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Shop NowJump to: Rules & Standards || Equipment & Court Specifications || Game Structure || Game Tactics || Highlighted Game Play Rules || Full Recommendation by Age Segment
Basketball is a great game that is played by millions of young people in the United States and around the world. Playing basketball fosters the development of peer relationships, self-esteem, leadership qualities, and physical health.
To date, however, the sport of basketball has lacked guidelines around health and wellness and consistent game play standards. To help foster player health, age- and stage-appropriate skill development, and a positive and enjoyable on-court experience for young people, the NBA and USA Basketball have developed a set of rules and standards to enhance the playing experience for young athletes.
These guidelines aim to combat the overemphasis on early competitive success and the lack of a clear development pathway through the sport – two issues that exist across youth sports, including basketball.
The NBA and USA Basketball are committed to helping shape a youth basketball environment that prioritizes the health and well-being of young athletes and promotes their enjoyment and development in the game.
Basketball is played in countless settings and locations across the U.S. – and though the game remains fundamentally the same, there are many variables that can impact a young player’s experience. USA Basketball and the NBA want all players to enjoy the game and have a fun, developmentally appropriate experience.
Parents and coaches frequently ask certain questions, especially when their kids are young:
These are important questions, and we understand that playing with the correct equipment and establishing age-appropriate rules significantly impacts the experience for youth as they learn the game. Therefore, the NBA and USA Basketball have established detailed guidelines to help young players develop at a natural pace that is suitable to their age and physiological abilities.
Rules and Standards Elements
USA Basketball and the NBA have worked closely with an expert working group on Playing Standards to develop age- and stage-appropriate rules and standards for youth basketball. Aligning with the Player Segmentation Model, these guidelines will help young players appropriately learn the fundamentals of the game, achieve and maintain early success, and provide enhanced long-term development.
The rules and standards address four key areas:
Rules and Standards Charts
See below for detailed rules and standards information. Please keep in mind:
*We understand that organizations and facilities may not always be able to accommodate all recommendations and that modifications will need to be made in certain instances due to practical limitations (e.g., inability to raise or lower the height of a basket, re-draw court lines, or not having a shot clock).
Playing Segment |
Size of Ball |
Height of Basket |
Size of Court |
Distance of 3-Point Arc |
Distance of Free-Throw Line |
Ages 7-8 |
Boys and Girls size 5 (27.5”) |
8’ |
50’x42’ |
Not applicable |
14’ |
Ages 9-11 |
Boys and Girls size 6 (28.5”) |
9’ |
74’x50’ |
Not applicable |
14’ |
Ages 12-14 |
Girls size 6 (28.5”) Boys size 7 (29.5”) |
10’ |
84’x50’ or 94’x50’ |
19’9” |
15’ |
Grades 9-12 |
Girls size 6 (28.5”) Boys size 7 (29.5”) |
10’ |
94’x50’ |
22’2” or the next available line under 22’2” |
15’ |
Note: 3-on-3 half-court play is also recommended for young players to foster enhanced participation and development.
Distance of 3-Point Arc: For 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds, although the 3-point arc may exist on the floor, all baskets made beyond this arc only count as two points. Therefore, the distance of the line is not applicable for these age segments. Eliminating the 3-point basket at these age segments will encourage players to shoot from within a developmentally-appropriate range. For 9th-12th graders, a 22’2” arc is preferred, but if this line is not on a court the next available line under 22’2” is recommended.
Distance of Free-Throw Line: 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds should take free throws 14 feet from the basket to develop proper form and increase success.
Height of Basket: Utilizing a lower basket height for 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds allows children to develop proper shooting form and increases the opportunity for shooting success.
Scoring: All field goals for 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds are worth two points to encourage children to shoot within a developmentally-appropriate range. This allows for proper mechanics and form. While these age segments may attempt a shot behind the 3-point arc, any field goal made behind the arc will only count as two points.
Size of Ball: A smaller basketball for the younger age segments is advised due to the size of a child’s hand as well as their developing skill level. A smaller ball allows for better control and success.
Size of Court: For 7-8 year-olds, a 50’x 42’ court is contemplated to be a cross-court game on a full-sized basketball court. This dimension is more appropriate for younger children based on their relative size in space.
Playing Segment |
Game Length |
Time Between Periods |
Extra Period(s) |
Scoring |
Timeouts |
Start of Game Possession |
Ages 7-8 |
Four 8-minute periods |
1 minute |
2 minutes |
Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points No 3-point field goals |
|
Coin flip. Team awarded possession starts with throw-in at half court |
Ages 9-11 |
Four 8-minute periods |
1 minute |
2 minutes |
Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points No 3-point field goals |
|
Coin flip. Team awarded possession starts with throw-in at half court |
Ages 12-14 |
Four 8-minute periods |
1 minute |
4 minutes |
Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points Field goal outside of 3-point arc: 3 points |
|
Jump ball |
Grades 9-12 |
Four 10-minute periods |
2 minutes |
5 minutes |
Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points Field goal outside of 3-point arc: 3 points |
|
Jump ball |
Start of Game Possession: For 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds, a coin flip will determine the team that will start with the ball to mitigate significant differences in height and coordination among children. Alternating possession rules will then ensue throughout the game.
Timeouts: Managing the way timeouts are called allows for better game flow and decision-making by the player(s).
Playing Segment |
Playing Time |
Set Defense |
Pressing Defense |
Double-Team/Crowding |
Stealing from the Dribbler |
Ages 7-8 |
Equal playing time |
Only player-to-player defense throughout the competition |
Pressing is not allowed throughout the competition |
Double-team/crowding is not allowed throughout the competition |
Stealing from a dribbler is not allowed throughout the competition |
Ages 9-11 |
Equal playing time in periods 1-3. Coaches discretion in the fourth period and each extra period |
Only player-to-player defense throughout the competition |
Player-to-player defense may be extended full court in the fourth period and each extra period Leading team may not extend the defense over half court when leading by 25 points or more |
Double-team/crowding is not allowed throughout the competition |
Coaches discretion throughout the competition |
Ages 12-14 |
Coaches discretion throughout the competition |
All allowed throughout the competition at coaches discretion |
Pressing allowed throughout the competition Leading team may not press when leading by 25 points or more |
Allowed throughout the competition at coaches discretion |
Coaches discretion throughout the competition |
Grades 9-12 |
Coaches discretion throughout the competition |
All allowed throughout the competition at coaches discretion |
Pressing allowed throughout the competition |
Allowed throughout the competition at coaches discretion |
Coaches discretion throughout the competition |
Definitions:
Double-Team/Crowding: Crowding the ball with multiple players (referred to as “double-teaming”) is not allowed for 7-8 or 9-11 year-olds due to skill and size discrepancies among children at these ages. Crowding is allowed for 12-14 year-olds and older to remain consistent with pressing defense standards.
Playing Time: To ensure that all young children participating in the sport have an opportunity to experience the game, equal and fair playing time is recommended for 7-8 year-olds. For 9-11 year-olds, equal playing time is recommended for periods 1-3, while allowing coaches discretion in the fourth and extra periods. Equal and fair playing time is encouraged throughout all segments.
Pressing Defense: Pressing defense is prohibited for 7-8 year-olds to help children develop principles of movement with and without the ball in a half-court setting. For 9-11 year-olds, permitting player-to-player defense to extend full-court in the fourth and extra periods allows players to become accustomed to full-court defense while not having to understand sophisticated zone presses. It also allows for an introduction to competitive tactics.
Set Defense: The player-to-player requirement for 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds encourages physical activity and movement, and promotes the development of individual skill related to guarding a player both on and off the ball.
Stealing from the Dribbler: At ages 7-8, players are not allowed to steal the ball from an active dribbler. This allows ball-handlers to develop dribbling skills and confidence with the basketball.
Playing Segment |
Backcourt Timeline |
Shot Clock |
5 Seconds Closely Guarded |
Clock Stoppage |
Ages 7-8 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
On any dead ball |
Ages 9-11 |
10 seconds |
Not applicable
|
Only when the offensive player is holding the basketball |
On any dead ball |
Ages 12-14 |
10 seconds |
30 seconds
|
Only when the offensive player is holding the basketball |
|
Grades 9-12 |
8 seconds |
24 seconds
|
Only when the offensive player is holding the basketball |
|
Backcourt Timeline: Not having a timeline violation for 7-8 year-olds allows coaches to communicate to players before they reach half court. This assists coaches in teaching children, particularly for those first learning the game. The progression to 10 seconds for 9-11 and 12-14 year-olds, and later to eight seconds for Grades 9-12, allows the game to flow while developing skills such as ball-handling, passing and decision-making.
Clock Stoppage: Stopping the clock following a made basket within the last two minutes of the fourth period and any extra periods for 12-14 year-olds and 9th-12th graders allows for additional strategic decision-making. Fewer clock stoppages for 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds allows for a better game flow.
Shot Clock: The 30-second shot clock for 12-14 year-olds, along with the 24-second shot clock for 9th-12th graders, allows for more possessions for each team, better game flow and places decision-making elements in the hands of players.
Playing Segment |
Length of Time for a Free Throw |
Number of Players Permitted on Free-Throw Lane |
Substitutions |
Advancement of Ball after a Timeout |
Ages 7-8 |
10 seconds |
Offense may have 3 players on the lane, including the shooter Defense may have 3 players on the lane |
Either team may substitute when the clock is stopped |
Not applicable |
Ages 9-11 |
10 seconds |
Offense may have 3 players on the lane, including the shooter Defense may have 3 players on the lane |
Either team may substitute when the clock is stopped |
Not applicable |
Ages 12-14 |
8 seconds |
Offense may have 3 players on the lane, including the shooter Defense may have 3 players on the lane |
|
In the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and each extra period following a timeout, the ball will be inbounded from the offensive team’s frontcourt opposite the scorer’s table |
Grades 9-12 |
5 seconds |
Offense may have 3 players on the lane, including the shooter Defense may have 3 players on the lane |
|
In the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and each extra period following a timeout, the ball will be inbounded from the offensive team’s frontcourt opposite the scorer’s table |
Advancement of the Ball after a Timeout: For 7-8 year olds, the focus is on development over strategy. Therefore, there is no pressing defense at this level, and the ball will not automatically advance after a timeout. Similarly, the ball does not advance after a timeout for 9-11 year olds because the focus remains on development over strategy.
To see the full recommendations by age segment, see the links below.