Guidelines

Burnsville Athletic Club
Boys Traveling Basketball Guidelines

Revised 07/2011

PROGRAM MISSION

BAC Boys Traveling Basketball is a grade level program for boys 4-8th grade.  Boys Traveling Basketball strives to provide an opportunity for players to develop their basketball skills at a competitive level by encouraging RESPONSIBILITY, TEAM WORK, and good SPORTMANSHIP from our athletes, coaches, and parents.  Program goals are to:

1. Teach players the fundamental skills of basketball.
2. Promote teamwork.
3. Provide opportunities for players committed to playing at a competitive level to develop & achieve with teammates.
4. Have a fun season.

ELIGIBILITY

Participants must live within the Burnsville City limits, or live within Independent School District 191 boundaries, or attend a school within Independent School District 191 boundaries.  This includes portions of Eagan, Apple Valley, and Savage that is in Independent School District 191.

A player will not be allowed to participant until payment of the registration/tryout fee, player participation fee, volunteer deposit check has been received or a scholarship has been approved.

TEAM SELECTION

Ideally, each grade level 4-8th will consist of 2 teams (A & B level).  However the numbers and quality of players at tryouts will determine the number of teams per grade level and what level of play.  A minimum of 8 & a maximum of 11 players will be placed on each team.  If there is enough players to form a third team at any grade level, the commissioner will decide to form such a team and determine if a team should be added.

The commissioner along with the Burnsville High School Basketball coaching staff and other independent evaluators will determine the roster spots.  Prospective coaches may be asked to attend tryouts and may be asked to provide input on players. Evaluators will consider the appropriate number of post and perimeter players for a given team.  Therefore, team composition may be affected by talent/skill level, physical size, and strength of players in order to achieve reasonable balance.

COACH SELECTION

1. Prospective coaching candidates (this includes all returning coaches that would like to be considered for a coaching position) must fill out a Coaching Application and Background Check.
2. A coach selection committee and Commissioner will review applications & conduct interviews of prospective coaching candidates.

COACH SELECTION COMMITTEE

A coach selection committee will consist of volunteers appointed by the commissioner.  The coach selection committee will:

1. Interview and make recommendation on coach selection.

2. May review grievances that cannot be resolved by existing guidelines and make recommendations to commissioner.

TRYOUT GUIDELINES

Tryouts will be coordinated by the commissioner and the Burnsville High School Basketball coaching staff.  Other independent/experienced evaluators may also be at tryouts.

1. Teams will be formed based on the following criteria:  fundamental skills (defense, shooting, passing, ball handling, scrimmaging), competitive drive, team play, understanding of the game, and sportsmanship.
   Several basketball drills will be used to evaluate basketball fundamental such as defensive skills, shooting, passing, 3 on 3 scrimmages, 5 on 5 scrimmages.
   In game scrimmages, players will be evaluated for good plays, team work, passing etc.  Sportsmanship along with positive or negative player attitude will be considered in the evaluation.

2. In the event there is a tie in the ranking of players, the commissioner shall make the final decision.

3. Evaluation forms will be collected and given to the commissioner at the end of tryouts.

4. Attendance at tryout session(s) is critical to ensure equal and accurate evaluations.  If a player elects not to attend tryouts, it will be at the commissioner’s discretion in coordination with the tryout evaluators’ input to determine that player’s placement.

5. Parents are not allowed inside the gym during tryouts and are not allowed to watch.

6. Players who played Traveling Basketball the previous year who are unable to attend tryouts due to a medical condition, family illness/death may be placed on A or B teams under the following conditions:

   1. Written request by the player’s potential coach stating why he/she wishes the player be placed on the team.

   2. Written letter by one of the player’s previous coaches stating why the placement of the player is appropriate.

   3. The player has previously played at the level (A or B) of the proposed placement.

   4. The coaches committee approves the request by a majority vote.

   5. Limitation to this policy:
      Player on the B team the previous year may not be placed on the A team , a previous player on the A team may be placed on the B team

   6. Players who miss tryouts due to family vacations, social/athletic commitments are not eligible for placement under this policy.

   7. Documentation may be asked to confirm medical condition or family emergency.

TEAM AUGMENTATION

In the event of illness, injury, or other circumstances that brings the number of available players for a team below 7, a team may contact the other team in that grade level for substitute players, then the next lower grade etc. for tournaments.  The promotion shall be temporary and discussed with team coaches and commissioner before action is taken or parents are consulted.

If a grade level is short of players so that a team would not exist without adding players from a younger grade level, the team may roster players younger than that grade level with the approval of the commissioner in coordination with the tryout evaluators’ input.

TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION

Boys Traveling Basketball season is late October/early November through March with tryouts taking place in September or October.  10 tournaments (including the State Tournament) are played on weekends in the Metro Area.  Boys Traveling Basketball will pay the team’s entrance fee for one State Tournament.  Each team may add one additional State Tournament that is funded at their own cost or by someone other than BAC Boys Traveling Basketball.

COST

There is a nonrefundable registration/tryout fee to be paid at time of registration.

Late registration will be accepted on day of tryouts with a late fee.

Late registration fee will be determined prior to each year’s registration.

The nonrefundable registration/tryout fee will be determined prior to each year’s registration.

Player participation fee will be determined prior to each year’s registration.

UNIFORM

Players are provided with a uniform to use for at least 2 years of traveling basketball.  When the season is over, players keep uniforms to use for next year/season.  It is encourage that players use uniforms longer if the uniform still fits after 2 years.  Replacement cost for a loss uniform or a damaged uniform beyond the normal wear and tear will be at players own expense.

Players have the option of purchasing other basketball apparels such as shooting shirts, hooded sweatshirts etc.  These items are not included with the uniform provided by Boys Traveling Basketball.

PRACTICE

Boys Traveling Basketball season is from late October/early November through March with tryouts taking place in September or October.  Teams will have approximately 2 practices a week.  Practices will be 1 – 2 hrs long and will be at various schools located in Independent School District 191.

PLAYING TIME

The rules in accordance with the Burnsville Athletic Club By-Laws states “While the objective of each BAC Traveling team is to win each time the players compete, a “win at all costs” philosophy is not the aim of the BAC.  It is a stated objective of each traveling program to play each player as equally as possible during the course of the season, with the understanding that pure equality in playing time will most likely not exist.”

Player development is the primary goal of the program.  Coaches should make an effort to ensure that all players receive as close to equal playing time as possible while striving to win as often as possible.  However, there is a competitive component to traveling basketball; therefore playing time will not be equal and players who are more comfortable in certain game situations may earn more minutes.  This is to be determined by the coach on a game by game basis.

Coaches must play players as “equal as possible” over the course of the season understanding that game situations may alter this (foul trouble, late arrival, team execution, practice attendance, effort, attitude, knowledge of team concepts).  Coaches should make every effort to maintain equal playing time rotation and put players in different game situations.

The following playing time guidelines should be followed by coaches:

1. Coaches must strive to give players equal playing time over the course of the season.  However, coaches are not expected to give players equal time per game.
2. Players in good standing (follow players’ guidelines) should play 10.5 minutes per game in 7 minute quarters or 1/3 of the minutes in a running clock halves.
3. If there are any concerns over playing time, it is recommended that teams have a statistician track playing time.
4. Players with pending discipline issues, who have un-excused absences from practice or similar issues are not considered players in good standing.

PLAYER GUIDELINES

Players shall show respect for the referee, opposing team, teammates, & coaches.  Verbal abuse, profanity, throwing equipment or similar forms of disrespect will not be tolerated and may, at the discretion of the coach, result in removal from a game, dismissal from practice, or other sanctions.

1. Technical fouls that display poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated.  Player technical must be reported to the commissioner by the head coach via email, phone, or written letter.  If a player receives a technical foul for poor sportsmanship:

   1. He is suspended for the rest of the current game.

   2. If technical foul occurred in the 4th quarter, he is suspended for the first half of the next game, too.

   3. A 2nd technical foul will result in missing the remainder of the current game plus the next full game.

   4. A 3rd technical will result in a player, parent, coach, & commissioner meeting before the player is allowed to play again.

2. Players are responsible for being on time to all practices and games.

3. If a player is injured, he is expected to attend practice & tournaments unless excused by the head coach.

PARENT GUIDELINES

Parents shall show respect for the referee, the opposing team, all players and coaches.  Verbal abuse, profanity or similar forms of disrespect is not appropriate.  The coach shall have the discretion to impose sanctions on the offending parent or fan.

1. Parents shall raise all concerns, comments or complaints with the coach directly in a private manner.  Do not discuss playing time or other philosophical disagreements with a coach before, during, or immediately after a game.

2. Parents should make a commitment to getting their children to practices and games on time.  Practice attendance will have an affect on playing time.

3. Parents and other spectators should not be under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances while attending any BAC event or while responsible for transporting players and coaches.  The possession, use, distribution and sale of illegal substances are prohibited.  Consequences for violating this policy may include removal from the viewing area of the game or event and may include denial to attend future events.

4. Families or their subs are asked to work a minimum of 6 hours at the BURNSVILLE BOYS SHOOTOUT TOURNAMENT.  Working at the Burnsville Boys Shootout Tournament is a requirement of participation in the program.  Families will be asked to make a volunteer deposit for the season. The amount of the volunteer deposit check will be determined prior to the start of each season. The volunteer deposit check will NOT be cashed and will be returned if the following is fulfilled:

   1. Each family or their sub must work a minimum of 6 hours at the Burnsville Boys Shootout Tournament.  The required hours may vary depending on the size of the tournament.

   2. Coaches’ families or their subs must work a minimum of 2 hours at the Burnsville Boys Shootout.  The required hours may vary depending on the size of the tournament.

COACHES GUIDELINES

Coaches should keep in mind the primary goal of the program is player development.  Coaches are responsible for developing as many players as possible and for fostering players’ confidence and pride through team achievements and not to develop one or two players at the expense of others.  Player development and sportsmanship is to be placed above a win-at-all-costs attitude.

Head and assistant coaches are required to pass a background check.  Any team that does not have all head and assistant coaches current at the start of first practice will not be able to start the season. 

The BAC Executive Board shall review all background checks.  Unsatisfactory checks may disqualify prospective candidates from coaching.

1. Coaches are discouraged from arguing with the referees and opposing coaches.  Arguing judgment calls is not appropriate; discussing rule interpretation is.  Any verbal challenges should be conducted by the head coach and only in a dignified/respectful manner.  Verbal abuse, profanity, throwing equipment or similar forms of disrespect will not be tolerated.

2. The head coach is responsible for all activity on the bench during games.  He/she may have 1-2 assistant coaches on the bench (this includes the team scorekeeper).

3. Any person who is on the bench who receives a technical foul must furnish a written explanation, email, or phone call to the commissioner within one weeks time of the incident.  The commissioner along with the coaches committee may dismiss a coach for receiving 3 technicals in a season.

4. Barring injury, disciplinary action, vacation, or illness, no player shall be denied the opportunity to participate in a game.

5. The head coach will be in charge of selecting an assistant (s), BUT must be approved by the commissioner and coaches committee.  The commissioner will aid in the search for an assistant if necessary.

6. Coaches may be expelled from the program for abusive behavior towards players or parents in the program in accordance with BAC Bylaws.  A coach may not swear or physically grab or abuse a player.  An automatic suspension will occur with a review of the incident by the commissioner and coaches committee to determine the length of the suspension or possible dismissal from the team.

7. Coaches must not be under the influence of alcohol or other illegal substances while attending any BAC Traveling Basketball games or practices, or while transporting players.  Possession, use, distribution, and/or sale of illegal substances are prohibited.  Consequences for violation this policy may include removal from BAC Traveling Basketball and may include denial to attend future BAC basketball events.

8. Coaches are required to take direction from the commissioner when necessary.

9. Head coaches are not allowed to coach the same team for more than 3 years.  This rule may be over-ridden by the commissioner in the event that no other qualified candidate met the criteria of the coaching selection committee.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Grievances raised by parents, players, or coaches shall be resolved through the following process:

1. Grievances shall be raised initially with the head coach in a private and constructive manner.

2. If a conference with the coach does not lead to a resolution of the grievance or if the parent/coach/player is uncomfortable discussing the matter directly, the parent/coach/player may raise the grievance with the commissioner.

3. If after discussion with the commissioner the grievance is not satisfactorily resolved, the parent or coach may raise the grievance with the coaches committee.

4. The decision of the coaches committee will be final.

5. Further discussion with the issue may be sent to the BAC Board of Directors President.

The Boys Traveling Basketball Guidelines will be followed as closely as possible.  However, the guidelines may not always address unique situations or issues that may arise during the course of the season.  Therefore, the judgment of the commissioner, BAC Board members, and other volunteers may be called upon in unique situations concerning the program.