ANDOVER  TRAVELING BASKETBALL INC.  

2008 – 2009

WELCOME TO ANDOVER TRAVELING BASKETBALL!   

This is our 8th year of traveling basketball, representing the city of Andover . We are excited about the opportunities we have had to establish our program in the Andover community.  We continue to build and strengthen our relationship with the Andover High School Boy’s Basketball program and coaching staff.  

This year we will be fielding competitive teams competing at the 4^th through 8^th grade levels.   

Our organization’s goals are to:   

·         Promote youth participation in competitive basketball.  

·         Promote understanding of individual and team skills.   

·         Encourage interpersonal cooperation, communications,and above all good sportsmanship. 

Andover Traveling Basketball, Inc. is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization registered with the state.  A seven-member board of directors runs our organization. All board members are guided by the organization’s established by-laws. Board meetings are routinely scheduled for the 2^nd Sunday of the month at 7pm at the Andover Community Center. Please check our website at www.atbb.org for any date or time changes. Everyone is welcome to attend.   

Board members serve staggered two-year terms that will end in April of the designated year. Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting in April.   

COMMITTEES – An Important Part of Our Organization In order to meet the growing needs of our organization, we depend onas many people as possible to take an active role in its operation.  Parents/guardians are encouraged to volunteer to chair or participatein one of the following committees:    

Communications –OPEN: need volunteer   

This committee will handle all informational and promotional activity.  The goal is to keep everyone aware of the activities of ATB and to create positive energy and excitement within the community and the organization about our basketball operations.   

ATB Playing Rule 

Playing traveling basketball in this competitive environment should be considered an honor and privilege.  The ATB association has spent many volunteer hours assuring that players receive a fair try-out with evaluators that are independent and experienced.  Our coaches are selected through a process that includes a panel interview, evaluations of prior year parent surveys, and a background check.  Therefore, when players try-out for traveling basketball with the ATB, they are expected to play for the team (A/B or C) that they are chosen to play on by the respective head coach.  Players or parents will not have the opportunity to play at lower levels unless there are extenuating circumstances, in which case it must be presented in writing and approved by the ATB board prior to the evaluations.  Players are also not allowed to "play-up" at higher age levels.  

SPORTSMANSHIP POLICY   

Young men who participate in ATB basketball learn more than just basketball skills. In practice and in games, they are exposed to situations that allow them to develop qualities such as leadership, discipline, physical fitness, mental toughness, and good sportsmanship that will last them a lifetime.  Discipline is learned by working as part of a team and respecting the unique contributions of each member of that team.  

Basketball is a game, which includes players, coaches, officials, and fans.  Good sportsmanship means that persons in each of those four roles respect the separation of those roles.  When players are allowed to play, coaches are allowed to coach, officials are allowed to officiate, and fans are allowed to enjoy the games. With each segment respecting the other’s role, basketball will become an enjoyable experience for all who are involved.  Good sportsmanship is also defined as an attitude that acknowledges the rigors of competition, which permits the game to be decided by the skills and mental qualities listed above.  In addition, it encompasses a willingness to acknowledge these qualities in both opponents and teammates.  It also acknowledges that there are “winners” and “losers” in every game and that how you conduct yourself as a “loser” is just as important as how you conduct yourself as a “winner”.   

In light of this policy, ATB promotes the following behavior:   

1.       Respectful comments and behavior towards opponents, officials, and fans. 

2.       Full coach and player involvement in post-game handshakes with only congratulatory comments spoken to the opponent.  

ATB discourages the following behavior:   

          1.       Play intended to physically opponent.   

2.       Disparaging fan, player or coach comments towards any official.    

3.        Bench comments or on-court behavior intended to disrupt the opposing team.  

4.      Non-constructive or disparaging comments made by a fan, parent, player or coach towards any player, opponent or teammate.  

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS AND COACHES  

Players, coaches, fans and parents associated with Andover Traveling Basketball pledge all of the following:  

1.       I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating the positive support for all players, coaches, officials, and fans and be a good representative of our organization and the community.    

2.      I will not use profanity   

3.      I will not berate players, coaches or officials.   

4.       I will not “trash talk” my opponent.  

5.       I will place the emotional and physical well being of other players, coaches, officials, and fans ahead of my personal desire to win.  

6.      I will treat other players, coaches, officials, and fans with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability.    

7.      I will help create a safe playing environment for our teams that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and will refrain from their use and will demand that environment from my teammates.    

8.       I will express my concerns through the proper channels in a dignified manner.  

9.       I will control my temper, but if I do lose my temper; I understand that I will also be measured by how I handle the situation following the loss of my temper.  

10.     I will do my best to remember that basketball is supposed to be above all FUN and that winning and losing are part of everyone’s experience.  

THE TRAVELING COACHING STAFF  

Please Note: We need one parent volunteer per team to act as a liaison between the board/committee chairs and family participants to relay information.  Responsibilities include team correspondence, coordination and distribution of uniforms and pictures, and coordination of volunteers when needed. Attendance at monthly board meetings is encouraged.  

COMMUNICATION PROCESS  

This procedure should be followed to voice any needs or concerns:  

1.       If a parent has a need/concern they should set up a meeting with the coach to review the concern.  

2.       If a need/concern cannot be resolved with the coach, the parent is encouraged to contact a member of the Board to review the concern.  This step may require a meeting between the parent and the coach with the board member serving as a facilitator. 

3.       If a need/concern is not resolved via step 2, the parent should contact the board of directors to present the concern to the board for a final resolution.  

PRACTICE GUIDELINES   

1.       Practice Arrival  

          Players are expected to be on-time for practice.  If a player is going to be late or miss a practice the coach must be notified as soon as possible. Players with continued unexcused missed or late practices can expect to lose playing time.  

2.       Unexcused Absences    

          The coach or assistant coach must be notified in advance.  If you are unable to contact them in person, leave a voice message on their answering machine with the date and time of your message. 

            Unexcused absences will result in the following discipline: 

          A.  First incident – one game suspension.   

          B.  Second incident – two game suspensions.   

          C.   Third incident – suspension from the team,          pending review with the coach, Board member(s), and parent.   

3.       Change in Practice Time  

          Coaches or the Team Parent will notify players of changes or cancellations in practice times.  

ATB PLAYING TIME GUIDELINES  

Grades 4 – 6   

          Coaches will focus on the development of all players.  Coach will attempt to schedule fair playing time for all players.  As a general rule, coaches will play all players in all four quarters of a game. Over the course of the season, all players should receive ample playing time.  

Grades 7 & 8   

          More emphasis will be placed on performance and competition.  Coaches will continue to focus on development, but greater emphasis will be placed on how a player is performing to earn playing time.  Practices will be more intense and competitive.  As a general rule, coaches will play all players in the first three- quarters and use the fourth quarter to compete to the best of the team’s ability.