League Rules and Policies Players and Parents: Please familiarize yourself with these ground rules. Of course, rules are always a work in progress. We will stick to these guidelines, but the ultimate decisions on instances that might not be covered in this document will be up to the discretion of the league coordinators. * The league will consist of seven (boys) and four (girls) teams, with eight to ten players per team. Game schedules will be distributed to each player and posted at the Recreation Center. * Sign-up fee is $25 per player. Parental permission is required. Permission slip must be signed in order to play. Each team will have a community sponsor. Registration and sponsor fees cover the cost of team jersies, referees, equipment, trophies and other incidental league expenses. * All participants will receive a team jersey. Shirts MUST be worn during games. Players must not cut sleeves or alter jersey in any way. If a player does not have their team jersey and one can not be assigned, then they can play IF they have a like colored jersey. Their team will be given a technical foul at the start of the game. Participation is at the discretion of the league staff. * Each team will be assigned a coach/instructor. The coach will be responsible for team management. The League Staff will provide assistance whenever necessary. Teams may have an assistant coach, but they must first be cleared through the League Staff. * Only assigned coaches and players are permitted on the team bench during games. * REGULAR SEASON games will consist of two 15-minute periods (boys) or two 20-minute periods (girls) with a 5-minute halftime. Each team is permitted two one minute timeouts per period. * All players MUST play at least fifteen minutes per game (boys) and twenty minutes per game (girls). This time can be broken into increments. Timekeeper will buzz horn and stop game for player substitutions every five minutes during the game. Substitutions can only be made on substitution breaks, timeouts or in case of injury. Remember that when substituting on timeouts, the playing time rules must be adhered to, so this option may not be available, depending upon the number of players present or the accumulated playing time of the player being removed. * There is no "pressing" until the final two minutes of each half. Teams can not play defense beyond mid-court until the final two minutes of each half. A team warning will be issued at the start of each game, and violations will result in a technical foul on the team coach for each infraction. * Basketball is not a contact sport, and players are expected to abide by this rule. Fouls will be called and the games will be controlled. Due to the age disparities it is essential that the bigger players respect the younger ones and do not run over or "tank" the smaller players. To prevent injuries, we will assess a two-shot technical foul on any player who commits such an offense and the player will be suspended for the remainder of the game. * In the event a team has only four players at the start, then each team will play with four on the court. Any less than four players will be cause for a forfeit. If a fifth player shows up late, then each team will put five on the court. If a player is ejected and this causes a team to play with four players, then the opposing team will not be penalized and the game will continue as 4-on-5. Be aware that if a player is ejected from the game and this ejection causes a team to have only three players available, the game becomes an automatic forfeit, regardless of the score at the time play is stopped. At the discretion of the league staff "alternate" or substitute players may be placed on a team with only four or five players present in order to give a team with a minimum number of players present the opportunity to rest players and field a five-player team. This option is only available during the regular season and may not be used in order to avoid a forfiet. See "ALTERNATES" below. * ALTERNATES...The league staff may have a couple of substitute, or "alternate" players, to be substituted into a game in case a team has a shortage of players, in order to avoid forfiets or give a team with a minimum of players present a chance to give their players a rest. These substitute players are bound by the same playing time rules. Substitutes, or "alternates", will be assigned to a team at the discretion of the Recreation Staff. No "alternates" will be available during PLAYOFF games. * Players are allowed five fouls before ejection. Teams will be permitted six team fouls per half. Afterwards, the opposing team will be receive one-and-one bonus free throws. Upon the tenth team foul then the opposition will receive two-shot free throws. * We will have a running clock. Time clock will be stopped for shooting fouls, timeouts, injury, or referee intervention only. During the final two minutes of each period the time clock will stop on each referee whistle. If a game score is out-of-hand, the scorekeeper may let the clock run without pause. * In the event a game ends in a tie after regulation, then a three minute overtime period will be played. There is no limit on the amount of overtime periods that can occur in a game. We will continue until a winner is determined. * Players should arrive 15 minutes before game time. Games MUST start at the correct time, unless a late start is dictated by the previous game. We will allow a 10-minute delay in case of late attendance, then automatic forfeit. * Games will be played outdoors if the weather is nice, and indoors if the weather is bad, so there will be no rainouts. * Jewelry may not be worn during games. Earrings, necklaces and studs MUST be removed. The Recreation Staff and coaches are not responsible for any lost items, so it is best to leave them home. * Late sign-ups will be placed on a call-up list and assigned as necessary to fill open roster positions. There will be NO roster changes after ten games. * Standings Tie-Breaker will be regular season head-to-head competition results. The second tie-breaker will be points scored head-to-head, and finally a coin toss. * Practices are encouraged, but not mandatory. The coaches can schedule practices, and the staff will attempt to provide court time, either inside or out, whenever possible. However, time and space are limited and we can only expect so much from our volunteer instructors. Individual hard work and dedication is the key to success, and all players are encouraged to practice their skills wherever and whenever possible. In this program, we stress that each game, especially at the beginning of the season, is like a team practice. Players and coaches are getting to know one another, and it is during these first several games that the importance is placed on building relationships and learning to play as a team. All teams will make the playoffs, so in essence, every game is a just stepping stone to the post-season, so be patient with your progress and do not be discouraged if things do not go well at the beginning. The Recreation Center Staff is always available to assist and encourage, so do not hesitate to ask for assistance if needed. DISCIPLINE * SWEARING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. There will be one team warning and a technical foul assessed. A second team offense will result in automatic ejection and a technical foul. * FIGHTING WILL MOST DEFINITELY NOT BE TOLERATED. There will be no warnings and guilty parties will be removed from the game and a one-game suspension for all players involved. Removal from the league is possible at the discretion of the Recreation Staff. Law enforcement authorities will be notified if necessary. Technical fouls will be assessed against all players involved. * POOR ATTENDANCE may be cause for reduced playing time, reassignment or removal from the league. Please be considerate of your teammates and coaches and let them know if you will be unavailable for games, especially vacations and other prolonged absences. Three unexcused absences will be just cause for reassignment, and a further three will result in a participant's removal from the league roster. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR PARTICIPANTS WHO QUIT OR ARE DISCHARGED ONCE THE PROGRAM BEGINS. * The referees and timekeeper are in charge. Their decisions are final. Only coaches may question a decision. If a team has a question or concern, we encourage them to bring the issue to the attention of the Recreation Staff or the officials in charge after the game. If a player feels he has been wronged or is not getting a fair chance to play, please bring this to the attention of the Recreation Staff after the game and corrective action will be taken if necessary. * There is NO food or drink allowed inside the gymnasium. Players are permitted a water bottle. Refreshments MUST be left outside in the lobby. * Tennis shoes ONLY are permitted on the gym floor. * There are NO personal balls permitted in the gymnasium. All balls must be left outside the gymnasium. The Recreation Staff asks that personal possessions be left at home if possible. The Recreation Center and the League Staff are NOT RESPONSIBLE for missing or damaged items. BRING THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK. We are here to run a basketball league, not to watch over basketballs, bikes, clothes, money, jewelry and other such items. * Delinquent conduct in the Recreation Center building or in the park area, AT ANY TIME, may be cause for loss of building or park privileges. Delinquent behavior will not be tolerated by the Recreation Center staff and may result in game suspensions or removal from the league. PLAYOFFS * All teams will participate in the playoffs. In the boys league, the first place team will receive a bye for first round. Playoffs will consist of an opening round, semi-finals and a three-game championship series. Girls will have a semi-final round and a three-game championship series. * Playoff games will consist of two 20-minute periods with a 5-minute halftime. Each player must play at least twenty minutes per game. Substitutions will be buzzed in by the timekeeper every five minutes. Each team is permitted two 1-minute timeouts per period. * Players are allowed six fouls before ejection. * We will have a running clock. Time clock will be stopped for shooting fouls, timeouts, injury, or referee intervention only. During final two minutes of each period the time clock will stop on each referee whistle. * The League Staff and other adult instructors/referees are in charge. The coaches will be permitted to run their teams as they see fit, according to the rules and within the proper guidelines for individual participation. The instructors/coaches/referees will make adjustments as necessary and will do their best to promote teamwork and fair play among the different teams. This league is as much instructional as it is competitive, and it is the staff's responsibility to provide all players with a reasonable opportunity to participate in the games. For instance, we will deter ball hogging, rude behavior and grandstanding. Additionally, we will look unfavorably on rude behavior from the crowd. We remind everyone that we are here for the kids and they are here to have fun. Winning and Losing is one thing, but not the only thing. Any person/patron/parent whose actions are in any way obstructive to the peaceful progress of the game WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE the playing area and law enforcement authorities will be notified if necessary. Please remember that these kids are here to have fun and play basketball. There can be NO other way. WE WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE FUN !!! League Coordinators: Clint Burton and Dale Key. Center Director: Michelle Underwood. 412-571-3222 Thanks everyone for your support! -Dale and Clint |