Head Coach Responsibility

Make sure your team, bench, parents, and assistant coaches conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner.  It is inappropriate to put yourself in a situation by getting too "caught up in the moment" where you set a bad example for the kids.  Coaches are to respect the officials at all times and make sure their team, bench, parents and assistant coaches do the same.  Accept that some mistakes will be made and move on.  We must create and foster a safe and positive environment for the kids.

Assistant Coaches

Assistant coaches may not be pre-selected prior to the draft, nor may anyone but the head coach attend the draft.  This is to avoid the impression of "stacking" teams by allowing assistant coaches' kids to be "reserved" for teams, this is only allowed for head coaches.  Once teams are selected, the head coach may select or solicit an assistant at his or her prerogative from the parents on the team.  Sometimes they volunteer to help.  The assistant coach can help track playing time, help with substitutions, or in whatever other capacity that is helpful to the head coach.  It is not appropriate for an assistant to be overly vocal, especially towards officials, during games.

Read the new rules on the web site

Tell your players and parents to read the new rules

To highlight: (NEW RULES)

• 2 Technicals and the player is out 2 games
• 3 Technicals by one team and game is over
• Team must have 5 of their players on court at game time or the game is a forfeit. 
• Officials have the right to expel anyone (players, coaches, or parents) from the gym.
• Hanging or pulling on baskets or nets on purpose is an expulsion from a game

Have a parent meeting

• Have a team roster for each player with player’s names, jersey number and parent’s names.  This helps the parents and kids to get to know each other.
• Determine who will help with scorebook and scoreboard.
• Discuss sportsmanship and require signature of players and parents before 1^st game.  We expect these before uniforms are issued.
• Parents are responsible for their children and any damage to the school by their children.
• This is not a babysitting service.  Do not drop off siblings or friends.  All children must have parental supervision.
• Parents need to help pick up the kids trash & clothes after the games.
• No balls being bounced in school other than gym.
• NO Food or Drink in any of the schools. The schools enforce this for their games and we must for our games. 
• We recommend even playing time. Please review the rules and utilized the rotation sheet provided under Forms/Handouts. The most rewarding part of coaching is when you really strengthen a weaker player versus the stronger players.
• Issues with Officials must be communicated to Chris Johnson (804) 467-6667.
• Last game every night.  Leave promptly.  Do not have the league incur extra cost for parents that want to talk or kids looking for more gym time.

  ---

The results of Negative feedback toward the referee!

• Referee makes a call, right or wrong.
• The cycle of criticism begins when the coach gives a negative response to a right or wrong call made by the referee.
• The coach′s example gives the parent the implied permission to react negatively towards the referee.
• The parent′s example causes the child to assume that it is acceptable to react in the same way. 
• The results can be a player′s negative attitude towards authority and negative environment.

The results of Positive feedback towards the referee!

• Referee makes a call right or wrong.
• The cycle of criticism ends when the coach gives a Positive response to a right or wrong call made by the referee.
• The coach′s example causes the parents to react Positively towards the referees.
• The parent′s example encourages the child to give a positive response.
• The results are a positive attitude towards authority and a positive environment.

Practicing being positive makes the game a better experience for everyone involved. 

BACKGROUND CHECKS

All Coaches and Assistant Coaches will undergo a routine background check. It has become a standard procedure for youth leagues around the country.