Modifications for Middle School Athletics

Boys and Girls Basketball

The intent of the mantoman regulations is for coaches to teach the young players the fundamentals of
defense. Before learning zones, a player should be properly schooled in man toman fundamentals. Only
if zones are eliminated can we be sure that the coaches will stress strong individual defensive play by
members of his/her squad.
Therefore, team zones of any kind and trapping are not to be used in any seventh or eighth grade
basketball games. The decision to eliminate trapping came because the thinking of some is that this is a
form of a zone. Rather than place this added burden on the officials, we decided to eliminate trapping.
NOTE: A team violating the rule shall receive a warning from the official. If there are continued
violations, the athletic director of the offending school should be contacted.
OFFICIALS: Please be flexible in your zone interpretations. We do not want to penalize teams because a
player is mistakenly out of position or read too deeply into this rule modification to affect consistency.
If more than one player is guarding an opponent or when an offensive player moves through the
defense and is not followed by a defensive player this is a violation. When playing defense on ball side
of court, you must guard your man within the spirit of the rules.
The double team of a potential receiver when a ball is taken out of bounds is also not to be used.
If the offensive team creates an offensive advantage (such as a high lob or break away, etc.), it is
permissible for another defensive player to pick him/her up without violating the rule.
Helping out is permitted when the offense has created an advantage. Obviously this can create some
weak side anticipation.
The question of switching or jump-switching has come up. We realize this can occur in playing
mantoman and will create some situations when a man is left unguarded or one man is guarded by two.
Consider your officiating instructional in nature. If a player continues to make the same mistake,
please help him/her out.
1. No full court defense in boys or girls B games except for the last two minutes of the fourth quarter.
2. Warm-up periods shall be 10 minutes before the first game, 5 minutes at half, and 5 minutes between
games (coaches discretion).
Note: There is no interpretation of a defensive rule that says you must be within four or six feet when
guarding an opponent. This is especially true when your opponent is in the back court or on the weak side
(away from the ball).

NEW 2014-15
35-point differential rule is in effect for all games played in Iowa, grades 7-12. We will follow
this rule for both girls and boys starting the 2014-15 school year. If there is a 35-point
differential at the end of the first half or anytime after, the game will be continued with a running

clock. Beginning with the ensuing possession when the 35-point differential becomes effective,
the following changes, and only these changes, will be made regarding rules determining when
the clock will and will not be stopped. The clock will run continuously except for the following
situations when it will be stopped:
(1) Anytime a time-out is charged to a team;
(2) Stoppage to administer free-throws;
(3) Intermission between third and fourth quarter;
(4) Extended injury time-out;
(5) Anytime officials determine it is necessary for safety reasons.
Please keep in mind we play the first half to completion with regular timing. If the differential is
35 points or more at half-time or anytime there is a 35-point differential during the second half,
the running clock procedures will be used. If the score margin drops below 25 points, then
normal timing will resume for the remainder of the game, or until the 35 point plateau is again
reached.

Football
8th Grade
Fifth Quarter: By mutual agreement between schools, a fifth quarter may be played. Fifth
quarter may be actual game conditions with hired officials.
Coachers Option: Coaches can agree to run ten (10) plays on offense and ten (10) on defense as
a fifth quarter with one coach from each team officiating and one coach from each team I the
huddle.
7th Grade
1)

A regular four-quarter game with one additional 8-minute quarter. Regular timing
procedures should be followed in the additional quarters. Coaches may elect to
forego the additional quarter if there is not a sufficient number of players. THERE
WILL BE NO OVERTIME.

2)

Coaches are allowed on the field for the first two games of the year. However, they
should not disrupt the flow of the game. Coaches will NOT be allowed on the field
after the first two games of the year.

3)

Twenty-five (25) seconds between plays.

4)

Two officials - $42.00 each for four quarters. $8.50 for each additional quarter.

5)

EVERY player should participate for a MINIMUM of two quarters. No player may
participate in more than four quarters.

6)

Kickoff team MUST have a balanced line. Rushing the punter is limited to five (5)
rushers (MUST be down lineman and NOT over the center).

7)

MAXIMUM of 5 Defensive players on the line that can blitz or rush.

8)

BLITZES: Defensive players CANNOT charge with the anticipated snap of the ball.
Definite body movement forward is NOT allowed PRIOR to the snap. Linebackers
must be AT LEAST three yards deep and four defensive backs AT LEAST seven
yards deep at the snap. All restrictions are removed after the snap. PENALTY 15
yards.

9)

BALANCED LINE: Offensive team MUST use a balanced line at all times. A
balanced line is defined as an equal number of LINEMEN [TACKLES & GUARDS]
on EACH side of the center. PENALTY 5 yards

Volleyball Rules Modifications

1.

To ensure that all participants play an entire match, the following rules will be followed:
a.

Six games will be played. They will alternate between an A and a B game.

b. Players that participate in the A match should not play in the B match unless the
team numbers are low.
c. All players should participate in at least two of the three games in their match.
d. Rally scoring to 25 points will be used in all games. Games must be won by two
points with no scoring cap.
2.

Net height-70

3. No Libero player will be used.