Our In House Basketball program consists of 3 levels:

Ponytails are for those young players 7-9 years of age. This level introduces the basic basketball skills of dribbling, shooting, and defense to our newest players. Ponytails will play with a size 5 (27.5") ball.

Majors are for those players 10-12 years of age. Minors are typically (but not always) girls who have graduated from our Ponytail program and are continuing to build their basketball knowledge. Majors will play with a size 6 (28.5") ball.

Seniors are for those players 13-16 years old. Players at this level generally have a firm grasp of basic basketball skills and are continuing to build their knowledge of offensive and defensive formations. Seniors will play with a size 6 (28.5") ball.

The appropriate playing level is determined by using the age of the player on 9/1 of the current calendar year of play.

When do the teams play? The In-House basketball season generally runs from December until March. During the season, you can see the current season's detailed playing schedule by visiting the schedule tab. It will be updated as soon as registration is complete and players are assigned to teams. Generally, games are played Monday through Friday at 7:00pm or 8:30pm (Ponytails always play at the earlier time slot); and on Saturdays between 9am to 3pm.

Are there playoffs? All levels do have playoffs. Playoffs are double elimination while the Championship game is a single game.

Where will we practice and play the games? Practices are determined by available gym time. Games are played at the Annerino Center or Brooks Middle School, practices will be held at a handful of elementary schools as well as the Annerino Center and Brooks Middle School depending on availability. Most coaches will practice 2 – 3 times a week until the season starts. During the season, practices typically adjust based on the game schedule.

Can I request a specific team or coach? Preference will be given to returning players and any siblings first; along with coach's daughters. You may request a specific team, coach or to play with another player; however this is ONLY a request – not a guarantee.

Can I move my daughter up or keep my daughter at the same level beyond the years indicated? Panther Sports Club allows parents to petition their daughter to move up a level or to say down in a lower level. You need to fill out an “Age Exception” request form when you register. By PSC rules, you and your daughter must appear before the representatives from the basketball committee and Executive Board to present the case for your request. See Registration/Tryouts for any current information.

When should we hear from my daughter’s coach? You should hear from your daughter’s new coach within a week after the draft. If you do not hear from a coach after this time, you can email us at inhousebasketball@panthersportsclub.com.

What kind of equipment does Panthers provide? What do I need to provide for my daughter? Panthers will provide uniforms (shirt and shorts) and basketballs for practice and game use.

In-House Basketball Rules
Panther Sports Club follows IHSA rules for any situations not specifically mentioned or superseded below.

GAMES
Each game consists of 4 quarters.
Minutes per quarter are as follows:
Ponytail: 6 Minutes
Majors: 6 Minutes
Seniors: 7 Minutes
Each team will have 3 timeouts per game. Each timeout lasts 1 minute.

OVERTIME
In the case of overtime, each team is awarded 1 additional timeout. The overtime period will last 3 minutes.
If a second overtime period is needed it becomes sudden death (first team to score wins).
There will be a jump ball to start each overtime period.

FOULS
1. Once a player has 5 personal fouls (throughout the entire game) that player fouls out and is ineligible for the remainder of that game.
2. On the 7th team foul, the opposing team shoots a 1 and 1 from the free throw line. Prior to that the team foul results in a change of possession.
3. On the 10th team foul, the opposing team shoots 2 shots from the free throw line.
4. Team fouls reset at the start of the third quarter.
5. All technical fouls result in the opposing team taking 2 free throw shots and possession of the ball afterward.
6. After a coach’s 2nd technical foul during a single game, they will be ejected from the game and suspended from their next game.
7. Any coach or player getting 3 technical fouls during the season will be suspended for a minimum of 1 game. Anyone with more than 3 technical fouls will face additional suspensions as determined by the basketball committee.
8. Free throws: PONYTAIL players may shoot from up to 2 feet in front of the free throw line.

PLAYING TIME
Panthers In-House programs support equal playing time for ALL players. The following rules govern that time for basketball.
1. 1st Quarter: Substitutions are allowed the first quarter.
2. 2nd Quarter: Any player that did not play the 1st quarter is required to play the entire 2nd quarter. Example: If you have 8 players for the game, 5 start the 1st quarter and the remaining 3 start the 2nd quarter. The other 2 slots can be filled from any of the 5 players who played the 1st quarter and you are allowed to substitute those 2 slots only.
3. 3rd Quarter: If any girl has played the entire 1st half she is not allowed to start the 3rd quarter. Each team can substitute halfway through the quarter (Ponytail/Majors: 3-minute mark; Seniors 3:30 mark). There will be an official timeout at this point. The official will call the timeout at a dead ball or if the action is moving slow. The timeout will not be called if there is a fast-moving play. The players that did not start the 3rd quarter can be subbed in and play the remaining 3rd quarter. Coaches, please remember this timeout is for substitutions only. You should have your players ready to substitute and not use this time to draw up plays etc. For all substitutions please have the players check in at the scorers' table and be kneeling down there on one knee ready to enter the game.
4. 4th Quarter: There is unlimited substitution during this quarter.

NOTE: All players are required to play a minimum of a quarter and a half. It is highly recommended that coaches play all players an equal amount over a 2-3 game series so that the girls will all learn the game.

NOTE: If you have 11 players, the following special rules are in effect for those teams IF ALL 11 players show up. If 10 or fewer players show up then these rules do not apply and the regular substitution rules do.
a. 1st Quarter: Halfway through the quarter the coaches are allowed to sub in the “11th” player.
b. 2nd Quarter: Again half way through the quarter the coaches are allowed to sub in the “11th” player.
c. The coaches are required to make a substitution of the “11th” player in one of the quarters but not both. However, they can substitute the 11th player in both quarters if they choose to.

PRESS RULES: PONYTAIL
1. Full court press is not allowed at any time.
2. The press line is at the top of the 3 point line extended straight across the court. Only after this line is broken can the defending team press.
3. A press violation occurs if a defending player encroaches into the above-stated area before the ball crosses the press line. If this occurs the official will call a press violation and the offensive team will inbound the ball from the sideline.
4. On the 3rd and subsequent press violations, a technical team foul is awarded.
5. In the final 2 minutes of the 4th quarter, the press line moves to half court and defending players can press from that point. The amount of time to cross that line is reduced to 10 seconds.
6. When the defensive team rebounds the ball after a shot the offensive team must retreat to the other side of the court and play defense (they cannot press/defend at the point of the rebound).

PRESS RULES: MAJORS and SENIORS
1. A half-court press is allowed the entire game unless the leading team is up by 10 or more points. In that case, the leading team must not press prior to the 3 point line extended. The trailing team can still half-court press.
2. The Ponytail rules governing press violations and rebounding apply at this level as well.

COMMON RULES AND TIMES FOR ALL LEVELS
1. In the lane, an offensive player may only stay in there for 3 consecutive seconds. After that, she will be called for a 3-second violation by the referee.
2. Teams have 5 seconds to inbound the ball after the referee has given the ball to a player. Note: If no players are there to receive the ball the referee may start counting anyway to keep the game moving.
3. Majors and Seniors have 10 seconds to cross half court.
4. At Ponytail, the above rule is changed due to the press line. PT teams have 15 seconds to cross the press line. If the offensive team does not dribble or pass beyond the press line the following rule applies.
5. If any of the above times are violated the referee will call a violation and the ball will be turned over to the other team.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
1. PONYTAIL players MUST wear knee pads as a part of their uniform.
2. All coaches are required to keep a copy of these rules with them at all times.
3. All coaches need to have their players’ registration forms with them in their team folder. This folder needs to be at ALL practices and games. If your folder is missing you must provide it within 15 minutes of the game’s start time or forfeit the game. If a player’s form is incomplete (missing parent release signature or medical information, etc.) it must be completed before the said player can play.
4. At each game, both teams will supply one parent/adult to work either the scoreboard or scorebook. If young adults are used they should be at least 16 years old unless agreed to by both teams.