
Player Sub Grids - New!
K-2 + 3rd - 8th Grade









SUB GRID BREAKDOWN
See below for guidlines and useful forms

Rules
3rd - 8th Grade
Grade Specific Rules Available at Bottom of the Page
Basketball Size
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3rd + 4th Grade | 27.5
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5th + 6th Grade Boys | 28.5
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5th/6th + 7th/8th Grade Girls | 28.5
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7th/8th Grade Boys | 29.5
Playing Time
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Buzzardball Winter League is an ALL-PLAY League
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Coaches are REQUIRED to follow the Player Sub Grid
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GAME ROSTER is REQUIRED to be turned into the Site Director before the game starts
Game Length
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20:00 Halves | NEW! in 2024
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Running Clock
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Stopped Clock for SUBS at 15:00, 10:00, and 5:00 marks of the half and FINAL two minutes of the game (if lead is under 10 points)
Substitutions
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Subs at 15:00, 10:00, and 5:00 mark of each half | not a TIMEOUT - Next group will be at the scorer's table ready to go. No subs occur during game play (except for injury + disqualification - see below)
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Clock Operator will stop clock at each mark; Officials will signal for subs on dead ball whistle (letting a play in progress finish)
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Site Director will confirm substitutions
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If injury occurs, first player listed in next segment will sub for injured player
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Each player is allowed FIVE (5) fouls; the first player listed in the next segment will sub for a disqualified player.
Timeouts
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THREE (3) timeouts per game
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Extra Timeout Awarded if game goes into OVERTIME
Free Throws
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1 Free Throw for TWO (2) points (or 3 on 3 ptrs) throughout game
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Final 2:00 of game | Bonus occurs on 1st Foul (1 FT for 2)
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No Team Fouls are recorded
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If basket is made on foul, award AUTOMATIC point (no Free Throw)
Defense
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NEW! Man-to-Man + Zone Defense along with double teams are now allowed in the half court.
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3rd + 4th Grade Divisions
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No Press Allowed
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5th/6th + 7th/8th Grade Divisions
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Press Allowed in 2nd Half
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Overtime
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3:00 Length | Subs at 1:30 | Stopped Clock in Final 1:00
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Players that started 4th Quarter start OVERTIME
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2nd OT is Sudden Death = First Team to score
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Coach can choose Players for Sudden Death
Home Team
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Wear WHITE jerseys | listed SECOND on the schedule
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Sits to the RIGHT of the scoreboard (facing the bench)
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Warm Up on same basket as bench
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Provide volunteer for the SCOREBOARD
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Provide GAME BALL
Visiting Team
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Wear DARK jerseys | listed FIRST on the schedule
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Sits to the LEFT of the scoreboard
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Warm up on same basket as bench
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Provide volunteer for the SCOREBOOK
Other Rules
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Technical or Flagrant Fouls
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Technical results in automatic TWO points and ball out of bounds
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If a player is assessed a TECHNICAL FOUL, they will be removed from the game
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If a coach is assessed a TECHNICAL FOUL, they will be removed from the game.
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The Assistant Coach will take over; if there is no assistant, the game is forfeited.
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Blowout Rule
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If a team is leading by 20 or more points, the scoreboard will stop until the trailing team scores.
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Points will still be recorded in the scorebook even if they don’t show up on the scoreboard.
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Officials
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Officials from Hawkins Officiating are to be treated with respect at ALL times
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No complaints should be directed at the official(s) during or after the game
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No shouting out violations or complaints from the stands or the bench
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Cooling-Off Period is 24 hours. After 24 hours have elapsed, you may e-mail Steve Buzzard at scbuzzard@gmail.com. Please leave the details of the incident. The incident will then be shared with Hawkins Officiating Directors Steve Harank, Andrea Barber, and Jay Crawley. You will receive a response as soon as possible.
Site Directors
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Site Directors will be at each of our game sites
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Ensure that games are running on time
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Collect Sub Grid Number Rosters before the game
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Check Line-Ups before each segment
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Assist Coaches in having Scoreboard + Scorebook duties occupied before the game starts.
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Deal with any in-game incidents




K-2 Rules
Basketball Size
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Kindergarten, 1st, + 2nd Grade | 27.5
Home Team
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Wear WHITE jersey | listed SECOND on schedule
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Sits on RIGHT side | Warm-Up on same side
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Provide GAME BALL
Away Team
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Wear DARK jersey | listed FIRST on schedule
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Sit on LEFT side | Warm-up on same side
Game Length
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16:00 Halves | Running Clock | Subs at 12:00, 8:00, and 4:00 mark | 2:00 Halftime
Match Up
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Players match up at Center Court before the start of each segment
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Players wear colored wristbands
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Man-to-man defense
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Two darkest wristbands go to top players in the segment
Freeze Play
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When official says FREEZE, all players freeze on the basketball court
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Player with basketball can dribble into position to score
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FROZEN players can turn toward the basket
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Once the shot is taken, ALL players can UNFREEZE to get the rebound if the shot is missed
Sub Grid
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Each player will be assigned a Sub Grid number
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Sub Grids will be displayed by coaches above team bench
End of Game
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Sportsmanship Line | Players form line and give High Fives or Fist Bumps to opponent
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Coaches will return wristbands to Site Director table.
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Please clear the floor in order for the next game to start on time
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ALL snacks should be distributed outside the gym
Water Bottles
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CAP IT = Please have the kids put the caps back on their water bottle
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Bins will be located at the end of each bench for the kids to place their water bottle in during the game.
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Towels will be available for any spills that take place
Other Rules
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5-on-5 All Season Long!
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No Score is kept
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No STEALING the DRIBBLE | Players can steal the pass, block a shot, or grab a loose ball
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No BACKCOURT defense = after ball is rebounded by opponent, team that becomes defense must retreat to backcourt | defense can start at half-court line
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K-NBA and 1st-NBA are allowed to have ONE coach be on the floor during play to coach kids
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No FREE THROWS
Buzzardball Rules
Coach Conduct Agreement
Fan Behavior Policy













Coaching Tips
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REGISTRATION DATES + FEESOnline Registration opens on AUGUST 15TH - Register Here $250 (K-2) | $275 (3rd-8th) -- through October 1st - Early Bird Rate $275 (K-2) | $300 (3rd-8th) -- October 2nd-November 15th $350 Late Registration Rate after November 15th (if there are spots available) * Players will be placed on a waiting list REGISTRATION Closes on November 15th
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REGISTRATION SAVINGS 💲The way I set up the registration is that everyone can enjoy the discount by providing an Early Bird registration rate. The earlier you register, the more you save on your registration.
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REGISTRATION - RANKING YOUR CHILDOn the registration form for 3rd-8th Graders, you will be asked to rank your child. This helps with putting teams together. Don't associate your ranking with your decision to have your child play in a competitive or rec division.
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CAN I PLAY WITH FRIEND(S)?Yes! A few years ago, Buzzardball moved away from doing a draft and allowing teams to be formed on their own. In Buzzardball, you have options. 1. Register as an individual and be placed on a team. 2. Register with a few friends and be coupled with other players 3. 3. Register as a whole team (8-10 players). This can be indicated on your registration.
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GOLD + SILVER (34-NBA + 56-NBA)Explain GOLD (Competitive) vs. SILVER (Beginner-Mid Level) divisions Buzzardball's most popular divisions are the 3rd/4th + 5th/6th Grade Boys where over 200 boys are expected to register. Buzzardball is structured so that the younger players participate in SILVER and the older players participate in the GOLD division. Buzzardball does allow flexibility for younger kids to play in the GOLD division and older beginner players play in SILVER. In the 78-NBA division and the 34, 56, and 78-WNBA divisions, the division will be ONE division, but I will schedule teams according to the coach's preference. For example: EIGHT (8) teams would create a 4/4 split; 10 teams would create a 6/4 or 4/6 split.
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BECOMING A COACHIt's pretty easy. E-mail | scbuzzard@gmail.com or text me at 916-947-7464 All Coaches have to verbally agree to the Buzzardball Coach Conduct before taking a team.
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GAME + PRACTICE LOCATIONSPRACTICE LOCATIONS | as of 10.17.23 Sport Courts Fitness - K-2 teams will practice here because of the 8-foot rim accessibility Touch Shooting Church of God Legend Athletics GAME LOCATIONS Rio Americano High School El Camino High School Arden Middle School Jesuit High School Sport Courts Fitness | K-2 If you know of any gym space that would be available ... let me know and I will take care of your child's registration.
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PRACTICE BREAKDOWNPractices for the 2023-24 season will start on Monday, December 4th Each team practices ONCE a week for ONE hour. Because of the number of teams that participate in Buzzardball coupled with the gym space available, ALL teams get a one-hour practice weekly. Buzzardball does offer outside sources for kids to get extra training if desired. Practice locations are available on the Winter League Home Page (click Location Link) When you register online, you can indicate which days work best for you. Depending on whether you are registering solo, with a couple of friends, or with a whole team, I will do my best to match you up with a team that meets your request. Practices will run through the end of the season (first Saturday in March for K-2 and second Saturday in March for 3rd-8th Grade). Practices held during the week range from 4:30-8:30 p.m. with our younger grades (K-2) practicing earlier in the afternoon/evening. There are also practices on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Practice day/time are determined by the coaches. You can also view the locations here.
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2024 GAME DATESJanuary 7th, 14, 21st, 28th February 4th, 28th March 3rd, 10th NOTES Buzzardball League Photo Day is on Sunday, February 11th in the morning. Site TBA No games on February 18th - President's Holiday The final week of the K-2 Season is Sunday, March 3rd 3rd-8th Playoffs are Sunday, March 10th Buzzardball Championships at Golden One Center are tentatively scheduled for Sunday, March 17th.
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BUZZARDBALL GAME TIMES 🏀I try to keep everything consistent from season to season. So here are the traditional times for each division. Please note that this could change dependent on how many teams we have playing this year. The times below are based on the 2022-23 season. Kindergarten | 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm 1st Grade | 1, 2, 3 pm 2nd Grade | 4, 5, 6 pm All K-2 Teams will play at Sport Courts Fitness in Sacramento (3727 Bradview Drive, Suite 100) 3rd-4th Grade Boys Gold | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 pm @ Rio Small 3rd-4th Grade Boys Silver | 12, 1, 2, 3, 4 pm @ Arden Middle 5th-6th Grade Boys Gold | 4, 5, 6 pm @ Touch Shooting 5th-6th Grade Boys Silver | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 , 6 pm @ El Camino Big 7th-8th Grade Boys | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 pm @ Rio Big 3rd-4th Grade Girls | 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm @ El Camino Big 5th-6th Grade Girls | 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm @ Rio Big 7th-8th Grade Girls | 1 pm @ Rio Big We have games played at Jesuit High School with games at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 a.m. I will be rotating the boys divisions with the dates we have. This means that each division will play at least once at Jesuit. We possibly will have games at 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. and possibly 7:00 p.m. at Sport Courts Fitness with 3rd-8th-grade teams. Stay tuned.
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BUZZARDBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS AT GOLDEN ONE CENTER 👑Buzzardball is fortunate to host the Buzzardball Championships for 3rd-8th Grade Boys and Girls at Golden One Center. In order to secure court time at Golden One Center to host SIX (6) Championship Games (3rd/4th, 5th/6th, 7th/8th Boys + Girls), the league has to amass $20,000 in ticket sales. You can help us by purchasing tickets to Kings home games and G1C events. Any money you spend goes toward the league total. KINGS TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE - Discounted prices for Buzzardball families G1C EVENTS - Including Disney on Ice There is a process. The aim each season is to have the championships played all on one day on either a Saturday or Sunday near the last week of the season. A request is put in and we find out the date usually a month out from the date that has been requested. For the 2024 Buzzardball Championships - I have requested Sunday, March 17th. Stay tuned!
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BASKETBALL RIM HEIGHTSK-2 will play on 8-foot rims, 3rd-8th Grade will play on 10-foot rims
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BASKETBALL SIZE 🏀K-2 | 27.5 3rd/4th Girls | 27.5 3rd/4th Boys | 27.5 5th/6th Girls | 28.5 5th/6th Boys | 28.5 7th/8th Girls | 28.5 7th/8th Boys | 29.5
Scorekeeping
The HOME team will be in charge of the scoreboard while the AWAY team will be in charge of the scorebook. Below is tutorial video explaining how scorekeeping works for Buzzardball.