Cedar Falls High School Women s Soccer Handbook 2017 Season BY PARTICIPATING IN WOMEN S SOCCER AT CEDAR FALLS HIGH SCHOOL YOU ARE: - MAKING A COMMITMENT OF AT LEAST 2 HOURS OF TIME, 6 DAYS PER WEEK FROM THE THIRD WEEK IN MARCH UNTIL THE SECOND WEEK IN JUNE; - COMMITTING TO WORK TO THE BEST OF YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABILITY DURING ALL PRACTICES AND GAMES; - COMMITTING TO WORKING YOUR HARDEST TO BE THE BEST TEAM MEMBER THAT YOU CAN BE; - TO WORK TO PLAY A ROLE ON THE TEAM THAT THE COACHES FEEL WILL BEST HELP THE TEAM WORK TOWARD ITS GOALS; - TRUST THAT YOUR TEAMMATES AND COACHES WILL WORK TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY TO DO THE SAME FOR YOU IN THE NAME OF THE TEAM; - COMMITTING TO PUTTING TEAM NEEDS BEFORE PERSONAL WISHES. All information associated with the Cedar Falls Women s Soccer Program can be found under Spring Sports - Women s Soccer on the Cedar Falls High School Athletics and Activities webpage.
Coaching Staff: Head Coach: Chris Kowalski Assistant Coaches: Heidi Anderson, Mallory Hunter, Erin Hendrickson Practicum Student: Courtney Ronan, Brittany England Season Start Date: 20 March, 2017 Practice Times* - Monday through Friday (Between 4 & 7pm) o JV and JV2 will MAINLY practice 4-6pm o Varsity will MAINLY practice 5-7pm o Saturday practices for Varsity may occur as the team moves closer to Regionals, Substate, and State Playoffs. o Practice times on days school is not in session will be determined closer to those dates. - * Practice times may be adjusted in the case of severe weather because several athletic teams will need to share the gymnasium. Practice Space - UNI Soccer/Rugby practice fields (west 27 th St. past University Mills apartments) o Athletes who drive their own cars can use the parking lot at the fields o Activity bus will be arranged for athletes who need transportation to the fields - Cedar Falls High School Gymnasium (during inclement weather) Home Field Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Complex (Ridgeway Rd.) Uniforms - Required: Uniform jerseys/shorts are provided by the school. Members of the team will be required to purchase shin guards and uniform socks (available at Iowa Sports Supply). - Players are expected to bring both jerseys/shorts to each game. - Additional team clothing will be available for purchase at the beginning of the season. CFHS Women s Soccer t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants are not required for team participation. Players and families may decide whether or not to purchase these items. Games - Players are expected to be at every game; those playing in the second game must be watching by the time the first game begins. Those playing in the first game, must be watching by the 20 minute mark of the second game. 2
- Players are expected to ride the bus to all away games. Players may ride home with a parent from an away game after clearing it with a coach (for liability reasons, travel with anyone besides a parent or guardian cannot be permitted). Requirements before an athlete may participate in practice - Each athlete must have a completed official physical form before they can be allowed to practice or play. o YOU MUST GET A SLIP FROM JANE CARTER (Mr. Koenen s Administrative Assistant) AND BRING IT TO THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE. o Ninth graders should call over to the high school to verify that they have a physical on file for athletic participation. - Each athlete must sign the athlete s pledge before practicing. - Each athlete must have a pair of High School Approved (NOCSAE) shin guards before she may practice in a competitive environment. Expectations of Athletes Practice - In cases of inclement weather, practice times may be altered since the gymnasium must be shared by several teams. Players should be prepared for gymnasium play, running in or outside, or playing outside. - Each player is expected to be at all practices on time unless she has a preapproved excuse. o Approved excuses! Illness! Doctor s appointments! School functions! Other activities at a coach s discretion - Athletes should contact their coach as soon as they are aware of needing to miss a practice in person or via email (at least 24 hours in advance except in the case of illness or urgent academic requirements). Only illness and academic requirements are guaranteed to be approved. o This includes players who are injured and cannot participate in practice. o If a player realizes she will get to practice late, she must call her coach before practice start time (everyone should program her coach s phone number into her phone) and either leave a message or speak to the coach directly. - Players requiring attention by an athletic trainer before practice should go to the training room as soon as her schedule allows (this does not mean you can tell a teacher you have to leave early). If a player is going to be late because of medical attention needed OR an athlete is asked by a trainer to do exercises or fitness in place of practice, she must call or email the coach to explain before the beginning of practice.
- Athletes who miss more than 3 consecutive days because of illness or injury will need to be cleared in writing by an athletic trainer or doctor before future participation in practices or matches. - Those athletes receiving treatment from doctors or therapists other than the Cedar Falls High School certified trainer (Pete Watters) will be required to have their treatment team contact the CFHS trainer (Pete Watters) by phone or in writing before the athlete returns to practice or matches so that he is aware of the athlete s physical limitations and/or clearance for activity. - Anyone who is unable to fully participate in practice the day before a match because of illness or injury, should not expect to play in the match. However, each situation will be determined individually at the coaches and trainers discretion. Unexcused absences will result in these consequences - 1 unexcused absence from practice will not play in first half of next match - 2 unexcused absences from practice will not play in next match - 3 unexcused absences from a practice dismissal from team - 3 late arrivals to practice without an excuse is equivalent to 1 unexcused absence from practice - PLEASE NOTE: FAMILY OBLIGATIONS ARE NOT NECESSARILY EXCUSED ABSENCES coaches will make decisions regarding family requests on an individual basis, partially determined by the family activity and the type and timing of team events to be missed. All cell phones must be turned off during practices (no texting or talking), unless a coach has given prior approval. You must be in school 3 consecutive periods to participate in practices or games. In some cases, Mr. Koenen may pre-approve of a player to miss school but be eligible for practice or a match (usually because of a college visit or other academic endeavor). If a player leaves school early because of illness, she may not practice or play in a match that day. Practice attire - Players must wear shinguards with socks covering them during all practices and games. - T-shirts, shorts, and sweatpants/sweatshirts may be worn. - No cut-off shirts or jog bras may be worn as an athlete s only shirt. - Sleeveless shirts or tank tops made for soccer may be worn if they are in the condition that they were purchased in. Matches - 1 unexcused absence from a game will result in dismissal from the team. There may be emergency situations that do not allow the student-athlete to contact 4
their coach prior to the match. If this occurs, please contact the coach as soon as possible to inform of the absence. - Players are expected to speak and act respectfully in all situations, especially when interacting with people with the opposing team, referees, or members of the media. - While on the bus, at another school, or at a community soccer complex, players are representing Cedar Falls High School, the community of Cedar Falls, their families, and themselves. - Each home match we are responsible for providing ball people for both matches. While coaches prefer that non-team members (individuals that understand basics of soccer and are at least 10 years old) provide this service, all players may need to serve as ball people for one or more times during the season. - Families and friends are encouraged to positively cheer and celebrate with the team. If anyone has questions regarding strategy or formation, coaches will be happy to explain to a specific student-athlete in a scheduled meeting at a mutually convenient time separate from practice or match time. - Decisions about positions, strategy, and playing time are determined by the coaching staff based on what they believe is best for the team. Student-athletes are expected to demonstrate the team concept at all times while members of the team (team interests above individual interests). - Players are encouraged to discuss individual situations with coaches, or to make suggestions for changes that may benefit the team as a whole; however, final decisions will be made by the coaching staff. Team Participation - Players are expected to be supportive of the other teams and team members in our program. o Actively watch the other teams (JV1 and JV2) at home and away games. o All players should think about others when posting on social media or texting others. o All players are expected to reflect on how their behavior affects others on the team and adjust their behavior as needed to assist in meeting team goals. - Athletes must abide by all items in Athlete s Pledge and school district policy concerning bullying, hazing, and harassment. - Players who would like to go out for Varsity but are unable to participate fully in the first weeks of practice (when teams are being selected) will be assigned to the JV team initially. - At any time during the season (or post season), a player may be moved up to a more competitive team. Players who feel that their personal goals for playing time will be met better on a different team may choose to move down.
- Soccer is a team sport. However, coaches will make final decisions about practices and matches. Additional Responsibilities - In addition to practices and game responsibilities, athletes will be expected to partake in team meals or get-togethers (to promote camaraderie and team spirit). This year, team meals will be at the high school cafeteria with all teams involved at the same time. - Additional Team Meetings and/or assignments will be scheduled as they are needed to develop a cohesive competitive team. Coaches will work with players to schedule these so that the meetings do not interfere with other school activities or study time. Team Awards - Varsity Letters will be awarded to members of the varsity team that the coaching staff feel have made a significant contribution to the improvement, success, and life of the team. - Additional team and conference awards may be given based on the qualifications and availability of such awards. The coaching staff, as well as Conference ruling, will determine who will receive such awards. 6
CEDAR FALLS HIGH SCHOOL WOMEN S SOCCER 2017 I,, have read the CFHS Women s Soccer Handbook and understand the rules and expectations of athletes. I agree to do my best to meet all expectations. Athlete s signature Date I,, have read the CFHS Women s Soccer Handbook and understand the rules and expectations of athletes. I understand that my daughter must follow these rules in order to participate in the program. Parent/Guardian signature Date