SKILL SPLITS AND TEAM CLASSIFICATIONS

 

From the 4 th through 8 th grades KIDSPORTS requires schools to split teams by skill when there are enough participants to make more than one team. Schools with a single team will be classified AA; schools with two teams will form AAA and A teams; schools with three teams will form AAA, AA and A teams; while schools with more than three teams will form one AAA, as many AA as necessary and one A team. In third grade all teams formed are AA classification.

 

KIDSPORTS will allow coaches to petition for exceptions or changes from normal team classifications. Teams may be allowed to move up or down in classification and schools may be permitted to form more than one AAA team.

 

If permission is given to form more than one AAA team, coaches will be allowed to assign the best players to one team and the next best players to a second team or any combination they desire.

 

Coaches must submit requests for changes in classification to their area Sports Manager. KIDSPORTS will evaluate requests based on previous years’ results, coach opinions, staff observations and, if necessary, seeding jamborees.

 

The entire KIDSPORTS program normally forms several leagues within each classification. Leagues are traditionally formed where possible by geographic area.

 

KIDSPORTS will make adjustments in league organization in an attempt to create more parity in league play.

 

KIDSPORTS staff will form leagues at their discretion using both geographic and competitive parity considerations. Coaches interested in moving from traditional league combinations can submit requests for change to their Sports Manager. Coaches who believe their team to be particularly strong or weak should make this known to KIDSPORTS.

 

KIDSPORTS will consider mid-season changes in classification or league organization.

 

At the mid-season Valentine’s Day break teams struggling or dominating their classification or league may be considered for a change in classification or league assignment. Coaches may petition for a change or KIDSPORTS staff may determine that a change is necessary.

 

TIMING: DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, MAKE ANY SPLITS UNTIL YOU HAVE HELD A MINIMUM OF THREE PRACTICES AND A COACH HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO EVERY TEAM CREATED IN YOUR SPLIT. A split made before all coaches are assigned results in uneven teams and uncertainty and confusion among players and parents. Three practices allow all players to be seen. It is best that coaches meet after practice to make splits. Each coach should then contact the players on their roster to inform them of the next practice. This method of team division greatly reduces the discomfort felt by kids (and coaches)! If you have enough players to form more than one team, it is the responsibility of the “lead” coach to work with their Sports Manager to identify and recruit a coach for each team. A split can occur only after all coaches have been assigned.

 

AA/AA SPLITS:This is a very difficult split to make properly. When you make an “even” split into multiple teams, THE TEAMS ARE SPLIT EVENLY IN BOTH NUMBER AND ABILITY! A rotation draft, done outside the presence of the kids, is the best way to accomplish an even split. Coaches for all teams created must be appointed and participate equally in the draft so that the split is fairly done.

 

Sometimes transportation or some other factor requires that, if possible, certain players be assigned to a team with certain other players. This often can be done while still making even teams. It is not likely that a team will include all of the same players as the previous year, as this will usually create inequality between teams.

 

An uneven split is not fair to the divided players, or to the other teams in their leagues and may result in the VERY unpleasant job of RE-SPLITTING teams.

 

AAA/A SPLITS: When splitting by ability, it is good to remind your players that it is your job to make the splits, you only have a few days to do it, it is a difficult job, but you will do your best. Point out that the reason for splitting this way is much more like dividing into reading groups in school: so all players will be able to play at the best level for their ability at this time.

 

AAA/AA/A SPLITS: When approved by KIDSPORTS staff and when there are enough players for at least three teams, players are divided into 3 ability groups. It is extremely important to split into the 3 separate levels in ONE split, with all coaches present. IT IS NOT PERMITTED to first split AAA and then have another tryout requiring another split. Players are not to be notified twice that they have not made a team. After the AAA coach has selected players, the AA coach(es) should then select and finally the A coach will take the rest. Usually the AAA coach will share evaluations of players with AA, A coaches in order to help with their selections.

 

Remember, to minimize the discomfort felt by players and coaches during this process, it is advised that kids are telephoned by their new coach (if possible) to inform them of the next practice.

 

ROSTER SIZE: Do not divide teams unequally in number. Teams must be divided with as equal number of players as possible on each team.

 

Please consult your Sports Manager with any questions. Sports Managers have been through this situation many times and can offer helpful advice.

 

 

 

PROGRAM POLICIES

 

Most policies dealing with team formation, practices, and general program philosophy can be found in your “KIDSPORTS Coaches Handbook.” It is vital that you are familiar with and understand this information to assure that KIDSPORTS is a positive experience for every participant.

 

Policy #1 –    GAMES

 

1(A)   OFFICIAL SCHEDULE: A schedule of games for each KIDSPORTS team will be prepared by the KIDSPORTS program staff. Once a schedule is published by KIDSPORTS, the schedule will not be changed, altered, modified, etc., except for those situations deemed to be of an extraordinary nature (school related). All schedule changes must be approved by a program director. If you are coaching more than one team you must have an assistant coach prepared to take over one of your teams in the event of a schedule conflict.

 

1(B)   TIMES: All KIDSPORTS scheduled games will be played on weekends: Saturdays from 9:00 am-10:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00 pm-10:00 pm.

 

1(C)   TEAM ARRIVAL AT GAME SITE: At least one registered coach from each team or representative should be at the game site at least 30 minutes prior to the starting time listed on the official schedule published by KIDSPORTS. Teams are not to arrive at the game site more than 45 minutes prior to the scheduled game time.

 

1(D)    OFFICIAL SCOREKEEPER & TIMER: The home team is responsible for supplying the official book and official scorekeeper. The visiting team is responsible for providing the official time keeper for the game.

 

1(E)   STARTING TIME: Games must begin no later than the scheduled time according to the official schedule published by KIDSPORTS. If a preceding game extends beyond the scheduled starting time, the delayed game must begin within 15 minutes following completion of the preceding game.

 

1(F)   GAME BALL: The game ball will be a KIDSPORTS-issued ball unless both coaches decide to use an alternative.

 

NOTE: Failure to begin the game with a minimum of three players (see 1(E)) will cause the official to award a win by forfeit to the team ready to play. If both teams are in violation, the game will be declared “no contest” and each team will be charged with a loss.

 

1(G)   NO PROTESTS: All decisions by officials are final. KIDSPORTS does not recognize protests.

 

1(H)   NON-ROSTERED PLAYERS: Only players listed on your official KIDSPORTS team roster are eligible to play for your team during KIDSPORTS scheduled games. Playing ineligible players will result in FORFEITURE of game(s) and coach SUSPENSIONS or TERMINATION.

 

Policy #2 --    PRE-GAME

 

2(A)   LINE-UP CARDS: Quad A coaches are not required to fill out line-up cards. All other head coaches are required to fill out an official KIDSPORTS line-up card prior to each game. The line-up card must include all players listed on the team roster filed with the KIDSPORTS office. Players who will not play must be listed along with the reason for not playing. Valid reasons are injury, sickness, vacation, absence, quitting the team and discipline.

 

2(B)   FIVE (5) MINUTES TO GAME TIME: Each team must deliver a copy of their team line-up to the official. The official will sign and turn in to the KIDSPORTS office.

 

Policy #3 --   TEAM CONDUCT

 

3(A)   SMOKING/DRUGS: Smoking or the use of alcoholic beverages and/or drugs are not permitted in the gymnasium or on school grounds by any player, coach, team personnel or spectators.

 

3(B)   TEAM BENCH: Players and substitutes shall sit on their team benches unless playing in the game. No one except eligible players in uniform, coaches, and scorekeeper(s) shall occupy the bench area during the game.

 

3(C)   SPORTSMANSHIP: Coaches are reminded to display good sportsmanship at all times and to set the example for players and parents. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players, assistant coaches and parents as well as themselves. Anyone ejected from a game will automatically be suspended from the next game (minimum). Depending on the nature of the ejection, the suspension may be for multiple games and/or the season.

 

3(D)   JEWELRY:Players MAY NOT wear ANY jewelry during games. Earrings CANNOT be taped and MUST BE REMOVED. Cloth friendship bracelets ARE considered jewelry. The official shall issue a warning to both benches on a first offense by either team. Any subsequent offense will result in a technical foul charged to the offending team.

  

   3(E)   UNIFORMS: All 3 rd through 5 th grade teams must wear unaltered KIDSPORTS-issued uniforms (out-of-district exempted). Teams supply their own shorts -- recommended by KIDSPORTS to be black.

6 th grade through high school teams may wear non-KIDSPORTS issued uniforms provided that they meet these criteria:

a. The color must be that of the area high school or middle school the team represents;

b. Uniforms must be a set and meet National Federation standards for numbering and number placement;

c. No sponsor information can be printed or affixed to in-district game uniforms unless the sponsorship goes through the KIDSPORTS Development Department. Any questions should be directed to the Support Services Manager.

 

Policy #4 --   OFFICIATING

 

3 RD THROUGH 12 TH GRADE: Officials for all KIDSPORTS scheduled games played in-district are assigned by a commissioner. Unfortunately, officials occasionally do not show up for games. In this case locate the KIDSPORTS Gym Supervisor assigned to your facility to notify KIDSPORTS that an official has not arrived. We will attempt to get someone there. However, coaches should play the game with parent volunteer referees. If the coaches cannot agree and the game is not played, KIDSPORTS cannot guarantee that the game will be rescheduled.

 

4(A)   REFEREE ASSIGNMENTS: 3 RD GRADE: Each KIDSPORTS game is assigned one referee. Each team needs to provide one volunteer to act as a Referee Assistant (RA). The Referee Assistant stands on one of the baselines and helps the referee with out-of-bounds calls only.

 

4(B)   COACH/REFEREE RELATIONS: Officials working KIDSPORTS games are often in their first or second year of officiating. Just like the young players on your team, they are still learning and will make mistakes. Please be patient and understand that each official is striving to improve and should be treated with respect. Abusive behavior towards the referee from coaches, parents or players during or after the game will not be tolerated!

 

Policy #5 --   CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

 

Following the completion of the regular season schedule, KIDSPORTS will conduct the optional KIDS KLASSIC Tournament (Quad teams are automatically entered). A team fee must be paid to enter the tournament. No admission fee for spectators will be charged during the KIDS KLASSIC Basketball Tournament.

 

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