Guidelines for Competitive Athletics

Guidelines for Competitive Athletics at Huron Valley Catholic School

One of the extra-curricular activities offered at HVCS is interscholastic athletics. This is especially appropriate for 7th and 8th graders who like the physical training and team work necessary for competitive and safe competition with other schools. Due to the level of competition and physical conditioning necessary to play safely and competitively, we have developed these guidelines:

• Students should condition before the season. Different coaches recommend different exercise programs, but nearly all of the programs require running. Some coaches may set up a preseason and in-season training program.
  
  
• The first few weeks of practice can often be physically demanding as students adjust to practicing 2 to 3 times a week. Coaches are sensitive to the students’ physical condition, but they also have a responsibility to prepare students to compete safely and well for the duration of the season.

II. Skill Level

• Different students have different skill levels, but all students need to develop their skills. Besides attending practices, students should practice on their own, and consider attending summer camps if they plan to excel in a sport. Again, students can see their coaches for information about how to develop their skills and about camps.

III. Team Practices

• As conditioning, individual skills and team skills all come through team practice times, students should attend all practices on time and be prepared. Whenever a student needs to miss a practice for an important reason, they should talk to the coach before the practice. Coaches will assume perfect attendance to all practices except for rare occasions.
  
  
• Students who cannot practice because of an injury are expected to attend practices to learn plays and drills. To be “on time” means to be dressed in appropriate gym clothes and in the gym when practices start. Typically students who are late and lack a good reason are required to run or do extra conditioning exercises.
  
  
• A positive team spirit requires each student to practice hard and to cooperate with the coach’s directions. Coaches expect good attitudes, as well as full participation in practices.

IV. Tryouts

• Often tryouts are necessary because of size limitations for teams. Selection is based on ability, attitude, and conditioning. Generally tryouts are two or three days. A team roster is posted as soon as possible. Usually the coach tries to contact the players that do not make the team to explain the decision. Students are expected to be at tryouts if they want to be on the team. If they cannot make tryouts, students are expected to tell the coach before tryouts, not after the team has already been chosen.
  

V. Playing Time

• In competitive athletics, it is demoralizing for the whole team if the team cannot compete well; thus coaches give playing time based on player skill. It is the athlete’s reward for skill development, for excellent participation in practices, for clear thinking and leadership in team spirit. While not everyone gets to play the same amount, coaches try to give all players a chance to play during the course of the season.
  
  
• The way a student performs in practices – their effort and attitude and skill they demonstrate – determines the amount of playing time a student will receive. Often, coaches will not let students play in a game following an uninformed missed practice. On game days, students must be in school for at least half the day to be eligible to play in the game.
  
  
• Missed practices mean less playing time. A good attitude and good team play will often earn playing time for a less skilled athlete. Coaches expect each team member to represent HVCS well by demonstrating good sportsmanship during and after the game.
  
  
• Our approach is similar to other local middle schools. It is different than intramural or recreation league approaches. The school teams are competitive level teams. The Ann Arbor Recreation Department has leagues for several different sports where equal playing time is emphasized if that is what families are looking for.

VI. Sportsmanship

• It is expected that parents, students, and other fans will support players in an enthusiastic, spirited, but yet positive manner at home and away games. Our behavior is a reflection on the school, and can be a positive witness to good sportsmanship and respect shown to all participants in the event. Some behaviors could serve as a negative witness, such as:
  
  
  • Expressing public displeasure toward the referees
  • Booing referees, opposing players, coaches, or parents
  • Negative cheering that puts down individual players or a team
  • Coaching from the stands
  • Publicly questioning a coach’s game decisions or use of players
  • Making noise at times during a game when it is inappropriate to do so
  • We request that parents and students follow the positive path and encourage one another to do the same. We desire that our games be competitive but not at the cost of Christian character and the display of good example to our students.

VII. Disciplinary Action

• School officials together with coaches can prohibit a student from participation on athletic teams as part of disciplinary actions. Poor grades, attitude and behaviors, or use of prohibited substances are a few reasons a student might be unable to participate in athletics at HVCS (See Athletic Eligibility guidelines in the parent-student handbook).
  

VIII. Parent Support

• Parent support is necessary for us to have home games. We need help with numerous roles, such as running the scoreboard, keeping the score book, running the admissions table, and other jobs that enable us to host home games. Each parent is expected to volunteer to help out at least once during the season (possibly more if there are positions open). Please arrive ½ hour before game time. If you cannot make it on a day you are scheduled to serve, you are responsible for finding a substitute and communicating this with the athletic director. The athletic director has the sign-up sheets and instructions for these games.