HL Rules and Regulations

• GCBA House Rules: REFEREE'S HANDBOOK

• GCBA House League CONVENTIONS

• GCBA SAFETY Reminder

  • What is the definition of Game safety in the GCBA?..and who is responsible for it?

In reviewing our rules, regulations and Guidelines that we provide to convenors and coaches, we could not identify a specific section or paragraph dealing with safety responsibilities. There is no single individual in the association with this overall responsibility defined, as "safety". We would suggest however, that in the definition of roles and responsibilities of all our coaches, convenors and other officials, it is implied. We highlight several instances in the paragraphs below.

• Who is responsible for safety when the increased physicality of the game, or increased tempo of the game results in players running at top speeds and slamming into the mats mounted on walls, stages or other players?
  
  We can tell you whose responsibility it is not. It is not the referees. The referee's responsibility is to ensure that the game is called fairly. It is NOT the role of the referee in any game to "tone down" the play. This is solely the responsibility of the coach and barring this, the convenor above him, to counsel the players (or in the convenors case to counsel the coaches) to get themselves under control; to calm down and focus on the play. This means that BOTH coaches must agree to
  encourage FAIR PLAY and discourage excessively aggressive behavior that increases the occurrences of fouls and safety concerns.
  
  In several recent discussions, when asked, individuals clearly thought it was the referees job to calm down the play when the coaches perceived that it was getting out of hand! This is a wrong assumption and must be clarified to ALL convenors, coaches AND spectators.
  
  The referees are only responsible to call the games as they see it! As we all know this does not mean they will see EVERYTHING. nor will they call EVERYTHING:because at various levels, they are not experienced enough to do this and because to call EVERY infraction would destroy the game flow...there would be only fouls shots being shot for lengthy periods of the game.
  
  Part of the referee training is to distinguish what actions are patently causing disadvantage to the play...and making those calls. This calls for a pretty sophisticated level of assessment in some cases, by young inexperienced referees and therefore in all likelihood will not be consistently applied at this level of play. With this understanding in mind, if it is the coach/parents/convenor's assessment that the play is getting "out of hand" then it is clearly the coach/convenor's job to call the timeout and agree to lower the intensity level. If this is not possible through coaching alone, or one coach still wishes to "take advantage" through intimidation, then it is within the convenor's authority to call for the suspension of the game (i.e.. The Convenor requests time out from referee and requests that referee/trainer rules that the game is over. The rules call this a "suspended game".)
  
  The message the GCBA wishes to communicate to the players is - stay focused on playing the game within the rules. If it's getting too rough, then stop fouling! ....PLAY BALL according to the rules of basketball!
  
  It is the responsibility of each of the coaches to coach and focus their players where safety becomes a concern. Both coaches can work together to ensure the safety of the players. This can be accomplished by calling a timeout and coaching the players to focus and settle down. This will afford an opportunity to reduce the tempo of the game.
  
  The following extracts from the GCBA Team Official Guideline are instances that the responsibilities for safety are implied.
  
  
  • Convenor Responsibilities
  
  Each Division Convenor shall, on behalf of the GCBA Executive to whom he is at all times accountable, oversee the operation of his/her division .
  ( Section 3a) Safety is an implied responsibility in the operation of the division.
  
  Convenors shall be responsible for ensuring that players and team officials in their divisions follow the Rules and Regulations. Their authority shall complement, but in no way supersede the authorities of referees. ( Section 3c)
  
  Promptly notify VP House League of any difficulties, or potential difficulties (this could be player, parent, facility or official related) within his/her division. ( Section 3p)
  
  
  
  • Coaches Responsibilities
  
  Coaches shall provide a positive role model for the players at all times, providing a good example both by word and action in the skills of sportsmanship. (Section 4b)
  
  Follow basic goals, objectives and philosophy of the GCBA, ensuring that the players have fun and improve their skills. ( Section 4b )
  
  
  Fair Play Facility
  
  A policy of zero tolerance is in effect throughout the GCBA and any incidents of verbal or physical abuse of team players, spectators, coaches or officials. ( Section 6)
  
  In summary, as an association it is clear that responsibility for safety is included in our roles and responsibilities for team officials.
  Accordingly, as all team officials follow these guidelines, we can be assured that players are afforded the opportunity to play in a Fair Play Facility and safe environment.