2006/2007 GUIDELINES AND RULES

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Diocese of Metuchen CYM-CYO Basketball League
(4th-8th grade & high school boys & girls school & parish divisions)

PURPOSE:    

The primary purpose of the CYM Sports Program is to provide the opportunity for young people to participate in a Catholic, wholesome athletic program which will assist their personal and physical growth. It is a philosophy of the league that level of ability not be the determining factor whether or not a child participates on a given team.  If possible, where there are more participants than the amount of spots available on a particular team, multiple teams should be considered.  However, this can only be accomplished if the organization CHOOSES to do so. The league cannot enforce a multiple team policy and it needs to be understood by all that each organization operates within its own capabilities. The League might however limit the number of teams an organization enters in a particular division. This would be based on a lack of gym facilities available to host games.

SUPERVISION:

Every team is required to have mature, responsible, certified coaches at every game. Coaches will be held directly responsible for their team's conduct and general supervision,including crowd control .  We are all charged with the responsibility for providing supervision and insuring safety in all schools on any date that a CYM program is functioning.  It is everyone's obligation to carry out this responsibility.

In addition, a Site Manager is to be present at all contests. This person will be responsible for all aspects of the operation of  his or her facility. This will include the ejection of any person at the facility not complying with the NJSIAA  Sportstmanship Code, 1. that all Organization Reps received:  2. Was posted on the Web Site and 3: Should be posted at all facilities.

REMEMBER: The actions and behavior of all players, coaches and spectators are a reflection on the school, parish and CYM. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly

2006/2007 Requirements for Coaches and Adult Staff and Volunteers

Code of Conduct:

Effective October 31, 2003 all coaches and volunteers are bound by the Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct. A copy of this document is available online at :

http://www.diometuchen.org/mainweb/child_youth/docs/codeofconduct.pdf

Virtus Training:

To maintain eligibility All coaches and adults who volunteer with children are REQUIRED to attend Virtus: Protecting God’s Children Training. Pre-registration online is always appreciated. Free classes scheduled throughout the diocese are listed on the diocesan website:

http://www.diometuchen.org/mainweb/child_youth/cyp_sessions.html

Criminal History Background Checks:

To maintain eligibility all coaches and adults who work or volunteer with children are also required by diocesan regulations to receive criminal history background checks. For details please contact your parish office or the Diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection at 732-562-2413.

The diocesan policy on this matter can be viewed online at:

http://www.diometuchen.org/mainweb/child_youth/docs/diopolicy_bkgcks.pdf

ENTRY FEE:

An $80 entry fee is due for each team that you are entering into the league, payable by October 20, 2006. Organizations outside the Diocese of Metuchen need to submit a $100.00 Entry fee per team. In addition,  a $100 League Bonding Fee is due for NEW organizations. Please make checks payable to the Diocese of Metuchen and mail to: The Office of Youth Ministry   P.O.  Box  191 Metuchen , NJ  08840   Attn:  Bob Berger.

FAILURE TO SUBMITT ENTRY FEES BY OCTOBER 20 WILL FORFEIT A GUARANTEED SPOT IN A DIVISION!!! PAYMENTS MADE AFTER NOVEMBER 1 WILL INCUR A $20 LATE FEE PER TEAM. FAILURE TO PAY BY DEC 1ST FORFEITS PLAYOFF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TEAMS AT HAND!!!

ROSTERS:

Rosters MUST be returned to the Diocesan Office prior to November 1, 2006, through the Organization Representative. 

To be considered valid all information requested on rosters must be completed and signed.

The rosters must list player's name, school, grade, parent's signature and date of birth, along with the coach's address and phone number..  (I suggest that you make a photo copy of the roster form so that if you must amend it, you can simply fax me another one.) . Add-ons to the roster can be made by fax (732) 562-1018, E-mail Cymbasketball@aol.com, up to December 1 , Rosters will not be valid unless signed by all parents, pastor and/or principal, whichever pertains to your team. CATHOLIC SCHOOL DIVISION ORGANIZATION REGISTRATION FORMS, IF SIGNED BY A PARENT CAN BE COPIED AND SENT WITH THE ROSTER AS LONG AS THE FORM ATTESTS TO THE CHILD’S AGE AND LISTED ROSTER REQUIRMENTS—THIS CAN REPLACE THE PARENT'S SIGNATURE ON THE ROSTER FORM

Any relevant and approved eligibility waivers must accompany the rosters.

AGE REQUIREMENTS:

• 4th grade boys/girls--Must be in the 4 th Grade or Less: No age restrictions exist.
• 5/6 grade boys/girls--Cannot be 13 years of age before September 1, 2006. (born before 9/1/93)
• 7/8 grade boys/girls--Cannot be 15 years of age before September 1, 2006. (born before 9/1/91)

TEAM ELIGIBILITY:

We pray…then we play

This league is an outreach of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. The main objective of this league is to offer to as many Catholic young people as possible the opportunity to play, grow, and develop in a healthy and competitive environment within this basketball league.Each player, coach, and team is to perform honorably, striving to glorify God with hard work and conscientious development and use of the talents and gifts with which they have been blessed. The philosophy of this league is to build the kingdom of God among us one player and one game at a time

Religious Education:

All players will be actively enrolled and participating in a CCD religious education program or Catholic School in order to maintain eligibility to play in the diocesan basketball league. Parish Religious Education Directors will be reviewing rosters to ensure compliance.

We pray …then we play.

Certain exceptions will be permitted with approved eligibility waivers.

Waiver forms are available on our website.

SCHOOL TEAMS:

All students must attend the designated school and meet the necessary age/grade requirements..  Proof of enrollment must be furnished prior to the season's first game.  Players may play for only one school team and that player will be registered on only one team roster.

PARISH TEAMS:

Registered parish members who meet the necessary age/grade requirements are eligible to play for their Parish Team.. All participants must be actual parish members unless an approved eligibility waiver form is on file at the diocesan office.  If a child is a parish member and also attends the parish school, then the child may only play on one team.

A PLAYER CAN ONLY PLAY FOR ONE TEAM IN THE ORGANIZATION THUS, HIS/HER NAME CAN ONLY APPEAR ON ONE OFFICIAL ROSTER.

LEAGUE RULES:

1. All teams are responsible for their readiness to begin play at the appointed time and have one game fee ready to pay one official prior to the start of the game.  ALL Grade School divisions are $30.00 per team payable to the officials at each game. High school Fees are $40.00. If one official shows to the game, then he will be entitled to 1 1/2 the game fee.  Failure to make payment to the referee will result in being reported to the league Repeat offenses will result in disqualification from the play-offs.  In order to qualify for the play-offs, your organization must be completely current with officials' fees Any official's  fee due must be received before the next weeks game. In other words the payment must be received before the your team plays again . If not, all following games will be recorded as Forfeits.
2. Your 15-minute grace period will begin at the scheduled start of your game and not at the end of the preceding contest.  To avoid any problem, teams must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled game start time to insure a prompt start and also to prevent any conflcts concerning forfeitures. 
   
   NOTE:  If the prior contest exceeds your 15 minute grace period , then you must have your 8 players at that time.  In this case, providing the other game exceeds your grace period, you'll avoid a forfeit, providing 8 players are ready to play!  In other words, you will have lucked out!!!
   
   Failure to have a minimum of eight players by the end of a "15-minute grace period" will result in a forfeit.  Referee's watch is official time.  The forfeiting team must pay both officials.  The coaches should agree to play an exhibition game with 6-minute quarters without any substitution requirements.
   
   If the exhibition game is played, the coaches should agree to share the fee. 
   
   The forfeiting team will be responsible for fees which must be received before the next game.! 
   
   Teams will not be permitted to begin a game with a full team and have an number of players leave before the game is completed to play in another league. It is understood that some reasonable issues occur where players need to leave but going to a another game will be frowned upon .
   
   If you are playing in this league you have committed to it.Please understand this.
   
   NO-SHOW Forfeits will carry a double fee --- Both Game Fees x 2 $120.00 The affected site will receive ½ of the Fee.
   
   ANY TEAM THAT No –Shows is subject to Playoff forfeiture.
   
   Canceling or Forfeiting game 9 or 10 will carry a double FF fee.
   
   Forfeits CALLED IN by Wed Night prior to the contest will not be charged. After Wed a $60.00 Fee will be charged
   
   SAT CALLS WILL BE CONSIDERED NO SHOWS.
   
   Pastoral conflicts need to be addressed prior to scheduling---PLEEEASE!
3. Games consist of four eight-minute quarters.  There will be a one-minute time out between quarters.  The half time intermission shall be five minutes.  In the case of a tie at the end of regulation time, one additional four-minute period will be played to declare a winner or tie.  Each team is permitted four time-outs per game, plus one in the overtime period.
   
   Half time will be a minimum of 5 minutes.  Anytime beyond the 5 minute mark will be determined by the site manager. 
4. In the 4th grade division, the clock will be stopped for fouls, substitutions, and obviously, time outs.  It will continue to run during normal out-of-bounds and dead balls. The clock will run normally in the 4th quarter.
5. All divisions will operate under the "Substitution Rule" during the first three quarters of play.  Teams are required to substitute a second full unit after four minutes of play have elapsed.  This second unit will play the remaining four minutes of the quarter.  In cases where a team has less than ten players, they must substitute as many players that remain on the bench.
   
   If a substitute is used in the first 4 minutes of a quarter, that sub cannot participate during the second 4 minutes of the same quarter.  If the 10th player arrives after the game begins, the regular substitution rule will apply in the next quarter.  In effect, the quarter in which the 10 th player arrives will remain under special substitution.
   
   If a team has 8 or 9 players, the opposing coach will decide which ONE player will NOT be permitted to play in the second 4 minute period.  This choice can remain or be changed from quarter to quarter.. 
6. 4th, 5th and 6th grade teams are not permitted to use a "full-court press"  until the final two minutes of the game.  The defensive team is required to allow the offensive team to "cross over" the half-court line before deploying defensive tactics or attempting to gain possession.  Position of a defensive player shall be at least three feet behind the half-court line until "crossover" occurs.  In case(s) of infractions, the officials will give the offensive team possession at the mid-court point and warn the coach of the first infraction.  Second infraction shall result in a technical foul. 
7. In the 5/6 grade divisions and 4th grade divisions;  The leading team cannot "full-court press" once they are leading by 10 or more points.
8. Running up a score to a lopsided advantage is not fair play in any league and will be investigated.  Repeated offenses could result in offending teams not being permitted to play in the play-offs. 
9. Girls 5/6 and 4th grade divisions;  there will be no penalty for crossing the line during a foul shot.  Half-time -- 5 minutes.
10. The site manager MUST E-Mail in the final results of all games at his/her site no later than 8:00 p.m. Saturday evening.  This is imperative! League standings cannot be posted until all game results are collected and processed.
11. In the event of a dispute (league rule infraction, etc.), the referees and site manager will settle it on site.   If further action is necessary, the site manager will notify the league administration of the problem. The site manager will recommend punitive action (fines or suspensions) in the event of misconduct. The league will then contact the teams involved to settle the dispute.  Coaches are not to call directly unless the league has not contacted them by the Wednesday following the disputed game. The site manager will be the decision maker in the event of a rule dispute.
    
    The site managers have been deemed the governing body of the league.  They are the authority on site to report and take action in regards to misconduct.  They will be the major factor in deciding punitive actions when necessary. This should rectify all situations and prevent further instances.  This would apply to coaches, players, spectators and officials.  It is trusted that the Site Manager will use full integrity when dealing with situations and any decision will be based on league rule and philosophy.
12. Ejection from a game by a player , coach or spectator will result in a minimum one-game suspension, (i.e. The player, coach or spectator involved will not be allowed, in any capacity, to be in attendance at the site of their next game.) The PERSON is suspended. This person CAN NOT BE IN THE BUILDING AT ALL during the suspension.  This will be monitored, and failure to comply will result in suspension for the remainder of the year. 
13. High School CYO Basketball will be governed by High School NJSIAA rules including the ejection procedure which is an minimum 2-game suspension.  Further rules and regulations are listed on a separate sheet.
14. BALL SIZE:
    • 7/8 Boys, 5/6 Boys, -- High School Varsity
    • 7/8 Girls, 5/6 Girls. 4th Grade -- Ladies Varsity
15. No changes in schedule or postponements will be allowed except as authorized by the Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry through Bob Berger. The host team (site manager) will be primarily  responsible for cancellation due to inclement weather, unless a league decision is made.  Once a decision is made to postpone contests, the REPS will be E-Mailed along with a Web announcement of such a cancellation and, in turn, the referees will also be contacted. .REPS should then E-mail their people.  Such a decision must be made no later than 7:00 a.m. on Saturday .  The site manager will contact the league officials if their gym is unavailable do to weather.  Teams scheduled to play have the responsibility of contacting the site manager and Checking the web if there is a cancellation possibility.
    
    The Web will have the phone numbers and E-Mail addresses of the site managers available to them.  If a team is unable to make a game due to bad road conditions, then they must notify the site manager of their situation prior to 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.  At that point, the league can take the matter into consideration.

HIGH SCHOOL:

The High School Divisions will be governed by the high school rule book. There is no Substitution Rule or Min Player Rule.

All participants will be registered members of the parish they are playing for.  The Pastor will attest to this roster and birth certificates will be required .  Those turning 19 on or after September 1, 2006 (born after 9/1/87) are eligible to play as per NJSIAA eligibility rules provided they are enrolled in High School or the Equivalent. Furthermore, players of ANY legal age must be actually enrolled in High School or the equivalent .  Any misrepresentation of participants will place the coach and parish in a heavy liability situation if a problem involving the ineligible player occurs.  No current Varsity Basketball  player is eligible to participate in our league for the entire season.In addition:No JV players who are in 11 th or 12 th grade are eligable to play in the Diocesan League. Once a participant appears on a high school varsity roster, They will not be eligible to play in our league. Once a player is declared ineligible, he or she will remain ineligble for the entire season. (even though the high school season might be completed).

No Schedule will begin for any team untill the Diocesen Roster is submitted, filled out correctly.

Rosters are due on Dec. 1, 2006. NO Changes to the Rosters will be allowed after Dec. 15, 2006.

It is expected that the organizations will stay on-top of disciplinary measures regarding their players and spectators.  If not; the league will take action which could include ejection from the league for any player, coach , organization or spectator.   This is the philosophy of the Diocese.  It will be adhered to.  Those not willing to conform to the philosophy will not be tolerated.

NOTE:  Anyone ejected from a game for FIGHTING will be expelled from the league. NO EXCEPTIONS.

NOTE:   Any use of illegal players is not fair, but furthermore, it puts the coach and parish in a liability situation if a mishap occurs.  In other words, you can be sued and most likely would lose.  It is not worth the problem to play illegal players, so be sure you do not.

NOTE: Failure to comply with the eligibility rule WILL result in Playoff Forfeiture for the team. 

NOTE: Schools may be contacted to verify eligability. 

IMPORTANT

4TH GRADE and 5/6 GRADE DIVISIONS

The "No Press" rule has always been in effect to protect the "Offensive Team", i.e to give them the opportunity to get the ball across the half-court line without any pressors.  The rule has never been intended to place the Defense at a disadvantage.  Thus, we now have an equitable ruling that will give the Defense "some chance" when the Offensive team is truly looking to beat the Defense to pick up or pick off a loose ball going beyond them as they retreat.  This will not discourage a fast break because the Defense will not be playing any men nor will they be "setting up" a Defense in the backcourt.

INTEPRETATION

Once a rebound is in possession, then the Defense must retreat immediately and quickly to their defensive zone beyond half-court.  The Defense cannot play any person nor deny anyone the ball in the backcourt.  If the Offensive team fast breaks in a passing fashion, thus trying to beat the Defense up-court, then an errant loose ball on Pass could be picked up by the Defense providing: 

• the Defense was actually retreating at the time they picked off the ball, (i.e. the Defense did not come back to intercept the ball).
• the Defense did not set up in the back-court anticipating a pass in their direction. 
• the pass was clearly a maneuver to move beyond the retreat of the Defense.

At no time will the Defense play a person in the backcourt and as long as an offensive player is coming back toward the passer to receive a pass, the Defense cannot pick off this ball "because" they would be "Retreating at that Time".

NEW Child Safety issue as of January 11, 2006:

NJ State Law to take effect on July 11, 2006 : (Bill # A2091)

An Act concerning protective eyewear for certain children.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Any child who wears corrective eyeglasses while participating in racquetball, squash, tennis, women's lacrosse, basketball, women's field hockey, badminton, paddleball, soccer, volleyball, baseball or softball, sponsored by a school, community or government agency, shall be required to wear protective eyewear that meets the frames 1[and lens]1 standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F803 1and lens standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.11.

2. The New Jersey Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, established under P.L.1999, c.265 (C.26:1A-37.5 et seq.) is authorized to provide grants to assist low-income families in purchasing the protective eyewear. As used in this section, a "low-income family" means a family which qualifies for low-income housing under the standards promulgated by the Council on Affordable Housing pursuant to the "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-301 et 1[seq.] al.1).

3. No school, community or government agency engaged in organizing, teaching, refereeing or coaching a sports activity described in section 1 of this act shall be liable in a civil action for failure to administer or enforce the provisions of this act.

4. This act shall take effect six months after the date of enactment.(Law to take effect on July 11, 2006).