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8th Grade / Ages 13 & 14
The USA Basketball guidelines for this age are a little tricky because the guidelines for 11-year-olds are slightly different than 11-year-olds. We feel is better to have a coach should follow the options that provides the best chance for ALL Players to succeed.
Players and coaches who continue to follow USA guidelines will see more positive results. Players and coaches who do not, will risk the possibilities of developing bad habits that will be difficult to correct.
It is a great age to coach because there is a passion that many players develop. Some players will absorb as much coaching as possible and can improve drastically over a short period of time.
Continue to gocus on age-appropriate skill development. Shoot on the approriate basket height whenever possible and…… MAKE SURE IT IS FUN!
Encourage coaches, assistant coaches, parents and players to review and follow the USA basketball guidelines for this age.
These are the guidelines for 12 year olds.
Equipment And Court Specifications
Ball sizes: Boys and Girls size 6 (28.5”)
Height of Basket: 10 feet
Size of Court: 84’x50′ or 94’x50′
Distance of 3-Point: 19’9″
Distance of Free-Throw Line: 15 feet
Recommended Participation Guidelines
Game Length: 28-32 minutes
Games Per Week: 2
Practice Length: 60-90 minutes
Practices Per Week: 2-4
Maximum Participation Guidelines
Maximum Games Per Day: 2
Maximum Hours Per Week of Organized Basketball: 10
Rest Guidelines
Minimum Rest Days per Week: 1
Maximum Months Per Year in Organized Basketball: 7 months
Recommended Hours of Sleep Per Night: 8 – 10 Hours
Game Structure
Game Length: Four 8-minute periods
Time Between Periods: 1 minute
Extra Period(s): 4 minutes
Scoring: Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points Field goal outside of 3-point arc: 3 points
Timeouts: Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the first half of play. Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the second half of play. One 60-second timeout granted for each extra period Unused timeouts may not carry over to the next half or into extra periods
Start of Game Possession: Jump ball
Game Tactics
Playing Time: Coaches discretion in the fourth period and each extra period
Set Defense: All allowed throughout the competition at coaches discretion
Pressing Defense: Pressing allowed throughout the competition Leading team may not press when leading by 25 points or more
Double-Team/Crowding: Allowed throughout the competition at coaches discretion
Stealing from the Dribbler: Coaches discretion throughout the competition