LEAGUE RULES

Updated: September 25, 2025

CURRENT LEAGUE RULES - RECREATION DIVISION

The following rules outline the official guidelines for league play, including playing time and conduct expectations. They are intended to promote a fair and fun experience for all participants and should not be used to gain a competitive advantage. Unless otherwise noted, these rules apply to all divisions.

Section 1: Gameplay Rules

Uniforms: All players must wear their league-provided uniform to all games.

Minimum Player Count: A team must have at least four players in order to start a game. All players must be on the team's roster in order to play. The start of a game will not be delayed to wait for a player to arrive. Failing to provide four players by the start of the game will result in a forfeit. The start of the game is defined to be either the scheduled start time or 5 minutes after the previous game if the previous game runs late.

Game Time: Each game consists of two 20-minute halves. The game clock will run continuously and will only stop for shooting fouls or injuries, at the referee’s discretion. In addition, the clock will stop for all dead balls during the final two minutes of each half. The clock will also stop for substitutions. Coaches are expected to make substitutions promptly. If a coach delays the game excessively, the referee may issue a warning. Repeated delays may result in a team technical foul.

Time Outs: Each team is awarded 3 timeouts per game.

Halftime: Halftime will be 3 minutes long unless the games run over on time.  The referee will use his/her discretion to shorten halftime.

Overtime: In the event of overtime, each team will be granted one additional timeout. During the regular season, the first overtime period will be one minute with a stopped clock. If the game remains tied, a second overtime will be played as sudden death (first team to score wins). During the postseason, overtime will be two minutes with a stopped clock, and additional overtime periods will continue until a winner is determined. Playing time rules reset when the game enters overtime. Coaches may reset substitutions at the start of the first overtime; however, in any subsequent overtime periods, all remaining players on the bench must be substituted into the game. Possession to start each overtime period will be determined by a tip-off. 

Player Fouls: Players are allowed five fouls before fouling out of the game. Technical or Flagrant fouls count towards a player's foul count.

Team Fouls: On the 7th team foul of the half the opposing team will shoot 1 and 1 free throws.  On the 10th team foul of the half, the opposing team will shoot two free throws.

Playing Time: All players are expected to play as equally as possible with a minimum of 20 minutes per game, including playoffs, except if injured or penalized for disciplinary reasons. If a player is being disciplined or penalized, coaches shall make the board aware of this ahead of time.

Sitting Time: All players will sit the bench for a minimum of 10 minutes (or one-quarter of the game if less than 40 minutes), including play-offs, except when a sufficient number of players are not available due to injury, discipline, or non- attendance.

Substitution Regular and Playoff Season: During the regular and playoff season, all players shall be substituted at the 5-minute mark; the rule is to 'empty the bench at every 5-minute interval.' Substitutions occur every 5 minutes with no exceptions.

When a game enters overtime, substitution rules reset at the start of the first overtime period. Coaches may reset substitutions at that time, but in any subsequent overtime periods, all remaining players on the bench must be substituted into the game.

Exceptions to Play Time Rules:

• If a team has six or fewer players available, the mandatory 10-minute sit rule will be abandoned for that game for that team.

• If a player arrives late to a game, the coach may reduce their playing time proportionally to the time missed.

Press: No full-court press in grades 3-8  except for the last two minutes of the game and overtime.  

Note: Instructional division will only have defense playing to the defending 3 point line and no press is allowed at any time.

Mercy Rule: If the point differential is twenty points or more, the leading team cannot apply full-court pressure. The clock will continue to run in the last two minutes of the half/game. When a team is up by twenty points, the clock will continue to run. 

Defense Clause Boys Grades 1-4 and Girls 1-5 DIvisions:  Teams are required to play man-to-man defense.

Please see the images below for additional information on how to play man to man defense:

Images above can be found here: https://metrowestbball.com/MetrowestGame_Rules.pdf

Section 2: Player/Coach Conduct

Coach/Player Conduct and Complaints

1) If a complaint is filed with the Board regarding one or more players not receiving minimum playing time: The Board will investigate to improve the situation.

2) The board has the final decision on all playtime complaints. If a Board representative is monitoring the game and feels that the playing time rule is not being adhered to, the Board member will direct the coach to make the correct substitution. If the said coach fails to comply; the coach will then face disciplinary action including removal from the game, gym, or forfeiture of the game.

3) Any coach/player who receives 2 technical fouls in the same game shall be removed from the gym and face disciplinary action from the Board and possible suspension from future games.

4) Any and all exceptions to the minimum time rule must be reported to the opposing coach as soon as exceptions are realized.

Coach’s Play Time Decisions:

The rules covering playtime in section 1 are provided to ensure equitable playtime for all players.  For teams with only 7 or 8 players please ensure that all players are playing as equal time as possible.  As coaches, you are tasked with ensuring a positive experience for all players regardless of skill level. Please remember that this is a recreation division.  Every child that signs up for this program deserves an equal chance to learn and play the game.  As the coach, you are responsible for making sure this happens.  Any coach who is not displaying the behaviors outlined above can and will be disciplined by the board.

EWG Youth Hoops Board