Central Rockets Girls Basketball

CENTRAL ROCKETS GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

2014-2015 Player Handbook Section 1: Behavior 1. Participation in athletics is a privilege, not a right. 2. We will always expect, encourage, and develop athletes with character and respect. Our behavior will model respect for ourselves and others. We can be the most hard-nosed competitors out there and still do so with class. 3. Hazing, bullying, or other similar harassing behavior is strictly prohibited. Since this behavior usually occurs out of site of adults, athletes should communicate with the coaches if they witness or are involved in any such situation. 4. Parents and fans: Out-of-line behavior at games towards referees is embarrassing to your athlete, this team, and the program. Support your athletes, the team, and the program. Let the coaches’ work with the officials. 5. We expect you to listen to your coaches – NOT IN THE STANDS; this includes during the game, during a timeout, on the way to and from locker room at half time. We will not tolerate you looking or communicating with people in the stands. If any of the coaches witness this – you will be on the bench…indefinitely.

Section 2: Communication 1. The goal of the Central High School Girl’s basketball program is to resolve issues at the level at which the problem occurs. Two main avenues of communication:

Coach to Student Athlete: Coaches are expected to communicate their expectations to student athletes and their parents clearly and consistently. Coaches should encourage student athletes to approach them if they have any issue about their experience on basketball team. The athletic experience on the Central basketball team provides for the opportunity for young people to develop communication skills with adults and those in positions of authority. The student athlete and coach must develop a mutual respect and understanding that allows them to discuss issues openly and honestly while striving to gain a better understanding of each other’s roles, responsibilities and perspectives.

Coach to Parent: Coaches are expected to communicate with parents. Coaches should encourage parents to schedule meetings or phone calls to discuss important matters to enable each person to be prepared for the discussion.

Topics that are appropriate to discuss with parents:

 The treatment of their child, mentally and physically  Ways to help their child improve individually and as a team member  Concerns about their child’s behavior or academic status

Topics that are not appropriate to discuss with parents:

 Playing time  Team strategy  Play calling  Other student athletes  Coach’s skill and knowledge of the game 2. Athletic Flow Chart:

Superintendent Principal Athletic Director Head Coach Assistant Coach

The flow chart represents the preferred chain of command one should follow when trying to solve a problem in the basketball program. Learning to deal with conflict is a life-long skill for all students. Therefore it is important that the student talk with their coach regarding any issue. If the student is not satisfied after this conversation, the next step will be for the student, parent, coach and head coach to meet. Again if satisfaction is not reached at that level, move up the chain to the athletic director. Continue up the chain as you see fit.

Do not skip steps! Keep in mind that if you skip steps, you will possibly find the people you talk to may not be informed of the situation. This could lead to decisions made that are not totally fact based and not beneficial to the player and the basketball program.

Please keep in mind that our coaches are very willing to converse with you about our basketball program. We ask that you pick an appropriate time to do so. To run up to or confront a coach just before, during or right after a game is very inconsiderate. Please refrain from doing so. The more appropriate process would involve calling the coach at a later, more relaxed time so the situation can be discussed with full attention.

Section 3: Time Commitments 1. High school basketball is six days per week through the end of the season, including Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks. 2. The coaching staff will view absences as non-preventable (sickness, etc.) and preventable (scheduling other activities over basketball, vacations, etc). 3. Athletes may not play any other organized basketball during the season due to IHSA rules. If an athlete chooses to participate in other club sports outside of the school, the priority must be given to CHS basketball in all cases. 4. Missing practices and/or games will result in consequences as deemed appropriate by the coaching staff. As a guideline, if you miss a practice(s) for a preventable absence, playing time in the next game(s) will be affected. If you miss a game(s) for a preventable absence, you will miss the next game(s). Generally speaking, preventable absences will lead to a reduction or restriction of playing time and depend on the circumstances surrounding the absence. 5. While academics take priority over athletics, an athlete’s ability to plan is paramount. Athletes should not schedule study groups or project groups over basketball. 6. When meeting with teachers or making up tests/quizzes, an athlete should bring a pass to practice if she is late.

Section 4: Calendar 1. The best source for game information is www.athletics2000.com. This is what the school uses to manage the schedules, so any changes that we know about are on this site. 2. A calendar will be distributed with games and practice times. Due to facility restrictions our practice times will vary weekly, and sometimes even daily. 3. We work hard to be sure that our calendar is accurate, but sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances. We will do our best to communicate these to the athletes.

Section 5: Practices

1. The time listed is the time that we will actively begin to practice, so athletes need to be dressed and ready. Coaches are generally there around 30 minutes prior. “Early is on time, on time is late.” 2. When we have late practice, it is assumed that athletes will go home and return. It is not appropriate for athletes to hang around school unsupervised until a late practice. 3. When we have practice on non-school days (Saturdays or holidays), the building will be locked. Coaches will be available to let athletes into the building 30 minutes prior to practice.

Section 6: Games

1. Playing time is earned, not automatically granted. The best way to earn playing time is during practice. 2. Home games- varsity players should arrive by the beginning of the JV game. Leave to get dressed with 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter of the JV game. 3. Away games- the bus schedule has the time that you should be ready to leave by. You should arrive at school before that time. The bus will not wait for missing athletes. Athletes who miss the bus will not be able to participate in the game even if they get a ride to the game. 4. All athletes are expected to travel with the team on the bus both to the game and home from the game. When going to a game the bus is calm and quiet. i-pods are allowed. The varsity will sit in the front, the coaches in the middle, and the JV in the back. The atmosphere of the bus ride on the way home will depend on how we play. We will ALWAYS leave the bus cleaner than it was when we got on it. 5. After the game has concluded, line up to shake the other team’s hand. Go directly to the locker room afterwards, before you talk to friends, family, or reporters.

Section 7: Lockers and the locker room

1. Every basketball player will need to get a locker in the athletic locker room. This will be separate from your PE locker. 2. NEVER leave anything unlocked in the locker room. 3. It is never appropriate to have your phone out in the locker room (it is actually against the law).

Section 8: Monetary issues

1. It is mandatory for an athlete to pay the school fee of $120 per sport. 2. We will have various opportunities to purchase gear (shoes, hoodies, t-shirts, etc.) throughout the season 3. The booster club may make a request of support. This is handled through the boosters and not through the coaches. Section 9: Medical Issues

1. All athletes need to have a current physical in order to participate. 2. Athletes should discuss injuries and potential injuries (aches, pains, etc.) with the coaches. 3. The school has a certified athletic trainer. The trainer is an appropriate and effective beginning point for athletes who may be injured. 4. If an athlete is held out of any part of athletics due to a doctor’s order, then re-admittance to the sport is only allowed with written doctor’s instructions for return.

Section 10: Clothing

1. Each athlete will be issued a practice jersey, warm-up top, home uniform, and an away uniform. 2. The practice jersey must be worn at each practice and must be routinely taken home for laundering. 3. Uniforms are only for contests. Athletes may not wear game uniforms at practice. 4. Athletes should wear appropriate athletic gear for practices and games. 5. Basketball shoes should only touch basketball floors. Athletes should have other shoes to wear to and from practices and games. 6. For home and away games, the team and the coaches will decide on game day wear. 7. The team and the coaches will decide on attire to be worn on the bus (for away games) or to home games. 2014-2015 CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRL’S

BASKETBALL

We hope that this handbook has provided a good foundation for our methods and our program.

If you have any questions or concerns that were not addressed in the packet, feel free to indicate below.

Please sign below and return JUST THIS SHEET to the coaches.

We have reviewed the player handbook.

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