Robert G. ColE BASKETBALL
“FAMILY”
PLAYER & PARENT
HANDBOOK
2017-18
Dear Players and Parents:
The purpose of this letter is to supply you with pertinent information and familiarize you with the philosophy of the basketball program under Head Coach Noe Cantu.
First off, we are honored to have your son in our program! We are looking forward to working with them on and off the court this season. We have had a great start with our preseason workouts, and I know that our teams are ready to get started. They have put in many long hours of work and we are looking forward to seeing the benefits of that work on and off the court.
We intend to put on the floor a group of players that will be known as gentlemen who will play hard. We are calling on both you the players and parents to help us make that goal become a reality. First, let’s make a concerted effort to each take care of our own business in exhibiting good sportsmanship--the players on the floor (and bench), the coaches on the sidelines, and the parents in the stands. Secondly, if you see that this is not happening, especially in the case of the players or coaches, bring it to the attention of the coaches. Don’t assume that we saw it, we don’t see everything. These expectations include the coaches. We should live up to the same standards that we expect from our players.
If you have any concerns or questions during the season, please contact the coach of your team first. If that avenue does not meet with your satisfaction, please feel free to contact Coach Cantu. Please avoid the natural reaction to voice your displeasure around the community or with the school’s administration. Give us a chance to explain our perspective before you jump to any conclusions. Parents, the chances of your son being successful are increased if you avoid making negative comments regarding the coaches or other players in your son’s presence. It is unlikely that you will agree with everything we or his teammates do. Your son’s success will be diminished if seeds of doubt are planted in his mind.
We are excited and looking forward to a new season at Robert G. Cole High School. We want to develop a tradition of Hard Work and respect among teams in our area, let’s also improve our respect level state-wide.
Sincerely,
Noe Cantu, Head Basketball Coach, 361-649-1988 or
Isaac Ramirez, JV Coach & Varsity Assistant,
COLE HIGH SCHOOL
BASKETBALL STAFF
Head Coach: / Noe Cantu: 361-649-1988Junior Varsity: / Isaac Ramirez:
Trainer: / Francisco Serrata:
COLE ATHLETIC STAFF
Athletic Director: / Tina Guerrero
Boys Coordinator: John Reyes
IMP0RTANT WEBSITES
**Go to the Fort Sam Houston athletic website: for additional information about athletics, or for changes in schedules and practices.
**Go to ncaa.com, njcaa.com, or naia.com for information about college entrance and scholarship information.
COLE BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
Tryouts will be held for each team. We will have 3 teams for this school year – JV A, JV B, and Varsity. We will keep anywhere from 12-15 players on each team. We try to look for a natural break between the skill levels of the players. We have tryouts at the beginning of school in August for a player to be placed in the Basketball athletic period. We have another tryout when football is over in November. Players who do not make the cut at the tryout in August may try out again in November.
**Players must have an updated Physical on a U.I.L. form and a U.I.L. Parent Permission Form before they can tryout. Forms must be filled out and turned into the trainer before participation.
These are the criteria we use in selecting team members:
1.Skill level – how well they can play basketball
2.Positive attitude – do they approach things in a positive way (a good kid)
3.Coachability – are they willing to listen and attempt to do what the coach says
4.Team player – are they willing to put aside their own individual desires and do what is best for the team
5.Work ethic – are they a hard worker, do they practice on their own, do they attend Open Gym
6.Positional need – do we need guards, forwards, postmen (usually we have a shortage of tall kids)
7.Academic standing – do they pass their classes
8.Disciplinary standing – do they behave in the classroom
9.Potential – could they be a late bloomer, one who matures after the others
COLE BASKETBALL
TEAM GOALS
Ultimate Goal: Conduct ourselves on and off the court in such a way that all people interested in Robert G. Cole High School, past, present and future will be proud to call themselves a Cougar.
Secondary Goal: Be the most respectful, courteous, hardest working organization on campus. When the season is over, we wantour team to be perceived as MENwho were “overachievers.”
ROBERT G. COLE
BASKETBALL GUIDELINES & POLICIES
1.All athletes must meet requirements of the U.I.L. for scholastic eligibility before taking part in any practice or contest.
2.All athletes are expected to abide by normal school/classroom rules. If you fail to abide by school policy, you will be dealt with according to the athletic policy.
3.Athletes will remember that they are the most visible representatives of our school and community and will accept the responsibility of dressing and conducting themselves accordingly. Sportsmanship is an essential part of that conduct.
4.All students participating in basketball will be expected to practice before or after regular school hours and must arrange their own transportation.
5.Transportation from one school site to another school site for events away from home is provided by the school. Participating athletes are expected to use the school transportation provided both to and from the games. Athletes who desire to go home with their parents must have a parent sign them out. Athletes are encouraged to ride home with the team to promote camaraderie.
6.Athletes will be issued equipment. They are responsible for that equipment and if it is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the athlete will pay the cost to replace that equipment.
7.Tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs have no place in the life of an athlete; they are detrimental to health and performance. Those who violate this policy will be dealt with according to the athletic policy.
8.Participation in team sports requires teamwork. Always present a cheerful attitude -- be considerate of your teammates -- we are a family.
9.If you cannot accept authority, your place is not in athletics. We must have the cooperation of everyone. If you feel that you cannot follow our rules, then it is best that you take your interest elsewhere. Participation in athletics is a privilege, not a right.
10.If a player is removed from the team by a coach, the parents will be contacted by telephone, letter, or email stating the reasons why that player has been removed.
11.If a player quits the team, he will sign a document stating why he quit the team and a copy of that form will be sent to the parents. To go to another sport:
a.It must be mutually agreed upon by all coaches involved with the athlete
b.If mutual consent between those coaches involved cannot be reached, then the situation will be brought to the athletic director.
COLE BASKETBALL
GAME CONDUCT GUIDELINES
1.When we travel, we will make a positive impression on people we encounter at convenience stores or restaurants before or after games. We will respectfully address all people we come in contact with. Our goal when we leave a convenience store or restaurant is for the personnel to say, "Your team is very well behaved and respectful. I hope you win (or won) your game."
2.On road games, we will enter the gym looking sharp by wearing ties, having our shirt tails tucked in and conducting ourselves in a gentlemanly manner. We will not enter the gym wearing headphones or talking loud or arrogantly. At home games, we will dress according to the school dress code. This includes no headwear, earrings, etc.
3.We will conduct ourselves in a sportsmanlike manner while sitting in the stands watching the other teams play. We will not harass or heckle the officials, the players on the floor, or anyone else. We will cheer for our teams and leave everyone else alone.
4.We will conduct ourselves during the games with sportsmanship as the number one priority. We will be respectful to the officials. This includes how we speak to them and also our facial expressions and body language. We will avoid talking to the officials at all unless it is in a positive manner. Drawing a technical foul is a serious offense. Do NOT get technical fouls. The player who gets a technical foul will run five horses. The whole basketball program (JV A, JV B, & Varsity) will run a horse for each technical foul in the program. If a coach receives a technical, every player in the program receives one horse in the bank. No profanity, no ball slamming, hand or toss the ball to the official after the call has been made. While sitting on the bench, pay attention to the game, cheer your teammates on, and be ready when your time to play comes. When you leave the game and go sit on the bench, Sit down next to the coach and not at the end of the bench. Refrain from any negative displays of emotion, such as throwing a towel or kicking a chair. Do not put a towel, warmup, jersey, or anything else over your head.
We will conduct ourselves in a sportsmanlike manner after the game. We will shake the other team’s hands, make no excuses if we lost, and we will not talk trash if we won. We will go get dressed, and then humbly go about our business.
Cougar Basketball
"Horse Sense"
General Team Guidelines
It takes a special type of player who never has to run horses for some reason. However, we have several players who will start this school year with horses in the bank. They can run horses at any time and put them in the bank for a “rainy day”.
Horse - name for running lines on a basketball court; the player starts on the baseline, runs to the free throw line and back, then to the mid-court line and back, then to the free throw line on the other end and back, and then to the baseline on the other end and back; usually in a prescribed amount of time.
1.Players can earn horses "in the bank" in various ways. Examples of earning credit horses are: getting their paperwork in on time, outstanding service (to the team, coaches, or other people), and other various other ways. This is a way to positively reinforce exceptional behavior. For example, if they have a doctor's appointment and have horses in the bank, they won't have to run. Again, they may run horses at any time and put them in the bank
2.Players are expected to be at practice, in-season and off-season.
Players who are not at practice will have to do make-up running. Players will run 5 horses for missing the athletic class workout, and 7 horses for missing practice when we start after-school workouts. No exceptions or excuses. In Math class, if you miss class, you have to make up the assignment whether it is excused or unexcused. At one time, we tried to keep up with excused and unexcused absences. We experienced some very creative writing of excuse notes. Players who skip practice will usually be brought to our attention and we will assign them additional running. Try to look at this not as punishment, but as make-up. In our workouts, we will do much more running than the 5 or 7 horses they have to run for make-up. If players are injured, they must still dress out and go to the trainer for treatment or rehab. Otherwise, they will have to run for missing practice.
3.Players must be on time. The coach will determine how many horses the player will run based on how late they are and how many times they have been late. This includes practice, study hall, home games, and travel departures.
4.Players will use appropriate communication. Avoid using profane, foul, or otherwise inappropriate (including innuendos and racial slurs) language. Please be conscious of your tone, facial expressions, and body language. Remember that 90% of communication is non-verbal. The coach will determine the number of horses based on the severity and frequency of the offense.
5.Players will display an attitude of respect, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Negative examples are: yelling at teammates, playing selfishly, arguing with officials, negative displays of emotion (such as slamming the ball or hitting the wall). The coach will determine the number of horses based on the severity and frequency of the offense.
6.Players must wear the practice uniform issued to them and basketball shoes to every workout. Players will be charged 3 horses for being out of uniform, but still will be expected to workout in whatever gear they can obtain. All socks, spandex, or undershirts must be gold, white, or green.
7.Keep locker room area clean. Pick up your own trash and keep your equipment and personal belongings in your locker. If trash or equipment are left on the floor, the entire team will run horses dependent upon how many articles are left on the floor.
8.Players are responsible for keeping their equipment locked in their locker. You will run one horse each time your lock is found unlocked on your locker. At times we have a problem with theft in the locker rooms. This will be minimized if players will keep their lockers locked. Also, players need to keep their names on their locker. You will be warned if your name is not on your locker and if you do not take care of it promptly, you will run one horse each day you do not have your name on your locker. It helps the coaches tremendously with locker room security if we know who is in each locker.
9.The coach may assign horses for not following the school dress code. Examples in the past have been: facial hair, ear rings, grills, caps, and “do” rags. We usually assign them 1 horse for the first infraction, 2 horses for the second, etc.
10.When a player accumulates horses, he must run them that day. It is his responsibility to know or check if he owes any horses. The coaches will post a list of horses along with the workout schedule each day. If a player does not stay after practice and run a minimum of 5 horses, he will have 5 additional horses added to his total. He is encouraged to run them all. We are trying to teach our young men to pay their debts in a timely fashion. A player who owes horses to the team will not play in a game until he has paid his debt. This rule may be waived only under extreme extenuating circumstances.
COLE BASKETBALL
REASONS FOR SUBSTITUTING A PLAYER
**I have noticed over the years that players, parents, and fans have often made the remark, “Why is the coach taking him out,” or “Why is the coach putting him in?” I thought it would be good to clarify and give you some reasons why a coach makes certain substitutions.
1.Substitution pattern – coaches have a pattern of substitution so they have the best combination of players on the floor possible, especially at the end of the game.
2.Player is tired
3.Player is in foul trouble – 2 fouls in first quarter, 3 fouls in second quarter, 4 fouls in third quarter.
4.Matchups – sometimes coaches put certain players in to counter what the opponents have on the floor, for example, if they have all small players on the court, we may not want to have all big players on the court. They may have a player who is scoring a lot of points so we have to have a player in the game who can guard their “hot” player.
5.We are playing a certain defense – if we are pressing, we want to have our best pressing team in the game.
6.We are playing a certain offense – some offenses require two post men and other offenses only require one or no post men.
7.Player not getting the job done – there are times that the players who gets substituted for is simply not getting it done, whether on defense or offense.
8.Poor shot selection – players do not get to shoot whenever or from wherever they want to shoot, and some players don’t get to shoot as much as others. The best shooters should get the most shots. Not everybody is a three point shooter.
9.Too many turnovers – a turnover is when they make a bad pass, travel, double-dribble, etc.
10.Poor effort – not playing hard enough
11.Poor behavior – taunting, losing temper, showing disrespect to coaches, negative reaction to officials, etc.
12.Blowout win or loss – players who usually don’t get to play much will play more in these situations.
ROBERT G. COLE
BASKETBALL
PLAYER & PARENT
HANDBOOK
2017-18
I have read each page of the player and parent handbook. I understand the policies and procedures and agree to follow them.
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Signature of Athlete Signature of Parent Date
Athlete Name:
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