1. SPORT SPECIFIC INFORMATION
1.1. Season Start Date – October 26, 2009
1.2. Season End Date – March 28, 2010
1.3. Date that all make-up games must be completed – A & AA Leagues - February 5, 2010, B League – February 12, 2010.
1.4. Tryout dates – No cut tryouts for two weeks beginning October 9, 2009 to October 23, 2009
1.5. Maximum number of games, exclusive of playoffs is twenty four (24) games. Teams may not play two (2) games in one day.
1.6. Minimum number of players required to start a game is seven (7). It is recommended that each team have at least twelve (12) to fifteen (15) players.
1.7. Times of games-
1.7.1. Games will start promptly at 5 PM for AA games and 4:30 for A & B games unless a change in time is mutually agreed upon by the schools, and is included in the official league schedules, as posted on www.psal.org.
1.7.2. A forfeit will be declared if a team does not show up within one hour of game time.
1.8. All teams are required to complete their league schedules, and all games must be completed by February 5, 2010 (A and AA Leagues) and February 12, 2010 (B League).
1.9. Games that are not played by February 5, 2010 for A and AA and by February 12, 2010 for B will be counted as forfeits for both teams involved.
2.TRYOUTS RACTICE
2.1. Schools must have ten (10) days of practice prior to the first interschool contest (scrimmage or game) and each individual must have at least eight (8) practices.
2.2. Approved tryout dates for all students are two weeks from Oct 9, 2009 till Oct 23 2009
2.3. A school may not conduct organized practices prior to October 26, 2009.
3. TEAM ROSTERS
3.1. All coaches must electronically submit a Team Roster to www.psal.org prior to the first scheduled contest (game, meet, match) of the season (league or non-league).
3.2. No PSAL team is permitted to compete unless an approved team roster is posted on the website.
3.3. Failure to submit a roster will result in a forfeit for each contest played.
3.4. Minimum number of players required to start a game is seven (7)
4. CHANGES IN SCHEDULE
4.1. The PSAL office will issue official schedules for each sport.
4.2. Coaches have an opportunity to request adjustments or corrections to dates, times, and locations.
4.3. Any changes in the schedule must be made between September 7, 2009 to September 25, 2009.
4.4. The procedure for making any changes is to contact Yolanda Alford, Scheduler at Yalford@schools.nyc.gov with your date requests.
4.5. Please include the original game number, new date, time and location.
4.6. All parties involved must be in total agreement, so please contact the opposing coach and agree on a new date before making your request.
4.7. Everyone must be aware that site availability is a major concern when rescheduling a contest. Your requests will be carefully reviewed and if possible the change will be made
4.8. AFTER September 25, 2009 ONLY EMERGENCY REQUESTS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSIONER OR SPORTS COORDINATOR.
4.9. NO CHANGE IS OFFICIAL UNTIL IT HAS BEEN CHANGED ON THE SCHOOLS SCHEDULE POSTED ON THE PSAL WEBSITE.
5. SEVERE WEATHER DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS
5.1. OUTDOOR SPORTS-ONLY
5.1.1. Sports with Officials-The teacher coach of the home team must notify the Athletic Director and or the teacher/coach of the opposing team and the assignor of a cancellation by 1:00 PM for regularly scheduled league games.
5.1.2. Sports without Officials-The teacher/coach of the home team must notify the Athletic Director and/or the teacher/coach of the opposing team and the commissioner of a cancellation by 1:00 PM for regularly scheduled league games.
5.2. INDOOR SPORTS-ONLY
5.2.1. All games will be played as scheduled unless cancelled by the PSAL. Check www.PSAL.org after 10:00 AM on game day.
5.3. NO CHANGE IS OFFICIAL UNTIL IT HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE SCHOOLS’ SCHEDULES AND ON THE PSAL WEBSITE.
6. STUDENT- ATHLETES
6.1. Each student-athlete must have a signed parental consent form on file for each sport before the first day of participation in that sport (tryouts, practice).
6.2. Each student-athlete must have a current (within one calendar year) medical certificate on file before the first day of participation (tryouts, practices).
6.3. No player may be added to the official team roster after January 23, 2010 unless they were on the inactive list prior to that date.
6.4. On days of normal school attendance, a student-athlete must be present in school in order to participate in any team practice, scrimmage, league or non-league game, meet, match, contest or tryouts on that day
7. TEACHER/COACHES
7.1. All coaches must attend one of the mandatory coaching clinics.
7.2. Failure to attend will result in a loss of 2 hours from your coaching allocation.
7.3. Games cannot proceed unless both coaches are present and the required AED unit is present. All coaches must bring their AED unit to all games, practices and scrimmages.
7.4. If the AED unit is NOT present, a coach cannot practice, scrimmage, or play a game.
7.5. If it is a game situation and neither team has an AED unit, the game will be declared a forfeit and each coach will have 4 hours deducted from his/her allocation.
7.6. Coaches must be present in the gymnasium (field, court) when his/her team is practicing.
7.7. Each teacher/coach must actively supervise team members, until they are safely away from the site of competition at “away” games.
7.8. Only a licensed teacher with current First Aid/CPR/ AED may substitute for the assigned teacher coach.
8. VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACHES
8.1. Up to three (3) volunteer assistant coaches are permitted to be on the bench during a game, provided that they are duly authorized by the school Principal.
8.2. A letter of authorization from the Principal must be affixed to the official scorebook, for inspection by officials and coaches. NO WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM THE PSAL IS REQUIRED.
8.3. If an assistant is to substitute at any time for the Head Coach, the assistant must be in possession of a six digit Department of Education file number and fully certified in First Aid/CPR/AED.
8.4. All pertinent regulations regarding for the use of volunteers in the schools must be adhered to.
9. OFFICIALS (If Sport with Officials)
9.1. List assignors for Junior Varsity and Varsity
A. Leroy Hendricks – Varsity - Manhattan and Bronx - PSALASSIN@MSN.com
B. Nick Gaetani – Varsity – B’klyn, Queens, S.I – Nick G81@netzero.net
C. Buddy Keaton – Junior Varsity – Bklyn, Queens, S.I. – Buddy psal@aol.com
D. Haneef Nelson – Junior Varsity – Manhattan, Bronx – Neefdad@optonline.net
9.2. All officials will be assigned by the PSAL.
9.3. Notify the Sports Commissioner or the appropriate Assignor by email or phone when an official is late or not present.
9.4. Only officials who have been approved by the PSAL, and whose names appear on the officials’ roster may be hired for non-league (as well as league) games.
9.5. In the event that one official appears, the game must be played.
10. COURTS & FIELDS
10.1.All courts and fields must be approved by the Sports Commissioner and the PSAL, prior to its first usage.
10.2.Teams not using their school sites will designate the sites for home games and notify the PSAL prior to the season by October 1, 2007..
10.3.All courts or fields must have the following (which are the responsibilities of the home team)
10.3.1. Hand held timer (for emergency use)
10.3.2. Approved backboard padding.
10.3.3. Three point shot arc.
10.3.4. Possession indicator.
10.3.5. Official 30 second clock (Girl’s Varsity and J.V.)
10.3.6. Official 35 second clock (Boy’s AA)
10.4.Schools that do not provide the above mentioned items may forfeit their games while in violation.
10.5.Any violations of the above must be reported to the PSAL and the Sports Commissioner immediately.
11. EQUIPMENT
11.1.Approved basketball as recognized in the National Federation of High School Basketball Rules Book
11.2.Safety Equipment
11.2.1. AED Unit MUST be present at ALL practices, scrimmages and games
11.2.2. The PSAL recommends that all coaches travel with a team medical bag, which include the following items:
11.2.2.1. Slings (small, medium large)
11.2.2.2. Splints (short)
11.2.2.3. Gauze pads, butterflies, and band-aids
11.2.2.4. Eye Patches
11.2.2.5. Eye irrigating solution
11.2.2.6. Peroxide and sterile saline (one bottle)
11.2.2.7. Scissors (blunt tip, tape cutter), tape (1/4 to 2 inches), ace wraps (2,4,6 inches), antiseptic wash and ointment (betadine scrub, bacitracin ointment)
11.2.2.8. Cotton (Q-Tip applicators), tongue depressors, ice packs, cellular phone (if possible)
12. UNIFORMS
12.1.All players must be in appropriate school uniforms according to the NFHS Rules and Regulations
12.2.Each school must have two (2) sets of uniforms (or one set with reversible colors)
12.3.The home team must use light colors, with official size letters and numbers.
12.4.The visiting team must use dark colors, with official size letters and numbers.
12.5.Jewelry – No wearing of jewelry by a student athlete is permitted. Umpires/Referees will ask student athletes to remove jewelry. If he/she does not, then he/she will be ejected.
13. COMPETITIONS
13.1.Home Team
13.1.1. The first team named in the schedule is the home team.
13.1.2. The home team must provide a safe and private dressing room for officials.
13.1.3. The home team must provide a safe and private dressing area for visiting team members.
13.1.4. The home team must provide a safe environment for all players and spectators.
13.1.5. The home Athletic Director must contact the visiting Athletic Director with the rules and regulations that they are enforcing for the game. These may include: time that the visiting team may report, entrance that they report to, whether spectators are permitted, etc. It is recommended that each home team prepare written procedures and mail them to the visiting school prior to the game.
13.1.6. Bench Area
13.1.7. The only people permitted in the designated bench are:
- The teacher coach (Varsity and/or Junior Varsity)
- Assistant teacher/coaches authorized by the Principal and published on www.psal.org.
Student Managers, only as listed on the team profile
- Team Members, only as listed on the official roster published on www.psal.org
- Sports Specific personnel (example: physicians, trainers, etc).
13.2.All other persons and spectators must be seated in the stands.
13.3.Violation of this rule can result in penalties to be determined by the PSAL
14. SCORING AND TIME KEEPING
14.1.As per Rule 2.1 (NFHS), referees shall be assisted by two timers and two scorers.
14.2.The home team must provide one timer and one scorer.
14.3.The visiting team may provide one scorer and one timer, if available.
14.4.If the visiting team does not provide a timer and a scorer, one person may be designated as the team “spotter” whose function shall be to observe the timing and scoring and to report any discrepancies to the visiting coach.
14.5.The 35 second clock will be in use for the AA League only.
15. REGULATION GAME
15.1.As specified in the NFHS Basketball Rules Book.
16. BOX SCORES
16.1.Following each PSAL league contest, coaches are required to complete and submit box scores, within 24 hours, to www.psal.org.
17.FORFEITS
17.1.FOUR (4) hours of pay will be deducted from the teacher/coach’s allocation for each forfeit in non-played PSAL League game.
17.2.A forfeit will be declared if a team does not show up within one hour of game time.
17.3.A forfeit will be declared for any team having less than seven (7) players suited up for a contest.
17.4.All forfeits must be reported to the Sport’s Commissioner and the Assignor within 24 hours of the contest.
17.5.The box score for a forfeited contest will be entered by the Sport’s Commissioner.
17.6.Coaches may be subject to further disciplinary action, based up the circumstances surrounding the forfeit.
18. PROTESTS
18.1.Protests may only be made if a rule is alleged to have been applied incorrectly, or not applied.
18.2.No protest of judgment calls may be entered.
18.3.Coach must verbally inform the lead official of the protest before play commences or resumes.
18.4.If no official is present, the protesting coach must inform the other coach of the protest before play commences or resumes.
18.5.The protesting coach must ensure that a written statement of protest containing all pertinent information and citing the exact rule or rules, as quoted from the NFHS Basketball Rules Book is signed by both the school’s Athletic Director and Principal and postmarked or faxed to the Commissioner within two school days of the infraction.
18.6.No protest will be reviewed without the required signatures.
18.7.The Commissioner will render a formal decision within two school days of receipt.
18.8.The protesting coach may appeal the Commissioner’s decision by ensuring that a written statement of appeal, containing all pertinent information, signed by both the school’s Athletic Director and Principal is postmarked or faxed to the PSAL within two school days of receipt of the Commissioner’s decision.
18.9.No appeal will be reviewed without the required signatures.
18.10. The PSAL will render a formal decision within two school days of receipt.
18.11. The decision of the PSAL is final.
19. DEVELOPMENTAL TEAMS
19.1.A developmental team is a new team entering the league for the first time or so designated by the PSAL.
19.2.Upon completing their first season, teams will be reviewed by the PSAL and have the option of petitioning the PSAL for “official” status.
19.3.Developmental teams must adhere to all of the rules governing PSAL teams.
19.4.The team record does not count in the Division standings.
19.5.The PSAL will assign a schedule for each developmental team.
19.6.Officials will be paid by the PSAL for each game assigned by the PSAL.
20. EJECTED STUDENT ATHLETES
20.1.The minimum penalty imposed upon a student-athlete ejected from a PSAL league contest by an official will be a suspension from the next two scheduled PSAL contests (including league, post-season, or special events).
20.2.The official will notify the Sports Commissioner immediately after the contest.
20.3.The teacher/coach must post the student-athlete as INACTIVE on the PSAL website.
20.4.The teacher/coach of the suspended student-athlete may appeal to the PSAL prior to the subsequent contest, only.
20.5. The PSAL may impose further sanctions if there is evidence that such sanctions are justified.
20.6.The PSAL will notify the teacher/coach of the decision prior to the next scheduled league contest.
21. EJECTED TEACHER/COACHES
21.1.Any teacher/coach who is ejected from the contest must leave the gymnasium (court, field).
21.2.If a certified replacement teacher/coach (Department of Education licensed teacher with current First Aid, AED, and CPR certifications) is not available, the ejected teacher/coach’s team will forfeit the contest.
21.3.The Sports Commissioner will notify the PSAL of the ejection immediately after the game.
21.4.The ejected teacher/coach will be suspended:
21.4.1. 1st Ejection during current season- One (1) game suspension for the next scheduled league game(regular season or playoffs)
21.4.2. 2nd Ejection during current season-Two (2) games suspension and subject to further disciplinary action by the Principal, Superintendent and or the PSAL.
22. BRAWL RULE
22.1. In the event of an altercation, if teacher/coaches lose control of their benches, and both benches clear to participate in the altercation-THAT GAME WILL BE DECLARED A DOUBLE FORFEIT AND BOTH TEAMS WILL FORFEIT A MINIMUM OF THE NEXT 2 SCHEDULED LEAGUE GAMES.
22.2. The PSAL Director may impose further sanctions if there is evidence that such sanctions are warranted.
23. DROPPING TEAMS FROM ACTIVE STATUS
23.1. If a team forfeits 3 games, during the season, for not having the minimum number of players available for a league contest, that teams schedule will be cancelled for the remainder of the season.
23.2.The team’s status for the following season will be reviewed by the PSAL.
24. PLAYOFF CRITERIA
24.1.CRITERIA FOR A AND B PLAYOFFS AND TOURNAMENT SEEDING
a) League record – a five hundred league record will automatically qualify a team for the playoffs.
b) Non League Record
c) League Standing
d) Comparative records against common schools opponents
e) Level of Competition
f) Observation by PSAL personnel
g) Newspaper polls etc
h) Borough Championship Tournament Play
i)Borough Champions automatically qualify for the playoffs, regardless of standing in regular league play
24.2CRITERIA FOR AA PLAYOFFS AND TOURNAMENT SEEDING
a) All teams in Brooklyn and Queens except the last two places will qualify for the playoffs.
b) All teams in the Bronx and Manhattan will qualify for the playoffs except the last place team.
c)In Staten Island the top two teams will qualify for the AA Tournament. All other teams with a winning percentage of .500 and above will qualify for the A playoffs. In the event of a tie for second place the teams will have a playoff to determine the Staten Island AA representative.
d) The rest of the criteria for the playoffs will be the same as the A and B League
25. OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES & REGULATIONS
25.1 PSAL and Official Basketball Rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations will be used for all Boys games.
25.2 PSAL Official Basketball Rules of the NCAA for Girls’ and Women’s Sports will be used for all Girls games.
25.3 The Executive Director of the PSAL reserves the right to over rule or waive any rule or regulation governing