Policies

3 STRIKE RULE

The goal of the 3-strike rule is to ensure a positive and respectful environment for all participants and to address issues in a structured and fair manner. Examples of unacceptable behavior that would warrant strikes, include but are not limited to:

Poor Sportsmanship: Displaying unsportsmanlike conduct, such as excessive celebrating, gloating, or showing disrespect towards opponents, fans, or officials.

Verbal Abuse: Insulting, taunting, or using derogatory language towards players, opponents, coaches, parents, or officials.

Disruptive Behavior: Behaviors that disrupt the game, such as refusing to follow instructions, arguing excessively with coaches, parents, or officials, or causing unnecessary distractions, this includes forms of unacceptable texts, emails, and conversations outside of practices and games.

First Strike: Verbal Warning

The parent(s) and/or coach receives a verbal warning from the WGBA Board President about their behavior. This warning typically includes an explanation of the behavior that is problematic, the expectation for future conduct, and will be documented.

Second Strike: Written Warning

If the inappropriate behavior continues, the parent(s) and/or coach receives a formal written warning. This document details the previous incident(s), outlines the specific behavior that is unacceptable, and explains the potential consequences of further infractions.

Strike Three: Suspension or Expulsion

If the behavior persists after the written warning, the parent(s) and/or coach may face a suspension from attending games or events. In severe cases, or if the behavior does not improve, the parent(s) and/or coach might be expelled from the association for the remainder of the season.

Any such occurrence and enforcement of this policy should not have any effect on the player or their involvement in WGBA of the parent or coach involved.

Not all behaviors can be defined and as such may be subject to a WGBA committee making case-by-case decisions.

NON DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Wayzata Girls Basketball Association does not discriminate in any manner in the services rendered thereby to any person because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or disability.

Non Discrimination Policy

TRAVEL TRYOUT POLICY

Girls wishing to play travel basketball must attend all tryouts. Tryouts are closed to parents.  Girls will not be permitted to tryout if fees have not been paid.  Tryout results will be posted on our web site the Friday evening of tryout week at 8:00 PM. 

TRAVEL FEES AND REFUND POLICY

Travel Fees & Refund Policy

• The travel basketball fee must be paid in full prior to participating in tryouts.
• Players not making a team will be refunded their full registration fee.
• Players making a team and choosing not to play will lose entire registration fee. (NO REFUNDS).
• No other refunds will be given at any other point during the season.
• Every player parent is required to work the Wayzata Classic Tournament in January. Parents wishing to opt out of working at the Wayzata Classic Tournament must pay a $200 fee before December 1st.  

PLAYING UP

It is the preference of the WGBA Board to have all girls play with their grade level during their tenure in the WGBA. Under no circumstances can a girl play down on a younger grade or the whole team would need to compete at the older age level. If a player and her family desire to play at an older level, they must meet the following guidelines:

• Must petition to the WGBA Board of Directors
• Must be the unquestioned top ranked player in her class as identified by last year’s tryout evaluation and coaches post season evaluation or consensus of the WGBA coaches in her current grade
• Must try out for the older grade and be one of the top 3 players in the older grade based on that grades tryout evaluation forms
• If the player finishes as the 4th ranked player or lower, she will be placed on the A team of her own grade.

Note - 2nd graders are not permitted to play 3rd grade travel given the limited number of spots vs. number of interested participants.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

To participate in a WGBA program, players must attend school in the Wayzata district and/or have a home address in the district. If a player resides in a district without a basketball program, players will be allowed to participate in our WGBA program.

PLAYER COMMITMENT

Players must commit to the requirements of the program in which they play. This includes consistent attendance at games and practices. While there are times when a player will miss an occasional practice or game, consistent attendance and commitment is expected for all players. WGBA offers a number of different programs (travel, recreational) to correspond to different levels of play and different time commitments. Prior to registration and tryouts/evaluations, players and parents should understand and commit to the requirements of playing in a particular program. There will be consequences for patterns of unsatisfactory attendance/commitment.

TRYOUT ABSENCE POLICY

In order to most effectively place players on the appropriate traveling basketball team, it is necessary that all players take part in the respective traveling basketball tryouts, receive an evaluation by the evaluators, and be considered for a traveling team based on their tryout score.

Under certain circumstances approved by the WGBA Traveling Basketball Selection Committee (for example - injury or illness when accompanied by a doctor or school nurse note), an "excused player" may be eligible and placed on a traveling basketball team even though they were unable to participate in the respective tryouts.

In such situations, the following procedures will be followed by the WGBA Traveling Basketball Selection Committee in an effort to place players appropriately within the WGBA basketball programs (traveling or house league):

 *  Excused players prior year rankings will be reviewed.

 *  WGBA basketball coaches familiar with the excused player will be consulted to obtain perspective of the players basketball abilities compared to others at the same age / gender.

 *  Others familiar with the excused player may be consulted to obtain additional perspective when deemed necessary.

LATE REGISTRATION POLICY

WGBA basketball will continue to accept late registrations until the start of the regular season according to a specific policy.

Athletes registered before the registration deadline will be placed on a team, and all attempts will be made to place the child on a team in her chosen registration area. However, this cannot be guaranteed.

Registrations received after the registration deadline will only be accepted on a space-available basis. Teams needing players will get the next available player, independent of the athlete's preferred registration area. 

There will be a $30.00 LATE REGISTRATION FEE assessed for ALL LEAGUES for those registering AFTER the deadline.

PARENT CODE OF ETHICS

I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for my daughter, participating in girls’ basketball following this Code of Ethics:

·         I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, and officials at every game and practice.

·         I will place the emotional and physical well being of my child ahead of any personal desire to win.

·         I will insist that my daughter play in a safe and healthy environment.

·         I will provide support for coaches and officials working with my daughter to provide a positive, enjoyable experience for all. I will not question my daughter’s coach during a game and will wait until an appropriate time to calmly discuss my concerns with the coach.

·         I will demand a drug and tobacco-free sports environment for my child.

·         I will remember that the game is for children and not for adults.

·         I will do my very best to make basketball fun for my daughter.

·         I will treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability. I will ask my daughter to show the same respect.

·         I will promise to help my daughter enjoy this experience within my personal constraint by assisting with coaching, being a respectful fan, providing transportation or whatever I am capable of doing.

·         I will obey and follow any and all consequences the WGBA Board imposes on me as a result of noncompliance to the above code of ethics.

Parent Expectations

• Cheer for your daughter and her teammates. Leave the coaching for the coaches.
• Understand that the tryout process is in place to best match your daughter’s current skill & maturity. The best way to support your daughter is to accept her placement and encourage her to work hard this season to be the best player and teammate possible.
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship by showing positive support for all players, coaches, and referees at every game and practice. Be grateful and praise the effort of your daughter, her teammates and coaches.
• Have the right perspective and understanding of why your daughter is playing and what her goals are.
• Be familiar with Playtime Policy and Communication Process as provided by WGBA.

COACHES CODE OF ETHICS

I hereby pledge to live up to the following WGBA Coaching Code of Ethics:

• I will place the emotional and physical well being of my players ahead of my personal desire to win.
• I will remember to treat each player as an individual, remembering the large spread of emotional and physical development for the same age group.
• I will do my very best to provide a safe playing situation for my players.
• I promise to review and practice the necessary first-aid principles needed to treat injuries to my players or find appropriate staff to do so.
• I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all my players.
• I will lead, by example, in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players.
• I will ensure that I am knowledgeable in the rules of basketball, and that I will teach these rules to my players.
• I will use those coaching techniques appropriate for each of the skills that I teach.
• I will remember that I am a youth coach, and that the game is for children and not adults.
• I will demand a drug, alcohol and tobacco-free sports environment for my team and agree to assist by refraining from their use at all games and practices.
• I will be the Head coach for only one Metro team participating in the MYAS structured tournaments and leagues.
• If there is an overnight travel event for the team, I will refrain at all times during the trip from the use of any drugs or alcohol. However, a coach may engage in the moderate consumption of alcohol provided the alcohol is consumed in compliance with all laws.

PLAYERS CODE OF ETHICS

I hereby pledge to live up to the following WGBA Players' Code of Ethics:

• I will do my best at all practices and during all games.
• I will listen to my coaches while at practices and at games.
• I will practice good sportsmanship by treating all players, coaches, parents and officials with respect.
• I will not use profanity. I understand that I will be warned for the first offense and, at the discretion of the coach, can be suspended from play for the remainder of the current practice, current game or for the following game.
• I will do my best to help my parents get me to games and practices on time.
• I understand that improvement comes from practice and sometimes I may decide to practice on my own, away from scheduled practices and games.

COMMUNICATION PROCESS

If you or your child has a concern related to playtime or coaching directly related to your child, please discuss the issue at great length with your child to get all the information possible. Secondly, make sure you are familiar with all the policies and guidelines for WGBA. If, at this point, you still have a concern, you must follow this line of communication. Any meetings should be set up outside of practice or competition times.

1.     Player and Parent meet with Coach(all grades)

2.     Player and Parent meet with Coach and Travel Director.

Please note that the player is involved in each step. We do this for two reasons. First, it ensures that the player’s perception is clearly understood by both the parent and the coach. Second, it involves the player in real life problem resolution process, an important life skill. 

Please do not contact the Travel Director without first addressing any issues with your child and the coach. An exception to this rule is if there are general concerns related to coaching or parent behavior detrimental to the team. In this case, please notify the Travel Director early in the process.

PLAYING TIME POLICY

The playing time policy for all travel program players to be an average minimum 10 minutes per game. The 10-minute playing time policy may vary depending on players’ understanding of the game, attentiveness during practice, attendance, and disciplinary issues.

COACHING AND TEAM OVERVIEW

Coaching: Expectations-Goals-Priorities

• Developing team work & cooperation in a positive atmosphere
• Developing individual player’s /team fundamental skills
• Developing a winning record

Coaching Guidelines

Positive Coaching Behavior (90/10 rule) & Communication

• We want a positive atmosphere for all the players but that doesn’t mean you can’t get on the girls for things like lack of effort, lack of intensity, lack of focus, disobeying team rules, and selfish play – pick the right times for maximum results.
• Understand the emotional/mental development of players is as important as the physical training. Coach and teach to build character, player’s confidence, and self-esteem. Be a good communicator and motivator in supporting the growth of each player in a safe and fun environment.
• Sportsmanship/Respect all players, families and coaches for both teams and officials. Follow the WGBA Coaches Code of Ethics & Double-Goal Coaching guidelines.
• Limit over-coaching during games-giving control to the players. Allow them to take action & make decisions. Be supportive in helping players understand mistakes will happen and to not fear failure.

Coaches Selection

WGBA strives to have the best-qualified coaches for our players. For the most part, WGBA relies on qualified parent coaches who are willing to dedicate their time and efforts to work with the girls. We are looking to add more non parent coaches to the pool with former Wayzata Girls Varsity players. Non-parent head coaches will be paid by WGBA. WGBA will provide background checks of all head and assistant coaches prior to their team assignment. Coaches must meet the following criteria:

• Have a basic knowledge of basketball rules and fundamentals.
• Have good communication skills.
• Are able to teach and motivate players to develop specific basketball and relationship skills.
• Are able to measure their own success based on their ability to improve all girls as basketball players and teammates.
• All coaches will also be required to become certified under the MYAS Trusted Coaches program. This online training program provides our coaches with First Aid and Concussion Training & Certification, in addition to the Positive Coaching Alliance training.
• For all current coaches and future coaches, we look at basketball and coaching background, parent surveys, team success and interviews(if needed) in determining the best qualified coach for each team.
• Final coaching selection is made after tryout results. With the fact that the non-parent pool is limited, WGBA first matches qualified parent coaches, based on results, before placement of the qualified non- parent coaches.

Team Characteristics

• Girls playing hard, aggressively and competing, playing together – unselfishly, being positive and respectful of coaches, teammates, other teams and referees and GIRLS HAVING FUN.
• Parent Coaches to not give special attention to own daughter (i.e. always the go to player)
• Positions, roles and playtime based on skill and overall ability shown in practice/games.

Individual and Team Fundamentals

• 50% of practice time dedicated to individual skill development and team fundamentals
• Develop all players in practice and allow for game experience when possible (i.e ball-handling)
• Encouraged to Limit Zone Defense (7th-8th only) to 10% of the time
• Encouraged to keep Set Plays on Offense to a minimum to promote growth & development of all player’s offensive fundamentals