PREAMBLE
The mission and purpose of the NORTHEAST GEORGIA FEEDER LEAGUE (hereinafter referred to as the “NEGFL”) is to develop a highly competitive youth basketball program designed specifically to enhance the skills of the most serious minded basketball players. The NEGFL exists to develop teams with players from the same Northeast Georgia Schools, thus developing a program of feeder systems for the High Schools in Northeast Georgia. A major emphasis is to provide the opportunity for the youth to have fun and enjoy basketball while learning proper sports skills and techniques in an atmosphere where good sportsmanship, ethics and competitiveness are stressed.

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CODE OF CONDUCT
The NORTHEAST GEORGIA FEEDER LEAGUE is a voluntary, non-profit, youth development organization designed to promote, manage, and support youth basketball in the Northeast Georgia area. Members of each association (also known as cluster), all coaches, all officers, all directors, officials, parents and players shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner so as not to bring discredit on the NEGFL or any of its members.

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The NEGFL’s goals include teaching proper basketball skills and techniques, instructing the principles of good sportsmanship, emphasizing physical fitness, providing an opportunity for fun and enjoyment, and the development of a teamwork attitude. The NEGFL will seek to promote pride in one’s sense of accomplishment, the recognition of one’s shortcomings and the importance of doing it right while working hard to accomplish a personal and team goal.

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All who are associated with the NEGFL including all member associations and their representatives, all coaches, players, and parents understand and agree that such attributes constitute the Code of Conduct of the NEGFL and understand that actions on their part in contravention of this Code can constitute grounds for the imposition of a fine against the member association, suspension or expulsion of a member association, coach, parent, or player whose actions are in any manner in contravention of the Code of Conduct.

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GOALS

1. Identify and recruit players within each County School System with the potential skills to compete at the highest level of youth basketball.

2. Develop teams with players from the same school systems, thus developing a program of feeder systems for the Middle/High Schools in Northeast Georgia.

3. To improve the knowledge and teaching skills of all coaches involved in the youth basketball program.

4. To teach good sportsmanship and physical fitness.

5. To provide an opportunity for fun and enjoyment.

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NEGFL TAKES PRECEDENT OVER LOCAL RULES
The NEGFL recognizes that individual associations / school systems may adopt certain Rules and Regulations for the management of their programs. When any Rules and Regulations of an individual association are in conflict with the Rules and Regulations of the NEGFL, the Rules and Regulations of the NEGFL shall control and the individual association must either adhere to those Rules or withdraw from the membership in the NORTHEAST GEORGIA FEEDER LEAGUE.

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Rule 1: Certification and Rules.

A. Each member of the coaching staff must be familiar with the “National Federation of State High School Association Rule Book.”

B. Each member of the coaching staff and each NEGFL representative must have a thorough understanding of the NEGFL Rules, the NEGFL Code of Conduct, and agree to abide by all provisions of these Rules and Code of Conduct, and be willing to accept any penalties which may be imposed as a result of violations(s) of the Rules and Code of Conduct.

C. The Rules in this Rule Book are subject to change. Each NEGFL Member Cluster Director or Contact Person is responsible for advising his/her association, coaches, players and membership of any Rule changes.

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Rule 2: Membership Requirements
A. All participating teams must be certified by the NEGFL, meeting all certification requirements for that season.
B. Each Member will present to the CEO (Michael Palmer), in writing/email, the name of the Director and other individuals authorized to represent the Member in the System Directors absence at NEGFL meetings by November15th.
C. Insure that at least one, but not more than two, of the designated representatives attend each NEGFL meetings held from October thru February.
D. Pay all fees within the timeframes specified annually. Fees are due prior to the beginning of each season, but no later than the first game.
E. Deposits will be required to “hold” a place for each team.

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Rule 3: Age & Divisions
A. Age divisions will be based upon grade level during the academic school year.
B. Age divisions are 3rd/4th, 5th/6th Grade, and 7th Grade.
C. Players can not play in a lower grade level but may play up one level.
D. Player’s birthday can be no greater than one year beyond the age cut off for that grade.
E. There will be Public School and Private School divisions assuming with have enough teams to make that division. Divisions otherwise will be based on competitive likeness.
F. No player will be allowed to play on two teams at any time during the season UNLESS permission is granted by CEO (Michael Palmer).

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Rule 4: Boundaries/Recruiting
A. Teams will be comprised only of players from their school. For example, player attends Rocky Branch Elementary School. Player must play for North Oconee Lady Titans Team. Any exceptions must be approved by the NEGFL CEO (Michael Palmer).
B. In the case of private schools, if the private school is a NEGFL Member, the player must play for the private school the player attends regardless of which local school cluster the player lives in, whether or not the player is selected for the private school team. Any exceptions must be approved by the NEGFL CEO (Michael Palmer).
C. In the case of a player that attends a private school not participating in the NEGFL, but lives in a specific NEGFL Member school cluster, if the Member chooses to allow private school players, the player may tryout and if selected, play for the school in they would be attending if they did not attend private school. Any exceptions must be approved by the NEGFL CEO (Michael Palmer).
D. In the case of home schooled players, if a Member chooses to allow home schooled players, the player must play for the local school cluster they live in as defined by Northeast Georgia Public Schools. Any exceptions must be approved by the NEGFL CEO (Michael Palmer).
E. These rules will be strictly enforced. Any exceptions must be approved by the NEGFL CEO (Michael Palmer). This rule is intended to foster community spirit, eliminating any recruiting of players from other school systems and prevent a hardship on parents in transporting players.
1. In the spirit of this Rule, all flyers, bulletins, or notices distributed by or on the behalf of an individual association shall be distributed only to the schools of that association.
2. Team tryout dates will be provided to the NEGFL Website.

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Rule 5: Practice
Teams can practice at their own discretion based upon availability of facilities. There are no limits on the number of hours a team may practice.

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Rule 6: Team Composition
A. The minimum number of participants on a team will be five (5). A team can play with less than five (5) players during a game but must start with five (5) unless the opposing coach consents to play against four (4).
B. There is a maximum of fifteen (15) certified players per team.
C. The maximum number of coaches on the team bench will be two (2). Each team is allowed one statistician at the scorer’s table.
D. Players may not change teams in a season once they have are certified, regardless of a change in address or school attendance.
E. A player may only participate with the team they are certified for regardless of how many teams the cluster may field.
F. Girls: 3rd/4th grade teams may be compromised of any combination of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders up to the maximum of 15 players on the roster. 5th/6th grade teams may be comprised of any combination of 4th, 5th and 6th graders up to the maximum of 15 players on the roster. , 7th grade teams will be permitted up to 5 players playing up two grades.

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Rule 7: Certification
A. All players must be certified with a NEGFL Registration form.
B. All players must provide the NEGFL with a report card.
C. All players must provide a report card from the fall session stating grade level.
D. Certification will be done by the NEGFL prior to the start of the season.
E. Players may be added to teams up to the maximum of 15 until one week prior to the first game. Player registration, copy of birth certificate, and current report card must be presented to a NEGFL for certification of the player prior to participation.
F. A certified roster with player’s number and full name must be submitted to NEGFL as certification. Certified roster will be used as the official score book for all games. Any modifications / additions must be submitted one week prior to the start of the season. The modified roster must be recertified by NEGFL.

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Rule 8: Uniform and Equipment
A. All individual teams are required to have matching jerseys and letters. All players must have a white uniform when the home team and must use legal numbers (0,1,2,3,4,5) or combination of these. All players must have an away uniform when the visiting team. Failure to have a valid number will result in a team technical when the player tries to enter the game and that player will be suspended from playing until the jersey is correct.
B. Jerseys must have permanent numbers on both front and back of jersey (no tape or markers).
C. If undershirts are worn, they must be the same color as the jersey.
D. Coaches are role models and should dress accordingly. Clothing such as casual (basketball or athletic) shorts and/or “cut-off” shorts, warm-up suites, t-shirts, jerseys, and hats are not permitted. Proper attire must be neat, clean, and portray a positive image for all NEGFL participants.

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Rule 9: Playing Rules
A. National Federation Basketball Rules with NEGFL exceptions as approved and published by NEGFL.
B. Game Length – Game Length may be modified prior to the season beginning if the Board determines it is necessary to manage the game schedule.
3rd/4th Grade – Four 10 minute running clock quarters
5th/6th Grade – Four 6 minute quarters or Four 5 minute quarters
7th Grade – Four 6 minute quarters
C. Half Time – 5 minutes
D. Overtime – 2 minutes, one overtime period and then game will be declared a tie.
E. Timeouts – two 1 minute, per half and they DO NOT carry over, one 1 minute per overtime but time-outs from regulation do not carry over in NEGFL over-times.
F. Fouls – players foul out on the 5th personal foul. 1&1 will be shot on the 7th team foul; two free throws will be shot on the 10th team foul.
G. Mercy Rule – Once a team is ahead by 20 points, the clock will run continuously except during timeouts and injuries. If the point differential is reduced below 10, the clock will return to normal stoppages.
H. Press – No full court press allowed after 12 point lead. One warning, then a technical on the Coach will be assessed.
I. Ball Size
3rd & 4th, 5th & 6th & 7th Grade –Girls use 28.5
J. Clock Keeper and Score Keeper –Home team provides the Clock Keeper and Visiting team provides the Score Keeper

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Rule 10: Schedules
A season ending tournament will be sponsored by the NEGFL for all age groups. The tournament format will be single elimination. If there are an odd number of teams in a particular age group, a play-in game will be played to determine the final seed of that age group. The loser of the play-in game is eliminated from tournament play. Rule 14 applies to tournament games. Round 1 of the tournament the top seed plays lowest seed, 2nd seed will play next lowest seed.

Regular Season Standings will be used to determine the tournament seeding. Standings are determined as follows:
a) Best overall record
b) Standing Tiebreaker rules:
1. Head to Head Play: The team that wins the head to head competition between the two tied teams will be the higher seed.
2. Defensive Point System: A total defensive point system will be used if teams are still tied. The team with the lowest points allowed will determine the teams’ order of placement.
3. Offensive Point System: A total offensive point system will be used if teams are still tied. The team with the highest points scored for the season will determine the team’s order of placement.
4. Coin Toss: If two teams remain tied a coin toss will determine the team’s order of placement.

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Rule 11: Admission Charges
The NEGFL venues will charge an admission fee of $5 for adults and $3 for kids.

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Rule 12: Required Conduct for Coaches, Players, Parents and Spectators
A. In addition to the stated purposes of the Code of Conduct of the NEGFL, it will be strictly against the policy of the NEGFL for any person either as player, spectator, or coach to:
1. Engage in arguments or unprivileged touching of an official, coach, participant, or NEGFL representative;
2. To use abusive or foul language;
3. To harass officials; and
4. To exhibit any behavior not in accordance with the Bylaws, or the Code of Conduct shall be dealt with as necessary by the NEGFL. Penalties may include a fine and/or suspension and/or expulsion from the NEGFL Program.
B. All coaches must sign the Code of Conduct form prior to the beginning of the season.
C. Coaches are also responsible for reviewing and enforcing this Code of Conduct with their players and parents.
D. If a coach or player receives either 2 technical fouls, a flagrant foul or is ejected from a game, they will be suspended for at least one game thereafter.
E. If a coach or player is involved in a fight at any time, a minimum punishment of a 2 game suspension or greater based on Board review and vote. A coach may be penalized for players fighting.
F. If a coach or player is ejected from 2 or more games, upon NEGFL CEO Review said offenders may be suspended from league.

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Rule 13: Ineligible Participants
The use of ineligible players (players not certified by the NEGFL for suspect team) will cause the coach to be suspended for a minimum of one (1) game and all games that involved that individual will result in a forfeit. A fine also may be imposed on the Member involved.

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Rule 14: Canceling Games and Forfeits
Games canceled because of lack of participants will result in an automatic fine of $100 to the team. This includes all regular season and tournament games.

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Rule 15: Registration Fees
A. Annual Team Registration fees will be determined by the NEGFL CEO and announced prior to the beginning of each season. 2015-16 season is $600.
B. Only the NEGFL is authorized to collect registration fees from associations in order to accomplish the Purposes of the NEGFL.

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Rule 16: Protests of Game
A coach may protest a game if he/she feels a Rule has been broken or not enforced. The coach must have a written protest to a NEGFL CEO within twenty-four (24) hours after the game. A $40 cash deposit must accompany the written protest. If the protest causes a reversal by the NEGFL, the $40 will be returned. If the decision is not reversed, the $40 deposit will not be returned and will be deposited into the NEGFL general fund. Judgment calls by a referee cannot be protested. Only Rule violations may be protested.

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Rule 17: Fines, Suspensions and Appeals
Should a fine or suspension be imposed against a Member, a coach, player, or parent from that association, the association shall have 48 hours to appeal the imposition of that fine to the NEGFL CEO, NEGFL CEO will review and rule on the appeal within 48 hours of the appeal request. Should they fail to appeal and win that appeal to the NEGFL, the fine shall stand and the association shall pay the fine within ten (10) days of any decision on the appeal. Should the Member fail to pay the fine for any reason whatsoever, that association shall be put on suspension from the NEGFL and shall not be allowed to participate in any games until that fine has been paid. Should that fine remain unpaid at the conclusion of the season, that local association may be removed form the NEGFL.