The rules unique to Upward Basketball are designed to provide the best sports experience for every child. 

Game Format

A unique element of Upward Basketball is the game format:

• A referee leads both teams in prayer at center court before every game. This sets the tone and focus for the game.

• Games consist of two 18-minute halves and an eight-minute halftime. This keeps games to approximately a 45-minute time frame.  It also allows games that are scheduled on the hour to begin and end on time.

• A coin toss or other impartial method determines which team receives possession first. In jump-ball situations, possessions will alternate. This promotes fairness for both teams while adhering to NFHS rule for jump ball situations.

• During each six-minute segment the clock runs continuously stopping only at the end of each segment for predetermined substitutions. This allows coaches to line up and match substitutions based on height and ability without wasting valuable game time. This time should not be treated as a timeout. This is a great time for cheerleaders to do a quick cheer.

• No timeouts are used in Upward Basketball. This allows more playing time and keeps the games on time.

• At the end of each six-minute segment, the team that receives the ball next is based upon the direction of the possession arrow. Therefore, an end-of-the-period shot is encouraged. Players and spectators enjoy seeing a last second shot attempt.  It also avoids the offensive team that will have possession in the next segment from stalling at the end of a period.

• Teams switch goals at halftime. This is in compliance with NFHS Rules.  Also, it evens any advantage that may occur because of the court.

• No scores are kept in the K5 or first- and second-grade divisions. The focus for this age is to learn fundamentals, not winning and losing.

• Any games ending in a tie should remain a tie.  This will help keep games on schedule.

• No division standings are maintained in any division.  Such standings add unnecessary pressure and intensity.  In Upward Basketball, there will not be a playoff system, championship tournament or a division champion thus eliminating the need for standings.

• Coaches are allowed to walk the sidelines and encourage their players without stepping in the playing area. K5 coaches are allowed on the court with the players. The focus is to instruct and encourage players at all times.

• All coaches will adhere to the substitution system. The substitution system allows for equal playing time for all players.

Rules for Play

Except where the Rules Unique to Upward Basketball apply, play is governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations’ (NFHS) Rules Book (website: www.nfhs.org).

• Man-to-man defense will be played at all times. Zone defenses are not allowed. In most cases, while playing  a man-to-man defense, players are only guarding the opponent that closely matches their ability and height.  This allows for a more competitive system for every player on the court while creating an equal opportunity for each player.

• Defensive players must stay within arm’s reach of the player they’re guarding.  (Isolation plays are not part of Upward Basketball because they take away the opportunity for improvement for all players and contradict the spirit of the rules.  This prevents defenders from sagging or crowding an area of the court to gain a defensive advantage.)

•  Double-teaming is not allowed. Help defense is strongly encouraged in the following instances:
  • Picks and Screens: Defensive switching is allowed on offensive picks or screens. The non-screened defender can help his or her teammate by temporarily switching until the teammate recovers to defend their offensive player. This is commonly referred to as “help and recover.” This prevents the offense from continually setting screens to gain an advantage.  Here is an example of how help defense involving picks and screens can occur:
    • An offensive player (O1) sets a legal screen on a defender (D1), allowing the ball handler (O2) to freely drive into the lane.  As O2 gets into the lane a nearby defender (D2) slides over away from his assigned man to guard O2 until D1 can recover from the screen.  Upon recovery, D2 must return to guarding his assigned opponent.
  • Fast Breaks: During any fast break (when the team that gains possession of the ball pushes it quickly into the opponent's end of the court, hoping to get a good shot off before the other team has a chance to set up on defense), another defensive player not assigned to the ball handler may help in order to slow or stop the fast break. Upon stopping the fast break, defenders should return to guarding their assigned players. This rule is meant to prevent the defenders from helplessly watching the offensive player score and not be able to help. Here is an example of how fast break help defense can occur:
    • The defense gets a rebound under the goal and throws a wide open overhead pass to a teammate located along half court.  This player receives the pass and is advancing the fast break.  Meanwhile, the only opposing player close to him is not his assigned defender.  This person quickly guards the ball carrier and stops the fast break. 
  • Lane Area: If a defender is in the lane, and the player he or she is guarding is within arm’s reach, the defender is allowed to provide help defense. Since many goals are scored in the lane, this rule provides the defense more opportunity to properly defend this area without abandoning their assigned offensive opponent. Here is an example of how this can occur:
    • The ball handler beats his man and drives into the lane.  After doing this, he meets a second defender who is in the lane.  As long as this defender is within arm’s reach of his assigned opponent, he is allowed to provide help until the ball handler’s assigned opponent can recover.  Upon recovery, the defensive player that provided help must then return to guarding only his assigned player.

• At the beginning of each six-minute segment, both coaches should lineup the players at mid-court and match them up by ability without giving verbal cues. This act is performed to promote equal player match-ups. Equal match-ups combined with man-to-man defense create five competitive pairings on the court. If both coaches and referees foresee a match-up problem due to position and height, players can be shuffled around to create a better game situation.

• Full-court presses are not allowed. Defensive players may not guard their opponents in the backcourt. This will allow for more play to occur in the front court and creates an equal opportunity for each child to participate both on offense and defense.

• Due to the shortness of the court in cross-court play, backcourt violations will not be called. However, if playing on a regulation-size court (84 feet), backcourt violations should be called.

• The offense must purposefully attack the defense in every situation – no stalling. After a warning from the referee, a violation will be called resulting in a turnover. This will prevent a team with the lead from running the clock out by staying in the backcourt.

• Referees will call and explain all violations. This is done because referees also serve as “on the floor coaches” teaching players what is and is not acceptable on the court. The detail of explanations will vary according to the age group and understanding of the players and should decrease as the season progresses.

• When possible, referees will advise players of potential violations before the violation occurs. Through words of encouragement and warning, referees are often able to prevent a violation from occurring.

• The three second restriction (lane violation) should not be called in the K5 or 1st and 2nd grade divisions. However, coaches and referees should encourage offensive movement in and out of the lane area. This helps teach the younger age groups to avoid this potential violation without being penalized.

• No technical fouls or protest of games. Technical fouls and protests go against the spirit of Upward Basketball.  Coaches and referees should instead follow the example in the Circle of Affirmation.

• No score will be given for a basket in the wrong goal.  It will be treated as a turnover. This will prevent further embarrassing a player for making this mistake.

• A player committing two fouls in one six-minute segment must sit out the remainder of that segment. The next player in the rotation comes in as the substitute. This does not change the normal rotation, because the fouled-out player does not come back into the game until scheduled to do so. The player who comes in as a substitute gains extra playing time. This extra time does not affect the predetermined substitution system. This rule allows the offending player time to regroup during the remainder of the segment while realizing that there is a consequence for the violation. Note: In a second foul situation, when a team only has five players at a game, replace the substitution rule with a two-point penalty by awarding the fouled team two additional points. The opposing team then takes possession.

• Non-shooting fouls result in the ball being taken out on the side by the offended team (no bonus rule). All shooting fouls result in free throws.  By not administering “bonus” situation free throws, this allows all players on the court to contribute to consistent game action.

• The game clock runs continuously, with the following rules going into effect when fewer than two minutes remain in the game:
  • Non-shooting fouls result in the offensive team getting one point and the ball.
  • Shooting fouls result in the offensive team scoring two points. The opposing team then takes possession.
  • Players fouled in the act of shooting and making the basket are credited with the basket plus one point. The opposing team then takes possession.
  • These rules exist because, with less than two minutes remaining, time may be wasted lining up players for free throws.  This keeps the game moving while allowing all players more time to equally contribute.