Menlo-Atherton Boys Basketball Syllabus

Head Coach:

Phillip White (408) 802-0489

PWhite3431@yahoo.com

Goals and Objectives

General Goals

• To provide a positive learning environment, in which each student-athlete will be able to mature physically, emotionally and socially through competition.
• To enjoy the discipline, attention to detail, hard work and commitment that team sports require.
• To become proficient in the fundamentals and overall aspects of basketball, and to encourage peers to learn as well.

Team Goals

• To develop a strong sense of pride in team, school and community.
• To constantly strive for excellence, with a positive can-do/will-do attitude.
• To work together as a team and improve throughout the season.
• To foster community relationships.
• To learn how to deal with adversity and success through sportsmanship.
• To realize and appreciate a team’s place and status within the school.
• To deal with victory or defeat in an appropriate manner keeping both in proper perspective.

Individual Goals

• To embody the true sense of being a “student-athlete”.
• To set realistic personal goals, at the beginning of the season and to strive to exceed them through hard work, self-discipline, commitment and competitiveness.
• To develop the necessary skills to become a strong team player.
• To be a leader by example, for the rest of student body, as a member of an M-A athletic team.
• To appreciate that each team member has a specific role, creating a chemistry that is imperative to the success of the team.
• To accept and carry out responsibilities as a team player to the best of your ability on and off the court.
• To never give up, but rather to give the best effort possible everyday while enjoying the opportunity of being a member of the M-A Boys basketball team.
• To show respect for yourself and for others in the gym, on campus, and in the community.
• To understand that character is defined by who you are and how you act when nobody is watching.

Coaching Goals

• To lead by example, in life and in basketball.
• To provide both on and off the field experiences to enable each player to grow and develop an understanding of loyalty, pride, integrity, commitment, and the pursuit of excellence within the scope of athletic participation.
• To introduce and teach the sport of basketball to the best of my ability, and communicate the rules and etiquette required to play the game safely and effectively.
• To challenge each player to be the best that they can be on and off the court.
• To clearly communicate with players and parents
• To instill and uphold the high standards and sportsmanship values that is synonymous with M-A athletics.
• To convey the importance of each players contribution and importance to the program.
• To teach players to accept appropriate criticism and guidance from coaches or teammates in a positive manner.
• To continue to learn and grow within basketball and accept and consider input from other coaches and players.
• To carry-on, in the traditions of M-A basketball.

Parental Goals

• To understand and support the direction and philosophy of the coach(es) and basketball program.
• To help support the team through positive reinforcement of your son’s efforts and participation, as well as that of other players in the program.
• To develop and demonstrate awareness that your son is part of a team, and that team goals take precedence over individual goals.
• To understand that team practices are closed but viewing requests will be addressed on a case by case basis.
• To assist the coach(es) in building team and family community through participation in and support of team events.

TEAM RULES

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  1. As an Menlo-Atherton Boy’s Basketball team member, if a player does anything, anywhere, anytime, that is determined to be to the detriment of the individual, the team or the school, the Boy’s Basketball coaching staff will deal with it, as it sees fit.
  2. All team functions, i.e. games, practices, study halls, film sessions, meetings and weight lifting and conditioning sessions are mandatory.  Attendance is expected unless arrangements will have been made, with the head coach of the particular team, in advance. Roll will be taken and recorded at all mandated functions and will determine P.E. credit and Block Award receipt.
  3. As trust is an important factor within the team, player phone calls for absence/tardiness notification will be accepted until there is a reason not to.  Parent notification or verification, of a student’s absence or tardiness, may occur at anytime.
  4. Varsity team members will be expected to keep a notebook containing basketball related notes and a binder containing opponent scouting reports.  The notebook and binder will be kept up to date and will be checked periodically, for completeness, throughout the season.
  5. Team members will be required to have a grade check completed twice quarterly.  The grade check will be reviewed by the coaching staff.  A copy will be made and sent home to parents with the original remaining, in the player’s individual file.
  6. Each player must have a physical, medical forms, release waiver, a 2007-2008 PAL sticker and, at least a 2.0 GPA, with no more than 1 “F”, in the previous grading period (in accordance with the student-athlete’s current grade level and semester requirements) to participate in athletics.
  7. Read and review the student handbook for information on appropriate conduct while a student at Menlo-Atherton High School.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Any player using drugs, alcohol or tobacco products will face immediate suspension from the team. No infractions of any kind will be tolerated. For example, the first time a student is discovered using drugs or alcohol, that student will be suspended from any involvement with the team.

Winter Break

The basketball season starts in November continuing through March, running through the Winter Break.  Some basketball games may be scheduled during the break and will be mandatory but every effort will be made to allow some time off for players to attend family functions and vacations.  Please refer to the schedule and make the appropriate arrangements. 

Equipment Details and Information 

In order to play basketball you need a stable pair of basketball shoes.  After player selection, will be discussing team shoe and travel warm-up purchase. Players trying out for Frosh-Soph and Freshman basketball should wear a white t-shirt and their P.E. shorts to try-outs.  Varsity players may wear any color shorts and a white t-shirt.  Practice uniforms will be provided for all levels once the teams have been selected.  Home and away uniforms will be provided for use during the season.  The coaching staff will discuss uniform care at a later time.   

Ending Notes

I encourage parents and “The 6th Man” to come out and support M-A Basketball, as we look to protect our home court, Ayers Gym, The Lair of the M-A Bear. I look forward to working with both the players and parents this season. Please feel free to contact Coach White, at (408) 802-0489 or by email at mailto:pwhite3431@yahoo.comany time with any questions or concerns.