quarters / stop-clock
  4. 6th & 7th Grade: 2 – (20) twenty-minute halves played, running clock.
  5. The clock turns into a stop-clock at 2:00 if the game score is within 9 points or less.
  6. All grade levels will play a 3-minute stop-clock overtime period. The 3-minute OT period will repeat itself until the game ends with a winner & loser.
  7. Time outs: All grades: 5 full timeouts per game, one additional for overtime.
  8. Each home team shall provide TWO ADULT referees for every game. Home scorebook and board should preferably be a trained adult. The home team is responsible for the official scorebook.
  9. Referees time out for:
    1. Referees to discuss rules.
    2. Injuries
  10. 5 seconds to get the ball in bounds. 10 seconds to get the ball over the centerline.
  11. Backcourt violation is enforced.
    1. Smaller gyms move the backcourt line to the hitting line from the volleyball court, or top of the key.
    2. Line is discussed with both coaches and officials at the start of the game.
  12. Players may rebound the ball after the release of the ball on a free throw.
  13. When up by 25 points, the stop-clock turns into a running clock (8th grade only) and no full court press and must stay within the 3-pt line (all grades); no mercy rule for finals.
  14. Shoot 1 and 1 on the 7th team foul.
  15. Shoot 2 free throws on the 10th foul.
  16. A player fouls out of the game on their 5th personal foul.
  17. Technical fouls count as personal and team fouls. Two technical fouls and a player, or coach, is ejected from the game.
  18. No unsportsmanlike cheering towards players, coaches, or referees.
    1. Yelling at the referees or coaches.
    2. Cheering during the opposing team’s free throws.
    3. Cheering the other team’s failures (missed shot/free throw).
      1. CONSEQUENCES:
      2. 1st offense: warning from the referee.
      3. 2nd offense: technical on opposing crowd (2 shots)
      4. 3rd offense: close the facility.
  19. No watches, hair coloring, markings, or jewelry on the court.
  20. No food, drinks, or GUM in the playing facilities. Water only in all gyms.
  21. No air horns allowed
  22. 3 points goals allowed for ALL GRADE LEVELS, in gyms that have a 3 point line.
  23. West Only - EDS gym - No backcourt calls - Coach should let the referee know.
  24. All girls teams and 6th grade boys use 28.5” basketballs.  7th & 8th boys use 29.5” basketballs.