ALABAMA
ROADRUNNERS
BASKETBALL
PROGRAM
2015
PLAYERS’ HANDBOOK & GUIDELINES
Coach Name: ________________________
ALABAMA ROADRUNNERS BASKETBALL PROGRAM
“Athletes Code of Conduct”
"What you are as a person
is far more important than what you are as a basketball player"
-- John Wooden
I ___________________________________, hereby pledge to honor and support the ALABAMA
ROADRUNNERS BASKETBALL PROGRAM by adhering to the team’s Athlete Code of Conduct as stated below.
I will use appropriate language when interacting with other athletes, coaches, officials, and PARENTS.
I will not taunt, use obscene gestures, or engage in boastful celebrations that demean fellow athletes.
I will respond with “Yes Mam / No Mam” or “Yes Sir / No Sir” when addressing ANY adult or parent.
I will show good sportsmanship in victory or defeat.
I will do my best to listen and learn from my coach(es).
I will encourage my parents to be involved with my team in some capacity because it is important to me.
I will do my very best in school.
I will not engage in unsportsman-like conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, or teacher.
I will not talk back to the coach (there is a way to approach every situation)
I will not walk off the floor during games.
I will not fight with my teammates.
I will not lie or steal from neither my teammates nor anyone else! Honesty is our policy
TEAM RULES:
1. Missing practice will not be tolerated. If there is an emergency then you need to contact the head coach.
You have a contact log!!!
2. Arrive on time for all practices, meetings, and games with only emergencies and illnesses being acceptable
reasons for tardiness or absence.
“To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late is inexcusable.”
3. I understand I am a STUDENT / Athlete, therefore I understand that I MUST maintain at least a “C”
average. However you should strive for A’s and B’s
4. Remember, you when we are traveling, you represent yourself, your family, and ALABAMA ROADRUNNERS
BASKETBALL PROGRAM; therefore, you must conduct yourself in a positive manner at all times.
5. All players should feel free to go to the coach with ANY concerns or problems they may have.
6. PLEASE understand that playing for the ALABAMA ROADRUNNERS BASKETBALL PROGRAM is a privilege,
not your right!!
7. All athletes are required to wear appropriate attire when participating in sporting events.
Example: practice gear must be worn at all practices
If I fail to abide by the above code of conduct, I will be subject to disciplinary action.
THANK YOU, ALABAMA ROADRUNNERS BASKETBALL PROGRAM- Administration
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Athlete’s Code of Conduct Agreement
Signature of Athlete _________________________________Date ________________
Signature of Parent _________________________________Date ___________________
ALABAMA ROADRUNNERS
Commitment

The desire to succeed, and the determination to reach your goals- is the essence of commitment

The discipline to perform even when you don't feel like performing- is the essence of commitment

The ability to perform the most meaningless task "well.”- is the essence of commitment

To pay close attention to every little detail, and to do it with honestly and integrity is the sign of
commitment

To make whatever sacrifices necessary to attain your goals- is commitment

To commit yourself totally without reservation- is commitment
Only when you make these "commitments" can you truly be successful.
ALWAYS REMEMBER:
“ If you say you can’t then you can’t.”
“ You will always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” (IN LIFE AND ON THE COURT)
“ The right angle from which to approach any problem is the TRY angle”
“ No one knows what she can do until she tries”
“ BASKETBALL IS 90% MENTAL and 10% PHYSICAL”
“PLAYING TIME IS NOT GIVEN ITS EARNED”
ALABAMA ROADRUNNERS BASKETBALL PROGRAM
"Desire is the key to motivation,
but it's the determination and
commitment
to an unrelenting pursuit of your
goal
~ a commitment to excellence ~
that will enable you to attain
the success you seek."
ALABAMA ROADRUNNERS BASKETBALL PROGRAM
“Pain is just weakness leaving the body.”
EXCUSES:
Tools used by the incompetent
men / women, which lead to the
land of eternal nothingness. Those
who use them often will amount to
NOTHING!!!!!
ALABAMA ROADRUNNERS BASKETBALL PROGRAM
Basic Basketball Terminology - (You should know and will be used)
1.Screen/Pick
The offensive player who stands between a teammate and a defender to gives his teammate the
chance to take an open shot.
2.Up screen
an offensive player blocks or picks another offensive player’s defender when coming up from the
baseline.
3.Down Screen
an offensive player blocks or picks another offensive player’s defender when going down toward
the baseline.
4.Back cut/V cut
an offensive player cuts in a straight line to the goal when over played by her defender. This usually
happens when the teammate pump fakes the ball.
5. Strong side (ball side)
the side of the court where the ball is. Weak side is the opposite side away from the ball
6. Hedge
the defender must defensive slides North-South (baseline to baseline). The defender must also
maintain within hand contact with the screener until the ball-handler has crossed at least half-man,
then sprint back in recovery.
7. Close out
a defender quickly slides up to, and contains the ball-handler, or ball-receiver, starting with arms
up.
8. Man your Ball
must be on line with your man and ball at all times, and you must see your man and ball at ALL
TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11. Free throw line extended
an imaginary line that extends across the free throw line, across the court
12. Low post
area near the "block" on either side of the lane (or "paint" area), to about half way up the lane
toward the free throw line.
13. Pivot
the foot that must remain touching the floor until a ball handler who has stopped dribbling is ready
to pass or shoot.
14. Short Corner
About halfway between the block and the corner is the short corner.
15. Switch
to change players with your teammate if you get screened.
16. Deny
preventing your man from getting the ball.
17. Help side
sagging off your man to help your teammate.
18. Opening Up
when the defender is defending a player and the player goes to set a screen on the defenders
teammate. Defender 1 takes a step back to allow defender 2 room to slide through, while hedging
at the offensive player.
DEFENSE
Man-to-Man Principles-You must know!
- You MUST be able to SEE the ball and your man
at ALL times
- You MUST stay between your man and the
GOAL with a hand and foot in from the passing
lane
- The FARTHER the ball is from your man, the
FARTHER you get from your man.
- The CLOSER the ball is to your man the
CLOSER you get to your man
ALABAMA ROADRUNNERS BASKETBALL PROGRAM
Tips to Improve Your Game!!
B.E.E.F. is good way to learn to become a better foul shooter
Bbalance-get on the foul line and get your balance. Also bend your knees
Eelbow tucked in under the basket, and eyes-see the front of the rim.
Eextension- get full extension on your shot
Ffollow thru-an essential part of all shooting. Make sure you follow thru with a
Relaxed follow thru!
Dribbling
It is important to practice dribbling without looking at the ball, but you can practice anywhere. You can sit
in a chair, dribbling back and forth from hand to hand - you can dribble up and down a hallway, and you
can always head outside!
Just remember to keep your eyes up, and work on your off hand twice as much as you do your strong
hand!!
Everyone is a guard
Young players should always practice "guard skills", even if they are tall for their age. Some people grow
early and may be big compared to their peers, but in a few years those peers may pass you up. A 12 year
old "big man" may need to be someone’s point guard 4 or 5 years later.
Stay in Stance
PLAY WITH YOUR KNEES BENT.
Always stay in stance. It is your point of maximum explosion. Just like a track sprinter coming out of the
blocks. Be ready to move. The lowest person wins.
See your man and the basketball
Always be able to see your man & the man with the basketball. You need to be able stop your man AND
help your teammates if they get beat on the dribble.
Establish a pivot foot
When you catch the ball, plant one foot and establish a pivot foot. This will allow you to use the other foot
for a "rocker move" that can fake out a defender, or to set up another move.
Two Hands
GAIN POSSESSION WITH TWO HANDS
Catch the ball with 2 hands-concentrate on the catch before you do anything else. Rebound with 2 handsand try for everyone. Pick up a loose ball with 2 hands-pick it up don’t dribble it.
Jump to the pass
When you are on defense, every time someone passes the basketball, take a few steps in the direction
that it is thrown. This will put you in a position to stop your man if he tries to cut to the basket. You also
will be in the right spot to help your teammates, if their man dribbles by them.
ALABAMA ROADRUNNERS
10 Things to Improve Your Mental Toughness:
1. Fast Break
When leading a fast break, always know where your teammates are and make the passes early and often.
Whatever you do, don’t telegraph the pass and don’t force something that isn’t there. It's hard sometimes
when your tired, but still remember your fundaments such as fake a pass to make a pass. As a point guard
and a team leader, you must know your teammates strengths and weaknesses to get them the good shot
and an easy shot. Plus, I always suggest when your team is tired and loosing control get a huddle just to
calm them down, and set up what your going to do next.
2. Summer Improvement
There is an old saying that says, "Basketball teams are made from October to March, basketball players are
made March to October." The off-season is the time when the greatest player development should be taking
place. Get a development program and work on it throughout the off-season in order to become the best
possible player.
3. Awareness
Even if you don’t have the ball, you should know where the ball is at all times whether you are on offense or
defense. On defense, this will allow you to position yourself properly. On offense, you will be able to make
decisions as to where you need to go.
4. Perseverance
If you want to be a good basketball player, be prepared to work when others are unwilling to. Many find
excuses not to work, but you need to find ways to work on your game even when you are by yourself.
The good thing about basketball is that all you need is a ball, a hoop, and the desire to improve.
5. Nervousness
The main reason that players don’t perform well in games is nervousness, and the main cause of
nervousness is lack of self confidence.
You have to believe that you can play with the people on the court and not get intimidated. You must believe
that no one on the court is better than you.
Have a good attitude. Believe in yourself. If you worked hard enough in the off-season, the preseason, and
now in practice. Then tell yourself you deserve to shine on the court. It's your time to shine, don't be nervous.
You know that you have worked more and harder then the other guys your facing so don't even think about
being nervous, and let the game to you!
6. Proper Preparation
Pay attention to how you prepare for each game, especially when you play well. Competing in athletic
contests can often be a matter of routine, and anything you can do to keep that routine similar from game to
game, especially when you have played well, can help.
Follow the same pre-game routines, think about the same type of things, relax but focus on the game at
hand. Most importantly, learn to visualize what you are going to be doing in the game, always seeing yourself
being successful.
7. Confidence in Shooting shooter needs to have confidence. One good way to give yourself confidence is
to remember that two balls will fit through the hoop at a time. This gives you a large margin of error to work
with. Always tell yourself your next shot is going to be swoosh!
8. Run On and Off
Always run on and off the court--for a time out, when you are taken out of a game, or at half time.
Psychologically, you are showing your opponent that you won’t wear down. The Boston Celtics under Red
Auerbach would not even sit down during a time out in order to appear fresh to their opponents.
9. Improve everyday!
Strive to improve everyday... both physically and mentally. Play against players that are better than you...
that’s how you get better. Learn from TV and watch instructional videos to learn even more. Never stop
learning!
10. Believe
Always believe in yourself. If you think you can’t do it, you aren’t going to . When shooting, believe its going in
and it will have a better a chance. Believe that you’re the best, because you have practiced hard to become the
best. Everything has to do with the proper work, work ethic, and fundamentals once you have that down you
should believe no one could stop you!