LAGUNA BEACH HIGH SCHOOL BOYS INDOOR VOLLEYBALL 2020 PARENT/PLAYER HANDBOOK
MISSION STATEMENT
Breaker Volleyball will always embody an athletic and psychological style of play that rivals or surpasses that of any school in our area. We will be perennial playoff contenders with a yearly goal of winning a League Championship. The Volleyball program will provide each player with a great experience from which he can take valuable life lessons and compete at a higher level.
LBHS VOLLEYBALL PHILOSOPHY
High school athletics should be coached according to a developmental model. A model that instills in the student/
athletes values and ideals that will help them to become better human beings, more successful, and contributors to society. Such values include patience, self-control, self-discipline, courage, benevolence, politeness, honesty, humility, and sincerity.
Our philosophy is to teach the boys as many skills, both physically and mentally, in order for them to become as good of a player as they wish to be depending on their personal desire and determination.
Inside the lines of the court, players need to give 100% whether they are in a match or they are at practice;
whether they think it is a boring drill, or they love it, whether they are trailing or enjoying a lead. If they aren’t having fun while giving 100%, they should be asked if they enjoy the sport of volleyball.
Most players can play at a physical level, however the sport of Volleyball is 50% mental. This is an area that the Laguna Beach Volleyball Program will focus on developing in order to rise above the competition. The measure of a successful program should not be the win/loss column. The type of young person a program produces is the true measure of its success. A successful program turns out quality young men year in and year out. It is our goal for each player that they learn the importance of the following qualities for their character development.
Honorable: We are all responsible for our own actions. The choices we make serve as a direct refl ection on our character. The student/athletes in our program will be held to a higher standard than other students and must make choices with that in mind. Honesty, integrity and fi delity are all part of being an honorable person. Leading a daily life with honor in mind will make for a person who has positive self worth and a good attitude. An honorable player will make good choices in and out of the classroom. These are the types of people we want to represent our school on the courts.
Reliable: In order to achieve a common goal all members of the team must be headed in the same direction.
Everyone must complete his task. If one member fails then the entire group may suffer. The team relies on each player to maintain eligibility, attend practice, learn and execute his game in order for the team to be successful as a whole.
Committed: As a team member, each player needs to make a full commitment to the team. An individual in this program will be asked to give a large amount of time and energy to the sport. A more committed Volleyball player is less likely to make mistakes or give up when the game is on the line. A lack of commitment will ultimately lessen the team’s success.
Respectful: Respect is something that is seriously lacking in our society. It is important that student/athletes respect their parents, teachers, coaches and peers. When people respect one another it is easier to achieve a common goal. A lack of respect for others often stems from a lack of respect for oneself. The player needs to be nurtured into realizing his own self worth before he can begin to understand how to respect others. At the same time these young men must learn to respect the game of Volleyball for what it has to offer them.
Team Oriented: The greatest part of high school Volleyball is that every member of the team can make major contributions to the cause. Each player must accept his role and do what is best for the team, even if it does not fi t exactly into his own agenda. This can be one of the hardest, but also the most rewarding aspects about being on a team.
TEAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Player’s Expectations: There will be 3 indoor days and 2 strength training days in a typical week during the volleyball season until the end of the spring semester. During league, there may be 2 practices and 1 strength training day as well as 2 competitions. Each player will need to be present at each scheduled
practice. Strength training counts as part of practice and is only 45 minutes. Players grades will depend on attendance, attitude, and compliance with the following expectations.
1. Players should arrive 5-10 minutes early fully prepared and touching a ball until the practice convenes. 2 tardies equals 1 no show. 5 no shows and the highest potential grade a student will be able to receive will be a B, 7-C, 8-D, 10 no shows will be a no credit, Incomplete, or F and the student will not be able to compete in any league matches.
2. Bring shorts, training shirt, shoes and socks (kneepads are encouraged) every day-training shoes for strength training sessions as well.
3. You will be graded on attendance. This will be strictly enforced.
4. E-mail or text me if you can not make practice or strength training. This will still count as a no show. Dr. or Ortho appointments should be scheduled to be taken care on strength training days.
5. We need to practice at the same intensity as tournament play. I have a disciplinary plan I have put in place to try to achieve this in case sincerity is not there. Incentives for winning/losing drills and scrimmages happen and I may sit out a player for a few minutes if they are not complying with directions or giving only 50%.
6. Have respect for others and be respectful in all your dealings.
7. Remain eligible and graduate from high school.
8. Give a maximum effort in all things you are asked to do.
9. Practice to the best of your ability, and learn to execute the strategies of the game.
10. Be honest in all your dealings.
11. Be loyal to your school, the Volleyball program, and families. Be prompt to all meetings and practices.
Remember on time is late. 5-10 minutes early and ready to go is great.
12. Be a part of something great and be a champion.
MATCH DAY EXPECTATIONS
1. A list of the matches will be supplied once the league distributes the information.
2. Coaches are hired in an attempt to win matches and will decide on partnerships in order to do so. This is our call and we do not appreciate being badgered by players or parents for play time. We will try our best to get everyone play time, but cannot guarantee anything.
3. Good players will practice exactly as they compete. This is what we are after all. The reality is that some players practice great and then are inconsistent in the competition while others practice inconsistently, and then elevate their games during competition. We understand this. Our job is to put the pieces of the puzzle together to get victories.
4. As long as we all give it our best, we will be satisfied with their play win or lose. We think any team can upset anyone at any given time.
5. All players are to act professionally and use phenomenal sportsmanship in matches and practices.
PARENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Support the coaches and the roles we have. Everyone thinks their kid is the best player, we understand that.
On this team, we will be the judge of how we can get the most wins. There are many variables when going up against different opponents and chemistry, rhythm, and mental adaptations are key.
2. Get your kids to practice on time.
3. Please do not gossip as parents and tear the program apart. I have seen this happen many times. Let the kids play without pressure from the parents. It is their time to live and learn about life and they need to know about winning as well as losing.
4. If your kid comes to you with an issue, try to think about why we would sit your son out, engage them in a conversation, or use disciplinary techniques to try to get more effort out of them. Ask them if they have really been giving 100% and are listening and executing instructions.
5. If they have an issue after that, we would be happy to discuss it with you in person, because e-mails and texts can always be read the wrong way and cause a rift.
6. There is a 24 hour period after a match or tournament in contacting the coach about a situational event that may have happen like your kid feels they did not get enough play time or something of the sort.
INJURY, TREATMENT, AND TRAINING ROOM POLICIES
1. All players will dress in appropriate gear for practice/games, unless prior permission is obtained from Coach.
2. If you are injured and not able to practice, you will be required to attend practice and observe your group.
3. You are expected to exercise the parts of your body not injured.
4. Get treatment when needed.
5. The training room is not a lounge area.
6. Enter the training room only for scheduled treatment or taping.
7. No cleated shoes allowed in the training room.
8. Leave equipment outside the training room.
9. No food or drink allowed in the training room.
10. Stay out of the ice machine.
11. Use ice cups for treatment only.
12. All wraps, ace bandages, foam pads, and any other reusable items loaned by the trainer are to be returned after use or at the end of the season to avoid being billed for these items.
13. Wear shorts and a shirt in the training room at all times. Remember this is a coed facility.
14. Report all injuries regardless of severity.
15. For proper care, prevention and treatment of an injury be honest both with the coaches and with the trainer.
16. No receiving treatment during practice.
17. No self-treatments.
18. No roughhousing or profanity.
19. Failure to show up for treatment will be treated in the same manner as missing practice.
20. No training tape is to be used on shoes, pads, or uniforms.
TEAM ROOM AND LOCKER ROOM POLICIES
1. Wash all cotton goods daily.
2. Do not leave valuables in your locker.
3. Keep team room clean - pick up after yourself.
4. All tape is to be placed in the trashcans.
5. Do not write on anything in the team room.
6. Material on bulletin board is there to read - do not deface.
7. Work to improve your language. Eliminate profanity and obscene words.
8. Only team members are allowed in the team room.
MATCH DAY
All of the work we have done is for these matches. We expect to win, but more importantly, we expect to play to the best of our ability. Your actions and effort on these days is a direct reflection of our program. When the day is over let’s be very proud of what we have done.
MATCH DAY DRESS
All players will wear the proper uniform (with sweatshirt if it is cold) to school to promote the sport and show they are part of a team. This is also a way to get bigger crowds to our games. We need a large fan base of support.
PRE-MATCH POLICIES
1. You are preparing to represent your community, school, and family; do everything possible to best prepare yourself for the matches. Completing your schoolwork to keep worries out of your mind is one area that will give you more focus for competition.
2. Pre-match meals will hopefully be available from the team parents. There should be no loud talking and be sure to thank the people serving the meal. Eat in an orderly fashion and clean up after yourself.
3. We will travel to away games in our game day clothes.
4. In the locker room conduct yourself in an orderly manner at all times.
5. YOU ARE NOT TO GET OUT OF CLASS EARLIER THAN THE OFFICIAL RELEASE TIME.
6. Get taped early; do not wait until the last second..
7. Make sure you have all of your gear before leaving the locker room.
8. Be polite to the bus driver and keep the talking to a minimum before departure.
9. There should be minimal talking once the bus departs from school.
10. After arriving at the game site, check and make sure you have all your gear before unloading.
11. Upon unloading from the bus, go directly to the designated courts.
12. Get straight to work with a team jog and stretch and an appropriate warm up. Get ready mentally!
13. When any coach is addressing the team, there will be complete silence.
14. Upon leaving the matches, check for your belongings. Then double check.
15. Do not leave unless you check out with the head coach. Follow transportation rules and guidelines or you may not play in the future matches. If you are allowed to leave with a parent, you MUST notify your coach when you leave so they know you are not going to be on the bus.
THE MATCHES
1. Be polite to game referees if there are any.
2. Never lose your poise.
3. Do not talk to our opponents in derogatory manner, or you will be removed from the match and we will forfeit.
4. Encourage your teammate and help them up.
5. Always play with enthusiasm. Celebrate successful plays.
6. Play with intelligence.
7. Keep in the game mentally at all times.
8. Implement the coach’s advice to the best of your ability.
9. Shake hands with opponents and be complimentary.
10. Do not ever embarrass the school or program by making derogatory remarks.
11. Check to make sure that you have all gear before heading to the bus.
12. Upon arriving at LBHS, make sure you have all your gear before you leave the bus.
13. Thank the bus driver as you unload.
14. Help injured players to the locker room.
15. Report all injuries to trainer and follow his orders and treatment.
16. If you have been told by a coach or trainer to have the doctor look at you before you go home, then make sure you see the doctor.
LETTERING POLICY
At the conclusion of the Sport season each year, the Varsity Sport Coaching Staff conducts a staff meeting for the sole purpose of determining the Varsity Lettermen recipients. The staff discusses each player on an individual basis regarding his contribution to the Volleyball team. The player’s individual position coach gives a short synopsis of each player’s playing time and his contribution to the team during the course of the past season. On the basis of this meeting, it will be subjectively determined whether the playing time and contribution to the team deserves the recognition of a Varsity or JV letter. The criteria for lettering in Varsity Sport at Laguna Beach High School are as follows:
1. An athlete who has participated in the LBHS Volleyball Program for a period of four years, regardless of playing time, will letter.
2. An athlete who remains a starter for every game will letter.
3. An athlete who has been in the program for his first three years of high school and is injured during the course of his senior year will letter.
4. An athlete who transfers from another school for his senior year must have adequate playing time and or contributions to the program (as determined by the coaching staff) to letter.
5. An athlete’s contributions to the team are such that the coaching staff believes he deserves recognition.
6. An athlete must fulfill one of the above mentioned requirements in order to letter. The athlete must also fulfill all of the following requirements to letter:
7. Finish the season on a positive note, adhering at all times to the LBHS Athletic Code.
8. The athlete must maintain the academic standards established for athletic eligibility by the C.I.F.
9. The athlete must be in good standing with administration in regards to on-campus conduct.
RULE MODIFICATION POLICY
The Laguna Beach Varsity Volleyball Staff reserves the right to modify or suspend these criteria to cover special cases submitted to them for consideration by the Head Coach. The Head Coach reserves the right to establish the requirements for all Volleyball Sport letters and special awards.
A player must notify Coach Stewart before missing any practice. The only excused absences from practice will be player illness, or family emergency. All others will be considered unexcused absences. If a player misses practice without notifying the Head Coach, he will be charged with an unexcused absence.
The Head Coach and coaching staff reserve the right to consider extenuating circumstances when deciding on game participation.
CHAIN OF COMMAND
If a player has a concern, he should first address the problem with his coach and then head coach. This should be accomplished in a timely manner. Being able to communicate effectively with adults is part of becoming a successful young person. If after meeting with a coach the player is still unhappy, then a parent meeting will be scheduled. As a general rule, we encourage the player meeting before meeting with parents. If you, as a parent, have concerns, please talk to your son/daughter first. They should have a good handle on the situation and will be able to offer valuable insight.
If after a parent meeting, concerns still exist, then the next step is to contact our Athletic Director. The next steps in the chain are to contact our Principal, and then district office personnel.
Volleyball is a game of high emotion and intensity. It is likely that during the season all parties involved - players, parents, and/or coaches will be upset by something. When you find yourself in this position it is a good idea to hold off for forty-eight hours in order to evaluate the situation. If after forty-eight hours, you are still upset, then it is time to talk. I have found that most situations will have resolved themselves after adhering to the forty-eight hour policy.
If we ALL work as a team, we will have a great season. Players, parents and coaches will have a memorable season if we have the same primary goal – to develop championship young people. When coaches are hard on players it is because they care about them. They are trying to help them improve. If your son never has stories of a coach being hard on him, then you definitely have a problem.
Thank you in advance for your efforts and for the sacrifices your family will make for the Volleyball program. It is our pleasure to have this opportunity to work with your sons!
