Rules/Policies - 902 Hoops League

902 Hoops League Rules and Policies

BEHAVIOR RULES AND POLICIES

The philosophy is to enjoy the competitive spirit and camaraderie of a fun game in a structured league.
We will not tolerate any displays of anger, threatening comments or actions, or foul language for any reason.
We will not tolerate words/gestures that are meant to provoke or threaten other players or anyone else involved with the game.
Players are not allowed to talk to the scorekeeper (scorekeepers are volunteers- please respect them.)
If there is a strong disagreement with referees, the captain needs to talk to the league director, Robbie McGee, not to the referee. Referees are not required to defend their officiating to players/spectators. Since there is no security, these referees are to be given total control. If you disagree with the officials at your game, you are obligated to control your emotions and call our office during regular business hours.
Physical confrontation: Any player, manager, or person affiliated with a team physically confronting (poking, pushing, shoving, or the like) an official, player, or spectator before, during, or after the game will be suspended from the league for a time period determined by the 902 Hoops League board. Any physical assault will be grounds for a minimum one-year suspension and possible permanent refusal of service. Any physical bump or action taken against an official, including aggressive confrontations is considered assault and may be punishable both civilly and criminally. Teammates need to keep players away from referees (physically). Again, calling the office is an angry player’s only recourse.
Verbal threats will be taken very seriously: Any player, manager, or person connected with the team verbally threatening an official, player or spectator before, during, or after a game, will be ejected from the game and suspended from league play indefinitely.
Conduct rules: Players not able to control their behavior will be ejected from the facility and may face further suspension from the league. This rule applies to spectators as well.
If a player is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, that player must leave the gym on his/her own. If the player does not leave in a timely fashion, he/she may be suspended for the remainder of the season and the team may forfeit the game and face team suspensions for not enforcing the rules with their own players.
We are certain that there will be some incorrect calls for you and incorrect calls against you, but all calls will stand. Players get 6 fouls which is considered an extra foul in case of a missed call.
Spectators are a privilege and are not covered in the team fee. They must abide by the same standards as the players.
A team fight is a league suspension with no refund. Players have a responsibility to control or restrain their own teammates. The key is to step in and help end a bad situation before the league has to suspend or banish players. Your players need to control each other. The referees cannot prevent these situations as well as you could as players/teammates.
Players may not take advantage of a blind referee. If, for example, there is only one official, it will be considered unethical to intentionally take advantage of this ‘opportunity’. This is a peaceful and recreational league and we expect cooperation. Any team that develops a reputation for being dirty will be dealt with accordingly.
Two unsportsmanlike technical fouls on an individual player in 1 game will result in a 1 game suspension.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct will result in a technical foul, an ejection, and possibly a suspension. Definition of Unsportsmanlike Conduct: To be unsportsmanlike is to act in a manner unbecoming of a fair, ethical, honorable individual. It consists of acts of disrespect such as making debasing or critical remarks about or to an official or an opponent, or vulgarity such as the use of profanity whether or not directed at someone. The penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct is a technical foul which results in two free throws plus possession unless the act is flagrant in which case the offender may be disqualified. A player, coach, substitute, or spectator shall not: disrespectfully address an official’s decision by rising from the bench or using gestures; incite undesirable crowd reactions; or enter onto the court unless by permission of an official or to attend an injured player. The referee may end the game if its nature becomes negative, angry, or violent. Referees may end the game on a team’s 2nd unsportsmanlike “T.” The following is a list of required technical fouls (T), ejection(s), and suspensions. The referees, by contract, agree to call these and are not personal in nature. Most ejections require the player to leave the gym.

Excessive verbal abuse may be penalized for up to an 11-month suspension.
Glaring at anyone is considered to be taunting and the player will be assessed a “T”. Talking to your opponent in a negative manner will be a “T”.
Approaching a referee/walking towards a referee is an ejection; if the approach is done in a threatening manner there may be a league suspension.
Talking to the referees in a derogatory manner before, during, and after the game is disallowed. If you have an issue with a referee, do not settle it at that time. Email the director at 902hoopsns@gmail.com and voice your complaint without penalty. Players have no right to settle issues immediately.

Any player that receives 3 Technical and/or Flagrant Fouls in two games will receive an automatic one game suspension without refund.
Any player ejected from a game twice, or that receives 4 Technical and/or Flagrant fouls within a 7-game series of games, will receive a suspension for the remainder of the season, or 4 games, whichever is greater.
Any TEAM that receives a total of 5 Technical and/or fouls over a span of 7 games will receive a 1 game suspension for the entire TEAM without refund. 902 Hoops League reserves the right to review each technical foul received on a case by case basis.
No jewelry allowed (including rings.) If you see that an opponent is wearing jewelry, please alert the referee.
Alcohol and Drug policy: No player shall appear on the court under the influence of alcohol or drugs in such a manner that they have no control of his/her faculties to the extent that there is a chance of physical injury to him/her or others. Minimum penalty: Ejection from facility and/or suspension from team’s next scheduled game and/or probation for remainder of season.
No tobacco chewing, no smoking, no profanity anywhere in the building and outside of most facilities.

BASKETBALL RULES

This league is based on FIBA rules with a few extra rules/modifications and policies mentioned here:

Unsportsmanlike Foul: ABOUT THE PENALTY: Unsportsmanlike Foul will yield two shots, possession, and will be noted on the infracting player’s record (written on the foul sheet.) The Unsportsmanlike Foul definition is as follows:
An intentional foul can be called either ‘Intentional’ or Unsportsmanlike Foul.

An excessively hard foul
A dangerous play or dangerous foul
Swinging of the elbows illegally (Note: It is legal for your elbows to move with the torso. If the elbows move independently of the torso (faster than the torso,) it will be considered ‘swinging’ and this will be called Unsportsmanlike Foul.

Disqualifying Foul: Any foul meeting the Unsportsmanlike Foul definition and combined with intent. Hard fouls, dangerous plays, swinging elbows can all be done accidentally, but if they are intentional, this should be called a Disqualifying Foul. ‘Intentional’ is further defined as not accidental or part of the game. Penalty for the Disqualifying Foul foul is an ejection.
The Diving Rule: A loose ball is not a fumble and players are not allowed to dive through the opponent’s legs. However, in this league, we do not allow you to dive at all. In this league, diving for loose balls and/or running through curtains when there might be someone on the other side is strictly prohibited resulting in a turnover called by the official (or a technical foul if deemed dangerous.) This is a recreational league and taking out an ankle or knee is a terrible price to pay for gaining possession of a basketball. The scrums you see in college or high school basketball where players dive into or underneath the legs of opponents during a loose ball will not be tolerated. Exceptions that referees are allowed to use (not required but allowed to use): Saving a ball from going out of bounds when there is no danger of diving into legs, spectators, etc. can be let go by the referee. Also, in the final 1 Minute of a close game, referees may ignore diving for balls that fall within the range of legal. Note: The rule is NO DIVING so if a referee calls a turnover, do not get upset the referee didn’t let it go.
During free throws, the team on defense gets the full block. Only 2 offensive players & three defensive players can line up in the free throw lane. Other players cannot cross the three-point line until the ball hits the rim. Referees should watch player’s bodies and arms to prevent undue contact on free throw rebounds.
Game time, timeouts, running clock, TIMING ISSUES: Pre-game warm up and stretch time: Warm up by stretching and signing the foul sheet on the scorekeeper’s desk during the second half of the game previous to yours. Note that the pre-game is only 5 minutes, so right when the game ends you need to be out there shooting. Please hold the balls while a game is in progress. Also, in pre-game, get your scorekeeper ready to go.
a. During Pre-game, please hold all basketballs on the sidelines while a game is in progress
d. There will be four 10-minute quarters. Games are 60 minutes in length.
e. In the last minute scramble, a player must foul the player with the ball to get the foul called. In such circumstances, fouls that are too hard may be considered intentional fouls. If you are trying to stop the clock, a good referee should just call a normal foul, but remember ‘should’ is not always what gets called, so play it safe and foul the guy with the ball.
f. Stopped clock defined: The clock stops only during the last 2 minutes of the second quarter, fourth quarter, and during foul shots. If at the two-minute mark, a team is within 15 points or less. If the game margin is 15 points or more at the 2-minute mark, the game will be in “running time” the rest of the game, with one exception. If in “running time” the margin is cut to 14 points, the clock will then go to a permanent “stop time” to finish the game.
g. The first Overtime is 2 minutes long and stopped time. Any additional overtime will be 1 minute long. It is within the official’s discretion to call a game after the first overtime if the official deems it necessary. This will be recorded as a double win (most gyms have time constraints that we must abide by.)
h. Referee note concerning timeouts (this is new!) The timeout rules are complex and players will make mistakes if they are new to the league. Referees are not required to, but can if they would like, stop the clock to clarify whatever rule is controversial at the time. After they have explained the rule and handed the ball to the free throw shooter or out-of-bounds player, the clock resumes. Referees are encouraged to not call technical fouls with regards to timeout violations because these rules are complex.
h. Teams are allowed 2 timeouts for the first half (40 seconds and no carryover.) The second half each team will be allowed 3 timeouts. If a time out is not used before the 2 minute mark the team will lose that timeout. Naturally, if the game goes into a stop time format for the final two minutes, a team can call a timeout if they have one available.
i. No additional timeouts will be awarded in overtime.

27. Dunking is allowed only during a game and only if the court has breakaway rims. Dunking while warming up may result in a technical foul. Dunking in games is okay, but sometimes not advisable in a recreational league due to the possibility of getting undercut.

28. League suspensions carry over to all league divisions and tournaments that 902 Hoops League runs.

29. Substitutions must be done on a dead ball only, and by yelling ‘Sub!’ during the dead ball.

30. Players are allowed six fouls. Technical fouls are considered personal fouls. With the assessment of a sixth foul, a player has fouled out and cannot continue playing under any circumstances.

31. If your team is unable to make a game or is short of players, the team must call the director. We will not tolerate any ‘no-shows’ without notice. Bring as many players as possible! At least the opponent will get a game and we will allow you to pick up players to fill your team. There are no forfeits in this league. We will always make a game. Any game scheduled will be played even if the directors, board, and/or referees have to recruit players for the team. This “make a game,” as we call it, will count as a win or loss and will not be refunded. Games like this are assumed to happen once in a while. You must win to get the win. If necessary to make a game, the league may have a referee play.

ADDITIONAL POLICIES

Make a Game Situations: If your team has less than 5 players ten minutes after the start time, your team will not be entitled to a ‘make a game’. After that point, it will be too late to get a Make-a-Game because players in the gym, who could have been recruited, will already be gone.Teams can add players to their team up to game start time. There will be a 1 game play fee of $35.00 +HST. If the player is a player in the league and has not paid their fees in full, we will apply $25.00 to your season fees.

32. Lost items: 902 Hoops League assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen property. Feel free to email us as sometimes we do find some items 902hoopsns@gmail.com

33. No food or drinks are allowed in gyms or school facilities. No smoking in school facilities.

34. When adding (picking up) players to ‘make a game,’ you must get players that do not ‘tilt’ the game (this is referee/league discretion.)

35. Snow/weather cancellations: You will not be notified of any snow and/or other adverse weather conditions. On questionable days, check www.902hoops.ca, cancellations will be posted as soon as it is determined that gyms are closed.

36. 902 Hoops League does not process refunds for injury or missed games.

37. 902 Hoops League will not share contact information with any players or outside agencies.

PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION POLICIES

38. Teams are responsible for recruiting only recreational players and peaceful individuals. If a team cannot control an individual, the team will be penalized for bringing that player. If you pick up a player to make a game happen, you are responsible for that player.

39. At your first game, you must turn in completed liability release forms (if you did not complete one online). Captains: Keep extra release forms in case you add new team members. Remember to include email addresses on these player release forms.

40. Registration requires that a team have 2-3 contact people. ‘Contact people’ refers to someone on the team with an email address. The league will not be held responsible if a team does not receive a schedule change or an important notice if that team does not provide at least three working email contacts. Teams need to check their emails on game day. If any changes occur after 8am on a game day, we will phone you as well, but otherwise we only email (we also put it on the web site.) If the league does not have 2-3 contacts and a team does not get a schedule change notice, the league will not owe a game to that team. We cannot run these leagues at a competitive price if we do not adhere to the registration and payment rules exactly as outlined. Provide two to three email addresses.

41. A player is eligible if they have read the rules and signed the release form. After Game 5 in a league, no new player can participate if that player’s skill level is such that he is deemed a ‘ringer’. If a player is talented at more than 2 levels better than the level in which he is participating, he may be asked to leave the game by the referee or the league director. In tournaments, no new players may participate after Game 2. You cannot have someone join your team in game 3 of a tournament.

42. The cost for each season varies. See website for exact pricing https://902hoops.ca. The balance is due at Game 1. Due to time constraints, the team captain will need to cover his/her players. The league cannot float any team any credit.

43. The league reserves the right to suspend a team’s schedule at any time if payment is lacking.

44. Individuals: Individuals can be placed on a league team (7-8 players maximum per team). Payment must be made at least 7 full days in advance of that session (sooner if possible.) Players may join an additional team on a second day of their choosing and receive a discount.

45. Teams that withdraw in the middle of a season may receive 902 Hoops League credit that they can add toward later seasons; however, teams must give 14-days notice. Any games left within that first 14 days will not be refunded.

46. 902 Hoops League, 902 Hoops League Inc., have no provision for accident insurance for players or spectators, nor will any of these entities assume any responsibility for accident or injury in conjunction with the 902 Hoops League managed games for officials, players and spectators. Participants in league games and events are required to execute a LIABILITY RELEASE that provides detail as to the risks assumed and liabilities released to allow for participation.

47. Team captains are responsible for bringing: first aid kit, cold or ice packs, athletic tape, and spare jerseys to games.

48. Captain’s Discount: Captains that register more than one team during the same session are entitled to a $50 discount. This discount will only apply as long as payment is received in full for both teams the first week of the session.

49. “Flake Out” Fee: 902 Hoops League will charge a $140 “flake out” fee for any team that quits the league mid session or within 24 hours of their first game.

50. Fees/Credits for adding a 902 Hoops “Individual Player” to a “Team”: “Teams” that request and receive players from 902 Hoops League “Individual program” will subtract the “Individual” players league fees less $15 for the first session “trial period”. If 902 Hoops League adds 2 players subtract $25 from the individual league fees, and 3 players subtract $35. Why the charge?: 902 Hoops League is taking on the responsibility of recruiting and contacting the player, billing the player, and REMOVING the player. (severing the relationship with the team if the player is not a good fit after the initial session) Additionally, 902 Hoops League will only add an “Individual” player to a team if it consists of 7 players or less. 902 Hoops League will not allow an “Individual” to be the 9th player on a “Team”. Note: These fees are for an entire session. Teams that request players mid-session will have a prorated fee structure.

51. “Individual” Players vs. a “Team”: A “Team” is only allowed to request up to 2-3 “Individuals’ ‘. A “Team” that requests more than 2-3 “Individuals” is NOT considered a “Team”, but a group of “Individuals” that want to play together. 902 Hoops League can always put “Individuals” on the same team, but each “Individual” will be charged 902 Hoops League normal “Individual” fees.

52. Teams adding an “Individual Player” after the 1 session “trial period”/ Mutual acceptance: Teams that want to keep the 902 Hoops placed “Individual player” after 1 session will work directly with the individual as they are now officially part of the “Team” as long as there is a mutual acceptance by the “Team” and the “Individual”. At this time the captain becomes responsible for 100% the players payment and the entire portion will go towards the “Teams” league fees.

Note: The Individual has the right to reject playing for the “Team” it was placed on in the “2nd session/post trial period” whereas the “Individual” would go back into the 902 Hoops “Individual” pool of players. 902 Hoops League will act as the “go-between” between the “Team” and the “Individual” in these cases.

53. Player Skill Level Requirement: 902 Hoops League reserves the right to not allow players to participate in any game if the players skill level is not appropriate for the game they sign up for. In these situations the player is entitled to a FULL REFUND.

CANCELLATION and SCHEDULING POLICY

54. Schedule change can be submitted with the following process: If you need to switch a scheduled game with another team you must request permission with the other 3 teams involved and email your submission to 902hoopsns@gmail.com and submit a $15 processing fee. You will need to include all 4 teams involved and the dates, times and locations of the schedule you are requesting to change. New– THERE IS A SEVERE PENALTY for a NO SHOW THAT COMES WITH NO NOTICE TO THE LEAGUE– We understand things happen and your team of seven players can get down to just a few players- the rule in this league is that you must try to get those 2 to 3 players to show up (even if they do not want to, because being in a league is be a part of a cooperative organization, so you show up with 2 to 3 players so the opponent gets their workout!)… so… IF you let us know immediately that you are short players there is no penalty (the league will, for sure, recruit/find fill in players for you, we have 8 methods to do this and we have staff working during league games so even if you told us this with one hour notice, we would be able to get your roster to 5 players so the opponent gets a game). This being said, there is no excuse for not texting us more than 3 hours in advance or just not showing on your part, -so- if you no-show AND you give no notice to the league, the penalty would be that you will give up your next game (example: if you no-show on a Wednesday and the league was given no notice (the double whammy) – the following Wednesday 7 days later you will not play (& you will not get a makeup game) – meaning you will play one less game that season (two less games really because you no-showed by your choice and you did not give notice and received a one game penalty)

55. Snow/weather cancellations: You will not be notified of any snow and/or other adverse weather conditions. On questionable days, check 902hoops.ca, cancellations will be posted as soon as it is determined that gyms are closed.