Lady Falcons Elite Hoops

Travel Division Guidelines

The following guidelines have been written, adopted and approved by the Lady Falcons Elite Hoops board of directors and will be implemented in the 2018-2019 season.  These guidelines apply to only the LFE Travel program and are subject to change on a yearly basis. All coaches, players, and parents must agree to the following guidelines in order to play for the LFE Hoops Travel Organization.

1. General Information.

1. Lady Falcons Elite Hoops is dedicated to providing high quality basketball instruction and player development for the girls in the Pennsbury Community. It is our passion to help our young girls reach their full potential, not only as basketball players but as individuals of quality character who will further strengthen this great & proud community.

2. LFE Hoops will will use our email notification system through our site as well as social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to communicate with parents. Questions, concerns, and changes of schedule will be addressed quickly, concisely, and through multiple outlets.

3. LFE Hoops will be fielding teams in the following age groups for the 2017-2018 season.

3rd grade              U8 TBD

4th grade              U9 Coach Hohman

5th grade              U10 Coach McGonigle

6th grade              U11 Coaches Holmes & Milewski

7th grade              U12 Coach Sherman

8th grade              U13 Coach Davis

4. LFE Hoops teams will participate in the Inter County Basketball Association (ICBA).  League participation will be determined by the Travel Directors and will be on a team by team basis. The Travel Directors will choose the best fit for the participating team. LFE Hoops will provide the league registration fee each individual team.

5. Players may only try out for teams in their applicable age/grade group (pursuant to ICBA regulations) absent written authorization for LFE Travel Directors. Exceptions may be made in the event of extraordinary circumstances at the sole discretion of the Travel Directors.

6. Prior to the first practice, coaches of teams participating in ICBA, are required to obtain birth certificates for each player verifying each player's date of birth.  If a player's date of birth has been misrepresented during tryouts, whether intentional or not, said player can be removed from the travel team. CJ League coaches will compile a roster of players names and contact information for the Travel Directors in case of emergency contact.  

7. Effective September 1st, 2015, only players who reside within the boundaries of the Pennsbury School District (PSD) will be eligible to participate in the Travel Program. Players who have been participating members of the LFE Organization prior to the September 1st, 2015 application date will be “grandfathered” into the organization. Returning players from previous seasons will also be “grandfathered” into this prevision and be eligible for the LFE Hoops Travel Program. LFE Directors will also provide an exception in the case of shortage of players who meet the following provision trying out for a specific age group team. Players living outside of the Pennsbury School District will only be considered for an LFE Travel Exception in the following circumstances:

1. Players have completed at least 1 season of play in the LFE program and have been evaluated by their Academy coach and/or a travel director.

   1. Players in grades 3, 4, & 5 will be reviewed on an individual basis
   2. Players who are new to the area are exempt from this requirement

2. The player is needed to complete the roster due to insufficient numbers in a grade grouping.

3. ICBA HAS STRICT POLICIES FORBIDDING MASS PLAYER MOVEMENT WHICH SUBJECTS OUR ORGANIZATION FROM DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE LEAGUE IF LEAGUE RULES REGARDING EXCEPTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED.

8. The vast majority of the ICBA sanctioned LFE Hoops Travel games will take place in Pennsbury School District facilities.  All coaches, players, and parents are required to adhere to posted Pennsbury School District policies and treat all personnel and facilities in an appropriate manner. Any issues that occur with regard to the above will be directly communicated to the Travel Directors. Due to our ongoing facilities shortage, home travel games may take place outside the district.

II. Selection of the Travel Team Players & Coaches

1. Each age group as stated above, will have as many tryout dates as deemed necessary by the Travel Coaches. In age groups where there are a large number of players, there may be multiple cuts prior to the final selection of the team in order to provide a smaller playing pool for the remaining players.

2. Once the tryout dates are set the Travel Directors will not change the dates in order to accommodate conflict. Every player should make an effort to attend every tryout in her age group in order to maximize her chances of being selected for the team. However failure to attend all of the tryouts will not result in exclusion from the team.  All prospective travel players are required to attend at minimum one tryout for their age group

3. The tryout will be conducted by the Travel Directors in conjunction with the selected Travel Coaches. An individual who is not an acting member of the LFE Travel Organization will not act as an evaluator at a tryout. This may include team coaches.  

4. Parents are not permitted in the gym during tryouts.  Parents are encouraged to ask their children and discuss the tryout after it has been completed.  Parents are not permitted to offer any assistance during the selection or tryout process. This can be a stressful process for the girls, and we have found that having parents in the gym during tryouts only exacerbates the players’ stress level.

5. Generally, nine to ten (10) players will be selected for each travel team. However the Travel Directors have the discretion to add or subtract to each team number as they see fit, for the betterment of the girls on the team.

6. Team Managers will be selected at the discretion of each Travel Coach in conjunction with the Travel Directors. Team Managers will be members of the Travel Program, but will not receive a team uniform or playing time in the travel games.  Team Managers will practice with the selected travel team and be permitted to pay the Academy fee.

7. Travel coaches will be selected by the Travel and League Directors. Travel coaches must have at least one year of LFE Hoops In House Academy coaching experience and must receive at least a commendable rating by league directors. League Directors can also appoint coaches by a unanimous vote of league directors.  

III. Required Commitment of Each Player

1. Each travel player will play at least 20 game between the ICBA or Chargers League play, tournaments, and supplemental games.  Many of the games require travel to different parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Parents of travel players are required to provide transportation to each event. Car pooling and transportation arrangements can be assisted by the Travel Coach on a team by team basis.

2. Each Travel Team is expected to practice twice per week, provided court space is available. Teams are not limited to the twice a week practice schedule. It is a parent's responsibility to provide transportation to each practice session.

3. Attendance to each practice and game session is mandatory, unless instructed by the coach.  Due to the developmental nature of LFE Hoops practice sessions are just as, if not more, valuable than game situations.  Thus participation in the Travel Program is a large commitment and a roster spot should not be accepted unless that commitment is honored.  

4. An unexcused absence from a game or practice could result in diminished playing time.

IV. Conflicts with other Sports/Activities

1. During the basketball season, LFE Hoops Travel should take absolute priority over all other basketball related leagues, including, but not limited to, LFE Hoops Academy, other Travel Organizations, AAU Club Teams, and any church leagues.   The “basketball season” is defined as the entire season, from the start of tryouts, until the final day of the playoffs. Exceptions will be made for players participating in Fall Sports, in which the season is said to end on November 15th. Players of Fall basketball sports will be required to commit fully to LFE Hoops after the November 15th Fall completion date.

2. In the event of a conflict between an LFE Hoops practice or game and another basketball related league event, the player is required to attend the LFE Hoops event. This rule is uniform for the LFE Hoops Travel Program and may not be waived or overlooked by any Travel Coach.

3. In the event of a conflict between an LFE Hoops practice or game and another sports practice or game communication and compromise will reign supreme.   LFE Hoops is committed to provide a multi-sport approach to athletics. Parents are required to provide a schedule for the off season sport and work out times and exceptions with the age group coaching staff.  Parents and coaches are expected to work out a schedule that will not limit the development of the player in either sport, but rather increase activity level and influx of skill in each sport.

V. Playing Time

1. It is expected that each LFE Hoops Travel player will receive playing time in each game.  Travel Coaches will use their best discretion in regards to playing time.

2. There is no minimum playing time rule in the Travel Program. However, the Travel Directors encourage a “squad” or “platoon” type system in order to encourage team play and increased player to player interaction.

3. Expectations of playing time should be discussed by the coaching staff to the parents and players prior to the first game,  This open discussion should be continued by the parents and players away from the practice facility.

4. Parents should follow the 24 hour rule in regard to discussion playing time with any member of the coaching staff. The 24 hour rule is defined as; no player or parent should communicate with the coach, in regards to playing time, 24 hours before or after said game. Discussion of playing time should be conducted on a non-game day and not in the presence of players.

5. If playing time remains an issue and an agreement can not be reached by the parent and coaching staff, the Travel Directors will act as an unbiased mediator to assist in a solution.

VI. Fees and Other Expected Costs.

1. Upon selection, Travel families will be responsible for paying the remaining $255 in Travel Fees for the upcoming season.

2. Each travel fee will provide for the gym time, uniform (jersey and shorts), league registration, and up to, but not limited to, three tournaments.

3. Coaches will supply basketballs and training equipment at each practice and game. Coaches will communicate the need for extra basketballs with the parents before practice or games.

4. Teams participating in larger tournaments, could be required to supply extra registration fees. Directors will provide families with options as to how payments will be made.

5. LFE Teams are committed to providing community service opportunities for its players. Travel Coaches could ask for players to assist in the “LFE Biddy Ball” program on Friday nights.  These are optional community service opportunities that will encourage future players and continue the development of the LFE organization

VII. LFE Academy Division

1. LFE Travel Players are encouraged to participate in the LFE Academy Program. Travel players are required to give priority to all travel games and practices in result of a conflict with the Academy Division.

VIII. System of Play

1. Each Travel team will play under the Read and React system of play.  Younger teams (see Article I) will teach the building block of the system, while older teams will have more creativity in adding sets to compliment the Read and React System.

2. Pennsbury Girls Basketball has committed to the Read and React System. Coaches will teach the system in order to prepare players for the “next level” of play.

3. Parents will communicate all questions about the system of play with the Travel Directors and not the Travel Coaches.  Travel Coaches are not responsible for the selection of the system and are volunteers who are following the direction of the Travel Directors. Travel Directors will supply parents with the selection process along with the long term goals of Pennsbury Girls Basketball.

IX. LFE Hoops Code of Conduct

1. All players, parents, and coaches are a direct reflection of the LFE Hoops Organization. All participants in the LFE Hoops Organization are required to follow all LFE Hoops Rules and Regulations.

2. Travel Coaches are role models.  Coaches are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect at all times.  Coaches are reminded that they must have the mindset that they are coaching all the players on the court not just their own team.  Therefore, we hold coaches to the highest standards. One violation of this policy is too many and may lead to permanent expulsion from the league.      

3. Travel Assistant Coaches will adhere to the “seat belt rule”  during every ICBA and CJ League game. Assistant coaches will focus on the players in the game and on the bench.  Head Coaches will be responsible for speaking to the officials of the game. All Head Coaches are responsible for the actions and behavior of the Assistants on their coach staff.

4. Spectator Conduct:  Spectators are role models.  They will demonstrate respect towards all players, coaches, officials and league administrators.  When cheering and showing excitement, they should do so in a way that promotes the game and the league.  We are a family first, and a basketball league second. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in the spectator’s removal from the gymnasium.  One violation of this policy is too many and may lead to permanent expulsion from the league.

5. First line of defense (Coaches): The conduct of the team and its fans is the responsibility of each coach.  All coaches, players and spectators are expected to show common courtesy, good behavior, and respect for public and private property.  Spectators are to be kept off the court during warm-ups and between quarters, and out of the halls during the games. Should a coach need assistance when approaching a spectator they have the right to seek assistance from a league official or administrator.

6. Second line of defense (League Review):  Should any player, coach or spectator’s conduct come into question, the league administrators will meet promptly and decide whether or not expulsion is necessary.

XI. Travel Guidelines Signature

1. All travel parents and coaches will sign the following guidelines and supply the Travel Coach with a copy for their records. Travel players will not be permitted to participate in Travel events or practices until the guidelines form is signed and submitted.

Travel Guidelines Signature Page

*I hereby acknowledge that I have read the following LFE Hoops Travel Guidelines and reviewed them with my Travel Player.  I understand the above statements and will follow the rules and regulations as they are laid out in the above document.

X._____________________________________

Travel Parent Signature

*Current 2015-2016 Travel Director

Ryan Hohman

ladyfalconselitehoops@gmail.com

*Current 2015-2016 Assistant Travel Director

Dave Costanzo

lfehoops.dcostanzo@gmail.com

Be sure to check out LFE Hoops on YouTube.  We are constantly updating our feed with new videos, clips, games, and drills.  This is yet another way we plan on bringing LFE Hoops to the next level.  Offseason or regular season be sure to follow us.  To access our page, go to the LINKS icon on the left and click LFE Hoops YouTube.