NCHC Policies Page

Welcome to the National Christian Homeschool Championships (NCHC)! To ensure a fair, safe, and enjoyable experience for all, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the following policies and guidelines. Adherence to these guidelines is mandatory for all players, coaches, parents, and athletic/program directors involved in NCHC events.

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Eligibility Guidelines & Association Bylaws

All Parents, Coaches, & Athletic/Program Directors are required to abide by the posted Eligibility Guidelines. When you register, you confirm that you have read and agree to these guidelines. If you haven’t yet reviewed them, please do so now:

NCHC Eligibility Guidelines: Click Here

Important Note: Anyone sitting on the bench is considered a coach for NCHC purposes.

Association Bylaws- CLICK HERE for the National HomeSchool Sports Association, National HomeSchool Basketball Association, & National HomeSchool Volleyball Association. NCHC Events are exclusively invitationals for our Association Members; all members agree to the Bylaws on the page, to view CLICK HERE.

DIGITAL FOOTPRINT & RISK MANAGEMENT VETTING To protect the integrity of the Association, the NCHC Membership Committee conducts a “Digital Footprint Audit” on all new applicants. We specifically review organization websites and social media history to ensure independence.

Risk Management Flags: Applications will be flagged for immediate Risk Management Review or Denial if the organization’s digital presence indicates:

1. “Website Conversions”: Sites that appear to be former business, personal, or commercial websites that were hastily rebranded as a homeschool team site.

2. “Sub-Page” Status: Organizations that do not have their own dedicated domain but exist as a “tab” or “sub-page” on a Prep School, Sports Training Academy, or AAU Club, or physical school website.

3. Shared Branding: Social media accounts that intermix homeschool game updates with Prep School recruiting news or Commercial Training advertisements. A legitimate NCHC Member Organization must maintain a distinct, dedicated web presence that reflects a community-based, homeschool-only mission. The Bylaws of the Association have the full details under Section 2(f).

Eligibility Violations: Reporting- 

1) Self-reporting can be done by emailing: nchbchomeschoolnationals@gmail.com.

2) NCHC Eligibility Report: Verification/Challenge Form– Guidelines for Submission. Before submitting this form, please note that the NCHC policy requires all eligibility concerns to be addressed with the team in question first. We encourage you to approach this conversation with a gentle spirit and to avoid making accusations. Simply asking questions, such as a player’s name, can often resolve the issue directly.

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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP STATUS & RETENTION

Membership Renewal & Invitational Integrity Membership in the NHBA/NHVA is an annual privilege that does not automatically roll over; organizations must renew by the Association Deadline to maintain Active Status. While teams in “Good Standing” are granted a one-year grace period to return without re-vetting, lapsed programs beyond this window are subject to full New Member protocols. Continued participation is conditioned upon Operational Integrity—defined as strict adherence to all Eligibility Guidelines, Policies, and Association Bylaws, as well as financial and administrative reliability. The Executive Committee reserves the sole authority to withhold invitations from organizations demonstrating instability (e.g., mass cancellations, delinquency) or unprofessional conduct. Teams with prior violations are subject to a strict Annual Holistic Review before any future invitation is extended.

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Conduct & Sportsmanship

General Expectations

• Sportsmanship is always encouraged by all parties. We expect respectful behavior from everyone involved.
• Parents or adults should never correct or confront the opposing team’s players, fans, or children.
• Under no circumstances should fans and children be on the court at halftime.

NCHC Coaches’ Higher Standard

NCHC coaches are held to a higher standard of conduct:

• A coach is never to confront opposing fans, students, or players before, during, or after a game.
• Coaches are responsible for holding themselves, other coaches, and their players accountable for their language and actions, especially on the court.
• A coach should never confront, yell at, or display threatening body language toward a referee after the game.
• A coach is responsible for ensuring their parents and/or fans behave during their game.

Social Media Policy

It is unacceptable for a coach, Athletic Director, Parent, Player, or team account to post negative or harmful social media content about NCHBC players, fans, referees, directors, or tournaments.

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NCHC Personnel & Event Policies

NCHC Personnel Policy

We are committed to the safety and well-being of all participants. As such, the NCHC strives to hire trainers and security for every event we run. Our goal is to have a trainer or security member on-site from open to close at every facility with more than three courts during NCHC tournaments. Participation is contingent upon adherence to Association standards as currently published and as may be amended by the Committee

NCHC Eligibility In Writing Policy

The NCHC ONLY handles eligibility exemptions or questions in writing. We do NOT handle these questions over the phone.

• Coaches, Athletic Directors, Parents, & Players: If you have questions about an eligibility situation or have been told a player has been granted an exemption, ask to see it in writing.
• This policy protects all involved, as eligibility is a critical topic. All eligibility issues must be dealt with in writing, with no exceptions.

NCHC Cancellation Policy/Notice

• Any team or player providing a full 30-day cancellation notice will receive full credit for any payments made. This credit is valid for any NCHC-run event for one full calendar year.
• Late cancellations (within 30 days) will result in the forfeiture of any payments made. If payment has not yet been made, an invoice will be issued. Late cancellations are treated the same as if the team attended the event.
• This policy is non-negotiable as proper notice is required for brackets, referees, gyms, trophies, etc.

NCHC Late Fee

A $50 late fee will be added to any team fees not paid in full 30 days prior to their event’s start date. Teams that fail to cancel before the 30-day cancellation notice will also have a $50 late fee added to their invoice.

NCHC Refund Policy

The NCHC does not issue refunds. However, if notified with more than 30 days’ notice, we do issue credits valid for one full calendar year to any NCHC-run event of your program’s choice.

• All team fee credits and deposits will be applied towards a team’s invoice before it is sent to the team. Deposits are required for all teams, even if the organization has a credit balance.

Official NCHC Weather Policy: Our Invitational Events operate based on the status of the host facility. If the facility management determines the venue is safe and remains open, the games will proceed as scheduled.

We do not cancel events based solely on forecasts. If there are any cancellations or schedule changes due to facility closures, the NCHC will notify coaches immediately by email and social media. Until you hear otherwise, plan on playing!

NCHC Must Play Policy

• A team that enters our events agrees to compete in all tournament games bracketed. This policy specifically applies to teams capable of playing but choosing to leave the tournament with bracketed games remaining.
• Failure to adhere to this policy will result in a $100 penalty per game, with additional penalties including, but not limited to, the option not to extend future invitations.

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1. Policy on Procedural Closure (Administrative Finality) Reference Code: P.16

Purpose: To ensure the efficient operation of the NCHC governance structure and prevent the exhaustion of resources on redundant appeals regarding indisputable facts.

The Policy: Where the Executive Committee (EC) issues a denial based on established, clear precedent—specifically regarding numerical limits (e.g., age limits, transfer caps) or documented factual violations—the decision is deemed Administratively Final.

• No Further Appeal: Appeals to the Eligibility Advisory Board (EAB) or Eligibility Guidelines Committee (EGC) are not permitted for rulings based on verified data or numerical statutes.

• Dismissal of Correspondence: All subsequent correspondence or attempts to present the same factual finding will be dismissed by the EC without response.

• Sanctions: Continued refusal to accept an Administratively Final decision may result in the imposition of administrative processing fees or further sanctions on the Member Organization for conduct detrimental to the association.

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2. Policy on Authorized Communication Reference Code: P.17

Purpose: To protect the integrity of the governance process and ensure that all official business is conducted peer-to-peer between NCHC leadership and Member Organization leadership.

The Policy: All formal correspondence regarding NCHC eligibility, appeals, hardship requests, or governance matters must originate from and be addressed solely to the Member Organization’s designated Athletic Director or Board Representative.

• Unauthorized Parties: The NCHC will not recognize, review, or respond to correspondence regarding governance matters from unauthorized third parties, including but not limited to parents, student-athletes, or external legal counsel.

• Administrative Filtering: The inclusion of unauthorized parties in official administrative correspondence (via CC or direct email) will be grounds for the administrative filtering and non-receipt of said correspondence.

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3. Policy on Systemic Governance Reclassification Reference Code: P.18

Purpose: To ensure that issues with broad, association-wide implications are resolved through legislative rule clarification (EGC) rather than isolated hardship waivers (EAB).

The Policy: The Executive Committee retains the sole and final authority to determine if an eligibility matter—even one initiated as an individual appeal—constitutes a Systemic Governance Issue due to rule ambiguity or high impact on multiple members.

• Right to Shift Venue: Upon such a determination, the matter will be immediately withdrawn from the Eligibility Advisory Board (EAB) appellate queue and redirected to the Eligibility Guidelines Committee (EGC)  or the Regional Committee (RC) for a formal Rule Clarification or Amendment vote.

• Finality: This procedural reclassification is at the sole discretion of the Executive Committee and is not subject to appeal.

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4. Organizational Control- Reference Code: P.19

To maintain efficiency, NCHC staff communicates exclusively with Organization Directors and Head Coaches.

• The Rule: Parents are strictly prohibited from contacting NCHC staff directly regarding brackets, eligibility, or grievances.

• Consequence: Program Directors are responsible for “Organizational Control.” If parents bypass the Director to harass staff, the Organization may be removed from good standing, placed on probation, or removed from the event.

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5. Vicarious Liability for Spectators- Reference Code: P.20

A parent or spectator’s conduct directly impacts the student-athlete’s eligibility.

• The Rule: If a spectator is ejected or suspended for violating the “Zero Tolerance” conduct policy, the NCHC reserves the right to suspend the associated Player or Team from competition.

• Reasoning: We hold families accountable as a unit. If the adult cannot adhere to Association standards, the family loses the privilege of participation.

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6. Administrative Verification & Audit Authority- Reference Code: P.20

To enforce the existing Eligibility Guidelines without modifying them, the NCHC reserves the right to audit any participant. By registering, the family grants the NCHC explicit authority to (for eligibility verification confirmation) request academic/age records (Birth Certificate, Report Card) at any time.

• The 48-Hour Standard: Failure to produce the requested verification documents within 48 hours of a request will result in immediate Administrative Ineligibility. This is a voluntary submission of data for qualification purposes; FERPA does not apply.

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Team & Player Logistics

NCHC Official Dual Roster & Conflict Policy

5. JV Division Restrictions (Girls Volleyball Nationals Only.)

• Strict No Dual Rostering: To protect the integrity and competitive balance of the Nationals JV division, players rostered on a JV team are prohibited from dual rostering on any other team (18u, 16u, or 14u).
• Competitive Integrity: This policy ensures fair play and prevents Varsity-level players from competing in the JV division (“sandbagging”).
• Scheduling Protocol: Because these rosters are isolated, JV games may be scheduled concurrently with other age groups. Teams should not expect de-confliction between JV and Varsity schedules.

Player Registration & Game Day Policy

• PLAYER REGISTRATION & VERIFICATION PROTOCOLS – Mandatory Player Registration & Game Day Verification- 

  1. Purpose & Standards Player registration serves two critical governance functions:

  • Liability: To satisfy insurance mandates, ensuring every participant is covered.

  • Eligibility Attestation: By completing the individual registration, the parent/guardian digitally signs an affidavit confirming that the student-athlete meets all NCHC Eligibility Guidelines (including Age, Homeschool Definition, and Transfer Rules). Therefore, an unregistered player is an unverified player.

  2. The “No Registration, No Play” Standard No student-athlete is permitted to participate in any NCHC-sanctioned contest (including warm-ups) unless they are actively registered in the official NCHC Player Database. Participation without registration is considered a violation of both safety protocols and eligibility governance.

  3. Verification Protocol (The “Golden Ticket” Rule) Recognizing that public roster lists are updated manually and may lag behind real-time data, the following verification hierarchy applies at all events:

  • Primary Proof: The player appears on the official printed/online Roster List provided by the NCHC.

  • Secondary Proof (Override): If a player is missing from the list, they may prove eligibility by presenting a digital Registration Confirmation Email (dated prior to game start) to the Site Director or Opposing Head Coach.

  • Authority: Possession of the Confirmation Email overrides the printed list and clears the player for immediate participation.

  4. On-Site Cure & Penalties If a player is discovered to be unregistered at the game site:

  • The Cure: The player must be removed from the court immediately. They may re-enter only after the parent/guardian completes the online registration (attesting to eligibility) and produces the Confirmation Email.

  • The Penalty: If a team permits an unregistered player to participate (enter the game) without executing this cure, the game shall be ruled an Administrative Forfeit (Loss) for the offending team.

• NCHC Player Fee Info- Click Here 

Brackets & Opening Day Game Times

• You can expect to know your age group’s earliest start time for the opening day seven (7) days before the event.
• Brackets are released no later than:
  • Monday before events that begin on Thursday
  • Tuesday for events beginning on Friday
  • Friday for events that begin on Monday

NCHC 1st Game Policies

To be eligible for participation in the National Christian Homeschool Championships, a player must be homeschooled continuously and begin playing on their team before the team’s 1st game. Any players joining the team after the 1st game will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

NCHC Proof of Age Requirement

• Each program must be able to provide the NCHC proof of age via birth certificate for each player in the event of an age challenge.
• We accept electronic and physical copies, whichever is more convenient for the team/player to provide in the event of the challenge.
• To submit an official age challenge or verification, please use this form: Official Age Challenge/Verification Form
• Passport Acceptance: The NCHC will accept a valid, current passport as proof of age in place of a birth certificate copy.

Seeding Forms/Game Deadline- Basketball

For a game to count for seeding to an NCHBC Event, it must be played before the seeding deadline. Results after these deadlines will not be considered, with the only exception being NCHBC-run Post Season events, which impact seeding.

Seeding Game Deadlines are: NCHBC 2026

• District: January 4th
• Regionals/Nationals: February 1st

2027 Seeding Game Deadlines are: NCHBC 2027

• District: January 3rd
• Regionals/Nationals: January 31st

MANDATORY SEEDING & PERFORMANCE DECLARATION POLICY

(The “No Form, No Play” Mandate)
Form Link: CLICK HERE

Policy Overview The National Christian Homeschool Championships (NCHC) operates as a Private Voluntary Association, and participation in post-season events is an Invitational Privilege. To maintain the integrity of our tournaments, the Seeding Committee requires current, accurate performance data from every participating program.

The Mandate Submission of the Official Team Resume & Performance Declaration is a mandatory condition of participation.

• Strict Enforcement: The Seeding Committee will not place any team into a tournament bracket that has not submitted this declaration by the published deadline.

• No Exceptions: We cannot seed a team we cannot evaluate. Teams that fail to report will be removed from the field of play.

Purpose & Rationale This policy is enforced to ensure the “Elite Post-Season Experience” that NCHC families expect. The Seeding Form serves four critical functions:

1. Intentions & Verification: It acts as a final “check and balance” to confirm a team’s intent to participate, preventing situations where teams are bracketed in error due to accidental registration.

2. Competitive Integrity: It protects the field—especially lower divisions—from being “sandbagged” by strong teams, and protects elite teams from weak schedules. Without this data, the committee is “operating in the dark,” which compromises the fairness of the bracket for all families involved.

3. Operational Excellence: Chasing missing forms delays the bracketing process and logistical planning. A program’s ability to submit standard paperwork is a baseline indicator of its readiness to participate in an invitational event.

4. Error Catching: The form cross-references specific event attendance (Districts vs. Nationals), allowing us to catch and correct registration errors before the schedule is finalized.

Seeding Appeals. This form is a team’s primary advocate. The Seeding Committee compares the submitted data against hundreds of other teams.

• Finality of Data: If a coach omits key wins, head-to-head results, or tournament outcomes, the team will likely be seeded lower than their skill level dictates.

• No Recourse: Appeals based on data that the program failed to provide in the mandatory declaration will not be heard.

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Code of Conduct & Disciplinary Action

The NCHC, HomeSchool Basketball Championships staff, and designated referee & site coordinators desire that all games are enjoyable for everyone and that best behavior is the rule, not the exception. In cases where this standard is not met, we have compiled a list of policies and procedures, along with categorized penalties for each infraction.

Ejection Policy

Section I – Standard Federation Conduct Ejections

• Player/Coach/Administrative/Spectator: Per Federation rules, the violator must leave the building where the game is being played but may return for the next scheduled game.
• If the violator refuses and officials must request help (from Law Enforcement, NCHC staff, Facility staff, Gym Host, Game Security, Referee Coordinator, etc.) to remove them, the outcome and penalty are covered in Section II.
• Repeat Offender: If any Player/Coach/Administrative/Spectator is a repeat violator at NCHC (all sports) events, Section II will apply in addition to the standard federation policy.

Section II – Zero Tolerance Policy

• Coach/Player/Administrative/Spectator: Ejected from a game due to conduct beyond Section I. This includes staying in the building after being ejected by referees or removed by Law Enforcement, NCHC staff, Facility staff, Gym Host, Game Security, or Referee Coordinator.
• The violator is barred from participating in the remainder of that NCHC Event.
• If this is the last game of the event, NCHC will have discussions with the NCHC Member Organization and may decide the next course of action.
• If a team violates Section II during the last game of an event, NCHC will have discussions with the NCHC Member Organization and may decide the next course of action, including the potential to ban THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION for a minimum of one year.

NCHC Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary action will be taken for conduct that includes violating NCHC eligibility rules, displays of violence, vandalism, blatant disregard for safety, spreading rumors or slander, vulgarity, or humiliation of opposing teams or players (from players, coaches, or fans). Participating organizations are responsible for everyone associated with their organizations.

Disciplinary action may include any of the following:

• A letter of reprimand.
• A vote by committee members.
• A request for a written apology.
• Suspension from participation in NCHC activities for a designated period, not to exceed three (3) years (not including probationary time periods when organizations are reinstated).

When organizations or individuals are suspended by the NCHC, those individuals directly involved with any incidents must be named (via NCHC’s primary and/or secondary forms of communication to member teams, coaches, players, etc.). Those players, coaches, administrators, or parents named as offenders will not be allowed to participate in NCHC activities as part of any other participating team until the period of discipline has ended. Following these situations, anyone involved will be required to complete an application via the reinstatement form.

GAME RULES

To ensure consistency and competitive integrity across all NCHC events, the official rules for competition are the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Rules, unless otherwise noted.

For reference on the governing body and its rules, please visit: https://nfhs.org

Officials & Conduct

• Final Rulings: Referee rulings during a game are final. The NCHC will not overrule an official decision during or after a game.
• Conduct: Coaches, players, fans, and parents are not to approach referees after the game. Adherence to sportsmanship rules is expected from everyone.

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Sport-Specific Rules

Basketball -CLICK HERE

Volleyball- CLICK HERE

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Association Governance Philosophy

Rules are static. Leadership is dynamic. The NHBA (Basketball) and NHVBA (Volleyball) Bylaws serve as the constitutional framework for our 350+ Member Teams. However, the Executive Committee is committed to Active Integrity.

As a private association, we reserve the right to audit, investigate, and adjudicate issues to ensure these rules are applied fairly across our membership. We do not allow manipulation of the rulebook to defeat the purpose of fair play. Whether it involves complex transfer rulings or disciplinary vetting, our goal is always the same: To protect the innocent and preserve the integrity of the bracket.

When we enforce these rules, we do so with one goal: To ensure that the winner is determined solely by the talent and hard work of the student-athletes.

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© 1991-2026 National Christian Homeschool Championships, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The National HomeSchool Basketball Association (NHBA) and National HomeSchool Volleyball Association (NHVA) are proprietary divisions owned and operated by National Christian Homeschool Championships, LLC. The NCHC operates as a Private Voluntary Association; all events are Invitational competitions and are conditioned upon strict adherence to the Association’s governance standards.