1.1. This Code of Conduct (COC) has been established to assure that the principles of sportsmanship, fair play, skill development, and mutual respect among players, coaches, officials, and spectators are adhered to in the Mount Laurel Basketball (MLB) program.

1.2. Even though the league is competitive and winning is a goal for which all teams should strive (at most age groups), the emphasis is still on having fun and making this an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

1.3. This COC shall be made available for viewing on the MLB web site. It shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors to assure that it continues to meet the high ethical standards of MLB.

2.1. MLB reserves the right to request proof of residency, or proof of school grade, at any time during or after registration.

2.2. Anyone caught purposely providing false information on a registration form, including, but not limited to school grade or residency address, will have their child immediately removed from the league, even if practices and games have already begun.

3.1. Each Commissioner is responsible for fully understanding the COC and playing rules for his/her specific league, and assuring that this information is adequately communicated to and reviewed with each head coach.

3.2. Commissioners shall run their leagues in a fair and objective manner throughout the season, without bias toward any specific players, coaches, or teams.

4.1. A coach’s behavior in prior seasons, as well as any violations of any other local sports organization’s code of conduct, will be considered when coach selections are made prior to the beginning of the season. Coaches may be subject to background checks and any information obtained in such checks will be utilized in making coach selections.

4.2. Head coaches are responsible for the actions of their players, assistant coaches, and parents of players, and shall review this COC with them at the beginning of the season. If anyone violates the COC, the head coach shall either take immediate action, or bring the situation to the attention of his/her Commissioner following the game.

4.3. Head and assistant coaches are primarily responsible to maintain order in the gyms. This is NOT the responsibility of the referees.

4.4. All coaches shall know the rules and abide by them. Players shall be instructed to compete according to the rules at all times, and to be humble and generous in victory, and proud and courteous in defeat.

4.5. Head coaches shall have a copy of this COC and their age specific rules with them at all games. It is the two opposing head coaches’ responsibility to review these rules with the referee and other support personnel (score keepers, time keepers, etc.) prior to the game if they are not already familiar with them.

4.6. Arguing with a referee is absolutely prohibited. If the referee misinterprets a rule and makes a bad call (or makes a no call), a coach can correct the referee once the ball is dead. However, the call (or no call) that was made by the referee stands if the ball is still in play.

4.7. All coaches shall maintain control of his/her emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and/or humiliating.

4.8. If a coach is asked to leave the gym by a referee, he or she is not permitted to attend the next game. If it happens a second time in the season, that coach will be prohibited from coaching for the remainder of this season

4.9. Head coaches shall take appropriate steps to minimize scoring in runaway games while continuing to encourage all players to always try their best. In situations such as this, it is acceptable for the team that is ahead, with prior agreement by the opposing coach and notification to the referee, to deviate from the written league rules (e.g. additional substitutions, increased playing time for specific players, etc.)

4.10. Although it is recognized that it can be difficult at times to be in attendance at every practice or game, it is the head coach’s responsibility to assure that someone can fill in for them in their absence. Forfeiting a game or canceling a practice should be an absolute last option.

5.1. Players shall always abide by the guidelines of FAIR play which is defined as follows:

5.1.1. F ollow all the rules

5.1.2. A lways try your best

5.1.3. I nvolve everyone

5.1.4. R espect your opponent

5.2. Players shall listen to, cooperate with, and be respectful of their coaches. The head coach has the ultimate authority to make any and all decisions regarding his/her team.

5.3. Players shall not argue with a referee, or question any calls. If a player is not in agreement with a call made by a referee, they shall discuss it with their coach.

5.4. Players shall maintain control of their emotions, avoiding the use of abusive or profane language, taunting or humiliating remarks, and/or gestures and excessive physicality upon another player.

5.5. Players shall be humble and generous in victory, and proud and courteous in defeat.

6.1. Prior to the start of the game, the referee shall meet with both head coaches to review the COC and any rules that are specific to that age group if he/she is not already familiar with them.

6.2. If a situation arises during a game where the referee is unsure of a specific age group rule, the referee shall stop the game, stop the clock, and confer with both head coaches.

6.3. If the behavior of a coach, player, or spectator becomes marginal, the referee shall stop the game and clock immediately, and discuss the situation with both head coaches and any others who are involved in the situation. Considering the severity of a technical foul in MLB, referees shall always attempt to first bring a situation under control before calling a technical foul. Consideration shall also always be given to issuing a warning prior to calling a technical foul.

6.4. Referees shall be open to discuss any issues or concerns that a head coach may have.

6.5. Referees shall show the same respect and courtesy to the players, coaches, and fans that is expected in return.

7.1. Parents and spectators can only be in the stands during a game. No parent or spectator is permitted to sit on the bench unless they are performing a team function such as tracking playing time, etc.

7.2. Fans in the stands should not have any direct interaction with the coaches, players, or referees.

7.3. Everyone should be respectful of the game officials, and refrain from questioning their decision or from addressing them in a loud, disrespectful, or abusive manner.

7.4. Parents and spectators should cheer for their team in a positive manner, refraining at all times from making negative or abusive remarks about the opposing team.

Parents should remember to encourage their own child positively and avoid berating the child for poor play.

7.5. Any parent or spectator who is asked to leave the gym by the referees is not permitted to attend the next game. This applies to all parents in any of our programs, including our travel and intramural programs.

7.6. No one should be on the court at any time other than the players, coaches, and referee. Other players/siblings should not shoot around on a basket when the ball is at the other end of the court, during timeouts, between quarters, or during half time of a game, unless authorized by the officials.

7.7. No one should be in any part of the school other than the gymnasium or the restroom.

7.8. No basketballs, other than those provided to the coaches, or any other types of sporting equipment (footballs, etc.) are to be brought into the gym.

8.1. The term "technical foul" as used throughout this document applies only to BEHAVIORAL types of technical fouls (e.g. cursing, arguing with the ref, slamming the ball down, intentional flagrant fouls, etc.) but not NON‐BEHAVIORAL technical fouls (e.g. too many players on the court, calling a time out with none left, etc.).

8.2. Referees have the authority to call technical fouls on players and coaches.

8.2.1. If a coach receives a technical during a game, they are immediately ejected from that game, and suspended for their next game.

8.2.2. If a coach receives a second technical foul during the season, they are suspended from the league for the remainder of the season, including any playoff games.

8.2.3. If a player receives his or her first technical of the season during a game, the foul is treated as a normal technical foul and the opposing team receives 2 free throws and the ball. If a player receives a

8.2.4. 2nd technical foul at any latter point in the game or season, they are immediately ejected from that game, and suspended for their next game.

8.2.5. If a player receives a third technical foul during the season, they are suspended from the league for the remainder of the season, including any playoff games.

8.3. The consequences associated with a technical foul also apply to non‐verbal technical fouls (e.g. an intentional push in the back on a fast break).

8.4. The two opposing head coaches are responsible for maintaining order in the gym. If a parent or spectator engages in any unsportsmanlike conduct, the two head coaches or the league officials have the authority to instruct the violators to leave the gym.

8.5. If a parent or spectator engages in a second unsportsmanlike activity during the season, they shall be banned from any future games or practices (including other MLB age groups) for the remainder of the season, including the playoffs. Unsportsmanlike conduct of a parent pertains to treatment of that parent’s child as well.

8.6. Any coach, parent, or player that engages in any unsportsmanlike conduct is subject to suspension or expulsion from the league, even if the referee did not call a technical foul. Any incidents should be reported to the league Commissioner.

9.1. If a dispute arises, the following hierarchy shall be followed in order to resolve the dispute:

9.1.1. Head coach

9.1.2. League commissioner

9.1.3. League President ‐ Chris Beeler (chris.beeler@mtlaurelbasketball.org)

9.1.4. MLB Board of Directors (info@mtlaurelbasketball.org)

9.2. No disputes will be addressed if they do not follow the above hierarchy.