Jodie Harrison Basketball League General Info
Registration
Registration is open with our fall programming in August. Registration remains open through December until teams are posted. Once teams are posted, children may go on the waitlist and could be placed on teams with openings. Roster changes will be made until the second weekend of games.
JHBB League Info
A winter tradition at The Community House!
The Jodie Harrison Basketball League is a long-standing winter tradition that brings local families together through the game of basketball. In partnership with Breakaway Basketball, our recreational league welcomes players of all skill levels, focusing on skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and, most importantly, having fun! Whether your child is picking up a basketball for the first time or returning for another season, our goal is to create a positive and memorable experience for every player.
The information below provides an overview of our most commonly asked questions and league procedures. For specific gameplay rules, policies, penalties, or anything not addressed on this page, please refer to the official TCH Jodie Harrison Basketball League Rule Book or Frequently Asked Questions.
League Overview
- Grades: 2nd–8th grade boys and girls
- Season: Winter (January–March)
- Commitment: One practice and one game per week
- Games: 7 guaranteed games, including playoffs for applicable divisions
- Practices: One hour per week
- Coaching: Breakaway Basketball instructors (2nd-4th grade) and volunteer parent coaches (5th-8th grade)
- Volunteer Coaches needed at all grade levels
Games & Practices
Estimated League Timeline
The following timeline is provided as a general guide and may vary slightly each season, JHBB follows the D181 school calendar:
- August: League registration opens
- December 1: Registration fee increases for late registrations
- Mid-December: Team rosters and game schedules are posted
- Early January: Team practices begin
- Mid-January: Games begin, typically the third weekend in January
- February: League Picture Day
- Early March: Regular season and playoffs conclude
Please note: JHBB follows the D181 calendar, there are no scheduled games on President's Day Weekend (unless make ups need to be made) and practice is held on MLK Day and President's Day for those who practice at The Community House. The season concludes before D181 Springbreak.
Practices
Practices typically begin right after the new year, the first week of January held at The Community House or surrounding D181 schools.
Practice days and times vary by grade level, gym availability, and volunteer coach schedules.
- 2nd–4th Grade: Practices are generally held on weekday afternoons and evenings, with designated practice windows for each division. Practice takes place at The Community House and is led by Breakaway Basketball.
- 5th–8th Grade: Practices may take place Monday through Friday evenings, depending on volunteer coach and gym availability. Practices are led by volunteer coaches.
We do not know individual team practice days or times before rosters are created and coaches select their practice schedules. For this reason, we cannot accommodate team placement requests based on preferred practice days or times.
- Practice schedules are finalized after registration closes and teams are formed.
- Practice assignments depend on gym space, team formation, and volunteer coach availability.
- Specific practice days and times cannot be guaranteed.
- Families receive their assigned practice schedules when team rosters are released.
We encourage families to review the tentative practice information provided during registration before committing to the season.
Games
Games are played on weekends throughout the winter season, with divisions assigned to either Saturdays or Sundays.
Game times rotate within each division, so teams may play at different times throughout the season. Games begin at 9:00am and run every hour on the hour.
Saturday Divisions : 2nd grade boys & girls, 3rd grade boys & girls, 4th grade boys
Sunday Divisions: 4th grade girls, 5th/6th grade boys & girls, 7th/8th grade boys & girls
What to Know About Games
- Teams are guaranteed 7 games, including playoffs for applicable divisions.
- Game times rotate within each division's assigned time window.
- Playoffs are held for 4th–8th grade divisions.
- The league typically concludes in March.
- Game schedules and locations are subject to change based on gym availability and registration.
Please Note: All game days, times, and locations are tentative until the official league schedule is released.
Team Formation
Our goal is to create balanced teams that provide a positive and competitive experience for all players. With hundreds of participants across the league, team formation is based on consistent criteria designed to create fair and balanced rosters.
While we understand that players may want to be placed with specific friends, teammates, or coaches, we do not guarantee team placement requests. Whenever possible, we will make an effort to place players with some children from their school.
How Teams Are Created
Teams are constructed using the following criteria:
- School attended
- Grade level
- Number of years participating in the league
- Overall roster balance
The Recreation Supervisor is responsible for creating all team rosters and has final authority over team placement decisions.
Grade Divisions
The league combines certain grade levels as follows (subject to change based on enrollment):
- 2nd Grade Boys
- 2nd Grade Girls
- 3rd Grade Boys
- 3rd Grade Girls
- 4th Grade Boys
- 4th Grade Girls
- 5th & 6th Grade Boys
- 5th & 6th Grade Girls
- 7th & 8th Grade Boys
- 7th & 8th Grade Girls
Within combined divisions, we make every effort to distribute players from each grade evenly among teams. Teams will not intentionally be created entirely from one grade when the division includes multiple grade levels.
2nd & 3rd Grade Team Placement
For our youngest divisions, school placement is the primary consideration when forming teams.
Depending on registration numbers, children from the same school may be divided among multiple teams to create balanced rosters.
When schools must be split, we make every effort to place at least three children from the same school together so players have familiar classmates on their team.
4th-8th Grade Team Placement
For our older divisions, school placement, basketball experience, height, grade (for combined age groups), and travel experience is taken into consideration.
Depending on registration numbers, children from the same school may be divided among multiple teams to create balanced rosters.
When schools must be split, we make every effort to place at least three children from the same school together so players have familiar classmates on their team.
Can I Request a Specific Team, Coach, or Friend?
To maintain a fair and consistent team selection process, we cannot guarantee requests for specific teammates, friends, coaches, or practice days and times.
While we do our best to keep schoolmates together, team placement decisions are made with the best interests of the league and all participants in mind.
What We Do Not Consider When Creating Teams
To keep the team formation process as fair and consistent as possible:
- We do not recreate teams from previous seasons.
- We do not accept preferred-player lists or pre-selected rosters from coaches.
- We cannot guarantee placement with a specific coach, friend, or group of players.
- We do not intentionally create “stacked” teams.
- We do not evaluate or make placement decisions based on personal relationships between individual players or families.
- We maintain established roster limits and do not add additional players to a team simply to accommodate placement requests.
We understand that team placement is an important part of the experience for families. Every roster is created thoughtfully with the overall league experience, competitive balance, and best interests of all participants in mind.
Our ultimate goal is simple: give every player the opportunity to learn, compete, make connections, and have a fun season.
Volunteer Coaches
Volunteer parent coaches are an essential part of the Jodie Harrison Basketball League! Our league relies on dedicated parents and community members to help create a fun, supportive environment for every player.
2nd–4th Grade Volunteer Coaches
- Assist Breakaway Basketball instructors during practices.
- Coach and manage their teams during games.
- Communicate schedules and updates with families.
- Encourage teamwork, sportsmanship, and skill development.
5th–8th Grade Volunteer Coaches
- Lead weekly team practices.
- Coach games and oversee team responsibilities.
- Communicate schedules and updates with families.
- Foster a positive and encouraging team environment.
Each team may have up to three volunteer coaches.
Interested in Coaching? Families can indicate their interest in volunteering during registration.
- Volunteer coach availability plays an important role in determining practice schedules and team placement.
Player Uniforms & Ball Sizes
To help games run smoothly and ensure a safe, positive experience for all players, coaches, and families, please review the following league rules:
All other rules are addressed in our league rule book.
Player Uniforms
Players receive a reversible league jersey (t-shirt for 2nd/3rd grade) and should wear it for all games.
- Players must wear their assigned league jersey during games.
- Jerseys must be tucked in.
- Jewelry is not permitted during games (new piercings must be taped)
- Sleeveless shirts may not be worn.
- Avoid shorts with zippers or pockets
- Players must have athletic shoes
Basketball sizes
- 2nd Grade-4th Grade : 27.5
- 5th & 6th Grade, 7th/8th grade girls : 28.5
- 7th & 8th Grade Boys: 29.5
League Communications
Throughout the season, The Community House will communicate important league information through email, coaches, and our league websites. Families are responsible for keeping their contact information current and regularly reviewing league communications. Families should check their team's schedule regularly throughout the season, as schedules may change due to weather, field availability, or other circumstances.
Email is the primary form of communication for the Jodie Harrison Basketball League. Important announcements, schedule updates, weather information, and other league communications will be sent electronically.
- Please make sure the email address associated with your child's The Community House account is accurate and up to date.
- League emails are sent using the contact information associated with your registration account.
- Families are encouraged to regularly check their inbox, spam, and junk folders throughout the season.
Coaches
Once teams are formed, your team's volunteer coach will be your primary contact for team-specific communication.
Coaches will communicate information such as:
- Practice days, times, and locations
- Team reminders and updates
- Game information
- Schedule changes
- Weather-related updates when applicable
League-wide announcements and official decisions will continue to come directly from The Community House.
League Websites
Families and coaches are encouraged to regularly check the league websites throughout the season. These sites will contain the most current information available, particularly when weather or schedule changes occur.
The Community House Teamsideline Website
The Community House website is the main resource for general league information, including:
- League announcements and updates
- Rules and policies
- Weather cancellations and delays
- Important dates and season information
- Registration information
- Links and instructions for accessing team information
- Game Schedules, Rosters, Coach information, and Schedule changes
League Philosophy & Sportsmanship
The Community House Flag Football League is built around participation, sportsmanship, skill development, and creating an environment where every young athlete has the opportunity to succeed.
We encourage healthy competition while recognizing that youth sports are about much more than wins and losses. Our league is designed to help players learn the fundamentals of the game, develop confidence, experience teamwork, and build a lifelong appreciation for sports.
The Community House reserves the right to determine appropriate disciplinary action based on the circumstances and severity of each situation.
Our League Philosophy
The Community House believes:
- Everyone plays.
- Players receive equal playing time to the best of the coaches ability and practice attendance.
- Players are given opportunities to learn and rotate positions.
- Players are not cut from the program based on skill or ability.
- Players of all experience and skill levels are welcome.
- Development, effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship are valued above the final score.
The adults involved in our youth sports programs have an important responsibility. Coaches, parents, spectators, officials, and league staff serve as examples for our young athletes. Decisions and behavior should always reflect what is in the best interest of the children participating in the league.
Parent, Coach & Spectator Code of Conduct
By participating in or attending The Community House Flag Football League, parents, coaches, players, and spectators are expected to contribute to a safe, respectful, and positive environment.
All participants and spectators are expected to:
- Treat players, coaches, officials, league staff, and fellow spectators with respect.
- Demonstrate and encourage good sportsmanship at games and practices.
- Provide positive support and encouragement to all young athletes.
- Refrain from foul or abusive language, inappropriate gestures, taunting, booing, or other unsportsmanlike behavior.
- Never engage in behavior that threatens the physical or emotional safety of a player, coach, official, staff member, or spectator.
- Never verbally threaten, intimidate, or physically confront another individual.
- Respect officials and their authority during games. Disagreements with calls do not justify yelling at, confronting, or disrespecting an official.
- Respect volunteer coaches and recognize the time and commitment they provide to our players and league.
- Remember that youth sports are ultimately for the kids. Adult behavior should never take away from a child's opportunity to learn, compete, and have fun.
Expectations for Coaches
In addition to the expectations above, volunteer coaches are responsible for creating a positive and inclusive team environment.
Coaches are expected to:
- Treat all players fairly and respectfully.
- Provide equal playing opportunities consistent with league rules.
- Rotate players and provide opportunities to learn different positions.
- Focus on teaching fundamentals, teamwork, effort, and sportsmanship.
- Encourage players regardless of skill level or game outcome.
- Never make a player feel defeated, embarrassed, or unwelcome because of their performance.
- Model appropriate behavior toward officials, opposing teams, parents, and spectators.
Disciplinary Action
The Community House reserves the right to take disciplinary action when an individual's behavior does not meet league expectations or creates an unsafe, disrespectful, or disruptive environment.
Depending on the nature, frequency, and severity of the behavior, disciplinary action may include:
- Verbal or written warning
- Immediate removal or ejection from a game or league activity
- Suspension from one or multiple games
- Removal from a coaching role
- Removal from attending league games or activities
- Removal from the league
Serious incidents may result in immediate suspension or removal without prior warning. Disciplinary actions may also carry over between programs, leagues, or seasons when determined appropriate by The Community House.
