SCOREBOARD/CLOCK OPERATION & RULES

Coaches:  Recruit a parent or responsible kids to operate the clock.  when you enter the gym, immediately get the clock situation squared away and get someone to operate it.  Set the clock up for 10 minutes and let it run.  This gets your parents in their seats, players warming up.  All parents should be seated on the bleachers opposite the player's benches.  When the buzzer goes off after 10 minutes, set it up for game time.  Running time for games at 3/4 level should take about 40 minutes, even with some stops.  So there is some time at the beginning to warm up.  Same for the other levels.  Games are back to back, so all games need to be completed without running over your time slot. 

Pre-Game Scoreboard Setup

• For the first game of the day, turn on the clock (recessed toggle switch in lower rear or side of unit, hard to see)  

• Make sure you have the correct “face plate” on the scoreboard, otherwise the code you enter will make it for football or volleyball, or something else.

• Enter the code (612-4732, it is written on the face).  

• Answer NO for shot clock.  

• Answer NO if it says “Do you want to continue from where you left off?”

• Only one hand control should be connected.  There are two types.  One is a switch that goes on and off.  The other is a spring switch, which returns to one position.  That is for the shot clock but we don't use the shot clock.  Use the first kind – on/off.

• Set Scores to Zero:  Set → Home Score → Zero (0);  Set → Guest Score → Zero (0) = directions shown on scoreboard control panel also

• Set Time for minutes until start of the game (ex. If 5 minutes before gametime, set for 5:00, if 10 minutes until start, set for 10:00):  Set → Time → #:00 → Yes → 1 (# of next quarter to be played) = directions shown on scoreboard control panel also

In-Game Operation

• Start and Stop Time: To start the time running, flip the hand control switch on.  To stop the time, flip off.

• Add points scored:  Home Score → # of Points OR Guest Score → # of Points (the step by step instructions on the box to keep score.)

• As the time runs out, let the buzzer ring for a couple of seconds, then flip the hand control switch off.

• When your game is over, just leave the clock where it is and the next game will take over.

• At the end of the day, simply turn the clock OFF and leave it on the table.  The custodial staff will pack it up.

1st / 2nd Grade PAL Basketball Rules

General Setup: 

• Hoops are lowered all the way down

• Teams are 4 on 4.

• Youth size basketball (28.5)

• 7 minute quarters, running time, 1 minute between periods, 5 minute halftime

• Automatic time out at 3 ½ minutes of each quarter (substitutions)

• Coaches should ref their own games.  Get an assistant to corral your bench players.  Get a parent to run the clock.

Points of Emphasis

• Playing Time should be divided equally among all players.

• Defense: Emphasis should be on fun and safety.  Teams should play man-to-man defense:  match up before the jump ball, halftime, and each substitution.  Try to slow the kids down, and dial back the defense to encourage some offensive play if necessary, otherwise it can be less fun.  Hands up in passing lanes.  Emphasize moving feet for defensive position and avoid reaching.  Players should stay between the player they are guarding and the basket.  Discourage physical contact.

  • There is no stealing off the dribble, unless the offensive player CLEARLY loses control of the ball on their own and not due to interference from the defensive player.

  • Shot blocking not allowed - tell the kids to play shot defense with feet on the ground and hands straight up.  

  • Defense can steal the pass, but players should be instructed to focus more on staying between their man and the basket vs. defending passing lanes.  Use your discretion here.

• Fouls/Violations, Speed of Play: Coaches will referee their games each week.  

  • When fouls and violations are called, coaches should use them as “teachable moments,” explaining the rules if necessary and how to avoid the foul/violation in the future, without interrupting the flow of the game too much.  

  • Violations NOT CALLED: Backcourt, 10-second count, 3 second/lane violations, (however this should be part of the teaching that bigger players can not just hang out in the lane).

  • Traveling violations: Coach/Referee will be lenient in calling traveling violations to keep the flow of the game going.  However, excessive traveling or carrying the ball should be called.

  • Double dribbles should be called, however the ball can be given back to the offending team.

  • Coaches should try to slow the game down and limit the physical contact.

• Score: Try to emphasize the goal of playing to learn and being a good teammate rather than playing to win.  The time clock provided will show the time, but no score.  Keeping score at the Grade 1/2 level for all to see is not something we have done.  Kids usually know the score anyway.

• Keep Grade 1/2 players, coaches, and parents focused on fun.  Please use your discretion carefully.  Seek consensus from the other coach on calling the game given the level of play.  If a lesser skilled player turns the ball over, consider keeping possession and just inbound the ball on the side.  

• Inbounds:  NO FULL COURT PRESS.  Over the half court or under the basket, allow plenty of space to allow the offense to inbound the ball cleanly

  • Once a shot is attempted by Team A, and rebounded or possession is given to Team B, Team A must get back past half court to allow Team B to bring the ball up court.  

3rd/4th Grade PAL Basketball Rules

Location: Coxsackie-Athens HS or MS gym

General Setup: 

• Intermediate ball = 28.5

• 8 minute quarters running time

• 1 minute between periods, 5 minute halftime

• Stop clock ONLY for foul shots, timeouts, injuries, and during the last 2 minutes of each half.

Points of Emphasis

• Playing Time should be divided equally among all players.

• Defense: 

  • Hands up defense.  Please emphasize moving feet for defensive position, no reaching in.

  • Teams can play man-to-man or zone, whatever the coach would like to teach.

  • There is no stealing off the dribble, unless the offensive player CLEARLY loses control of the ball on their own and not due to interference from the defensive player.  This will almost always be a judgment call by the official.

  • The ball may be stolen from a player who has picked up their dribble, however referees are advised to pay close attention to contact as this will result in a reach-in foul the majority of the time.  

  • Defense can steal the pass.

  • Shots can be blocked.

  • A held ball will result in possession according to the possession arrow.

  • Defense should start at the 3-point line, but can extend outside of it once the ball has crossed half court.  We don’t want the offense to play outside the 3 point line just to avoid the defense.

• Scoring: 3-point goals made will count as 3 points, however emphasize that these shots should not be taken regularly.

• Inbounds:  No full court press, except in the last minute of the game. 

  • Once a shot is attempted by Team A, and rebounded or possession is given to Team B, Team A must get back past half court to allow Team B to bring the ball up court.  

• Referees, Fouls/Violations, & Speed of Play: High school players will act as referees for these games.  Coaches, players, and parents must treat these young people with respect and understanding.  

  • Traveling violations:  Referees will be lenient in calling traveling violations to keep the flow of the game going.  However, excessive traveling or carrying the ball should be called and result in possession to the other team, particularly as we progress through the season.

  • Double dribbles should be called.

  • Five second lane violations are enforced.  

  • Foul Shots: Start the shot from behind the line, but players may end up over the line without a violation being called.  If coaches agree, because a particular player is unable to reach the basket from a standard foul shot distance, a player may move inside the line to an appropriate distance.

5th/6th Grade PAL Basketball Rules

Location: Coxsackie-Athens HS or MS gym

General Setup: 

• Intermediate ball = 28.5

• 8 minute quarters running time

• 1 minute between periods, 5 minute halftime

• Stop clock ONLY for foul shots, timeouts, injuries.  During the last 2 minutes of each half, stop clock for all usual dead ball situations (out of bounds, substitutions, violations/turnovers)

Points of Emphasis

• Playing Time should be divided equally among all players.

• Defense: 

  • Hands up defense.  Please emphasize moving feet for defensive position, no reaching in.

  • Teams can play man-to-man or zone, whatever the coach would like to teach.

  • There is no stealing off the dribble, unless the offensive player CLEARLY loses control of the ball on their own and not due to interference from the defensive player.  This will almost always be a judgment call by the official.

  • The ball may be stolen from a player who has picked up their dribble, however referees are advised to pay close attention to contact as this will result in a reach-in foul the majority of the time.  

  • Defense can steal at all times, but particular attention will be paid by the referees for reaching in and making contact with the ball handler.

  • Shots can be blocked.

  • A held ball will result in possession according to the possession arrow.

  • Defense should start at the 3-point line, but can extend outside of it once the ball has crossed half court.  We don’t want the offense to play outside the 3 point line just to avoid the defense.

  • Full court (pressure) defense is allowed during the last 2 minutes of each half.

• Scoring: 3-point goals made will count as 3 points, however emphasize that these shots should not be taken regularly.

• Inbounds:  No full court press, except in the last two of the game. 

  • Once a shot is attempted by Team A, and rebounded or possession is given to Team B, Team A must get back past half court to allow Team B to bring the ball up court.  

• Referees, Fouls/Violations, & Speed of Play: High school players will act as referees for these games.  Coaches, players, and parents must treat these young people with respect and understanding.  

  • Traveling violations:  Referees will be lenient in calling traveling violations to keep the flow of the game going.  However, excessive traveling or carrying the ball should be called and result in possession to the other team, particularly as we progress through the season.

  • Double dribbles should be called.

  • Five (5) second lane violations are enforced.  

  • Ten (10) second back court violations in effect, 

  • Seven (7) second dead ball violation or in-bounds violation.

 Timeouts:  

• Three timeouts per game.  

• If extra timeouts are called, a technical foul will be called against the bench (two free throws and possession of the ball at midcourt).

Overtime:  

• Maximum of two, two (2) minute overtime period.  Game will end in a tie after 2 overtime periods.

• Running time except during the last minute of the period.  (Clock stops on whistle for violations, fouls.)

• Each team allowed one timeout per overtime period – regulation timeouts DO NOT carry over to overtime.

5th thru 8th Grades Fouls:

• 1 and 1 (bonus) for the 7th through 9th team fouls in each half.

• 2 shots on the 10th and more team fouls in each half.

• 5 fouls on individual players – player sits for 4 minutes.

• 1 Technical foul – player is ejected from the game.  Ex:  unsportsmanlike conduct, slamming/throwing the ball, noticeable swearing, flagrant fouls (ejected from the game with discretion to suspend for the following game up to removal from the program).  This includes parents and coaches.  Please report inappropriate behavior immediately.

7th/8th Grade PAL Basketball Rules

Location: Coxsackie-Athens HS or MS gym

General Setup: 

• 7/8 Boys team use regulation ball, 7/8 Girls teams use an intermediate ball (28.5)

• 8 minute quarters running time

• 1 minute between periods, 5 minute halftime

• Stop clock ONLY for foul shots, timeouts, injuries, and during the last 2 minutes of each half.

Points of Emphasis

• Defense: 

  • Hands up defense.  Please emphasize moving feet for defensive position, no reaching in.

  • Teams can play man-to-man or zone, whatever the coach would like to teach.

  • There is no stealing off the dribble, unless the offensive player CLEARLY loses control of the ball on their own and not due to interference from the defensive player.  This will almost always be a judgment call by the official.

  • The ball may be stolen from a player who has picked up their dribble, however referees are advised to pay close attention to contact as this will result in a reach-in foul the majority of the time.  

  • Defense can steal at all times, but particular attention will be paid by the referees for reaching in and making contact with the ball handler.

  • Shots can be blocked.

  • A held ball will result in possession according to the possession arrow.

  • Defense should start at the 3-point line, but can extend outside of it once the ball has crossed half court.  We don’t want the offense to play outside the 3 point line just to avoid the defense.

  • Full court (pressure) defense is allowed during the last 2 minutes of each half.

• Scoring: 3-point goals made will count as 3 points, however emphasize that these shots should not be taken regularly.

• Inbounds:  No full court press, except in the last two of the game. 

  • Once a shot is attempted by Team A, and rebounded or possession is given to Team B, Team A must get back past half court to allow Team B to bring the ball up court.  

• Referees, Fouls/Violations, & Speed of Play: High school players will act as referees for these games.  Coaches, players, and parents must treat these young people with respect and understanding.  

  • Traveling violations:  Referees will be lenient in calling traveling violations to keep the flow of the game going.  However, excessive traveling or carrying the ball should be called and result in possession to the other team, particularly as we progress through the season.

  • Double dribbles should be called.

  • Five (5) second lane violations are enforced.  

  • Ten (10) second back court violations in effect, 

  • Seven (7) second dead ball violation or in-bounds violation.

 Timeouts:  

• Three timeouts per game.  

• If extra timeouts are called, a technical foul will be called against the bench (two free throws and possession of the ball at midcourt).

Overtime:  

• Maximum of two, two (2) minute overtime period.  Game will end in a tie after 2 overtime periods.

• Running time except during the last minute of the period.  (Clock stops on whistle for violations, fouls.)

• Each team allowed one timeout per overtime period – regulation timeouts DO NOT carry over to overtime.

7th/8th Grades Fouls:

• 1 and 1 (bonus) for the 7th through 9th team fouls in each half.

• 2 shots on the 10th and more team fouls in each half.

• 5 fouls on individual players – player sits for 4 minutes.

• 1 Technical foul – player is ejected from the game.  Ex:  unsportsmanlike conduct, slamming/throwing the ball, noticeable swearing, flagrant fouls (ejected from the game with discretion to suspend for the following game up to removal from the program).  This includes parents and coaches.  Please report inappropriate behavior immediately.