A FEW SIMPLE RULES

by Ed Riley copyright 2002

It's really nice that this book is a work in process, because it allows me to receive your e-mails telling me the things that I have overlooked. And ... it appears I have overlooked a biggie, like simple rules of the game ... duh, silly ole me. So here are the most commonly asked about rules.

1. Over and Back = Once your team has the ball and crosses the 1/2 court line going toward your basket, they can't go back across the 1/2 court line for any reason. If they do, the other team gets the ball.

2. 5 Second Rule = Once the ref hands your player the ball to throw it in bounds, they have 5 seconds to actually pass it in bounds. If they don't pass it in, the other team gets the ball.

3. 10 Second Rule = A team only has 10 seconds to get the ball across the 1/2 court line.

4. 3 Second Rule = When your team has the ball, a player is only allowed to be in the paint for 3 seconds at a time or the other team gets the ball. So a player can be there for 3 seconds, step out of the paint, go back in for 3 more seconds, etc.

5.  Blocking Foul = This may be one of the most misunderstood fouls for coaches. Technically you may not touch the player with the ball, if you do it's a foul. Imagine two players racing down the court, one with the ball, one playing defense. Inevitably the two players will bump each other as they run. If the bump influences the ability of the player with the ball to make a play, then this is a BLOCKING FOUL. This is such a matter of opinion, that no two calls are alike. But now you semi-know what a blocking foul is.

6. Up & Down = In the olden days,  a player would jump in the air to shoot, see someone was going to  block the shot, so they didn't shoot but came back down with the ball instead, that was called up & down. Now they call it traveling.

7. Jump ball = A player has the ball and an opposing player grabs it and the 2 players play tug-of-war with the ball, this is a jump ball. Whoever did not get possession after the last jump ball gets it this time.

8. Another Jump Ball = A player goes up for a shot, gets the shot blocked, and both come down with the ball, this is a jump ball.

9. Lane Violation = A player shoots a free throw. No one can move off the line for a rebound until the ball hits the rim.

10. No Rim On A Free Throw = On a player's last free throw shot, if it doesn't touch the rim, the other team gets the ball.

11. Moving Screen = Once a player sets a pick or a screen, they must remain immobile, meaning they can not lean into the player they are screening. If they move, the other team gets the ball.

12. Stopping Play For An Injury = The ref can not stop a game because of an injury until that injured player's team gets the ball. Exceptions? Real serious injuries will stop any game, but not broken fingers, twisted ankles, etc.

13. Coaches On The Floor = If a coach runs out onto the court because of a possible injured player, that player in question must come out of the game and be subbed for. They can go back in on the next dead ball stoppage.

14. 5 To Begin .... One can win = You have to have 5 players to start a game. You can end the game with 5 or less. If you have 7 players and 6 foul out, the game goes on, even though you only have one player on the court. My team has actually ended a game with only 3 players left on the court.

These are the most common rules of the games that you readers have asked about, plus a few. Any questions, e-mail me at firepow55@aol.com

PS, By the time this is posted, my website should be up. In fact, half of it is up even as I type this. I have a discussion board for you folks. You can ask questions and get coaches from all over the world respond and give you ideas. (This is the part that I'm waiting on to come up.) It has gobs of plays and defenses for the more advanced teams. You can find it at

www.coachingyouthbasketball.net