Volunteer Coaches: YMCA of Greater Whittier Spring Basketball Rules 2016 Volunteers are the heart of the YMCA. In order for the programs to be successful, we rely on parents and community members to serve as a team s head coach, assistant coach, and team parent. All volunteer coaches must complete a volunteer application which can be found at your YMCA s Welcome Center. To ensure the safety of everyone involved in the program, references and background checks must be completed prior to volunteering. Coaches Expectations: 1. Coaches shall not coach more than one team in the same division. 2. Coaches must ensure respect at all times for the referees, exercising leadership to all in promoting fairness, courtesy, and good sportsmanship on the field of play. The leadership and influence of a coach will trickle down to the players and spectators. 3. Coaches must pay particular attention to the rules regarding safety and employ methods of play designed to avoid injury to any player. 4. Coaches shall notify all players and parents of all league and team activities in a diligent manner to everybody on the team roster. 5. Coaches must enforce that no parent is to drop off his or her child at practice and then proceed to leave the field. 6. Coaches must not tolerate the unsportsmanlike display of inappropriate behavior. ***In the event that your team begins the season without a designated head coach, YMCA staff will meet with your team and discuss the situation with every parent collectively. Based on this meeting, the staff will discuss the commitment to volunteering and recruit a coach from the team s parents. All volunteers will be provided with the tools and training necessary to make them successful.*** Coaches Practice Equipment: 1. The YMCA will provide each team with an area to practice that includes cones and 1 basketball at our onsite location. 2. Each team must provide any extra tools or basketballs to be included in practice. 3. The 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 age divisions will all play with junior size game balls. The 9-10 and 11-12 age division will all play with intermediate size game balls. The 13-14 and 15-17 age divisions will all play with official size game balls.
Team Parents: Coaches need help organizing the team. Team Parents are an integral part to the infrastructure of each team. Team Parents responsibilities include: Organizing snack and drink schedules for all games. Communicating with parents and the coach each week to determine attendance for weekly practices and games. Coordinating Picture Day by distributing order forms and pictures to the appropriate parents. Organizing the team s (season end) awards party. Players Equipment: 1. All players are REQUIRED to wear non-marking shoes that are closed toe/closed heel and they must have laces. 2. Purchasing your child a basketball will help each coach with practice in terms of educating your child and the other children about the fundamentals of the sport. 3. Shoes: a. ALL AGES are required to wear shoes with laces for games with a closed toe and heel (No crocs, flip flops, slip-ons, etc.) b. Top basketball brands are: Nike, Adidas, Jordan Brand 4. If you have any questions about where to purchase equipment, please see your Sports Director for help. Practice: 1. Coaches shall hold practice at his or her discretion. 2. Coaches determine practice location and do not have to practice at a YMCA provided site. 3. Recommended practice: a. 3-4 Age Division: No more than once a week. b. 5-6 Age Division: No more than once a week. c. 7-8 Age Division: No more than twice a week. d. 9-10 Age Division: No more than twice a week. e. 11-12 Age Division: No more than three times a week. f. 13-14 Age Division: No more than three times a week. 4. If a coach does not practice at a designated YMCA practice location, it is their responsibility to provide practice equipment.
Game Times: The length of game time is as follows: 1. 3-4 Age Division: Four, 8 minute quarters with a running clock. The clock will stop for substitutions. 1 minute half time. 2. 5-6 Age Division: Four, 8 minute quarters with a running clock. The clock will stop for substitutions. 1 minute half time. 3. 7-8 Age Division: Four, 8 minute quarters with a running clock. The clock will stop for substitutions. 1 minute half time. 4. 9-10 Age Division: Four, 10 minute quarters with a running clock. The clock will stop for substitutions. 2 minute half time. 5. 11-12 Age Division: Four, 10 minute quarters with a running clock. The clock will stop for substitutions. 2 minute half time. 6. 13-14 Age Division: Two, 20 minute halves with a running clock. The clock will stop for substitutions. 2 minute half time. Overtime: In the event of overtime (ages 9 and up), overtime will consist of one period for 2 minutes. The clock will stop on a dead ball. Minimum Play Rule/Substitution Rule 1. 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 divisions: a. 5 players will be allowed on the court at any one time. b. Substitutions will be called every 4 minutes. c. The substitution rule is designed for each child to play a minimum of half the game. If you have 10 players on your team, you must substitute your 5 players on the bench for the players on the floor. d. If a team has less than 10 players, some players will continue to play due to a lack of available substitutions. A player must rotate on the second substitution timeout if they were not substituted during the prior substitution break. 2. 9-10 and 11-12 divisions: a. 5 players will be allowed on the court at any one time. b. Substitutions will be called every 5 minutes. c. The substitution rule is designed for each child to play a minimum of 15 minutes per game. If you have 10 players on your team, you must substitute your 5 players on the bench for the players on the floor. d. If a team has less than 10 players, some players will continue to play due to a lack of available substitutions. A player must rotate on the second substitution timeout if they were not substituted during the prior
substitution break. No player can play the entire game if a team has 6 available players. e. The 4 th quarter will consist of free substitutions and the clock will not stop per substitution. 1. 13-14 and 15-17 divisions: a. 5 players will be allowed on the court at any one time. b. Substitutions will be called every 5 minutes. c. The substitution rule is designed for each child to play a minimum of 15 minutes. If you have 10 players on your team, you must substitute your 5 players on the bench for the players on the floor. d. If a team has less than 10 players, some players will continue to play due to a lack of available substitutions. A player must rotate on the second substitution timeout if they were not substituted during the prior substitution break. No player can play the entire game if a team has 6 available players. e. The 2 nd half will consist of free substitutions after the midway point of the half and the clock will not stop per substitution. Playing Rules 1. Ball Dribbling a. The 3-4 and 5-6 division must dribble at least 1-3 times while running down the court. b. The 7-8 division must dribble while running down the court. Picking up the ball and running down the court is traveling. 2. Defense a. There will be no backcourt guarding or jumping to block a shot, no stealing while dribbling, or taking the ball away from any child. b. Stealing the ball while it is being passed is allowed. c. A defender must have their hands straight up while an opposing player is trying to shoot the ball. Any attempts to block the ball will be determined by the referee. 3. Ages 9 and up a. CIF rules shall govern league play, with the exception of the supplemental rules listed through our basketball rules. CIF rules can be found at http://www.cifcs.org/governance/rules/basketball b. If a team is winning by 10 or more points in the last 2 minutes of the 4 th quarter, the clock will not stop. c. If a team commits 10 or more fouls per half, 2 free throws will be issued per foul. d. Dunking is not allowed. e. YMCA staff will keep track of all substitutions. If the substitution pattern
is not followed or a player plays the entire game with subs available, the team will lose 5 points at the conclusion of the game. f. Any player or coach receiving two technical fouls will be suspended from the remainder of the game. If a player or coach receives two technical fouls in the same game, that player will be suspended for their next game. g. Full court press will be allowed in the last 2 minutes of each half (ages 13 17 can press at any time). If a team is winning by 15 or more points, full court press will not be allowed (a technical foul will be issued if a team presses while winning by 15 or more points). Basket Height 1. 3-4 Division: a. For games 1-4, the basket height will stand at 5.5 feet. b. For games 5-8, the basket height will stand at 6.5 feet. 2. 5-6 Division: a. For games 1-4, the basket height will stand at 6.5 feet. b. For games 5-8, the basket height will stand at 7.5 feet. 3. 7-8 Division: a. For games 1-4, the basket height will stand at 8 feet. b. For games 5-8, the basket height will stand at 10 feet. Ball Size 1. For ages 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8, the ball size used will be a junior (27.5 inches). 2. For ages 9-12, the ball size used will be an intermediate size (28.5 inches). 3. For ages 13-17, the ball size used will be an official size (29.5 inches). Dismissal/Disciplinary Action The Sports Council/Sports Director (Will Silva) may suspend, dismiss, or otherwise discipline a coach whenever his or her actions or conduct is detrimental to the best interest of the YMCA Sports Program. This pertains to parents and players as well. If a player or coach is disciplined and no longer allowed to partake in the league, a refund will not be given. Safety/Coaches Allowed on the Court 1. For the 3-4 and 5-6 divisions, one coach may be on the court at any time. 2. For the 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-17 divisions, coaches must stand/sit on the sideline.
Age Requirements The YMCA is an all-inclusive program that works with many members in the community. We believe in healthy competition while creating an atmosphere with as much parody as possible. Parents may request for their child to play in a division higher or lower than their child s appropriate age group. If a parent requests for their child to play down, the YMCA Sports Council and Sports Directors will evaluate the following: Does the child have a need that requires a division more conducive to their learning style Has the child played more than one year in the division they are requesting to play in How will the child work with the parody of the division The YMCA will consider any requests within 45 days of our birth date deadline. Requests are taken on a case-by-case basis and some cases are not approved. The YMCA may request a birth certificate for age identification. Sportsmanship Before the beginning of each game, each team will meet at center court for handshakes and the opening prayer. The home team will be asked each game to lead the prayer. Uniform Policy All players must wear the appropriate uniform given out by the YMCA per season. The YMCA logo and/or branding may not be covered in any way. Players are assigned numbers in the beginning of the season and may not switch uniforms or numbers without the consent of the Sports Director. Any violation may lead to that player forfeiting their opportunity to play in that game. All Divisions There shall be no deliberate harassment of opposing players by voice or gesture. This applies to players, parents, coaches, and spectators. Violators of this rule are subject to ejection from the game. The coach may be ejected for the actions of his spectators. *** All parents have signed a parents code of conduct before registering their child to play with our YMCA Sports Program. Any violation of these rules or disregard to our YMCA core values may lead to suspension or expulsion (without refund) from our league. *** *** ANIMALS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON ANY FIELD OR IN ANY SCHOOL.*** *** SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED ON ANY FIELD OR IN ANY SCHOOL (VAPOR CIGARETTES INCLUDED).***