A NEUQUA VALLEY BASKETBALL PLAYER

A Neuqua Valley basketball player can come in any size, shape or color. There is no common denominator except a love for the game and a desire to get the most out of his abilities. He is not only proud of his strengths, but understands his weaknesses. He is first of all concerned with the good of his team and knows that individual recognition will come through team excellence.

A Neuqua Valley basketball player has the enthusiasm of an crusader; the discipline of a monk; the heart of a warrior; and never loses the honesty and character of a small boy. He appreciates the support of thousands of fans, but he is much more aware of the example he is setting for some small boy watching from the sideline. He is happy when he scores a basket, but never forgets that a teammate threw him the ball. While he never lets up at either end of the floor, the other team is not his real opponent; it is the full extent of his own potential that he is always playing against. He lets the referees, with occasional assistance from his coach, do the officiating.

A Neuqua Valley basketball player is made and not born. He is constantly striving to reach his potential knowing that he will bypass other players who cannot withstand the strain of this quest for excellence. He realizes that the challenges and competition of today’s game will better prepare him for tomorrow’s world. He knows that the true measure of his performance is not recorded in win and losses, but in how much of himself he has give to the game.

A Neuqua Valley basketball player realizes when the odds are stacked against him. He can only be defeated by a clock that happens to run out of time. He is what a small boy wants to become and what an old man can remember with great pride that he once was.

LEVELS OF PLAY

Neuqua basketball is part of the Neuqua Valley High School interscholastic athletic program. It is not an intramural program. No player at any level is guaranteed any playing time.

FRESHMAN LEVEL

At the freshman level all players will play in a game if there is both an A game and a B game. (no guarantee on the amount of time that will be played) If there is only an A game; only the most talented players will play. This level is considered a preparatory level within the program. The coaches will focus on the development of fundamentals and teach the Neuqua system to the players.

SOPHOMORE LEVEL

At the sophomore level the most talented sophomores and the talented freshman capable of competing at this level will play in games. The focus of this level is the development and preparation of players for the varsity level. No one is guaranteed any playing time. This level is very competitive. We want to find out which players are capable of playing varsity basketball. There will be a B team for players to further develop their skills if they are a little behind at this point. The coach is to continue to refine fundamentals, increase the intensity level of the players, challenge the players mentally and physically, teach a more complex version of the varsity system, and have a higher expectation of his players.

VARSITY LEVEL

At the varsity level the most talented players in the program will play in the games. No one is guaranteed any playing time. We play basically eight players in a varsity game. The focus at this level is to attempt to win games. The JV team is a developmental team to work on the weaknesses of the players so that they can get into the varsity games. JV players play on Saturday mornings and Monday evenings.

ROLES IN THE NEUQUA VALLEY BOY’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM

There are four basic roles in the Neuqua Valley boy’s basketball program. It is important that these roles do not get confused, as that will limit the programs’ opportunity for success. These roles are:

1. Players:​ the individuals who wear uniforms and play the game.

2. Coaches: the people who implement the philosophy and direct the team.

3. Referees: ​the individuals who wear striped shirts and administer the game.

4. Parents:​ the players' biggest fans who come to games and support the team in a positive manner.

In order for our teams to have the greatest opportunity for success these roles must never become confused. Players will not be allowed to referee, parents will not be allowed to coach, and coaches will not just come to games and cheer. One cannot and will not be allowed to perform the others role. Your sons’ coach will be more than willing to talk to you about what areas your son needs to improve upon in order to become a better player, and even set up an improvement program for your son to work on to become a better player.

Under no circumstance will a coach ever discuss with a parent how much playing time an individual is receiving, or who is receiving playing time. All meetings will have the coaches, parent and player in attendance.

ROLE ON THE TEAM DEFINED

The coach at each level will explain to the players their role on the team. These roles may change due to injury, attitude, or an improvement in athletic ability and skill level. Some players will accept their defined role, some players will work to improve their defined role, other players will complain about their defined role. We believe this is the fairest way to let the player know exactly how the coaching staff feels about the specific players ability, attitude, and grasp of the system. The players will be told they are a:

A. Potential starter

B. A player who will receive some playing time. (none guaranteed)

C. ​A developmental player. (a player who if he continues to improve may beat a player above him for playing time, but in reality needs to continue to improve and may be a year away from making a significant contribution. He most likely will play on Tuesdays at JV games.

D. ​A valued reserve. A player who will make the team but won’t play in games in any significant capacity, but is part of the team because of their positive attitude and desire to help the team in any capacity.

E. ​A players who will be cut. A players who will not make the team due to lacking skills.

OUTSIDE BASKETBALL

No Neuqua Valley player may play for another team during our season. If a player plays on any other team, Neuqua Valley will forfeit all games the player participated in. The player will also be ruled ineligible for season by the IHSA. Examples include YMCA leagues, intramural, church leagues, Wheatland Athletic Association, traveling teams, AAU teams.

PARENT ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY

Your son’s academic success is the number one priority in our program. As a coaching staff we will assist you in monitoring you sons’ academic progress. Obviously one coach can not effectively monitor all the players closely. We as a coaching staff will assist you by:

1.​ Monitoring the eligibility list weekly.

2.​ Speak directly to teachers concerning your sons’ progress.

Ultimately it is your job as a parent to closely monitor your son’s progress. We will assist in any way possible including suspending your son from a game for lack of sufficient progress. Most players struggle from poor time management, not lack of academic ability.

Studies have proven that students who participate in extra curricular activities have a higher GPA that those who do not participate, and that athletes specifically have a higher GPA when they are in season versus out of season.

Coaches may sit a player out of practice for the week to allow the student time to study and get help from teachers. The students’ progress will determine this.

​

COMMUNICATION

OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION ARE IMPORTANT IN OUR PROGRAM. A FEW GENERAL GUIDELINES NEED TO BE FOLLOWED:

1. IF YOUR SON HAS A CONCERN HAVE HIM DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH THE ​COACH. (REMEMBER IT IS YOUR SON’S TEAM, NOT YOURS)

2. IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN, E-MAIL THE COACH.

3. THE COACH WILL MEET WITH YOUR SON TO DISCUSS YOUR CONCERN.

4. THE COACH WILL NOT DISCUSS PLAYING TIME.

5. COMPARISON OF ONE PLAYERS ABILITY TO ANOTHER WILL NOT BE DONE.

6. THE COACH IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM.

7. ​THE COACH WILL DISCUSS:

A.​ WHAT YOUR SON NEEDS TO DO TO IMPROVE THEIR:

B. ​ATHLETIC ABILITY

C.​ SKILL LEVEL

D.​ ATTITUDE

E.​ WORK ETHIC

F.​ COMMITMENT

8. AFTER A DISCUSSION OCCURS WITH THE PARENT AND THE PLAYER OCCURS, AND THERE IS NO MUTUAL AGREEMENT, IT DOES NOT MEAN WE DID NOT COMMUNICATE, IT MEANS WE DISAGREE.

9. ALL PRACTICES ARE CLOSED TO LIMIT DISTRACTIONS.

NCAA INFORMATION

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PLAYING COLLEGE BASKETBALL YOU NEED TO VISIT THE FOLLOWING SITE FOR REQUIREMENTS. NCAACLEARINGHOUSE.NET

Neuqua Valley Boys Basketball Team Rules

Effort

1. Work as hard as you can all the time. Effort is the basic expectation in all we do; it’s the beginning of everything.

2. Listen to the coaches. Remember that they are trying to help you be a better player.

3. Always run from one drill to another. We have to outwork teams in practice before we can ever expect to beat them in games.

4. Never sit at practice unless instructed to do so by a coach.

Attendance

1. Players are expected to attend all practices and games. This includes injured players and those who, for one reason or another, are unable to participate.

2. No player will be excused from practice unless he informs the coaches of his legitimate excuse before practice. Coaches should be told in person (not by your friend).

3. Should you have to miss practice, you must either email, call, or send a remind message to your coach. You need to communicate to your coach, it’s not your parents job.

4. All unexcused absences will result in a game suspension per incident. A second unexcused absence will result in your removal from the team.

Behavior

1. Address the coaches as “Coach” or with his last name (example: Coach Sutton)

2. No foul language. Technical fouls for behavior or language will result in sitting out the remainder of the game. A “Half Cindy” CrossFit workout will be assessed.

3. No swearing at games or practice. Swearing will result in 25 pushups on the spot of the foul.

4. Do not talk when a coach is talking. Listen- there is a lot to learn.

5. Show respect both on and off the court in all dealings with coaches, teachers, teammates, fellow students and opponents.

6. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use is prohibited. We strongly follow the NVHS Handbook.

Starting Practice

1. Be on time to every practice, which means 10 minutes early.

2. Warm up and be stretched before the start of practice.

3. If you need to see our trainers (Ray or Denise), show up 20-30 minutes early to receive treatment.

4. If you are late to practice, you have a “Half Cindy” CrossFit Workout in the weight room after practice. As Coach Dungy would say, “It is either you don’t care or it is not important to you.”

After Practice

1. The locker room should be clean when you leave.

2. Players are to be appropriately dressed when leaving the building. Take the time to put on your long pants, your coat, and, when appropriate, a hat. It is important to our team that you keep yourself healthy.

3. Wash practice gear every weekend.

Travel

1. We ride to and from games together.

2. In rare occasions, someone may have to ride home with a parent. In this approved situation from your coach, you will need to sign the waiver before the season to ride home with a parent.

3. If you want to listen to music on the bus, bring your headphones. Keep your music to yourself.

Uniform

1. Players will wear NV school colors for their shoes. Navy blue & white, or white & navy blue.

2. You may wear any brand of basketball shoes.

3. Sock color is white or navy blue. The team can decide.
   
   

• If you are late to a Pre-game shoot-around or the sophomore game you will sit out the first quarter of the game that night. The player and the coaches will meet on this tardiness.