2015-2016 COACHES GUIDELINES
SOUTH LYON TRAVEL BASKETBALL
GOALS
1. Create an environment (practice & games) that is conducive to positive character development, team unity and FUN.
2. Teach the fundamentals.
3. Teach how to win and lose graciously.
PLAYER GUIDELINES
Be aware of all the player guidelines. Rather than printing all of the player guidelines again, please refer to that document
for details.
MULTIPLE TRAVEL TEAMS PER GRADE
1. At the 5th thru 8th grade levels we are going to an “A” and “B” team arrangement for teams in the SLHS geographic
area, and one team for the SLEHS geographic area. The “A” and “B” philosophy is to challenge the better players
(“A” team) and allow those who haven’t developed yet more opportunity to play and rise up as leaders (“B” team).
2. Each team will have a minimum of 10 players, if possible.
3. Try-outs will be held each year and players may be switched from “A” to “B” year to year. The kids need to know this.
PLAYING TIME POLICY
1. Each player must play a minimum of 1/3 of the game and play in each half for ALL league games.
2. Each player must play a minimum of 1/4 of the game for ALL tournament games.
3. Minimum playing times can be lowered or even taken away for disciplinary purposes at coach’s discretion.
*Coaches will be held responsible and accountable for ensuring this policy is carried out.
SELECTION OF OUTSIDE TOURNAMENT
Tournament must be within 1 hour driving time of the South Lyon Middle Schools, unless there is prior 100% approval
from the parents/guardian of every player before registration. Tournaments further than 1 hour should be rare.
FINANCIAL POLICIES
1. Registration Fee Collection is the duty of the head coach and that should be done long
before your first game. We have a few rules to help expedite this:
a. Uniforms do not get handed out until the full balance is paid.
b. Players will not be allowed to participate in any games until the full balance is
paid.
c. NOTE – If there is a legitimate financial need for a family please communicate
privately with a board member.
2. Only bona fide South Lyon Travel Basketball functions can use SLTB funds. The following constitute bona fide SLTB
functions: BCB League, Rumble in the Jungle Tournament, 1 outside tournament, uniforms, gym rental fees, and
coach’s polo shirts.
a. The following DO NOT constitute bona fide SLTB functions: Spring Leagues, Tournaments from May through
November; HS travel teams (9th–12th), summer camps, etc.
3. Regarding outside tournaments, each team gets ONE. We ask that coaches choose a tournament and go together
for logistics/finances/organizing. The treasurer should be informed as early as possible giving him ample time to cut
one check paying for all SLTB teams (rather than URGENT short notices with multiple checks for separate teams
going to the same place). The emphasis is PLAN and COMMUNICATE early. Early planning also ensures we don’t
miss out on reserving a spot.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
For any scheduling needs we will go through our designated Facilities Liaison – Aaron Etnyre. He is the only person that
has authority to deal with the schools regarding practice time and facilities. No other coaches are permitted to schedule
SLTB practices.
TRYOUTS AND TEAM SELECTION
4th grade tryouts (2 days):
 Selection committee will consist of the 4th grade coaches, a representative from SL East 7th/8th, SL Old 7th/8th
plus at least one board member.
 If there are enough players from each district, SLE and SLHS, then two distinct teams, one made up of East
players and one made up of SLHS players should be formed. There could be exceptions depending on player’s
abilities.
 A 3rd or 4th team can be formed if there are enough players that can compete at the travel level. These team(s)
could be a mix of players going to East HS or SLHS.
 The teams will be set after the 2nd day of tryouts once the selection committee reaches agreement on the teams.
5th and 6th grade tryouts (2 days):
 Selection committee for 5th grade will consist of the 5th grade coach and at least one 7th grade coach
 Selection committee for 6th grade will consist of the 6th grade coach and at least one 8th grade coach.
 The 2nd day of tryouts will be for selecting the tough bubble players.
 After the first two days of tryouts the selection committee will break the teams down into an “A” & “B” team.
7th and 8th grade tryouts (2 days):
 Selection committee for 7th grade will consist of the 7th grade coach and at least one 5th grade coach and at
least one board member
 Selection committee for 8th grade will consist of the 8th grade coach and at least one 6th grade coach and at
least one board member
 After the first day of tryouts the selection committee will break the teams down into an “A” & “B” team. The 2nd
day of tryouts will be for selecting the tough bubble players.
 The teams will be set after the 2nd day of tryouts once the selection committee reaches agreement on the teams.
Notes for all tryouts:
 Varsity Program Coach and SLTB Board Members will have final approval on all teams.
 After the teams are set there will be NO SWITCHING without the approval of the SLTB Board.

The tendency is for coaches to pick almost all guards, cutting many of the bigger, clumsier kids, because at this
age level the shorter ones tend to be better athletes and more skilled. I have seen several BIG & CLUMSY kids
slip through the cracks because of coaches not taking into consideration their belated development and maturity.
RUNNING THE VARSITY COACHES SYSTEM
Varsity coaches have specific things they want their teams running. As a coach in
either the SLHS or SLEHS geographic area, you must run the offensive and defensive
systems of that coach. If there is disagreement in coaching system philosophy, it is
NEVER to be discussed with players. Each coach will conduct their own mandatory
TEAM clinics to teach all of the progressions and systems. These dates and times will
be determined by the two Varsity coaches before your practices begin.
COACHING POLICIES
1.
2.
3.
4.
Coaches work on a volunteer basis and follow all school policies and rules during practices and games.
Coaches will be selected on an invitation basis at the beginning of each season.
Term of service will be for one year (concluding with the last tournament in the spring).
Each head coach should identify an assistant after try-outs that can run practice if the head coach can’t make it. The
assistant coach should also ensure proper subbing takes place during games since many head coaches get
mesmerized by the game.
5. All coaches will work within the mentoring process as laid out by the SLTB board each year. This is a new process
which will evolve over time.
6. Coaches must be in complete compliance with the South Lyon Travel Basketball program goals and policies outlined
in this document. As confirmation of their acceptance to coach, signing the agreement form at the end of the
document is mandatory. This must also be signed by all assistant coaches.
7. All coaches must complete the Heads up on Concussion Training. Please see the following link.
http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html. Send training certificate to Mike Job
sparty202@yahoo.com to show completion of the training. Assistant coaches must complete this training as well.
8. Both practice scheduling as well as tournament scheduling is the responsibility of the coach. Of course all practice
scheduling must go through our scheduler (Aaron Etnyre).
9. For major breach of policy, coaches may be terminated at any time by the South Lyon Travel Board.
10. Every year each coach will have a background check completed. The results of this check will only be viewed by the
Varsity HS Coaches & South Lyon Travel Basketball President.
11. Coaches will forward and encourage all parents to complete the year-end League/Travel Program Survey.
12. Coaches will enter their roster and parent e-mails onto the BCB website prior to the start of the season.
13. The Shoot-a-thon is SLTB’s only fundraiser for the year. Coaches are responsible to coordinate this fundraiser with
their teams which includes… organizing and promoting for their team, collection of donations from their players, and
participation during the shoot-a-thon. Coaches are to turn in their total team fundraiser to the shoot-a-thon
coordinator
SportsLeader
As our mission is “To prepare SL Boys is to prepare boys for high school basketball and life's challenges. We strive to
create a passion for the game, emphasize player development through teamwork and connect the lessons learned from
life to basketball.” Each coach will be provided a SportsLeader Coaches Manual and Virtue of the Week to facilitate
connecting basketball with life’s challenges. As a coach in SLTB, you are committing to connecting basketball with life’s
challenges and most importantly modeling this character in coaching the team and modeling character conduct during
games and practices.
SOUTH LYON TRAVEL BASKETBALL COACHES AGREEMENT
I, _____________________________________ (PRINT NAME), agree to all of the goals and policies outlined above and
will do my very best to abide by them all. I do understand the emphasis of the program is SKILL DEVELOPMENT first and
winning second. I will conduct practices and games according to the goals and policies outlined in the South Lyon Travel
Basketball Coaches Guidelines.
PRINT NAME: ___________________________________________
SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________
DATE: _____________________________