ADULT BEHAVIOR

At the YMCA, our mission is to serve the community.  Youth sports help us to achieve that mission.  Parents and volunteers are a key component of meeting that mission.  In order for children to reap the benefits of the YMCA programs, parental cooperation and guidance are of the utmost importance.  The following is a list of things coaches and parents can do to help children succeed in sport, and in life:

·         Teach responsibility and caring by being there at practice and games

·         Show respect for others by being on time

·         Stress fair play and sportsmanship at home and on the field/court

·         Face confrontations with an open mind and heart

·         Settle disputes through deliberation instead of retaliation

·         Treat coaches, officials and other parents as you would have them treat you or your child

·         Show the importance of commitment by attending all scheduled events for the entire season

·         Allow children to become athletically involved at their own pace

·         Encourage understanding

·         Become involved in activities yourself

·         Allow children to be children

·         Teach respect, show respect

·         Have FUN

Any inappropriate behavior exhibited by coaches, parents, guests, or other spectators toward players, coaches, officials, Y staff, other parents, or spectators will absolutely NOT be tolerated.  Exhibiting inappropriate behavior may result in expulsion from a game or practice, and could further lead to exclusion (being banned) from all youth sports activities.

TOBACCO POLICY

As a leader in the community in Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility, the Y is officially against the use of tobacco products.  All Y facilities and their community collaborators offering practice and/or game time and space are thus tobacco free.  Please DO NOT smoke or use smokeless tobacco products at any practices or games.  You will be asked to stop or leave should you not adhere to this policy.

SNACKS- Please notify your coach immediately if your child has a food allergy

Healthy snacks provide energy, replenish energy, and help re-enforce life-long healthy eating habits.  Parents will be assigned by their coaches to a snack schedule.  To promote healthy eating habits, care and attention to snack ingredients and nutritional content is encouraged.  The following is a list of more healthy snack and drink options:

·         Water OR 100% juices – Apple & Eve, Mott’s 100% juice, Libby’s Juicy Juice, Minute Maid 100% juice

·         Fruits or vegetables – apples, grapes, bananas, oranges, raisins

·         Carbs - popcorn, crackers, granola bars, pretzels

EQUIPMENT

A team shirt or jersey will be provided for each player.  Players will provide their own athletic shoes and shorts, sweatpants, running pants or yoga pants.  Colored wrist bands are provided on game days for younger age groups to assist them to learn the concept of guarding a certain player.

The Y will provide basketballs for practices and games.  However, it’s recommended that each player purchase their own ball in order to practice outside of their scheduled practice time (at home).  Basketball sizes per age group are:

MENTORING & SPORTSMANSHIP

Good sportsmanship begins with coaches and parents.  Players will watch and copy coach behaviors.  Coping with winning and losing is an essential part of playing sports.  Coaches much reinforce appropriate attitudes toward winning and losing.

Winning – strongly reinforce winning “with class”.  No taunting or humiliation of an opponent is ever acceptable.  Should this occur, immediately pull the child(ren) aside, stopping play if necessary, to explain the behavior modification required.  Never embarrass the child by speaking in a loud or humiliating tone.  Speaking to parents may also be necessary. 

Losing – many times loses may be accompanied by tears of disappointment.  Praise children for their effort, assuring them that there will be another chance to play and win.

In the Y developmental basketball program, youth should experience and learn about every position and the required skills needed to become a complete player (fundamentals, learning and developing skills in all aspects of the sport).  Care must be taken not to place a child in a position permanently based on physical appearance or limited skill.  Allow and encourage them to try all positions and teach all skills to all players on the team.