A TEAM never won a game or championship with 5 players,
that’s why there is a bench of players that truly make a difference!

The bench before, during and after the game is a reflection of our team and school!

• During National Anthem:  All players should be at attention, no talking or moving around, that is disrespectful and fans notice this.
• The bench should not make remarks to officials…..you are eligible for a “Technical” also!  Your job is to play the game!
• Keep bench area neat; water bottles and cups, warm-ups, chairs, etc……need to be in place.
• Players on the bench need to have their heads in the game, you should be evaluating the tendencies of possible players you will be defending.  You are responsible for understanding the flow of the game, offensively and defensively along with the way the officials are calling the game. 
• Time Outs:  Although you are not in the game at the time you need to pay attention to what your coaches are saying!! DO NOT talk to teammates, look into the crowd, or selfishly think of why you are not in the game!
• Substitutions:  You need to take a towel with you and exchange it with the player you are replacing; at this point you will discuss who you will be guarding along with quick tips on that player or the flow of the game.  NEVER pass by a teammate because you are upset with a bad call or your own bad performance, it is not your teammates fault.  When you come to the bench, you will go down the bench slapping all your teammates hands, get yourself some water, and then come back up to the front of the bench by the coaches.*After the Game:  All players will shake hands with the opponents – Win or Lose!

• Get summer information from coach
• Get involved with camps, H-Town Hoops, AAU programs, etc. 
• Try to find time to get in the weight room/workout
• Attend open gyms as much as possible
• Try to come and help out at the Hartford Lady Orioles’ Camp (this will be most likely the time I will also use the 5 contact days – after the camp sessions)
• Keep your grades up!  Academics are first!
• Keep yourself out of trouble!
• Work on the fundamentals of the game and play as much as you can!
• Remember whatever you do in the summer, will only pay off during the season!

• Be on time for everything and anything (practices, weight room, team meetings, etc.)! 
• Weight training is mandatory during the regular season (expect two times a week)
• Team meetings are mandatory throughout the season (going over game tape, scouting reports, etc.).  Make sure to plan for this!
• Have playbooks with you everyday during the season.  DON’T LOSE THEM!!!
• You are expected to work as hard as you can each day in practice and in games.
• Practice time is practice time not social time!
• Varsity players will be expected to be visible on Saturdays to help with the youth program during the season (remember the youth program looks up to you as role models).
• Varsity players keep Saturdays open for practices, weight lifting, the youth program, or maybe Varsity Reserve games (this is mandatory)
• JV players are responsible for taping Varsity games
• Game night is team night – you are expected to be at the JV game on time!!  Use after school for study time (not during games if you can help it)
• Don’t forget to pack a healthy lunch for after school on game days
• Plan on team dinner nights at each others houses a night before games.
• Game day is dress up day.  You are representing the program – remember it’s an honor to be in the program.
• All Varsity players will ride the bus home from away games (only exception is if you live between Hartford and our opponent’s community).  All JV and Freshmen players should try to ride home on the bus from road games (if not, you will need to have a mandatory note from your parents the day before the game to your coach for approval).
• JV and Freshmen players are responsible for carrying all equipment to and from the bus before and after road games.
• Keep your grades up!  Academics are first!
• Continue to keep yourself out of trouble!
• If there is anything you need throughout the season, you know you always can come and talk to me!  My door will always be open!

ALL PLAYERS WILL BE EXPECTED TO NEVER GIVE UP. . .
AND ALWAYS PLAY WITH THEIR HEARTS!!!