A. Program Guidelines

1. Team Size: Each team shall have a minimum number of eight players and a maximum number of ten players. If 10-15 players tryout, there shall only be one ten-player team. If 16-20 players tryout, there shall be two teams of approximately an even number. Team coordinators and the Board may use discretion in establishing a team’s size. Any variation to the Team Size guideline must obtain Mankato Basketball Association board of directors approval.

2. Team Ability: At the 4th and 5th grade levels, team teams shall be divided as equally as possible. Team coordinators may use discretion in dividing team ability. The Mankato Basketball Association board of directors reserves the right to overrule coordinator team ability division decisions. At the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade levels, there shall be an A team and a B team when the number of athletes permits. The Mankato Basketball Association board of directors must approve additional team formation. Mankato West teams shall use the designation of Red Team for A teams, and White Team for B teams. Mankato East teams shall use the designation of Black Team for A teams, and Gold Team for B teams. Any variation to team designation require Mankato Basketball Association board of directors approval.

3. Player Eligibility: Teams shall be comprised of only Independent School District #77 students. Players will be assigned to teams based first upon the school they attend per the district’s open enrollment policy. Secondly, players may also be assigned to teams based upon Independent School District #77 boundaries, in the event the student is home schooled, for example. Should there be a shortage of players, combination teams may be formed. Formation of combination teams requires Mankato Basketball Association board of directors approval. No player may play for more than one Mankato Basketball Association traveling team. No player shall be allowed to play in a higher grade level team, unless the higher grade level team lacks sufficient numbers of players, and exceptions require Mankato Basketball Association board of directors approval. A player is permitted to play on any church, YMCA/YWCA and/or school team. Players are not permitted to play on any other team during the Mankato Basketball Association basketball season. The Mankato Basketball Association basketball season officially begins immediately following the end of the Fall AAU Season and ends after the MYAS State Tournament. Player participation on any other team, other than those defined above, during the Mankato Basketball Association basketball season mandates the suspension of the player for one full Mankato Basketball Association season. Player suspension appeals may be considered by the Mankato Basketball Association board of directors through a formal written process.

4. Tryouts: All players must participate in the tryout process. If a player misses the scheduled tryout due to extenuating circumstances, that player may attend an alternate tryout when arranged in advance with the board or coordinator. Independent evaluators and Mankato Basketball Association representatives shall conduct all tryouts. Under no circumstance may parents view try-outs.

5. Tournaments: Each team shall have an annual tournament fee allotment from the Mankato Basketball Association. Teams may enter additional tournaments, assessing team players for any additional expenses. Big-9 tournament play is required. Girls Big Nine play pertains to grades 7th and 8th. Boys Big Nine play pertains to 6A, 7th and 8th grades.

6. Playing time: Playing time may not be the same for each player. Coaches may use discretion when determining appropriate playing time for each player. It is recommended that 4th and 5th grade players be allotted as equal playing time as possible, and that all players be allowed to participate meaningful minutes in each half of a game. 6th, 7th and 8th grade players will earn meaningful minutes of play in each half of the game provided the player has attended practices, demonstrated skills, projected a positive attitude and teamwork, and has given full effort as determined by the coach.

7. Practice Guidelines: Practices may not conflict with school basketball programs. No practices shall be permitted on a scheduled school basketball event day. Players are required to participate in practices in order to participate in tournament play.

8. School Basketball: School basketball takes precedence over the Mankato Basketball Association traveling program. It is strongly recommended that players participate in the school basketball program. The Mankato Basketball Association reserves the right to reduce the number of practices and tournament play should it deem any excess is not in the interest of all participants.

9. Coaching Staff: The Mankato Basketball Association board of directors shall approve the selection of all coaches. Coaches shall be selected only after the tryout process. Coaches are required to submit to background checks each year. Coaches are permitted to coach any church, YMCA/YWCA, and/or school team. A Mankato Basketball Association coach is not permitted to coach a school basketball team during a school event, unless they are the authorized coach of the school basketball team as mandated through Independent School District #77. Coaches are not permitted to coach any other team, other than specified above, during the Mankato Basketball Association basketball season. Coaches coaching any other team during the Mankato Basketball Association basketball season shall be suspended for life. Coach suspension appeals may be considered by the Mankato Basketball Association board of directors through a formal written process.

 

B. Player, Parent, and Coach Behavior

1. Guideline Meeting: Each player and at least one parent must attend a team meeting as scheduled and conducted by the team’s coach or corrdinator to discuss these guidelines, complete forms, and remit program fees. Each team shall select a parent team coordinator at the meeting, whose responsibility it is to coordinate tournament and practices schedules and other events. Each team shall also select a parent volunteer to serve on a parent-advisory committee. The parent-advisory committee member shall coordinate all tournament related volunteer duties and schedules for the team.

2. Minnesota State High School League Rules: The Mankato Basketball Association has adopted the Minnesota State High School League rules in determining player program eligibility, including those related to alcohol and drug consumption.

3. Constructive Suggestions: Players and parents and coaches shall communicate constructive suggestions regarding their child or team members. A Mankato Basketball Association board member shall be available to facilitate communication between players, coaches, program coordinator, and the Mankato Basketball Association board of directors. All player and/or parent communication must be conducted according to the Code of Conduct.

4. Safety Concerns: In the event a parent is concerned about a player’s safety, the parent is directed to contact the coach or parent team coordinator.

5. Sportsmanship: All coaches, parents, and players shall exhibit good sportsmanship at all times, which shall includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Positive attitude toward all coaches, parents and players.
• Respectful actions toward all coaches, players, parents and officials.
• Noise making devices at all Mankato Basketball Association events are strictly prohibited.

Additionally, all players, parents, coaches and team volunteers are required to sign and adhere to the Mankato Basketball Association Code of Ethics.

6. Dismissal for Violations: A coach, player, parent or team volunteer violating the Mankato Basketball Association Code of Ethics or these guidelines shall be subject to dismissal from all Mankato Basketball Association events and participation.

7. Formal Written Appeals: Written appeals may be proffered to the Mankato Basketball Association board of directors. The board’s decisions are final.