SM EAST HIGH SCHOOL LANCER SOCCER PLAYER/PARENT HANDBOOK Coaching and Program Philosophy: High School sports are not a “right” but rather a privilege. High School athletics are used as a venue to teach, learn, and develop life skills. Players must realize that they are “students” first and players second. Players must also realize that they are an extension of SM East, the Shawnee Mission School District, their parents, community and peers. Therefore they need to maintain a positive attitude both in the heat of battle of the game, in the classroom and as well as outside of school. As a staff, we are committed to developing these skills within our players by being firm, fair, and positive. The career of an athlete is very short but life’s challenges go on.
I believe in building a program, not just a Varsity team. It starts with the C-Teams to make sure that they are competitive and understand they are important to the success of our future. As a former Shawnee Mission East School player and current teacher, I am obliged to give as many players as possible the opportunity to compete for their school and community.
During my time coaching we have had players on C-Teams for 2 years, then JV and finally become the leading goal scorer in their senior year on Varsity. The pathway is there for players to develop, grow and have success at the Varsity level. I believe that all players can contribute given the right motivation, guidance, and coaching. Lastly, it is integral that we develop young men and women to be productive in our society, contribute to any team in the work force and treat people with compassion.
TEAM RULES/EXPECTATIONS ATTENDANCE AND ELIGIBILITY All student-athletes are required to be in attendance all day to be eligible to participate in practices and games. Any doctor appointments during the school day must be approved by the Athletic Director in advance. An unexcused absence could result in a change in that player's role, suspension, or dismissal from the team. Exceptions and emergencies will be dealt with through the Athletic Director. The soccer program has the philosophy that attendance is required for sustaining good academic habits. Therefore, the student-athlete should strive to attend all classes.
ELIGIBILITY / GRADES A student-athlete must have passed five new solid subjects the previous semester to be eligible to participate. Each student-athlete is expected to achieve to their full potential in the classroom at all times. Coach Kelly’s expectations are simple, if you are enrolled in a class, PASS IT! D’s are not passing. You cannot head off to college with below average grades. Any player with a D and not getting help from that teacher will NOT play in games. PRACTICE ATTENDANCE Attendance is mandatory in order to play in games! Only special occasions in which your team coach has prior knowledge, will be excused. This does not mean you get to start that game or any other. Players who miss practice without prior permission will NOT play in following game. Players, who miss 3 practices without permission from their team coach, will be dismissed from the program after a meeting with the coaching staff, administration, player and parents. During girls soccer season, all student athletes are required to be in attendance for practices the Friday before and the Monday after Spring Break. Any student athletes not in attendance for these practices could miss one half of a soccer game for each practice missed. Leaving early or arriving late from spring break is not a reason to miss practice. Make your travel plans accordingly. TRAVEL POLICY When a bus is provided, all players are expected to ride the bus to the game. You may ride home with your parents after the game; just make sure your coach knows in advance so that we don’t leave you behind after the game. CLASSROOM CONDUCT Each student-athlete will carry themselves as a positive role model in each of their classes. They will demonstrate leadership, and act as a liaison between faculty and student body to develop good rapport and classroom discipline at all times. You gain respect from peers and faculty by showing respect to peers and faculty. I will expect teachers to inform me about your classroom behavior and I will handle any problems if they so desire. Each detention received in school can/will result in loss of playing time and/or consequences. The second detention can/will result in a dismissal for a half of a game, and any other detentions can/will bring a game suspension. This includes both office and classroom detentions. It is a player’s responsibility to inform the coach immediately of the detention. Failure to do so will result in a game suspension. Saturday school will bring a one game suspension, while OSS will result in a minimum of a one game suspension. GAME CONDUCT Each student-athlete is a representative of the soccer program, SM East High School, your parents, and your community. Therefore, you will act as a positive role model at all times. During all games, our players will: respect all calls made by the officials; be positive towards teammates in their comments and criticisms (constructive); be positive towards coaching decisions; and not distract his/her focus on the game by jeering the opponents' players or fans at any time. This applies to all our players and fans alike. The failure to do so will result in an immediate removal from the game or practice. All red/yellow cards will be reviewed by the coaches for possible further disciplinary rulings. Our direct success depends on your game performance. All concerns or problems should be handled off the field in a private and confidential manner with a coach. DRESS Game Day attire will be at the decision of the coaching staff. All players are expected to adhere to all dress codes set by the coaching staff. Failure to comply will result in a one game suspension. PRACTICE ATTIRE: Player’s MUST have shin guards on at all times during practice secessions. All players will have practice uniforms, and they will be worn at all times. No revealing clothing will be permitted. We play games with shirtsleeves you need to practice in shirts with shirtsleeves. UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT Taking excellent care of all uniforms/equipment checked out to you for the season is vitally important. You are responsible for turning in all uniforms/equipment at the end of the season. You must turn in the same uniform/equipment you were checked out. You will pay for any uniform/equipment you do not turn in. Please take care of the uniforms as if they were your own or even better. They are expensive and difficult to replace individually. ATHLETIC TRAINER He/She can be found in the training room located on the first floor by the girls’ locker room. All injuries MUST be reported to the trainer. If you miss a practice because you are injured or with the trainer, you will not play until you are released by him/her and/or your physician. GAME DAY PREPARATION In order to maximize game day readiness, the student-athlete should keep these ideas in mind:
1. DO NOT sleep between the end of school and the start of the game. It is fine to rest and relax. However, sleep prior to game time will take away from your effectiveness. 2. A good night's sleep two nights before the game has been proven to be the most important rest you can get. 3. Avoid sugar and caffeine the day of the game. 4. Eat no sooner than 3 hours before game time. Eat a meal with carbohydrates the night before (pasta). 5. Drink 16 ounces of water two hours before game time to maximize hydration during the game.
6. Do NOT drink Energy Drinks during season. They are not healthy for you and give you false energy. Do NOT drink them on game days. They get your heart racing too fast and are not healthy for you.
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL The use of alcohol, tobacco or other illegal controlled substances by SM East Soccer Players will NOT BE TOLERATED AT ANY TIME! Here is the Shawnee Mission School District’s policy and what will be the SM East Soccer Program policy for student athletes that violate the drug and alcohol policy:
1st offense: Consultation with AD, parents, and coach AND Completion of a substance abuse program.
SME Policy - Suspension of 2 games MINIMUM, possible other consequences, AND a completion of an abuse program.
2nd offense: Loss of 50% of season MINIMUM AND Completion of a substance abuse program.
SME Policy - Suspension of 8 games MINIMUM, possible other consequences, AND a completion of an abuse program.
3rd offense: Dismissed from the team.
SME policy – Dismissed from the team. CAPTAINS Captains will be either appointed by the coaching staff, voted by the team, or a combination of both. They are the spokespeople for the team. They will act as liaisons between the team and the staff. Presenting the views of the team to the staff, being positive roles models, displaying leadership, and assisting players, parents, and coaches, are some of their responsibilities. Captains are important both on and off the field. Authority will be, and is, delegated to the team captains. SENIORS We want our seniors to fulfill our leadership roles. In building tradition, it is important that this group step forward as positive role models for the underclassmen in our program. As a group, you have the responsibility and privilege of being a force within the community that determines positive action. We look to our seniors for leadership both on and off the field.
BENCH ENTHUSIASM Any player, manager, or ball person in the bench area should be completely focused on the match. Players are expected to give positive encouragement to their teammates. A failure to do the above conveys the message that the player is not prepared to enter the game. LANGUAGE All abusive and vulgar language will be handled by the individual coach. This will mean some type of physical exercise discipline, in the hopes of breaking this habit at practice. If the language carries over to match situations, the player will be removed from the game either by the official with a red card or by the coach. TEAM DINNERS Even though coaches may not be in attendance, team dinners are an extension to practice. The same attendance policy for practice/games will be adhered to. SPORTSMANSHIP Treat your opponent, the officials, the fans, and your team with respect. Even though an official may have missed a flagrant call or an act of un-sportsmanlike conduct, it is most probable the coaching staff has seen the act, and they will react with immediate removal from the game. GAME DAY ARRIVAL TIME All players need to be at the game site at least one hour before kickoff, and completely equipped for the match 45 minutes prior to game time. Failure to do so could result in a loss of playing time. DAILY EQUIPMENT - INCLEMENT WEATHER All players must bring indoor running shoes everyday in case of inclement weather. This includes game days. If a game is canceled, expect to have indoor practice. LETTERING All players must complete the season in good standing with the coaching staff and the school administration to be eligible for a letter. The season is complete at the end of the last varsity game. Illness or injury is the exception. To earn a varsity letter a player must have played in a minimum of 18 halves during the season, or start/play in a state game (quarterfinals on). A player must also take part in all other soccer related events such as team dinners, community services, awards ceremonies, and in-school functions. The final say in lettering is up to the Varsity Coach and if he feels that a player deserves lettering without all the requirements. The Varsity Coach also has the right to withhold lettering a player, even though he/she has met all the requirements, if the coach feels that an action by that player was not suitable. CONDITIONING The coaching staff values and realizes the importance of physical fitness and conditioning for the well-being and safety of the players. Soccer, in general, is one of the most physically demanding sports, requiring tremendous endurance for a player to perform and succeed at the high school level. Therefore, players who meet team fitness requirements/goals enhance their chances of playing time. VARSITY PLAYERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO MEET THE FOLLOWING PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
FIELD PLAYERS 1 AND 1/2 MILE RUN IN 10:30 OR LESS Complete 9 20-40's in 11 minutes GOALKEEPERS 1 MILE IN 9 MINUTES Complete 9 20-40's in 11 minutes
PLAYING TIME Playing time is a coaching decision based on many aspects of the player. We were hired as professionals to make such decisions. Before challenging this aspect, please be sure you thoroughly investigate. Any inquiries are welcomed, however, please arrange an appropriate time to meet and discuss with the coach in private. When you choose to inquire, be advised and prepared to hear some things you may not want to hear because it is only fair for the coaching staff to be completely honest with you in order for you to challenge yourself to develop and improve to possibly change your role or status. Parents are not encouraged to challenge the coach’s decision of playing time for their son/daughter. This is something that the player should do to help them with life skills. Make sure your son/daughter has talked with the coaching staff prior to meeting with the coach. Often the answer can be found by asking your player. All parent/coach meetings will include the player being present to make sure that all information has been shared correctly. TEAM BUILDING Members of the Varsity Team are expected to be at all team building events. There are exceptions, but those need to be communicated ahead of time. College visits for seniors is an example for an excused absence. Team Dinners are also extensions of team building and are expected to be attended by all members of the team.
Thanks,
Coach Kelly and the SME Soccer Coaching Staff
