Rules for a Youth Girls' Basketball Team

Girls' youth basketball teams are governed by rules that allow the games to be consistently fun, allow for maximum skill development, and allow for equal participation. Youth girls' basketball teams are designed around the concept that basketball is a team sport where team concepts should be taught with a focus on being active and physically fit.

  1. No Jewelry

    • Jewelry is not allowed to be worn during a practice or game. This is because girls' basketball, even at the youth level, can be a physical game where a piece of jewelry can injure an opposing player. Earrings can be especially dangerous as an opponents can get hurt very badly if they run into the ear of another girl. If you have just got your ears pierced and can not take your earrings out, it may be permissible for you to put a cotton ball and a piece of tape over the earring to limit the potential for injury.

    No Back Talk, Swearing, or Pouting

    • In youth girls basketball there is no tolerance for back talking, swearing, and especially pouting. These actions have a negative effect on the rest of the team. Since youth basketball is such a team oriented game, any actions that have a bad impact on others cannot be tolerated. Not back talking includes coaches, referees, parents and other players and not pouting includes complaining for any reason, at any time, over something basketball related.

    Never Criticize a Teammate

    • Young girls have a tendency to be critical of others on the basketball court if the opportunity presents itself. Criticizing a teammate is never productive from one girl to another. Any criticism should come directly from the head coach of the team. Criticizing a teammate extends beyond just practice and game time. During regular school hours or down time it should be made clear that everyone needs to be a good teammate. Being a good teammate involves being positive with all your fellow players at all times.