TRYBil Rules

Tantasqua Regional Youth Basketball Instruction League

General Rules

This league is an instructional league with open enrollment to all boys and girls within the divisions accepted by the Board of Directors who attend schools in the member towns. It is the intent of this league to provide opportunity for the boys and girls to play basketball in a safe learning environment. It will be the intent to promote basketball fundamentals, rules, techniques and good sportsmanship. The league’s official name is: Tantasqua Regional Youth Basketball Instruction League or TRYBIL.
The League Board of Directors will consist of one member from each participating town as well as a League Director. The town representative should also be the Town Coordinator for TRYBIL. In the case that a town has multiple coordinators, one will be appointed by the town as the voting member. Each board member will represent one vote with the League Director voting only in case of a tie. The Board of Directors retains the right of final say in all matters regarding the league.
A complete copy of these rules and regulations shall be provided to all coaches by their town director. Town directors should make every effort to ensure the clear understanding, intent and compliance of these rules and regulations. Coaches are expected to know the rules and to abide by them. A copy of these rules should be available by the town coordinator at the scoring table of their gymnasium.
Prior to the first games of the season each town will submit rosters to the League Director who will distribute them to all town coordinators. These rosters will include: town, division, player names, grades, coach’s names, and coaches phone number(s). Recruiting is not allowed, if a player from one town wishes to play in another, it requires approval of both town coordinators.
Team balance: In those cases where towns are submitting multiple teams in the same division, every effort must be made to balance those teams by ability. There should be no “stacking” of teams.
There shall be no movement of players once the season begins without the approval of the town director. In no case shall there be a downward movement of a player. A player may be moved up one division only if said player, coaches, parents, and the town director agree to such a move. Once a player is moved to a higher division he/she must remain in that division. No player can play in more than one division. Movement of players to a higher division must be done by the fourth week of the season. In the case of such movement, players will be so noted on team rosters submitted to the Board of Directors.
Every attempt to play the games as scheduled must be prioritized. If a coach has only four players, he/she may pick up two players from another team in the same division or below for purposes of playing the game. A team with five players may add one player. Coaches shall notify opposing coaches and game officials of such movement prior to the start of the game. Games may be played 4 on 4.
Suburban players may play in the league. It is the Town Coordinator’s responsibility to evenly divide suburban players amongst teams in their division. This is to ensure competitive balance as well as avoid forfeits or rescheduling of games.
Referees
- For games involving grades 1-2:
  - Two adult referees if possible. No one younger than 12 years of age.
- For games involving grades 3-4:
  - Two adult referees if possible or one Certified Official. No one younger than 14 years of age.
- For games involving grades 5-6:
  - Two adult referees if possible or one Certified Official. No one younger than 16 years of age.
- For games involving grades 7-8 & 9-12:
  - Two adult referees, Certified Officials preferred.
All appointed referees should be knowledgeable of the rules of basketball at the high school level and any amendments of those rules as decided by the TRYBIL Board of Directors. Referees are expected to show competence. The home team shall supply referees, a timekeeper, and an official scorekeeper. If game officials are not available, town directors are expected to notify their affected counterpart at least 24 hours prior to that scheduled game. The referees will have the final say in all matters during the game.
Clock Officials: every attempt should be made to have a competent person to manage the game clock. This official should be knowledgeable of the game of Basketball and the rules pertinent to managing the game clock. The clock official is as important as the floor officials.
The visiting team should also provide a scorekeeper in the event that the home team cannot. The timekeeper and the scorekeepers should sit together during the game. In the event the home team cannot provide an official scorekeeper than the referee will designate the visiting scorekeeper as the official scorer. Scorekeepers should confirm the score at the end of each quarter or half with the referee. In any dispute, the official score will be considered as the score in the designated official scorebook.
Any coach, player or other team member who does not act in a sportsmanlike manner may be expelled from the game by the referee: a. Two technical fouls on a player in one game will result in being expelled from the game. b. Two technical fouls on the bench, coach, or staff will result in the expulsion from the gym of the offending party or parties. Failure to comply with the referee’s order will result in the immediate forfeiture of the game. The occurrence of any of the above-described circumstances requires an immediate report by the referees to the appropriate town director who shall then report the matter to the Board of Directors. The Board will review and if they deem necessary, may suspend such offending persons for an appropriate period of time. c. The coaches are responsible for the behavior of the bench and their fans. Referees may call bench technical fouls for fan abuse, misconduct, or unsportsmanlike behavior. The rules for expulsion from the gym will apply. d. Only coaches and players will be permitted on the team bench. Coaches will be those designated on the official team roster. e. All coaches must stay in the coach’s box in front of the seated players. The high school rule, which requires the head coach to remain seated after receiving a technical foul, will not apply. The Board of Directors feels the coach is a critical to the game in an instructional league and will be allowed to retain use of the box, always at the discretion of the referee.
No spectators should be allowed on the court during timeouts, between quarters or at a halftime. Referees should ensure this rule is enforced.
Every attempt possible should be made to play scheduled games. Postponed games should be made up at the earliest possible time. The use of scheduled practice time by the home team may need to be considered. Coaches may communicate on any possible rescheduling and each shall confer with their town director to ensure gym availability. All other rules regarding home team responsibilities shall apply. Town directors shall inform the league director of any and all rescheduled games.
Town directors should ensure that their home gym possesses a medical bag (band-aids, ice packs, tape, etc.).
Every attempt should be made by all coaches to prevent blowouts or extremely lopsided scores. A substantial lead for the purpose of this rule will be 10 points for 3rd/4th grade and encourage players to work on passing before taking a shot) 15 points for 5th/6th and 20 points for 7th/8th and above. After a substantial lead (listed above) there will be: NO use of full-court pressure. Defense must remain within the 3 point arc. Disregard of these rules by the offending team will result in a warning for the first offense, Loss of possession for the second offense and technical foul for any subsequent offenses. (The referee will warn the appropriate bench).
Possession shall be monitored by the referees who may be assisted by the official scorekeeper. In all cases the final decision is the referee’s.
The 3-point basket will be awarded in Divisions 7/8 & 9-12 only.
The National Federal of State High School Association Basketball Rules for 2025-2026 will apply except where amended herein.
Any flagrant violations of these rules by anyone associated with TRYBIL must be reported in writing to the Board of Directors.

Rules For All Divisions

Seven (7) team fouls per half put a team in the bonus, shooting 1 and 1. Double bonus will be in effect on the 10th team foul, this will result in the team shooting 2 free throws.
Time-outs will be one minute each. Four (4) time-outs are allowed per regulation game and do not carry over into any overtime period.
Overtime will be one three-minute period. One time-out will be allowed for an overtime period. Only 1 overtime period will be allowed. If the score is tied after said overtime the game shall end in a tie.
Break between halves will be five minutes.
Every attempt must be made to give all players an equal amount of playing time. The Board of Directors will look carefully at any game in which it is reported that players are not allowed equal playing time. Coaches who refuse to pay strict attention to this fundamental league rule will be subject to Board review and possible penalties. It is the opinion of the TRYBIL Board of Directors that insuring all players an equal opportunity to participate in each game scheduled will result in the players being able to benefit most from the basketball experience. It is expected that ALL coaches will pay close attention to this most basic philosophy of TRYBIL basketball. Coaches who are cutting playing time of particular players due to player illness, physical restrictions, and/or disciplinary reasons should notify opposing coaches and game officials before the start of that game.

Rules For Division 1/2

All rules in Sections A and B apply as well as the following amendments.

Regulation playing time: Four 6 minute quarters, stop time (no overtime periods allowed).
Basket height: 8 feet
Ball size: Youth ball, 27.5 inch circumference.
Foul shots will be attempted from 3 feet inside the standard foul line.
A 5 second lane violation will apply.
No Three Point Baskets. Shots made from beyond the arc are worth two (2) points
Violations in the back court during the first three quarters will result in an explanation by the referee to the offending player, with no loss of possession. Fourth quarter violations will result with an explanation and loss of possession by the offending team.
Once a team has possession of the ball, the defense must retreat to their back court.
No back court defense is allowed after possession is gained. No full court press is allowed, EVER. The defense should set up within the 3 point line of the basket they are defending.
Coaches should have their players playing man to man defense, ZONE IS NOT ALLOWED. It is the opinion of the TRYBIL Board of Directors that teaching and playing man-to-man defense will benefit all players by promoting correct fundamental skills that will carry forward as players advance to the older divisions.

Rules For Division 3/4

All rules in Sections A and B apply as well as the following amendments.

Regulation playing time: Two fourteen (14) minute halves.
Basket height: 9 feet
Ball size: Standard USLBA girls ball, 28.5 inch circumference.
Foul shots will be attempted from 3 feet inside the standard foul line.
A 5 second lane violation will apply.
No Three Point Baskets. Shots made from beyond the arc are worth two (2) points.
Once a team has possession of the ball, the defense must retreat to their back-court. Defenders should not play the ball until the ball-handler has entered the front-court. A player dribbling the ball is in his backcourt until the ball and both feet are across the division line at center court and in the front-court.
No back-court defense is allowed after possession is gained, EVER. The defense should set up within the 3 point line of the basket they are defending.
Coaches should have their players playing man to man defense, ZONE IS NOT ALLOWED. It is the opinion of the TRYBIL Board of Directors that teaching and playing man-to-man defense at the 3/4 grade division will benefit all players by promoting correct fundamental skills that will carry forward as players advance to the older divisions.

Rules For Division 5/6

All rules in Sections A and B apply as well as the following amendments

Regulation playing time: Two fourteen (14) minute halves
Basket height: 10 feet
Ball size: Standard USLBA ball, 28.5 inch circumference.
No Three Point Baskets. Shots made from beyond the arc are worth two (2) points.
All types of defenses are allowed.

Rules For Division 7/8

All rules in Sections A and B apply as well as the following amendments.

Regulation playing time: Two fourteen (14) minute halves
Basket height: 10 feet
Ball size:

a. GIRLS: Standard USLBA ball, 28.5 inch circumference.

b. BOYS: Standard Men’s ball, 30 inch circumference.

RULES FOR DIVISION 9-12

All rules in Sections A and B apply as well as the following amendments.

Regulation playing time: Two sixteen (16) minute halves.
Basket height: 10 feet
Ball size:

a. GIRLS: Standard USLBA ball, 28.5 inch circumference.

b. BOYS: Standard Men’s ball, 30 inch circumference.