The 2011 official High School Basketball Rules will be in effect for all age groups except where superseded by our house rules.

AGE GROUP DATE OF BIRTH
5-6 Division 01/01/2005 to 12/31/2006
7-8 Division 01/01/2003 to 12/31/2004
9-10 Division 01/01/2001 to 12/31/2002
11-12 Division 01/01/1999 to 12/31/2000
13-14 Division 01/01/1997 to 12/31/1998


TEAM SELECTION
1-A: It is the express policy of the GPRC Basketball Board to achieve competitive balance among the teams in each division. The selection of the teams shall be undertaken in a manner consistent with this overriding objective, and under the direction of the Board and its Commissioners.

1-B: Each team will have at least seven (7) and no more than nine (9) players. This rule will be implemented by the League Commissioners.


PARTICIPATION
2-A: Every player present at the start of the game must play at least half the game, in the form of two (2) unbroken quarters. Failure to comply with this rule will result in the forfeiture of the game. NOTE: In the 5-6 Clinic division, all players should play at least half the game, but there is no unbroken quarter rule, as the 5-6 division plays 15-minute running halves. 5-6 Clinic coaches should substitute early and often to insure that each child plays at least half the game.

2-B: A player reporting to the game after the completion of the first half of the game may play at the discretion of the coach but there is no guaranteed playing time.

2-C: Teams may play with 4 players. Teams playing shorthanded may insert their late players immediately into the game by calling a time out or waiting for the referee’s whistle. If one team has 4 players, the game will be played until a 20 pt. score differential is reached, at which time the game will be terminated (Mercy Rule). Less than 4 players, the team automatically forfeits after the customary 15-minute grace period. Coin flip at the beginning of game will determine possession with alternating possessions throughout the game in regulation time.

2-D: Games start on time as long as there are 5 players present from each team at game time. Shorthanded teams have a 15-minute grace period to field their complete team (5 players).

2-E: Players who miss practices and/or games on a regular basis may be subject to reduced playing time at the discretion of the coach but only with the knowledge and approval of the League Commissioner.


GAMES
3-A: Regulation time: Instructional clinic (5-6) plays two 15-minute running time halves, with no score. All other divisions play four 8-minute running time quarters, with stop time in the last minute of each half.

3-B: Overtime: There is no overtime in the instructional clinic. All other divisions play a two-minute stop time overtime. If, after the first overtime, the game is still tied, teams will play one-minute stop time overtimes until a winner is decided. If there is no winner by the end of the hour allotted time, the game results in a tie.

3-C: Fouls: Bonus (1-and-1) takes effect on 7th foul in each half; two (2) shots on the 10th foul in each half. Player disqualification occurs on the 5th foul.

3-D: Free throws: Instructional clinic will shoot free throws from the short free throw line. All other divisions will shoot free throws from the regular free throw line. In the 7-8 division, players may shoot free throws from the short free throw line at the discretion of the officials.

3-E: Jump ball will start game; thereafter, alternating possessions. Jump ball will start any overtime period.

3-F: Time-outs: Four per game; one per overtime. Unused regulation timeouts are not carried over to overtime.

3-G: Pressing: There is no backcourt pressure in the instructional clinic. In the 7-8 and 9-10 divisions, backcourt pressure is permitted in the last one minute of each period (regulation or overtime). In the 11-12 and 13-15 divisions, backcourt pressure is allowed at any point during the game. In all divisions, if a team is leading by 15 or more points, backcourt pressure is not be permitted.

3-H: Three-point field goal is in play for all divisions except for instructional clinic.

3-I: Uniform shirts must be tucked in at all times. Jewelry of any kind is not permitted.

3-J: The winning coach is responsible for notifying the League Commissioner of game results within three (3) days. Game results and league standings will be posted on the GPRC Basketball website.


DISCIPLINE
4-A: Any player, in the opinion of the officials, who exhibits poor sportsmanship will be assessed with a 2 shot technical foul. A second technical foul will result in ejection from the game.

4-B: Any player who is ejected from a game for poor sportsmanship will serve an immediate one game suspension. A second ejection will result in an immediate two game suspension. A third ejection will result in a season ending suspension.

4-C: Any coach who is ejected from a game for poor sportsmanship will serve an immediate one game suspension. A second ejection will result in a season ending suspension. Any coach that receives a single technical foul over multiple games will serve an immediate one game suspension. Continued technical fouls will be reviewed by the GPRC Basketball Board for disciplinary action.

4-D: In addition to rules 4-A and 4-B, any player or coach may be suspended for an indefinite period by the GPRC Basketball Board for any action that is deemed detrimental to the best interests of the Program.

4-E: Parents and spectators or who use foul language, are verbally abusive, and/or display poor sportsmanship will be evicted from the gym and be suspended for the next game, regardless of whether it is the regular season or postseason. Failure to comply will result in a forfeit for that parent/spectator’s team. At the discretion of the GPRC Basketball Board, they may also be expelled from the program. Additionally, they could be subjected to countywide banishment from all programs, as well as criminal prosecution. The League reserves the right to review the re-admittance of those offenders for the next season or make the expulsion permanent.


POSTPONEMENTS
5-A: A decision by Baltimore County to close schools, or to close schools early, will cancel weekday games and practices. The decision to cancel weekend games will be made by the GPRC Basketball Board.

5-B: The League Commissioner will notify each coach of a weekend game cancellation. Coaches will be responsible for notifying his/her players.

5-C: The rescheduling of postponed games will be within the discretion of the GPRC Basketball Board.


CHAMPIONSHIPS AND POST-SEASON PLAY
6-A: Except for the instructional clinic, all divisions will have a post-season, single elimination tournament. Tournament winners and runners-up will receive trophies. Tournament seeding is determined by winning percentage. In the event of a tie, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head. The second tiebreaker is strength of schedule. The third tiebreaker is a coin toss.

6-B: Regular season rules apply to tournament games. There are no ties in tournament games. Overtimes will continue to be played until a winner is decided.