Spring and Winter Hoops Rules

Spring and Winter Hoops Rules

Spring & Winter Hoops Basketball League Rules

Ball Sizes

  • 28.5 basketballs: Divisions GD1, GD2, D1
  • 30.0 basketballs: Divisions D2, D3

General Playing Rules

Game Structure

  1. Four (4) eight-minute quarters
    • Running clock for the first 6 minutes of each quarter.
    • Clock stops on all whistles during the last 2 minutes of each quarter.
    • Two (2) full time-outs per half (45-second warning horn; 60 seconds total).
    • Time-outs do not carry over (use or lose).
    • 2-minute break between quarters, 4-minute halftime.

1a. Running Clock Rule

  • Clock runs entire game except last 2 minutes of each quarter.

1b. Mercy Rule

  • If a team leads by 20+ points in the last 2 minutes of any quarter, the stop-clock rule is removed.

Overtime

  1. Three-minute overtime periods, repeated until a winner is determined.
  • Clock stops on all whistles during the last 2 minutes.
  • Each team receives one full time-out per overtime.

Pressing & Defense

  1. Pressing allowed all game except when a team leads by 15+ points.
  • No pressing allowed with 15-point lead.
  • D1 may zone press in the frontcourt only.

3a. Defensive Restrictions

  • Division 1: Must play man-to-man defense.
  • Divisions 2 & 3: Zone or man allowed.

3b. Division 1 Playing Time Rule

  • With 6 or more players present:
    • No player may play more than 28 minutes.
    • No player may play less than 16 minutes.
  • Exceptions: fouling out or injury reducing roster below 6.
  • Penalty: game forfeiture.
  • Second offense: coach removed.

Substitutions

  1. All substitutes must check in at scorer’s table.
    • May only enter on a dead ball.
    • If checking in during a time-out, player still check in at table.

Mandatory Playing Time per Division

  • GD1, GD2, D1: 2 quarters per player.
  • D2, D3: 1 quarter per player.

Roster & Player Availability Rules

  1. Seven-minute grace period from scheduled start.
  • Minimum 5 players to begin.
  • Teams may play with 4 players.
  • Teams with only 4 players may draft down from lower division.
  • If a player fouls out with only 5 or fewer players available:
    • Player may continue; team receives a technical foul (max twice—third time player is out).
  1. No jewelry unless for religious reasons; must be taped.
  1. Uniform Requirements
  • Must wear official Winter/Spring Hoops jersey with number.
  • Duplicate jersey numbers = team starts with a technical foul.
  • Forgotten jersey = team starts with a technical foul.

7a. Playing Up

  • Player must be evaluated by HBA board.
  • Must have 100+ points in previous lower division season.
  • Players with 100+ points cannot be on the same team in the same division.

Sportsmanship & Discipline

  1. Ejections
  • Two technicals in a game = ejection.
  • Ejection due to behavior → minimum 1-game suspension (next game).
  • Coach with 2 technicals in a season = 1-game suspension.
  • Second ejection in a season = suspension for rest of season including playoffs
  • Ejected individuals must leave the gym immediately for rest of that day and next game. (under adult supervision, if player)
  • Flagrant foul = immediate ejection + 1-game suspension.
  • Two flagrant fouls in season = season termination.

8a. Verbal Abuse

  • Not tolerated toward players, officials, scorekeepers, clock keepers, or HBA board.
  • First offense: 1-game suspension.
  • Second offense: expulsion from league.

8b. Hope Rule

  • Injured player must leave game for 2 minutes unless a time-out is called.
  • If no time-outs remain, player must sit 2 minutes.

Playoff Seeding

  1. Tie-breaking rules:
  • If teams played twice:
    • If one team won both → higher seed.
    • If split → team allowing fewest points gets higher seed.

Additional Division Rules

  1. Man-to-Man Requirements
  • GD1, GD2, D1: Man-to-man only (zone press allowed until midcourt).
  • Zone defense = technical foul.
  • D2 and D3 = zone or man defense
  1. Shot Clock (Division 3)
  • 30-second shot clock.
  • Resets on rim hits and fouls.
  • Violation = turnover.
  1. Minimum Players Per Division
  • May play with 4 players (7-minute grace applies). Opposing coach may choose to use 4 or 5 players.
  • Drafting down allowed:
    • D1 → may draft from Jr Hoops.
    • D2 → may draft from D1.
    • D3 → may draft from D2.
  • Drafted players may play one game only unless board approves permanent addition.

12a. Forfeits

  • Two forfeits = team eliminated from playoffs (all divisions).

Girls Divisions

Girls Division 1

  • 6-minute quarters.
  • Clock stops last 2 minutes of every quarter.
  • Pressing allowed only last 2 minutes of 4th quarter, and only if team is not up by more than 10 points.

Girls Division 2

  • Pressing allowed last 2 minutes of 3rd & 4th quarters, if not up by more than 10.
  • Clock rules same as boys.

 

HBA Questions and Answers

Have a question not below, Call or Text us and we will answer it. 609-540-0419

 

Below are questions and answers from parents who are interested in having there child play basketball for HBA.

My child’s basketball skill level is beginner, so I was going to sign him/her up for the other organization in town until he/she gets better. This is the wrong answer. First off, we at HBA take all skill level players. Players learn from experienced coaches, free clinics and other players how to play the game the correct way. We have limited restrictions on how the game of basketball is played. We follow local travel and high school rules. All our games are played on 10 foot baskets and in full size gyms. Our teams are drafted by the coaches and reviewed by HBA for balance. Because of the variety of skill level in our league and on each team, one player will not be able to dominate an entire team as in some rec leagues. The HBA experience is about learning the game of basketball and having fun.

I am new to the Township and was wondering what the difference between HBA and the other organizations out there?
We No Basketball. We played basketball. And we coached Basketball. HBA does not break the bank to play basketball for us.
HBA is dedicated to one thing and that is basketball only. We only run basketball programs. All HBA games are played on regulation size courts and baskets. Our rules are simple, just play basketball, have fun and learn the game. In addition to the games and practices, we offer some free basketball clinics throughout the season for our players. Your child will learn the game; our coaches have played high school or college basketball and know the game and are there to teach your child. At HBA we believe that practice is more important than the games. What is learned in practice can be used in the games.
 

My child is in the 4th grade. What Division will he or she be in?

Divisions are broken down by grade. Division 1 consists of 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Division 2 consists of 6th, 7th and 8th graders and Division 3 consists of 9th to 12th graders.

My child plays for another organization and gets to play 2 quarters per game. Does HBA have the same rules?

Yes, but we have a catch. Our teams only consist of 9 players.
This gives the coach the ability to play kids longer than the 2 quarters.
Our Division 1 has a mandatory 2 quarter playing time. Our Division 2 & 3 is a little bit different. Divisions 2 & 3 only gets 1 quarter mandatory. Each player gets to earn their time.

Is HBA a Non Profit organization?

Yes, HBA has been a non profit organization since its inception. All fees collected are put back into the basketball programs we run. The fees are used to pay for gym time, insurance, equipment, uniforms and referees.

My child has been playing basketball for years now at another organization, why should we switch to HBA?

This is a no brainer; first off your child must like to play basketball. Would you have your child play Baseball, Football or Soccer from an organization that does not specialize in Baseball, Football or Soccer? At HBA, we only do Basketball and will teach your child the game. See the first FAQ above for additional reasons to switch. If your child likes to play basketball, HBA is the place to play.


My son’s/daughter’s best friend(s) are playing at another organization in town, but he/she wants to play HBA. Who should we play for?

This is a hard decision for parents and kids. Everyone wants to play with their friends. But if your son/daughter is interested in learning and playing the game of basketball, HBA is the way to go. Invite their friends to play as well. We’re sure that they will have a great experience playing HBA basketball also.

Does HBA have referees?

HBA will have 2 referees for every game.
HBA will only employ referees that have passed there floor certification and are patched.
You will also see our referees refereeing at high school varsity and JV games.


What is the difference between Spring Hoops and Winter Hoops?

In Winter Hoops we have a lower registration due to the fact that kids are playing organized basketball, whether it being travel or school basketball. In Spring Hoops we get all the travel and school players playing. The rules are the same.

I see that HBA is affiliated with the Jr. NBA and WNBA so is the other organization in town. What is the difference?

When HBA started out 17 years ago we were the first organization in the area to become affiliated with the Jr.NBA and WNBA. We were the first to offer everything online.  The others just wanted to get on the band wagon. HBA has the rights to use the Jr.NBA/WNBA logo on our website and jerseys, the other organization does not.

What makes HBA so different then the other organizations?

HBA wants to make basketball better in Hopewell Township. We want our kids to learn the game at an early age like all the other townships are doing.
We offer more basketball programs then any other organization in Mercer County.
HBA has 2 websites www.hopewellbasketball.com and www.mercercountybasketball.com.
Both websites are updated daily during the basketball season. The www.hopewellbasketball.com site has the schedules posted for all the Spring Hoops and Winter Hoops games. So there is no need to have a schedule to lose. The www.hopewellbasketball.com site also has write ups, stats and pictures of all the games. This site is updated daily during the regular seasons. The www.mercercountybasketball.com site is the over flow and sister site and is used for out of town enrollments. .
Both are set up for easy online registration for all our programs. And we accept all major credit cards. Other organizations do not have the online registration. We offer 5 to 7 free clinics a year for our players. We also have a major sponsor for our league. Dick’s Sporting Goods has been our sponsor for the last 16 years and every year Dick’s Sporting Goods in Princeton has had a HBA night at their store. HBA players can get 20 to 40% off of basketball equipment. At HBA we will go the extra mile for our players.

In 2007, HBA made a donation to the Hopewell Central High School to purchase “ The Shoot Away Gun” this device will help the high school players learn to shoot the basketball and make our teams better. As our logo states we want to make basketball the # 1 sport in Hopewell.And in 2015 HBA purchased uniforms for the boy high school programs.

My Son or Daughter wants to learn the game of basketball. Why should we have them play HBA? HBA is basketball, not swimming or T ball. Like HVSA is for soccer and HVBSA is for baseball and softball. We teach the one sport.
Why would you send your child to an organization that tries to teach all the sport to learn basketball? This does not make any sense.

My son is in the 7th grade now and the other organization does not have a program for him that he played for years. Will he struggle playing HBA ball?
Yes and no. Yes. Some players who come over for the other organization struggle in the beginning of the season. HBA teaches the skills needed to play basketball. As the new player skills get better so does the player get better. On an average a 5th and 6th grader playing HBA ball for a year or so has a better skill level then the new 7th grade player starting out in HBA. This is because of lack of skills.
No, some of the 7th grader plays Spring Hoops basketball. This program gets you ready to play Winter Hoops or Travel Basketball. Basic skills are taught to the players.

It seems like the other organization has the same programs and ideas as HBA?
Well I guess HBA should be flattered
HBA starts new programs and new ideas and the other organization just copies them. HBA has been around doing basketball for 7 years now. And every year we have one of our programs or ideas copied. In 2006 HBA became the first organization to become part of the Jr.NBA in Hopewell Township. Well 3 years later the other organization copied us. HBA has the legal right to use the Jr. NBA logo on jerseys. The other organization does not. Since day one HBA has done free clinics to increase basketball awareness. Well in 2011 the other organization is doing the free clinics only to increase there camp enrollments. Not to increase your basketball skill.
In 2010/11 HBA started the Jr. Series of programs and camps to meet the needs of the K to 2nd graders. We started off with the Jr. Winter Hoops program. Then we offered the Jr Hoops summer Camp. Well don’t you know the other organization in town copied the Jr name.
And is now calling there camp the Jr. Camp.



What programs does HBA have?

Jr Winter Hoops K-2nd Grade
HBA has a basketball program for everyone.
Winter Hoops grades 3rd to 12th boys and girls
Spring Hoops 3rd to 12 grade boys and girls
Travel Basketball grades 4th to 8th boys and girls
Bulldog Boot Camp grades 6th to 12th grade
Lady Bulldog Boot Camp
Real Deal Preseason Preparation Camp
Men’s 18 and over Monday night basketball
Men’s 30 and over Thursday night basketball
Shoot it Better Mini Camp with NBA coach Hal Wissel
Basketball World Summer Camp
The Billmeier and Nardi Skills Camp grades 3rd to 9th grade boys and girls. New this year AAU teams, Jr Winter Hoops and Jr.Hoops Summer Camp. New Summer Adult Basketball League.

My son or daughter wants to play Travel Basketball. What is the difference between HBA Travel Basketball and the other organizations? HBA Travel Basketball is completive basketball and all our teams get placed into A teams leagues. The other organization is placed into B team leagues where players get equal playing time (Expensive Rec Basketball) . HBA players earn starting spots by working hard. The other organization starts players who show up early before games. 99% of HBA Travel players play on the middle and high school basketball teams. The other organization is not a feeder program for the local middle and high school.

The other organization says that every child plays and every child is a winner, what about HBA? Well, every child plays at HBA also. But we are realistic; HBA prepares your child for basketball. Not every child can be a winner at HBA. Hard work and desire make winners. HBA prepares its players to play completive basketball and have fun playing basketball.