Youth Basketball Rules for 13- to 14-Year-Olds

Youth basketball leagues offer children and young adults stimulating competition in an entertaining and positive environment. Youth leagues are offered all over the country and can vary in terms of age, skill and rigorousness. Some leagues, such as the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), require tryouts and perform at a high level of competition. Most organizations are local and encourage self-confidence, teamwork and sportsmanship through basketball.

  1. Court Dimensions, Scoring and Equipment

    • Like official NBA regulations, 13- to 14-year-olds play on a full court with a basket 10 feet from the floor. Each shot counts for two points, and shots made outside the three-point line count for three points. Boys 13 to 14 years old will play with a regulation-sized ball, while girls usually play with an intermediate-sized ball. Uniforms are generally regulated and provided by the league.

    Participation and Game Length

    • Game length varies by individual league rules. Some games consist of two 20-minute halves, while others have four eight-minute quarters. Timeouts are allowed, but their length and frequency depend on league rules. In the event of a tie at the end of regulation, two-minute overtime periods are played until the game is decided. It is generally a requirement to have at least four players to start the game, with some leagues restricting the amount of substitutions allowed. Many leagues seek to provide each youth with equal playing time.

    Offense and Defense

    • Thirteen- to 14-year-olds are allowed to play any type of legal offense or defense. Each half begins with a jump ball. Some leagues permit fast breaks in all situations---allowing a player to move the ball up the court and into scoring position as quickly as possible---in order to outnumber the defense and keep it from setting up. Some leagues prohibit dunking. Defensive regulations generally permit pressing, stealing and shot blocking.

    Fouls

    • A player shoots two free throws for technical and shooting fouls. Two technical fouls---a foul that does not occur during play or displays unsportsmanlike conduct---will result in an ejection. Each player is given six personal fouls per game, with a foul considered as unjustified or excessive contact.