Metropolitan Private School League

Defensive Rules

5th Grade Boys/Girls:

1. Once the defense has gained possession of the ball (hold for ˝ count) the opposing team must retreat back inside the 28 ft “hash marks” or designated line.
2. While retreating back to the “hash marks”, players may NOT steal passes or pick up a mishandled ball until it crosses the “hash marks”.
3. Once the offense has moved the ball inside the designated line the defense may guard in the entire ˝ court area for that possession.
4. A team may initiate their defense at the ˝ court line during the last three (3) minutes of the game unless leading by 10 or more points.
5. The free throw line shall be 13 feet. (Two feet shorter than regulation).

6th Grade Boys/Girls

1. No full court defense allowed until the last two minutes of the game.
2. Once the defense has gained possession of the ball (1/2 count) the opposing team must retreat back to the half court line.
3. While retreating back to the half court line, players may NOT steal passes or pick up a mishandled ball until the ball crosses the half court line.

7th/8th Grade “A” and “B” Division Boys/Girls

1. A team with a 15 point lead shall NOT full court press.

All Divisions

1. 6 minute quarters/2 minute overtimes/5 minute halftime.
2. Game time is forfeit time.
3. For all basketball divisions running clock will be used when a team leads by 20 or more points in the 4th quarter. The clock will still stop on timeouts or injuries and will revert to standard rules when the lead goes below 20 points.
4. 4 timeouts per team per game. One additional timeout per team shall be awarded for each overtime.
5. All numbers 0-99 shall be legal and must appear on both sides of the uniform top.
6. Players are limited to 6 quarters of play per day (in two separate divisions). If their team is scheduled in the same division for two separate games they are allow 8 quarters but not in two different divisions.