Liberty Basketball Association

LIBERTY BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

2024 LBA LEAGUE HAND BOOK

Spectators Admission 

$10 Adults

$5 Kids

Game play, player conduct, rules, fines.

ON GAME DAY ALL TEAMS THAT DO NOT HAVE 8 PLAYERS PRESENT MUST PAY $80.00. $10.00 PER PLAYER COVER REF FEES, SCOREKEEPER AND SHOT CLOCK.

Player Game Fee:$10.00 per game. (Must be paid before every game) Only need to play in 30% of regular season games to be eligible to play in the playoffs. Preseason games DO NOT COUNT!!!

LBA Player Payment Options: Cash app or Cash

*ALL RETURNING TEAMS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE BOTH A HOME AND AWAY UNIFORM SET. FAILURE TO ESTABLISH A HOME AND AWAY UNIFORM SET WILL RESULT IN A PENALTY!

SCHEDULE AND LOCATION:

PRESEASON: ALL TEAMS ARE REQUIRED TO PLAY IN PRESEASON GAMES. ALL NEW TEAMS ARE REQUIRED TO PLAY IN AT LEAST 3 PRESEASON GAMES. ALL RETURNING TEAMS ARE REQUIRED TO PLAY IN AT LEAST 1-2 PRESEASON GAME. Teams have an option to play in additional games.

Preseason is used to primarily collect accured fees, Team Marketing Registration Fees, Player Registration Fee, uniform fees-start production on uniform orders, and for new teams and players to get acclimated with the league rules, competition level, travel distance and location of the venue where all games will be played.

 Season TIP-OFF Date: TBA

September-LBA West-Burlington 

September-LBA North-Rockford

October-LBA South-Decatur 

November-LBA Central-Roseville 

Games Played: Max 18 regular season games. Will play each conference team twice at your regional location and 3-5 away games against non conference opponents at their location. (Does not include playoffs).

Game Day: Sundays

Game Times: 10:00a.m-7:30p.m.

LOCATIONS:

Roseville Community Center (Rose Garden)

265 W. Penn Ave

Roseville, IL

Zip Code: 61473

Cat Fish Bend Casino Fun City Courts 

2000 Winegard Drive

Burlington, IA

SkyWalker International Sports Complex 

2000 E. Eldalorado St. 

Decatur, IL

UW Sports and Health Wellness Factory

220 S. Madison St.

Rockford, IL

61203

Note: Roseville will be used as a back up venue for all games. 

GAME PLAY: LBA/NBA

*Pre Season Games will kick-off before the official season starts.

15-18 regular season games 

Eight minute warmup time / 3 minute halftime.

Playoff format 3-3-3. 

Vet League Divison: 40 minutes ( Finals 48 minute games)

Game play: Two 20 minute halfs. Running clock w/clock stoppage final two minutes of the game.

Semi Pro Division: 48 minutes

Game play: Two twenty four minute halfs. Running clock with clock stoppage final two minutes of the game.

24 second shot clock

Timeouts: Each team is awarded 3 Timeouts per half-two 30 second timeouts one 60 second timeout

6 Player Fouls- A player is awarded six personal fouls for each game. If a player commits six fouls in a game, they are disqualified and removed from playing in the rest of the game.

5 Team bonus foul rule- Occurs when one team reaches the maximum number of defensive fouls in a half, which is five in the NBA and LBA. Automatic two free throws 

Player Technical Foul Rule- Any player can be issued a technical foul if their behavior is detrimental to the game. Two technical fouls are allowed for each player, coach, or bench person before they are removed from the game. The opposing team gets a technical foul when a technical foul is assessed.

Team Control Foul- A foul that is committed by a member of the team currently in possession of the ball, excluding the player controlling the ball.

Player Control Foul-A foul committed by an offensive player. A very common foul.

LBA TWO MINUTE RULE: (including overtime)

This rule states that in the final two minutes of each half both teams will automatically be in the bonus and will be awarded two automatic free throws on fouls. Clock stops on every dead ball and made basket final two minutes of the second half.

NEW LEAGUE EXPANSION: PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY TBA.Teams that do not make the playoffs will be invited to play in a round robin one game elimination tournament named the LIT Tournament (Liberty Invitational Tournament). All post season games will be treated as that of the regular season games. $10 per game.

The LBA allots players six personal fouls per game; players are automatically disqualified from competition upon incurring their sixth foul, and a referee will eject them from the game.

BONUS FOUL: A team will enter a bonus penalty situation if they exceed the team foul limit of five or more fouls in a half or in the last 2:00 minutes of the game. Every time a player is fouled when their team is in the bonus, the player that was fouled gets two free throws.

TIMEOUTS: Team must have possession of the basketball to call a timeout or after a made basket. Each team is awarded 6 total timeouts per game and 3 timeouts per half. Each team is allowed two 30 minute timeouts and one full timeout per half. Timeouts do not carry over. One additional timeout will be awarded to both teams to use in overtime. Players are not allowed to call a timeout from the bench. ONLY Captains can call timeouts from the bench. ALL TEAMS WILL BE ISSUED A TECHNICAL FOR CALLING A TIMEOUT WITH NONE REMAINING. Opposing team will shoot one technical shot.

OVERTIME: 5 minutes running clock w/clock stoppage final two minutes. Double Overtime sudden death. No Clock! First team to score wins. Cannot end game on a made free throw or technical. Must be a made two point basket or a three point basket.

DELAY OF GAME: Warning followed by a technical issued on second delay of game warning. Will result in a technical foul shot by the opposing team.

CTD IN GAME VIOLATIONS:

Offensive three seconds-

Defensive three seconds- A defensive three-second violation, also known as illegal defense, is assessed when a member of the defending team spends more than three seconds in the free throw lane while not actively guarding an opponent. result in a technical foul issued to the opposing team and inbound on side.

NO POSSESSION ARROW. ONLY JUMP BALLS will be allowed.

PLAYER SUBSTITUTIONS

Players must check in to the scorers table. Once a player checks in and is on the court he must sub out a teammate. A technical will be issued to the opposing team if said subbed player does not enter the game. DO NOT SUB A PLAYER WITHOUT CHECKING IN AT THE SCORES TABLE. Subbing from the team bench is not allowed.

PLAYER CONDUCT PENALTY

A player who recieves a technical will be fined $25.00. Two technical's in one game will result in a player being ejected from the game. Ejected player must pay a $50.00 player reinstatement fee before next game. (NOTE: Referee's will hold discretion on further severity of penalty). 6 total technicals and said player is suspended for the remainder of the season. IF PLAYER HAS YET TO PAY HIS technical reinstatement fee he will not be allowed to play in his next game until it is paid for. IT IS YOUR JOB TO READ AND FOLLOW THE RULES!! To play in your next scheduled game the technical fine must be paid by Friday at 8:00p.m. central time.

Kicking or flipping chairs will result in a automatic technical and player common foul. A technical foul will also be called on players who kids continuously interfere with the game play. Make sure you have someone to watch over your kids during your game.

NO DIRECT THREATS!

NO FIGHTING! Will result in a league suspension. (NOTE: League Commissioner, referee officials, captains and league staff will hold final discretion on severity of penalty)

Players using excessive foul and disrespectful language towards staff, referees or players will be subject to penalty.

The Liberty Basketball Committee will arbitrate any necessary suspensions, fines, or penalties for actions committed by players or teams that threatens conduct detrimental to the league.

ROSTERS:

All teams are required to have a minimum of 8 eligible players on the active roster.

All rosters will be listed in the game score book and on the league web site. leaguelineup.com/lba

Q CLAUSE: States ALL players must pay their uniform fee before they are added to the team group chat. Once the uniform fee is paid in full the player will be added to the team chat and will become a official player on the roster.?

THERE ARE NO UNIFORM REFUNDS! MAKE SURE YOU SIGN TO A COMMITTED, RELIABLE TEAM WITH FINANCIALLY STABLED PLAYERS THAT CAN PAY THEIR FEES ON TIME.

TEAM GROUP CHAT

All teams will have their own personal team group chat. The league commissioner will be the administrator for all team group chats. Teams are allowed to make other team chats for their own purposes.

All players will be a member in the team group chat. Players should report to their team and captain through the group chat. The commissioner will also use the group chat to communicate all things related to your team.

LEAGUE GROUP CHAT

All players will be added to the league main group chat as members of the Liberty Basketball Association. Players should interact amongst each other in a wholesome positive manner. Players are not allowed to use the "n" word but rather use "brother" or use other derogatory comments in the league group chat. Players are not allowed to put down a players family member(s) or target a player with disrespectful language. Feel free to talk competitive hoops and other things related to the league and other social topics. Players will be warned with a "stop sign symbol" on their behavior and conduct. A player can be removed for conduct detrimental to the league or violating group chat rules.

UNIFORM POLICY

ALL teams must have a sponsor for one set of their uniforms. See sponsorship uniform packets.

ALL returning teams are required to have both a home set of uniforms and a away set of uniforms.

CAPTAINS ARE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE 2-3 ADDITIONAL UNIFORMS. Will come in handy when signing new players to the team in the regualar season or at the Player Transaction deadline.

ALL PLAYERS WILL PAY $30.00 for their uniform fee.

$60.00 for a home and away set of team uniforms. (Optional for first year teams)

$6 additional charge per unifrom for stitching or embroidery.

NO extra cost for adding name on the back

ALL players must wear the same/full uniform during their game.

No off colored shirts underneath your uniform. Undershirts need to be of the same colors as the team uniform. Players will not be allowed to enter the game until uniform is approved.

No Doo Rags, no jewelry, no watches, no bracelets

Players/teams who have paid for thier uniform but have yet to recieve one will not be penalized. Will need to wear a team colored basic t-shirt or jersey until they recieve their team uniform.

(NOTE: A 10 point penalty will be assessed in favor of the opposing team for not having your uniform)

Players who are signed to a team but have yet to pay for their uniform fee will not be eligible to play until uniform fee is paid.

TEAM/PLAYER POLICY AND IN GAME FEE?

Players are not allowed to sit on the bench until thier game is scheduled.

Teams make sure that you warm up at the correct basket opposite of the bench that you sit at.

CAPTAINS are required to report starters for each game. Starters need to submitted in the Captains Chat Group the night before or no later than 30 minutes before your scheduled game of the day. Coaches or captains need to report any lineup changes before their game.
CAPTAINS can select one player each week that can waive his game fee for the day. Players are allowed up to three unpaid games. On the fourth game all three unpaid games will need to be paid or player will be declared eneligible until the balance is paid in full. If a player pays his fee by using cash app, pay pal or apple pay the transaction must be sent and recieved before the game.

To be eligible for the playoffs all players that were on the initial roster will need to play in 5 regular season games. Players who are signed after the Player Transaction deadline are only eligible to play in the playoffs if he has played in half of the remaining regular season games on the schedule. Preseason Games DO NOT COUNT towards the 5 games played.

Must have at least 4 players available at all games. Failure to have at least four players will result in a forfeit. To avoid a forfiet use the free agency group chat to sign a player for a game. ALL Captains are members of the Free Agent pool. NO FILL IN PLAYERS, Random Players, OR PLAYERS FROM OTHER TEAMS ARE ELIGIBLE TO PLAY. Circumstance? may arise where exceptions need to be made. Both captains and staff will review the situation and make a comfortable decision.

Teams will be penalized for arriving 15 minutes late to their scheduled game. Game will be of two twenty minute halfs/ 10 points will be assessed in favor of the opposing team that arrived on time.

A forfeit penalty will result in a team fine of $75.00. The $75.00 fine will cover half of the cost to staff your game. Three forfeits will result in removal from the league. Exception: A full team reinstatement fee/fine of $150.00 can be paid to reclassify your team membership to the league. All forfiet game fines must be paid by Friday at 8:00p.m. of your next scheduled game. Failure to pay will result in a additional FORFIET. FORFIET uplift clause: If not paid by Friday at 8:00p.m. Central Time: To regain opportunity to play on Sunday would require a team to pay the $75.00 dollars an a FORFIET uplift additional charge of $25.00 by Saturday at 8:00p.m. Central time. Should a team drop out or is removed from the league and decides to return in any following season the reinstatement fine will need to be paid to reclassify and participate in the LBA.

ALL PLAYER GAME FEES CAN BE COLLECTED BY THE CAPTAIN AND TURNED IN AT THE SCORES TABLE BEFORE TIP-OFF. Players can take care of their fees.

It is mandatory that Captains will need to use the Captains group chat for reporting forfeits or requesting a game time switch. Forfiets need to be reported in to the Captains Group Chat in advance and 60-90 minutes before your scheduled game time. Be mindful that teams are traveling over an hour from Roseville so saving a team a trip would be in the best intreset for everyone driving to the games. All four captains will need to agree on a changing of game times. Make sure you check with your players before you agree to a time switch. Teams are traveling 90 minutes to their game so be proactive in game time switches. Finally, Captains, make sure that any game time switches and or forfiets are confirmed with the commissioner.

NOTE: IF A FORFIET IS NOT REPORTED IN A TIMELY FASHION AND TEAMS SHOW UP TO THE GYM UNKNOWINGLYLY WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO GET TEAMS A OPEN RUN GAME .IF A TEAM WHO IS NOT SCHEDULED TO PLAY SAID TEAM DEICIDES TO PLAY THEY WILL NOT BE CHARGED. THE TEAM ASKING FOR A GAME WILL STILL NEED TO PAY THIER PLAYER FEE FOR THEIR GYM TIME AND STAFF. STATS WILL NOT BE RECORDED. ONLY THE "AUTOMATIC WIN" WILL BE AWARDED AND ACCOUNTED FOR.

PLAYER MOVEMENT

AFTER THE PLAYER TRANSACTION DEADLINE, ALL ACTIVE PLAYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SIGN WITH A NEW TEAM UNTIL THE SEASON IS OVER.

ALL PLAYERS WILL BECOME FREE AGENTS AT MIDNIGHT OF THE COMPLETION OF THE LBA FINALS.

All players signed, released or traded must be reported in a approved by the league commissioner.

All player transactions will be reported to the league main chat group and all team chat groups.

Captains will need to report all player transactions to the league commissioner. Upon approval, all captains involved must agree to the players transaction being made. Players are also required to report to the commissioner of the league that they have agreed to sign with their new team. Players are not eligible to play or allowed to join his new team chat group until his registration fee and uniform fee is paid.

Any free agent can play for a team. Once a free agent has signed with a team both he and the captain must report in to the commissioner. The same rule applies to a player being released or traded.

Blanks Rule: No player can play for three or more teams in one season. The rule only applies if the the players competes in a scheduled game. Player will have to finish out the season with his third team.

Mule Rule: If a team has had a loss of player(s) due to relocation, jury duty, military duty, family sickness, season ending injury, criminal convictions or other things related to unforseen circumstances that causes him to miss the remainder of the season the captain may sign a player(s) to maintain 8 active players on his roster. The league rule states that all teams must keep a minimum of 8 players on the active roster. This rule will be active but can only be applied after the player transaction deadline has passed. A captains fee will be applied and will need to be paid before his new player(s) are eligible and can play with the team. Said rule was passed by majoirty vote of capatins on Monday, September 25th 2022 at 1:30p.m. Central Time.

If a team is removed from the league all players still interested in playing can become free agents and sign with a team. Any unpaid forfeit fees, team marketing registration fees or technical fees from a players former team will be additional fees that each player will need to pay before eligible to play with his new team.

If a team replaces a team or enters the season to fill a open vacany and does not have a full roster the team is allowed to use the free agent pool or sign any player that is not on a current team. The roster must have the league requirement of 8 minimum players on the team eligible to play. 

REMINDER: Schedule reminder option on website.

Make sure you read and understand the league handbook. Moving forward to 2022-23 season will require each captain to make a printable copy in which all players will need to sign and turned in by the Coach or Captain.

 

 

Jerric L. Stovall

Owner & Operator

LBA Commissioner

Director of Sport

Talent Scout

On Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 at 12:00p.m. Central Time the Liberty Basketball Association has officially formed the (LAC) Liberty Basketball Action Committee. The LAC Committee Board will have 7 members that will represent the Committee Board in which it has been created to establish a group of individuals who will collectively review and vote on changes and modifications to disciplinary actions. The LAC will be the backbone of the league and will play a crucial role in moving task forward and achieving goals necessary to maintian professionlism within the league. In a interview with the LBA Commissioner, Jerric Stovall he stated, "Our clear purpose and mission is to collectively develop a structure that focuses on the leagues desciplinary actions, on court behavior, and other penalties thay may challenge the integrity of the league." There will be sub committees within the group that will also be included in the decision making process related to the League Rules and Hand Book including other things related to improving the league. Commissioner Stovall continued his statement saying, "I'm very optimistic that the selected individuals representing the LAC will uphold their responsibilities and serve the committee with transparency and professionalism, and will ultimatley make the necessary decisions to continue improving the league brand."

 

   

      

   

The new date for player trasnactions has been extended and and is set for February 10th, 2022. This also includes current players being allowed to be released, signed or traded to a different team. There has been a growing concern from captains regarding their rosters. With Covid running ramp-it and affecting the teams player availability (quarantine or ill) hopefully, this will help all teams as we don't know the foreseeable future and how it can or will affect the league. A handful of players with respectable credentials have contacted the league office with intrest to join the league. Those players will be further evaluated as the LBA is always looking to add players that have a high level of experience albeit college, semi pro, G League, oversease or even NBA talent.