NSPL Current Basketball Rules

🏀 North Shore Basketball League Rules 2025–2026

Game Rules

WIAA rules will apply with the following exceptions:

1. Game Length

   • 4th, 5th, 6th Grade: 8‑minute quarters, running clock. Clock stops for timeouts and all whistles with 1 minute left in each half. Exception: 15‑point deficit.
   • 7th, 8th Grade: 6‑minute quarters, clock stops on all whistles. Running clock in 2nd half if 15‑point deficit.
     
     

2. Overtime

   • All levels: 2 minutes per overtime.
   • Unlimited overtimes allowed.
   • Each team: 1 timeout per overtime (no carryover from regulation).
     
     

3. Between Games

   • Minimum of 5 minutes between games.
   • Clock should not start until prior teams vacate the floor and benches.
     
     

4. Backcourt Pressure

   • 4th Grade: No pressing, no backcourt pressure, no double‑teaming, no zone defenses. Man‑to‑man defined as guarding within 6 feet.
   • 5th & 6th Grade: Allowed only in 4th quarter, unless 10‑point deficit.
   • 7th & 8th Grade: Allowed entire game, unless 15‑point deficit.
     
     

5. Timeouts

   • Regulation: 2 full timeouts + 2 thirty‑second timeouts per team.
   • Overtime: 1 timeout per team.
     
     

6. Basketballs

   • Girls’ games and 4th–6th Grade boys: 28.5 ball.
   • 7th–8th Grade boys: 29.5 regulation ball.
     
     

7. Free Throw Line

   • 4th Grade boys & girls, and 5th Grade girls: line moved up 18 inches.
     
     

8. Minimum Players

   • Teams must have 5 players to start.
   • 10‑minute grace period allowed.
   • If fewer than 5 after grace period → forfeit.
     
     

Roster Adjustments

To prevent forfeits due to illness or special circumstances:

1. Borrowed player must be on a roster submitted at season start.
2. Same player cannot be borrowed every week, rotate opportunities.
3. Borrowed player may move up or down only one grade. Avoid mismatches when moving down.
4. Team size capped at 6 players when borrowing.
5. Borrowed players: max 2 league games per day, 4 per weekend.
6. AD must notify League at least 1 day prior with player details (name, uniform number, from/to teams).
7. Borrowing coach must inform opposing coach before game.
8. Applies only to league games, not tournaments or Padre Serra Tournament.
9. League Director may make exceptions in unique cases.

Conduct of Players, Coaches, and Bench Personnel

1. Max of 3 non‑players on bench.
2. Seat Belt Rule: Not enforced if coaches are talking to players. Only head coach may stand.
   • Technical foul → loss of standing privilege.
   • Two technicals (player or coach) → automatic ejection.
3. Ejection → 1 additional game suspension.
4. Coach technicals:
   • 3rd technical → 1 game suspension.
   • 4th technical → removal from league.
5. Principals and ADs notified of all technicals/suspensions.
6. 7th & 8th Grade Time Limit: 1‑hour max.
   • After 1 hour → running clock (stops only for timeouts/injury).
   • Final minute → normal timing.
7. Fan Conduct:
   • First offense → coach controls fans.
   • Second offense → technical foul assessed to team. Opponent awarded 2 points + possession.
8. No jewelry allowed during games or warm‑ups.

Reminder: This league is for student‑athletes. Please respect opponents and officials.