Dear Parents:
As Prime Truth 7v7 grows and we continue to expand our programs, we seek to establish or clarify our policies.
Our policies help to guide the Prime Truth organization and ensure continued success. One of the first areas to be addressed is parent behavior, specifically, what type of behavior is expected of sports parents.
Prime Truth 7v7 is fortunate to have highly experienced, professional coaches working to develop your children into better athletes and more importantly, disciplined people. As parents, it is absolutely essential that we give our coaching staff the respect and authority they deserve as it relates to running our teams.
Prime Truth 7v7 as an organization highly encourages the following parental behavior:
• Open communication between parents, athletes, and coaches emphasizing goal-setting and focusing on the performance expectations of both the athlete and the parents.
• Meeting with the coaches/athletes/parents during normal practice hours to discuss issues.
• Positive reinforcement of all athletes in all situations; team spirit, team loyalty.
Prime Truth 7v7 as an organization will not tolerate the following behavior from parents:
• Coaching your children at practice or during games: that’s the coach’s job!
• Interrupting or confronting the coaching staff during practice or games.
• Abusive language towards coaches, athletes (including your own children), parents and officials.
• Any behavior that brings discredit or disruption to our athletes and the GrindHouse organization.
GAME/PRACTICE RULES
Dress Code
Prime Truth 7v7 athletes are part of a TEAM, athletes will look the same at games and practices. We are very strict about these rules.
Practice Uniforms should consist of color-coded team-issued practice tees, black shorts and black or white socks ONLY. You will no longer be permitted to wear socks in an array of colors.
Game Uniforms will consist of game-issued uniforms and Under Armour basketball shoes. Players will also be required to wear black or red socks and black or red compression undershirts ONLY (long or short sleeve). The color of compression shirts and socks will be determined at a later date based on the age group. If the athletes choose to wear tights under their uniform shorts, they are allowed to wear black only.
Punctuality
All athletes should arrive at ALL games 45 minutes before game time. This means he is in the warmup area with all of his gear, ready to begin warm-ups at the 45 min mark. This does not mean he pulls into the parking lot 45 minutes prior to game time nor is he putting his shoes on at the 45 min mark. He is fully dressed, in the warmup area and ready to begin at the 45 min mark. Lastly, please be ON TIME to all practices!
Of course, we are not worried about someone not showing up because a tractor-trailer overturned in front of them on the way to the field. We understand traffic. We simply don’t want athletes arriving late because they just didn’t arrange to make it on time.
Absences
Kids will get sick. Every one of the athletes will miss at least one practice or game due to illness this year. We understand that, and it doesn’t upset us. Many of them will also have school functions: choral performances, science fair, whatever. We get it; our kids have the same commitments, so we understand.
That being said, we don’t want to put ourselves in the position of “absence-adjudicator”. If your son needs to be absent, there is no need to ask permission. Just inform us that he cannot be there. There is no such thing as an “excused absence.” You’re either here, or you’re not here. Athletes missing practice times or game times will take an extra turn sitting on the bench.
Bench time for absences is not a “punishment”. It is a mechanism we use to relieve us of the responsibility of having to arbitrate absences. It’s also a good life lesson for the athletes: No matter how good the reason, absences have consequences. After he sits, the lesson has been imparted, and he is not “in the doghouse.” The only thing we ask is that you let us know as soon as you know your athlete will be missing time.
Enclosed is a Parent Code of Conduct. The Code was developed as a standard to emphasize the GrindHouse organization’s commitment to making everyone’s involvement with our program a positive experience.
Prime Truth Parent Code of Conduct
As a parent of an athlete and a member of the organization, I will abide by the following guidelines:
I. Practice teamwork with all parents, athletes, and coaches by supporting the values of Discipline, Loyalty, Commitment and Hard Work.
II. As a parent, I will not coach or instruct my child or any other athlete at practice or games (from the stands or any other area) or interfere with coaches.
III. Demonstrate good sportsmanship by conducting myself in a manner that earns the respect of my child, other athletes, parents, officials and the coaches at games and practices.
IV. Maintain self-control at all times. Know my role.
Athletes – Compete
Coaches – Coach
Officials – Officiate
Parents – Parent
V. As a parent, I understand that criticizing, name-calling, use of abusive language or gestures directed toward the coaches, officials, the opposing team or their fans and/or any participating athlete will not be permitted or tolerated.
VI. Enjoy involvement with the organization by supporting the athletes, coaches and other parents with positive communication and actions.
Sanctions: Should I conduct myself in such a way that brings discredit or discord to GrindHouse, I voluntarily subject myself to disciplinary action. Prime Truth 7v7 maintains the right to release any athlete with/without cause in the interest of our vision, mission and objectives.
