ST. CHARLES PARISH PARKS AND RECREATION
2023-2024 BASKETBALL RULES
MISSION
The mission of the St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide quality recreation programs, activities, parks and facilities that allow all residents to enhance their quality of life.
ABOUT
The St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation Youth Basketball program provides and promotes a safe, healthy and nurturing environment that fosters development and education of participants of all skill levels.
All St. Charles Parish Parks and Recreation leagues, unless otherwise noted, prioritize instruction and education of sports and athletic games, which in turn teach life skills, invite camaraderie through social equity and promote health and wellness, all pillars of Parks and Recreation.
There are three core reasons “Why We Play”:
1. To educate our players on athletic and life skills they can use both on and off the playing surface.
2. To build community and provide a safe environment for participants across all levels of Parks and Recreation.
3. To have fun.
Lastly, the St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation expects the highest level of behavior, reflecting a positive and honorable environment from its coaches, volunteers, participants and spectators.
GENERAL LEAGUE INFORMATION
1. All St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation Basketball Leagues will consist of a minimum of eight scheduled games, including a postseason tournament for participants in age groups from 7-15.
2. Once the season schedule is established, games will not be rescheduled, except for school-sanctioned activities.
a. In the event a school-sanctioned activity leaves a team without the minimum number of players (4) to play a game, the Department of Parks and Recreation will attempt to reschedule the game. Note: due to the length of the regular season schedule and gymnasium accommodations, some games may not be able to be rescheduled.
3. A team must have a minimum of four (4) players to be eligible to play. Otherwise, the game will result in a forfeit.
a. In the event a head coach is unable to coach, an assistant coach or parent who has completed a verified background check through the Department of Parks and Recreation will be able to stand in for the head coach.
b. If a team does not have a verified coach or parent to stand in, the game will result in a forfeit.
4. Teams forfeiting two (2) consecutive games will be removed from the league.
PLAYER CREDENTIALS
1. All players must be registered with their respective booster clubs (the booster club within the boundaries of where the player lives).
2. Local players cannot be added to the roster after the registration deadline.
3. Players moving into the parish after the start of the season may be added to the roster before half of the scheduled games have been played.
4. Players may participate in an older age group should their Booster Club not have a team in their respective age group.
5. A coach may coach outside of a booster club boundary, but his/her child will still be restricted by boundary rules.
6. A player cannot play for more than one (1) recreation team during the season.
7. If a player moves from their permanent residence from a booster club area after a season begins, the player involved will play with the team which he/she began the season.
8. The cut-off date for basketball is September 1 (Age on or before September 1).
9. Boys age groups: 5/6, 7, 8, 9/10, 11/12, & 13/15.
10. Girls age groups: 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, & 11/13.
CONDUCT
1. All coaches, players, volunteers and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a respectable manner. Coaches are expected to set an example for their team in behavior and sportsmanship.
2. Prior to the beginning of the season, coaches must sign the Code of Ethics and Guidelines.
3. Parents and Guardians are also responsible for signing the Parent Code of Ethics.
4. The following behaviors are prohibited:
· The use of profanity by any player, coach, or spectator.
· Ridicule by coaches, players or spectators about officials, opposing teams, etc.
· Smoking or vaping in the gyms or on school grounds. (5.30 Tobacco Controlled Substances Policy adopted by St. Charles Parish Schools.)
· Use and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages at any gym or on school grounds during recreation activities.
· Cheating or gross misbehavior.
o Violation will result in a dismissal from St. Charles Parish Department of Parks & Recreation Programming for a minimum of (2) years. This includes but is not limited to players, coaches and spectators.
· Dunking or intentional contact with the net will not be allowed in games or warm-ups. Any player in violation will not be allowed to participate in his/her upcoming game. Repeated violation of this rule will cause the Recreation Department to suspend that player for the remainder of the season.
5. Any player, coach parent or spectator who physically assaults an official will be removed from the gym and will not be allowed to participate in Recreation Department-sponsored activities and events for a period of two (2) years, via Louisiana Rev. Stat. Ann. Section 14-34-4 p34.4. Battery of a school or recreation athletic contest official, which states:
A. (1) Battery of a school or recreation athletic contest official is a battery committed without the consent of the victim when the offender has reasonable grounds to believe the victim is a school athletic or recreation contest official.
(2) For purposes of this Section, "school athletic contest official" means any referee, umpire, coach, instructor, administrator, staff person, or school or school board employee of any public or private elementary and secondary school while actively engaged in the conducting, supervising, refereeing, or officiating of a school sanctioned interscholastic athletic contest.
(3) For purposes of this Section, "recreation athletic contest official" means any referee, umpire, coach, instructor, administrator, staff person, or recreation employee of any public or quasi-public recreation program while actively engaged in the conducting, supervising, refereeing, or officiating of a sanctioned recreation athletic contest.
B. (1) Whoever commits the crime of battery of a school or recreation athletic contest official shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars and imprisoned not less than forty-eight hours nor more than six months without benefit of suspension of sentence, except as provided in Paragraph (2).
(2) The court, in its discretion, may suspend the imposition of the sentence and place the offender on probation with the condition that he shall perform five days of community service work. Failure to successfully complete the community service work, as determined by the supervisor of the program to which he is assigned, may result in revocation of probation.
Acts 1990, No. 675, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1046, §1.
COACH’S RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT
1. Coaches and assistants must wear their background check badges.
a. Violation will result in a Technical Foul for the coach and assistants.
2. Coaches must provide their team roster prior to the beginning of each game.
3. Gym attendants will check team rosters before each game.
4. Games played against teams outside of the parish must be cleared by the Recreation Department.
5. The Head Coach is responsible for keeping the bench clear of individuals who are not members of the staff.
6. Coaches are responsible for maintaining control of their players while in the gym.
7. The bench will consist of players, the head coach and two (2) assistants. All coaches and assistants must have an approved background screening.
8. If a player is “benched” for disciplinary reasons, sickness, etc., the official scorer and opposing coach must be notified before the start of the game.
GAME RULES (ALL AGE GROUPS)
1. Goal heights will be set as follows:
a. Ages 8 and under: 8.5’
b. Ages 9-10: 9’
c. Ages 11 and up: 10’
2. A 10-minute grace period will be in effect for the first scheduled game of the day in the event the minimum number of players are not present.
a. This rule only takes place for the first game of the day.
3. Games will consist of four 8-minute run time quarters. The clock will stop during the remaining two minutes of each half.
a. Each team will be allowed (4) timeouts per game. Timeouts must be used accordingly (2) in the first half and (2) in the second half.
b. Timeouts will be 30 second timeouts. Timeouts do not carry over into the next half.
4. The clock will only stop during the following:
a. An official timeout
i. Note: the clock will not stop for a player tying their shoes. Players should ensure their shoes are tied prior to the game.
b. Technical Fouls
5. In the event of a tied score after regulation time has expired, the game will result as a tie.
6. All players must check in at the scorers’ table before entering the game
7. Two (2) technical fouls against a player or coach will result in that player or coach being removed from the game. The player or coach will not be allowed to play in the teams’ next game. Forfeited games will not be considered as the next game.
8. Three (3) technical fouls against a team will result in the head coach being asked to leave the gym. The coach must leave the gym immediately and will not be able to coach the team’s next game. (Forfeits will not be considered as a game). The coach may appeal his ejection to the Recreation Department before his next game. Any coach removed from two (2) games will not be allowed to coach for the remainder of the season. (Further disciplinary action may also be taken.)
9. Teams will “jump ball” only to begin the game.
10. When the official blows his or her whistle, all play stops.
a. If a player shoots the ball after a whistle their team will receive one (1) delay-of- game warning. Further violation of this rule will result in two (2) foul shots for the opposing team.
11. Upon a team’s fifth foul, the opposing team will be in the “bonus” and will shoot two (2) free throws. Fouls will reset at the end of each quarter.
12. A team will now be in the “Bonus” upon a team's fifth (5th) foul. The opposing team will shoot two (2) free throws. Fouls will reset at the end of each quarter.
13. Should a team possess a lead of twenty (20) or more points, a running clock will go into effect.
20-Point Mercy Rules
· There will be no pressing.
· Teams must guard inside the 3-point line.
· Team will receive one (1) warning from the official.
§ Second Warning will result in a Technical Foul for the team. The opposing team will shoot two (2) free throw shots.
§ Third Warning and beyond will result in Technical Foul for the team. The opposing team will shoot two (2) free throw shots and will retain possession.
POSTSEASON TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
1. The end-of-season tournament will be a single elimination tournament.
a. Teams are seeded via blind draw conducted by the St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation.
i. Information regarding the end-of-season tournament is available at the beginning of each season online at www.scpparksandrec.com.
2. Overtime periods will only be played during postseason play.
a. In the event an overtime period is needed, the overtime period will be two (2) minutes.
b. Teams are each awarded one (1) timeout.
c. Teams will “jump ball” to begin the overtime period.
GAMES RULES (PER AGE GROUP)
5/6 Boys & Girls
· A five (5) second lane violation will be in effect.
· The offensive team is allowed to reset the ball twice if a violation occurs. After the second violation the ball is turned over to the opposing team. The violations include double dribbling, carrying and traveling.
· All inbound passes must be taken from the side, not underneath the goals.
Note; There will be no free throws during the games. Teams receiving the foul will take the ball at half court
T
· No full court press or fastbreaks allowed. Players must be allowed to bring the ball over the half-court line without hindrance. (Fastbreaks may occur on the opening jump ball only)
· Defending players must always remain with 2 feet inside the box.
Th There will be no postseason tournament.
7/8 Boys & Girls
· A five (5) second lane violation will be in effect.
· The offensive team turns the ball over if a violation occurs. The violations include; double dribbling, carrying, and traveling.
· All inbound passes must be taken from the side not underneath the goals.
· Must allow the offensive team to cross the mid court line. Once passed the midline, 1 defender is allowed to attack the ball after 5 seconds. However, the defender must remain inside the 3pt line until the 5 second timeline has depleted. The official will signal when the defensive player is allowed to guard the ball handler. All shots behind the 3-point line will count as 2 points.
· The press is allowed only during the last two minutes of the 4th quarter when a team is down by less than 12 points.
· Throughout the game, if a player steals the ball from the ball handler, that defender has the right to push the ball up the court. If a defensive player intercepts a pass tipped or not, they are allowed to push the ball up the court. The player who steals or intercepts the ball must complete the play. Players cannot advance the ball on a rebound.
9/10 Boys & Girls, 11/12 Boys, 11/13 Girls & 13/15 Boys
· A three (3) second lane violation will be in effect.
· Teams may fastbreak throughout the game.
· The press is allowed in the last two minutes of each half.
o In the event a team leads by 20 or more points, the press cannot be used and the mercy rules listed above will go into effect.