1

Cheyenne Central Lady Indian Basketball Player Handbook

2016-17

Head Coach: Curtis Martindale

JV: Hillary Carlson

Sophomore: Melissa Williams

Freshman: Dustin Gochenour

Varsity Assistant: Steve Cates

"Players play, but tough players win."

Tom Izzo

2

Table of Contents:

Mission and Vision............................................................................p.3

Toughness Defined...........................................................................p.4

Disciplinary Issues and AST…………………………….………………………..….…p. 5

Player/Coach Expectations………………..………………….……………………….p. 6

Preparing for Competition.…………………………………………………………….p. 8

Practice Expectations........……………………………….…………..……………….p. 10

Game Expectations: Before, During, and After………………………………p. 11

The Ten Guidelines for Parents of Athletic Children………….……………p. 14

Player Evaluations/Playing Time/Lettering Policy.............................p. 15

Travel Expectations:..........................................................................p.16

Communication/Social Media/Bullying/............................................p.17

3

Vision Statement:To be a leading member of the team which rebrands

Cheyenne Central Athletics as a “Tough Tribe”.

Mission Statement:To motivate and empower others to reach their fullest

potential.

4

“Tough Tribe”Toughness is a skill which can be taught and improved upon, it is not born in you. Toughness is a skill which requires your physical, mental, and emotional state to be challenged daily and to meet this test with the attitude that I can and will get tougher every day. Toughness is built through requiring accountability, competition, honesty, hard work, and not making excuses. Being "tough" will earn you the respect of your peers, coaches, parents, and fans.

Cheyenne Central Lady Indian Basketball player expectations.

Physical Toughness:

Committed to the weight room Be accountable for player conditioning Committed to proper nutrition and wellness

Mental Toughness:

Treat practice seriously, have a drive to get better every day Not late for anything Watch, breakdown, and evaluate film honestly Set goals and are accountable for tracking and reflecting on achieving those goals Want competition

Emotional Toughness:

Handle adversity in a positive manner Have control of emotions at all times Deal with criticism, both publicly and privately, in a reflective manner Are a good teammate on and off the court

“Players play, but tough players win” Tom Izzo

"Toughness is one of the most valuable and admirable attributes in any person." - Jay Bilas

5

Disciplinary Issues which will result in LOSS of playing time:

1. Being late: Practice will start at said time, if you are not there prepared, you are late.

2. Unexcused absences: 3 unexcused absences will result in removal from team. We are all accountable at all levels! The first unexcused absence will result in a warning and will result in loss of playing time. The second unexcused absence a parent will be notified and a meeting with player, coach, and parent will occur. If a third unexcused absence occurs, the player will be removed from the team for the remainder of the season.

3. ISS: In-school suspension will result in loss of playing time to be a minimum of one half of a game. Further instances will result in a player/coach meeting to discuss further consequences and possible removal from team.

4. OSS: Any player who receives OSS will be removed from the team for the remainder of the year. A meeting will be held after the year to discuss player returning to the team.

5. Any behavior detrimental to the team goals. This includes all off campus, out of season, or out of town instances. This will be dealt with by the head coach and will be done on an individual basis and instance.

6. Excused absences: Any excused absence may result in the loss of playing time.

Student-Athlete Responsibilities:

1. Proficiency is defined as a C by LCSD #1; therefore, our goal will be nothing less.2. AST will be assigned for any student not meeting this expectation. Any student

unwilling to meet this expectation in not meeting team goals and could face loss of playing time.

3. Be the leaders in the classroom, I will not accept teachers coming up to me and asking me to redirect your behavior. I deal with behavior enough, consequences will occur.

6

Player Expectations

Away from the Gym

Players are still part of their team when they are away from the gym. Once part of a team; a person has a larger identity. Each individual’s reputation reflects upon the team. For that reason, out of respect for your teammates, players should consider their behavioral decisions in that light. There are many social courtesies that athletes should know, not just to represent their team well, but to experience individual growth as well.

Following are some topics that should be addressed with the team. Some of the topics may seem too obvious, but if just one of your players is ignorant of the expected behaviors, then the team may suffer in some way.

Players should:

1. Talk positively about their teammates, coaches and program. People will not respect your team if you don’t appear to. It starts with you.

2. Treat your team manager with complete respect and equality.3. Participate in all team activities, parties, travel arrangements and so on. If you don’t, you are

disassociating yourself from your teammates. You need to be together to be strong.4. Follow the rules of your school and community. Nothing shames a team more than to have

one or more of its members disciplined for breaking the school policies or the community laws. Punishments are public and may deprive the team permanently.

5. Maintain your priorities. Your family always comes first. Next is school. It is tough to balance home and school then to add basketball to your plate and it takes a special person to handle it. By being part of a basketball team, you have more to balance. You can do it but it takes hard work and dedication to all.

Coaches should:

1. Teach the players to shake hands. As athletes, they will participate in this custom more frequently as they grow older and deal with opponents, coaches, sponsors and fans. A good handshake makes a lasting, favorable impression. It should be firm, simple, short and business-like accompanied by direct eye contact. Soft hands and evasive eyes will indicate submissiveness or insincerity.

7

2. Define listening skills. It is important not only to listen, but to also acknowledge the speaker with eye contact and some method of acknowledgement that the message was received. Asking questions are part of active listening.

3. Instruct players on how to apologize. A simple “I’m sorry” is an essential tool of etiquette. The lack of apology, or a clumsy, resentful one, compounds an affront. Also, frivolous and unnecessary apologies are irritating. Players should never apologize for missing a shot, for example, but owe an apology for deliberately taking a shot that was not in the team’s best interests. Make sure the players understand the difference.

Show players how to deal with reproach. Criticism may be unpleasant, but it is unavoidable within the context of coaching. Players who do not have tools to deal with correction and admonishment may lash out and demonstrate immature behavior. Players who can set their defensiveness aside, just say “OK” and learn what they can from the experience reap benefits in several ways. They will defuse a confrontation, be seen as a person with internal strength and be able to take some good out of an uncomfortable situation

8

Preparing for Competition

It is unwise to walk into the gym for a tryout, practice or game without adequate time to prepare. The environment is just too competitive. If you think you can walk directly on the court and perform at your best, you are wrong.

1. Get plenty of sleep. Most players cheat themselves by not getting enough rest. They never get close to their potential because they tire too easily. Basketball, on top of the rest of your life, is demanding. Sleep!

2. Eat decent food. If you have a long bus trip in the morning, take a snack. Eat a healthy lunch. You will need the energy by the time you get on the floor to play.

3. In the morning (or the night before) get all of your gear together that you are going to need to play basketball. Have a checklist of all the things you need: shoes, socks, shorts, jersey, dry clothes to wear afterward, snacks, and so on. Keep these in a separate bag so you can quickly locate all your items and carry them easily.

4. Store your sport bag in a safe place for the day. It is heartbreaking to lose your shoes or jersey when you need them the most. There are thieves everywhere who will happily take your things if they are not protected.

5. Make sure your transportation needs are arranged. Even if you are not old enough to drive, you are old enough to make sure someone is picking you up or dropping you off. Being late for practice because you couldn’t find a ride is not an excuse.

6. Arrive at the gym early enough to get dressed properly. Getting dressed should be a thoughtful time where you can think about the hours to come and not feel rushed and distracted. Do not sit around with your shoes untied and your jersey tucked away until it’s time to play. You can’t be taken seriously as a player if you approach the floor when you are not even fully dressed.

7. Dress for performance. Are you coming to play or be seen? If it’s to be seen, you won’t be seen very long. Performance means not wearing jewelry of any kind. Your shorts should fit at your waist as there are designed and tied snugly. No hats, combs, kerchiefs or anything but hair should be on your head. Elaborate hairstyles may represent your personal freedom to express yourself, but what does your appearance express about your team?

8. When you enter the gym, by calm. Walk with a sense of purpose. Look at the kids who run around and make a lot of noise and realize how less mature they are. How can they compete with a serious athlete?

9. If you have a pre-game meeting, be attentive. Ask questions. Devote your game to the team plan and concentrate on how you can help the team succeed.

10. Once you get on the floor, don’t start throwing up wild shots. Develop a personal warm-up routine that is calculated and comfortable. Coaches will readily recognize your sensibility.

11. Run your warm-up patterns with diligence and care. Practice them so you look good. Don’t kid around or talk to your friends. Your opponent will be watching you. Their first opinions will be based on how you warm-up. If they take the floor believing they are the better team and can beat you, your work will be twice as hard.

9

12. Do not bounce basketballs while awaiting your turn to play. It is very annoying to the spectators and distracting to the team that is currently playing.

10

During Practice Session

*Will be a closed practice (no parents, other students, etc.)

Goal: Create an environment of high intensity, competition, and minimal wasted time.

1. Don’t be late. Treat practice seriously, just like a game. Arrive in time to get properly dressed and warmed up.

2. If you have free time or unstructured time, use it to your best advantage. While other kids are wasting their opportunities in open scrimmage, practice weak areas on you individual game.

3. Work as hard as you can every minute. You can rest after practice. If you practice with enough intensity, the games will seem easy in comparison. If you are the kind of player that can only rise to her best in a game, you’ll find that you don’t get any better or stronger.

4. Do the drills with an emphasis on proper form. Don’t rush to the point of reinforcing poor technical habits. Even on easy drills, try to do them perfectly.

5. Don’t get caught up in horseplay or clowning around. The season will be over before you know it and the moments that you spent foolishly will be gone forever.

6. Don’t do stunts or jokes that could cause serious injury. Many players have lost their season due to pointless injuries.

7. It’s OK to ask the coach questions. Don’t nod your head “yes” trying to appear your know what to do if you really do not know what the coach is talking about. Make sure you understand what the coach is telling you before you step on the court.

8. Understand the vocabulary. If the coach uses an unfamiliar term like “elbow” or “hand check”, ask for definition.

9. When the whistle blows, hustle to the coach immediately. 10. Help keep the team morale and energy up by being positive and encouraging you

teammates to work hard. Practice is a lot of fun when everybody is into it.

11

Playing the Game

Player conduct during the game is a key element of winning and losing. It’s more than sportsmanship. It’s also about concentration and accepting personal responsibility for what happens on the floor. In addition, there are several procedures players must learn to follow. Failure to respect the administrative facets of the game usually results in technical fouls.

1. Always report to the scorekeepers before entering the game. When you report, stay down on one knee so the scorekeeper can still see the action on the floor. Let your number be clearly seen. Mention your number and the number of the player you are replacing. Then be patient and quiet. Referee will signal you when to come in.

2. When the whistle blows, stop. Don’t take and extra shot. Look at the referee and understand the call. Don’t react to what you think the call might be because you could easily embarrass yourself. Just look and listen.

3. If the referee calls a violation, hand him/her the ball and get into position. Because the call is already made, it is pointless to argue or comment. Just play on.

4. Keep your temper. If you become angry, it is a sign that you are distracted from the game.5. If you have a foul called against you, just raise your hand and be expressionless. It is not

your job to approve or disapprove. There is no need to make a facial commentary. Even if the call bothers you, if you have a habit of acknowledging the call, you maintain respect and you can more easily get back into the flow of the game. If you show your temper, you may adversely affect your own play, get benched, incur a technical foul, or all three together.

6. Anytime the whistle blows, hustle back to your bench. Players who saunter back to the bench waste valuable time-out seconds. Or you are too tired to hurry back, you need a substitution.

7. During the time outs, stay quiet and listen. The time is precious. Let the coach outline the plan. When the plan is presented, you can ask a question, but don’t argue about the plan. If something happened on the floor, leave in on the floor and don’t waste the time out whining about something no longer important.

8. Some teams have timeout rituals, like the active players sitting on the bench while others circle around. Other teams bring chairs out on the floor. Whatever you do, do it with the same precision as one of your drills.

9. When you come off the floor, tell your replacement who you are guarding. Help her out. Don’t make a face. Make your teammate feel like you are glad she is getting a chance to play. Come off the floor quickly and sit down.

10. Never talk trash about your opponent. It’s a tactic for weak people. Strong people express themselves through their play. Weak people try to influence you in non-playing ways because they do not believe they can legitimately compete with you. Trash talking is an ugly attempt at intimidation. Players that persist in the habit should not be allowed to play.

11. If your opponent talks trash to you, no matter what is said, ignore it. As was just explained, it’s a sign that you are the superior player. There is no need to dispute what was said because the person who said it does not deserve a reply. The best way to maintain

12

superiority is to concentrate on the game and win it with respect. How hard you play and keep your poise says everything about you.

12. It’s not only okay to speak to your own team, it’s necessary. Talk a lot. Warn your fellow players of screens, loose balls or anything else that may give you a slight advantage.

On the Bench

1. Pay attention to the game. You should care enough about the contest and your teammates to watch with interest. If the coach notices a bench player’s lack of enthusiasm, it’s a good bet the complacent player will remain on the bench.

2. Don’t just sit there; try to help the active players. Advise them of what they opponent is doing. Remind players where they are supposed to be and, above all, cheer them on.

3. Do not communicate with the crowd. Focus on the game.4. Be ready to go into the game at all times. Shoes should be tied, jerseys tucked in and all

jewelry removed.5. When you come out of the game, don’t walk around, bury your head or otherwise make a

spectacle of yourself. Take a towel or a quick drink of water and relax. By all means, do not remove any part of your uniform, including your shoes. That’s a sure sign that you won’t be playing anymore, this game or the next.

6. During time outs, get out of your chair and listen closely to the coach’s instructions. You may need to enter the game at any moment.

7. If you have water available to you, be mature enough to not make a mess. If you spill your water, grab a towel and wipe it up. Be responsible for yourself and not require others to pick up after you. Keep water off the game floor. Any spillage can be called a delay of game.

8. At half time and at the end of the game, help out by bringing the basketballs and any other materials into the locker room.

After the Game

1. Never blame the outcome of the game on anyone. Of you went out and did your best, then you just got beat by a team that played better. There is no shame in that.

2. If you played great, give the credit to your teammates. They all helped.3. If you didn’t play as well as you wanted to, accept full responsibility. Do not displace your

performance on a referee or another player. Excuses are a sign of weakness.4. When you talk about your teammates, always speak in complimentary terms.5. When you speak about your opponent, be graceful. The worse you criticize someone, the

smaller you look.6. Once the final buzzer sounds, shake hands with the opponent and say, “nice game”.7. It’s a nice touch to say thanks to the people who make the game work: the timekeeper, the

scorekeeper, and the refs. Don’t make a big deal out of it, but a simple thanks will be greatly appreciated.

8. After the game and handshaking, get off the floor. Chances are another team is waiting to play.

13

9. Double check your gear and make sure you have your shoes, jersey and other items you need.

10. When you have a chance, relive the game with your teammates. It’s fun to talk over all the situations and crazy things that happened. In this process, teams learn how they want to deal with such events.

11. Go home, drink lots of water and get to bed at a responsible time. After a workout, your body needs rest to get stronger.

14

The Ten Guidelines For Parents Of Athletic Children

Reprinted from TheYoung Athlete by Bill Burgess

1. Make sure your child knows that win or lose, scared or heroic, you love her, appreciate her efforts, and are not disappointed in her. This will allow her to do her best without a fear of failure. Be the person in her life she can look to for constant positive enforcement.

2. Try your best to be completely honest about your child’s athletic ability, her competitive attitude, her sportsmanship, and her actual skill level.

3. Be helpful but don’t coach her on the way to the gym or on the way to and from breakfast, and so on. It’s tough not to, but it’s a lot tougher for the child to be inundated with advice, pep talks and often critical instruction.

4. Teach her to enjoy the thrill of competition, to be “out there trying”, to be working to improve her basketball skills and attitudes. Help him to develop the feel for competing, for trying hard, for having fun.

5. Try not to re-live your athletic life through your child in a way that creates pressure; you lost as well as won. You were frightened, you blacked off at times, you were not always heroic. Don’t pressure your child because of your pride. Athletic children need their parents so you must not withdraw. Just remember there is a thinking, feeling, sensitive free spirit out there in that uniform who needs a lot of understanding, especially when her word turns bad. If she is comfortable with you win or lose; she’s on her way to maximum achievement and enjoyment.

6. Don’t compete with the coach. If the coach becomes an authority figure, it will run from enchantment to disenchantment…with your athlete.

7. Don’t compare the skill, courage, or attitudes of your child with other members of the team, at least within her hearing.

8. Get to know the coach so that you can be assured that their philosophy, attitudes, ethics and knowledge are such that you are happy to have your child under his leadership.

9. Always remember that children tend to exaggerate both when praised and when criticized. Temper your reaction and investigate before over-reacting.

10. Make a point of understanding courage, and the fact that it is relative. Some of us can climb mountains, and are afraid to fight, but turn to jelly if a bee approaches. Everyone is frightened in certain areas. Explain that courage is not the absence of fear, but a means of doing something in spite of fear of discomfort.

The job of the parent of an athletic child is a tough one, and it takes a lot of effort to do it well. It is worth all the effort when you hear your child say, “My parents really helped and I was lucky in this respect."

15

Player EvaluationsPlayer evaluations are done with input from all coaches and designed to be communicated in an honest and sincere manner with all players.

Goals for the student/athlete:

Know their strengths and weaknesses Know their role (to include playing level and quarters, your piece of

the puzzle!)

Being successful requires all individuals to know their role, accept their role, and thrive at their role. Winning takes putting together a very complex puzzle each night and cannot be done unless all pieces come together.

Playing TimePlaying time is not negotiable, it simply can't be.

Your role will be communicated with you during your player evaluation. Roles change, player's change and situations change, be ready.

Lettering Policy 2015-16

1) Any player who makes the regional or state tournament roster2) Any senior who is in good standing with the program3) Coaches Discretion

16

Travel Procedures Be at least ten minutes early for departure. Punctuality is important. Be prepared. Have your shoes, correct uniform and other necessary

equipment. Always have a coat, gloves, extra clothes, etc. for possible inclement weather.

Behavior on the bus is an extremely important issue. You are a Central Indian, your decisions reflect upon your team, your coaches, your school, and your family, make good decisions.

Itineraries will be provided and will be put on the website. We encourage you to ride home with your teammates, but if extenuating

circumstances come up, please have the proper paperwork filled out and signed by the administration.

Hotels:Freshman:

Sheridan: Holiday Inn Convention Center

Sophomores:

Holiday Inn Express – Evanston

Holiday Inn Express – Gillette (with JV/Varsity)

JV/Varsity:

Holiday Inn Express – Rock Springs

Holiday Inn Express – Gillette

Holiday Inn Express – Casper (State)

17

Social MediaSocial media is a powerful tool; this tool can be used for good or evil. Each student-athlete

must be educated on the use of social media. I have a guidelines article created by a coach in New Hampshire which does a nice job of educating our student-athletes on the ramifications of

their use. Any use which falls under the classification of activities students should avoid will subjugate the student-athlete to policies and consequences set forth in the student-handbook.

Also, further ramifications may be added on by coach’s discretion.

BullyingBullying will be defined as: ―unprovoked”, overt, repeated acts, including physical, verbal, or

any other behaviors, that are committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, or intimidate the other student. I was a

victim of bullying; I have no patience for it and absolutely will not tolerate it.

Player's Playing UpEach player will play, first and foremost, at the level which is best for the Central Lady Indian basketball program. This will be decided by the coaches. Any junior (or underclassmen on

varsity) who does not start varsity will dress for junior varsity. The goal is for all athletes to get as many game minutes as possible a night. Player’s may be asked to play at a level which is lower than their grade level. For example, a junior may be asked to play in the sophomore

game. This is done based upon skill level and the goal of playing as many games as possible. I do not want to have to cancel any team this year because of numbers.

18

I have read and agree to the Cheyenne Central Lady Indian Player Expectation Handbook for 2016-17. To be signed and returned before the first contest.

Player Signature_____________________________________________________

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Signature_________________________________________

Date:______________________________________________________________