Co-coaching middle school girls the basics of basketball and I heard the other coach talk about the "3 second rule". Neither offense NOR defense is allowed in the key longer than 3 seconds.... Is this true for this age group? I had not heard this before, but have now heard it several times. Does this apply to kids younger than high school? If not at what age/school year does it apply.. I don't want to disadvantage our defense if no one else is doing this..... I will find out in ten days, at our first game, but would like to know ahead of time!!!

Coach,

Unless it is a league specific rule, the defensive rule is INCORRECT.

Yes, an offensive player must vacate the lane after 3 seconds. Otherwise, it is a violation and a turnover.

Defense can stay in the lane as long as they want. Defensive 3-seconds is an NBA only rule. It does not apply to colleges on down. (Unless they changed it and I hadn't heard. )

I agree with Brian on this. I have never heard of a defensive 3 second rule in anything excel the NBA. However it could be unique to your school and/or state. Check with the varsity high school coach. He/she should know if there is a unique rule in your area.

I 'm not sure where I saw this video but they did have a 3 second defensiv e rule. The coach told me that they made that rule to make sure that NO ONE was playing any zone or trying to disguise it. Thie was for younger kids and I have never seen it around here and certainlu NOT at the high school level. GREAT defensive teams play GREAT helpside DEFENSE!

Check the rule out with the league administrators.

Yep. Sounds highly unlikely that a 3 second defense rule would be applied in middle school. I bet you could find your league's rules somewhere online.