LEAGUE RULES

LEAGUE FORMAT

• Boys and girls divisions are offered for teams in 1st through 8th grade.
• Games are played on Fridays and Saturdays.
• The regular season runs for six weeks, followed by championship playoffs in Week 7.
• Competitive divisions are organized for different skill levels.
• Certified referees, online scoring, and weekly standings are used throughout the season.

GAME RULES

CIF basketball rules apply, with the Focus Rising Stars League modifications listed below.

• Games consist of two 14-minute stop-clock halves.
• A ten-second backcourt violation applies to boys divisions.
• The five-second closely guarded rule applies to boys and girls divisions.
• Sixth-grade boys and older use a 29.5 basketball unless both coaches agree to use a 28.5 basketball.
• Girls divisions use a 28.5 basketball.
• Teams shoot one-and-one free throws at seven team fouls and two free throws beginning with the tenth team foul.
• The official scorebook—not the scoreboard—is final.
• If a team leads by 15 or more points in the second half, the clock runs until the lead falls below 10 points.
• Each team receives three timeouts per game.
• Warmups and halftime may be shortened when required to keep the schedule on time.

UNIFORMS

Players must wear a basketball jersey, basketball shorts, and athletic shoes. The home team is listed second and wears a white or light-colored jersey.

STANDINGS & TIEBREAKERS

1. Standings are determined by win-loss record.
2. A two-team tie is decided by head-to-head results.
3. A three-team tie is decided by point differential, capped at plus or minus 15 points per game.
4. Only games played between the tied teams are counted.
5. If teams remain tied, the order is fewest points allowed, most points scored, then a coin flip.

ROSTERS & MULTIPLE TEAMS

• Every player must appear on the team roster and scoresheet before playing.
• Using an unrostered player results in a forfeit.
• A player added to the scoresheet after the game begins results in a technical foul.
• A player may participate on two teams only when the teams are in different divisions.
• A player cannot participate in two games scheduled at the same time and must start and finish the same game.
• Any exception must be approved before the game by the league director.

ELIGIBILITY CHALLENGES

Only a coach may raise an eligibility challenge. The challenge must be made before the game begins. Once a challenge is made, the challenged team must provide acceptable proof of the player's grade eligibility. The league director's decision is final.

CODE OF CONDUCT

• Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, parents, spectators, and bench personnel.
• Only one coach may stand on the sideline.
• Misconduct on or off the court may result in ejection or individual or team disqualification.
• A championship game ended because of player, coach, or spectator misconduct will not receive trophies or awards.
• Threats or physical altercations involving players, officials, staff, coaches, or spectators may result in removal from the facility and further consequences.

GRADE DIVISIONS

Focus Rising Stars League is limited to boys and girls in 1st through 8th grade. High-school divisions and high-school eligibility rules do not apply.

Specific age cutoffs or grade exceptions not supplied for Focus Rising Stars League must be confirmed by the league director before registration is accepted.