Substitutions – Games will consist of two twenty-minute halves
with a five-minute half time. The clock will stop only for times outs, foul
shots, during the last two minutes of the second half and for 30 seconds for
subbing. Subbing will occur at five (5) minute intervals during each half. 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 before the buzzer sounds. There will be a ten second warning and the
ref will start the game – ready or not.
The most important philosophy of the MLGBA is that everyone gets equal playing
time. Please do not give the most playing time to your stars, and if you
have less than ten players, you must rotate your players so that they all play
the same amount of time. Do not play your stars for an entire half – have
them sit out at least one five-minute shift.
Defense and Pressing – defense in the back court at any time and can play either zone or man-to-man. The offense must get the ball over half court within ten seconds.
Scoring and Standings – Scoring and standings will be kept. If there is a three point line, three point shots will count, called by the ref.
Fouls – Players will be disqualified on the fifth foul. One and one on the seventh team foul (including technicals) per half. Two shots on the tenth foul. No subbing for foul trouble. It’s a technical foul if you do not write your players in the scorebook prior to the game.
Lane Violations – three (3) seconds
Overtime – When time permits, play a three-minute overtime followed by a two minute, sudden-death overtime. Begin each overtime with a jump ball. No time-outs are permitted during the overtime; the clock stops only for foul shots. No subbing is necessary in the overtime; you may play whomever you like. If tied after the two overtime periods, the game is declared a tie, although in the year-ending playoffs, there can be no ties. Keep playing sudden death until one team wins.
Uniforms – League shorts and shirts only. Shirttails must be tucked in. No Uniform = No Play.
Time Outs – Four (4), one-minute time outs per game at anytime, except overtime.
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 – 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. 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; the ref can declare a forfeit if coaches or players are out-of-line.
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.
Absences – Coaches should be called at least 48 hours (or ASAP) if players cannot make either games or practices.
Coach's Area – During the game, coaches are not permitted to cross half court and are not permitted on the court. They are only allowed in the area between the half court line and the end of their bench. They should not be running up and down the sideline to coach their players. The coaches should remain seated on the bench except for time outs and substitutions.
Finally – 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 10 points or more, you must take measures to see to it that you do
not win by 20 or 30 points. That means:
a) there should be no fast breaks,
b) players should take four passes before shooting the ball,
c) no stealing or double teaming,
d) have the strong players feed the weak players,
e) rotate players from their "natural" positions, and
f) the defense should be pulled back to the lane and played loosely.