The game format, substitution system, and rules for game play which are unique to Upward Basketball are designed to recognize that Every Child Is a Winner by promoting character and self-esteem.

Game Format

A unique element of Upward’s Basketball ministry is the game format:

• Referees lead both teams and cheerleaders in prayer at center court before every game.
• A coin toss or other impartial method determines which team receives possession first. In jump-ball situations, possessions will alternate.
• Games consist of two 18-minute halves and an eight-minute halftime.
• The clock stops every six minutes for predetermined substitutions. 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.
• Because the end of a six-minute segment does not signal a change of possession, the team with possession at the end of the six-minute segment retains possession. No end-of-the-period shot is needed.
• Teams switch goals at halftime.
• Cheerleaders will perform during halftime. A cheerleading performance will never replace the halftime devotion.
• No scores are kept in the kindergarten or first- and second-grade divisions.
• Any games ending in a tie should remain a tie. This will help keep games on schedule.
• No league standings are maintained in any league. Such standings add unnecessary pressure and intensity.
• Coaches are allowed to walk the sidelines and encourage their players without stepping in the playing area. Kindergarten coaches are allowed on the court with the players.
• All coaches will adhere to the substitution system as detailed on the following page.

Substitution System

The Upward substitution system is designed to give coaches the parameters for substituting players in and out of the game. The substitution system’s intent is to provide every player equal opportunity for improvement. Your coaches will appreciate being free from monitoring playing time for each player and not being accused of making unfair substitutions. The player substitution system was also designed with the following in mind:

• Every child will have the opportunity to be in the starting lineup.
• No child will sit out back-to-back six minute segments.
• Every child will play at least half of the game.
• In most cases, each child will play against someone of similar ability.
• Playing time for all players is virtually even over the course of the season.

Division commissioners should supply each coach with a team roster that includes each player’s evaluation score. Division commissioners can obtain these rosters by contacting the league director. These rosters are generated by using ULM. Utilizing the substitution forms located in the Upward Coach and Referee Playbook, the coach assigns each player a letter according to his or her ability beginning with the letter A. Players should not be aware of this system or their rank.

Rules for Game Play

Except where the rules unique to Upward apply, play is governed by the National Federation of State High
School Associations’ Rules Book (www.nfhs.org).

1. Man-to-man defense will be played at all times. Zone defenses are not allowed.
2. 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 all players to improve. This would contradict the spirit of the Upward rules.)
3. Double-teaming is not allowed. However, help defense is strongly encouraged in the following instances:

• In the 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. 
• Offensive Picks and Screens
  Defensive switching is allowed on offensive picks and 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”. 
• During Fast Breaks
  When an offensive player has beaten his or her defender, another defensive player may help. Upon stopping the fast break, defenders should return to guarding their assigned players.
  

4. At the beginning of each six-minute segment, both coaches should line up 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. 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.
5. Full-court presses are not allowed. Defensive players may not guard their opponents in the backcourt.
6. Due to the shortness of the court, backcourt violations will not be called.
7. 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.
8. Referees will call and explain all violations. The detail of explanations will vary according to the age group and understanding of the players and should decrease as the season progresses.
9. When possible, referees will advise players of potential violations before the violation occurs.
10. No technical fouls or protest of games.
11. No score will be given for a basket in the wrong goal. It will be treated as a turnover.
12. A player committing two fouls in one six-minute segment may be made to sit out the remainder of that segment (referee discretion).
    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. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.