1. Remember that basketball is for enjoyment
Remember that basketballers play for fun and improvement and that winning is only part of their motivation. Always make sure that participants are made to feel welcome whenever they attend for training or a game.
Ensure that activities are carefully planned, well structured and varied to provide opportunities for individual and team development.
Never ridicule players for making mistakes or losing a competition. See errors or losses as an opportunity to learn in a constructive way. Comment in a way that is positive and designed to create interest, involvement and development.
2. Be reasonable in your demands
In scheduling training and playing times and days, be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm, taking into account their age, level of play and other commitments such as school and employment.
3. Teach understanding and respect for the rules
Teach your players that understanding and playing by the rules is their own responsibility and that the rules exist for the safety, proper order and enjoyment of all people involved in basketball. The lessons to be learned in this respect in basketball are lessons that can and should be carried over into all aspects of their lives. Do not encourage players to ignore or deliberately break any rules.
4. Develop team respect for the ability of opponents including their coaches
Part of participation in sport is respect for all participants in the game. Encourage your players to accept that their opponents are entitled to proper courtesy. This means introducing themselves to their opponents on court, congratulating them whether they win or lose and accepting loss gracefully. Teach them that the opposition coach is there trying to do the best for their team and is also entitled to respect.
5. Instil in your players sound respect for officials and an acceptance of their judgement
Players should be taught to understand that officials have a very difficult task to perform and that without them games could not be played. They are there to enforce the rules of play but they cannot always be right. Teach your players to accept bad calls graciously and lead by example in this regard.
Abuse of referees is unacceptable behaviour that should not be tolerated and again, coaches should lead by example here.
Players who consistently dispute decisions or do not accept bad decisions should be singled out for counselling and guidance.
6. Guide your players in their interaction with the media, parents and spectators
It is sometimes very difficult for players to concentrate on the game when there is the distraction of the presence of friends and relatives as spectators. Coaches have a difficult role to play in teaching players respect for their parents and other spectators but also teaching them to maintain concentration on the team plan if spectators become over-enthusiastic.
Parents sometimes make demands on their children’s time which interferes in their basketball activities. Respect this and try to structure your coaching and their training and playing times and obligations to take those demands into account. There are many other factors which need to be balanced, including venue availability and requirements of administrators. The coach’s task is not easy.
The presence of media at a basketball game can lead to a temptation by some players to “show off” or otherwise act differently from how they would act normally. Encourage your players to not be awed by the presence of the media. Also teach them that if they are approached for an interview after a game they are representing the whole sport and should behave accordingly.
7. Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players
In our increasingly litigious and accountable society, all those involved in sport have a responsibility to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of participants. Coaches are in a unique position to control many of the factors which can have an effect on this welfare. Coaches should be aware of the dangers factors such as heat and dehydration, wet floors and other potentially hazardous environmental situations can cause. A coach has a responsibility to avoid putting players into dangerous conditions.
8. Be prepared to lose sometimes
Everyone wins and loses at some time. Coaches should strongly model how to be both a gracious winner and loser.
9. Act responsibly when players are ill or injured
Show concern and take responsibility for players who are sick or injured whilst under your care. Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured or ill player is ready to recommence play. If a player is injured on court, make sure that there is no danger of further aggravation of the injury by prompt removal of the player if this is appropriate.
10. As well as imparting knowledge and skills, promote desirable personal and social behaviours
Be aware of the role of the coach as an educator. Particularly with young people, the way they perform in their lives is influenced by many factors. An important influence is the person they see as a role model. Coaches often take on the part of role model for many young people. It is therefore important to ensure that the influence from coaches is seen in a positive light rather adversely. What you say and how you act can be most important in modelling the behaviour of players.
11. Keep your knowledge current
Seek to keep abreast of changes in sport. Ensure that the information used is up to date, appropriate to the needs of players and takes into account the principles of growth and development of children. Players cannot learn from you if your skills and knowledge are inadequate.
12. Ensure that any physical contact with a player is appropriate
Physical contact between a coach and a player except that which would be considered usual social contact such as the shaking of a hand or a “high five” should be rare. Gestures which can be well-meaning, or even considered by some to be acceptable, may be unacceptable to others. Sometimes physical contact can be misinterpreted as sexual harassment or even molestation. Particular care needs to be taken in coaching children. Ensure that if there is physical contact with a player that it is appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.
13. Avoid personal relationships with players
Personal relationships with players can often be misinterpreted as something sinister.
Friendship with players is essential to building trust between a coach and players. However, the power imbalance in a coaching situation can make it unwise for a relationship to develop beyond friendship. Particular care must be taken when coaching children.
14. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person
Regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background, religion or other factors irrelevant to the game, all persons connected with basketball are entitled to equal treatment and respect. Avoid any remarks that could be construed as offensive or discriminatory.
Sometimes even a joke may give offence. Even if a person refers to themselves with a particular label, it should not be taken as an invitation for you to do so. Using discretion is imperative and it is better to err on the side of caution.
15. Always respect the use of facilities and equipment provided
Facilities and equipment cost money and will only function properly if kept in good order. Ensure that you and your players do not abuse anything provided for use. Discourage players from hanging off hoops or “slam dunking”. Quite properly, these practices are banned in most venues. Not only can equipment be damaged but serious injury can occur.