Special rules for 5 and 6 year olds?

• - 3 on 3, half court

  
  

  - 27" ball, 8' high goal, 10' free throw line

  
  

  - Coaches may be on the court but must not interfere with the game or players

  
  

  - No 3 second rule

  
  

  - At halftime every player shoots a free throw that counts if made

  
  

  - All dead balls (jump ball, out of bounds, non-shooting foul) throw ins are at top of the key 

  
  

  - Throw in player may start the action by dribbling or passing
  
  
  - To start the possession the offensive player gets a 3 foot space

  
  

  - On defensive rebounds and live ball turn overs the ball must be taken back outside the 3 point line before the offensive team can attempt to score. To clarify ....

  
  

  Typically this will occur by the referee whistling for the ball and restarting the play of the game from the top of the key as most of our 5 year olds and first time players need this direction. 

  
  

  SOON - if players are advanced enough to understand the "take it back" concept (i.e. the player who gets the defensive rebound or steal then dribbles it back outside the 3 point line) and can execute it correctly, the referee may begin to allow this to occur.  
  
     -  “Taking it back" - it is our goal to begin to transition kids to understanding this rule by the end of this season. 

Does a parent need to be present on registration day? 

A parent is not required to be present on registration day, however: 

All players must register in advance here. This registration form must be completed before or on registration day. 

How can I help?

If you would like to help the West Bearden Basketball League, please see the "Coaching Information" tab at the bottom of this page or contact Robert at 865-258-3786 or [email protected]. 

We are always looking to add excellent role models to the WBBL team to help coach and mentor youths. Please help us by showing these kids how responsible adults keep their eyes open for positive contributions and positive efforts from the youths that are involved with the WBBL. Positive words from adults who are not a child’s parent can have lasting effects on a child. 

What size jersey should we order?

If you are not certain of what size to order, we will have size samples at Registration Day. Our shirts are a high quality performance fabric (Dri-fit) which does not shrink. 

You can order the player’s true size. You can look at the tag of a T-Shirt that they like to wear for a size. 

Our size codes are:

- YXS= Youth Extra Small
- YS = Youth Small
- YM = Youth Medium
- YL = Youth Large
- YXL= Youth Extra Large

When do we get our jerseys? 

How high are the goal baskets?

• The Peanut and Instructional Leagues (5-6 and 7-8 year olds) play on 8 foot high goals. 
• The Training Leagues (9-10) plays on 9 foot goals, unless at the coach’s option elects to play on 10 foot goals. 
• The Junior Varsity, Varsity, High School, and 17 & Under Leagues play on 10 foot goals. 

What kind of ball do you use for the league? 

• The 5-6 year old boys and girls use a 27” ball, sometimes called INTERMEDIATE. The game ball we use is the multi-colored Spalding Rookie Gear ball. This season we are giving each player in this league one of these balls. The coaches will be given these balls to distribute at one of the first practices. 
• The 7-8 and 9-10 year old boys and girls use a 28.5” (known as a Women’s High School or Women’s College ball). Also known as a COMPACT ball. 
• The 11-12, 13-14 and 15-18 year old boys use a 29” “REGULATION” ball. Also known as “Full Size HS, College, Pro Men’s Ball. 
• All 7-18 year old girls use 28.5"

What kind of shoes should the player wear?

Any good pair of “sneakers” will do. Shoes that are meant for changing directions are ideal, such as "Basketball," "Court," "Cross-Training," or "Tennis" shoes. Shoes should be laced up snug.

Are there other costs involved?

No. 

How do you choose which age group my child is in?

A child’s “basketball” age is the age he/she was on September 1st. Players can "Play up"

• The 5-6 year olds are in the PEANUT LEAGUE (PNT).
• The 7-8 year old boys are in the INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE (INST).
• The 7-8 year old girls are in the GIRLS ONLY INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE (INST GO).
• The 9-10 year old boys are in the TRAINING LEAGUE (TR).
• The 9-10 year old girls are in the GIRLS ONLY TRAINING LEAGUE (TR GO).
• The 11-12 year old boys are in the JUNIOR VARSITY (JV).
• The 11-13 year old girls are in the GIRLS ONLY JUNIOR VARSITY (JV GO).
• The 13-14 year old boys are in the VARSITY LEAGUE (VAR). 
• The 14-18 year old girls are in the GIRLS ONLY HIGH SCHOOL (GO HS)
• The 15-18 year old boys are in the 17 & UNDER LEAGUE (17U).

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When are the practices?

Each coach picks the day(s) they practice. If there is a day or time that you cannot practice, please write it in the “Special Request” line on the Official Registration Form and we will be sure you do not get on a team that practices at that time or day of the week. 

Generally there is 1 practice per week. If a coach is flexible and wants a second practice each week, we usually can provide a gym. Coaches try to get additional practices when they can.

The youngest age groups get the earliest times in order to get them home earlier. K-1 graders practices are always OVER by 7 pm. As the age groups go up, the later time slots are utilized.