BISON FOOTBALL HANDBOOK

The primary purpose of this handbook is to acquaint you with the philosophy, guidelines, policies, and schedules of the Vista Peak Football Program. You are responsible to read, understand, and follow the policies of this handbook.

Our policies have been put in this booklet so you can refer to them throughout the year when you feel it is necessary. You are expected to have your parents read and sign the back page. You also need to sign the back page and return it to me, please.

This handbook was made to assure that you understand what we expect from you. It is our attempt at avoiding any misunderstanding. We hope that you will read and use it as a guideline, for your benefit.

Be assured that we will always help any of our student-athletes through any obstacles they may incur.

John Sullivan

Head Football Coach

Vista Peak PREP

PHILOSOPHY OF BELIEFS

VISTA PEAK FOOTBALL PROGRAM

OVERALL COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Athletics and football are only a small portion of a much bigger educational picture:

We are a small part of the educational process and we stress to our student-athletes that for all practical purposes none of them will ever make a living playing football so they need to stay up on their academic work. Our students cannot see football as the end but rather as just part of the journey. However, we also recognize the value and importance of football to many students. Therefore, we start each year by clearly stating these clearly set priorities:

Faith

Family

Academics

Football

EVERYTHING ELSE

Athletics can be a very rewarding and beneficial educational experience for the student athlete:

Once again, we know how important extra-curricular activities are to some of our students. When we keep things in perspective we know that athletics can be a powerful educational experience. Many adults remember these extra-curricular far more vividly than their academic classes. Within the school walls I have worked ,we can find numerous success stories due to the influence of athletics. Personally, I call the extra-curricular element of education “enrichment for the student body.” We offer many advanced classes in our academic setting that service only the top 25% or so of the student body. It is my belief, extra-curricular activities are similar to these advanced classes; however, they are available to anyone who is willing to give great effort. Because we think this is a very worthwhile activity, we will actively recruit young men to become involved in our program.

Players and coaches must believe in our philosophy and they should play a part in developing and implementing the philosophy and team standards:

This is a requirement of all our coaches on our staff. In turn, they will instill this philosophy in our players. The best programs in the state have this as a common element and it is mandatory for our success.

The philosophy will stay basically the same from week to week and from year to year:

When a young man arrives in our program at the earliest point he can expect to receive a scaled-down version of what is going on in the highest level. By the time they become seniors they will clearly understand our system because they will have been part of the Vista Peak family for numerous years.

Prepare to beat great teams:

From the very start we will begin preperation to beat the best squads on our schedule. After our program is established we will set our sights on competing against the best teams in the entire state. Playing for a conference title will not be our only objective.

Everyone must have a TEAM concept:

We will stress the importance of TEAM in everything we do. Everyone on the TEAM is significant and can make a contribution. We want our players to understand this concept and we will not tolerate anyone who varies from this position

BISON TEAM RULES

  1. Be Honest
  2. Be Respectful
  3. Be Punctual
  4. Give Great Effort
  5. Play as a TEAM and Have Fun

We Will….

  1. Find players who will do things our way.
  2. Run a disciplined program at all levels
  3. Win with hard work and fundamentals. We will not be out-worked by other staffs in the state.
  4. Always practice with purpose. We want to prepare our kids for every game situation and for life.
  5. Coaches will set the tempo for this program. Coach with enthusiasm and intensity. Always be honest with your players and let them know exactly where they stand.
  6. Win not only by making the big play, but also by eliminating the bad one. We will be fundamentally sound in all that we do.
  7. Never play a team that is better fundamentally, or that plays harder, we will never quit as long as there is time on the clock.
  8. Be totally committed to this program.
  9. Teach the importance of a positive mental attitude in all that we strive to accomplish in life.
  10. Develop and learn the habits of dedication and sacrifice.
  11. Always coach and play within the rules and confines of the game.
  12. Strive to keep our priorities in order

A. Faith

B. Family

C. Academics

D. Football

E. Everything Else

VP BISON FOOTBALL TEAM POLICIES

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION IN THE BISON PROGRAM

  1. Be taught how to develop self-confidence and self-worth.
  2. Learn the value and rewards of teamwork and giving great effort each and every day.
  3. Learn Leadership skills
  4. Develop positive character traits that will stay with them for the rest of their lives
  5. Learn the importance of a proper mental attitude
  6. Develop special friendships with teammates and memories that will last a lifetime
  7. Be taught ethical values
  8. Be taught the importance of self-discipline and commitment in all areas of their lives

I. PRIORITIES

A. Faith

B. Family

C. Academics

D. Football

E. Everything Else

II. BISONNON-NEGOTIABLE RULES

A. BE HONEST: This is the most significant rule on this team. If we are to live and work to our utmost limits we need to be able to trust one another. Integrity and honesty are not just words; they are traits to live by. We expect every team member and coach to abide by this standard.

B. BE PUNCTUAL: Begin the habit of being on time. This is an important trait you will be developing for your entire life. Offenders of this will have “Reminders” after practice if this becomes a problem.

C. BE RESPECTFUL: Please understand that we are preparing to succeed. You will be mentally and physically pushed, prodded and pulled in an attempt to be the best you can. Do not take offense at constructive criticism, learn from it and try to improve the next time. DO NOT ever talk back to any of the coaches during a practice or game. If you feel a need to visit with any of the coaches concerning a problem you may do so after practice, one on one as an adult.

D. GIVE GREAT EFFORT!!!:We are in the education business and we would be doing a great injustice by allowing anyone to give ½ effort when they can give it their all. We expect tremendous effort, determination, and toughness throughout the season. We believe this starts in practice and comes out in the games. Playing time will be earned during practice so be prepared to compete.

E. PLAY AS A TEAM AND HAVE FUN: We all spend a great deal of time playing and preparing to play this great game of football. We hope we all take time to enjoy the fun of high school football, the competition and togetherness is what makes the game exciting for everyone involved, along with the great feeling that comes from playing to your full potential.

III. General guidelines and Expectations –

Do not get involved with or do anything that would ever embarrass the other member or coaches of this football team. This includes non-school hours. Everything you do reflects on this program.

A. Loyalty – you are expected to be loyal always to your teammates and coaches.

B. Character and Class – Be strong morally and show it in all you do.

C. Positive Attitude – Constantly compliment each other; it wears off on others

D. Sacrifice – The team will always come before the individual. Do no put yourself ahead of the team or allow yourself to be selfish.

IV. Specific Areas

A. Classroom – Conduct yourself as a gentleman and show respect for your teachers. Do not get into trouble either by misbehaving or attendance. Do not expect coaches to bail our student athletes out of classroom jams. If you misbehave in class, we will introduce you to “Reminders.”

B. On the Field – We will not tolerate on the field behavior that; 1) draws attention to yourself and not the team; or 2) Embarrasses our team and school. We will celebrate great plays with each other. There will be no individual performances. 3) Obviously, no taunting, fighting, pushing, mouthing, etc.

C. Practices

  1. Be on time or early
  2. No absence except for sickness/death

***If you are sick or injured and do not attend practice, you must complete the SAME CONDITIONING AS THOSE WHO ATTENDED PRACTICE the days that you were gone.

  1. You must call or text Coach Sullivan if you need to be absent and it must be BEFORE practice. (720) 427-7726
  2. First unexcused absence—3 sets of reminders following practice
  3. Second unexcused absence – See Coach
  4. Late to practice – 1 set of Reminders
  5. If you are injured and can’t practice, you still need to come to practice and go with your position coach to listen and learn and rehab your injuries.
  6. Only equipment checked out to you will be accepted as proper practice attire.
  7. Report any injuries to a coach before you go home.

D. Equipment – Each of you will be checked out over $500 worth of gear. Take care of it and inspect it periodically, especially your helmet and shoulder pads. Lock up your gear because you are responsible for it if it’s lost.

E. Travel – Have everything you need for the game CHECK and DOUBLE CHECK

i. You not only represent our football team when we travel, but also Vista Peak, your family, and our community…ACT AS SUCH!!

ii. We travel as a team … WE RETURN HOME AS A TEAM, WIN OR LOSE. Only extenuating circumstances will discussed PRIOR to game day.

F. Facility— Our facilities are your home away from home so please treat as such.

G. Privilege - It is a privilege to be a member of the Vista Peak PREP Football Team. You and I are not more important than the team. If it ever becomes necessary for me to have to choose between you and the team…I WILL ALWAYS CHOOSE THE TEAM.

H. Little things makes a difference

1. Be in the locker room 5 minutes after the last period of the day

2. Look at a coach when he is talking to you

3. Finish every drill, every sprint the proper way. No shortcuts.

4. Personal goals will never come before team goals

This team does not exist to help your stats

A successful person learns to get along with less praise than he deserves.

Do not pay any attention to what anyone says in the press or internet

A team can accomplish great things if no on cares who gets credit

“He whose ranks are united in purpose shall be victorious”

-Sun Tzu

A general rule of thumb is that if you have to ask, you probably shouldn’t be doing it

VISTA PEAK BISON FOOTBALL

SPRING & Summer Expectations

There will be over 50 “football opportunities” that will occur over the course of the summer (possibly more). Of those 50 days, 33 days will be weight room opportunities. Attendance will be kept at ALL football activities and in the weight room.

Our expectations are that you be at 35of those football activities, 25 of those being weight room days. This is not only for us to get better as a football team, but also for your well-being and safety.

For each day that you fall short of these requirements you will have to “make – up days” after each practice once 2 – a – days begin. You will NOT be allowed to dress in any football issued equipment until your days have been met.

Example: You have 21 days of weight room attendance over the Summer; You have 4 days to make-up. After the first morning of 2 – a – days you make up 1, after the night practice (2), after the next morning (3), and after the 2nd night practice (4).

We have a tremendous amount of work to do to get where we want to be. The only way for us to achieve at the highest level, is through hard work and dedication.

VISTA PEAK PREP FOOTBALL

I have read and understand the guidelines and policies of the Vista Peak Football Handbook and agree to follow these guidelines throughout the football season.

Student Athlete Name (Please Print): ______

Student Athlete Signature: ______

Date: ______

Parent Name (Please Print): ______

Parent Signature: ______

Date: ______

Preseason Parent Meeting

  1. Staff Introductions
  2. Team Rules
  3. Playing time
  1. Playing time comes down to trust
  2. We constantly evaluate and won’t always agree with parents/players
  3. Issues should be addressed via a conversation between your son, his position coach and Coach Sullivan before any parent conversations will occur
  1. Player Expectations
  1. Teammate
  2. Classroom
  3. Attendance
  1. All in season functions are mandatory
  2. Be prepared to practice fall break and Power Session
  3. Try to schedule appointments on
  1. Eliminate Excuses
  2. Integrity and character
  3. No substitute for hard work
  1. Letter Requirements
  1. Start 1 game
  2. Play at least 20 varsity quarters
  3. Scout team Player of the year
  4. Coaches Discretion
  1. Fundraising
  1. Our Budget is minimal
  2. Unlimited Card- 10 cards given and $300 needs to come back
  3. Equipment, field equipment, Home Uniforms, Helmet reconditioning
  1. We Need Parents and Families Involved