Diocesan varsity basketball rules will apply in this league, with the following modifications

Eligibility

1. JV Boys (4th through 6th grade) enrolled at participating schools. 3rd graders may participate with permission from their school’s administration.
2. JV Boys who appear in seven (7) or more varsity basketball games for their school are not eligible to participate in our JV league’s year-end tournament games. 
3. For schools fielding more than one team in a division, a player can appear on only one official roster. (i.e., they can only play for one team).  For example, if a school has 2 teams in 5th grade, a player may only play for one of those teams.  No all star teams.
4. If a team's roster is short for an upcoming game (6 players or less) due to injury etc; a team may bring up (but never bring down), a younger player from their own school only.  This transaction must be communication to the league prior to the game for approval.  Kmiec JV League does not keep season standing but this game would technically be a forfeit by the team in question.  However, the boys/schools still get to play a game.  *This exception is not allowed for playoff games.  
5. All Players playing up in a higher Division must have a parent or guardian sign a liability waiver in order to be eligible to play.  This form must be provided to the league prior to games or the player cannot play.
6. Players playing up 2 divisions must also provide a permission letter from the school Principal.  For example, a 4th grader playing in the 5/6 or 6th Division.

Game Management / Time Keeping

1. Regulation time will be four 8 minute quarters.
2. A running clock will be employed through the first three quarters, stopping only for the following:
   
   
3. Foul shots
4. Time outs
5. Substitution of three or more players at the same time

1. During the final 4 minutes of the fourth quarter, and any overtime periods, the clock will stop and start based upon the official’s whistle and hand signals (i.e., stop time)
2. During the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime of a game with a point differential of six points or less, the clock will stop upon change of possession in either team’s defensive end, and start again when the ball crosses half court. The clock will only run when the team with the ball crosses half court and the opponent is able to actively play defense against them. This rule is intended to nullify the effect of the trailing team not being able to press on defense at the end of a close game.
3. If a game ends in a tie, an overtime period will be played. The first overtime period will consist of three (3) minutes; the second overtime period will consist of two (2) minutes; and the third and any additional overtime periods will consist of one (1) minute. 
4. There will be a one minute break following the first and third quarters, and prior to any required overtime periods. Half time will consist of a five minute break. Pre-game warm-ups will consist of the longer of 10 minutes from the end of the previous game, or the available time prior to the scheduled start time of the game.
5. Timeouts – All divisions are allowed two per half, with no carry-over.
6. Each team will be allowed one time out per overtime session.
7. Timeouts will last for one minute

Fouls and Scoring 

1. A player will foul out of the game upon committing their fifth personal foul.
2. Teams will have a one and bonus foul shot opportunity when their opponent commits their seventh through ninth team fouls in either the first half or the second half plus any overtime periods.
3. Teams will have a double bonus foul shot opportunity when their opponent commits their tenth and subsequent team fouls in either the first half or the second half plus any overtime periods.
4. Two technical fouls will result in a player or coach being disqualified from completing the game.
5. Foul shots in the 4th grade division will be taken from a line that is one foot closer to the basket than a regulation foul line
6. In gyms with a 3 point arc, 3 pointers are allowed for all divisions.

Equipment

1. 4th and 5th grade divisions will use a basketball with a 28.5” circumference.
2. 5th/6th Hybrid and 6th grade divisions will use a basketball with a 29.5” circumference (regulation men’s basketball).
3. The game will be played with the best available ball at the discretion of the referee.

Player Playing Time

1. A minimum of four (4) players are required in order to play a game. Less than four players will constitute a forfeit.
2. During regular season games, all players must play and players will receive approximately equal playing time.  Exceptions to this rule can exist related team disciplinary reasons, but cannot be game-situation driven.
3. Playing time during the year-end tournament will be at the discretion of the coach but equal playing time is still encouraged. However, all players must, at minimum, appear in the playoff game.  Failure to do so will result in a forfeit of the playoff game.
4. No player may "play down" from a higher grade team. 
5. No player may "play up" unless he was on that team's roster for the entire regular season.  The exception to this rule will be for numbers to field a team only due to injuries and such request must be submitted to the league for approval.  This is not allowed for playoff games.
6. Schools with more than one team in a particular division may not float players from one team to another.  In other words, teams play with their regular season roster.  No all star teams.

Defense

1. Teams may play any form of man-to-man or zone defense. There are no limitations when the game is in open contention.
2. Defense with a 15 point lead - If a team has a lead of 15 points or more at any time during a game, the team with the lead will play a defense that requires its players to keep one foot in the free throw lane. The defense can take any form that a coach desires. An example might be a 2-3 zone defense. Since this rule can be somewhat unnatural to an aggressive defensive player, enforcement and implication of non-conformance will be at the discretion of the referee, and could include a bench technical foul for an illegal defense after an appropriate warning/reminder to the bench.
3. Backcourt pressure is not allowed at any point during a game (i.e., no pressing).
4. The 10 second backcourt violation rule is in effect (i.e., players have 10 seconds to advance the ball over the half court line).

Sportsmanship / Coach Decorum

1. Good sportsmanship is one of the lessons this league looks to teach. That lesson begins with the example set by the coaches. Running up the score, complaining about referee calls, and criticism of players, referees, or other coaches are all examples of poor sportsmanship that may result in disciplinary action by the league.
2. Refereeing 4th, 5th, and 6th grade basketball does involve discretion. Coaches are expected to defer to the referee's judgment on how the game should be called at this level. As always, the referees must strive for consistency in their calls. An example would be the interpretation of traveling with young players.
3. Any player or coach ejected from a game by the referee for un-sportsman-like conduct will be suspended for two (2) games. A second incident with the same player or coach will result in expulsion from the league.