P.L.A.Y. Travel Basketball Player and Parent Commitment Guideline

P.L.A.Y. Travel Basketball Player and Parent Commitment Guideline

Teamwork

Basketball is a team sport and team unity is key for a positive successful athletics experience. As such, each player and parent has an obligation to their teammates, coaches and PLAYto be accountable for team, volunteer and organizational requirements. Participation is a privilege.During Basketball Season, the Travel Basketball Team should take precedence over all other extra-curricular activities. The season runs from October through March, or until season tournaments end.

Required Commitment:

Practice is a critical element of individual and team skill development and success. Based on facility availability, each team will meet at least twice a week for practice. Practices are structured by the coach to improve individual skills, build team strategies and develop the sense of team. Each coach is committed to teach the players as much as they can about the game of basketball so that each player can become the best that they are capable of being. Players agree to work hard at all times in an effort to learn as much as they can, to improve their individual skills,and contribute to success of the team. Parents agree to be supportive, respectful and support the commitment of our basketball program. While all players should have fun, that is not the only goal of the Travel Basketball program. This is an advanced basketball experience that requires the commitment and dedication on the part of players, their families, and the coaches. The objective of the travel basketball program is to develop basketball skills within a competitive environment, while at the same time learning the values of hard work, preparation, teamwork and respect. Discrepancies in playing time may exist due to the followingnon-exhaustive list: unexcused absence from practice or games/tournaments, code of conduct violations, poor attitude, lack of effort, disrespect towards coaches, teammates or opponents, and being consistently late for games and practice.

Attendance:

Attendance at each practice and all Games is mandatory. Players should arrive one half hour prior to scheduled game times unless otherwise instructed by the Coaching Staff and should be on time for practices. If a player is unable to attend a practice or Game due to illness, vacation, family emergency, school/religious education obligation, then it is the player's responsibility to notify the coach or assistant coach in advance, if at all possible, with the reason for absence.

Unexcused Absences:

An unexcused absence is defined as the following:

• Did not inform coaching staff more than 30 minutes in advance of a practice or more than 1 hour in advance of game.
• The parent or guardian of the participant must notify the coaching staff directly; utilizing another parent as a form of communication is not acceptable.
• Missing basketball due to participation in another sport or activity.
• Late to games.

Unexcused absences from practice and games may result in the following:

Missing Practice:

• One Unexcused Absence: Sit out ¼ of game
• Two Unexcused Absences: Sit out ½ game
• Three+ Unexcused Absences: Sit out full game, but must attend game

Missing Games:

• One Unexcused Absence: Sit out ½ of next game, but must attend game
• Two Unexcused Absences: Sit out full game, but must attend game

Excused Absences:

Each player is allowed three excused absences per season. If a participant has more than three excused absences, the unexcused absence guideline applies. The following are examples of excused absences:

• Family Emergency – death or injury in the family
• Family Events – communication must take place directly to coaching staff at least one week in advance
• Religious Event - communication must take place directly to coaching staff at least one week in advance
• Injury – Participant should attend practices if injury not severe and will be returning to play during the season

If a parent is unable to reach a member of the coaching staff, the parent must leave a message, text or send an email. Making an attempt to call without leaving a message is not considered contact. The head coach under special circumstances has the discretion to allow excused absences provided the circumstances warrant such.

Missing practices or games affects the overall team success and chemistry, and it is important for the overall benefits of the team, that missing practices or games are minimized to the extent possible as it may have effects on the participants overall playing time and ability to compete for certain positions.

______

Parent/Guardian SignatureDateChild SignatureDate