Upward Basketball
Returning Coach Training
Conference
What we will cover at this training
• The Upward Vision
• What’s New this year !!!!
• Rules Unique to Upward
• Q&A – Practice and Game Day
• “Be a Legacy”
The Upward Vision
What’s New This Year !!!!
• Practice Devotions:
 Teach Character of Christ through 3 virtues he modeled.
 1 memory verse studied over 3 weeks.
 Practice Cards distributed at practices 1, 2, 5, 8 and last one.
 Share the Gospel at the last practice vs Practice #7.
Practice Number
Virtue
Verse
Practice 1
None (“Get to
Know You” time)
None (practice card features TeamUpward.com
launch information)
Practices 2-4
Courage
Be strong and brave. Do not be terrified. Do not
lose hope. I am the Lord your God. I will be with you
everywhere you go. Joshua 1:9(NIrV)
Practices 5-7
Respect
Show proper respect to everyone. 1 Peter 2:17a
(NIrV)
Practices 8-10
Faith
We live by believing, not by seeing. 2 Corinthians
5:7 (NIrV)
Last Practice of
the Season
Gospel
Presentation
For God so loved the world that he sent his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)
Practice Cards
Each player will receive a practice card at the
end of Practices 1, 2, 5, 8 and the last
practice.
With the exception of the first practice card, each
one will contain the Scripture verse being
learned for the next two practices as well as an
unlock code for TeamUpward.com.
The first practice card details does not include a
verse, but gives information on how to get
registered on TeamUpward.com by including a
sport-specific launch code.
What’s New This Year !!!!
• Gospel Tool:
 The Big Story DVD replaces the Gospel tool
 Handed out at the season celebration.
 Designed to bring families together to hear the gospel.
What’s New This Year !!!!
• MyUpward.org
 New as of 3/24/11.
 Detailed and Organized.
Online Coach Resource
(MyUpward.org)
The coach resources of MyUpward.org contain everything you need to be a
successful Upward Basketball Coach, including:
• Skills and Drills
• Weekly practice devotions
• Rules unique to Upward Basketball
• Substitutions
• Upward Basketball Stars – Game day recognition
What’s New This Year !!!!
• TeamUpward.com Launch Card
 Launch card handed out by coach at first practice.
 Launch code to get onto site.
 Subsequent cards handed out at practices 2, 5, 8 and last
practice.
What’s New This Year !!!!
• New Coach Training Guide
 YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR HANDS NOW!!
 Use as a reference throughout the season.
What’s New This Year !!!!
• Improved Coach Playbooks
 Located in your Coach Box inside the Team Box.
 Only contains info needed for practices and games.
What’s New This Year !!!!
• Scripture Learning Music
 Now online at TeamUpward.com.
 Replaces the Scripture Learning CD.
 Everyone has access to this now!!!
What’s New This Year !!!!
• Coach & Referee Videos Online:
 Now online at MyUpward.org.
 Replaces the DVD in the coach playbook.
What’s New This Year !!!!
• What are our colors?
 Our colors this year are………..
What’s New This Year !!!!
• Blue and Orange (Boise State Colors)
Rules Unique to Upward Basketball
The game format, rules for game play and substitution system which are
unique to Upward Basketball are designed to provide the best sports
experience for every child.
Except where the rules to Upward Basketball apply, play is governed by
the National Federation of State High School Associations’ (NFHS) Rules
Book (www. nfhs.org).
Rules for Game Play
1.
Man-to-man defense will be played at all times. Zone defenses are
not allowed. In most cases, players are guarding the opponent that
closely matches ability and height, creating a more competitive system
for all on the court.
2.
Defensive players must stay within arm’s reach of the player they’re
guarding. (Isolation plays are not part of Upward Basketball because
they take away the opportunity for all players to improve. This would
contradict the spirit of the rules.)
Rules for Game Play
3.
Double teaming is not allowed. However, help defense is strongly
encouraged in the following instances:

Offensive Picks and Screens – Defensive switching is allowed on
offensive picks and screens. The non-screened defender can help his
or her teammate by temporarily switching until the teammate
recovers to defend his or her offensive player. This is commonly
referred to as “help and recover”.

Fast Breaks – During any fast break (when the team that gains
possession pushes quickly into the opponent’s end of the court),
another defensive player not assigned to the ball handler may help
in order to slow or stop the fast break. Upon stopping the fast
break, defenders should return to guarding their assigned players.

Lane Area – If a defender is in the lane and the player he or she is
guarding is within arm’s reach, the defender is allowed to provide
help defense.
Rules for Game Play
4.
At the beginning of each six-minute segment, both coaches should line
up the players at mid-court and match them up by ability without giving
verbal cues. This act is performed to promote equal player match-ups. If
both coaches and referees foresee a match-up problem due to position
and height, players can be shuffled around to create a better game
situation.
5.
Full-court presses are not allowed. Defensive players may not guard
their opponents in the backcourt. This creates an equal opportunity for
each child to participate both on offense and defense.
6.
Due to the shortness of the court in cross court play, backcourt violation
will not be called. However, backcourt violation will be called when
playing on a regulation-size court (84 feet). The offense must
purposefully attack the defense in every situation – no stalling. After a
warning from the referee, a violation will be called resulting in a
turnover.
Rules for Game Play
7.
The offense must purposefully attack the defense in every situation – no
stalling. After a warning from the referee, a violation will be called
resulting in a turnover.
8.
Referees will call and explain all violations. This is done because referees
serve as “on the floor coaches” teaching players what is and is not
acceptable on the court. The detail of explanations will vary according to
the age group and understanding of the players and should decrease as
the season progresses.
9.
When possible, referees will advise players of potential violations before
the violation occurs. Doing this often prevents a violation from occurring.
Rules for Game Play
10.
The three second restriction (lane violation) only called for full court
games. However, coaches and referees should encourage offensive
movement in and out of the lane area.
11.
No technical fouls or protest of games. These go against the spirit of
Upward Basketball. Coaches and referees should instead follow the
example in the Circle of Affirmation.
12.
No score will be given for a basket in the wrong goal. It will be treated as a
turnover. This will prevent further embarrassing a player for making this
mistake.
Rules for Game Play
13.
Non-shooting fouls result in the ball being taken out on the side by the
offended team (no bonus rule). All shooting fouls result in free throws. By
not administering “bonus” situation free throws, this allows all players on
the court to contribute to consistent game action.
14.
The game clock runs continuously.
Q&A
Practices and Game Day
QUIZ !!!!!!
1. Devotions should be shared at the beginning of practice?
Ans: False
2. A player who misses practice can still play in the game on Saturday?
Ans: True
3. A Coach should stay at practice until all players are picked up?
Ans: True
4. Because devotions are shared with children, there is no need to
prepare ahead of time?
Ans: False
5. Scripture learning is a team effort?
Ans: True
6. The best players start every game and then substitute in the players
with the most room for improvement?
Ans: False
7. Every player should receive every color star by the end of the
season?
Ans: True
8. After the game, parents should join the players when the game day
stars are awarded?
Ans: True
9. Negative reinforcement is appropriate if the coach is trying to
motivate a player to play at a higher level?
Ans: False
10. Substitutions during the last segment of the game can be changed
if it gives your team an opportunity to win the game?
Ans: False
11. If a player does not try hard during a segment, it is appropriate to
sit that player out of the next segment even if the player is scheduled
to be in the game?
Ans: False
Be A Legacy
Upward Basketball
Coach Training Conference