Changing Lives One Pass At A Time

Code of Conduct

It is important that all parties – parents, players and coaches – have an open line of communication. VSBA believes that parents are equally important as the basketball players. Players cannot be successful without the strong support of their parents. 

 

Your child is an integral part of the VSBA team, and your family is very important as well. If you feel that your child has a disability that the coaches should be aware of, please let us know. This knowledge will help the coaches to understand and coach your child in the best manner possible. This information will be kept confidential. 

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ATTENDANCE

• Schedule Changes - We do our best to ensure that VSBA practices and training sessions are on regularly scheduled days and times. We expect each player to attend unless we are notified otherwise. VSBA will make every effort to notify parent/player of any schedule changes as early as possible. Schedule changes, such as cancellation of a game or moving to a different gym, are beyond our control. This may be particularly true now, as we are returning after a long hiatus.

• Absence or Tardiness - It is crucial that each player arrives 30 minutes prior to the start of games. Parent/Player will notify VSBA as soon as possible if the player must be absent or late to training and/or game due to an unforeseen emergency. VSBA understands that homework, school projects, and sometimes even family activities take precedence over basketball. Please let us know as early as possible if your child is unable to attend training as a result of other priorities.

• Availability / Commitment to Play - Parent/Player will notify VSBA as early as possible if a player will not be able to attend a game to which he/she previously committed. VSBA needs a minimum number of players on the roster to play in games/tournaments. If a confirmed player suddenly cannot attend a game or tournament, we may have to cancel or forfeit the game. This is inconsiderate to the other players and families who have made prior arrangements to participate. The sooner all families can be notified of a game we must forfeit or cancel, the better for everyone involved. 

• Vacations - Parent/Player will notify VSBA if the Player plans a vacation and cannot participate in practice(s) or games(s).

 

GAME TIME RULES 

• Arrival Time at Events – Each player must arrive at games/tournaments a minimum of 30 minutes before game time to warm up and stretch to prevent injury, as well as to meet with coaches. 

• Parents MUST sit in designated viewing areas and not next to or behind the team bench. Please do not walk over to the bench to speak with any player unless a coach signals for you to do so. Oftentimes, when a parent corrects, criticizes or scolds a player, the player becomes emotional, and this inevitably affects the entire team and may even affect the outcome of the game. Coordinators and referees continually warn coaches about this type of situation. 

  • Players are not allowed to walk away from the team bench during games, including halftime, unless due to an emergency or illness. 

  • Each player must bring his or her own equipment, water or sports drink, and any other necessities to the team bench during practices, games, and tournaments. 

  • Please allow the coaches a few minutes to speak to the entire team immediately after each game. If your child must leave immediately after a game, please notify the coach prior to the start of the game. 

• Please allow VSBA coaches to coach and instruct your child. It is confusing to a player when a coach says one thing and – at the same time – a parent is saying another. Mixed messages do not help anyone. A parent may not know that his/her child was told to “make the extra pass” versus dribbling through pressure defense. (This specific example has occurred on numerous occasions.) It is important to praise and encourage the players when they are off the court. No player will make every basket. No team will win every game. We ask only that each child tries to do his or her very best. 

• Players, parents, and guests must respect all property including gyms, bathroom facilitie,s and parking lots. We want to be invited to return. If you bring guests, please make certain they too, are respectful. 

 

DISCUSSIONS WITH COACHES AFTER GAMES

• Please allow 48 hours before contacting VSBA coaches about any concerns or issues you may have regarding the previous game. (Coaches are reachable by phone for this.) This allows time for both parties to decompress before any discussion. 

• If a player has not been attending practices consistently and/or has exhibited poor and/or inexcusable behavior on or off the court, or is “coming off” an injury, VSBA coaches will factor this into their decision as to whether it is safe and appropriate to participate. VSBA coaches spend time preparing and coordinating before all practices, games, and tournaments. Coaches oftentimes make split-second decisions and must consider many factors when making those decisions. A parent may think his/her child should be the focal point or should be put in the game at a certain time, but our coaches make decisions based on circumstances at that particular time. Additionally, playing time in club basketball cannot always be equal.

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PARENT / PLAYER CONDUCT 

• APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR – Any behavior by a parent or player that is disruptive or abusive, including bullying and cyberbullying, being mean and/or cruel, including postings on any social media site, toward other players, family members, officials and coaches, will not be tolerated. Nonpayment of membership, game(s) and/or tournament fee(s) will result in dismissal from VSBA. 

• APPROPRIATE ATTIRE Players are required to arrive at all practices, training and games wearing appropriate VSBA uniforms, basketball shoes and hair pulled back (girls) appropriately. No jewelry is allowed, including studs, for safety. Band-Aids and/or any type of tape covering the ears is not permitted. 

• VSBA will not tolerate confrontations with the coaches, players, officials, parents, and/or family members during practices, games, or tournaments. Any disrespect by a parent or player toward any of the above-mentioned people will result in a stern warning and/or immediate dismissal from VSBA. A second display of disrespect will automatically result.

 

VSBA’s goal is that every player does his/her best and has fun in the process. We want this to be an enjoyable experience for your child, the entire team, all the families, and even for the coaches. Please do not hesitate to contact VSBA if you have any questions or concerns.