Coaches Resources

“The Coach is first of all a teacher.” - John Wooden

The Grand Rapids Area Basketball Association welcomes you to the basketball program. Your dedication as a mentor to our young athletes is to be commended! A goal of GRABA is for all youth basketball participants, both parents and athletes, to have an enjoyable basketball experience. Skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship is the main focus of GRABA. GRABA’s programs are made possible by the dedication of volunteers, with many volunteers putting in several hours of work to make the GRABA a success! We can't do what we do without you!

Whether you're a first time coach, or a long-time vet, GRABA is committed to building up the program thru proper teaching of the game to build the best players, and people, possible.

GRABA Coaching Requirements:

• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Be current on the CDC Concussion Protocol.
• Have knowledge of the game commiserate to the level of the game being played.
• Be committed to the times and locations of practices and games.
• Be a good communicator.

If you meet the above requirements, please reach out to the program director of the team you wish to coach.

Parent Meeting

Before the first practice, have a parents meeting. Setting expectation before the season can ease any future issues before they happen.

Key things to discuss:

• Playing Time.
• Attendance Expectations.
• How/When Parents can reach you.
• Q&A Session to end the meeting.

Player Meeting

Before your start running basketball drills, sit your players down for a quick meeting.

Key things to discuss:

• Playing Time
• Attendance Expectations
• Behavior Expectations
• Emphasize team play and hard work
• Explain good sportsmanship both in wins and losses.

General Discipline Guidelines

1. The GRABA Discipline Guidelines are based upon our desire to provide a fair and competitive environment for our players, and a positive sporting experience for the coaches, referees, families, and community members in attendance. All members in attendance at GRABA activities are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct(s) as referenced by the GRABA Coach, Player, and Parent Codes of Conduct (respectively).

2. Failure to adhere to the Code of Conducts, or the GRABA By-Laws, can result in loss of access to GRABA events, up to and including disbarment from all GRABA programs.

3. The severity of the unsportsmanlike act will determine the severity of the resulting disciplinary action. Any GRABA Board Member has the authority to convene an on-site disciplinary assessment using their best judgment, to administer appropriate disciplinary action to any player, coach, official, host, or spectator (as outlined below). Possible disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to: censure, disqualification, suspension for a definite or indefinite period of time, or expulsion from any or all GRABA sponsored programs.

Section 1. Acts of Disbarment

A. Physical attack on a referee or other tournament official or GRABA Board member during a game or immediately following a game, played under the administration of GRABA.

B. Player, coach, manager, or spectator threatening a referee, tournament official, or GRABA Board member.

C. Any GRABA Board member, referee, player, coach, manager, or spectator fighting, using unsportsmanlike conduct, abusive tactics, or derogatory or unbecoming acts that are detrimental and not in the best interest of the league and tournament play.

D. Destruction of property or the abuse of property. E. Except as otherwise provided, paying or receiving compensation on consideration of participation in GRABA sponsored competition. This shall apply to a player, team, or sponsor.

F. By knowingly competing with or against ineligible or suspended players.

G. By participating in or permitting a fraud to be perpetuated.

H. Competing under a false name.

I. Failure to show up after entering a tournament unless reasonable advance notice is given.

On-site Disciplinary Actions:​ Any disciplinary action administered on-site shall be subject to immediate review by the Travel Coordinator, Youth Coordinator, or tournament director as well as any GRABA Board Members in attendance. An on-site discussion will be held to determine if disciplinary action is appropriate. All decisions rendered are in effect for the remainder of that specific event.

Any decision may be appealed to the GRABA Board of Directors at the earliest possible date. The Travel Coordinator, Youth Coordinator, or tournament director in attendance must document the event, facts of the matter (names, date/times, witnesses, and objective statements on the sequence of events). The GRABA President will be immediately notified of the disciplinary activity, and all notes will be presented as soon as possible to the GRABA Board, to prepare the GRABA Board for any appeal activity.

Off-site Disciplinary Actions:​ GRABA reserves the right to issue disciplinary action for off- site misconduct, depending upon the frequency and severity of the offense.

General Disciplinary Guidelines

1.The following procedures will be taken if a potential violation occurs:

A. If during an event, the Travel Coordinator, Youth Coordinator, or tournament director will gather all necessary information for the GRABA Board Members.

B. All necessary witnesses will be contacted and asked to provide written documentation of the incident (i.e. player, coach, game official, tournament director, etc.)

C. Upon review of the facts, and if necessary, a letter will be sent to the individual with a statement of their suspension.

D. Individual will be informed that failure to comply with the suspension will result in additional penalties.

2. Should the GRABA Board choose to suspend an individual, the GRABA President, Travel/House Coordinator, GRABA Secretary, that individual, along with any other pertinent people involved (player, team coach, the player’s parents/guardians, etc.) will be sent a copy of the suspension letter.

3. If a suspension/probation is required:

A. Motion and suspension/probation letter will include Acts of Disbarment.

B. Letter will include details that govern any violations of suspension/probation and the length of penalty  

From time to time, parents and players may have a grievance with a coach, another player, or with a GRABA policy, process, procedure, bylaw, etc. We advise parents and players to wait 24 hours following an incident. This gives all parties a chance to cool down, vent with others and/or seek advice from others, and attempt to see the other side's point of view. We then recommend you approach the individual you have an issue with, as they are probably the best one to recognize the issue and work with you towards a solution.

Parents and players may not feel comfortable approaching an individual. If that is the case, we recommend you approach the first GRABA representative you feel comfortable with:

1. Head Coach

2. Program Coordinator

3. President

4. Other GRABA Board Member

Please give a reasonable amount of time for a response. If your concern is not heard or not dealt with adequately, you may move down the list. Lastly, the GRABA Board meets monthly, if you feel your issue has not been dealt with properly we encourage you to contact the GRABA President and let them know of your intention to attend the next meeting. If the issue involves a member of the board, the President, at his discretion, may ask the board member(s) to excuse themselves. Want to provide feedback anonymously? Write us at: GRABA P.O. Box 945 Grand Rapids, MN 55744