Rules & Regulations

The National High School Federation Rules & Regulations will apply to all USBA games with the following exceptions:

1. All games will be played as follows:
   1. Grades 7th and up will play two 16-minute halves.
   2. Grades 6th and below will play two 14-minute halves.
   3. Boys grades 6th and below will play with the 28.5 intermediate basketball.
2. Halftime shall be no longer than 5 minutes.  Pregame warm-ups will be at least 5 minutes.  Time may be changed at the discretion of the site director.  No games will start before their scheduled time unless agreed to by both coaches.
3. A total of two (2) 30 second time-outs & two (2) full time-outs will be allowed per game.  One additional time-out per team will be awarded for each overtime period.  Timeouts from the game will not carry over to overtime.
4. Two (2) direct technical fouls during a game on any player, coach, or team representative will result in their disqualification for the next one (1) game of the tournament.  If the team has less than one (1) game in the tournament for which they were ejected the disqualification will NOT carry over to the next tournament.
5. Each team is allowed two coaches in free. Additional coaches will have to pay admission.
6. Each team is responsible for providing a designated representative to assist in keeping the scorebook.  USBA will attempt to provide clock operators at all tournaments but if a USBA representative is unavailable the visiting team will be responsible for providing a clock operator.  The scorekeeper & clock operator must be 16 yrs old or older.
7. Each team is responsible for their own warm-ups balls and game balls and/or any other items brought to the game.  USBA is NOT responsible for lost items.
8. The home team must provide the game ball.
9. A player MUST participate in at least one pool play game to be eligible to play in bracket play.
10. If a team forfeits two (2) or more pool games; the team will be disqualified from the event and cannot participate in the tourney round of play.

Note:  if a team has players leave the bench to come onto the court, USBA reserves the right to dismiss that team for the remainder of that particular tournament.

The USBA currently offers one division of play at each grade for boys and girls during regular season tournaments. Depending on participation, up to three divisions may be used during USBA Nationals.

Regarding bracket play, top team listed will be home team. Home team wears lighter color uniform. Home teams bench would be to the left of the scores table looking from center court.

Home team is responsible for the game ball and an official bookkeeper.

Each coach is responsible for the players, assistant coaches, staff, and parents of his/her team.  Any misconduct on or off the court will result in immediate dismissal and/or disqualification from tournament. The tournament site director will have the final authority to remove or disqualify any team. Note: In the event of disqualification, tournament fees or any other refund will NOT be issued! No Exceptions!

Pre-Game Warm Up: Pre game warm up time will consist of  5 minutes. The tournament site director may shorten this time if need be.

Half Time: Half time will be 5 minutes. This may be shortened at the discretion of the site tournament director.

Overtime: Two, Two (2) minute overtimes will be allowed. If teams are still tied after the second overtime, the sudden death format will be used with the first team scoring a basket being declared the winner.

20 Point Lead: If at any time during the game, a team establishes a 20 point lead, the clock will continue to run with the exception of a time out being called. If the 20 point lead is reduced to 15 points, normal clock operation will resume.  Note: Team that is winning by 20 points or more will not be allowed to press full court and the clock runs at all times unless a timeout is called unless the lead is reduced to 15 points

SEEDING FOR REGULAR SEASON TOURNAMENTS (3 GAME GUARANTEE)

1. In a regular season tournament, each team will be placed in a pool and play two pool (2) games (unless noted otherwise).  If there are less than six (6) teams in an age group there will be only one pool.  The USBA reserves the right to place a team(s) “up” to have enough teams for a tournament.  For example there must be at least 3 teams to have a tournament.  If one team is 4TH GRADE and two teams are 5TH GRADE, the USBA will place the 4TH GRADE “up” to have three teams which is enough teams to have a tournament.
2. If gym space is limited, USBA reserves the right to not have single elimination bracket play for regular season tournaments and each team will simply play one (1) bracket play game.  The championship will be between the top two seeds in pool play only.
3. If only 2 teams register for an age division, and both teams agree to play a three game series, the first two games will be considered pool games and the third game the championship.  The USBA will notify both teams in a two team division to make sure they both are agreeable to playing the same team three times.
4. Teams will be placed in pools with regard being considered for travel time for regular season tournaments as most regular season tournaments begin on Friday evenings.
5. Each team will play 2 pool games.
6. After each team has played two (2) pool games teams will then be placed in a single elimination tournament bracket based on win-loss record.
7. Ties are broken by who won head to head competitions (2 teams tied).  See TIE BREAKER SYSTEM below for all other tie scenarios.
8. The tournament director’s decision is final regarding placement of teams.

SEEDING FOR STATES AND NATIONALS FOR BRACKET PLAY WILL BE ASSIGNED AFTER POOL PLAY – POOL PLAY GAMES ARE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED

1. Proof of age and grade is required.
   1. Acceptable Proof of Age: clean photocopies of birth certificates, state-issued ID, adoption documentation, immigration documentation, school documentation, or passport.
   2. Acceptable Proof of Grade: clean copy of report card/progress report from current calendar year/semester. Note: Teams are required to have proof of age/grade on hand at all times.
2. Players can play up in grade level, but not down.
3. Players must remain on one roster and cannot participate on two different teams.
4. No roster additions will be permitted after the team has begun play of its first game.
5. Any team violating roster or team rules will be disqualified.
6. Eligibility Protests: Only head coaches are allowed to challenge the legitimacy or eligibility of an opposing player. Fans, parents, and assistant coaches are not allowed to make an official challenge. Challenge must be made before the game starts, no challenge can be made post-game.
7. If a player who’s eligibility is challenged is found to be eligible with proper paperwork (birth certificate/report card), the challenging team will lose a timeout and be assessed a technical foul.
8. Players who are found to be illegal will result in automatic team disqualification; please ensure all players are compliant with the eligibility criteria. If no documents are present for proof of identity, the player in question is disqualified and the protested team will lose a timeout and be assessed a technical foul.
9. At the USBA national tournament, a protest must be made before the game and the cost is $100.