Ballers Inc. LionsYouth Basketball

HandbookCoach Damion Byrd

coachbyrd@ballersincuniversity.comwww.ballersincuniversity.com

210-602-4976

Where players go from hard to stop to…UNSTOPPABLE!!!

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About me• 16 years coaching experience…all ages!

o 2013 All Air Force Men’s Head Coacho Air Force men’s base teams 2004-presento Youth basketball 1998-2000; 2008-present

• Focused on fundamentals above all elseo Winning is secondary to learning & development at Baller’s Inc. Uo Great teacher of all aspects of the game: builds “complete” players

• My goal for BIU is to improve the skills of my clients & ease the anxiety of parentso I’m a parent first ; thus the Preparation, Information, Communication, &

Organization (PICO ) concept was born. I try to give parents what I’d want and expect from a customer perspective

o While AAU, YBOA, & club basketball is a very competitive environment, I emphasize the benefits of team success vs. individual accolades

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Baller’s Inc. Mission• Our mission is to foster:

o Camaraderieo Mutual respecto Pride o A sense of accomplishment in children and young adults through

expert basketball training and competition in games and practice.

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Services & Fees• Private training sessions

o $20 per session

• Mini-clinic training sessionso $25 per session

• Group Campso TBDo *Note, the above services are separate expenses from travel fees

• Youth travel teamso $400

• covers everything except player/family food, travel, lodging, expenses

• Coach the coach training sessions (1 on 1 coaching session)o $25 per session

• Team Campso TBD

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Player Benefits• The benefits of participating in travel basketball with Baller’s

Inc. are unlimited. However, there are some notable benefits we will highlight below:

• Discipline:o Each player by default will develop a sense of self-discipline

inherent with being a member of a high-performing, well-trained, and organized team. Kids will undoubtedly perform and try to not let themselves or their teammates down.

• Work Ethic:o The discipline achieved will surely increase a child’s work ethic as

the desire to achieve will require youths to develop good work habits.

• Elite Competition:o Unlike the competition typically found in Parks and Recreation

leagues, travel basketball attracts the finest teams in the region and often the nation. Our teams and individual players will get constant opportunities to measure themselves against the best.

• Sportsmanship, Esprit de Corps:o Perhaps the most tangible benefit of all will be the bonds formed

by young men and women that form a lasting foundation for interpersonal communication throughout their lives. The bond of friendship cannot be taught by parents!!!

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Training Philosophy• Our training methods are centered on:

o “Complete” Skill & IQ developmento An understanding of how to play the game and “why” things are

done

• In addition our student athletes will be trained using a tiered syllabus system; o Each player development level (PDL) will have its own

performance criteria a player must master before being allowed to progress to the next PDL.

o This will give kids something to strive for and develop a healthy sense of competition within themselves while providing parents a realistic measurement of their child’s abilities.

o Furthermore a PDL system and a snapshot of the next PDL will provide a blueprint for what parents and children can work on during private workouts at home

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Player Development Categories• Dribbling• Passing• Shooting• Strength• Speed/Quickness• Conditioning/Agility• Footwork• Knowledge of Rules• Knowledge of Game/ Conceptual Ability• Defensive Concepts

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Education• We emphasize the importance and value of education at

every opportunity and ask our student-athletes strive for a 3.0 grade point average throughout the school year.

• It will not be uncommon for us to hold tutoring sessions on road trips or in between games at day-long tournaments.

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Commitment• To maximize the training and goals of this program, the rules

of this handbook must be followed and will be enforced.

• The Baller’s Inc. family expects our athletes and their parents to present themselves in a courteous and polite manner to everyone they encounter.

• We represent and promote the highest level of sportsmanship

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Financial Responsibility

• New members Baller’s Inc. University will pay a $400 registration fee. The $400 covers your child’s entry into all tournaments, annual registration, and uniform costs. o *You must be registered with YBOA to play on our team. o In order to avoid financial shortfalls please pay all fees in a timely

manner.o Please note you will responsible for getting your child to all

practice and game sites• Please expect to pay entry (and possibly parking) fees at

each venue• Families are responsible for all travel, lodging, and food

expenses

• Uniforms:

o Your uniform package will consist of one complete uniform set, a reversible jersey, a shooting shirt, and 1 T-Shirt • Other items such as hoodies and duffle bags may be available for additional fees.

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Parent/Player/Coach/Relationship

• The benefits of travel basketball can teach many positive traits such as spirit of cooperation, self-discipline, and an appreciation for physical fitness. We ask that parents refrain from criticizing opposing players, other parents, other teams, teammates, or officials.

• We also ask that parents not involve themselves in the coaching at practices or games. In our spectator enthusiasm, we are often prone to issue instructions to the players that are contrary to those of the coach; this only causes confusion for the players. However, we welcome any reinforcement of our training strategy during one on one sessions with your son or daughter. We also ask that parents not speak with officials before, during, or after our games.

• Team discipline is extremely important. Breaking team rules will have consequences determined by the coaching staff. We don’t anticipate any disciplinary problems however, consequences might include limited playing time, or dismissal from the team.

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Sportsmanship• The following guidelines are to be followed by all members of

Baller’s Inc. University at all times:

• Players are expected to show good sportsmanship towards their teammates and opponents at all times. Taunting opponents and/or instigating an altercation are unacceptable

• Players are expected to show respect for their coaches, opposing coaches, and officials at all times

• Never openly argue an official’s call

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Practice

Schedule/Attendance/Absences

• Practice sessions are TBD to allow for coaching, parent, and player flexibility. Additional practices will be planned in advance and will depend on gym availability. Attendance is very important and forms the basis for continuity, structure, discipline, and establishing necessary routines. All players are expected to abide by the following guidelines:o Practices, games, and team meetings are mandatory

unless otherwise notedo Notify the coach in advance of any planned absence from

a practice, team meeting, or gameo If a player misses practice for any reason (excused or

unexcused), any playing time in the next game is at the coach’s discretion

o Excessive unexcused absences may result in the suspension or dismissal of a player from the program

o *Please note, we will make every attempt to provide a practice agenda to parents in advance of practice to aid in preparation!

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Team Meetings• Team meetings will be treated as practices. As

mentioned in the Attendance section, they will be mandatory unless otherwise noted.

• Players/parents are encouraged to ask questions if they do not understand what is being discussed.

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Game Day• Arrive one hour prior to game time in complete

uniform ready for pre-game warm-up and team stretch

• Focus on the game if not on the court

• Run on and off the court during player substitutions and timeouts

• Verbally support your teammates

• At the conclusion of each game, players are to form a single line (with their coaches and teammates) and shake hands with the opposing team

• After shaking hands, players will proceed to an area designated by their coach for a players-only post-game meeting

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Player’s Responsibilities• Players are expected to work hard and focus during

practice and games

• Listen attentively to instructions and follow directions

• Consistently review and follow your team’s plays

• Spend time outside of practice improving their skills

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Parent’s Responsibilities• Encourage you child positively• Ensure your child is on time to practices, games, team

meetings, and related events• Ensure your child eats properly at tournaments• Ensure your child has the proper uniform• Parents are strongly encouraged to participate in

fundraising and help where needed• Parents and fans are encouraged to attend games and

support the players and teams• Parents and fans are encouraged to cheer positively for

their team• Negative comments or cheers will not be tolerated

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Acronym• Basketball• Academics• Leadership• Learning• Education• Relentless• Selfless

• Integrity• Non-stop• Community