Code of conduct
PLAYER CONDUCT
As a member of the B.D.B. Program, players represent and serve as a reflection of this program, its coaches, teams, families, and community. Each player agrees to conduct themselves responsibly both on and off the court to display sportsmanship. All B.D.B. players agree to treat their coaches, teammates, and referees with respect and courtesy. Behavior that shows disrespect toward other players, coaches, and referees or demonstrates lack of self-control, including bullying or physical force, will be subject to swift and appropriate discipline. The coaches will determine appropriate disciplinary actions according to each situation.
STUDENT-ATHLETES
SCHOOL WORK ALWAYS COMES FIRST. Each player is expected to work towards academic excellence. A player’s school work and grades take precedence over sports. All players are expected to perform above average academically and complete their homework in a timely manner to not impair their ability to be committed to their team. Should a player be unable to attend practice because of academic responsibilities, a parent should communicate this immediately coaching staff. Academics always take priority; it’s not acceptable to repeatedly miss practice due to a consistent due to underperformance in school. Handling poor academic performance is a parental decision; however, the B.D.B. program assumes that each player will do all that is possible to achieve academic excellence while still being present for all practices and games.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance at each practice, game, and team event is mandatory. Players should arrive a half-hour before game time and ten to fifteen minutes before practice unless otherwise instructed by the coaching staff. Being early is on-time If a player is unable to attend a practice or game due to illness, vacation, family emergency, or a school or religious obligation, then it is the player’s and/or parent’s responsibility to notify the coaching staff in advance citing the reason for an absence. The coaching staff will determine the implications of absences as it relates to playing time.
PLAYING TIME/ROLE
The amount of playing time and the role each child plays on the team will be determined at the coaching staff’s sole discretion. All parents and players must understand that the B.D.B. teams are very competitive. No player is guaranteed playing time or certain roles on any team (i.e., starter, etc.). The coaching staff will decide “playing time” based on the game situation, match-ups, each player’s skills, abilities, attitudes, and overall ability to help the team in certain situations.
COMMITMENT
Being a B.D.B. member requires a significant commitment due to the number of games and practices conducted each season. The commitment entails that B.D.B. comes before any other sport or team; choosing to put other teams or sports ahead of the commitment to B.D.B. can result in diminished playing time or outright dismissal from their team.
RESPECT THE GAME
This means ensuring that your child attends and comes prepared for all practices and games and treats teammates and opponents with dignity and respect. Good sportsmanship means playing fair and safe, controlling negative emotions, and keeping a good spirit of competition.
(INCLUDING TEAMMATES
AND OPPONENTS)
THE OFFICIALS
Keep in mind that officials (a.k.a. referees, scorekeepers, organizers, etc.) are an important part of the sport of basketball and add to the overall experience for your child. You must distinguish between bad calls (human error) and wrong calls (when an official doesn’t know the rule). In either case, it is important that you respect all officials and develop a tolerance for when bad calls happen – officials are human and, like all of us, will occasionally make a mistake! A failure to do so will reflect poorly on your child and our organization and will not be tolerated by the coaching staff and the program.
DISCIPLINARY
ACTION
Any tardiness or unexcused absences for practice or games will be addressed at the coaching staff’s discretion. Repeated unexcused tardiness will result in treatment as an unexcused absence. The first unexcused absence may result in diminished playing time. The second unexcused absence may result in the player being benched for the following game. Three or more unexcused absences may result in a suspension from the team.
PARENT’S CONDUCT
There is never a place in youth sports to use threats, intimidation, running on the court, or physical aggression. Youth sports provide a great opportunity for children to compete and build their character. Like children, they need constant positive support and encouragement. Negative gestures from the sidelines are never appropriate (whether it is aimed at your own child or someone else’s), so be sure to stay focused on positively supporting the children at ALL TIMES.
LET THE COACHES
COACH
It may be easy to second-guess your coach from the sidelines; please do not overlook how challenging it is for coaches to be sure that all of the players have an opportunity to develop and the team is given the best possible chance to win. While coaches are conducting practice or coaching in games, please refrain from coaching your child.
It will not be TOLERATED.
48HR RULE
If you have a complaint to log with the coaches regarding any particular game, wait at least 48 hours following the game. Furthermore, comments directed to the coaches during games (time-outs, halftime, etc.) will also not be tolerated. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and the coaching staff will listen to and address each parent’s opinion provided they abide by this and all other rules discussed in this Agreement. If you have any questions or concerns please also feel free to contact us at info@builtdifferentbasketball.org
DISCIPLINARY
ACTIONS
Any violations in the above-mentioned rules will result in reduced playing time or outright dismissal from the team.