SAAU Playing Rules

The La. SAAU Boys’ Basketball Playing Rules & Modifications are detailed in this article. These rules are modified from the National AAU playing rules so as to fit our tournament schedules in order that student-athletes do not have to miss any school in order to attend our events. It is in keeping with the AAU mission statement that we incorporate these rules and feel they are extremely important to reiterate the fact that ALL AAU coaches place education and sportsmanship at the top of our priority list in dealing with all players.

1.) National High School Federation rules are used except: the “undersized” ball (circumference 28.5”) shall be used for the 8/u thru 12/u ages & ALL jersey numbers are legal. Teams must have WHITE and dark jerseys. Game times for Louisiana AAU events are:

Age Division      Quarter Length    Overtime
8u through 12u    6 minutes         2 minutes
13u and 14u        7 minutes         2 minutes
15u through 17u  8 minutes         2 minutes
(pool play: 7min.)

2.)Team Rosters - A maximum of 15 players (minimum of 6) are allowed on a team throughout the District level. Teams advancing to the National Tournaments:
a.) may pick up 1 player if they only had 14 or less on their roster for District, 2 if they only had 13 or less, 3 if they only had 12 or less; etc.  Up to 7 (seven) players can be added to any team for Nationals if you have space on your roster.  Please view AAU National website for more detailed info on all requirements for all National events. www.aauboysbasketball.org
b.) in the 8/u thru 14/u age groups only three (3) or fewer players can be on your roster that qualify under the grade exception rule. This limitation includes pick-ups for D I & D II totals.
In the 15/u and up ages, you may have an unlimited number of grade exceptions.
c.) Up to 3 cross boundary athletes may be on a roster at any time.

3.) For ages 8u thru 10u if the lead is 20 points or more at ANY time during the 2nd half, the team ahead MUST play defense BEHIND their 3-point arc (i.e. – no pressing or half court traps). Once the lead drops below 20, regular rules resume.  The first offense will result in a technical foul on the offending team and the second will result in another technical foul and ejection of the coach. For ages 11u and up if the lead is 30 points or more at ANY time during the 2nd half, the team ahead MUST play defense BEHIND their 3-point arc (i.e. – no pressing or half court traps). Once the lead drops below 30, regular rules resume.  The first offense will result in a technical foul on the offending team and the second will result in another technical foul and ejection of the coach.  Reason: There is a 15-point cap on point totals in calculating wins so large victory margins will not increase your standing in terms of pool results.

4.) Coaches must contact tournament director after each game to double check the next game time at all SAAU eventsts to assure accuracy with printed & web info.