Philosophy

To provide a maximum number of high school athletes an opportunity to grow as young adults, within the structure and framework of an organized, disciplined, and fundamental basketball program.

Within this structure it is anticipated that the student-athlete will feel a sense of accomplishment, pride in his school, and an understanding of team sports with the unselfishness which is mandatory for a championship team.

The burden of responsibility to enforce these ideals belongs to all basketball coaches employed by Highland Park High School.  It should be their aim to have a program that is not rigid, but rather flexible, so that the program remains progressive as well as productive with all levels of participation moving toward similar goals.

The Program

We want an offense to attack and score easily, combined with a relentless defense manned with quick and strong athletes.  To achieve this we need two things…

For our program to be successful we look for certain characteristics in the type of student-athlete we want to be involved with.  He must be a good teammate and possess a great desire to improve as a basketball player.  We also want a student-athlete who can understand our view of his strengths and weaknesses.  An intelligent player is one who can accent his strengths and try to improve upon his weaknesses.

We feel our program is built upon simplicity and execution.  We have a specific way of doing things and insist that they be done that way.  We try to be flexible based on the personalities and talents of our athletes, but also expect that our players attempt to fit into our system.

Finally, our program believes in repetition.  We do what we do because we feel that this is the best way to proceed, to make things progress.  If it is necessary to do the same thing time after time from November to March, then that is exactly what we will do.  We believe repetitive drill is the key in teaching basketball skills.

The one word program has many meanings.  When we discuss our program, we mean our overall plan, our undertaking of a specific set of goals.  Our program is not a seasonal thing or a yearly thing, but a continuing process of striving for improvement, with perfection as our ultimate goal.

HIGHLAND PARK BASKETBALL

EXPECTATIONS AND TEAM POLICIES

Listed below are some of the situational expectations and team policies for the Highland Park Basketball Team and players.  Because it is impossible to anticipate every possible situation, each player, parent, coach, and manager should understand that the general goal and expectation for each person associated with the program is that we continuously demonstrate class and respect for others while serving as role models and leaders in the community.  When in doubt as to how to handle a certain situation, remember simply that we will treat others as we would wish to be treated, and will hold ourselves out as sources of pride for our families, friends, and the community at large.

General Appearance

Both your individual appearance and the appearance of our team as a unit are very important to the image of the program.  The image we all create reflects not only on the integrity of our program, but the community we represent.  This will not be compromised.

Jewelry

• Earrings, chains and other forms of jewelry should not be worn during practice, travel, games, and any other time when you are representing the program.

Tattoos and Body Piercings

• Without regard to the content, message, or quality of any such work, tattoos and body piercings should not be visible during games.

 Dress On The Day Of A Game

• Each coach will discuss appropriate dress with his team.  The appropriate dress may vary depending on the situation.  On occasion, we will wear shirts and ties.  Jeans or gym shoes are not appropriate travel attire.  Please feel comfortable speaking to any coach in the program if you are having trouble finding a tie, or a shirt or slacks that fit.

Practice Attire

• Practice uniforms will be addressed in another section.

Attendance Policy

            You are required to attend each and every scheduled practice, meeting, study table, or other team event.  Situations, emergencies, and illnesses which justifiably necessitate absences do, of course, occur on occasion.  On such occasions, it is vital that you communicate with your coach so that the absence is excused.  Events necessitating an excused absence include: (1) sickness (having an excused absence from school); (2) family emergencies (cleared with your coach); (3) taking make-up exams or getting extra help from a teacher (cleared with your coach); and (4) any other unusual circumstance which requires your absence.  Remember, the only reason to miss a practice session or game is because of an excused absence, and it is your responsibility to create the communication that will result in any necessary absence being knowingly excused.

            If you attend school, you are expected to be at practice that afternoon unless you have cleared your absence with your coach in advance.  If you are not attending school due to an illness or if you leave school during the day with an illness, please call and leave a message for your coach.  This phone call should be made by you and not by a parent.  Remember, it is your responsibility to communicate with your coach.

            An injury is not a good reason to miss practice.  If you are injured, you are still required to attend all practice sessions.  An injured player who cannot participate in a practice or a game is still a valuable, contributing member of the program.  He will not be forgotten or discarded by the program and he should provide the program the same respect.  Additionally, players who do not physically practice, can and will learn by simply attending practices or games.

            Finally, you are required to be on time to all team functions.  Being late sends a message that your time is more important than the time of others.  Remember, "If you're early, you're on time; if you're on time, you're late; and if you're late, you're forgotten."

Practice Expectations

1.         Each player is required to purchase a practice uniform.

2.         You must wear your practice uniform to all practices and you must keep it clean by washing it at least once a week.

3.         No jewelry may be worn at practice.  Not only is it against the rules, it may also cause an injury to you or a teammate.

4.         Show respect to your teammates and your coaches at all times.

5.         Never leave the gym without permission from a coach.

Training Room Regulations

            We have one of the finest training staffs of any high school program in Illinois.  It is to our advantage to use their professional skills properly.

1. Whenever a player is injured he must report it first to his coach and then to the trainer.

2. We will never ask you to play injured, but remember that playing with some slight pain is part of being an athlete.  Nobody knows your body better than you.  Your judgment and that knowledge will be the primary tool in assessing your ability to play or practice.  The training staff will also play an important role in that assessment so that you do not try to play through significant injuries.

3. Do not enter the training room before or after practice unless you have a specific need to be there such as receiving treatment or addressing a concern with the trainer.

Locker Room Conduct

            Because we share our locker room, we must take responsibility for the areas we use.  We will always leave any locker room, whether home or away, in better shape than we found it.

1. Show respect to all athletes using the locker room.

2. Be sure your locker is locked at all times.  Do not give your combination to anyone else, nor should you be sharing a locker with anybody else.

3. Do not leave large amounts of money or expensive jewelry in your locker (even if it is locked), especially overnight.  Give any valuables to your coach at the beginning of practice.

4. Check that your locker is secure both before you leave to go to practice, and once again before you leave for the night.

5. Stealing from another locker is grounds for being removed from the team for the remainder of the season.

Team Travel and Pre-Game Conduct

1. You should arrive at HPHS at least 15 minutes before your bus is scheduled to leave.  Remember, Highland Park Basketball Time runs 15 minutes ahead of Central Standard Time.
2. Leave the bus in better condition than you found it.  It is not the bus driver's responsibility to clean up after our team.
3. Music with headphones is allowed on the bus.  The volume must be turned down to a level that is not distracting to others.  Before exiting the bus, all Discmen/Ipods and headphones should be put away.  Discmen/Ipods and headphones can be used in the locker room while you are getting dressed for the game, but may not be worn in the bleachers or on your way to or from the bus.
4. All hats must be removed upon entering a visiting school.
5. All teammates must sit together in the bleachers.  Try to avoid distractions.
6. After the game, win or lose, we leave the locker room in better shape than we found it.  Do not touch any bulletin boards or anything else that does not belong to you.
7. We will always travel as a team and return home as a team!  No player may leave with their parents unless the player discusses the circumstances surrounding this special privilege with and obtains permission from their coach at least one full day in advance of the game.  Once again, this privilege is only for special circumstances.

Game Conduct and Bench Decorum

1. Pre-game warm-ups are very important.  Concentrate on your assignments and game plan.  Avoid any outside distractions.
2. Always hustle on and off the floor; never walk to the bench.
3. When you are substituted for, you should run off the floor and sit next to the first assistant coach before you do anything else.
4. No players, except for our floor captain, is to confer with officials.  And, the captain is only to do so when so instructed by his coach.  Never show displeasure with an official's call or disrespect to an official.
5. Acknowledge any assist you receive by pointing to the teammate who delivered the pass.
6. Anytime a teammate ends up on the floor, four teammates should sprint and help him up after the whistle.
7. We huddle on every first free throw attempt.  Do this quickly.  We huddle at the free throw line when we are shooting and in the lane when the opponent is shooting.
8. Whenever someone comes out of the game, the entire bench will get up and applaud that individual's effort.

                  During the course of the game, be attentive at all times.  If you are not playing in the game, you should contribute from the bench.  Sit up in your chair.  Do not lean back and give the impression that you do not care what is occurring.  During a timeout you should stand on the perimeter of the huddle.  Pay attention to what is going on in the huddle and avoid talking to a teammate or looking into the crowd.  At no time will you be allowed to become a distraction.

Overall Player Attitude And Conduct

            Participating in the basketball program is a privilege, not a right.  As a member of the Highland Park Basketball Program, you should understand you will be held accountable for all of your actions.  As a Highland Park Basketball Player, all of your conduct, whether positive or negative, is a reflection not only on yourself and your family, but also on your teammates and the program.  Everyone should recognize that this is both an awesome burden and a wonderful opportunity.  You should expect that any positive decision you make will be recognized and praised by the coaching staff.  Conversely, you should expect that any decision you make that is detrimental to yourself, our school, or to our program, will also be dealt with by our coaching staff.  The list of disciplinary offenses is provided on the website.  Offenses not covered on the website will be handled as stated above, or if not stated, then through the discretion and judgment of the coaching staff.

            In sum, the coaching staff will, at all times, endeavor to foster and advance the program by being fair with you and treating you with the respect and dignity you deserve.  The coaching staff and the program will expect nothing less than the same from you.

10 Giant Thoughts

 Be Early for Everything

Participate in Class

 Listen

 Study

 Say Please & Thank You

 Make Eye Contact When Conversing

 Be a Role Model

 Compete (court & classroom)

Stay Positive

Never Give Up

PARENT/COACH COMMUNICATION PLAN

            Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations.  By understanding each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to children.  As parents, when your child becomes involved in our program, you have the right to understand what expectations are placed on him.  This begins with clear communication from the coach.

Communication You Should Expect From The Coach

1.         The coach's philosophy.

2.         The coach's expectations for members of the team.

3.         Locations and times of practices and games.

4.         Team requirements.

5.         Discipline that may affect your child's participation.

6.         Follow-up if your child gets injured during participation.

Communication The Coaches Should Expect From Parents

1.         That any concerns should be expressed directly to the coach.

2.         Advance notification of any scheduling conflicts.

3.         Specific concerns with regard to expectations.

            As your child becomes involved in the Highland Park Program, he will experience some of the most rewarding moments of his life.  It is important to understand that there may also be times when things do not go the way you or your child wish.  At these times, discussion with the coach is appropriate and welcomed.

Appropriate Concerns To Discuss With The Coach

1.         Concerns about your child's schoolwork.

2.         Concerns about your child's behavior.

3.         Ways to help your child improve.

4.         The treatment of your child physically or mentally, including any concern about unfairness, discrimination, or questionable activities within the program.

Procedure To Follow If You Have A Concern To Discuss With The Coach

1.         Call the coach to set up an appointment.

2.         Please do not attempt to confront or discuss a topic with the coach before or after a game or practice.  These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach.  Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution.

3.         Absent highly unusual circumstances, please do not ask the coach to maintain secrecy from the player about a phone call or meeting.  Communication is best when it is open and honest.  Absent unusual circumstances, within the program the parent should not have any expectation of privacy regarding any conversation with a coach or an assistant coach.  Hopefully, your son is well aware of any discussion or communication you are having with the coach and wants your involvement.

            It is very difficult to accept your child not playing as much as you may hope.  Coaches are, however, making such judgment calls based on what they believe to be best for the entire team.  As you have seen from the list above, certain things can and should be discussed with your child's coach.  Other things, such as those listed below, must, however, be left to the discretion of the coach.

The Following Issues Are Not Appropriate To Discuss With The Coaches At Any Time

1.         Playing time.

2.         Team strategy.

3.         Other student-athletes.

LOYALTY

This is perhaps the most important page.

From the first day of practice, we must develop that mental attitude and team spirit that all successful teams must have.  Pride and desire to excel as a basketball player and as a student are a must for us to be a winning team.  Loyalty and the proper mental attitude will overcome many obstacles on the road to being a champion.

Many times you will have big problems and find life unpleasant.  But, if you are in good mental health, you can take these in stride.  Please feel free at any time to take these problems up with the coaches; we are here to help you in any and every way that we can.  All the work of the players and coaches may be nullified if we do not have the proper attitude.

No basketball player will ever be great unless he has learned the importance of loyalty.  It’s more than giving your all as far as physical effort goes.  It becomes a devotion to a cause.

To be a successful basketball team, we must be willing to give 100% every day to our basketball team.  The harder we work, the harder it is to surrender.  If we ever quit during practice, we will quit in the middle of a game.  We must be willing to work hard, wait for the opportunity and sacrifice for victory.  A 100% effort from everyone at ALL TIMES cannot help but bring success.

VICTORY IS SWEAT!