Margate Youth Basketball League Rules & Guidelines

P a g e 1 Margate Youth Basketball League Rules & Guidelines I. LEAGUE MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATIVE RIGHTS The League Administrator shall retain the right at any time to amend, change, delete or enact any change(s) that are beneficial to the success of the league. COMMUNICATION a) We ask parents/guardians to communicate any team-related concerns to the team coach first, then, if necessary to any City staff member. b) Coaches should direct players concerns with the parent first and if problems persist, contact city staff immediately thereafter. c) Please direct all other concerns directly to City staff or to the League Administrator. II. LEAGUE POLICIES PARENT PLAYER CODE OF ETHICS A. The Code of Ethics shall govern all league-related activity and behavior. a) Player and parent/legal guardian MUST sign the Code prior to the first game. b) If the parent/legal guardian or player refuses to sign the Code, the result will be an immediate suspension of that player from participating in all activities for that season. c) The parent or the legal guardian who signs off on the Code is responsible for advising all other parents/guardians, if applicable, of the conditions, provision, and ramifications of the Code. COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR B. Each Coach shall sign and comply with the Coaches Code of Conduct. The Coaches Code of Conduct shall govern all league-related activity and behavior. a) All coaches are held to a higher standard of conduct than the players and spectators. b) All coaches shall be subject to a stricter measure of behavior than the players and team spectators. c) A violation of the Code shall result in actions that range from a verbal warning to a suspension/expulsion from league activities to the filing of criminal charges. d) The League Administrator has the discretion and authority to make recommendations of suspension or expulsion towards coaches. The Director of Parks & Recreation will make the final decisions. There shall be no appeal on suspensions or dismissals. COACHES SELECTION PROCESS The City of Margate is grateful to the parents and community members that volunteer their time and basketball expertise to provide a memorable experience for our young players. In effort to establish a standard that aligns with our mission and vision, the Margate Basketball League will adhere to the following order of the selection process: 1 st Priority Parent and/or Legal Guardian of participant 2 nd Priority Prior season coaches with a positive Coaches Evaluation 3 rd Priority First year volunteers

P a g e 2 MANDATED BACKGROUND CHECKS Margate City Ordinance mandates that every adult who has more than an occasional interaction with children in a youth sports league activity shall successfully complete a background check. The Margate Basketball League fully complies with that ordinance at its sole cost. HEAD INJURY & CONCUSSIONS POLICY Please adhere to the following Head Injuries & Concussions Policy: Signs & Symptoms: Nausea/Headache Vomiting Double or blurred vision Memory loss Confusion Restless/Irritable Dizziness Difficulty Concentrating Ears Ringing Sleepiness In the event of a head injury coaches or staff shall: 1. Remove player from practice or game. 2. Notify parent/guardian and appropriate park staff 3. In the event of emergency medical assistance, call 911. 4. Any player suspected of having a concussion should be evaluated by a qualified medical professional as soon as practicable. 5. Before a player will be allowed to resume participation in any practice or game, the parent/guardian of the injured player must obtain and return to park staff a statement from a qualified medical professional authorizing the player to resume play. 6. When in doubt, sit them out! III. LEAGUE INFORMATION PLAYER EVALUATIONS AND DRAFT a) The city shall conduct an evaluation session for each registered participant. b) The sole purpose of these evaluations is to provide a fair opportunity for city staff coaches to evaluate each player s skills to assist coaches in the drafting of their teams. c) Players absent on evaluation day shall be placed on a team at the discretion of the League Administrator. PRACTICES a) The Head Coach shall select a permanently assigned practice time for the season. b) Practices must be at sanctioned City of Margate basketball courts ONLY. c) Supplemental practice times may be available throughout the season (A coach shall submit a request for a supplemental practice time to Firefighters Park staff at least three days prior to the desired date.) d) The portable backboards required by the Mini Division are restricted to certain specified times on the weekends. GAMES a) Each team will play (10) regular season games plus a single elimination post-season tournament (Depending on the teams per division, it is likely that a team may not play other teams in their division an equal number of times during the season). b) All games shall start at its scheduled day/time, unless otherwise changed by the League Administrator or designee. c) There is a 10 minute grace period for the first game only. UNIFORM RULE a) League provided jersey is to be worn every game. b) Lost jerseys must be replaced by the player at the player s expense. c) Players without a jersey on game day will have to sit out the game. Should the city supply the player with a jersey, a 2-shot technical will be enforced at the start of the game.

P a g e 3 d) Jerseys must be tucked inside the players shorts at all times during the game. (Any player who fails to observe this rule shall be subject to a technical foul, and ultimately suspension from that game.) e) A player may wear other garments under that jersey providing the garment does not create any confusion with the opposing team uniforms. f) No jewelry what so ever is allowed on the court IV. GAME PLAY RULES CLOCK STOPPAGE The clock stops 1. Any whistle by the official during the last two-minutes of the 4 th quarter for Freshman, Sophomore and Juniors divisions. 2. During shooting a foul shot, the clock stops on the whistle and remains stopped while the teams line up for the foul shot. The clock restarts when the shooter receives the ball by the official. (Mini and Freshman Divisions Only) 3. During a Technical foul shot, and restarts on the inbound. 4. During league mandated Substitution times. 5. During a team time-out 6. Referee time-out 7. Player Injury 8. Other at any time deemed necessary by the official RUNNING CLOCK ALL DIVISIONS A. Minis Division 32 minute (running clock), 4 periods/8 minutes each B. Freshman Division 32 minute (running clock), 4 periods/8 minutes each C. Sophomore Division 32 minute (running clock), 4 periods/8 minutes each D. Juniors Division 32 minute (running clock), 4 periods/8 minutes each TIMEOUTS/ HALFTIME o Each team will have four (4) 30-second timeouts per game o One (1) one-minute timeout for each overtime period o Unused timeouts will not carry over into overtime o 3 Minute halftime for all divisions OVERTIME a) 2 minutes in the Freshmen, Sophomore, & Junior Divisions b) Overtime applies to the Minis Division during playoffs only c) In overtime games, teams can play any desired rotation of players. PLAYER PARTICIPATION ALL PLAYERS As a coed recreational program where winning is not a primary goal, playing time should be as equitable as possible. Please adhere to the following playing time rules: A. Mandated Minimum Playing Time for each player a) Each player must play at least 4-minutes in the first half, and 12-minutes total for the game (ALL DIVISIONS) B. Maximum Playing Time for each player All Divisions b) Each player must sit out at least an equivalent of one full quarter per game. c) If a team has six players or less by the start of the 2 nd quarter, then the maximum playing time becomes void for both teams for that game only.

P a g e 4 C. Late Arrival Playing Time for each player All Divisions d) Players who arrive before the end of the first quarter must play at least the equivalent of one full quarter (8-minutes). e) Players who arrive during the second quarter must play at least the equivalent of a half-quarter (4-minutes or). f) Players who arrive at or after halftime are ineligible to play in the game. D. Player Participation Rule Exceptions for each player All Divisions In the event that a player s frequent absence from practice or behavior may affect their playing time, the Head Coach must apply the following: 1. Notify the League Administrator at least one day prior to a scheduled game. 2. Contact the parent or guardian of the player by no later than the final practice before the scheduled game. 3. If continuous absences occur, the League Administrator will determine result. 4. A player who has already played in the game and refuses to play later in the game shall be replaced by another player on the team of equal skill level by the Head Coach. SUBSTITUTIONS a) Substitutions shall take place at the 4-minute/5-minute mark of each quarter. b) The pattern of the substitution rotation shall vary by coach as long as each player receives the minimum playing time per game. c) A coach shall not huddle with the players when making a substitution unless the coach calls for and receives a timeout simultaneous with the substitution. d) The mandatory minimum playing time rule for the opposing team is waived when a teams has only six (6) players for a game. e) After the minimum playing time of 12-mintues has been fulfilled for ALL eligible players, coaches can sub in players at their discretion. PLAYER SUBSTITUTION FORM o The League shall utilize a Player Substitution Form to help monitor the mandated minimum playing time. o The League Administrator shall determine and implement the procedure that best ensures each Head Coach compiles with the mandated playing time. ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTIONS VIOLATION 1. A Coach who violates the Minimum Playing Rule shall be assessed at least a technical foul. The opposing team shall receive two foul shots and possession of the ball. 2. Refusal to abide by the violation during that game, the offending team will forfeit the game to its opponent. 3. If an illegal substitution is discovered any time after the completion of the game, the game results stand but the offending team shall be assessed with a two-shot technical in their next game and the opposing team will get the ball to start the game. 4. A Head Coach who repeatedly attempts to circumvent the Minimum Playing Rule shall be subject to further disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion from the league as determined by the League Administrator. CHALLENGING A SUBSTITUTION 1. The Head Coach shall inform a referee of the challenge to a substitution. 2. The referee shall call a time-out to meet with both Head Coaches along with the city staff member who is overseeing the game at the scorer s table. 3. The challenging Head Coach presents his basis for his challenge 4. The opposing Head Coach presents his basis for defense 5. The referee and/or city staff shall check the substitution form of the team challenged.

P a g e 5 6. The referee/city staff shall obtain and review any additional information and/or comments from the City Staff related to the challenge. 7. Referee/city staff shall discuss the situation privately, and reach a decision. 8. Corrective actions, if any, will be taken immediately and the game resumes. INJURED PLAYER SUBSTITUTION a) A Head Coach may replace an injured player with any eligible player on the bench of equal skill. b) Injured player may resume play on his next designated time on the substitution form if the player has not been ruled out of the game. c) In the event that an injured player cannot continue to play the rest of the game, the coach will fill the player s position within the normal substitution rotation. FULL COURT PRESS & BACK COURT VIOLATIONS Game Officials shall issue warnings for Full Court Press/Backcourt Violations. Whenever possible, play will continue. The offensive team will get the ball back on any steals or turnovers caused by the defensive team who violates a no-press rule. TEAM POSSESSION OF BALL o Every game and every overtime period shall begin with a Jump Ball. o The League shall then use the Alternating Possession Rule. o Possessions shall be governed by the game officials. SCOREKEEPER/ TIMEKEEPER/ SUBSTITUTIONS The League Administrator shall assign an individual to perform the duties of the Score Keeper, Time Keeper, and Substitution Forms. No other persons shall be permitted in the scorer s table designated area. TEAM BENCH/ BENCH AREA/ COACHES BOX 1. ONLY the Head Coach, Assistant Coach, and players of the team are permitted to sit on the team bench. City Staff has sole discretion to designate and enforce spectator free areas. 2. A Head Coach OR the Assistant Coach can stand or walk anywhere within the boundaries of the designated Coaches box while one is to remain seated on the team bench throughout the game, except during timeouts. 3. Any Coach who violates this rule shall be subject to a minimum of a technical foul assessed by the Game Official. 4. The League Administrator shall have the sole right to require any Coach to remain on the team bench during any part of any game. TECHNICAL FOULS 1. Any player or coach charged with two technical fouls in a game will be ejected from the game and must sit out the teams next scheduled game. 2. Should a coach, player, or parent threaten an official with physical harm will be ejected from the game and asked to leave the grounds. Depending on the severity of the incident a suspension may occur. 3. Technical fouls will constitute 2 free throws and the ball. GAME OFFICIALS Game officials will have complete authority over the game, players, and spectators. Refusal of ejected players, coaches, or spectators to leave the court within a 2-minute time limit, the game will constitute as a forfeit.

P a g e 6 V. OTHER SPECIAL RULES ALL DIVISIONS o Once a team is ahead by 15 points or more, defense must pull back to the half-court line. o No offensive stalling tactics allowed by any team. o Intentional fouls will constitute 2 free throws and the ball. o Any rule not specified above will be left up to the discretion of the League Administrators. MINIS DIVISION A. Traveling Rule The league will enforce traveling violations from the start of the season. To encourage and develop the skill of dribbling, officials will enforce the traveling call when a) A player holds the ball with no attempt to dribble b) A player picks up his dribble more than two times during a play c) A player takes little steps while holding the ball B. 3 Second Rule d) The three (3) second rules do not apply in these divisions but you are required as a coach to teach players this rule of the game and encourage player movement. C. Defense Rule e) No double teaming! f) Half court press is permissible during the last two (2) minutes of the game. g) To encourage the development of Offensive Skills, teams can utilize man-to-man defense, but must stay within the 3-point line, as shown below. FRESHEN DIVISION A. Defense Rule a) Man-to-man and Zone defenses are allowed. No double teaming! b) ½ court pressure is allowed once the player advances the ball past the ½ court line. c) Full court press is permissible during the last two (2) minutes of the game. B. 3 Second Rule d) The three (3) second rules do not apply in this division, but will be enforced at the discretion of the official when a player is in the lane for an excessive amount of time. SOPHOMORE DIVISION A. 3 Second Rule a) The three (3) second rule applies in this division for the entirety of the game. B. Defense Rule b) Full court is permissible during the 4 th quarter only. JUNIOR DIVISION A. 3 Second Rule a) The three (3) second rule applies in this division for the entirety of the game. B. Defense Rule b) Full court pressure is permissible during the entirety of the game. Margate Youth Basketball League Administration: Bethany Lamar, Recreation Supervisor (954) 255-3501 ffpark@margatefl.com