SOUTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE YOUTH MINISTRIES SPORTS COMMISSION. Official Basketball Rule Book

Transcription

1 SOUTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE YOUTH MINISTRIES SPORTS COMMISSION Official Basketball Rule Book

2 LEADERSHIP/RULES COMMITTEE: Leadership for the South Central Conference Sports Commission Basketball League will consist of: 1.) Pastor Lorenzo Shepherd- Youth Director 2.) Pastor Roger Wade - Associate Youth Director 3.)?? - Coordinator Sports Ministries The purpose of the Rules Committee is to review the league Rules and Regulations for conferencewide compliance and to update and/or alter as necessary. All proposals made by the Rules Committee shall be submitted to the Youth Director for approval. Area Coordinators shall be selected by a Commissioner for a period of one season. A representative may be subsequently retained at the expiration of his/her term by supplemental appointment by a Commissioner. In situations where appeals are needed, Commissioners have final authority over their geographic jurisdictions on regular season events. Playoff and/or tournament-based events will be subject vote from the Leadership/Rules Committee. SCC Youth Director will have final authority on league rules scheduling championship events trophies and all budget decisions. LEAGUE AGE GROUPS: Adults: Varsity: Junior Varsity: Age 18+ Age Ages Age requirements are to be met by September 1st of each year If a player turns 19 during the season for Varsity or 15 during the season for Junior Varsity, he/she IS eligible to play in the South Central Conference Sports Commission Basketball League. This was voted and approved by the coaches. No exceptions! If a player is talented enough to play with an older age group, this is permissible per a coach s discretion. However, a less talented player can t play with a younger age group. No Ladies are allowed to play in the Varsity Division. Ladies are eligible to play in the Junior Varsity Division (per the coach votes) South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book

3 LEAGUE DIVISIONS: Northern Division Kentucky Middle Tennessee Tennessee-River Southern Division South Mississippi, No. Mississippi-Western Tennessee Central Alabama So. Alabama/ NW Florida I. ELIGIBILITY A. All churches and schools in South Central Conference are eligible to field a basketball team for the B. SDA churches or schools from other conferences in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida are eligible if approved by the Leadership/Rules Committee. Participating churches (hereinafter designated "Participating Church"). C. For the Junior Varsity Division, AAU teams that participate in other leagues but are coached by SDA members in good standing can be approved for participation by initial vote of the Executive Committee and by subsequent vote of the coaches of that Division wherein play will occur. Any non-adventist Church must be voted in yearly. All participating churches must adhere to every guideline contained herein. D. Any member (Commissioner, Coach, Player, Timekeeper, Scorekeeper, and Cheerleader) of the League must be a member of a participating church (as herein defined) AND must be in regular standing as explained in the official Church Manual. In Regular Standing shall have the same meaning as that designated in the Official Church Manual South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book

4 at pages : All church members are considered to be in regular standing unless they are under church discipline. 1. All roster members names must be approved by the Participating Church s Board and the A.Y. Council. All names must be approved by the A.Y.M. Council PRIOR to being sent to the Church Board for approval. For all participating church rosters, all names must be approved by the Church Board. All rosters shall be submitted to the league with the signatures of both the A.Y.M. Leader (Youth Leader) and Pastor. 2. There is NO limit for Non-SDA members on a team in any division. Church with adequate membership will however be expected to field a team with S.D.A. members. The roster should clearly designate the Non-Adventist player. Non-Adventist players are subject to all South Central Conference Rules. Furthermore, Non-Adventist players should regularly attend church and A.Y. meetings. The Pastor and A.Y.M. Leader are responsible for determining the level of engagement and participation in church functions. II. PAYMENTS & REGISTRATION FEES A. Each team that participates in the South Central Conference Basketball League is responsible for a one-time registration fee. Fees will cover the necessary insurance indemnification, trophies and medals, championship venue rental, and assist with neutral sight games (budget pending). The fee structure is as follows: Adults $ per Team Varsity $ per Team Junior Varsity $ per Team B. Fees will be due for all divisions by February 28, Send church checks or money orders to the Youth Ministries Office at 715 Youngs Lane, Nashville, TN 37207!!! All rosters shall be mailed to the same address. Any team that fails to pay the registration fee by the deadline will be charged an additional $50. South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book

5 III. THE A.Y. PROGRAM A. A.Y. attendance is expected for all team members. 1. Song service, scripture reading, prayer 2. A.Y. aim, motto and pledge 3. Missionary project report 4. Focus activities (skit, special music, etc.). B. The home team is to present the A.Y. M. Program. Teams are to cooperate with each other. Each A.Y.M. Leader and Coach should work closely in planning substantive A.Y.M. programs. Each participating church should develop a positive A.Y.M. program using all teams' roster members and cheerleaders. C. Roster members must wear appropriate attire to all A.Y.M. meetings. Unless requested to do so for a specific purpose. Coaches, A.Y.M. Leaders, Pastors and Commissioners are responsible for monitoring implementation of this rule. D. TRAVEL - Travel should be in keeping with Sabbath observance. There should be NO travel during the Sabbath morning worship hours (Sabbath School and Worship Service). When very long distances must be covered, teams should arrange for travel on Friday. Friday evening accommodations should be prearranged with motels and/or host church hospitality. 1. If there is a severe weather problem or some other emergency, the Coach, A.Y.M. Leader and/or Pastor should contact the host church concerning late arrival or cancellation. Contact should preferably be between Coach and Coach, who should thereafter contact all other necessary parties. 2. If a team fails to be present for A.Y. and/or the games without communicating a valid excuse, that team will share in half of the verified prepaid expenses incurred by the opposing team. Furthermore, they will not be allowed to play their next games until these obligations are settled. Any team not complying with these guidelines will be placed on probation until all financial obligations have been met. 3. ALL neutral site games should be split 50/50 for expenses between the home and opposing teams. Failure to provide agreed upon compensation for gym rental and referees will result in an automatic forfeiture of the game. South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book

6 IV. ROSTERS A. Copies of all rosters and changed rosters MUST be forwarded to the South Central Conference Youth Ministries before start of the season. As soon as the change of a roster has been approved. A valid roster shall consist of the player s name, address (if appropriate), and date of birth, submitted proof of age verification (if appropriate), signature lines for coach, A.Y.M. Leader, Church Clerk, and Pastor. Age verification shall be required for junior varsity, varsity, adult basketball player rosters. No team may participate without a properly executed roster accompanied by the appropriate registration fee. Changes to rosters after the date of the third (scheduled game) will not be allowed without approval of the League Counsel. B. NUMBER OF PLAYERS 1. The maximum number of players allowed on a basketball roster is 15. A basketball roster may carry, in addition to its 15 players, a head coach, two assistant coaches, one timekeeper and one scorekeeper. 2. A roster that drops below eight (8) players may be restored to eight (8) players with the approval of the Area Commissioner. All requests must be in writing. If an initial roster contains less than 8 players and drops below that number, players may be restored up to and including that initial number of players. Additions must follow guidelines for league participation. 3. Only those names appearing on the official roster are valid as official members of that team. All names appearing on the official roster (including coach, assistant coach (is), timekeeper, scorekeeper, etc.) must be approved by the A.Y.M. Council prior to submission to the Church Board. For all participating churches, all names appearing on the official roster (including coach, assistant coach (is), timekeeper, scorekeeper, etc.) must be approved by the Church Board. If a person on a team chooses to hold another position on that team, his/her name must appear as a player in addition to the other held position. C. RECRUITING If a participating church does not have enough players to fill its roster, the coaches may recruit players from another church. D. Players are eligible for tournament play if and only if he/she has participated in at least half of the games played during the regular season. All written statements must be signed by the home church's board chairperson. South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book

7 V. GAMES All games will be played under the guidelines of the annually published national high school rules for Basketball: A. Scheduling is TBD. The Leadership committee will do their best to limit travel to a 90-mile radius from the visiting team. However, there is a possibility that games may be of a longer distance. South Central Conference spans an area of almost 700 miles from North to South. Each team may have to travel once up to 200 miles to ensure integrity in scheduling. B. The home team has jurisdiction on whether to use a running clock or not. Where there are multiple games at one site a running clock is feasible. In situations where only one game is being played running clock is not necessary. Regardless if a running clock is used, the clock must stop on all dead ball situation for the final two minutes of each half. Home team also has the decision on if the games will be played in 4 quarters or 2 halves. Time periods for each age class are as follows: Adults (20 Min Halves or 10 Minute Quarters) Varsity (16 Minute Halves or 8 Minute Quarters) Junior Varsity (12 Minute Hales or 6 Minute Quarters) C. There are NO minimum requirements for a member to play in a game for Junior Varsity and Adults teams. However, for Junior Varsity, every basketball player on the roster, in uniform and on the court ( participating player ), must play at least two (2) minutes. The two-minute requirement applies to regular and tournament basketball games. If a participating player does not play the full twominute minimum requirement, the team in question could be subject to forfeiture of the contest. D. Every person listed on a roster must dress and participate as a player in a minimum of two (2) games during regular season play in order for that team to be considered for tournament play. E. Numbered and matching uniforms are mandatory for all team players. Numbers must appear on the front and the back of the top [jersey] of the uniform. Any shirt worn beneath the jersey must be the color of the dominant color of uniform. No jewelry is to be worn during play. If an infraction is noticed prior to the start of the game, the player will not be allowed to enter the game until he/she is brought into compliance. If the game has started, as soon as the infraction is noticed, at the very next stop play of the ball, the player must immediately leave the floor and may not return until the player is in compliance. If the Coach and/or Commissioner have been notified of an infraction and the non- complying player remains in play, the game could be subject to forfeiture. South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book

8 F. All games are to start on time. A 20-minute grace period is allotted and will begin at the end of the stated start time. If a team is not ready to play by the end of this grace period, the home team has the option to accept a forfeit. EXTENUATING, VERIFIABLE EMERGENCIES APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER WILL BE THE ONLY EXCEPTION. G. If a game is to be postponed, it should be done (but not necessarily required) in writing stating the exact reason for said postponement. A suggested make-up date should be stated and the notification submitted by the Coach and/or A.Y. Leader. Said documentation should be submitted to the Area Commissioner immediately. Both teams must agree on the make-up date and submit to their geographic Co-Commissioner in writing. Games not made up will result in a forfeit assessed to the postponing team. H. After each game, the Coach should provide a PDF or Camera Phone picture of the final score sheet for the Co-Commissioner who covers their geographic area. The stat sheet should be signed by both coaches to verify authenticity. VI. OFFICIALS A. Officials of every game are to be qualified and sanctioned by the State upon request, officials should be ready to present credentials to each coach before game time. B. Unless otherwise specified, payment for officials, gymnasium, etc., and adjacent facilities, is done by the home team/a.y. Department/Church. If the game is at a neutral site both teams are expected to contribute 50/50. C. Coaches are prohibited from using officials who are church members of the home team's church and/or relatives of team members. Visiting coaches have the option of playing under protest or not playing if there is any suspicion. South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book

9 VII. CONDUCT PROBATION AND SUSPENSION ANY VIOLATION OF RULE VI HEREIN WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EJECTION FROM THE GAME AND ASSESSMENT OF SUBSEQUENT PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION. The following penalties are placed in the Rules to remind and encourage all involved to practice the principles of the South Central Basketball League-CHRISTIANITY. It is desired that none of the following will ever have to be applied to any member. Coaches, players, A.Y. Leaders, Pastors, fans and/or Commissioners must conduct themselves as Christians at all times. When a team, team member or team associate is involved in any misconduct, it is to be immediately reported by the Coach of the team involved. A.Y. Leaders and Pastors may also make such reports of misconduct. Reports may be in writing and should be submitted to the Area Commissioner within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident. All reports are to have an explanation of the incident, any important, pertinent details, and names and numbers of the player(s) involved. If misconduct involves nonplayers, their names must be submitted in the report. A. Area Commissioners will review all reports and render a decision within forty-eight (48) hours. Decisions may be communicated by telephone. However, written followup must occur to all parties involved. All decisions may be appealed within seventytwo (72) hours of the Commissioner s determination. Said appeals must be made in writing to the Area Commissioner with a copy to the General Commissioners and A.Y. Director. The Area Commissioner will render a final decision within forty-eight (48) hours of said appeal being received. B. CAUSE FOR SUSPENSION AND EXCLUSION from League play (season schedule and tournament rounds) are as follows: 1. Systematic failure for team members to attend church regularly on or off season (Sabbath School, Worship and A.Y. meetings) (to be reviewed by the Area Commissioner). 2. Cursing, obscene gestures, abusive language before, during or after the game. TWO GAME SUSPENSION (AND MAY SUBJECT THE PLAYER(S) TO SUSPENSION FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON AND ELIMINATION FROM TOURNAMENT PLAY). 3. Use of alcoholic beverages, drugs and tobacco on or off the court. IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION FROM SEASON AND TOURNAMENT PLAY. (Must be reviewed by the A.Y. Director, General Commissioner and Commissioners prior to reinstatement). South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book

10 4. If a team does not properly fulfill its financial commitment for a neutral site game a suspension is possible if the offense is perpetual. C. FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN THE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP LEAGUE. Any Player, Coach, Commissioner, or any member of an official roster who physically fights before, during or after a League game will be SUSPENDED FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON AND ELIMINATION FROM TOURNAMENT PLAY). Coaches, A.Y. Leaders and Pastors are asked to monitor this situation. All persons will be notified in writing. A second action of fighting carries a suspension for the remainder of the season and tournament rounds, and the player will not be allowed to participate in the league during the following season. Any Commissioner has the authority to immediately dismiss any roster member from participation in the South Central Basketball League for fighting, threatening of any kind before, during or after a game, or any other violation of Section VI C. D. Any roster member dismissed for any reason must be reviewed by the Commissioners, local A.Y. Leader, Pastor, General Commissioner and the A.Y. Director in counsel together. This group will determine future participation as a roster member of a Participating Church. THE PASTOR AND A.Y. LEADER MUST BE FROM THE CHURCH OF MEMBERSHIP DURING THE TIME OF ACTION THAT CAUSED THE DISMISSAL FROM THE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP LEAGUE. ALL AREA COMMISSIONER S DECISIONS REGARDING SECTION VII MAY BE APPEALED. ALL APPEALS MUST BE IN WRITING TO THE AREA COMMISSIONER WITH A PHOTOCOPY TO THE GENERAL COMMISSIONER AND A.Y. DIRECTOR. A DECISION WILL BE RENDERED WITHIN FORTY-EIGHT (48) HOURS. South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book

11 VIII. YOUTH DIRECTOR AND COMMISSIONERS A. The Youth Director for the South Central Conference is directly responsible for all League activities and has full authority in all areas of League operation. B. The Co-Commissioners are appointed by and reports directly to the Youth Director and are directly responsible for the day-to-day operations of the League. C. Area Coordinators shall be appointed by the Co-Commissioners. The Area Coordinators shall be responsible for the local day-to-day operations of their respective Division. Area Commissioners report directly to the Co-Commissioner. E. All Commissioners are subject to the rules and guidelines of the South Central Basketball League. I. Commissioners will serve as arbitrators of disputes, make decisions based on the rules and review all concerns of Players, Coaches, A.Y.M. Leaders and Pastors. J. Misconduct of General Commissioner When a Commissioner is involved in any misconduct (as previously defined herein), it is to be reported immediately to the Youth Director. A written report of the alleged misconduct shall be subsequently submitted to the Youth Director within seventy-two (72) hours of its initial reporting, and must be signed by the complaining party(ies). The Youth Director, in concert with any appropriate officials as determined by the Youth Director, if necessary, shall review and investigate all details of the alleged misconduct and render a decision within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the written report. There is no appeal of the Youth Director s decision. NOTE: ANY TEAM OR ROSTER MEMBER, OR COMMISSIONER BRINGING LEGAL COURT ACTION AGAINST THE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP LEAGUE WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED/EJECTED FROM ALL LEAGUE ACTIVITY K. Commissioners may stop a game if a fight threatens the safety of those on or off the court. Commissioners may stop a game if threats are levied toward them or any other roster member or spectator on the premises. South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book

12 L. Commissioners have the authority to suspend any team or roster member for flagrant violation of the Rules and spirit of the rules that represent the Christian Fellowship League. IX. COACHES A. Coaches are subject to all the rules and guidelines of the South Central Basketball League. B. All coaches are responsible for the behavior of his/her roster members. When players begin to show poor sportsmanship that may lead to extreme behavior (fighting, verbal abuse or crowd misconduct), the coach should bench that player for a period of time. Players must control their behavior and coaches must maintain control of its roster members. Coaches allowing poor behavior to be exhibited will be subject to suspension and dismissal for the season. C. If a coach knowingly allows an ineligible person to participate, the coach will be immediately suspended for the duration of the season. The coach will not sit with the team during the team s remaining games. A forfeit will be assessed for every game in which the ineligible person participated. X. CHEERLEADERS A. The Cheerleading squad must have an adult sponsor who is approved by the A.Y.M. Council and Church Board. B. Cheerleading squads are subject to all the Rules and guidelines of the Christian Fellowship League. C. Uniforms are to be modest in taste and fashion. There must be no over exposure of the upper thighs and bust during the performance of a routine. The League considers appropriate and sanctions attractive, loose-fitting sweat suits. If loose sweat shorts are worn, they are to be at knee length. PLEASE COOPERATE. D. Cheering routines should: 1. incorporate a welcome cheer; 2. not include dance steps and avoid all sexually suggestive moves; 3. not use abusive language; and 4. be creative and fun. South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book

13 XI. TEAM CHAPLAIN A. Chaplains are to be a playing roster member. They should be an active spiritual leader for the team. B. Chaplains are to lead out in team prayer/devotion during practice sessions. C. Before each game, the Chaplain of the home team is to call both teams together for prayer. The home team s Pastor is to offer the opening prayer prior to the first serve or first tip-off. In the event the Pastor is not present, the visiting team Chaplain should offer the opening prayer. XII. TIMEKEEPERS & SCORERS A. Each team must have a timekeeper and a scorer, unless expressly provided by the Commissioners. B. If the home team's timekeeper and/or scorer are not present, the visiting Coach may use his/her timekeeper and/or scorer as the table officials for the game, or agree with the home coach to allow someone else to perform these functions. XIII. TOURNAMENT ROUNDS A. SCC Basketball s Championship games are at a place designated by the Youth Ministries of South Central Conference. B. The assessment of two (2) forfeits during regular season play and/or tournament play will result in immediate elimination from tournament play and/or further tournament play. C. Tournament rounds and brackets will be discussed at the annual Coaches and Commissioners conference call. D. During tournament play, scorekeepers and timekeepers should be selected from the Commissioners board. South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book

14 ANY MATTERS NOT SPECIFICALLY DELINEATED HEREIN SHALL BE AUTOMATICALLY TABLED AND A DETERMINATION MADE WITH RESPECT THERETO BY THE YOUTH DIRECTOR, GENERAL COMMISSIONER AND AREA COMMISSIONERS. A DECISION SHALL BE RENDERED WITHIN FORTY-EIGHT HOURS OF THE INCIDENT. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2;3-5 (NIV) South Central Conference Basketball Rule Book