Promote and Preserve

Every program should use social media to it's advantage.  To forbid is to admit failure in education.

Being the leader of a basketball program today requires a policy regarding social media.  In my opinion, simply forbidding social media is not a policy at all.  It shows a lack of trust in player and a lack of trust in one's own leadership/educational abilities.

If I were to write a team social media policy, here is how it would read:

1. Social media is a part of our lives.  We will, as a program, embrace the positives it can provide and educate against the negatives. 

2. Require the following simple social media rules for players:
a. During the season, you make your avatar something related to the team.
b. When tweeting/posting about the team, or a game, or a practice, I would request a simple, team chosen hash tag be used.  I always liked #C4L or #WEgo.  I really like Coach Cross's choice down at UT-Arlington, #CAWT or Championships Are Won Today.  Something along those lines.  I think that stuff is just cool and creates a fun vibe around your program.
c. While playing for a team supported by an educational institution, you are forbidden from publicly complaining about school on social media.  Nope, sorry, you cannot write "missing The Voice tonight to study for this stupid biology test tomorrow #FML" any more.  The team is inseparable from the institution.  Not to mention, it makes you look like a buffoon. 
d. Easy one: you will never publicly undermine a coach or player within our program or any other program. 
e. Avoid and/or limit swearing (notice a missing word? forbid).  I choose to use cuss words and see them as a part of our language.  Parents can forbid swearing if they want, or promote it for that matter.  Not my job.  That said, there is effective and excessive swearing.  Swearing for swearing sake is childish.  Refrain from that. 
f. Guys, keeps the girls off of your feeds.  Girls, keep the guys off of your feeds.  We all have been there.  Court on young ones, but do it privately.  No need for "My boyfriend/girlfriend is the best"; because, what is the alternative, "my boyfriend/girlfriend sucks"? Say it to them, not us.  

3. Always remember the rule of the "every last follower" or "every last friend" before hitting send.  Every one gets to see everything. 

4. Be mindful about what you re-tweet or like.  You instantly attach yourself to whatever it is that you are re-tweeting or liking.  

5. Create a team wide reward/reprimand social media system.  One idea would be:
Every week without an infraction, you add a pizza to the end of the year party.  Or for you high rolling college programs, add a shoe (or pair of shoes) for every good week.  Then for every infraction you take away what ever they in turn earn for good weeks.  If the team pizza party only has 2 pizzas this year, you will know that you probably should have forbidden social media, and did a poor job of leadership.  The goal is to set a team based incentive program that will inspire them to self-police, and ultimately use this tool wisely.

6. Do use these tools for promotion.  Ask your players to follow/friend their school itself and other pertinent localities.  Social media can create, or enhance, the sense of community. 

7. Ask players to send one positive, team based message each day.  Challenge their creativity.  I think this one would be particularly fun to try.

Social media is an amazing tool and one that basketball programs should not ignore; and never forbid.  'Promote and Preserve'.  Promote your team, your school and your self.  Preserve your team's, your school's and your individual integrity.