I am PASSIONATE when it comes to Kids. I have had the honor of being the Director of Buzzardball for 27 years. I was a P.E. teacher for 26 years. Both experiences have made me a better husband, father, coach and human being. Buzzardball was built on providing a positive youth sports experience for your kids. With the Winter Basketball League, there are a lot of components. Volunteer coaches, Site Directors, Officials, Family and Friends as spectators. But the most important is OUR KIDS. Together we are the Buzzardball Family! As we enter the last few weeks of the basketball season, playoffs are just around the corner. I encourage you to check out John O' Sullivan, who is the director of the Changing the Game Project. The mission of the Changing the Game Project is to ensure that we return youth sports to our children, and put the 'play' back in 'play ball.' O'Sullivan, who is the author of two books, hosts a podcast called "Way of Champions." Why do I bring this up? Because it matters. I want to provide important and insightful resources that help remind each of us of the importance of preserving our child's youth sports experience. Here is a little peek inside to an amazing podcast/blog that outlines ways in which parents can suck the joy out of sports, and a breakdown of the six things often loving parents and coaches do that lead kids to quit, burnout and dropout. Parent Sideline Coaching Joystick coaching/yelling instructions from the sidelines Disrespecting officials Questioning the coach Commenting on teammates play The Ride Home Let's keep the JOY in the experience and work together to keep it positive Full Blog | How Adults Take the Joy Out of Sports (And How We Can Fix It) Podcast | Listen On Apple Podcasts | Website Experience the Buzz Podcast with John O'Sullivan - Audio | YouTube (Video) Here is my discussion with John. Very insightful and a terrific conversation.

Important Reminders Everyone receives the FREE package as part of your registration. If you want the FREE package, you do not need to bring a Photo Day Envelope The Photo Day Envelope will be turned in if you are ordering additional items Rest of the instructions are included on the flyer below. Location is Rio Americano's Main Gym. I will be on hand with music and announcements throughout the day Best part - we get you in plenty of time to watch the SUPER BOWL! BIG THANK YOU to our PHOTO PARTNERS Spectrum Photography for being with us for another season.

Buzzardball was formed to be a positive and safe youth sports environment for our kids and their families. The positive culture is what sets Buzzardball apart from other youth sports leagues. You are a big part of that. Our coaches are a big part of that. And together we can set an example for what youth sports should look like or act like in any capacity. A big piece of the Buzzardball relationship are the officials and site directors. Please remember that the officials are doing their best when they officiate our games. We cannot expect perfection. In addition, our site directors are in place to oversee the games being played. In place are the FAN BEHAVIOR POLICY and COACH CONDUCT AGREEMENT. Please take a chance to read over as we get ready for the stretch run of the regular season.

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Buzzardball prides itself on providing a positive culture for the players, officials, and families, the ability to keep the "Main Thing" the main thing, which is ALWAYS the KIDS. The bigger picture beyond basketball is more important than the wins and losses. As a coach in Buzzardball, you are an important piece to ensuring the success for the kids who participate. Coaches can make or break it for a kid. Buzzardball is about creating lasting positive memories for kids. Life skills are in play. As a coach, you set the tone from the moment you welcome your team, your practices, and your attitude before, during, and after the game. Buzzardball is always working hard to be the blueprint for how youth sports organizations should be run. That is why having resources at your fingertips and understanding what is behind what is expected of a coach in Buzzardball is at the forefront. THE IMPORTANT PEOPLE THE OFFICIALS of HAWKINS OFFICIATING | The officials are a part of the Buzzardball family. It is important that we maintain a positive relationship with the men and women who officiate Buzzardball. We are one of the rare rec leagues that Hawkins takes on as a client. The main reason is the positive environment that we create during games. We would never want to lose their services and have to officiate the games ourselves THE SITE DIRECTORS | Buzzardball site directors are on hand to make sure that games flow and stay on time. During the game, they are available to assist with the scoreboard operator or scorekeeper. They are also there to answer any questions from the officials and you the coaches. They are also on hand to make sure that the rules of Buzzardball rules are being followed as they relate to the Sub Grids and general rules of the game. THE PLAYERS (The Most Important) | Being a coach is a privilege where you have a chance to make a lasting impression on the kids who play for you. Always remember that. Be the coach that creates positive memories that kids today will tell their kids as adults. THE IMPORTANT STUFF These forms can also be found in the Rules + Sub Grid section of buzzardballhoops.net EXPERIENCE THE BUZZ PODCAST | I host a podcast in which I have had the opportunity to interview John Sullivan and Andrea Barber. Two great episodes that target youth sports and the world of officiating. I invite you to take a listen EXPERIENCE THE BUZZ with John Sullivan, Author + Founder "Changing The Game Project" | YouTube | Audio EXPERIENCE THE BUZZ with Andrea Barber, Co-Director of Hawkins Officiating | Audio OTHER RESOURCES The Magic Ratio | The Power of Positive Feedback Video | The Importance of Positive Feedback Golden Rule | Coach the Kid, not the Sport

Below are photos of items that were left behind on Buzzardball Gamedays. If you see an item that belongs to you. Text Steve Buzzard at 916-947-7464 or email as scbuzzard@gmail.com to arrange item pick-up

TRYOUTS are happening this SATURDAY JANUARY 22ND, not February as previously posted One of the amazing partnerships Buzzardball has is with the Cal Red Raiders program. This is for boys in Grades 3-8 who want to take their basketball experience to a different level. Cal Red Raiders is a highly acclaimed AAU program that has seen many local basketball players do BIG things. Co-Director Matt Clifford, who is part of the Jesuit High School Varsity Boys Basketball Coaching Staff, leads the way and will help you with any questions you have. QUESTIONS | Email Matt Clifford at coachcliff44@gmail.com Frequently Asked Questions | Click Here WEBSITE | CALREDRAIDERS.ZONE Tournament Dates (tentative) 1. March 12 FEBA Jamboree (Folsom) 2. March 18-19 Yellow Jackets Spring Classic (Sacramento) 3. March 25 HWP (Rocklin) 4. April 1 Courtside (Rocklin) 5. April HWP (Rocklin)

Buzzardball is very fortunate to have an amazing partnership with our friends at Hawkins Officiating. It's a partnership that has lasted well over 10 years. Directors Steve Harank, Andrea Barber, and Jay Crawley have provided officials for Buzzardball games and have expressed how much they enjoy being a part of Buzzardball. One reason is the positive culture that is in place with our coaches, players, and spectators. As you know ... officials have been dwindling in number of all sports mainly because of the abuse that has taken place with coaches, players, and spectators. Fortunately at Buzzardball, we have created a culture where the officials are a part of the Buzzardball family. These officials, who work all sports for junior high, high school, and college, love coming to Buzzardball. As a protection for the officials, we have three things in place Fan Behavior Policy Coach's Conduct Form Hawkins Officiating Zero Tolerance Policy (NEW! This Season) Please review. Any questions, contact Buzzardball Director Steve Buzzard at 916-947-7464 (text is best) or scbuzzard@gmail.com. Buzzardball was designed to be a positive youth sports experience for the kids + families in our area. Buzzardball appreciates you being a part of the Buzzardball family. IT'S ABOUT THE KIDS! ALWAYS!

Check out these videos that showcase the BINDER breakdown. Each Buzzardball Game Site will feature a BINDER that is available to the Site Director, Coaches, and Scorekeeper Available are SCHEDULES, RULES, NUMBERED ROSTERS, SUB GRIDS, FAN POLICY, and COACH'S CONDUCT FORM

Here is a look at where every team will be on Sunday January 8th

Buzzardball Birthday Parties now have an OFFICIAL home! NEW! is the Private Food Area that comes along with your Court Rental That means you can bring in pizza and birthday cake and have a full birthday experience In addition - Buzzardball is available for you to host your birthday party. Just head to the Kid Birthday section of buzzardballdj.com to see what we offer. ONE (1) and TWO (2) hour options available. We bring the MUSIC (make your own playist) and the FUN! Having a birthday host makes a BIG difference. Allows you to sit back and have fun! And ADULTS ... you are allowed to have a FUN party, TOO! Imagine a Dodgeball tournament or basketball games. The possibilites are endless!