Welcome to Small Fry BasketballWhile not restricted to newcomers, this presentation is intended toprovide a guide to essentials and recommendations when starting a SmallFry Basketball franchise. It is understood that franchises will come fromdifferent regions and demographic backgrounds, while also knowing thatavailabilityof resources will vary in different areas.

Small Fry Basketball will have several REQUIREMENTS for those seeking afranchise, but in some cases, this presentation will merely suggestguidelinesand recommendations.

Most of the figures and recommendations will be based on a typicalfranchise: one varsity team and one junior varsity team with theanticipation of sending the varsity team to the International Tournamentin Orlando, Fla.

Small Fry Basketball Contacts

This presentation serves simply as a “getting started” guide for SmallFry Basketball. Please consult our website atwww.smallfrybasketball.com as a full reference for By-Laws, history,necessary forms, schedules, links and a wealth of further information.

For those interested in getting involved with Small Fry Basketball as aparticipant or sponsor, please contact :

JEFF MILKIE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORE-mail: jmilkie@sbcglobal.net

Small Fry Basketball

Founded in 1968, Small Fry Basketball is intended to provide anopportunity for shorter athletes, with a height limit of 5-foot-1 and agame played on 8-foot-6 baskets. The International organizationbranches to several regions, currently highlighted by multiple teams inthe Midwest, Chicago, East Coast, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.

RegionalplayoccursearlyinthecalendaryearwithqualifyingtournamentsleadingtotheannualInternationalTournamentheldatESPNWideWorldofSportsComplexatWaltDisneyWorld® ResortinOrlando,Fla.

Teamsareofferedatthevarsityandjuniorvarsity(developmental)level.

Small Fry alums include NBA standouts Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls), WillBynum (Washington Wizards) and J.J. Barea (Dallas Mavericks); former NFLquarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Mike Tomczak; and current KentuckyUniversity guard Tyler Ulis.

History

Small Fry Basketball was founded with ideas of fairness for all and to emphasis development that will allow smallerathletes to compete at the next level. High School coaches often applaud Small Fry alums for their outstandingfundamentals and understanding of the game of basketball.

Highlights(clockwise,fromtopleft:*SmallFrymeasuring;*PhotoswithDerrickRose;*Second-generationSmallFry;*ParentsenjoyfuninOrlando.

The season highlight isthe visit to ESPN WideWorld of Sports Complexat Walt Disney World®Resort in Orlando forInternationalplay.

Unique for Kids

Some Small Fry franchises operate under the guidance of park district, Boys &Girls Club or other community organization. However, many franchises aresimply independent organizations that operate with a board of directors andseek support through communities, sponsors and fund-raising efforts.

BeginbyresearchingtheSmallFryBasketballwebsiteandbycontactingExecutiveDirectorJeffMilkie toseekmoreinformation.

Essentialswillinclude,butarenotbelimitedto:- Apoolofeligibleathletes.- Gymavailability(withcompatible8’6”basketsorclip-ons).- Uniforms.- Administratorsandcoaches.- A budget, to include fund-raising, to cover expenses.- Plan,organizationfortraveltocompetition,tournaments.

Getting Started

Budgets will vary based on location, number of teams and “extras.” To operatea single team with plans to travel to Florida, a required budget will probablyrun toward a minimum of $20,000. Communities often have a big heart insupporting young athletes, and all resources should be explored.

Costsbeginwiththefollowing:

Start-up,Local• Franchisefee(varsity,rookie)• Insurance(required)• Uniforms• Equipmentandballs• Gymrental• Officials’fees• Travelexpenses• Meals

FloridaTrip• Disneyentryfee• Airfareorbusrental• Hotel• ThemeParktickets(required)• Groundtransportation• Meals• Programs(optional)• Giftsforopponent(required)

Expenses

Franchises seek out funds to meet their budget needs in a variety of ways.While Small Fry Basketball is always seeking sponsorships and ways to helpkeep down costs for franchises, the ultimate responsibility for funding teamsfalls on the individual franchises.

Fundraisingideas:MajorIdeas

• Seekasignificantsponsor• Feescollectedfromparents• Yearbookadvertising• Hostingtournaments• Golfoutings• Candlelightbowls

Otherideas• Raffles• Candysales• SmallFrygearsales• 50/50rafflesatgames• Tagdayonstreetcorners• Coordinatedeffortswithschools• Restaurant%ofsalessponsor

It’sbestofofferfund-raisingoptionsthatminimizetheamountoffundsthatmustcomedirectlyoutofparents’pockets.

Fundraising

Small Fry tradition calls for plenty of enthusiasm at games, particularly at theInternational Tournament. This includes team colors and a lot of them, whichadds to the excitement and overall fantastic experience.

Manyteamswilladd(sometimeveryextensive)geartotheirfranchisebudgets.WhileSmallFryistypifiedbyits“first-class”image,franchisesshouldbecarefulwhengoingwellbeyondtheessentialsofuniforms.

Teams will often include in fees or offer to parents the “frills” of teamshoes, team bags, shooting shirts, jackets, T-shirts, hats, swim wear, etc.While many of these items are nice, franchises should be responsiblewhen developing budgets and maintaining participation fees that aremanageable for parents and all athletes with a desire to participate inSmall Fry Basketball.

Thebestoptionistogetthe“extras”sponsoredbyabusinessorindividual.

Team Gear

Small Fry is fortunate to have a great host in the Walt Disney World Resort,with all teams required to stay in the same host hotel. Commissioners will be intouch with reminders, but travel plans are responsibility of the teams. Parentswill also receive some great offers, but are on their own for planning.

Here’salistofsomethingstoputonyourtravelchecklist:

TeamArrangements• Travel(groundorair)• Groundtransportation• Hotellistingandpayment• Fundsformeals• Airporttransportation• Communicationwithparents

Required• Tournamententryfee• Disneywaiverforms• Teamstaysinhosthotel• Themeparkticketpayment• Giftsforfirstopponent• Coachesindresscode

Florida Checklist

Small Fry plays in some of the finest facilities and uses referees who in manycases have worked at the collegiate level or are considered among the best intheir high school state associations. Consequently, we take the spirit ofsportsmanship very seriously.

EachcoachwhooccupiesthebenchinSmallFryisrequiredtosignanofficialCodeofConduct,mostofwhichdealswithSportsmanship.

Sportsmanshipappliestodealingswithplayers,opponents,gameofficialsandtournamentworkers.SmallFryalsotakesgreatprideinhearingcomplimentsfromrestaurantsandhotelsaboutSmallFryteamsandplayerswhentheyvisit.

WhilecoachessigntheCodeofConduct,it’simportantthatanybodyrepresentingafranchiseexplaintheimportanceofSmallFrySportsmanshiptoplayers,parentsandfans!

Sportsmanship

Small Fry has had many great teams and contributors since Mr. Small Fry, thelate Bob Lueder, and three others founded the organization in 1968. We’velearned from the good and bad, and want to offer some of that experience tonew Friends of Small Fry Basketball.

Withnearly50yearsofSmallFryBasketball,experiencehastaughtmanyofussomeofthebestwaystobuildarespectful,successfulfranchise.Goodandbadideashavebeentested.Whatismostimportantisthatweneverputkids,parentsortheorganizationinanembarrassingsituation.

Whilethere’scertainlymorethanasinglewaytodothingsright,thefollowingpageswilldocumentsometipsforgettingyourfranchiserunningintherightdirection.Thiswillnotaddressallcomponentsofrunningafranchise,merelysomeareasthatclearlywarrantsomeadditionalattention.

Small Fry Tips for Teams

The most successful organizations in Small Fry tend to be ones that are deep,including people who possess years of experience, as well as some enthusiasticyouth with new and fresh ideas.

Thebestpolicyistorecruitastaffthatallowsthecoachestocoachandtheadministratorstoorganize.Whilefunctionslikefund-raisingwillalwaysoverlap,thedevelopmentofsoundteamsrequirescoachestospendtheirtimewiththeathletes.

Havingaseparateadministrativestafforboardofdirectorswillhelpbreakupmuchofthepaperwork,budgetandparentalrelationsfromtheon-courtrequirementsofacoach.

There’sneveracaseofhavingtoomuchhelp...Justbesureeverybodyknowstheirrolesandtheirimportancetotheoverallcause.

Staff

Tryouts are one of the least fun components of coaching. That’s why it’simportant to be organized, make a great first impression and be as classy aspossible when cuts are made. Keepers or not, families will talk about thequality of your tryouts in the community.

Especially when offering more than one team (varsity, rookie), be very clear aboutthe rules of Small Fry (age, 5-foot-1 height limit) and the number of teams offeredwhen families first arrive in the gym. Be very clear aboutexpectations.

Since many tryouts conflict with other teams, be sensitive about schedules. Makefuture tryout dates very clear and give a sense of when final decisions will be madeon cuts. Be clear if factors beyond sheer talent (attitude, work ethic, height, abilityto take instruction)will factor into decisions.

While coaches have a good idea on some kids from the first hour, make it clear thateveryone in the gym is getting an equal opportunity to showcase talents. Allcoaches should be on their feet and taking an active interestat all times.

Tryouts

EachlevelofSmallFryBasketballwillconductanofficial“Measure-In”priortoathletesplayinginactualcompetition.Themeasure-inisfinalandbindingfortheentireseason.

Whilethereisaprecedentforkidsever-soslightlytallerthan5-foot-1successfullymeasuringin,therearealsoexampleseachyearofcoachestryingto“sneakin”muchtallerkids(whichalsocarriesafinancialpenalty).ThisleadstoextremedisappointmentforfamiliesandtaintsSmallFry’sreputation.

Behonestwithyourselvesandfamilieswhentalkingabouttheirheight.Tryingtomeasureintallkidsdamagesafranchise’sreputationandisblatantcheating.

Ifafranchiseinsistsontheriskofmeasuringseveralplayerscloseto5-foot-1,it’svitaltoplantomeasure17to20kidsperteamroster.

SmallFryisunique initsheight limit,buttheruleissteadfastat5-foot-1forvarsityplay,5-foot-3forgirlsInternationalplayandlowerheightlimitsfordevelopmentalplay.It’simportant tonotsetupyoungsters fordisappointment withunrealisticheightexpectations.

Height Limit

An official Small Fry varsity or rookie roster may list up to 20 athletes. Whilekids may not PLAY on both the varsity and rookie teams at the same time, it islegal to list rookie-caliber players on the official varsity roster.

Official RosterSmallFryrulesrequireteamstohaveatleast10dressedplayersforanofficialgame.Internationalcontestsallowteamstodressasmanyas14players.However,officialSmallFryrostersallowupto20players.

Teamsexperiencemanyconflictsduringaseason,includingheightdisqualification,injury,vacations,familyconflictsanddecisions,gameswithotherteams,etc.ItisALWAYSagoodpolicytorosterclosetothemaximumof20playerstoensureallteamshaveatleast10playersforeverygame.Thiscanbeaccomplishedthroughalternatesorlistingarookieplayeronavarsityroster.

ForfeitsarenotfunforfamiliesthathavemadeafinancialcommitmenttoSmallFry.Takeadvantageof20rosterspotsanddon’tliveontheedge!

In order to maintain some parity and avoid “super” all-star teams, most regionshave developed boundaries. This also gives new franchises a chance when theytry to get off the ground. A handful of teams have been tempted to test theboundary rules.

BeforeaSmallFryplayerisallowedtomeasure,theathletemustpresentabirthcertificate(age)andanofficialschoolform(toproveresidencyandadheretoanyboundaryrules).PlayersnotincomplianceareNOTALLOWEDtomeasure.

Eachfranchiseshouldfollowschoolformrulesandthoroughlyinspectdocumentspriortomeasure-intoensureallathletesarelegallyonaroster.

Franchisesshouldalsohaveacopyofboundaryrulesanytimeatryoutisbeingconducted.Ifanathletedoesnotlivewithinyourownboundaryarea,theyshouldbedirectedtotheproperarea(includeaname,phonenumber)immediately.Whilesome“grandfather”rulesexistforsiblings,etc.,eachlocalcommissionershouldbeconsultedtoclearanathleteoutsideofboundary.

Boundaries

The key to a well-run organization is getting all parties on the same page, including players, parents, coaches and staff.Communication is critical, and an early-season organizational meeting will result in fewer problems during the season.

ParentsupportiscriticaltoanySmallFryfranchise.However,thatsupportisonlyachievedifparentsarewellinformed.Somepotentialmeetingtopics:

Discussionitems:§ IntrotoSmallFryrules, staff§ Programhistory,expectations§ Explanationofheight limit,measuring§ Programfees,fund-raising§ Practiceschedule,expectations§ Gameschedule§ Requestforbirthcertificate§ Explanationofforms§ Planning forFlorida trip§ Gameplan forcommunication§ Deadlines§ Solicithelpfortournamenthosting

Materials,handouts:§ Generalinformational letter§ Phonecontactlist§ SmallFryMedicalform§ SmallFryschool form§ Disneywaiverform§ Fund-raisingmaterials§ Florida info(maybeatlaterdate)§ Sheettosolicitparentcontactinfo§ Examplesofuniforms, etc.

Thismaybeyourbestoronlyaudiencewiththeentiregroup, somakeaparentmeetingmandatoryandtakefulladvantageofneededcommunication.

Parent Meetings

Small Fry has a strong reputation for publishing schedules early, runningtournaments on time, and presenting an organized production for parents andfans. Hosts often deserve the credit for this, but it takes cooperation of allparticipants to make it work.

BecausemostSmallFryregionsworkwithaMasterSchedulerandwithanOfficials’Chairperson(s),tournamentstypicallyrunsmoothly.However,teamscanhelptokeeptheoveralloperationasaclassyone:

1. Arriveatgameswellinadvanceofscheduledstarttime.2. Havelineups(numbersandnames)available10minutespriortostart.3. Displayrespectforopponents,gameworkersandofficialsatalltimes.4. Restrictbenchestoeligibleplayersandqualifiedcoaches.5. Beresponsibletocleanupbenchareaaftercompletionofgames.6. Communicateanyconflicts,issueswithhost,commissionersASAP.7. Educateallplayersandparents/fansaboutSmallFrySportsmanship.8. Beawareoffutureschedulesbeforeleavinggym.9. Patronizelocalconcessionstandsorteamsponsors,advertisers.

Games

Tournament hosting on the local level is usually a shared responsibility andmany franchises turn hosting into a fund-raising opportunity. Hosts take pridein showing off their facilities and often put their own twist into holding atournament.

Someessentialsandoptionsforlocaltournamenthosts:

Essentialchecklist:Ø ReservegymfacilityØ ProofofinsurancesuppliedØ CoordinatewithmasterschedulerØ CoordinateSmallFryofficials(required)Ø Assigngate,scorer’stableworkers(adult)Ø ProducenecessarysignageØ Factornecessaryset-uptimeØ ProvidelockerroomsorequivalentØ ProvideofficialscorebookØ Providewarm-upballsØ Scheduleclean-upØ Administratoralwayson-hand

Optionalchecklist:Ø TournamentprogramØ AnnouncerØ Warm-upmusicØ TeamsignageØ ConcessionstandØ Couponsfromvendors,advertisersØ T-shirtsalesØ Halftimeentertainment

Notethatmandatorygateadmissionpricesareestablishedandmustbeusedinsomeregionalareas.

Hosting Tournaments

Enjoy the Small Fry Experience!

. . . Memories that will last a lifetime!