FORT HUNT YOUTH RULES SUPPLEMENT

Fort Hunt Youth Athletic Association (FHYAA) Boundaries.  There are no geographic limitations on Participation in the FHYAA Intramural basketball program.

II.  Eligibility.  Any youth who will attain the age of six years and will not attain the age of eighteen years before October 1 of the current season is eligible to register and participate.  Players must be enrolled in an accredited public, private or home-schooling program.  Exceptions to this guideline shall be at the discretion of the Basketball Commissioner.  High School team players may play in the FHYAA Intramural League at the discretion of their high school coach.  (Most coaches do not want them to play in the house league, but there is no Virginia High School League rule prohibiting it.)

III.  Placement Policy.  Except in unusual circumstances, registration will not be accepted after December 1. Prior to that date, if there is an opening in the applicant’s age group, he or she will be placed on a team provided their full registration fee is paid.  Each individual’s “League Age” is determined by the age on or before October 1 for the Intramural League and on or before October 1 for the County/Select League.  If a youth is placed erroneously in an age group younger than that in which he or she should have been placed, and the error has been discovered after play has begun, all games in which the over-age youth played will be declared forfeit and he/she will not be eligible to play any more games during the season.  It is a joint responsibility of parents and coaches to make certain each youth is placed in the proper age group.  Exceptions to this rule must be approved, in advance by the Basketball Commissioner.

County/Select Teams.  Any registered player residing in Fairfax County is eligible to try-out for a FHYAA Team that plays in the Fairfax County Youth Basketball League (FCYBL).  EACH PLAYER SELECTED TO A COUNTY TEAM MUST CHOOSE TO PLAY IN EITHER THE COUNTY, INTRAMURAL LEAGUE OR AAU TEAM.  NO COUNTY TEAM MEMBER IS ELIGIBLE FOR FHYAA INTRAMURAL LEAGUE PLAY OR AAU PLAY. FHYAA HOUSE PLAYERS MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN A HOUSE LEAGUE OR AAU TEAM.  IF A PLAYER PARTICIPATES ON BOTH OF THESE TEAMS, THE PLAYER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM THE FHYAA PROGRAM AN NO REFUND WILL BE GIVEN.

IV. Game Postponement and Practice Cancellation.  There are three situations which could result in a scheduled game being postponed or a practice being canceled:

(1) A school cancels its assignment of a gym to the County Recreation Department;
(2) Inclement weather causes the closing of Fairfax County Public Schools (automatic) and cancellation of Recreation Department activities;
(3) The assigned custodian fails to appear at the appointed time

Ordinarily, school cancellation notice is received early enough to allow League Managers to notify coaches of affected teams, in advance of the canceled date.  WEATHER CANCELLATION occurs when public schools are closed due to inclement weather.  Area radio/TV stations will broadcast: “FAIRFAX COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELED.”  (Inclement weather recording 703-324-5264 or Cable TV Channel 21).  Note that will may be raining here but snowing in Western Fairfax County, closing our gyms here.  Closing decisions are made county-wide.  When weather cancellations occur outside County business hours, everyone learns about it the same way, by radio or TV.  Any coach who learns of an unexpected weather cancellation, or finds a gym closed that she/he is scheduled to use, should promptly notify the League Manager, so we can prevent others from going to a closed gym and take other appropriate action.

1. Rescheduling Postponed Game or Canceled Practice.  FHYAA receives NO additional gym time when cancellations occur.  For that reason it is not possible to reschedule a canceled practice.  IF some teams are losing a disproportionate share of practice time due to cancellations, the Basketball Commissioner may rearrange the league’s gym allocation to achieve more balanced distribution.  A postponed game may be rescheduled for a weekday practice period assigned to the league.VI. Official Rules.  The effective edition of the National Federation Basketball Rule Book, as adopted by the National Federation of State High School Associations, is applicable to the FHYAA basketball program, except as amended elsewhere in this Rules Supplement.  Interpretation of the rules during a game is the responsibility of game officials.

   VII. Intramural Program General Game Procedures.  Two game officials will ordinarily be provided by FHYAA for all games except boys and girls grades one and two.  If only one official is present at the scheduled started time, the game should begin on time.  If NO uniformed official is present at the scheduled starting time, the game will be postponed and rescheduled.  Coordinating such reschedule is the joint responsibility of the affected coaches, League Manager, appropriate commissioner and scheduler.

   VIII. Intramural Program General

   A.  Playing Time.  Playing time for Boys 13-18 and Girls 14-18 Leagues games shall be four quarters of seven minutes each.  Playing times for all other leagues shall be four quarters of SIX minutes each.

   B.  Intermissions.  There will be a one minute intermission after the first and third quarters and after each extra period (overtime) and a minimum of THREE minute intermission after the second quarter (between halves).

   C.  Overtime.  Overtime shall consist of one or more extra periods, of half the duration of the quarter (e.g. 3 ½ minutes for ages 13 and up and 3 minutes for all others), until a tie score does not exist at the end of a period.  During the regular season for Boys grades three and four and Girls grades three and four, there will be a maximum of two overtime periods. The score at the end of the second overtime period will be the final score, even if the second overtime period ends in a tie score.

   D.  Time-Out.  Each team is allowed three one-minute time-outs per game and two thirty second timeouts per game.  Unused time-outs accumulate and may be used at any time.  Each team is allowed one additional full time-out for each extra period (overtime).

   E.  Player Uniform.  All players must wear the uniform shirt provided by FHYAA and shorts of any kind.  No jewelry (including watches and earrings) may be worn by any player while in the game.  A player’s shirt shall be tucked inside the pants and the pants shall be above the hips and worn properly.  A player not conforming shall be directed to leave the game and may not return until he/she conforms to this rule.

   F.  VHSL Infectious Disease Policy.  A player who is bleeding, or has an open wound or excessive blood on his or her uniform, must leave the game and may not return until bleeding is stopped and the wound is cleansed and covered and clothes are changed or cleaned.  Contaminated surfaces must be cleaned with a 10”1 Clorox dilution (available from building director).  Skin of a non-injured party exposed to blood should be cleansed with an alcohol towelette.

   G.  Team Bench.  The team designated Visiting Team (listed second-or to the right) in the game schedule shall have the choice of which side of the scorer table to use as the team bench.

   H.  Game ball and Official Score Pad will be provided by the home team.  The home team (listed first or on the left side) shall provide a qualified, adult official scorer.  The visiting team shall provide a qualified adult Official Timekeeper (Scoreboard Operator).  Scorekeeper and timekeeper must be at least eighteen years old.

   I.  Coaches Rule (NFHS 5-1,2) The NFHS rules require coaches to remain seated while the ball is live.  FHYAA does not provide for the exception to this rule.  There will be no coaches boxes provided, thus the coaches must remain seated at all times while the clock is running.  First violation, warning (to be noted in the scorebook).  Subsequent violation(s) of the rule results in a charged timeout to the offending bench.

   J.  Fighting.  Fighting during a game, either on or off the court, is prohibited.  Any player or coach who engages in fighting will be expelled from the league for the rest of the season.  There will be no appeal or consideration with respect to fighting.

  

PARTICIPATION – THE RULE AND THE SPIRIT OF THE RULE

 

Elementary / Middle School Grades: Each team member present, in uniform, shall play a minimum of two complete quarters and sit out (not play) one complete quarter  High School Grades:  Each team member present, in uniform, shall play a minimum of one complete quarters and sit out (not play) one complete quarter  A “complete quarter” is defined as continuous participation from the start to the end of the quarter. When only six players are available, each team member present, in uniform, shall play a minimum of three complete quarters. If a player is removed from the game for any reason except injury (regardless of the duration of the removal), the quarter will not count towards satisfying the participation rule of the player. The a player is inserted into the game for any reason except injury to another player (regardless of the duration of the insertion), that quarter will not count towards satisfying the requirement to sit out one complete quarter.

THE RULE

SPIRIT OF THE RULE

FHYAA strives to field balanced team in each age group and avoid one team’s domination over another.  The participation rule is designed to uphold that goal and ensure that each team member has an opportunity to play.  However, no rule can cover all possibilities and an unscrupulous coach may find an unsportsmanlike way to “get around the rule.”  FHYAA strongly discourages such attempts because they set a poor example for the players.

GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING GAME LINEUPS

In order to comply with the participation rule requirements, the following lineups are suggested.  These are not mandatory but have been proven to work.  Coaches should prepare lineups prior to the game to avoid last-minute inadvertent rule violations.

           8 PLAYER LINEUP – Schedule four players to play three complete quarters and four players to play two complete quarters.

           7 PLAYER LINEUP – Schedule six players to play three complete quarters and one player to play two complete quarters.

6 PLAYER LINEUP – Schedule two players to play four complete quarters and four players to play three complete quarters.

EXCEPTIONS BASED ON NUMBERS OF PLAYERS

When one team can only field five or six players and the opposing team fields seven or eight players, the opposing team is allowed to waive the requirement that each player sits out one complete quarter.  However, each player must still participate in a minimum of two complete quarters.

7 PLAYER LINEUP – The coach of the opposing team may allow two players to play the entire game, two players to play three complete quarters, and three players to play two complete quarters.  Or the coach may abide by the standard participation rules.

8 PLAYER LINEUP – The coach of the opposing team may allow two players to play the entire game and six players to play two complete quarters (another option is:  one player players four quarters, two players play three quarters and five players play two quarters).  Or the coach may abide by the standard participation rules.

EXCEPTIONS BASED ON INJURY

(The intent of this exception is to maintain the “sit out one quarter” portion of the participation rule if at all possible)

If it becomes necessary to remove a player from the game because of injury, the injured player will be considered to have satisfied the participation rule for that quarter.  However, in the spirit of the rule, the coach is encouraged to return the injured player to the lineup in that quarter as soon as he/she is able.

When substituting for an injured player, the coach must substitute a player who was scheduled to play only two complete quarters if possible.  A coach who inserts a substitute player who is already scheduled to play three complete quarters violates the participation rule (sit out one quarter), if he/she has a player available who is only scheduled to play two complete quarters.

EXCEPTIONS BASED ON DISQUALIFICATION

If a player is disqualified for the game, it may be necessary to waive the participation rules to field a complete team of five players.  However, the coach much first attempt to adjust the lineup and still abide by the rule which states that each player must sit out one complete quarter.  Thus a player originally scheduled to play in two quarters must be substituted before a player originally scheduled to play in three quarters.

If, in the judgment of the game officials, a player deliberately commits fouls in order to become disqualified (for the purposed of circumventing participation rules), the game official may issue a warning to the coach after the first such deliberate foul.  After subsequent fouls, the game official may call technical fouls on the coach rather than personal fouls on the player.  If the game official calls personal fouls on the player until the player fouls out the coach must first attempt to adjust the lineup and still abide by the rule which states that each player must sit out one full quarter.  Thus a player originally scheduled to play in two quarters must be substituted before a player originally scheduled to play three quarters.

PLAYING LATE ARRIVALS

When a player arrives after the start of the game, but prior to the end of the second quarter, the tardy player is considered to have met the requirements of the participation rule by playing one complete quarter.  He/she may, at the discretion of his/her coach, play more.  When such a situation arises, the tardy player’s coach shall notify the opposing coach and the official scorekeeper of the situation and of his/her intentions.  When a player arrives after the beginning of the third quarter, the coach is not obligated to play that player at all.
                
OVERTIME

When a game goes into overtime, the participation requirements are assumed to have already been satisfied.  Therefore the participation rules do not apply during overtime.

PROCEDURES FOR COMPLIANCE

Game officials are not responsible for enforcing the participation rule and may not be requested to interpret the rule.

Administration and enforcement of the participation rules are the joint responsibility of the official scorekeeper and the two coaches.

Prior to the start of the fourth quarter (after all players have been checked in for the fourth quarter), the official scorekeeper should call both coaches together to ensure that agree that the participation rules have been followed.  This procedure will minimize the possibility of protest.

Game Results.  The coach of the winning team shall promptly notify the league manager of the final score of each game.

PROCEDURES FOR TEMPORARY PLAYER CALL UP

Personal injuries or families moving from the area may result in teams with only six players.  To avoid a forfeit of a game in these circumstances, FHYAA will allow a coach to “call up” younger age group for a specific game.  To ensure fairness the following guidelines will apply to player callups:

1.  When a coach knows in advance that he/she will have five or fewer players present for a game, the coach may request a player FOR THAT SPECIFIC GAME ONLY.

2.  Coaches MAY NOT call a player to field a team of seven instead of six.

3.  A player may not be called up if it will conflict with his/her regularly scheduled game.

4.  Both the player’s coach and parent/guardian must give their permission.

5.  A “called up” player MAY NOT play more quarters than a regular member of the team: that is, the “called up” player may not play four quarters, nor may he/she play three quarters unless all regular members play three quarters.

6.  The coach who “calls up” a player must notify the opposing coach and identify the “called up” player prior to the start of the game.

7.  Regular team members who show up late, or unexpected, are subject to the normal participation requirements.

8.  A uniform shirt for the “called up” player must be provided by the coach of the team requesting him/her and must be returned to the coach at the end of the game.

Coaches should make every attempt to field/recruit a team of six players before resorting to a “call up” from a lower age group.  They SHOULD NOT use this provision of the rules as a means to strengthen their team.

IX. Intramural Program – Code of Conduct

A.   FHYAA Code of Ethics

One of the FHYAA’s goals, in providing the opportunity for youths to participate in organized youth sports, is to help them learn to exercise self-control and self-discipline.  For that goal to be achieved, incidents in which lack of self-discipline and self-control are demonstrated must be dealt with in a manner which will assure that offending individual gains a clear understanding that such conduct is unacceptable.  The intent of this code of conduct is to provide rules and procedures for dealing with situations in which conduct occurs, for which the award of a technical foul, or fouls in inadequate, due to the nature, severity, duration, number or frequency of the offense(s).  The conduct prohibited by paragraph IX.B.1. must be interpreted on the basis of the intent enunciated above; i.e., conduct, of the nature specified in the code, which exceeds that for which the award of a technical foul, or fouls, would be considered appropriate and adequate.

B.  Code of Conduct.

1.  No player, coach, spectator or official shall:
a. Refuse to abide by an official’s decision, thereby preventing resumption or disrupting continuation of play.

b. Engage in any demonstration of disagreement with an official’s call or ruling by throwing anything, other violent
or dangerous actions, or by gestures and/or verbal expressions of anger or disgust.

c. Engage in abusive or verbal attack upon a player, coach, official or spectator.

d. Attempt to lay hand(s) upon, push, shove or strike an official.

e. Engage in any physical attack upon a player, coach, official or spectator.

2. Penalty.
a. Violation of paragraph 1.a, 1.b, or 1.c above shall be cause for suspension of the individual for one game.

1. Violation of paragraph 1.d or a second violation of paragraphs 1.a, 1.b, or 1.c in the same season shall be cause
   suspension of the individual for the remainder of the season, including all post season play.c. Violation of paragraph 1.e shall be cause for permanent suspension of the individual from participation in the FHYAA basketball program.  Such suspension shall be subject to automatic review by the basketball commissioner.  In that review, the basketball commissioner will require a full report of the situation and will also consider whether suspension, from participation in other FHYAA sports is appropriate.

   d. When an individual is disqualified (ejected) from a game, a result of either a flagrant foul or accumulation of two technical fouls (for unsportsmanlike conduct), he/she shall be automatically suspended for one game, and is therefore not eligible to play in the team’s next scheduled game.  A second disqualification in the same season for either of the cited reasons shall be cause for suspension of the individual for the remainder of the season, including all post-season play.  Any such suspension shall be subject to automatic review by the basketball commissioner.

Note:  Technical fouls awarded for other than unsportsmanlike conduct may cause an individual to be disqualified on technical fouls without violating the intent of this rule.  It is the responsibility of the official scorekeeper to ensure that the scorebook is annotated to clearly indicate when a technical foul is awarded for other than unsportsmanlike conduct.  In the absence of notation to the contrary, it must be assumed that each technical foul was awarded for unsportsmanlike conduct.

1. If any suspended individual, coach, player or team supporter disregards any penalty awarded under this code; such failure to abide by this code of conduct shall be grounds for declaring the game a forfeit and suspending the offending team from competition for the remainder of the season, including all post-season play.  Each suspension shall be subject to automatic review by the basketball commissioner.

Note: Suspension includes prohibition for the suspended player from attending (being present in the gym during) any game involving the team of which he/she is a member.

1. Enforcement. Responsibility for enforcement of the Code is assigned as follows:
2. Game Officials– recognize and report violations of the code including ejections(s) of player(s) to the appropriate league manager and the Chief of Officials.  Such report should include a brief summary of the nature of the infraction(s) which cause the ejection.2.  League Manager:
3. Before the season begins, take action to ensure that all participants and parents are aware of and understand the Code of Conduct.b. Observe as many league games as possible.  (in person or by designation of a qualified, neutral representative) for compliance with the Code.

   c. Receive reports of violations of the Code of Conduct, consult as he/she deems appropriate with game officials and other observers and make a recommendation to the Basketball Commissioner concerning award of penalties for each violation.  Notify the penalize individual, the parents of each penalized minor and the Head Coach of each team in the league of the penalties imposed.  Maintain a record of the date and time of such notification for at least 48 hours, in case an appeal if filed.

4. Chief of Officials:
5. Train referees in the Code of Conduct and its enforcement.
   b. Obtain a signature from each individual assigned to officiate intramural games, certifying understanding of the
   Code of Conduct.
   c. Maintain a record of such signatures until the season, including all post-season play has been concluded.
6. Commissioner of Basketball– Award appropriate penalties for each violation of this Code of Conduct in accordance with paragraph IX.B.
7. Intramural Program, Special Playing Rules. Article VI specifies that the official rule book applies to the FHYAA Basketball Program except as amended by this rules supplement.  Following are the exceptions to those rules of the current season.The three point field goal has been adopted by the official rules.  FHYAA will recognize and record three-point field goals on courts in which have the three point line installed (19 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket.) On those courts which have no three point line, three point field goals will not be recognized or recorded. Three point shots are not recognized or recorded in grades one through four, regardless of the dimensions of the basketball court.

   The official rules provide a penalty for two free-throws and possession of the ball to the offended team, for each Technical Foul.  Consistent with that change, the FHYAA rules no longer specify the number of free throws for technical fouls.

Protest. Each protest will be filed and handled as specified herein.  Failure to comply with the protest rules shall cause the protest to be disallowed without consideration.  NO protest will be considered which questions an official’s judgment.  A protest must be submitted, in writing to reach the cognizant League Manager within 48 hours after completion of the game being protested.

XII. Complaints and Grievances. Complaints and grievances concerning infractions of the Code of Ethics or other actions by FHYAA personnel (Members of the Board of Directors, League Managers, Commissioners, Coaches, Officials, Scorers, Timers, Players or Spectators) which interfere with the successful conduct of the FHYAA Basketball Program shall be handled as follows.  Such complaints and grievances shall:

Ordinarily, be submitted to the cognizant League Manager.

Be in written form, and

Be submitted in a timely manner.

A copy of any complaint or grievance concerning the conduct of an official shall also be provided to the Chief of Officials.  A report of all complaints or grievances shall be made to the basketball commissioner.

XIII. FHYAA Policy for All Sports Programs

The Commissioner of each sport is responsible for submitting a list of proposed Head Coaches (Team Managers) to the Board of Directors for approval.  Assistant Coaches may be approved by the Commissioner.

Each Coach is responsible for exercising control over team members at all games and practices to ensure individuals and team behavior reflect good sportsmanship, fair play and respect for authority.

A League Manager is a sport shall not be a team official (Head Coach or Assistant Coach) of a team in the sport in which he/she is Commissioner.

XIV. Policies, Procedures and Rules.  The FHYAA Board of Directors establishes policy and sets procedures for the intramural basketball program.  A council of representatives of member clubs sets policy and procedures for the Fairfax County Youth Basketball League (County Teams).  Rules published by the Fairfax County Department of Recreation and Community Services (reproduced in Article XVII) apply to all facilities used by the FHYAA Basketball Program.

1. Accidents. The following is provided for use in case of accident or injury:
   Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Service Ambulance                   911
   Mount Vernon Hospital Emergency Room                                 703-664-7111
   DeWitt Army Hospital Emergency Ward, Fort Belvoir           703- 805-0513 or 805-0518

XVI. Fairfax County Recreation Department Rules.  The following Fairfax County Department and Community Services Rules and Regulations, governing the use of school facilities are reproduced here for information and compliance.

Parents of FHYAA players and FHYAA adult supervisors are responsible for ensuring that all participants and spectators comply with both the spirit and the intent of these rules and regulations.

Youth groups using the facilities shall be supervised by a COACH or other responsible ADULT.  The individual to whom a use permit is issued will be held accountable for the conduct of all participants, spectators and others connected with the activity including visiting teams.

Use of a facility is restricted to the area assigned and all activities must be limited to those for which use has been approved.  Use of facilities is automatically canceled when Fairfax County Schools are closed because of holidays, inclement weather or when use will interfere with school activities.  If in doubt about the status of schools, listen to local radio stations.

Postponement or cancellation of use must be reported immediately to the Department of Recreation and Community Services by FHYAA.  Such notification must be made not later than noon on the day of the scheduled weekday use and by noon Friday, for scheduled Saturday use.  The Recreation Department Building Director is in charge of the facility and will interpret all Department rules and regulations.  Do not contact custodians or other such school personnel.  If problems at the school cannot be solved by the Building Director, call the Department.  Responsibility of supervision shall NOT fall to the custodian.

Any individual or group found responsible for destroying, damaging or defacing school property shall be excluded from further use of school facilities and shall be held responsible for the cost of repairing or correcting such damage.

Participants must wear tennis shoes in gymnasiums.  Street shoes and jogging shoes with waffle soles are prohibited.  SPECTATORS MAY NOT BRING BASKETBALLS INTO THE GYM. THE ONLY BASKETBALLS ALLOWED IN THE GYM ARE THOSE BROUGHT IN BY THE TWO COACHES PLAYING A SCHEDULED GAME.  SPECTATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE COURT BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER SCHEDULED GAMES.  SPECTATORS WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THIS RULE WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE GYM.

  Food and/or beverages will not be permitted in any gymnasium.  At no time shall smoking be permitted in a school building.  Each user must obtain permission from school officials to use school chairs and is responsible for returning chairs to the designated area after use.  Automobiles shall NOT be operating in unauthorized areas, other than in marked parking areas.  Violation will result in cancellation of use permit.  Each user shall ensure that no individual is restricted from participation for reasons of race, religion, sex, creed, national origin or handicapped condition.