THE PURPOSE OF HBYB is to

	Provide a fun, positive, family oriented activity for players of all skill levels, as well as coaches, parents, and fans.
	Promote the values of character, courtesy, fair play, good sportsmanship, and hard work.
	Provide a positive environment in which each player's skills can grow.

SET AN EXAMPLE:

Coaches must be aware that the examples they set through their own behavior, on and off the court, have a tremendous influence, either good or bad, on each and every player, parent, and fan. Coaches should never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest possible ideals of character in their players. There are many ways in which the coaches set examples for everyone involved.

SHOW RESPECT AND COURTESY FOR OTHERS:

• Respect for players. Coaches should endeavor always to be courteous and positive to all players, especially their own. Coaches should at all times avoid negative or demeaning comments to or about any player.

• Respect for opponents. Coaches should exchange friendly greetings before and after each game. Coaches should encourage the traditional team handshakes after every game. Each coach should congratulate all the players on both teams, regardless of the game's outcome.

• Respect for officials. Remember that HBYB is a youth league, not the NBA, and that the officials will make mistakes. Nevertheless, officials shall have the respect and support of the coaches at all times. Coaches shall not indulge in conduct which is disrespectful or abusive of officials, or which incites players or spectators against officials. No coaches, players, parents or fans will abuse any referee during, before or after any basketball game. Coaches are ultimately responsible for players, parents and fans that participate at these games. If you are unhappy with an official, report this to your division commissioner. Don't confront the official.

• Referees will have the discretion to give any coach, player or fan a technical foul. If a player receives 2 technical fouls in a single game he will be ejected from that game. If a coach receives 2 technical fouls in a single game that coach must leave the gym for the duration of the game. Both of these cases will result in a 1 game suspension of the offending player or coach.

• Absolutely no coach, player or parent will approach the referee before, during or after the game in any demeaning or abusive manner. This will result in suspension, and forfeiture of the next scheduled game.

• Any coach/parent/player who approaches any official in a hostile or threatening manner before, during, or after any game is subject to suspension from the gym during League games for the entire season.

BEHAVE FAIRLY TO EVERYONE:

• HBYB is an "Everyone Plays" league. Every player must play at least half of every game. Coaches who do not abide by this most basic and important rule are not being fair to the players who don't get to play, nor to the parents of those players. These coaches are also not being fair to the other teams who do honor the rule. What they are doing is breaking one of the most important rules in order to gain an unfair competitive advantage. The penalty for not playing each player at least half of each game is forfeiture of that game. Repeated violations may result in a coach's dismissal.

• It is the policy of HBYB to try to form teams that are as evenly matched and competitive as possible. Inevitably, however, some teams wind up stronger than others. It can be needlessly embarrassing to the players on the losing team to be defeated by large point margins. For this reason any team which wins by more than 16 points will forfeit the game. There are many ways in which coaches can avoid a blow out.

• Substitute less skilled players for more skilled players. It won't hurt your star players to sit on the bench.

• Restrict shooting by more skilled players - allow only less skilled players to shoot. This will reduce your team's scoring, and will also be more fun for the less skilled players. Instruct your players to try to ensure that every player on the team scores - this can be fun for all of them.

• Pass the ball more often to less skilled players. They gain valuable experience handling the ball, and the other team has a better chance of stealing the ball and scoring.

• Have your defensive players back off - don't press, don't defend past the red line, don't guard opponents as closely. This is as important as restricting your team's scoring. If your team continues to play tough defense, the other team may be unable to score, and your team may be prevented from doing so by the rules, which can create a very dull game for everyone involved.

Hermosa Beach

Youth Basketball League