Players win games with talent and practice habits. In order for us to become the best team we are capable of being, we must make the most of our time together. The coaching staff will point players in right direction with discipline, standards, and accountability. The more players are able regulate themselves and each other, the less the coaching staff has to. Listed below are our expectations.

“When a team sets high standards, the WINNERS will love it and the LAZY will leave. Either way, the team improves…”

Show Up (Attendance Policy) In season, all practices, meetings, walk throughs, team meals and team functions are mandatory. Unexcused absences will be handled on an individual basis at the discretion of the coaching staff. If players have an emergency (that requires to miss or be late to a team function), that needs to be communicated with their coaches ahead of time. It is expected that players will schedule test make-ups, appointments, vacations, college visits, etc. around basketball practice at every opportunity. If a player misses practice for any reason, she will need to condition at a bare minimum the next practice (this is a cardiovascular sport that requires proper condition), and is subject to suspension, temporary reduction of role, or dismissal from the team depending on the circumstances. Players who miss practice jeopardize their starting status and/or playing time – and players that are actually at practice could be rewarded by starting. Team repetitions are critical for our success on the court and cannot be duplicated through making up practice.

Be On Time and Ready Players are expected to be on time for all practices, meetings, walkthroughs, team meals, team functions, etc. with proper attire including their proper practice uniform (they may not borrow from another player to form a full uniform. Jerseys are to be tucked in, shoes tied and no eating at practice or in meetings. Players should go to the bathroom before practice begins. Players may not text or use the phone during practice without prior authorization.

Give Your Complete Effort Effort is a non-negotiable. Period. Players are expected to give their best physical and mental effort, and hustle in drills and in between drills.

Showing Respect Players are expected to accept coaching without arguing or talking back. Players are expected to address coaches in appropriate ways. Players are expected to give respect to coaches during practice huddles, game huddles, drill instruction and meetings by looking at the speaker (give them your eyes) and acknowledgement that you are receiving what is being said (simple head nod or verbal “yes, coach”). Do not talk, bounce balls, have side conversations, or distract others while the coach is talking. Be an active listener. Players are expected to not taunt their opponent, and not engage in trash talk with fans in the stands.

Control Your “Failure” Response Players are expected to not display negative emotions, and are expected to react to mistakes in a way that is not detrimental to the team. Players are expected to not swear when they are upset. Displays of negative emotions are a waste of time and hurt team morale. Control what you can control – what’s happening now and what will happen next. Players must understand they cannot change what already happened, and the true test of character is how we handle failure.

Be Mature Players Mature players don’t argue with their coach in practice – they perform, accept criticism, do their best under the circumstances and wait until after practice to express ill feelings, misunderstandings, disagreements in private with their coaches. Mature players don’t make excuses – they accept responsibility and fix the problems. Mature players don’t talk back to coaches – They accept coaching. Mature players don’t tweet their frustrations or use social media to disparage their team, teammates or coaches.

Put the TEAM First No matter how embarrassed or angry players may be, they are expected to conduct themselves in a way that does not reflect negatively on or hurt our team – on the court, in the community, in school, etc. This applies to any conduct detrimental to the team such as refusing to go into a game or taking off equipment before a game is over. If there is an issue with a teacher/administrator, this reflects poorly on our basketball program, and can be subject to consequences within the basketball setting. If a player is more concerned with trying to get their parents or the student sections attention than on playing the game, this is not putting the team first. If a player is too concerned about their lack of playing time to not cheer on your teammates, this is not putting the team first. If a player cannot accept her role and work to do the best job possible at that role, that is not putting the team first. I will send an email to the high school staff letting them know who is in our basketball program and how we expect our players to conduct themselves, so players will conduct themselves accordingly.

Illicit Substances Possessing, selling, using, being under the influence of or being pictured with any illicit substance including drugs, alcohol, and vapes, is strictly prohibited.

Being Removed from Practice Any player that needs to be removed from practice will be sent home with a note stating the reason why they were removed. That note needs to be signed by a parent and returned before that player can participate in practice.

Social Aspect & Social Media Your posts and activity are not only a direct reflection on our program, but also forever a part of your digital footprint. The recruiting process, job hiring process, or other important areas of your life could be affected by your social media accounts. No hazing or acts of initiation of any kind. Remember you are representing our program in public, not just online. Everyone is expected to make our program a welcoming environment founded on respect and inclusivity. Exclusion, bullying, singling out or the like will not be tolerated.

Facilities and Equipment Take pride in our facilities and keep them clean. Do not leave clothes, trash, or any other items all over the locker room. The locker room will be inspected periodically and the team will run for trash/items left out. LOCK YOUR LOCKER AT ALL TIMES! Take care of and do not swap any issued equipment with teammates. Missing or lost items will have to be paid for.

In the Classroom Class attendance is expected. Truancy will result in disciplinary action. If you are having problems in a class, communicate with the teacher and a coach. If you are going to miss class for a game, tell your teachers ahead of time. Be attentive, respectful, and participate in your classes at all times. Your classroom behavior represents our program. When we ask for tutorial sheets, complete them on time. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary running.

Game Days Prior to the game you are to sit with your teammates as a group prior to the game and mentally prepare to enter your competitive mindset. No player will sit by themselves or with anyone other than your teammates before a game. All players are to wear what the team has selected for that day. Athletic style shoes are to be worn; no slides, Crocs, slippers, Uggs, etc. You may have headphones in and listen to music on the bus, but once we enter an opponent’s gym your headphones must be put away and you should be on your cell phone sparingly. You conduct yourself with class in the stands before and after games. All players will travel to and from games on the bus as a team unless you have prior approval from a coach and have been signed out by a parent. We will carry ourselves appropriately and respectfully at all times, refraining from loud outbursts in restaurants or other public places. Every player will say please and thank you to bus drivers, cashiers, and food service workers we encounter while traveling. We have to remember we are a representation of Grapevine High School wherever we go.

In-Game Your attitude on the bench at any time in the game is important to the atmosphere of our team and the game. Your actions coming in and out of the game can have an extremely positive or negative effect on your teammates. It is your responsibility as a member of our program to encourage your teammates. There will be no tolerance for acts of selfishness. Poor attitude, bad body language, and lack of enthusiasm violate the following code of conduct. Verbally encourage and support your teammates. Say nothing to the opponents. Pay attention to the game, not the crowd. Prepare yourself to enter or re-enter the game. Horseplay, taunting in celebration, or playing to the crowd will not be tolerated. When taken out, give your substitute her assignment. Hustle on the floor and hustle off the floor. When someone falls down, hustle over to give them a hand up. Never make any comment to an official. During a timeout, gather around the players and the coach. At no time, during a timeout, should a player be seated by herself or in a small group while the rest are listening to the coach. Listen to what’s going on in the huddle and stay out of the crowd. When you come out of the game, slap hands with teammates and come sit next to a coach. Above all else, conduct yourself in selfless way that gives that honors the game.