YOUTH SPORTS PARENT HANDBOOK

YMCA OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

What it means to be a YMCA Youth Sports Parent!

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MISSION STATEMENTThe YMCA of San Diego County is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through the development of the spirit, mind and body.

INCLUSIVITY STATEMENTThe YMCA of San Diego is an organization open to all people. We welcome and value individuals of all age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, gender expression, ability, sexual orientation or financial circumstance. We are committed to having programs and services that embrace diversity, reflecting the people and needs of our community.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome Letter.................................................................................................................4

Our Youth Sports Recreational Philosophy...............................................................5

Youth Sports Programs

Youth Recreational Leagues..........................................................................................5

Skills Assessments……………………………………………………………………………..…..5

Practice and Team Requests……………………………………………………………...…....5

Youth Competitive League…………………………………………………………….…………5

What is Playerspace?.......................................................................................................6

How to use Playerspace……………………………………………………………………….6-7

Team Rosters and Game Schedules…………………………………………….……….....…7

Picture Day……………………………………………………………………………………...….…7

Scholarships………….........................................................................................................7

Cancellation Policy............................................................................................................8

Spectator and Player Code of Conduct……………………………………………......…...8

A YMCA Youth Sports Parent’s Code of Conduct.....................................................8

Your Responsibility as a YMCA Youth Sports Parent..............................................9

Become a Volunteer!........................................................................................................9

The Coach’s Role in YMCA Youth Sports Programs………………….……………….10

Inclement Weather.........................................................................................................10

Healthy Snack Options......……………………………………………………………………..10

Rules of the Game

General Basketball Court Rules...................................................................................11

General Arena Rules…………………………………………………………………………..….11

Sports Department Disclaimer……………………………………………………..…………11

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WELCOME

Thank you for participating in the YMCA of San Diego County Youth Sports program!

At the Y, we know that a successful development process fulfills children and teens’ innate need to be supported, educated, competent and healthy.

Our sports staff, coaches and volunteers all share a singular vision of helping all youth reach their full potential. We leverage the excitement and passion around recreational programming to create a healthy outlet for children to gain new skills, develop a sense of team and connect with positive role models.

As we collaborate on a great season ahead, we encourage your feedback and suggestions on how we can create a positive experience for all. Please don’t hesitate to let us know how we can continue to provide the highest quality program for you and your child.

Regards,

Sports Management Team

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OUR YOUTH SPORTS RECREATIONAL PHILOSOPHYThe YMCA of San Diego County Youth Sports Program is dedicated to serving families by providing affordable sports programs in a noncompetitive environment, and improving children’s athletic skills while emphasizing fun, sportsmanship, teamwork and the development of positive self-esteem.

The Y is the starting point for many to learn about becoming and staying active, and developing lifelong healthy habits.

To ensure your child’s success, our approach to youth sports is guided by:

SAFETY FIRST: Your child’s safety is our number one priority. We’ve modified each sport to make it safer and more enjoyable for all.

TEAMWORK: Our programs focus on building positive relationships that contribute to good sportsmanship and teamwork in order to accomplish a team goal in a supportive environment.

FITNESS: Participation in recreational activities like sports can be a fun way of introducing exercise early on that can contribute to a lifetime of healthy habits.

SPORT FOR ALL: Our youth sports programs support the development of all youth. Our goal is for everyone to have an enjoyable experience regardless of ability or background.

EVERYONE PLAYS: Every child plays an important role on a team. All registered participants are assigned to a team regardless of abilities or skills. During the season, every player receives equal playing time.

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT: Your participation is encouraged! Whether it’s just showing up to support your child, or you volunteer as a coach, team parent or scorekeeper, your engagement in your child’s activities will contribute to a successful season. Resources are available for volunteer coaches.

SPORT FOR FUN: Our sports programs are all about fun and building positive relationships in a supportive, nurturing and noncompetitive environment and not just about winning the game. While parent participation and feedback is appreciated and encouraged, we ask that parents respect this goal.

YOUTH RECREATIONAL LEAGUES

Youth recreational leagues are offered year round with four 8-week seasons per year for youth ages 4-17. Practice schedules are determined by the coach and are usually held once per week for one hour. Games are typically one hour on Saturdays. All players receive a jersey and an end-of-season award.

SKILLS ASSESSMENTS Every player is assessed through a variety of fun drills and scrimmages in our mandatory skills assessment process. Teams are created to reflect an even balance of age, height, skill level and gender based on our staff’s assessment of each player. This helps support every child to feel comfortable to participate and succeed within an appropriate peer group.

PRACTICE AND TEAM REQUESTS Parents may request specific practice days and times, coaches or a team they would like their child to be on. While we will try to honor all requests, no request is guaranteed. Our first priority is ensuring balanced teams in each division. Please note: Requests received after skills assessment will not be considered.

YOUTH COMPETITIVE LEAGUES The Y offers competitive leagues coached by qualified YMCA sports staff. Competitive leagues are designed for players looking to take their skills to a new level through friendly competition. Teams are determined through seasonal tryouts. The season consists of eight games and three hours of practice per week. Playoff schedules will be determined during the season.

Competitive leagues travel to YMCA’s all over San Diego County to compete against other branch competitive leagues.

For more information, please contact your Sports Director or Coordinator.

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PLAYERSPACE ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

• The e-mail address you provide during registration is used for all PLAYERSPACE communication.

• Your children will be listed as “sub- accounts” within your Master Account.

• Your account will include game and practice schedules.

• You can sync this schedule to your iPhone, Android device, Outlook, Google Calendar, and/or other calendar formats. Changes made by the Sports Director, such as game or practice cancellations will automatically update to your synched calendar.

Profile InformationYour profile page gives an overview of your family’s upcoming games, active programs and teams.

You also have the ability to edit your information such as:• adding a picture.

• personal Information.

• adding additional parents or guardians to receive team and league notifications.

Add multiple email addresses to the accountYou can add additional email addresses to receive league updates and messages. Under account settings:

• Select the general tab

• Find the section that says carbon copy list

• Add email addresses

• Click update account settings at the bottom of the page to save this information

COMMUNICATION

All team communication is done through a web-based and mobile app called PLAYERSPACE. PLAYERSPACE makes it easy for coaches, parents and staff to communicate with each other in a singular platform.

What is PLAYERSPACE?PLAYERSPACE is a web-based and mobile platform that gives you convenient online access to league information such as schedules, practice times, team information, standings and event specifics. You will receive emails from PLAYERSPACE with updates on important sports program information, including schedule changes, practice times and registration announcements.

Please note information you provide during the sports registration program is important. Please make sure you answer all questions. Your answers are entered into PLAYERSPACE and may be used to determine your child’s team placement.

How do I log into PLAYERSPACE? You will receive a welcome email from PLAYERSPACE with your login credentials and different links once teams have been formed. Here, you can access your child’s team information.

To ensure you are getting our emails via PLAYERSPACE, please add notifications@playerspace.com to your email safe sender list.

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Email/Send MessagesIf you would like to email a coach, visit your team’s site. Click the envelope icon next to the coach’s name to compose and send your message. If you would like to email a program director, visit the league website and click the envelope icon next to the program director’s name.

Check MessagesTo check your PLAYERSPACE email, log in to your PLAYERSPACE account and go to your dashboard. Expand my messages and click inbox.

View SchedulesYour dashboard will provide you with a snapshot of any games you and your subaccounts have coming up within the next seven days. You can also view a team’s schedule from the team’s site. In the active teams module, click visit for the team whose schedule you wish to view. On the team’s site click schedules.

Your Team’s SiteYour team’s site is the hub for finding information such as game and practice schedules and locations, upcoming games and links to your league’s site. You can also communicate with your teammates and coaching staff, as well as share pictures and videos.

Sharing Pictures and Videos• Click the photos and videos menu item

• Choose photo or video

• Click manage album in the top right, then click add photos or add videos

Posting MessagesYou can also post to your team’s wall to share messages, stories and to celebrate your team’s accomplishments. Type your message in the message box then click comment. Each member of your team including fans will receive an email with the post. Team members and fans can then log in and engage with your comment.

PICTURE DAY Picture Day captures team and individual player’s picture. An order form will be sent home a week before Picture Day and returned on Picture Day with your form of payment. Pictures are typically mailed home within two weeks.

TEAM ROSTERS AND GAME SCHEDULES Team rosters will be emailed to coaches and participants through PLAYERSPACE before the first week of practices. Game schedules and locations will be finalized and available on your team’s PLAYERSPACE site at least five days before the first game. Some divisions will require travel for games. All addresses for game locations will be listed on the bottom of the game schedule.

SCHOLARSHIPS Thanks to the generous support of our donors and through annual fundraising efforts, financial assistance is available to qualified applicants through our ACCESS Scholarship Program. You can apply for a scholarship online at ymca.org/access or by picking up an application at the Welcome Center. Please submit your application in advance of the season to allow time for the paperwork to be processed.

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PARENT’S CODE OF CONDUCT

• Parents will remain positive role models for all participants by demonstrating encouragement and support for all players, coaches, officials, staff and other spectators at all times.

• While parent participation is encouraged, please refrain from questioning or confronting the coaches during and after games. Remember, it’s about having fun, not just about winning.

• For the safety of all participants, parents or guardians must remain on premises at all times during practices and games.

• Inform the coach and management staff about your child’s allergies and other specific health conditions. Please make sure you have all necessary medications available at practices and games.

CANCELLATION POLICY We understand that circumstances may change that may impact your child’s ability to participate in our program. Our cancellation policy accommodates cancellations up to the date of the program starting. This helps maintain proper class ratios.

• Cancellations before the start a program results in a 100% refund or voucher (less the deposit & vendor fees)

• Cancellations on the first day of a program results in a 75% refund or voucher (less the deposit & vendor fees)

• No refunds or vouchers are given for cancellations after the first day of program starting

Vouchers do not expire and may be transferred to another member of your family or donated to the Annual Campaign. Transfer/credit/refund request forms can be obtained at the Welcome Center.

SPECTATOR AND PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT

• Spectators will remain positive role models for the participants by demonstrating encouragement and support for all players, coaches, officials, staff and other spectators at all times.

• In the rare occasion an altercation arises between players, please allow our staff to manage the situation. Spectators or bench players will not be allowed to enter the field of play.

• Our sports programs are intended to be fun ways to develop healthy habits and build positive relationships. Please refrain from questioning or confronting officials and YMCA staff during and after the game.

• Participants must play by the rules and resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

• By registering to participate in any YMCA program, participants agree to abide by the code of conduct. Failure to do so could result in verbal or written warning, game suspension, season suspension or overall league suspension.

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YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A YMCA YOUTH SPORTS PARENT

Whether it’s gaining the confidence that comes from learning a new skill or building the positive relationships that lead to good sportsmanship and teamwork, participating in sports at the Y is about building the whole child, from the inside out.

Help support your child’s development by:

• encouraging your child to play sports as a fun way to learn new skills and make new friends, but careful not to pressure them. Let your child choose to play.

• understanding what your child wants from sports and provide a supportive atmosphere for achieving these goals.

• supporting their pursuit of other activities. Don’t make sports everything in your child’s life; make it a part of life.

• keeping the game about fun and not about scorekeeping.

• helping your child set challenging and obtainable performance goals.

• understanding the valuable lessons sports can teach instead of focusing on solely on winning.

• helping your child meet their responsibilities to the team and to the coach by making every effort to have your child at their scheduled practices and games.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER!Our sports programs wouldn’t be successful without the enthusiastic involvement from parents and other volunteers. Volunteering your time not only helps the program; it’s also an enjoyable way to meet other adults and make new friends.

Here are just a few ways to become involved:

• Become a coach or an assistant coach

• Volunteer as referee

• Keep time or score

• Become a team parent and assist the coach with the team snack schedule and other duties

To become a volunteer, apply online at ymca.org/get-involved, then email your sports director/coordinator and let them know you’ve completed the application. You will then be contacted to complete the remaining steps!

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THE Y’S TOP 10 RECOMMENDED HEALTHY SNACKS

1. Fruit – bananas, apples and orange slices give kids the quick energy they need while they’re playing hard on the field.

2. String cheese – provide easy portable protein source with calcium for strong bones.

3. Veggie and healthy dip packs - carrot or celery sticks paired with almond or peanut butter come in premade packs that are quick and fun for kids to eat.

4. Homemade granola - mix a nutrient-dense medley with raisins, cereal, dark chocolate chips and more.

5. Popcorn and whole-grain pretzels - both have fiber and the good carbs kids need when they are running and playing.

6. Yogurt cups paired with cereal or granola topping - can be found premade or you can create your own with a natural fruit-sweetened yogurt and a low-sugar cereal for a healthy protein/carb combo that will give kid’s long lasting energy.

7. Fruit Snacks – look for all natural or organic fruit snacks without any added sugar.

8. Granola bars - look for ones that are higher in fiber (4g) and do not contain hydrogenated oils or extra preservatives.

9. Apple sauce cups - apples are a great source of Vitamin C and applesauce is easy to digest when kids who are running around.

10. Chips and crackers - chips made with corn and crackers made from whole grains can be healthy and they contain salt which kids lose through sweat and needs to be restored.

11. Please ensure to check with the coach about any food allergies your teammates have.

THE COACH’S ROLE IN YMCA YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS

The coach plays a significant leadership role in the development of your child and therefore must demonstrate a positive role model attitude and behavior for participants and parents.

The role of the YMCA coach is to:

• teach players the rules, physical skills and tactics to play the sport.

• support the development of each child by embedding the Y’s four core values of: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in everything they do.

• help each child develop a positive sense of self-worth.

• treat players, other coaches, fans and officials with respect and recognize them as an integral part of the game.

• emphasize the fundamentals of teamwork good sportsmanship rather than winning.

• leverage the strengths and find the opportunities of each player.

• conduct practices and games so all players have an opportunity to participate equally and improve their skill level through active participation.

• protect the health and safety of all players by ensuring activities are age appropriate and controlled.

• provide positive and productive feedback during practice and games.

All coaches must undergo a background check and participate in web-based training programs to learn child abuse prevention, concussion prevention, safety, rules and other evaluation techniques. Please note coaches may not transport children beyond their own to and from practices and games at any time.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the event of a rainy day, programs that take place in an outdoor setting will wait for up to one hour for the weather to clear before the scheduled game, class or clinic is cancelled. Cancellations due to inclement weather will not be made up.

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GENERAL BASKETBALL COURT RULES

• No foul language.

• Close-toe shoes and shirts are required at all times.

• Snacks and beverages other than water must be consumed before entering the basketball court.

• Please observe open gym schedule for days and times of court availability.

• Violence and/or implied threats of any kind are strictly prohibited and may result in a suspension of your participation and/or cancellation of your YMCA membership.

• All players must abide by the YMCA Code of Conduct.

• Teams are required to clean up their area/benches after their game.

• No jewelry or watches on while playing.

SPORTS DEPARTMENT DISCLAIMER The YMCA has the right to revise our rules and policies at any time. Any rule currently not included in our rulebooks, but that is passed on to all teams either through email or from meetings between team representatives and league officials will also be followed. These amendments are for the benefit of the league, the participants and league officials.

GENERAL ARENA RULES

• Metal spike and stud cleats are not allowed on the playing field.

• Only players and coaches are permitted on the player’s side of the arena or playing field. All parents and spectators are asked to watch from the spectator side of the arena (if applicable).

• Please use the arena door(s) for arena access; jumping the arena walls is not permitted.

• Spitting is not permitted on premises.

• Please pick up all trash in your surrounding area.

• No food and snacks of any kind or drinks (other than water) are allowed. In particular, no chewing gum.

• No jewelry or watches on while playing.