30/30 Mini Basketball and Youth Basketball Rules

Apex Park and Recreation District’s Youth Basketball Leagues are governed by National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules with the following exceptions and modifications.

Apex Park and Recreation District shall have final say on matters not specifically listed in this rule book.

Leagues are defined as follows:

• 30/30:
  • 5U coed
  • 6U coed
• Youth:
  • 8U boys
  • 8U girls
  • 9U boys
  • 9U girls
  • 10U boys
  • 11U boys
  • 12U girls
  • 14U boys

Playoffs, Scheduling and Tie Breakers:

• All teams will receive a 7-game guarantee.
• The top teams in each division will advance to the playoffs.
  • District staff will determine how many teams from each division will advance to the playoffs.
  • District reserves the right to expand playoffs if there is availability and if it is feasible for a given league.
• Teams in 30/30 leagues will not have playoffs.
• Tiebreakers in league play between 2 or more teams will be determined by the following:
  • Winning Percentage
  • Head-to-Head
  • Head-to-Head Differential
  • Total Points Allowed
  • Total Points Differential
  • Lowest Number of Forfeits
  • Coin Toss

Payments:

• The entire league fee is due at the time of registration. This also includes the jersey.

Eligibility and Rosters:

• All players’ legal guardians must agree to the online waiver upon registration.
• To be eligible to play, players must be listed on the team’s roster on TeamSideline and be on file with district staff.
  • Players participating who are not listed on the roster may cause the violating team to forfeit the game.
• Only district staff may add players to the team rosters.
• Each team must have a minimum of 5 players and may include up to 12 players on its roster. Exceptions to this rule may be granted at the discretion of District staff.
• Players are allowed to play up an age group but may not play down.
• Players may not appear on 2 rosters within the same division.

Forfeit Procedure:

• A team must have at least 4 players to play. Teams that have fewer than 4 players at any time during the game will forfeit the game.
  • In the event of a double forfeit, each team will be credited with a loss, with the score being recorded as 0-0.
• Teams will be given a 10-minute grace period if they do not have the minimum number of legal players to begin the game. The 10 minutes will be counted as game time. If a team still does not have enough players once the 10-minute grace period has expired, they will be forced to forfeit.
• If the head coach is ejected and no assistant coach is present (who has completed all District requirements), the game shall end in a forfeit.

Coaches:

• Coaches and assistant coaches must do the following:
  • Pass a district background check.
  • Complete 3 online courses on Trusted Coaches.
  • Electronically fill out and sign (Docusign) the volunteer coach packet, which includes personal information, code of conduct, and volunteer waiver.
• Head coaches will receive free league entry for their child (limit one per team served as head coach).
• During games, only one coach may be standing, and they must remain near their bench. Other coaches must be sitting.
• Coaches are expected to adhere to all district rules, policies, coaching guidelines, and philosophies. This is a recreational program; all players are to be treated equally, given equal playing time, and taught the fundamentals.
  • The district reserves the right to implement a forced rotation if playing time is not equally distributed.
• Coaches must provide players with a fun atmosphere in which they can learn and progress in a positive way.
• Coaches are responsible for the behavior of players, coaches, and parents.

Uniforms and Equipment:

• Players are required to wear the provided team shirt when playing in games.
• The home and visiting team shall be determined by the schedule.
• Athletic shoes are required.
• 27.5” basketballs will be used for the following leagues:
  • 5U, 6U, 8U boys, 8U girls, 9U boys, 9U girls
• 28.5” basketballs will be used for the following leagues:
  • 10U boys, 11U boys, 12U girls
• 29.5” basketballs will be used for the following leagues:
  • 14U boys
• 8’ basket heights will be used for the following leagues:
  • 5U, 6U, 8U boys, 8U girls
• 9’ basket heights will be used for the following leagues:
  • 9U boys, 9U girls
• 10’ basket heights will be used for the following leagues:
  • 10U boys, 11U boys, 12U girls, 14U boys

Overtime:

• In the event of a tie score at the end of the regulation game time (for youth leagues), an overtime period will be played.
• Teams will not change baskets in overtime.
• Teams will be given 1 additional timeout per overtime period. Timeouts do not carry over into overtime.
• The overtime period will be 2 minutes in length (following a 1-minute intermission), and regulation timing will be used.
• If the score remains tied at the end of the overtime period, a new overtime period will begin, and the team that scores first will win the game. The team must win by two points or more.

Mercy Rules and Sportsmanship:

• At any point in the game, if the point differential between teams reaches 15 points or greater, the visible scoreboard will be frozen. The official scorekeepers will continue to record all scoring activity on the official scoresheet, ensuring accurate game records are maintained.
  • If the point differential subsequently decreases to 10 points or fewer, the scoreboard shall be reactivated and the actual score on the scoresheet redisplayed.
  • Should the differential again reach 15 points or greater, the scoreboard shall be refrozen, and this process shall repeat as necessary for the remainder of the game.
  • If the final score reflects a point differential of 15 points or greater, the score entered in TeamSideline will reflect a maximum victory margin of 15 points, regardless of the actual score recorded on the official scoresheet.
• At any point during gameplay, if the point differential between the competing teams reaches 10 points or greater, the leading team shall be strictly prohibited from employing a full-court press-including initiating defensive pressure prior to the half-court line, attempting to steal the ball before the offensive team crosses half court, or engaging in double-teaming at any location on the court-until the point differential is reduced to 9 points or fewer, at which time these restrictions shall no longer apply.
• The 3-Pass Rule shall be instituted on the leading team if, at any point in the game, their lead increases to at least 15 and remains in place until their lead is decreased to less than 10 points.
  • Passes must be to 3 different players and at the discretion of the officials, must be at a reasonable distance.
  • Passes will only count if they occur past midcourt.
  • Teams that violate this rule will be given a warning on the first offense, and then turnovers will occur on subsequent violations. 

30/30 Leagues Game Play:

• 30/30 league games will have the following breakdown:
  • 24-minute practice
  • 2-minute transition period
  • 15-minute first half
  • 2-minute halftime
  • 15-minute second half
• Games shall be 5v5.
  • If one team has fewer than 5 players, games should be 4v4.
  • If one team has fewer players than the other team, sharing players is permitted to increase the playing time for each player.
• As players enter the game, they are required to wear a colored wristband that will correspond with an opposing player’s wristband. Players are required to only defend the opposing player who is wearing their same-colored wristband.
• In all 30/30 leagues, stealing the ball is prohibited. If a steal occurs, possession will be returned to the team that initially lost the ball.
• There are no timeouts, but games may be halted to address an injury or extenuating circumstance. Game clocks do not stop.
• Teams will not switch baskets to start the second half.
• Scores and standings are not kept. A parent may volunteer to keep time on the scoreboard, but no scores will be shown or kept.
• The penalty for all fouls and violations will be a throw-in for the opposing team.

Youth Leagues Game Play:

• Each team must provide a volunteer to assist at the scorekeeper’s table. This can include keeping the official score sheet or running the scoreboard. Volunteers should be selected in advance of the game to ensure the games proceed in a timely manner.
  • Scorekeepers and scoreboard operators are not granted any special privileges in relation to the game. If they are found to be intentionally misleading the officials, a technical foul shall be issued against the team they represent, they may be required to vacate the facility, and a new representative for that team shall be immediately selected.
• All league games will consist of four 10-minute running clock quarters.
  • Time between quarters will be 30 seconds in length.
• The clock will only be stopped for team and official timeouts.
• If the score is within 10 points, the clock will also stop for the last two minutes of the fourth quarter. The clock will be stopped for balls going out of bounds, fouls, and shooting free throws.
• The halftime will be 2 minutes.
• To start the second half, teams will switch baskets.
• Teams will be given two 1-minute timeouts per game.
  • In the case of overtime, teams will be granted 1 time-out per overtime period.
• To start the game and each extra period, the ball shall be put in play in the center circle by a jump ball between any two opponents.
  • In all other jump ball situations, including the start of the second half, teams will alternate taking the out-of-bounds for a throw-in.
  • The team that does not obtain control of the original jump ball will start the alternating possession procedure.
• For 8U and 9U leagues, backcourt guarding is prohibited. Once a team gains possession in its backcourt, the opposing defense must promptly retreat behind the frontcourt restraining line and remain there until the ball has advanced past midcourt.
  • The restraining line shall be the first line beyond half court and varies between the respective facilities.
    • Refer to district staff for clarification.
  • A pass which crosses the center line shall be in play for both teams.
  • Note: It is impossible for the defense to gain possession before the ball crosses the half-court line unless the offense is guilty of an unforced foul or violation.
    • Unforced means that the foul or violation did not occur because of the opposing team unlawfully playing defense in the backcourt.
  • For 8U and 9U leagues, man-to-man defense is mandatory.
    • Wristbands will not be utilized for defensive assignments.
    • Officials reserve the right to pause play at their discretion.
    • If a steal occurs because of illegal double-teaming, possession will be awarded back to the team that originally lost the ball.
  • For 8U and 9U leagues, the standard 3-second violation will be adjusted to allow up to 5 seconds in the lane before a call is made.

Fouls, Free Throws and Scoring:

• After committing 5 fouls, players must leave the game and are no longer allowed to participate.
• Officials may issue technical fouls at any point once players arrive at a facility, including prior to the start of the game, if players from the incoming team pose an undue distraction to the incumbent teams.
  • In this case, the game would begin with the administration of the foul.
• At any time during games, officials can issue a technical foul to parents or spectators for exhibiting unsportsmanlike behavior. These technical fouls will go against their team or coach.
• If players or coaches receive 2 technical fouls in the same game, they will be ejected from the game.
• If a team receives 3 technical fouls in the same game, the game will immediately end in a forfeit.
• Once a team commits five or more fouls within a quarter, the opposing team will be awarded two free throws (double bonus).
• To start each quarter, team fouls are reset to 0.
• Leagues 10U and Under: In the interest of supporting younger and smaller-statured players, no violation will be assessed if a player steps beyond the designated restraining line while attempting a free throw, provided the ball is released and contacts the rim. If the referee determines this was done to secure a rebounded ball, a violation shall be called.
• Three-point baskets shall be counted in any league as long as a three-point arch is permanently marked on the court.

Facilities:

• In each facility the league utilizes, including district facilities, we are guests. All players and children shall follow all facilities and league rules, and all coaches and parents shall assist in their enforcement.
• All participants and spectators must remain inside the gymnasium for the duration of their game. Children should not be allowed to roam and must remain in the company of an adult.
• There shall be no dribbling of the ball in the hallways or lobbies of any facility at any time, nor inside the gymnasium if there is a game in progress.
• Spectators and anyone not listed on the team's roster are prohibited from being on the court, including shooting, before games, after quarters, at halftime, and after games.
• For district facilities, admission into youth basketball does not include admission to the rest of the facility. Payment of regular admission is required for the use of other areas, except for the restrooms.
• For Jeffco schools, there is no wandering allowed. Participants and spectators shall go directly from the entrance to the court and vice versa, unless they go to the restroom. All children must always be in the presence of their caretaker.
• Officials are authorized to issue technical fouls for failure to abide by facility rules.
• Failure to comply with these rules may result in removal from the league with no refund provided.

Ejections:

• Any official, district employee, or representative has the authority to require any coaches, players, or spectators to leave the facility at any time. Failure to comply, including by a spectator, may result in the game ending in a forfeit by the offending team and further action by Apex Park and Recreation District.
• Any person who engages in a physical or verbal confrontation outside the nature of basketball shall be disqualified from the game and will be required to vacate the facility.
• If a coach, parent, player, or spectator:
  • Gets ejected for the first time: Minimum 1 game suspension.
  • Gets ejected for the second time: Minimum 2-game suspension.
  • Gets ejected for the third time: The individual is removed from the league.
• Adults who get ejected must leave the facility immediately. If officials deem an ejected adult is intentionally taking too long to leave and delaying the resumption of gameplay, officials have the right to assess a penalty, including calling the game and awarding the win to the opposing team. This is a judgment call by the officials and is not subject to dispute or appeal.
• If players get ejected, they should leave the facility immediately if their guardians are present.

Smoking and Alcohol:

• No smoking or vaping of any kind will be permitted.
• No consumption of alcohol will be allowed before, during, or after the game anywhere on the premises. This includes water bottles or anything similar.
• Glass bottles of any kind are prohibited.

Bleeding and Injuries:

• Any participant who is bleeding, has an open wound, or has an excessive amount of blood on their uniform must leave the game.
• The participant may not return until either the bleeding has stopped, the wound has been covered and bandaged, and/or the uniform has been changed.
• A player who has been injured and requires assistance may remain in the game after they have been tended to, but must exit the game while being treated so that the game may resume.
• Any player exhibiting symptoms of a concussion shall be removed for the remainder of the game.

Insurance:

• The district does not provide insurance coverage for players, coaches, or spectators. You are strongly advised to check your coverage with your personal carrier to ensure you are covered for accidents or injuries, including ambulance transportation.

Inclement Weather Policy:

• Check com/Apex for weather updates. We will make every effort to play games and reschedule only if necessary.
• In the event of cancellation, team contacts will be notified via email or text from TeamSideline.com (individuals must register for text messages to receive them).
• If a game must be called due to inclement weather, darkness, lighting, etc., it shall be resumed from the exact point where it was stopped.
• Rainout and Makeup Policy: It is the district’s policy to make up games as courts or fields are available. Makeup games may be required to be played on weekends or weeknights that differ from a team’s regularly scheduled day. If teams are not available for the scheduled makeup, they will be forced to forfeit.

Jewelry:

• All exposed jewelry or other items that are deemed to be hazardous or potentially dangerous by the officials may not be worn during the game.
• Players are ineligible to play until the jewelry is removed.
• The district strongly recommends that no type of jewelry be worn in any league.

Revised 11/6/2025