How long are games, and how do timeouts work?

Q: How long are games, and how do timeouts work?

Same structure for ages 7-8 and 9-11: Guideline Game Four 8-minute periods Between periods 1 minute Overtime 2 minutes Timeouts Two 60-second timeouts in the first half and two in the second half, plus one 60-second timeout per overtime Unused timeouts Do not carry over to the next half or into overtime Start of game Coin flip; the team awarded possession starts with a throw-in at half court, then possession alternates A coin flip replaces the opening jump ball because of the big differences in height and coordination at these ages.

Question

Accepted Answer

Same structure for ages 7-8 and 9-11:

	Guideline
Game	Four 8-minute periods
Between periods	1 minute
Overtime	2 minutes
Timeouts	Two 60-second timeouts in the first half and two in the second half, plus one 60-second timeout per overtime
Unused timeouts	Do not carry over to the next half or into overtime
Start of game	Coin flip; the team awarded possession starts with a throw-in at half court, then possession alternates

A coin flip replaces the opening jump ball because of the big differences in height and coordination at these ages.