MYB’s House League is a recreational league that is open to children of all skill levels in grades 1-6 who reside in the Marcellus School District. It is a non-competitive league focused on teaching children the fundamentals of basketball in a positive way that improves skill, knowledge, confidence, discipline, sportsmanship and self-esteem. Ultimately our goal is for all children who participate in MYB’s House League to develop a passion for basketball and reinforce life skills like discipline and sportsmanship that will position them to reach their potential.
Eligibility to Participate
Children in grades 1-6 are eligible to participate in the MYB House League. However, a parent or guardian must first complete the online registration form and pay the registration fee for each player before they can participate. Coaches will review their registration rosters at the start of each season and players who are not properly registered are ineligible to play. If you missed the registration deadline and would like to register late, please email us at myouthbasketball@gmail.com. Coaches are prohibited from allowing children who are not properly registered from playing in MYB’s House League.
Playing Time
Playing time must be distributed equally among all players during House League games. Coaches will do their best to track and ensure equal playing time for all players. However, please understand that there are times when players ask to be substituted, or other events may occur which result in less playing time. Parents who believe this rule is not being followed should notify MYB’s Boys Coordinator, Girls Coordinator or President if not comfortable first addressing the issue with the coach.
Scheduling
MYB understands that last minute scheduling or changes are disruptive to families, and we do our best to avoid this and provide a reliable schedule in advance. MYB is fortunate to have a school district that supports our program and allows us to use its gyms. However, school programs and events take priority over MYB, and we do not control gym access. There are times when MYB is informed with limited notice that previously reserved gym time is no longer available. This happens more frequently at DMS and occurs for many reasons including rescheduling school events due to weather. MYB promptly notifies coaches and parents when this occurs, and we ask for your patience and understanding that it is not the coaches’ fault.
Also, some parents ask why we don’t have set practice days throughout the season like the school teams. We generally can accomplish this for teams who practice in KCH. However, gym availability at DMS varies weekly making it challenging to establish set days of practice. For example, one week we may receive four hours of gym time on Wednesday, the following week we may receive one hour or no time.
Gym Etiquette
A dirty or wet floor is slippery and dangerous. Salt damages gym floors. Therefore, players are required to wear street shoes when entering the building and must change into their basketball shoes in the hallway before entering the gym. Players cannot wear their street shoes when walking on the court. Similarly, players may only wear clean basketball shoes on the court. When players wear their basketball shoes outside and enter the court, particularly during winter months, it makes the court dirty and wet. For the same reason parents and guests should not walk across the court with street shoes. Please use the hallway and enter near the bleachers to avoid getting the court dirty or wet.
Rules
Zone defense is prohibited during games and should not be taught during House League. Man-to-man defense must always be played. Players may (and should) call out screens and switch as needed on defense. However, double teaming and pressing is prohibited.
Players do not have a foul limit during games. However, coaches may disqualify players who are fouling too excessively or aggressively. Timeouts are only allowed for injuries.
Most young players lack the strength to shoot a standard free throw. Thus, players in grades 1-4 may shoot free throws inside the free throw line to accommodate their physical ability. Referees and coaches may decide on a gametime basis the appropriate distance for players to shoot free throws.
A 28.5” basketball must be used for boys and girls in grades 1-6. The basketball hoop must be lowered to 8 ½’ during practices and games for grades 1-2. The basketball hoop must be lowered to between 9 – 9 ½’ for grades 3-4 depending on player strength and ability. The emphasis should be on selecting a rim height that enables players to focus on good shooting form. The basketball hoop will be set at the standard height of 10’ for players in grades 5-6.
Team Selection
Coordinators will confer with coaches and determine the assignment of players to House League teams. Because this is a recreational league, our goal is to create balanced teams resulting in competitive games. Coordinators may reassign players to different teams as the season progresses if needed to ensure teams are properly balanced.
Referees
House League games are refereed by volunteer coaches or Marcellus students who are experienced basketball players and in grades 7-12. Because it is a recreational league, referees will exercise discretion depending on grade level and player skill when deciding which violations to call and the appropriate remedy. For example, for younger players in grades 1-2, referees may call a travel, explain to the player why it was a travel and give them the ball back to continue playing. This is consistent with MYB’s goal of providing a positive and instructional experience. We require that coaches, players, parents and other fans show patience and respect toward referees.
Behavioral Expectations
All players, coaches, parents and guests who participate in or observe MYB practices and games must always be courteous. Coaches are expected to always act professionally towards players, parents and referees. Coaches must engage in positive reinforcement that builds up the child’s desire to play, learn and work hard. Likewise, players and their parents are expected to show coaches and referees courtesy and respect. Our coaches volunteer significant time that allows our children to gain valuable basketball experience for very little cost and their effort should be appreciated.
MYB reserves the right to remove coaches and players from its program for failing to meet these basic expectations. Likewise, MYB Coordinators, coaches and referees may remove parents and guests from practices and games for using inappropriate language and/or harassing other fans, players, coaches or referees.
Questions regarding House League policies should be sent to: myouthbasketball@gmail.com