The Fairfax County Youth Basketball League ("FCYBL") is a not-for-profit organization comprised of member youth clubs and recreation centers. Our mission is to enable the youth of its member organizations to compete, learn, grow, and develop basketball skills while playing on their neighborhood teams.

Coach heaping verbal abuse on official

The FCYBL Sportsmanship Committee met on December 8th to discuss three separate incidents; a game suspended due to a fight, a game suspended due to a head coach’s profanity, and another coach who could not refrain from calling the game for the officials.  

These are disappointing behaviors.  Games suspended, players exposed to bad behaviors, and physical violence.

Therefore, FCYBL has requested our officials make a point of emphasis on our CONDUCT rules to reduce unacceptable behaviors. We’ve asked them to apply the penalties per FCYBL and National Federation High School (NFHS) Bench Technical rules below. Note: Any use of profanity will result in an automatic expulsion.

FCYBL Rules - http://www.fcybl.org/Page.asp?n=16256&org=FCYBL

Section 9 – CONDUCT

9.1.3. IMPROPER CONDUCT PENALTIES
Improper conduct on the part of coaches, players or spectators may result in expulsion from the gym, or in extreme cases, forfeiture of the game.

9.2.1. DEFINITIONS OF OFFENSIVE ACTIONS
No coach, player, parent/guardian or spectator is to:

1) refuse to abide by an official's decision; or
2) be guilty of objectionable demonstration by throwing equipment or any other forceful action: or
3) be guilty of heaping verbal abuse upon an official for any real or imaginary wrong decision or judgment; or
4) be guilty of an abusive verbal attack upon a player, an opposing coach, official or spectator; or
5) at any time, lay hands upon, push, shove or strike an official; or
6) be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor upon any player, opposing coach, official, spectator, Recreation Building Director or school staff.

NFHS Rules

Section 5 BENCH TECHNICAL

ART. 1 . Commit an unsporting foul. This includes, but is not limited to, acts or conduct such as: 

a. Disrespectfully addressing an official. 

b. Attempting to influence an official’s decision. 

c. Using profane or inappropriate language or obscene gestures. 

d. Disrespectfully addressing, baiting or taunting an opponent. 

NOTE: The NFHS disapproves of any form of taunting which is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule or demean others under any circumstances including on the basis of race, religion, gender or national origin. 

e. Objecting to an official’s decision by rising from the bench or using gestures. 

Coaches - FCYBL is committed to improving the skills of our participants in a safe environment. We launched the Development Working Group this season to identify best practices used to improve player skills.  The 5th Grade Girls Division II pilot now underway is collecting data on how these best practices might help.

To date, we've identified youth basketball organizations with positive messages and guidance including the Positive Coaching Alliance, and USA Basketball.  I'd like to share guidance from the "Basketball for Coaches" website by Coach Mac (Trevor McLean). Titled "How to Win Every Youth Basketball Game". Coach Mac describes 8 terrible tactics that will win you games but fail to develop our players.  Well written - fast read - and sound advice. Please give it your consideration for all of our teams 5th through 8th Grade.

Let’s recap the 8 most common ‘terrible tactics’ youth basketball coaches make:

1.       They play their 5 best players as much as possible.

2.       Run a tight 2-3 zone.

3.       Run a full-court press.

4.       Don’t allow players to play multiple sports.

5.       They intimidate young referees.

6.       Only allow their best players to control the basketball and shoot.

7.       Force big players to only play in the post.

8.       Only run set plays on offense.

https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/terrible-tactics/

At some point in your coaching career, you are likely to coach against an overmatched opponent.  They may be missing players, having a bad day, or perhaps be in the wrong division.  Whatever the cause, your team clearly and significantly overmatches them that day.

FCYBL has two rules that apply to mismatches:

1. VHSL Mercy rule allows for a running clock when the lead reaches 30 points, in the second half, should both coaches agree.
2. FCYBL forbids winning by a margin of more than 40 points under the premise that it is poor sportsmanship and it does very little to develop player skills. FCYBL has adopted penalties to deter coaches: The first violation results in a one-game suspension for the head coach, the second results in a forfeit loss and a two-game suspension, and the third also results in a forfeit and a head coach suspension for the remainder of the season.

So what should you do in a mismatched game? 

1. Recognize that you are in a mismatch
2. Manage your pace of scoring
3. Reduce your defensive pressure
4. Always be respectful of opponent and the game

More tips available here: Tips (corrected link)

Also posted on the FCYBL.org website under "Documents"

In an effort to improve player development, FCYBL is running a pilot this year for the Girls 5th Grade Division 2 league.

New: More on the rules, nuances, rationale, and skills that 5th graders should acquire here: Pilot

The Development Working Group adopted a modified rule set that removes Zone defenses and Zone presses.  By moving the defense to man-to-man only - we hope to open the floor - and improve scoring. In addition, coaches will have a much smaller playbook and focus on fundamentals of man offense. 

The Rules:

1. No Zone defenses in any setting.

2. Man-to-man press is permitted until the lead is 10 points.

We held a coaches clininc on Nov 19 and had a great turnout. All of the coaches are committed to running this pilot.