ELITE YOUTH SPORTS
Basketball League Rules
Dedicated to developing young athletes through professional coaching and a supportive community.
Thrive Basketball Rules
5U Division:
Game Equipment and Format:
- size 4 (25.5”) basketball
- 8 ft basket height
- Games will be played in four 6-minute quarters
- Coaches allowed on court with players
- Officials loosely enforce rules to facilitate learning and emphasize player development, not competition.
- Practice with game time will be 60 minutes total, with teams practicing prior to each game.
- Optional practice days may be facilitated during the week by league officials
- One referee will officiate each game
- Team Size: 10 players maximum per team
- Running clock, with stoppages at the end of quarters and for injured players.
Tipoffs:
Rock paper scissors will determine the beginning possession of the game. The opposite team will start the 2nd half.
Substitutions:
- All players should play a minimum of 50% playing time
- Players may be substituted during stoppage of player with the assistance of the game referee.
Scoring and Fouls:
- All baskets will be worth 2 points.
- Fouls shots are not awarded. All fouls will result in possession being inbounded from the sideline.
Defense:
- Teams will utilize man-to-man defense, not to extend beyond the 3-point line.
- No stealing off the dribble will be permitted. Stealing during passing situations will be permitted.
- Colored wristbands may be utilized to help players with defensive assignments.
Safety:
- Safety is our #1 priority for our players.
- Any players that demonstrate excessive aggressive behavior such as hitting, pushing, kicking, spitting or any other inappropriate behaviors will be removed from the court of play to ensure player safety.
7U Division:
Game Equipment and Format:

- size 5 (27.5”) basketball
- 8 ft basket height
- Games will be played in four 6-minute quarters
- Coaches allowed on court with players
- Officials loosely enforce rules to facilitate learning and emphasize player development, not competition.
- Practice with game time will be 60 minutes total, with teams practicing prior to each game.
- Optional practice days may be facilitated during the week by league officials
- One referee will officiate each game
Team Size: 10 players maximum per team - Running clock, with stoppages at the end of quarters and for injured players.
Tipoffs:
Rock paper scissors will determine the beginning possession of the game. The opposite team will start the 2nd half.
Substitutions:
- All players should play a minimum of 50% playing time
Players may be substituted during stoppage of player with the assistance of the game referee. - Scoring and Fouls:
- All baskets will be worth 2 points.
Fouls shots are not awarded. All fouls will result in possession being inbounded from the sideline.
Defense:
- Teams will utilize man-to-man defense, not to extend beyond the 3-point line.
No stealing off the dribble will be permitted. Stealing during passing situations will be permitted.
Colored wristbands may be utilized to help players with defensive assignments.
Safety:
- Safety is our #1 priority for our players.
- Any players that demonstrate excessive aggressive behavior such as hitting, pushing, kicking, spitting or any other inappropriate behaviors will be removed from the court of play to ensure player safety.
Excel Basketball Rules
7U Division:
Game Equipment and Format:
- size 5 (27.5”) basketball
- 8 ft basket height
- Games will be played in four 7-minute quarters
- Coaches will coach from the sideline. Coaches will be provided 2 timeouts per half.
- Officials will enforce rules at a more competitive level. Turnovers on travels and double dribbles will begin being enforced.
- Practice with game time will be 60 minutes total, with teams being provided a warm up/practice period of 15 minutes prior to each game.
- One practice day during the week will be facilitated by league officials.
- One referee will officiate each game
- Team Size: 10 players maximum per team
- Running clock, with stoppages at the end of quarters and for injured players. Clock will stop additionally for free throws and during timeouts.
Tipoffs:
Game will begin with a jump ball. Coaches will select a player from their team to participate in the jump ball. The opposite team will start the 2nd half.
Substitutions:
- All players should play a minimum of 50% playing time during regular season games.
- Players may be substituted during stoppage of player with the assistance of the game referee. Players much wait to check in at the scorer's table.
Scoring and Fouls:
- All baskets will be worth 2 points. 3-point shot will be introduced (when permitted by court configurations).
- Fouls shots are awarded on shooting fouls. All non-shooting fouls will result in possession being inbounded from the sideline or baseline.
Defense:
- Teams will utilize man-to-man defense or zone defense, not to extend beyond the 3-point line.
- Stealing off the dribble will be permitted. Stealing during passing situations will be permitted.
Safety:
- Safety is our #1 priority for our players.
- Any players that demonstrate excessive aggressive behavior such as hitting, pushing, kicking, spitting or any other inappropriate behaviors will be removed from the court of play to ensure player safety.
9U Division:
Game Equipment and Format:
- size 5 (27.5”) basketball
- 9 ft basket height
- Games will be played in four 7-minute quarters
- Coaches will coach from the sideline. Coaches will be provided 2 timeouts per half.
- Officials will enforce rules at a more competitive level. Turnovers on travels and double dribbles will begin being enforced.
- Practice with game time will be 60 minutes total, with teams being provided a warm up/practice period of 15 minutes prior to each game.
- One practice day during the week will be facilitated by league officials.
- One referee will officiate each game
- Team Size: 10 players maximum per team
- Running clock, with stoppages at the end of quarters and for injured players. Clock will stop additionally for free throws and during timeouts.
Tipoffs:
Game will begin with a jump ball. Coaches will select a player from their team to participate in the jump ball. The opposite team will start the 2nd half.
Substitutions:
- All players should play a minimum of 50% playing time during regular season games.
- Players may be substituted during stoppage of player with the assistance of the game referee. Players much wait to check in at the scorer's table.
Scoring and Fouls:
- All baskets will be worth 2 points. 3-point shot will be introduced (when permitted by court configurations).
- Fouls shots are awarded on shooting fouls. All non-shooting fouls will result in possession being inbounded from the sideline or baseline.
Defense:
- Teams will utilize man-to-man defense or zone defense, not to extend beyond the 3-point line.
- Stealing off the dribble will be permitted. Stealing during passing situations will be permitted.
Safety:
- Safety is our #1 priority for our players.
- Any players that demonstrate excessive aggressive behavior such as hitting, pushing, kicking, spitting or any other inappropriate behaviors will be removed from the court of play to ensure player safety.
12U Division:
Game Equipment and Format:
- size 6 (28.5”) basketball
- 10 ft basket height
- Games will be played in four 7-minute quarters
- Coaches will coach from the sideline. Coaches will be provided 2 timeouts per half.
- Officials will enforce rules at a more competitive level. Turnovers on travels and double dribbles will begin being enforced.
- Practice with game time will be 60 minutes total, with teams being provided a warm up/practice period of 15 minutes prior to each game.
- One practice day during the week will be facilitated by league officials.
- One referee will officiate each game
- Team Size: 10 players maximum per team
- Running clock, with stoppages at the end of quarters and for injured players. Clock will stop additionally for free throws and during timeouts.
Tipoffs:
Game will begin with a jump ball. Coaches will select a player from their team to participate in the jump ball. The opposite team will start the 2nd half.
Substitutions:
- All players should play a minimum of 50% playing time during regular season games.
- Players may be substituted during stoppage of player with the assistance of the game referee. Players much wait to check in at the scorer's table.
Scoring and Fouls:
- All baskets will be worth 2 points. 3-point shot will be introduced (when permitted by court configurations).
- Fouls shots are awarded on shooting fouls. All non-shooting fouls will result in possession being inbounded from the sideline or baseline.
Defense:
- Teams will utilize man-to-man defense or zone defense, not to extend beyond the 3-point line.
- Stealing off the dribble will be permitted. Stealing during passing situations will be permitted.
Safety:
- Safety is our #1 priority for our players.
- Any players that demonstrate excessive aggressive behavior such as hitting, pushing, kicking, spitting or any other inappropriate behaviors will be removed from the court of play to ensure player safety.
Our Mission
At Sports Club, our mission is to provide a premier youth sports experience that fosters growth, integrity, and excellence. We believe that sports are a powerful vehicle for teaching life lessons, building character, and creating lifelong friendships.
Founded in 2010, we have grown from a small community program to a regional powerhouse, serving over 1,200 athletes across multiple disciplines. Our coaching staff consists of former collegiate and professional athletes who are passionate about passing on their knowledge to the next generation.
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Why Choose Us?
Expert Coaching
Licensed and experienced coaches dedicated to player development.
Top Facilities
Access to the best fields and indoor training centers in the area.
Pathway to College
A proven track record of placing athletes in collegiate programs.
Community Focused
We prioritize building a supportive family environment.
