Who do I call if my child can't attend practice or games?

If your child cannot attend a scheduled practice or game, please contact your coach if possible.  Your coach should provide you with his or her contact information during the first practice.

How often will my child practice?

Five practices are scheduled prior to the first games January 10-12, 2007 (see the Upward Calendar).  There is a two-week break from practices due to Christmas activities/events scheduled at FBC.  The week of the first game, and then thereafter, teams will practice one time per week.

Is there a different schedule for Kindergarten-age basketball teams?

Kindergarten practices and games are held during the same hour, usually on Thursday and/or Friday evenings.  The first 30 minutes are for practice, and the second thirty minutes are used for a game against another team.

Who can I call if I have a question, comment, or problem?

(1) Contact the FBC Upward League Director, Angie Hayslett, at 562-9281 during normal business hours; or (2) send an email to upward@fbcoh.com.  Your message may be forwarded to another member of the Upward Leadership Team depending on the nature of your concern (coaching, referee issues etc).

What are the green star awards?

Green iron-on stars are awarded during practice sessions for players who participate in scripture verse learning.  During the first practice, your coach should give a scripture verse card to each player for him or her to learn for the next week's practice.  Every player will receive a new card at each practice for learning the following week.  The verses should be referenced in the materials provided to your child during the first practice.  The stars are customarily ironed-on the sleeves of t-shirts worn under the game jersey.  Most players take great pride in showing them off.

What are the Game Star Awards?

Various colored iron-on stars are awarded by the coach or assistant coach to each player during the post-game awards meeting following each game.  The colors each symbolize a positive attribute displayed by the player during that day's game (for an explanation of each color's meaning, click here ; click this link for iron-on instructions).  Game star awards are also customarily ironed-on the sleeves of t-shirts worn under the game jersey.  Most players take great pride in showing them off.

At FBC this year, post-game awards will take place in four designated rooms off the main hallway in the first floor of the Family Life Center (Sunday School Classrooms).  At TOP, post-game awards will be held in the main hall.  Parents, grand-parents, and friends are encouraged to gather in each team's designated room/area and enthusiastically cheer for each player as he/she receives the award.  

NOTE:  Meeting in classrooms is designed to minimize distractions and noise characteristic in the hallways and gym between games.  However, there have been problems in the past with individuals causing unnecessary damage to these rooms and furnishings.  Please help us maintain the privilege of meeting in these rooms by controlling your children, particularly young siblings, while in these rooms.  FBC and TOP greatly appreciate your cooperation and help in this matter.

What is a typical practice session like?

Each coach is free to design practices according to each coach's style and each team's needs.  That said, most practices typically consist of a brief initial gathering, warm-up activities, basketball skills and drills, a 5-minute devotion around "halftime" of practice, and additional skills and drills or a scrimmage with another team during the second half of practice.  Parents will typically be provided handouts detailing weekly announcements during/after practices.  

Parents are respectfully asked to insure player siblings/friends refrain from dribbling or shooting basketballs, or otherwise causing distractions, during the devotion time at each practice.

What is a typical game day like?

Parents and players are typically asked to arrive 15 minutes early for their scheduled game to meet with the coach, assistant coach, or designated parent so that the game roster can be finalized.  

For games at FBC, teams may meet in the Family Life Center (room where games are played) at a pre-determined area, or they may meet in the hallway under the courts.  Approximately 5 minutes prior to the game, teams will line up in the hallway under the courts in the order they will be announced for their games.  Coaches and Upward Staff manage this.  The Game Day MC will then announce the Teams and each child's name as they run through a tunnel to great fanfare and music.  Teams gather with the coach at their designated bench, and then each team lines up at half-court against the opposing team.  The 2 volunteer referees briefly review common rules violations and rules unique to Upward Basketball before having a brief pre-game prayer.  The game consists of six 6-minute periods, with half-time occurring after the third period.  The clock typically does not stop during a given period.  At the end of each period, new players are rotated into the game according to a designated rotation schedule to assure that all players ultimately enjoy equal playing time and the chance to start a game throughout the season.  Half-time consists of a 5-minute rest for the players off-court, and a brief devotion for the parents and other spectators.  Concessions will be available at FBC only.  At the end of the game, players and parents/family will be directed to a designated room in the hallway under the courts, where the post-game awards celebration will occur.

As there is only one floor, one court, and one game played per hour at TOP, the meeting places are typically less formal as it is easier to find your teammates and coaches.  The same basic format applies.

What is the Circle of Affirmation and the Circle of Criticism?

Please click this link to view a PDF file explaining these concepts encouraged by Upward Sports.

What is different about Upward vs. other sports leagues?

Upward has trained its church partners to implement a league that ensures all registered children will play. As coaches are trained on the Upward substitution system, they are given parameters for substituting players in and out of the game. The substitution system provides every child the opportunity to be in the starting lineup, requires no child to sit out back-to-back segments, and allows every child to play at least half of the game.  (Click here for more information from www.upward.org ).