LOCAL RULES FOR WAXHAW ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BASKETBALL FOR BOYS & GIRLS

(EFFECTIVE 2023-24 SEASON)

5U CO-ED

1. Basketball size:    Size (27.5")

2. 10 minute quarters

3. Free throw line will be at 7-8’.

4. 7’ goal height will be used.

5. 5 seconds in the lane but this is only called aloud.

6. No pressing.

7. Defense cannot steal the ball while a player is dribbling or holding the ball. The only time stealing is allowed is when a player is passing the ball and the ball is IN FLIGHT. 

8. All violations happening outside the 3-point arch will NOT be called but the referees and coaches are encouraged to REMIND the player(s) of the violation(s) they are seeing. Violations happening INSIDE the 3-point arch are to be called at the discretion of the referee. Any violations inside the lane area will be called with the least discretion to ensure a “scoring opportunity” is not created as a result of the violation.

REMEMBER: this is meant to be a constructive, learning environment. We want all of the kids to have the opportunity to gain a love for the game and to feel the joy of being a kid.

LOCAL RULES FOR UNION COUNTY BASKETBALL

FOR BOYS & GIRLS
(EFFECTIVE 2023-24 SEASON)

7U CO-ED and 8U GIRLS
1. BASKETBALL SIZE:
 SIZE (27.5" CIRCUMFERENCE)
2. 10 MINUTE QUARTERS.
3. FOUL LINES AT 9 FEET.
4. 8 FOOT GOALS.
5. 5 SECONDS IN LANE.
6. ONE PLAYER CAN PRESS HALF COURT IN QUARTERS 1-3.
7. TWO PLAYERS CAN PRESS FULL COURT ONLY IN 4TH QUARTER AND OVERTIME.
8. DEFENSE WILL NOT LEAVE THE ZONE. (ZONE IS INSIDE THE 3 POINT AREA). IF A SECOND DEFENSIVE
PLAYER (THIRD IN FOURTH QUARTER) ILLEGALLY LEAVES THE ZONE, THE OFFENSE WILL RETAIN
POSSESSION OF THE BALL. EACH TEAM WILL RECEIVE TWO WARNINGS PER HALF. A THIRD VIOLATION
WILL RESULT IN A TECHNICAL FOUL GIVEN TO THE BENCH.
9. A SECOND DEFENSIVE PLAYER MAY LEAP FROM THE ZONE TO BLOCK A SHOT OR A PASS BUT MUST
IMMEDIATELY RETREAT BACK TO THE ZONE.

9U CO-ED and 10U GIRLS
1. BASKETBALL SIZE:
 SIZE (28.5" CIRCUMFERENCE)
2. 10 MINUTE QUARTERS.
3. 9 FOOT GOALS.
4. FOUL SHOTS AT 11 FEET.
5. TWO PLAYERS CAN PRESS HALF COURT IN QUARTERS 1-3.
6. TWO PLAYERS CAN PRESS FULL COURT ONLY IN 4TH QUARTER AND OVERTIME
8. DEFENSE WILL NOT LEAVE THE ZONE. (ZONE IS INSIDE THE 3 POINT AREA). IF A THIRD DEFENSIVE
PLAYER ILLEGALLY LEAVES THE ZONE, THE OFFENSE WILL RETAIN POSSESSION OF THE BALL. EACH
TEAM WILL RECEIVE TWO WARNINGS PER HALF. A THIRD VIOLATION WILL RESULT IN A TECHNICAL
FOUL GIVEN TO THE BENCH.
9. A THIRD DEFENSIVE PLAYER MAY LEAP FROM THE ZONE TO BLOCK A SHOT OR A PASS BUT MUST
IMMEDIATELY RETREAT BACK TO THE ZONE.

11U CO-ED and 13U GIRLS
1. BASKETBALL SIZE:
 SIZE (28.5" CIRCUMFERENCE)
2. 10 MINUTE QUARTERS.
3. FOUL SHOTS AT FOUL LINE FOR COED. FOUL SHOTS AT 11 FEET FOR GIRLS.
4. 10 FOOT GOALS.
5. MAY PRESS WHOLE GAME.
13U /15U / 18U CO-ED
1. BASKETBALL SIZE:
 REGULATION
2. 10 MINUTE QUARTERS.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
1. AGE DETERMINATION: EACH COMMISSIONER REPRESENTING THEIR ASSOCIATION WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY BASED ON A 08/31 DATE OF BIRTH IN EACH AGE GROUP.
2. ANYONE PLAYING JV OR VARSITY HIGH SCHOOL (GIRLS OR BOYS) BASKETBALL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO
PLAY REC LEAGUE BASKETBALL OR PARTICIPATE IN ALL-STAR PLAY!!

Page | 2 (REVISED MARCH 2023)

GENERAL RULES:
1. Time Outs – 2 per half only. Coach may call time out from the bench.
2. Technical Fouls – Players: 2 per game; Coaches: 2 per game
3. If a coach/player is ejected from the game, for any reason, he / she must leave the gym immediately. Also
they may not be present for the teams next game.
4. Clock:

a. (4) ten minute quarters. Running clock except for last 2 minutes of game.
b. 1 minute between quarters
c. 3 minutes for half-time
d. Overtime = 2 minute game clock (Clock stops on whistle and timeouts)
e. Clock will not stop the last (2) two minutes of game if a team is leading by 20 points or more for
the duration of the game, even if the losing team pulls within 20 points at any time.

5. Playing Time for regular season: At approximately the 5 minute mark for the first three quarters the referee
will stop play at the first dead ball or non-scoring play / fast break by either team. This could occur around
the 15 second mark before or after the halfway point of a quarter. ALL players on the bench must enter the
game and play the ENTIRE 2

nd half of that quarter. This is not a time-out and play must resume
immediately. The team with possession at play stoppage will take the ball out at direction of referee.
6. NO SUBSTITUTIONS MAY BE MADE IN THE 1ST HALF OF THE FIRST THREE (3) QUARTERS,
but players who played the 1st half of the quarter may be substituted in the second half of the quarter. In the
4
th quarter, coaches may substitute players at will. Exceptions will be granted if player has a pre-determined
medical condition or is injured during the game and is unable to play.
7. An official timekeeper will be present at each game to assure the minimum playing time is met for each
player.
8. If a player is injured or sick, their coach must notify the officials and the opposing coac and the official
timekeeper.
9. A coach may suspend a player due to: (1) not coming to practice on a continual basis, (2) disciplinary
actions. (Coaches must notify their Commissioner at least 24 hours prior to a game. The Commissioner may
approve or disapprove the suspension. The opposing Commissioner and opposing coach should be notified
prior to the game.)
10. Players arriving late: Coach has the option to play that player immediately (staying within the playing rule
guidelines) or hold player on the bench until the beginning of the next quarter. Players arriving after half
time, coach has the option of playing the player or not. No technical will be awarded for players arriving
late.
11. No dunking allowed, including during warm-ups. Penalty will be a technical foul.
12. Starting Time: All games will start at the scheduled time if 4 or more players are present. If a team has
fewer than 4 players at the start time, that team will forfeit the game. If a coach is not available at game time,
the team’s association will provide a coach. There is no grace period.
13. If a team has a 20 point lead or more, that team must stay within the three point line when on defense and
clock will not stop last two minutes of game.

Page | 3 (REVISED MARCH 2023)

14. Coaching: A maximum of two (2) coaches are allowed on the bench during game. Exception will be allowed
only for 7U & 9U Coed and 8U & 10U Girls will allow 3 coaches. Only one coach is allowed to stand at any
time during play. All other coaches are required to stay seated during game play. If more than one coach is
standing at any given time a technical foul will be issued to the bench.
15. No coach shall ever leave the coach’s box and walk onto the court while the game is being played. Any coach
outside of the coaching box will be issued a technical foul. Two technical fouls issued and the coach will be
ejected from the game and suspended the next regular season or tournament game. Any coach using profane
language in any manner, taunting an opponent, or touching a referee in any manner will immediately be
issued two technical fouls and removed from the gym / game.
16. Each association will be in charge of acquiring two officials for all regular season and end of season
tournament games. Both officials must be at least 18 years of age and must have been through a basketball
referee training course or be NCHSAA certified. All officials must be in official referee uniform, have
approved Fox (40) whistle in order to start a game. If a commissioner can verify that the second referee is in
route and just running late (no more than 10 minues out), then the game can start at scheduled time with that
approval from both head coaches. If the regular season game is unable to be played due to lack of officiating
then either the game will be rescheduled at visitors preference or forfeited by home team.
17. All other playing rules not listed will be followed according to the North Carolina High School Basketball
Rules.

ALL-STAR RULES (EXCEPTIONS):
18. During the All-Star tournament, a player is not required to make an appearance.
19. Each team will roster a maximum of ten (10) players and two (2) coaches unless agreed upon prior to the
start of the tournament. At least three basketball commissioners must agree to allow an additional player or
coach for a specific team. This should only be allowed in unique or unusual circumstances and a rarity.
20. A player participating on multiple All-Star teams must be a part of both 10 man rostered teams prior to the
start of All-Stars, but must be different age groups.
21. DOB: All allstar rosters will be turned prior to the start of All-Star week and each commissioner representing
their association will be responsible for determining eligibility based on a 08/31 date of birth in their
respective age groups.
22. Clock:

 (4) ten minute quarters. Running clock except for last 2 minutes of game.
 1 minute between quarters
 3 minutes for half-time
 Overtime = 2 minute game clock (Clock stops on whistle and timeouts)