Substitutions Games will consist of two twenty-minute halves with a five-minute half-time. The clock will only stop for times outs. Subbing will occur at five (5) minute intervals during each half. A timekeeper (assigned each game) will let coaches know when it is time to sub. Coaches must have their subs ready to enter or re-enter the game before the stoppage. The subs should know the positions they will play and the players they will replace and move quickly onto the court. The most important philosophy of the MLGBA is that everyone gets equal playing time. If you have less than ten players, you must rotate your players so that they all play the same amount of time. Everyone plays the same number of rotations—plan accordingly.
Defense and Pressing no defense in the backcourt at any time. The defense for this division is zone. During practice, the coaches can start to introduce the concept of player to player. For most of the girls, at this age, that will be quite difficult in regular games. There is no double-teaming or trapping allowed except if a player has the ball under the basket and the defense collapses on her. The defense must play within the three-point line. If the other teams offense cannot penetrate at all, pull your team back to the paint. Once the other team gets the ball on defense, everyone must drop back and let the ball be brought down.
Jump Ball Each half will start with a jump ball. The teams will switch baskets at the half.
Scoring and Standings There is no scoring or record keeping, no winners and no losers
Fouls All fouls should be called and explained to the girl who fouled. (Reaching in, pushing, on the shot etc.) The team that fouls will lose possession of the ball and the other side take it out. As we had discussed at the preseason meeting, foul shots may be taken in the last two rotations (At the discretion of the game coaches). This will get the girls used to lining up and taking those shots, but not waste our playing time with this. Use the standard foul line. Excessive fouling by an individual should prompt some bench time and discussion
Violations to be called: Backcourt, two-handed dribbling, walking, out-of-bounds, jump ball (alternate possession)
Lane Violations five (5) seconds
Uniforms League shorts and shirts only. Shirttails must be tucked in. No Uniform = No Play. It is a technical foul to wear jewelry of any kind. Make sure your players remove all jewelry. Please have the girls keep their fingernails trimmed.
Time Outs Four (4), one-minute time outs per game at anytime.
Game/Practice Cancellations All games are on unless otherwise
stated on the League Hotline at (610) 617-9999 and/or a coaches'phone chain.
Practices are canceled if the Lower Merion schools are closed that day for whatever
reason.
Officials One of the coaching staff from each team will ref
each fourth grade game. We may also have some of the refs-in-training
reffing with us as well. In that circumstance, only one coach-ref will
be needed. The referees will make mistakes. Officiating mistakes happen
at every level of basketball. Remember that the teams are made up of our daughters
who are playing to learn the game and to have fun. Our refs are either parents
doing their best or refs-in-training. Be patient. This is not the
NCAA or the WNBA. Please exercise good judgment during the game if the ref makes
a questionable call. Set a good example for your daughter(s) and accept each
call graciously. The game will go on, the ref will leave the gym with his or
her ego intact and your daughter(s) will have had a good day. No critical comments
to the ref; we all make mistakes.
There is Zero Tolerance on this issue.There may be a situation where a coach feels the safety of his/her players is at risk. In this situation, the two head coaches and the ref should conference at half time to decide how best to control aggressive play. This is a matter of communication, respect and cooperation, not a time for accusation and argument. Solve the problem and play the game. Report concerns regarding rough play or weak officiating to the commissioners
Gyms Respect each facility or we may not be invited back. Food and drink are not permitted, except sealed water bottles for the players. Don't bring your coffee into the early morning games and tell parents to do the same, if you see it. Siblings and guests must sit and watch and no playing, roaming or jumping on equipment. No pets and please clean up before leaving and take all of your team's belongings. The last teams to play at the gym on either practice nights or game days should police the gym before leaving, lock up and turn off the lights where necessary.
Absences Coaches should be called at least 48 hours (or ASAP) if players cannot make either games or practices. A coach must be present as long as there are players present. If you cannot make a practice, make sure someone is covering for you or you cancel it.
Practices Make sure the girls are as active as possible throughout the practice. If your gym is unavailable for any reason and you would like a different practice site, call Diane DiBonaventuro to arrange for an alternative.
Ensuring fun for all The purpose of organizing teams by a draft
is to create teams that will be equally competitive. Sometimes, we fail. In
any case, it is the coach's duty in the MLGBA to see to it that, win or lose,
each girl has a positive experience during the season. Learning to lose
although not a goal is as important as learning to win. Remember, if
your team is up by 8 points or more, you must take measures to see to it that
you keep the score relatively close. No one should win by large margins (more
than 10). That means, if you are up by a lot: (Although we are not keeping score,
the girls will know if they are losing badly or not. Please pull your
players back, if you see that happening:
a) there should be no fast breaks,
b) players should take four passes before shooting the ball,
c) no stealing,
d) have the strong players feed the weak players,
e) sit your stars down or rein them in, and
f) the defense should be pulled back to the lane. If you encounter a problem
with coaches, players, or fans that is not easily resolved, contact a commissioner.