At Trafford Basketball Club, we want our players to develop their skills, make new friends, learn about teamwork, keep fit and most importantly, have fun!

We believe that all of our players can better achieve these goals if they display our five key attitudes:

Respectful Energetic Alert Considerate Happy

Teaching our players these attitudes is just as important as basketball technique:

Be Respectful to your teammates:

Encourage your teammates.
Be positive with them when things go wrong (body language!).
Thank the passer if you score.
When teams are picked, never ask to go on a different team – think about how this will make your teammates feel?

Be Respectful to your coach:

Be helpful.
Have good manners.
Have good tone of voice and body language.
Follow instructions.

Be Respectful to referees:

Accept decisions you don’t agree with, learn from the ref.
Don’t argue with the ref.
Thank the refs at the end of training and matches.

Be Respectful to opponents:

Always say “well played” at the end of the game.
Apologise if you foul.
Help players up if you knock them down.
Congratulate them if they do something good (stop a basket, make a good pass etc.)
Don’t be mouthy with opponents / let your basketball do the talking.

Be Energetic and Enthusiastic:

Give your all in every drill.
Positive body language.
Lots of talking / encouraging.
Pound the ball / no baby bounces.
Play ‘til the end.
Push yourself to the edge of your capabilities – mistakes are great, they mean you’re pushing yourself!

Be Alert:

Always listen to the coach so you can learn (eyes on the coach, no distractions).
Pay attention to details.
Learn from your mistakes.
Watch others play, learn from your team mates, learn from game situations (what would you do?)
Concentrate in drills and games – be present.
Ask questions if you don’t understand.

Be Considerate:

Be unselfish, for example share your ball with others if there aren’t enough, let others do tip-off, include others if they haven’t got a partner.
More experienced players should make other players feel welcome and involved in the group.
If you notice someone isn’t getting passed to, try and get them involved.

Be Happy:

Above all, win, lose or draw; enjoy yourself!
Basketball is about everyone having fun.