Smithville
Basketball
Player Handbook
“Bring Your Best”
Welcome to Smithville Basketball,
We are excited about your interest in becoming a part of the Smithville Warrior Men’s Basketball
program. We truly feel our success depends primarily on you the player, so your willingness to dedicate your time,
work, and efforts to something bigger than yourselves is admired and appreciated. In order to be a part of this
program, however, you will be expected to meet high standards in regards to toughness, commitment, and
character. Therefore, before signing this packet, be sure you are willing to commit yourselves to not only meeting
but hopefully exceeding our high standards.
Why play basketball?
It is true you play basketball for fun, but it is important you see beyond just the “fun” aspect of the game.
Through basketball, you learn life skills such as responsibility, time management, cooperation, and teamwork.
You learn how it feels to succeed as well as how to deal with disappointment when you don’t. You learn how to
show respect to authority, your colleagues, and your opponents. You learn how to develop a positive attitude about
life as well as how to be a positive role model for your community. Basketball will teach you about patience,
dealing with adversity, and how to handle yourself under pressure. You also learn to fight passionately about
something while still exhibiting self-control. You learn about discipline and commitment. You learn about living
an active lifestyle and about taking pride in your achievements. In a nutshell, you can learn how to grow into a
man through basketball.
Priorities
Priorities are a major part of any man’s life. Only you can decide what your priorities are. I personally align my
priorities as follows and encourage you to do the same.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Your faith (in whatever you have faith in)
Your family/close friends
Academics
Athletics
Your social life
Obviously, your priorities are up to your discretion. As your coach, I will always respect your faith, your
family/close friends, and your academics before basketball. I believe those three are the most important things in
your life and should be taken seriously. Therefore, if there is ever any MAJOR issue between those aspects of your
life and basketball, they would take priority. You just need to communicate that with us as soon as possible.
Contact Information
Below is my contact information. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact
me.
Brady Hammond
(816) 820 6101
HammondB@Smithville.k12.mo.us
4 Core Standards of Warrior Basketball:
1) Have Fun
Warrior Definition: “Playing alongside your teammates in a positive, enthusiastic, and disciplined
way to achieve our collective potential.”
All players are expected to have fun every day this season.
2) Work Hard
Program Motto: “Bring Your Best”
Attendance:
All players are required to attend all practices, games, and meetings as scheduled. If you must
miss, you are expected to PERSONALLY contact your head coach beforehand.
If you cannot participate in practice for whatever reason (injury, headache, etc.) but are able to
attend, your attendance is expected.
If you miss practice…
-you will be expected to provide a reasonable explanation
-expect additional conditioning and/or possible loss of playing time
-excessive absences may lead to suspensions from games or dismissal from the team
Any excused absence from school on a game day must be communicated with the Athletic Director as
soon as possible in order to be eligible to play in that day’s game!
While in attendance, please do not park in the front loop or in a visitor’s spot.
Team Awards:
Our program will be presenting awards at the end of the season that everyone can compete for and
win. These awards are team-based and reward players for doing the small, often unnoticed things
that make a big difference for a basketball team. These awards include the: Commitment Award,
Hammer Award, Hustle Award, Practice Award, and Teammate Award.
Philosophy on Playing Time
There are many factors that go in to deciding what five players will be on the floor at what time.
The coaches will be constantly evaluating each player to gauge how to best use their talents for the
benefit of the team. We obviously do not want any player on the team who does not want to play,
but we also do not want any player who puts his own interests ahead of the team. If you have a
concern about playing time, please communicate with us in a respectful way, and we will be happy
to discuss the situation with you. Our duty as coaches is to put the five players out there we think
give us the best chance to win, so if you want to play more, show us why at practices and games!
3) Be a Good Teammate
Be on Time
All players are required to be on time unless there was a discussion with a coach beforehand.
Tardiness to practice/games…
-expect additional conditioning and/or possible loss of playing time
“Early is on time, on time is late.”
Do Your Job
Take pride in your role and do it to the best of your abilities.
Appreciate the roles of others. Every role on this team is important and should be valued as such.
Do the Right Thing
Be careful who you hang around with (peer pressure is only bad if you have the wrong peers!).
If a legal situation does occur, please report the situation to us as soon as possible.
Be aware the following standards apply to any social media you may be involved with as well.
Respect
All players are expected to treat others with dignity and respect at all times.
Showing disrespect or using profane language will not be tolerated.
If either occurs:
-expect additional conditioning and/or loss of playing time
-private meeting and/or suspension if it becomes excessive or persistent
Appearance
You represent more than yourself when you are a part of our program. You now represent your
team, your family, your school, and your community. Thus, the following will not be allowed:
-neon shoes or “crazy” socks (plain team-colored apparel only please)
-extreme haircuts (Mohawks, mullets, etc.)
-no piercings may be worn to practices or games
-tattoos must be covered
Technical Fouls
If you get a technical foul during a game:
1st offense: Extra conditioning and/or loss of playing time in the following game
2nd offense: Extra conditioning and suspended for the first quarter of the following game
3rd offense: Suspended for the following game(s) or dismissal from the team
*You will be tested in practice on your ability to deal with adversity and bad calls!
Issued Equipment
Smithville Basketball has been fortunate to have quality equipment and apparel. It is the
responsibility of each player to maintain all equipment issued. Any damage or loss of the
equipment will be subject to the player’s expense. Please take good care of all equipment issued!
4) Be a Good Listener
Look at who’s talking. Want to get better. Understand everyone has room to grow!
“My best skill was that I was coachable. I was a sponge and aggressive to learn.”—Michael Jordan
Basketball Resources
We will be issuing notebooks for players to maintain during the season. This notebook will be used
to keep notes, plays, and other forms given out by the coaches. Players will also have access to the
online basketball folder (via their school accounts) that contains basketball resources as well.
Online Media
Our program’s website, Twitter, and Facebook pages will have different tools (updates, calendars,
etc.) you can access to stay informed about our program. Dates and times are subject to change.
@SmithvilleHoops
/SmithvilleBasketball
www.SmithvilleSchoolDistrict.net/Page/844
How We Treat…
1) Teammates
-servant leadership
-positive language
-pass and screen
-“help him up”
-have teammates’ back
-give & earn respect
-be a team outside of the gym
-acknowledge on the court
2) Coaches
-respectfully communicate
-listen and learn
-trust in the system
-avoid negative gossip
-ask questions
-“yes sir, no sir”
3) Opponents
-play with class—even if they’re not
-shake their hand afterward
-be a good winner and a good loser
-“help him up”
-give & earn respect
-no excuses
4) Fans
-encourage and thank
-be respectful of contribution
-do not taunt others’ fans
5) Referees
-respectfully communicate
-give them the ball
-do not foul or APPEAR to foul
-don’t be “palms up guy” or “make a face guy”
-expect their mistakes
-raise your hand when you foul
-no excuses
-“yes sir, no sir”
6) Media
-give credit to teammates
-acknowledge opponent’s effort
-when in doubt say: “I’m not sure”
-don’t be a “me monster”
-“yes sir, no sir”
Golden Rule: “Treat others the way you want to be treated!”
Our Philosophy
Play HARD + Play RIGHT = Play WELL
1) Offense
-Transition—attack every chance we can
-Motion Offense
-Player movement, ball movement
-Pass and screen
-Insideout
-Work for a GREAT shot (Paint Shots, Free Throws, Clean 3’s)
-Run “sets” only as needed
2) Defense
-Man Defense
-Contain penetration
-Great help-side
-No layups
-Charges emphasized
-“Gambling” discouraged
-Contest ALL shots
-Utilize “zone” only as needed
3) Zone Offense
-Inside, Out
-Ball fakes (use eyes)
-Crash weak-side rebounds
-Work weak spots of zone (gaps, corners, high post)
-Be ready to shoot
4) Pressing
-Defensively, we do not give up layups; therefore, we only press as needed
-May press more depending on our team, our opponent, and/or the situation
-We want to make the offense work for every shot
5) Substitutions
-First priority: we want to win as many games as possible
-Second priority: we want everyone to play as much as possible
-Players earn playing time; coaches only evaluate
-Respectfully communicate at all times
Athletic Diet
Good things to eat/drink:
Before a game/practice: (2-3 hours before activity)
-Eat: carbohydrates (breads, cereals, pasts, grains, fruits, vegetables,
yogurt)
-Drink: waters, sports drinks
After a game/practice:
-Proteins (meats, eggs, peanut butter, nuts)
-Drink: chocolate milk, milk, water, whey protein mixes
Avoid:
Before a game/practice: (1-3 hours before activity)
-Eating proteins and fats (meats, burgers, etc.), which take a
long time to digest and can driain your energy.
-Drinking soda, shakes, malts, etc.
Rarely or never:
Eat: Excessive amounts of junk food (candy, cakes, etc.)
Drink: SODA or ENERGY DRINKS (hopefully hardly ever)
NEVER consume tobacco, alcohol, and drugs (obviously!)
Always:
Eat Breakfast
Stay hydrated (drink water, avoid soda!)
Get plenty of sleep!
“Bringing Our Best”
In order to be successful this season, we must “bring our best” as coaches every day. Bringing our best
does not guarantee we will always win, but it does guarantee that we will be as successful as we can be.
“Do not worry about how good or bad someone else is, but never cease trying to be the best you can be. You
have control over that—not the other.”—John Wooden
We can NOT control the actions of others. We can ONLY control “Bringing Our Best” every day.
1) We “Bring Our Best” to the Team by:
-showing up early
-having a positive, team-first attitude
-being aggressive to learn
-taking all practices and opponents seriously
-working at improving our skills and habits
- communicating respectfully & honestly at all
times
-helping you up
-giving and earning respect at all times
-coaching with class
-giving 100% effort at all times
-being unselfish
-trusting our team
-enjoying the game
2) We “Bring Our Best” to the Classroom by:
-showing up early
-having a positive attitude
-being aggressive to learn
-taking all instruction, lessons, and tests seriously
-working at improving our skills and habits
-asking questions
-communicating respectfully & honestly at all times
-coming in before or after school when necessary
-giving and earning respect at all times
-giving 100% effort at all times
-being unselfish
-enjoying school—it does not last forever!
3) We “Bring Our Best” to our Community by:
-being positive role models
-following through on our commitments
-having positive attitudes
-asking questions
-helping and being a “light” for others
-picking up trash
-communicating respectfully & honestly at all times
-taking a day of rest
-giving and earning respect at all times
-giving 100% effort when committing to a project
-being unselfish by giving back to our community
-enjoying people
4) We “Bring Our Best” to Ourselves by:
-going to bed and waking up on time
-being involved w/positive activities
-getting to know as many people as we can
-being quick to smile and slow to frown
-avoiding profane language
-being a friend to those who need it
-being more than polite
-only putting good things in our bodies
-loving and treating our families right
-enjoying life
ALL of your coaches are committed to “Bringing Our Best” as parts of this team:
Signatures:
“Bring Your Best”
In order to be successful this season, we must “bring our best” every day. Bringing our best does not
guarantee we will always win, but it does guarantee that we will be as successful as we can be.
“Do not worry about how good or bad someone else is, but never cease trying to be the best you can be. You
have control over that—not the other.”—John Wooden
We can NOT control the actions of others. We can ONLY control “Bringing Our Best” every day.
1) “Bring Your Best” to the Team:
-show up early
-have a positive, team-first attitude
-be aggressive to learn
-take all drills, practices, and opponents seriously
-work at constantly improving your skills and
habits
-communicate respectfully and honestly at all times
-“help him up”
-give and earn respect at all times
-play with class
-give 100% effort at all times
-be unselfish, cheer for your teammates
-trust your team
-enjoy the game
2) “Bring Your Best” to the Classroom:
-show up early
-have a positive attitude
-be aggressive to learn
-sit in the front
-work at constantly improving your skills and
habits
-communicate respectfully and honestly at all times
-ask questions
- take all lessons, assignments, and tests seriously
-come in before or after school when necessary
-give and earn respect at all times
-give 100% effort at all times
-be unselfish
-enjoy school—it does not last forever!
3) “Bring Your Best” to your Community:
-be a positive role model
-follow through on your commitments
-have a positive attitude
-ask questions
-helping and being a “light” for others
-pick up trash
-communicate respectfully and honestly at all times
-take a day of rest
-give and earn respect at all times
-give 100% effort when committing to a project
-be unselfish—give back to your community
-enjoy people
4) “Bring Your Best” to Yourself:
-go to bed and wake up on time
-be involved with as many positive things as you can
-get to know as many people as you can
-be quick to smile and slow to frown
-avoid profane language
-be a friend to those who need it
-be more than polite
-only put good things in your body
-love and treat your family right
-enjoy life
Sign if you are committed to “Bringing Your Best” as a part of this team and agree to our program standards:
Print Name X_________________________________
Signature X__________________________________