FABL follows NFHS Rules for our general game play.
There are deviations to some of the standard NFHS rules, adopted in an effort to provide a more competitive game based on the level of play.
Review each of these documents below for a better understanding.
Important FABL Rules Changes for '25 -'26
Entries in BLUE are the changes from previous seasons
Senior Boys rules may operate differently. Please visit www.fablshowtime.com.
Coach Pre-Game LineUp Exchange
Clinic(34) / Intermediate(56) / Junior(78)
- New process in place to better regulate our equal playing time requirements
- Visit our 'Foundational Rules' document below to view
Pre-Quarter Mid-Court Match-Ups
Intermediate(56) / Junior(78)
- We are no longer using the Mid-Court match-ups prior to each quarter.
- Players/Coaches may call out their assignments while taking the court in those instances.
Press Defense
Intermediate(56) / Junior(78) / Senior Girls Division(G912)
- Press defense must now be man-to-man. A zone press is not permitted.
Timeouts
Clinic(34) / Intermediate(56) / Junior(78) / Senior Girls Division(G912)
- Each team will be allowed 4 timeouts (with huddle), 60 seconds in length, during regulation time.
- Each team will be allowed 1 opportunity per game to ‘Stop the clock’ (no huddle) during a Free Throw.
The clock stops ONLY:
Clinic(34) / Intermediate(56) / Boys & Girls Junior(78) / Senior Girls Division(G912)
- For Injuries
- In the timeout scenarios mentioned above
- When the 4:30 substitutions are excessively long
- On each whistle in the last :60 seconds of each quarter
Overtime
Clinic Divisions (B34/G34)
- No overtime is necessary as win/loss records are not counted.
Intermediate(56) / Boys & Girls Junior(78) / Senior Girls Division(G912)
- One 'sudden death' period. The first team to score wins the game. 3 minute time limit.
- Starts with jump ball.
- No timeouts permitted.
Includes the following
- Line-Up Exchange Procedure
- Game Play / Playing Time Rules
- Rules for Defense
- Coach Conduct and Bench Decorum
- Player Technical Fouls & Penalties
Includes the following
- Pre-K/Kindergarten (K)
- Girls Grade 1&2 (Instructional - G12)
- Boys Grade 1&2 (Instructional - B1, B2)
- Girls Grade 3&4 (Clinic - G34)
- Boys Grade 3&4 (Clinic - B34)
- Girls Grade 5&6 (Intermediate - G56)
- Boys Grade 5&6 (Intermediate - B56)
- Girls Grade 7&8 (Junior - G78)
- Boys Grade 7&8 (Junior - B78)
