Mercer-Lunsford Basketball League2012-13 Travel/Select Coaches Information Package

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!

Message from the CommissionerDear 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 CommissionerMercer-Lunsford Basketball Leaguewww.mlblhoops.com info@mlblhoops.com

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

It’s Just a Game……

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)

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

Program ComparisonsFCYBL 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

Conduct

Conduct

Zero Tolerance Policy If a coach or player is ejected from a game:

Automatic next game suspensionReview from board before reinstatement2nd 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.

Points of Emphasis

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

Scorekeepers Gym Rules

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

Tryout Schedule

Age Group

Tryout Dates and Times

5th Boys 10/6 0:00-0:00pm10/7 0:00-0:00pm10/13 0:00-0:00pm

6th Boys 10/6 7:00-8:30pm10/7 3:30-5:00pm10/13 3:30-5:00pm

7th Boys 10/6 5:15-6:45pm10/7 5:15-6:45pm10/13 7:00-8:30pm

8th Boys 10/6 3:30-5:00pm10/7 7:00-8:30pm10/13 5:15-6:45pm

All boys tryouts at Mercer MS

Age Group

Tryout Dates and Times

5th Girls 10/6 5:15-6:45pm10/7 3:30-5:00pm10/13 3:30-5:00pm

6th Girls 10/6 3:30-5:00pm10/7 3:30-5:00pm10/13 3:30-5:00pm

7th Girls 10/6 7:00-8:30pm10/7 7:00-8:30pm10/13 7:00-8:30pm

8th Girls 10/6 5:15-6:45pm10/7 5:15-6:45pm10/13 5:15-6:45pm

All girls tryouts at Lunsford MS

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!!!

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

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

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

Communication

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

Inclement WeatherOther Logistical Items

MLBL Kickoff Jamboree

Saturday, December 1 at Freedom HS Team Parade Guest Speakers Prize Raffle

6:30pm to 8:30pm

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 Ruleswww.fcybl.org and select “Rules”

FCYBL Gym Locations and Directionswww.fcybl.org and select “Gym Locations”

Inclement Weather and Blackoutswww.mlblhoops.com/weather

Successful Youth Sports Parents

Summary

Thank you for your service to Mercer Lunsford Basketball!

Let us know what we can do to help you have a successful year!