A. ICBA player eligibility

• A copy of an official state birth certificate is required for all athletes participating in the ICBA for the current year and medical release form.

B. ICBA League Admission and Acceptance

• Right to refuse entry
  • The ICBA reserves the right to refuse admission to the league to any club, team, coach, player or official.
  • As of 12/15/2017, the ICBA will only consider accepting organizations that are in areas not already represented by an organization in the ICBA.
• Subjection to rules
  • Upon acceptance by the league, all clubs, officers, representatives, players and members shall be bound to abide by the rules of the ICBA and by all decisions of the ICBA.
  • Conduct deemed to be detrimental to the ICBA is reason for removal from the league or non-acceptance to the league. This applies to club, team, coach, player or official.
• All decisions are based on the ICBA using its own criteria, determined by what it deems to be in best interested of the ICBA.
• New Organizations
  • All organizations must have a head of basketball operations and be associated with a youth organization board of directors, who, along with the head of basketball operations, will be responsible for holding any individual (s) associated with their organization accountable for league violations.  Organizations must have a home gym, be able to provide eight home dates for each team during the ICBA season and must carry and provide proof of insurance by the ICBA.
  • New Organizations must have proper insurance required by ICBA, and be able to provide eight home dates (ICBA uses six) for each team entering ICBA.
  • THE ICBA DOES NOT ACCEPT INDIVIDUAL TEAMS 
• e. Background and Clearances
  • All Organizations will be required by ICBA to affirm their compliance with these laws and retain copies of all clearances for their volunteers.  Effective July 1, 2015 Pennsylvania State Law will require every volunteer working with children to obtain the following three security clearances.
    • Child Abuse Background Check
    • PA State Police Background Check
    • Signed Disclosure Form
    • If you have resided outside of Pennsylvania at any point over the past 10 years, you will also be required to complete the FBI fingerprinting check
    • ICBA may recommend a service provider for record archival.
  • Each organization is required to provide the ICBA VOLUNTEER AFFIRMATION LETTER.  Any organization that does not provide will be ineligible to participate in the ICBA.

C. Age/Grade based Divisions

• a. Age Determining Date/Grade Exception Rule
  • August 1^st, shall be the determining date for the age of the basketball players. Eligibility to participate is based first on the age determining date. The grade of the athlete is not a consideration if the athlete meets the age determining date. An athlete who does not meet the age determining date may qualify under the grade exception rule. In the 8U/3nd Grade through the High School League, each team is allowed a maximum of three grade exception athletes.
  • 14/15/16 and Under/9^th 10^th, 11^th grade league - born on or after - August 1^st and/or in the 9^th - 11^th grade: Grade Exception: A player who is in the 11th grade and who was born before August 1^st can participate in the High School League.
  • 13 and Under/8th grade - born on or after - August 1^st and in the 8^th grade: Grade Exception: A player who is in the 8^th grade and who was born before August 1^st can participate in the 13U league.
  • 12 and Under/7th grade - born on or after - August 1^st and in the 7^th grade: Grade Exception: A player who is in the 7^th grade and who was born before August 1^st can participate in the 12U league.
  • 11 and Under/6th grade - born on or after - August 1^st and in the 6^th grade: Grade Exception: A player who is in the 6^th grade and who was born before August 1^st can participate in the 11U league.
  • 10 and Under/5th grade - born on or after - August 1^st and in the 5^th grade: Grade Exception: A player who is in the 5^th grade and who was born before August 1^st can participate in the 10U league.
  • 9 and Under/4th grade - born on or after - August 1^st and in the 4^th grade: Grade Exception: A player who is in the 4^th grade and who was born before August 1^st can participate in the 9U league.
  • 8 and Under/3^rd grade - born on or after - August 1^st and in the 3^rd grade: Grade Exception: A player who is in the 3^rd grade and who was born before August 1^st can participate in the 8U league.
  • Grade Confirmation:  Players participating under the grade eligibility exception must present a birth certificate and confirmation of grade level from the School Administrator.  Grade level is determined by players grade on September 1st, 2016

D. Player Attachment/Organization Attachment/Player Movement

• a. Player Movement:
  • A player may only be listed as an exception on one team while playing in the ICBA.
  • An attached player may only move once between organizations. However a player may return to their original home organization.
  • An exception player is always an exception for an organization.  Tenure on a team does not remove your exception designation.
  • Any violation of the above rules will result in a $250 fine to organization and forfeiture of games for that specific team.
  • Recruiting of players who are attached to other ICBA team, by coaches is not allowed in the ICBA
  • Girls U13 League will be allowed 4 exceptions beginning 2016, but any team with 4 must play division 1.

E. Geographic Player Alignment

• i. ICBA is not an AAU program so player movement is limited to facilitate fair competition amongst its member
• Every organization in ICBA must have a Way Point that is their organizations address for geographic determinations.  In cases, where there is no organizational home base the PO Box post office will be the Way Point utilized for that organization.
• A player wanting to move from their organization must try out for the next closest organization to their home address utilizing google maps to identify who that organization is. These players are considered exceptions.
  • If the player is cut from that organization then the process repeats itself and the player tries out for the second closest organization.
  • If a neighboring organization is not fielding a team in that age group then you go to the next closest organization.
  • If a neighboring organization has township restrictions on who can play in their organization then you go the next closest organization.
  • Split households, the parent with custody is the main domicile used for determining organization.  50/50 split the school district that the child attends is the determining factor.
  •  A player is responsible for being able to provide a log of organizations he tried out for if the player movement is questioned.  The organization he is trying out for is responsible for acquiring this if it is requested by the ICBA.
• Philadelphia county players will follow a similar process for geographic alignment with the boundaries being determined by map below to identify zones within Philadelphia.
  • Map of Philly by City Council Districts
  • Players who are from different zones are considered exceptions.
  • Players from neighboring suburban organizations are considered exceptions.
  • New players from suburban areas who have never played in ICBA are considered exceptions.
• New players to ICBA fall under the same rules and will be counted as exceptions towards the teams that they are trying out for. 
• These restrictions do not apply to the High School League.
• ICBA does not allow athletes to move from one organization to another during the season (Once ICBA schedule is published) it is strictly prohibited and will carry a $250 fine and game(s) will be forfeited.   Players may only move from one organization to another after the conclusion of that season or prior to the following.  Organizations must follow the ICBA Player Movement Rules. 

F. PLAYER PARTICIPATION

ICBA will follow the PIAA Constitution and By-Laws for all Gender related rules as applicable. Where a players gender is in question or uncertain, the school's principal (In terms of ICBA it would be the Organization President, Organization Board or Travel Coordinator whomever is the authority to make decisions in behalf of the organization as to the players gender will be accepted by the ICBA. 

• Boys can still play on girls teams, but only if the school's principal (In terms of ICBA it would be the Organization President, Organization Board or Travel Coordinator whomever is the authority to make decisions in behalf of the organization)
  • “Boys may play on a Girls' Team if the student's school does not sponsor a Boys' Team in that sport and the Principal determines that;
    • the overall boys' athletic program at the student's school provides fewer opportunities for boys to participate than for girls;
    • the boy would not displace any girl from the Team's roster;
    • the boy would likely not, due to his physical size, athletic ability, and/or other characteristics, pose an increased risk of harm to opponents beyond that which would be posed by an average-sized and skilled participating girl; and
    • the boy would not provide his Team with a significant competitive advantage (as applicable herein, this means that the boy's participation would likely cause the Team to be noticeably more competitive than it would be without the boy's participation on the Team). determines four things: The boy wouldn't displace a girl from the team; wouldn't increase the risk of injury to opponents because of his size; wouldn't provide a significant competitive advantage; and, finally, only if the overall sports program provides fewer opportunities for boys than girls.”

o Any additional rules changes by PIAA will be adopted by ICBA.

o Please refer to the PIAA handbook Page 38: https://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/Handbook%20-%20Section%20I%20-%20Constitution%20and%20By-laws.pdf

Maximum two player exceptions per team excludes (13 year girls)

• All Players from outside of the organization’s territory are considered exceptions.  Except for players who live in townships that are not represented in the ICBA. They are not considered exceptions for the closest township next to their home residence, per ICBA rules.  Their home organization is considered the closest township to their home residence, per ICBA rules. Players who are cut are not exceptions for their new teams. Players who were previously cut also do not have to re-tryout every year for their previous organization.

  • However, players who move and the result is the collapse of their former team are counted as exceptions, which is determined by ICBA. ICBA may not accept teams who participate in this type of conduct.

  • All players from outside the organization territory or that have played on another ICBA team are considered exceptions except if there is no team in their age group and they move to the closest organization.

  • Any violation of the above rules will result in a $250 fine to organization and forfeiture of games for that specific team.

• A player can play on two teams in the ICBA that they are age appropriate and/or grade eligible for in a season. Must be for the same township and only one team in an age group. The player cannot play for a Division 1 and 2 team in the same age group. Example: Assuming they are age eligible for a 12-year-old team. They can play for a 12 D1 team and 13 D2 team. They can play in the playoffs for both; however scheduling cannot be an issue. 

• Players playing up can play on either a Division 1 or 2 teams.

• A player may only play on one team in either Division 1 or Division 2 team within an age group.  (i.e. a 13 year old cannot play on a 13 year old Division 1 and 13 year old  Division 2 team)

G. ROSTERS

• Teams are allowed to carry a maximum of 12 eligible players on each roster.
• If a team is down to 5 or less players for a game, they can call the league and get a one-time exception to raise their roster to seven players by using two or less eligible players from the townships program. This is not applicable for the playoffs.
• Exception to this rule is when a player is playing up at a higher division or a higher age group, they are ineligible to be rostered as a substitute for this game.
• Any violation of the above rules will result in a $250 fine to organization and forfeiture of games for that specific team.
• Roster is frozen as of First day of season.

H. GAME SCHEDULING

• Weeknight games cannot be schedule prior to 5:30 PM and with a start time no later than 8:45 PM
• Weekend games cannot begin prior to 8:00 AM not later than 8:45 PM on weekends.
• Note: A minimum of 9 games must be played to qualify for post season play.

I. RESCHEDULING GAMES:

• There will be a $25 rescheduling fee for game reschedules. The fee will be paid by the team requesting the change. Games reschedules may only occur 72 hours prior to the originally scheduled game day except for the situations listed below.
  • Exceptions (no fee for these types of reschedules)
    • Gym Closure (proof of gym closure must be provided)
    • Weather related closures
• Games must be rescheduled within 10 days of original date. Unless there are less than ten days left in season so games must be scheduled before end of season. 
• GAMES THAT NEED TO BE RESCHEDULED BECAUSE OF WEATHER RELATED ISSUES OR GYM CLOSURE.
  • Home team must provide one date that the visiting team does not have an ICBA game scheduled. Game cannot be the following day, there must be at least a 48-hour window from the day of cancelled game. The visiting team must accept the date or the game will be a forfeit.
  • If a game is cancelled on the last day or with two days left in the regular season - a double loss will be calculated into the standings if the game is not played.

J. PLAYING RULES

• This section shall be administered at all ICBA Games & Tournaments.
• The Official Playing Rules will be the National Federation of State High School rules for the current year as modified by this rule book.
• Coaches: Only the coach and up to 3 assistants are allowed on the bench. Everyone else must be a player who is on the official team roster.  Scorers, analysts, or anyone else may not be on the player bench.  The game official’s may allow more, but ask people to leave the bench area if behavior becomes a concern.  Only one coach can stand to coach.  The coach’s box is the area directly in front of his or her player bench.    
• During ICBA Season and Playoffs each team is responsible for having a person at the scorer’s table with a book.  The home team’s book is the official record of the game being played.   A team that refuses or does not supply a person to record the book waives their rights to question official book.   When two people are at the scorer’s table they are responsible for reconciling all discrepancies by the end of each quarter.
• Playing Times
  • Age Divisions/Division Quarters/Halves Overtime Period
    • 8:U/3rd grade 7 Minute Quarters 3 Minute Overtime
    • 9:U/4th grade 7 Minute Quarters 3 Minute Overtime
    • 10:U/5th grade 7 Minute Quarters 3 Minute Overtime
    • 11:U/6th grade 7 Minute Quarters 3 Minute Overtime
    • 12:U/7th grade 7 Minute Quarters 3 Minute Overtime
    • 13:U/8th grade 7 Minute Quarters 3 Minute Overtime
  • Overtime Periods will be added until a winner is decided.
  • Halftime/Warm-ups
    • All events shall have a mandatory minimum warm-up and half time of five (5) minutes.
  • Basketball Sizes
    • The "undersized" basketball shall be used for all 8:U, 9:U, 10:U, and 11:U Circumference shall be 28.5.
    • Standard Basketball for 12:U and up.
    • Standard Basketball for all girls’ games is 28.5
• Press Rule (Mercy Rule)
  • For 8U/3rd, 9U/4th and 10U/5th Grade: Teams ahead by 15 points or more at any point in the game must play defense behind the half court line. First offense: Warning, Second and all additional offenses: 2 shot technical.
  • For 11U/6th Grade and older: Teams ahead by 20 points or more at any point in the game must play defense behind the half court line. First offense: Warning, Second and all additional offenses: 2 shot technical.
• Defensive formations Clarification for Man to Man rules (Appendix contains Illustrations)
  • The rule has NOT changed but the language of the rule has been re-written in hopes of a better understand by both officials and coaches.  The rule is not intended for the offense to gain an advantage with clear outs and one on one play.  AND the miss conception that a defender must always be with in so many feet of the offensive player to be considered “man to man” is not correct.Man to Man defense is the only allowed defense to be played at this level.  We encourage “man to man” to be taught using proper man to man principles.  This includes help side, basket line, switching on screens, strong side vs weak side concepts or picking up the ball at or around the 3 point line. The two types of concepts NOT allowed are basket hanging by one player (picture A), OR help defenders shadowing the ball (picture C).  All other man to man principles should be encouraged and coaches should understand the difference between a coach breaking the rules or a 10 year old that is a little lost. The best way for an offense to show a defense is playing zone principles is move players from strong side to weak side and vice versa on a consistent basis, if a defender does not adjust to the player they are covering then it would have zone principles.  

• Defensive Images
  • (Image 1) Help Side Defense (weak side), defenders on the weak side are allowed to be in the paint/basket line.   In 2nd picture, defender playing “5” is now hanging at the basket as the player he/she is cover now relocated, the defender should relocate with the offensive player.  
  • (Image 2) Defenders picking up players at or around the 3 point line are acceptable as long as they are in line with the player they are defending. IN 2nd picture, defenders are clearly sagging off and “packing” the paint.  Defensive players do NOT have to go out to the offense, but they cannot pack the paint.   
  • (Image 3) Players playing weak side and strong side is allowed.   In Picture 2 players have left their player to Shadow the ball by OVER helping prior to ball movement. This is not allowed.    
  • There is no violation for an offense “clearing out”.  If the defense is adjusted properly they can prevent clear-outs from happening as they do NOT have to be 3 feet from their “player”  Image 4 and 5 It is important to understand that a good man to man defense can look like a zone.  The intent of the rule is to force coaches NOT to play zone or try to gain a competitive advantage, but to teach.  Coaches who are constantly looking for an official to call a ZONE violation are also looking for a competitive advantage that the rule is NOT intended for.  Allow officials to determine if an opposing team is playing with Zone principles.

• Girls League:
  • 8-year-old division must play man to man.  (Except for inbound under the basket a team may play zone to defend their basket and fall into a man as soon as the ball is successfully inbounded).
    • Man-to-Man Defense - Help side Defense
      • When your opponent is two or more passes from the ball, you are allowed to be in "help-side" position. This will allow players to be in a position to help their teammates against the ball penetrating the paint. This involves dropping off your man some (but without losing sight of him/her), and sagging toward the ball-side one foot in the lane the other out of the lane.
      •  Trapping is allowed in the half court.
    • Pressing
      • 8’s Division no full court pressing allowed
      • In the Back-Court man to man must be played within the 3-point arc. (trapping and help defense is allowed no zone)
  • 9-Year-old Girls
    • 9-year-old division must play man to man.  (Except for inbound under the basket a team may play zone to defend their basket and fall into a man as soon as the ball is successfully inbounded).
    • Man-to-Man Defense - Help side Defense
      • When your opponent is two or more passes from the ball, you are allowed to be in "help-side" position. This will allow players to be in a position to help their teammates against the ball penetrating the paint. This involves dropping off your man some (but without losing sight of him/her), and sagging toward the ball-side one foot in the lane the other out of the lane.
      • Man press, but only in the last 2 minutes of the end of game. Players must play man to man within the 3-point arc while the ball is in play. (trapping is allowed between half court and the arc)
      • In the Back-Court man to man must be played within the 3-point arc. (trapping and help defense is allowed but no zone)
    • 9’s Division pressing is only allowed in the last 2 minutes of the end of game.
      • Overtime Man press is allowed during the entire extra period(s) until a winner is decided.
  • All 10-year-old divisions must play man to man (Except for inbound under the basket a team may play zone to defend their basket and fall into a man as soon as the ball is successfully inbounded).
    • When your opponent is two or more passes from the ball, you are allowed to be in "help-side" position. This will allow players to be in a position to help their teammates against the ball penetrating the paint. This involves dropping off your man some (but without losing sight of him/her), and sagging toward the ball-side one foot in the lane the other out of the lane.
    • Zone press may occur throughout the game, but must fall back to a man to man once the ball crosses half court. (trapping is allowed between half court and the arc)
    • In the Back-Court man to man must be played within the 3-point arc. (trapping and help defense is allowed but no zone)
  • 11 and above there are no constraints
• Boys League
  • 8-year-old division must play man to man.  (Except for inbound under the basket a team may play zone to defend their basket and fall into a man as soon as the ball is successfully inbounded).
    • Man-to-Man Defense - Help side Defense
      • When your opponent is two or more passes from the ball, you are allowed to be in "help-side" position. This will allow players to be in a position to help their teammates against the ball penetrating the paint. This involves dropping off your man some (but without losing sight of him/her), and sagging toward the ball-side one foot in the lane the other out of the lane.
      • Trapping is allowed in the half court.
    • Pressing
      • 8's Divison pressing is only allowed in the last 2 minutes of the end of game.
      • Zone or Man press, but only in the last 2 minutes of the end of game. Players must play man to man within the 3-point arc while the ball is in play. (trapping is allowed between half court and the arc)
      • Zone or Man press, but only in the last 2 minutes, but players must fall back to a man to man once they cross half court. (trapping is allowed between half court and the arc)
      • In the Back-Court man to man must be played within the 3-point arc. (Trapping and help defense is allowed no zone)
  • 9-Year-old Boys
    • 9-year-old division must play man to man.  (Except for inbound under the basket a team may play zone to defend their basket and fall into a man as soon as the ball is successfully inbounded).
    • Man-to-Man Defense - Help side Defense
      • When your opponent is two or more passes from the ball, you are allowed to be in "help-side" position. This will allow players to be in a position to help their teammates against the ball penetrating the paint. This involves dropping off your man some (but without losing sight of him/her), and sagging toward the ball-side one foot in the lane the other out of the lane.
      • Trapping is allowed in the half court.
    • 9’s Division pressing is only allowed in the last 2 minutes of the end of game.
      • Zone or Man press, but only in the last 2 minutes of the end of game. Players must play man to man within the 3-point arc while the ball is in play. (trapping is allowed between half court and the arc)
      • In the Back-Court man to man must be played within the 3-point arc. (trapping and help defense is allowed but no zone)
      • Overtime Man or Zone press is allowed during the entire extra period(s) until a winner is decided.
  • 10 and above there are no constraints.
• Free Throws
  • 8-year-old boys will be allowed 1 step over the free throw line.
  • 9-year-old girls will be allowed 1 step over the free throw line.
• Timeouts
  • Teams receive 3 - 1-minute time outs and 2 - 30 second timeouts per game.
  • Each team is given one additional timeout per overtime.
  • Timeouts do carry over into overtime.
• Fouls
  • Each player is allocated 5 fouls per game during the ICBA Season.
  • Two shots at fifth team foul. Resets every quarter.
  • Follow PIAA rules for team fouls

K. Player/Team Disqualification

• Coaches that submit illegal rosters to the League with player (s) that are not eligible to play on that specific team according to ICBA rules, will not be eligible to participate in League play. Coordinator of organization will be notified that the team is ineligible.
• Whether roster violations are discovered before or during any part of the season, team in violation will be removed from the league eligibility immediately. Any games played will result in forfeits and a win for the opposing team (s). Scores will be entered by league at end of regular season using the scoring formula for forfeits.
• Any organization that submits a roster for a team to the ICBA with a player (s) who is playing in the wrong township or area according to ICBA rules, is not age or grade eligible per ICBA rules for that specific team, or has played for two different organizations previously in the ICBA will be subject to a $250 file and that team will immediately be removed from the league.  Rosters must adhere to exception rules for players per the league – this violation is subject to $250 fine and immediate team removal from league as well. If these violations are discovered while the season is in progress, all games will be forfeited and scores will be adjusted per ICBA rules.
• All Non-athletes/coaches are responsible to see that their team meets all eligibility requirements unless an exception has been filed and approved. Organization will be subject to a $250 fine for submission of illegal roster to ICBA.
• Players will be disqualified for the season due to violent conduct and all situations will be reviewed by the league.

L. Forfeits

• Forfeits will occur if a team does not participate in a scheduled event
• Teams must notify each other 48 hours p;rior of any game change requests (except weather related or facility closure) if not game will be played on the game scheduled and if opponent fails to appear a forfeit is issued. 
• If a forfeit occurs; the team receiving the victory will hae the amount of points allowed divided by games played and that will determine the score, as the winning team will get a one-point win. For example, if the teams receiving the forfeit win has played 10 games and has allowed 300 pointsa 31-30 victory will be entered as the score. The league will enter the score at the end of the season.
• Teams failing to notify teams withing 48 hours are responsible for home teams referee fees.
• Post Season qualification - any team with 3 or more forfeits will not qualify for the post season play.

M. SCORE REPORTING:

• The winning team for each ICBA game is responsible for reporting the result of the game. SCORES MUST BE ENTERED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE CONCLUSION OF THE GAME.
• Scores may be called into the system or entered in the system

N. Double Loss:

• When a double loss has to be computed into the standings - it will be done by the league manually at the end of the season when playoff seeding is being figured out. Each team will get a loss - the average amount of points given up by the teams for the season will be added into points allowed for each team, and the average amount of points scored will be added into points scored for each team.

O. Officials (Referee’s)

• If needed, ICBA can recommend an assignor for league games to an organization. 
• All officials must be PIAA and must bring their cards to all games. Organizations may select their assignor and will work with them to make sure two PIAA officials are present at all of its home games. Referees/officials do not work for the ICBA. 
• In the event a home team has a non-PIAA referee officiate a game, the host team will lose the game by forfeit.
• The cost for a referee for an ICBA game is $50 per official (2 officials per game). The home team is responsible for paying officials during regular-season games. 
• The cost for a referee during an ICBA playoff game is $50 per official (2 officials per game). The home team and visiting team will split the cost of officials.
• The cost of a referee for an ICBA game where only one official officiates the game is $75.
• REFEREE NOTIFICATION - Referee assignor must receive at least 24 hour notice of game cancellation or team/organization is responsible for fees to the officials. Weather related and uncontrollable issues that cause cancellation does not apply. 

P. Coaches Conduct Policy:

• There will be a one-game suspension for any head coach ejected from a game, and a two-game suspension for any assistant coach ejected from a game.

• Second ejection for a head coach is a two-game suspension. Second ejection for an assistant coach is a three-game suspension.

• Third ejection for head coach or assistant coach is suspension for the rest of the regular season and playoffs.
• If suspensions are not honored, team will not be allowed to participate in the playoffs.

Q. Fines

• Any fines levied on organizations must be paid at least 72 hours before the playoffs seedings are scheduled to be released, or all eligible teams for playoff competition affiliated with that organization will be ineligible for the playoffs and the next team in the standings in those specific leagues will be elevated into the playoffs.
• Fines imposed by the ICBA are a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $1,000.
• Number of fines levied at our league’s discretion.
• Opponent Roster inquires require $100 fee paid immediately to the league.

R. ROSTER CHALLENGE INQUIRY

• $100 fee due immediately to the league from the organization which would like to challenge a roster 
• Other organization notified of inquiry against one of their team's rosters.
• If challenge is found to be incorrect and league validates roster in question, organization questioning roster receives $250 fine, which is due within five days after decision.
• If roster that is in question is found to be against league rules - $500 fine will be handed down to organization with the illegal roster. Team with illegal roster forfeits all games played and team is immediately removed from league with all future games recorded as forfeits. All scores will be entered by the league, per the rules.
• Organizations which do not comply with fines will not be allowed to have any of their teams participate in the playoffs for the current season.