Holy Innocents Episcopal School Football Program Player / Parent Manual Middle School March 30, 2018 Revised April 12, 2018 1
I. Introduction The mission of the Holy Innocents Episcopal (HIES) Middle School (MS) Program will stress the total development of each student-athlete: spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, emotional and physical. Student-athletes will be prepared to move on and be successful at the Varsity level. Our goal is to put student-athletes in an environment that is consistent with a seamless transition from the Middle School to the Upper School (Varsity) level. II. MS Football Coaching Staff HEAD COACH BILL RAILEY Bill.Railey@hies.org COACH STACEY DAVIS Stacey.Davis@hies.org COACH MIKE THORNTON Mike.Thornton@hies.org COACH VONNIE HOLLIDAY COACH MARSHALL GAINES Head MS Football Coach Assistant MS Coach Assistant MS Coach Assistant MS Coach Assistant MS Coach III. HIES Middle School Football Teams THE TEAMS The Middle School Football Program at HIES will consist of two teams (combined from 6 th, 7 th, & 8 th Graders) playing two schedules (starting in 2018): TEAM CRIMSON o Plays (5) Game Schedule on Thursdays TEAM GOLD o Plays (8) Game Schedule on Saturdays A priority at the Middle School level is to develop our talent. Talent can only be developed through practice and playing on game day. In order to accomplish these goals, we will field one team and play two schedules. A Crimson schedule, which we will play on Thursdays, and a Gold schedule, which we will play on Saturdays. Page 2
In the past, HIES has had a MS 7 th Grade Team and an MS 8 th Grade Team, that typically had games on the same day. If these games were not being played at the same stadium, this would cause the MS Coaching Staff to be split our staff on Saturday. Having Two Middle School Teams playing schedules on Thursday and Saturday, will allow a combination of our 7 th and 8 th grade players and keep our coaching staff intact for all MS Games. All MS players will play on either Thursday or Saturday, in order to develop their specific skill set. IV. Objectives for Middle School Football Objectives: Develop a positive relationship with Middle School Players, Parents and Families. Use Varsity philosophies, schemes, drills, and terminology o Four Pillars o Offensive, Defensive and Kick Game Philosophies o Schemes (from Varsity) Offense: Flexbone Defenses: 4-2-5 Kick Game: Coverage, Return and Protection Concepts Drills Utilize our Varsity drill manuals for offense, defense and kick game o Terminology Use our Varsity terminology in instruction Install the BFS (Bigger, Faster, Stronger) Readiness Program o For 12-year-old student-athletes o Allocate facility time o Attend and provide instruction when available Expectations for Middle School Coaches: Our Staff and Coaching Philosophy o Focus: o Development of each student-athlete o Fundamental instruction Blocking Techniques Tackling Stance Starts Ball Security Throwing Catching o Ample playing time Page 3
Organization: Practice o In drills student-athletes should be paired according to age and ability level o Structured and well thought out practice plans o Maximum involvement of all student-athletes o Scripts Games o Film all contests o Plan for a 100% participation in each contest Communication: Open line of communication with student-athletes and parents Website development o Calendar Contact Information Clinics and Camps Equipment Distribution Practices Games Award Programs V. HIES Middle School Football Philosophy Our program is a result-oriented program in a people atmosphere. We will strive for success. Success will result from hard work, refusal to be denied and a great belief in ourselves. Through belief we must dedicate ourselves to becoming the best that we can be. To achieve, we must have a burning desire to excel. Our football program is a close-knit, goal-achieving group. We must work hard and strongly believe in the family concept. Each man will contribute and be recognized for his contribution. Trust is ultimately important. We will have loyalty and respect for each other. This will generate the family feeling and promote our family concept. Everyone will play a large role in contributing to a championship effort. Our short-term goals will include raising our level of play daily and weekly. We must always leave the field better than when we came on it. If we raise our level of play consistently, our opponents will need superior performance to beat us. Page 4
The philosophies of this program are the same qualities that make for a successful life. Success within the program will result in a winning atmosphere. Winning is successfully combining loyalty, leadership, knowledge, determination, persistence and effort toward a goal. We must work and believe in the Our Football Family. We will win with a POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE. VI. Program Rules & Regulations for Middle School Football We believe our players expect to WIN every time they take the field. If we believe we are going to be champions, we must be prepared to make individual sacrifices for the good of the team. Sacrifice and self-discipline are an absolutely necessary price that must be paid in order to be a member of a great football TEAM. 1) OBEY THE LAW 2) ACT LIKE A GENTLEMAN 3) POLICIES - ALL LEVELS a) Late to practice OT (*) after practice b) Absent - (1) Unexcused OT (*) after practice i) An unexcused absence is one in which the player has not cleared ii) his absence with his coach iii) A second unexcused absence will result in a coach, player and parent conference and possible dismissal from the team. iv) Excused absences are ones that have been cleared with the Coach Winter (Varsity/Junior Varsity/9 th Grade) and with Coach Davis (Middle School) beforehand. v) Cleared absences - OT (*) after practice c) Absent: In-season (Game Week) i) If player misses 1 day of practice they will sit for 1 quarter. ii) If player misses 2 days of practice they will sit for the that game. 4) DISCIPLINE FOR: a) Negative attitude contributing to team dissension i) Will result in an immediate coach, parent and player conference. ii) If this situation is not remedied by this conference, the player will be dismissed from the team. b) Profanity OT (*) c) Disrespect OT (*) d) Classroom troublemaker OT (*) e) Stealing (**) f) Use of tobacco and/or smoking, chewing, vaping (**) Page 5
g) Use of alcohol or drugs (**) 5) INJURIES a) All injured players will attend practice - dressed out - unless excused by a coach. b) Players are to stay with their position coach during practice. (*) OT lasts for 5-10 min. after practice. (**) School policies will be enforced. VII. Middle School Football Code 1. PRACTICES a. We practice every day scheduled rain or shine. Only acceptable excuses are from Coach Winter or Coach Davis. b. Every injury should be reported to Coach Winter, Coach Davis and our trainer before you leave the field or school. In case an injury or sickness develops after you leave, contact Head Coach Winter. c. Be prompt. 2. EQUIPMENT, LOCKER ROOM and TRAINING ROOM a. You are responsible for your equipment and its maintenance. As we have helped in fitting your equipment, make sure you constantly recheck. b. You are to contribute to the neatness of the locker room and placing all your equipment in your locker. c. Equipment should not be removed from the locker room or school except to be cleaned. d. The locker room is the nerve center of our squad, a place to be treated as an inner sanctum, not the corner pool hall. e. If you leave the squad, make sure you personally turn in all equipment to Coach Winter. 3. FOR THE GAME AND TRIPS a. Unless granted permission, you will return with the team. b. You are responsible for packing your equipment bag before and after the game. c. Our policy for the National Anthem is to stand at attention with helmet in your left side. d. The game is fun time. It is what we prepare for. Play it to the fullest with great concentration. When Holy Innocents takes the field at home or away we take it with pride, enthusiasm and a WINNING ATTITUDE. Page 6
VIII. For the Middle School Football Players PRACTICE AND GAME ATTIRE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL First, and most importantly we are a team. We are not a group of individuals. We will work as a team and play as a team. We will be first class in everything we do. When we travel, we will wear the required attire. When we are in shells we will wear our team shorts. When we are in helmets we will wear our team shorts and t-shirt (sleeves will not be cut). We will wear white socks at practice. On game day, we will wear our team socks, approved cleats, and jersey s tucked in. Once again, we will be first class in everything we do at Holy Innocents. What is needed to Participate in Athletics from the Sports Medicine Department 1. GHSA sport physical form https://hies.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/219/download/download_2259736.pdf 2. Athletic Waiver - Good for a student s tenure at HIES, must be signed online through the parent login (see below for directions) 3. Impact Consent/Concussion Awareness - This will be signed annually and must be signed online through the parent login (see below for directions) 4. Impact Baseline HIES will get new baseline every 2 years - computerized test as a tool in concussion. A date and time will be set to take as a team. Items 1, 2 & 3 above must be completed before being allowed to tryout or participate in a sport, Impact baseline will be conducted as a team and a designated date and time How to Access the Athletic Waiver and the Impact Consent - Concussion Awareness Form Go to Hies.org o https://hies.myschoolapp.com/app/#login Click login and login to your account Click on resources Click on athlete forms Under online forms sign the impact consent/concussion awareness form Hit enter and it will be submitted PLAYER PACK Will be ordered online and will be delivered to HIES for distribution. Link to Website will be distributed by Team Mom at a later date. Page 7
OTHER EQUIPMENT All players should have White Cleats for the 2018 Season. VIDEO REVIEW OF GAMES Each player will have an account with Hudl to be able to login and review game film. Contact Varsity Coach Lialios if you have any questions. IX. For the Middle School Football Parents TEAM MOM Debbie Reams (mother of Henry, Class of 2023) will be the Middle School Team Mom for 2018. Her Contact information is: Debbie Reams Cell: 678) 429-4965 Email: dreams520@comcast.net The Team Mom is a volunteer position. The Team Mom coordinates and organizes the communications to parents, and players when needed; coordinates volunteer parent assignments; manages rosters and team identification items (lanyards, magnets, buttons, etc); plans celebrations for players; organizes/plans meals for the team; plans parent/team events; acts as a liaison with other athletic organizations, sports medicine and school administration; coordinates player pack ordering and distribution; and assists with anything needed to help the Coaches, Parents and Players. Parents please make sure Team Mom has an email address for both parents and cell phone number(s) for both parents. Confirm the Team Mom also has your son s cell phone number. Team Mom will use the following programs to communicate with Parents: o MailChimp o GroupMe o Sign-Up Genius o Evite Important Dates GAMES : CRIMSON T.B.D. Page 8
GAMES: GOLD T.B.D. PRACTICES & PRE-SEASON MEETING SCHEDULES See attached Exhibit C SPRING PRACTICE & SCRIMMAGE GAME See attached Exhibit A Page 9
HIES TOUCHDOWN CLUB The HIES Touchdown Club is a volunteer organization which serves the Holy Innocents Episcopal School Football community. Joining the HIES Touchdown Club helps defray the cost of fielding a competitive Football Team and delivers great benefits to the player and family: Premier coaching Cookouts before Varsity Home Games Coaches Corner (Varsity Games) New Equipment If you are interested in joining or volunteering for the Varsity Football program, please send an email to hiestdclub@gmail.com to request additional information. Website hiestdclub.org On YouTube HIES TD Club On Instagram @hies_td_club On Twitter @HIES_TD_Club X. Closing for Middle School Football "DO WHAT CHAMPIONS DO!" OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAMS MOTTO IS SIMPLE: WORK WINS Join me and "Take the Challenge, " Head of Football Operations Todd Winter Todd.winter@hies.org Cell: (847) 338-3968 Page 10