- Character

     - Self-Esteem

     - Safety For The Players

Game Format

     A unique element of Upward is the game format:

1.  Referees lead both teams in prayer at the center court before every game.

2.  Games consist of two 18-minute halves and an 8-minute half-time.

3.  The clock stops every 6 minutes for predetermined substitutions.

4.  Each team is permitted one time out per half.

5.  Teams switch goals at half-time.

6.  Scores are not kept in the kindergarten-1st grade leagues.

7.  No league standings are maintained in any league.  Such standings add unnecessary pressure and intensity.

8.  Coaches are allowed to walk the sidelines and encourage their players without stepping in the playing area.

9.  All coaches will adhere to the substitution rules as detailed below.

10. The Upward Leagues at Porter Memorial have a "10 point" spread rule.  At no time will the scoreboard show more than a "10 point" spread.  The winning team's score does not change when additional points are scored, nor are points "stored away."

Substitutions

The substitution system is designed to provide every player equal opportunity for improvement.  The substitution system ensures that:

     -Every child will play at least half of the game.

     -No child will sit out more than six minutes at a time.

     -Every child will have the opportunity to be in the starting lineup.

     -In most cases, each child will play against someone of equal ability.

     -Playing time for all players is virtually even over the course of the season.

Rules For Game Play

     Outside of these special rules, the National Federation of High School Association Rule Book govern play.

1.  Man-to-man defense will be played at all times. Zone defenses are not allowed.

2.  Defensive players must stay within an arm's reach of the player that they are guarding.  (Isolation plays are not a part of Upward Basketball because they take away the opportunity for improvement of all players and contradict the spirit of the rules.)

3. Double-teaming is not allowed.  However, help defense is encouraged in the following instances:

• In The Lane Area - If a defender is in the lane, and the player being guarded is within an arm's reach, the defender is allowed to provide help by double-teaming.  The intent of this exception is not to encourage a defender to remain near the lane at all times ("soft zone") and double-team the ball each time it enters the lane.  The intent is to teach a player "already in the lane" to play help defense.

• Off Picks & Screens- Defensive switching is allowed on offensive picks and screens.  At the appropriate time, players should return to guarding their assigned player.

• During Fast Breaks - When an offensive player has beaten their defender, another defensive player may help.  Upon stopping the fast break, defenders should return to guarding their assigned player.

4.  At the beginning of each 6-minute segment, both coaches will line up highest ranked players across from each other without giving verbal clues.

5. Full court presses are not allowed.  Defensive players cannot guard their opponents in the backcourt.

6.  Due to the shortness of the court, backcourt violations will not be called, except for an "over and back" violation.

7.  The offense must purposefully attack the defense in every situation.  After a warning by the referee, if the offense does not cross half court, a violation will be called, and the ball will be awarded to the opposing team.

8.  Referees will call and explain all violations and the penalty will be a turnover.  These explanations will vary according to the age group and understanding of the players and should decrease as the season progresses.

9.  There will be no technical fouls or protest of games.

10. No score will be given for a basket in the wrong goal.  It will be treated as a turnover.

11. A player committing two fouls in one 6-minute segment must sit out the remainder of that segment.

12. Non-shooting fouls result in the ball being taken out on the side by the offended team.  All shooting fouls will result in free throws.

13.  The game clock runs continuously with the following rules going into effect with less than two minutes remaining in the game:

• Non-shooting fouls result in the offensive team getting one point and the ball.

• Shooting fouls result in the offensive team scoring two points.  The opposing team then takes possession.

• Players fouled in the act of shooting and making the basket are credited with the basket plus one point.  The opposing team then takes possession.