S.C.Y.C. Scorpions Basketball Club

 

COACHES’ CODE OF CONDUCT

 

1. Remember that basketball is for enjoyment.

Remember that basketballers play for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of their

motivation. Always make sure that participants are made to feel welcome whenever they attend

for training or a match.

Ensure that activities are carefully planned, well-structured and varied to provide opportunities for

individual and team development. Be willing to depart from the plan to take advantage of an

unexpectedly high interest in a particular activity.

Never ridicule players for making mistakes or losing a competition. See errors or losses as an

opportunity to learn in a constructive way. Comment in a way that is positive and designed to

create interest, involvement and development.

 

2. Be reasonable in your demands

In scheduling training and playing times and days, be reasonable in your demands on players’

time, energy and enthusiasm, taking into account their age, level of play and other commitments

such as school and employment.

Young children are likely to have more time but short attention spans. They may have plenty of

energy but are likely to need more guidance on how best to look after their bodies. The differences

in physical and mental maturity can be quite marked in younger children of the same age group.

All these factors need to be considered in coaching young children.

Older children have greater demands from their studies and many of them need to work to assist

their schooling. They also have many social demands. Try to assist them in achieving a good

balance between the various demands on them.

Adults should in most cases be capable of making their own decisions on priority between

basketball and other demands such as work, family and social engagements. Respect those

decisions.

 

3. Teach understanding and respect for the rules.

Teach your players that understanding and playing by the rules is their own responsibility and that

the rules exist for the safety, proper order and enjoyment of all people involved in basketball. The

lessons to be learned in this respect in basketball are lessons that can and should be carried over

into all aspects of their lives. Do not encourage players to ignore or deliberately break any rules.

 

 

4. Give all players a reasonable amount of court time.

All players need and deserve reasonable court time. Avoid over-playing the talented players. It is

unfair to both them and those who are not so talented. Players cannot improve without the

opportunity of a reasonable amount of match practice. Talented players can burn out. Having no

or little time in court can cause players to suffer from morale problems and they can lose interest in

the sport altogether.

 

 

5. Develop team respect for the ability of opponents including their coaches.

Part of participation in sport is respect for all participants in the game. Encourage your players to

accept that their opponents are entitled to proper courtesy. This means introducing themselves to

their opponents on court, congratulating them whether they win or lose and accepting loss

gracefully. Teach them that the opposition coach is there trying to do the best for their team and is

also entitled to respect.

 

 

6. Instil in your players respect for officials and an acceptance of their judgement.

Players should be taught to understand that officials have a very difficult task to perform and that

without them games could not be played. They are there to enforce the rules of play but them

cannot always be right. Teach your players to accept bad calls graciously. Abuse of referees is

unacceptable behaviour that should not be tolerated. Players who consistently dispute decisions or

do not accept bad decisions should be singled out for counselling and guidance.

 

 

7. Guide your players in their interaction with the media, parents and spectators.

It is sometimes very difficult for players to concentrate on the game when there is the distraction of

the presence of friends and relatives as spectators. Coaches have a difficult role to play in teaching

players respect for their parents and other spectators but also teaching them to maintain

concentration on the team plan if spectators become over-enthusiastic.

Parents sometimes make demands on their children’s time which interferes in their basketball

activities. Respect this and try to structure your coaching and their training and playing times and

obligations to take those demands into account. There are many other factors which need to be

balanced, including venue availability and requirements of administrators. The coach’s task is not easy.

The presence of media at a basketball game can lead to a temptation by some players to “show off”

or otherwise act differently from how they would act normally. Encourage your players to not be

awed by the presence of the media. Also teach them that if they are approached for an interview

after a game they are representing the whole sport and should behave accordingly.

 

 

8. Be prepared to lose sometimes.

Everyone wins and losses at some time. Be a fair winner and a good loser. Disappointment at

losing is natural, but it should not be obvious to the point of being unpleasant for others. Just as

unpleasant can be the boastful winner. Recognise that even in defeat, the loser has achieved

something, just by playing. Not everything in life can be a winning situation. Losing can be an

important learning experience for your wider life goals. Guide your players to accept a loss in this spirit.

 

 

9. Ensure that any physical contact with a player is appropriate.

Physical contact between a coach and a player except that which would be considered usual social

contact such as the shaking of a hand or a “high five” should be rare. Gestures which can be well

meaning, or even considered by some to be acceptable, may be unacceptable to others. Sometimes

physical contact can be misinterpreted as sexual harassment or even molestation. Particular care

needs to be taken in coaching children. Ensure that if there is physical contact with a player that it

is appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.

 

 

10. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.

Regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background, religion or other factor irrelevant to the

game, all persons connected with basketball are entitled to equal treatment and respect. Avoid any

remarks that could be construed as offensive or discriminatory. Sometimes even a joke may give

offence. Even if a person refers to themselves with a particular label, it should not be taken as an

invitation for you to do so. Using discretion is imperative and it is better to err on the side of

caution.

 

 

11. Always respect the use of facilities and equipment provided.

Facilities and equipment cost money and will only function properly if kept in good order. Ensure

that you and your players do not abuse anything provided for use. Discourage players from

hanging off hoops or “slam dunking”. Quite properly, these practices are banned in most venues.

Not only can equipment be damaged but serious injury can occur.

 

 

Club Contact: www.scorpionsbasketball.com.au