mini basketball
Mini basketball covers the U-12 age group and younger. Compared to adults, there obviously is a certain height and experience deficit in these age groups. For this reason, the DBB (German Basketball Federation) has adapted the rules of the game for the “minis”, including lowering the basket height. This is intended to give the little basketball players better access to our unique sport. Here is an excerpt from the special set of rules:
| U-8 | U-10 | U-12 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| playing time | 8 x 4 minutes (stopped) | 8 x 5 minutes (stopped) | 8 x 5 minutes (stopped) |
| game ball | size 4 | size 5 (lighter weight permitted) | size5 (normal weight) |
| number of players | 3 versus 3 | 4 versus 4 | 4 versus 4 |
| individiual playing time “Each child has to…” | play at least 2 periods and sit out at least 2 periods (substitutions only between periods) | play at least 2 periods and sit out at least 2 periods (substitutions only between periods) | play at least 2 periods and sit out at least 2 periods (substitutions only between periods) |
| height of rim | 2,05m to 2,60m | 2,60m | 2,60m |
| three point shot | none | outside zone | outside zone |
| backcourt violation | not applied | not applied | normal rule |
| special rules | no screens/hand-offs man-to-man defense only full court defense is permitted no double-teaming violations result in 1 point and possession (half court) for the other team | no screens/hand-offs man-to-man defense only full court defense is permitted no double-teaming violations result in 1 point and possession (half court) for the other team | no screens/hand-offs man-to-man defense only full court defense is permitted no double-teaming violations result in 1 point and possession (half court) for the other team |
| fouls | shooting fouls: free throw only team fouls (4 per period, free throws from the 5. onward) normal rules for technical and unsportsmanlike fouls | shooting fouls: free throw only team fouls (4 per period, free throws from the 5. onward) normal rules for technical and unsportsmanlike fouls | shooting fouls: free throw only team fouls (4 per period, free throws from the 5. onward) normal rules for technical and unsportsmanlike fouls |