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Playing Rules

Playing Rules

 
The league consists of seven (7) divisions as follows:
 
BIDDY 'A':     Boys & Girls combined, ages 11-12 only (cannot be 13 prior to 3/18/24)
 

BIDDY 'B':     Boys & Girls combined, ages 9-10 only (cannot be 11 prior to 3/18/24)

BIDDY 'C':     Boys & Girls combined, ages 7-8 only. (cannot be 9 prior to 3/18/24)

JUNIOR BOYS:    13-15 years old (cannot be 16 prior to 3/18/24)

INTERMEDIATE BOYS: 16-18 years old (cannot be 19 prior to 3/18/24)

GIRL’S OPEN:    Open Division – age 13 & above suggested.

JUNIOR GIRLS:   13-18 years old (cannot turn 19 prior to 3/18/24)

SENIOR MEN:      18 years and older - no upper age limit

 

Eligibility:

1.         Players must be baptized Eastern Orthodox Christians and a member of an Orthodox parish.  Players must play for his/her own parish if they have a team entered in the league.

2.         Only individuals of amateur status are eligible.

3.         Each team is limited to one coach and one manager.  All others on the bench must be in uniform.
 
4.         Teams will designate one player as captain; only the captain and/or the coach will be allowed to talk to the officials during the playing of the game.
 

5.         All teams must wear matching shirts with numbers. It will be expected that all players will keep their uniform shirts tucked in during the games.  This will be enforced by the league and officials.

6.         All participants are governed by the O.Y.A.A. "Players Code of Conduct" and the "Managers Code of Conduct".

7.         Rosters and Registration & Release Forms for each player must be completed, signed and received by the OYAA to participate.

8.         All registration material must be received prior to the deadline in order for a team to be scheduled.
 
9.         Players are required to remove all jewelry prior to game time.  This includes earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches and rings.  This will be enforced by officials.
 

10.        Players are eligible to participate for only one (1) team during the season or Tournament.  Any player participating with any other team will cause the team to forfeit the game(s) in which he/she plays.

 Playing Rules:

All games will be played under Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) rules except as noted otherwise.

1.          For Biddy A, B, C; Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Intermediates - Games will consist of four (4) eight (8) minute quarters.  Clock will stop only for shooting fouls and time-outs.  The last two (2) minutes of each half, the clock will stop for all whistles. For Seniors during the season – Games will consist of two (2) twenty (20) minute halves.  Clock will only stop on time outs, and every whistle the last minute of the 1st half and on every whistle last two minutes of the 2nd half.  FOR ALL TEAMS - Clock will run the last 2 minutes of any game when a lead is 20 points or greater.

Tournament Rules are different -please see tournament packet. 
 

2.         Overtime is 4 minutes in length. Overtime is running clock except for the last minute, which is stop clock on all whistles.

3.         Alternating possession rule applies.

4.         Three-point shot applies in all gyms with appropriate markings.

5.        NEW FOR 2023-24: For Intermediates Boys, Jr. Boys, Jr. Girls, Biddy A, Biddy B and Biddy C- Beginning with the 5th team foul per quarter, the opposing team will shoot two (2) free throws.  Team fouls re-set each quarter.  For Seniors playing 20-minute halves -  Bonus free throw begins on the seventh (7) team foul of each half. Beginning with the tenth (10) team foul in each half, team automatically shoots two (2) free throws (superbonus).

6.         All technical fouls also count as personal fouls and will be applied to your team fouls. Two (2) technical fouls is an ejection from the game.  Two ejections in a season will result in being expelled for the remainder of the season and tournament.

7.         A player, coach or manager removed from a game by an official, or through technical fouls, will be subject to discipline from the league including suspension from participating in future games.

8.         Game time is forfeit time. Teams must have five (5) players dressed in uniform on the floor and ready to play when the official blows the whistle  -- unless OYAA deems otherwise.

9.         Girls division will use the smaller (285) ball.

10.        Four full (4) time-outs per game at the coach's option.

11.        NO DUNKING allowed at any time.  A technical foul will be assessed and any made basket will be waived off.

12.        O.Y.A.A. RESERVES THE RIGHT TO RULE ON ALL CONTROVERSIES.
 
 BIDDY DIVISION RULES
 

Biddy ('A') Division is for boys & girls, ages 11-12 only.  Players outside these age guidelines, whose skills and physical ability allow them to compete, can be included on the roster but only if the Exception to Guidelines Form has been approved the OYAA.  Players cannot be 13 during the season or Tournament.  Recommend a minimum of eight players per team. Players cannot play in more than one division or for more than one team.  Rules:

 1.       Games will consist of four(4) eight (8) minute quarters.  Clock will stop only for shooting fouls and time-outs.  The last two (2) minutes of each half, the clock will stop for all whistles.  Alternate possession rule applies.  If the game ends in a tie, one overtime period, lasting 3 minutes, may be played.  In the Tournament, all games are played in the same format as the season except for the Biddy A Tournament Final – this game is stop clock on all whistles. 

2.       Biddy A Division does not allow full court pressing or half-court trapping at any time.  

3.       After inbounding the ball, the ball must be advanced across the half-court line within 10 seconds.

4.       When the score exceeds 20 points differential, the higher score will not be kept on the scoreboard until the other team gets within 12 points - then higher score will continue.

5.       A five-second rule in the lane applies (officials are encouraged to tell players to leave this area rather than call this violation on the first offense).

6.       Two time-outs per half - non-accumulative.  One additional 30-second time out can be used in either half.  Any 4th quarter time-out taken must be inbounded at the half-court line, and only entered into the front-court.  

7.     Personal fouls are recorded and five (5) personal fouls results in disqualification.  New for 2023-24: Beginning with the 5th team foul per quarter, the opposing team will shoot two (2) free throws.  Team fouls re-set each quarter  Any technical foul called against a Biddy A player results in automatic disqualification.

8.       Free throws are shot from a line one foot in front of the regular free throw line.  Foul line is flexible for younger players.

9.       Special biddy sized ball (285) is used.  Biddy A plays games on 10” rim and generally on a full-court.

10.   All players dressed must play in each half.  Coaches are encouraged to match up players when substituting.

11.   Sportsmanship lines must be held at the conclusion of each game - coaches, players and parents should encourage team fraternization and Orthodox fellowship.  Coaches will be held fully responsible for ensuring this occurs.

12.   Any coach or player (or parent causing a disturbance) who receives a technical foul will automatically be placed on probation pending review of the incident by the OYAA. If any action is to be taken, it will be done so prior to the next contest by written notification.

13.   All rules governed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) except where noted above.

14.   The O.Y.A.A. reserves the right to rule on all controversies.

BIddy ('B') Division is for boys & girls, ages 9-10 only.  Players outside these age guidelines, whose skills and physical ability allow them to compete, can be included on the roster but only if the Exception to Guidelines Form has been approved the OYAA. Recommend a minimum of eight players per team. Players cannot play in more than one division or for more than one team.  Rules: 

1.       Games will consist of four(4) eight (8) minute quarters.  Clock will stop only for shooting fouls and time-outs.  The last two (2) minutes of each half, the clock will stop for all whistles.  Alternate possession rule applies.  If the game ends in a tie, one overtime period, lasting 3 minutes, may be played in the Tournament only.  In the Tournament, all games are played in the same format as the season except for the Biddy B Tournament Final – this game is stop clock on all whistles.

2.       Biddy B Division does not allow full court pressing or half-court trapping (at any time).

3.       After inbounding the ball, the ball must be advanced across the half-court line within 10 seconds.

4.       When the score exceeds 20 points differential, the higher score will not be kept on the scoreboard until the other team gets within 12 points - then higher score will continue.

5.       A five-second rule in the lane applies (officials are encouraged to tell players to leave this area rather than call this violation on the first offense).

6.       Two time-outs per half - non-accumulative.  One additional 30-second time out can be used in either half.  Any 4th quarter time-out taken must be inbounded at the half-court line, and only entered into the front-court.  

7.     Personal fouls are recorded and five (5) personal fouls results in disqualification.  New for 2023-24: Beginning with the 5th team foul per quarter, the opposing team will shoot two (2) free throws.  Team fouls re-set each quarter  Any technical foul called against a Biddy B player results in automatic disqualification.

8.       Free throws are shot from a line one foot in front of the regular free throw line.  Foul line is flexible for younger players.

9.       Special biddy sized ball (285) is used.  Biddy B plays games on 10” rim and usually on a shortened (side-to-side) court.

10.   All players dressed must play in each half.  Coaches are encouraged to match up players when substituting.

11.   Sportsmanship lines must be held at the conclusion of each game - coaches, players and parents should encourage team fraternization and Orthodox fellowship.  Coaches will be held fully responsible for ensuring this occurs.

12.   Any coach or player (or parent causing a disturbance) who receives a technical foul will automatically be placed on probation pending review of the incident by the OYAA. If any action is to be taken, it will be done so prior to the next contest by written notification.  

13.   All rules governed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) except where noted above.

14.   The O.Y.A.A. reserves the right to rule on all controversies.

 

Biddy (‘C’) Division is for ages 7-8 only, and is an instructional division designed players with limited or beginning skills.    Players outside these age guidelines, whose skills and physical ability allow them to compete, can be included on the roster but only if the Exception to Guidelines Form has been approved the OYAA. Recommend a minimum of eight players per team. Players cannot play in more than one division or for more than one team.  Rules: 

1.       Games will consist of four(4) eight (8) minute quarters.  Clock will be stopped at the 4:00 minute mark of each quarter to allow for substitutions. Clock will also stop for shooting fouls and time-outs.  Alternate possession rule applies.  If the game ends in a tie, there is NO overtime.

2.       Each team may have one coach on the floor during the game.  Coaches will also serve as Referees to make sure the game is being played according to OYAA rules stated in this section.  

3.       Players on each team will wear colored wrist bands (5 different colors) and be matched up with the opposing player wearing the same colored wrist band.   Players are encouraged to play man-to-man defense on that player only and may not double-team any other player.  

4.       Biddy C Division does not allow any full court pressing or half-court trapping (at any time).   Defensive players may not steal a ball in possession of another player or block shots.  Once a ball is rebounded by a defense, all other players must proceed up the court and may not pressure the rebounder or any other player designated to bring the ball up on offense.   Players should be encouraged to play defense "with their feet”.

5.       After inbounding the ball, the ball should be advanced across the half-court line within 10 seconds.   But, there are no back-court violations that may be called by the official.

6.       For Biddy C, the score is kept by quarter only, and then "zeroed out” at the end of each quarter.  No final score or results are kept. 

7.       A five-second rule in the lane applies (coaches and officials are encouraged to tell players to leave this area rather than call this violation on the first offense).

8.       Two time-outs per half - non-accumulative.

9.     No personal fouls recorded - only team fouls Officials should warn players about excessive physical play before calling fouls. If a player commits a traveling, double-dribbling and other minor violation, they should be reminded first before calling the violation. 

10.  Free throws are shot from a line one foot in front of the regular free throw line.  Foul line is flexible and can be moved even closer for younger players.

11.   Youth sized (275) ball should be used or no bigger than a 285 size ball.  Biddy C uses an 8” rim for games.

12.  All players dressed must play in each half.  Coaches are encouraged to match up players when substituting and to ensure even playing time (as much as possible) for all players.

13.   Sportsmanship lines must be held at the conclusion of each game - coaches, players and parents should encourage team fraternization and Orthodox fellowship.  Coaches will be held fully responsible for ensuring this occurs.

14.  Any coach or player (or parent causing a disturbance) who receives a technical foul will automatically be placed on probation pending review of the incident by the OYAA. If any action is to be taken, it will be done so prior to the next contest by written notification.

15.   All rules governed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) except where noted above.

16.  The O.Y.A.A. reserves the right to rule on all controversies.

 

GENERAL BIDDY DIVISION EXPECTATIONS

The Biddy divisions, at all 3 levels, are supposed to instructional to help the players learn the game of basketball without the pressure of winning as the focus.   Winning should never be a priority, and coaches should be self-aware of game decisions that are often made only because you are trying to win a game.  The OYAA understands that children are very aware of needing to "win” but this should never be encouraged or fueled by the coach.   Competition naturally increases as children move up through the different levels.

 Playing time should be balanced among all players.  While players have different skills levels within each division, there should be no "star players” who get more playing time than others.  Everyone should be given the opportunity to play regularly to improve basketball skills.

 Coaches are expected to address any problems or concerns with parents/fans from their parish.  Unsportsmanlike behavior, booing, cheering against the opposing team, swearing, etc are NEVER acceptable and must be immediately addressed.   Players from both teams should be encouraged and applauded.