Instructional Basketball Rules & Regulations
The Instructional Basketball Divisions at Valley AA are strictly developmental, where the focus is on player development and fun. We do not keep score in any of the Instructional Basketball Divisions.
Referees: There are no official referees in any of the Instructional Basketball Divisions. Coaches will serve as game referees. Coaches have been guided to call the games as fair as possible, this means that coaches can be on the floor during the game. Because this is a developmental league, traveling calls and double dribble calls will not be called. Coaches are to remind and encourage players to dribble the ball while they are in possession of it.
Size of Ball: Size 27.5 (Size 5) Basketballs in all Instructional Basketball Divisions.
PRACTICE STRUCTURE
| Practice Length | Court Set-up | Practice + Game Duration | Practice + Game Start Times (Instr. Boys & Girls) | Practice + Game Start Times (Little Dribblers) |
| 25 - 30 minutes Skills & Drills | Each team has half the court for practice | 60 minutes | 6:30pm or 7:30pm | Saturday 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm |
GAME STRUCTURE
| Game Length | Scoring | Start of Game Possession |
| Minimum: Two 15-minute halves Running clocks in each half | All field goals: 2 points No 3-point field goals | Home Team awarded possession. Starts with throw-in at half court |
Start of Game Possession: For Instructional Boys & Girls, as well as Little Dribblers, the home team will start with the ball to mitigate significant differences in height and coordination among children. Alternating possession rules will then ensue throughout the game.
GAME TACTICS
| Playing Time | Set Defense | Pressing Defense | Double-Team & Crowding | Stealing from the Dribbler |
| Equal Playing Time | Only player-to-player defense | Pressing is not allowed | Double-Team and Crowding is not allowed | Stealing from the dribbler is not allowed |
Definitions
● Player-to-Player Defense
● Each player is responsible for guarding and moving with one offensive player. This requires the defensive player to move according to the offensive player’s movements with or without the ball.
● Defense can only be played up to the three-point line.
● If an offensive player with the ball advances past their defensive player, another defender may rotate to guard that offensive player.
● Pressing Defense – Defensive guarding, either on or off the ball, within the backcourt.
● Double-Team/Crowding – Two or more defensive players guarding a single offensive player
● Stealing from the Dribbler – Defensive players are not to reach in/at the dribbler.
Rationale
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 all Instructional Basketball Divisions. Equal and fair playing time is encouraged throughout all segments of the game.
Set Defense: The player-to-player requirement for the Instructional Basketball Divisions encourages physical activity and movement, and promotes the development of individual skill related to guarding a player both on and off the ball.
Pressing Defense: Pressing defense is prohibited in the Instructional Basketball Divisions, in order to help children develop principles of movement with and without the ball in a half-court setting.
Double-Team/Crowding: Crowding the ball with multiple players (referred to as “double-teaming”) is not allowed in any of the Instructional Basketball Divisions due to skill and size discrepancies among children at these ages.
Stealing from the Dribbler: In the Instructional Basketball Divisions, 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. Passes may be stolen.
Code of Conduct
● Players, coaches, parents and spectators are expected to show respect for one another.
● Keep all cheering in a positive manner and show good sportsmanship.
● Berating, fighting, foul language, and swearing is not allowed.
● Unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind is not tolerated whether during the game or afterward in the parking lot, etc.
● Violation of these rules for a player or coach may result in a suspension from the league with no refund.
● Coaches are in charge of their parents. If your parents are screaming at the other team players, the other coach; please do your best to calm them down.
○ If you have a parent who does not listen to you, becomes aggressive, etc, please do not go "toe to toe" with them. Text or call the Instructional Basketball Commissioner.
● Any spectator or parent using foul language or determined to be acting inappropriately by coaches or Valley AA administration may be ejected.
● Multiple game suspensions could be imposed by the league commissioner, depending on the severity of the situation and offense.
(updated 8/8/2025)