Purpose
The purpose of the draft process is to distribute talent equitably among the all teams in every division in order to create a competitive balance and to provide each team with an equal chance of success. Parity is the goal.

Player Eligibility

• A player must meet the current age/grade requirements provided on the registration page.
• There are no geographic restrictions.
• A player who is currently on a high school basketball team or Fairfax County Youth Basketball league (FCYBL) is not eligible to play in the “House” league.

Team Size
Each team shall consist of no less than 7 and no more than 9 players. In the interest of maximizing playing time the target team size in lower divisions is 7 to 8 while in the upper divisions is 8 to 9, where player availability for games is historically lower. Within each division team size will vary by no more than one player so as not to give any team an advantage or disadvantage.

Player Evaluation
Players are required to attend evaluation sessions at which skill level will be assessed. Coaches are required to attend these sessions as part of their preparation for the draft. Coaches are provided with information such as registration data, prior year evaluation results and scoring statistics to assist them in their assessment.

With the exception of players returning to the same division who have elected to return to the same team with the same coach, player participation in the designated evaluation sessions is mandatory, including:

• Players new to the league or new to the division (aging up)
• Players returning to the division whose coach is not returning to the division
• Sons and/or daughters of all coaches and assistant coaches
• Players in the 3rd – 4th grade divisions
• Players electing to re-enter the draft if they do not wish to remain on the same team as the previous year

Alternate evaluation session will be held to minimize no shows resulting from scheduling conflicts.

Draft Process Summary
A draft will be conducted to distribute players onto teams following the process below:

1. Coaches draw for determination of draft order.
2. Players frozen on to teams are slotted into a draft round reflective of their ability – the round in which they would reasonably be drafted if they we eligible for the draft.
3. Players at the evaluation or players about which there is sufficient knowledge or playing ability are eligible to be drafted; players not at the evaluation and about which there is insufficient knowledge of playing ability will be entered into the “hat”. Players may be selected from the hat at any time via blind draw.
4. The draft will be conducted by the “serpentine” method whereby the last pick in each round will get the first pick in the next round.

Freezes
Coaches New the Division
Teams are permitted to freeze up to two players: the son or daughter of the head coach and the son or daughter of one registered assistant coach. In the event that a coach or assistant coach has more than one son or daughter who desires to play on the same team each sibling will be frozen.

Coaches Returning to the Same Division and Team
If a head coach is coaching the same team as the prior year and his assistant coach and his/her son/daughter from the previous year are no longer members of the team, the coach will be allowed to select a new assistant coach and to “freeze” his/her new assistant’s son or daughter. In the event an assistant coach does not return to the team but the former assistant coach’s son/daughter does return to the team for the 2nd year the head coach may not freeze the son/daughter of a new assistant.

A coaches with an immediate family relationship to a player in the division other than parent/child (guardian, sibling, or other family relationship living with the player) will be entitled to draft the related player as in same manner as above. Coaches with no family relationship with any player in the division will not be permitted to freeze a player.

Slotting
Players frozen on to teams are slotted into a draft round reflective of their ability – the round in which they would reasonably be expected to be drafted if they were eligible for selection by all coaches in the draft. Slotting is accomplished principally by mutual consent of the coaches present at the draft, with the League reserving the ultimate prerogative to determine slotting unilaterally. If a team freezes two players, who are both considered first round picks the League will have the option to make modifications to the draft rules in order to minimize this “advantage” in the interest of team parity.

If the son/daughter of a head coach or assistant coach does not participate in the evaluation and the League does not have adequate information to fairly slot the player the League may slot them in any round deemed appropriate, including the first round.

Trades
Trades may take place during the draft based on a mutual consent of the coaches involved. Once the draft is complete and team formation has been confirmed no further trades will be permitted except when extenuating circumstances exist. After the draft, trades will only take place with the mutual consent of The League, the coaches, players and players parents that are involved.

Attendance at Draft
Only head coaches and their assistants will be allowed to participate in and attend the drafts. Players and children of coaches are strictly forbidden from being in the room during the drafts. All information shared during the draft should be kept in the strictest of confidence.

Late Registrants
All players who register by the posted registration deadline will be assigned to a team. After this date the number of teams per division is established based on registration levels, coach availability and anticipated late registrants. A division will be “closed” when the maximum number of players is reached. Players who register after this point will be put on a “waiting” list. Late registrants will continue to be added up until games begin in the division.

Players Dropping Out
In the event that a player quits or an injury occurs that prohibits that player from playing for the remainder of the season the player’s coach must notify the League immediately. This will allow the League to replace the lost player with a late registrant or from the wait list.

Special Requests
The League does not solicit or encourage special requests and provides no assurance that they be accommodated. Typically these request are to allow a player to play with a friend, a player that would facilitate car pool, a particular team, a particular coach or on a team with a specific practice night. The League will make reasonable efforts to fulfill requests in order to enhance the participation opportunity of the individual players involved and to be sympathetic to the needs of individual players and their families. At the end of the draft coaches may help the league to meet these special requests by making trades to accommodate them. Special requests will only be satisfied if doing so does not impact team parity.

NFSHSA Rules
All games shall be played and officiated in accordance with the current Basketball Rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSHSA).

House Rules General
The objective of the “House” Rules is to complement the NFSHSA to enhance the opportunities for all participants and to ensure that the proper recreational basketball environment is maintained. In the event there is a conflict between the NFSHSA Rules and the House Rules will apply.

Game Timing
Games will start at the scheduled start time.

For games running late a minimum of five minutes transition and warm up time between games will be permitted.

Half times shall generally be four (4) minutes, no less than three (3) and no more than five (5) minutes.

If the start of a game is delayed by fifteen minutes or more, a running clock may be instituted by the referee or League official in the interest of getting games back on schedule. A running clock will not be used during the final 2 minutes of any half.

Time Outs
Each team will be given 4 full time outs per game. Time outs will be one (1) minute in length. One extra timeout is given for each overtime period in a game. Injury time outs will not be charged.

Overtime
In case of a tie at the end of regulation play, one extra period of two (2) minutes shall be played. If the game is still tied after the first overtime, additional overtime periods will be played as follows:

Regular Season: An un-timed, sudden death period will be played. The first team to score in sudden death will be considered the winner.
Tournament Play: Additional two (2) minute overtime periods will be played until a winner is determined.

Player Minimum
A team must have at least four (4) rostered, eligible players on the court to start a game and at least three (3) rostered, eligible players on the court to finish a game. The coach of a team that is playing against a team with less than five players, may either play with five or may play down in the interest of keeping the contest closer.

A team that does not have four (4) players to start a game or three (3) players to finish a game must forfeit. In the event of forfeiture the teams may elect to play a “scrimmage”, which will not count in the standings. In such a scrimmage, rostered players from other teams in the division may be used to complement the team that is short players or players may be “loaned” from one team to the other.

Playing Time
Adequate and equitable playing time is a key component of the House League basketball program.

3rd through 8th Grade Divisions
Each player who arrives at the gym prior to the start of the game MUST play at least two (2) full, unbroken, but not necessarily consecutive quarters of every game (from start to finish with no substitution). Two half quarters do not equal one unbroken quarter. Players who arrive at some point during the first half must play at least one (1) full quarter (from start to finish with no substitution). Players who arrive after the completion of the 1st half will play at the coach’s discretion (no minimum playing time is required).

For all 9th - 12th Grade Divisions
Each player who arrives at the gym prior to the start of the game MUST play at least one (1) full, unbroken (from start to finish with no substitution) quarter and some combination of minutes during the other three (3) quarters that would total eight (8) minutes. Two half quarters do not equal one unbroken quarter. The intent of this rule is to ensure that each player gets to play the equivalent of sixteen (16) minutes of each game as long as they arrive at the gym on time.
Players who arrive at some point during the first half must play at least one (1) full quarter (from start to finish with no substitution). Players who arrive after the completion of the 1st half will play at the coach’s discretion (no minimum playing time is required).

Exceptions

• Player injury. If a player is removed from the game by injury, verified by the referee, no minimum playing time applies. In the case of an injury the coach of the injured player shall notify the opposing coach of the player’s injury before play is resumed. If the injury is minor and the player, in the judgment of the coach, can return without risk of further injury, then the coach is obligated to return the player to the game at the first opportunity. For purposes of following the playing time rules, if a player is removed due to injury during any given quarter and does or does not return to play during that quarter he/she shall be considered to have played the entire quarter from which he/she was removed.
• If a player has a chronic condition, such as asthma, or if a player is recovering from an injury or illness the coach should always err on the side of caution. If, in the judgment of the parent, the child can play without endangering his or her health, but stamina is an issue, the coach should inform the opposing coach prior to the start of the game. In this case, if the player needs to come out of the game he/she should be treated like an injured player above.
• Disqualification. If a player is disqualified from the game due to having acquired 5 personal fouls or due to ejection by the referee then no minimum playing time applies.
• Early departure. If a player has to leave the game before it’s conclusion the playing time rule shall be administered as follows:

• Player leaves before half-time. No minimum playing time is required.
  Player leaves at half-time. Player is required to play at least one (1) full, unbroken quarter.
• Player leaves after half-time but before the end of the game. Player is required to play at least one (1) full, unbroken quarter and some portion of another quarter.

• Disciplinary Reasons.
  Inappropriate behavior or poor sportsmanship. In the event a player exhibits inappropriate behavior or poor sportsmanship during a game or a practice the coach will have the option of disciplining that player by limiting playing time. Whenever playing time is limited for disciplinary reasons the coach must:

• Notify the player of the reason he/she is being disciplined and the specific consequences
• Notify the player’s parent(s) of the reason for the discipline and the specific consequences
• Notify the commissioner of the reason for the discipline (when possible & appropriate)
• Notify the opposing coach that playing time is being withheld from a player due to inappropriate behavior.
• Reducing or eliminating playing time must be done consistently under this exception. Players are not to be treated differently based on their ability.

Absence from practice or games
If a player repeatedly fails to attend team practices and/or games without notifying the coach or without reasonable excuse (illness, injury, school, work, etc.) the minimum playing requirement may be wiaved, provided:

• The coach has made all players and their parents aware of the possible consequences if a player repeatedly misses practices and/or games.
• The coach notifies the League at least one day prior to the day of the game and obtains approval to invoke this rule.
• Once the approval from the League is obtained the coach must inform the player and his/her parents of the consequences prior to the day of the game. The ability to invoke this rule does not include a situation where a player has a conflict or illness, which prohibits him or her from making the team’s regularly scheduled practice. If a player has a regular conflict with his team’s scheduled practice the coach should make The League aware of this conflict. The League should try to move this player to another team so that he or she will be able to practice with minimal conflicts.
• The coach notifies the opposing coach and the scorekeeper of this disciplining action. (The scorekeeper should make a note in the score book referencing this action.)

Intentionally asking a player not to show up or asking a player to show up late will not be tolerated.

Playing Time Rule Violations
The League will review each incident when a coach/team is accused of a playing time violation. The League takes these accusations seriously. The League will respond to each alleged violation as it deems appropriate based on a thorough review of all the facts and circumstances. Any team that violates the “playing time” rules may be required to forfeit all games in which these rules are violated. Additional disciplinary action may also be taken against the coach including but not limited to a temporary or permanent suspension from coaching duties.

Division-Specific Rules Summary

Divisions	Quarters	Playing Time	Back Court Press Prohibition	Ball	Special
Boys 3rd & 4th Grade	6 Minutes	2 Full Quarters	If leading by 10 Points	28.5	No 3-point shot Foul shot from 12" in front of line No press until 6th game of season When using Clearview Elementary a back court violation will only be called when the player crosses 1/2 court and then later retreats behind the 3/4 court line.
Girls 3rd & 4th Grade	6 Minutes	2 Full Quarters	If leading by 10 Points	28.5	No 3-point shot Foul shot from 24" in front of line No press until 6th game of season
Boys 5th & 6th Grade	6 Minutes	2 Full Quarters	If leading by 10 Points	Regulation	The 3 point rule will be followed if the floor has an official 3 point marking
Girls 5th & 6th Grade	6 Minutes	2 Full Quarters	If leading by 10 Points	28.5	The 3 point rule will be followed if the floor has an official 3 point marking
Boys 7th & 8th Grade	7 Minutes	2 Full Quarters	If leading by 15 Points	Regulation
Girls 7th & 8th Grade	7 Minutes	2 Full Quarters	If leading by 15 Points	28.5
Boys 9th & 10th Grade	8 Minutes	1 Full + 8 additional minutes	If leading by 15 Points	Regulation
Girls 9th & 12th Grade	8 Minutes	1 Full + 8 additional minutes	If leading by 15 Points	28.5
Boys 11th & 12th Grade	8 Minutes	1 Full + 8 additional minutes	If leading by 15 Points	Regulation

General Rules and Policies

1. The coach or assistant coach must enter or verify team rosters in the official scorebook prior to the start of each game.
2. Gym floors will be kept clear, except for warm-up of current teams, between quarters and halves.
3. Coaches and players must remain in the area of their “bench” while the game is in progress.
4. Food and drinks are not allowed in Fairfax County Gyms. Coaches are discouraged from having “team snacks” due to concerns about spillage in the gyms and schools.
5. In the event there is not at least one official present for the game, it will be the division coordinator’s accountability to address the situation. If the division coordinator is not present it will be the coaches shared responsibility. The scheduled referee(s) (if known) or referee scheduler must immediately be contacted by phone. If no official is present within 5 minutes past the scheduled start time, the coaches are empowered to either officiate the game or find a qualified willing adult to officiate. Coaches or other volunteers may want to each take half the game. If no officiating solution acceptable to both coaches can be established, the coaches may decide to cancel the game and hold a scrimmage that will not count in the standings. The game may or may not be able to be made up.
6. Any coach or player that receives two (2) technical fouls or one (1) flagrant foul will be ejected from the game and will not be allowed to coach or play in the next played game. Any player or coach that is ejected twice in the same season for the reasons stated above (even if the ejections occurred with different teams) will be dismissed from the league for the remainder of the season.
7. Protests of games should be avoided. Unavoidable protests must be noted in the official scorebook by the coach making the protest either during or immediately following the game under protest. Protests can only be made if the opposing team is suspected of a rule violation. Protests involving judgment calls by the referees will not be recognized. The coach that lodges the protest must submit to the division commissioner in writing of the reasons for the protest. The League Board will review and determine the resolution of protests. All decisions of the Board will be final.
8. Any person harassing an official, player or coach or otherwise behaving in a disruptive manner must be asked to stop by the coach. If the coach is unsuccessful the offending person will be asked to stop by the “ranking official” in the gym including but not limited to the Volunteer Building Director, age group commissioner, league commissioner or referee. If these requests fail the offending person will be asked to leave the gym and the immediate premises. If everything else fails, as a last resort, the game will be stopped and the team associated with the offending person will lose by reason of forfeit.
9. The League reserves the right to interpret and modify these rules as needed to ensure the desired philosophy and playing experience achieved.

Guidelines
Man Defense
Coaches are expected to teach and have their team play man for man defense during each game. There is no absolute requirement to do so, however. Teaching and playing a man for man defense is an important component of helping each player to gain a full understanding of the different defenses in basketball. Teaching a man for man defense is an important responsibility for every good coach.

Playing Time with Six players in Attendance
The intent of these guidelines is to encourage coaches of teams that have only six players in attendance to allow each player to play in 75% of the minutes of the game.

• 3rd through 8th grade divisions: each player should play at least three (3) unbroken quarters.
• 9th through 12th grade divisions: each player should play at least one (1) unbroken quarter and some combination of minutes during the remaining three (3) quarters equivalent to sixteen (16) minutes or two (2) additional quarters.

Lopsided Contests
Despite the League’s overt efforts to ensure balanced teams, lopsided contest will occur. In the these circumstances, coaches are encouraged to follow these sportsmanship guidelines:

• DO limit playing time of top scorers to the minimum and give lesser players an opportunity for additional experience
• DO consider moving players to positions they may not ordinarily play or play a style of offense or defense to which they are less accustomed
• DO NOT encourage players to go into a deliberate stall mode
• DO NOT tell players to stop playing their game

Tie Breaking Procedure
The following procedures will be used to determine final division standings and seeding for post season tournament.

1. When two teams are tied in the standings, regular season head-to-head results are used as the tiebreaker.
2. If the two tied teams split their regular season games or did not play each other, the tie is broken by comparing the combined record of each team's opponents throughout the season. The team with the stronger "strength of schedule" wins.
3. If the two tied teams split their regular season games or did not play each other, and strength of schedule is equal, the tie is broken by comparing each team's record against the team occupying the highest position in the standings, and then continuing down the standings until one team gains an advantage.
4. If three or more teams are tied, the combined records of each team against the other tied teams is used to break the tie. After this procedure, if two teams remain tied, procedures 1, 2 and 3 are followed.
5. If there is more than one tie in the standings, and when utilizing the tie breaking procedures there are a pair of teams tied, a team's record against the combined tied team is used, rather than performance against the individual tied teams.
6. If procedures above fail to establish an advantage, a coin flip to break the tie will be conducted by the commissioner.

Code of Conduct
All participants will:

• Model sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect for all participants at all times, including teammates, coaches, players, opposing players, officials and parents
• Be humble in victory and courteous in defeat.
• Make no demonstrable protests about officiating during play of the game
• Shake hands with opposing coaches, players and referees at the conclusion of each game.
  Players are expected to:
• Attend all games and practices; notify the coach in the event you will be absent or late for a game or practice.
• Follow the directions of the coaches, realizing that the coaches are volunteering their time to help make this league possible.
  Parents are expected to:
• Arrange for appropriate, timely transportation for their child to/from practices and games.
• Ensure that coaches are notified in the event that their daughter/son will be late or absent from a practice or a game.
• Provide positive support and encouragement.
• Assist coaches and the league as needed, including volunteering support as scorekeeper, timekeeper, team parent, building director or other volunteer position

Coach

• Know and play by the letter and the spirit of the rules with particular emphasis on ensuring full compliance with the playing time rule
• Demonstrate exemplary sportsmanship and decorum at all times
• Provide balanced direction and feedback to players during practices as well as before, during and after games – encouraging and reinforcing positives whenever possible, as well will constructively pointing mistakes/opportunities for improvement
• With respect to questions around officiating - in a calm, non-confrontational demeanor, seek out officials before or after the start of a quarter to ask about interpretation of a rule or to seek clarification of an official’s specific call or non-call
• Control players, parents and fans associated with your team