Clarksburg High School Football Program Parent/Player Handbook

2011

Purpose of this Handbook

The handbook is written for you. As you read it, you will become familiar with the policies and guidelines of the Clarksburg High School Football Program. We hope that it will answer your questions, ease your fears, and motivate you to become a superior student-athlete.

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, individuals, and as a team.

Accepting the Risk of Football

As a football player at Clarksburg 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 your physician, athletic trainer, and coach concerning the prevention treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries. If the coaching staff advises you to see a physician, please do so at once.

The potential of serious head or neck injuries exist while playing football. There are rules against using the helmet to intentionally butt, ram, or spear an opponent. This rule was designed to protect the helmeted player more so than the 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 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 coaching ethics. Coaching techniques which help athletes maintain or regain “face up” position during the course of play must be respected by our players.

Accepting the Risk of Football- Continued

Players are required to check their equipment on a daily basis. Do not use faulty equipment.

Any time you feel your equipment is not fitting properly or not providing you with adequate protection, report to the coaching staff for a fitting check.

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 part of the team in any way possible.

Player Evaluation

Attitude

In order to have a good attitude, you must establish a personal plan of excellence, and display the ambition, the personal habits, and determination that reflects a positive attitude. Every player can develop a good attitude through practice and repetition.

EffortEach player is expected to give effort on and off the field to become as good as he can. Mental effort on assignments and study of opponents is as important as physical intensity on the field. Every player is capable of giving great effort.

Influence on the Team

Each player can have an influence on the team; either positive or negative. With the proper direction and desire, every player can have a positive influence on the team. There is no place for negative people in our football program.

Consistency and Big Plays

You should strive to develop into a consistent performer in practice and in games. Some players have the knack of rising to the occasion in clutch situations. Ideally, we want the consistent player who also makes the BIG PLAY. We want you to be this player.

Criteria for Earning a Letter in Football

To earn a varsity letter in football at Clarksburg High School, your performance will be reviewed by the coaching staff after the season. If you have met any of the following qualifications and you complete the season with the team you will be awarded a varsity letter.

- Participation in 75% of practices- Participation in 50% of all practices and play in 5 games- Letter by acclimation: There may be unusual circumstances that

prevent a deserving athlete from earning the letter as stated above. The Head Coach may award a letter in this case if he sees fit.

Clarksburg Football Behavior Code

Be sure to read the Student Handbook very carefully. It contains information that will be beneficial to your success as a student. It is your responsibility to know the rules and regulations of Clarksburg High School. Also be familiar with the consequences associated with various delinquent activities. Unpleasant encounters with teachers and administrators can be avoided by understanding the rules of the school and common sense.

We expect our players to exemplify proper behavior in school and on our football team. We encourage you to accept a leadership role in regard to general conduct. Set the trend and motivate other students and teammates to follow your lead. Students that cannot behave in the classroom are unlikely to succeed on the gridiron.

You must understand that being in a public school, you are not immune from the rules of proper behavior. You are governed by disciplinary procedure. You are held accountable for your acts. KNOW THIS!

Attendance Policy/School

Consequences

The Clarksburg Football Program will follow the attendance policy of MCPS Athletics as described in the MCPS Athletic Handbook. The following rules will be in place for the Clarksburg Football Program.

Students must attend all of their scheduled classes in order to participate in a practice or contest on that day. If the principal or designee grants an excused absence in advance for a prescheduled activity, or unforeseen emergency , the student may participate on that day.

If during the season a student has an unexcused absence, he may not compete in the next contest after the violation has been verified.

In addition to other infractions, a student may be suspended or removed from a team for unexcused absences or chronic tardiness.

Unexcused Absence SchoolFirst Offense- The student is ineligible to play in the next contest.Second Offense- The student will be removed from the team.

Chronic TardinessFirst Offense- The student will be ineligible to play in the next contest.Second Offense- The student will be removed from the team.

**Please recognize that these offenses may work in conjunction and result in suspension or removal from the team.

Football Non-Negotiables

Attendance PolicyPractice/Team Related Activity

(TRA)Consequences

Practice is paramount to the success of the football program. Each player should attend and participate in every practice held by Clarksburg High School.

If a player is going to miss a practice or team related activity a coach must be notified in advance by the parent or guardian of that player. This contact may be made by phone call to the football office at 301-444-3504 or note in advance.

Any injured athlete is expected to attend all practices. A decision of an injured athletes participation during the week by the coaching staff will be made in conjunction with playing time in that contest.

Unexcused Absence from Practice/TRAFirst Offense- The student is ineligible to participate in next contest. Second Offense- The student is removed from team.

Unexcused Tardiness to Practice/TRAFirst Offense- Meeting with Coach/Phone Call to ParentSecond Offense- The student will be suspended from game play in the next contest.Third Offense- The student will be removed from team.

**Please recognize that these offenses may work in conjunction and result in suspension or removal from the team.

Football Non-Negotiables

Behavior School/Team Consequences

The student athletes will be held accountable for the behavior both on the football field and in the classroom. It is the belief of this coaching staff and our program that a students behavior in these areas are indicative to their success on the gridiron, therefore disrespect and insubordination will not be tolerated in our program.

Insubordination/Disrespect Misbehavior (Teacher/Coach)

First Offense- The student will participate in a meeting with the coach accompanied by a parent phone call

Second Offense- The student will be suspended from game play

Third Offense- The student will be removed from the team.

Football Non-Negotiables

Player Uniform Consequences

It is the policy of the Clarksburg Program that all players must follow the dress code of our team at all times while competing .

The Clarksburg Program will look like one unit on the football field. Every player will look alike to build camaraderie amongst our players and to lessen the opportunity for individualism to grow on our team.

Our team colors are Columbia Blue, Navy Blue, and White. These are the only colors that are to be worn while our team is competing unless specified by the Head Coach of the program. (ie. Breast Cancer Awareness Game)

Players will wear their uniforms in conjunction with NFHS rules and the rules of the team. All players will be uniform in this requirement. (ie wrist bands, back flaps, visors, sleeves, shoelaces, etc..)

Uniform Violation

First Offense- The player will be asked to comply with the dress code. If compliance does not occur the player will not play any longer in that contest.

** If the violation is discovered through film study, the player will have a meeting with the coach and there will be a parent phone call regarding the matter. This may result in the suspension of game play.

Second Offense-The player will not participate in the contest any longer and will be removed from the team.

Football Non-Negotiables

Student-Parent Athletic Participation Contract

Each player will be given a Student-Player Athletic Participation Contract. This contract must be signed in order to participate in the Clarksburg High School Football Program. In addition to specific team rules that were covered in previous pages, this contract will govern the Clarksburg High School football team.

You can reach the Student-Parent Contract by clicking here or accessing www.chscoyotes.com and looking under files and links.

Two A Day PracticesRegular Season Practice

Schedule

8:00-8:30 Pre Practice 8:30-9:00 Team Meetings 9:00-11:30 Practice #1 11:30-2:30 Lunch and Rest 2:30-3:00 Team Meetings 3:00-5:30 Practice #2

Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday2:10-3:00 Study Hall/In-season Lift3:00-3:15 Team Meeting3:15-3:30 Dress and Tape3:30-6:00 Practice

Thursday2:10-3:00 Study Hall3:00-3:15 Dress and Tape3:15-5:00 Practice

SaturdayTimes will be determined by the Coaching Staff.

**Please remember that practice times could change at the discretion of the coaching staff.

Pre Season Practice Schedule

Game Day Procedures

2:30-2:45 Player Rest Time2:45-3:30 Team Meal3:30-4:30 Quiet Time4:30-5:05 Dress, Tape, Preparation5:05-5:20 Meeting in Second Gymnasium5:20-5:25 Final Position Meetings5:25-5:45 Specialists5:45-6:15 Team Warm-up6:15-6:25 Final Instructions6:25 Captains Out6:30 Game Time

All Saturday Afternoon games will follow same schedule and time intervals beginning at 10 am for a 2 pm kickoff.