Rules and Regulations
Player Information
We must realize that these are children we are working with and the program is for them. Winning at all costs is not acceptable. Whenever there is a conflict, we will follow the MIFC Mission Statement to guide our actions.
All rules are for the safety of our players, coaches and fans.
All players must be registered with the MIBC in order to participate. Only players that do not participate in a school basketball program are eligible to play in the MIBC.
No player may be on more than one team in a division.
No players may play in a lower age division. Players can play in a higher age division.
To participate in the tournament, a plyer must be listed on the team roster and must have participated in 6 regular season games for that team. No exceptions.
Rosters are limited to maximum of 10 players and a minimum of 7 players.
Teams must be sponsored through a church or community center.
Players must wear sneakers and docks. Not deck shoes, or street shoes.
Eyeglasses must be secured with a head strap and be athletically approved with non-shattering glass (safety glasses)
Absolutely no jewelry may be worn during games. This includes post earrings. Covering earrings with tape does not circumvent the rule.
Conduct and Sportsmanship
Any player who receives a technical foul or a flagrant foul will automatically have to sit for three minutes per game time. Before returning to the game. If a second technical is called, the player is removed from the game and gym. Coaches who personally acquire one technical foul during the game must leave the game and gym. A second technical foul during the season will result in removal of the coach from the rest of the season. A coach can not refuse to leave the gym. Doing so will result in a forfeiture for the team.
All games will start with both teams gathering at half court to greet each other. Coaches are expected to offer a life lesson or contemplation and be cognizant of our interfaith emphasis.
Coaches are expected to shake hands with the opposing team regardless of the outcome.
Fighting will result in an automatic ejection from the game. Upon ejection for fighting, that person must leave the premises immediately. In addition, anyone ejected for fighting will automatically be suspended from the next game, and possibly more disciplinary action to be determined by the MIBC board. These actions are at the sole discretion of the board and could vary case by case as the board sees fit.
Unsportsmanlike conduct by a team’s parent or fan will not be tolerated. Coaches are ultimately responsible and accountable for the behavior of their team’s spectators. If a spectator becomes unruly, it is the coach’s responsibility to warn the spectator about the offensive behavior. If after one warning, the behavior persists, a technical will be assigned to the team. If that parent or fan receives a technical foul, he/she will be required to leave the facility. Refusal will result in a forfeiture of the game.
If a coach receives a technical foul, that coach must remain seated on his/her team’s bench for the remainder of the game. If a 2nd technical foul is given to the coach, that coach will be ejected from the game must leave the facility.
Coaches must stay on the sidelines. Stepping onto the court during play is not acceptable. Officials will give a first warning. Second time it is addressed is a technical foul.
Each team must provide parent/volunteer to man the score table at each game. This parent/volunteer will share score book and clock responsibilities. If a team fails to provide a score/time keepers, that team will be charged a time out. If neither team can produce a volunteer clock/score keeper that game will result in a double forfeit and a loss on both teams' records.
The officials are the sole judges on the court. They have complete authority over the game itself, the players, coaches and spectators. Their decisions are final and are backed by the League.
Rough play will not be tolerated. Fouls will be given. Continued excessive roughness will result in fouls and possible ejection.
Profanity or abuse of the officials is not tolerated. Officials my use their discretion to assign technical fouls after the first warning. Only the coach may hold discussions on calls with the referees. The coach must call a time out for such discussion.
Reschedules Games
If a conflict arises, The MIBC must receive written notice at least one week prior to the conflict. If the proper notice is not received, a forfeit will be given for that game. The board will grant reschedules games on a case-by-case basis on individual circumstances. The coaches of the teams in question must agree to a game time when a facility is available.
The Game
The National Federation of State High School Association rules will guide play, unless otherwise noted.
The league is divided into the following divisions. Please note that grades may be combined if enough teams are not available in a division. This specifically will affect first and second grades being combined and seventh and eighth grades being combined.
The objective of this league in all age divisions is to teach fundamentals, encourage competition and develop a love of the game.
| Division
| Ball Size | Goal Height |
| Girls 1st | Size 4 (25.5) | 8’0” |
| Girls 2nd | Size 4 (25.5) | 8’0” |
| Girls 3rd | Junior (27.5) | 8’0” |
| Girls 4th | Junior (27.5) | 8’0” |
| Girls 5th | Intermediate (28.5) | 9’0” |
| Girls 6th | Intermediate (28.5) | 10’0” |
| Girls 7th | Intermediate (28.5) | 10’0” |
| Girls 8th | Intermediate (28.5) | 10’0” |
| Division | Ball Size | Goal Height |
| Boys 1st | Size 4 (25.5) | 8’0” |
| Boys 2nd | Size 4 (25.5) | 8’0” |
| Boys 3rd | Junior (27.5) | 8’0” |
| Boys 4th | Junior (27.5) | 9’0” |
| Boys 5th | Intermediate (28.5) | 10’0” |
| Boys 6th | Official Size (30.0) | 10’0” |
| Boys 7th | Official Size (30.0) | 10’0” |
| Boys 8th | Official Size (30.0) | 10’0” |
| Division | Foul Line Distance | Game Time |
| Girls 1st | Closer distance for foul line | Two 12-minute halves |
| Girls 2nd | Closer distance for the foul line | Two 12-minute halves |
| Girls 3rd | 10’ foul line | Two 12-minute halves |
| Girls 4th | 10’ foul line | Two 12-minute halves |
| Girls 5th | 12’ foul line | Two 12-minute halves |
| Girls 6th | Standard foul line | Four 7-minute quarters |
| Girls 7th | Standard foul line | Four 7-minute quarters |
| Girls 8th | Standard foul line | Four 7-minute quarters |
| Division | Foul Line Distance | Game Time |
| Boys 1st | Closer distance for the foul line | Two 12-minute halves |
| Boys 2nd | Closer distance for the foul line | Two 12-minute halves |
| Boys 3rd | 10’ foul line | Two 12-minute halves |
| Boys 4th | 12’ foul line | Two 12-minute halves |
| Boys 5th | Standard foul line | Two 12-minute halves |
| Boys 6th | Standard foul line | Four 7-minute quarters |
| Boys 7th | Standard foul line | Four 7-minute quarters |
| Boys 8th | Standard foul line | Four 7-minute quarters |
Timing and Score Keeping. All games for divisions.
All games for first grade through fifth grade will consist of two 12-minute halves using regulation clock. Regulation clock stops for all whistles-fouls, substitutions, etc.
Sixth, seventh and eighth grade divisions will play four 7-minute quarters. IF the games are behind schedule, a 6-minute quarter may be used. All tournament games will be four 7-minute quarters for these divisions.
Both teams must have a parent/volunteer at the referee table. One team will be responsible for the official scoring book and one parent/volunteer is to work the game clock. Teams are encouraged to keep score and compare it with the official book at the end of each quarter. All discrepancies will be settled by the official. For matters that cannot be determined by the official, the official book stands.
| Division | Defensive Restrictions |
| Girls 1st Girls 2nd | Players must stay in the defensive zone during throw in. Man- to-man defense only. No double teaming a player. |
| Girls 3rd Girls 4th Girls 5th | Defense is only allowed in the front court. No full court press is allowed, except the last 2 minutes of the game when each team can play full court defense. The score must be within 10 points for full court to occur. Defense can engage once the ball has crossed half court and can then be played anywhere on the court. If a team has a 20-point lead or greater, that team can only defend inside the 3-point area. The team with the lead should play a “soft” defense and allow the other team a chance to pass and shoot anywhere on the court without pressure. No stealing the ball. This will apply until the lead gets down to 10 points.
|
| Girls 6th Girls 7th
Girls 8th
| No defensive restrictions unless a team has a 20-point lead. The Mercy Rule will apply if the lead is 20 points or greater. The team in the lead cannot full-court press or half court press or use a trapping defense. The leading team must retreat to within the 3-point area and play a passive defense where no attempt is made to steal the ball from the dribble or to steal a pass. This will apply until the lead gets down to 10 points. |
| Division | Defensive Restrictions |
| Boys 1st Boys 2nd | Players must stay in the defensive zone during throw in. Man- to-man defense only. No double teaming a player. |
| Boys 3rd Boys 4th | Defense is only allowed in the front court. No full court press is allowed, except the last 2 minutes of the game when each team can play full court defense. The score must be within 10 points for full court to occur. Defense can engage once the ball has crossed half court and can then be played anywhere on the court. If a team has a 20-point lead or greater, that team can only defend inside the 3-point area. The team with the lead should play a “soft” defense and allow the other team a chance to pass and shoot anywhere on the court without pressure. No stealing the ball. This will apply until the lead gets down to 10 points.
|
| Boys 5th Boys 6th Boys 7th Boys 8th | No defensive restrictions unless a team has a 20-point lead. The Mercy Rule will apply if the lead is 20 points or greater. The team in the lead cannot full-court press or half court press or use a trapping defense. The leading team must retreat to within the 3-point area and play a passive defense where no attempt is made to steal the ball from the dribble or to steal a pass. This will apply until the lead gets down to 10 points. |
Pre-game
Teams will be permitted 5 minutes to warm up before the game. Referees or league officials may eliminate pre-game warm ups if the schedule is behind to ensure all teams can play.
The official will start the game promptly. The official can start a game even if the teams are not ready. The official will place the ball on the ground and start the 5-second count. The team responsible for throwing the ball in must get to the ball and throw it in with in the allowed 5 seconds of the ball will turn over to the other team.
Start of the Game
Teams have until the designated game time to have five players. A 5-minute grace period will be granted if a team is short players. Failure to field a complete team after the grace period will result in a forfeit.
Teams must start with five players but can finish with less than five.
Additional Rules of the Game
Jump ball will be used to start the game and any overtime periods.
Alternate possession rule will always be in effect.
Each game is allowed five personal fouls. On the 5th foul, the player must leave the game.
Foul shots
The one-and-one bonus starts on the 7th foul of each half. The double bonus (2 shots) starts on the 10th foul. No foul shots are awarded for the players fouled by a player or team in control of the ball.
Player Participation
For each team with 10 or fewer players, each player must play a minimum of half the game. The rule does not apply to players after they have fouled out or can no longer lay due to an injury. For 6th, 7th and 8th graders, each player must play at least 7 minutes. Failure to comply with the player participation rule will result in forfeiture of the game.
Teams
Each church or community center participating in MIBC will be made of 50% of members of the church or community center. The MIBC board may vote on a team comprised of 40% of members of the church or community center if a lack of players puts a team into this situation.
Substitutions
Teams will be allowed to substitute at 2-minute intervals. The officials will call for substitutions on 3-minute intervals at non critical junctures of the game. This substitution break is not a time-out. Coaches should have their players prepared to make a quick switch. 6th, 7th and 8th grade divisions, substitutes must report to the scorekeeper when substituting during the game. Substitutes must wait for the referee to indicate they may enter into the game. After all players have played at least half of the game or 7 minutes for 6th, 7th and 8th grades, the coach has the option to substitute at any dead ball.
Time-Outs
Teams are permitted three time-outs per game and one time-out for each overtime period. Time-outs cannot carry forward. Not time-outs will be charged to a team in the event a player gets inured, regardless of whether he/she is replaced or if he/she goes back into the game.
Overtime Periods
Overtime periods will be three minutes with regulation clock. During the regular season, any overtime period after the first may be “sudden death” that is, the first team to score wins. The officials will make the decision which will be based on the scheduled start time of the next game. For the tournament, overtime will be played to completion until a winner is determined.
Half Time. Half time will be 2 to 5 minutes.
Team Uniforms
MIBC will provide team t-shirts as part of the league fees. T-shirts will not indicate the church or community center. T-shirts will have the MIBC logo on the front and player number on the back. Player numbers may be 0, 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 , 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and/or 25.