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Welcome Coaches!
Welcome to the athletics ministry at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church! As a coach in our youth basketball program, you play a vital role in shaping the athletic and spiritual development of our young athletes.
Our ministry focuses on fostering teamwork, self-discipline, and sportsmanship while staying true to our Catholic faith. Here’s what we expect from you and some advice to guide your coaching journey.
Program Values and Expectations
Faith-Centered Approach: Always integrate our Catholic faith into your coaching. Start and end practices and games with prayer, and encourage players to embody Christian values such as humility, kindness, and perseverance. Use moments on and off the court as opportunities for spiritual growth.
Teamwork and Sportsmanship: Model and teach the importance of working together, supporting teammates, and showing respect to opponents and officials. Remind players that they represent not just the team, but the parish community. Encourage them to play hard, play fair, and always with a positive attitude.
Self-Discipline and Personal Growth: Emphasize the importance of self-control and commitment. Challenge players to push themselves to improve their skills, while also teaching them the value of effort, patience, and resilience. Recognize that every child’s development will vary, and celebrate progress and effort, not just the final score.
Balancing Competition and Ministry: While we strive for excellence in athletics, winning is not the primary goal. Focus on the growth of each athlete and the team as a whole. Cultivate a culture where success is defined by the improvement of skills, growth in faith, and development of character.
Community and Parish Spirit: As a coach, you are a leader within the St. Mary Magdalene community. Strengthen parish bonds by encouraging families to attend games, support each other, and participate in parish activities. Promote an atmosphere where parents, players, and coaches feel connected as one family.
Practical Coaching Advice
Set Clear Expectations: Let players and parents know the importance of practice and game attendance, good sportsmanship, and putting in their best effort. Make sure they understand that the focus is on learning and growing as individuals and as a team, not just on the outcome of games.
Encourage Multi-Faceted Growth: Recognize that sports provide an opportunity to develop not only physically, but also spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Use each practice and game as a platform to reinforce life skills and faith lessons.
Embrace Teachability Moments: When things don’t go as planned—whether it’s a loss, a disagreement, or a player’s mistake—use it as an opportunity to teach valuable lessons about forgiveness, perseverance, and maintaining a Christ-like attitude.
Provide Ample Opportunities for Participation: Ensure every child feels valued by providing ample playing time and encouraging all players to develop their skills. Remember, the goal is to foster a love for the game and promote growth across all abilities.
Stay Positive and Uplifting: Your words and actions set the tone. Praise effort, encourage players when they struggle, and use constructive criticism to build them up. Help them see their God-given potential and remind them that their worth is not determined by their performance.
By embracing these values and principles, you will help shape not just skilled athletes, but also young disciples who embody the spirit of Christ on and off the court. Thank you for your commitment to serving in this ministry and for being a positive role model for our youth.
Let's work together to create a meaningful and faith-filled basketball experience for all!
GYM & PRACTICE ETIQUETTE
BALL PUMP LOCATION
Need to pump up a basketball? I'm working on getting a new bicycle pump in the athletics closet. For now there are a few hand pumps in the closet. If the needle is missing, look up inside the door frame—there’s a magnet with a few needles hidden up there. Keep that tip between us!
RAISING/LOWERING BASKETBALL GOALS
If you need to adjust the basketball goals between 8 feet and 10 feet, the crank is in the athletics closet. You attach the crank to a hand drill. Do not go beyond the beginning of the black stripe indicating the level. This can cause the system to lock up.
NOTE: A new electric mechanism has been installed, but it has not been hooked up yet. So, until you hear from me, you are still manually using the drill crank to raise and lower the goals.
THERE IS NO DUNKING WHATSOEVER. It can damage our ability to raise and lower goals.
If you are the last practice of the day, DO NOT lower the goals for the younger age groups who might be practicing the next morning. At first, it was a kind gesture for your fellow coaches. But we want to prevent anyone from dunking at 8-feet even during "off hours."
For goals raised to the ceiling, the lockbox and keyholes to lower them are located in the small hardware compartment to the right of the stage. The code to the lockbox is 1492 (the year Columbus sailed the ocean blue). Be sure to return the keys to the lockbox after use—don’t put them in your pocket by accident! There is also a key in there for the athletic closet should it be locked.
STAYING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR TEAMS
Please make sure you stay in contact with your parents and players. I communicate to you, and you communicate with them. We really don't want to hear from parents saying they haven't heard from their coach.
SCHOOL BALL
If you're coaching middle or high school students, remember to ask if any of your players are trying out for their school team. If they make the school team, they won’t be eligible to play for St. Mary Magdalene. Keep them involved until a decision is made, and let me know if someone makes the school team so I can update our records.
NOTE WELL: No refunds will be issued once we play our first game.
SCOREKEEPERS NEEDED
St. Mary Magdalene will be hosting more home games this year, and we need volunteers to help keep score! Please, please, please... help us find volunteers. It's a great way for kids 15 years or older who need volunteer hours for school. I will sign their volunteer forms to get them credit!
VIRTUS CERTIFICATION
In accordance with the Diocese of Charleston’s requirements, ALL Parish volunteers and staff working with minors and vulnerable adults MUST complete the required Background check and training.
Please use the link below to SIGN IN and/or LOG IN into Virtus Online.
https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_2.cfm?theme=0&org=37845
Below is step-by-step instructions for the required training(s) and documentation. Please read the instructions carefully.
NOTE: Even if you are a returning coach, you need to complete Virtus training. The Diocese has moved from Virtus to Safe Haven and now back to Virtus, so we all need to renew under Virtus.
You will communicated with Linda Manccus in completing your training:
[email protected]
DOCYBT - February 2026
For coaches of 5th-8th grade teams, start thinking about the Diocese of Charleston Youth Basketball Tournament (DOCYBT) in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Feb. 20-22, 2025. I’d love to see strong participation from our teams again next year!
You will get more information before December 1st.
AWARDS BANQUET
Mark your calendars! We’ll hold our awards banquet on February 15, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. for all youth teams (K4-8th Grade). Each player will receive an award, and we’ll have snacks and a slideshow presentation.
Grades K4-1st and 2nd-3rd Grade - 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Grades 4th-5th: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Grades 6th-8th: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Each coach will have 90 seconds to speak about their team’s season, followed by a brief mention of each child (total speaking time: 8-10 minutes).
If you cannot attend, ensure your assistant coach or a parent steps in to speak. If that’s not possible, please provide me with information in advance so every child is recognized.
Every year, at least one player ends up without a coach to acknowledge them. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen this year.
NOTE WELL: This is also when we collect basketball jerseys. It's important that we recycle and reuse each year to save on costs for our ministry.
For high school and adult teams, plan your own celebration—whether it’s a dinner or a fun outing. Be sure to collect jerseys after the last game. It's your age groups that we have the greatest jersey lost year-to-year.
JERSEY DISTRIBUTION
ROSTER NEEDS & WAITING LIST
We operate a waiting list here:
http://www.smmccsports.org/late-registration.html
Placement from the waiting list is first come, first served. As spots open up, we will place kids on teams in the order they joined the waiting list, based on team needs and age group.
While we do our best to accommodate everyone, special requests for teams or friends cannot be honored. Our goal is to ensure all teams have the right number of players.
Here's how placement works:
Once I notify a player that they have been placed, then I send the family an official late registration form. They may begin practicing with you the moment I notify you that they are on your roster.
ROSTER CHANGES
We understand that after rosters are set and we start practice, there can be a lot of questions and concerns. There are unexpected challenges. There are those who have preferences they didn’t initially share or we simply couldn't meet. Then we have the waiting list where we are trying to give every child an opportunity to play where we can. And sometimes families decide to drop out.
We also recognize that mistakes can happen on our end, and when they do, we work quickly to make corrections.
While we strive to accommodate as many requests as possible, the process can take time, and emotions can run high. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these adjustments. Please know that we are committed to doing our best for every child, and we truly value your support when your rosters evolve.
Thank you for your grace and patience as we work to ensure a positive experience for all.
GAME SCHEDULE
These are the tentative days for games based on age groups:
Adults (Monday: November 10, 17, 24; December 1, 8, 15; January 5, 12, 19)
High School Boys & Girls (Monday: November 10, 17, 24; December 1, 8, 15; January 5, 12, 19)
High school and Adult tournaments (YES, THEY ARE DOING AN ADULT TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR) can begin as early as 3 days after the regular season during non-Monday evenings. Regardless of your record, all teams make the playoffs.
K4 through 8th Grade (Saturday, November 15, 22; December 6, 13 20; January 3, 10, 17, 24)
K4-1st does not have a tournament. For all other age groups with a tournament, playoffs could begin as early as Monday, January 26) Regardless of your record, all teams make the playoffs.
Our ministry focuses on fostering teamwork, self-discipline, and sportsmanship while staying true to our Catholic faith. Here’s what we expect from you and some advice to guide your coaching journey.
Program Values and Expectations
Faith-Centered Approach: Always integrate our Catholic faith into your coaching. Start and end practices and games with prayer, and encourage players to embody Christian values such as humility, kindness, and perseverance. Use moments on and off the court as opportunities for spiritual growth.
Teamwork and Sportsmanship: Model and teach the importance of working together, supporting teammates, and showing respect to opponents and officials. Remind players that they represent not just the team, but the parish community. Encourage them to play hard, play fair, and always with a positive attitude.
Self-Discipline and Personal Growth: Emphasize the importance of self-control and commitment. Challenge players to push themselves to improve their skills, while also teaching them the value of effort, patience, and resilience. Recognize that every child’s development will vary, and celebrate progress and effort, not just the final score.
Balancing Competition and Ministry: While we strive for excellence in athletics, winning is not the primary goal. Focus on the growth of each athlete and the team as a whole. Cultivate a culture where success is defined by the improvement of skills, growth in faith, and development of character.
Community and Parish Spirit: As a coach, you are a leader within the St. Mary Magdalene community. Strengthen parish bonds by encouraging families to attend games, support each other, and participate in parish activities. Promote an atmosphere where parents, players, and coaches feel connected as one family.
Practical Coaching Advice
Set Clear Expectations: Let players and parents know the importance of practice and game attendance, good sportsmanship, and putting in their best effort. Make sure they understand that the focus is on learning and growing as individuals and as a team, not just on the outcome of games.
Encourage Multi-Faceted Growth: Recognize that sports provide an opportunity to develop not only physically, but also spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Use each practice and game as a platform to reinforce life skills and faith lessons.
Embrace Teachability Moments: When things don’t go as planned—whether it’s a loss, a disagreement, or a player’s mistake—use it as an opportunity to teach valuable lessons about forgiveness, perseverance, and maintaining a Christ-like attitude.
Provide Ample Opportunities for Participation: Ensure every child feels valued by providing ample playing time and encouraging all players to develop their skills. Remember, the goal is to foster a love for the game and promote growth across all abilities.
Stay Positive and Uplifting: Your words and actions set the tone. Praise effort, encourage players when they struggle, and use constructive criticism to build them up. Help them see their God-given potential and remind them that their worth is not determined by their performance.
By embracing these values and principles, you will help shape not just skilled athletes, but also young disciples who embody the spirit of Christ on and off the court. Thank you for your commitment to serving in this ministry and for being a positive role model for our youth.
Let's work together to create a meaningful and faith-filled basketball experience for all!
GYM & PRACTICE ETIQUETTE
- Setup and Cleanup: Watch this overview video on gym setup, including how to raise/lower goals and move bleachers: Gym Setup Video.
- Unless you are using the side goals, please extend the bleachers for parents to sit on. The reason is when people sit on the bleachers when they are pushed in, it puts stress on the beams and gears under the bleachers.
- Lockbox Code: Remember, the lockbox code is 1492 for lowering/raising ceiling goals.
- Practice Time: We only get 60 minutes per session. Please end your practice on time and move team discussions to the side. Also, keep in mind the time it takes to raise and lower goals.
- Cleanup: If you're the last to leave, please sweep the floor and pick up any loose items. Place lost and found items on the top left of the bleachers.
BALL PUMP LOCATION
Need to pump up a basketball? I'm working on getting a new bicycle pump in the athletics closet. For now there are a few hand pumps in the closet. If the needle is missing, look up inside the door frame—there’s a magnet with a few needles hidden up there. Keep that tip between us!
RAISING/LOWERING BASKETBALL GOALS
If you need to adjust the basketball goals between 8 feet and 10 feet, the crank is in the athletics closet. You attach the crank to a hand drill. Do not go beyond the beginning of the black stripe indicating the level. This can cause the system to lock up.
NOTE: A new electric mechanism has been installed, but it has not been hooked up yet. So, until you hear from me, you are still manually using the drill crank to raise and lower the goals.
THERE IS NO DUNKING WHATSOEVER. It can damage our ability to raise and lower goals.
If you are the last practice of the day, DO NOT lower the goals for the younger age groups who might be practicing the next morning. At first, it was a kind gesture for your fellow coaches. But we want to prevent anyone from dunking at 8-feet even during "off hours."
For goals raised to the ceiling, the lockbox and keyholes to lower them are located in the small hardware compartment to the right of the stage. The code to the lockbox is 1492 (the year Columbus sailed the ocean blue). Be sure to return the keys to the lockbox after use—don’t put them in your pocket by accident! There is also a key in there for the athletic closet should it be locked.
STAYING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR TEAMS
Please make sure you stay in contact with your parents and players. I communicate to you, and you communicate with them. We really don't want to hear from parents saying they haven't heard from their coach.
- If email isn’t working, don’t hesitate to text or call your players.
- During registration, we only collected one email per family, so some players may have additional contacts (like a second parent) they’d like you to add. Follow up with your parents and see if there is any additional contacts that need to be listed.
- If you have kids that are not showing up regularly, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
SCHOOL BALL
If you're coaching middle or high school students, remember to ask if any of your players are trying out for their school team. If they make the school team, they won’t be eligible to play for St. Mary Magdalene. Keep them involved until a decision is made, and let me know if someone makes the school team so I can update our records.
NOTE WELL: No refunds will be issued once we play our first game.
SCOREKEEPERS NEEDED
St. Mary Magdalene will be hosting more home games this year, and we need volunteers to help keep score! Please, please, please... help us find volunteers. It's a great way for kids 15 years or older who need volunteer hours for school. I will sign their volunteer forms to get them credit!
VIRTUS CERTIFICATION
In accordance with the Diocese of Charleston’s requirements, ALL Parish volunteers and staff working with minors and vulnerable adults MUST complete the required Background check and training.
Please use the link below to SIGN IN and/or LOG IN into Virtus Online.
https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_2.cfm?theme=0&org=37845
Below is step-by-step instructions for the required training(s) and documentation. Please read the instructions carefully.
NOTE: Even if you are a returning coach, you need to complete Virtus training. The Diocese has moved from Virtus to Safe Haven and now back to Virtus, so we all need to renew under Virtus.
You will communicated with Linda Manccus in completing your training:
[email protected]
DOCYBT - February 2026
For coaches of 5th-8th grade teams, start thinking about the Diocese of Charleston Youth Basketball Tournament (DOCYBT) in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Feb. 20-22, 2025. I’d love to see strong participation from our teams again next year!
You will get more information before December 1st.
AWARDS BANQUET
Mark your calendars! We’ll hold our awards banquet on February 15, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. for all youth teams (K4-8th Grade). Each player will receive an award, and we’ll have snacks and a slideshow presentation.
Grades K4-1st and 2nd-3rd Grade - 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Grades 4th-5th: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Grades 6th-8th: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Each coach will have 90 seconds to speak about their team’s season, followed by a brief mention of each child (total speaking time: 8-10 minutes).
If you cannot attend, ensure your assistant coach or a parent steps in to speak. If that’s not possible, please provide me with information in advance so every child is recognized.
Every year, at least one player ends up without a coach to acknowledge them. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen this year.
NOTE WELL: This is also when we collect basketball jerseys. It's important that we recycle and reuse each year to save on costs for our ministry.
For high school and adult teams, plan your own celebration—whether it’s a dinner or a fun outing. Be sure to collect jerseys after the last game. It's your age groups that we have the greatest jersey lost year-to-year.
JERSEY DISTRIBUTION
- You will receive a bag with jerseys and your roster with assigned jersey numbers. These bags will be located in the Athletics Closet (I will notify you one they are ready).
- The roster will include each player's last name and their designated jersey number.
- Jerseys can only be exchanged if they are significantly too big (falling off) or if a player physically cannot put it on due to size (too small). We do not play into favorite numbers nor "it's a little too big." It must be a TRUE size concern.
- If a player needs a different size, first try swapping with another teammate. Record any jersey swaps and send me the updated numbers along with the players' names. If no suitable swap is possible, inform me of the player's name and the size they need.
- It’s crucial that each player keeps their assigned jersey, as every jersey has a unique code for tracking. This helps us know who returns their jersey at the end of the season. If any jersey swap occurs, please ensure you inform me of the changes. The league also requires an accurate roll call of assigned jerseys.
- For the most part, the jerseys are uniform in color and style, but some may vary in fabric. If parents ask for a specific jersey style, kindly explain that recycling and reusing jerseys helps us keep costs low.
- Keep in mind that it will take several weeks for the extra jerseys we will have to order to come in, so please be patient. Overall, we will get the jerseys to you before the first game.
- And NO WE DON'T LET KIDS PICK THEIR OWN NUMBERS!
ROSTER NEEDS & WAITING LIST
We operate a waiting list here:
http://www.smmccsports.org/late-registration.html
Placement from the waiting list is first come, first served. As spots open up, we will place kids on teams in the order they joined the waiting list, based on team needs and age group.
While we do our best to accommodate everyone, special requests for teams or friends cannot be honored. Our goal is to ensure all teams have the right number of players.
Here's how placement works:
- Teams with fewer than 10 players: We may automatically add a child from the waiting list to your roster.
- Teams with 10 or more players: We will contact you to see if you’re open to adding an 11th or 12th player, and so on.
Once I notify a player that they have been placed, then I send the family an official late registration form. They may begin practicing with you the moment I notify you that they are on your roster.
ROSTER CHANGES
We understand that after rosters are set and we start practice, there can be a lot of questions and concerns. There are unexpected challenges. There are those who have preferences they didn’t initially share or we simply couldn't meet. Then we have the waiting list where we are trying to give every child an opportunity to play where we can. And sometimes families decide to drop out.
We also recognize that mistakes can happen on our end, and when they do, we work quickly to make corrections.
While we strive to accommodate as many requests as possible, the process can take time, and emotions can run high. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these adjustments. Please know that we are committed to doing our best for every child, and we truly value your support when your rosters evolve.
Thank you for your grace and patience as we work to ensure a positive experience for all.
GAME SCHEDULE
These are the tentative days for games based on age groups:
Adults (Monday: November 10, 17, 24; December 1, 8, 15; January 5, 12, 19)
High School Boys & Girls (Monday: November 10, 17, 24; December 1, 8, 15; January 5, 12, 19)
High school and Adult tournaments (YES, THEY ARE DOING AN ADULT TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR) can begin as early as 3 days after the regular season during non-Monday evenings. Regardless of your record, all teams make the playoffs.
K4 through 8th Grade (Saturday, November 15, 22; December 6, 13 20; January 3, 10, 17, 24)
K4-1st does not have a tournament. For all other age groups with a tournament, playoffs could begin as early as Monday, January 26) Regardless of your record, all teams make the playoffs.
LEAGUE RULESTo the right are the official rules of our league, as well as a document outlining key changes from last year to this year. Anything that is not listed in the league rules defaults to South Carolina High School Rules.
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LEAGUE ROSTERSEach coach will need to complete an official league roster form by Friday, October 24, at 5 p.m. ET. Please submit these to [email protected] once you have received your jersey number assignments and your rosters have stabilized.
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NOTE: No players may be added to a roster once the second game has been played. If your roster changes, please submit a new official roster reflecting those changes to [email protected].
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VIRTUS TRAININGHere are instructions for completing your Virtus Certification. If you have questions, please reach out to Linda Manccus: [email protected]
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