Oakland Diocese CYO Basketball Rules

All League (West Diablo, East Diablo, Tri-Valley, etc) are governed by the Oakland Diocese CYO Basketball Rules. The Diocese CYO Basketball Rules will be fully enforced to ensure a consistent and fair experience for all participants.

CYO OAKLAND DIOCESE ALL-PLAY RULE

Effective in the 2025 – 2026 season, one unified “All Play” Rule has been approved & implemented for all CYO Leagues. This rule applies to all CYO regular season and post-season games (playoffs, diocese, tournament of champions).

"All Play” Participation Rule: Each Oakland Diocese CYO basketball team must play all healthy, uniformed players according to the following, guaranteeing a minimum playing time for each player of one quarter. Official scorekeepers are required to mark player participation, but it is incumbent upon coaches to ensure the “all play” rules are met.
1. ONE TEAM RULE: Players can only play for one CYO team. They are not allowed to play on multiple teams or serve as substitute players for other CYO teams.
2. MINIMUM PLAY REQUIREMENT: All healthy, uniformed players must play the minimum of two full continuous playing periods during the first two quarters (first half) unless:
  - A team has 11-15 players, in which case all uniformed players must play two full playing periods over three quarters.
  - A team has 16-20 players, in which case all uniformed players must play two full playing periods over four quarters.
3. PLAYING PERIODS: For teams with 10 or fewer players, the first and second quarters will each be divided in half for a total of four playing periods. The time for each playing period will be on the clock. (All healthy uniformed players must play two of those four playing periods with no substitutions except in the event of an injury.)
  1. For teams with 11-15 players, the first, second, and third quarters will each be divided into halves for a total of 6 playing periods. The time for each playing period will be on the clock. (All healthy uniformed players must play two of those six playing periods with no substitutions except in the event of an injury.)
  2. For teams with 16-20 players, the first, second, third, and fourth quarters will each be divided into halves for a total of 8 playing periods. The time for each playing period will be on the clock. (All healthy uniformed players must play two of those eight playing periods with no substitutions except in the event of an injury.)
4. INJURED PLAYER: If a player leaves a playing period due to injury and is later able to reenter, the player must complete the all-play requirement, if sufficient time remains. A substitute for an injured or disqualified player must play two complete playing periods.
5. PLAYERS ENTERING GAME: Each player entering the game for the first AND second time must enter at the beginning of a playing period and play the full playing period (except due to injury or disqualification).
6. SUBSTITUTIONS: A player may not enter as a substitute in the middle of a playing period unless 1) both their playing periods have been completed, and, 2) they may only substitute for a player who has also completed both playing periods.
7. POSSESSION: The end of a playing period will be administered as an official’s time out. The team in possession of the ball shall retain it at the beginning of the subsequent playing period with a throw-in at the spot on the sideline nearest the point of last possession. There shall be a center court jump ball to begin the game. The alternating possession procedure shall be used to begin each quarter and if no team had possession at the beginning of a playing period.
8. LATE PLAYER: A player arriving to a game after the beginning of the last playing period must play the continuous time during the game, equal to one playing period, if sufficient time remains. If a player misses the first half, that player is only required to play one of the playing periods.

2. Time Periods:

2nd-5th Grade (All Levels): Four (4), 6-minute stopped clock quarters.
6th-8th Grade (All Levels): Four (4), 7-minute stopped clock quarters.

3. Overtime Rules:

In the event of a tie score at the end of a regulation game, there will be a maximum of two 3-minute overtime periods. If the score is tied at the completion of the second overtime period, a one-minute rest period shall be taken, followed by a "sudden death" period played under the following rules:

If either team leads by two points (either by two free throws or a field goal) at any time during this period, that team shall immediately be declared winner.
If after three minutes of the sudden death period neither team has accomplished a two-point lead, the team leading by one point shall be declared the winner.
If the score is tied at this point, a one-minute rest period shall be taken and then a three-minute sudden death period will be played. The first team to score (either by a free throw or a field goal) shall immediately be declared the winner.

4. Press Rule:

No Press at any level in 2nd Grade (Includes 1st & 2nd Overtimes AND Sudden Death).
NO PRESS (for all levels) means that no defensive action may be taken in the back court, including pass interception. It also means that the team with the ball must be allowed to safely dribble the ball into the front court. Violation will result in one warning being issued by the referee, followed by a technical foul (& a team technical assessed - counts toward Bonus) issued on each subsequent violation.
Overtime: ALL levels in 3rd Grade & 4th Grade Boys National & Girls National, the first two OT, teams can only press in the Final Minute of the OT period. Press is allowed entire duration of Sudden Death.

Grade	Boys National	Boys American	Girls National	Girls American
3rd	Press only the final minute of the game	Press only the final minute of the game	Press only the final minute of the game	Press only the final minute of the game
4th	Press only the final minute of the game	Can press up to a 10-point lead	Press only the final minute of the game	Can press up to a 10-point lead
5th	Can press up to a 10-point lead	Can press up to a 10-point lead	Can press up to a 10-point lead	Can press up to a 10-point lead
6th	Can press up to a 15-point lead	Can press up to a 15-point lead	Can press up to a 15-point lead	Can press up to a 15-point lead
7th	Can press up to a 15-point lead	Can press up to a 15-point lead	Can press up to a 15-point lead	Can press up to a 15-point lead
8th	Can press up to a 15-point lead	Can press up to a 15-point lead	Can press up to a 15-point lead	Can press up to a 15-point lead

5. Technical Fouls:

All technical fouls are administered as two shot fouls with possession of the ball.
Technical fouls count as team fouls for bonus free throw purposes.
Any coach who receives two technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct during a game will be ejected from the game and will be suspended for the next two games. That coach will also be asked to appear before the West Diablo Sportsmanship Committee.
Any coach who physically abuses a player, spectator or an official will be immediately ejected from the game and may be suspended for the remainder of the season or disqualified from future CYO participation.
Any player who receives two technical fouls during a game will be ejected from the game and will be suspended for the next game.
Any player who physically abuses a fellow player, spectator or an official will be immediately ejected from the game and may be suspended for the remainder of the season and/or disqualified from future CYO participation.
Failing to immediately pass the ball to the nearer official when a whistle sounds from a player technical to a warning for delay for the first violation and a team technical for any subsequent offense.
“Flopping/Faking being fouled” is highly discouraged, faking being fouled is a warning for the first violation and a team technical for any subsequent offense.

6. Three Second Rule:

No offensive player shall be permitted to remain within the offensive "key" for more than three (3) seconds. The 3-second count starts over with each legitimate attempt at a shot.

7. Backcourt:

Backcourt is called at all levels of play. To violate the backcourt rule, both the ball and body (both feet) must first be completely established in the front court.

8. Ten Second to advance ball to the frontcourt:

From the moment the ball is inbounded and touched by an offensive player, that team will have ten seconds to bring the ball across half court. Failure to do so will result in a violation and the defensive team will gain possession of the ball.

9. Five Second Frontcourt Closely Guarded situations:

Defender must establish & maintain legal guarding position on ball handler within Six (6) feet for the count to begin and remain on. Distinctions: Girls (HOLDING ONLY) & Boys (HOLDING & DRIBBLING - once dribbler is head & shoulders past, count ends).

10. Three (3)-Point Goals:

The three-point shot is adopted for All Levels in ONLY 6th, 7th & 8th Grades.

11. Free Throw Guidelines by Grade Level

2nd & 3rd Grade: Shoot free throws from 10 feet. Players are allowed to cross the free-throw line when taking a free throw.
Halftime Free Throw Rule: Each player will attempt one free throw at halftime at the basket in front of their bench. If teams have different numbers of players, the team with fewer players will select additional players to match the total number of attempts of the opposing team. Each ‘made’ free throw counts as one point and is added to the team’s score.
4th Grade: Shoot free-throws from the regular free throw line (15 feet). Players are allowed to cross the free-throw line when taking a free throw.
5th – 8th Grade: Shoot from the regular free-throw line (15 feet) and are not allowed to cross the line while shooting. All high school rules apply.

For all levels, there are 4 defensive & 2 offensive players allowed to line up on the FT lane lines. Other than the shooter, all others must be located outside the 3-point line above FT line extended (i.e., first space is the space above the block & it is required to be occupied by defender on both sides; second spaces may be occupied by offensive players; third spaces may be occupied by defenders; FT shooter at the appropriate FT line; the remaining 3 players (& any others not lined up on lane lines) need to stand above the FTLE and outside the 3-point line.)

When FT shooter releases the ball, players lined up in lane spaces may enter the paint to rebound.
The FT shooter AND the players located outside the lane spaces must wait until the ball strikes the backboard/rim before entering.
The ball must hit the rim to remain in play, otherwise a FT violation has occurred.

12. Bonus Free Throws:

Two free throws awarded for a common foul beginning with the team’s fifth foul in each quarter. Team fouls will reset at the end of each quarter.

13. Substitutions:

All substitutes must report to the scorekeeper prior to entering the game.
Substitutes may enter a game only after the referee has beckoned them onto the court.
At the end of the first playing period in each of the 1st & 2nd quarters, substitutes shall report to the scorekeeper prior to the end of the playing period. At the end of a playing period, remaining players are to remain on the court ready to play and substitutes will enter as in any other inbound play. This is a substitution only; it is not to be administered as a timeout.
Substitutions during Free Throws: All subs enter before the final Free Throw attempt (i.e., before the last attempt if one, two or three). And, if applicable, following a successful final attempt, any legal substitutes available & at the table are allowed to enter the game prior to the throw-in taking place.
Beckoning of Coach by Referee:
- Requires a player who has been injured to be removed from the game if the coach is beckoned by the official, whether the coach enters the playing area or not, or if bench personnel (i.e., a coach or athletic trainer) enters the court without being beckoned. The coach may still use a time-out to continue assessing the injury and keep the injured player in the game.
- Dealing with Minor Blood: Allow 20 seconds for a player to address any minor blood on the body or uniform without leaving the game. If the blood cannot be appropriately covered/cleaned within 20 seconds, the head coach may take a time-out to address the issue or substitute for the player.

14. Length of Game/Timeouts:

A CYO basketball game shall consist of four quarters. All games shall have one minute rest periods between quarters. All games shall have a minimum five-minute rest period between halves. Quarters shall consist of no more than eight minutes stop time or ten minutes running time. Four timeouts of one minute duration may be charged to each team during a regulation game. Each team is credited with one additional time out per overtime period.

15. Frontcourt/Backcourt Throw-in Spots:

Following live ball timeouts, violations and fouls, Officials determine the designated throw-in spot using the three-point line as a reference in both the frontcourt and backcourt.

If play is stopped on or within the three-point line, the throw-in spot is the nearest point on the end line, three feet outside the lane line.
If play is stopped outside the three-point line, the throw-in spot is the nearest sideline at the 28-foot line.
The designated spots are either the nearest 28-foot mark along each sideline or the nearest spot 3 feet outside the lane line on the end line.
Exception: Out-of-bounds violations will be inbounded at the spot nearest to where it went out of bounds.

NOTE: During a throw-in following an OOB violation, if the thrower-in or coach is granted a timeout, the resumption of play will be the spot of the OOB violation.

Throw-in to the wrong team: When an official administers a throw-in to the wrong team, the error can be fixed before the first dead ball after the ball becomes live unless there has been a change in possession or change in status of the ball (e.g. shot attempt vs. loose ball distinction).

Player Out-of-Bounds: When momentum (e.g., hustle play) takes a player out-of-bounds, that player MAY be the first to touch the ball after returning to the playing court if the player did not gain an advantage by exiting the court. NOTE: A player will be penalized if a player leaves the court on the player’s own volition or avoids a violation and then is first to touch ball once returning to court.

A player is out of bounds if contact by a teammate or other bench personnel outside the boundary line provides an advantage, allowing the player to remain in bounds.

16. Uniforms:

Shirts must be tucked in during game play.

T-Shirts or compression shorts worn under the uniform shirt are strongly encouraged to match the primary color of the uniform, or be black, gray, or white. The colors of all players on the team are strongly encouraged to be the same. NOTE: Other CYO leagues & Diocesan games may conform with the NFHS undergarment(s) guidelines which mandate undergarment(s)/uniform compliance.
The home team shall wear the lighter-colored jersey; Away team will wear the darker-colored jersey.

17. Coaches must be seated:

Coaches must be seated during the game. West Diablo officials may allow a coach to stand briefly to issue coaching instructions to his/her players, but then the coach must immediately be seated. A coach is NOT allowed to "pace" the sidelines. A coach who stands and remains standing, shall be warned once. A technical foul will be given for subsequent violation of this rule.

18. Coaches Certification:

Only CYO certified coaches can sit on the team bench during a game. Coaches’ certification cards may be checked prior to each game. If no certified coach is present with a team, the game will be forfeited. If a coach says he/she is certified but can't immediately produce his card, play the game. Make a note on the back of the score sheet and advise the coach that he/she has 48 hours to submit proof of certification to the referee coordinator to prevent forfeit.

19. GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME (A team must have 5 or more players present at game time):

Regardless of the forfeit, both teams must pay the referees at the scheduled game time. (i.e., A representative from that team – Coach or team Representative of forfeiting team – must show up & compensate the referee).

20. Basketball - Regulation Size as follows:

All girls: Play with a 28.5" (circumference) size ball.
2nd - 5th Boys: Play with a 28.5" size ball.
6th – 8th Boys: Play with a regulation size basketball, 29.5” size ball.

21. Tie-Breaker Logic:

If teams finish the regular season with the same record, the following tiebreakers will determine seeding:

Tied Group Record (Win %) Results:
- A comparison of two or more tied teams based on the outcomes of games played against each other (tied group).
  Within the "tied group" tiebreaker is based on win % of games played, games played against non-tied teams are ignored.
- If the Tied Group Record Results cannot determine rankings, the system moves to the next tiebreaker.
Head-to-Head Results:
- A comparison of two or more tied teams based on the outcomes of games played against each other. Games
  played against non-tied teams are ignored.
- If head-to-head results cannot determine rankings, the system moves to the next tiebreaker.
Point Differential (Tied Teams Only):
- The total number of points scored by a team minus the total number of points scored against them in games between the tied teams only. For example, if Team A and Team B split the head-to-head match-up, then if Team A won by 7 points in one game and Team B won by 5 in the other game, Team A wins the tie-breaker. This logic also applies if more than 2 teams tied in the standings.
- A maximum point differential of 10 is used in this calculation.
Coin Toss:
- If all other criteria fail to break the tie, the league office will conduct a coin toss to determine the
  higher seed.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Oakland Diocese CYO Athletic Manual contain Codes of Conduct for the Coaches, Players, and Spectators. These sections should be read and addressed and stressed with the coaches by AD, and with the players and parents by the coach.

The following penalties for violation of the Code of Conduct are effective:

Coaches

Any coach that physically or verbally abuses or threatens to abuse an official, administrator, spectator, or player of the contest, before, during or after the contest, will receive an immediate 2 technical foul and be ejected from the game. That coach will also receive an immediate 2 game suspension and must appear before the sportsmanship committee. The sportsmanship committee will decide if that coach shall be suspended for the remainder of the season or disqualified from CYO participation.

Any coach that verbally makes derogatory or inflammatory comments or gestures toward an official, administer, spectator, or player of the contest, before, during, or after the contest will receive an immediate technical foul. If in the judgment of the official the comment or gesture was of a severe nature, the coach will be assessed, 2 technical fouls and be ejected from the game. The coach will also receive an immediate 2 game suspension and must appear before the sportsmanship committee.

Any coach receiving three (3) technical fouls of a sportsmanship nature, in any one season of play, will receive a 2-game suspension.

Any coach receiving three (3) technical fouls of a sportsmanship nature, and a resulting two (2) game suspension in two consecutive seasons, will be disqualified from CYO participation.

Players

Any player that physically or verbally abuses or threatens to abuse an official, administrator, spectator, or players of the contest, before, during or after the contest, will receive an immediate 2 technical foul and be ejected from the game. That player will also receive an immediate 2 game suspension and the case will be brought before the sportsmanship committee. The sportsmanship committee will decide if that coach shall be suspended for the remainder of the season or disqualified from CYO participation.

Any player that verbally makes derogatory or inflammatory comments or gestures toward an official, administer, spectator, or player of the contest, before, during, or after the contest will receive an immediate technical foul. If in the judgment of the official the comment or gesture was of a severe nature, the player will be assessed a 2 technical foul and be ejected from the game. The player will also receive an immediate 2 game suspension and the case will be brought before the sportsmanship committee. The sportsmanship committee will decide if that player shall be suspended for the remainder of the season or disqualified from CYO participation.

Parents/Spectators

Any parent or spectator that physically or verbally abuses or threatens to abuse an official, administrator, spectator, or players of the contest, before, during or after the contest, their team will receive an immediate two (2) technical foul and the person shall be ejected from the game and receive a two-game suspension from attendance at CYO contests. The sportsmanship committee will decide if that player shall be suspended for the remainder of the season or disqualified from CYO participation.

Any parent or spectator that verbally makes derogatory or inflammatory comments or gestures toward an official, administrator, spectator, or player of the contest, before, during or after the contest, their team will receive an immediate technical foul and the parent/spectator shall be ejected from the game and receive an immediate two game suspension from attendance at CYO contests. The case shall be brought before the sportsmanship committee. The sportsmanship committee will decide if that parent/spectator shall be barred from attendance at any CYO contest for the remainder of the season or barred permanently.

APPENDIX

Rules and Regulations

All rosters and supporting materials must be submitted to the President by a designated date established by the Board. Any team who has not submitted a roster shall forfeit all games until the roster is submitted. Any player who has not had appropriate documentation regarding proof of age submitted shall be ineligible and shall cause the forfeit of all games that he/she played until the documentation is submitted.
Players may be added to the roster up to the last day before the first league game as per diocesan CYO bylaws. The President or eligibility chairperson shall be notified before that day of additions, or that player shall not be eligible.

Forfeits

Game time is forfeit time and is recorded as a loss.
Regardless of the forfeit, the Coach or team Representative must still arrive to the game, on-time, to pay the referees the game fee.
Teams could also be assessed a $75 fine.

Player Eligibility:

West Diablo abides by the Oakland Diocese player eligibility rules. Priority (i.e., the first priority) on participation is for those children attending the parish parochial school, followed by Faith Formation (two consecutive years minimum), followed by residency in parish boundaries. Exceptions to this can only be granted by Diocesan CYO Office which may grant permission individually for participation of a Catholic child from a parish too small to host a CYO program. Starting in 2012, West Diablo has been forming a 2nd grade division for those parishes that wish to provide a team. If each year, we do not have enough teams to form a division, 2nd grade teams will play at the 3rd grade level.

Equipment and Uniforms

All equipment purchased for the league shall be kept by an assigned parish
Any parish admitted to the league shall clear the selection of the team colors with the Board of Directors
Parish team colors shall be assigned by the league Board of Directors.

Game Procedures

Tip-Off time/Posted Game start time is forfeit time.
Five or more players from each team must be present to start the game.
Games may not be postponed by coaches. The penalty for such action will be forfeiture.
Under no circumstances will a coach call the League Scheduler for any changes. League game changes will only occur when the league is responsible for scheduling problems, such as, gym closures, scheduling errors, or when there is a conflict with a parish schools’ event.
Shirts worn under the uniform shirt must match the primary color of the uniform shirt. Any team not having regular uniform tops must appear in numbered tee shirts.
When “No press” applies at a grade level, player and ball must be allowed to cross half court before being guarded by a member of the opposing team.

Game Officials

West Diablo hosted games are administered by ref-ology + Blast Equality Collab, 501(c)(3) collaborates with the league to assign two referees for each game as well as train and develop referee leaders. If one referee fails to appear by game time, the game will be officially played with only one official and will be considered an official league game. If neither official is present, the game will be rescheduled.
For anyone interested in officiating, please have them register on www.ref-ology.com and they will be contacted and given the information needed to join the program.

Protests

All protests must be filed in writing and sent to the league president within three days after the protest occurred.
Protests must concern a point of rule or the eligibility of a player. In matters of judgment, a referee’s decision is final.
Protests must be made to the referee at the time of the alleged infraction(s) or protest will not be considered, except in the case of a player’s eligibility. Protesting coach must enter in writing on the back of the score sheet: 1. Protest, 2. Score, 3. Quarter and the time of the alleged infraction, 4. Team and personal fouls, time outs remaining. No more than the word “Protest” shall be put down on the back of the sheet at that time so the game can continue immediately. At the end of the game comments of rule may be put down, if so desired.
Written protest must contain the date, time, league, teams, place of games, and the rule and section violated must be cited, protest must be signed by athletic director and coach.
A team voluntarily not finishing a game forfeits the game and cannot protest the incident which caused them to not finish.
Videos/Pictures/etc., are not allowed as evidence in a protest procedure.
Failure to comply with the protest procedures in this section will automatically cause the protest to be invalid.

OAKLAND DIOCESE CYO BASKETBALL RULES / OFFICIAL RULES: All basketball games (league, tournament or practice) hosted by Oakland Diocese Catholic Youth Organization teams will be conducted in accordance with the National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Rule book (available through the Diocesan CYO Office) with exceptions and additions noted in these bylaws, adopted by the Diocesan CYO Office, or adopted by the leagues and approved by the Diocesan Boys Sports Council or the Diocesan Girls Sports Council.

GAME LIMITATIONS: All games/ practices including tournament games played on school nights shall be scheduled so as to be completed by 10:00 p.m. No league shall schedule regular league play on Sundays before noon.