North Texas Youth Basketball Association 2015--2016 Bylaws INTRODUCTION Comprised of six independent school communities in the North Texas area, the NTYBA is an instructional basketball league designed to provide the 2nd through 6th grade students of Argyle, Aubrey, Krum, Liberty Christian, P i l o t P o i n t , Ponder, and Sanger with a forum to participate in a competitive basketball program to enhance their skills prior to entering school basketball for their respective communities. The primary focus of the NTYBA is to present a basketball league which improves basketball fundamentals while offering a safe and competitive environment to develop those skills in game situations. 2015--2016 NTYBA Executive Board President: Jason Wolf (Ponder) Vice President: Stephanie Pedigo (Aubrey) Secretary: Kara Meyer (Krum) Treasurer: Jim Tully (Liberty Christian) 2014--2015 NTYBA Community Commissioners Argyle: Barry Haynes Aubrey: Stephanie Pedigo and A.J. West Krum: Kara Meyer and Brian Blakney Liberty Christian: Jim Tully Pilot Point: James Pickrel and Chris Casillas Ponder: Jason Wolf and Tim Tipton Sanger: Scott Rollins and Blake Lemons The bylaws and procedures which follow summarize the structure of the NTYBA, the rules by which it shall be governed, and the requirements for association membership. All association meetings and activities shall follow the procedures contained in the most current edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order.” ARTICLE 1 NAME The name of this League shall be the North Texas Youth Basketball Association. For the remainder of this document; the league will be noted as NTYBA. ARTICLE 2 OBJECTIVE The objective of the NTYBA shall be to teach the fundamentals of basketball, the principles of good sportsmanship, a nd the benefits of team play. The NTYBA shall seek to instill in the youth of our participating communities the ideals of courage, honesty, loyalty, and persistence through the sport of basketball. ARTICLE 3 STRUCTURE Section A The association shall be governed by the executive board and one commissioner from each participating community. Executive board members and commissioners shall be residents of their respective independent school districts or pay tuition to any private school member of the NTYBA. The executive board shall have general oversight regarding the responsibilities for the business of the association. Section B The executive officers of the NTYBA shall be a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer. These officers shall be elected by the board of commissioners. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the league. Section C Each community with 10 or more teams participating in any given season shall have one representing seat and shall be permitted one vote in matters requiring a vote within the organization. Communities with less than 10 teams participating in any given season may be part of the NTYBA. However, said communities will have no representation and no voting rights. ARTICLE 4 CALENDAR Section A The term of office for NTYBA executive board members shall run from August 1 of the current year through July 31 of the following year. Executive board members shall be voted into each position on a yearly basis. Section B The NTYBA fiscal year shall run from August 1 of the current year through July 31 of the following year. Section C Regular NTYBA meetings shall take place each month from September of the current year through March of the following year. The NTYBA president shall announce the time and place of the meetings. If additional meetings are required, the president may also determine the time and place of those meetings. The executive board may conduct non--‐critical meetings via email. Section D The regular season will begin in December of the current year and conclude in February of the following year. Section E The NTYBA tournament will begin after regular season play has ended. ARTICLE 5 EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTIONS Section A To be an eligible candidate for the NTYBA executive board, all nominees shall be residents of their respective independent school districts or pay tuition to any private school member of the NTYBA and be present at the meeting when nominations are made. Eligible candidates must not have felony convictions of any type or child related criminal convictions of any kind from a court of law in any state in the United States or from any other country in the world. Section B Nominations and elections for executive board positions shall take place during the final meeting of the season. Section C Election of new executive officers shall be conducted by the current executive board and voted on by the current commissioners. Sections D The executive officers shall serve for one year or until their successors are elected. Their term of office shall begin April 1 of the current year and end March 31 of the following year. Section E No commissioner shall hold more than one executive office at a time. No commissioner s h a l l be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same executive position unless approved by a two--‐thirds majority vote of the current commissioners. Section F Upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners of the league, any executive officer may be removed, either with or without cause, and his or her successor may be appointed at any regular or special meeting of the league called for such purpose. An executive officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the president or the secretary. Said resignation shall take effect on the date such notice is received or at any later time specified therein. Unless otherwise specified, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Section G A vacancy in any executive office due to the death, resignation, removal, or other disqualification of the executive officer previously filling said office may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining commissioners of t he l e a g ue . The c o m m i s s io n e r appointed t o suc h v a c a n c y s h a l l s e r v e f o r t he remainder of the term of the executive officer he or she replaces. ARTICLE 6 COMMISSIONERS Commissioners from each NTYBA community shall be appointed by their respective community sports associations. ARTICLE 7 RESPONSIBILITIES Section A. Executive Board. The executive board shall have general oversight regarding the responsibilities f o r the business of the association. Specific responsibilities of the executive board include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Conduct elections of officers. Monitor disbursement and/or transfer of all NTYBA funds. Develop an association budget for each fiscal year. Oversee regular season and tournament meetings. Ensure that all matters which could be a detriment to the league are addressed and resolved in a timely manner. Enforce all league policies. Promote goodwill and harmony. Section B Commissioners. NTYBA commissioners shall be residents of their respective independent school districts or pay tuition to any private school member of the NTYBA. The term of each commissioner shall be from August 1 of the current year through July 31 of the following year. The secretary s h a l l kee p a complete list of active commissioners. NTYBA commissioners shall abide by the governing rules and regulations of the association. The NTYBA will recognize only one commissioner from each qualifying community and each commissioner will have only one vote in all league matters requiring a vote. Specific responsibilities of the commissioners include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Establish policy and oversee the programs of the NTYBA. Ensure that all persons working within the association meet the needs of their position and act in accordance with the NTYBA guidelines set forth in these bylaws. Assume complete responsibility for all internal matters within their respective community, including, but not limited to, organizing and governing players, parents, volunteers, coaches, referees, concessions, and gymnasiums. Participate in all s c h e d u l e d meetings or a r r a n g e to h a v e a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e from their community participate during their absence. Maintain the relationship with their respective school community and provide a gymnasium for regular season games and tournament play. Create rules and guidelines for their respective community regarding practices and games which will promote goodwill and harmony within the NTYBA. Section C President. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the league. He/she shall have all of the general powers and duties which are usually vested in the office of president of a league. Specific responsibilities of the president include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Act as chief executive officer of the association. Preside at all executive board and/or league commissioner meetings. Upon board approval, attend civil, government, or other outside activities for the purpose of representing the league. Ensure that all orders and resolutions of the executive board and/or the association are implemented correctly. Direct overall operations of the league and appoint special committees as required. Maintain authority to c o - sign all checks for payment of bills and other expenditures approved by the association. 6. 7. 8. Break any tie vote resulting from any issue voted on by the executive board or the commissioners. Chair the rules committee. Promote goodwill and harmony. Section D Vice President. The vice president shall assist the league president in all duties defined above for the league. If for any reason the president is not able to complete his or her term of office, the vice president shall assume all responsibilities delegated to the president. Specific responsibilities of the vice president include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Act as primary aide to the president. Perform the duties of the president in his or her absence or in case of president’s inability to perform such duties. Maintain authority to co-sign all checks with the president or treasurer. If needed, assist community commissioners with handling of their programs and activities. Serve as chairman of the protest committee in all matters except those involving his or her own community. Promote goodwill and harmony. Section E Secretary. Specific responsibilities of the secretary include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Record and preserve minutes of all meetings. Present minutes from the previous meeting at the beginning of all NTYBA meetings, Serve all special notices of the league. Maintain a file of all correspondence and documents. At the conclusion of their term, pass all league documents on to the next secretary. Assume responsibility for all publicity related to the league, including, but not limited to, newspaper articles, bulletin boards, school announcements, and signs. Attend all meetings of the executive board and/or the league commissioners and record results of all matters requiring a vote. Maintain the original copy of the association bylaws, along with all bylaw amendments, alterations, and revisions. Promote goodwill and harmony. Section F Treasurer. Specific responsibilities of the treasurer include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Oversee all association funds. Receive moneys of the league and maintain accurate records of all receipts, expenditures, and deposits. Manage all vouchers for disbursement of funds of the association and render an account of all transactions. 2. Present a written financial report at each NTYBA meeting and provide a copy of the report to the secretary for recordkeeping. Ensure that the association checkbook is available during all meetings. Pay all expenses by check for accounting purposes. 3. Provide tax data for completion of tax forms required for operation of the league. 4. Reimburse any expenses incurred which are substantiated by the proper receipt(s) and approved by the executive board or by the appropriate commissioner with authority to authorize such expenditures. 5. Disburse the funds of the association as set forth in these bylaws or as ordered by the executive board if not in direct conflict with these bylaws. 6. Promote goodwill and harmony. NOTE: Every member of the association shall have the right to examine at any reasonable time the membership roster, records of accounting, and records of proceedings of the executive board or association. ARTICLE 8 MEETINGS Section A Regular season meetings shall be held monthly beginning in September of the current year and ending in March of the following year. If deemed appropriate by the executive board, some meetings may be conducted via email. The league president shall determine the time and place of each meeting. Section B During the September meeting, new executive board members shall be elected for the upcoming season. Upcoming commissioners shall also be identified during the September meeting. Section C Special meetings may be called by the president or the executive board upon request of the league commissioners. Except in cases of emergency, at least three days’ notice shall be given. Section D League meetings are open to everyone except in special instances where the president shall declare a “closed” meeting. A meeting shall be designated “closed” only when an open meeting would be detrimental to the league, executive board, or commissioners. Section E Two--‐thirds or more of the commissioners of the league present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum ARTICLE 9 COMMITTEES Section A An auditing committee of three commissioners shall be appointed by the president at the league’s March meeting. Said committee’s duty shall be to audit the treasurer’s accounts at the close of the fiscal year. Section B When deemed necessary, other committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the president or executive board to carry out the work of the league. The president shall oversee all committees. ARTICLE 10 INDEMNIFICATION The league shall indemnify, to the extent provided by law, any person who is or was an officer, commissioner, agent, or employee of the league. ARTICLE 11 CONTRACTS Neither executive board members nor commissioners of the NTYBA shall enter into contracts or other commitments as agents for the league without approval by the league. Upon league approval, neither executive board members nor commissioners shall have personal liability for said contracts or commitments. ARTICLE 12 PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE The rules contained in the most current edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall govern the league in all cases which are applicable and which are not inconsistent with these bylaws or any special rules of order the league adopts. ARTICLE 13 AMENDMENTS These bylaws may be amended at any league meeting, provided the amendment was submitted in writing at the previous meeting or earlier. All changes pertaining to these bylaws must be approved by a two--‐ thirds majority vote of the league commissioners. League play rules are considered part of the bylaws and, as such, require a two--‐thirds majority vote of the league commissioners to be changed. ARTICLE 14 Codes of Conduct In order to advance the principles of sportsmanship and fair play and to promote mutual respect among players, coaches, referees and spectators, the NTYBA has established a “Code of Conduct.” The Code of Conduct shall govern the actions of players, coaches, referees, and spectators. The Code is intended to provide behavioral guidance and establish clear expectations for all involved. The Code is not conceived to address every possible behavioral circumstance; however, it shall serve as the Organization’s standard for behavioral evaluation. It shall be the obligation of all program participants, spectators and volunteers, to comply with the terms and provisions of the Code of Conduct. Any person violating the Code shall be subject to administrative action, up to and including termination of his/her privilege to participate in, or attend, any of all NTYBA sponsored activities. Coaches Code of Conduct Coaches shall remain unconditionally supportive of NTYBA’s commitment to the ideals of good sportsmanship, team play, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority. Likewise, coaches shall remain sensitive to the physical and emotional well-being of the players on his/her team. In order to adhere to these doctrines the coaches agree as follows: Coaches will be positive role models. Coaches will display and instill in players principals of good sportsmanship and team play. Coaches will conduct themselves in a manner that best serves the interest of the players. Coaches will do their best to provide the players a positive experience. Coaches will ensure that winning and/or losing teams do so in a manner which exhibits respect and good sportsmanship. Coaches will treat all players, parents, spectators and league officials with respect. Coaches will provide instruction in a manner that is constructive and supportive. Coaches will not ridicule or demean. Coaches will not tolerate behavior that endangers the health or well-being of a child. Coaches will comply with the decisions of league officials and observe all rules, policy and procedure as established or endorsed by NTYBA. Coaches will teach the game of basketball to the best of their ability. Coaches will be drug and alcohol free while at any NTYBA event. Coaches will not use any tobacco products (this includes electronic devices) in gymnasiums or basketball courts. Coaches acknowledge the need to demonstrate fundamental proficiencies with respect to the game of basketball and first aid. Consequently, all coaches agree to attend, any skill sessions that may be required by the President of the NTYBA and moreover, any first aid courses that may be mandated. Players Code of Conduct Players shall… Display good sportsmanship and team play at all times. Follow the direction of the Coaching Staff. Respect all, coaches, players, league officials, and spectators. Make every attempt to be on time and ready to play for all games and practices. Players shall not… Use abusive or profane language. Taunt or humiliate any other player. Question a referee’s call. Abuse, mistreat or mishandle any NTYBA equipment or property PARENTS AND SPECTATORS CODE OF CONDUCT The Parent and Spectator shall support the players, coaches, umpires and league officials. Parents and Spectators shall not “coach” or “officiate.” Parents and Spectators agree as follows: Parents and Spectators will be positive role models. Parents and Spectators will display and instill in all players, the principles of good sportsmanship and team play. Parents and Spectators will conduct themselves in a manner that best serves the interests of the players. Parents and Spectators will do their best to provide the players a positive experience. Parents and Spectators will make certain that their children show respect for all other players, coaches, officials and spectators. Parents and Spectators will not ridicule or demean. Parents and Spectators will inform the coach of any disability or ailment that may affect the safety of their child. Parents and Spectators will treat all players, coaches and referees fairly and with respect. Parents and Spectators will comply with the decisions of league officials and observe all rules, policy and procedure as established or endorsed by NTYBA. Parents and Spectators will respect the opponent and avoid any confrontation with opposing players, spectators, coaches, or referees. Parents and Spectators will be drug and alcohol free while attending any NTYBA event. Parents will not use any tobacco products (this includes electronic devices) in gymnasiums. ARTICLE 15 ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY The NTYBA has a zero tolerance policy regarding physical violence and/or threatening behavior , forcible or non-forcible sex offences or harassment, Codes of Conduct in the gymnasium. Physical or verbal attacks or threats against NTYBA executive board members, commissioners, coaches, referees, volunteers, parents, participants, or fans shall be considered violations of the NTYBA zero tolerance policy and shall subject the offender to suspension from the association for a time period of at least one year. Said offender shall also be subject to further disciplinary action set forth by a two-‐‐thirds majority vote of the league commissioners which could include permanent removal from all NTYBA activities. Actions which lead to a violation of the Code of Conduct are also considered violations of the NTYBA zero tolerance policy and shall subject the offender to suspension from the association for a time period of at least one year. Said offender shall also be subject to further disciplinary action set forth by a two-‐‐thirds majority vote of the league commissioners which could include permanent removal from all NTYBA activities. Acts of violence and threatening behavior are monitored in each gymnasium for all participants. Actions which lead to harsh or physical contact against young athletes by adults are to be immediately reported to the NTYBA commissioner appointed by the community’s Youth Sports Association, and may lead to immediate and permanent suspension from the league’s activities. Other actions expressly prohibited by the NTYBA and which subject the offender to suspension or permanent removal include, but are not limited to, using profanity, alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco products during league activities, and interrupting game play. ARTICLE 16 INSURANCE All league participants are required to carry medical insurance. The NTYBA shall offer a medical insurance policy each year which provides coverage to all communities willing to pay their portion of the required premium in order to be part of said policy. Any community electing to carry its own medical insurance policy for its participants must provide the league with a copy of said policy or a written document showing proof of said coverage and outlining said policy. ARTICLE 17 BACKGROUND CHECKS All NTYBA participants including, but not limited to, volunteers, coaches, and referees shall be screened and successfully pass a criminal background check each year. The league shall ensure that no volunteers, coaches, or referees have felony convictions of any type or child related criminal convictions of any kind from a court of law in any state in the United States or from any other country in the world. Each community’s commissioner shall be responsible for administering said background checks for his or her respective community participants and obtaining the results accordingly. All negative or pending results must be presented to the league and voted on for participant eligibility. ARTICLE 18 DUES Each participating team is required to pay the annual team dues designated by the NTYBA. Team dues for the season shall be $85.00 per team, subject to yearly review. ARTICLE 19 TOURNAMENTS The NTYBA shall conduct double elimination tournaments after the conclusion of the regular season for grades 4, 5, and 6. The NTYBA shall conduct single elimination tournaments after the conclusion of the regular season for grades 2 and 3. Teams will be seeded in the tournament based on the final standings in their division. In case of a tie, these tiebreakers shall be used in the following order: head--‐to--‐head record, points against, and coin toss. Tournament locations, dates, and times shall be determined during designated NTYBA board meetings. ARTICLE 20 REFEREES Each community shall acquire and compensate its own referees. Commissioners are required t o ensure that all referees working games in their community are properly trained, are familiar with NTYBA rules, and have clean background checks for the current year. ARTICLE 21 SCORERS TABLE Each community is required to provide one adult at the scorer’s table during all games to maintain order with the clock and the scorebook. Commissioners are not permitted to influence the scorer’s table or its staff during a game, unless requested by the referee. In the event that a commissioners must help staff the table as a scorer, or has been requested at the table by the referee, the co mmissioner must maintain an impartial view of the game, may not ‘hint’ or direct players or coaches, and help manage the game unless requested to do so by the referee. ARTICLE 22 PARTICIPANTS Participants shall be residents of or students in their respective independent school districts or pay tuition to any private school member of the NTYBA in order to participate with said community. ARTICLE 23 CONFLICT RESOLUTION When situations arise which include conflict between coaches, parents, players and/or referees, the expectation is that we should be able to discuss in an adult manner the issue at hand and resolve it through effective listening and discussion of the facts. These discussions and the resolutions they create should be in the best interest of the children in the NTYBA communities. If a resolution cannot be reached through civilized discussion, then the following complaint process shall be followed: Step 1 The complaint shall be presented to the commissioner of offended team’s community. Step 2 Said commissioner must then present the complaint in writing to the NTYBA executive board and the remaining league commissioners for review. Said written complaint must be accompanied by a $50.00 filing fee in order to be reviewed by the league. If the NTYBA rules in favor of the complaining party, the $50.00 filing fee will be reimbursed to said party. ARTICLE 24 2015--2016 2ND AND 3RD GRADE RULES 1. National high school rules apply with the following exceptions. 2. Clock shall be continuous with four 8-minute quarters, stopping only for timeouts. The clock shall be stopped in dead ball situations occurring in the last minute of the second half. Games shall have five minutes for halftime. There shall be six minutes between games. 3. The NTYBA shall support a minimum playing time policy for all regular season games. During all regular season games, each player should play at least 12 minutes of said game. The minimum playing time policy shall not be enforced during tournament games. Any coach or team found manipulating or violating the above rule shall be subject to disciplinary action by his/her community commissioner and/or their organization. 4. Each team shall have four 60-second timeouts to be used at any time during the game. Either team may call dead ball timeouts. Live ball timeouts may only be called by the team with possession of the ball. Any coach or player may call timeout. If a timeout is called immediately before a free throw or free throws are to be shot, the game clock shall restart when the ball is touched in live play following a missed free throw or when the ball is touched after being inbounded following a made free throw. 5. Forfeit time is five minutes after scheduled game time. A team may start and continue playing a game with four players. The opposing team may still play with five players. Referee fees for a forfeited game shall be the responsibility of the forfeiting team’s community. The community that forfeits shall be responsible for reimbursing the community that shall pay the referees for the forfeited game. The referees on duty shall be released at the time of the forfeit and are not obligated to officiate the forfeited game. If a forfeit is declared because the forfeiting team was late and the coaches still choose to play the game, they shall be required to supply their own referees. This game must not delay the next game. 6. During the regular season, there shall be no overtime play in the event of a tie. If a game is tied at the end of regulation play, each team shall be credited with a tie in the league standings. During the tournament, in the event of a tie at the end of regulation play, a two--minute period of overtime shall be played using a continuous clock. Each team shall be given one timeout for the overtime period. Unused timeouts from regulation play may not be used during the overtime period. The teams shall continue playing overtimes under this format until a winner is determined. 7. There will be no shots awarded 3—points anywhere or at any time. 8. Learning to play defense is a basic principal of youth basketball. This is usually more difficult for a newly formed team, while an experienced team can step up to a more difficult defense such as man-toman. For this reason, and because we are committed to developing better basketball players, a graduated set of rules for 2nd and 3rd grade has been adopted: i. 2nd grade rules are designed to enable an inexperienced team to generate offense. 1. Offensive teams are allowed 10 seconds to advance the ball across half court and are allowed another 10 seconds in the frontcourt to advance the ball inside the 3--point line before the defensive team is permitted to pick them up. 2. After the frontcourt 10--second count has expired, or the ball has been advanced across the 3—point line, the defensive team may play defense outside the 3--point line. 3. Defense is considered inside the 3—point line as long as their feet remain inside the 3— point line; players are allowed to reach for the ball. 4. There shall be no pressing or trapping until the last two minutes of the game, or at any time during the full two--minute overtime period(s). Pressing and trapping is permitted only in the frontcourt. The defensive team may not press or trap at all if it has established a lead of 15 or more points. 5. There shall be no trap or trapping of a player or players on a dead ball during an inbound of the ball. This allows fluid and balanced play, enabling initiating ball movement. There will be no 1-3-1, 1-4 or 2-1-2 zone press also, noted mostly by defenders sagging into the free-throw lane without expressly attacking the ball. Man defense may meet at half court to keep true to man defense requirement, after the frontcourt 10--second count has expired, or the ball has been advanced across the 3—point line, in the last minute during a press. Infraction leads to an Illegal Defense call, resulting in a bench foul and a turnover. 6. If a lead of 15 or more points has been established at the end of the first or second half, both scores shall be reset to zero to begin the next half. ii. 3rd grade rules are designed to emphasize defensive principles. 1. Teams may only play man-to-man defense, unless a mercy rule (ahead by 15 points) is invoked by the referee. 2. Teams may only play defense in the full front court, picking up a defender at half-court. 3. There shall be no trap or trapping of a player or players on a dead ball during an inbound of the ball. This allows fluid and balanced play, enabling initiating ball movement. There will be no 1-3-1, 1-4 or 2-1-2 zone press also, noted mostly by defenders sagging into the free-throw lane without expressly attacking the ball. Man defense may meet at half court to keep true to man defense requirement. Infraction leads to an Illegal Defense call, resulting in a bench foul and a turnover. 4. If a team gains a 15 point advantage, the defense must remain within the 3-point circle for a full 10 seconds, allowing the offense to advance the ball in the frontcourt to inside the 3-point line before the defensive team is permitted to pick them up. After the frontcourt 10-second count has expired, or the ball has been advanced across the 3—point line, the defensive team may play defense outside the 3--point line. Defense is considered inside the 3—point line as long as their feet remain inside the 3—point line; players are allowed to reach for the ball. Because the defense is restricted inside the 3—point line, 9. Each player is allowed six fouls per game. After a fifth foul, the offending player shall be warned and removed from play until at least the next dead ball. After a sixth foul, the offending player shall be removed from play for the remainder of the game. 10. 2nd and 3rd grade shall have a 5 second lane violation; the 5 second count shall only begin once the ball has crossed the 3—point line the first time. 11. Traveling, 3 steps or greater, shall be strictly called within the 3-point arc. Traveling in other areas of the court shall be called at the referee’s discretion or where an advantage is gained. 12. Players shall use a 28.5 inch basketball. 13. Goal height for 2nd Grade shall be 8’. 14. Goal height for 3rd Grade shall be 9’. 15. Players shall shoot free throws from a 12--foot free throw line which shall be clearly marked with tape or other highly visible material. The lower box on the lane shall be used unless the gym uses attached goals. Use of volleyball lines is not permitted unless said volleyball line is exactly 12 feet from the basket. 16. If the shooter is fouled while making the basket, it is an automatic ‘and 1’ on a made shot. If the shooter is fouled while shooting but does not make the basket, one (1) Free Throw is awarded worth the value of the shot attempted (2 or 3). These rules help keep game flow and minimize ‘stall’ approaches to the game. 17. A player may move up a grade but not down and must not have been held back in school for more than one year. A player may play for only one team. There shall be no recruiting outside any community’s respective school district or any private school’s enrollment. Any coach or team found in violation of any of the above rules shall be subject to NTYBA executive board evaluation and possible disciplinary action. 18. Any coach or player assessed with two direct technical fouls in a game shall be ejected from the game and shall be required to sit out the next scheduled game. Bench fouls (such as a technical assessed for mercy rule violations or pressing) do not count toward direct technical fouls. If a coach or player is ejected during a team’s final tournament game, said coach or player shall be required to sit out the first game of the following season. Ejected coaches and players shall be asked to leave the gymnasium. Two flagrant fouls against any one team during a single game shall constitute a forfeit of that game and of the next scheduled game for the offending team. Coaches and players involved with any of the above actions shall be subject to NTYBA executive board evaluation and possible disciplinary action. 19. All technical, intentional, and flagrant fouls shall result in two free throws and possession of the ball for the offended team. Any flagrant foul constitutes ejection from the game for the offending player. If a player is ejected during a team’s final tournament game, said player shall be required to sit out the first game of the following season. Any player ejected for a flagrant foul shall be subject to NTYBA executive board evaluation and possible disciplinary action. 20. The host commissioner shall handle all protests on the spot. His or her decision shall be final. There shall be no protesting of any judgment call by a referee. 21. Only two coaches per team are allowed on the bench during games. One coach is permitted to roam in the designated coach’s box only. The second coach must remain seated at all times. Any violation of the above rules shall result in a technical foul for the offending team. 22. All teams must furnish their own warm--up balls. Host communities must furnish game balls. 23. Team player jerseys must be tucked in at all times. Reversible jerseys are preferred. 24. All numbers may be used. No duplicate numbers are permitted on the same team. 25. Once the season’s schedule has been approved and published by NTYBA, schedule changes are only allowed if the commissioners of both communities involved approve the change. 26. Host communities are responsible for training and providing an official scorekeeper and a scoreboard operator for all league games. An official scorebook must be used at the scorer’s table. 27. Referees shall be paid a minimum of $25.00 per game. When working alone, a referee shall be paid $30.00 per game. No extra payments shall be made for overtime. Forfeits and cancellations shall be paid at the same rate. 28. Referees have the option of stopping the game clock for ball retrieval, injuries, or whenever deemed necessary. This judgment shall rest only with the referees and not with the scoreboard operator. 29. All participating teams are required to complete a team registration form and provide the completed form to the NTYBA along with their team dues and insurance fees before their first practice. 30. Coaches must furnish a written lineup with player names and numbers to the official scorekeeper at least 10 minutes prior to game time. 31. Daily game admission fee shall be $5.00 per adult. Adults attending multiple games in different NTYBA communities shall be admitted free provided they have been stamped with an official NTYBA stamp upon paid admission. Students 18 years and under shall be admitted free. 32. The NTYBA has a zero tolerance policy regarding physical violence and/or threatening behavior. Physical or verbal attacks or threats against NTYBA executive board members, commissioners, coaches, referees, volunteers, parents, participants, or fans shall be considered violations of the NTYBA zero tolerance policy and shall subject the offender to suspension from the association for a time period of at least one year. Said offender shall also be subject to further disciplinary action set forth by a two--thirds majority vote of the league commissioners which could include permanent removal from all NTYBA activities. Other actions expressly prohibited by the NTYBA and which subject the offender to suspension or permanent removal include, but are not limited to, using profanity, alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco products during league activities, interrupting game play, and committing violence against children. ARTICLE 25 2015--2016 4TH, 5TH AND 6TH GRADE RULES 1. National high school rules apply with the following exceptions. 2. Communities of the North Texas Youth Basketball Association shall all participate in an evaluation process with athletes from fourth through sixth grade, to determine team and individual placement by skill level. The criteria for evaluations shall be updated annually and voted on by NTYBA board members and commissioners. Communities/ teams that do not comply with evaluations shall be subject to board review and fall subject to the consequences set forth by the board. Post- evaluations, prior to the season start, 4th- 6th grade teams will be placed into the appropriate A or B or North and South bracket. Pending the team’s performance after the first three weeks of league play, may be moved to the more appropriate bracket, as needed. All of this is in an ever changing effort to keep the true spirit of basketball and our mission to be a sustainable development league. 3. Clock shall be continuous with four 9-minute quarters, stopping only for timeouts. The clock shall be stopped in dead ball situations occurring in the last two minutes of the second half. Games shall have five minutes for halftime. There shall be five minutes between games. 4. The NTYBA shall support a minimum playing time policy for all regular season games. During all regular season games, each player should play at least 10 minutes of said game. The minimum playing time policy shall not be enforced during tournament games. Any coach or team found manipulating or violating the above rule shall be subject to disciplinary action by his/her community commissioner and/or their organization. 5. Each team shall have four 60-second timeouts to be used at any time during the game. Either team may call dead ball timeouts. Live ball timeouts may only be called by the team with possession of the ball. Any coach or player may call timeout. If a timeout is called immediately before a free throw or free throws are to be shot, the game clock shall restart when the ball is touched in live play following a missed free throw or when the ball is touched after being inbounded following a made free throw. 6. Forfeit time is five minutes after scheduled game time. A team may start and continue playing a game with four players. The opposing team may still play with five players. Referee fees for a forfeited game shall be the responsibility of the forfeiting team’s community. The community that forfeits shall be responsible for reimbursing the community which shall pay the referees for the forfeited game. The referees on duty shall be released at the time of the forfeit and are not obligated to officiate the forfeited game. If a forfeit is declared because the forfeiting team was late and the coaches still choose to play the game, they shall be required to supply their own referees. This game must not delay the next game. 7. In the event of a tie at the end of regulation play, a three--minute period of overtime shall be played using a continuous clock for the first two minutes and a stopped clock for the final minute. Each team shall be given one timeout for the overtime period. Unused timeouts from regulation play may not be used during the overtime period. During the regular season, if a game is tied at the end of the first overtime period, each team shall be credited with a tie in the league standings. During the tournament, the teams shall continue playing overtimes under this format until a winner is determined. 8. Pressing and trapping off rebounds and turnovers is permitted anytime and anywhere for all grades and genders unless otherwise noted in these rules. There shall be no pressing or trapping off dead or inbounded balls anywhere in the backcourt for 4th grade boys and 4th grade girls, except during the last minute of each half, or any portion of any overtime period. The head coach shall be warned after the first violation of this rule. For each violation during the remainder of the game, the head coach shall be given a technical foul. 9. A 15--point mercy rule shall be used in the backcourt for all grades and genders. Once a lead of 15 or more points has been established, the team with the lead may not press or trap in the backcourt. Pressing and trapping in the backcourt may return if the lead has been cut to 14 points or less. The head coach shall be warned after the first violation of this rule. For each violation during the remainder of the game, the head coach shall be given a technical foul. 10. If a lead of 25 or more points is established during any game, there shall be no pressing or trapping anytime or anywhere by the team with the lead. The team with the lead shall be required to play defense entirely behind the 3-- point line. 11. All grades and genders shall use a 28.5 inch basketball. 12. National High School rules are used for Free Throws unless noted herein. a. 4th grade (boys and girls) shall shoot free throws from a 12--foot free throw line which shall be clearly marked with tape or other highly visible material. Use of volleyball lines is not permitted unless said volleyball line is exactly 12 feet from the basket. The lower box on the lane shall be utilized for these age/gender teams. b. 5th and 6th grade (boys and girls) shall shoot free throws from the regulation 15--foot line. 13. A player may move up a grade but not down and must not have been held back in school for more than one year. A player may play for only one team. There shall be no recruiting outside any community’s respective school district or any private school’s enrollment. Any coach or team found in violation of any of the above rules shall be subject to NTYBA executive board evaluation and possible disciplinary action. 14. Any coach or player assessed with two direct technical fouls in a game shall be ejected from the game and shall be required to sit out the next scheduled game. Bench fouls (such as a technical assessed for mercy rule violations or pressing) do not count toward direct technical fouls. If a coach or player is ejected during a team’s final tournament game, said coach or player shall be required to sit out the first game of the following season. Ejected coaches and players shall be asked to leave the gymnasium. Two flagrant fouls against any one team during a single game shall constitute a forfeit of that game and of the next scheduled game for the offending team. Coaches and players involved with any of the above actions shall be subject to NTYBA executive board evaluation and possible disciplinary action. 15. All technical, intentional, and flagrant fouls shall result in two free throws and possession of the ball for the offended team. Any flagrant foul constitutes ejection from the game for the offending player. If a player is ejected during a team’s final tournament game, said player shall be required to sit out the first game of the following season. Any player ejected for a flagrant foul shall be subject to NTYBA executive board evaluation and possible disciplinary action. 16. The host commissioner shall handle all protests on the spot. His or her decision shall be final. There shall be no protesting of any judgment call by a referee. 17. Only two coaches per team are allowed on the bench during games. One coach is permitted to roam in the designated coach’s box only. The second coach must remain seated at all times. Any violation of the above rules shall result in a technical foul for the offending team. 18. All teams must furnish their own warm--up balls. Host communities must furnish game balls. 19. Team player jerseys must be tucked in at all times. Reversible jerseys are preferred. 20. All numbers may be used. No duplicate numbers are permitted on the same team. 21. There shall be no schedule changes after the schedule has been approved and published by NTYBA. Schedule changes are only allowed if the commissioners of both communities involved approve the change. 22. Host communities are responsible for training and providing an official scorekeeper and a scoreboard operator for all league games. An official scorebook must be used at the scorer’s table. 23. Referees shall be paid a minimum of $25.00 per game. When working alone, a referee shall be paid $30.00 per game. No extra payments shall be made for overtime. Forfeits and cancellations shall be paid at the same rate. 24. Referees have the option of stopping the game clock for ball retrieval, injuries, or whenever deemed necessary. This judgment shall rest only with the referees and not with the scoreboard operator. 25. Coaches must furnish a written lineup with player names and numbers to the official scorekeeper at least 10 minutes prior to game time. 26. Daily game admission fee shall be $5.00 per adult. Adults attending multiple games in different NTYBA communities shall be admitted free provided they have been stamped with an official NTYBA stamp upon paid admission. Students 18 years and under shall be admitted free. 27. The NTYBA has a zero tolerance policy regarding physical violence and/or threatening behavior. Physical or verbal attacks or threats against NTYBA executive board members, commissioners, coaches, referees, volunteers, parents, participants, or fans shall be considered violations of the NTYBA zero tolerance policy and shall subject the offender to suspension from the association for a time period of at least one year. Said offender shall also be subject to further disciplinary action set forth by a two--thirds majority vote of the league commissioners which could include permanent removal from all NTYBA activities. Other actions expressly prohibited by the NTYBA and which subject the offender to suspension or permanent removal include, but are not limited to, using profanity, alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco products during league activities, interrupting game play, and committing violence against children. 28. All participating teams are required to complete a team registration form and provide the completed.
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