St Christopher’s junior basketball club
Scoring
Typically parents of the players rotate through who will score each game.
This helpful 3 minute video explains how to score.
Timing
50-minute schedule:
- 2 x 20 minute halves
- 2 minute duration for half time break
The referee will:
- start the clock two (2) minutes before the starting time
- give both coaches a one (1) minute warning
- start the game clock no earlier than the game’s starting time on the fixture
Delayed start
- A late starting team is penalised one (1) game point per minute or part thereof after the fixtured start time
- If a game has not started after 10 minutes, the game will be declared a walkover
Time-outs
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Two time-outs per team per half
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No timeouts in the last minute of the first half. If a timeout is in progress, it is to cease immediately and play is to resume.
Starting and stopping the clock
The clock is only stopped during the last 2 minutes of the second half for:
- All timeouts
- All whistles (all dead ball situations) where the score difference is:
- less than 10 points in Under 10 competitions; or
- less than 20 points in Under 12 to Under 19 competitions
STOPPING THE CLOCK: when the referee blows the whistle
STARTING THE CLOCK: when the ball becomes “live”, after the ball touches or is touched by a player on the playing court
Mercy Rule (not in grading or finals games)
The leading team is required to fall back behind the three (3) point line when the trailing team in-bounds the ball. No defence may be applied until the ball crosses the centre line.
This applies at the discretion of the trailing coach (the referee should confirm with the trailing coach) and only during the competitive season (not during grading or finals games):
- In Under 10’s, when a team is leading by 10 or more points;
- In Under 12’s and above, when a team is leading by 20 or more points.
Jump ball situation and alternating possession
At the start of the game:
- Arrow should be pointing up and a jump ball starts the game
- Once a team has possession of the ball, point the arrow in the opposite direction of their goal end
Jump ball situations during the game:
- the arrow will determine which team is given possession of the ball
- scorers should wait until the ball is “live”, after the ball touches or is touched by a player on the playing court and then change the direction of the arrow
Starting the second half:
The team entitled to the next alternating possession at the end of the first half will start the next half with a throw-in at the centre line.
The direction of the arrow is NOT changed at the end of halftime and does not change until a jump ball situation occurs.
Ready to bounce into action and find out more?
Come join St Christopher's Junior Basketball Club where it’s all about having fun, building skills, and being part of a team!