The 30 Point Rule

YOU, THE COACH, & THE “30 POINT” RULE

One of the most important aspects of CYO basketball is sportsmanship. Playing hard, striving for excellence, learning to be a good sport when winning, and learning to be gracious in losing are all part of sportsmanship.

It is with the sportsmanship ideal that the 30 point rule was crafted. The 30 point rule states that; “at no point in the game is a team to go ahead by 30 points or more.” There are penalties, technical fouls, etc. etc. etc. that can and do accompany the breaking of this rule, but really the desire is to never have to enforce this. In a perfect world no team would ever go up by 30 or more of their own volition.

The rule is in place for a number of reasons. Some of which are;

1. Not to humiliate the losing team.
2. For the winning team to display and learn; mercy, restraint and as a result sportsmanship.

In games that the 30 point rule can come into play it often becomes obvious early in the game that this could get out of hand. What should be avoided is running up the score to a 26 – 28 point lead as quickly as possible and then playing keep away as this goes against the spirit of the rule.

We have instituted a rule this year that once a team is ahead by 20 there will be an “official” time out. The ref will inform the coach that they are ahead by 20+ points and play will continue. Most likely even before this warning the mismatch is apparent. A couple of ways to back off early, but still play hard are;

1. Have your guards play the big man positions.
2. Have your least talented ball handlers play point guard.
3. Remember it is a great opportunity to give your least skilled players more playing time. Have them on the floor as much as possible in these games.
4. No Transition. Don’t fast break.
5. Play a zone defense inside the 3‐point line (this will give the other team a chance to advance the ball well into the forecourt).
6. Have your team make at least 5 passes before a shot is taken.
7. Last year a team ran what they called the “5 & dime offense.” When they were up by 20 or more they had to have 10 passes and during those 10 passes all 5 players had to touch the ball at least once before a shot.

As a coach you are responsible for being stewards of the rules and our mission statement. Thank you for volunteering your time. It is much appreciated.