What Coaches Overseas Are Looking For (How to make yourself more marketable)
Coaches of overseas teams want the same thing that coaches in the US want: players who have been consistent in their play, who are leaders, have a passion for playing basketball, who want to win, and who will add value to the team, both on and off the court. But in some ways, being selected to play overseas requires extra skills. The coach needs a player who is mature, will not get homesick, and who wants to play for the team for reasons other than just a salary and having a great time. Coaches want players who will be able to handle living in a foreign country, dealing with a different culture and perhaps another language. Replacing a player is expensive and disruptive to team chemistry and momentum, so they want to make the right choice the first time.
Coaches just want you to arrive, be a leader, practice and play hard, help the team win games and have a good time. You can have a fun social life, but they don't want to hear about it. You have to stay out of trouble, out of the gossip pages in the newspaper, and away from trouble with the law. If you don't, the Coach will terminate your contract and send you home.
What coaches want They want players who were leaders, winners, consistent performers, followed the team rules, went to class, and who practiced and played hard and showed up on time when they were on a college team.
They want players who are accessible to the fans and who present a professional image to the media.
They want players who will assimilate with the other team members and the citizens in the town.
They want players who are good citizens and who act in a professional manner. The more you conduct yourself as a professional, the more you will get from the team. The teams are appreciative of good players who behave well.
They want players who are "team first". There is no "I" in team. You have to fit in with the team to be successful as an overseas player.
They want players who are willing to teach youth how to play basketball at skills camps and be good role models.
They want players who are well-rounded, have outside interests, hobbies and skills. For example, if you play music, or have some career plans that relate to the company that sponsors the team, that's a plus.
They want people who are self-motivated, self-sufficient and good at managing their own time.
They want people who can drive and who have a valid driver's license. Many teams will provide you with a car and will expect you to drive yourself to practice. (In other cases you might live near the gym and have to walk to practice, or, if you live farther away, you may have to take a train or bus.)
What coaches don't want They don't want troublemakers, player with a checkered past, or disciplinary problems.
They don't want players who will have personal problems that might create an embarrassing situation for the team.
They don't want players who will just hide in their apartment sleeping and watching TV. It is important that players are well-rounded and want to experience the foreign culture and meet the other players and fans in the host country.
They don't want players who only care about how much money they are going to get paid.
They don't want players with substance abuse problems. Drug laws are very stringent in other countries. Drug tests are conducted regularly.
They don't want players who are irresponsible about paying their bills.
They don't want players who will talk back to the coaches, or yell and cuss at other players.
They don't want players who forget that they are guests in their country.
Things that will count against you, even if you are a great player If you had a bad track record regarding your attitude/behavior in college this will reflect poorly on you and it will be difficult for you to be selected for an overseas team. Even if you have changed, there will be no proof for the team that you have really turned over a new leaf.
If you have been injury prone, with a number of major injuries, this may look bad and damage your chances of being selected.
Things that are pluses If you know another language or are willing to learn another language.
If you have dual citizenship or two passports from different countries.
If your playing has improved every year, either in college or while playing on a professional team in the US or in another country.
Being married. The overseas teams feel that you may be more stable. They often allow spouses to live in the country with you or to visit at the team's expense.
If you are willing to teach English to youth, conduct basketball camps or coach a youth team, or have other special skills that may beneficial to the team.
Be willing to come and try-out with an overseas team at your own expense. The team may agree to provide housing, local transportation, meals, and a salary, if you pay for your air travel to try-out. Further, they may agree to immediately reimburse your cost for the airline ticket if you make their team.
Elements Of An Overseas Contract Here are some basic points that should be included in your contract with an overseas team.
Make sure you have a written contract. Do not go overseas until you have a signed contract. Even if you are going just for a tryout, make sure you have a signed tryout contract.
Make sure that the contract is very specific.
We recommend you have your contract reviewed by an attorney.
Even if you need to report to your team soon, don't sign your contract until all issues have been clarified and resolved. Don't go overseas without a signed contract.
Take the time up front to make sure your contract is clear and covering all important points. This will save you time and money later. The more details that are included in the contract, the better your chance of avoiding a misunderstanding.
This information is for those who may or may not have an agent. It is not meant to replace the advice of an agent or attorney. These tips are intended to simply make players aware of points they should consider when reviewing a contract.
Who are the parties to the contract?
The team: This should be spelled out clearly. The name of the team, what federation the team is a member of, and the country need to be listed.
The player: You are the other party and your full name and address should be included. If you have an agent representing you or helping you by negotiating the contract, their name should also be included.
Contact information for all parties (telephone, fax, mail and email addresses for both home and office) should be on the contract somewhere.
Date of the contract The date that the contract was written, the term it covers, and the date that it was signed should all be on the document.
Signature page All parties names and the date the contract is signed should be included.
Employment and Term This is a description of your job and the time period that it covers.
General Duties of the Player In this section all of the details of what the team expects of you should be listed.
Basketball games, exhibition games, and playoff games should be covered.
Other duties, such as personal appearances, coaching of youth teams and activities in addition to playing in games, should be spelled out.
Practice sessions, their number and type, such as team practices, individual practice and weight training, should also be detailed.
If you are required to attend training camp, make sure when, where and how long are specified.
Compensation All types of compensation, including base salary and bonuses for things such as reaching different levels of post season play, must be included.
How much will you be paid monthly?
How will you be paid? In US Dollars or what currency?
Is the pay net or gross?
Are taxes included?
When do payments start and end?
When are bonuses payable?
Is there a penalty or late fee if you are not paid on time?
What is the form of payment.check or cash?
Travel Expenses Transportation, and related expenses, need to be spelled out clearly.
Airline tickets: Make sure that they are specified as roundtrip airline tickets and that the return date is open. If a return date is specified, you will have to pay a penalty to change the date, unless these penalty fees are covered specifically in your contract.
The contract needs to say that the club is paying for the tickets, what airports they will depart from, and what dates.
Never pay for airline tickets, even if the team promises to reimburse upon arrival. Make sure the tickets are in the contract and are paid for by the team.
The class of the ticket should also be specified: coach, business class or first class. Generally tickets will be coach unless otherwise specified.
If tickets for a spouse have been offered, make sure this is also covered in the contract.
Where or how will the tickets be delivered or picked-up?
Who pays for excess baggage?
Reimbursements: If the club has agreed to pay reimbursements for things like work permits, letter of clearance, passports, visas, taxi or hotel expenses, these things need to be listed in detail in the contract.
Does the player need to provide receipts? If so, what type of bona fide receipts are acceptable?
When (calendar date) will the club pay the player for these expenses?
If the player is delayed en route to reporting to the Club (i.e., weather delay, airline mechanical problem, flight cancellation, etc.) and as a result incurs additional expenses (i.e., hotel, meals, telephone charges, etc.), to what extent will the player be reimbursed for these expenses?
Apparel
If workout clothes and uniforms are being provided, this has to be specified in the contract.
Sometimes shoes are provided but this needs to be spelled out, including brand and type.
What are you expected to bring and what will you be given there?
Are you required to return the apparel /workout gear to the team at the end of the playing season?
Lodging All details about living expenses should be included in the contract.
Where will you be living? The type of lodging provided for the player needs to be detailed.
What exactly is the club going to be paying for? The player usually does not pay for rent or utilities except for long distance calls.
Will a furnished apartment be provided? What furnishings will be included with the apartment?
Will the player get cable TV or internet access? If so, who pays for such items?
All of this needs to all be clearly stated in the contract and it needs to say that the club is paying for these expenses if that is the case.
Transportation How will the player get around in the host country?
Will a car be provided? If so, who is paying for car expenses such as maintenance, gas, oil, insurance, and traffic citations?
Will a bus or train pass be provided?
Meals
Is the club providing meals? How many? Are these free?
Where will the meals be provided.cafeteria, restaurant(s)?
Or will player be given a stipend and then select where he/she eats?
Physical Condition and Personal Conduct The club should specify what they expect of the player regarding physical condition and personal conduct. If you are not clear about this you risk being unexpectedly terminated. Know what is expected of you.
Is the player restricted as far as participating in certain risky sports besides basketball?
What is the penalty for breaking rules or misconduct? Make sure you understand the rules and penalties.
Under what terms can you be suspended? Can you be suspended for being in poor physical condition?
Injuries What will happen if you should become injured?
Do you have to report injuries? To whom?
What compensation will you receive while injured?
What if you can't resume play for the rest of the season?
How much will you be paid if you don't complete the season?
Termination Under what conditions can you be terminated? Make sure you know so you won't be surprised.
Insurance Know what you will be covered for. Is the team providing medical, dental and/or workmen's compensation insurance?
What is the club's responsibility for all types of insurance?
Know the details of the health and workman's compensation insurance before you sign. What exactly does the insurance cover?
Make sure you have good coverage before you sign and travel to another country. You may need additional insurance coverage to fill in areas that are not covered by the team.
Agent If there is an agent involved the agent's fee must be covered in the contract.
What is the fee?
Who is paying it?
When will it be paid?
In what currency and by what method (wire transfer, check etc.)?
Under what circumstances, if any, would the fee be refundable?
avoid disagreements in most cases.
Remember that the laws of the country you are playing in are applicable to your contract with a foreign team, not US law.
Passport Information For US Citizens
When To Get Your Passport
Apply for your passport NOW, teams may only give you a week or less before your contract starts, and you don't want to be turned down because you don't have a passport. An adult's passport is valid for 10 years from the date it is issued.
The application process takes longer during the summer (April-August) because of the number of applications received.
Depending on which country you want to travel to, you may need a visa in addition to your passport. If you need a visa from a foreign embassy, you will need extra time, sometimes several months.
Look at this web page http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html to find out if a visa is required for travel to the country you are considering. Also, check with the consular office of the country for the most current information.
To apply for a passport you need to follow these steps
Visit your closest passport agency or passport acceptance facility (always call to check operating hours before visiting).
Ask your post office where the nearest agency or acceptance agency is located, or use this link, http://iafdb.travel.state.gov to find the closest agency.
Present proof of US Citizenship
You may prove U.S. Citizenship with any one of the following:
Previous U.S. Passport
Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state
NOTE: A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth.
Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
Select the letter of the alphabet that your state starts with under "Where to Write for Vital Records."
Select your state, and follow instructions to obtain proof of citizenship.
Present proof of identity
You may prove your identity with any one of these, if you are recognizable.
Previous U.S. passport
Naturalization Certificate
Certificate of Citizenship
Current, valid
Driver's license
Government ID: city, state or federal
Military ID: military and dependents
"NOTE: Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity. If none of these are available, you will need:
Some signature documents, which are not acceptable alone as ID (for example: a combination of documents, such as your Social Security card, credit card, bank card, library card, etc.).
AND
A person who can vouch for you. He/she must
Have known you for at least 2 years,
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident,
Have valid ID, and
Fill out a Form DSP-71 in the presence of a passport agent.
Provide two passport photos
NOTE: Two Photos are required for application, however, we recommend that you obtain EIGHT (8) photos, as these will also be used for visas, driving permits, and other important documents that you may need when playing overseas. You should also keep two passport photos for renewal in case you lose your passport or it is stolen.
Your photographs must be:
2 x 2 inches in size
Identical
Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
Color or black and white
Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
Taken in normal street attire
Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.
NOTE: Vending machine photos are not generally acceptable
Pay the application fee.
Passport Agencies Accept:
Credit Cards - VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Debit Cards (without pin numbers and not ATM cards) Checks, money orders, bank drafts
Passport Acceptance Facilities: All accept checks, money orders, bank drafts Most accept exact cash Some accept credit cards
Provide a social security number.
If you do not provide your Social Security Number, the Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty. If you have any questions please call your nearest IRS office.
The application process usually takes up to 6 weeks
NEVER GIVE YOUR PASSPORT TO A COACH OR TEAM OFFICIAL OVERSEAS. YOUR PASSPORT IS A VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT AND IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN YOUR POSSESSION WHEN VISITING A FOREIGN COUNTRY. SURRENDERING YOUR PASSPORT TO THE TEAM MAY CAUSE SEVERE PROBLEMS IF AN EMERGENCY SITUATION SHOULD ARISE.
The information on this page was compiled as a service to MyShot.net registered members and guests and is believed to be accurate. However, government policies and rules can change at any time so we cannot be responsible for always providing information which is completely up to date. Please confirm all passport application information by visiting the State Department website or inquiring at your local passport agency or acceptance facility.
How To Apply For And Maintain Your USA Basketball Letter Of Clearance
In order for you to play basketball overseas you need to obtain a USA Basketball Letter of Clearance (LOC).
The license should be applied for as soon as you make the decision to play overseas. Applying early will minimize the risk of you not receiving an offer from an overseas team. Also, it will reduce the risk of arriving overseas late or having to sit out games because you did not have a license or were not cleared by the federation to play.
The letter of clearance is your license to play basketball overseas.
The LOC is maintained by the national basketball federation of the team you are currently playing for or last played for
. Each time a player leaves one country to play in another, he/she must have the gaining team's basketball federation request the clearance from the player's last team. If the player did not leave in good standing with his/her team (legal issues, breach of contract, or other contract related issues), the LOC may be withheld by the team's federation until such issues are resolved.
The letter of clearance certifies that you are free (eligible) to play for another basketball federation when you change teams.
Note: It is the responsibility of your next team/federation to request a letter of clearance from your previous team. (However, the player needs to provide the gaining team information regarding the name, country and year of the team he/she last played for.)
There are two ways you can obtain a Letter of Clearance
(for first-time players applying for a LOC).
You can call or fax USA Basketball at tel: (719) 590-4800, fax: (719) 590-4811 and request that a application for a USA Basketball Letter of Clearance be faxed of mailed to you,
In order for your Letter of Clearance to be processed you must:
Fill out the application completely and mail or fax it back to USA Basketball
at USA Basketball, Attn. Letter of Clearance, 5465 Mark Dabling Blvd., Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918, along with the $100.00 application fee.
Pay the application fee of $100.00 by money order or certified check;
personal checks are not accepted.
Note: In case of a rush situation, for an additional $20.00, you can have your letter of clearance sent directly from USA Basketball to the federation you will be playing for. This will make the total cost of your application fee $120.00, so we urge you to apply well in advance to save yourself money.
Fill out the form completely and pay the fees in full.
USA Basketball will not begin processing your application until the forms are completed and you have paid all necessary fees. They say to allow a maximum of seven (7) calendar days for processing.
FYI: Most teams will reimburse the LOC fee if you provide them with a copy of the certified check/money order. We recommend that players photocopy the completed LOC application and certified check/money order and keep these copies in a safe place. This agreement for reimbursement should be part of the player's contract with the team. The fees should be reimbursed within 48 business hours of the player reporting to the team.
There is a line on the application asking for the "country of the foreign team for which you will play." If you do not have a job at the time you are filling out the application, leave that space blank.
Your letter of clearance can be withheld by the federation that you played for last if:
There is an unresolved contract dispute and you leave the federation.
You leave the country before your contract has expired.
You do not pay your bills.
Overseas Travel Checklist ITEMS FOR YOU TO TAKE CARE OF BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR YOUR OVERSEAS TRIP Communications International Calling Card If you are working outside of the U.S., we suggest that you get a valid International Calling Card in order to call, friends, or family in the U.S. from your job location. Check with your carrier (AT&T, MCI, SPRINT, etc.) if you have one, to see who has the best plan for your situation.
The card should be put in your name and billed to you.
Once you receive the card, please contact the company prior to your departure to obtain the international access code you will need in order to call from the country you are staying in back to the United States. Write that code down and take it with you. This saves you time and money since using the overseas operator to make calls to the U.S. is very expensive.
Internet You may also look into free instant messaging (MSN messenger or AOL instant messenger), email, or reduced rates for long distance telephone calls via the internet.
Cell You may also get better long distance rates by subscribing with an overseas cell phone provider.
Finance Credit Card Please sign up for a valid credit card with your name on it (i.e./ Visa, MasterCard, American Express). This means either opening your own account or having your parents or someone you trust add you to their account so that you can get your own card. Just having the card number is not sufficient because airlines and businesses will not accept just the number... they need the actual card! Taking your parents' card with you may not work because businesses don't want to accept a card from someone whose name is not on it.
Banking Contact your local Bank or Investment firm and ask them what their fees are for international bank transactions (wire transfers, credit card purchases, etc.).
Open a bank or investment account with bank or investment firm that is best for you. By doing so, you can deposit money overseas and transfer it to an account back in the United States with a minimum or no service charge. This is a good way to save money.
Protect your good credit rating Be sure you notify your creditors before you leave. Make sure they have all of your contact information (address, telephone, fax and email address) in the country where you are playing. Or, check with www.paypal.com for bill payment and credit card services.
If you have a student loan(s), it's important you contact your loan officer and arrange for your payments to be deferred until you return from overseas. You can also arrange for timely payment of your loan via wire transfer. Talk with your loan officer for other means of continuing your payments while you are away.
Insurance Disability insurance Disability insurance will protect you from loss of future earnings. It is an insurance policy that provides financial protection against the loss of future earnings as a professional athlete due to a disabling injury. The team's policy will offer you some protection but it might not cover you once you leave the country you are playing in. Chubb Group and Lloyd's of London are two companies you can ask about disability insurance; however there are numerous insurance brokers who sell disability coverage.
Health insurance You will need to make sure you are covered under the team's health insurance policy. Find out all the specifics of the policy to make sure the coverage is adequate.
Foreign Assistance Call the US State Department to get the local number of the US embassy or US Consulate in the country where you are going. You can also get links to US embassies in other countries at www.travel.state.gov/links.html Keep this contact information with you at all times.
The embassy will make several phone calls on your behalf to someone who can assist you in the case of an emergency (i.e./ your parents). If you are in the airport and cannot get home, the embassy is not responsible to get you a ticket to come home. But, they will assist you as much as they can.
Immunizations Before you go, see if you need to have any immunizations in order to enter the country you plan to play in. Check at www.cdc.gov/travel/ for general travelers' health info and immunization requirements.
Drivers License You may need to get an International Drivers Permit to drive in the country where you are going. There is information about International Driving Permits, which countries honor them and how to get one at www.ouraaa.com/travel/other/idp/index.html
Follow-Up Letter of Clearance Follow-up with USA BASKETBALL. Call 719-590-4800 to check that your application has been processed and that your Letter of Clearance for the team you will be playing for has been faxed by USA Basketball.
Passport Keep on top of Passport Processing. Make a copy of your passport (inside cover) and leave a copy in a safe place at home in case you lose your passport. Also, keep your extra passport photos with the copy of your passport.
Miscellaneous Change of Address forms We recommend that you don't fill out "change of address forms." Instead, we suggest appointing a responsible person who can get in contact with you at all times and who can pay your bills or inform you of any important mail. They can, in turn, send the mail to you if needed. Or, to pay bills, see the information above in the finance section about PayPal.
Passport Security IMPORTANT!! Make several copies of your passport before you go overseas and take them with you. If the team asks you for your passport, give them a "copy", not your official passport. Under no circumstance give the team your official passport. If the team persists, call the U.S. Embassy in the country where you are playing, to clarify the situation with the team.
Appointments Remember before you go to cancel any scheduled doctor, dentist or other appointments that you will miss while you are overseas. Reschedule needed appointments to take place before you go or after you get back.
Legal Matters Make sure that all legal matters, such as jury duty or child support, are taken care of before you leave. Don't let a minor matter, such as a traffic citation, become a major legal problem due to inattention.
Know before you go If you want to learn more about the country you are going to (i.e. weather, places to see, holidays, restaurants, places to go, suggested items to pack, etc.), you can go to the travel section of your local bookstore. Travel guidebooks, such as Fodor's, Frommer's, Lonely Planet etc., are a great source of information about many countries. You can also find out a lot on the web
WHAT TO PACK:
ID and passport You will need your ID and passport with you in order to board your international flight and to enter another country. Remember, it must be with you, not in your checked luggage.
Cash and Credit Card Bring $150.00 in US dollars and a valid credit card. Also, take a valid debit or ATM Card that is part of an international network. Check with your bank before you go that the credit card and/or debit card will be usable in the country you will be in.
Personal items Bring enough hair care products, prescriptions, toiletries, etc. It might be difficult to find the items and brands you want and need in some countries.
Also, if you wear contacts or eyeglasses, bring extras with you as well as a copy of your prescription.
Shoes Pack two (2) pairs of your newest basketball shoes with you. Also, wear a new pair over therein the event the team experiences delays in providing you with basketball shoes.
Electronics We recommend that you purchase an Electricity Voltage Converter before you go (they are available at any Electronics store, such as Radio Shack, for about $20.00). As you may or may not be aware, not all countries use the same voltage as the US-without the voltage converter you may not be able to use any of the electronic items you bring with you. Also buy plenty of batteries for anything you are bringing that runs on batteries (i.e./ walkman, CD player, travel clock, etc.)
Health Insurance Make sure you are covered with health insurance. Any coverage you get from the team may only cover you while you are in the country you are playing in or just during the season. If you get injured, that insurance might cover prescriptions, doctor visits, physical therapy and other forms of rehabilitation, but you will not be covered once you return to your home country.
Make sure to check with you local insurance agent before you go to check your coverage. You will want to look into maintaining some form of coverage to supplement what you get from the team. The policy or rider must cover you for playing sports overseas.
For example, one player tore an ACL and needed surgery. The surgery and rehab was over $100,000. If the player had not been covered with health insurance separate from what the team provided while they were playing, they could never have paid the bill.
Disability Insurance Disability insurance will protect you from loss of future earnings. It is an insurance policy that provides financial protection against the loss of future earnings as a professional athlete due to a disabling injury. The team's policy will offer you some protection but it might not cover you once you leave the country you are playing in. Chubb Group and Lloyd's of London are two companies you can ask about disability insurance; however there are numerous insurance brokers who sell disability coverage.
Taxation of foreign earned income
Worldwide income As a U.S. citizen, your worldwide income generally is subject to U.S. income tax regardless of where you are living. Worldwide income includes all income in the form of money, goods, property, and services that is not exempt from tax.
Filing deadlines and extensions
The regular due date of your return is April 15th.
You can get an extension of time to file your return.
In some circumstances, you can also get an extension of time to file and pay any tax due.
You will be allowed an automatic 2-month extension to file your return and pay any federal income tax if you are living outside the U.S. and your main place of business is outside the U.S. However, if you pay the tax due after the regular due date, interest will be charged from the regular due date until the date the tax is paid.
U.S. vs. foreign currency
You must express the amounts you report on your U.S. tax return in U.S. dollars.
If you receive all or part of your income in foreign currency, you must translate the foreign currency into U.S. dollars.
You must also pay all federal income taxes in U.S. dollars.
Foreign exclusions and deductions
If you meet certain requirements, you may qualify for the foreign earned income and foreign housing exclusions and the foreign housing deduction.
U.S. citizens living outside the United States generally are allowed the same deductions as citizens and residents living in the United States.
The United States has tax treaties with many countries. Under these treaties, citizens of the U.S. who are subject to taxes imposed by foreign countries are entitled to certain credits, deductions, exemptions, and reductions in the rate of taxes of those foreign countries.
Please consult your tax advisor about specific questions or issues or call the Internal Revenue Service (1-800-829-1040).
