Coaching youth sports is a privilege, and METB strongly encourages any qualified individuals to take part in the rewarding coaching experience. In an effort to uphold the METB mission, we have established strict coaching guidelines to ensure a fair and equitable experience for coaches, players, parents, and spectators, who all share a love for the sport of basketball and the growth of our young athletes.

METB is an all-volunteer, non-profit program. Therefore, all coaches must serve on an unpaid basis—receiving no direct or indirect compensation—and may not be affiliated with any club/AAU basketball program. This policy is in place to prevent potential liability or conflicts of interest within METB. Please note, this guideline does not apply to independent evaluators, who may be hired by the board of directors to conduct pre-season evaluations for team placements.

The METB Board will review the interest and qualifications of all interested parties and vote with the majority vote standing. Some things that the board considers when reviewing coaching registrations includes, but is not limited to:  development, knowledge, experience, communication style, character, co-coach collaboration & symbiosis, sensitivity to age/gender needs, safety, responsibility, & background checks

If a situation arises where there are no volunteer coaches for a particular team, METB will be forced to withdraw that team from the program each season where a volunteer does not offer to coach. In any case where a team must be withdrawn from the program due to the lack of a volunteer coach, a full refund will be made to those affected.

All METB coaches and every adult associated with all organizations who may have the opportunity to have direct and unmonitored access to children is required by state law to complete the CORI certification process (Massachusetts CORI Reform - Chapter 385 of the Acts of 2002). METB requires the completion of the CORI certification process for all those registering as a METB coach, as well as anyone who will have access to the children registered in the METB organization - This includes, but is not limited to: head coaches, assistant coaches, bench managers, parent volunteers, ect . CORI certifications will be performed at the start of each season and prior to any access being allowed to children registered to the METB organization. All CORI checks must be run directly through the ME Travel Basketball organization - CORI checks provided by other organizations will not be accepted.  

In addition to aspiring to fulfill the mission of the program, another critical function of coaches is to manage team communications with players and families. If you are a coach, please log-in to Sports Engine, and register for full details and instructions on how best to communicate with your team, obtain schedules, contact other coaches, input scores, etc.

During games, only two coaches will be allowed in the team bench area. Per Cape Ann Youth Basketball League Rules, coaches are responsible for controlling their team’s bench, parent, and fan behavior during games. ONLY the Head Coach of a team is allowed to stand. Assistant coach may only stand with the team to cheer a good play, but then return to their seat. The Assistant may also stand during timeouts. Assistant Coach should not have contact with scoring, clock personnel or officials during the game. The Head Coach should remain in the “Coaches Box” during the game while standing. This is a 12 foot long area in front of their teams’ bench. The Head Coach should be the only coach calling a timeout from the bench. If a coach leaves the bench for any reason without being called out by the official it is an Automatic Technical. If the coach leaves the bench to argue a call it is an ejection.

To ensure fairness, consistency, and alignment with the organization's goals, the METB organization follows the procedure below for selecting team coaches:

• Coaching applicant registrations will be accepted online annually starting August 15th and ending September 30th.
• All coach applicants must submit their registration via our online registration system to be considered.
• After player evaluations are complete and teams have been formed, the METB Board of Directors will convene to vote on coaching assignments.
• Coaching assignments for each team will be decided by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
• All coaching decisions are final and made in the best interest of the players and program.
• Each team will be limited to a (max) of two coaches, unless extenuating circumstances require a third. The Board will determine the necessity for a third coach on a case-by-case basis. Only two coaches will be allowed in the team bench area during all games.
• METB will be unable to provide a travel basketball program for any grade, gender, or team if we are unable to field suitable volunteer coaches for those teams. A full refund will be offered in any situation where a team is not able to be fielded due to the absence of a suitable volunteer coach.   
• For additional coaching guidelines please see the Coaching Guidelines section above.

“A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.”
– John Wooden