Prairie Ridge Football Handbook
The Strength of the pack is the wolf and The strength of the wolf is the pack Program Mission Statement While emphasizing academic success, team-building, and community involvement, the Prairie Ridge Football Program aspires to develop integrity, honor and discipline in all of its players. Goals for our Players Players will enjoy their football experience Commit themselves to academic excellence Value the importance of team work Understand the relationship between hard work and success Be a role model in the community Purpose of the Handbook The handbook is written for people involved in the PR Football program- players, coaches and parents. As you read it, you will become familiar with the policies and guidelines of the Prairie Ridge High School football program. The players handbook is not intended to substitute for coach-player communication. Problems most often arise from misunderstandings, and/or lack of communication. We must be willing to search for answers and solutions properly if we are to progress as coaches, students, parents, and as a team. This handbook will hopefully explain the expectations of all involved in the program so we can continually progress and we can be the best football program we can be.
Accepting the Physical Demands of Football As a football player at Prairie Ridge High School, you must be aware of and accept the risk of injury associated with football. You should do your part to reduce the risk of injury by keeping yourself in the best possible physical condition and to follow the advice of our athletic trainer, coaches and physicians concerning the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries. Our Maroon Platoon program is in place to not just get you in shape but to help reduce the risk of injuries. One of the risks you should be aware of is the chance for serious head or neck injuries. There are rules against using the helmet to intentionally butt, ram, or spear an opponent. Helmets are not designed to protect the neck and therefore many neck injuries occur as a result of players thinking it may. It is essential that you do not use the head on technique of blocking or tackling. The teaching of blocking/tackling techniques which keep the helmeted head from receiving the brunt of the impact are now required by rule and at Prairie Ridge we coach techniques each and every day in order for our players to properly and safely block and tackle. Coaching techniques which help athletes maintain or regain the face up position during the course of a play must be used by all players. You are required to check your equipment on a continual basis for any damage (i.e. cracked helmet shell, loose or missing shoulder pad rivet) or faulty part (i.e. worn shoe lace or strap). Do not use faulty equipment! Anytime you feel your equipment is not fitting properly or not providing you with proper protection please report the problem to the coaching staff so the issue can be resolved. If an injury is sustained all injured players are expected to come to each practice and game and take part in all team related activities. We expect injured players to be a part of the team in any way possible. All injuries must be reported to our trainer if time out of games or practices is required. If you feel you are injured you should first contact your coach and inform him of the injury. The coach will then direct the player to go to the trainer and the trainer will decide the action to take. Communication about the status of injuries is imperative to a successful season. If our trainer recommends that one of our players should make an appointment with a physician please report back to the trainer and the level head coach as soon as a diagnosis is made.
School Handbook/Code of Conduct Be sure to read the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct very carefully. It contains information that will be beneficial to your success as a student athlete. It is your responsibility to know the rules and regulations of Prairie Ridge High School and School District 155. Any serious rule infraction must be addressed using the School District 155 Policy. We expect our player to exemplify proper behavior in school. We encourage our players to accept a leadership role in regard to general conduct. Set the trend and motivate other students to follow your lead. Students that cannot be a positive influence in the classroom are unlikely to see success on the football field. We strive to teach all of our athletes that they must not only be good athletes on the field but to always do their best in the classroom as well. Using the point system in the Maroon Platoon program we will strive to motivate you to always be the best person you can be. You must understand that by being a student athlete, you are not immune from the rules of proper behavior. You are governed by disciplinary procedure set forth by School District 155 and you will be held accountable for your actions. Participant Eligibility To be eligible for competition in interscholastic athletics, a student-athlete must adhere to the following: Attendance: Students are required to be in attendance at school at least five periods during the day to be eligible to practice or compete on that day. Extraordinary circumstances (funerals, court dates, etc.) may be appealed to the athletic director. Scholastic Eligibility: Student-athletes are to meet the minimum IHSA scholastic requirements. Students must be passing 5 major classes in order to be eligible in a given week. PE does count as a class in order to be eligible. 1. A major subject is any course that gives.500 credit per semester. We strongly encourage all students, especially an athlete to take five (5) major subjects. Five majors will allow an athlete to stay eligible if he/she is experiencing difficulty in a subject. 2. Quarter credit (.250) classes do not count as a major, i.e, Band, Choir, Driver's Education, Consumer Education, and Pathways. 3. All courses are monitored weekly(thursdays) and you must be passing five major courses in order to be eligible to play in an athletic event during that week.
4. If you fail to pass five major subjects at the semester you are ineligible for the entire next semester. 5. A student may receive credit for summer school to make up for a failed course. Physicals All students must have had a physical examination on file at the school prior to the first day of practice. A physical must be obtained annually from a licensed physician to participate in sports. If your physical is dated August 1, 2012, then your son or daughter must obtain a new physical before August 1, 2013. Any student in violations of this requirement will be ineligible to participate without a physical examination. This includes practices as well as contests. No exceptions will be made for any reason. Physicals are available through the athletic department and Crystal Lake Orthopedics here at PR. Physicals are usually offered here at school early in the month of June. Dates vary from year to year. Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors must turn in a physical before the first day of official practice in August and Freshman must turn in a physical at the time of school registration. Travel Players participating in a game or football related event must use the mode of travel provided by the school to and from the contest. The only exception to this is when the parent(s) have requested in writing, and received permission from an Administrator, to transport their child home from an athletic event prior to the scheduled event. Attendance at Football Functions Players are expected to be at all practices and all games at the time specified by their coach. The team and coaches depend on you and it is very important for the success of the team to have meaningful practices. ALL players are expected to be physically fit, be able to perform the necessary individual skills and know the team strategies before they will be able to perform in games. You, as an athlete, have to learn and acquire skills to improve. Your performance in practices will determine your personal success as an athlete. In the event you must miss a team activity due to illness or family emergency, you must notify your level head coach as soon as possible. Having a teammate explain your absence is NOT ACCEPTABLE. If you cannot contact your
level head coach face to face you must email or leave a voice message with that coach ASAP. Coaches at Prairie Ridge are not given notification of school absences by the Deans Office. If a student will miss a day of school and a football function you must contact your sons level head coach either by phone or email prior to practice. Unexcused absences can result in being dismissed from the team. Unexcused Absence #1- Athlete will not participate in at least ½ of the next scheduled game Unexcused Absence #2- Athlete will not participate in the next scheduled game Unexcused Absence #3- Athlete will be dismissed from the team There are only three acceptable reasons for player absence from practice: 1. Illness, medical appointment 2. Death in the family or urgent family matter 3. School related field trip Communication If a problem should arise please make every effort to follow the following steps for a productive resolution. 1. Football player approaches the position coach or head coach with problem or issue. 2. If a resolution cannot be reached the parent should contact the coach and arrange for meeting. 3. In the rare instance that there is still no resolution the parent should contact the Athletic Director and arrange for a meeting with the student athlete, parents, coach and Athletic Director. Parents are encouraged to discuss: The treatment of their student athlete Ways to help their student athlete improve Concerns regarding their student s behavior Disciplinary action incurred by their child The college recruiting process Ways in which they can help the team (volunteer opportunities) Parents are not encouraged to discuss: Playing time Coaching strategies/play calling Other student athletes Problems with other coaches/teachers
Expectations PARENTS are expected to: 1. Support and encourage your student athlete 2. See that all paper work is turned in on time 3. Provide transportation to and from practice 4. Provide healthy quality food and drink for your student athlete 5. Help your son get organized to study and get homework completed each day 6. Watch your son play and cheer your son on in a positive way 7. Encourage your son to respect his coaches and the program. Please encourage proper communication with the coaching staff. 8. Be supportive of the coaches and the other players. The coaches spend a tremendous amount of time working to become better. One negative comment can destroy the hard work put in by the players and the coaches. Coaches are expected to: 1. Provide a disciplined and well organized program 2. See that all players have the best possible equipment that School District 155 can supply 3. Instruct athletes in safe and proper football fundamentals 4. Allow all players the opportunity, through competition in practice an opportunity to gain playing time AMOUNT OF PLAYING TIME WILL BE DETERMINED BY: A. Athletic ability-strength, Agility, and Speed. B. Knowledge of position and game situations. C. Attitude willing to play attitude - contribute where needed attitude. D. Commitment to the Program 5. Construct game plans that will place the team in the best possible situation to be successful 6. Lead by example and be a positive role model for all involved in the program 7. Be a teacher on the field promoting and teaching what is set forth in our mission statement PLAYERS are expected to: 1. Carry on the PR football tradition- Doing what is right both on and off the field 2. Read and follow all of the rules and regulations set forth by the Code of Conduct and Student Handbook 3. Read and follow all of the rules printed in this hand book 4. Always do your best both on and off the field 5. Be a positive member of the program and have fun
Equipment All players must understand: It is their responsibility to pay the replacement cost for lost, stolen or broken items through abuse. It is their responsibility to turn in their equipment when the season ends or when he is no longer practicing with the team. If they are no longer practicing with the team before the end of the season, they are to turn in their equipment to their coach within the three school days and remove all of their personal items from their locker. All equipment must be turned into the coach. In the event that the coach has to remove their equipment and personal items the coach or the high school is not responsible for personal items in the event that their personal items get lost. Lockers will be issued to you and all equipment and personal belongings should be locked at all times. Lost or damaged equipment must be paid for or future equipment will not be issued. Athletes will be charged replacement value please see costs below: Football Equipment Costs Helmet= $265 Shoulder Pads=$180 Hip Pads=$10 Tail Bone Pad=$8 Thigh Pad=$15 Knee Pads=$12 Maroon & White Jerseys= Freshmen= $45 Sophomore=$45 Varsity=$70 Game Pants=$45 Belt $5 Lock $5
Game Day Preparation Preparing for a game is an ongoing process that takes place throughout the week. Players must make sure they get proper rest and maintain good eating habits throughout the week. This gets more important the closer we get to game day. Making sure your body is in top physical condition is just as important as knowing your assignments on the field. We spend countless hours learning plays and defenses and we must be aware of our physical condition both on and off the field. Proper rest and nutrition are critical to the success of our football team. Equipment should always be inspected on a daily basis and if your equipment is in need of repair it must be fixed ASAP. All equipment and uniform needs must be taken care of prior to game day. The only equipment repair that should take place on game day is what gets broken during the game. All uniforms must be clean in order to participate in the game. No one will participate in any football game unless their uniform is properly laundered-this includes JV and Freshman B games that are played on Monday. All uniforms must be washed immediately after the game. All Helmets and Cleats must be cleaned prior to all contests. We are representing our school and we must take pride in ourselves, our school, our equipment and our program. Black, White or Maroon Under Armor type shirts should be worn underneath pads on game day-no Sweatshirts- Wearing sweatshirts will make your shoulder pads fit incorrectly.
Basic Rules for all Games Be on time and focused for all game day meetings Enthusiasm is very important for all players be excited that you get a chance to be part of a football game. Stay positive-we all make mistakes Believe in yourself, your coaches, and teammates Un-sportsman like penalties will not be tolerated. Retaliation is never an option on the field. Any players receiving an unsportsman like penalty will be immediately removed from the game. Trash Talking is not permitted on the PR Football team. If a player must talk during the game it is to only communicate with his teammates or coaches. Only captains can speak to the officials and only at the officials request. Only the head coach should discuss issues with officials. Respect your opponent Show self control at all times TEAM comes first-do not draw attention to yourself-this may result in a penalty. Display good sportsmanship. Showing off, taunting, and over-celebrating is unacceptable. Report any injuries during the game to your head coach as soon as you come off of the field. The trainer will make the decision if you are cleared to play with an injury HAVE FUN
Locker Room All Players will be issued a lock and a locker in the Athletic Lock Room. Players are responsible for keeping all of their equipment locked in the locker that they are assigned. Absolutely no horseplay will be allowed in the locker room. Proper conduct in the locker room is expected at all times. Please be respectful of your teammates and their belongings at all times while you are in the locker room. All players are responsible for the cleanliness of the locker room. We must be responsible for the areas of the building that we are using. The custodians are there to clean up after normal daily use of the locker room-not to clean up because players are lazy or disrespectful to the space that was used. Theft in the locker room will not be tolerated. Code of Conduct rules as stated in the school handbook will be applied if a player is caught stealing in the locker room. Players are not allowed in the locker room unless they are supervised by a coach.
Wolves Player Contract Please initial on each line that you fully understand and are willing to commit to these rules and regulations. Please initial only if you understand and are 100% committed to what is expected. If you have any question about these expectations please schedule a time to meet with your head coach. 1. Team Mission Statement 2. Player Goals 3. Physical Demands of Football 4. School Handbook/ Code of Conduct 5. Eligibility 6. Travel 7. Attendance at Football Functions 8. Acceptable Reasons for Missing Practice 9. Communication (Ways to Communicate) 10. Player Expectations 11. Equipment Use and Turn In 12. Game Day Preparations 13. Basic Rules for all Games 14. Locker Room I-(print name) understand fully every point above and am committed to following these expectations. Signed Date