Parent & Player Handbook

For players

Attendance

• Teams spend two to three times as long practicing as they do playing in games, so practice matters. We expect players at 80% or more of practices and scrimmages.
• Excused absences are illness, a family emergency or a school function, as long as you let your coach or team parent know at least 2 to 3 hours ahead.
• Repeated unexcused absences will affect playing time once games start.

At practice

• Arrive at least 10 minutes early to change shoes, warm up and start on time.
• Give your best effort for the whole practice.
• No talking while a coach or teammate is speaking to the team. When the whistle blows, stop and listen.
• Goofing off isn't fair to teammates. If it continues, your coach may give a consequence such as running or sitting out.

What to bring

• A water bottle (at least 1 liter), your practice jersey and a basketball.
• A mouth guard and knee pads are optional.

Games and tournaments

• Arrive ready. Be dressed, shoes on, by the time your coach sets, usually 30 to 60 minutes before the game.
• Bring everything. Home and away uniforms, team backpack, basketball and water bottle. Even when the team wears home colors, bring the away uniform in case of a color conflict. Players without a complete, undamaged uniform may not be allowed to play.
• Tell us your availability. Let your team parent know as early as possible whether your player can attend each tournament or game. We expect players at games, but we understand scheduling conflicts happen.
• Learn the plays. Players need to know and run the plays they're taught. Keeping a notebook of plays to study at home helps.

Playing time

Playing time depends on:

• Practice attendance
• Effort and attitude at practices and games
• Learning and running team plays
• The coach's evaluation
• Availability

Roster roles and playing time are decided by the coaching staff.

Uniforms

Team members receive a tournament uniform kit:

• Home jersey and shorts
• Away jersey and shorts
• A light and a dark undershirt
• A pair of socks
• A team backpack

The kit is built to last two seasons, so you won't need a new one every year.

Taking care of it

• Keep your uniform clean and in good shape. Dirty, stained or ripped uniforms aren't acceptable for games.
• If a piece needs replacing, talk with your coach. Replacement pieces cost extra.

Sportsmanship and school

• Respect your opponents. They came to win, just like you did.
• A technical foul for misconduct or any involvement in a fight can mean removal from the roster for the rest of the season. Self-control is part of being a Jaguar.
• School comes first. Players share their report cards with their head coach. We develop the whole athlete, including players who want to keep playing in high school and college.

For parents

• Watch anytime. Parents are welcome at practice. Please don't coach or talk with your player from the sideline while practice is going on.
• Let the coaches coach. Unless the club has named you a coach, you're a spectator. Let the referees ref, let the coaches coach, and cheer for the team. If sideline coaching or outbursts become a problem, parents may be asked to step out of the gym.
• Follow the 48-hour rule. Wait 48 hours after a game or tournament before contacting your player's coach about it. It gives everyone time to step back from the emotions of the game.
• Raise concerns at the right time. Please don't approach a coach before, during or right after practice. Ask for a time to talk privately, away from players and other parents.
• The court is for registered players. Only registered players may be on the court during practice. Siblings who practice with the team must be registered with the club first. Friends and unregistered siblings stay off the court.

Overnight tournaments

Some tournaments are far enough away to need an overnight stay. Details for each trip are shared well ahead of time.

• The club may arrange group lodging, such as a hotel room block or a rental house, so players stay together with coaches and chaperone parents. Time together off the court builds the bond that shows up on it.
• Lodging costs are split among the participating players. Coaches' lodging is covered by the club. The head coach may make exceptions.
• Parents who want to stay nearby book their own rooms. Your team parent can share any tournament hotel discounts.
• At tournaments, encourage your player to stay, eat and sit with the team. When two Jaguars teams are at the same event, the team that isn't playing cheers on the one that is.

Team communication

• Each team uses a group app for schedules, locations and other logistics. Your coach or team parent will add you after you join.
• Keep group messages to team-wide information.
• For anything about your own player, like running late, missing practice or a concern, message the coach or team parent directly.

Team parents

Each team has a volunteer team parent, so the coach can focus on coaching. Team parents:

• Keep the team roster and contact list
• Send schedules, location changes and reminders
• Share tournament details the coach has selected
• Organize snacks, team events and end-of-season coach gifts
• Share fundraiser information and deadlines

Team parents have no say in rosters, lineups or playing time.

Dues and payments

Our coaches volunteer, so dues go to running the club, not salaries. Dues cover:

• Club registration, paid once a year: insurance, admin fees, travel costs, team supplies and gear.
• Court fee, charged each quarter for gym time.
• Uniform, for team members only. The kit lasts two seasons.
• Tournament entry, for team members only, for about 10 tournaments a year. Due before tournaments start, not when you join.

Siblings who practice with the team pay the club registration and court fee only. Optional individual training is separate and arranged with the coach.

We go over the current fee schedule with every family before you pay anything. Winter skills training is a separate $50 season fee. Payment is handled directly with the club, not through this website.

Questions?

Email info@pgjaguarsbasketball.org or call (703) 646-0626.