Game Ready

What Your Player Needs

Practice & Game Day Essentials

Welcome to the season! To help your player feel confident, safe, and ready to have fun, here’s everything you need to know about practice prep, game day uniforms, and league guidelines for our 10U girls basketball team.

Practice Checklist

Each player should arrive dressed and ready with the following for every practice:

Top – Tank tops or t-shirts are both fine.
➤ Scrimmage jerseys will be handed out by the coach when needed.
Bottoms – Shorts, leggings, or a black athletic skirt are all great options.
Shoes – Basketball shoes are ideal, but any athletic sneakers will work.
Basketball – Bring a 28.5” ball (official size for 10U girls), labeled with your player’s name.
Water Bottle – Filled and clearly labeled.
Hair Up, Jewelry Off – Hair must be tied back, and all jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.) must be removed before arriving.

Game Day Checklist

Each player should arrive dressed and ready with the following for every game:

Top – League-provided jersey (distributed before the first game — we’ll notify you when they’re ready).
Bottoms – Black shorts preferred. A black tennis or athletic skirt is also acceptable.
Shoes – Same as practice: basketball or athletic sneakers, any color.
Basketball – Please bring your 28.5” ball for warm-ups.
Water Bottle – Don’t forget to bring one!
Hair Up, Jewelry Off – Same rule applies for games: hair tied back, no jewelry allowed.

Game Format

Details about how each game is structured:

Hoop Height: 10 feet (regulation)
Ball Size: 28.5”
Free Throw Line: 15 feet
Quarters: 8-minute running clock
- Clock Stops:
  - Last 1 minute of the 2nd quarter (dead balls)
  - Last 3 minutes of the 4th quarter (dead balls)
- Overtime:
  - 2-minute period (if time allows)
  - In tournaments: If still tied, a free throw shootout or additional overtime may be used

Player & Team Guidelines

Rules for gameplay, coaching, and team eligibility:

Defense:
- No full-court press except the final minute of the 1st half and final 3 minutes of the 2nd half
- Zone defense allowed only during those same timeframes
- No trapping at any time
- Help defense permitted only near the basket (within 8–10 feet)
Playing Time:
- Lineups (name + jersey number) must be submitted 5 minutes before tipoff
- Players not present at game start are not required to play but should be subbed in if they arrive late
- Coaches must notify the Program Coordinator if playtime is restricted due to missed practices or behavioral concerns
Team Size:
- Games can begin and end with 4 players
- With only 3 eligible players, the game is an official forfeit
- Scrimmaging with “borrowed” players is allowed post-forfeit for fun and development

Rules

Games follow Fast Break YBL league guidelines.

View Full League Rulebook

The Colorful Clothespin awards

To celebrate our team’s heart, hustle, and growth, we’ve introduced a fun and meaningful way to recognize the girls throughout the season: Colorful Clothespins!

Each clothespin color represents a special quality we value on and off the court. Whether it’s effort, attitude, or teamwork, players can earn pins during games and practices by demonstrating these important traits. Players then clip their pins to their team keychains on their personal basketball bags, creating a colorful reminder of all the ways they contribute to the team. It’s our way of highlighting moments that matter and encouraging each player to shine in her own unique way.

What each color means:

Purple – Leadership

Awarded to a player who leads by example, lifts others up, and shows confidence in tough moments.

Light Pink – Kindness

Given for acts of sportsmanship, encouragement, or simply being a great teammate.

Dark Blue – Hustle

Recognizes nonstop effort—chasing every ball, giving 100%, and playing with heart.

Green – Growth

Celebrates improvement, trying new things, or learning from mistakes. Progress is powerful!

Orange – Energy

For the player who brings electric energy to the field and keeps the vibes high.

Yellow – Positivity

Awarded for keeping a great attitude no matter the situation, and helping others stay upbeat.

White – Focus

Given to a player who listens, stays locked in, and brings a strong mental game.

Red – Courage

Celebrates bravery—whether it’s making a big play, bouncing back from a tough moment, or trying something new.

Dark Pink – Teamwork

For playing unselfishly, making smart decisions, and being where the team needs you.

Light Blue – Creativity

Recognizes clever plays, unique problem-solving, and thinking outside the box on the field.

Why It Matters

At the end of each game, every player will receive a clothespin to highlight something awesome she brought to the team. By clipping pins to their team keychains on their basketball bags, the girls create a fun, personal collection that reminds them of all the ways they contribute.

These pins are more than just colorful tokens—they’re a reminder that what we value most can’t be measured on a scoreboard. Let’s fill their bags (and hearts) with encouragement this season!

Learn the Lingo

Whether you're a new player or cheering from the sidelines, understanding basketball lingo can make the game way more fun! Here's a quick guide to the basic terms your 10U player will hear and use during the season:

Key Terms Every Player Should Know:

Assist
A pass that leads straight to a teammate scoring a basket.

Backcourt
The half of the court where your team plays defense.

Ball Handling
Using your hands to control the ball by dribbling, passing, or catching.

Baseline
The boundary line running under each basket.

Box Out (Block Out)
Using your body to keep the other team away from the basket so your team can get the rebound.

Bounce Pass
A pass that hits the floor once before it reaches your teammate.

Charge
A foul called when a player with the ball runs into a defender who already has their feet set.

Chest Pass
A quick two-handed pass from your chest straight to a teammate.

Control Dribble
A low, tight dribble used when a defender is close.

Defense
The team without the ball, trying to stop the other team from scoring.

Defensive Rebound
Grabbing the ball after the other team misses a shot.

Double Dribble
A rule violation where a player dribbles with both hands at the same time or stops and starts again.

Dribble
Bouncing the ball with one hand while moving around the court.

Drive
A fast move toward the basket while dribbling, usually to try to score.

Fake
A move meant to trick the other team into going the wrong way.

Fast Break
Quickly moving the ball down the court to score before the defense is ready.

Follow Through
The finishing motion after releasing the ball for a shot.

Free Throw
A shot taken from the free throw line after a foul. It’s worth one point.

Foul
Breaking the rules, usually by making contact with another player.

Frontcourt
The half of the court where your team tries to score.

Give and Go
A play where you pass the ball, then run toward the basket to get it back.

Half Court
The middle of the court that splits it into two halves.

Halftime
The break between the first and second halves of the game.

Jump Ball
Used to start the game or settle a tie. The ref throws the ball up between two players.

Jump Shot
A shot taken while jumping in the air.

Jump Stop
A way to stop by landing on both feet at the same time.

Key (Paint)
The painted area under the basket where a lot of action happens—also called the lane.

Layup
A close-range shot taken while moving toward the basket.

Offense
The team with the ball, trying to score.

Ready Position
A balanced stance that helps players move quickly in any direction.

Pass
Throwing the ball to a teammate.

Pivot Foot
The foot that stays on the ground while the player turns.

Rebound
Catching the ball after a missed shot.

Shooting
Trying to score by tossing the ball into the hoop.

Speed Dribble
A faster dribble used when running down the court with little pressure.

Traveling
A rule violation when a player moves their feet too much without dribbling.

V-Cut
A quick move where the player runs one way, then cuts back sharply in a “V” shape to get open for a pass.

Warm-Up
Stretching and moving before a game to get your body ready to play!