Rules, Regulations and Standards of Gameplay are listed below, we are always updating our rules and regulations to better serve our members and help run a smoother program. MNASE League rules are a combination of guidelines set by the USA Basketball Community, and modified by MNASE to help operate a more exciting, fun and competitive season for all athletes.
Rules and Regulations for the each division may differ, the rules and standards are in your 3 ring binder for review at all times and may be accessed here as well.
Please check your division to make sure you have reviewed and understand the rule and standards of game play for your division in which you are enrolling to participate.
EQUIPMENT AND COURT SPECIFICATIONS
Playing Segment | Size of Ball | Height of Basket | Size of Court | Distance of 3-Point Arc | Distance of Free-Throw Line |
9U and 11U Divisions | Boys and Girls size 5 (27.5”) | 10" | 74’x50’ or smaller | 19'9" | 14’ |
13U and 15U Divisions | Boys and Girls size regulation Basketball (28.5”) | 10' | 74’x50’ or smaller | 19'9" | 14’ |
17U Division | Girls size 6 (28.5”) Boys size 7 (29.5”) | 10’ | 84’x50’ or 94’x50’ | 19’9” | 15’ |
18A Division | Girls size 6 (28.5”) Boys size 7 (29.5”) | 10’ | 94’x50’ | 22’2” or the next available line under 22’2” | 15’ |
Game Structure
Playing Segment | Game Length | Time Between Periods | Extra Period(s) | Scoring | Timeouts | Start of Game Possession |
9U and 11U Divisions | Four 7-minute periods | 1 minute | 2 minutes | Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points Field Goals Made outside of 3pt Arc: 3 points | - Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the first half of play. Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the second half of play
- One 60-second timeout granted for each extra period
- Unused timeouts may not carry over to the next half or into extra periods
| Home Team will receive the ball at the start of the game. Throw-in will be placed at the opposite end of the court along the baseline of their opponents jersey. |
13U and 15U Divisions | Four 8-minute periods | 1 minute | 2 minutes | Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points Field goal outside of 3-point arc: 3 points | - Two 30-second timeouts and One 60-second timeout permitted in the first half of play
- Two 30-second timeouts and One 60-second timeout permitted in the first second half of play
- One 30-second timeout granted for each extra period
- Unused timeouts may not carry over
| Jump Ball |
17U Divisions | 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
| - Two 30-second timeouts and One 60-second timeout permitted in the first half of play
- Two 30-second timeouts and One 60-second timeout permitted in the first second half of play
- One 30-second timeout granted for each extra period
- Unused timeouts may not carry over
| Jump ball |
18A Divisions | Four 8-minute periods | 2 minutes | 5 minutes | Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points Field goal outside of 3-point arc: 3 points | - Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the first half of play. Three 60-second timeouts permitted in the second half of play
- Maximum of 1 timeouts permitted per team in the final 2 minute of the fourth period
- One 60-second timeout granted for each extra period
- Unused timeouts may not carry over to the next half or into extra periods
| Jump ball |
RATIONALE
Start of Game Possession: For 9U and 11U Division teams home team will be awarded the ball at the start of the game on under their opponents basketball, 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), players may call timeouts if they have possession of the ball and approval from their coaches, this is applies to the current game situation at hand.
GAME TACTICS
Playing Segment | Playing Time | Set Defense | Pressing Defense | Double-Team/Crowding | Stealing from the Dribbler |
9U and 11U Divisions | Coaches Discretion | 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 |
13U and 15U Divisions | 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 15 points or more | Double-team/crowding is not allowed throughout the competition | Coaches discretion throughout the competition |
17U Divisions | 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 15 points or more | Allowed throughout the competition at coaches discretion | Coaches discretion throughout the competition |
18A Divisions | 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 |
HIGHLIGHTED GAME PLAY RULES
Playing Segment | Backcourt Timeline | Shot Clock | 5 Seconds Closely Guarded | Clock Stoppage |
9U/11U Divisions | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | On any dead ball |
13U/15U Divisions | 10 seconds | Not applicable | Only when the offensive player is holding the basketball | On any dead ball |
17U Division | 10 seconds | 30 seconds - Full 30 second reset on offensive and defensive rebounds
- Full 30 second reset on any foul
| Only when the offensive player is holding the basketball | - On any dead ball
- After a made field goal in the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and in each extra period
|
18A Division | 10 seconds | 30 seconds - 15 second reset for offensive rebound
- Full 30 second reset for fouls committed in the backcourt
- If a foul is committed in the frontcourt and the shot clock is above 15 seconds, there will be no reset and the clock will continue from the time it was stopped
- If a foul is committed in the frontcourt and the shot clock is under 15 seconds, it shall be reset to 15 seconds
| Only when the offensive player is holding the basketball | - On any dead ball
- After a made field goal in the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and in each extra period
|
RATIONALE
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.
HIGHLIGHTED GAME PLAY RULES CONTINUED
Playing Segment | Length of Time for a Free Throw | Number of Players Permitted on Free-Throw Lane | Substitutions | Advancement of Ball after a Timeout |
9u/11U Divisions | 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 |
13U/15U Divisions | 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 |
17U Division | 8 seconds | Offense may have 3 players on the lane, including the shooter Defense may have 3 players on the lane | - Either team may substitute on any dead ball
- Either team may substitute before the first free throw attempt or after the last free throw if made
- A non-scoring team may substitute after any field goal scored in the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and each extra period. If the non-scoring team substitutes, the scoring team may also substitute
| 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 |
18A Division | 5 seconds | Offense may have 3 players on the lane, including the shooter Defense may have 3 players on the lane | - Either team may substitute on any dead ball
- Either team may substitute before the first free throw attempt or after the last free throw if made
- A non-scoring team may substitute after any field goal scored in the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and each extra period. If the non-scoring team substitutes, the scoring team may also substitute
| 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 |
RATIONALE
Advancement of the Ball after a Timeout: For 9U/11U Divisions, 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.