League Rules - Information

FALL 2004

Purpose: These rules are intended to help maintain a quality playing environment for players, teams and coaches.

Therefore, CFY/CC follows Florida High School Activity Association (FHSAA) rules and guidelines, with the following noted exceptions: (CFY/CC reserves the right to modify any rule(s) as needed to protect the safety of any and all players as well as to improve our product as required.)

Clearwater Competitive Basketball League (CCBL) City of Clearwater Recreation Dept (CC) CCBL/CC

COMPETITIVE LEAGUE RULES

FALL 2004

Purpose: These rules are intended to help maintain a quality playing environment for players, teams and coaches.

Therefore, CCBL/CC follows Florida High School Activity Association (FHSAA) rules and guidelines, with the following noted exceptions: (CCBL/CC reserves the right to modify any rule(s) as needed to protect the safety of any and all players as well as to improve our product as required.)

I. COURTS & EQUIPMENT:

A. Equipment (Game Balls): Official game balls will be sized as follows: For the 9/10 & 11/12 divisions, the Women's ( 28.5 inch) will be used. All other age divisions will use the "Official" (30 inch) sized ball. Basketballs will be provided for the league. The league balls will be used for all games. If the league ball is not available, then the officials will use a team ball. Team balls will not be used if the league ball is available.

**CCBL/CC Exception - In all cross-over games where ball sizes would differ (i.e. girls' 15's playing boys' 15's or boy's 12 playing boys 13), each sized-basketball will be used for one-half (1/2) of the game, as determined by a coin toss at the start of the game. Also, both coaches can agree to us the larger 30-inch ball and shall notify the game official prior to the start of the game. Note, teams can agree to use a larger ball than their age group requires but the use of a small ball is prohibited.

B. Bench area & First aid: Coaches shall be responsible for their bench, as well as that of their fan's area. Coaches need to bring a mop towel to each game to keep their floor area dry as a safety precaution. It is the parent's/coach's/team's responsibility to administer minor first aid to any injured player of said team.

II. COACHES, OFFICIALS & THEIR DUTIES:

A. Coaches - Conduct: Coaches may not MODIFY League rules at any time. Coaches need to remain in their coach's box during the game. Only one coach and up to two (2) designated assistants permitted on players' bench. Only ONE coach/adult is permitted to be on the floor when their team is playing. First infraction will be a warning by the referee to the coach. Second (2nd) infraction will be an indirect foul against the coach. ALL bench personnel must then sit. Only bench personnel are permitted to sit on the team bench.

B. Bench personnel are all individuals who are part of the team, including substitutes, coaches, managers, and statisticians. A team member is a member of bench personnel who is an eligible team member or player (registered for that team).

C. Coaches - Obligations: If the Board determines that a coach is not reasonably able to uphold his/her coach's obligations, any of the following actions will be taken but not limited to 1) Replacement of the coach during the season. 2) Any action that the Board deems appropriate.

III. PLAYERS, ROSTERS, SUBSTITUTIONS, & EQUIPMENT

A. Players - Team rosters: Each team shall consist of a minimum of eight (8) players on the roster with a maximum of 15. (Since playing time is important to each child it is not recommend that more than 12 kids dress for each game).

B. Rosters will be frozen after the 2nd game. Coaches may add or delete a player only if officially done so through the league office (parent signatures will be required or the child will not be allowed to play); however, any players wanting to be added or deleted following the 2nd game may be done only with the Board's approval. If a player plays illegally, then the team for which he played illegally may forfeit the game he played in and may be subject to forfeiture fee or debarment from the league.

C. Complete line-ups should be delivered to the scorekeeper at least 5 minutes before the game begins. Teams may start with 4 players and play with a minimum of 4 players until the end of the first quarter before the game will be declared a forfeit.

Players - Dual/multiple registration: 1) Any player may double register in a higher league age division without restrictions 2) A player may double register for 2 (two) teams in his/her league age division at the invitation of the two coaches, and upon approval by the Board. The player MUST DESIGNATE a PRIMARY team prior for the start of the season. In the event of any other scheduling conflicts during season play, the player must play for the primary team. There is a maximum of only 2 (two) players per team permitted.

D. Players - Out-of-division play: The board reserves the right to remove a player from the team they are playing down on even after roster approval in order to maintain a fair and competitive league. All efforts will be made to place the player on a roster of higher age group.

E. Player Substitutions: Players will check in with the scorer's table at the start of each quarter, as well as before entering a game in progress. Failure to properly check in (properly worn uniform, etc.) will result in the following consequences: First offense: warning by the official. Second offense: technical foul

F. Equipment - Personal gear: The referee shall not permit any player to wear equipment, which, in his/her judgment is dangerous or confusing to other players or is not appropriate. Exception - A headband no wider than 2 inches and made of non-abrasive unadorned single-colored cloth, elastic, fiber, soft leather or rubber may be worn. Rubber/cloth (elastic) bands may be used to control hair.

G. Uniforms: Should have jerseys with reversible contrasting colors OR 2 sets of contrasting color jerseys (home and guest). The team's jerseys MUST BE NUMBERED; with the possible exception of one (1) jersey which, if that jersey isn't numbered, may be designated as zero (0). We strongly recommend the following numbers not be on jerseys: (0), (00), or any combination of # 6, 7, 8, or 9. Failure to have the proper uniform may result in technical fouls as stated in FHSAA rules. The numbers should be 6" - 8" on the back and 4"- 6" on the front. The numbers must be silk screened, or iron-on letters. No taped or hand written numbers will be allowed. Players may not technical foul into the game without a uniform. Players cannot share a jersey. Shirts may be tucked into the pants, or may hang freely. Basketball shorts or gym shorts are the only shorts to be allowed. No cut-offs or shorts with hip pockets will be allowed. It is illegal to wear jewelry, such as wrist watches, bracelets and neck chains while playing. If the officials request the player(s) remove any jewelry they must do so or leave the game.

H. Injuries to players: CCBL/CC has clarified this rule as follows: When a Referee recognizes an injury it is an Official Time Out and the referee shall determine if the player may be allowed to continue play (if physically able to do so).

I. Injuries - "Blood Rule": In accordance with FHSAA Basketball rule 3-3-5 - "...A player who is bleeding, or has an open wound, or has an excessive amount of blood on his or her uniform shall be directed to leave the game." IMPLEMENTATION: When any Coach, Game Official, Referee, scorer's table, or Gym Director notices any blood on any players' clothing; any open wound; or any bleeding, the game is to be STOPPED at the earliest moment and the player shall be directed to leave the game. The player shall be allowed to return to the game during any regular substitution if, in the opinion of the referee(s), the bleeding has stopped, any open wound has been properly covered, or any clothing with blood has been replaced. If a coach enters the court during an injury, the player MUST BE substituted at least until the next dead ball. Any affected number change must be duly noted to the scorer's table and the game book, and shall be permitted without penalty. These guidelines apply to any player contaminated by their own blood or that of another player. CBC/CC strongly recommends that all players with braces wear mouth guards to minimize the risk of bleeding.

J. Registration refunds: Refunds will not usually be given after the schedules have been issued. After the schedule is issued any refunds (full or in part) will be subject to the board's approval. Every effort will be made to be fair and understanding.

K. Forfeits: A game shall be forfeited 10 minutes after scheduled game time. Five (5) technical fouls will be administered after the first 5 minutes. These fouls will not be charged against the coach. After the next 5 minutes, a forfeit will be charged to the late/no show team. The referee shall administer determination of forfeit.

The consequences for a team forfeiting ANY scheduled game The first offense shall result in a recorded loss for that team AND coach will be suspended the next scheduled game.

The second offense shall result in a team loss, AND the coach will be suspended for the season.

The third offense shall result in the dismissal of the coach for the remaining games of the season and lifetime debarment from the league.

L. Tournament Play: (Note, There will be no tournament Play for the Fall of 2004)

M. Protests: The two infractions which the CCBL/CC Board currently recognizes as grounds for protest are the ineligibility of a player and disregarding the play guidelines of the game. The CBC/CC office must receive a written protest by the Head Coach immediately following the game. (Faxed to office or hand delivered) A $ 25.00 protest fee (cash or money order, no personal checks) must accompany the written protest before it will be considered. Protest in writing must be given to a CBC/CC representative if available, along with fee, before leaving the gym. (intent to protest valid w/ signature in scorebook if no one is available at gym) Coach should contact the League office as soon as possible and leave a message. Fee will be refunded if the protest is determined to be valid. (Otherwise it will be regarded as a written complaint and fee will be forfeited) The coach will respect the decision and reliability of the Board of Directors to satisfy his protest

IV. SCORING & TIMING REGULATIONS:

A. Game Duration: Age divisions play four quarters of basketball as follows:

9/10/11 age teams shall play four 7 minute quarters

12/13/14/15 teams will play four 8 minute quarters.

For any crossover age group games play will be for 8 minute quarters.

B. Scorekeeping and Timekeeping: The team listed FIRST for the match on the schedule shall be the HOME team and wear the LIGHTER uniform color when possible. Coaches should keep their own stats for each game if they so desire. The scorer SHALL NOT be used as a statistician for any team. Coaches, players, parents, etc. are NOT to approach the table unless asked to do so by the referee. Referees have the final word regarding problems with the score.

C. Game Schedules and Overtime: (1) One overtime period will be allowed during regular league play. In the event a game goes into overtime, an overtime period with 1 minute for 9/10/11 ages and 2 minutes for ages 12-15 and will be allowed. Should the one overtime not produce a winner then the game shall be recorded as a tie. All games will attempt to stay on schedule and start and finish on time. For any crossover games the overtime will be 2 minutes.

D. Time outs: Teams are allowed two (2) one-minute time-outs per half (No carry over allowed). One additional time out will be given in an overtime period.

V. VIOLATIONS & PENALTIES:

Defense - "Mercy Rule": Whenever any age team is leading their opponent by 20 or more points, the leading team may play only half court defense.

Running Clock-Once a team is up by 30 points or more the clock will continue to run at all times except during time outs. The clock will not be stopped again the losing team has cut the point difference to 15 points.

VI. FOULS & PENALTIES:

A. Technical Fouls - Dunking/Hanging On Rim: Hanging on the rim or net of the basketball goal is a TECHNICAL foul. According to FHSAA rules, dunking during the pre-game warm-up, half time and after the game is a technical foul. These fouls can be issued before, during or after a game. (A T-Foul given after a game shall be acted upon at the team's next scheduled game.)

B. Technical Fouls (Unsportsman like Conduct) & Ejections: Whenever a player receives a technical foul, the player shall be benched for a portion of time to teach better sportsmanship. event a player is ejected from a game, that player is automatically suspended for the next scheduled game. The player may come to game dressed and sit with the team - but not play.

A coach shall be ejected with three (3) indirect fouls or two (2) direct technical fouls OR at the referee's discretion.

A coach who has been ejected from a game/gym is required to LEAVE THE GYM and the direct eyesight of the game. The coach MAY NOT interact IN ANY MANNER with that team's game, players, or game personnel or he/she will be required to leave ALL premises. Said ejected coach is SUSPENDED from coaching that team's NEXT GAME and SHALL NOT be permitted to ENTER the gym or be in direct eyesight of his/her team's game.

C. Team Fouls and Bonus Free Throws: Bonus Free Throws (one-on-one) will be awarded when the opposing a team commits its 8th team foul in a half and teams will shoot a double bonus (two shot foul) when the opposing team commits its 11th team foul in a half.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DIVISONAL DIRECTOR FIRST REGARDING ANY MATTERS PERTAINING TO YOUR TEAM IN ORDER TO EXPEDITE YOUR CONCERNS.

To purchase a copy of Florida High School rules contact:
NFSHSA
11724 Northwest Plaza Circle
Kansas City, MO 64195-0626
1-800-776-3468 www.nfhs.org

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