WEST SALEM YOUTH BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

 

PROGRAM RULES

West Salem Youth Basketball Association and The PAC Salem sponsors competitive teams for both boys and girls in the 3rd through 8th grade levels. The following rules will apply to all such teams, players, coaches and players’ parents. 

RULE I – PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

1. The West Salem Youth Basketball Association will allow kids (Ages 4th Grade thru 8th Grade) to play for the WSYBA's competitive teams if they either reside anywhere within, or attend a public or private school located anywhere within, the West Salem High School District's boundaries. This is consistent with the School District’s enrollment policy which allows kids who reside anywhere within the School District to attend any school within the School District. 

2. To keep kids from trying out in both West Salem and another city and then choosing which team to play for, the WSYBA will not allow kids to participate in multiple tryouts. Pursuant to that practice, any child who attends a competitive tryout in West Salem is not eligible to attend a competitive tryout (or the equivalent) tryout in Salem or any other city, and vice versa. This policy is posted on the WSYBA's website. The WSYBA will share its tryout lists with the other basketball programs (when needed), to help ensure that no one violates this rule. 

3. Players in the program may not petition to be allowed to tryout for a higher grade-level team, unless there is not enough players for their current age group.   Such a player must display talent and physical capabilities which, in the opinion of the applicable varsity coach. 

 

RULE II – TRYOUT PROCESS AND TEAM FORMATION 

 

1. Prior to prospective players attending the tryout sessions, the parent or guardian of each child must complete a medical release form. 

2. Tryouts will be run by the varsity high school coaches and their assistants from their high school staffs, The PAC Salem and any other participate the Varsity Coach feels necessary to have a part of the tryout.  Board member roles of President, Vice President, Select Coordinators (boys & girls) Coaches Coordinator, and Player Advocate will be also be allowed in the gym to observe and assist in the tryout process. If any of those roles have a child in the tryout, they will not be allowed to observe, unless otherwise approved by the Varsity coach and/or The PAC Salem. 

3. Tryouts will generally cover two nights for each age group and gender. The tryouts will consist of drills and various games geared toward giving the coaches a broad view of the players’ talents and capabilities. 

4. Following the final session for each age group and gender, the varsity coach and staff will select the players for the designated number of teams for that group. Teams will generally consist of 10 players. There will be a minimum of 8 for any team in the competitive program, and a maximum of 10 players. There may be additional members of the team in a “practice only” capacity.

1. The try-out numbers of the players selected for each team will be posted on the Association’s website as soon as possible following the final try-out session. The status of one or more teams may be contingent on the outcome of certain events. In such cases, the posting of that teams’ players may be delayed. 

 

RULE III – COACH SELECTION 

1. Persons desiring to coach a team must request online to be interviewed by the High School coaches and/or The PAC Salem Staff. 

2. Interviews will be scheduled through (but not all) the Coaches Coordinator, Select Coordinators, President & Vice President 

3. The decisions shall be a subject to a unanimous vote.  The High School Varsity coach has the final say. 

4. Each coach will be required to agree to a background check and sign a Code of Ethics, which clearly defines the expectations of behavior on the bench and in the stands. 

5. Coaches and/or an assigned team manager will be responsible for ensuring coaches’ and parents’ behavior is exemplary and offers only positive interaction with the players and referees. 

6. Coaches will be selected after the teams have been formed. 

 

RULE IV – FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

1. The fee charged for each player will cover the following expenses: 

• Uniform

• Gym Fees 

• Trainings

• Coaches

• Scholarships

• 6 tournaments for teams who opt for a Tournament Schedule. 

• Insurance 

• Other Fees associated with the program 

 

RULE V – GAME RULES AND REGULATIONS 

1. All play will generally be consistent with the National Federation High School Rules and the rules of each tournament entered. Each coach is expected to have a basic understanding of such rules. 

2. Players must all participate in each game. Grades 3rd-8th need to give each player a minimum of 12 minutes of playing time in all league and tournament games. Each coach has the discretion to increase or decrease minutes played for situations including, but not limited to: i. The health of the player ii. Attendance and participation in practice iii. Tardiness to games or practice iv. Attitude and level of effort 

3. Playing time questions or issues should first be addressed with the coach before or after a practice through a scheduled appointment.  No parent should approach a coach before, during or after a game or practice. If further clarification or intervention is needed, playing time questions or issues should be directed to the Player Advocate Director. 

4. Player technical fouls should result in the player being removed from the rest of the game.

 

RULE VI – BENCH DECORUM 

1. Each coach and the parents of every player will be required to agree to and sign a Code of Ethics, which clearly defines the expectations of behavior on the bench and in the stands. 

2. Coaches and/or an assigned team manager will be responsible for ensuring coaches’ and parents’ behavior is exemplary and offers only positive interaction with the players and referees. 

3. Coaches are prohibited from voicing disrespectful remarks or using force (such as striking or shoving) to deal with the referees, opponents, or their own players. Additionally, coaches are prohibited from using threatening, demeaning, or abusive language with any referee or player. Any violation of this rule should be reported immediately to the association.

 

 RULE VII – ENFORCEMENT OF RULES 

1. The PAC Salem and Board of Directors is charged with assuring the team composition, practices and games are conducted equitably among the competitive teams of the Association. Further, the board and The PAC Salem is charged with assuring that coaches, players and parents are properly observing these rules. In such cases as it appears there is a problem, The PAC and board will initiate the following procedures:

1. A Situation Report will be completed, outlining the complaint in as much detail as possible. (2) The offending party will be contacted by the Players Advocate and given an opportunity to clarify the situation.

2. If a rule is misunderstood, it will be explained to the offending party. The Situation Report will then be completed, giving an indication that the specific problem has been resolved. 

3. If a rule is objected to and the offending party refuses to follow the rules, then the situation will be discussed by the Board and appropriate action taken. This action may involve a warning, a suspension or, in extreme or repeated cases, removal of the individual from the Program. The Situation Report will then be completed, giving particulars. 

4. Situation Reports are to be maintained by the Players Advocate for three years, and then destroyed. They will not be generally available, other than to the party named in the report and to the Board as needed when dealing with subsequent reports and when appointing coaches. 

 

RULE VIII – COMMITMENT 

1. Each player participating in the program will be required to sign a Commitment Agreement, stating that membership on his/her team will be his/her first-priority activity from the beginning of the winter season as defined by the Oregon School Activities Association through the seasonending league tournament. 

2. Coaches will be authorized to establish team rules for attendance and behavior and to judiciously reduce playing time as a disciplinary tool to enforce such rules

3. Coaches must adhere to the High School Program layout with offensive/Defensive systems.               Zone defenses are prohibited 

 

RULE VIIlI – PRACTICE/TRAININGS

1. All practices are closed.  Only coaches and players may attend practices. 

2. All trainings are closed.  Only trainers, coaches and players may attend trainings.