Parents

Fort Hunt Basketball COVID Procedures

As of March 1, 2022, Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services has lifted the mask requirement for individuals entering a FCPS gym for games or practices.

COVID PROTOCOLS FOR POSITIVE COVID CASES

AS of 1/26/22 the Fairfax County Health Department has updated the reporting guidelines for positive cases.

The Virginia Department of Health has updated the case and contact investigation COVID-19 approach in Virginia to include an emphasis on outbreak detection and mitigation while shifting away from universal case and contact investigation. Given this change, the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) is no longer recommending that individual/sporadic cases of COVID-19 are reported to the Health Department from sports leagues and coaches. FCHD is still recommending that cases of COVID-19 follow appropriate isolation guidance and stay at home and away from others while infectious. FCHD guidance on isolation can be found here (recommend sharing with reported cases): https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/toolkit-slow-spread.

Outbreak Reporting-The Code of VA (§ 32.1-37) still requires the reporting of outbreaks of COVID-19 (and all other infectious disease) from sports leagues. FCHD defines a suspect outbreak of COVID-19 as 3 or more cases of COVID-19 identified within 7 days of each other. Sports leagues should immediately report suspect outbreaks to FCHD when they become aware of them by calling 703-246-2433. FCHD communicable disease staff will work with you to determine outbreak status and identify possible mitigation strategies to limit the spread of disease.

FHYAA is still requesting that any positive cases be reported by the parents to their coaches and then to their Grade commissioners ASAP. Grade Commissioners will then forward the requested information to head commissioners Jack Harris & Anne Harris.

New COVID Exposure and COVID Positive Guidance

The CDC has issued new guidance for exposure to COVID and positive COVID tests that affect FHYAA.

Positive COVID Test - Isolation Guidance (New – January 7, 2022)

If you test positive for COVID-19, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must:

•     Day 1 to 5: Stay home and away from others.
•     Day 6 to 10: If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving, you can leave your house. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask to reduce any risk of infecting others. You may return to play, but must wear a mask at all times, even while playing.

COVID Exposure - Quarantine Guidance (New– January 7, 2022)

•     If you were exposed to COVID-19, your participation in FHYAA is based on your vaccine status.
•     If you are fully vaccinated – you may participate but must always wear a mask – even while playing – for 10 days.

o Day 1 to 10: Wear a mask around others. Test on day 5, if possible. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home. If you test positive for COVID-19 during this 10-day period, follow the Isolation Guidance above.

•     If you are not vaccinated – you may not participate in FHYAA games or practices for 5 days. If you are symptom free on Day 6, you may return to play but must always wear a mask – even while playing – until 10 days has passed since exposure.

o Day 1 to 5: Stay home and away from others. Test on day 5 if possible. If you test positive for COVID-19, follow the isolation guidance above.

o Day 6 to 10: Continue to wear a mask around others. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home. If you test positive for COVID-19, follow the isolation guidance above.

Fairfax County Health Department Guidance here.

•     Grade Commissioners will alert the head coach of the other team that was in the gym.

o   Both Coaches involved will need to alert their respective teams that there was a COVID+ Case.

o   Coaches- When sending communication of +COVID result to your team, please refrain from using player names. Please only communicate date of practice or game the potential exposure happened.

•     Coaches will need to let Commissioners know when they have been contacted by FCHD.

  PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK

If a player has been told they should not come to school due to a potential exposure at school or outside basketball, they should refrain from coming to practices or games.

Players will not be able to return to practices or games until they are cleared to return to school.

 If a player has been exposed to COVID at a basketball practice or game, please follow your school’s policy on determining if your player can attend school.

For more information:

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/get-the-latest-guidance/sports/

FHYAA is committed to supporting and promoting concussion safety throughout all of our programs for the safety of each participant. We have implemented a comprehensive concussion awareness program as well as policy and safety protocols. These programs are aimed at reaching each involved party including parents, athletes and coaches. Our league-wide approach includes:

• Concussion Awareness and Response training for Coaches.
• Parent Meetings and Communication about Concussion Safety and Awareness.
• On-Field Concussion assessment tools are in effect.
• Concussion Awareness communication to Athletes.
• Strongly encourage Concussion Baseline Testing at onset of each sports season.
• Accessibility of training to all parents and athletes though CDC Heads Up: Concussion Awareness.
• Protocols for removal from games and practices, which include clearance from a physician before return.

All Parents and Athletes should become aware with the CDC Heads Up Concussion Awareness Program.

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

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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

1. 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.

1. 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).

1. 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.

1. 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).

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

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.

Basketball Spectators’ Code of Conduct

To ensure that the principles of sportsmanship, fair play, skill development, and mutual respect among players, coaches, officials, and spectators are the primary considerations governing competition, the following Code of Conduct has been established. 

Each SPECTATOR will ensure that his/her conduct sets the example for team members and spectators. To satisfactorily meet these responsibilities, the SPECTATOR is expected to:

1. Respect the rules of the game.
2. Respect the referees and refrain from questioning their decisions in a disrespectful or abusive manner. 
3. Cheer for their team in a positive supportive manner, always refraining from making hostile, negative, or abusive remarks about the opposing team.
4. Refrain always from coming onto the court, or from throwing objects or other foreign materials on to the court.
5. Follow all building rules and regulations, always respecting the property of others. 
6. Demonstrate appropriate gestures of sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game, win or lose.
7. Realize, accept, and practice by the principle that a team’s reputation is built not only on its individual playing ability but also on the sportsmanship courtesy and manner of its fans.

Spectators who fail to comply with the above code of conduct may be asked to leave the gym and may be barred from attending any future basketball games. If a spectator is banned from attending any games in any FHYAA sport the ban may extend to attendance for other FHYAA Sports. 

Fort Hunt Basketball

Basketball Players’ Code of Conduct

To ensure that the principles of sportsmanship, fair play, skill development, and mutual respect among players, coaches, officials, and spectators are the primary considerations governing competition, the following Code of Conduct has been established. 

Each PLAYER will ensure that his/her conduct is consistent with the primary considerations of competition. To satisfactorily meet these responsibilities, the PLAYER is expected to:

1. Know the rules and abide by them.
2. Respect the coaches and referees and refrain from commenting on their decisions during the play of the game. The head coach or his/her designee may address the referee during the game but only withing the provisions of the rules and in a courteous, respectful manner. 
3. Maintain control of his/her emotions, avoiding the use of profanity, humiliating remarks, and/or gestures of ill temper, and physical assault upon another player at any time. 
4. Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team both during the play of the game and at is conclusion, win or lose. Be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat. 
5. Follow all gym rules and regulations, always respecting the property of others. 
6. Realize, accept, and practice by the principle that a team’s reputation is built not only on its individual playing ability but also on the sportsmanship courtesy and manner of each individual player.

Players who fail to comply with the above code of conduct are subject to suspension and/or removal from their team.  

YOUR GRADE FOR ASSESSMENTS IS YOUR GRADE ON OCTOBER 1, 2023

Please Check back here in October for the House League Assessment Schedule 

REFEREE CLINIC: TBA

Once you have properly finished the online registration form, the following additional steps are needed before your child’s registration is considered complete.  Until all these steps are done, your child’s registration is considered incomplete and they will not be assigned to a team and are not allowed on a field or court for either practice or games.

•     Download and properly complete and sign the Fairfax County Youth Sports Scholarship program application.
•     Provide proof that your child is currently receiving assistance by 1) attaching a copy of your official document that signifies your child is receiving aid or 2) obtaining the signature of school counselor or staff, case worker, or other official on appropriate line of Scholarship application form.
•     Give signed application form and proof of aid to your sports commissioner and/or registrar.

Once you have completed the online registration AND provided appropriate paperwork to the sports commissioner/registrar, your child’s registration is complete.

FHYAA wants to ensure that every child has an opportunity to participate in youth sports regardless of his or her financial situation. The Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreational Services (DCRS) provides registration fee scholarships.  To be eligible for a county scholarship, a child must be currently enrolled in a public assistance program such as Free or Reduced Lunch, General Relief, Food Stamps, ADC, Foster Care, Medicaid, or SSI.  In addition the child must live in Fairfax County, be enrolled in K - 12, commit to attend 80% of practices and games, and not be currently served by an existing scholarship or fee waiver program.  If you are not eligible for the above Fairfax County assistance program and require financial assistance, please contact your sports specific commissioner and/or registrar.