Player/Parent Code of Conduct
PRIVILEGE NOT RIGHT. As a member of the Young Life Basketball Academy program, each player understands that participation is a privilege and not a right. As part of earning that privilege, and in order to maintain it, more is expected of each player than perhaps of players in other programs. Each player agrees to assume the responsibilities set forth in this contract and each parent agrees to support its intent. YLBA Coaches reserve the right to revoke the privilege of any player to be a member of the Young Life Basketball Academy program if the player and parents do not consistently exhibit appropriate conduct or otherwise fail to meet the obligations set forth in this Agreement.
PLAYER CONDUCT. As a member of The Young Life Basketball Academy Program, each player represents and serves as a reflection of this storied program, its coaches, its teams, its families, and its community. Furthermore, each player agrees to conduct themselves responsibly both on and off the court, to display sportsmanship on the court, and to demonstrate concern for the rights, safety, and welfare of others off the court. All Young Life Basketball Academy players agree to treat their coaches, teammates, competitors, and referees with the respect and courtesy they deserve. Behavior that shows disrespect toward other players, coaches, and referees, or demonstrates a lack of self-control including the use of profanity, bullying, or physical force will be subject to swift and appropriate discipline. The coaches will determine appropriate disciplinary actions according to each situation.
CLASSWORK ALWAYS COMES FIRST. Each player is expected to strive for academic excellence. A player’s class work and performance in school take precedence over sports. All players are expected to perform well academically and to complete their homework in a timely manner so as not to impair their ability to be committed to their team. Should a player be unable to attend practice to complete academic responsibilities, a parent should communicate this immediately and directly to the coaching staff. Academics always take priority, so it is not acceptable to repeatedly miss practice due to consistent non-performance in school. Should a player be unable to perform at an acceptable level academically the player must seek help from his Coach or another member of the Young Life Basketball Academy staff and work with YLBA and, as appropriate, attend tutoring and/or academic enrichment sessions until such time as the academic performance improves to a level consistent with our expectations. How to handle poor academic performance is a parental decision; however, the Young Life Basketball Academy program assumes that each player will do all that is possible to achieve academic excellence while still being present for all practices and games. Repeated absences and poor academic performance could result in diminished playing time and potential dismissal at the discretion of the coach.
ATTENDANCE. Attendance at each practice and all games is mandatory. Players should arrive one hour prior to scheduled game times unless otherwise instructed by the coaching staff and all players should be on time for practices. 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 sole discretion of the coaching staff. It is imperative that all parents and players understand that the Young Life Basketball Academy teams are very competitive, and no player is guaranteed playing time or certain roles on any team (i.e. starter, etc.). The coaching staff will make decisions regarding “playing time” based on the game situation, matchups, each player’s skills, abilities, attitudes, and overall ability to help the team in certain situations.
FEES. Our program is in the process of becoming a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. All fees are used to support the program’s academic and athletic activities and the collection of fees is critical to maintaining its operations. Unfortunately, lack of payment of fees forfeits your child’s place on the team, unless you immediately discuss payment plans with your coach or program administration.
COMMITMENT. Being a member of the Young Life Basketball Academy program requires a significant commitment due to the number of games and practices conducted each season. The commitment entails that Young Life Basketball Academy basketball comes before any other sports or teams; choosing to put other teams or sports ahead of the commitment to YLBA can result in diminished playing time or outright dismissal from their team.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION. Any tardiness or unexcused absences for practice or games will be addressed at the discretion of the coaching staff. 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.
RESPECT THE GAME AND THE CHILDREN WHO PLAY IT (INCLUDING TEAMMATES AND OPPONENTS). 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 the spirit of competition a healthy endeavor.
RESPECT 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. It is important that you 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 tolerance skills for when bad calls are made (which will 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.
PARENT’S CONDUCT. There is never a place in youth sports to use vulgarities, threats, intimidation, or use of physical aggression. Youth sports provide a great opportunity for children to compete and build their character. As children, they need constant positive fan support and encouragement. Booing and other negative gestures and language 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 always supporting the children.
LET THE COACHING STAFF COACH – PRACTICE AND GAMES. While it may be easy to second-guess your child’s coach from the sidelines, please do not overlook how challenging it is for coaches to be sure that all the players have an opportunity to develop and that 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 beneficial for your child and the coaching staff will not tolerate it. Failure to comply may lead to a parent or parents no longer being permitted to observe practice sessions.
48-HOUR RULE. If a parent has a complaint to log with the coaches regarding any game, they must wait at least 48 hours following the end of a game before voicing their displeasure at the coaches. 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 Michael D Coleman.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS. Any violations of the above-mentioned rules will result in reduced playing time or outright dismissal from the team.
Releases/Social Media Code of Conduct
GENERAL RELEASE
In consideration of my child’s acceptance into and/or continued participation in the Young Life Basketball Academy program, I, undersigned, together with my heirs, executors, and administrators waive and release any and all rights and claims or causes of action for damages which I may have or hereafter have against the Young Life Basketball Academy program, or their trustees, officers, employees, coaches and representatives for any and all injuries of whatever nature, physical or otherwise suffered by my child resulting from any participation in the program, including games, practices, camps, clinics, and travel.
I hereby also agree to indemnify, defend, and save harmless Young Life Basketball Academy, or their trustees, officers, employees, coaches, and representatives from any liability, damage, expense, cause of action, suits, claims, or judgments arising from injury to person or property or otherwise which arises out of the act, failure to act or negligence in connection with the participation in the activities and programs which are subject of this Release.
If required, I hereby authorize the coaches, and representatives to provide and authorize emergency medical treatment to the extent deemed appropriate by licensed medical persons, without risk of liability, and to execute any required releases on the undersigned’s behalf.
I attest that my child is physically fit to participate in these activities. I am hereby being advised that Young Life Basketball Academy has no medical insurance on my or my child’s behalf. Medical insurance is the responsibility of the child and his/her family.
Additional Consent for Tournament Play/Travel: Consent is hereby given by the undersigned for participation in the applicable basketball tournaments. If applicable, the child may be provided with transportation and a hotel room. Expenses, including travel to and from the church and incidental expenses, are the responsibility of the child. In addition, I agree to be fully responsible for any damage that the child may cause while at or traveling to and from the tournament, game, or activity.
THIS RELEASE AND WAIVER SHALL APPLY AND REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT FOR ALL EVENTS OCCURRING WHILE PARTICIPATING IN OUR PROGRAM.
PHOTO RELEASE
I authorize Young Life Basketball Academy, to publish the photographs and/or videos taken of the minor(s) named within my registration(s) and to use their names in your printed publications, websites, and social media channels. I acknowledge that since their participation in any publications and websites is voluntary, I also agree not to make any claim for compensation for the use of their image and/or words. I agree to release you from liability for any claims by or them arising out of the foregoing. I have read this form and voluntarily accept the terms and conditions set forth herein.
SOCIAL MEDIA CODE OF CONDUCT
This Social Media Code of Conduct refers to all digital social media forums including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Parents/Guardians, children/players, and other members of a player’s family must refrain from any:
- Unauthorized posting of personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers, email, etc.) of other users, players, and parents.
- Material that contains vulgar, obscene, bullying, or indecent language or images.
- Material that is meant to embarrass or humiliate another person.
- Material that defames, slanders, abuses, or threatens others.
- Statements, that are bigoted, hateful, or racially offensive.
- Material that advocates illegal activity or discusses illegal activities with the intent to commit them.
- Flaming: Verbal or written abuse, making negative comments, or complaining about a coach, director, official, player, parent, or any other person involved in any way with Young Life Basketball Academy.
- Posts or other material which is deemed inappropriate by Young Life Basketball Academy or its Members, Coaches, Players, Parents, Spectators, Board Members.
Any violation of the above Social Media Code of Conduct will result in an immediate suspension from all Young Life Basketball Academy events including practices, games, clinics, and other events until further notice.