Oswego East Wolves Girls Volleyball Parent Handout 2018-2019
Table of Contents: Philosophy.. 1-3 Coaches.1 Program..2 Individual Team. 3 Expectations... 4-6 Attendance. 4 Practice..5 Match and Tournament. 6 Policies... 7-8 Discipline...7 Eligibility.....8 Communication..9 Communication chain.. 10 Fund Raising...11 Code of Conduct...12 Players Copy.. 13 Coach Copy.. 14
Coaches: Adam Thurlwell Varsity Head Coach School: 630-636-2268 Cell: 630-730-2380 athurlwell@sd308.org Megan Zerfas Varsity Assistant Coach School: 630-636-2269 Cell: 630-217-3899 mzerfas@sd308.org AnneMarie Calpin Sophomore Head Coach School: 630-636-4363 Cell: 630-207-3730 acalpin@sd308.org Jackie Charlett Freshmen Head Coach Cell: 630-364-8100 jcharlett@sd308.org Athletic Director: Robert Kaminski School: 630-636-2224 rkaminski@sd308.org 1
Program Philosophy Our major objective of our volleyball program is to provide girls with the opportunity to participate and enjoy athletics at Oswego East High School while becoming successful students. Athletic activities allow students to develop important qualities such as responsibility, accountability, dedication, communication, confidence, respect and leadership. We as a staff, hope to instill these characteristics within your child in order for her to improve her athletic ability and her general character. We want your child to learn as much as she can during the season while meeting new people, developing leadership qualities and learning to work with a team and as a team. We promote a highly structured and disciplined program. Coaches will provide an intense, but fun and challenging atmosphere during practice and during competition in order to maintain each player s passion and love of the game. Each coach will demand hard work, enthusiasm, and respect for all players, opponents and coaches. We believe our teams will be able to meet and exceed their individual and team goals along with reaching their full potential. We expect the best out of your child as you should expect out of the coaching staff. We want to create successful student-athletes. Key playing philosophies: Next ball mentality Out play your errors Better the ball Defense first Control the tempo You don t go, you don t know 2
Individual Team Philosophy Freshmen A and Freshmen B Teams 1. Coaches will chose 14 players for the freshmen team. 2. Coaches will split players into 2 teams; an A and B 3. Players are required to attend all practices, matches and tournaments. 4. Coaches will begin to develop specific positions to help players have a better opportunity to play on the varsity volleyball team. (development-driven) 5. All players have the opportunity to play in matches and tournaments. However, playing time is not EQUAL, but based on the players ability, attitude, and position. Sophomore Team 1. Coaches will chose 14 players for the team. 2. Players are required to attend all practices, matches and tournaments. 3. Coaches will further develop specific positions to help players have a better opportunity to play on the varsity volleyball team. (development-driven, begin focusing more on winning) 4. All players have the opportunity to play in matches and tournaments. However, playing time is not EQUAL, but based on the players ability, attitude, and position. Varsity Team 1. Coaches will choose 14 players for the team. 2. Players are required to attend all practices, matches and tournaments. 3. Coaches will further develop specific positions to help players have a better opportunity to have the potential to play at the colligate level. (focus on winning, while developing) 4. All players have the opportunity to play in matches and tournaments. However, playing time is not EQUAL, but based on the players ability, attitude, and position. 5. It is important that all players have the understanding that playing time is not guaranteed. At this level, it is important to play the best line-up for the appropriate situation during all competitions. However, every player is still an asset to the team. 3
Attendance Expectations Practice Attendance 1. All practices are mandatory. Calendars are distributed during the beginning of the season from your daughter s coach. *(they are subject to change)* 2. You must be on time to practice, tardiness will not be tolerated!! All nets and equipment must be ready to go before practice begins. All team members will share responsibility of the set-up and take-down procedures. Match Attendance 1. All players will be present at home and away matches unless previous arrangements have been made with the coach. Each team will have a schedule with bus times and match/tournament times. *(subject to change)* 2. All lower levels will stay through the varsity match. The varsity team is required to stay through all lower level matches; home or away. 3. All players will ride the bus TO and FROM away matches and tournaments. [Travel release signature with coach for significant events for own child only] Excused Absences A player may be excused from a practice, match or tournament if the following situations occur: 1. Illness 2. Recognized school activities 3. Religious commitment 4. Family engagement/emergency 5. College Visit If an athlete is not at an entire practice before a match or a tournament, she will be ineligible to start the following match. This includes all excused absences. When an illness occurs, your parents should contact your coach prior to practice at their number at OEHS or you may contact them via email. You must communicate with your coach in advance if you know you will not be attending practice, match, or tournament. School events are not excused absences. Work is not an excused absence. 4
Practice Expectations The purpose of practice is to prepare athletes for situations that occur in competition. Practice time is to transform a group of individuals into a team in order to achieve their maximum potential. Each practice must be viewed as an opportunity to improve and to reach goals. It is imperative that the volleyball atmosphere in the gym be one of concentration, intensity, and attention to the task at hand. Practice is an opportunity to leave your personal life outside of the gym and work with your teammates and coaches to better your team as a whole. 1. Courts must be set up correctly before practice begins at 2:50 pm. All nets must have pads and antennas. (Wednesday are an exception) 2. You must wear proper uniform for each practice and competition. No tank tops, no midriffs showing and spandex/shorts must be appropriate! (Volleyvan immediately to follow this meeting in the small gym) 3. Jewelry and gum are prohibited in the gym during practice and competition. 4. You will hustle everywhere once practice begins. You should never be standing still!! 5. You must be verbally active during entire practice. You must encourage all teammates at all times. 6. Any overt display of anger or frustration by players is not tolerated. We cannot afford to lose emotional control during competition. Therefore, we will always practice under control. 7. You must protect your teammates when they are in drills by shagging ball whenever you are not involved in the drill. 8. We will always leave the gym immaculate, regardless of whether we are in our gym or someone else s gym!!! This policy includes practice, games, and tournaments. 9. Cellular Phone/MP3 usage (including texting) will be limited to before and after practices and games. 10. We will try our hardest to be punctual with starting and ending practices, we ask the same from our parents regarding rides. 11. Players must be physically able to complete a practice in its entirety to participate in the proceeding match. 5
Match and Tournament Expectations All of the following rules and expectations will be held accountable for every team member. It is important that OEHS volleyball is recognized with the utmost integrity and respect in every gym we play in. 1. Show good sportsmanship at all times!! Swearing and foul language on or off the court is absolutely not permitted. 2. Supporting your teammates during matches whether you are on the court or on the bench is mandatory. Encourage and challenge teammates in a positive manner so all players perform their best. 3. During home matches, the sophomore team is responsible for taking down the main gym net, clean up benches (all trash will be disposed properly) and equipment will be put away in the correct place. The varsity team is responsible for putting up the equipment. Freshmen are responsible for both in their respective gym. 4. Do not socialize with non-team member during any volleyball matches. If your team is not playing, you should be supporting team or teams that are playing. 5. You will sit with you team to watch different levels when your team is not playing. Those who are not competing will be assisting during warm-ups and cheering for the team. 6. For all home games, players must stay until all levels are finished playing and when your coach dismisses you. 7. For all away games and tournament, you must ride on the team bus to and from the school. You may not ride home with your parents. This promotes the unity of the team. All players have to stay together to achieve every goal. 8. On game days, home or away, each team will decide what to wear during the school day (dress-up or team outfit). All clothing must be appropriate and must be in agreement with the school dress codes. 9. Please do not bring jewelry or any other valuable items to matches. The coaching staff is not responsible or liable for any misplaced, lost or stolen items. 10. We, as a program, will hold ourselves with respect and loyalty at every match and tournament. 6
Discipline Policy Behavior Any inappropriate behavior that causes poor representation of the player, the team, the coaches, the program or OEHS is unacceptable. Inappropriate behavior does include the following: dress code violations suspensions detentions violating curfew being dismissed from practice It is very important to treat yourself, your team and your staff with the greatest respect at all times. Behavior Discipline Procedures As seen fit Volleyball Behavior If a player does not meet or follow practice or match/tournament expectations, she is subject to the following disciplinary action: Unexcused Excused Consequences for missing (practice or game) 1st time (out) - 2 Game suspension 2nd time (out) - Removal for program Consequences for being late Level consequence as seen fit 1st time (out) cannot start 2 nd time (out) Coach s decision Consequences for being late none NOTE: There are always events/circumstances that we cannot foresee and will handle them as we become aware of the issue. We will try our best to give appropriate consequences for those circumstances. 7
Eligibility Being a good student-athlete is a #1 priority. If you are falling behind in class, please communicate that with your coach and we will get you tutoring or a day off. Failing in school is not acceptable during the season of volleyball. Wolves Volleyball follows District 308 policy directed by IHSA guidelines for eligibility. There is also a new financial eligibility piece for students. 8
Parent-Coach Communication As parents, you deserve to know the expectations that will be placed on your child as a member of the OEHS volleyball team. All Oswego East coaches agree that communication between players, parents and coaches plays a large part in the overall success of each team and the program as a whole. Communication you should expect from your child s coach: 1. Philosophy of the coach. 2. Expectations of the coach has for all members of you child s team. 3. Disciplinary procedures, rules and consequences of the OEHS volleyball program. 4. Location and times of all practices, matches and tournaments. 5. Team requirements (fees, special equipment, off season training). Communication coaches expect from parents: 1. Specific concerns about a coaches philosophy/expectations. 2. Notification of schedule conflicts well in advance. Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches: 1. The treatment of your child mentally and physically. 2. Concerns about your child s behavior on or off the court. 3. Strategies to help your child to improve. 4. Academic concerns. Issues NOT appropriate to discuss with coaches: 1. Playing time. 2. Team strategy/play calling. 3. Other members of the team or other athletes involved in the program. As parents and coaches, we want what is best for your child at all times. We do understand that certain situations may arise that you do not understand or agree with. However, the communication chain (next page) will allow for best and most responsible means of communication between players, coaches and parents. 9
Communication Chain It is important that all players and parents follow the communication chain. This procedure encourages and allows for successful communication between the player, parent, and coach in order to resolve situations that may arise throughout the course of the season. When following the communication chain, we, as a staff, do not want to be addressed after a match or a tournament. We believe it would be more beneficial to discuss any concerns at a different time that has been arranged in advance. Step 1- Player Contact If your child does not understand/agree with how her coach handles a specific situation, she should respectfully approach the coach first. Step 2- Parent Contact If your daughter is unhappy with the coach s response, the parent(s) should contact the coach with their concern. The parent(s) must confirm with their daughter that she has already spoken with the coach first. The parent should contact the coach about his/her concern by calling and making an appointment with the coach to discuss their concern. The parent(s) may not meet with the coach unannounced! If you as a parent are not satisfied with the coach s response after following all of the correct procedure, you may contact the varsity coach for further explanation. After each of those steps has been taken, you may contact Laura Waibel, the school s athletic director. 10
Fund Raising We will not fund raise this year. Thanks to outstanding parents and families in our program, volleyball is able to utilize concession shares for purchases. 11
Code of Conduct http://il.8to18.com/oswegoeast/ (listed under Resources ) District 308 has a code of conduct. It is important that throughout the year and the season that your daughter makes smart decisions. All rules apply to our program and along with all discipline procedure. 12
(Coach s Copy) I (Player),, understand and agree to follow the OEHS volleyball communication chain while I am involved in the Oswego East volleyball program. I (Parent),, understand and agree to follow the OEHS volleyball communication chain while my daughter is involved in the Oswego East volleyball program. 1) I would like to be included in parent emails from coaches about reminders, etc. email address: (please write neatly) 2) I would like to receive (via email) the OEHS Booster Newsletter about sports and news at OEHS: (check one) no yes email: (please write neatly) 13