URSULINE ACADEMY VOLLEYBALL PLAYING TIME RULES 4 TH -6 TH GRADE INTRODUCTION

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1 URSULINE ACADEMY VOLLEYBALL PLAYING TIME RULES 4 TH -6 TH GRADE INTRODUCTION I. PURPOSE The purpose of these Rules is to provide uniform guidelines to coaches, parents, and players regarding playing time expectations for students participating on Ursuline Academy volleyball teams in grades four through six. II. III. APPLICABILITY These Rules shall apply to all Ursuline Academy volleyball teams comprised of any combination of fourth, fifth, and/or sixth grade students regardless of whether or not the team is competing in a CYM-sanctioned event. RECOGNITION OF CYM PLAYING TIME RULES AND POLICIES- Pursuant to Policy 9.33 of the Program Division Section of the CYM Athletic Handbook, Junior Varsity sports programs, including volleyball, are comprised of participants in 4th through 6th grade. Ursuline Academy specifically recognizes the following rules and policies set forth in the CYM Athletic Handbook and notes that all volleyball teams competing in CYM volleyball at the 4-6 th grade level are subject to these rules and policies: Policy The CYM Junior Varsity Sports Program is intended as instructional with maximum participation by all team members. Mandatory Play Rules have been instituted in most JV Programs. Coaches of JV teams in sports without a Mandatory Play Rule should adhere to maximum participation during CYM contests. Junior Varsity Rules - The CYM Junior Varsity volleyball program is instructional. All suited players must have the opportunity to play. Winning games and matches should be secondary. Complaints concerning coaches not playing team members will be handled between the Office for Catholic Youth Ministry and the parish athletic association. Playing Time - Parishes/schools are reminded that the purpose of CYM sports programs is to promote Christian attitudes while encouraging healthy physical activity. Children sign up for sports to play and have fun. As a result, each parish/school is responsible for monitoring teams to ensure that children participate (meaningful playing time in each contest) and have the opportunity for a positive athletic experience in a Christian atmosphere. 1

2 URSULINE ACADEMY PLAYING TIME RULES FOR 4 TH TO 6 TH GRADE In furtherance of the Rules and Policies set forth in the CYM Athletic Handbook, and in order to provide a greater level of clarity to coaches, players, and parents, Ursuline Academy requires adherence to the following Rules in all volleyball games and matches played at the fourth to sixth grade level: 1. Lineups a. Equal opportunities to start matches - On teams comprised of twelve or fewer players, no player shall start the first game of two consecutive matches on the bench. It is the responsibility of the head coach to check the starting lineup at the beginning of each match and confirm that the players starting the match on the bench did not start the last match on the bench. On a team comprised of greater than twelve players, no player shall start the first game of three consecutive matches on the bench. b. No division of the team into lineups in order of skill level - There shall be no division of the team into two or more lineups in order of skill level. Care should be taken to foster a one-team mentality (rather than A and B lineups within the team) with each player having the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the team in various game and match situations. c. Equal opportunities to play in third games - Coaches shall give all players on the team approximately equal opportunities to play in a third and deciding game throughout the season. Employing the strategy of always playing the six most skilled players in the third game is prohibited. If any players have received substantially less playing time than other team members during the first two games of the match, those players shall receive substantial playing time in the third game. 2. Points Played a. Approximately equal playing time over the course of the season - While it is impossible to ensure that each player on a team will play an equal number of points over the course of the season, Ursuline Academy embraces the maximum participation policy set forth in the CYM Athletic Handbook. Approximately equal playing time shall be the goal of every team at this level regardless of whether or not it is competing in a CYM-sanctioned event. Coaches shall take all reasonable steps necessary to accomplish approximately equal playing time for players over the course of the season. b. Approximately equal playing time during matches - No player shall receive substantially more playing time than other players in a given match. However, it is understood that the precise duration of the match is an unknown variable that makes it difficult for coaches to accomplish approximately equal playing time. In isolated situations, certain players may unintentionally receive less playing time in a given 2

3 match. In such instances, parents are encouraged to wait until the conclusion of at least one subsequent match to determine whether the coach has rectified the situation. However, if there is an established pattern of a certain player or players receiving substantially less playing time in matches than other players on the team, this is considered a blatant violation of these Rules and parents are encouraged to communicate such instances to the Ursuline Academy Athletic Association ( UAAA ) President and Principal of the Lower School or Middle School Director depending on the grade of the player. c. No playing the entire match where subs are available - No player, regardless of skill level, shall regularly play every point of a match or all three games of a threegame match if other players from the team are available to be subbed into the game. d. No sitting the entire match on the bench - Except pursuant to Section 5 below, or unless the player is injured, no player shall ever sit the entire match on the bench. 3. Positions Played a. Players shall have regular opportunities throughout the season to play in different positions (i.e. hitter, setter, front row, back row, etc.). Although some independent tournament play is possible during the season, these teams are primarily participating in the CYM JV Sports Program and this program is intended to be instructional. The practice of having players play in designated positions according to skill level throughout the season is prohibited. 4. Serving a. Approximately equal serving opportunities - Each player on the team shall be given an approximately equal number of serving opportunities over the course of the season. Coaches are responsible for checking their score books regularly throughout the season to ensure that each player on the team is receiving an approximately equal number of serving opportunities in comparison to the other players on the team. In instances where it is determined that a player has received substantially fewer serving opportunities than other players on the team, care should be taken in subsequent matches to insert said player early in the serving rotation to increase this player s serving opportunities. It is understood that given the unknown duration of a volleyball match, it is impossible for coaches to ensure equal serving opportunities in each match. Therefore, to the extent a parent or player has a concern regarding the limited number of serving opportunities received in a given match, they are encouraged to wait until the conclusion of at least one subsequent match to see if the situation is rectified before raising the concern with the coach. b. Coaches shall not make a regular practice of limiting a player s serving opportunities or subbing a server out of a game in favor of a more skilled server. 3

4 5. Exceptions a. Nothing in these Rules shall prevent a coach from benching or limiting the playing time of a player for any of the following disciplinary reasons: i. Failing to attend practice without being excused ii. Being disrespectful to coaches or teammates iii. Showing up late for a match iv. Not following instructions v. Not taking practice seriously vi. Other disciplinary reasons, provided they are unrelated to skill level or athletic performance of the player b. In the event a coach decides to bench or limit the playing time of a player for disciplinary reasons, such reasons shall be communicated in detail by to the parents of the player, the UAAA President and Principal of the Lower School or Middle Director depending on the grade of the player, if reasonably possible, before the match. If the circumstances giving rise to the benching or limiting of playing time arise during the day of the match, the coach shall convey the reasons to the parents of the player, the UAAA President and Principal of the Lower School or Middle School Director depending on the grade of the player by as soon as reasonably possible after the match. 6. Implementation and Enforcement a. Coaches are responsible for reviewing and understanding the Rules before the season begins and applying them during the season - These Rules have been implemented by UAAA at the request of Ursuline Academy and are mandatory. In order to participate in volleyball at the fourth to sixth grade level, players and coaches must agree to abide by these Rules. All coaches are responsible for reviewing and understanding these Rules before the first match of the season and implementing them during the season. Any questions regarding the interpretation of the Rules should be directed to the UAAA President. If a conflict is perceived to exist, any questions may be directed instead to the Principal of the Lower School or Middle School Director depending upon the grade of the player. b. Reporting violations - Any complaints regarding a coach s failure to apply these Rules shall be forwarded in writing to the UAAA President and/or Principal of the Lower School or Middle School Director depending upon the grade of the player, but no sooner than 24 hours after the match where the violation occurred. As our coaches are volunteering their time and trying their best, parents are encouraged to give coaches an opportunity to rectify minor and/or isolated violations of these Rules and, if possible, discuss any concerns with the coach before deciding to contact the UAAA President and/or Principal of the Lower School or Middle School Director. Unless the next match is occurring in less than 24 hours, parents should also wait until at least 24 hours after the most recent match to contact the coach regarding any playing time 4

5 concerns. Approaching a coach regarding playing time issues at the immediate conclusion of a match is prohibited. c. Sanctions - Blatant or multiple violations of these Rules by a coach may lead to the suspension or replacement of the coach in the discretion of Ursuline Academy or UAAA. 5