Mahtomedi Basketball Association

Every player, coach and parent/fan associated with the MBA program is expected to follow the MBA Code of Conduct.  In an ever-increasingly intense and negative landscape for youth athletics, we feel that it is essential that every individual be cognizant of their behavior and strive to adhere to the stated code of conduct and commit to setting a positive example.

The MBA supports and endorses the Mahtomedi Values and Principles (MVP) presented by the Mahtomedi Area Athletic Council.  Each year, the MBA requires all players, coaches and parents to sign an agreement to adhere to the codes of conduct provided in the below links.

Why do 73% of young athletes quit playing by age 13? When asked, children say that they dropped out mostly because adults - particularly their own parents have turned the playing of sports into a joyless negative experience. While the vast majority of parents still conduct themselves with restraint and civility, it is impossible to ignore the loud, critical, ill-mannered parents also in the stands.

When asked in studies why they play sports, children invariably say they enjoy the fun, they like being with their friends, and they enjoy learning the fundamentals and improving their skills. Kids rank winning about seventh or eighth on the list. Unlike pro and college sports, in which winning often translates into money, children's games are supposed to teach skills and values - such as fair play, working with others, and dealing well with adversity - that kids can draw upon throughout their lives.

The main purpose of youth sports is to emphasize effort, participation and skill development. We are sending the wrong message when we get too invested in the outcome of a youth game - who won, who lost, who scored the most. You get start to get away from what the mission of it is.

Why do parents and coaches in youth sports act in a way they would never act in other places? Much has been written lately about the increasing violence involving spectators and coaches at youth sporting events. The MBA board is concerned about the behavior we observe at basketball games that our members are participating in. It is hard to get past the taunting of the opponents and the refs and remember the life lessons that participation in sports has to offer.

A big problem is all the ambitions that parents attach to sports, which means they come to promote not the team but strictly their child. Parents are not looking at the game itself; they're looking beyond it. Parents have become more invested - perhaps too invested - in their children's sports, some to the point of violence and vindictiveness. Experts agree that the higher the pressure from parents, the worse it is for children.

Most parents are intelligent and educated, but some manage to hide it well when cheering on their team. Stop telling your player how to play their position. Any correction should come from the coach or other players that play that position. Don't tell him when to take a shot. Shooting involves intuition and skill - his, not yours. Let the coach do his job. If you believe you could do better volunteer to help this season or next season.

Sports tend to be life with the volume turned up and that creates a tense situation. Referees have to make quick decisions. Sometimes they make wrong decisions. That's life. You need to get over it. If you disparage the ref during the game, why would you expect the players to act differently? If your player tells you to back-off and leave them alone, follow her advice.  In addition, refrain from approaching the bench and the players during the game. This is not your time.

Every year we remind parents that our association has a code of conduct.  As part of the registration process, each parent is required to sign a sportsmanship agreement.