Highland Park 7 th Grade Boys Basketball

1. Highland Park 7th Grade Boys Basketball

2. Welcome • Congratulations to the players that have made the 2018-2019 7th Grade Boys Basketball Team. • Thank you for the opportunity to coach your sons. Our goal is to facilitate the growth of your student-athlete on and off the floor. Coaches: • Matt Gruber: Head Coach gruberm@hpisd.org • Collin Soltis: Assistant Coach soltisc@hpisd.org

3. TeamSnap • TeamSnap is the app that the Team Moms and myself will use to get any information out to the team and the parents. Practice time changes, game changes, reminders, etc. will all be sent through TeamSnap. • To signup you will need to send your email, parent name, player name, and phone number to hpscots2024@gmail.com • You will receive an email invitation that you will need to accept before it will add you to the group.

4. Team Selections • There are 3 teams: Gold, Red, and White. • Gold will have 9-11 players • Red will have 11-14 players • White will have about 15 players *Teams are a fluid situation • Remember at this age teams are not important, what is important is that your son is practicing every day and gaining valuable experience before he reaches the High School. My job is to prepare them for the 8th grade, and furthermore, the High School level. I will be working hand-in-hand with the high school coaches to make sure we are on the same page on what will be taught on the 7th grade level from terminology to the way we structure practice.

5. Expectations • Coaches: • We will treat them like young men- hold them accountable with the understanding that it is a process • Fully prepare them mentally and physically to play each game. • Be a positive example through words and actions • Challenge, encourage, and motivate but also correct and instruct your son. • Parents: • Be supportive of your son, the coaching staff, other players, team, and referees. • Encourage your son to talk to the coaches if there are ever any issues with their role on the team. We will not discuss issues of playing time, coaching decisionsor other players with parents. • Enjoy watching your son be a Highland Park Raider Basketball Player.

6. Expectations • Players: • Be on time to every practice ready to work both mentally and physically • Have a good attitude • Be coachable • Be a good teammate • Represent yourself and our team well on and off the court • Win and lose with class • Have fun!

7. Practice • Practices will be held before school everyday starting at 6:30 unless changed by the coaches. Locker room will open at 6:15 am for players to get in, get dressed, and get on the floor. • Players will be able to warm up and get shots up prior to the start time. • Students will be supplied practice jerseys and if students choose to wear an undershirt, it is expected to be team colors, or a plain grey, black, or white. • Basketball shoes must be worn at all practices and games. • Focus and attention is expected and required at all practices.

8. Gameday • Games are mostly on Mondaysas well as one Wednesdays and one Thursday Game. Tournaments are over the weekend. Players will wear slacks, collared shirt, tie, and dress shoes. • For home games, players are to be at the gym no later than 30 minutes prior to their teams game starting. This will give them time to stretch and warm-up while also supporting their Raider teammates. We encourage them to be there to support all 3 teams. • For road games, players will be able to sign up and pay for New York Subs. They will eat before loading on the bus. All teams will ride on one bus with both coaches.

9. Game Attire • Home games we will wear white jerseys and white shorts. • If you choose to wear an undershirt it must be white. *Not all officials crack down on this but we have run into some in the past that will make you take your undershirt off if it is not white* • Away games we will wear red, so the same rule from above applies, but with red. You SHOULD be able to wear white undershirts on the road as well since it is a neutral color, but again it depends on the ref. • ¾ compressions is the only accessory that I will allow to be worn. No arm band/sleeves, headbands, wristbands, etc. will be worn at practice or in games (unless for medical reasons).

10. Player Rules • Respect teammates, coaches, opponents, and officials. • Be positive and encouraging to teammates. • Pass all classes with a 70 or above (No Pass No Play) and be respectful to teachers. Any trouble in school could lead to discipline such as conditioning at practice, loss of starting spot, or reduced playing time. • On gameday, players will stay away “junk food.” • Eat healthy, stay hydrated before and after practice. • Players are responsible for making up conditioning for any practices missed (Excused or Unexcused). Please email me if your son will be missing practice.

11. Travel • This year we will be traveling to Prosper, McKinney, and Frisco. • Every player will be required to turn a travel release form if they wish to ride home with their parent/guardian. If it is not turned in, they will need to ride the bus back with the coaches to the school and be picked up from there. One form works for the entire season unless you are wanting them to be taken home by another parent. That will require a form saying who they will be riding with. • Players will respect the bus drivers and the buses, picking up after themselves is mandatory. • Tournaments: Players will meet at the location of their game.

12. Questions?