TRI-COUNTY BASKETBALL RULES 2016-2017
(Revised 09/22/16)

League Organization

Purpose of TCBA:
TCBA was established for the sole purpose of providing an opportunity for the boys and girls of Caddo Mills, Cash, Community, Lone Oak, and Royse City to participate in a competitive basketball program. Players must live in or attend ISD of the city they play for. This program is intended to accomplish the following:

Participation Objective:
That all boys and girls, regardless of size or athletic ability, will have the opportunity to play on a team and compete in the game of basketball. It is expected that each head coach will set as one of his or her primary objectives the full participation and development of all boys and girls on each team.

Educational Objective:
That all boys and girls will have the opportunity to learn and develop in the fundamentals of basketball. 

That all boys and girls will have the opportunity to learn how to cooperate and work together as a team, working toward a common goal and good sportsmanship.

Enjoyment Objective:
That all boys and girls will gain an appreciation for, and enjoy the game of basketball. 

That all boys and girls will be able to experience the satisfaction of participating in a balanced program of effort and enjoyment.

Responsibilities of Coaches:
Coaches shall strive to teach the participants the fundamentals of the game, teach good sportsmanship and will set examples that the players will benefit from as they grow into adulthood.

Responsibilities of Players:
Players will make every effort to attend all scheduled practices and games. Players will give their best effort to the game of basketball and to respect the authority of coaches and officials as well as cooperate with their fellow players and opponents.

Responsibilities of Parents:
Parents are to encourage their child through positive reinforcement, praise, and encouragement to put forth their best attitude and effort during the basketball season. Parents are to ensure that their child is punctual to practices and games and are strongly encouraged to support the volunteer coach in any way possible.

Equipment and Uniforms 

Basketball: (Revised 09/22/16)
1. The home team will furnish the official game ball. Each facility must have one game ball of each size as back up.

2. Grades K-2 will use a designated small intermediate ball. (27.5 circumference ball)

3. Grades 3-6 girls and 3-5 boys will use a designated intermediate ball. (28.5 circumference ball)

4. Grade 6 boys will use the regulation men’s ball. (29.5 circumference ball)

Uniforms: 
1. Team uniforms must meet the standard uniform requirements determined by the board.  Team uniforms must all be the same for each town.  Shirts must be reversible with numbers on both front and back. Uniforms must be legal basketball numbers – ie no number larger than 5 for either digit.

2. Each player must wear court shoes during games and practices, and be checked by coaching staffs to be free of debris before entering onto the court surfaces. 

3. No jewelry shall be worn during practices or games. This includes earrings, watches, ID bracelets or necklaces, hats, metal or hard plastic hair clips, etc. The only exceptions to this will be for medical reasons or medical identification. The coach should notify officials before the start of each game played.

League Schedule

Regular Season Schedule:
1. Regular season games shall be played in accordance with the schedule approved and published by the Board.

2. Every effort should be made to ensure that an adequate number of games are played in the regular season to be a worthwhile experience.

Post-Season Tournament Play:
1. At the conclusion of the season, a tournament may be played.

2. In cases where a tie occurs within the league standings, head-to-head wins/losses will determine the appropriate tournament pairings. If tie cannot be broken from head-to-head then points allowed will be the second step of determination; lastly a coin toss will settle the issue.

3. All teams in each division will play post season tournament.


Playing Rules and Regulations

Official Rules:
1. Texas High School Interscholastic League Rules are the official playing rules and regulations, with exceptions as presented each year by the Board.

Playing Time: 
1. It is strongly encouraged to allow for the equitable distribution of playing time to all players as much as possible.

2. Players will only be permitted to play on one team per season.

Length of Games/Miscellaneous: (Revised 09/22/16)
1. Every effort must be made for games to start and end on time.

2. A three-minute pre-game warm-up period must be observed unless waived by both coaches.

3. A three-minute half-time break must be observed unless waived by both coaches.

4. A team must have at least four players to start a game. Scheduled game time is forfeit time.

5. The three point shot will be in effect in any facility that has a permanent three-point line on the court.

6. All rules are subject to change during the course of the season, if approved by the Board. Notification to the coaches will be made as timely as possible.

7. In the event of a player or coach ejection the following options may be rendered by TCBA Board:

​A. No Action
​B. Verbal Warning
​C. Probation of a Coach or Player or Fan
​D. Suspension of Coach or Player or Fan-length to be determined by TCBA 
​E. Dismissal of Coach or Player
​F. Elimination from Post-Season Play

8. Officials’ decisions are final. There are no Protested games.

9. There will be NO cell phones allowed at score table.

Coaches Responsibilities:
1. Responsible and accountable for the team’s practice, games, and the conduct of all players, their parents and guests connected with his or her team.

2. Ensure team roster is in the official scorebook in advance of game time.

3. Technical fouls: Standard rules will apply; two technical fouls assessed on the coach will result in ejection from the game. As stated in rule 1, above, the coach is responsible for all aspects of the team and associated fans; therefore any technical foul committed by this group will be counted against the coach.

4. All coaches must remain in bench area.

5. Responsible for the leadership and as a role model for the team.

6. The coach may stand and instruct players during a game. All instruction must be communicated in a constructive manner. However, at no time during a game should a coach or bench member leave the bench area. Bench area being defined as the length of the bench to the scorer’s table. Only 1 head coach and 1 assistant coach allowed on the bench. One coach will be allowed to stand the other must sit. This will be enforced upon the discretion of a board member or the referee.

Facility Code of Conduct:
1. Code of Conduct rules apply to all participants, coaches, parents, and visitors, etc.

2. The team coach has total responsibility for their players, assistant coaches, and fans while in the gymnasiums and facilities.

3. The entrances, exits, restrooms and dressing areas vary at each school. Coaches are to instruct their players as to the off-limit areas.

4. All coaches must realize very seriously that their players, adult parents, and fans are visitors at these facilities and everyone should act responsibly and accordingly.

5. Absolutely no one, players or coaches, will be allowed to participate on the playing surface without proper basketball footwear. NO EXCEPTIONS. No street-shoes, boots, heels, or cleated shoes are allowed. 

6. The gym space is reserved exclusively for those teams assigned to the specific gym at that time. Players not participating in a practice or game are to be instructed to sit in an out-of-the-way area. They are not to be running around, dribbling, or shooting at any unused baskets. The majority of chaos and problems that occur are caused by players who are not practicing or playing at the specified team time.

7. No foods, drinks, smoking, or any other form of tobacco products will be allowed anywhere within the school buildings. Teams will be allowed water breaks at halftime.

8. The gym area must be checked by each coach after a completed practice or game to ensure that everything is in order and in the same condition as when they arrived. 

9. ANY conduct that violates decency, morality, or the misuse of the facilities will not be tolerated.

General Playing Rules Exceptions:
1. Any player can play up in an age group.

2. A player may only play on one team per season.

3. No player can play down an age group, unless there is a handicap exception made by the Tri County board. The board can make an exception if it creates an improved playing situation that benefit's the league.

4. Team Formation Rules: Teams may remain together from year to year provided the head coach, assistant coach, or parent of the existing team continues to coach. If a coach no longer wishes to coach, players go back into the team selection. At the beginning of each season a player has the right to stay on a team. All players will be contacted and given the opportunity to remain on the team they played the previous year. If a team needs more players the coach will select from the pool of new players or players that have been put back in the team selection.

5. Divisions will be divided by grade and gender. (Ie K-girls, K-boys etc.)


K-1st Playing Rule Exceptions (Revised 09/22/16)

1. Games will consist of one referee.

2. Grades K-1 will use a designated small intermediate ball.
(27.5 circumference ball)

3. Games will consist of 4—8-minute quarters, with a 3-minute halftime.

4. Attachable Goals will be at 8 feet high for K-1st grade.

5. Grades K-1st will shoot free throws from the second hash mark from the free throw line. 

6. The clock is a running clock except the last 2 minutes of each half (2nd and 4th quarters), and then it will become a regular clock stopping on each whistle (e.g. violations, turnovers, timeouts, fouls, etc.)

7. Exception: The clock will be stopped for charged time outs and official time outs (e.g for injuries).

8. Each team is allowed 3 timeouts per half. (30-seconds long)

9. Teams may play any form of defense. In grades K-1st actively double-teaming will not be allowed outside of the three-point arc. The act of double-teaming will result in the ball being given back to the offense. Double-teaming is to be called at the discretion of the officials, so as not to allow or gain an advantage. The defense cannot pick up an offensive player in the backcourt; an offensive player can be picked once they cross the center court line. The ball must be in control of the offensive player in the backcourt before the defense is required to retreat.

10. If a team has a 30-point lead their score will not be shown on the scoreboard.  However, the score will still be kept in the books for record purposes. 

11. There is a 5-second lane violation in effect at the referee’s discretion, so as to not allow or gain an advantage.

12. Teams will shoot 2 free throws after the 10th team foul.

13. Referees will use discretion on double dribble and traveling calls only in the backcourt especially in the kindergarten and 1st grade divisions, again so as to not allow or gain an advantage.

14. In the event of a tie there will be one 2-minute overtime. Each team will have 1 timeout per overtime played. If the game is tied at the end of overtime, the 5 players in the game from each team at the end of overtime will shoot free throws on a rotating basis until all have shot once. Made free throws count as 1 point; this will be repeated until a winner is decided.

2nd Grade Playing Rule Exceptions (Revised 09/22/16)

1. Games will consist of one referee.

2. Grade 2 will use a designated small intermediate ball.
(27.5 circumference ball)

3. Games will consist of 4—8-minute quarters, with a 3-minute halftime.

4. Attachable Goals will be at 9 feet high.

5. Grade 2nd will shoot free throws from the first hash mark from the free throw line.

6. The clock is a running clock except the last 2 minutes of each half (2nd and 4th quarters), and then it will become a regular clock stopping on each whistle (e.g. violations, turnovers, timeouts, fouls, etc.)

7. Exception: The clock will be stopped for charged time outs and official time outs (e.g for injuries).

8. Each team is allowed 3 timeouts per half. (30-seconds long)

9. Teams may play any form of defense. In 2nd grade actively double-teaming will not be allowed outside of the three-point arc. The act of double-teaming will result in the ball being given back to the offense. Double-teaming is to be called at the discretion of the officials, so as not to allow or gain an advantage. The defense cannot pick up an offensive player in the backcourt; an offensive player can be picked once they cross the center court line. The ball must be in control of the offensive player in the backcourt before the defense is required to retreat.

10. If a team has a 30-point lead their score will not be shown on the scoreboard.  However, the score will still be kept in the books for record purposes. 

11. There is a 5-second lane violation in effect at the referee’s discretion, so as to not allow or gain an advantage.

12. Teams will shoot 2 free throws after the 10th team foul.

13. In the event of a tie there will be one 2-minute overtime. Each team will have 1 timeout per overtime played. If the game is tied at the end of overtime, the 5 players in the game from each team at the end of overtime will shoot free throws on a rotating basis until all have shot once. Made free throws count as 1 point; this will be repeated until a winner is decided.

3rd Grade Playing Rule Exceptions (revised 09/22/16)

1. Games will consist of two referees.

2. Grade 3 will use a designated intermediate ball. (28.5 circumference ball).

3. Games will consist of 4—8-minute quarters, with a 3-minute halftime.

4. Attachable Goals will be at 9 feet high.

5. Grade 3rd will shoot free throws from the free throw line.

6. The clock is a running clock except the last 2 minutes of each half (2nd and 4th quarters), and then it will become a regular clock stopping on each whistle (e.g. violations, turnovers, timeouts, fouls, etc.)

7. Exception: The clock will be stopped for charged time outs and official time outs (e.g for injuries). 

8. Each team is allowed 3 timeouts per half. (30-seconds long)

9. In 3rd grade teams may only full-court press the last threeminutes of each half (2nd and 4th quarter) at which time active double-teaming will be allowed. Teams may play any form of defense. In 3rd grade actively double-teaming will not be allowed outside of the three-point arc. The act of double-teaming will result in the ball being given back to the offense. Double-teaming is to be called at the discretion of the officials, so as not to allow or gain an advantage. The defense cannot pick up an offensive player in the backcourt; an offensive player can be picked once they cross the center court line. The ball must be in control of the offensive player in the backcourt before the defense is required to retreat.

10. There is a 20-point Mercy Rule.  If a team is leading by 20 points they are not allowed to full court press, they must drop back to half court.

11. If a team has a 30-point lead their score will not be shown on the scoreboard.  However, the score will still be kept in the books for record purposes. 

12. There is a 5-second lane violation in effect at the referee’s discretion, so as to not allow or gain an advantage.

13. Teams will shoot 2 free throws after the 10th team foul.

14. In the event of a tie there will be one 2-minute overtime. Each team will have 1 timeout per overtime played. If the game is tied at the end of overtime, the 5 players in the game from each team at the end of overtime will shoot free throws on a rotating basis until all have shot once. Made free throws count as 1 point; this will be repeated until a winner is decided.

4th Grade Playing Rule Exceptions (Revised 09/22/16)

1. Games will consist of two referees.

2. Grade 4 will use a designated intermediate ball. (28.5 circumference ball).

3. Games will consist of 4—10-minute quarters, with a 3-minute halftime.

4. Goals will be at 10 feet high.

5. In 4th grade the free throw line will be moved to the 1sthash mark.  

6. The clock is a running clock except the last 2 minutes of each half (2nd and 4th quarters), and then it will become a regular clock stopping on each whistle (e.g. violations, turnovers, timeouts, fouls, etc.)

7. Exception: The clock will be stopped for charged time outs and official time outs (e.g for injuries).

8. Each team is allowed 3 timeouts per half. (30-seconds long)

9. In 4th grade teams may only full-court press the last threeminutes of each half (2nd and 4th quarter) at which time active double-teaming will be allowed. Teams may play any form of defense. In 4th grade actively double-teaming will not be allowed outside of the three-point arc. The act of double-teaming will result in the ball being given back to the offense. Double-teaming is to be called at the discretion of the officials, so as not to allow or gain an advantage. The defense cannot pick up an offensive player in the backcourt; an offensive player can be picked once they cross the center court line. The ball must be in control of the offensive player in the backcourt before the defense is required to retreat.

10. There is a 20-point Mercy Rule.  If a team is leading by 20 points they are not allowed to full court press, they must drop back to half court.

11. If a team has a 30-point lead their score will not be shown on the scoreboard.  However, the score will still be kept in the books for record purposes. 

12. The 3-second lane violation will be strictly enforced.

13. Teams will shoot 2 free throws after the 10th team foul.

14. In the event of a tie there will be one 5-minute overtime. Each team will have 1 timeout per overtime played. If the game is tied at the end of overtime, the 5 players in the game from each team at the end of overtime will shoot free throws on a rotating basis until all have shot once. Made free throws count as 1 point; this will be repeated until a winner is decided.

5th – 6th Grade Playing Rule Exceptions (Revised 09/22/16)

1. Games will consist of two referees.

2. Grades 5-6 will use a designated intermediate ball (28.5 circumference ball) with the exception of 6th grade boys and they will use a 29.5 circumference ball.

3. Games will consist of 4—10-minute quarters, with a 3-minute halftime.

4. Goals will be at 10 feet high.

5. The clock is a running clock except the last 2 minutes of each half (2nd and 4th quarters), and then it will become a regular clock stopping on each whistle (e.g. violations, turnovers, timeouts, fouls, etc.)

6. Exception: The clock will be stopped for charged time outs and official time outs (e.g for injuries).

7. Each team is allowed 3 timeouts per half. (30-seconds long)

8. Grades 5 and 6 may press at any time during the game.

9. There is a 20-point Mercy Rule.  If a team is leading by 20 points they are not allowed to full court press, they must drop back to half court.

10. If a team has a 30-point lead their score will not be shown on the scoreboard.  However, the score will still be kept in the books for record purposes. 

11. The 3-second lane violation will be strictly enforced.

12. Teams will shoot 2 free throws after the 10th team foul.

13. In the event of a tie there will be one 5-minute overtime. Each team will have 1 timeout per overtime played. If the game is tied at the end of overtime, the 5 players in the game from each team at the end of overtime will shoot free throws on a rotating basis until all have shot once. Made free throws count as 1 point; this will be repeated until a winner is decided.