CLUB HANDBOOK Indoor & Beach
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction (3) About Impact Volleyball Club (4) Mission Statement (5) Club Organization (6) Indoor Team Selection (7) Practice Philosophy (8) Coaching and Playing Philosophy (9 11) Tournament Information (12) Fee Structure/Refund Policy (13) Code of Conduct/Expectations (Player 14 18,Parent 19 23, Spectator 24) Grievance Policy (25) Discipline Policy (26) Agreements/Consents/Conclusion (27 29)
INTRODUCTION Our club handbook is designed to educate you about our club, our coaching philosophy and how to be successful within the Impact Volleyball Club. We hope that this handbook will provide you information, guidelines, and expectations that will be useful to your decision on becoming a member of Impact Volleyball Club. GO IMPACT!!!
ABOUT IMPACT The club was formerly established in 2008 under the name Northern Impact Volleyball Club. In September of 2016, Northern Impact Volleyball Club was reorganized into a not for profit 501C3 and renamed Impact Volleyball Club, LLC. Since the club s inception, it has grown immensely and has provided many youth of the community an excellent cost effective opportunity to learn and promote the sport of volleyball. Over the years, Impact VBC has offered volleyball instruction and club team opportunities to both girls and boys ages 12 18. Since 2015, Impact VBC has offered a beach volleyball program called Impact on the Beach that has consistently grown in popularity. The club also hosts several youth tournaments and an instructional camp each year. Impact VBC is a member of the Badger Region of USA Volleyball.
MISSION STATEMENT Impact Volleyball Club was created to provide a cost efficient and multi sport athlete friendly form of club volleyball to it s members. Through our training, members will learn the basic fundamentals and current techniques of volleyball, as well as more advanced strategies to become more successful, more confident, and better overall volleyball players. We hope to provide a safe and fun environment that fosters growth as an athlete, a teammate, and a citizen and a lifelong love for the sport of volleyball.
CLUB ORGANIZATION Impact VBC is a not for profit 501C3 limited liability corporation. The club is run and directed by a board of directors. Current Board: President Todd Mattes Vice President Katrina Costello Secretary Greg DeJong Treasurer Chris Compean Member VACANT For questions or concerns, please email the Board at katrina.costello@nivbc.com
INDOOR TEAM SELECTION Tryouts will be held prior to the season. Dates, times, and general instructions will be posted on our team website for all the divisions. Our tryouts will comply with Badger Region policies that include player age guidelines, registration, and tryout date guidelines. There will be a small fee for tryouts. Teams will be comprised of 10 12 selected players from our club hosted tryouts who are willing and able to contribute and subscribe to the rules, philosophies and goals of each team. Players will be chosen at the clubs discretion based on skill level, athletic ability, attitude, potential, coachability, and ability to understand roles as well as the concept of being a team player. Multiple coaches will be evaluating at each tryout session. Players in the club last season must tryout each season and are not automatically guaranteed a spot. Players will be notified by a phone call from the coach of the team if they are being offered a spot. A player can either Accept, Hold, or Decline. Once a player Accepts then they are part of the club and should update their USAV webpoint account to select Impact VBC. If a player Holds then a spot will be held on the roster for that team until a certain date set forth each year by Badger Region. Once this date passes the club can freely offer that spot to another player. The coach can only make one more call to the player after the initial offer. Remember, other athletes may be waiting for the call for a roster spot so please be respectful of this while making your decision to be part of Impact VBC. Playing up: It is the club s policy to place players in the appropriate age level. However if the player comes to tryouts with exceptional ability and that player would like to play up an age level, the decision to allow an athlete to play up shall be made by the Club Directors. Roster Movement: Occasionally we will move an athlete from one team to another as needed to complete a roster.. We will NOT move an athlete from one team to another without discussing the move with both the athlete and the parents. This usually only happens to simply fill a temporary need on a roster due to illness, injury, or scheduling conflicts.
PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY It is Impact s philosophy that practices are the main time to improve skills, fundamentals, and work on new concepts. Practice time is important for developing team unity and tactics. We expect our athletes to be available, coachable, and ready to work hard with maximal effort each practice. (See Playing Philosophy for more info on practice) We encourage multi sport athletes. While it does pose a challenge with scheduling, so if you are a multi sport athlete, please get us your upcoming schedule as soon as possible so we can try to plan or schedule accordingly. School sports will come first, however we expect that Impact VBC would be your first club priority. Impact VBC will practice a minimum of 1 2 times per week averaging 1.5 2 hours in length per practice. There are times when our practice schedule or time may change based on weather condition or school events. Generally speaking if the Oshkosh School District cancels school or after school events, our practice facility will also be closed and we will not be practicing. Our club website will have postings of the schedule and any cancellations and coaches will usually send out communication of any changes to the schedule as they happen. The club will make every attempt to try reschedule gym time rather than losing practice time, however in extenuating circumstances this may not be possible or feasible. A coach may also sometimes schedule an extra practice in rare circumstances on their own accord and expense to prepare for an upcoming major event or tournament. Please respect the facility we get to practice in, clean up messes, follow rules, and stay in areas of the facility being used for volleyball only.
COACHING & PLAYING PHILOSOPHY Players in our club are paying to train and learn, not to play. Playing time is not a given, it is earned first by hard work, positive attitude, and display of skills on the practice court. A source of frustration for athletes and parents is the issue of playing time. The reality is that equal playing time is not a guarantee. The next several items will cover our club philosophy on playing time. During tournament or competition play, the coach has the right to determine the line up that he or she determines best suited to meet the goal of the particular level of participation. An equal play philosophy does not apply in many situations.
(COACHING/PLAYING PHILOSOPHY CONTINUED) It is each player s responsibility to perform at a level that is consistent in keeping with the goals of the team. If the player does not, for whatever reason, fulfill their obligations on the court, it is the coach s right to substitute them out so that the team may achieve its goals. Players are expected to perform certain roles on the bench in a positive manner as well, which greatly contributes to the success of the entire team. Coaches will do their best to give each player some playing time. THIS DOES NOT TRANSLATE TO EQUAL PLAYING TIME. The coach will base playing time on what the line up/substitution scenario best offers the team a chance to be successful. The players (and parents) must understand that the playing time among the team members may be different due to positions and roles. One player s role may be to play three rotations, one to step in and serve or pass, while another player s role may be to play all six rotations.
(COACHING/PLAYING PHILOSOPHY CONTINUED) All players earn their playing time in practice. It is the player s duty to work hard enough and learn enough to get court time during tournament play. Attendance at practice is not mandatory but offers more chances for the player to improve and learn. Roles on the court during tournament play may be specialized and not equal, all players and parents are expected to remain positive and committed to the goal of having TEAM success. Individual roles and playing time may evolve over a season based on player improvement or injuries or specific match/tournament strategy. This is to allow the coach the freedom to give the TEAM, what he or she feels is the greatest chance to finish at the highest level possible for each tournament and the season. If it is a player s belief that he/she is not being treated fairly, the player should discuss it with the coaching staff first and foremost. We want our players to learn good communication skills and we encourage good dialogue with their coaches. The coach sees the athlete each day at practice and may see something that parents do not. Please see the section on the Grievance Procedure for more information on this topic.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION The location and number of tournaments for each team is set every year by the Club Board of Directors with some input from team coaches. Impact VBC will guarantee each of its teams a full season, which includes a minimum number of regular season tournaments and a regional championship tournament. Prior to tryouts the number of tournaments included in the club fee will be posted on the team website Each season our tournament listings and dates for each team will be posted on our website as soon as they are confirmed and approved. However the individual tournament start time and play schedule may only be available a few days prior to the tournament. Each coach will get this information out to their team as the information is made available. The entry fee to a tournament or play date is covered by club dues. Any transportation and travel expense, lodging, and food expense for a tournament or play date is the responsibility of the athlete or athlete s family.
FEE STRUCTURE The cost for membership each year will be posted on the team website, along with a payment schedule, prior to tryout in conjunction with the tryout information. When an athlete is selected to a team and that athlete accepts to represent Impact VBC, all or at least half (plus a small finance fee) of the club dues are to be submitted depending on the payment option selected before or at the preseason parent/player meeting. As mentioned before, the club is a non profit organization and bases its fees on the expected cost to run a successful volleyball program each year. Some of the things that your dues will cover are listed as follows (This list may not include every single item.): USA Volleyball/Badger Region Dues, Impact Team Registration Fees, Tournament Entry Fees, Facility Rental Costs, Legal/Administrative Fees, Coach/Director Compensation, Training/education for Coaching staff, Limited Player Jersey/Apparel Costs, Administrative costs and supplies, Website maintenance fees/costs, and Miscellaneous expenses. Beach dues/fees or private sessions are separate from indoor volleyball dues/fees and are due in full by or at the first session unless otherwise arranged by the director/coach. REFUND POLICY: When you accept an offer to play, you accept the financial obligations for the entire balance of the club fee for that season. When teams are comprised, funds are immediately allocated to pay for uniforms, tournament entry fees, and other club related fees. That being said and due to our non profit status and budget requirements, we do not offer refunds. Refunds will not be given to athletes that choose not to play because of conflicts, team or coaching assignments, or an individual s amount of playing time. A prorated refund will be considered only for athletes that sustain a season ending injury while playing for an Impact VBC team, on a case by case basis with a physician s letter submitted to the Board of Directors. Injuries that occur outside of our club will not be considered for refund. Beach dues will follow the same refund policy starting on the first day of official beach practice.
PLAYER/PARENT/SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT Impact VBC is a club that will be known for good sportsmanship and integrity by our players, coaches, and parents. When you become a member of Impact VBC, you are representing not only yourself and your family but also the club. The following guidelines on conduct are set forth to protect the safety and integrity of the athletes, parents, coaches, and Impact VBC. Please note that all circumstances are not accounted for and in the event of any unforeseen circumstances, the board of directors will take appropriate action. Some of the possible actions are noted in the Discipline Policy (see the specific policy for details).
PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT It is the intent of Impact VBC to be a leader in the local volleyball community. The following guidelines help us to lead by example with safety and integrity. Violation of the code of conduct can and will result in disciplinary action from the Impact VBC board of directors according to the Discipline Policy outlined later in this handbook. 1.) Conduct unbecoming an athlete will not be tolerated at any Impact VBC function. This covers a wide variety of instances, for example, not being a team player, fighting with teammates or coaches, the use of foul language or rude gestures towards coaches, teammates, officials, or opponents. 2.) All athletes will follow specific rules for facility usage and not intentionally damage, destroy, or trespass in areas not used for volleyball. Please respect the facilities that we get to use for practice, tournaments, and events. 3.) Proper nutrition is recommended. Practices and competition can and will be very demanding on your body and it is extremely important to stay hydrated and properly fueled for maximal performance and safety. 4.) No cell phone use in the gym during practice, tournament play, or while working/scoring/officiating a game. Cell phones may be used in emergency situations only or if prior authorized by your coach at his or her discretion outside the gym.
PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT (CONTINUED) 5.) During tournaments, teams will be responsible for officiating and scorekeeping. We want to officiate and work the other teams the way we would like to be officiated. This means full attention should be placed on the duty you are assigned for that game or match. This means no distractions like headphones, games, devices, or phones. Some tournaments do not allow eating at the scoring table as well. It is your responsibility to know the rules and duties needed to be competent at each of these possible duties (officiating, line judging, and score keeping) The club has a score keeping and officiating education session that all athletes should attend at the beginning of the season. Coaches should be able to assist with rules questions and organizing duties. 6.) No team member is permitted to leave a tournament site until all officiating responsibilities are completed unless approved prior by the Head Coach under special circumstances. 7.) HAVE FUN!!!!!
PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT (CONTINUED) 8.) You are to be supportive of your teammates at all times while playing or on the bench, whether you are playing in a particular match or not. 9.) Automatic expulsion from the Club can result from using drugs or alcohol at any time during an Impact VBC function. 10.) Only the team captain(under direction of the head coach) or the Head Coach may question an official. 11.) Teams are encouraged to watch and cheer for other Impact VBC teams that are playing at the same tournament site. 12.) Maintain good academic standing at school. Plan ahead for school work. Time management is a critical skill that student athletes need to be successful. 13.) Help with set up and take down of equipment at practice and tournaments as directed by your coach or club directors
PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT (CONTINUED) 14.) Dress/Apparel Code Each athlete is given two uniform and a practice shirt at the beginning of the season included in the dues. We ask that athletes do their best to wear Impact VBC gear to any events, tournaments, or practices. Other apparel will be made available to purchase from the club at the beginning of the season. Remember that you are representing our club and what you wear is important. During Beach Club season we ask that you refrain from swimsuits that reveal cleavage, butt cheeks, or cracks. 15.) Please use the appropriate locker rooms or restrooms to change clothing, not on the bench area or in the middle of the gym. 16.) Impact VBC will not tolerate and form of physical or sexual abuse, assault or harassment. We recognize that this behavior is unethical and illegal and can be grounds for immediate disciplinary action from the club. 17.) Impact VBC will not tolerate any form of hazing. 18.) Read and understand this handbook prior to the season and agree to abide by it for the entire season. 19.) Follow all volleyball rules of play. This includes No jewelry for safety reasons
PARENT EXPECTATIONS/CODE OF CONDUCT As a member of Impact VBC, we do expect some things from our parents. Your involvement and support can be a huge part of the success of our club. The following items are many ways parents can be involved. 1.) Drop off and pick up your athlete on time. Make sure they are on site early enough to help with equipment set up and to be properly dressed and equipped for practice. Usually at least 15 minutes prior to practice start time is adequate. 2.) Our practice facility can get little cramped so please wait just outside the gym during practice and so that the coaches will have the players undivided attention. 3.) Assist with communication to coach in the event that your athlete will not be at practice or a tournament as soon as possible. We would prefer greater than 24 hour notice if possible especially for tournaments.
PARENT CODE (CONTINUED) 4.) You are responsible for transportation, lodging, and food expense for tournaments for your athlete 5.) During out of town overnight tournaments, athletes are not allowed to stay in hotel rooms by themselves. They must have an adult chaperone staying with them. If a parent is not able to attend, it is the parent s responsibility to find a chaperone for their child and notify the Coach of this in advance. 6.) Supervise your child after the coaching staff has released them from tournament play, practice, or team functions. 7.) Make sure that your athlete has read and agrees to abide by the code of conduct and player expectations outlines in this handbook. 8.) BE POSITIVE!
PARENT CODE (CONTINUED) 9.) Refrain from negative yelling at the team, coaches, referees, line judges, and the other team s players or staff. See the SPECTATOR CODE OF CODE for more info on this. Abide by the 24 hour rule (see Grievance Policy for more info). Be encouraging! 10.) We are on a tight budget to meet our clubs expenses, so please pay your fees/dues on time. If dues are not paid, your athlete may not be permitted to participate in practice and tournaments. 11.) Take and submit photos of the team to the coach or directors via email so we can post them on the team s web page or the club website.
PARENT CODE (CONTINUED) 12.) Help with fundraising and special events. Each year the club hosts several tournaments at which we need several workers to make the event successful. It is expected that each athlete and a parent work a shift at one of our hosted tournaments. Shifts are usually only 3 4 hours in length and duties range from set up crew to concessions. The tournament director will send out sign up emails as soon as possible usually several weeks prior to the tournaments. There is a concession committee if you are interested in helping with that please email the directors. 13.) The club is always looking for corporate sponsorships. If you know of or are part of an organization that would like to financially support our club, please contact the club directors. Any help in this area is greatly appreciated. 14.) Every year we ask for a small donation to help stock the concession stand for the hosted tournaments. The donation is usually a bag of Candy for the candy buffet and a 12 pack of soda/beverage. The tournament director will send out specifics for each member prior to the first event.
PARENT CODE (CONTINUED) 15.) Remember that you are paying for your athlete to be trained and to improve at the sport of volleyball. Remember that playing time is earned, not equal, and not given. It is also not debatable. If there is a question, the player should talk to the coach first. If there is still concern, the parent and the player can discuss it with the coach together at an appropriate location and time. 16.) You are also representing our team and club. Please be respectful of other teams, officials, and the facility we are using. Follow the Spectator Code of Conduct. 17.) Have fun! Encourage you child, it makes a huge difference! We are all a team and need to work together to make each season a success and to run smoothly. 18.) Let the coaches, coach. Do not instruct, or distract your child during games. Do not come onto the court during competition. They need to focus on the game and have their undivided attention on their coach. 19.) Read and sign the declaration that you read this handbook and agree to abide by it and return it to the club prior to the season.
SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT As a member of the Badger Region and USA Volleyball, Impact VBC will follow their standards for conduct of spectators at any events and/or practices that any team, coach, or member of Impact VBC participates in. Please refer to the Badger Region Volleyball Spectator Code of Conduct for details at http://wcl ftp.org/badger/wp content/uploads/2016/02/usav Badger Region Volleyball Spectator Parent Code of Conduct.pdf
GRIEVANCE POLICY This procedure is designed to help athletes and parents with questions, concerns, or problems that may occur during the course of the season. It ensures open and honest communication between all the parties involved. At any time during this procedure, one of the directors, can be available to meet and discuss any concerns with all parties involved. 1.) 24 hour Rule: If there is a concern that arises from a practice or tournament that needs to be addressed, they must wait at least 24 hours after the conclusion of the event to discuss the issue with the coach. 2.) The athlete must first ask for a meeting between the coach and him or herself to discuss the issue. A parent may request this meeting if the athlete is on the U13 s or younger team. 3.) If the issue is unresolved, the parents may ask for a meeting between themselves, the athlete, and the coach. This meeting should take place at a location and time for a private discussion NOT at a tournament or practice. 4.) If the issue is unresolved, the parent will ask for a meeting with a director, the coach, the athlete and themselves. The meeting should take place at a time and location to allow for a private discussion. 5.) If the issue is still unresolved, the parent can make a final appeal to the full board of directors at a private location at a separate time. The decision by the majority of the board of directors will be considered FINAL at this point.
DISCIPLINE POLICY The Impact VBC Directors reserve the right to discipline its coaches, athletes, or members based upon the severity of the violation or breach of the code of conduct. Some offenses may not be deemed as severe as others and the board of directors can immediately expel a member if the violation is deemed worthy of expulsion by majority vote. There will be no refunds of any club dues/fees as a result of disciplinary action. Disciplinary procedure is as follows: STEP 1: Verbal and written warning; Coach/Player meeting; Parents and Club Directors notified STEP 2: One tournament suspension; Coach/Player/Parent/Director meeting STEP 3: Two tournament suspension; Meeting as in STEP 2 STEP 4: Suspension for the remainder of the year; Expulsion from the club
PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT AGREEMENT PARENT/GUARDIAN CLUB AGREEMENT Parents are critical to the success of Impact VBC and your child s club volleyball experience. Impact VBC requires that the parent/guardian(s) of any player in our club sign this club agreement. I therefore agree that I will: Safety: 1.) Inform the coach of any physical disability or injury that may affect the safety of my child or others 2.) Demand a sports environment free of illegal drugs, tobacco, and alcohol Sportsmanship: 1.) Respect officials and abide by the spectator code of conduct. Let the coaches deal with issues with the officials. 2.) Teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts in a respectful manner 3.) Teach my child that doing one s best and giving maximal effort is more important than winning CONTINUED NEXT SLIDE
PARENT CODE AGREEMENT (CONTINUED) Coaching: 1.) Not yell instructions or coach my child or others from the sideline, unless I am the official coach 2.) Understand that playing time is not equal and is the sole decision of the coach. Playing time decisions may be influenced by attendance, tardiness, discipline, and ultimately by ability to play well in pressure situations. Communication: 1.) Understand that my child should speak with the coach first with any problems or concerns 2.) Understand that there are times when I feel I need to speak immediately to the coach. I will follow the 24 hour rule to make that conversation more productive. 3.) Authorize Impact VBC to post your athlete s name, picture, present school year, position, height, and uniform number on the Impact website or with any recruiting materials. 4.) Make sure that my child understands and follows and rules and guidelines for conduct outlined in the player/club handbook. PARENT/GUARDIAN AGREEMENT & CONSENT I,, have read, understand, and agree to the policies, procedures, and code of conduct requirements as set forth in the Impact VBC Handbook. As evidenced by my signature, I certify that I have read and understand all of the foregoing and consent to abide by the rules set forth therein. In addition, I certify that as a parent/guardian of this athlete, have explained to my athlete the aforementioned stipulated conditions and their ramifications, and I consent to my child s participation in this club in the Badger Region of USA Volleyball in which my athlete is a member. I agree to pay the team fees set forth by Impact VBC allowing my child to participate in the program. Parent/Guardian Name (printed): Athlete s Name Printed: Team: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date:
CONCLUSION Impact VBC would like to thank you for membership and your support! If you have any questions regarding the upcoming season, please contact us by email at katrina.costello@nivbc.com We would like to wish all team members, coaches, and parents all the best for a safe, fun, and successful season. GO IMPACT!