Coach's Thoughts

As we look forward to a new season…

       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 5^th and 6^th 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 5^th and 6^th 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.