RULES AND REGULATIONS: 2009

Somali Youth Basketball League has developed the following set of rules and regulations to govern the games, players and coaches of SYBL. The intention of the rules is extremely important ... to promote competitive recreational sports in a spirit of fun and good sportsmanship. Therefore, we ask that your team adhere to these basic guidelines to make the league more enjoyable for everyone.

ELIGIBILITY/ROSTERS/UNIFORMS

  1. All participants must have a signed waiver on file. Completed waivers must be submitted to the league officials PRIOR TO YOUR FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON. If a player participates without a signed waiver, he will be considered an illegal player and will be considered ineligible and the team forfeits the game.
  2. Each player must verify age eligibility by providing proper identification prior to the first game in which the player participates. League officials can verify the ID.
  3. Team roster is frozen after 1st game played with a team; players cannot be added to any team after that point. League Officials may make a roster exception. Opposing teams may challenge a particular player’s eligibility by communicating with league officials.
  4. Teams must have at least 5 players present to start the game.
  5. Any team playing with an illegal player will forfeit the game.
  6. Teams can have a maximum of 12 players on their roster.
  7. Players must play in half (50%) of the total games to qualify for the playoffs.
  8. All players must wear their team jerseys. Players will be registered with a jersey number and wear the same number throughout the season. Any team with a player without a matching league jersey and a unique number will receive a technical foul.

Total payment is due by the third (3rd) game; any player with a balance is in ineligible to participate. Fees are $20 for JUNIORS and $25 for SENIOR players. PLAYER FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE

GYM/BUILDING RULES

  1. Players may only utilize the side doors no more than 20 minutes before the start of a game.
  2. Spectators are only allowed in the bleachers and must respect the building rules.
  3. Players and spectators are asked to use the restrooms in the change room.
  4. Players and spectators must respect the environment and the people around them
  5. All building rules apply. Only water and sports drinks are allowed in the gyms. No food, soda, coffee or gum.
  6. Coaches must ensure their players understand the rules of the league, gym and building

LEAGUE PLAY

  1. Juniors: Two 20-minute halves with a running time except for timeouts, and the last 2 minutes of the second half. If a team is up by 20 points or more than the time will not stop in the last two minutes of the game.
  2. Seniors: Four quarters of eight (8) minutes (stop time) per game:
  3. Five fouls to foul out of game.
  4. Two full timeouts (60-second) per half (No carry over for both Juniors and Seniors).
  5. Overtime—3 minutes with running time, except timeouts until last minute. Each team will have 1 time out in overtime. No carry over from regulation.
  6. Any fighting on court or outside court area, player/team may be ejected from the league (No fees refunded).
  7. Technical fouls count as personal fouls.
  8. Referees can eject a player for any unsportsmanlike conduct. Two technical fouls in one game is automatic suspension. Ejection from a game is an automatic one game suspension. Two ejections will result in suspension from the league. (No refunds)
  9. Each half, 1-and-1’s are shot on the 7th, 8th, and 9th foul and 2 free throws are awarded on 10th & succeeding fouls.
  10. Games will start on time when each team has at least 5 players. Forfeit time: 10 minutes from scheduled start time.
  11. A player can be carried on only one roster in each league.
  12. Games are played on Saturday mornings (Juniors 12-15) and Saturday Afternoons (Seniors 16-18). SEE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE FORWARDED TO COACHES AT LEAST 1 WEEK IN ADVANCE
  13. All teams make playoffs. Playoffs are scheduled for the 2 weeks immediately following the season
  14. Playoff seeding tie breaker is as follows: 1) Head to head competition 2) Winning % against teams in tie 3) Least amount of points against (forfeit victories will be 100-0) 4) Coin toss 5) Director’s decision.

COACH’S CODE

  1. Remember, children and youth are involved in The Somali Youth Basketball League for their enjoyment, not yours.
  2. Young people learn best by example.
  3. Encourage your players to always play by the rules
  4. Accept your player’s mistakes and disappointments with positive reinforcement.
  5. Accept all official’s decisions and respect their integrity.
  6. Help your players understand that basketball is a team sport not an individual sports.
  7. Teach your players that an honest effort, hard work and fun are just as important as a victory.
  8. Please use appropriate language at all times.

PLAYER’S CODE

  1. Play for the fun of the game, HAVE FUN!!!
  2. Play by the rules.
  3. Cooperate with your coach, teammates and opponents.
  4. Work hard for your team and yourself.
  5. Respect and accept the officials’ decision.
  6. Control your temper.
  7. Be a good sport and treat all players with respect.

OTHERS

  1. Above are guidelines designed as reference for any protest, infractions and decisions that has to be made by the committee.
  2. In the best interest of the league, rules are subject to change under the direction of the facility and league administrators
  3. SYBL committee reserved the right to decide in any or all issues that may be raised during the course of the tournament. SYBL decisions when rendered are deemed final.