St. Mark Church Basketball League Rules
1. Rules of Conduct: Each player and coach is expected to remember that the purpose of the league is to provide enjoyable basketball play and instruction in a Christian atmosphere.
2. Coaches’ Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of the coach to stress the importance of good conduct to his or her players and to set a good Christian example for his or her players. The coach is to remind the players there will be no swearing, arguing, taunting or challenging the calls of officials. The coach is to remember that he must distribute even playing time among all the players, and try to play each player for one quarter. The coach will be responsible for the fans of his team. He will remind the fans that they are to support their coaches, players and officials. The coach may not enter the court unless given permission by the official to attend an injured player. If he otherwise attempts to go on to the court, he will be assessed a technical foul. The second time he will be automatically ejected from the game.
3. Pre-game: Prior to the pre-game prayer, officials and coaches will meet to make sure everyone understands league rules, especially the conduct and purpose of this league.
4. Pre-game Prayer: Both teams will gather together at center court for a pre-game prayer. Both teams will be asked to say a short prayer. A player or coach can say the prayer. There will be prayer cards at the scorers table if a team forgets to bring a prayer. Also, at the end of the game, both teams must shake hands at center court and congratulate each other on playing a good game.
5. Warm-up Time: there shall be a 5-minute warm-up before each game. There will be a 3-minute half-time break. There is no warm-up after half time.
6. Forfeitures: A 10-minute grace period will be allowed from the scheduled starting time in order for each team to have the required five players on the court. If there is a forfeit, the team that showed up may use the court time to practice.
7. Time Clock: There will be a running clock. The clock will be stopped only for shooting free throws, time outs and for every whistle during the last minute of the first, second and third quarters. The clock will stop for every whistle during the last two minutes of the fourth quarter. All divisions are eight-minute quarters. Overtime period will be three minutes with last minute stopping on every whistle.
8. Timeouts: Each team will have two timeouts per half. Unused timeouts from second half only will carry over into the overtime periods, and each team will receive an additional timeout for each overtime period.
9. Foul Bonus: All teams will shoot one and one after seven fouls. After ten team fouls, the team will shoot two free throws. Players may not enter the lane on a free-throw attempt until the ball hits the rim. All players must be behind the free throw line when shooting the foul shots.
10. Full Court Press Rule: 5th-6th Grade Division [boys & girls]: Teams are not allowed to full court press until the last two minutes of regulation play and overtime. If a team is leading by 10 points or more, no full court press is allowed. 7th-8th Grade Division [boys & girls]” Any team leading by 10 points or more is not allowed to employ a full court press. Under 10 points, the full court press is allowed throughout the game.
11. Ejections: The ejection of a player or coach from a game by an official will result in an automatic suspension of the individual for the next two scheduled games for the first offense. The second offence will result in suspension for the remainder of the season.
12. Fast Breaks: Fast breaks are allowed at all levels. For the sportsmanship and fellowship of the league, please use your discretion when leading by a comfortable margin.
13. High School Players: A player cannot play in the league if he or se played or is playing on a high school team.
14. Referees: St. Mark will provide paid referees for all games. Referees are encouraged to call technical fouls for any unsportsmanlike conduct by a player or coach. The referee has the authority to eject fans from the game if they are considered to be acting in a manner that is not suitable for the game. Except for St. Mark League exceptions in the rules, the IHSA rules will be enforced. All officials will sign the scorebook before the game starts. Please print your name. This will indicate you presence at the game and will determine if you get paid for your time.
15. Protests: All protests will be decided on the spot by the officials, scorekeepers and coaches. If a decision cannot be reached, officials will have final authority.
16. Scorekeepers and Timer: Each team will be responsible to assign a representative to keep score in the official scorebook. Each coach should have this assigned before the game starts or before your team is to warm-up. Also, the Head Coach should have the official lineups in the scorebook.
17. Girl Players: A girl player may be permitted to play in a boys division if she meets grade requirements.
18. Underage Players: An underage player may be permitted to play in an older division under certain circumstances to fill rosters or to prevent a forfeit with the approval of league directors. On any team that does this, the coach is responsible for the wellbeing of that player.
19. Bad Weather: Games may be postponed due to bad weather and made up by mutual agreement of coaches and a league director. The gymnasium official and league director must be notified of postponement before the scheduled game time. Games must be made up and scores reported to the league directors prior to eh final regular season game. Otherwise, a loss will be recorded for both teams.
20. Final Standings: Team positions for tournament play will be based on standings at the end of the regular season. In the event of a tie, the team with the best record in games between the tied teams will be placed ahead in the standing. If there is still a tie, the team which won the last game played between the teams will be placed ahead in the standings.
21. Rosters/Parental Consent: All official rosters must be submitted to the league director by the first game of the season. If roster is not handed in, your team will forfeit the first game and any further games until roster is handed in. Parental consent forms are to be in the coach’s hand by the first game of the year or that player may not participate until form is turned in.
22. League Entry Fees: Cost for participating in the 5th/6th Grade and High School Leagues is $700 per team. Cost for participating in the 7th/8th Grade League is $500 per team. Fees are due before the first game of the season. No team will be allowed to play until fee is paid. Please make checks payable to St. Mark Boosters and give to Tony Molini, or mail checks to the address listed below:
Tony Molini
215 Candota Avenue
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
St. Mark League Directors:
Jay Gipson 847/398-8137
Tony Molini 847/259-6904
St. Mark Gymnasium: 847/253-0655
