South Loudoun

Basketball

2018-19 Coaches Informational Guide

Table of Contents

• Welcome Note from the President

• Code of Conduct and Working with the Referees

• Team Formation and Pre-Season Schedule

• Practices, Games and Season Schedule

• Practice and Game Day Tips and Tricks,

• In-Season Activities: Pictures and Youth Nights

• Uniforms, Equipment, and getting your parents involved!

• Coaching Prerequisites and Helpful Resource Links

Welcome to the South Loudoun Basketball

2018-19 Winter Basketball Program

On behalf of the Board, I want to extend to you a warm welcome to the 2018-19 season! South Loudoun Basketball has grown to be the largest youth basketball organization in Loudoun County, and we strive to provide all of the youth participants with an awesome basketball experience. Our all-volunteer board has been working since mid-July to put the pieces in place for you to succeed and help us achieve the goal of providing a safe, fun basketball environment.

Please take a few moments to go through this Informational Guide as it will lay the groundwork for your successful experience. Additional information about our programs can also be found on our web page at www.solohoops.comand you will find many links back to our website throughout this guide. The back of the guide will have links that will help you navigate to the information that you will need.

If you have any questions after reading through this user guide and the information provided through our website, or if there is anything we can do to make your experience more enjoyable, please work through your coordinator, and if necessary, escalate it up to the directors and myself. We hope you have an enjoyable season. Remember, success is not defined in wins and losses, but in providing an exceptional basketball experience where players want to continue to enjoy this great game!

Bill Morris, President, South Loudoun Basketball

South Loudoun Basketball

Code of Conduct

• All participants must abide by the stated Code of Conduct policies

• Code of Conduct is applicable for all SoLo activities, including games, practices, clinics and SoLo Events

• Adjudication process for violations are outlined in the Code of Conduct Disciplinary Process

Player Code of Conduct

Coaches Code of Conduct

Spectator Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct Disciplinary Process

Working with the Referees

• Always treat officials with respect and set example for kids and parents

• Ask for clarification during stoppage of play (e.g. quarter breaks)

• Do not “ride” the referees. Referees will miss on average 3-4 calls per game, so, just let it go

• Coaches are responsible for parents, players and assistant coach behavior

• Bring a copy of house league rules with you, meet with officials and the opposing coach together before the game to review the rules

• Youth referees are likely your neighbor’s kids, and your child may soon be a youth referee

• We need constructive feedback from coaches to help train and strengthen our referee cadre.

SoLo Pre-Season Schedule

• Sept 19: Coaches Orientation

• Sept. 23: Pre-Season Evaluation #1

• Sept. 27: Pre-Season Evaluation #2

• Sept. 29: Pre-Season Evaluation #3

• Oct. 5: Travel Invitations Sent

• Oct 9 or Oct 11: Travel Tryout #1

• Oct 13: Travel Tryout #2

• Oct 14: Travel Tryout #3

• Oct 15: Travel Team Formation

• Oct 19: Travel Players Notified

• Oct 23 or Oct 25: House League Drafts

• Oct 24: Referee Registration #1

• Nov 1: Rosters Released (Grades 2-8)

• Nov 10: Coaches Clinic/Equipment Pickup #1

• Nov 12: Practices Begin

• Nov 17: Opening Saturday (Clinics, Practices)

• Nov 18: Coaches Clinic/Equipment Pickup #2

• Nov 21-25: Thankgsiving Holiday Break

• Dec 1: High School House Evaluations #1

• Dec 2: High School House Evaluations #2

Team Formation Process

Developmental

• Teams will be formed based on geographical and school boundaries

• Coaches will provide input to division coordinators for their team’s selections

• Coaches will be able to protect their own child to play on their team

• Requests for coaches or pairing with friends are considered but not guaranteed.

ES/MS/HS House

• Players must attend one pre-season evaluation session. Coaches are permitted to attend and observe the evaluation sessions

• Coaches will select players via a snake draft process

• Coaches will be able to protect their own child to play on their team

• Assistant Coaching pairings are not guaranteed

Travel

• Players must first attend one pre-season evaluation session

• Qualified players will be invited to Travel Tryouts and must also attend at least one designated travel tryout

• Players are selected to travel teams based on their skills and ability to play at higher level

• Coaches kids are not protected during travel tryouts; players will be placed at appropriate travel levels before coaches are finalized

Pre-Season Evaluation Process

Grades 4-8

• True Youth Sports (TrueAP)

• Players attend one (and only

one) evaluation session

• Three sessions total, including

one weeknight session

• Prerequisite to be invited to the

Travel Tryouts

• 20 yard sprints

• Vertical Jump

• Layups

• Catch and Shoot

• Dribbling

• 3v3 Scrimmage

• Sun 9/23

• 12:15pm-8:30pm

• Thu 9/27

• 6:00-9:30pm

• Sat 9/29

• 8:00am-8:00pm

Detailed Pre-Season Evaluation ScheduleAge Group Sunday, September 23 at

Lunsford Middle School

Thursday, September 27

at Willard Intermediate

Saturday, September 29 at

Lunsford Middle School

4th Girls 12:15pm – 1:30pm 6:15pm – 7:05pm 8:15am – 9:45am

5th Girls 1:45pm – 3:00pm 6:45pm – 7:35pm 10:20am – 11:50am

6th Girls 3:15pm – 4:30pm 7:15pm – 8:05pm 12:30pm – 2:00pm

7th Girls 4:45pm – 6:00pm 7:45pm – 8:35pm 2:30pm – 4:00pm

8th Girls 6:15pm – 7:30pm 8:15pm – 9:05pm 4:45pm – 6:15pm

4th Boys 12:45pm – 2:30pm 6:30pm – 7:30pm 9:00am – 11:00am

5th Boys 2:15pm – 4:00pm 7:00pm – 8:00pm 11:00am – 1:00pm

6th Boys 3:45pm – 5:30pm 7:30pm – 8:30pm 1:15pm – 3:15pm

7th Boys 5:15pm – 7:00pm 8:00pm – 9:00pm 3:15pm – 5:15pm

8th Boys 6:45pm – 8:30pm 8:30pm – 9:30pm 5:20pm – 7:20pm

Travel Team Formation Process

Grades 5-8

• All players must first attend one pre-season evaluation session

• Travel Board will develop list of players to invite to the tryouts

• Tryout invitations will be sent out on/about October 5

• Travel coaching candidates will be interviewed by the commissioners and invited to observe travel tryouts

• Invited players are required to attend at least one travel tryout

• Players are encouraged to attend all sessions, or as many as possible

• Board will solicit input from travel coaching candidates by Sun 10/14

• Board will meet Mon 10/15 to form the travel teams and assign coaches to the teams

Travel Tryout Schedule

Age Group Weeknight Session at

Willard Intermediate

Saturday, October 13 at

Lunsford Middle School

Sunday, October 14 at

Lunsford Middle School

5th Girls Tue 10/9 6:15-7:45pm 1:45pm – 3:15pm 1:00pm – 2:30pm

6th Girls Thu 10/11 6:15-7:45pm 12:00noon – 1:30pm 2:45pm – 4:15pm

7th Girls Tue 10/9 7:45-9:15pm 10:15am – 11:45am 4:30pm – 6:00pm

8th Girls Thu 10/11 7:45-9:15pm 8:30am – 10:00am 6:15pm – 7:45pm

5th Boys Thu 10/11 6:30-8:00pm 2:00pm – 3:30pm 1:15pm – 2:45pm

6th Boys Tue 10/9 6:30-8:00pm 12:15pm - 1:45pm 3:00pm – 4:30pm

7th Boys Thu 10/11 8:00-9:30pm 10:30am – 12:00noon 4:45pm – 6:15pm

8th Boys Tue 10/9 8:00-9:30pm 8:45am – 10:15am 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Team Formation Process

Grades 2-8

Developmental Divisions (Grades 2-3)

• Lists finalized by October 15

• Commissioners will solicit input from coaches and review request received

• Teams Finalized by Friday 10/26

• Rosters to Coaches on Thursday 11/01

ES and MS House (Grades 4-8)

• Draft List Finalized Friday 10/19

• Draft Tue 10/23 OR Thu 10/25

• Teams Finalized Monday 10/29

• Rosters to Coaches Thursday 11/01

HS House Evaluation Process

• Combination of TrueAP stations and scrimmages

• Two tryouts sessions - Saturday and Sunday session

• Player must attend at least one session to be drafted by the teams

• Unevaluated players will be ranked and placed by the SoLo Board

• Vertec Machine

• Layups

• Catch and Shoot

• 3v3 Scrimmages

• Tryouts

• Sat 12/1

• 4:00-8:00pm

• Sun 12/2

• 1:00-5:00pm

• Drafts

• Tue 12/4

Practices Schedules and Format

• Travel practices will be two nights per week, 75-90

minutes per session, 6:15-9:35pm weeknights

• Elementary and Middle School House practices

will be held 1-2 nights per week, 50-60 minutes

per session 6:15-9:35pm weeknights

• Developmental teams will be provided one

practice per week (Mon-Thu). On most weeks,

Developmental teams will be given the option of a

second practice on Friday nights

• High School House Practices will be 60-70

minutes, held Saturdays (4-9pm) and Sundays (1-

6pm) in December

• Coaches will be asked to submit preferences (first

and second choice) for practice night(s). Note that

Thursdays tend to be most popular requested day.

• Players are expected to bring a basketball and

attend practices on a regular basis, or may see

playing time reduced. Coaches need to work with

their coordinators before reducing playing time.

• Travel players must attend practices to earn playing

time. No guaranteed playing time in travel program

• Practice schedules will be published in early

November

Practice Day Tips and Tricks

• Coaches need to arrive at least 10 minutes ahead

of the schedule practice. Gather players on the

side of the court, stay off court until start time

• Be respectful of the designated start and stop time

and move on/off the court quickly

• Come to practice with a plan. Plan to use assistant

or parent volunteers for small group activities

• Practices should be a mix of individual skills, team

drills, and simulated game situations (scrimmages)

• Players should bring their basketball and be dressed

in athletic attire for the practices. Be sure the

players mark their basketball

• Be mindful when sharing the court and keep

practice to your half of the court. Also be mindful

of shouting instructions during practices

• Be sure that all players are accounted for before you

leave the gym. If there is a parent who is

consistently late, coaches can get the commissioner,

directors and league officials involved

2018-19 Regular Season ScheduleWeekend 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4/5 Grade MS House HS House Travel

Nov 17 & 18 Clinic #1 Clinic #1 Clinic Practices Practice/Qualifiers

Dec 1 & 2 Clinic #2 Clinic #2 Scrimmages Scrimmages Pre-Season Evaluation Game Weekend 1

Dec 8 & 9 Scrimmage #1 Scrimmage #1 Game Weekend 1 Game Weekend 1 Practices Game Weekend 2

Dec 15 & 16 Clinic #3 Scrimmage #2 Game Weekend 2 Game Weekend 2 Practice/Scrimmage Game Weekend 3

Jan 5 & 6 Clinic #4 Game #1 Game Weekend 3 Game Weekend 3 Game Weekend 1 Game Weekend 4

Jan 12 & 13 Scrimmage #2 Game #2 Game Weekend 4 Game Weekend 4 Game Weekend 2 Game Weekend 5

Jan 20 & 21 Scrimmage #3 Game #3 Game Weekend 5 Game Weekend 5 Game Weekend 3 Game Weekend 6

Jan 26 & 27 Scrimmage #4 Game #4 Game Weekend 6 Game Weekend 6 Game Weekend 4 Game Weekend 7

Feb 2 & 3 Scrimmage #5 Game #5 All Star Weekend All Star Weekend Game Weekend 5 Game Weekend 8

Feb 9 & 10 Scrimmage #6 Game #6 Game Weekend 7 Game Weekend 7 Game Weekend 6 Game Weekend 9

Feb 16 & 17 Scrimmage #7 Game #7 Game Weekend 8 Game Weekend 8 Game Weekend 7 Game Weekend 10

Feb 23 & 24 Scrimmage #8 Game #8 Game Weekend 9 Game Weekend 9 Playoff Weekend Game Weekend 11

March 2 & 3 Jamboree Jamboree Playoffs Playoffs Playoff Weekend

March 9 & 10 Snow Makeup Snow Makeup Championships Championships Playoff Weekend

Game Day Tips and Tricks

• Coaches need to arrive at least 15 minutes ahead

of the schedule tip-off time. Gather players in the

stands and wait for previous game to conclude

• At end of previous game, move equipment to

bench and have players begin warm-ups

• Coach or Assistant Coach should recruit volunteer

for scorer’s table and write players names and

numbers in the scorebook (hint: write all of them)

• Designate captains who will be called to meet with

the officials about 2-3 minutes before tip-off

• Have line-ups pre-planned so that you can meet all

the playing time requirements and have an optimal

mix of talent on the court throughout the game

• Assistant coaches can help with player rotations

• Designate a parent to monitor playing time for both

teams. In the event of a dispute with playing time,

commissioners will require these to adjudicate

• Designate a parent to monitor fan behavior for your

team. Coaches are ultimately responsible for their

fan’s behavior during the game

More Game Day Prep

• Home wears WHITE, Visitors wear DARK

• Players should NOT bring basketballs to the gym

on game days. Coaches should be the only one

with a ball; bring the basketball for warm-ups

• Only one coach can stand during game action.

Coaches should be mindful of where you stand

during games as the scorer’s table needs to see!

• Note: If a Technical foul is issued to the coach, the coach

is required to sit on the bench for the remainder of the

game except during timeouts.

• Be sure to get final score from the game so you can

report game scores; report game scores within 48

hours to remain off of the “naughty list”

• At the conclusion of your game, line up to shake

hands with the opposing team, gather equipment

and proceed to a corner of the gym to talk to your

team – off the court to allow next teams to begin

• Keep post-game messages positive and focus on

the team’s effort rather than the game results – this

is especially important in close, emotional games

In-Season Activities

Team Pictures

• Team Pictures are the only fundraiser that we do

as a league. Please encourage participation

• Picture Day is Sat, Jan 5. Make ups Sat, Jan 19

• Time slots assigned by league and schedule posted

by mid-December

• Coaches and assistants will receive complementary

team pictures as a thank you from the league and

our picture vendor, Memory Makers

Youth Nights at Champe, Freedom, GMU

• Youth nights are a good way to have a team

building activity, observe a game and continue the

basketball instruction

• Free admission for kids at HS games; discounted

tickets at GMU games

• Halftime activities for the players

• We can work with coaches to try and reschedule

practices to allow for participation in youth nights

Uniforms and Equipment

• Uniforms (jersey and shorts) are provided by the league and included in registration costs

• Players are expected to wear league-issued uniforms and appropriate basketball or tennis shoes

• Uniforms will be issued to the coaches by the coordinators in late-November

• Equipment pick-up will be after the coaches clinics (Nov 10 & Nov 18)

• Players are expected to bring a basketball to all practices and clinics DO NOT bring basketballs to games

• Players are expected to be dressed in athletic clothes for practices

• Jewelry is not permitted to be worn during practices and games

• Players should bring water bottles (WATER ONLY) to practices/games

Get Your Parents Involved

Assistant Coach

Scorekeeping and Timekeeping

Pre-Season Evaluation Volunteers

Referees

• Assistant coaching

• Scorekeeping and Timekeeping

• Pre-Season Evaluation Registration

• Paid officials needed to officiate games

• Team Manager - volunteer to assist

coaches with team administration activities

Coaching Prerequisites

Coaches Clinic & Equipment Pickup

- Choose one of two dates for clinic

- Sat, Nov 10 9am-Noon @ Lunsford

- Sun, Nov 18, 1pm-4pm, @ Lunsford

- FCA and True AP on-court clinic

- Come dressed to participate

Concussion Awareness Program and

the mandatory online training

Background Checks

- Confirmed coaches and assistants

will be sent a link to conduct online

background check application form

Coaching Resources

https://solohoops.com/coaches

• Playing Time Tracker

• Gym Locations

• Practice and Game Scheduling Portal

• Inclement Weather Policy

• Player Evaluation Template

• Online CDC Concussion Training

• Concussion Policy

• Code of Conduct

• 2018-19 Coaches Orientation Briefing

• Local House League Rules

• Playing Time Policy

Thank you! Have a Great Season!