Further Clarification on Underage Regulations: 

Competition:

U11 leagues downwards will be Development Leagues (participation). For competitions up to U11 no score will be displayed. Score sheet will be kept for rotation of players and foul recording.

U12 to U14 Competitive league but the emphasis is still on participation of a minimum of 10 players in the game and on the technical development of the players so rotations are applicable

In terms of fair play, the scoreboard should not show a score difference of greater than 20 at all age levels.

Age Limit & Eligibility:

As per FIBA age limits, all players must be under the age on or after January 1st of the current season

To establish the date of birth corresponding to the age limit for an age group, the following procedure is used; the age of the player must be subtracted from the year in which a competition takes place with the understanding that this year begins on 1st January. E.g. the age limit for U18 in a competition in 2016/2017 shall be: 2017 – 18 = 1999, so any player born on the 1st January 1999 or after this date will be entitled to participate in a competition for U18 in 2016/2017 season.

A player may only play a maximum of 2 grades within her/his age band within their own Area Board competition in any one season. E.g. a player can play U11 and U12 or U11 and U13. She/He cannot play U11, U12 and U13. No U15 player can take part in the BI U – 18 National Cup. No U16 player can take part in Senior National Competition. 

Basket Height:

It is recommended that 8.5ft baskets are used up to U12. However it is understood that this is not feasible in all venues and it is acceptable that 10ft baskets are used. In the use of 10ft baskets up to and including U12, the free throw line should be marked 2ft closer to the basket. 

Defence:

To assist the proper technical development of young players, ZONE defence is not allowed up to an including U14 Competition. Following the basic man – to – man principles, each defensive player is responsible for an offensive player. An imaginary line is created down the centre of the floor from rim to rim. A player must be on the same side of the line as the player they are marking. A player may cross the line to help on a dribble penetration but that player must recover to find his/her player when the ball is passed. The offending team should be warned on the first incidence and the penalty for non – compliance after the warning is a technical foul awarded to the offending coach. The technical foul should be recorded as a “B” bench technical foul rather than a “C” coach technical foul.

Minimum Number of Players:

The minimum number of players up to and including U14 competition is 10 players. In the event of a team having less than 10 players by the start of the second quarter, the team will lose the game by forfeit (20 – 0) and be awarded 1 point at the start of the game. The other team shall be awarded three points regardless of the final score in the game. Where two teams have less than 10 players the game is played and each team is awarded 1 point. Overtime: Any five players may play in overtime. 

Team Numbers: 

U9 – U13: No maximum to the number of players who can play

U14 Onwards: 12 players can play in any game. If teams have more than 12 players, agreement should be sought between coaches to play more than 12.

Defensive Press:

U11’s U12’s can only press in the 4th Quarter. Teams must retreat to the backcourt after a score or a dead ball in the first three quarters. U13’s can press in the 2nd half. Teams must retreat to the backcourt after a score or a dead ball in the first half. U14’s can press for the start of the game Teams cannot press if they are winning by 15 points or more. • Other: o Backcourt Rule applies o 3, 5, 8 and 24 second rules apply 

Time Outs:

FIBA Rules Apply 

Scoring:

No 3 pointers recorded up to and including U12 level. o From U13 upwards FIBA Rules apply 

Fouls:

FIBA Rules Apply 

League Points: 

Win = 3 points

Loss = 1 point 

Walkover Received = 3 points 

Walkover Given = 0 points 

Forfeit a Game = 1 point 

Team receiving forfeit = 3 points

Notes: 

If a team cannot put ten players on the court, the game is played, the team with less than 10 receives 1 point and the other team receives 3 points and the score is recorded as 20 – 0 for league table purposes. 

If a team has 10 or less players on the score sheet and one of their players get injured or fouls out, a sub can be brought on but that player must still not play in all four quarters. 

When a game is forfeited, the final score is irrelevant, league points have been assigned. 

Basketball Size: 

U9 – U12 Size 5 

U13 – U14 Size 6 

U15 Onwards:

Girls: Size 6

Boys: Size 7 

Coaching Qualifications: 

For the 2014/15 Season onwards all Coaches from Under 14, 13, 12, 11, 10 and younger must hold a minimum of an Intro Coaching Qualification. No person will be permitted to coach a team at these age groups unless they have this minimum qualification. 

From 2015/16 Season onwards all coaches from Under 15 and older must hold a Level 1 Coaching Qualification.