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 Freedom Basketball Rules Changes

2026-2027

 

Senior Boys rules may operate differently.  Please visit www.fablshowtime.com.

 

 

 

** Changes This Season **

 

Pre-Quarter Mid-Court Match-Ups

Clinic(34) / Intermediate(56)  / Junior(78)

• The pre-quarter mid-court match-up for grades 5-8 can be used if time allows and should be under :30 in length.

 

Overtime

(Only grades 5 and above use Overtime)

• One 'sudden death' period.  The first team to score wins the game. 3 minute time limit. 
• Starts with jump ball.
• No timeouts permitted.
• Clock stops on each whistle in the last :60 seconds of the period  **REMINDER**

 

---

 

** Continuing From Last Season **

 

 

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 

 

 

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

 

 

---

 

Freedom Basketball Scoring Sheet

 

LineUp Examples

 

---

 

Freedom Basketball Foundational Rules

Includes the following

• Line-Up Exchange Procedure
• Game Play / Playing Time Rules
• Rules for Defense
• Coach Conduct and Bench Decorum
• Player Technical Fouls & Penalties

---

 

Freedom Basketball Division Specific Rules

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)

---

 

Senior Boys Playing Rules