Rules - 2023 Coptic League Basketball Season

Last Revised: June 21, 2024

Administration 

    1. His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion is in charge of and oversees all operations related to the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles Sports Ministry Program (Coptic League).
    2. His Eminence appoints and approves the basketball League officials responsible for organizing, coordinating, and supervising all league activities. His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion and the appointed league committee are granted authority over any coach, site coordinators, assistant coach, players, and spectators or any other bystanders present at any game. 
    3. All coaches, players, and spectators agree to follow these rules at all times when participating in the Coptic League.
    4. League referees or attending committee members on the premises of any game have authority over the assistant coaches, players, and unruly fans in terms of making final decisions and enforcing penalties and are granted permission to make any necessary modifications to the organization (example: set-up, or operation of the event for the purpose of ensuring fair play and good sportsmanship, and for avoiding arguments and altercations between players and/or coaches). The CIF Referee(s) have the final say according to our league rules.
    5. A head coach or assistant coach (whose names appear on the team roster online) must be present at all games. If a head coach or assistant coach is not present, the game will be forfeited without rescheduling. A registered coach from a different league, but from the same church is approved to substitute if needed, but not on a regular basis. No changes to the coach's roster will be allowed after team registration closes.
    6. Coach and team registration is handled through the league website. A league fee must be submitted at the time of registration. Please check the dates and deadlines page on the league website for more information.
    7. Player open registration (free of charge) is handled online through the league’s website. 
    8. All team names will be pre-approved by the league at the time of team registration. Team names shall be in line with the spirit of the Orthodox Church and the Coptic League’s values.
    9. All team names will be reviewed and if a team name is required to be changed by the Coptic League, then the team must change their team name prior to the start of the 2023 Coptic League season.
    10. Rules are subject to change with or without notice. Coaches and players are still responsible for any additions, clarifications, or changes of the rules at any given time.

General 

    1.  There is a zero tolerance policy for trash talking and foul language. Any coach or player involved in any form of trash talking or foul language either on the court or off the court will be suspended by the league committee for a minimum of one game.
    2. If the coach that is ejected from the game is the only coach present for the game, then the game will be terminated and forfeited to the opposing team regardless of the score.
    3. Fighting or foul language from a spectator will result in removal from the premises by the referee and/or coach.
    4. Coaches or players involved in fighting will be suspended for a minimum of three games. The league committee will review the situation for further consequences for those involved.
    5. Players on the bench must remain seated during the game at all times. An assistant coach, in the presence of a head coach, may get up in a very limited role but must remain seated for a majority of the game. Assistant coaches will be warned once by the referee. Technical fouls will be given by the referee as deemed necessary.
    6. Only a head coach, assistant coach, and suited player, whose name appears on the roster, may be seated on the bench during a game. A head coach, assistant coach, or player who is registered will have their name appear on the team's roster on the league website prior to the start of the season. No players will be allowed to register after player registration closes. Family, friends, and fans are not allowed to sit on the bench during a game.
    7. League referees and league committee members have the authority to call off a game if, in their judgment, the coaches, players, or spectators are engaging in non-Christian or unsportsmanlike conduct, tempers are escalating, unnecessary confrontation, and/or taunting.
    8. The head coach is the only person allowed to speak with the scorekeepers. Any form of disrespect towards the scorekeepers will not be tolerated.

Coach Eligibility 

    1.  To serve as a coach in the Coptic League, you must be appointed by the priest of the parish you are serving under. The parish priest must email the league informing the league of all participating coaches for the team prior to team registration in order for the team registration to be accepted. 
      1. A coach is a servant and model for the players that they serve and coach. Any coach found to break any rules herein set forth will have much higher consequences. Consequences include, but are not limited to, suspension for you and your whole team for the remainder of the season. 
    2. A head or assistant coach cannot be a player for the same team that they are coaching.
    3. A head or assistant coach must be baptized within the Coptic Orthodox Church or any of its sister churches. Sister churches are Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch (including its archdiocese in India the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church), the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Eritrean Orthodox Church, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Contact the league for any exception requests.
    4. All coaches (head and assistant) must be the same gender as the players/teams they are coaching (i.e. a male coach for a male team and a female coach for a female team). 

Player Eligibility 

    1. Coaches are responsible for ensuring that all players on their team are eligible and are registered to play. If a player is playing while ineligible or unregistered, the game will be forfeited.
    2. A player is to participate in the age category that is applicable to them according to their year of birth, irrespective of their year of study in school.
    3. Once a player is registered for a team and the registration period is over or the season has started (whichever comes first), they may not switch teams for any reason.
    4. A valid player is one that meets the eligibility requirements to participate and is on that specific team’s roster that is posted on the league website.
    5. A player must always play with their registered jersey number as per the team roster.
    6. Junior High Female League:
      1. Born on September 1, 2009 or later (2010, 2011, etc.). Those born between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010 have the choice to play in either the High School Female League or the Junior High Female League, but not both.
    7. Junior High Male League:
      1. Born on September 1, 2009 or later (2010, 2011, etc.). Those born between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010 have the choice to play in either the High School Male League or the Junior High Male League, but not both. (If born on or after August 1st, 2009 and do not have a HS team available to play for you may play).
    8. High School Female League:
      1. Born between September 1, 2005 or later (2006, 2007, etc.). Those born between September 1, 2005 and August 31, 2006 have the choice to play in either the High School Female League or the Women’s League, but not both. Coaches may choose to open up their team to younger players at their discretion.
    9. High School Male League: 
      1. Born between September 1, 2005 or later (2006, 2007, etc.). Those born between September 1, 2005 and August 31, 2006 have the choice to play in either the High School Male League or the Men’s League, but not both. Coaches may choose to open up their team to younger players at their discretion.
    10. Women’s League:
      1. Born 2006 or earlier  (2005, 2004, etc.). Those born in the year 2006 have the choice to play in either the High School League or the Women’s League, but not both. Coaches may choose to open up their team to younger players at their discretion. 
    11. Men’s League:
      1. Born 2006 or earlier (2005, 2004, etc.). Those born in the year 2006 have the choice to play in either the High School League or the Men’s League, but not both.
    12. An original government issued ID with date of birth present will be required to be uploaded during player registration. An original government issued ID includes a passport, passport card, birth certificate, drivers license, or identification card. School IDs will not be accepted.
    13. A player must be baptized within the Coptic Orthodox Church or any of its sister churches. Sister churches are Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch (including its archdiocese in India the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church), the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Eritrean Orthodox Church, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Contact the league for any exception requests.

Dress Code for Players 

    1. All teams must have a team uniform for each player and each with their own registered jersey number. Players without their own registered jersey number may not play. No exceptions for all leagues. No church names may be printed on the jerseys; only team names. If church names are already printed, they need to be removed or covered.
    2. No other names other than the team name is allowed on the jerseys (i.e. sponsor logos, etc.)
    3. Players may not swap jerseys after the first day of games. The jersey that a player is registered with (as noted on that team’s roster on the league website) is the one they must wear all season long. The same number cannot be used more than once per team.
    4. Reversible or alternate jerseys are mandatory for every team and must be readily available for every game.
    5. Shorts must sit at the waist and cannot be shorter than knee height. There will be general warning at the beginning of the game, if you are caught during the game it will result in a two (2) shot technical foul. Jerseys must be tucked in.

Game Day Instructions

    1. Each team will have a 5-minute grace period after the starting time of season and postseason games. After the 5-minute grace period is up, whichever team delays will lose the game. No rescheduling will be allowed in this case. A forfeited game may still be scrimmaged for the remaining time. The referees will still officiate as usual. The game will end, even if not completed, in order to allow the following scheduled game to begin on time.
    2. The league does not allow schedule changes, but will allow a game swap with an existing future game. For this to occur, all teams involved must email the league notifying the league of the approval. From each team involved, the league should receive an email that includes the original scheduled game details (teams, date, time and location) and with which game the swap will take place (teams, date, time and location). Once all this information is received and confirmed, then the league will announce the game and post the change on the league website. If the change does not occur on the league website, then it was not approved.
    3. Any team that will forfeit a game must notify the league and the opposing team’s coach via email a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the scheduled game. If a team fails to notify the league and the opposing team’s coach of a game they intend to forfeit within the required 24 hours, then the next scheduled is automatically forfeited.
    4. Teams who play the last games on the schedule are required to have the gym “spotless” before leaving the premises and must have spectators and players exit the premises immediately after the game has concluded.
    5. Food, drinks, hard-soled and back-soled shoes are absolutely prohibited in the gymnasium.
    6. Coaches and teams are responsible for their spectator's actions.
    7. Games will be hosted in a gym according to availability. If a gym is not available for a certain weekend, an outdoor location will be assigned by the league.
    8. All entrances and exits to all facilities must be kept clear. Failure to comply will result in you being asked to leave the premises.
    9. No noise making equipment is allowed at any of the games (including, but not limited to blow horns, drums, tablas etc...).

Game Rules

    1. Regulation Basketball Size
      1. For the Junior High Boys, Men's High School, Men's College, Men's Adult Leagues the required ball size will be 29.5”.
      2. For the Junior High Girls, Women’s High School, and Women's Leagues, the required ball size will be 28.5”.
    2. The three-second rule in the key applies when the offensive player has any part of the foot in the key. When a legitimate shot is released, the three-second rule is no longer in effect, the count starts over.
    3. Players are allowed only 5 seconds to inbound the ball.
    4. Players are given only 10 seconds to get the ball and both feet across the half court line.
    5. Game clock for all Leagues and Tournaments
      1. Regulation:
        1. 20 minutes running time, two halves. Time does not stop during free-throws and out of bound plays. The clock stops during timeouts and injuries when officially called by the referee. Time also stops within the last two minutes of the second half, only if the difference between the two teams is within 10 points (i.e. 50-59 pts. time stops; 50-60 pts. time DOES NOT stop.). We have added a 4th timeout. Only 3 out of the 4 will carryover to the 2nd half. The main objective is to empower coaches with more opportunities to control momentum, make substitutions, particularly in times of aggressive play that can potentially get out of line. Timeouts do not carry over into overtime from regulation.
      2. Overtime
        1. First and Second Overtime:
          1. 4 minutes running time. Time does not stop during free-throws and out of bound plays. The clock stops during timeouts and injuries when officially called by the referee. Time also stops within the last one minute only if the difference between the two teams is within 10 points (i.e. 50-59 pts. Time stops; 50-60 pts. time DOES NOT stop.). There is one 30-second timeout per overtime per team. Timeouts from regulation do not carry over into overtime. Timeouts from overtime do not carry over into other overtime sessions.
        2. Third Overtime:
          1. 2 minutes running time. Time does not stop during free-throws and out of bound plays. The clock stops during timeouts and injuries when officially called by the referee. Time also stops within the last one minute only if the difference between the two teams is within 10 points (i.e. 50-59 pts. time stops; 50-60 pts. time DOES NOT stop.). There is one 30-second timeout per overtime per team. Timeouts from regulation do not carry over into overtime. Timeouts from overtime do not carry over into other overtime sessions.
        3. Fourth overtime:
          1. Score resets to zero (0) for both teams. First team to score 3 points wins.
    6. After calling a timeout, a team cannot advance the ball. 
    7. After a made basket the clock does not stop. The clock is still “live” unless the Referee calls an official timeout.
    8. When a technical foul is called, it is 2 shots and possession of the ball remains the same.
    9. A technical foul is considered a personal foul in addition to a team foul. A technical foul on a coach/team bench also counts as a team foul.
    10. During free-throw shooting, players that are lined up along the key are allowed to enter the key when the ball is released from the hand of the shooter, except for the shooter and those behind the shooter who must wait for the ball to hit the rim.
    11. When a player receives his fifth (5th) foul, they are to be removed from the game immediately.
    12. If a player, coach, or spectator is ejected from a game by the CIF Referee he/she must leave the premises immediately.
    13. All other CIF rules apply; please check with referees if there are any questions or concerns with any game rules.

Technical Foul Rule

    1. This rule applies both to coaches and to players alike and to all technical fouls issued.
    2. All technical fouls are subject to League review.
    3. If a technical foul is deemed to be a Derogatory Technical Foul (e.x. Profanity, fighting, cussing, yelling, behavioral issues, etc.)
      1. Regular Season:
        1. First Technical Foul (combined during season).
          1. One (1) game suspension.
        2. Second Technical Foul (combined during season).
          1. Two (2) game suspension.
        3. Third Technical Foul (combined during season).
          1. Suspended from The Coptic League for the remainder of the season and possibly into next season.
      2. Last Regular Season Game, Playoffs, and Finals (technical fouls reset at the last regular season game):
        1. First Technical Foul – Sit out of game for ten (10) minutes and one (1) game suspension.
        2. Second Technical Foul – Sit out for remainder of game and suspended for remainder of the season.
    4. If a technical foul is deemed a Non-Derogatory Technical Foul (e.x. Delay of game, etc.).
      1. Last Regular Season Game, Playoffs, and Finals (technical fouls reset at the last regular season game):
        1. Technical Foul.
          1. Sit out of the game for ten (10) minutes.
    5. If a player/coach receives two technical fouls (either a derogatory and / or non-derogatory) in a single game, they are deemed ejected from the game, and will sit out the next two scheduled games.
    6. If a player/coach plays the next game after receiving a derogatory technical foul, they will be suspended from the league for the rest of the year and possibly in the future and that game will be forfeited for the team.

Playoffs

    1. Only the top 35-50% of each league will advance into playoffs for all leagues. This percentage and corresponding number will be given to all teams and posted on the league website at the start of the season. Playoffs will be according to regular season games, but single elimination. Advancement seating will be tournament style.
    2. General Record Determination:
      1. Overall league record per team by percent.
      2. When two teams are tied in the standings, regular season head-to-head results are used as the tie-breaker. If the season is not split (one team winning both games) then they (the team that won both games) takes the higher position.
      3. If three or more teams are tied, the combined record of each team against the other teams involved in the tie is used to break the tie. (If 3 teams have not played head-to-head with each other the same amount of games, percentages will be used to determine standings.
      4. If the above procedures fail to establish an advantage, point differentials against each team against the other teams involved in the tie is used to break the tie.
      5. If the above procedures fail to break the tie, then season points differentials will be used to break the tie.
    3. Please be advised that all nonparticipating players, all coaches, and all fans will be charged a $5.00 entrance fee per day of playoff and final game days. Payment is collected upon entrance. All proceeds go to fund the Coptic League.

Last Revised: June 21, 2024