SMYBB Rules and Regulations

   (Revised August 2007)

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR COACHES

After receipt of your team roster, your responsibilities begin.

1. Check the registration forms for volunteers such as team parent and assistant coach.

2. Call players to inform them of meetings and practices.

3. Conduct a “Parent Meeting” during your first practice and inform players and parents what will be expected during the season.

PRACTICE

1. Time and place depend upon you and gym availability.

2. Find other places to practice besides the gym.  Use permits have been approved at most San Marcos school locations.  Check the website under the practice link to find available locations.

3. The length of practice depends on the age of your players.

4. Plan your practices ahead of time.  You will accomplish more.

5. As coach, you are responsible for all players from the arrival of the first player until everyone is gone.  Don’t ever leave a player unattended on the court.

6. You should bring to practice the following:

                    Registration Forms                           Practice Balls

                   First Aid Kit                                       Schedules

GAMES

1. Players should be at the courts at least 15 minutes before their scheduled game time.

2. Make sure the lineup card is correctly completed for the scorekeeper.  The game cannot begin until a lineup card from both teams has been turned in.

3. Practice positive sideline coaching.

4. Remember that if you receive a technical foul you and your assistant must sit on the bench.  You can still coach but you must remain sitting down.  In the event of a second technical, you will be ejected from the gym.

5. It is important to understand that the referees we get are the same ones who do the high school games.  They are not NBA referees.  Please remember this and treat them with the same respect that you would like to be treated.  The kids are watching you for guidance.

ABUSE OF THE OFFICIALS OR THE SCOREKEEPERS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED BY YOU, YOUR TEAM, OR YOUR PARENTS.

GAME SCHEDULE

1. Pee Wee Division will play 10 games, all on Saturdays.  Games will begin at   8:00 AM.

2. C, B, and A Divisions will play a minimum of 15 games, not including playoffs and championships.  They will play on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  Games will begin at 11:00 AM on Saturdays and 5:00 PM on the weekdays.

HOW AND WHY SHOULD I SELECT A TEAM PARENT?

It is beneficial for each team to have at least one team parent.  Responsibilities can be shared among two parents if desired.  The team parent will assist you in many ways.  It is suggested that the team parent be the coordinator of your team.  The team parent will make calls for the reminder of practices, games and changes in schedule.  Planning of team parties and helping with uniform distribution can be done by the team parent.  A team parent who is efficient and effective will make the coach’s job easier.  If you have not chosen a team parent and you are planning a Parent-Team-Coach Meeting, you are strongly encouraged to recruit at least one parent at the meeting.  It is your responsibility as the coach to furnish the team parent with the names and phone numbers of your team members.  You must communicate with your team parent your philosophy and the areas in which you would like him/her to take charge.  In return, the team parent must communicate any suggestions or ideas they may have in making the season enjoyable and memorable for each player.

PARENT-TEAM-COACH MEETING

If you plan to have a Parent-Team-Coach Meeting, every effort should be made to have it before or at your first practice.  Each player should be represented by at least one parent or guardian.  One major responsibility, which comes with being a coach, is COMMUNICATION!  No one likes to be kept in the dark.  Most unpleasant situations arise because of lack of communication between the coach, assistant coaches, and parents. 

Suggested topics for discussion at the parent-coach meeting are:

1. Your Goals for the Season

       Positive Coaching

       Promote good sportsmanship

       Teach and improve basic basketball skills

       Promote team work and team trust

       To have an enjoyable season

Please pass on to the parents that this is a RECREATIONAL LEAGUE and OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE IS FOR THE KIDS TO HAVE FUN.  Please lead by example.  Remember mistakes will be made by scorekeepers and officials so please DO NOT VERBALLY ATTACK THEM.

2. Your Responsibilities as a Coach

      If a child suffers from any congenital condition or pre-existing injury, it is imperative you UNDERSTAND the situation and, if applicable, any limitations.  The board must also be notified and made aware of any special medication/treatment.

      Discuss with your parents the importance of having the players arrive and be picked up on time for practices and games.  Again, YOU MAY NOT leave any child alone before or after a practice or a game. 

3. Set the Rules

Practices:

Arrive and pick up your child on time.

Dress appropriately.

Stress the importance of all players attending and participating in practices.

Practicing together AS A TEAM promotes teamwork and a good game.

Games:

Arrive at the gym a minimum of 15 minutes before scheduled game time.

DO NOT eat heavy meals before game time.

No watches or jewelry are permitted on the court at any time.

No player will play with a CAST or SPLINT.

Player (or parent) should call the coach the night before a scheduled game if the player is unable to attend.

Sportsmanship:

Players & Coaches are expected to conduct themselves with good sportsmanship towards teammates, opposing players, referees, coaches, Board Members, gym staff and other volunteers.  Parents are expected to model good sportsmanship as well.  Parents and fans should encourage their child to participate as a team player with a good attitude and encourage good team play.  Anyone (coaches, players, parents or fans) not using or displaying good sportsmanship can and will be removed from the gym on game day.

Referees:

They have the final word in any game.

The referees MUST BE treated with respect.

Anyone abusing the referees and/or the scorekeepers will be removed from the gym.

CLASSIFICATION AND ELIGIBILITY

            Competition will be held in five divisions:

                 AA Division:  Boys/Girls in the 9^th – 12^th grades (MUST be in High School)

                 A Division:  Boys/Girls in the 7^th and 8^th grades

                 B Division:  Boys/Girls in the 5^th and 6^th grades

                 C Division:  Boys /Girls in the 3^rd and 4^th grades

                 Pee Wee Division:  Boys/Girls in the 1^st and 2^nd grades

            You must be in at least 1^st grade to play in the league.  Girls will be able to play a division down from their grade level.  Example:  5^th grade may play down in C Division and so on.  This applies to girls only.

EVALUATION AND DRAFT

            1.  The league will evaluate players for the purpose of determining their draft ranking and to allow the league to slot players correctly. The board reserves the right to determine if the league's player evaluations will be available to the coaches at the draft. The league expects all coaches to evaluate the players in the division they are coaching in and to make arrangements for a substitute to evaluate the players in their absence. The Division Representative should be contacted if a situation arises where assistance is needed to help with evaluations.

            2.  Players that sign-up to play in the league but do not attend player evaluations will be evaluated at a later date by the league (i.e. the Division Representative and another Board Member) and will be placed on the waiting list and will be slotted onto teams by the board with the intent to balance teams to the best of the leagues' ability. The goal is to make fair additions to teams to add or replace players (1st round player to replace another 1st round player and so on).

            3.  Only players that have been evaluated, or played in the league the previous year and that the league has already evaluated, are eligible to be drafted. No players will be available from the "Grab Bag" during the draft.

            4.  No trades shall be made with any Ghost Teams (teams still in need of a coach) at the conclusion of the draft, unless it is at the direction of the Board to balance teams or for coaching purposes (i.e. to recruit a coach).

            5.  All trades must be approved by the Division Representative and another Board Member to ensure fair and balanced trades.  All trades are to be concluded by the end of draft night.

            6.  The Board reserves the right to add players to teams that are not at the maximum limit of players to ensure all players on the waiting list are slotted onto teams as soon as possible.

ROSTER

            A Roster and team bench shall be limited to ten (10) players and two (2) coaches.  Assistant coaches must sit on the bench at all times.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

1.      The San Marcos Youth Basketball League will have jurisdiction over all rules and regulations to govern any youth basketball event herein not covered.  The decision of the Board shall be final.

2.      The National Federation Basketball Rules shall govern play, with the exceptions of the listed modifications below:

a)      TIME-OUTS:

All divisions have one time-out per half, with carry over available of the second half time-out only; and one time-out in the fifth quarter, for a total possible of three (3) time-outs.

b)      OVERTIME:

Two (2) minute stop time, one time-out per team, no carry over from the fifth quarter.  (Play until a winner is determined.)  No overtime for Pee Wee division.

c)      TIMING:

Eight (8) minute running clock, first four quarters.

Stop time the last two minutes of the fifth quarter.

One minute rest period between quarters; two minutes at half time.

(Exception:  No stop clock with a 15 + point lead.)

d)     FORFEIT:

The league will not require a team to forfeit due to a lack of eligible players.

e)      BONUS RULE:

The Bonus Rule (1 & 1) shall be in effect on the seventh team foul in each half.  The fifth quarter will be considered part of the second half.

f)       PLAYING TIME:

All players shall play a minimum of two quarters per game.

Each player MUST play one quarter per half, not including the fifth quarter.  Substituting is not permitted during the quarter;  stay with the same five players as started each quarter except for injury , illness, or disqualification.

g)      SUBSTITUTIONS:

Player entering game for injured or disqualified player – If game clock has more than four (4) minutes remaining, new player has that quarter counted as his/her playing time, injured player is considered as NOT playing that quarter.  If game clock has less than four (4) minutes remaining the injured player is considered playing the entire quarter, substitute player is considered as not playing that quarter.

NOTE:  No player may appear in more than three (3) consecutive quarters when the team has seven (7) or more eligible players.  If player is removed due to injury, he may not re-enter the game in that quarter with the exception of the fifth quarter.  If player REQUESTS to exit the game due to injury or illness, the four minute rule applies in that quarter, minimum playing time rule waived for that player.

(Example of nine player, eight player, seven player, six player, and five player substitution tables for coaching purposes are located on pages 10 – 12.)

h)      THREE POINT SHOT:

The three point shot will be allowed in all divisions.

i)        PERSONAL FOUL:

A player may yield a maximum of five (5) personal fouls.  At that time, the player shall be considered ineligible and sit out the remainder of the game.

j)        DEFENSE:

A and B divisions may play man to man or zone defense.  (The league strongly advocates man to man.)  Pee Wee and C divisions teams MUST play man to man defense; NO EXCEPTIONS.

k)      PRESSING:

No full court pressing in the first half for A and B divisions.

No full court pressing with a 15 point lead.

No pressing at all in C and Pee Wee divisions.

(Exception:  C Division – full court man to man defense is allowed in the last minute of the 5^th quarter only.)

No half court traps in C division.

l)        FIFTH QUARTER:

During the fifth quarter, the coach may play any eligible player.

Make sure all of your parents are aware of this rule.

m)    TECHNICAL FOULS:

In the event of the coach receiving a technical foul, he/she must coach the remainder of the game sitting on the bench.  His/her assistant will remain sitting on the bench also.  A second technical on the coach will result in removal from the game.  Coaches, please remember the team looks up to you as a leader.  If you loose your cool, chances are they will too.

DIVISION REGULATIONS

1. Divisions AA, A and B

a)      No Back court press is permitted in the first half.  Defense must retreat once the offense is in possession of the ball.  Penalty warning to the team on the first offense, and a team technical foul for all further offenses.

b)      Three second key violation will be enforced.

c)      The division will have five (5) eight (8) minute running quarters.  Because of gym time constraints, there is a stop clock the last two (2) minutes of the fifth quarter only.  (Exception:  15 point or more score separation.)  The clock will stop for time-outs; one time-out per half with carryover of the second half time-out only to the fifth quarter.  Each team will have a minimum of one time-out in the fifth quarter.  The clock will stop for technical fouls.

d)     B DIVISION ONLY:  Free throw shooter is permitted to cross the free throw line on his/her follow through.

2. Division C

a)      Basketball:  28.5 oz. size basketball made of rubber or leather.

b)      No back court press is permitted.  Defense MUST retreat once the offence is in possession of the ball.  Penalty – warning to the team on the first offense and a team technical foul for all further offences. 

      Teams must play man to man defense.  No zone defense is allowed.

c)      Defense must allow the offense to move the ball across the plane of the mid-court line.  Exception:  Full court defense is allowed in the last minute of the fifth quarter but not with a 15 point lead.

d)     Five second key violation will be enforced.

e)      A twelve foot free throw line will be used.

Players may enter the key upon release of the ball, not when the ball hits the rim.

f)       The division will have five (5) eight (8) minute running quarters.  Because of gym time constraints, there is a stop clock the last two (2) minutes of the fifth quarter only.  (Exception:  15 point or more score separation.)  The clock will stop for time-outs; one time-out per half with carryover of the second half time-out only to the fifth quarter.  Each team will have a minimum of one time-out in the fifth quarter.  The clock will stop for technical fouls.

g)      The basketball rim will be lowered to 9 feet to aid players in developing proper shooting techniques.

3. Pee Wee Division

a)      Basketball:  Junior size basketball made of rubber or leather.

b)      No back court press is permitted.  Defense MUST retreat once the offense is in possession of the ball.  Penalty – warning to the team on the first offense and a team technical foul for all further offences. 

c)      Teams MUST play man to man defense.  No zone defense allowed.

d)     No defense can be played outside the 3 point line except in the case of a loose ball.

e)      No key violation will be enforced.

f)       The basketball rim will be lowered to 8 feet to aid players in developing proper shooting techniques.

g)      Coaches – please emphasize no traveling or double dribbling right from the first practice.  These violations will be enforced at the beginning of the season.

SCORING

   Divisions AA / A / B / C / PW

1. Scoring will be done in the typical scoring manner.

2. Pee Wee Division score will be “zeroed out” at the end of each quarter.

STANDINGS

1. Divisions AA / A / B / C

a)      Even number of teams:  win/loss record.

b)      Odd number of teams:  win/loss percentage.

2. Pee Wee Division

a)      No standings will be kept.

3. Tie Breakers

All division standing tie-breakers will be determined by the following:

a)      Head to head.

b)      Total points against (lowest amount allowed).

c)      Total points scored.

d)     Coin toss.

TEAM DRESS

            The league provides each participant with a uniform.  All players must wear this uniform, socks and sneakers to participate in a game.  Any alterations or changes to the uniform (except for fit) must be approved by the Division Representative or a Board Member prior to the game.  An appropriate solid color t-shirt (or sports top for girls) may be worn under the uniform without approval.

1. Uniforms are to be neat and clean.

2. Alterations for a proper fit are advised.

3. No additional markings are to be made on the uniform.

4. No watches or jewelry are permitted on the court at any time.

5. No player will play with a CAST or SPLINT.

6. Shirts are to be tucked in during the game.

Penalty – one warning per player, then technical foul.

7. No sagging of shorts.

Penalty – one warning per player at referee’s discretion, then technical foul.

8. All participants are STRONGLY encouraged to wear the appropriate articles of protective underclothing for their gender.  Basketball does have incidental contact and accidents do happen.

DISCIPLINE POLICY AND PROCEDURE

            The coach of a team may request the suspension of a player.  The action is to be considered only in the interest of maintaining the proper function and safety of the team and its members.  The guidelines for such discipline may be requested for any one or more of the following reasons:

1. Practice Attendance – Player misses 50% of scheduled practices without notifying the coach.

2. Physical Abuse – Directed at other team members or any other individual.

3. Disrespect frequently displayed towards team players, coaches, referees, fans, or other SMYBB Board Members/staff/volunteers.

The following procedure MUST BE followed to authorize and serve such a suspension:

1. The coach will discuss the situation with the player and his/her parent(s).

2. The coach will immediately notify the Division Representative.

3. The Division Representative will contact the players’ parent(s) for further discussion.

4. If appropriate, the Division Representative will discuss the situation and circumstances with the President of the Board.

5. After consideration, the President MAY authorize the suspension.

6. The coach will notify the player and his/her parent(s) of the suspension.

7. The coach will notify the referee at least ten (10) minutes before game time.

8. The team line-up card will show the reason(s) for the suspension.

9. The suspended player MUST attend the game in uniform.  Failure to attend will result in a carry over until the suspension is served.

SMYBB and its Board Members reserve the right to make changes to the Rules and Regulations during each season.  By signing the registration form, parents, children, coaches, and volunteers participating in the SMYBB league agree to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by SMYBB.

  SUBSTITUTION TABLE EXAMPLES FOR COACHES

One of the more difficult chores a coach faces is ensuring that all the players play the appropriate amount of time in a game.  Each player must play one quarter per half, and no more than three consecutive quarters in a game.  (Exception:  See six (6) player rule and five (5) player substitution table.)  To help with this chore, examples of substitution tables are available below.  If you are still in doubt about any substitution rule, contact your Division Representative. 

Remember:  The fifth quarter is your quarter and does not count for playing time.  (Exception:  See six player substitution table.)

Nine Player Substitution Table

Eight Player Substitution Table

Seven Player Substitution Table

 Six Player Substitution Table