Stewartville High School Player Guide Soccer I don t believe skill was, or ever will be, the result of coaches. It is a result of a love affair between the player and the ball. - Manny Schellscheidt, retired U.S. National Staff Coach This player guide details your responsibilities as a Stewartville High School soccer player. Playing time may be affected if these responsibilities are not met. Player Qualities 1. Coachability. In order for our soccer program to be successful, you have to be a coachable athlete. This means you take criticism without looking for excuses, contribute to the program physically and mentally, and take advantage of opportunities that improve your skills as an athlete. Coachable athletes trust that the coach knows what is best for them and the team and gives 100% effort at all times. They always treat their coach and teammates with respect and do what is asked of them without argument. 2. Commitment. Although every athlete wants to succeed, not everyone is willing to do what it takes to reach that goal. Successful players work every day with the same effort, speed and determination they use during the game. Soccer is a game of habits good habits transfer over from practice into games. Whether you can or can t is often a matter of whether you will or won t. 3. Positive attitude. A positive attitude toward your coach and teammates builds a strong, united team and reflects good sportsmanship. 4. Communication. Communication on and off the field is essential. Good communication during practice and games allows us to be a better team. Also, be sure to communicate openly with your coach. If at anytime during the season you have any questions, concerns, or are having problems, you need to talk to your coach. Anytime you have to be late or miss an event, you must notify the coach in advance. Rules and Expectations In order for our program to run successfully, we must have a set of ground rules and basic expectations. It is expected that you will follow all of the rules and expectations if you want to continue playing in the Stewartville soccer program. 1. Practice conduct. Show up for practice 15 minutes early to take care of stretching and warm-ups. Be prepared to work hard during practice and give 100% effort at all times. Pay attention and follow your coach s instructions and directions. Notify your coach if you are unable to make practice. If you know you will need to miss a practice you must notify the coach at least 24 hours in advance. Unexcused absences from practice will result in loss of game time play and lettering.
2. Playing time. Playing time will not be based solely on the ability of the player. Other factors such as: effort during practice, ability to be a team player, & leadership qualities will be taken into consideration. Playing time may also not be equal among all players. Your child will be placed in positions where the coach feels their strengths best suit the team, which may or may not be where the child hopes to be placed. We ask for your trust in our decisions as to where we place each player on the field, who they are placed on the field with, as well as their playing time. If you feel that your child is not getting enough playing time, please talk with your child first to see if they feel that it is an issue. If you and your child still feel that it is an issue, please contact me to set up a time where you and your child can meet with me and we can discuss the issue. 3. Injuries. If you get injured and the injury causes you to miss more than two days of practice, you must have a note from either the school s athletic trainer or a doctor to excuse you from practice. At practice, you will be doing rehab exercises, helping the coach or encouraging teammates. 4. Equipment. You must have the proper equipment for games and practices: uniform (for games), black sliding shorts and shirt (optional), shin guards (NOCSAE approved: the NOCSAE stamp must appear on the front of the shin guard), cleats, socks and glasses straps, if needed. Socks may be purchased at C&M Screen Printing (C&M Screenprinting/Upty s) for $6 a pair (you will need a white pair of socks for home games and a maroon pair of socks for away games). Jewelry may not be worn during matches, no exceptions! Your child s coach will set up a uniform turn in day within one week of the final game. Uniforms need to be washed/clean when turned in to the coach. Please make every attempt to turn the uniform in on that day. If your child does not turn their uniform in on that day, the coach will make 3 attempts to contact and set up a time/place to turn it in. If the uniform is not turned in after 3 attempts, the issue will be turned over to the athletic department. Your child will not be able to play in any sports (or graduate if the player is a senior) until the uniform is turned in. 5. Away games. In accordance with the Stewartville High School athletic guide, all players must ride the bus to away matches. Plan to arrive at the bus 15 to 20 minutes early. The bus will leave on time and will not wait for late-arriving players. Players may only ride home with their own parents. Parents who plan to take their children home after a game must sign them out (coaches will have a form for parents to sign). 6. Sideline conduct. Players on the sideline will always be enthusiastic and encouraging during games. Only positive cheering is allowed. Parents should not coach or direct players & referees from the sidelines. If you have a comment about the game, talk with the coach after the game. 7. Parent conduct. During games, parents are to be supportive and encouraging toward all of the players. Cheering should be respectful and positive. Remember, you may be sitting near the parents of the player you are making a comment about.
8. Cell phone use. At home games, turn off cell phones and put away at the start of the game. At away games, turn off cell phones once you board the bus. 9. Academics. Soccer does not take the place of your school work and academics. If you do not keep up your grades, you will not be allowed to play. 10. Personal conduct. When you play soccer for Stewartville, you are representing your school on and off the field. You are continually observed in everything you do. Athletes must carry themselves in an admirable manner in class, on the field and in the community. Remember, your actions are a reflection of the Stewartville soccer program, your coach, your teammates and yourself. Be a positive role model. 11. Language. Profanity is not allowed. Any profanity that is heard by coaches will result in punishment for the player. 12. Illegal substances. Any use of alcohol, drugs or tobacco will result in punishments that are outlined in the athletic department s illegal substances policy. Practice Attendance Policy Being part of the soccer program means that you attend practice when scheduled. When you miss practice, you fall behind. Below are the rules to try to avoid absences and how to deal with absences when they occur. Practice times Mandatory practices will be held 3:30 5:00 during the school year, Monday through Friday unless a game is scheduled that night. We will not have practice on scheduled days off of school. The first two weeks of practice will run from 3:30 6:00. Arrive at practice 15 minutes early to stretch and warm up so you are ready to begin practice at promptly at 3:30. Basic rules 1. If you are going to miss practice for any reason, you MUST get approval from your coach. Sending a message through a teammate is not acceptable. Even if you are absent from school that day, you still need to tell your coach that you will not be at practice. 2. Make every effort to attend practice. Schedule work times, doctor s and dentist appointments so that they do not conflict with practice times. Absences should only occur due to unavoidable circumstances, such as extreme sickness and/or family emergencies. Notify the coach at least 24 hours in advance in you will miss practice. 3. If you are at school you are expected to be at practice. If you have to make up a test or an assignment for school, this must be approved by your coach in advance. If at all possible, try to do things on days where it won t cause you to miss practice.
Consequences for missing practice Missing practices may result in loss of playing time. Two or more excused absences or any unexcused absence could result in not playing the first half or all of the next game. Ultimately, an individual s playing time will be at the discretion of the coach. Game & Practice Cancellation Games and practices will only be cancelled because of thunder and or lightning. Both games and practices will take place in the rain. If a game or practice is called off, the school will notify the players before the end of school or we will send an e-mail if the students are not in school i.e. before leaving for an away game. Captains and Lettering One captain will be chosen by the coach, all other captains will be chosen by the players. A varsity letter will be earned by attending and participating 100% at all practices and matches (excused absences will not count against a player receiving a letter). Outside opportunities Get involved outside the normal school season. Pick up games are held every Sunday and Wednesday from 6:30- dark. Tryouts times for placements on RYSA summer traveling teams will be held on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 15th 16th & 17th, depending on your age level. Times and locations for your child s age group can be found at www.rysa.org under the competitive tab. Registration for next spring/summer s season is now open and will continue through the middle of October. I highly recommend that you get involved. Other opportunities through RYSA may also be found on their web site. Contact information Rick Vande Loo Nick Schrandt Boy s Varsity Coach Boy s JuniorVarsity Coach ravandeloo@gmail.com nschrandt@ssk.k12.mn.us rvandeloo@ssd.k12.mn.us Cell phone: 507-250-0605 Home phone: 507-533-9008 Cell phone: 507-421-8281
We have read and understand the expectations set forth for the Stewartville Soccer Program. We agree to abide by all of the expectations listed in the player guide and understand the consequences if any of the expectations are not met. (parent signature) (player signature) (date) (date) Liability/Medical Release Player s Name: Date of Birth: Address: Parent/Guardian: Home Phone: Work Phone: Cell Phone: Parent/Guardian: Home Phone: Work Phone: Cell Phone: Allergies: Other Medical Conditions: Medical Insurance Company: Phone Number: Policy Holder: Policy Number: Player s Physician: Phone Number: In an emergency, when parent/guardian cannot be reached, please contact: Name: Phone Number: Name: Phone Number: