U13–U14 Basketball Rules in Canada: Recreational vs. Competitive

U13–U14 is the Train to Train stage in Canada Basketball's Youth Rules Guidelines.

At this age, both recreational and competitive basketball use full courts, 10-foot baskets, running scores, four 10-minute quarters and five-minute overtime periods. More tactical options are also allowed than in the younger age groups.

There are still some important differences between recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball, including the 3-point line, game format, playing-time expectations, travel and full-court pressing.

Important: These are Canada Basketball's youth guidelines. Canada Basketball notes that implementation can vary between regions and organizations because of local circumstances.

Quick Guide to U13–U14 Basketball Rules

What Size Basketball Should U13–U14 Players Use?

Canada Basketball recommends different basketball sizes for girls and boys at U13–U14:

• Girls: Size 6 (28.5")
• Boys: Size 7 (29.5")

The same ball-size recommendations apply in both recreational and competitive environments.

This is the first age group in the Youth Rules Guidelines where the recommended ball size differs between girls and boys.

How High Is the Basket for U13–U14 Basketball?

Canada Basketball recommends a 10-foot basket for both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball.

The basket height is the same as the U11–U12 recommendation.

Do U13–U14 Players Use a Full Court?

Yes.

Both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball use a full court under the Canada Basketball guidelines.

This differs from younger recreational age groups where cross-court or half-court formats are used.

What 3-Point Line Is Used at U13–U14?

Both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball use 3-point scoring, but the recommended line differs.

Recreational U13–U14

Canada Basketball recommends the shortest available 3-point line.

Competitive U13–U14

Canada Basketball lists the FIBA 22'2" 3-point line.

This is one of the equipment and court-marking differences between the recreational and competitive environments at this age.

How Far Is the Free Throw Line?

Canada Basketball recommends a 15-foot free throw line for both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball.

How Does Scoring Work at U13–U14?

Both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball use a running score.

The scoring values are:

• Free throw: 1 point
• Field goal: 2 points
• Made 3-pointer: 3 points

For recreational U13–U14, the guideline also calls for half-court pickup after a 20-point lead.

The competitive U13–U14 scoring column does not include that 20-point half-court-pickup condition.

Is U13–U14 Basketball 4v4 or 5v5?

The game format differs between the two environments.

Recreational U13–U14

Canada Basketball allows 4v4 or 5v5 basketball.

Competitive U13–U14

Canada Basketball recommends 5v5 basketball.

How Long Is a U13–U14 Basketball Game?

Both recreational and competitive U13–U14 games use:

4 × 10-minute quarters

Canada Basketball also recommends a 5-minute overtime period for both environments.

This is an increase from the four 8-minute quarters used for U11–U12.

What Are the 3 + 5 + 8 + 24-Second Rules?

Canada Basketball applies the full 3 + 5 + 8 + 24-second rules to both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball.

The guidelines define them as:

• 3 seconds: an offensive player cannot remain in the key beyond the permitted time
• 5 seconds to inbound: the ball must be inbounded within five seconds
• 5 seconds closely guarded: a closely guarded player must pass, shoot or dribble within five seconds
• 8 seconds: the ball must be advanced to the frontcourt within eight seconds
• 24 seconds: the shot-clock rule

At U13–U14, these timing rules apply in both recreational and competitive play.

How Many Timeouts Are Allowed?

The timeout structure is the same for recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball.

Canada Basketball recommends:

• 2 × 60-second timeouts in the first half
• 3 × 60-second timeouts in the second half
• only 2 timeouts in the final 2 minutes
• 1 timeout in overtime

What Are the Playing-Time Rules at U13–U14?

Playing-time expectations differ between recreational and competitive basketball.

Recreational U13–U14

Canada Basketball lists equal playing time in quarters 1–3.

Competitive U13–U14

The guideline allows substitutions while stating that every athlete must play.

So recreational U13–U14 keeps equal playing time for the first three quarters. Competitive U13–U14 requires every athlete to play, but not for equal minutes.

What Kind of Defense Is Allowed at U13–U14?

For both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball, the Canada Basketball table lists all set defenses as allowed.

This marks a change from the younger age groups, where player-to-player defense is required.

Canada Basketball explains that zone defense can become more developmentally appropriate around ages 13–14 as athletes become more capable of meeting its physical and tactical demands.

The guidelines say that as strength, coordination and perceptual awareness improve, players can better make longer passes, rotate with purpose and recognize how spacing and ball movement affect defenders.

Canada Basketball also says zone defense should complement, not replace, strong person-to-person principles.

Can U13–U14 Teams Play Zone Defense?

Yes.

Canada Basketball's U13–U14 table lists all set defenses as allowed, and the rationale specifically identifies ages 13–14 as a stage when zone defense can become more developmentally appropriate.

The guidelines describe zone as a progression tool that can introduce more advanced team concepts such as:

• communication
• help-and-recover habits
• protecting space
• solving more complex tactical problems

Canada Basketball still emphasizes the importance of strong person-to-person defensive principles.

Can U13–U14 Teams Press Full Court?

Yes, but there is a difference between recreational and competitive basketball.

Recreational U13–U14

Full-court pressing is allowed, but teams should use half-court pickup after a 20-point lead.

Competitive U13–U14

Full-court pressing is allowed.

The guideline does not list the same 20-point restriction in the competitive U13–U14 column.

Are Double Teams and Traps Allowed?

Yes.

Canada Basketball permits double teams and traps in both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball.

The guidelines define a double team or trap as two or more defenders actively guarding a player in an attempt to restrict movement or force a turnover.

Are Screens and Picks Allowed?

Yes.

Canada Basketball allows screens and picks in both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball.

The guidelines define:

• On-ball screen/pick: a screen set for the player with the ball
• Off-ball screen: a screen set for a player without the ball

Canada Basketball explains that screening requires timing, spacing, coordination and contact. The guidelines recommend a gradual progression at younger ages before screens become part of the game.

By U13–U14, both recreational and competitive environments allow screening and picks.

Can U13–U14 Players Steal the Ball From the Player in Possession?

Yes.

Canada Basketball permits stealing from the player in possession in both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball.

The guideline defines this as an attempt by a defender to take the ball directly from an offensive player who is actively dribbling or holding the ball.

Who Officiates U13–U14 Basketball?

Canada Basketball recommends Officials for both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball.

The guidelines say officials should gradually shift from facilitation toward formal officiating as athletes progress, while continuing to consider player safety, sportsmanship, game flow and the developmental purpose of the rules.

How Many Games Should U13–U14 Players Play in a Day?

Canada Basketball recommends no more than two games per day for both recreational and competitive U13–U14 players.

The guideline also recommends a minimum of one game of rest between games.

Canada Basketball explains that adequate rest is important for physical recovery, cognitive processing and emotional regulation.

The document says insufficient rest can increase injury risk, decrease performance and reduce enjoyment of the game.

How Much Travel Is Recommended at U13–U14?

Travel expectations differ between recreational and competitive basketball.

Recreational U13–U14

Canada Basketball lists travel of about one hour each way.

Competitive U13–U14

The guideline lists travel of about two hours each way.

Canada Basketball explains that travel should support participation rather than limit it. Excessive travel can reduce time available for training and recovery while increasing financial and logistical barriers.

The guidelines describe broader competition as something that can be introduced gradually as athletes develop.

How Many Tournaments or Memorable Events Are Recommended?

Canada Basketball refers to tournaments, festivals and Jamboree-style competitions as memorable events.

For U13–U14, the guideline lists:

• Recreational: 2 memorable events
• Competitive: 2–3 memorable events

Canada Basketball says these events can create exciting and meaningful experiences, while excessive participation or overly competitive structures can increase physical and emotional fatigue.

The document describes tournament structures as something that can be gradually introduced as athletes develop.

Recreational vs. Competitive U13–U14 Basketball

The two U13–U14 environments have many similarities.

Both use:

• girls' Size 6 and boys' Size 7 basketballs
• 10-foot baskets
• full courts
• 15-foot free throw lines
• running scores
• four 10-minute quarters
• five-minute overtime
• full 3 + 5 + 8 + 24-second timing rules
• all set defenses allowed
• full-court pressing
• double teams and traps
• screens and picks
• stealing from the player in possession
• officials
• no more than two games per day
• at least one game of rest between games

The main differences include:

• recreational uses the shortest available 3-point line, while competitive uses the FIBA 22'2" line
• recreational can use 4v4 or 5v5, while competitive uses 5v5
• recreational calls for half-court pickup after a 20-point lead
• recreational lists equal playing time in quarters 1–3, while competitive requires every athlete to play
• recreational travel is listed at about one hour each way, compared with about two hours for competitive basketball
• recreational lists two memorable events, compared with two to three for competitive basketball

U13–U14 Basketball Rules FAQ

What size basketball should a 13- or 14-year-old use?

Canada Basketball recommends:

• Girls: Size 6 (28.5")
• Boys: Size 7 (29.5")

These recommendations apply to both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball.

What height is a U14 basketball hoop?

The recommended basket height is 10 feet.

Do U14 players play full court?

Yes. Both recreational and competitive U13–U14 use a full court.

What 3-point line is used at U14?

Recreational U13–U14 uses the shortest available 3-point line. Competitive U13–U14 uses the FIBA 22'2" line.

How long is a U14 basketball game?

Canada Basketball recommends four 10-minute quarters for both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball.

How long is overtime at U14?

The guideline recommends 5-minute overtime for both environments.

Can U14 teams play zone defense?

Yes. The U13–U14 table lists all set defenses as allowed. Canada Basketball also explains that zone defense can become more developmentally appropriate around ages 13–14.

Can U14 teams press full court?

Yes. Full-court pressing is permitted in both environments. Recreational U13–U14 uses half-court pickup after a 20-point lead.

Can U14 teams double-team?

Yes. Double teams and traps are permitted in both recreational and competitive U13–U14 basketball.

Are screens and picks allowed at U14?

Yes. Screens and picks are allowed in both environments.

U13–U14 at a Glance

U13–U14 is the Train to Train stage in Canada Basketball's Youth Rules Guidelines.

Many of the restrictions used with younger age groups are no longer present. Both recreational and competitive players use full courts, longer games and a wider range of defensive and offensive tactics.

Canada Basketball's reasoning is that players around 13 and 14 have the strength, coordination and awareness to handle more complex tactics. The guidelines still put development and a positive experience ahead of results.

Want every age group side by side? Use our parent rules checklist for a quick reference.

For every age group and rule in one place, see our full U7–U14 rules guide.

Source

Canada Basketball — Canada Basketball Youth Rules Guidelines

This article is based exclusively on the Canada Basketball Youth Rules Guidelines. Canada Basketball notes that implementation may vary between regions and organizations.