Stoneham Youth Basketball: Rules & Regulations
Every player must play a minimum of four (4) playing segments. Every player must play a minimum of 2 playing segments per half. No player can play more than 1 playing segment more than any other player. (total for the game, including overtime segments)
Any coach or assistant that does not follow these guidelines will be subject to a review by the SYB Board of Directors to determine what disciplinary action will be taken, up to and including forfeiture of the game.
Playing Time 8 Segment Breakdown:
10 PLAYERS 10 PLAY 4 SEGMENTS
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9 PLAYERS 4 PLAY 5 SEGMENTS
- 5 PLAY 4 SEGMENTS
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8 PLAYERS 8 PLAY 5 SEGMENTS
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7 PLAYERS 5 PLAY 6 SEGMENTS
- 2 PLAY 5 SEGMENTS
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6 PLAYERS 4 PLAY 7 SEGMENTS
- 2 PLAY 6 SEGMENTS
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5 PLAYERS 5 PLAY 8 SEGMENTS
2. PLAYER PROTECTION
Each team will be allowed to protect a maximum of one player. They must be the son, daughter, or guardian of the head coach.
With input from the Coaches, these players will be rated and placed in the appropriate draft position by the Division Coordinator and Board of Directors.
3. LOSS OF A PLAYER
A team that loses a player for three consecutive games due to injury, illness, or withdrawal from the league, must notify the Board of Directors of the loss of that player. The Board of Directors will attempt to equalize the situation by adding a player to that team from any waiting list if available or by elevating a clinic player in the case of the high school division.
4. PLAYER ARRIVING LATE
Any player arriving after the start (tip-off) of the game will not be allowed to participate in that game. Coaches are not allowed to agree to let a player participate and overrule this SYB rule.
5. COACHES AND ASSISTANT COACHES
A. Prior to the start of the season, the Board of Directors must approve all coaches and assistant coaches. All coaches will be subject to a review by the Board of Directors at the conclusion of each season. If the Board determines that any coach or assistant has not participated or acted in good faith, or reinforced sportsmanship, the Board will then make a decision as to whether or not the coach or assistant will be allowed to return for next season.
B. All coaches and assistants must fill out a complete CORI to be processed through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board before being allowed to coach.
C. Each coach or assistant must submit a team roster to the official scorebook before the start of each game.
D. All coaches and assistants must be present 1/2 hour before the scheduled game time. (To warm-up their team, fill out official score book, secure a timekeeper / scorekeeper and complete all other duties necessary to assure an orderly and timely start to all games.)
E. The HOME team coach is responsible for providing a scorekeeper. The VISITING team coach is responsible for the timekeeper.
F. All coaches or assistants will be required to maintain a playing segment sheet for all players while the game is in progress. An official Segment Sheet will be kept at the scorer's table.
6. GENERAL RULES
A. Official High School Basketball Rules and Regulations will be observed unless otherwise noted.
B. Games in all Divisions will consist of 8, four minute (stop time) playing segments. (This means that the clock stops every time the referee blows the whistle, or for any other infraction that stops play.)
C. Thirty-seconds will be allowed between each playing segment for player substitution, and four minutes allowed at half time.
D. Overtime periods will consist of a 3-minute playing segment (stop time). There will be one time out allowed per overtime segment per team. In the event of a second overtime segment, Players who did not participate in the first must play in the second overtime.
E. Teams are allowed 3 time outs per game. A maximum of 2 can be used per half. Only the team in possession of the ball may call a time out.
F. Zone defenses will be allowed in the Pro/Senior Division only.
G. Three point shots will be allowed in the Pro/Senior Division only.
H. Full Court Press is allowed in the Pro/Senior Divisions at all times.
I. Five personal fouls and a player will foul out of the game. The substitute (picked by the players coach) replacing the fouled out player will not be charged for having played in that segment.
J. Seven team fouls in any half of play results in a "One and One" situation. The tenth foul in any half results in 2 foul shots.
K. If a team has less than 5 players, a game can be delayed 5 minutes to allow a full team of 5 players to arrive. Failure to start a game with five players will result in a forfeiture of the team causing the delay.
L. The HOME team has the advantage of putting their team on the court last. Once your team has been put on the court you cannot make a change.
M. Only coaches will be allowed to question the referee on an interpretation of the rules. There will be no questioning of a judgment call made by a referee.
N. Free substitutions are not allowed.
O. The ball must advance over the half court line in 10 seconds.
P. Only coaches and players that are participants in the game are allowed in the bench area.
Q. All team members and coaches must stay in the appropriate areas designated on the court, while the game is in progress.
R. Once a game has started, it may be played with less than 5 players on a team. These games will count as official games and all rules will apply during these games. Teams do not have to reduce players to match opponents playing with less than 5.
S. All shirts must be tucked in when on the court.
T. There is to be no defacing of the uniforms. Anyone violating this rule will not be allowed to play until a proper uniform is obtained.
7. HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE DIVISION - RULES
A. Teams in the boys high school division will use a 28.5 size basketball, as will all girls divisions. Boys College division uses a men’s basketball. Rims will be lowered to 9 feet in both boys and girls high school divisions to stress correct shooting form. Rims in all other divisions are at 10 feet.
B. On each possession, the defense must retreat past the 3-point line extended or nearest line as determined by the League Coordinator to allow the offensive team the ability to advance the ball past that point. Once the ball is past that point, defense can cover anywhere on the court for the remainder of that possession.
C. Full court presses are not allowed until 1 minute remains in each half, or until 1 minute remains in any overtime period.
D. No Zone Defense is allowed. The first infraction of this rule will result in a warning; the second and all subsequent violations will result in a technical foul.
E. A 5 second lane violation will be enforced inside the key for the high school and 3 seconds for the college division.
F. In the High School Division, the foul line will be moved 1 foot closer to the basket. This is to encourage proper shooting technique. No violation will be assessed to the shooter for crossing the line on the foul shot; however the shooter cannot move in for the rebound until the ball hits the rim. Lane violations will be observed and enforced.
8. PLAYER INJURY
At the discretion of the referee, the game will stop when a player is injured. The coach, SYB board member on duty, or parents / guardian if present, will evaluate an injured player. An injured player may return to a game only after he or she has been evaluated and approved for re-entry. The substitute replacing the injured player will not be charged with having played in that segment. The opposing coach will select the replacement player. The 2 coaches will speak privately to determine the substitute. If cleared, the injured player may replace the substitute in the same segment at the next whistle.
Any player missing a game, or any part of a game, or practice, for medical reasons may be required, at the Board's discretion, to provide written documentation from a doctor stating that the player may resume SYB activities
9. GRIEVANCES
All game related grievances must be submitted to the Board of Directors, in writing and to the care of the President. The Executive Board will review the matter and decide on what, if any action will be taken.
10. DISCIPLINING A PLAYER
If a coach feels it is necessary to discipline a player by removing him/her from a game (examples: not listening, out of control), the disciplining coach will select the player he will use to substitute. The coach will advise the Board member on duty of the situation.
11. MISCELLANEOUS
Any interpretation of league rules during actual games will be decided by a majority of the Board of Directors present in the gym at that time.
12. PLAYER AND COACHES CONDUCT
No coach or player will use profanity or will attempt to embarrass a referee during a game. This type of behavior will be brought to the attention of the Executive Board.
Any unnecessary roughness or harassment of an official, opposing coach, or player will result in an automatic ejection from the game and a one game suspension for the next scheduled game.
Any fighting will result in a technical foul, immediate ejection from the game and a one game suspension
Any player or coach being assessed one conduct related technical foul will be issued a warning. The next conduct related technical foul, either in the current game or a future game will result in a one game suspension, the next game. Any player or coach issued a third conduct related technical foul will be expelled from the league. All conduct related technical fouls will be subject to review by the Board of Directors. All conduct related technical fouls may be appealed to the Board of Directors.
13. SPORTSMANSHIP
There will be games when there is a clearly superior team. The winning coach is expected to display fairness by not “running up the score”. This is a perfect time to make sure everyone on the winning team scores a basket or players are tried at different positions such as point guard. Players should be encouraged to pass the ball or work on their “weak hand” instead of trying to score more points.
There is no need for any team to win by more than 20 points. If your team is leading by 10 or more points, please pull off the press as it can result in extreme frustration for the losing players and coaches.
