recreation league

grades 2 & 3

RECREATION BASKETBALL - Grades 2 & 3

BRANFORD YOUTH BASKETBALL

DIVISION RULES - Grades 2 & 3

These rules are designed to teach fundamental skills, promote fairness, and ensure all players have a positive developmental experience.

GAME FORMAT

• Warm-Up: Brief warm-up period before the game.
• Game Length: Four (4) 8-minute quarters.
• Halftime: 3-minute halftime.
• Mid-Quarter Substitutions: Game will stop at approximately the 4-minute mark of each quarter for substitutions.
• Ball Size & Rim Height: Ball size 6 (28.5”) and all games played on 8-foot rims.
• Scorekeeping: Is the coach's discretion at this level

PLAYING TIME & SUBSTITUTIONS

• Coaches must use a rotation chart to ensure equal playing time for all players.
• Substitutions occur only at the 4-minute mark of each quarter unless there is an injury.
• All players should rotate through different positions throughout the season to support learning.

DEFENSE RULES

• Man-to-Man Defense Only
• No double-teaming
• No zone defense
• No Pressing
• Defense cannot guard the ball until the offense reaches the 3-point line.
• After securing a rebound, the offense may advance the ball immediately; defense is not required to be set.

OFFENSE RULES

• Offense may not stall or kill the clock when leading late in the game.
• Teach spacing, passing, and dribbling — development over competition.

FOULS & VIOLATIONS

• No foul shooting.
• Fouls are not recorded; however, coaches must explain fouls and excessive fouling as teaching moments.
• Instructional Violations:
• Stop play for traveling, double dribbling, and fouls on shooters.
• Player keeps the ball after the instruction.
• Late Season Adjustment:
• During the last few weeks, violations resulted in the loss of possession to prepare players for the next level. 

POSSESSION & TRANSITION

• After rebounding or stealing, the offensive team may push the ball up the court without waiting for the defense to set up.
• Defense sets up once the offense crosses the 3-point line.

SUBSTITUTION PATTERN

A recommended substitution chart ensures all players receive:

• Equal playing time
• Opportunities to start
• Rotation through positions

The Player Rotation Chart can be downloaded here https://www.branfordbasketball.com/downloads