OFFICIAL RULES & GAME FORMAT

Spring 2026 Season

The following rules govern all games within the Ave Maria Jr. NBA Basketball League. These regulations are designed to promote competitive balance, player development, and structured league play.

League administration reserves the right to interpret and enforce all rules in the best interest of player safety and league integrity.

? I. DIVISION STRUCTURE

? Rookie Jr. Division (Ages 5–7)

• 5 vs 5 Full Court
• 6-minute quarters
• Running clock (stops final 1 minute of 4th quarter)
• No full-court press
• Defensive pressure begins at half-court
• No trapping or double-teaming outside the lane

Focus: Structured introduction to competitive basketball.

? Rising Jr. Division (Ages 8–10)

• 5 vs 5 Full Court
• 8-minute quarters
• Running clock (stops final 2 minutes of 4th quarter)
• No full-court press in first half
• Press allowed in second half if within 10 points

Focus: Competitive development with controlled defensive structure.

? Elite Jr. Division (Ages 11–13)

• 5 vs 5 Full Court
• Two 16-minute halves
• Standard clock rules
• Full-court press permitted
• Defensive restrictions removed

Focus: Structured competitive league play.

? Premier Jr. Division (Ages 14–17)

• 5 vs 5 Full Court
• Two 18-minute halves
• Standard high-level league rules
• Full-court press permitted
• Competitive substitutions

Focus: Advanced competitive environment.

? II. GAME RULES

Overtime

• One 2-minute overtime period
• One timeout per team
• Sudden death second overtime if necessary

Substitutions

Rookie Jr. & Rising Jr.:
• Mandatory rotation
• Equal playing time expectation

Elite Jr. & Premier Jr.:
• Competitive substitutions at coach discretion

Foul Limits

• 5 personal fouls = disqualification
• Technical fouls count toward personal foul total

Technical Foul Policy

• 1 Technical Foul = Automatic bench remainder of quarter
• 2 Technical Fouls in one game = Ejection
• Ejection = Automatic 1-game suspension

League decisions are final.

Mercy Rule

Rookie & Rising Jr.:
20-point lead = running clock maintained

Elite & Premier Jr.:
25-point lead = running clock maintained

Defensive restrictions may be applied at league discretion.

? III. PLAYOFF FORMAT

• Top 4 teams per division advance
• Seeding based on regular season record
• Tie-breakers:

1. Head-to-head result

2. Point differential

3. Points allowed

Championship Game determines division winner.

? IV. OUTDOOR PLAY POLICY

All games are played outdoors in Ave Maria, Florida.

• Weather conditions will be monitored
• Games may be delayed or rescheduled for safety
• Hydration is mandatory
• Players must bring water

League administration reserves the right to modify game length or scheduling when necessary.

? V. LEAGUE AUTHORITY

Ave Maria Jr. NBA reserves the right to:

• Interpret and enforce all rules
• Modify scheduling if necessary
• Address unforeseen circumstances
• Issue disciplinary action when required

All league decisions are final.