Rules & Regulations

  1. League Rules
  2. Coach's Code of Conduct
  3. Parent Code of Conduct

Brightbill Park Summer Basketball League Rules and Regulations


Download Rules & Regulations

  1. No players may be added to rosters after the Coaches Meeting.
    1. Preformed team members need to be individually registered on Civic Rec roster two weeks before coaches meeting so free agents may be added to teams and divisions can be established before Coaches Meeting.
    2. Lower Paxton Brightbill Administration has the right to place teams in divisions according to their level of play from the previous season.
      1. Winning a championship, winning percentage, current player’s ages and preformed teams will have a bearing on which division they are placed in.
    3. All players MUST WEAR their current TEAM SHIRT for each game.
      1. Each coach will assign a numbered shirt to each player and record the number on the roster found in their team’s t-shirt bag on T-shirt Distribution Night.  This roster needs to be emailed to
        jwalters@lowerpaxton-pa.gov prior to their first game.
      2. Each player must wear the same shirt with the same number they were given by the coach, which was recorded on T-shirt Distribution Night.
      3. Players are not permitted to borrow someone’s shirt.
      4. Player(s) without team shirt(s) will not be permitted to play.
      5. The only exception will be an LPT shirt issue.   
    4. Player shirts may not be altered.
      1. If altered, the player(s) will not be permitted to play until the shirt is corrected.  NO EXCEPTIONS!
    5. Appropriate athletic attire and footwear will be required.
    6. Lost or altered shirts will require the player(s) to pay for a new shirt.
      1. The cost of a new shirt is $35.
      2. The player will be permitted to play once payment is made to LPT Parks and Recreation Department and until the shirt arrives.
  2. Jewelry / Hair restrictions
    1. Jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, piercings, and anything else that could be considered jewelry) is not allowed to be worn during the game.  
    2. Players will not be permitted to place tape or bandages over the jewelry.  The player MUST show what is under the tape/bandage.  Failure to do so will result in the player not being able to play.
    3. Hair adornments (beads, barrettes, bobby pins, etc.) are permissible, provided they are attached closely to the player’s head.  Beads that hang on extended hair, hair clips, and any other hair adornment that can cause injury or fall out of the hair easily ARE NOT PERMITTED and must be removed or secured to the head before being able to play.
    4. Players found with illegal jewelry or hair adornments will not be able to enter the game, or if noticed once they’re in the game, must remove the illegal item before play can continue or be removed from the game if it will cause it to be held up for an extended period.
  3. Games consist of two 18-minute running clock halves.
    1. With 2-minutes remaining in the half, the clock will stop on all dead balls.
      1. EXCEPTION: see Rule 7.b.ii.
    2. The clock will stop during all time outs.
    3. The only other time the clock will stop is during referees’ discretion.
    4. There is no overtime period during the regular season.
    5. Playoff overtime will be 5:00 with a running clock until 2:00 remaining in any overtime period.
  4. Teams are allotted THREE 30-second timeouts per game.
    1. Teams only get ONE 30-second timeout per overtime period.
    2. No regulation or overtime timeouts carry over to a new overtime period.
  5. Mandatory water breaks at the first dead ball under the 9-minute mark in each half MAY be implemented on nights of excessive weather conditions.
  6. Pressing Rules 
    1. During the regular season, staff has the authority to request “no press”.
    2. The 08 - 09 division may not press any team until 9 minutes left in the second half and if not leading by 15 or more points.
    3. Divisions older than 08 - 09 year olds may not press if leading by 20 or more points.
    4. During the playoffs, no team may press if they lead by more than their regular season point allowance which will carry over to overtime as well.
  7. Mercy Rule 
    1. Occurs when a team at the start or during the second half is leading by more than 30 points.  
    2. When this happens, the following will occur:
      1. The score will stop being kept visibly but will still be kept on the score sheets.
      2. The clock will continue to run under 2 minutes except for the following for either team:
        1. Called time out.
        2. Player injury.
        3. Shooting free throws (under 10 seconds in the game).
      3. The team causing the mercy rule while on defense must pull their players back to the 3-point line and not step up to play defense on the ball until the offensive team approaches the 3-point line.  At that point defense can be played back to half court.
  8. Zone, man-to-man or other defenses will be left to the discretion of each coach.
  9. Warnings
    1. A coach/player MAY be warned for their actions during a game.
      1. Warnings will be recorded on the scoresheet.
      2. Any action during the same game AT or WORSE than the original warning level will automatically result in a Direct Technical Foul on the coach/player.
      3. A warning DOES NOT need to be given to a coach/player for their actions.  If the staff/official feels a Direct Technical foul is warranted for a specific action, that penalty will be handed out immediately and cannot be taken back.
  10. Technical Fouls
    1. A coach or player MAY receive a Direct Technical Foul for an unsporting act.   Such acts are defined by NFHS/PIAA as taunting, displays of unsporting behavior, profanity, and arguing calls with an official.
    2. Coaches and players can receive up to TWO Direct Technical Fouls.
      1. Coaches
        1. On the first offense for a coach, he/she MUST sit on the bench (no longer permitted to stand).
        2. On the SECOND offense for a coach, they are ejected from the game and suspended for ONE GAME immediately following it.
          1. The coach MUST leave the park facilities immediately once ejected (go to the parking lot).
            1. Refusal to leave the park will result in a 2 - 0 forfeit loss.
          2. The coach IS NOT permitted to be at the park during the following game if he/she is suspended.
        3. A HEAD COACH will receive an Indirect Technical Foul for each Direct Technical Foul called against an assistant coach.
          1. A Head Coach can receive up to 3 Indirect Technical Fouls.
          2. On the first Indirect Technical Foul given to the Head Coach, he/she MUST sit on the bench (no longer permitted to stand).
      2. Players
        1. On the first offense for a player, he/she must be substituted out of the game so the coach can address the situation but is still permitted to play in the game.
        2. On the SECOND offense for a player, he/she is ejected from the game and suspended for ONE GAME immediately following it.
          1. The player can continue to sit on the bench once ejected, but if he/she becomes a distraction then he/she must leave the park facilities (go to the parking lot).
            1. Refusal to leave the park will result in a 2 - 0 forfeit loss.
          2. The player can be on the bench during the following game when he/she is suspended.
      3. A second ejection during the season will result in expulsion from the league.
      4. A coach that is ejected during the playoffs for the current season may forfeit his/her right to coach a team for the following season.
      5. The level of discipline shall be determined by the league officials, based on the severity of the infraction.
    3. In the event a team receives TWO Direct Technical fouls, a warning will be given immediately.  When a THIRD Direct Technical foul is given in the same game, the result will be a 2 - 0 forfeit loss.
  11. Flagrant Fouls
    1. A coach or player WILL receive a Flagrant Foul for actions that exceed that of a Technical Foul.  Such acts are defined by NFHS/PIAA as fighting, profanity directed at someone else, and racism.
    2. Coaches and players WILL only receive ONE Flagrant Foul.
      1. A coach or player that receives a Flagrant Foul is ejected from the game and suspended for TWO games immediately following it.
      2. The coach or player MUST leave the park facilities immediately (go to the parking lot).
        1. Refusal to leave the park will result in a 2 - 0 forfeit loss.
      3. The coach or player IS NOT permitted to be at the park during the following two games if he/she is suspended.
      4. A coach or player that receives a Flagrant Foul for fighting will be expelled from the league.
      5. A second Flagrant Foul ejection (other than for fighting) will result in expulsion from the league.
  12. Good sportsmanship MUST be demonstrated by coaches, players, and spectators.  No horseplay is permitted.  Good sportsmanship includes, but is not limited to, the agreed upon and signed Code of Conduct for Brightbill Basketball form for coaches and parents.  See attached form for example.
  13. Teams may not play unless a coach is present with a visible Court Pass.
    1. Only the head coach, up to two assistant coaches and players listed on the team roster may be permitted in the bench area.  All others must be in the designated fan area outside of the court.
    2. Only the head coach is permitted to stand within the “coaching box”.
    3. If there is not enough room to be seated on the bench, the assistant coach(es) is permitted to stand BEHIND the player’s bench.  
      1. Their involvement is limited to assisting the head coach and the players.
      2. Assistant coaches who stand in the coaching box, along the sidelines or on the end line will be informed to return to the bench or stand behind it.
      3. Failure to comply will result in a Direct Technical foul.  See Rule 9 for consequences.
      4. Repeated offenses will result in loss of coaching privileges.
    4. A lost Court Pass is subject to a $10 fee for a new one.
    5. Coaches must be 18 years old unless otherwise approved by Parks and Recreations staff.
    6. Volunteer Coaches
      1. If a head coach AND any assistant coaches that have been cleared to coach in the league cannot make a game, a Volunteer Coach can be used so the game is played.
      2. A Volunteer Coach IS NOT permitted to be in the bench area if a Head Coach and/or Assistant Coach are present.
      3. A Volunteer Coach MUST show their current driver’s license to the Brightbill staff and complete the Volunteer Coach form EACH TIME they will coach the team.
        1. A Volunteer Coaches Badge will be provided to the Volunteer Coach by the Brightbill court staff and MUST be always worn during the game.
        2. The Volunteer Coach CAN ONLY substitute coach for the team a maximum of THREE TIMES.  After the third time, the Volunteer Coach MUST go through the Assistant Coach registration process online, provide 3 clearances, and receive an LPT issued coach badge before substituting again.
  14. Each team must start with a minimum of 4 players.
    1. If 4 players are at the court at the start of game time, then the game starts on time.  There will be no waiting for additional players to start the game, they can enter during the first dead ball when they get there.
    2. The opponent can decide to play 4-on-4 or 5-on-4.
      1. If an opponent decides to start 4-on-4, they cannot change to 5-on-4 if losing.
      2. If an opponent decides to start 5-on-4, they can change to play 4-on-4 if desired.
  15. Players must be a part of the team roster.
    1. If a player is found to be playing for a team and is not affiliated with the Brightbill Summer Basketball League, the result will be that the entire team will be suspended for the remainder of the season.
  16. Players may only participate on one team.
    1. If a player is found to be playing on two teams the result will be the player will be suspended for the remainder of the season.
  17. Games will result in a forfeit if a team is 15 minutes late.
  18. If a team knows in advance they must forfeit, please inform the Parks and Recreation staff AND the opposing team’s coach.
    1. DO NOT just tell the court staff, contact Parks and Recreation staff directly.
    2. If there is a “no call/no show” your team will be charged a $10 fee.
    3. All fees must be paid prior to the playoffs, or your team will be disqualified from the playoffs.
  19. Due to lack of court time, all rained out games will not be made up.
    1. Head coaches are to inform all assistant coaches, players and parents in the event of any cancellations.
    2. Coaches will be contacted by Parks and Recreation staff directly.
      1. Inform coaches/players/parents to follow @BrightbillBball on Twitter to get instant notifications on weather updates as they happen real time at the park.
    3. If a team falls below their “guaranteed” game count, postponed games COULD be added to the schedule at the end of the regular season.
  20. All teams make the playoffs at the end of the regular season.  
    1. Seedings are based on team records and may be influenced by staff/coach input.  
    2. Rating forms may be distributed for input.
    3. Playoff dates DO NOT necessarily coincide with the same dates team’s play on during the regular season.
  21. PIAA referees will only be provided during the playoffs.  Staff will officiate regular season games.
    1. If it is needed during the regular season, parent volunteers will be requested from each team to work at the table.
      1. When this situation arises, Lower Paxton Township will try to give the coaches enough notice to have parent volunteers lined up before their game.
      2. Lower Paxton Township will provide examples of the scoresheets for the coaches, which can be handed out to parent volunteers so they can see what is being requested of them while at the table.
      3. Parent volunteers should refrain from coaching and cheering on their team while at the table.
  22. All other NFHS/PIAA rules and regulations will be followed when not addressed here.
  23. The Lower Paxton Township Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to request a birth certificate for proof of age.
  24. The Lower Paxton Township Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to release any coach from their duties if they do not abide by the Coaches Code of Conduct policy in any way

    Parks and Recreation Brightbill Basketball Staff may be contacted by calling 717-657-5600 Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.