Coaches Guidebook: 2024 - 2025
West Hartford Girls Baketball League
Table of Contents
President’s Message
Shawn W. Daly, President
I want to personally thank you for dedicating your time to the WHGBL. As a league that teaches leadership skills through understanding the fundamentals of basketball, you play one of the most vital roles in the success of our organization. To help you in your role, we have put together this “Coaches Guidebook” to create consistency and a culture that will instill the league’s core leadership tenets we strive to teach, which will help players become leaders. The difference you make, the experience you create and the impact you have is critical in the development of these young players. You are greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Meet the Board of Directors
-
Shawn Daly
President
-
Joe DeLutrie
Vice-President
-
Doug Packard
Treasurer
-
Bonnie McFarland
Secretary
-
Jorge Valdez
Registrar
-
James Bargon
Assistant Registrar
-
Craig Tanner
Training and Development Director
-
Ariane Dyson Ahmed
Assistant Director, Training and Development
-
Jessica Seifel
Director, Parent Perspective
-
John Demitrus
Director, Public Relations
-
Rick Araya
Equipment Director, Non-Voting Member
-
Eileen Daly
Assistant Secretary, Non-Voting Member
WHGBL: Our History
The West Hartford Girls Basketball League was founded in 1988 to provide a place for girls to play basketball in the town of West Hartford. Dr David Weil, D.D.S. was the first president of the league that he created for his daughter, Marni, to play basketball.
The founding executive board members included John Pendergast, Cindy Jaworski, Bert Seiferheld, Dan Doyle, Kathy Doyle, Dave Handley, and Rod Steier. The league was established to promote the fundamentals of basketball through commitment, team work, sportsmanship, fair play, hard work, and fun.
Past presidents of the league include David Weil, Bert Seiferheld, Doug Packard, Susan Finnegan, Adela Bernard, Jim Buikus, Dana Gordon, Mike LaMarco, and Lynn Benjamin.
In 2005, the league began to offer a Summer Blacktop League. This opportunity was instituted by Leslie Ryan, Ed Connor, Kevin Connor, Jay McDonough, and Jim Buikus and has been managed by volunteers every summer since 2005. In 2023, the WHGBL Board of Directors voted to discontinue the Summer Blacktop League for several reasons including facility and weather challenges and volunteer constraints and player safety.
Our Mission
The WHGBL looks to teach the fundamental skills of basketball to girls from grade 3 through grade 8. Through learning these fundamental skills the girls learn important leadership skills that will lead to successful outcomes for them not only on the court but in life as well. There are 10 core tenet values we teach: Confidence, teamwork, sportsmanship, humility, character, respect, integrity, responsibility, perseverance and gratitude.
Our Leadership Core Values
The primary tenet of the WHGBL is that players learn valuable life leadership skills through teaching and helping players understand the fundamentals of the game of basketball.
Whether your daughter will be the next CEO of a Fortune 500 company, a founder of a future industry disrupter, a teacher, master plumber, electrician or scientist that keeps our country moving, a spirit that saves the world through charitable work or the next U.S. Senator from the great state of Connecticut, learning leadership skills is vital to her future success. At the WHGBL, our players learn the following Leadership Core Values through our clinics, practices and game play :
CONFIDENCE: Learning and mastering basketball skills boosts a child's self-confidence. Success in executing plays and contributing to the team fosters a sense of achievement.
TEAMWORK: Basketball is inherently a team sport, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and coordination. In our league, players learn to trust and rely on their teammates for success on and off the court.
SPORTSMANSHIP:Understanding and respecting the rules of the game promotes fair play, and winning and losing teaches an appreciation for equality and opponent competition.
HUMILITY: Basketball teaches individuals that success is often a result of collective effort rather than individual brilliance. Experiencing the thrill of winning in a mature manner and overcoming the challenges of keeping your head up in losses, encourages players to stay humble and continue improving.
CHARACTER: This sport requires players to make ethical decisions both on and off the court. Adhering to values and principles in the face of challenges builds a solid foundation for a personality that acts appropriately regardless if anyone is watching.
RESPECT: In the WHGBL, participants learn to respect coaches, parents, teammates, opponents, officials, staff, volunteers, board members and the game itself. In addition, recognizing and appreciating the diversity of players, playing styles and skills, contributes to a culture of respect.
INTEGRITY: Upholding the rules and values of the game demonstrates integrity. Through the game, we teach individuals to act with honesty and maintain a strong moral compass.
RESPONSIBILITY: Players learn to fulfill their roles within the team structure through taking care of personal equipment, following team strategies and being held accountable for their actions. They also learn that they are responsible for positively influencing others.
PERSEVERANCE: Facing challenges, setbacks, and defeats in basketball encourages players to never quit. Overcoming obstacles and continuously working to improve skills are essential aspects of the game.
GRATITUDE: Expressing appreciation for the support of parents, coaches, official, staff, volunteers, board members and teammates, fosters a grateful and positive mindset that influences others.
Important Dates to Remember
We are excited to announce the important dates for the 2024-2025 season. This handbook serves as a comprehensive guide that provides essential information about our basketball program.
We would like to remind you that these dates are subject to change at any time. As we all know, unforeseen circumstances may arise throughout the season that require adjustments to our schedule. To ensure that you have the most up-to-date information, we strongly encourage everyone to regularly check our website for any updates or changes.
Our website will serve as a reliable source of information throughout the season. It will be frequently updated with game schedules, practice times, cancellations due to inclement weather or other reasons, and any other pertinent announcements. By regularly visiting our website, you can stay informed and avoid any miscommunication or confusion regarding events and activities related to the basketball program.
We understand that keeping track of schedules and changes can sometimes be challenging, especially with busy family routines. However, your commitment to staying informed, will greatly contribute to the success of your child's basketball experience this season.
| Event | Date | Date |
|---|---|---|
| First day of regular registration | Monday | 09/16/2024 |
| Last day of regular registration | Thursday | 10/31/2024 |
| Late registration begins | Friday | 11/1/2024 |
| Late registration ends | Sunday | 11/10/2024 |
| Minor division players are assigned to teams | Saturday | 11/16/2024 |
| Assessment day for new juniors and Seniors players | Sunday | 11/17/2024 |
| Senior’s division draft day | Monday | 11/18/2024 |
| Juniors division players are assigned teams | Thursday | 11/21/2024 |
| Uniform order date | Friday | 11/29/2024 |
| First week of practices begin | Monday | 12/2/2024 |
| Season opener: All divisions | Sunday | 1/5/2025 |
| WHGBL Photo Day | Sunday | 1/19/2025 |
| Regular season ends - Juniors | Sunday | 2/23/2025 |
| Regular season ends - Seniors | Sunday | 3/2/2025 |
| Regular season ends - Minors | Sunday | 3/2/2025 |
| Juniors Division Playoffs | Sunday | 3/2/2025 |
| Seniors Division Playoffs | Saturday | 3/8/2025 |
| WHGBL Skills Competition | Saturday | 3/8/2025 |
| Juniors & Seniors Championship | Sunday | 3/9/2025 |
Basketball Game Rules
The WHGBL follows the National Federation of High School Basketball Rules. However, there are certain addendums to these rules specific to each WHGBL Division. The league rules and the rule addendums can be found in the rules section of the league website.
No Earrings, No Necklaces, No Bracelets, No Exceptions
The WHGBL makes player safety one of its highest priorities. In addition, as mentioned above, the league follows NFHS basketball rules. Players are prohibited from wearing any jewelry of any kind at any WHGBL practice or game. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE. Parents should NOT have their daughters pierce their ears during the season if they are concerned the piercing will close up upon removal of earrings for practices and games. There is absolutely NO workaround for this. Players may not tape over earrings or leave studs in. A player must remove all jewelry prior to stepping onto the court for any practice, exhibition game, regular season game, playoff or championship game. All coaches, league administrators and referees are trained to monitor this. This includes but is not limited to “friendship bracelets” rope bracelets and similar items. Definitions of jewelry are at the discretion of coaches, league administrators and referees.
PLEASE NOTE: Medical ID bracelets and necklaces are NOT defined as jewelry. However, a referee, coach or league administrator may require that a Medical ID bracelet be taped down if the item is too loose on a player.
Coaches Code of Ethics
As team coach, you are the heart and soul of our basketball recreation program and with you lies the responsibility of its success.
The WHGBL was established to promote the fundamentals of basketball through:
Commitment
Sportsmanship
Fair play
Hard work
Team work
Fun
This must be done in an environment that is safe, positive and enjoyable to all who participate. Our goal is to build self-esteem in each of our players regardless of talent level, to have fun and to create in each player the desire to be the best that she can be.
The desire to win is in all of us, however; success should not be measured by the number of wins or losses. Success should be judged by the lives that we touch and the relationships that we build. Let us enjoy the journey together!
Coaches Code of Ethics
I will place the emotional and physical well being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win. Athletes first, winning second!
I will treat each player as an individual, providing realistic and reasonable expectations through positive motivation.
I will provide a safe environment for my players to play and practice. Two adults will be present at every practice session to ensure safety.
I promise to review and practice basic first aid principles needed to treat injuries to my players.
I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all my players.
I will ensure that all players get instruction, support and playing time in an equitable manner.
I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players.
Winning with class and dignity.
Losing with grace and without complaint.
Treating opponents and officials with fairness, generosity and courtesy.
I will be knowledgeable in the rules of the sport and I will teach these rules to my players.
I will remember that I am a youth coach - the game is for our girls, not for the adults.
Emergencies and Player Safety
Emergencies Requiring First Aid: How to Respond
During sporting events, officials and the coaching staff are responsible for administering first aid to any ill or injured player.
The first responder to the situation needs to be the highest certified and trained person on site where the injury occurs. The first responder will most often be the specific team Head Coach, although other personnel may fill this role if their certification and training is greater than that of the Head Coach (i.e. if the bystander is a Certified Nurse, Emergency Medical Technician, Doctor).
It is vital that first responders keep the environment calm so that athletes don’t panic. Coaches should also make sure they complete all the steps on the First Aid Checklist below. By following this procedure, coaches allow medical personnel to easily respond to the scene and help care for the athlete.
First Aid Checklist
Check the surroundings for safety hazards and stop all activity near the emergency
Check the injured athlete’s injury and determine a plan of action
Do not move the athlete if there is a possibility of head or neck injury or if the athlete is unconscious.
Have someone contact a parent/guardian. Some cases may also require 911 to be contacted. Coaches should use their judgement skills to properly judge the severity of the situation.
If EMS responders determine that the athlete is in an emergency, a coach can transport the injured athlete.
Player Safety
The WHGBL takes important steps to ensure the safety of players in the league. First, all coaches are required to complete a successful and clear background check. The league uses www.safecoachbackgroundchecks.com to run a criminal and sexual offender background check.
We also require all coaches to complete and earn a concussion training certificate through the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
The league follows the State of Connecticut Public Act No. 21-64 concerning the Governor’s Task Force on Justice for Abused Children in Connecticut. In cooperation with this initiative, all WHGBL Board Members, Coaches and Staff that have direct contact with players are required to read the State’s SafeSport information, which is located on our website.
In addition, we also require a minimum of two adults present at every practice and girls are required to use restroom facilities in pairs at all practices.
Coaching Documents
For Juniors and Seniors Division Coaches:
Fifteen (15) minutes before each game, Head Coaches are required to provide the scorer’s table two (2) important documents. The first, is the WHGBL Basketball Player Rotation Sheet. The second, is a scoresheet with the names of all players on your team (even including the players who are not playing in the game) along with the player’s jersey number.
WHGBL Player Rotation Sheet
The WHGBL follows a rotation schedule so that all players receive equal playing time as much as possible. The top half of the sheet should have the player name and their jersey number. Your starting five is 1 - 5, your next 5 players are 6 - 10, and so on. The bottom section of the sheet should just have the player’s jersey number in the order of the rotation (i.e., Q1-A, should be the jersey numbers of your starting 5, Q1-B should be the jersey numbers of your next 5 players, and so on.
The WHBGL Scoresheet
To help the WHGBL keep track of statistics, records and standings, a scoresheet for your team must be provided to the scorer’s table. You scoresheet should contain the names and jersey numbers for your entire team (not just the players who are playing on game day). Therefore, the best thing to do is before the first game of the season, fill out one scoresheet with all of you players names and jersey numbers. To help the scorer’s table, it’s best to fill in the player names in order of their jersey number. This makes it easier for the scorer’s table to keep track of statistics during the game. When you fill out your first game sheet, you just simply need to make 7 other copies, since your scoresheet will never change.
Minors Division Sample Practice Plan and Skills Checklist
For coaches in the WHGBL Minors Division, we provide a sample coaches/practice plan. This plan will help ensure your players are prepared in understanding the fundamentals of the game both now and in the future. The checklist provides a great way for coaches to measure the current skills and improvement of their players.
