Rules

Purpose

WBA is an instructional league whose goals are to teach boys and girls basketball fundamentals, team play , and sportsmanship. As such, the emphasis is on player attendance and conduct in practice and games by players, parents, spectators and coaches. The following have been established to promote these goals.

Rules

The New York State Public High School Association rules will be used as a guide in addition to the special WBA rules listed herein.

WBA General Conduct Rules

The coaches of each team are responsible for reviewing the code of conduct with parents at their parents meeting, and reviewing it with their players at their first practice. This is to be signed by both parent and player and returned to the grade level commissioner before the first league game.

Administration

The coach and his assistants are responsible for conducting a program for their team that will be both constructive and enjoyable.

Rosters

If, during the playing season, a member of the team is dropped from the team due to injury or disciplinary reasons, a replacement player must be requested and approved by the commissioner. 

Attendance

All coaches will encourage each player to be at every practice and game on time. If a player does not show up on time, or at all, he/she risks being suspended for one (1) game. If he/she continues tardiness, he/she will be suspended for the balance of the league and playoff schedule. This must be equally enforced regardless of the player’s abilities. If a player arrives late for a game, but before the third (3) period, the player will play a maximum of two (2) periods. If a player arrives late, but before the start of the fourth (4) period, the player will play a maximum and a minimum of one (1) period. Anyone arriving later than the fourth (4) period will be ineligible to play in the game. The coach is responsible for notifying opposing coaches before the start of the game of players not there.

Cancellation of games

The commissioner of the league will announce games canceled for any reasons. The coaches are responsible for the notification of the cancellation to the members of their team. Please listen to WHAM 1180 for Winter Cancellations.

Game Playing Periods for 5^th-8^th grade boys and girls 

Game playing periods will consist of six (6) periods lasting six (6) minutes each. – (18 minutes per half). A one (1) minute rest period will separate playing periods. 

Practices and Scrimmages

All practice times and locations will be assigned by the commissioner. Practice times for the 5^th and 8^th  grade league will be posted online. No additional replacement practices times are to be obtained by any coach unless approved by the league commissioner. No additional games or scrimmages between opposing teams will be allowed at any level without authorization from the commissioner. 

If additional games or scrimmages are scheduled, and or additional replacement practice times are obtained without the prior approval of the commissioner, the league reserves the right to discipline the coach. The board of directors and the league commissioners will determine discipline. All judgments are final.

Discipline

The coach and assistants are responsible for the conduct of the team members and spectators. Team members and spectators are required to observe good conduct. Coaches shall be held responsible for the enforcement of the rules and regulations. If problems occur, the coach is to notify his grade level Commissioner immediately. If the Commissioner cannot be reached, he/she is to contact the league commissioner. The WBA General Conduct Rules for Player, Parents, and Spectators will be used to determine what actions are to be taken if disciplinary measures are needed.

Steps for Discipline

The coach will:

1. Talk with the child about the problem.
2. Talk with the child and parents, and written (email) notification to the grade level and league Commissioner.
3. Suspend the child for (1) game. Talk with the child and parents with verbal and written notifications. Send verbal and written notification to the grade level and league Commissioner before the child is suspended.
4. Suspend the child for the remainder of the season. Talk to the parents before the child is suspended. The Commissioner will supply to the parents written notification of the league suspension. All monies will be forfeited.

Except for the last two (2) minutes of the game, the clock will stop for foul shots, injuries and time-outs only. During the last two (2) minutes the game (and any overtime periods), the clock will stop with any referee whistle.

Back Court Violations

The half court line will be used as the ten-second line for all grades.

Fouls

Each player is allowed a maximum of five (5) personal fouls. Flagrant fouling will result in a two (2) shots and possession of the ball, and automatic ejection from the game. All fouls resulting from a flagrant foul will be counted as a team foul. One-and-one will be shot on the seventh (7) team foul in each half. Two shots will be awarded on the tenth (10) team foul in each half. The team will shoot one-and-one except for shooting fouls. If a game goes into overtime, team and individual foul totals will continue from the end of regulation. Players cannot foul out of game 1 and game 2.

Technical Fouls

Technical foul is two (2) shots and possession of the ball. If a coach or player receives two (2) technical fouls, he/she will be ejected from the game. He/she will be immediately suspended from all league activities. The Board of Directors will review their continues participation in the league. Any penalty imposed by the league will be final. The coach or player may be required to appear before such committee as determined by the Board to explain their actions. Any sanctions imposed by the Board or its designated committee will be final and cannot be appealed. All technical fouls assessed to bench personnel will be counted as a team foul and will be assigned to the coach. 

Playing Time

Each player must play a minimum of three (3) full six (6) minute periods per game with a maximum of five (5) six (6) minute periods per game . A team may not play one group of 5 players for three consecutive periods and then have the other 5 players play the second half of the game. If a game includes overtime periods, both teams may play any player during the overtime.  It is the responsibility of all coaches to maintain records indicating the total amount of playing time. A time sheet will be filled out during the game and must be turned in to the grade level commissioner.  If a time sheet is not completed correctly and there is a time issue, then that team forfeits.

Exception

If a team has seven (7) or less players for any game, the player may play more than four (4) periods, but the difference between the maximum and minimum playing times on the team shall not exceed one (1) full period.

If a player is injured anytime or has three (3) fouls in the first half, he/she may be replaced by a substitute of equal or lesser ability. The player evaluation sheets are to be used as a guide of ability. The coaches must agree as to the ability of a player who is going to be used as a substitute. A referee time-out will be used for any discussion time needed. A referee time out will be used for the insertion of the player into the game.

If, during the six (6) minute period, the injured player recovers, he/she must be reinserted into the game. The substitute player is not charged with a playing period, however, the injured player is charged with a playing period. Players who are substituted for because of foul trouble cannot return until the playing period is over.

It is the coach’s discretion to waive the minimum play rule for reasons of discipline. If a coach wants to discipline a player, he/she must contact the Commissioner of the league in advance of the game. The Commissioner of the league will make the final determination as to the advisability of the actions and will notify the parents of the player and the other coaches of the league.

Ties and Overtime

No ties are allowed. One overtime period will consist of a three (3) minute period starting with a jump ball. If a second overtime is required, the second overtime will be sudden death.  The clock will stop with any referee whistle. There is no sudden death in the playoffs.

Time Outs

Each team will be allocated (3) time-outs per regulation game plus one (1) time out per overtime period. Unused timeouts from regulation play may be carried into overtime periods.

Uniforms

All uniforms that are provided must be worn. Shirts must be tucked in and sneakers must be tied.

MANDATORY RULES FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS

OFFENSE/DEFENSE

Defense

Zones – No Zones are allowed

Press - No Pressing is allowed

Man to Man – A defensive player must remain within arms reach of the offensive player that they are guarding. If the defensive player is not within the arms reach, the team will be given a warning. (one warning per half.) Subsequent offenses will result in a team technical foul being assessed to the team. The coaching philosophy of the league is to teach the players to play through a pick set by an offensive player and maintain a man to man defense on the player that they are guarding. Defensive switching is allowed. Double team while the ball is in the key area is allowed.Defense picks up at the three point line

Zones – No Zones are allowed

Press - The team that is losing can full court press anytime in the last two (2) minutes of each half. The team that is ahead can press in the last two (2) minutes of each half only if they are ahead by less than ten (10) points. Pressing can only be man to man press, NO double teaming.  If overtime periods are played, the press/10 point rule used in regulation applies. 

**Any time a team is down 10 points or more they may press until the deficit is less than 10.

Man to Man – A defensive player must remain within arms reach of the offensive player that they are guarding. If the defensive player is not within the arms reach, the team will be given a warning. (one warning per half.) Subsequent offenses will result in a team technical foul being assessed to the team. The coaching philosophy of the league is to teach the players to play through a pick set by an offensive player and maintain a man to man defense on the player that they are guarding. Defensive switching is allowed. Double team while the ball is in the key area is allowed.

Man to Man Defense Interpretation

1. The man to man defense arms reach rule comes into play at the top of the key extended across the court. You do not have to pick your player up at half court, but must be within arms reach of your player as he/she crosses a point which is the top of the key as it extends from side line to side line, (see drawing below).
2. Double teams are allowed in the key. Clarification of this is as follows: If the person you are guarding is in they key or within arms reach of the key, you may step in and double team another player. You may not leave your player and double team if your player is outside (by more than arms reach) of the key area. Example, you can’t run down from the wing, or come in from the corner base line to make a double team. You must pick up at this point.

Press - Press - The team that is losing can full court press anytime they are down by 10 points or more. The team that is ahead can press in the last two (2) minutes of each half only if they are ahead by less than ten (10) points. Pressing can only be man to man press, NO double teaming.  If overtime periods are played, the press/10 point rule used in regulation applies.

Man to Man – You must play man to man. Double teaming is allowed over half court.

Grade 7 & 8 Boys

Zones – No Zones are allowed

Press - Press - The team that is losing can full court press anytime they are down by 10 points or more. The team that is ahead can press in the last two (2) minutes of each half only if they are ahead by less than ten (10) points. If overtime periods are played, the press/10 point rule used in regulation applies. Man to man double teaming is allowed while pressing.

**Any time a team is down 10 points or more they may press until the deficit is less than 10.

Man to Man – You must play man to man. Double teaming is allowed.
 
 Offense

Clear out plays are not allowed. Example: Four (4) corners or one (1) side. Use of these plays will result in a team warning for the first offense and a two (2) shot technical foul and possession of the ball for each subsequent offense. Each technical foul assessed as a result of the use of clear out plays will be assessed to the coach of the team. See Technical Fouls. The three (3) second violation will be observed.