Girls Lacrosse Program Handbook The primary purpose of this handbook is to acquaint you with the philosophy, guidelines, and policies of the Temecula Valley High School Girls Lacrosse Program. It is your responsibility and our expectation that you read, understand, and follow the policies of this handbook. This handbook was prepared to reinforce our expectations for every player involved in our program. Our policies have been put in this booklet so you can refer to them throughout the year when you feel it is necessary. We anticipate that you will read and use this handbook as a guideline, for your benefit. Mission Statement TVHS Girls Lacrosse is dedicated to providing exemplary instruction through the collaborative efforts of staff, students, parents and community to develop physically, mentally and morally fit athletes. We the TVHS Girls Lacrosse Coaches Commit to: The worth and dignity of each individual within our program and the development of all student athletes and staff associated with TVHS Girls Lacrosse. The development of skills that will enable student athletes to perform effectively on and off the field, as lifelong learners and responsible citizens. Providing a safe and motivating environment that cultivates, challenges, and facilitates individuals to achieve their full potential. 1
Golden Bear Girls Lacrosse 2019 All student-athletes invited to be a part of a Temecula Valley High School Girls lacrosse team are required to live up to the rules and guidelines outlined in this Handbook. Each of the standards agreed upon in this document build upon the values of our team and our school. They help to provide a level of personal discipline that will enable greater individual and team success. Student-athletes are accountable for upholding these standards for the duration of their commitment to the program. Please read this handbook thoroughly before making the decision to be a part of this program. Winning games, league titles, and the realization of personal ambitions such as scoring goals, making passes, catching passes, running with the ball, making stops, intercepting passes, and playing every play like it is your last are important motivational tools. However, if you cannot be a hardworking, supportive, productive member of the program, even when things do not go as planned, do not sign this handbook. Lacrosse is a time consuming and demanding sport that requires passion and devotion. If you question your involvement in lacrosse, try another TVHS sport or activity that matches your level of dedication. At TVHS, our coaches will make every effort get players in games appropriately. The JV team will serve, as a developmental squad with shared playtime playing a greater role. For the Varsity, there are no assurances of playtime. The players that do play are those that the coaching staff feel gives the team the best chance to win that contest. For both levels, coaching decisions are based on a player s individual talent and the potential contributions on the field. Playing time has not nor will it ever have to do with the player/coach relationship developed, the amount of parental participation, nor the desire for a potential scholarship from a post-secondary institution. We at TVHS play to win and the coaches work to develop winners. This community and this school have made this a priority, thus, by the nature of things we must strive to win by playing the very best combination of players possible. Our schedule is top notch and we must work hard every week to secure success. Coaching is very subjective. Although our staff has years of combined experience in coaching in many areas, we do not claim that knowledge of the game cannot be improved upon. We do agree to coach the players daily, develop game plans and prepare the team for all upcoming contests. We acknowledge that coaches do not make the perfect moves in every game or for every player. We purely do our best, using the authority established by the school as the coach, to make the best judgments we can. Every parent has the right to believe the coach is not making the proper decisions, playing the right players, or teaching the right offense or defense. Clearly, this is every fan s privilege. However, once a player has signed up to be on our team the player and his family agree to the pronouncements of the head coach(s). You will notice structural transparency within the program. Distractions that prevent such clarity hinder the success of the team. This simplicity is geared to producing a superior and more prepared team. Thank you in advance for reading the whole document prior to signing at the appropriate locations. If you do choose to sign this document, please print it out, keep it available, and turn the signed last page into the coaching staff as soon as possible. By taking this packet seriously, every stakeholder is made aware of the expectations at hand. We are committed to TVHS Girls lacrosse and thank you for doing your very best to make this upcoming season a positive team experience. 2
Golden Bear Sportsmanship Standards 1) Accept and understand the need to be committed to the integrity of our sport and acknowledge that you represen Temecula Girls Lacrosse program. 2) Treat opponents the way you would like to be treated, as a guest or friend. Who better than you can understand and appreciate all the hard work and team effort required in being a Lacrosse player? 3) Respect the integrity and judgment of contest officials. Bad calls are a part of many contests, no matter what level of competition. 4) Respect the efforts of yourself, teammates, and coaches. Good sportsmanship means picking self and teammates up when things do not go as planned or as hoped. 5) Play hard, play smart and play with emotional steadiness. Lacrosse involves play that is physical in nature; we expect our athletes to play a physical game that is performed with spirit and competitive play. Player-Coach Relationship We believe that the athlete, coach, and team are empowered to bring their best performance when effective communication has occurred. The team is striving to accomplish various objectives that require the roles of each stakeholder to be clearly stated. When this level of communication has not happened, we encourage the student-athlete to set up a time to meet with the coach in charge of that position. Steps of Communication for Student-Athlete Step 1 : If an athlete has conflict with a coaching decision or concern with team environment, we encourage the student-athlete to talk with their position coach regarding these matters. Step 2 : If the athlete-position coach conversation did not provide a satisfactory resolution, we ask the student-athlete talk with the head coach to discuss the situation. Step 3 : If the head coach conversation did not provide a satisfactory resolution, we ask that parents talk with the head coach to discuss the situation. Step 4 : If the parent-head coach conversation did not provide a satisfactory resolution, we ask parents to contact the athletic director to address the situation. Communication Student-Athletes Should Expect from Their Coach 1) Rules and expectations for being a team member. 2) Consequences outlined for breaking team rules. 3) Location, start and end time for all practices and games. Parents as Partners Parent-Coach Relationship We believe that each parent is an important partner in the Golden Bear Girls Lacrosse experience. Parent s positive and thoughtful support of their student-athlete, team members, and coaches goes a long way in creating an environment where growth and success can be experienced. As coaches, we desire that all parents COLLABORATE with us as we strive to develop the abilities of each student-athlete in preparation for successful team experiences. 3
Parent-Coach Relationship Ideals Our desire is to establish and cultivate a positive relationship between each parent and coach. Coaches welcome information from parents that will be helpful in understanding and coaching their student-athlete. Differences will occur as relationships evolve during the course of a season between athlete and coach, parent and coach, and parent and athlete. Our principle concern is the athlete-coach relationship. We ask you for your support by encouraging your player to use the steps of communication outlined above when there are differences. Parent-Coach Meeting Issues Appropriate to Discuss We encourage all parents to contact a coach regarding the following items: 1) Concerns related to the safety of their child; emotionally or physically. 2) Ways to help their student-athlete improve as a player and team member. 3) Concerns about their child s behavior, and mental/emotional abilities to handle competitive athletics. 4) Informing the coach of learning disabilities/challenges that may be helpful in the coaching process. Parent-Coach Meeting Issues NOT Appropriate to Discuss 1) Playing time 2) Play calling 3) Practice/ Game organization 5) Other student-athletes Communication Parents Should Expect from Your Player s Coach 1) Coaching philosophy 2) Location, start and end times of all practices 3) Location, game times, bus departure times for all contests 4) Team requirements, including information related to costs of the program, donations and fundraising. 5) Major team violations of team rules that may result in potential removal from the team Communication Coaches Expect From Parents 1) Student-athletes are expected to be at all team events. We ask that appointments and vacations be scheduled around team activities. 2) Specific concern with regard to coach s expectations for Player. 3) Injury or sickness information regarding player. 4) Procedure should your student-athlete be injured during participation. * Injured and ill players are expected to be at practice when possible unless cleared by a coach. 4
Procedures to Follow if You Have a Concern to Discuss With a Coach. There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of one another s position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern. 1) Call/email and set up an appointment with the position coach. If the coach cannot be reached, call the Head Coach. He will facilitate a meeting date and time for you. If nothing is resolved 2) Set up an appointment with the Head Coach. If the coach cannot be reached, call the Athletic Director. He will facilitate a meeting date and time for you. Coaches may be contacted via appropriate means such as written mail, phone calls, voicemails, and emails. Calls made immediately after school as coaches prepare for practice may not be responded to until the next day. All communication, letters or e-mails, must have a return address with a name or subject line provided. Without such identification, the contents will be disposed of or deleted. We do not deal with nor give credence to anonymous letters. Please be thoughtful and considerate if you want to speak to a coach before or after a contest or practice. There are many things that require the coaches attention and these can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. What can my role as a Lacrosse Parent be? As parents and mentors of a TVHS Girls Lacrosse team member, we encourage you to get as connected with your players dreams as soon as possible. Before we know it, your teenager will have grown up and moved on. This can be a way to share some of the most memorable times in a young athlete s life. This time in your player s life can be a transforming period for everyone involved. Being associated with TVHS Girls Lacrosse requires each player to mature in a variety of ways. This growth will require a support system that is very active and flexible. The structure developed in support helps to promote actions that sustain the relationship you share with your child. To help bridge the gap between home, school, and Lacrosse We invite you to join the TVHS Girls Lacrosse Boosters. There is no secret or magic formula for the team s success. Hard work, dedication and tireless commitment by the players and staff are key areas. Equally important is the pledge that dozens of parents have made over the years to create an atmosphere at TV that is supportive and extremely active. If this year is going to be a success, your involvement is essential. We know that your greatest joy as a supporter of a player comes from the pleasure of seeing your student develop and knowing you have done all you can do to fulfill their dreams. For the Bear Booster the interest in growth is extended to the program as a whole over an extended period. Working with and watching these young adults mature during the season and over the course of their career gives us all great pride and helps to develop lasting friendships. Bear Booster members often develop friendships that may go well beyond the field. Countless numbers of area residents have boasted about the time they spent as a supporter of Golden Bear athletics in years past. For many, thankfully, they wear their support of the Golden Bears as a badge of honor.. 5
As a Bear Booster, your primary responsibility is to assist by removing as many distractions as possible from the day-to-day focus of the players and coaching staff. To be the team we are working to be, there are areas where parents and friends of the program can take the lead. These partners are needed to secure assets to keep the engine running; your expertise is needed. This may mean volunteering, fundraising, helping to secure resources, attending booster meetings, chaperoning events, coordinate corporate sponsorships, and much more. It takes an army of people working behind the scenes to support a team of this caliber. If we are going to be a power in the Southern Riverside area and beyond, we must keep pace with those efforts our opponents benefit from. Please help your TVHS Girls Lacrosse player in every way you can. We are asking everyone to volunteer as many times during the season as possible. This is your chance to help the team and it gives you the opportunity to meet your child s teammates and fellow parents as well as gain the ability to unite under one goal, TVHS Girls Lacrosse. There are situations that need your attention. Some jobs involve a one-time commitment while others require more of a long-term obligation. The Bear Boosters have many committees that also need attention. Our Bear Boosters host our most important programs. These include the Opening Day events, hosted tournaments, team apparel sales, our home game snack bar, senior night celebration, and our end of the year banquet. If you become involved with this group, we are confident that you will enjoy yourself, your student will remember that you supported them every step of the way. Your efforts will be linked to the others and will be a great example of selflessness. You will impact all parts of Golden Bear Girls Lacrosse. 6
TVHS Player Commitment Form: As a participant on a TVHS Girls Lacrosse team, I am committed to the betterment of the program and pledge to dedicate myself to my fellow teammates and the TVHS Girls Lacrosse program. I now know that research indicates a student involved in co-curricular activities has a greater chance for success during adulthood. The TVHS Girls Lacrosse program provides me with a structured environment that will help develop many of the character traits required to be a successful participant in life after high school. By following the prescribed team expectations that include physical fitness, social involvement and skill building, I will have the growth opportunity only available as a high school athlete. I understand that my participation is a privilege and not an entitlement. I accept responsibility to train with, practice for, and support my fellow teammates with regard to my preparation during the off-season workouts, and more importantly during the in-season schedule of events. My regular attendance and observable passion at all practices and games, helps convey a consistent focus that demonstrates my commitment to the team and those involved with TVHS Girls Lacrosse. Consequently, I understand and acknowledge that failure to report to practice, reporting late to practice, or leaving early from practice without a prearranged valid excuse, will be counted as conduct detrimental to the team. Each negative instance may result in extra practice requirements, possible suspension and could limit the time I may enjoy participating on game days. There are areas off the Lacrosse field that I, as a Lacrosse player will be expected to avoid. The use of illegal drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, is a detriment to the team and me. Therefore, if I am found using these substances, I will be disciplined according to TVHS and district athletic code rules. I also understand that my participation on the team may be forfeited because of my choices. My removal from the team may cause the forfeiture of any financial contributions, or costs associated with the team. I freely accept these basic rules and pledge to adhere to them to the best of my abilities. Because I am a Golden Bear Girls Lacrosse player, I know I must adhere to higher expectations and standards than those of non-players. I am willing to accept them along with the privilege of playing Girls Lacrosse for Temecula Valley High School. Living by these principles will help me succeed not only as a student athlete, but also as a leader at my school and beyond. Player Printed Name Date Parents/ Guardians Printed name I/We have read and understand the guidelines and policies of the Temecula Golden Bear Girls Lacrosse Handbook and freely agree to follow these guidelines throughout the 2019 Lacrosse season. I/We understand that no player will be allowed to participate in any activity if this document is not turned in and on file. Player Signature Parent/Guardian Signature 7
TVHS Player Commitment Form: As a participant on a TVHS Women s Lacrosse team, I am committed to the betterment of the program and pledge to dedicate myself to my fellow teammates and the TVHS Girls Lacrosse program. I now know that research indicates a student involved in co-curricular activities has a greater chance for success during adulthood. The TVHS Girls Lacrosse program provides me with a structured environment that will help develop many of the character traits required to be a successful participant in life after high school. By following the prescribed team expectations that include physical fitness, social involvement and skill building, I will have the growth opportunity only available as a high school athlete. I understand that my participation is a privilege and not an entitlement. I accept responsibility to train with, practice for, and support my fellow teammates with regard to my preparation during the off-season workouts, and more importantly during the in-season schedule of events. My regular attendance and observable passion at all practices and games, helps convey a consistent focus that demonstrates my commitment to the team and those involved with TVHS Girls Lacrosse. Consequently, I understand and acknowledge that failure to report to practice, reporting late to practice, or leaving early from practice without a prearranged valid excuse, will be counted as conduct detrimental to the team. Each negative instance may result in extra practice requirements, possible suspension and could limit the time I may enjoy participating on game days. There are areas off the Lacrosse field that I, as a Lacrosse player will be expected to avoid. The use of illegal drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, is a detriment to the team and me. Therefore, if I am found using these substances, I will be disciplined according to TVHS and district athletic code rules. I also understand that my participation on the team may be forfeited because of my choices. My removal from the team may cause the forfeiture of any financial contributions, or costs associated with the team. I freely accept these basic rules and pledge to adhere to them to the best of my abilities. Because I am a Golden Bear Women s Lacrosse player, I know I must adhere to higher expectations and standards than those of non-players. I am willing to accept them along with the privilege of playing Girls Lacrosse for Temecula Valley High School. Living by these principles will help me succeed not only as a student athlete, but also as a leader at my school and beyond. Player Printed Name Date Parents/ Guardians Printed name I/We have read and understand the guidelines and policies of the Temecula Golden Bear Girls Lacrosse Handbook and freely agree to follow these guidelines throughout the 2019 Lacrosse season. I/We understand that no player will be allowed to participate in any activity if this document is not turned in and on file. Player Signature Parent/Guardian Signature 8