FSBL Weeknight Practice Schedule

Click here for Practice schedule for the FSBL this fall / winter.  There are tabs at the bottom of the page for each week of the season.  Teams do not always practice at the same school or at the same time each week.

The following rules should be shared with the game officials in the pre-game conference. The referees won't enforce these rules if you don't explain them in your pre-game conference. These rules are FSBL-specific.

Back Court Pressure & Defense

a.  Coaches may choose to teach the skills associated with either person to person (PTP) defense or zone defense as stipulated in the rules.  FSBL urges coaches and their teams to use both PTP and zone defense during the season. 

b.  Back court pressure is allowed as follows:
 
Girls 34 & Boys 34 Divisions
         
Rule is the same for the entire season

No back court pressure is allowed ….. except for in the last minute of the second (2nd), fourth (4th) & OT quarters.  Defense must remain at the top of the key extended until the offense crosses the half court line.

Player-To-Player (man-to-man) defense only.  Zone defenses are not permitted in our youngest divisions.

A defensive player who is not guarding the player with the ball must remain outside the box (3 second lane) unless the offensive player which they are guarding is inside the box or within a yardstick from the box.  Any Player on the court may pursue a “loose ball” - however once possession is established all players must return to the player they are guarding.  Help defense allowed “in the box only”.  Trapping is not allowed

Playing a Zone Defense will result in a warning for the first (1st) offense and a technical foul for each succeeding offense.
 
Girls 56 / Boys 5 / Boys 6 Divisions

Beginning with the First (1st) game in January
No backcourt pressure is allowed in the first (1st) half of the game except in the last minute of the second (2nd) quarter.  Choice of pressure in the second (2nd) half of the game and OT periods.

Player-To-Player defense in the first (1st) half of the game.  A defensive player who is not guarding the player with the ball must remain outside the box (3 second lane) unless the offensive player which they are guarding is inside the box or within a yardstick from the box.  Any Player on the court may pursue a “loose ball” however, if playing PTP defense, once possession is established all players must return to the player they are guarding.

Playing a Zone Defense in the first half of the game will result in a warning for the first (1st) offense and a technical foul for each succeeding offense.

Choice of defense in the second (2nd) half of the game
 
To further clarify this rule:

If I am guarding a player who is stationed on the sideline twenty (20) feet from the basket, I just need to be “Outside the Lane” and "On the same side of the Court” as the player I am guarding.  I do not have to be closely guarding my player (especially when they are away from the basket and not a threat to score). If my defensive player is away from the lane and I have one (1) foot or both feet in the lane - playing a pseudo one (1) man zone defense - that is illegal!

The referees will issue a warning to the team violating this rule the first time. The referees will issue technical fouls for each subsequent violation of this rule.

If you run a spread offense then the defense may look like it is in a zone defense but in this case it is legal as long as no one is in the lane if the player they are guarding is out on the wing.  However, If I am guarding my player and the offensive player I am guarding is in the lane or just outside the lane them I can be in the lane.

If four (4) offensive players are on one side of the court, the defensive players guarding these players must be on the same side of the court outside the lane (if their man is away from the lane).

Finally, once an opposing player has beaten their player on a drive to the basket, the defense can then “help” stop the offensive player “in the lane”.  They may not help outside the lane as that would be defined as double teaming or trapping.  It is legal for players to switch on defense.

Girls 78 / Boys 7 / Boys 8 Divisions

Beginning with the First (1st) game in January
Choice of pressure for the entire game.
Choice of defense for the entire game.
 
High School Divisions

Choice of pressure for the entire game.
Choice of defense for the entire game.

(Loose balls are defined as a rebound, lost dribble or bad pass)
 
c.  No house league team (3rd - 8th grade) can back court press if they have a lead of twelve (12) points or more.  High School teams can not back court press if they have a lead of sixteen (16) points or more.

The FSBL Regular Season Starts December 3rd!

The FSBL Code of Conduct Agreement will pertain to all Players, Coaches, Spectators, Parents & Guardians.  The intent of this Code of Conduct Agreement is to promote sportsmanship and respect for other people and property.  The FSBL Board of Directors, Game Officials, and Loudoun County Parks & Recreation Facility Attendants have the authority to remove an individual from an FSBL playing facility.  Individuals ejected from a playing facility due to violations of the FSBL Code of Conduct Agreement are subject to a minimum of seven (7) days suspension and possible year-long expulsion from FSBL activities.  The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Department will also be notified of any extreme incidents. 
1. Good sportsmanship is expected and required from all Coaches, Players and Spectators at all FSBL games.
2. Foul language and/or profanity is strictly prohibited during FSBL activities.
3. Yelling at Referees, Coaches or Players is not acceptable and will lead to ejection from the facility.
4. Interference with the game by a parent, guardian, or spectator  is not acceptable.
5. Vandalism of property at any FSBL facility is grounds for immediate expulsion from the league.
6. Players have an obligation to their team and are expected to attend all practices and games.  Players missing three (3) or more practices or games without an excused absence may be released from that team for the remainder of the season.  Definitions for excused absences can be found on the FSBL website.
7. Intending to cause harm and / or causing harm to Players, Coaches, Referees or FSBL Board of Directors (including verbal threats) is grounds for immediate expulsion from the league.  Confronting coaches, referees or FSBL Board of Directors in a hostile manner either before, during or after a game will lead to immediate expulsion from the FSBL.
8. Children participate in the FSBL to improve their basketball ability and to have FUN!  The league is for the kids and not for the adults.
9. I will insist that my child treat other players, coaches, & officials with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.
10. I will demand a sports environment that is free from drugs, tobacco and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all FSBL events.

The FSBL - in conjunction with Loudoun County - will use these policies for the 2022 - 2023 Winter Basketball Season. 

Please read the guidelines before attending any FSBL activity.

FSBL COVID-19 Policy

*Revised September 26, 2022

The wearing of masks at FSBL events is optional.

It is strongly recommended that anyone (players, parents and spectators of any age) who are not fully vaccinated should wear a mask and social distance until they are fully vaccinated.

If you are not fully vaccinated and you travel out of state it is strongly recommended that you self-quarantine for five (5) days upon your return.

If you are not fully vaccinated and you come in contact with anyone who has Covid-19 or is suffering from symptoms of Covid-19 or you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is strongly recommended that you self-quarantine for five (5) days and not participate in FSBL events.

(Symptoms to include but are not limited to:  fever, muscle aches, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, gastrointestinal symptoms, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, running nose, loss of smell or taste, stuffy nose or any respiratory illness)

If you contract Covid-19 you must immediately inform the FSBL league and self-quarantine for five (5) days from the date of first discovery. Those in your immediate household should self-quarantine and refrain from participation in FSBL activities for five (5) days, from the date of first discovery, as well. Teams of the affected player(s) should be notified so they can take their own personal precautions.

If you contract Covid-19 and fail to notify the FSBL league you will be expelled from the league for an indefinite period of time.

People are advised not drink from the water fountains. Water fountains can be used to refill your water bottle.

Parents and/or spectators are encouraged to attend travel tryouts.

Parents and/or spectators are NOT allowed to attend travel league practices.

Parents and/or spectators may attend house league practices.

Parents and/or Spectators who are not fully vaccinated should adhere to the recommendation to wear a mask and practice social distancing while in the gyms.

Everyone should enter the gym via the front doors and exit the gyms via back and side doors.

Parents and/or spectators of any age who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to attend games with or without a mask. If you are NOT fully vaccinated it is strongly recommended that you wear a mask and social distance if you plan to attend an FSBL game There is no limit to the number of parents and/or spectators that can attend a game.

Teams should leave the gym immediately after a practice or game. Teams may participate in post-game celebration to include but are not limited to: High Fives, Shaking Hands, Fist Bumps, etc. etc.

Anyone may choose to wear a mask at any time for any reason while participating in FSBL. No action will be taken or verbal comments made to anyone who chooses to wear a mask or not wear a mask when appropriate.

The Bleachers will be available for use during the winter league.

No participant forms are required to attend practices or games.

No Covid Team Manager is required for practices or games.

If you have any questions or require clarification of this policy please contact the FSBL Commissioner or any member of the FSBL BOD.