Illinois Warriors Basketball Club

Our philosophy of winning is based on the same characteristics needed to wage a victorious battle against the problems of life. The opportunity for advancement does not present itself often; therefore, we try to prepare ourselves to recognize the opportunity when it occurs and make sure it does not pass us.

To be honest in our conviction, let us say at the beginning, that first and foremost, our principle desire is to win games. Secondly, it is our hope through teaching, guidance and example to exercise a wholesome influence so that we can inspire ourselves to seek and attain high objectives in a well-rounded and balanced life.

We must understand that there is lots of room in this world for a winner, but the "standing room only" sign is always up for a loser. In life, we will always be fighting to get ahead, so we must develop a winning spirit. We insist that we all have this winning spirit and that we keep winning uppermost in our minds. Even with this winning spirit, it must be remembered that victory is a means to an end and not the end itself. We must be a humble winner and a gracious, but hard loser. We mean the ability to take defeat graciously, but hates to lose. We feel that a hard loser, who suffers and occasional defeat, will profit by that defeat. We will think and talk over the cause of defeat and make sure that the same causes never defeats us again.

We feel that our opponents never beat us, we beat ourselves. Therefore, we stress that the team who makes the most mistakes loses most games. We must emphasize the difference between intelligent mistakes and wild mistakes. An intelligent mistake is one where the player makes the correct maneuver, but fails to carry out the play because of some unforeseen circumstance. A wild mistake is an attempt to do some act the player never should have tried in the first place. This one we do not condone, even if it is successful.

We feel that we are made mostly of spirit, and when our spirit is gone, our physical ability will not excel at its peak. We must sacrifice a player with natural ability for one with a burning desire to excel. We feel the good athletes have a strong determination to do their best and become more proficient. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!

We each must have the desire to win if we are able to be successful in any phase of life. However, one's desire to win must not be in the "at any cost" variety. The "Golden Rule" should be part of one's make-up at all times. The ability to be gracious in victory and defeat is the mark of a true champion. The athletes who play to the full extent of their capacities and abilities can, regardless of the outcome, carry their chins high and look anyone in the eye with pride. They are real men and women that no one can justly criticize. However, the athletes that fail to this are untrue to themselves and to the trust placed in them by their teammates.

When men and women graduate from out program, we like to tell that we have left something with them besides basketball skill. If they really played the game, they will learn many character traits that have strong carry-overs to life's problems. They are the development of citizenship, sportsmanship, loyalty to self and others, dependability, honesty, confidence, respect for authority, self-discipline, courage, leadership, personality, ability to live with others, and to develop and unselfish pride in their work.

-Coach K

ILLINOIS WARRIORS BASKETBALL CLUB, INC.
GENERAL RULES & GUIDELINES

1) PRACTICES/GAMES

***BE EARLY 15 minutes before scheduled practice - Warm up on your own…
Stretching, Jump Rope, and & Ball Handling Drills

30 minutes before scheduled game - Sit as a Team and wait for Coach…
Absolutely NO shooting or horseplay before or after our contest

LATE TO GAMES RESULTS IN LOSS OF START AND TIME!

***BE PREPARED Pack your own bag - Basketball, Jump Rope, Towel, Playbook, Water Bottle, ALL Practice/Game Gear, and a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!

MISSING GEAR RESULTS IN A NON-PLAY OR PRACTICE!

***BE COMMITTED Work as HARD as you can, for as LONG as you can, during every Practice and Game!

***BE SMART KNOW your schedule and plan accordingly.

***BE LOYAL It's a RARE commodity, but very admirable and rewarding.

2) ABSENCES

It seems with the growing number of Traveling Clubs (Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball), School Sports and Social Activities, our children are faced with many difficult decisions in their sporting and social endeavors. It is our philosophy, for an absence to be excused, it must:

*Be precipitated by a phone call from the Athlete
(815) 735- 9848
(State Name, Group, and Reason for Absence)

**If you are missing a tournament, three weeks notice is a MUST!

ABSOLUTELY NO PHONE CALLS TO CENTURY,H.H. CONRADY, OR LOCKPORT!

*Be related to an illness (Yours or a Family Member)

*Be related to a Family Function (Birthday, Graduation, Wedding, Communion, Confirmation, Funeral, Baptism, etc)

*Be related to your School or Club Sporting Event (Participating, NOT Watching)

Examples of Unexcused Absences would include:

*Homework, Transportation, Dances, Roller Skating Parties, and Watching a Friend's Game

PRACTICE WITH YOUR OWN GROUP UNLESS PRIOR APPROVAL IS GIVEN EACH PLAYER IS ALLOWED ON UNEXCUSED ABSENCE PER SESSION W/O PENALTY
ALL UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF PLAYING TIME

3) PLAYING TIME

Playing time is NOT guaranteed…it is EARNED! It is earned through HARD WORK at practice! Everyone who works hard in practice will get a chance to participate in game games if they are ready to be put in that game situation! Players on an "A" or elite team will have to exhibit and uphold intense practice and game skill in order to continue playing at that level. Players on a "B" or premier team will all get the opportunity to play in games as long as they are at practice and working hard.

4) CONDUCT

Players, as well as parents, must exhibit good conduct at all times. The means ON and OFF the court! Remember that you are representing the Illinois Warriors Basketball Club! We will all show the utmost respect for players, parents, coaches, and referees!

There will be absolutely NO TRASH TALKING allowed by anyone! The only people allowed to talk to the referees will be the coaching staff. Poor conduct will result in a loss of playing time and possible removal from the facility!

While traveling to away tournaments, our behavior is not limited to the arena of play, but rather the entire trip. This includes travel, accommodations, and group activities. Inappropriate behavior will be dealt with harshly!

*Coaches rooms are OFF LIMITS to ALL PLAYERS!

**CURFEW is CURFEW! Anyone out after curfew will be suspended one game.

JUST REMEMBER THIS AND YOU WILL HAVE NO PROBLEMS

BE SMART, PLAY HARDER, AND WHATEVER HAPPENS, HAPPENS!

5) COACHING

There will be absolutely NO parental coaching from the stands! This includes PRACTICES and GAMES! Sit back, relax, and enjoy your son/daughter practice/play the game they love. They will appreciate you for it and so will our coaches. We have a great group of coaches who will do their best to put our club's philosophy in motion at all levels…

6) FUNDRAISING

Every family is asked to participate in a voluntary fundraising effect which will be ongoing through the entire season. All money donated will be places in a separate interest bearing account for use by all teams that qualify to go to nationals or exposure tournaments. If six teams qualify, then the money will be split up evenly amongst the six teams to defray parental costs for Session IV.

IF, AT ANY TIME, YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CALL ME AT (815) 735-9848…

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THE ILLINOIS WARRIORS BASKETBALL CLUB

WE KNOW YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!