Birdville High School

Lady Hawks Soccer

“A Tradition of Honor Leads to Success”

Parent & Player Handout

Dear Lady Hawk Soccer Player and Parents:

I would like to welcome each of you to the 2013-2014 soccer season. In order to maintain the high level of success that this program has seen, parent support and player commitment is critical. We believe our staff is highly qualified to coach your daughter and make her high school years an incredible experience.

To assure eligibility for training and UIL compliance, incoming players will need to bring the following items the first practice, if they have not already done so:

o Completed Physical & Medical History (forms can be found on BISD Website) /player must personally hand in to trainers

UIL Previous Athletic Participation Form (if new to BHS)

UIL mandated Forms (forms can be located for completion on Rank One BISD Sports Medicine Webpage)

·  Sudden Cardiac Awareness form

·  Parent Consent Form

·  Illegal Steroid Form

·  Emergency Contact Form

·  Concussion Acknowledgement Form

BHS Lady Hawk Soccer Contract(found on in this packet)

BHS Athletic/Towel Fee $10.00 (as directed by BHS Athletic Dept.)

As a parent your active support is vital to the success of the program. Becoming a booster club member is critical for the future development of our program.

The following handbook is written to clarify certain expectations pertaining to the BHS Women’s Soccer Program. It is written as an aid to hopefully eliminate any misunderstanding that might occur during the season. The handbook is not meant to eliminate communication between Players, Parents, and Coaches, but to assist all parties with understanding of general information. Some of this information may be redundant but we perceive it all as very important. Furthermore, please keep in mind this handbook is a living document and will be updated each school year.

Thank you for choosing to be a part of Our BHS Soccer Family. Please make sure both you and your athlete are familiar with the team expectations, rules, policies, and commitments listed in this packet. You are important to the success of our program and I am looking forward to working with each of you!

Thanks Again,

Coach Brown & Coach Nichols

Lady Hawk Soccer Mission Statement:

“It is the goal of the Lady Hawk Soccer Program to cultivate a life-long appreciation for athletics and apassionfor the game of soccer in each student-athlete. The Lady Hawk Soccer Program will foster soccer, leadership, social, emotional, time management, and teamwork skills necessary to carry students successfully into their future. The Lady Hawk Soccer Program student-athletes will be better human beings as a result of their experience in soccer while at Birdville High School.”

Coach’s Philosophy:

As a coach, I believe in developing the student athlete mentally and physically, maximizing the player’s potentials through a love of soccer, desire, commitment, and high intensity practices. As a role model and mentor, I will illustrate the importance of respect, integrity, hard work, and teamwork and try instill those values into each athlete. The Lady Hawks soccer team will utilize a variety of tactics based on individual team needs, thus resulting in an exciting brand of soccer. We will emphasize the importance of the fundamentals & team tactics, knowledge of the sport, and the representation of BHS. We will attempt to teach the students about game of soccer as well as prepare them for life’s current & future challenges. We are committed to developing our players into well-rounded individuals ready for the challenges that await them in their future. We will always instill in our players the understanding that the commitment to our virtues’, our families, our school and our community must be strong to contribute to the overall success of the program.

Objectives of your Coaches

·  To be loyal to you in all areas.

·  To be totally honest.

·  To provide the leadership and training necessary to achieve goals.

·  To treat players, parents, managers, teachers, administrator’s officials and opponents with dignity and respect.

·  To make decisions that are best for the “Team” first and then for the individual.

·  To help you mature and grow as person and player thru constructive criticism.

·  To abide by BISD and UIL standards.

·  To train players to play with good sportsmanship and to abide by the rules of the game.

·  To get each player to play to their full potential and put each player in a position to improve and contribute to the team.

·  To promote a constructive atmosphere within our soccer program.

·  To challenge every player to help them be the best they can be in academics and athletics.

·  To maintain an open door policy.

What your Coaches CAN, WILL, and DO Assume

It is important that you understand that we are making four assumptions. The program is developed with these assumptions paramount in our mind. If you are not in complete agreement with all four of these assumptions, it is best for you not to ever begin the program because there will be constant problems. The assumptions explain to you where the coaches are trying to go with the program. If you are trying to go in a different direction, then you and the coaches will never be able to work together.

1.  We assume you want to be the best athlete you can be. This is important because when our coaches look at you they see what you could and should be and will push you to achieve your maximum. You will never be allowed to settle for less than your best.

o  We look for a player that works at sharpening their technical ability. We must strive to do the basics as perfect as possible (passing & receiving, dribbling, shooting). Great players are always working on these things, even at a world class level.

o  We want players who try to exceed their mental & physical limits. Endurance, strength, speed & agility are the physical characteristics that we are looking for.

o  We want players who can understand and read the game well. Each player should understand that this is a vital part of the game. If you don’t understand some aspects, learn them. We are here to teach you.

o  We want players who are extremely coachable and willing to take constructive criticism in order to become better players.

We believe that in order to be a great player effort is always in the forefront of a players work ethic. And if your best players are you hardest workers then your team will only follow their lead.

o  A Great Athlete will give Maximum effort 100% of the practice & game time.

o  An Average Athlete will give 100% effort 80% of the practice & game time.

o  A Participant (or Non- Team Player) will 80% effort 100% of the practice & game time.

2.  We assume you want to become a leader in various aspect of your life. This could be within your church, your family, or your team. We believe that coaches generally facilitate a team but, all players must take ownership of the team & the program, making their leadership vital to our success as a team.

3.  We assume you want to play on a championship team. Being a Lady Hawk soccer player means that you have the rare blend of physical skills along with the drive, passion, and toughness needed to succeed at the highest level of Texas-UIL high school athletics. Our practices, our off-season, and our summer program are designed to produce a champion. You understand that decisions made are made with the priority being the team and the individual must come second. Players must understand the position they play is where they help the team the most and cannot always be where they or their parents want them to play.

4.  We assume you expect to graduate with the highest grades that you are capable of making. At Birdville High School, our students, faculty, and coaching staff pride themselves as state and national leaders in upholding the student-athlete idea that balances a challenging academic program with the demand of being a successful high school athlete. Being a Lady Hawk soccer player means that you have the pledge to be a student-athlete in the purest sense. In doing so, you will be rewarded for a lifetime. We will not simply try to keep you eligible; you will be pushed to make the highest grades that you are capable of making. You will be responsible to the team to turn in all assigned work on time.

5.  We assume you want to become a better person. You understand that you represent our team; you may very well be the only athlete some people ever know. Your character is a direct reflection of our program. We assume that you understand that you will always be a member of our athletic program. You will understand that there are many benefits to being in the program and with these benefits comes accountability for your actions. We will help you become all you can be off the pitch as well as on the pitch.

6.  We assume our players will conduct their personal lives in a manner that’s brings honor to themselves, their family, their community, their district, their school, and their team. This includes but is not limited to school performances, self respect, healthy behaviors, and social responsibility. We believe that when a player makes a poor choice off the field they are placing themselves before their team. Teams must be able to trust their teammates.

Birdville High School

Lady Hawks Soccer

“A Tradition of Honor Leads to Success”

Player Standards

Class Period Expectations

Class Period ~ “Play Your Way In”

  Each season we will be completing a one week play your way into the Soccer Class tryout period. We will be playing 4v4, 7v7, and 11v11 during the first week of school in order to evaluate each player within a competitive setting.

  At the completion of that week we post a list of all players whom will remain in the class. The remainder will be receiving a schedule change. If you do not make the class you need to see your counselor at that time in order to get a schedule change.

  If you are unable to play your way in at that time you will need to continue to work out on your own and by all means please feel free to come back to tryouts which begin in late November. Generally we begin tryouts the day we return from Thanksgiving Break. (This tryout will also include those who are coming out from any other activities or obligations).

  Remember if you show up on day one without a current UIL physical you are only falling behind and risk being cut.

"The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when no one else is watching." ~Anson Dorrance~

Class Period

  You have “7 Minutes-when outside” and “5 Minutes-when inside” after the tardy bell to be warming-up

  You may only change clothes in the BHS locker room, Restrooms located near BHS practice field, or in the FAAC restroom (when practicing at FAAC).

  All players will train in weight room twice a week. (Players will be strongly encouraged to attend BHS Summer Strength & conditioning camp, as well as, spend two extra after school sessions in the weight room).

  All Varsity players are required to be in the soccer class period.

Practice Attire

  Both Cleats and Tennis shoes (or flats)… Sweats (black, green, or gray only) when needed.

  Proper equipment will be worn at all times during all practices.

  T-Shirt Schedule:

o  MONDAY-Green

o  TUESDAY-Hot Pink

o  WEDNESDAY-Yellow

o  THURSDAY-Turquoise

o  FRIDAY-White

  No jewelry will be worn & your hair must be pulled back at all times.

  You may only change clothes in the BHS locker room, Restrooms located near BHS practice field, or in the FAAC restroom (when practicing at FAAC).

Grading Policy for Soccer Class

·  Athletes will start each six weeks with a grade of 100% and deductions may be made for the following violations:

o  Unexcused absences: Each infraction WILL result in ten points being deducted from the six weeks average plus, 3 unexcused absences WILL result in removal from the class.

o  Failure to dress out/Improper Dress: Each infraction WILL result in ten points being deducted from the six weeks average plus BHS Team Discipline Process.

o  Failure to workout and/or practice: Each infraction WILL result in ten points being deducted from the six weeks average plus BHS Team Discipline Process.

Attendance:

·  If you are going to be absent from the class you are required to call Coach Brown (817-547-8330) and notify him that day by 8:00am. If you leave before practice an email is also required. All unexcused absences and tardies will be made up at end of practice upon returning to school.

·  Attendance at all practices, team meetings, and games is mandatory. While injured players may be unable to play, they are still expected to arrive on time, listen to coaches and encourage teammates and assist the team.

Locker Rooms:

·  You are responsible for keeping your individual area clean and as a team keeping the locker room neat. You are trusted to keep your locker orderly and neat. The coach will check each locker room after practice for any items not picked up. Only athletes are allowed in the locker rooms. Do not invite anyone in without prior permission.

Soccer Class Practice Expectations:

·  All players will provide maximum effort in matches & practice sessions. Use the “acknowledgement rule” at all times (using good listening, appropriate verbalization and eye contact.)

·  The way you train during practice is the way you will play in the game. Developing a training mentality begins with YOU. As you improve, so does your team. You must be willing to push yourself and your teammates to the edge. We will practice with a purpose. We will practice to Win.