Mercer-Lunsford Basketball League 2012-13 Travel/Select Coaches Information Package

1. Mercer-Lunsford Basketball League 2012-13 Travel/Select Coaches Information Package

2. Welcome to the MLBL Travel/SelectCoaches Meeting • Contact information included in this briefing • Please hold questions until the end – we may cover for you during the presentation • Please silence cell phones and if you have to take a call, please step outside • Thank you for volunteering this season!

3. Message from the Commissioner Dear MBL Coaches, Welcome to the 2012-13 Season. John Champe High School opened its doors to over 800 kids this fall, and is projected to surpass 1,200 in the next two years. Freedom has seen some relief, but still will have upwards of 1,500 kids over the coming years. MLBL surpassed 1,200 kids last year, and we will be pushing 1,300 this fall. The short story is that our area continues to grow!!! This season, we are introducing a new, exciting offering for the kids of Dulles South. We are expanding our travel program to include select teams competing in the Loudoun County Middle School Select program. This tiered approach will allow us to develop more players at a higher level, to better prepare our kids for the next level. The success of our league begins with you, the coaches. The purpose of this packet and this important meeting is to kick off the healthy relationship that we will form between the coaches, board and most importantly, the kids. My door is always open, but I have a great team of volunteers that makes my job so much easier. Have a great season, and thank you for your valuable service to this great community. Sincerely, Bill Morris, President and Commissioner Mercer-Lunsford Basketball League www.mlblhoops.com info@mlblhoops.com

4. Agenda/Table of Contents • It’s Just a Game • Introductions • Travel/Select Philosophy • FCYBL and LCMSS Programs • Conduct • Points of Emphasis • Evaluation Process and Schedule • Practices, Games and Playoff Schedule • Communication & Inclement Weather • Special Events • MLBL Kickoff Jamboree • Pictures • MLBL Nights at Freedom HS • MLBL Night at Verizon Center • All Stars and Post Season

5. It’s Just a Game……

6. Introductions • Bill Morris, League Commissioner • bill.morris@noblis.org • (703) 472-5366 (cell) • Barton Phillips, Boys Travel/Select Commissioner • barton_phillips@hotmail.com • (703) 919-3128 (cell) • Tim Stanley, Girls Travel/Select Commissioner • tim.stanley@yahoo.com • (703) 334-1868 (cell)

7. MLBL Travel/Select Philosophy • Provide an environment to prepare Dulles South players for the High School program • Feeder Program for Freedom HS and Champe HS • Put together a team of the best players who are committed to making MLBL travel/select their first priority during the Winter season • Prepare the kids to balance competitive basketball while maintaining school work

8. Program Comparisons FCYBL Travel Program • Team formed from all available MLBL kids • Two zip code exemptions • Must be Loudoun Co resident • Coaches required to register the teams on the online registration system • Score reporting done online • All travel coaches will be required to attend one mandatory meeting session (no exceptions) • Report Cards required for all players LC Middle School Select • Teams formed based on schools district • 14 middle school programs in Loudoun County • Mercer kids play for Mercer • Lunsford kids play for Lunsford • Online team registration system (Sportability) • Score reporting done online

9. Conduct

10. Conduct • Zero Tolerance Policy • If a coach or player is ejected from a game: • Automatic next game suspension • Review from board before reinstatement • 2nd offense – gone for the season • Referees are going to make mistakes, just like your players are going to make mistakes. Live with it. Let it go. • Set the example for your team, and do not tolerate it from your kids • SPORTSMANSHIP. It is the name of the game.

11. Points of Emphasis Scorekeepers Gym Rules • Scorers & Timers are part of officiating crew • Several issues last season related to the scorers table • No cheering from the scorer’s table • No comments from the scorer’s table • No coaching from the scorer’s table • Appoint a reliable parent or set up schedule • MLBL can provide training if desired • Assistant coaches cannot be scorekeeper • No Food or beverages allowed in gym • Water bottles only • Enforcement may vary from gym to gym • Respect the decision of the gym supervisor • Incidents occurred at Fairfax gyms last season • Adhere to all instructions from gym supervisor • Coach is responsible for fan conduct • Set the tone early with the parents

12. Player Evaluations • All players must attend at least one evaluation session • Help by encouraging players to attend multiple sessions • Coaches should plan on mixing it up at the evaluation sessions • Run some of the evaluation like a practice • Plan on someone else running some of the drills so you can step back and evaluate • Open Tryouts – Evaluate everyone! • Have a plan for what you want to see during session • Coaches can team up tonight to work with other groups • Don’t select friends or people you know over higher talented players – this will hurt your team • This is a very competitive league and you cannot afford to select lesser talent

13. Tryout Schedule

14. Selection Process and Notifications • Selection Process • Travel coaches will select first from all available candidates • Select coaches will make selections from remaining candidates based on school attendance boundaries • Selections will be made on October 13 or 14 • Notification Process • Coaches will submit selections to Travel Commissioner • League will generate roster and send to you for confirmation • Coaches must confirm roster by Noon on Monday October 15 • League will send out the notifications on Monday afternoon (10/15) No notifications will be made at the gym!!!

15. Practices, Games and Playoffs • Pre-season weekend practices • October 20/21 • October 27/28 • November 3 • November 10/11 • Regular practices begin week of Nov 12 • Practices slots for Nov 17 and 18 will be assigned • 5th Grade Travel Teams begin round robin play on Nov 17/18 • No Loudoun County gyms available Nov 22-27 • May want to consider Thanksgiving tournament • First games Saturday, December 3 • No Loudoun County activities Dec 21 – Jan 2 • May want to consider Holiday tournament • Regular season ends around Feb 23/24 • Playoffs February 25 – March 10

16. Game Reports • Submit your game reports within 24 hours after the conclusion of your game • Electronic process within FCYBL/LCMSS • Please be diligent about this • Very important for 5th grade in month of December during round robin play and towards end of season • MLBL goal – 100% compliance for on time score reporting

17. Coaches Clinic • True AP will be offering a coaches clinic (league is covering the fees) • Date and Time TBD, early-November • Learn practice drills and what to focus on this season • Lesson plan ideas and practice playbook presented to all coaches in attendance

18. Other Logistical Items Communication Inclement Weather • All communication should run through coach • Please set up e-mail list and phone tree • Please stay on top of messages and communicate with parents • Use web site as resource for schedules • Go through the Travel Commissioners • Inclement weather general rules: • If schools are closed, gyms are closed • If schools close early, gyms are closed • If schools open late, gyms are open • Generally, decision is made by: • 4:15pm for weeknights • 7:00am for weekends • Fairfax closings are different from Loudoun • Parks and Rec hotlines • Fairfax 703-324-5264 • Loudoun 703-777-0456 • Information always posted on website

19. MLBL Kickoff Jamboree • Saturday, December 1 at Freedom HS • Team Parade • Guest Speakers • Prize Raffle 6:30pm to 8:30pm

20. Resources • Tonight’s information can be downloaded at www.mlblhoops.com/travel • Coaches Meeting Presentation • Optional Player Evaluation Sheets • Travel /Select Tryout Schedule to be posted www.mlblhoops.com/travel • FCYBL Travel League Rules www.fcybl.organd select “Rules” • FCYBL Gym Locations and Directions www.fcybl.organd select “Gym Locations” • Inclement Weather and Blackouts www.mlblhoops.com/weather

21. Successful Youth Sports Parents

22. Summary Thank you for your service to Mercer Lunsford Basketball! Let us know what we can do to help you have a successful year!