Frequently Asked Questions
Tallowood Kingdom Basketball Program
1. What is the fee?
The fee per player for the 2024 season is $193.
2. What is the mission?
To provide an opportunity for children to have fun and learn basketball in a nurturing setting while playing with friends from their school, church or neighborhood; to foster a positive self-image and sportsmanship character as a person and a player.
3. Why should parents want their child to play Tallowood Kingdom Basketball?
Their children will have fun, learn basketball, and nurture character and a better
self-image as a person and player.
A parent benefits by:
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having practice immediately prior to games
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making every effort to assign players to a team where they know someone else from their community, school or church. Priority is given to those friends named on their application; otherwise, the school or church names on their registration form are used as a basis for creating a team
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having no primary focus on winning; no win/loss records are maintained as teams are not formed by drafting players based on "try-outs" to assess their skills and creating teams of "like" skills
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having a primary focus on a child doing their best in an environment of competition where fun and learning basketball are balanced priorities
Coaching - Head or Assistant
1. When are Head and Assistant Coaches enlisted?
Head Coaches are enlisted throughout the registration process based on their willingness to coach (as indicated on the player registration form). Assistant Coaches can be enlisted by Head Coaches at any time; however, Assistant Coaches can register only after a team # has been assigned to the Head Coach.
2. Who is eligible?
A parent of a registered player (any exceptions must be approved by TKB Executive Director) who has cleared a Background Check and agreed to a Code of Ethics statement.
3. What is a background check?
An authorized check of public records to ascertain that you have had no relevant record.
4. What is a Code of Ethics statement?
A standard of coaching behavior with which all coaches must agree.
5. How does someone become a coach - Head or Assistant?
By entering your name and information on your child's registration form. Other families wishing you to coach may also enter your name when completing their child's registration form.
6. What must you know about basketball?
TKB's priority, for any grade, is that the coach needs to be someone who wants the children to have a good time and be treated fairly. In terms of basketball knowledge, it depends on the grade level you want to coach. The older the grade, the more the coach should know. Starting at K or 1st grade, you have to know only the very basics of the game. As each grade progresses, the coach should have more knowledge to ensure that basketball learning increases with age.
7. Does a Head Coach or Assistant Coach have to authorize Tallowood Baptist Church to perform a Background Check before they can coach?
Yes. All coaches must have a current Background Check (renewed every 2 years).
8. When will a prospective Coach be notified that that they have cleared a background check?
They will not be notified unless there is a question or concern, in which case they will be notified privately within a week of submitting their background check authorization.
9. How can a Head Coach or Assistant Coach learn more about basketball?
We provide a Coaching Clinic as part of the Coaches Meeting in December.
1. How many season games are played?
There are 7 games played.
2. When are games played?
Games are played on Saturdays for seven consecutive weeks starting the first Saturday in January after school begins. If necessary, some games may be played on Friday nights.
3. Where are games played?
At any of the Tallowood Kingdom Basketball gyms listed on the Game Location page. Most teams will play at the same gym throughout the season, however some Leagues will play at 2 different gyms.
4. What goal heights are used?
5. What size basketballs are used?
6. What grade leagues have each player shoot a free throw at the end of each half (teams get equal number of shots)?
To ensure that all players get a chance to shoot each half, players shoot in all leagues, Pre-K through 5th. Note that if one team has more players than another, the team with fewer players gets an equal number of shots by selecting a player(s) who missed their shot to take the extra shot(s).
7. What defenses can leagues play - man-to-man or zone?
Man to man defense is played in Pre-K thru 3rd, Grade leagues, and it varies starting with the 4th Grade.
8. When does regulation playing & refereeing begin?
4th grade. Prior to that grade level, referees consult with coaches on how 'strict' to be, depending on league, team capability and season experience. Coaches can ask referees to vary this by half or by game during the season. Tallowood Kingdom Basketball wants to nurture player and personal confidence in all aspects of the game - shooting, dribbling, passing, guarding, etc.
9. What happens if a team cannot show up for a game?
The Head Coach of the team cancelling must contact both the Commissioner and the Head Coach of the opposing team. Tallowood Kingdom Basketball does not reschedule cancelled games. In order to play and not cancel, teams short on players can borrow players from another team in the same league.
1. When are practice times?
During the season, practice time is afforded prior to games on Saturday for Pre-K thru 5th grade teams. In addition, 2nd grade teams and above can schedule mid-week practices. Prior to the regular season, all teams can schedule practices on various dates and times.
2. Where are practices held?
Practices are held at Tallowood Baptist Church and various other gyms.
3. Can a team practice at Tallowood during the week?
All Pre-K thru 12th grade leagues will be allocated mid-week practices at Tallowood and other practice gyms during the pre-season. Once the regular season starts, only 2nd thru 12th grade leagues will be scheduled mid-week practices at Tallowood or other practice gyms.
4. Can a team practice anywhere during the week?
Pre-K thru 1st grade practice outside of the organized TKB practice schedule and locations is not encouraged or recommended. 2nd through 12th grade practice may be at other locations, once a week, upon agreement of players' parents.
Team Organization
1. How are teams organized?
By grade based on who wants to play together; not by skill.
2. Can a group of friends join as a 'team'?
Yes. Each player wanting to play, should provide the names of their desired teammates on their player registration form. This desire is the highest priority for creating teams. Parents should check to make sure everyone is registering at the same church since Memorial Drive Presbyterian and Chapelwood churches have separate registration sites.
3. Can an older grade player join a team with younger grade players?
No, as it would create an unfair advantage (exceptions require approval from the TKB Executive Director).
4. Can a younger grade player join a team with older grade players?
Yes, but it is a decision by the Head Coach when the child's parents do not think such will cause self-image, emotional or physical harm.
5. Can a team have more than 10 players?
Yes, Head Coaches ultimately decide the number of players on each team, based in part on expected player attendance patterns (which can vary by gender and grade level). Importantly, the Head Coach should also balance the interests of players and parents regarding playing time and teammate preferences.
Tallowood Kingdom Basketball wants all players to spend more time on the court than on the bench. Accordingly, and based on experience, team size guidelines are as follows:
Boys Leagues
Pre-K through 1st Grade: 9-10
Grades 2nd through 5th: 8-9
Grades 6th through 12th: 9-10
Girls Leagues
All grades: 9-10
6. What is provided in the way of uniforms?
Only the jersey, which is navy/white reversible. It is common for the girls leagues to want to add a little color, and parents will often purchase bows, socks or shoelaces separately to accomplish this.
Cost
1. How much is the fee?
The fee per player for the 2024 season is $193.
2. When is the fee due?
The fee is due upon registration of the player. (Registration opens September 15th through November 15th)
3. What does the fee pay for?
The fee pays for the players' jersey, memento (for Pre-K through 5th grade), use of the gyms and game officials (referees and scorekeepers).
4. Is there a discount for multiple children playing in a family?
No, there is not a discount for families with multiple children registering.
5. What is needed to get a player a discount or scholarship?
Contact the TKB Executive Director (Brian Fisher) 832-306-6393 or email kingdombball@tallowood.org.