Columbia Interfaith Basketball League

COLUMBIA INTERFAITH BASKETBALL LEAGUE

OFFICIAL HANDBOOK

2008 - 2009

Updated: 9/11/08
Table of Contents

Welcome Letter3

Board Structure4

Columbia Interfaith Basketball League Mission Statement5

Columbia Interfaith Basketball League Objectives6

Game Rules and Regulations7

Coaches

Coach Information14

Coaches’ Code of Conduct15

Complaint Against a Coach19

Parents

Parent Information21

Parent Code of Ethics22

Appendix

Emergency Contact Form24

Waiver and Release of Liability Form25

Image Release Form26

CIBL Team Roster Form27

Welcome to the Columbia Interfaith Basketball League!

Participation in sports plays a valuable role in the development of children. Teamwork, camaraderie, respect for your opponent, fellowship, physical fitness, self-esteem, and fair play all contribute to the overall wellness of our young people and our community. The Columbia Interfaith Basketball League takes this responsibility seriously and strives to create a safe, positive environment where children can grow to become something much larger than themselves, an active member of the greater community.

This handbook is a reference for you, as a participant, parent, coach, or administrator, so you may understand the philosophies of the Columbia Interfaith Basketball League and do your part to make this league a success. If everyone works together and does their best to enrich the lives of children in the Columbia area, we can accomplish remarkable things.

I look forward to your participation.

Sincerely,

Jay Johnson

Chairperson, Columbia Interfaith Basketball League

Board Structure

Mission Statement

The Columbia Interfaith Basketball League, hereafter referred to as the CIBL, strongly believes in the benefits of participation in organized sports. Participation in sports has proven to build self-esteem, promote teamwork and camaraderie, develop the body as well as the mind, and strengthen communities. Therefore, the goal of the CIBL is not to promote competition, but to provide a safe, positive environment for young people of all backgrounds to participate and enjoy a wholesome sports program.

The CIBL has embraced the philosophies set forth in National Standards for Youth Sports*, a publication compiled by the National Alliance for Youth Sports based on an assembly of 48 of the nation’s leading experts representing a vast variety of disciplines affecting youth sports. The following Standards were established:

Standard #1 – Proper Sports Environment

We must consider and carefully choose the proper environment for our children, including the appropriate age and development for participation, the type of sport, the rules in the sport, the age range of the participants, and the proper level of physical and emotional stress.

Standard #2 – Programs Based on Well-Being of Children

We must select youth sports programs that are developed and organized to enhance the emotional, physical, social, and educational well-being of children.

Standard #3 – Drug, Tobacco, and Alcohol-Free Environment

We must encourage a drug, tobacco, and alcohol-free environment for our children.

Standard #4 –Part of Child’s Life

We must recognize that youth sports are only a small part of a child’s life.

Standard #5 – Training

We must insist that coaches be trained and certified.

Standard #6 – Parents’ Active Role

We must make a serious effort to take an active role in the youth sports experience of our children providing positive support as a spectator, coach, league administrator, and/or caring parent.

Standard #7 – Positive Role Models

We must be a positive role model exhibiting sportsmanlike behavior at games, practices, and home while giving positive reinforcement to our children and support our childrens’ coaches.

Standard #8 – Parental Commitment

Parents must demonstrate their commitment to their child’s youth sports experience by annually signing a parental code of ethics.

Standard #9 – Safe Playing Situations

We must insist on safe playing facilities, healthful playing situations, and proper first aid applications, should the need arise.

Standard #10 – Equal Play Opportunity

Parents, coaches, and league administrators must provide equal sports play opportunity for all youth regardless of race, creed, sex, socioeconomic status, or ability.

Standard #11 – Drug, Tobacco & Alcohol-Free Adults

Parents as coaches, fans, and league administrators must be drug, tobacco, and alcohol-free at youth sports activities.

*Over 200 agencies and organizations have, by resolution, endorsed the National Standards for Youth Sports.

Objectives

• This youth sports program exists to help children in the development of positive life skills and self-concepts. Our goal is to provide a safe, enjoyable basketball program for participants.

• Although no organization can make every participant 100% safe from all forms of abuse, but through screening, training, supervision, and steps to create a healthy environment for children to thrive in youth sports, we are taking critical steps toward protecting all of our participants.

• It is our mission to teach the basic skills which young people need to play sports in a safe and nurturing environment, where all children get an equal chance to play regardless of skill level. Every child in our leagues has the right to have fun while participating in our program.

• We will not tolerate any abusive behaviors that may jeopardize a child’s well-being.

Columbia Interfaith Basketball League

Rules and Regulations

RULES AND REGULATIONS

PLAYER INFORMATION

NOTE: We must realize that these are children we are working with and the program is for them. Winning at all costs is not acceptable. Whenever there is a conflict, we will follow the CIBL Mission Statement to guide our actions.

1. All players must be registered with the CIBL in order to participate. Only players that do not participate on school basketball teams are eligible to play in the CIBL.

1. Rosters are limited to a maximum of 10 players.

1. Footwear: Players mustwear sneakers and socks. NO DECK SHOES, STREET SHOES, ETC. This rule has been established for the safety of all players.

1. Eyeglasses must be secured with a head strap or should be athletically approved with non-shattering glass (safety glasses).

1. Jewelry: Absolutely no jewelry may be worn during games. This includes post earrings.

CONDUCT AND SPORTSMANSHIP

Any player who receives a technical foul or a flagrant foul will automatically have to sit for three minutes before returning to the game. If a second technical is called, the player is out of the game. Coaches who personally acquire two technical fouls during a game must leave the facility. Refusal will result in forfeiture.

Fighting will result in an automatic ejection from the game. Upon ejection for fighting, that person must leave the premises immediately. In addition, anyone ejected for fighting will automatically be suspended for the very next game. When serving a suspension, the person in question may not be on the premises for any reasons, unless cleared by league staff. In addition, that person’s team runs the risk of forfeiting their game.

Unsportsmanlike conduct by a team’s parent or fan will not be tolerated. Coaches are ultimately responsible and accountable for the behavior of their team’s spectators. If a spectator becomes unruly, it is the coach’s responsibility to warn the spectator about the offensive behavior. If after one warning, the behavior persists, a bench technical will be assessed. The spectator who receives a technical foul will be required to leave the facility. Refusal will result in forfeiture.

The officials are the sole judges on the court. They have complete authority over the game itself, the players, coaches, and spectators. Their decisions are final and are backed by the League.

Rough play, profanity, or abuse of officials may result in immediate ejection and/or forfeiture of the game, based on referee’s judgment. Only the coach may hold discussions on calls with the referees.

RESCHEDULED GAMES

If a conflict arises, the CIBL must receive written notice at least one week prior to the conflict. If proper notice is not received, a forfeit will be given for that game. The board will grant rescheduled games on a case-by-case basis on individual circumstances. The opposing team must approve the rescheduled time and location.

PARTICIPATION RULE

3RD – 5TH GRADE DIVISIONS

Each players must play at least ½ of the game.

Games will be divided into eight three-minute segments. Each player must play at least four 3-minutes segments of the game. Substitutions will take place between quarters and midway between the quarters (The officials will call for substitutions at the 3 minute point of each quarter at a non-critical juncture). Note: the substitution at the midpoint of each quarter is not a timeout. Coaches should have the subs ready to make a quick switch.

Enforcement

The official working the clock/scorebook will keep a record of who plays each segment. If the above schedule is not followed, the team breaking the Participation Rule will forfeit the game. Furthermore, the coach will be given a warning that future infractions of this rule will make his team ineligible for the tournament.

Special

In the event a player fouls out, gets sick, gets injured, or otherwise has to be removed from a gamethen, of course, that would not cause a team to break the rule. The official working the book should make a note in the scorebook explaining why this player didn’t play at least 4 segments (or one-half the game)

More than 10 players

If a team is granted permission to have more than 10 players due to extenuating circumstances, then every player must play at least 3/8 of the game.

Note: Most every team that has had more than 10 players has regretted it and vowed to make sure it didn’t happen the next season. Please try your best to avoid having teams with more than 10 players.

Recommended playing time for each player for teams with over 10 players.

11 players7 play 4 segments (or ½ the game), 4 play 3 segments (or 3/8th)

12 players4 play 4 (or ½ the game), 8 play 3 segments

13 players1 plays 4 (or ½ the game), 12 play 3 segments

PARTICIPATION RULE

6TH – 12TH GRADE DIVISIONS

Each player must play at least 1/4 of the game (that's 6 game clock minutes.) Failure to comply with the player participation rule will result in forteiture of game.

THE GAME

1. The National Federation of State High School Association rules will guide play, unless otherwise noted.
2. The League is divided into the following divisions:

The objective of the third and fourth grade divisions is to teach fundamentals. Both the 3rd and 4th Grade Divisions will play with foul line that is closer (approximately 3 feet).

1. Timing and Score Keeping:

All games of all the divisions (boys/girls) will consist of (4) 6 minute quarters using regulation clock (the clock stops for all whistles—fouls, substitutions, ball out of bounds, etc) similar to a high school game.

The home team is given priority to provide a volunteer to work the official scoring book.The visiting team is encouraged to also keep a scoring book, and to compare it with the official book at the end of each quarter. All discrepancys will be settled by the official. For matters that cannot be determined by the official, the official book stands.

1. Defensive Restrictions:

1. Jump ball will be used to start the game and any overtime periods.
2. Alternate possession rule will be in effect at all times.
3. Substitution:For 3rd – 5th grade divisions, teams will be allowed to substitute at the breaks between quarters, and at a point midway between each quarter that will be signaled by the official at a non-critical time. There will be 8 segments of playing time. Coaches, note that the substitution between quarters is not a time-out. You need to have your players ready to make a quick substitution change at this point. Also, note that once everyone on a team has played at least 4 segments, then substitution during a dead ball would be allowed. For 6th – 12th grade divisions, the standard substitution method used in high school basketball will be used where a player can check in during any dead ball. The ‘sub’ must report to the scoring table unless coming in after an intermission or time-out.
4. Time-Outs: Teams are permitted two time-outs per half and one time-out for each overtime period (cannot carry over). Overtime periods will be three minutes with clock stopping on all whistles. No time-outs will be charged to a team in the event a player gets injured, regardless of whether he is replaced or he goes back into the game.
5. Overtime periods will be three minutes with regulation clock. During the regular season, any overtime period after the first may be "sudden death" that is, the first team to score wins. The officials will make a decision that will be based on the scheduled start time of the next game. For the tournament, overtimes will be played to completion until a winner is determined.
6. Intermissions: 1 minute between quarters and 5 minutes for half time. Teams will be permitted 5 minutes to warm up before game (time permitting). Warning to coaches: After the intermission is over between quarters or to start the second half, the official has every right to start the game even if the teams are not ready. The official will place the ball on the ground and start the 5-second count. The team responsible for throwing the ball in must get to the ball and throw it in within the allowed 5 seconds or the ball will turn over to the other team.
7. Teams have until the designated game time to have five (5) players. A 5-minute grace period will be granted if a team has four players and is waiting for the fifth. Failure to field a complete team after the grace period will result in a forfeit. NOTE: Teams must start with five (5) players but can finish with less than five.
8. Substitutes must report to the scorekeeper. Subs must wait for the referee to waive them into the game.
9. Each player is allowed 5 personal fouls. On the 5th foul the player must leave the game.
10. Each team is allowed 6 team fouls per half. On the 7th team foul per half a 1 and 1 shooting situation will occur, unless a 2 or 3 shot foul is awarded in the act of shooting.
11. The team uniforms must use legal numbering on both the front and back of the team jersey. Legal Numbers: 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55

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