OSA TOURNAMENT RULES – 2023
PLEASE NOTE:
ONLY COACHES are allowed to bring basketballs into any OSA facility. No off-court
dribbling is allowed. NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK MAY BE BROUGHT INTO ANY
OSA GAME VENUES
PLAYER, COACH AND SPECTATOR DECORUM – All participants entering OSA facilities are expected to always
show good sportsmanship. OSA HAS A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY and has the right to remove any participant
who does not comply with OSA policies and procedures or who is seen as a threat to the safety and integrity of our
league. Anyone ejected from a game (player, coach, spectator) will be required to leave the facility and may
not enter ANY OSA game facility for the remainder of the day, even for another team. If this happens in the
team’s last game of the day, the ejected party will be required to sit for the next game the following day.
• Coaches: Only the head coach is allowed to address the official. The assistant coach may not address the
officials. If a coach or assistant coach receives a technical foul, the seat belt rule will apply and both coaches
will need to sit for the remainder of the game. We set aside officials’ areas on the corners of each court. This
area is for officials and officials only. Coaches may not address the officials while they are in these areas before
games, at halftime or after games.
• Spectator Decorum: Fans who cross the line and verbally abuse or berate the officials or OSA Staff will be
removed from OSA and OSA facilities immediately. Repeat offenders will be banned permanently from OSA.
Spectators do not have the right to admonish or berate officials or OSA Staff, and those who do not comply will
be removed.
WEATHER CLOSINGS - In the event of inclement weather, check the homepage of our website two hours prior
to your game time for the status of your game. OSA will also send out notifications to all coaches through Tourney
Machine. We understand that there are teams that travel from a distance to the OSA, and in the event of
inclement weather in surrounding areas, we reserve the right to cancel games as needed.
Additional Notes:
• SCOREKEEPERS - Each team will need to provide a parent volunteer scorekeeper for each game; One volunteer
will run book; One volunteer will run clock. All scorekeepers must be at least 16 years old.
• PARKING - Please do not park in the designated "no parking" areas.
• VENUES - Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the start of the first game. All teams will have a 5-minute warm-up
period unless we are running behind.
3rd – 8th Grade Tournament Rules
ALL COMBINED GRADE LEVEL DIVISIONS/POOLS WILL PLAY BY THE RULES OF THE
OLDEST GRADE LEVEL ***GAMES WITH ASTERISKS BY THEM ARE EXHIBITION GAMES
AND WILL NOT COUNT TOWARD POOL RECORD***
Generally, all rules pertaining to basketball for grades 3rd through 8th as defined by the Nebraska State Athletic
Association will be used for the Predator League. Some specific rules designed at the coaches meeting, which will
be utilized or emphasized are as follows: 1. Rim heights - all 3rd – 8th grade teams will play on 10-foot rims. Ball
size are as follows:
• 3rd–7th Grade Boys and Girls Divisions: 28.5 (women’s ball) (8th Grade Girls will also use 28.5)
• 8TH Grade Boys: 29.5 (men’s ball)
2. Home Team Provides Game Ball; Home Team Wears White/Light Jersey (Home team is
listed FIRST on the schedule) 3. All Grades game clock:
• Two 20-minute halves per game.
• Clock stops on all whistles during last minute of each half only.
• One 30-second time-out per overtime period (cannot carry over unused time-outs)
• 2-minute half time
4. Time Outs: Three 60 second timeouts per game; do not carry over into Overtime Periods.
5. Overtime period limited to 2 minutes with stopped clock during final minute only. One 30-second time-out per
overtime period 6. Free Throw Shots: 3rd Grade Boys, 3rd Grade Girls, and 4th Grade Girls will shoot free throws
at 12 feet. We will have tape on each of the courts at the 12-foot mark.
• On 7th team foul - 1 and 1.
• On 10th team foul - 2 shots.
7. Technical Fouls:
• Two technical fouls on the bench (coach) - ejection from current game and remainder of the day (may not coach
ANY teams for the rest of the day)
• Two technical fouls on player - ejection from current and remainder of the day (may not play ANY games for the
rest of the day)
• Two coach ejections - elimination of coach from tournament (all teams).
8. Full-court press policy:
• 3rd – 8th Boys andGirls - Any team may press full court unless they have a twenty-point (20) lead or
greater. This includes swiping at or stealing the ball after a rebound in transition. If the referee determines
that possession was lost in transition before half court, then the team will be awarded the ball out of
bounds in their back court.
9. Teams are allowed to play with 4 players if needed.
10. Eligibility- Players can play up a grade, but CANNOT, under any circumstance, play down. There are
no exceptions to this rule! Participants may play on more than one team, provided that both teams are
not in the same division/pool.
11. Rule for Coaches’ Bench Behavior:
• Only two coaches per team will be allowed on the team bench. No exceptions! If a scorekeeper is on the bench,
that person will be considered a coach.
• Only the Head Coach can make comments to the referees or workers at the score table. If the assistant coach
doesn't comply, the referee is instructed to call a technical foul on the bench.
12. Only the Head Coach will be allowed to stand.
13. Coaches'/Fan Attitudes: It is understood that games get quite exciting. It is important that all maintain a
proper etiquette and display of sportsmanship. The referees will be given full licensing to eject fans and coaches
from the gym.