Program Guidelines
(these items are subject to change)
A. Varsity Program
- The goal of the varsity program is to win and demonstrate good sportsmanship.
- Playing time is NOT guaranteed.
- Junior Varsity is developmental and meant to prepare players for Varsity play
- Ideally, the JV team consists of primarily grades 9-10.
- Varsity players who are ready to play at that level will be chosen from grades 9-12
- Players should strive to be a part of the Varsity team by their senior year
- Seniors will not be carried on the JV team. Seniors not selected for the varsity team will be dismissed from the program.
- The Varsity team will only carry a limited number of players. Players not selected will be dismissed from the program
B. Junior High Program
- The Jr. High varsity team’s (Freshman Team) primary goal is to develop and win games while exhibiting sportsmanship at all times. There is no guarantee for playing time.
- The Jr. High JV team (B) is developmental and consists primarily of 7th and 8th graders who intend to play soccer in their 9th grade year
In-Season Guidelines
A. Players
- It is the expectation that players carry themselves in a matter that positively represents the team, school and community. When a student missteps and falls short of this expectation, the consequences are as follows.
1. Joining the Team
- Physical examination and required school papers due to HS office by announced due date
- Sign-up meeting, usually in mid-February
- Tryouts are held the first week of the season
2. Academics
- Eligibility
- Varsity; must be passing 3 credits weekly and 6 the year before
- Junior High; must be passing 4 of the major subjects
- Team study halls- to be held once a week during season when possible (9-12 only)
3. Practice Expectations
- Practice Uniform
- Players may wear only blue, gray, or white t-shirts and white, black, or blue shorts with black, blue or white socks only.
- Players will be able to order items to ensure that they are properly dressed for practice when we do spirit gear orders.
- Players are expected to run when on the pitch at all times.
- Players are expected to attend all practices with the following exceptions:
- illness resulting in absence from school.
- academic help, only if unavailable from school.
- coaches’ discretion
- Injured players are expected to report injury to coach and athletic trainer, and continued attendance at practices and games to support the team is required. Players who receive treatment from the trainer must report to practice with a pass. Players should report to the trainer well in advance of practice. Coaches will check sign in times with the Athletic Trainer when an issue arises.
- Players receiving disciplinary action at school will still attend practice but will forfeit playing time.
- Teacher detention will result in a half game suspension
- ISS will be a minimum of a two game suspension with further action to be determined by a parent/coaches meeting.
- OSS: Infraction will be reviewed by coaching staff.
- Players late to practice without a documented educational, medical, or family emergency will forfeit playing time. Players must notify coaches directly, not through other players, that they will miss/arrive late to practice PRIOR to the event. Telephone, e-mail, and face-to-face are all appropriate ways to notify coaches.
- Family vacations and other obligations should be avoided during season
- Players choosing to leave the team for any length of time for any reason other than documented and approved educational, medical, or family emergency are effectively choosing to miss an equal number of games upon their return to the team. For each practice he misses, a player must attend and participate in at least as many practices upon his return to the team before he is again eligible to play in a game.
Example – a player departs on a Friday afternoon and misses Friday practice and a Saturday game. Upon returning to the team at Monday’s practice, he must participate in Monday’s practice and may not play in Tuesday’s game.
4. Game Expectations
- Players are expected to ride home from all games on the team bus.
- Players will refrain from commenting to and interacting with spectators during the game.
- Players will remain seated on the bench until called to play by the coach.
- All players’ equipment will be kept neatly behind the bench area with all personal items stored appropriately.
- Players are expected shake hands of opponents and referees at the end of each game.
- Players are expected to step forward when announced.
- Players are expected to wear the pre-game attire required by the coaching staff.
5. Varsity Letter Criteria
- Players must play in at least half of the Varsity games to be eligible for a letter.
- Seniors in the program are guaranteed a Varsity letter.
6. Expectations of Character
- Players are expected to display proper sportsmanship both on and off the field of play.
- Players must treat all teammates with the highest respect at all times. Put downs and harassment, which are signs of selfishness and are disrespect to the team as a whole, are not tolerated.
- Repeated poor attitude during practices and/or games will result in a loss of playing time or dismissal from the team.
- Students are subject to the rules of the school with regards to appropriate social activities.
7. Relationship and Communication with Coaches
- Your coaches will respect you as a person, a student, and an athlete. Live up to their respect and give the same in return.
- Players will acknowledge a coach at all times, i.e. passing in the halls, in the community grocery store, at church, at public events.
- When appropriate, players should discuss concerns with their captains first if they are uncomfortable approaching a coach with a particular problem.
- Always discuss concerns with coaches in a private setting.
- Concerns and frustrations are best handled after calming down from the intensity of game and practice situations. Expect that some conversations will not take place during practices and games.
8. Player Recognition
- Each year the Lancaster-Lebanon league recognizes:
- -Section All-Stars, as voted by the section coaches
- One Academic All-Star per team (seniors only)
- One MVP per section
- Three All-State players
- Our program emphasizes a “Team First” approach. Awards for individual achievement are not emphasized within our teams with the exception of school-mandated awards.
B. Coaches
- It is the responsibility of the coaches to direct the program with character education and winning as the primary goals.
- All decisions with regard to players (i.e. appropriate playing level, playing time, dismissal) will be made with complete objectivity and the best overall interests of the team in mind.
- Coaches are open to respectful suggestions in the appropriate venues and times, such as before and after practices.
C. Parents
1. Fundraising
- Chicken BBQ- all profits go to the Girls’ Soccer account, Most important
- Big E Booster Club sales- shared profits with general account
- Miscellaneous money raising efforts
- Money is used for: offsetting Team Camp costs, senior gifts, banquet items, tournament costs, offsetting off-season training efforts
- Players are EXPECTED to help out in fundraisers.
2. Getting involved
- Organizing clothing sales
- Big E representative
- Grade level representative
- Run food stand at home games
- Senior parents typically organize the end of season banquet
- Junior Parents organize the Senior Parent Night
- General Photography
3. On the Sideline
- Parents have the responsibility to model class and sportsmanship for our players
- Parents are to refrain from coaching the players during the games
4. Relationship with the coaches
- Wait 24 hours before discussing concerns with a coach. Please schedule a time to meet.
- Concerns to discuss with coaches:
- Treatment of your daughter both mentally and physically;
- Ways to help your daughter improve,
- Concerns about your athlete’s behavior or academics
- Areas left to the discretion of the coaches:
- Playing time
- Team strategy
- Play calling
- Other student athletes
