Play Ups, Call Ups, and Play Down Policy

PDF Version: Play Ups, Call Ups, and Play Down Policy

Request for a Player to Play Up a Division

Play Up Definition:  

A player who is moved up to play for a team in a grade division higher than their actual grade division. For example, a 4th grade boy who moves out of the boys grades 3 and 4 division to play for a team in the boys grades 5 and 6 division would be considered a play up.

Eligibility:

1.  A player may only move up one grade to play in the next grade level division. 

   1. A play up example would be a 4th grade boy who moves up from the boys grades 3 and 4 division to play for a team in the boys grade 5 and 6 division or a 5th grade girl who moves up from the girls grades 3 through 5 division to play for a team in the girls grades 6 through 8 division.

   2. If a school grade exists between a player’s grade and the grade level for the next division they are not eligible to play up. For example, a 3rd grade boy is not eligible to play in the boys grade 5 through 6 division and a 4th grade girl is not eligible to play in the girls grade 6 through 8 division.

   3. Extra consideration is given to a 2nd grade player as the jump from the grades 1 and 2 instructional division (Ivy League)  to the girls grades 3 through 5 division or boys grades 3 through 4 division (Division 1 - Regional) is significant.  

2. Division needs

   1. There must be a spot on a team's roster in the next grade level division in order to accommodate a player play up.  If rosters in the next grade level division are full, then unfortunately a player play up will not be able to be accommodated.

   2. If the grade level division in which a player is currently registered does not have adequate numbers to allow for a player play up, player play up requests may be denied.

   3. The league reserves the right to regulate divisions.

Criteria:

1. A player must possess the physical size, strength and/or speed in order to play up a division to reduce the likelihood of injury.  This shall be determined by group clinic instructors during evaluations prior to the season and head coaches during the season.

2. A player must possess the necessary basketball skills and game knowledge.  This shall be determined by group clinic instructors during evaluations prior to the season and head coaches during the season.

Process:

1. Any lead clinic instructor and/or head coach who believes a player has the potential to play up must have their name brought to the divisional director (see RYB website) who will then nominate the player to the board for play up consideration. In this process, a parent or guardian of a player will be notified by a league organizer prior to nomination to the board to obtain parent approval. 

2. The parent of a player may request for their son or daughter to play up as well. This request needs to occur before the first weekend of season games. Such requests should be made to a divisional director. The divisional director will then vet the request to a lead clinic instructor and or head coaches. Should the lead clinic instructor and or head coaches feel that the request has merit, the divisional director will nominate the player to the board for play up consideration. 

3. All play up nominations are considered on a case by case basis. Decisions to allow or deny a play up request shall not serve as a precedent for future requests. 

4. The board will not grant player play up requests arbitrarily. A decision to allow for a player to play up a division will be given much thought and consideration by the board. A player must receive a majority vote from the board to obtain play up approval. 

5. Should the board deny a request for a player to play up a division, that decision is final. 

6. Once a player is approved by the board as a play up, final approval shall be obtained by a league representative from a parent or guardian. 

Request for a Player to Be Used as a Call UP

Call Up Definition: 

A player on a predetermined list who is eligible to be called up to play in 1 game at a time for a team in a grade division higher than his or her grade division. Example, a 4th grade boy who is called up to play in 1 game for a team in the boys grade 5 and 6 division. 

Eligibility 

1. A player may only move up one grade to play in the next grade level division. 

Criteria:

1. A player must demonstrate consistent attendance at both practice and games. A player who fails to attend practices or games, without good cause, will not be considered for call up status. This is unfair to other players. 

2. A player must possess the physical size, strength and/or speed in order to reduce the likelihood of injury. This shall be determined by group clinic instructors during evaluations prior to the season.

3. A player must possess the necessary basketball skills and game knowledge. This shall be determined by group clinic instructors during evaluations prior to the season. 

4. A player may not miss a game for his or her team to serve as a call up for a team in a grade division that is higher.

Process:

1. Lead clinic instructors and/or head coaches from all lower divisions will provide the names of 1 to 3 players, from their teams or at large, to the divisional directors to establish a list of players eligible to be called up to play in 1 game for a team in a higher grade division. 

2. These lists shall be presented by divisional directors to the board for approval. 

3. These lists shall be maintained by divisional directors. 

4. The initial order of the list will be determined by divisional directors. 

5. The list will rotate when a player is activated as a call up. The player call up will move from the top to the bottom of the list. 

6. Should a team have 6 players or less, head coaches must notify the divisional director to secure a player call up.

7. Should a team have 7 players or less, coaches are encouraged to notify the divisional director to secure a player call up. 

8. NOTE: Coaches should attempt to learn player attendance on the Friday evening before game days. If a team has 4 players or less at tip-off, the game will be ruled as a forfeit. Coaches may not borrow players from like division teams to round out their rosters. See game rules for more information.

9. A divisional director or league representative will notify a parent or guardian of a call up player of a request. Coaches shall not request a call up on their own. 

Request to Play Down a Division

Play Down Definition:  

A player who is moved down to play in a grade division lower than his or her actual grade division. For example, a 3rd grade girl who moves down from the girls grades 3 through 5 division to play in the grades 1 through 2 division. 

Eligibility: 

1. A player may only move down one grade level to play in a lower grade division. 

   1. For example, a 5th grade boy who moves down from the boys grades 5 through 6 division to play in the boy grades 3 through 4 division would be considered a play down. 

   2. Barring special circumstances, if a school grade exists between a players grade and the grade level for the next lower division, they are not eligible to be a play down. For example, a 6th grade boy is not eligible to play in the boys grades 3 through 4 division.

Process:

1. A parent or guardian may petition the league president to allow for their player to play down a division.  The league president will then share the request with the board for approval.

2. Play down requests will be decided on a case by case basis.

3. The league president will then contact the parent and guardian with the board's decision.

**The league reserves the right to amend its policy on play ups, call ups, and play downs at any time. **