THE REAL TALK

Listen up. We’ve straight up lost our way with this youth basketball thing. Everyone’s trippin’ about scholarships and highlights while forgetting why we ball in the first place. Kids are burning out and quitting the game before they even hit their prime.

We gotta get back to basics. This game is about getting better, competing hard, and having a good time doing it. Period. When everyone stays in their lane—players, coaches, parents—the game flows right and kids keep hooping for years.

This right here is your blueprint. Read it. Live it. No excuses.

PLAYERS: YOUR MOVES

What You Gotta Do

1. Get Better Every Day: Put in work. No shortcuts. Simple as that.
2. Show Up and Go Hard: Don’t just be in the gym—be present. Bring that energy every single time.
3. Be That Teammate: Have your squad’s back. Lift them up when they’re down, push them when they slack.
4. Handle Your Business in Class: No grades, no play. Don’t even try it.
5. Keep Your Body Right: Eat clean, sleep deep, stay ready.
6. Mental Toughness: When things get rough, that’s when real players show up.
7. Remember It’s a Game: Have some damn fun out there. Why play if you ain’t enjoying it?

How You Carry Yourself

1. Respect the Game: Show respect to coaches, refs, opponents. No exceptions.
2. Own Your Stuff: Mess up? Own it. Do better next time.
3. Be On Time: Early is on time, on time is late. Don’t waste people’s time.
4. Watch Your Social: What you post matters. Think before you hit send.
5. Win Right, Lose Right: No showboating, no excuses.

COACHES: YOUR PLAYBOOK

What You Gotta Do

1. Push These Kids: Demand excellence. They can take it.
2. Teach Real Skills: Fundamentals first, flashy stuff later.
3. Come to Win: Have a game plan. Make adjustments. Find ways to get W’s.
4. Build Character: Basketball ends, character doesn’t.
5. Know Your Players: Each one is different. Coach them that way.
6. Fight For Your Program: Be the advocate your players need.

How You Carry Yourself

1. Walk the Walk: Kids see everything. Practice what you preach.
2. Keep It Real: Tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear.
3. Stay Sharp: The game evolves. Your coaching should too.
4. Communicate Straight: No mind games. Say what you mean.
5. Safety First: Don’t risk their bodies for a win.

PARENTS: YOUR LANE

What You Gotta Do

1. Be Their Biggest Fan: Make some noise. Rep that team. Bring that energy.
2. Have Their Back: Support your kid, but let them handle their business on the court.
3. Handle the Logistics: Get them there, feed them right, gear them up.
4. Stay On Their Academics: No school, no ball. Simple math.
5. Reinforce the Values: What they hear at home matters.
6. Put in Work for the Program: Volunteer, fundraise, contribute.

How You Carry Yourself

1. Sideline Etiquette: Cheer for everyone. No coaching from the stands. No ref bashing.
2. Problems? Right Channel: Got issues? Talk to the coach—not during games, not in the group chat.
3. Keep Perspective: It’s high school ball, not the NBA Finals.
4. Trust the Coach: Let them coach. That’s their job, not yours.
5. Build the Family: Connect with other parents. We’re all in this together.

EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS

All y’all—players, coaches, parents—need to handle these basics:

1. Talk Straight: Keep communication honest and direct.
2. Squash Beef Properly: Handle conflicts like adults.
3. Rep Your Program: Everywhere you go, you represent.
4. Think Long Game: It’s about development, not just today’s scoreboard.
5. Love the Game: At the end of the day, basketball is beautiful. Respect that.

BOTTOM LINE

We play this game to learn, to grow, to battle, and to enjoy the ride. When we forget that, we lose players who could’ve been in love with basketball for life.

Everyone needs to chill and stay in their lane. Players—focus on your game and have fun. Coaches—develop these kids while teaching them about life. Parents—be supportive without adding pressure. When everybody respects these boundaries, players stick with the game and thrive.

That’s it. That’s the plan. Follow it and watch what happens.

Team rules might add extra details, but this right here is the foundation. Know it. Live it.