Season Guidelines for Players
2008-09
by Dan Miller
October 03, 2008
October 2,2008
To: Prospective Lewis Central Basketball Players
From: Coach Miller, Coach Nielsen, Coach Bond, & Coach Koester
- Practice- You must be at practice. Please plan other activities around it. Plan on giving maximum effort. Take advantage of opportunities to improve. Practice gear is to be worn only at practice. Do not wear your basketball shoes outside. When not involved in a drill or scrimmage you will watch and listen from the side. Check with a coach if you must leave the gym area. Tuck practice jerseys in; keep them clean and launder practice gear regularly. Practice is your opportunity to display your skills that will give you opportunities to play in games. Make sure you take advantage of practice time.
- Health- Take care of yourself. Eat properly, get plenty of rest. Think about what you are doing, don’t risk needless injury. Consider your emotional health-don’t put things off; be aware of your interaction with others. If you desire to be a part of the basketball team, you are becoming a part of a group that is bigger than yourself. You are agreeing to take care of yourself for the benefit of the team. It is time to make an investment in the welfare of others. If in your past you have been involved with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco: STOP!! It isn’t good for you, or for us. If these habits are not something you can surrender for the good of the team, we suggest you find another activity. We will not be associated with you if you cannot surrender the use of these materials. Can we trust you?
- Academics- You have a responsibility to yourself to learn and profit from your education. You have an obligation to the basketball program to remain eligible. If you are experiencing academic difficulty, seek assistance. We do not like surprises in this area. There is no acceptable excuse for academic ineligibility. This area is not something we want to deal with this season. If you cannot remain eligible, we cannot count on you.
- Awareness- You must be aware of who you are and who you represent. By becoming a member of the basketball program you voluntarily surrender a certain degree of individuality. Whether we are together, or you are alone-you represent us- and we take it very personally. How we are perceived as a team is very important to us. Do your best and be the best.
- Communication- If you have questions or concerns, verbalize them. Please address your concerns with the coaching staff. Internalizing your issues is not healthy. If you have a question, ask. You must never miss a practice, meeting, bus, or appointment without letting the appropriate people know in advance. Parent concerns may be directed to the Head Coach, but all meetings will take place with your son present. Appropriate discussion will center on your son, not team or philosophy issues.
- Lettering for the season- You must appear in half the varsity games to earn a varsity letter.
- Discipline- Personal discipline is the measure of a man. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Adhere to the rules of the team, and make appropriate sacrifices. Honor your commitment to yourself, your teammates, and coaches. Be responsible to yourself and the team. Be willing to do what has to be done; when it has to be done, as well as it can be done. Violation of school rules as defined by the activities handbook will be dealt with per school policy. Loss of playing time as a result of a rules violation will be the decision of the Activities Director and the Head Coach.
- Inappropriate Actions- You will be dealt with in cases of failing to comply with program guidelines or not living up to program expectations. We believe any actions we take will reflect what is best for the individual and the program. We are not in the habit of “looking the other way”. On the other hand, we are not policemen. We do not go looking for problems. We deal with the facts when it is appropriate for us to do so. Your penalty for inappropriate behavior will be up to the discretion of the coaches and athletic director.
- Squad selection- This process is difficult at best. We are looking for athletes who are coachable, positive, and honest, have a good work ethic, understand the importance of a team effort, and have diligently worked to become better players. We are also looking for athletes who are concerned with becoming better people during the course of the season. While we hold the above ingredients high on our list of squad selection, athletic ability and skill must also be included in the process at the high school level. This is not personal, it is tough for us as coaches, but the best team players will see playing time in games. We will be honest and upfront about your ability to play in games.
- With regard to-
-Music may be listened to with headphones. Your headphones should be off when we walk into an opponent’s gymnasium.
-We will wear appropriate attire at home and on the road.
-You will address coaches as “Coach” or “Mr.”
-Language-watch what you say and how you say it. Profanity does not improve situations, and is totally unnecessary.
-Hair color-keep a sensible color in your hair. Wild colors are not acceptable. Mixes of two colors are not acceptable. Players are expected to keep hair groomed neatly. Coaches’ discretion in this area.
-Earrings are not a part of basketball, they should be removed before taking the court.
-Facial hair-no; players are to be clean shaven, especially on game day.
-T-shirts under jerseys-Under Armor apparel is acceptable as long as it is the same color as your jersey.
-Tattoos-must be covered for games.
-Socks-white
-Headbands/wristbands are not necessary; we will have towels to dry your sweat.
-Stocking hats should be off upon entering the opposing teams gym, and do not need to be worn inside. The weather will be cold, but not indoors.
-Shorts need to be pulled up at an appropriate length.
