HAHS 2008 Soccer Guidlines

The goal of the Huntingdon Area High School Girl’s Soccer Program is to provide an experience which facilitates the physical, mental, moral, and social growth of our young female athletes. In order to achieve this purpose it is necessary to lay out a framework of guidelines which serve to direct both coaches and players toward this goal. An agreement on the part of both players and coaches to honor these guidelines is a prerequisite to participation in the soccer program.
 

Sportsmanship and Respect for Others

There is an expectation that members of the Girl’s Soccer Team will represent their school and community in a positive way. Respect for teammates, coaches, officials, and parents will be practiced at all times. Players will show respect for teammates and refrain from open criticism and negative talk. Hazing or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Participating in such action could result in a three game suspension.  Players on the girl’s soccer team are expected to refrain from use of profanity. Our athletes are asked to accept constructive criticism from coaches in a respectful manner and will be held accountable for any situation in which they react inappropriately to authority. Players are asked to talk respectfully to parents while participating in a soccer event. Players are expected to talk respectfully to officials and make no adverse remarks.  Behavior on the field that results in a red card will not be tolerated. The situation in which a player receives a red card will be reviewed to determine whether there will be further consequences beyond the one game suspension.

Practice Attendance

There is an expectation that players will arrive at practice on time and attend all practices. Players who need extra warm-up time need to come to practice 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time. There is an expectation that players will miss practice for emergencies only. If a player has a family commitment such as a wedding or funeral this absence will be pre-approved. Absence from practice due to illness and absence from school will be excused. Academic priorities such as college visits could be an excused absence; however, we are hopeful that these visits will be arranged before or after our soccer season. Emergency medical appointments will be an excused absence from practice. All other medical appointments should be arranged at another time. Missing practice for work, babysitting, shopping, etc. are unexcused absences from practice.   There is flexibility for Junior Varsity players missing practice for important events. Players are asked to inform a coach if they are going to miss practice for any reason. Please do not send a messenger. If the player does not inform the coach prior to missing practice, the missed practice will be unexcused. Unexcused absence from practice will result in suspension from participation in the next game.

Academic Responsibility

The primary high school experience is academic while participation on the soccer team is an extracurricular activity. In order to participate in an extra curricular activity the student athlete must demonstrate an ability to balance both responsibilities. The measure of this ability shall be the student’s current grades. Arrangements will be made to help students who are having academic difficulty and participation in practice and games will be evaluated. Students are asked to maintain academics as a top priority during the off-season as well. Teachers will be encouraged to contact the coach should any of our student athletes be in academic jeopardy.

Detwiler Field

The Detwiler Field was donated to the community by the Detwiler Family and is under the supervision and authority of the Huntingdon Community Center. The HAHS Ladycats are asked to show respect for this facility at all times. Please pick up trash, even if it is not yours. Sitting on the tables at the Detwiler Field pavilion is prohibited. The Locker room facilities can be kept clean with the help of all who participate. Players are representing the high school and your family and should act approrpriately at all times. Please refain from profanity or disrespectful talk to authority, parents, and each other.

Practice and Game Guidelines

Members of the girl’s soccer team are responsible for the distribution and the collection of equipment before and after practice and games. Junior Varsity players need to arrive at Detwiler Field at 4:15 for all home games. The Junior Varsity players will be responsible for taking all equipment to the home bench and setting up tables, chairs, and flags before the game. The Junior Varsity Team may leave at halftime of the Varsity match as long as they are not the designated ball girls for that night. The Varsity Team should arrive to the field at 5:15 and will report to the bench by 5:30. Varsity players will be responsible for putting all equipment away after the game, including tables, chairs, and flags, ball, etc. The Junior Varsity Team is required to be at the entire senior night game as well as the home varsity tournament.

Playing Time

Playing time, although based primarily on performance and skill in both practice and in games, is also determined by two essential factors, work ethic and attitude. Playing time is determined solely by the coaching staff. Any discussion about playing time with parents or players can not take place after a game or during a practice session. We will be happy to set up an appointment to discuss your concerns. We can not allow the opinion of players or parents to influence the amount of playing time a player will get. The four factors mentioned above shall be considered on a daily basis.

Riding the Bus to Away Games

Players are encouraged to ride the bus to and from games with the team. If there are extenuating circumstances that require you to ride home with your parents, a parent signed permission slip is required. Players are not permitted to ride home with anyone other than their own parent unless a permission slip is approved by Mr. Park prior to the day of the trip. Players are permitted to bring drinks in a closed container on the bus as well as food. The team will clean up the trash on the bus before unloading. The seniors will inspect the job to see if the team was thorough in their clean-up efforts. The coach and bus driver will also be asked to verify that the bus is clean.

Parent Involvement

We feel that the parent involvement and support of the HAHS Girl’s Soccer Program has been fundamental to the success of our program. The interest that parents show in their daughters can help them to do develop a positive self esteem and inspire them to reach their highest goals. Please remember to praise and encourage your daughters as they meet the many challenges of competition. We ask you to consider the impact your presence may have on your daughter or other daughters if you attend the competitive practice sessions during pre-season. The players are struggling to get in shape and experimenting with new skills. This is their time to make mistakes and find their way. Please feel free to set up a time to talk with coaches about any concerns you might have anytime other than after a game or during a practice session. We thank you for your time and dedication, which has made it possible for us to coach your awesome daughters!

Varsity Letter Criteria

In order to earn a varsity letter in soccer a player will need to have played an average of half of the time and have showed respect to coaches and teammates throughout the season. A player who makes the starting line-up for a Varsity Post season play off game can be recommended for a letter. Any senior who has played soccer for four years can earn a varsity letter for dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship.

Players Needing to See the Athletic Trainer

Players who are injured should notify the coach who will then either send player to the trainer or contact the trainer to come to the field. Again, the coach should be notified first. The trainer should not receive calls from parents directly. Contact the coach who will then contact the trainer.

Participation in Unlawful Activity

The Huntingdon Area School District has requested that all 2006 sports teams incorporate a statement regarding the use of all illegal substances and illegal activity. Members of the girl’s soccer team are expected to refrain from any activity that is detrimental to our school, the team, or yourself. This would include any form of breaking the law and other behavior that warrants parental or legal intervention. Any violation of this rule could result in a suspension or dismissal