EWPAL 3/4/5 Basketball
Coach Guidelines 2020
Summary
● EWPAL is an instructional league and is meant to foster the player’s abilities and develop their love for the game and an appreciation for teamwork.
● Coaches are responsible for ensuring, above all else, that players remain in a safe, fun, and encouraging environment.
● Although games are competitive, there is a measure of flexibility that must be present. This is especially important for players who are new to basketball.
Games/General
● The coaches are responsible for trying to get every player equal court time.
● Games are played full court on the 10ft hoops.
● A jump ball is used to start the games and at the half. It must be between different players each week.
● There is a scoreboard and a quarter clock. The clock will not normally stop due to penalties, fouls, or substitutions. However during injury, the coaches may decide to stop the clock.
● During a quarter, a single player may not dominate. If a player is performing all of the dribbling, shooting and rebounding, the coach will inform them that they’ll need to share the ball and provide passing support for the next few minutes
Games/Defense
● Defense can only be played inside of the arc.
● During the season, 1-on-1 defense will be used in order to provide players with an equally matched opponent. Before each quarter of the game, coaches will line up the eligible players and pair them with a single player from another team who they will be covering. If a player is injured and needs a substitution, it is the coach’s responsibility to inform the new player who they are paired with.
● There is no double teaming at any time.
● In the last several weeks of the season, it is the coach’s discretion whether to allow zone defense. It will, again, be inside of the arc.
● In the first half of the season, coaches can call fouls and violations using their whistle (double dribbles, travels, etc). However, the ball will remain with the team in violation and the player who was charged with the violation must pass it to another team member. In the 2nd half of the season, fouls and violations will be enforced (loosely) and will result in the loss of possession.
Games/Offense
● Stealing is permitted starting in the first week, but only by the 1-on-1 assigned player.
● There are no foul shots in the first half of the season. Starting with the 2nd half of the season, the coaches can decide before the game whether to allow foul shots.
● During any given possession, the coach should try their best to have at least 3 different players touch the ball.