During the regular season, to the absolute best
of my ability, I will give each player an equal amount of playing time. However, once we enter the tournament at the
end of the season, I WILL NOT guarantee every child will play equal time. Principals and administrators encourage this
day as a chance for the players to win a trophy, and the game will be
approached with this idea in mind. If
each child will help us win, each child will play. This is NOT negotiable. If a player does not attend school the day of a practice
or game or is suspended on that day, he will not be able to participate on that
day (unless the absence has been determined to be excused from the school). Reports of any player getting into trouble
during school will result in immediate discipline during the next scheduled
practice. Players on this team will
treat all teachers, aides, faculty members, and classmates with respect. If a player receives an “F” as a nine-week or a midterm
grade, he will not be allowed to participate until the next grade report is
released. In order to play in the
majority of games this season, all players must have had a passing grade prior
to October 19th. Midterm
grades will determine each player’s eligibility for the remainder of the
season. For home games, all 5th grade players
must arrive at the gymnasium 45 minutes before the start of the game (our home
games begin at 6:00pm, so 5th graders need to be here by 5:15pm to
be dressed and ready to warm-up at 5:30).
5th grade players will be allowed to leave following their
game; however, I MUST be informed by a parent or the player that he will not be
staying to watch the 6th grade game.
The player’s name will be checked off of a list; therefore, if I am
looking for that player later in the night I will know where he has gone. For home games, all 6th grade players
should be at the gymnasium by 5:55pm to support the 5th grade. Since a specified start time for the 6th
grade is not given, I ask these players to be at the gym prior to the start of
the 5th grade game simply so they will not miss the start of their
game. 6th grade players
arriving late will be expected to run at the next practice in order to make up
for the time missed. We will take buses to away games. ALL players are expected to ride the bus to
the games, but may ride home with a parent.
If a player is riding home with a parent, the guardian must come see me
after the game and sign a permission form so that I know where the child is
going. If a player plans to go home with
another parent, I MUST receive a note written and signed by the parent of that
child. We will represent Rockville Community Schools with utmost dignity and respect. For this reason, each player is required to wear dress clothes to all games. We want to look nice and allow the entire area to see that Rockville athletics is committed to developing classy students who represent their school, their families, and themselves well. Appropriate tops include polo shirts, collared button-up shirts, or sweaters. Pants should either be black or khaki dress pants. Please see me if there is an issue meeting this requirement. Players with asthma must have an inhaler at
every basketball practice and game. A
player will not be allowed to participate in practice or the game if the
inhaler is not present. If there are any concerns, a meeting can be
scheduled between parents, coaches, and a member of the Rockville Community
School administration.
ALL
participants are required to have their physical completed before they will be
allowed to take part in a practice or game. The physical form must be filled out and
turned into the office before the first day of practice.
At the 5th and 6th Grade
level, the most important thing to remember is that each player is learning the
game and beginning to understand basketball rules/conduct. That is why I am here, and this will be my #1
priority throughout the season. I want my players to feel like they can ask
questions, so please do not hesitate to do so.
Playing
time will NEVER be determined based on favoritism, and
throughout the majority of the season, playing time will NOT be based upon the
student’s basketball skills and ability at the present time. I believe everyone
can improve in the game of basketball at this age, and I will approach each player
with this in mind.
There is one event during the season when I have been given permission to use my
discretion in regards to amount of playing time for each participant. The season concludes with a Parke County
Tournament. This is a great opportunity
for your child to compete for a trophy.
However, in order to be crowned Parke County champions, the players I
believe will contribute most to the team will be receiving the majority of the
minutes on the court during the game.
Each player’s performance over the course of the season will determine
the amount of playing time. Our focus
will be to win the tournament with the best players we have at that time. If everyone is able to help us win, then
everyone will play.
As students grow older and begin to participate
in athletics at any level, they soon discover that academics are not a
secondary priority; on the contrary, academics
must take precedence over all other extra-curricular activities. Athletic competition is a privilege – a
privilege I believe students should enjoy, but only if they are continuing to
focus on their schoolwork. I will be checking grades frequently to
make sure all basketball participants are meeting the school’s standards in
terms of grades.
Success
as a basketball player is as much about having the proper attitude than it is
about having athletic ability. Players will succeed only if they enter each
practice and game with the correct mindset.
Therefore, I am just as committed to teaching the players how to properly
conduct themselves on the court as I am about teaching them basketball. As a member of this year’s 5th and
6th Grade basketball teams, the players have agreed to abide by such
rules as no foul language, no talking back to referees, no fighting (whether
through actions or words), etc.
Appropriate course of action will be taken should any player act in an
unsuitable manner.
