Merrimack Basketball Rules

Merrimack basketball League

Rules of play

2026-2027 updated rules will be in red

2025-2026 rule changes are in blue

The Merrimack Basketball League shall consist of:

Volunteer President/Treasurer – Kristine Flythe and volunteer Vice President/Schedules – Sasha Grimes
Merrimack Basketball Website: www.merrimackleague.com
The league follows the rules of NHIAA and NCAA.
3rd/4th, 5th/6th, 7th/8th grade and High School boys/girls basketball. Divisions will be set at pre-season jamborees for those age groups with sufficient numbers.
Towns participating in the league will provide a director to sit on the governing board, which will consist of town directors/representative, president/treasurer, vice-president/scheduler and future meetings will be recorded for minutes. Each town/school will only draw players from their own towns, school, school district or affiliated parish. Any exceptions to this will have to be approved by the current board of directors and officers. A town representative will be required to attend at least two directors meetings for the current season.
Each town/school will be required to pay an entry fee per team, an amount to be set by the board.
Fees will be due by January 1st of each season. If fee isn’t turned in, Risk of penalty of forfeiture of games until paid.
Each town/school will be required to submit a roster for EACH team entering the league. Rosters are due and are to be turned in prior to their respective Jamboree for 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8. Any additions/deletions to the roster MUST be e-mailed to all Director's for approval for changes to their team roster(s).
Rosters not turned risk the penalty of forfeiture of games.

Player eligibility and restrictions:

A player must participate in ONLY one (1) class and on ONLY (1) team in this league. Exception: MBL team may play in out of league tournaments.
Players rostered on a community’s school team are permitted to play in the Merrimack Basketball League if permitted by their school and/or community program.
Players must be present and in uniform for at least 50% of scheduled games in order to play in the play-off tournament (exceptions: i.e.: sick/medical approved absences).
A player must register and compete under one Name on one team (see above) except in the situation of relocation. Should the player move during the playing season, he or she may play for either team of the players, BUT ONLY ONE. This choice must be made on the date he or she changes address, and the league Director should be notified and in turn must notify the other Directors/President as soon as possible. This should all be done through his or her coach. If a player desires to transfer from one team to another (for reasons other than a change of address) such transfer must be done for a valid reason and DONE ON OR BEFORE THE START OF GAMES FOR THAT PARTICULAR SEASON.
Players may play up at each town’s discretion. THE AGE LIMITS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
2nd graders only at the discretion of individual towns.
3rd/4th - Must be 3rd/4th grade. (2nd graders may play up).
5th/6th - Must be 5th/6th grade. (4th graders may play up).
7th/8th - 7th/8th grade. (6th graders may play up).
If a participant is found to be ineligible during the season after the submission of rosters the player will be declared ineligible and will be moved onto a higher level and if no higher level exists, removed from the league.
If a team knows that they are only going to have 4 players, they may ask a coach from another team if there is a player that could fill in. It consists of equal grade or lower, a higher grade or division isn’t allowed to play down. This is only allowed in urgent cases to eliminate a forfeit. This isn't a recurring action; players aren't allowed to be rostered on multiple teams. This will be for regular season only (not in the playoffs) and will need to notify the opposing coach at time of game.
Teams are as followed:
- 3/4 grade will be split into equal teams based on the players fundamentals. This level is not to be split into divisions.
- 5/6 & 7/8 teams may be split into divisions (A or 1), (B or 2) or (C or 3) based on their fundamentals.
Number of players on a team: Maximum ideal number is 12. An exception will made if a town has 15 registered players. They will be allowed to form one team of 15, but if 1 (one) more registered player is added making 16. Then two teams of 8 will be formed. This is at the community director's discretion. We recognize communities vary in size, and volunteer numbers do too. As long as volunteer coaches understand they could have a large team, and an e-mail is sent to the President/Vice President to make them aware.

Team Uniforms:

All teams MUST have uniforms and their uniforms MUST be numbered front and back. Official NHIAA rules governing basketball Legal numbers are: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 00, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22,23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53,54, 55. Also, no garment worn under the shorts will extend more than two (2) inches below the bottom of the shorts.
Sponsored company logos will be allowed only on the back of the uniform.
Shirts worn under the uniform top will be of solid color and it should match the main color of the uniform.
Under the NHIAA updated rule, mouth guards are not mandatory. They will be optional.
The Home team wears white and traveling team will wear darker colors. Except in the playoffs. The higher seed is always considered the home team, which will always wear white.
Player Not Dressed: If a player is dressed but isn’t playing. Please let the opposing coach know before the game. Whether it’s for injury or non-participation.

5. Forfeiture/Cancelled Game:

Any violation of the rules set forth but the Merrimack Basketball League as to classification or eligibility constitutes ineligibility.
Every game after in which a player has been deemed ineligible but participates constitutes ineligibility and a forfeit will be awarded to the offending team opponent automatically.
Failure of a team to field a 3-player squad in fifteen (15) minutes of scheduled time exclusive of weather conditions, unless mutually agreed upon by the coaches of said game ahead of time will result in a forfeit.
Cancelled/Make up games - Host team will suggest 3 make-up dates within 24 hours of the cancellation, that are a minimum of 1 week or more out from the original game date. If the dates don't work and the games can't be resolved the team that has offered the new date/time/location to make up the game will earn the WIN, and the unresponsive team will take the LOSS. If there is EQUAL effort it will be a tie. Make-up games must be made up before the last game of the season, and if it's the last game of the season that is cancelled it must be made up the next day (Sunday). President and Vice President should be copied on make up game communication.
Overtime - There is NO overtime, unless there is no game after, both teams and refs agree. Overtime is 4 minutes.
Inclement Weather: Please communicate with your director/opposing coach in a timely manner, whether you feel safe to travel. Even if it’s a home game.
1. The Director will need to contact the refs; most likely the ref will show even if the weather is bad. The opposing team will also need to be notified, so that parents can be notified as well.
2. If a game is postponed due to weather or any other reason. It will be up to you and the opposing team to reschedule or cancel the game all together. If you are going to reschedule, a ref will also need to be rescheduled. (see above)

6. Game Scores:

Book: Every team whether home or away is required to have a book keeper. Book keepers must sit at the score table provided. Not sitting on the bench or in a chair away from the table. The home book is the book that the ref will go to if there is an issue. If you’re having a student or parent do the book for you, the student or parent must stay off their phone while the game is playing.
Score Submission: Each coach will be responsible for contacting the division coordinators (Score submission form is on the website to be completed by each coach and submitted) within 24 hours after the game. If the scores aren't submitted by the following Wednesday, following the Saturday's games. Both scores will be entered as “0", until both scores have been submitted.

7. Officials:

Each town/school will be responsible for getting refs for their scheduled games, jamborees and tournaments. The league will not pay for referees during the regular season. The league will pay the referees for the jamborees and the playoffs.

8. Advertisements:

A town is allowed to post game information in the papers, but no scores if more than a 20-point spread. Only win/loss should be indicated and follow mercy-rule, no large spread games mention with scores.
All other information from the game is allowed.
Do not post a player's name or photo in/on any media unless you have permission from the parent/guardian.

9. Jamboree:

One jamboree will be held at the beginning of each season for 3/4. 5/6 & 7/8 grades. Jamborees are played for the purpose of properly seeding each team in a division for equity and competitive play.

10. Mercy Rule.

The Mercy Rule will be implemented when a team is ahead by 20 points for 3/4, 5/6 & 7/8 and 30 points for HS. At this time there will be a 30 second "REF" timeout to allow the coaches to explain to the players that the Mercy Rule is in effect. It will stay in effect until the team reaches the 15-point difference.
The team that is ahead by 20 cannot press and defense must be within the 3-point arc. Three-point shots will be counted as 2 points. A minimum of three (3) passes must be made in DEFENSIVE zone only before a shot. If a shot is made before the three (3) passes the shot doesn’t count. There is to be no breakaway for the team that is up by 20.
At the time of Mercy rule, coaches discuss whether running the clock should be considered an option. The team that is down will choose whether they want the running clock.
If a player or coach, does not follow the Mercy Rules. You will be giving a warning. If this continues, your director will decide whether you will continue to coach or play.
Mercy Rule will still be in effect during the playoffs.

11. Assistant coaches

Will NOT be allowed off the bench, only for time outs, even when head coach gets a technical. An assistant may fill in if the head coach isn’t present.

12. Playoffs/Tournaments:

There are no ties in playoffs. Tie breakers will be played as 3 minutes for 3/4 and 4 minutes for 5/6, 7/8 & HS.
3/4 games are played starting 1/30/2027
5/6 games are played starting 2/6/2027
7/8 & HS are played the 3rd week of February starting 2/13/2027
** If there is no availability during these times, any division at any level can be played during February to get the games played. If there is no town available to hold a tournament for a specific division. There will still be trophies for the 1st and 2nd place for that division.

13. Guards, casts, braces and compression sleeves must meet the following guidelines:

A guard, cast or brace made of a hard and unyielding substance, such as, but not limited to, leather, plaster, plastic or metal shall not be worn on the elbow, hand, finger/thumb, wrist or forearm; even though covered with soft padding.
Hard and unyielding items (guards, casts, braces, etc.) on the upper arm or shoulder must be padded with a closed-cell, slow recovery foam padding no less than ½” thick.
Knee and ankle braces which are unaltered from the manufacturer’s original design/production are permitted and do not require any additional padding/covering.
A protective face mask may be worn and made of hard material but must be worn molded to the face with no protrusions.
Must be worn for medical reasons.

14. Medical and Religion Exceptions:

On the headband, there is an exception for Medical and Religious reasons. If the coaches are asked why a player is wearing a head covering and the coach states, it is for Medical or Religious reasons. The official and other team has no right to challenge.

15. Jewelry:

Jewelry is completely banned, no exceptions. Only two items do not have to be removed a Religious Medal, Medical Bracelet, Medical Necklace. Although the items must be taped with medical tape. Plastic earring post aren't allowed as a replacement.

16. Sportsmanship: Zero Tolerance: IS FOR ANYONE THAT COMES IN CONTACT WITH ANOTHER PERSON including inappropriate language:

When reported to the board by league directors of any misconduct from player(s), coach(es) or spectator(s). The league will issue a 1 (one) game suspension, if the conduct was not handled between league directors, coaches, or parents of players involved in the incident. If there is a second complaint, the league will issue a season suspension. Coaches are in charge of their spectators at a home or an away gym and are expected to handle any misconduct and are to seek support from their league director if necessary. If there are any player(s), coach(es), or spectator(s) that have any misconduct, they will be asked to stop. If they continue, they will be asked to leave or benched if it applies to a player(s) or coach(es). If the head coach is given 1 (one) technical they lose the right to stand, and must remain seated for the rest of the game besides calling for a time out/ spontaneous reaction for applause of a good play, injured player, or approaching the scorer’s table to correct a mistake. If the head coach is given 2 (two) technicals they are ejected from the game and must leave the gym. If there are repeat technicals at more than one gym during the same season the coach(es), player(s), or spectator(s) will not be allowed to participate in MBL for the remainder of the season. If this is persistent, the player(s), coach(es), or spectator(s) will not be allowed to anymore MBL games at any venue. If the technicals arise during playoffs, it will carry over into the future season and could jeopardize a player(s) or coach(es) ability to participate in the MBL season. Reports can be made online and submitted within 24 hours of the game.
The league will not tolerate any misconduct.

17. Equal Playing Time:

The league will not enforce equal playing time, but each player is required to play in each half. The league highly recommends that each team makes every effort to play players equally. Each town will enforce their own rule for equal playing time.

18. Team Fouls:

As of this season, the NFHS has changed the rules for team fouls. When a team reaches 5 team fouls, their opponent will shoot two free throws for common fouls when in the "bonus". This rule eliminates the one - and - one scenario and sets new fouls limits each quarter for awarding the bonus free throw. Player fouls will stay the same at 5 (five) total before being unable to go back into the game.

19. Time Outs:

Each team will be allowed: 2 - 30 second time outs and 3- 60 second time outs.

20. Playing Rules:

It is as the discretion if a ref from any community calls the 3 second violation, or a 5 second violation with any grade level. This also includes double dribble and travel, a skill that all players are still learning NOT to do. Some refs may give a little more leeway for 3rd/4th grade so the game can be played in a timely fashion. We all strive for consistency, but we can all be respectfull of the refs calls because without them you don't have a game.

A. 3rd/4th boys/girls’ basketball

1. Quarters will be 6 minutes.

2. Basket height will be 8.5 feet where available. (Some towns may only have 10', which they will need to communicate to teams)

3. Youth Ball: size 5 (27.5 size balls)

4. Foul shots 13 ft or 1 giant step.

5. No back court defense, full court press is allowed for the final 1(one) minute in the 4th quarter.

6. Three-point shots will be scored.

7. Overtime - full court press is allowed for the final 1(one) minute in overtime.

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B. 5th/6th boys/girls’ basketball

1. Quarters will be 8 minutes.

2. Standard NHIAA playing rules will apply to games.

3. Three-point shots will be scored.

4. Boys/Girls: size 6 (28.5 size balls)

5. Basket height is 10'.

6. A player is allowed to step over the free throw line only after the foul shot. They will not be given a violation for this.

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C. 7th/8th boys/girls’ basketball

1. Quarters will be 8 minutes.

2. Standard NHIAA playing rules will apply to games.

3. Three-point shots will be scored.

4. Boys: size 7 (29.5 size balls) / Girls: size 6 (28.5 balls)

5. Basket height is 10'

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D. High School Basketball

1. Quarters will be 8 minutes.

2. Standard NHIAA playing rules will apply to games.

3. Three-point shots will be scored.

4. Boys: size 7 (29.5 size balls) / Girls: size 6 (28.5 balls)

5. Basket height is 10'

21. If a coach has a concern:

1. Contact your community director.

2. Your director will reach out to the league.

3. Complete the online report form.