Upward basketball provides an excellent learning experience for basketball beginners and a safe and fun environment for kids to participate without the pressures of winning or achieving awards. Upward is a Christian league in which players will not only learn basketball, but they will have the opportunity to learn Bible verses each week during practice.
Basketball Game Play
Upward basketball uses a large majority of the same rules that normal basketball uses. Players will be called for traveling, double dribble, lane violations and fouls. Referees and league commissioners will have the opportunity to pass judgment when some rules may be alleviated for teaching or learning of the game. Often times in the younger age groups, violations will not be called as stringently at the beginning of the season. This allows for players to develop and learn skills at the proper pace without making them feel like they are failing. Referees may also allow the team that committed the violation to retain possession upon their discretion. Typically referees and coaches will explain why there was a violation to the player so they will not commit the same violation.
Clock and Ball Possession
Games consist of two 18-minute halves. The 18-minute half is divided into three, six-minute periods. Substitutions will only occur between the six-minute periods unless an injury or foul situation occurs. The clock will run continuously during the six-minute periods. Teams are not given timeouts, and the clock will not be stopped except between the six-minute periods for substitutions. Ball possession is determined by a coin toss at the beginning of the game. At the beginning of each six-minute period thereafter, possession is given to the team that has the possession arrow. This encourages an end of period shot.
Defense
The largest difference comes in defense. Teams must play man-to-man defense and players must play their assigned player only. The only exceptions to a player guarding an opponent who is not their assigned player is during an opponent's fast break opportunity or during a pick play. In either case players must make an attempt to resume guarding their assigned player as quickly as they are able. There is also a distinguished line (usually half court) at which the defensive team must not be able to guard. This allows the offensive team to advance the ball to mid court (there are no 10 second back court violations).
Substitutions
The best part of the Upward playing experience for children is equally controlled substitutions. Coaches are taught the system in orientation and referees will uphold the policy by checking the coaches log prior to a game. The players will be listed in an order, usually by their Upward rating (this example will use players A through H). The first five players on the list will play the first six-minute period (players A, B, C, D and E). At the end of the first six-minute period, the players not in the game (F, G, and H) will become the first three players on the list. Since there are not two more players, the coach will go back to the top of the list for his final two players (A and B). Thus the second six-minute period uses new and old players (F, G, H, A and B). The list for the third set will pick up where the second set left off (with player C). When the second half begins, the list will continue where the first half left off. It will not restart at the top.
Fouls
Players will still be called and reported for fouls. Unlike normal basketball the limit is not five fouls. Players are allowed two fouls per six-minute period. If a player commits his second foul of the period he must come out of the game for another player. That player is able to return the next period. It should be noted a foul substitution does not affect the normal substitution rotation. Technical fouls do not exist in Upward basketball. Upward encourages good sportsmanship and behavior from players and coaches. Referees should keep a close eye on players and coaches who stray from proper behavior and be warned. If further action is required, the league commissioner should handle the situation.
Sportsmanship
Upward bases sportsmanship on a circle of positive encouragement. Coaches are to give positive support to referees, players, opposing players and the opposing coach(es). Players will then provide positive support to teammates, opposing players and referees. Referees will give positive support to coaches and players. Parents are encouraged to cheer positively for both teams. Coaches and parents are told to never question a referee's call. Questioning a call will teach the players to doubt a referee's judgment and teach them that negatively treating a referee is proper.
Scores, Records and Awards
Scores are not kept in K5, first or second grade leagues, but are kept in the older leagues. Records of leagues are not kept, as sportsmanship, learning fundamentals and developing a relationship with Jesus Christ are the goals of Upward. Winning and losing is not a factor in Upward basketball so games will end in a tie, if the score is a tie at the end of a game. The only awards in Upward basketball are stars (miniature stars that are able to be ironed onto a players uniform or T-shirt). Players are encouraged to learn Bible verses each week to earn a green star each week. After each week's game, the team's coach will award each player a star. Different color stars have different meaning, and coaches are encouraged to relate the stars given out to the player's efforts and skills on the court. Throughout the year a player should have the chance to earn every color star.
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