Coaches Rules

Coaches Rules - UPDATED

      

2024-2025 Coaches Rules

 

 

  1. President – Kelly Martin

Vice President – Sasha Grimes

 

  1. Merrimack Basketball Website
    1. www.merrimackleague.com

 

  1. The league follows the rules of NHIAA and NCAA

 

  1. The Home team wears white and traveling team will wear darker colors. Except in the playoffs. The higher seed is always considered the home team, which will always wear white

 

  1. Player Not Dressed: If a player is dressed but isn’t playing. Please let the opposing coach know before the game.      Whether it’s for injury or non-participation.

 

  1. Equal Playing Time: Towns set their own rules for equal playing time, The league will require a coach to play each player in each quarter.

 

  1. Book: If you have someone doing the book, that person will sit at the table provided. Not sitting on the bench or in a chair away from the table. Especially at home games. Due to the home book is the book that the ref will go to if there is an issue. If you’re having a student or parent do the book for you, I request that this student or parent stay off their phone while the game is playing or not to have other students(s) sitting chatting with them.

 

  1. Coaches Contact Info: On the website under each team’s page, I will add the coach’s name, email address and phone number. This is important, especially if a game needs to be postponed. We are in the process of retrieving this information from your directors. But if you notice your information isn’t listed, please email me with this information and I will add it.

 

  1. Mouth Guards: Under the NHIAA updated rule, mouth guards are not mandatory. They will be optional.

 

  1. Overtime: Due to limited gym availability, there will be no overtime, unless there are no more games after you. Both teams agree, including the refs.

 

  1. Jewelry is completely banned, no exceptions. Only two items don’t have to be removed.
    1. Religious medal, medical bracelet/necklace.
    2. They will need to be taped if worn.

 

 

  1. Division Coordinator:  After each game, both coaches need to contact your basketball director with the results of the game. Your director will email them to me (Kelly Martin), It will need to be done before Wednesday, if a score isn’t added by Wednesday; a 0-0 will be added until then. This way a coach isn’t thinking that the other coach is sending in the score. When sending in your scores, please communicate to the division coordinator, grade level, boy or girls, and your team “Henniker Martin”.

 

  1.  Assistant coaches will not be allowed off the bench only for time outs. Even if the head coach receives a technical. An assistant may fill in if the head coach isn’t present for the game.

 

 

  1. Continue checking Website: A reminder to always check the website for upcoming games, especially when the playoffs start. There may be an unexpected change that will affect the time or venue. We make every effort so this doesn’t happen, but sometimes it can’t be controlled.

 

 

  1. Make up games - Host team will suggest 3 make-up dates. If the dates don't work and the games can't be resolved. The decision will be taken to the board to determine whether it will be considered a tie or loss. Make-up games must be made up before the last game of the season or appeal to the board.

 

  1. Inclement Weather: Please communicate with your director/opposing coach in a timely manner, whether you feel safe to travel. Even if it’s a home game.
    1. The Director will need to contact the refs; most likely the ref will show even if the weather is bad. The opposing team will also need to be notified, so that parents can be notified as well.
    2. If a game is postponed due to weather or any other reason. It will be up to you and the opposing team to reschedule or cancel the game all together. If you are going to reschedule, a ref will also need to be rescheduled.

 

  1. Mercy Rule, which will need to be followed. Most refs do not know the mercy rule. Coaches will need to inform them if it gets to this point. Please communicate with the opposing team whether the clock will be a running clock at this point. The Mercy Rule will be implemented when a team is ahead by 20 points for 3/4, 5/6 & 7/8 and 30 points for HS. At this time there will be a 30 second "REF" timeout (I recommend talking to the refs before the game when the refs speak to you so that they are prepared) to allow the coaches to explain to the players that the Mercy Rule is in effect. It will stay in effect until the team reaches the 15-point difference. 

    A. The team that is ahead by 20 cannot press and defense must be within the 3-point arc. Three-point shots will not be counted. A minimum of three (3) passes must be made before a shot. If a shot is made before the three (3) passes the   shot doesn’t count. There are to be no breakaway for the team that is up by

    B. I would like to have the coaches have a conversation at the beginning of the game. So, if this comes to a point in the middle of the game. The players aren’t confused.

C. This season we are implementing something new. Unfortunately, I may tell you about the mercy rule, but it is not always followed. I do not want a coach or the players at any time to be disrespectful to the team that is in the mercy rule. I always want respect. If at any time I hear of a coach that has not followed these rules, that coach will get one warning. The second time a coach doesn’t follow these rules, it will be brought to the attention of its director. At this point, the director will decide whether that coach will be replaced and no longer allowed to coach the rest of the season. The league will not tolerate this.

18. Sportsmanship: If at any time there is unsportsmanship, the league will investigate this and listen to both sides of the story. Whether any discipline needs to be taken place. If at any time, there is contact with players or coaches or fans. At this time the league will investigate this, and it may result in a one game suspension, if it continues the coach or player will be eliminated from participating for the rest of the season. If there is a fan that comes into contact, this is your responsibility to handle the matter, hopefully before it gets to that point. If you’re noticing bad behavior, stop it before it gets out of control and the league will investigate this, and it may result in not being allowed at any MBL games until further notice.

19. Fouls: As of last year, NFHS had changed the rules for teams fouls. When a team reaches 5 fouls, their opponent will shoot TWO free throws for common fouls in the “bonus”. This rule eliminated the one – on – one scenario. New fouls will reset each quarter for awarding the bonus free throw. Player fouls will stay the same.

20. Double Rostering: You can not double roster, but if a team is down due to an emergency with only 4 players, they may ask another coach if the y have a player that can play for them t hat day. This is not to be an every week thing. You can ask from a lower division or same division not a higher division.

21. I ask if you have any issues with anything.

 

    a. First contact your director.

    b. Your director will reach out to me. You may reach out to your director and cc me if you’re emailing. But please don’t skip the chain of command.

 

     

Kelly Martin – Merrimack Basketball League President 

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