National Christian HomeSchool Championships are designed to provide top-quality tournaments for HomeSchool Student-Athletes. There are a series of eligibility rules that are designed to ensure that every participant is a HomeSchool Student first and an athlete second. As HomeSchool sports continue to grow, it is the NCHBC’s desire to make sure that the teams that participate in the HomeSchool division of the NCHBC tournaments do not have a resemblance of AAU-type teams or all-star teams. These rules are not only meant to keep the playing field level at the National Tournaments but are also designed to protect the reputation of HomeSchool teams on a national and local level.

Note: The following rules apply to both the National Championships and NCHBC-sanctioned Regional Tournaments.

"Homeschooling" is defined to mean that a student’s education is parent-directed.

As such, the parents shall be involved in their child’s education by assuming the role of principal or headmaster, thereby (1) setting the date and requirements for high school graduation; (2) selecting and approving course materials and study schedules; and (3) selecting tutors, correspondence courses, videos, computer courses, and similar resources for their child’s education. HomeSchooling would also include the person of legal responsibility of the student filling the role of a parent (see below)

College Classes

It is understood that a student may have the opportunity to take dual-credit college courses, particularly in his/her junior or senior year. The NCHBC encourages such enrollment by HomeSchool students, and the definition above shall not be construed to mean that such students are not homeschooled if the participating college admitted the HomeSchool student as a high school student. However, the student may not take enough courses to be deemed a “Full-Time Student” by the college or university. Additionally, the student must maintain at least 51% of his/her education from classes that meet the homeschooling definition.

Private and Public Schools

Full-time enrollment in a traditional public or private school is not homeschooling because the child’s education in such schools is not parent-directed. A player that attends a private, public, charter, or university-model school full-time is not eligible in HomeSchool divisions. For part-time students at these types of schools, the student must maintain at least 51% of his/her education from classes that meet the homeschooling definition.

Coop and Umbrella Schools

The participation in a cooperative school, and/or an umbrella school can create some questions. In some states, "HomeSchool students" are required by law to attend a private school and, in such cases, cooperative or umbrella schools are formed for this purpose. These schools, whether called cooperative, umbrella, or "private,” are characterized by significant and direct parental involvement, often simply representing different forms of homeschooling within a group of like-minded families. In such cases where the student-athlete meets the definition of HomeSchooling and is involved in a coop and umbrellas school, he/she is deemed eligible by the NCHBC.

Vocational Classes

In some states, “HomeSchool students” are permitted to take classes at vocational schools. A student may take classes at such schools as long as he/she maintains at least 51% of his education from classes that meet the homeschooling definition.

51% Rule

For clarification purposes, a normal course load for a full-time student is six (6) core courses; therefore, if a student-athlete is taking more than three (3) courses at a public, private, vocational, or college institution, he/she is not considered 51% homeschooled. If there are special circumstances, a student may apply for a hardship exemption.

Academics

Each member team and/or program shall have standards in place to make sure that all participating players maintain at least a 2.0 GPA (on a 4-point scale) during the active season.

Age Restrictions

Boys and Girls 10-and-under, 12-and-under, 14-and-under, 16-and-under, and 18-and-under are the ten different age groups offered. A player’s age group is determined by his/her age on September 1, of the current school year. For example, a player who is 16 on September 1, but turns 17 on October 5th is considered eligible to play in the 16-and-under age group at the National Championships in March. Players may play in a higher age group, if desired.

Transfer Students

Any student who transfers from a public school, Christian/private School, or another HomeSchool team and is under disciplinary action(s) must wait one (1) year before he/she is eligible to participate in any NCHBC activity or play against other HomeSchool teams. All other transferred players must complete a transfer request and submit it to the Eligibility Committee prior to the first day of practice in order to be declared eligible.

Additional Educational Requirements

• A player that has participated in a graduation ceremony is not eligible to participate at the National Christian HomeSchool Basketball Championships.
• To be eligible for participation in the National Christian HomeSchool Basketball Championships, a player must be homeschooled continuously from October 1st to the beginning of this year’s tournament.

Additional Non-Educational Requirements

• A player must live at home with his/her parent, legal guardian or legally responsible person (in the case of foster children or other family hardships)* in order to be considered HomeSchooled.
• A player cannot be married.
• A player must live within a 100-mile radius of the team’s practice facility.

*Legal Responsibility Hardships must be PreApproved by NCHBC

New Rule for 2012 - Voted on by EAB and Approved Sept 2, 2012

If the adult that is "legally responsible" is a "close" relative, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, then the player should be admitted, provided there is a valid hardship including but not limited to a sickness, death or work transfer.  The power of attorney agreement must be signed.  Additionally, this move cannot be just for the basketball season.

If the player has been living with the adult that is "legally responsible" since January 1^st of the preceding season then the player should be admitted, provided there is a valid hardship including but not limited to a sickness, death or work transfer.  The power of attorney agreement must be signed.

If the player were in a Foster Care Program of the State the player would be eligible immediately.

All of these exceptions are based on a player meeting the other requirements of a HomeSchool Student Athlete.

NCHBC Program/Team Guidelines

All Programs that attend NCHC Regional and National Tournaments must be a member of the National HomeSchool Basketball Association - Click here for Details