Youth Basketball: USA Basketball Guidelines for 5th Grade

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5th grade basketball is start of separation between above-average players and average players. Players also begin to develop a passion and a few learn the value of individual workouts. Players who focus on age-appropriate fundamentals will show incredible growth and there will be a noticeable difference between recreational players and aspiring high school players.

The USA Basketball guidelines are often ignored at this age, but it will be a little less detrimental to player development. 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.

Equipment And Court Specifications

Ball sizes: Boys and Girls size 6 (28.5”)

Height of Basket: 9 feet

Size of Court: 74’x50′

Distance of 3-Point: Not Applicable (Players should not shoot 3-point shots) 

Distance of Free-Throw Line: 14 feet

Recommended Participation Guidelines

Game Length: 24-32 minutes

Games Per Week: 1 to 2

Practice Length: 45-75 minutes 

Practices Per Week: 2

Maximum Participation Guidelines

Maximum Games Per Day: 2 
Maximum Hours Per Week of Organized Basketball: 3

Rest Guidelines

Minimum Rest Days per Week: 2

Maximum Months Per Year in Organized Basketball: 5

Recommended Hours of Sleep Per Night: 9 – 12 Hours

Game Structure

Game Length: Four 8-minute periods

Time Between Periods: 1 minute

Extra Period(s): 2 minutes

Scoring: Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points No 3-point field goals

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: Coin flip. Team awarded possession starts with throw-in at half court.

Game Tactics

Playing Time: Equal playing time in periods 1-3. Coaches discretion in the fourth period and each extra period

Set Defense: Only player-to-player defense throughout the competition

Pressing Defense: Player-to-player defense may be extended full court in the fourth period and each extra period Leading team may not extend the defense over half court when leading by 25 points or more.

Double-Team/Crowding: Double-team/crowding is not allowed throughout the competition Coaches discretion throughout the competition.

Stealing from the Dribbler: Coaches discretion throughout the competition.

Youth Basketball: USA Basketball Guidelines for 4th Grade

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4th grade basketball start to be very competitive. Travel teams exist in most towns and the pressure to win seems to increase. The USA Basketball guidelines are often ignored at this age. This will limit the development of players and will result in the development of many bad habits that players may never correct.

It is a great age to coach because there is so much that players can learn. It still may be beneficial to limit the pressure to win and just have a town recreational league, but with AAU and the rush to shoot on a 10 foot basket, so many towns jump into competitive travel leagues.

Focus 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.

Equipment And Court Specifications

Ball sizes: Boys and Girls size 6 (28.5”)

Height of Basket: 9 feet

Size of Court: 74’x50′

Distance of 3-Point: Not Applicable (Players should not shoot 3-point shots) 

Distance of Free-Throw Line: 14 feet

Recommended Participation Guidelines

Game Length: 24-32 minutes

Games Per Week: 1 to 2

Practice Length: 45-75 minutes 

Practices Per Week: 2

Maximum Participation Guidelines

Maximum Games Per Day: 2 
Maximum Hours Per Week of Organized Basketball: 3

Rest Guidelines

Minimum Rest Days per Week: 2

Maximum Months Per Year in Organized Basketball: 5

Recommended Hours of Sleep Per Night: 9 – 12 Hours

Game Structure

Game Length: Four 8-minute periods

Time Between Periods: 1 minute

Extra Period(s): 2 minutes

Scoring: Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points No 3-point field goals

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: Coin flip. Team awarded possession starts with throw-in at half court.

Game Tactics

Playing Time: Equal playing time in periods 1-3. Coaches discretion in the fourth period and each extra period

Set Defense: Only player-to-player defense throughout the competition

Pressing Defense: Player-to-player defense may be extended full court in the fourth period and each extra period Leading team may not extend the defense over half court when leading by 25 points or more.

Double-Team/Crowding: Double-team/crowding is not allowed throughout the competition Coaches discretion throughout the competition.

Stealing from the Dribbler: Coaches discretion throughout the competition.

Youth Basketball USA Basketball Guidelines for 3rd Grade

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Too many towns start competitive travel basketball in the 3rd grade. This is very early and the players can develop more in a less competitive environment. Additionally most of these leagues disregard USA Basketball guidelines especially the basket height. This will limit the development of players and will result in the development of many bad habits that players may never correct.

It is a great age to coach because there is so much that players can learn. It still may be beneficial to limit the pressure to win and just have a town recreational league, but with AAU and the rush to shoot on a 10 foot basket, so many towns jump into competitive travel leagues.

Focus 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.

Equipment And Court Specifications

Ball sizes: Boys and Girls size 5 (27.5”)

Height of Basket: 8 feet

Size of Court: 50’x42’

Distance of 3-Point: Not Applicable (Players should not shoot 3-point shots) 

Distance of Free-Throw Line: 14 feet

Recommended Participation Guidelines

Game Length: 20-18 minutes

Games Per Week: 1

Practice Length: 30-60 minutes 

Practices Per Week: 1

Maximum Participation Guidelines

Maximum Games Per Day: 1 
Maximum Hours Per Week of Organized Basketball: 3

Rest Guidelines

Minimum Rest Days per Week: 2

Maximum Months Per Year in Organized Basketball: 4

Recommended Hours of Sleep Per Night: 9 – 12 Hours

Game Structure

Game Length: Four 8-minute periods

Time Between Periods: 1 minute

Extra Period(s): 2 minutes

Scoring: Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points No 3-point field goals

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: Coin flip. Team awarded possession starts with throw-in at half court.

Game Tactics

Playing Time: Equal playing time.

Set Defense: Only player-to-player defense throughout the competition

Pressing Defense: Pressing is not allowed throughout the competition.

Double-Team/Crowding: Double-team/crowding is not allowed throughout the competition Coaches discretion throughout the competition.

Stealing from the Dribbler: Stealing from a dribbler is not allowed throughout the competition.

WNBA Champions

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WNBA Champions

Year Champion (MVP)

  1. 2024 New York Liberty defeated Minnesota Lynx Jonquel Jones
  2. 2023 Las Vegas Aces defeated New York Liberty A’ja Wilson
  3. 2022 Las Vegas Aces defeated Connecticut Sun Chelsea Gray
  4. 2021 Chicago Sky Phoenix Mercury Kahleah Copper
  5. 2020 Seattle Storm Las Vegas Aces Breanna Stewart
  6. 2019 Washington Mystics Connecticut Sun Emma Meesseman
  7. 2018 Seattle Storm Washington Mystics Breanna Stewart
  8. 2017 Minnesota Lynx Los Angeles Sparks Sylvia Fowles
  9. 2016 Los Angeles Sparks Minnesota Lynx Candace Parker
  10. 2015 Minnesota Lynx Indiana Fever Sylvia Fowles
  11. 2014 Phoenix Mercury Chicago Sky Diana Taurasi
  12. 2013 Minnesota Lynx Atlanta Dream Maya Moore
  13. 2012 Indiana Fever Minnesota Lynx Tamika Catchings
  14. 2011 Minnesota Lynx Atlanta Dream Seimone Augustus
  15. 2010 Seattle Storm Atlanta Dream Lauren Jackson
  16. 2009 Phoenix Mercury Indiana Fever Diana Taurasi
  17. 2008 Detroit Shock San Antonio Silver Stars Katie Smith 2007 Phoenix Mercury Detroit Shock Cappie Pondexter
  18. 2006 Detroit Shock Sacramento Monarchs Deanna Nolan
  19. 2005 Sacramento Monarchs Connecticut Sun Yolanda Griffith
  20. 2004 Seattle Storm Connecticut Sun Betty Lennox
  21. 2003 Detroit Shock Los Angeles Sparks Ruth Riley
  22. 2002 Los Angeles Sparks New York Liberty Lisa Leslie
  23. 2001 Los Angeles Sparks Charlotte Sting Lisa Leslie
  24. 2000 Houston Comets New York Liberty Cynthia Cooper
  25. 1999 Houston Comets New York Liberty Cynthia Cooper
  26. 1998 Houston Comets Phoenix Mercury Cynthia Cooper
  27. 1997 Houston Comets New York Liberty Cynthia Cooper

NBA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Class of 2024

North American Committee Inductees

  1. CHAUNCEY BILLUPS [Player] @1MrBigShot (46.1K followers)
  2. VINCE CARTER [Player] @mrvincecarter15 (1M followers)
  3. MICHAEL COOPER [Player] @ShowtimeCooper (19.6K followers)
  4. WALTER DAVIS [Player]
  5. BO RYAN [Coach]
  6. CHARLES SMITH [Coach]

Women’s Committee Inductee

  1. SEIMONE AUGUSTUS [Player] @seimoneaugustus (54,6K followers)

Men’s Veteran Committee Inductee

  1. DICK BARNETT [Player]

International Committee Inductee

  1. MICHELE TIMMS [Player] @michele_timms (1.9K followers)

Contributor Committee Inductees

  1. DOUG COLLINS 
  2. HERB SIMON 
  3. JERRY WEST

Youth Basketball: USA Basketball Guidelines for 2nd Grade

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Most towns have a 2nd grade basketball program. It is the 1st age that has USA Basketball guidelines. It is a great age to introduce basketball. For many players it will be the 1st exposure to basketball. We don’t want to put any pressure on 2nd grade coaches, but…… MAKE SURE IT IS FUN! 

The starting point of any good program starts with understanding the USA basketball guidelines. 

Equipment And Court Specifications

Ball sizes: Boys and Girls size 5 (27.5”)

Height of Basket: 8 feet

Size of Court: 50’x42’

Distance of 3-Point: Not Applicable (Players should not shoot 3-point shots) 

Distance of Free-Throw Line: 14 feet

Recommended Participation Guidelines

Game Length: 20-18 minutes

Games Per Week: 1

Practice Length: 30-60 minutes 

Practices Per Week: 1

Maximum Participation Guidelines

Maximum Games Per Day: 1 
Maximum Hours Per Week of Organized Basketball: 3

Rest Guidelines

Minimum Rest Days per Week: 2

Maximum Months Per Year in Organized Basketball: 4

Recommended Hours of Sleep Per Night: 9 – 12 Hours

Game Structure

Game Length: Four 8-minute periods

Time Between Periods: 1 minute

Extra Period(s): 2 minutes

Scoring: Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points No 3-point field goals

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: Coin flip. Team awarded possession starts with throw-in at half court.

Game Tactics

Playing Time: Equal playing time.

Set Defense: Only player-to-player defense throughout the competition

Pressing Defense: Pressing is not allowed throughout the competition.

Double-Team/Crowding: Double-team/crowding is not allowed throughout the competition Coaches discretion throughout the competition.

Stealing from the Dribbler: Stealing from a dribbler is not allowed throughout the competition.

Youth Basketball: USA Basketball Guidelines for 1st Grade

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Starting organized basketball in 1st grade is very ambitious. To be successful, there should be plenty of planning and coaches need to be very understanding of this age group. It might even be smart to invite parents to be active participants in the program. 

The starting point of any good program starts with understanding the USA basketball guidelines.  It is the 1st age that has USA Basketball guidelines.

Equipment And Court Specifications

Ball sizes: Boys and Girls size 5 (27.5”)

Height of Basket: 8 feet

Size of Court: 50’x42’

Distance of 3-Point: Not Applicable (Players should not shoot 3-point shots) 

Distance of Free-Throw Line: 14 feet

Recommended Participation Guidelines

Game Length: 20-18 minutes

Games Per Week: 1

Practice Length: 30-60 minutes 

Practices Per Week: 1

Maximum Participation Guidelines

Maximum Games Per Day: 1 
Maximum Hours Per Week of Organized Basketball: 3

Rest Guidelines

Minimum Rest Days per Week: 2

Maximum Months Per Year in Organized Basketball: 4

Recommended Hours of Sleep Per Night: 9 – 12 Hours

Game Structure

Game Length: Four 8-minute periods

Time Between Periods: 1 minute

Extra Period(s): 2 minutes

Scoring: Free throw: 1 point All field goals: 2 points No 3-point field goals

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: Coin flip. Team awarded possession starts with throw-in at half court.

Game Tactics

Playing Time: Equal playing time.

Set Defense: Only player-to-player defense throughout the competition

Pressing Defense: Pressing is not allowed throughout the competition.

Double-Team/Crowding: Double-team/crowding is not allowed throughout the competition Coaches discretion throughout the competition.

Stealing from the Dribbler: Stealing from a dribbler is not allowed throughout the competition.

Youth Basketball Grades and Ages

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When coaching youth sports, it is very important to understand the age group. Each age group has different attention spans, physical skills, and social skills. As a former youth coach, once you figure out what is ideal for an age group, they progress to another age and stage. 

The best resource for youth basketball players and coaches is USA Basketball. They have an incredible website that includes USA Basketball Guidelines for each age. Many experts with different areas of expertise spent years developing these tools. It is wise for coaches and parents to learn more about how best to teach a child how to play basketball. 

USA Basketball uses ages for the groupings, however many youth basketball programs are organized by grade. To keep it simple and to be able to compare apples to apples, we have assigned the ages to a grade. There will be some exceptions and overlap, but this will be a good starting point. 

USA 

Grade ages  

Kindergarten / 5 & 6: USA Basketball does not start suggestions for this age group and that is important. Basketball is a complicated sport and it is challenging to coach (and teach) this age for a variety of reasons.  

1st Grade / 6 & 7: This is the 1st age USA basketball provides resources. 

2nd Grade / 7 & 8

3rd Grade / 8 & 9

4th Grade / 9 & 10

5th Grade / 10 & 11

6th Grade / 11 & 12

7th Grade / 12 & 13

8th Grade / 13 & 14

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