Youth Basketball Rules Checklist for Parents by Age

Youth basketball rules change significantly between U7 and U14.

A player may move from an 8-foot basket and 3v3 or 4v4 basketball at U7–U8 to full-court 5v5 basketball with a shot clock and broader tactical options in older competitive age groups.

For parents, that can make it difficult to know what to expect from one season to the next.

This checklist summarizes the Canada Basketball Youth Rules Guidelines by age and playing environment so you can quickly check the major equipment, game, participation and tactical rules.

Important: Canada Basketball notes that full implementation of the guidelines may vary between regions and organizations. Use this as a reference to the national guideline, then confirm how your local league applies it.

Quick Age Guide

U7–U8 Parent Rules Checklist

Canada Basketball places U7–U8 in the FUNdamentals stage.

The guideline shows this age group as recreational.

Equipment and Court

• Ball: Size 5 (27.5")
• Basket height: 8 feet
• Court: half-court or cross-court
• 3-point line: no 3-point scoring
• Free-throw distance: see source note below

U7–U8 Free-Throw Source Note

The source contains an inconsistency.

The main rules table lists the U7–U8 free-throw distance as:

N/A

However, the later rationale says a 14-foot free-throw distance is recommended for 7–8 and 9–10-year-olds.

Because the document contains both statements, this checklist does not choose one over the other.

Game Format

• 3v3 or 4v4
• Game clock: league discretion
• Overtime: no
• 3-, 5-, 8- and 24-second timing rules: no
• Timeouts: no

Scoring and Playing Time

• No scorekeeping or standings
• Equal playing time

Officials and Program Design

• Game Leader
• No formal games in the program-design table
• Modified small-sided games
• Travel: within club
• Memorable events: 1 Jamboree-style event

Defensive and Tactical Rules

• Set defense: player-to-player only
• No defense before half court
• No double teams or traps
• No screens or picks
• No stealing directly from the player in possession

U9–U10 Recreational Parent Rules Checklist

U9–U10 is part of the Learn to Train stage.

Equipment and Court

• Ball: Size 5 (27.5")
• Basket height: 9 feet
• Court: cross-court
• 3-point scoring: no
• Free-throw line: 14 feet

Game Format

• 4v4 or 5v5
• 4 × 8-minute quarters
• Overtime: no
• Timing rules: guided by Game Leader / Official
• Timeouts: 2 × 60 seconds in first half
• Timeouts: 2 × 60 seconds in second half

Scoring and Playing Time

• Score resets after each quarter
• No standings
• Field goal: 2 points
• No 3-point scoring
• Free throws: league discretion
• Equal playing time

Officials and Program Design

• Game Leader for first half of season
• Official for second half of season
• No formal games in the program-design table
• Modified small-sided games
• Travel: within club
• Memorable events: 1 Jamboree-style event

Defensive and Tactical Rules

• Player-to-player set defense only
• No defense before half court
• No double teams or traps
• No screens or picks
• Stealing from player in possession: allowed

U9–U10 Competitive Parent Rules Checklist

Equipment and Court

• Ball: Size 5 (27.5")
• Basket height: 9 feet
• Court: cross-court
• 3-point scoring: no
• Free-throw line: 14 feet

Game Format

• 4v4 or 5v5
• 4 × 8-minute quarters
• Overtime: 3 minutes
• 5-second rules: apply
• 8-second rule: applies
• 3-second rule: guided by Official
• 24-second rule: guided by Official
• Timeouts: 2 × 60 seconds in first half
• Timeouts: 2 × 60 seconds in second half

Scoring and Playing Time

• Running score
• Free throw: 1 point
• Field goal: 2 points
• No 3-point scoring
• Equal playing time in quarters 1–3
• Coach discretion in fourth quarter and overtime

Officials and Program Design

• Official
• If formal games are played: no more than 2 per day
• Minimum 1 game rest between games
• Travel: about 1 hour each way
• Memorable events: 0–1

Defensive and Tactical Rules

• Player-to-player set defense only
• No defense before half court
• No double teams or traps
• Off-ball screens only
• Stealing from player in possession: allowed

U11–U12 Recreational Parent Rules Checklist

U11–U12 is still part of Learn to Train, but several rules become more formal.

Equipment and Court

• Ball: Size 6 (28.5")
• Basket height: 10 feet
• Court: cross-court
• 3-point line: shortest available 3-point line
• Free-throw line: 15 feet

Game Format

• 4v4 or 5v5
• 4 × 8-minute quarters
• Overtime: no
• 5-second rules: apply
• 8-second rule: applies
• 3-second rule: guided by Official
• 24-second rule: guided by Official
• Timeouts: 2 × 60 seconds in first half
• Timeouts: 2 × 60 seconds in second half

Scoring and Playing Time

• Score resets after each quarter
• Standings: league discretion
• Free throw: 1 point
• Field goal: 2 points
• Made 3-pointer: 3 points
• Equal playing time

Officials and Program Design

• Official
• No more than 2 games per day
• Minimum 1 game rest
• Travel: about 1 hour each way
• Memorable events: 0–1

Defensive and Tactical Rules

• Player-to-player set defense only
• No defense before half court
• No double teams or traps
• Off-ball screens only
• Stealing from player in possession: allowed

U11–U12 Competitive Parent Rules Checklist

Equipment and Court

• Ball: Size 6 (28.5")
• Basket height: 10 feet
• Court: full court
• 3-point line: shortest available 3-point line
• Free-throw line: 15 feet

Game Format

• 5v5
• 4 × 8-minute quarters
• Overtime: 5 minutes
• Full 3-, 5-, 8- and 24-second timing rules
• Timeouts: 2 × 60 seconds in first half
• Timeouts: 3 × 60 seconds in second half
• Only 2 timeouts in final 2 minutes
• 1 timeout in overtime

Scoring and Playing Time

• Running score
• Free throw: 1 point
• Field goal: 2 points
• Made 3-pointer: 3 points
• Half-court pickup after a 20-point lead
• Substitutions allowed
• Every athlete must play

Officials and Program Design

• Official
• No more than 2 games per day
• Minimum 1 game rest
• Travel: about 1 hour each way
• Memorable events: 0–2

Defensive and Tactical Rules

• Player-to-player set defense only
• Full-court player-to-player pressure allowed
• Half-court pickup after a 20-point lead
• Double teams and traps allowed
• Screens and picks allowed
• Stealing from player in possession: allowed

U13–U14 Recreational Parent Rules Checklist

U13–U14 is part of the Train to Train stage.

Equipment and Court

• Girls: Size 6 ball (28.5")
• Boys: Size 7 ball (29.5")
• Basket height: 10 feet
• Court: full court
• 3-point line: shortest available 3-point line
• Free-throw line: 15 feet

Game Format

• 4v4 or 5v5
• 4 × 10-minute quarters
• Overtime: 5 minutes
• Full 3-, 5-, 8- and 24-second timing rules
• Timeouts: 2 × 60 seconds in first half
• Timeouts: 3 × 60 seconds in second half
• Only 2 timeouts in final 2 minutes
• 1 timeout in overtime

Scoring and Playing Time

• Running score
• Free throw: 1 point
• Field goal: 2 points
• Made 3-pointer: 3 points
• Half-court pickup after a 20-point lead
• Equal playing time in quarters 1–3

U13–U14 Recreational Playing-Time Note

The table lists equal playing time in quarters 1–3.

The document does not provide a separate detailed rule for the fourth quarter in this category, so this checklist does not add one.

Officials and Program Design

• Official
• No more than 2 games per day
• Minimum 1 game rest
• Travel: about 1 hour each way
• Memorable events: 2

Defensive and Tactical Rules

• All set defenses allowed
• Full-court pressing allowed
• Half-court pickup after a 20-point lead
• Double teams and traps allowed
• Screens and picks allowed
• Stealing from player in possession: allowed

U13–U14 Competitive Parent Rules Checklist

Equipment and Court

• Girls: Size 6 ball (28.5")
• Boys: Size 7 ball (29.5")
• Basket height: 10 feet
• Court: full court
• 3-point line: FIBA 22'2"
• Free-throw line: 15 feet

Game Format

• 5v5
• 4 × 10-minute quarters
• Overtime: 5 minutes
• Full 3-, 5-, 8- and 24-second timing rules
• Timeouts: 2 × 60 seconds in first half
• Timeouts: 3 × 60 seconds in second half
• Only 2 timeouts in final 2 minutes
• 1 timeout in overtime

Scoring and Playing Time

• Running score
• Free throw: 1 point
• Field goal: 2 points
• Made 3-pointer: 3 points
• Substitutions allowed
• Every athlete must play

Officials and Program Design

• Official
• No more than 2 games per day
• Minimum 1 game rest
• Travel: about 2 hours each way
• Memorable events: 2–3

Defensive and Tactical Rules

• All set defenses allowed
• Full-court pressing allowed
• No 20-point half-court-pickup condition listed
• Double teams and traps allowed
• Screens and picks allowed
• Stealing from player in possession: allowed

Five Things Parents Should Check Before the Season

Because Canada Basketball says implementation may vary between regions and organizations, parents may want to confirm how their local program applies the guideline.

1. Which Playing Environment Is the Team Using?

At U9–U14, recreational and competitive rules can differ substantially.

Ask whether the team is following the:

• recreational guideline
• competitive guideline

2. Which Court and Hoop Setup Will Be Used?

Check the expected:

• basket height
• court size
• 3-point line
• free-throw distance

These change as players move through the age groups.

3. How Will Playing Time Be Managed?

Depending on age and environment, the guideline may call for:

• equal playing time
• equal playing time in quarters 1–3
• substitutions with every athlete required to play

4. Which Defensive Tactics Are Allowed?

Check whether the age group allows:

• full-court pressing
• zone defense
• double teams
• screens and picks
• stealing from the player in possession

These are introduced at different stages.

5. What Does the Local League Do Where the Source Leaves Discretion?

The Canada Basketball document explicitly leaves some items open or acknowledges local variation.

Examples include:

• U7–U8 game clock: league discretion
• U9–U10 recreational free throws: league discretion
• U11–U12 recreational standings: league discretion
• implementation can vary by region or organization

These are good items to confirm directly with the local program.

Parent Rules Checklist FAQ

What ball does my child use in U8?

Canada Basketball lists Size 5 (27.5") for U7–U8.

What ball does my child use in U10?

Both recreational and competitive U9–U10 use Size 5 (27.5").

What ball does my child use in U12?

Both U11–U12 environments use Size 6 (28.5").

What ball does my child use in U14?

Canada Basketball lists:

• girls: Size 6 (28.5")
• boys: Size 7 (29.5")

for U13–U14.

When does youth basketball become full court?

The guideline first moves to full court at competitive U11–U12.

Both recreational and competitive U13–U14 use full court.

When does 5v5 become required?

The first category where 5v5 is the only listed format is competitive U11–U12.

Competitive U13–U14 also uses 5v5.

When does 3-point scoring begin?

Canada Basketball begins 3-point scoring at U11–U12.

When can teams use zone defense?

All set defenses become allowed at U13–U14.

U7–U12 uses player-to-player set defense.

When can teams full-court press?

Full-court pressure first becomes available at competitive U11–U12.

When are double teams allowed?

Double teams and traps first become allowed at competitive U11–U12.

When are screens allowed?

Off-ball screens first appear in competitive U9–U10.

Full screens and picks first appear in competitive U11–U12.

Does every child have to play?

The guideline uses different playing-time requirements by age.

Some groups use equal playing time, some use equal playing time in quarters 1–3, and competitive U11–U12 and U13–U14 state that every athlete must play.

Source Notes Parents Should Know

Two parts of the source deserve special attention.

U7–U8 Free-Throw Distance

The main rules table lists U7–U8 free throws as N/A, while the rationale later recommends a 14-foot free-throw distance for 7–8 and 9–10-year-olds.

This checklist preserves both statements rather than choosing one.

Local Implementation

Canada Basketball states that full implementation may vary between regions and organizations because of geographic and infrastructure differences.

The national framework provides the reference point, but parents should confirm local application with their club, school or league.

The Pattern Across Every Age

Younger players get:

• smaller equipment
• smaller courts
• small-sided games
• more playing-time protections
• fewer tactical restrictions to solve
• more flexible officiating and competition structures

As players develop, the game gradually adds:

• full courts
• 5v5
• formal scoring
• overtime
• full timing rules
• more tactical options
• broader competition and travel

For every age group and rule in one place, see our youth basketball rules in Canada.

Source

Canada Basketball — Canada Basketball Youth Rules Guidelines

This checklist is based exclusively on the Canada Basketball Youth Rules Guidelines. It is designed as a parent-friendly summary of the source rather than a replacement for a local league's published rules.