North Nashville Hoops: Rec League Rules

Section 1: PreK/K Coed Training League 

This Division will be strictly a Training League. They will play 3 on 3 in this Division to gain more playing time with less distraction on the court. The two areas of focus for this division are teaching player's to dribble without walking, using a pivot foot once they stop & teaching player's to play defense without fouling. This will be the only Coed Division. The Official's in this division will be local middle/high school basketball player's. Please be respectful of these young people, they are looking to learn the game from an Official's view. Thank you for your patience.

Size of ball - 27.5" (Junior Ball)

Height of Goal - 8' or lower

Distance for Free Throw - 8' (players will not be penalized if they cross the line)

*A jump ball will occur to start the game.

*Each game will consist of four 6 minute quarters, running clock. The clock will only stop for injury, TO's or the last minute of each half. If the score is tied at the end of regulation there will be a two(2) minute sudden death overtime.

*Each coach is allowed two(2) timeouts per game.

*This Division will play man to man defense for the entire game. At the beginning of each period, the players will line up at the half court across from each other for the coaches to determine who each player will guard. Each player will have a colored wrist band to match up with an opponent & be responsible for guarding their man. There will be no switching of defenders. "Sandbagging" will not be tolerated in this Division. After an offensive player, with the ball, has entered the "lane", the defense is free for any player to guard him/her.

*Screens and picks are legal. Officials have the judgment call if a screen is an illegal or moving screen. If this occurs, the ball will be turned over to the opposing team..

*Officials will call a walk or double dribble when the offensive player "gains an advantage" because of the walk/double dribble on the play. 

*One coach from each team will be allowed on the court while the clock is running to help his/her team learn to score and play defense. Coaches must stay within three feet of the baseline or sideline only and may not touch the ball, the players or otherwise assist in any way except verbal instructions. Coach's may not interfere with the Officials or the flow of the game in any way.

*To prevent rough play, the Officials will blow the whistle when rough play has occurred. Officials will call a foul when they feel a player; offense or defense, has "gained an advantage" on the play. Each player will be allowed 6 fouls before fouling out of the game. If this happens in the first quarter then the player is done for the game.

*The defense must allow the offense (3) feet of space to bring the ball into the front court.

*Isolation plays or clearing out to allow one player to go one-on-one will NOT be permitted. This is a violation, resulting in a turnover.

*There will be no double teaming or trapping. Back court guarding will NOT be allowed. When the Officials feel that there is a double team, trapping violation or back court violation, they will blow the whistle, warn the players & the same team will retain the ball.

*Each Coach in the Training Division will be allowed to take request for players. The NNH will do our best to try & honor those request. This will be an agreement between the Coach and the player's parent/guardian.

*The Coach will have free substitution only when the clock is stopped at the end of a quarter, injury or a coach called timeout, 2 per game. There is no mandatory playing requirements but we highly encourage the Coach's to play kids as equal as possible.

Section 2: 1/2 Boys & Girls

Size of ball - 27.5" (Junior Ball)

Height of Goal - 8'

Distance for Free Throw - 8' (players will not be penalized if they cross the line)

*A jump ball will occur to start the game. 

*Each game will consist of four 8 minute quarters, running clock.The clock will only stop for TO's, FT's, injury or the last minute of each half. If the score is tied at the end of regulation there will be a two(2) minute overtime. After the first overtime if the score is still tied, teams will play one minute overtime(s) as needed.

*Each team will be allowed four(4) timeouts per game.

*This Division will play man to man defense for the entire game until the last minute of the fourth quarter. At this point each team will be allowed to full court press. At the beginning of each period, the players will line up at the half court across from each other for the coaches to determine who each player will guard. Each player will be responsible for guarding their man. There will be no switching of defenders. "Sandbagging" will not be tolerated in this Division. After an offensive player, with the ball, has entered the "lane", the defense is free for any player to guard him/her.

*An illegal defense also may be called by the Official if he/she deems, at the Officials discretion, that a defender is "purposely" not guarding their player. Or if the defender is deemed to be guarding an area and not the intended offensive player. This is a judgment call by the Officials. This will be called "Zone" and will go towards the three violations in one half.

*Screens and picks are legal. Officials have the judgment call if a screen is an illegal or moving screen. If this occurs, the ball will be turned over to the opposing team.

*If a player travels or if double dribbling occurs, it will be called by the Officials & the ball will turn over to the opposing team.

*Officials will enforce a lane violation after a player has been in the lane for 5 seconds.

*Coaches must remain in the coach's box. The length of the team's bench is considered the coaches box. At this age, it is not needed for the coach's to stand the entire game.

*To prevent rough play, a player will foul out on the fifth foul.

*The defense must allow the offense space to bring the ball into the front court.

*In the last minute of the game each team will be allowed to full court press as long as one team is not leading by more than 10 points. The team with the 11 point lead will not be permitted to full court press.

*Isolation plays or clearing out to allow one player to go one-on-one will not be permitted. This is a violation, resulting in a turnover.

*There will be no zone defense, double teaming or trapping. Back court guarding will not be allowed. When the Officials feel that there is a zone defense, double team, trapping violation or back court violation, they will blow the whistle and warn the players. The ball will turn over to the opposing team at this point. If a team receives three violations in one half, the opposing team will be allowed to shoot a one shot technical free throw and will also get to take possession of the ball. At each subsequent violation per half, the opposing team will be allowed to shoot a one shot technical free throw and receive the ball.

*Each Coach will be allowed to "sign" one player prior to the draft. This will be an agreement between the Coach and the player's parent/guardian. A player signing agreement form will need to be signed by the parent and the Coach prior to evaluations. Signees do not have to attend player evaluations. Each team that does not decide to "sign" a player prior to the draft will get an extra pick prior to the draft process. If there is more than one team without a signee, then numbers will be drawn to determine in what order the teams will draft.

*Each player will be required to play two (2) complete quarters in each game. In addition, each player will be required to sit out one (1) complete quarter in each game. If a team has only 6 players, there is no mandatory playing requirement.

Section 3: 3/4 Boys & Girls

Size of ball - 28.5" (Women's Ball)

Height of Goal - 9'

Distance for Free Throw - 12'       

*A jump ball will occur to start the game. 

*Each game will consist of four 8 minute quarters, running clock.The clock will only stop for TO's, FT's, injury or last minute of each half. If the score is tied at the end of regulation there will be a two(2) minute overtime. After the first overtime, if the score is still tied, teams will play a one minute overtime(s) as needed.

*Each team will be allowed four(4) timeouts per game.

*This Division will play man to man defense for the entire game until the final two (2) minutes of the fourth quarter. At this point each team will be allowed to full court press. Each player will be responsible for guarding their man. Switching of defenders will be allowed. Helpside defense is allowed as long as it does not create a "double team" on the ball.  After an offensive player, with the ball, has entered the "lane", the defense is free for any player to guard him/her.

*An illegal defense also may be called by the Official if he/she deems, at the Officials discretion, that a defender is purposely not guarding their player. Or if the defender is deemed to be guarding an area and not the intended offensive player. This is a jugement call by the Officials. This will be called "Zone" and will go towards the three violations in one half.

*An illegal defense also may be called by the Official if he/she deems, at the Officials discretion, that a defender is "purposely" not guarding their player. Or if the defender is deemed to be guarding an area and not the intended offensive player. This is a judgment call by the Officials. This will be called "Zone" and will go towards the three violations in one half.

*Screens and picks are legal. Officials have the judgment call if a screen is an illegal or moving screen. If this occurs, the ball will be turned over to the opposing team.

*If a player travels or if double dribbling occurs, it will be called by the Officials and the ball will turn over to the opposing team. 

*Officials will enforce a lane violation after a player has been in the lane for 3 seconds. 

*Coaches must remain in the Coach's box. The length of the team's bench is considered the coaches box. At this age, it is not needed for the coach's to stand the entire game. 

*To prevent rough play, a player will foul out on the fifth foul.

*The defense must allow the offense space to bring the ball into the front court.

*In the last two (2) minutes of the game each team will be allowed to full court press as long as one team is not winning by more than 10 points. The team with the 11 point lead will not be permitted to full court press.

*There will be no zone defense, double teaming or trapping. Back court guarding will not be allowed. When the Officials feel that there is a zone defense, double team, trapping violation or back court violation, they will blow the whistle and warn the players. The ball will turn over to the opposing team at this point. If a team receives three violations in one half, the opposing team will be allowed to shoot a one shot technical free throw and will also get to take possession of the ball. At each subsequent violation per half, the opposing team will be allowed to shoot a one shot technical free throw and receive the ball.

*Each Coach will be allowed to "sign" one player prior to the draft. This will be an agreement between the Coach and the player's parent/guardian. A player signing agreement form will need to be signed by the parent and the Coach prior to evaluations. Signees do not have to attend player evaluations. Each team that does not decide to "sign" a player prior to the draft will get an extra pick prior to the draft process. If there is more than one team without a signee, then numbers will be drawn to determine in what order the teams will draft.

Section 4: Middle School Boys & Girls

Size of ball - 28.5" (Women's Ball)

Height of Goal - 10'

Distance for Free Throw - 15'  

*A jump ball will occur to start the game. 

*Each game will consist of four 10 minute quarters, running clock. The clock will only stop for TO's, injury or last minute of each half. If the score is tied at the end of regulation there will be a two(2) minute overtime. After the first overtime, if the score is still tied, teams will play a one minute overtime(s) as needed.

*Each team will be allowed four(4) timeouts per game.

*This Division will be allowed to play man to man or zone defense for the entire game.  

*Screens and picks are legal. Officials have the judgment call if a screen is an illegal or moving screen. If this occurs, the ball will be turned over to the opposing team.

*If a player travels or if double dribbling occurs, it will be called by the Officials and the ball will be turned over to the opposing team. 

*Officials will enforce a lane violation after a player has been in the lane for 3 seconds. 

*Coaches must remain in the Coach's box. The length of the team's bench is considered the coaches box. Only one Coach may stand while the clock is running. 

*To prevent rough play, a player will foul out on the fifth foul.

*The defense must allow the offense space to bring the ball into the front court, with the exception of the fourth quarter, where full court pressing will be allowed. 

*In the final five (5) minutes of the game each team will be allowed to full court press as long as one team is not winning by more than 10 points. The team with the 11 point lead will not be permitted to full court press.

*Back court guarding will not be allowed in the first three & a half (3.5) quarters. When the Officials feel that there is a back court violation, they will blow the whistle and warn the players. If a team receives three violations in one half, the opposing team will be allowed to shoot a one shot technical free throw and will also get to take possession of the ball. At each subsequent violation per half, the opposing team will be allowed to shoot a one shot technical free throw and receive the ball.

*In this Division, trapping and double teaming will be allowed the entire game. 

*Each Coach will be allowed to "sign" one player prior to the draft. This will be an agreement between the Coach and the player's parent/guardian. A player signing agreement form will need to be signed by the parent and the Coach prior to the evaluations. Signees do not have to attend player evaluations. Each team that does not decide to "sign" a player prior to the draft will get an extra pick prior to the draft process. If there is more than one team without a signee, then numbers will be drawn to determine in what order the teams will draft.

Size of ball - 29.5" (Men's Ball)

Height of Goal - 10'

Distance (from backboard) for Free Throw - 15'

*A jump ball will occur to start the game. 

*Each game will consist of four 10 minute quarters, running clock. The clock will only stop for TO's, injury & last minute of each half. If the score is tied at the end of regulation there will be a two(2) minute overtime. After the first overtime, if the score is still tied, teams will play a one minute overtime(s) as needed.

*Each team will be allowed four(4) timeouts per game.

*This Division will be allowed to play full court man to man or zone defense for the entire game.

*Screens and picks are legal. Officials have the judgment call if a screen is an illegal or moving screen. If this occurs, the ball will be turned over to the opposing team.

*If a player travels or if double dribbling occurs, it will be called by the Officials and the ball will be turned over to the opposing team. 

*Officials will enforce a lane violation after a player has been in the lane for 3 seconds. 

*Coaches must remain in the Coach's box. The length of the team's bench is considered the coaches box. Only one Coach may stand while the clock is running. 

*To prevent rough play, a player will foul out on the fifth foul.  

*Each team will be allowed to full court press the entire game, as long as one team is not winning by more than 20 points. The team with the 21 point lead will not be permitted to full court press.

*Each Coach will be allowed to "sign" one player prior to the draft. This will be an agreement between the Coach and the player's parent/guardian. A player signing agreement form will need to be signed by the parent and the Coach prior to evaluations. Signees do not have to attend player evaluations. Each team that does not decide to "sign" a player prior to the draft will get an extra pick prior to the draft process. If there is more than one team without a signee, then numbers will be drawn to determine in what order the teams will draft.

*There will be no mandatory playing time in this Division.  Although we encourage Coaches to give as equal playing time as possible.

*Substitutions will be allowed any time the clocked is stopped.