N.Y.C.M.S.
BASKETBALL LEAGUE
2015/2016
Rules & Procedures
Mike Connors
NYCMSBL President
(201) 606-1615
Teddy Rivera Earl Menard
NYCMSBL Vice-President NYCMSBL Treasurer
(347) 451-7756 (917) 325-0300
Rules And Procedures
Academics
1. All student/athletes must maintain and adhere to a strong academic code of striving to meet a set of standards in each of the four major/core subjects (Math, Language Arts, Science & Social Studies) as designed by each school and followed by the League. Coaches should encourage their teams to excel in the classroom as well as on the basketball court.
2. All players listed on the team roster must maintain a sixty-five (65%) average in three of their four core/major subjects. This does not mean an average of all the subjects combined.
A player cannot fail more than one core/major subject and continue to play basketball .
3. The deadline for the academic requirements is the end of the first marking period. As soon as coaches receive information of failing students, it is the coach’s responsibility to remove the student and place the student on academic probation for a period of three (3) scheduled weeks at the beginning of the regular season, but must include the first three (3) games. The player may not dress or travel with the team on game day or participate in any practices or team meetings. Failure to report this information to the league committee will result in sanctions, penalties and possible team suspension or expulsion.
4. Students on probation who show academic progress in their core courses during the probation period must provide anecdotal records of such improvement and must be dated and signed by their teachers. This information should be collected during the third week of probation which should speed up the reinstatement process.
5. Coaches will be held responsible for the submission of their player’s anecdotal records along with copies of Report Cards which the league uses for eligibility purposes only.
6. Any and all students who do not meet the academic requirements within the three (3) week probation period must be removed for the rest of the season and playoffs (if applies).
7. Students in Special Education programs will be given some flexibility in the grading process, however, the league expects the highest standards for all students and this will have to be evaluated on a student-by-student basis. Any child with an IEP is considered a Special Education student.
8. Schools who use a variation in grading academics or behavior (other than % or “U to E”) will have their students progress judged and evaluated using a scale equal to that used by the league.
8A. Student Attendance cannot dip below 80% (36 days absent) for the entire term/school year.
Students will be tracked using report cards submitted by coaches. Doctor/Parent notes for absent days will be not included in the 36 days, although the league may reserve the right to see proof of the absent days notes. Excessive absent days and lateness will be grounds for the committee to consider a player suspension.
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Behavioral Standards
9. All students participating in the league must maintain a high level of good conduct in school during the school day, and at all home/away games, traveling to away games and during all practices. Coaches should encourage their teams to strive to be the best school ambassadors when representing their school.
10. Any student that does not meet the league’s behavioral guidelines must be suspended from the team using the same process as the academic reinstatement procedures.
11. Any student who at the end of the first marking period has more than one “U” in a core subject must be given a three (3) week suspension or three games (whichever comes first) . A pattern of “N’s” (more than 2) in the core subjects should be treated the same as 2 “U’s” & also suspended.
12. Behavioral suspensions should follow the academic procedures. Anecdotal records are needed from the teacher involved. The teacher must also date and sign each document.
13. Coaches are responsible for collecting this information and submitting to the league before the student is eligible for reinstatement.
14. Any coach who fails to enforce or willingly violates the rules and standards set down by the league regarding academics and behavior will face severe penalties by the league at the discretion of the league committee. This will be done on a case-by-case basis.
15. The league committee will be responsible for investigating any and all alleged infractions, violations, protests, reports, and any other information that is in violation with the N.Y.C. Middle School Basketball League behavioral standards.
16. All Playoff teams must submit 2nd Marking Period Report Cards and an updated Team Roster Sheet to compete in the playoffs. Students not meeting league rules concerning academics and/or behavior will be ineligible for the playoffs.
17. Players added to any roster after opening day December 1st, 2014 and before rosters are frozen on January 1st 2015 must submit a current copy of the player’s Report Card with all paperwork to the League before a player is deemed eligible.
18. All Questions on Behavior & Academic Standards should be directed to the Committee.
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Gameday (The Court)
19. Each school should have a standard lined regulation sized court.
20. Each court must be well lit, ventilated, clear from debris, spills or gym equipment.
21. Courts must not be slippery from wax or cleaning materials.
22. Courts/Schools are not required to have a three point line painted, however, coaches should encourage administrators about the importance of the court regulations of the game.
23. Referees will only call three pointers where a three point line exists on the court.
24. Each home school must provide chairs or a bench for the visiting team and substitutes.
25. Each home team must have a scoring table which should be positioned on the same side as the team benches. The table must have a game book, score sheets, a time keeper with clock or stop watch. The away team may have someone sit at the scorer’s table to record score. The “home team scoring book” is the official and primary book referees will consult during the game to resolve disputes, check fouls or game score.
24. In the case where a gym’s court is smaller than regulation the referee will declare that the free throw lines will act as lines to enforce backcourt violations. FANS/SUPPORTERS
25. Home supporters ONLY are allowed to attend games. Away parents are the only exception to this rule. Away parents must show ID before entering the away gym.
26. Home supporters are expected to have a signed permission slip allowing them to attend home games. School season passes have been created by a number of programs with parent consent signatures. Permission Slips are not a league requirement for Home fans to attend games.
27. Coaches who allow visiting fans (besides parents) to attend games will be held accountable by the league disciplinary committee and may face suspension and expulsion.
28. Only 15 squad members, coaches and game officials are allowed to travel to away games. Game officials are considered to be a few people to do the away game book, video tape the game etc… It should not exceed 4 people.
29. Coaches must be informed beforehand of any family guests. Family members must show proper identification at the security desk. Family Members means Parents or Guardians only.
30. Smoking is not permitted by any individuals on school grounds at any time.
31. There is a zero tolerance policy on weapons of any kind in the New York City public schools.
32. Food or drinks are not allowed in the gym during a game unless the School or coach has given permission in advance. Teams may bring in drinks for the purpose of the game.
33. Home supporters should be respectful of the away teams during all games and act with the highest levels of sportsmanship.
SCORER’S TABLE
34. The home team’s game book is the official game book and the only reference point referees will use for points totals or fouls. The scoreboard is not the official scorekeeper.
35. It is strongly recommended that the away team’s official scorer sit at the scorers table. However, their book will not be used for any referee references unless the referee requests it.
36. It is the home team’s responsibility to have a trained person care-taking and recording the game book. During playoffs an adult is required to oversee the scorer’s table.
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37. Coaches are expected to choose one or more persons who are responsible to assist in the
basketball program as scorers, timers, video recorders and scheduling for the season. Coaches should have back-ups for each position in case of emergency.
38. The game clock at the scorer’s table should be given to a responsible person who understands the rules of the NYCMSBL regarding timing for the quarters, halves & timeouts etc.
39. A stopwatch is acceptable; however an official game clock is preferred. The game table should have a responsible person preferably an adult performing this duty. Phone clocks are not to be used unless there is no other available clock to time the game.
40. The timekeeper should alert the ref of the time at the end of each quarter. (1 min, 30 sec., etc.)
41. The time keeper blows his/her own whistle to signal the end of the quarters and halves.
42. The time keeper also signals with the whistle for substitutes on dead balls only. The referee will signal the player into the game. 43. The scorer’s table must have a clear score board facing the supporter’s side.
44. One person is expected to operate the score board and must actively be involved in the game.
45. Any disputes over the score board must be decided by the referee only, conferring with the game officials and game book (if necessary).
46. All playoff games must have adult supervision at the scorer’s table to record the game book.
47. Each team has seven (7) team fouls per half. The opposing team shoots “one & one” free throws up to tenth (10) foul. Opposing team then shoots 2 free throws in “double bonus”
48. Each player is allowed (5) personal fouls per game. Upon receiving a 5th foul a player is out of game.
49. Game book officials should alert coaches when a player is on three (3) fouls and a team has five (5) team fouls. The game book person should also alert the referee when a team is on six (6) team fouls or when a player has fouled out.
50. Players ejected from a game (other than fouling out) will receive a one game suspension.
THE GAME
51. Each Varsity game will consist of four (4) quarters of eight (8) minutes. JV will be (7) minutes.
51A. Games that begin at 5pm must be two 16 minute halves with one full time out and two 30 second timeouts for the entire game. Stop clocks at half & for T.O.s and free throws only.
52. The game clock will stop at the last two (2) minutes of each half on every whistle (The second quarter and the fourth quarter). The clock stops on all free throws and timeouts.
53. Each team will be allowed Three full timeouts (60 seconds) per game and One 30 second timeout per half. Timeouts cannot be carried over if not used in the first half.
54. Timeouts can only be called while a team has control/possession of the ball.
55. Substitutions can be made only on dead ball situations or at the end of a quarter. The referee must signal the player onto the court.
56. Players are expected to kneel next to the scorer’s table before entering the game on ref’s signal.
57. The scorer’s table may use a whistle or a microphone once the ball is dead to alert the referee.
58. Only two (2) adults (head coach and assistant) are allowed in the coaching area or sideline. Parents are not allowed on the player’s sideline at any time. Coaches must observe the coaches’ box at all times. Only one (1) coach should be standing at any time.
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58A. Players may now enter the paint area on “the release” on every final/last free throw attempt. Players do not need to wait for the ball to “hit the rim”.
59. Any team/school who wishes to file a protest may do so only within 24 hours of the game.
The validity of any & all game protests will be determined by the League Disciplinary Committee.
60. All game protests must be in written form using the league Game Protest Form &
$50 filing fee, which is refunded only if the protest is successful. Hearing must be in one week.
Referee calls during the game cannot be protested, unless the ref is clearly breaking league rules.
61. If and whenever a league or playoff game is video taped the league reserves the right to view
Game film to resolve disputes. Coaches/schools that refuse to do so will be suspended.
Basketball Teams
62. Teams shall have no more than fifteen (15) players dressed to play for home or away games.
63. Teams are allowed an additional five (5) Reserves or inactive players to be part of the overall roster. These players can be included in the Traveling fifteen (15) at the coaches discretion. These players would be in place to replace suspended, sick, injured or expelled players.
64. All teams must have all players in a uniformed numbered shirt. It is a league rule that all student/athletes wear the same number throughout the entire season. If a uniform is lost the team coach needs to inform the league of the uniform number change. Shorts may be a different color.
65. Players must have sneakers and they must be laced up completely before entering the game.
66. Uniform shirts/tops must be tucked inside the shorts at all times. Shorts are not to be worn hanging off a players hips. When uniforms are of a similar color the HOME team should change color or use pinnies to prevent confusion during the game.