Mankato Basketball Association
Code of Ethics & Guidelines
Each team shall have a minimum number of eight players and a maximum number of ten players, with the goal to not exceed 10 players. 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’s (the “Board”) approval.
Teams in each division (age and gender group) shall be divided by ability level based on the Coordinator’s recommendations following tryouts and are subject to final approval by the Board. At the 4th and 5th grade levels, team teams shall be divided as equally as possible. At the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade levels, teams shall be divided with an A team comprised of the most advanced players and a B team or multiple B teams, when the number of athletes permits, consisting of the remaining players in that division. In an instance where there are multiple B teams, those teams shall be divided as equally as possible. Generally, players are required to play at the grade level they are in. However, the Board reserves the right to approve moving a player one (1) level higher than his or her current grade in circumstances where there is a need at the higher level and/or a player clearly demonstrates the ability and aptitude to compete at said higher level. Any variation to team designation requires Mankato Basketball Association Board’s approval.
Teams shall be comprised only of participants who reside within the boundaries of Independent School District #77. Players who attend an East or West related-school will be assigned to teams based upon the school they attend. Players from another school or who are home schooled will be assigned teams based upon Independent School District #77 boundaries and the corresponding East or West related-school they would attend if enrolled in District 77. Should there be a shortage of players, combination teams may be formed. Formation of combination teams requires the Board’s approval. It will also be at the discretion of the Board, if any players outside the district’s boundaries are allowed to play for the MBA. No player may play for more than one Mankato Basketball Association traveling team. 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 without Board’s approval (e.g. any MN All-Star Teams). The Mankato Basketball Association basketball season officially begins on the date set by the MSHSL for commencement of varsity basketball for the earlier of boys or girls 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 Board upon written request.
Each team shall receive a stipend for tournament registrations from the Mankato Basketball Association. The stipend is generally adequate for teams to register for the following number of tournaments:
Teams may enter additional tournaments at their discretion, assessing team players for any additional expenses. Team members are not required to participate in additional tournaments but all team members must be invited by the team to do so.
Coaches will be required to submit a listing of tournaments registered for and the cost of each. If the full stipend is not used, the remaining funds must be returned to Mankato Basketball Association Treasure by end of season. Failure to properly account for use of the stipend and/or return excess funds will result in the coach being suspended from future coaching.
The Mankato Basketball Association reserves the right to conduct an audit of your tournament registrations and payments at any given time during the season.
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. Only Board-selected evaluators and Board members are allowed to observe and participate in the tryout session.
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 (absent disciplinary reasons), and that all players be allowed to participate meaningful minutes in each half of each 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. A player shall not be benched for disciplinary reasons for events prior to a game unless the coach informs the player’s parent(s) or guardian(s) of the reason for discipline and length of benching ahead of time. If a player is benched for disciplinary reasons during a game, the Coach shall inform the player’s parent(s) or guardian(s) of the reasons for discipline as soon as practicable following the game in which the player was disciplined.
Due to the safety of our players and coaches, Mankato Basketball Association's policy on weather related practices is as follows: There will be NO basketball practices, regardless of practice location (school or community) on days/evenings when school is canceled or dismissed early due to bad weather.
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 that is not in the interest of all participants. 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 and any repeated unexecuted absences from practice is violation subject to discipline.
The Mankato Basketball Association Board shall approve the selection of all coaches. Coaches are required to submit to background checks each year and to have completed concussion training every three (3) years. Any coaching conduct or violation of any kind, during the season that would have caused a ‘red flag’ in the pre-season background check will be cause for immediate suspension.
Coach/Player/Parent Meeting
Each player and at least one parent/guardian must attend a team meeting as scheduled and conducted by the team’s coach to discuss/review these guidelines and team expectations. Preferably this would be held before or immediately after the first team’s practice. Each team shall select a parent team manager, whose responsibility it is to help coordinate communication of tournament schedules/details, practices schedules and any other team/MBA related communications.
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. If a player is found to have violated these rules, the Association will follow the MSHSL rules and guidelines regarding player discipline.
Constructive Suggestions
The Association requires a 24 hour waiting period before any constructive communication. Players, parents and coaches shall communicate constructive suggestions regarding their child or team members, first to the coach, secondly to the appropriate Coordinator and then thirdly to the Board. A Mankato Basketball Association board member shall be available to facilitate communication between players, coaches and the Mankato Basketball Association Board. All player and/or parent communication must be conducted according to these guidelines.
Safety Concerns
In the event a parent is concerned about a player’s safety, the parent is directed to contact the coach or the Mankato Basketball Association immediately.
Sportsmanship
All coaches, parents and players shall exhibit good sportsmanship at all times, which shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
Additionally, all players, parents, coaches and team volunteers participating, you agree to be bound and adhere to the Mankato Basketball Association Code of Ethics.
Dismissal for Violations
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 discipline at the Boards discretion, up to dismissal from all Mankato Basketball Association events and participation without warning.
Formal Written Appeals
Written appeals may be proffered to the Mankato Basketball Association board of directors. The Board’s decisions are final.
Addition of non-current team player to team
If there is a need to pull in another player (outside of existing team) due to having 6 or less players available to participate in a tournament, the coach must abide by these guidelines:
For 6th through 8th grade A teams, participation in the Big 9 is expected and equates to 3 tournaments.