LEAGUE OBJECTIVES

• Encourage all player participation.
• Develop basic basketball skills in all participants.
• Foster an environment where sportsmanship and self-esteem building come 1st.
• Everyone involved has a positive experience.
• SCORE IS NOT KEPT – it is not about winning or losing and especially not about beating your opponents.
• All players should rotate through all the positions.
• Encourage and exemplify good sportsmanship. Encourage compliments to opposing players for their good efforts.

Players

• 6U: Ages 5 to 7 or currently in Kindergarten & 1st Grade
• 8U: Ages 7 to 9 or currently in 2nd & 3rd Grade
• Games can be 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 depending on number of players attending and coaches’ discretion. Each team will split in half and two games will be played cross-court, concurrently.
• Let’s Play! If a team is short on players at game time, borrow players with the opposing team.

Weather/Cancellations:

Games are to be played unless there are unsafe transportation issues or extreme weather. Weather cancellations: MPRB staff will contact coaches via email at least 1 hour prior to game time.

Equipment:

• Players must wear tennis shoes or basketball shoes.
• All teams will us a size 27.5, junior basketball
• Hoop height is 8’ for 6U and 9’ for 8U.

Practice/Game:

1. 6U & 8u Open: The first day will be a practice session. Each session thereafter will consist of a team practice and then a game. The first 15-20 minutes will focus on drills and skills development. Each team will then divide in two teams and play simultaneous games. Games are 30 minutes with two 15 minute halves and a 3 minute half time. Coaches keep time.

2. All ages: Coaches can be on the court to help guide the players as necessary. Coaches act as officials.

3. NO SCORES OR STANDINGS WILL BE KEPT!! See League Objectives.

4. No stealing, pressing, or shot blocking.

5. Equal playing time for all participants should be a priority to coaches. All players should be given an opportunity to play all positions.

6. Substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee (coach on court) at these times:

• Half way through each half, or as needed (preferred method of substitutions)
• After an injury when the coach stops play

7. Coaches act as officials – this is a teaching league.

• Fouls will be called and ball awarded to other team, no fouls shots will be taken.
• Please be flexible with double dribble and traveling calls.  Recommended to increase calls as the season progresses.
• The over and back rule will NOT be enforced.

8. Schedules for 6U and 8U Open will be posted at www.pearlparksport.com under Winter Sports.  The 8U Girls schedule will be posted at www.teamsideline.com/minneapolisparks.

9. In case of injury, and a child is unable to play half of the game, the coach should notify either the referee (a coach) or the other coach before the game begins. If injury occurs during the game, the game should be stopped and appropriate 1st Aid should be administered and an Incident Report (available at Park’s Front Desk) filled out, and a new player will have to take the injured player’s position.

Additional Notes:

One certified coach from each team will officiate (be allowed on the court) per game.

All coaches must be certified through Pearl Park and shall comply with the rules and regulations as stated in the bulletin.

The MPRB does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employee in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all MPRB services, programs and activities.

If anyone believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, or handicap, he or she may file a complaint alleging discrimination with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board or the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.