Huntingdon Area High School Girls' Soccer

Guidelines and Expectations 2010

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.

Purpose: To have each team member acquire a sense of team, family, and friends

Team To put team first (after faith, family, and education), and sacrifice self for the good of the team.

Family To care for and treat each team member and the coaching staff as family.

Friend To learn to be dependable, reliable, and responsible to and for each other.

Order of Authority for Players: For this agreement to work there must be leadership and order.

Coaches – If you have any questions, problems, etc, see a coach first

Captains – If the coaches are not available, speak to a captain.

Seniors – If the coaches or captains aren’t available, speak to a senior member of the team.

Terms of Agreement:

I, __________________________________________, agree to:

• Believe in the Huntingdon Girls' Soccer Program.

• Sacrifice myself for the good of the team.

• Follow all team rules.

• Follow coaches’ instructions on and off the field

• Respect my coaches and teammates.

• Care for the safety and well-being of my coaches and teammates.

• Speak positively about teammates and coaches.

• Not join in or listen when others are criticizing my teammates or coaches.

• Stick together in good and bad times.

• Understand winning and losing is done as a team.

Benefits of this Agreement:

United we stand. By operating within the terms of this agreement, we can realize our potential.

Huntingdon Area High School Girls' Soccer Team

Rules and Guidelines

1. No player is guaranteed playing time in games. Playing time is earned based on the following factors: attitude, work ethic, practice performance, game performance,attendance, attitude. Playing time is determined solely by the coaching staff. Only players may discuss playing time with coaches.

1. Parent Involvement: The interest that parents show in their daughters can help them to 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. Please show respect for all players in the game both on the Huntingdon team and the visiting team. If you would like to discuss a concern with the coaches, please set up an appointment after practice. Playing time will be discussed with players only. Conferences will include the presence of at least two members of the coaching staff.

1. Be on time for all team-related functions. Players are asked to be at any function at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. For example, if practice is scheduled for 8:00, be fully dressed and equipped and ready to go at 8:00. Players can lose playing time if they are coming late to practice and events.

1. Players are expected to be prepared for practice and properly dressed for practice.

T-shirt sleeves may be cut off, but arm holes should not be open to view sports bras. Please manage this without being told. Be prepared for practice having running shoes,cleats and ball..

1. Act in an appropriate manner during team functions, including practices, games, and public situations when gathered as a team. You are a representative of your school, and you are expected to set an example that reflects positively on your parents, your school, your coaches, and your community.

1. Respect must be shown at all times for all coaching staff, for officials, and for all opposing team personnel.

1. Practice is mandatory. Absences can be considered excused only when the coaches are notified by the player or parent and the player is ill or has an emergency. Notice is expected to be given before practice. Parents may call a coach at anytime during the day to notify us a player will be missing practice. Injured players are expected to attend practice, but shall not be expected to participate. A player will not lose her position because of an injury that requires a doctor; however, we can not predict how time missed will impact the improvement of others during that time period.

1. Varsity Letter Criteria: In order to earn a varsity letter 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 earns a spot in the starting line-up for a Varsity Post season play off game may be awarded a letter. In the event that two varsity keepers are named, the second string varsity back up keeper may also be awarded a letter, regardless of playing time. Any senior who has played soccer or managed for four years may be awarded a varsity letter for dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship. Exceptions for receiving a letter can be made by the coaches.

9) Varsity Players will be held to the Following Attendance Rules:

(There will be some flexibility for Jr. Varsity players involved in another school or family activity)

Excused practices include:

1. Senior college visit when necessary

2. Illnesses that keep you from coming to school.

3. Family emergencies such as funeral or weddings

4. Emergency Dr. appointments

5. Required academic events

Unexcused practices include but are not limited to the following:

1. Family vacations

2. Practice for another sport or work

3. Appointments of any kind that are not of an emergency nature

4. Being in school, but missing practice without seeing coach directly

Policy for Unexcused Absences: Players will lose playing time for unexcused absences from practice. This can be as severe as sitting out one game per offense, losing a varsity spot, or being dismissed from the team. Penalized players will be expected to dress in uniform.

10) Eligibility on a game day: If a player is sick on a school day, the player must report to school no later than 11:15 AM in order to play. (PIAA)

11 ) Use of drugs, alcohol, or conduct detrimental to the team or school will not be tolerated.

• FIRST OFFENSE—Violation of this rule may result in a 1 game suspension up to a recommendation for dismissal from the team.

• SECOND OFFENSE—A second violation of the same offense will result in a recommendation for dismissal from the team.

• No profanity. Discipline yourself so we do not have to. Maintain the attitude of a winner.
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• Do not participate in any activity that is detrimental to our school, the team, or yourself. This includes breaking the law and other behavior that warrants parental or legal intervention. Such action may result in dismissal from the team.
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• Hazing or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated, and the school district policy will be followed. Such action may result in dismissal from the team.

Game Rules

1. No player shall question a referee’s call or show attitude toward a referee. If a player is carded, do not question or respond.

    

2. Players who leave the game during a substitution will communicate with the player replacing them.

    

3. Misconduct on the bench will not be tolerated.

    

4. Varsity and Junior Varsity players should sit together during games while watching their teammates play.

    

5. Cell phones must be turned off and put away during practice and games. As soon as you hit the field both home and away, your focus should be on your team and soccer. No ipods during warm-up

    

6. Varsity players will jog to the fans as a team following all games, win or lose.

    

7. Players should be dressed and ready for warm-up.

    

8. All players are responsible to take turns being ball girls at games.

Guideline Waiver

This form must be signed and returned to the coaches by practice on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18.

I, ________________________________________, (player’s printed name) fully understand the pledge and rules of the Huntingdon Girls’ Soccer Program and commit to respecting these rules.

Player Signature: ______________________________________________________

Parent / Guardian Signature: _____________________________________________

Parent / Guardian Signature: _____________________________________________

• The above portion should be signed. Note that the player should print her name on pages 1 and 3, and the player should write her signature on the Player Signature line. Return all three pages to the coaches.

• You have been given two copies of this packet; one is for you to keep at home for future reference.