ALPHA GAMMA VOLLEYBALL CLUB HANDBOOK
Alpha Gamma Volleyball Club Handbook Introduction Alpha Gamma is a non-profit volleyball club dedicated to developing both strong volleyball and personal character skills. Players, coaches, club and team officials and parents share in the responsibility of the development of our successful student athletes. The reputation, image and success of Alpha Gamma are the responsibility of all involved. Communication Team Parents will establish a player/parent group e-mail list for purposes of communicating both team specific and club information. E-mail and the Alpha Gamma website will be the primary source of communication. Team Parent will e-mail the player/parent contact information to everyone to use for car pooling, emergencies or any contact needs. Make a copy and put it in players duffle bag. Frequently, pre-tournament information is often delayed and vague. The club will release information to the team parent and players as soon as it becomes available. Please read all e- mails and check the website frequently as sometimes last minute changes occur. Weather announcements: Check e-mail and/or the Alpha Gamma website to see if weather necessitate a delay, change or cancellation for practice or tournaments. Uniforms Team members receive: - Personalized warm-up suit - 2 practice t-shirts - Personalized club duffle bag - 1 pair kneepads - 1 or 2 uniforms (jersey and spandex) - 2 pair volleyball socks - 1 pair volleyball sneakers Label everything!!! Playing Time Alpha Gamma does not guarantee equal playing time on any team or at any event. Playing time for the athlete is determined by attendance, attitude, effort, performance, the athlete s potential, the teams needs at the moment, and in the future and is left solely to the discretion of the Alpha Gamma coach. The coaching decision is not up for debate or question. Athletes are encouraged to ask what they can improve on to get more playing time.
Dues and Fees Dues cover practice facilities charges, equipment, USAV / GEVA dues, uniforms, volleyball sneakers, warm ups suits, duffle bag, club expenses, coaches, tournament fees and hotel expenses for players, coaches and chaperones at budgeted tournaments. Once a player and her parent/guardian commits to a position on a team, the family is responsible for full payment of dues. Following each family s commitment, the club goes ahead and books tournaments and travel, pays rent, buys uniforms, engages coaches, and in general budgets to spend the dues that are committed to the club. General Tournament Information We participate in tournaments run by our local USAV region, GEVA and by local, regional and national groups. Some teams will travel to overnight tournaments. If a player cannot make it to a tournament, the player is expected to notify the coach as soon as they are aware that they will not make it. The Team Parent will notify team members where your team is playing and what time the coach wants them to arrive. Directions to all GEVA tournaments are on the Alpha Gamma website. Once the player is handed off to the Coach and or Chaperone, you are a spectator until the end of play and coach dismisses the players. The team will stay together as a team. Players are not permitted to leave a venue or hotel without the team, coach or chaperone. Parents, relatives or friends must respect that the players must spend the entire tournament together as a team and not take a player out for a meal or off site visit, etc. Allow your daughter to enjoy the experience of volleyball club life! Single Day Tournaments - Single day tournaments generally begin at 8:00 am and end between 4:00pm and 6:00pm depending on tournament size and team performance. - Coach will tell players what time to arrive at the tournament site. (usually between 30 minutes to 1 hr prior to start time). Remember, that you may also have an hour drive or more to get to the tournament venue. -Think about carpooling. It s a long day. -Parents, bring a folding chair. Some venues have limited seating. -Wear uniform & warm up suit. Don t wear volleyball sneakers off the court. - Eat or pack a good breakfast to eat on the drive there. -Bring music, earphones, cards, books, magazines or homework. -Some players bring blankets & pillows to rest during down time.
-Players bring their own water(s), food & snacks for the entire day. Bring healthy foods to maintain energy levels, avoid high sugar foods. -T-shirts and other volleyball items are sometimes for sale. -At the tournament site the team will have a location to camp. -Please represent Alpha Gamma well and keep and leave all areas clean. -The team often plays for an hour and then may have to sit or referee another game for up to two hours until it is time to play again. -Parents bring books, magazines or running shoes to go for a walk or run when team is not playing. -Tournament format is usually set up where they will play each team in their pool with the winning teams advancing to the Gold bracket and the other teams advancing to Silver or Bronze brackets. Most tournaments follow a best 2 out of 3 games format. Overnight Travel Tournaments Play Schedule Competition begins at 8:00am on Saturday morning. The event runs in waves. The morning wave begins at 8:00am. Final morning wave matches on most courts are scheduled for 2:00pm. The afternoon wave begins at 3:00pm. The starting times for each age group will be posted as soon as they are known. All teams should be prepared to play at 8:00am on Day 1. Playing times for Day 2 and Day 3 will depend on how the team finishes the day before. Do NOT assume you play in the same wave on the second day as you did on the first. Food & Finances -Chaperones will collect approximately $25 per player to purchase water, breakfast items, fruit & snacks for the team for the entire weekend. (if player has any allergies or special dietary needs tell the Team Parent) -Chaperones will make sure each player has enough water bottles per day. -The players will not be allowed to bring food or coolers into the tournament. The teams will hang around outside the playing area between games. The players will bring their water and snacks in their duffle bags. As far as food, the team will be able to purchase lunch from one of the concession stands within the center. Chaperones will make sure they eat at appropriate off times and have an assortment of snack items to keep energy levels high. -Suggestion for cash needed for weekend: $75 per player (dinner Fri, Sat, Sun and lunch Sat, Sun & Mon) Spending money for souvenirs, t-shirt, etc. (discuss with your child)
Transportation & Spectating Drop off or Stay - Parents are responsible to provide or arrange for players transportation to and from all tournaments. Parents/guardians are not required to attend or stay at tournaments. If parents/family plan to stay and attend travel tournaments, before you make your hotel registration you may want to look into the sights and things to do in the area. Also, sometimes there are available rooms for parents/families at the group rate secured by the club. -Some tournaments charge a spectator fee in order to get into the tournament to watch. Each venue is different. Some require spectator fees paid in advance, others can be purchased on site. There are daily spectator fees and weekend passes. -Players and coaches are not charged for admission. It is included in the tournament fee paid by the club. They will receive wristbands or other ID to get in. -Some venues do not allow outside coolers or chairs. -Some venues have food for sale, others do not. What to do when you arrive at hotel on Friday -Players meet the club director or other Alpha Gamma official in the hotel lobby to get room assignment (done by the coach) and key. -Players call chaperones upon arrival at hotel to meet up. -There will be a Coaches meeting in the Chaperones room on Friday night. Uniform laundry There will be three days of competition. Bring enough spandex, socks etc. Bring both the red and the black jersey (we will wash one for Day 3) and warm up jacket and pants. Put your name and number on everything. Everyone has the same items and they often get mixed up. You MUST wear the warm up pants and jacket to the tournament games. If you want to wear other clothing or a sweatshirt, you must wear it under the warm up jacket. Fundraising -There is one mandatory club fundraiser with proceeds used to offset club expenses and keep club fee increases at a minimum. -Forms will be distributed to all players and must be returned with all monies by the due date. -Other fundraising opportunities are available to offset your child s club fees. Speak to your Team Parent or the Club Director for more information.
Team Bonding After teams are formed, the Team Parent will coordinate, with the players, at least one or two Team Bonding activities that do not involve playing volleyball for the purpose of the players getting to know their teammates off the court. Some bonding activities have included such activities as holding a cooperative dinner party, making t-shirts, going bowling, attending a college level sporting event or going to the mall. Parents may be involved for transportation or facilitation, but the team bonding experience is for the players only to get to know one another and to have fun! Parents may choose to have a bonding activity as well to get to know the other team parents.
PARENT HANDBOOK
Alpha Gamma Volleyball Club PARENT HANDBOOK Although the Coaches train the teams, the club is largely coordinated and run by our network of parents. Various opportunities for parental involvement (off the court) are available and participation is expected at all levels except coaching. A Team Parent will be responsible for the administration each team. Parent Chaperones will supervise and attend to the players needs, off the court, at both one day and overnight tournaments. Parents will be actively involved in the club. It requires more of a commitment than just driving your child to and from practice. Parent Agreement By accepting a position for your child on an Alpha Gamma Team all parents/guardians agree: - To support the player s commitment to the club and their team. - To support the coaching staff and its decisions regarding each player s team role and playing time. - To attend any meetings called with the coach or team/club representative. - Fees shall be paid as scheduled or the player may be prohibited from participating in practice and tournaments. - All parents/guardians are expected to take their turn chaperoning as scheduled with the team parent or volunteer their services and/or resources to help the team or club in some capacity. - To insure your child s participation in fund raising events. - To refrain from coaching players at practice or tournaments. - To foster open communication. Any problems should first be discussed between player and coach. If further discussion is deemed necessary, a meeting between the team parent and player parent will be held. - Parents will agree to follow the established grievance procedures. - Parents/guardians shall support the team by not separating their child or any team members from the team at club or team events. - To abide by the Parent Code of Conduct and Financial Agreement. -To provide, or make arrangements for, transportation to and from practices and tournament sites. Volunteer Positions There are many ways that a parent/guardian can help the team and the club. Help is always appreciated and most parents feel this enhances their club experience. It is easier for all on the team when everyone helps out.
-Team Parent - two way communication connection and liaison between the club/coach and the parent/players. - assist with transportation & carpools if necessary - coordinate chaperones for all tournaments. - coordinate team-bonding activities - report team news, tournament results and any team photos to the Alpha Gamma Webmaster or Club Director Single day tournament chaperone one per tournament -provide for the security of all team members -be the go-to adult for any/all needs during the tournament -uphold the image of the club -share in the responsibility of having the team focused and prepared to play volleyball Overnight tournament chaperones two per tournament -must be registered with GEVA as a adult chaperone -provide for the security of all team members -organize all activities off of the court (meals, team bonding & having fun!) -uphold the image of the club -share in the responsibility of having the team focused and prepared to play volleyball Parent Responsibilities for Tournaments Parents are encouraged to support their players by attending their tournaments and giving positive encouragement. Parents are expected to refrain from criticizing their child, teammates, coaches, other parents, spectators and officials. 1- It is the responsibility of parents to drive their own child to practices and tournaments or to ensure that their child has a ride. The Team Parent can help facilitate, but is not responsible, to find your child a ride. Common courtesy should be extended to anyone who helps your child with rides. (offer to meet somewhere convenient or drop your child at their home and/or offer to pay for gas to show appreciation) 2- Each player s parents are expected to take their turn at chaperoning. One chaperone is needed for single day tournaments and two for overnight tournaments. The Team Parent will coordinate this. 3- It is expected that parents who are not chaperoning at a particular tournament will ask the chaperones for that tournament if they can assist in any way. 4- Parents who come to overnight tournaments pay for their own rooms. The club covers the room expense for players, coaches and the chaperones for that tournament.
Grievance Procedure A team and its components are made up of individuals with varying personalities and there may not always be agreement on what is best for the whole. Disagreements, if they cannot be resolved between individuals should be handles administratively as follows: 1- NEVER have major disagreements in front of players. 2- The first action is to have the player discuss the situation with their coach. 3- A player or parent who believes there is a problem should bring it to the attention of the Team Parent. Parents are NOT to approach coaches regarding any grievance. 4- The Team Parent will discuss the matter with the coach unless the matter is of a nature that requires them to go to the Club Director. 5- If not resolved, the Team Parent will speak with the Club Director who will determine a course of action to resolve the issue. If necessary, the Club Director will bring the coach into the discussion. 6- Any coach who believes there is a problem should bring it up with the Club Director and will then work with the parent to resolve the matter. Alpha Gamma will not tolerate hostile, aggressive confrontations between a parent and any official, coach, or any players. Violations of this policy may result in the athlete being dismissed from Alpha Gamma without a refund.
PLAYER HANDBOOK
Alpha Gamma Volleyball Club PLAYER HANDBOOK Playing for Alpha Gamma requires a strong commitment to the game, the club and the team. It is important that everyone involved understands and is willing to make this commitment in order for the athlete to become the best volleyball player they can be. Participation in the Alpha Gamma program requires time, effort and commitment, but it is all worth the investment. Proper conduct is expected for all players at all times. Alpha Gamma expects players to represent the club in a respectable manner at all times. The off court actions of our players are just as important as those on the court. In today s recruiting atmosphere college coaches are looking for players who are well disciplined both on and off the court. Practices Practices are held two (2) times a week for up to two hours. The day and times of practices will vary depending on the schedule set by the club Director. If a player cannot be at practice, it is expected that they call the coach with an explanation. It is the players responsibility to reach the coach before the practice starts. - Arrive 10-15 minutes before the scheduled start time to get ready for practice and help set up the nets. - Sign in and be ready to start immediately. - Bring water, in an unbreakable container, to practices and tournaments No glass containers are allowed in any gym or venue. - All drills and warm-ups must be done with the attention to proper technique. - A 100% effort is expected during the entire practice session. - It is expected that all members of the team will participate in the setting up and/or taking down of the equipment. (Captains will set up a schedule) - Time management is important with schoolwork and Alpha Gamma. Manage your time in order not to miss practices or tournaments. - All players are responsible for their own equipment. Player Responsibilities for Tournaments Players are expected to comply with club procedures and obligations as well as guidelines established by the coaches, team parent, chaperones and tournament coordinators. - All players are required to attend the scorekeeping/r2 clinic run by Alpha Gamma. Cards will be provided for officials to sign when you complete a work assignment. -Officiating or working is a shared responsibility of the entire team. Each coach will determine a procedure their team will follow for officiating assignments. Team Captain will set up a work schedule for fair and equal assignments. Always leave the work table clean. - Do not wear jewelry to a tournament. - While at tournaments, players must remain with their team. If you need to leave your team for any reason, you must inform your Chaperone. Always travel with two (2) other players. Inform the Chaperone when you return to the group.
- The camping out area must be cleaned before leaving. - Players may not leave a tournament until all of the team is released by the coach. If any team member is working a match (after you have completed play) you must stay until they are done and the coach dismisses you. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action. - The coach is always in charge. If you are off the court, and the coach is not around, the chaperones are in charge. Note: College visits are not allowed during a tournament period. Athletes should visit the college before or after the tournament, when it is allowed by NCAA regulations. (See NCAA rules regarding site visits) and the player has the necessary time for tours and interviews. Note: Players are not permitted to drive themselves, or any other player, to any tournament, even if it is a site local to their home. This is a USA Volleyball regulation. Additional Player Responsibilities for Overnight Tournaments - At the hotel, keep noise down in rooms, hallways, lobbies and other public places. Remember, you are a representative of Alpha Gamma. - Smoking is NOT allowed. The club goes through considerable effort to obtain smoke free rooms. Disciplinary action will be taken if players are smoking or evidence of smoking presents itself. - You are not allowed to purchase pay-per-view movies or use the hotel phones for long distance calls. - You must observe curfew and lights out policy as determined by your coach and chaperones. - Cell phone use is permitted only during break off times. Cell phones may not be used during play time or work time. After tournament play time is finished for the day, cell phones may be used provided players have not been directed otherwise. Cell phones may not be used after lights out time. Failure to abide by this rule will subject player to disciplinary action. - All off court meals & activities are to be planned with input from the team, however, it is the chaperones final decision. The team must remain together. - All team members must eat all meals together. A player s failure to comply with these responsibilities will result in disciplinary actions that include, but are not limited to the following: -The offending player may be benched for up to the remainder of the tournament. - The offending player may be sent hoe at the parent s expense and will not
be put on the roster or allowed to participate in the next scheduled event. - Second violations may result in the player being asked to leave the club. Player Grievance Procedure Competitive team athletics, by its very nature, creates situations where everyone may not be happy all the time. Knowing when to communicate and how to communicate is important. We encourage the player to take responsibility for their participation. We expect the player to talk to the coach first when they have a problem concerning their playing time, or if they are unclear about what the coach expects from them either in practice or in a competition. The appropriate way to do this is for the athlete to ask the coach what they need to do to get more opportunities to play in matches. Most of the time, the athlete knows why they may not be playing as much as a teammate when the parent may not. For issues not related to playing, players may talk to the Team Parent or the coach.
Rules, Regulations, & Policies The following actions are prohibited: 1. Possession, consumption or distribution of alcohol and/or tobacco and/or drugs. 2. Physical damage to a facility or theft of items from a room, dormitory, hotel room, residence or other person. (Restitution will be part of any penalty imposed) 3. Any action considered to be an offense under Federal, State or local law ordinances. 4. Violation of the specific policies, regulations, and/or procedures of Alpha Gamma Volleyball, or the facility used in conjunction with a sanctioned event/practice. (It is the responsibility of the individual to be familiar with specific policies, regulations and procedures) 5. Conduct which is inappropriate as determined by comparison to normally accepted behavior 6. Physical or verbal intimidation of any individual Rules, Regulations, & Policies: (Player) Take responsibility for your own development. Give 100% effort during games and practices. Be respectful of teammates, coaches, parents, referees, and opponents. Always be a good sport, observe the laws of the game. Be honest with yourself, your teammates, and your coaches. Observe the Coach and Club rules as playing time is not only based on skill but as well as overall participation, effort, and compliance during practices, games, and club functions. Wear appropriate attire to all games and practices; understand that when you are in Alpha Gamma Volleyball uniforms and gear that you are representing the entire GEVA Region & Alpha Gamma. If you are having problems, make your coach aware of them before they become bigger problems. Be responsible at home, in school, and with the team. Your team is counting on you to be able to participate in helping them achieve the team s goals. Understand that playing competitive volleyball is a privilege. Homework comes first. Use your downtime wisely. Missed practices, ongoing tardiness, and/or low effort during practices or games will result in reduced playing times. Injured players are expected to attend practices, games and club functions to continue the learning experience. You never have a guaranteed position on a team therefore, all players are expected to tryout every year if they wish to continue playing for Alpha Gamma Volleyball. Athletes should stay in groups at events and sightseeing. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR GROUP! Athletes should make sure both the coach and chaperone knows where you are and when you ll return. Rules, Regulations, & Policies: (Parent) Parents will treat all players, coaches, opponents, referees, and other parents with respect and dignity. Ensure your child arrives at practice and pre-game warm-ups on time, rested, and with proper nutrition. Be supportive and positive toward the team from the sidelines (i.e. Go AG, good hustle, great serve, nice pass, etc.). Please refrain from coaching your child or any other child on the court. Leave this to the coaches. Parents must refrain from making comments to the officials at all times. The Coach (s) and/or Team Captains are the only ones that will discuss game issues with officials. Players are expected to sit with the team during the game in order to be ready for play, please ensure your child is with the rest of the team and not visiting with family or friends. Parents will support the coaches and encourage their child to do the same. Parents will NOT address any player with team concerns. Go directly to the team parent/coaches. Parents will NOT address the coach regarding their daughter s playing time. If your daughter has concerns regarding her playing time, encourage and guide her to speak to the coach herself. If this still is not satisfying the next contact should be made to the team parent assigned. The final step, if still not satisfied, is an email to the directors with the problem. Please keep in mind that you are not paying for playing time, but for the training. Parents will support and assist their child in meeting her responsibilities as outlined in the Player Responsibilities section of this document. Parents are not allowed on the court or bench during practices and tournaments. (Club teams can be fined and banned from the tournament for this action). If your child gets hurt on the court please wait on the side until you are called over. Disciplinary Policy (National/Travel Teams): 2 missed practices will result in being benched for the first match of the next tournament. 1 missed tournament will result in being benched the entire next tournament. 2 missed tournaments will result in dismissal from the team. Major misbehavior (e.g. verbal or physical) can result in penalties ranging from a warning, to suspension, or to dismissal from the team/club. Disciplinary Policy (Regional Teams): 2 missed practices will result in being benched for the first Set of the next tournament. 1 missed tournament will result in being benched for the first match of the next tournament.. 2 missed tournaments will result in being benched the entire next tournament. 3 missed tournaments will result in dismissal from the team. Major misbehavior (e.g. verbal or physical) can result in penalties ranging from a warning, to suspension, or to dismissal from the team/club.