This document is intended as a general guide to the Reston Summer Basketball Rules and Policies, as well as player, coach, and/or spectator responsibilities. It is for informational use only. From time to time, the League Board reviews its policies, procedures, and rules and will make revisions based on the need for and desirability for change. Any policy, procedure, or rule outlined in this document may be modified at any time by the Board without advance notice. Additionally, depending on the circumstances of a particular situation, the League Board remains free to decide in all cases whether to apply the policies expressed herein to any particular set of circumstances. By registering your child to play in the Reston Hoops Summer Basketball League or yourself to coach, you agree to become aware of the information contained in the manual and abide by it.

Reston Hoops Basketball is a summer league that focuses on developing skills, engaging in healthy competition, and exhibiting positive sportsmanship at all times. All rules and league decisions foster these developments.

Eligibility:

All players are eligible to play for only one division and one team per summer.

Division	Eligibility
1st/2nd – Future Stars	Beginners: Boys & Girls age 5 – 9
3rd/4th Grade	Rising 3rd/4th Grade Boys & Girls
5th/6th Grade Boys	Rising 5th/6th Grade Boys
5th/6th Grade Girls	Rising 5th/6th Grade Girls
7th/8th Grade Boys	Rising 7th/8th Grade Boys
7th/8th/9th Grade Girls	Rising 7th/8th/9th Grade Girls
JV	Rising 9th/10th Grade Boys
Varsity	Rising 11th/12th Grade Boys
League commissioners have the right to place a player in a division based on their skill level.

Registering for the Summer: All League Participants must be Registered!

Individual Registration

• Register by June 1st, 2026 to ensure you are placed on a team.
• ENSURE when registering, you select the division based on the grade your player will be entering this coming SEPTEMBER 2026, NOT the grade they are CURRENTLY IN.
• In order to avoid being placed on the waitlist, please have all individuals registered by June 1st, 2026.
• All individuals, not part of a registered full team, must be evaluated by the league in order to be placed on a team.
  Please refer to the Evaluation Page to see the evaluation dates, time slots, and policies.

Team Registration

• Teams can still register in full or partial with at least 6 players.
• Teams will have until June 1st to bring the roster up to 10 players or the League will add players to your roster.
• Team Players will all register/pay individually this summer.
• Team Players will be placed on their team based on the Coach Name entered in their registration and matching the submitted roster from the Registered Coach.
• Players on a registered team roster do not attend an evaluation.
• New for 2026: Under most circumstances, a full team entering into league play will be moved up one division.

Waitlist Placement: Players who register beginning June 2nd.

• Players placed on a team from the waitlist will have 24 hours from receiving the “Team Placement” email to submit payment/documents, or the League will place the next player in line on the waitlist.

Team & Roster Placement Information

• All evaluated individuals will be assigned to teams by June 3rd, 2026.
• The league reserves the right to add players to any team.
• Roster changes can only be made with league approval. Failure to receive league approval will result in forfeiture of violated games.

Team Practices: Planned for at least one practice per week beginning the week of June 8th.

• Practice day(s) and times will be at the discretion of the coach based on player availability.
• Due to indoor gym space limitations, most practices will be held at an outdoor court.
  * There are many outdoor courts in the Reston area that are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Season Scheduling & Match-ups

• Match-ups: The goal of the Summer League is to have as many competitive games as possible throughout the course of the season. The league reserves the right to match up teams and make changes throughout the season based on skill/record.
• Game Day Locations: The league receives gym space from the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood & Community Services (NCS). We do our best to secure space in the Reston/Herndon area, but we compete with many other organizations. It is possible that games are located outside of the immediate area.
• Schedule Changes: The league cannot guarantee that schedule requests can be accommodated. All teams are expected to be able to play Monday – Friday between 5:30 – 10pm. Except for an emergency, a schedule change request must be made at least 48 hours in advance and must be approved by the league. A change will be considered only if less than five players can make the game. If a coach can not attend a game, there must be an alternate adult present to coach the team.
• The league reserves the right to modify the game times and match-ups in the final weeks scheduling based on competitive play and playoff implications.
• Schedule Updates: Check the Team Snap app after 4:00 p.m. on a daily basis for up-to-date schedule information.

RULES

Game Day

• It is recommended for teams to arrive at their gym location at least 15 minutes before their start time.
• League Game Jerseys: Players are required to wear the official league shirt for league play. An acceptable replacement of a like-colored shirt will be allowed. No loose items may be worn such as watches, necklaces or bracelets. No earrings.
• Team Bench:
  • One adult coach must be present at each game.
  • Only one coach per team can stand during a game.
  • Players not in the game must remain seated on the bench at all times.
• A team must have four (4) eligible roster players to begin a game at tip-off time. A forfeit will result if a team has fewer than five eligible players by the end of halftime.
• At the end of each game, all players, coaches, and parents/team managers MUST immediately exit the gym.

Game Clock Rules
Game Clock	Clock Stops	Halftime	Playing Time Minimum
8-Minute Quarters All Divisions EXCEPT 1st/2nd (Future Stars)	Free Throws Timeouts Injuries Final Minute of 2nd and 4th quarter/OT	2 Minutes	See Participation Rules below
7-Minute Quarters 1st/2nd (Future Stars) ONLY	Free Throws Timeouts Injuries Final Minute of 2nd and 4th quarter/OT	2 Minutes	See Participation Rules below
Timeouts: 4 Total (2 – 30 sec; 2 – Full)
1st OT: 2 Minutes / 1 TO	2nd OT: Sudden Death	First point wins; no add’l TO

Player Participation Rules

• Each Player is required to play a minimum of 2 full unbroken quarters each game, unless there are 11 players
• If a player starts the quarter, the player must finish the quarter, unless that player either fouls out or is injured and unable to continue
• No player can play more than 3 quarters unless all players have completed a minimum of 2 quarters:
  • 11 players = 7 players (2q), 4 players (1.5q)
  • 10 players = 10 players (2q)
  • 9 players = 2 players (3q) , 7 players (2q)
  • 8 players = 4 players (3q) , 4 players (2q)
  • 7 players = 6 players (3q) , 1 players (2q)
  • 6 players = 2 players (4q) , 4 players (3q)
  • 5 players = 5 players (4q)

3 Point Line

3 points are allowed if a 3 point line is present (5th – 12th grade)

Backcourt & Defenses

• 1st/2nd Grade – No Backcourt Defense. Man-to-Man Defense Only.
• 3rd/4th Grade – No Backcourt Defense. Man-to-Man Defense Only.
• 5th/6th / 7th/8th / JV / Varsity – No Backcourt Defense if up 10+ points. Zone Defense Allowed.

Player/Team Fouls

• A player will be “fouled out” once they have 5 personal fouls.
• “Double Bonus” (2 Shots): 5th Team Foul of the quarter.
• Technical Foul (2 Shots + Possession): A player or coach who receives two technical fouls in a game will be ejected and will have to serve an additional one-game suspension.
• INTENTIONAL FOULS WILL RESULT IN PLAYER AND/OR TEAM SUSPENSIONS. A player who commits a flagrant “T” will be immediately ejected from the game and face a minimum of a one-game suspension. A team that commits two flagrant fouls in a game will forfeit the game and face the possibility of a league suspension. A second incident by a player or team will result in suspension or expulsion from the league.
• 1st/2nd Grade foul line – 57”; 3rd/4th – 20” from free throw line; 5th-HS – regular free throw

SPORTSMANSHIP: Adults are expected to set an example for the league. Anyone not able to control their language, behavior, or show good sportsmanship will:

1. Be warned.
2. Receive a technical foul.
3. Be ejected and suspended for at least one game.
4. Lose the privilege of coaching/attending games.

Playoffs

Player Eligibility: Players must play in two regular-season games to be eligible for the playoffs.

Playoff Seeding Tie Breakers

1. Total Wins
2. Head-To-Head
3. Least Points Allowed (Average based on non-forfeit games)

Team Eligibility/Seeding

1. Teams that forfeit two games without proper league notification will be ineligible for the playoffs.
2. The league reserves the right to adjust a team’s seeding and/or playoff brackets based on regular-season performance (i.e. strength of schedule; unbalanced schedule; dominance in a division; etc.)

Rules may be added or amended throughout the season to preserve the league balance.

• Reston Hoops and Reston Volleyball strive to advance sportsmanship in youth sports.
• I pledge to behave responsibly and to always set a positive example for players, parents, friends, and attendees during all league activities.
• Any comments and/or cheering will be positive and constructive towards all participants, coaches, referees, etc.
• I recognize that coaches, scorekeepers, and timekeepers are volunteer positions and strive to perform to the best of their abilities.
• I will treat all persons with respect before, during and after all activities — win or lose.
• I will refrain from addressing game officials or commenting negatively on their decisions before, during, or after game(s).
• I acknowledge that a coach(s), referee(s), or member of the programs Board of Directors is authorized to warn or direct me to leave the facility due to violation of this code and that the league office may decide to ban my presence from any and all activities for actions contrary to this Code at their sole discretion.
• This Code of Conduct is implicit and enforceable as outlined herein.

 

Updated as of May 21, 2026