Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
December 17, 2009, Washington Post

The rules of the game

I started coaching a fifth-grade basketball team last week, the Woodlin Warriors. I have coached lots of teams. But because I didn't know all the players and their parents, I sent an e-mail that set out some of the rules for my team.

After I e-mailed the rules, I took a close look at the list. I realized it's a good list for any kid playing basketball this winter, not just my Warriors. So here it is.

1. Be on time for practice and games. That means you should be at the gym five to 10 minutes before practice and 15 to 20 minutes before a game. Players need time to stretch and warm up in order to play their best.

2. Tell your coach as soon as you can if you are going to miss a game or practice. Coaches plan their practices and who is going to play in the games. If you are missing when the coach thought you would be there, that can really mess up the team.

3.Get plenty of rest before the games. Basketball is a tough game that takes lots of energy. You can't play well if you are dragging around the court. So the rule is: No sleepovers before games.

4.Don't yell at your teammates for making a bad pass or a bonehead play. Everybody, including LeBron James, makes mistakes. There will be times when you make mistakes, and you won't want your teammates yelling at you.

5.Don't even talk about the referees. Too many coaches, parents and players spend too much time complaining about refs and their calls. Calls that you think are bad or unfair are part of the game. Learn to forget about the calls and concentrate on your performance. More games are won and lost by the players than by the referees.

6.Practice on your own. Most kids' teams practice an hour or two each week. No one ever became a good basketball player by playing an hour a week. If you don't have a basket, practice dribbling on a driveway or in a parking lot. Or pass the ball back and forth with a friend.

7.Go watch high school basketball games. Pick a good player who plays your position and really concentrate on what he does. Notice his form when he shoots the ball, or how he positions himself on defense or where he moves when he doesn't have the ball.

8.Limit the video games you play. After coaching kids for years, I am convinced that video games make kids into watchers. Basketball is a game that requires you to move your whole body, not just your thumbs.

Fred Bowen is the author of 11 kids' sports books, including four about basketball.

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