The NBA and USA Basketball on Tuesday announced a set of age-specific rules and guidelines aimed at improving fundamentals and fostering long-term development.
The recommendations include:
• No 3-point shooting or zone defenses for ages 7-8 and 9-11;
• When possible, players ages 7-8 should play on an 8-foot basket, and players ages 9-11 should play on a 9-foot basket;
• Equal playing time throughout the game for ages 7-8 and throughout the first three periods for ages 9-11 (coach's discretion after the third period);
• A 24-second shot clock for grades 9-12, and a 30-second shot clock for ages 12-14, when possible.
This set of guidelines is an addition to the recommended rules released in October 2016 that suggested youth players delay single-sport specialization until age 14 and proposed limits on high-density scheduling to ensure proper rest.
"As the chairman of both USA Basketball and the Junior NBA Leadership Council, as well as a parent whose kids grew up playing and loving the game of basketball, I'm proud that the NBA and USA Basketball are working together to develop and share these important guidelines," USA Basketball chairman Martin E. Dempsey said in a statement.
"The new guidelines include age-specific rules and standards that will ensure a balanced and positive basketball experience for youth of all ages."
In addition to the changes suggested above, USA Basketball has adopted FIBA rules for players in grades 9-12.
The guidelines will be implemented in all USA Basketball programs and throughout Jr. NBA programming in the United States.
