BURNT HILLS JV AND VARSITY BOYS TENNIS EXPECTATIONS & GUIDELINES

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1 Geoff Leggieri Varsity Coach Peter North Junior Varsity Coach Trevor Schneider Assistant Coach BURNT HILLS JV AND VARSITY BOYS TENNIS EXPECTATIONS & GUIDELINES Introduction This packet has been designed to assist players and parents with most of the information that will be needed for the season. Included you will find information on match schedules, practice times, team expectations and consequences for infractions. Please take time to read this packet and contact your coach if you have any questions. You should also be familiar with the school s Athletic Philosophy and Code of Conduct which will be given to you on the first day of practice. Your coaches are looking forward to a fun and successful season! PROGRAM GOALS 1. Standard of Excellence To enable every student to be the very best that they can be not only on the tennis court, but also in the classroom and in their daily lives. 2. Lifestyle of Work Ethic and Self-discipline To set goals and achieve them takes dedication and hard work. Knowing that you have done everything you can to be the best that you can be is true success. The coaches will make every effort to push you to achieve your maximum potential. You will not be allowed to settle for less than your best! 3. Teamwork and Unity The goal of this tennis program is not just to help develop outstanding individual tennis players, but also to encourage teamwork and a spirit of unity working towards a common goal. Remaining positive towards both yourself and your teammates is essential. We are a team-first program. 4. Character and Sportsmanship While one of the goals when you step on the tennis court should always be to win, it is much more important to work hard and do your absolute best. Win or lose you should always maintain an attitude of good character and sportsmanship. 5. Have Fun! Tennis is a sport that should be enjoyed and we desire to build a team that cares for one another and enjoys each other. Tennis is a lifetime sport, and we hope that through the BH-BL tennis program we build lifetime relationships.

2 Junior Varsity-Specific Goals Develop a TEAM-FIRST attitude and a COACHABLE SPIRIT Develop a sense of gratitude about being a part of something larger than one individual Develop a love for the game Develop proper understanding of the rules and etiquette of tennis Gain an understanding of what it means to be an athlete in this program and the commitment level and expectations that come along with that Have the confidence to show support for your teammates Gain match experience Begin the development of mental toughness on and off the court Varsity-Specific Goals Further develop your coachable spirit during both training and match play Deepen tactical concepts Learn to work smarter by playing to your strengths more often Strengthen weaknesses Develop a deeper understanding of mental toughness and how it aids in your success on the court and in life Develop the love of competition and performance under pressure Learn to compete fearlessly! TEAM PLACEMENT JV or Varsity team placement will be determined by: 1. Coachable Spirit: Willingness to listen, learn, and improve 2. Attitude: Both a positive attitude and a competitive mentality 3. Effort: 100% daily effort is expected. 4. Ability: Talent, skill and head-to-head (challenge) matches. 5. Fitness level: Strength, agility, speed, endurance, explosiveness 6. Attendance: Being at all training sessions and matches is mandatory 7. Athletic Placement Process (NYSPHSAA): appropriate team standards must be passed for 7 th and 8 th graders to be considered to be a fully-rostered player. Coaches will share this info with players.

3 PLAYER EXPECTATIONS Act like a team! Act like a team: Players should readily acknowledge coaches and each other in the hallway, cafeteria and outside of school. Players should participate in all planned team social functions, fundraisers and end-ofseason banquets. Promote tennis: Players and parents should be a positive voice for our program, recruit friends and family to come and watch matches and encourage new friends to join our tennis program. Attendance Attend training and matches every day: Preseason training times will vary depending on location and weather. Once we are consistently outdoors, training will be on the high school courts and times will remain the same. Mondays and Fridays will be from 2:45-4:45 and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays will be from 3:30-5:30. You can always find the most up-to-date schedule of training and matches at for both the JV and Varsity teams. Much care has been taken to provide an accurate listing of all times. However, situations generally dictate that some training and/or match times will change or be cancelled. Information about changes will be given to players the same day they are received. Notification of schedule changes will be communicated with the players via text message and school announcements. It is the responsibility of the athlete to inform his parents of the changes. Be on time: Players are expected to arrive at training at least ten minutes early and be ready when training is scheduled to begin. Come prepared: Players must always have proper equipment for training and games. This includes a minimum of a racquet, uniform (on match days) and plenty of water. Help out: Be there to set up, break down and put away equipment for your coach and your team. Many hands make light work! Match Days: Players should always bring the proper gear to all matches. Players who arrive late or without a uniform may not play. On home match days, players are expected to be in uniform and on-court by 3pm. For away matches, players should meet at the flagpole in the back of the high school to catch the bus by 2:45. The bus will not wait for tardy players. Players will be expected to ride the bus to all away matches. It is a school rule that a player may only go home with his own parent(s) unless a signed note from a parent is presented to the coach stating otherwise. When your match is over: The first thing you should do is to find your coach and report your score. Your coach may or may not speak with you about your performance that day. After reporting to your coach, find a teammate who is still playing to support. Do not visit with friends and

4 family if we as a team are still competing. Do not check your cell phone. Be there for your teammates! Plan to stay: On match days, plan to stay for the duration of a match. Support each other! When all matches are completed, we will meet as a team to discuss the match as a whole and put away any equipment. Matches can last anywhere from 1-3+ hours depending on many different circumstances. Please plan for this. Academics Academic Guidelines: Please read the Academic Guidelines for Participation in Interscholastic Athletics sheet that was given out the first day of tryouts. Players in this tennis program are expected to excel off the court and in the classroom. They should be working to their full potential in class and are expected to be a role model to their classmates for respect and hard work. Coach/player/parent meetings may be arranged to find the best way to support a player not meeting these expectations. AAP/Activity Period: Players are encouraged to stay with teachers for extra help during Activity Period/AAP on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Middle School students are excused from the first few minutes of practice if they are taking advantage of this time with their teachers due to the time it takes to get from the MS to the HS. Players should plan to stay for extra help on practice days only. This takes time, effort, planning and communication. Conduct Respect: We ask and expect that athletes treat their parents with respect and gratitude for all they do for them. In addition, respect your teammates, coaches and the opposing team and coach. Appropriate conduct: is expected both on the court (trainings, matches, sectionals, etc.) as well as off the court (school, community, etc.). Being an athlete is being a role model. We will not do anything that reflects negatively on ourselves, our family, our school or our team. On-Court Conduct: Focused and positive are the two main attributes we are looking for players to demonstrate during match play. Learn to compete fearlessly! Listen to coaching on crossovers if applicable. Acknowledge your coach, either verbally or with eye contact and a headnod, when he is giving you feedback. During matches, inappropriate conduct can result in immediate default of a match or in extreme cases, removal from the team. On-Court Penalties: Unsportsmanlike conduct includes, but is not limited to profanity, racquet abuse, ball abuse, cheating line calls, etc. Penalties can be issued by either head coach. First offense=loss of game in progress regardless of score. If the offense happens between games, the next game will be forfeited. Second offense=loss of match. Losing games/matches due to unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated in the BH-BL tennis program. If a player is assessed a game penalty, he will have a consequence at the next practice. If a player is assessed a match-ending

5 penalty, he will not play the next scheduled match and may face further consequences. Code of Conduct: Players and parents are expected to read, understand and follow the school s Code of Conduct (handed out at the first day of tryouts). Absences Team: As tennis at BH-BL is a team sport, it is crucial that all team members participate in all practices and games. Special Circumstances: There are several circumstances that may excuse a player from practices or matches. Illness, academic reasons, college visits, death in family, religious reasons. If any of these occur, the player should notify the coach as soon as possible. Illegal absences: Illegal absences will equal a one-match suspension. The easiest way to avoid any problems is to be at all practices and matches, or as soon as you realize that you will be missing a practice/match, communicate directly with your coach. Do not send word with a fellow teammate. Club Teams/Alternate activities: While a high school sport is in session, athletes should understand that any club teams or alternate activities they are involved in come second. It is rare to find a club team coach who doesn t agree with this. Most of the time, a simple conversation with the club coach about your current participation in a school sport is all that is necessary. Tennis practices, matches and events should not be missed due to club team participation. Our season is indeed intense but it is also over quickly. Seeding Coaching Decision: Match-scores (challenge matches), along with technical and tactical ability combined with fitness, dedication, attitude and effort will all go into determining a player s seed on the team. The determination of a player s seed is a coaching staff decision. If players have questions about seeding, the player should speak to the coach before or after practice. Coaches will do their best to help players understand what they need to do to play at a higher level and possibly earn a higher seed. Before, during, or after a match is not a time for discussion with players or parents. JV Level Seeding: At the JV level especially, 5 th and 6 th singles along with all doubles seeds may vary from match to match in order for all players to gain match experience. Cell Phones Be Here: Both physically and mentally. All cell phones should be turned off or to the silent mode at practices and matches. If there is an absolute emergency, parents may call the coach s cell phone.

6 PARENT ROLES AND EXPECTATIONS Before the season: Ask your son questions about why he likes to play, what his goals are and then accept your son s reasons as his own. Parents should make the adjustments if your answers don t align. Independence: Please help us in fostering independence in your son. We ask that they be responsible for remembering their schedule, equipment (water too!) and to communicate with you. Be positive: Keep everything about tennis positive with your son. He ll enjoy the game and progress more quickly if he knows you re there to simply support and encourage. As coaches, we ll be sure to do enough critiquing after matches. We want our players to compete without fear of failure. Learning how to do this while they are young will serve them well as adults. We hope that for now you enjoy just watching him play. It will be over before you know it. Release him to his coaches, his teammates and this experience. Be a calming influence: A parent s presence at matches should be a calming influence on their child s match. It will help him perform at his best. Ask your son what he needs from you during matches and follow his wishes. Some players want parents and spectators all around some want a little distance. Please ask. During matches: Please attend matches as much as you can. Cheer for your son and those playing on the courts next to them. When your son s match is over, stay and cheer on other matches until the match is complete. Positive cheering is encouraged! Being a spectator: Spectators may not help make calls or settle on-court disagreements. We realize this is not easy but, it s part of the game that they have to learn to navigate without adult intervention. Players know that coaches are always available to assist if needed. Please stand or sit at least a few feet back from the fence (avoid fence-hanging). Remember that coaches have nine different matches occurring at the same time. Even though they might not be court-side with your son, coaches have a good idea of how your son s match is going and when or if to speak to him. There are times when a coach may be intentionally letting a player work through challenges on his own in order for him to grow as a player. League rules state that coaching of players is only to be done by the head coach from each competing team. Spectators are not to give coaching advice. Communication with coaches: If you have questions, please ask. Coaches are happy to help if they can. A friendly conversation is always welcome. If you have concerns you d like to share, please make sure your son has spoken to his coach first. If the player and coach have spoken and nothing has been resolved, contact the coach to schedule a time to talk in person. Many times, tone can be misinterpreted in s and texts. Booster Club: Please join and participate in the growth of our tennis program! Supporting booster club events and fundraisers helps grow our program, provide opportunities for your son and helps grow tennis in our community!

7 Match/Practice Etiquette *ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR PLAYERS* When playing a match, the server must start the point with two tennis balls. 2! When playing doubles, the partner should have the third tennis ball. At no time should there be any tennis balls left on your side of the court. If there is a service fault, the partner or the server needs to pick the ball up. No point should ever be played while loose tennis balls are on your side of the net. You cannot control what your opponent does. However, if during a point, you hit a tennis ball lying on their court, it is YOUR point. All calls are to be made quickly, confidently, and correctly. In doubles, you must over-ride your partner if you clearly saw the ball in. If you are not sure, the ball was good. You do not play a let because you disagree. Do not ask your opponent if the ball was good on the serve or during a point. No call from your opponent means your shot was good. Parents, spectators, or players are not to be asked their opinion on a point. During matches, use hand signals in addition to making the verbal out call. Your hand straight up in the air means your opponent s shot was out. Do not make the call until the ball bounces. The server must call the set score out at the beginning of each game so both teams are aware of the current score. The server also must call the game score out after EACH point. If there is a discrepancy in the score, players should approach the net and recount each point. If no agreement can be reached, the game is resumed at the last agreeable score. This matter needs to be handled by the players on the court. Spectators or teammates cannot interfere. All discussions take place at the net in a calm voice. If you are receiving what you believe are inaccurate line calls from your opponent, you should ask your opponent if they are sure of the call. By the third time, call your coach over. If you ignore the situation on court, do not use it as an excuse at the end of the match. A player should never lose more than three points before asking for a coach to help. Never walk through or behind another court while a point is being played. Wait until their point is finished before running across the court. Any player on the court may call a let if a ball from another court rolls on your court or near a player on the baseline. The call must be made immediately. That point is then replayed starting with a first serve. At the start of a new set, doubles partners may decide who serves first and can change receiving sides. You do not need to keep the same serving rotation. Always change the scorecards at the end of the odd games when changing sides of the court.

8 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR PLAYERS (CONT.) In doubles, do not coach your partner during a match. Use words like WE and US instead of YOU. In doubles, at the end of EVERY point, make eye contact/say something encouraging/or just talk with your partner. Everyone will make mistakes it is how you handle the situation that will determine how the mistakes affect the game. At the end of the match, BH-BL TENNIS PLAYERS are always the first ones at the net to shake their opponent s hands. Doubles players always shake their partner s hand on the way to the net and before their opponents. Good sportsmanship is essential. At the end of your match, you (and your partner) must report the score to your coach immediately. After your match, you will find another match in progress and support your teammates! In Closing Guidelines, procedures, proper etiquette and game day responsibilities are the same for every player on the team. To perform as a team, the players must all act in the same manner. When all players are treated equally and treat others equally, so much can be accomplished in training and during matches. These same ideals can make a difference; not only on the tennis court but also in your life. Let s put our best foot forward everyday, on the court, in the classroom and in our everyday lives. People will notice. But more importantly, you will notice a difference. The 3-legged table: Player-parent-coach. Let s work together to make this a great season full of lifetime memories for your son!

9 Geoff Leggieri Varsity Coach Peter North Junior Varsity Coach Trevor Schneider Assistant Coach BURNT HILLS JV AND VARSITY BOYS TENNIS EXPECTATIONS & GUIDELINES These expectations and guidelines are designed to give every player and parent a very clear understanding of what in means to play in the BH-BL Boys Tennis program and what will be expected of you. By signing and returning the portion below, players and parents have acknowledged that they have read and understand these expectations and guidelines. Please sign and return to your coach. Players Name: Grade: Player s Signature Date / Parents Signatures Date