Maple Valley Raiders Volleyball

Handbook – student athlete / parent 2016

“Creating learning excellence and readiness in a changing world”

Core Values:

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Coaching Staff

Alecia Killoran – Varsity

701-793-2534 - Cell

Katie Pautz – Junior Varsity

701-749-2570 - High School

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Coaching Responsibilities:

The Maple Valley Volleyball Coaching staff will provide a safe and positive learning environment. The coaches will create competitive practices and progress the skills of every athlete. The Maple Valley Volleyball program also strives to build and create various characteristics that will last a lifetime.

The Maple Valley Volleyball Coaching staff will act with integrity, fairness, respect, and honesty. These actions will be reflected in our coaching, our interactions with officials and our opponents. We expect our athletes and parents to follow this example.

The coaches are responsible for providing Maple Valley with a competitive volleyball program. Playing time will be awarded by the following: ability, attitude, work ethic, focus, coach-ability, and attendance.

Parent/Guardians Responsibilities:

We appreciate all of the commitments and support that you give to Maple Valley Athletics.

  • Be supportive of your child’s participation on the team.
  • Help your child meet her responsibilities to the team.
  • Inform the coach of any situation that may have an affect on performance or health.
  • Let the coach be the coach.
  • Provide only positive comments to officials, athletes and coaches during competition.
  • Act in a way that your athlete and coaching staff will be proud of.
  • Be in control of your emotions.
  • Cheer for your team.
  • Please ask questions.
  • Please be prompt when picking up and dropping off your athlete.

Athlete’s Responsibilities:

Practice:

Athletes are expected to come to practice prepared. This means that they allow time to put on their equipment (shoes, knee pads, etc.) before practice starts. All athletes are expected to help set up and take down equipment. Tardiness is not showing preparedness.

Athletes need to have their hair pulled back and off of her face. This includes practices and games.

Hygiene:

Athletes need to be aware of the emerging cases of MRSA, H1N1 and other infectious diseases. Athletes will have their own water bottle and will not share. Athletes will provide their own towel. Athletes are expected to wash practice clothing and kneepads on a regular basis.

Uniforms:

Each athlete will be assigned a jersey and athletes are expected to keep the jersey in excellent condition. If there is any damage to the jersey, the athlete will be expected to pay for a replacement. The jerseys will be turned in following the last game.

Athletes need to wear appropriate shoes for volleyball. Ankle braces and kneepads are not required but are highly recommended. Our volleyball program wears black spandex shorts that the players are responsible for purchasing.

Injuries:

The coaching staff and officials attempt to keep our athletes safe but unfortunately accidents and injuries happen. If your athlete is injured in practice/competition, she will be seen the following Tuesday at the High School, or as soon as a parent/guardian can bring her to the doctor. Athletes are expected to be honest with illnesses and injuries. It is up to the medical/athletic training staff to determine when the athlete can resume practicing and competition. Athletes are expected to attend practice if the injury or illness allows.

Please keep in mind that an injury or illness may change the role an athlete plays on a team. If an athlete is out of practice and competition, she will have to earn her spot and prove that she is physically and mentally ready.

Pre Season

The first week will consist of 2 full practices per day and 1 small group practice. Towards the end of the week, we will do more scrimmage drills so we can see the girls in a competitive setting. We will have individual meetings with each player. At this time, teams will be determined. A contract indicating each individual player’s areas of strength and improvement, as well as potential position and playing time will be given to each player. This is to be signed by the player, parents and coach and returned the following day.

During the season it is the sole responsibility of the athlete to ask questions about playing time. Please remember that coaches are willing to discuss issues and answer questions, but there is a time and place for everything. That time is not after a competition. We would be happy to set up a meeting to discuss any questions that you have.

Pre Season is a stressful time for all involved. Players are nervous and need support from home regardless of ability and playing time. Coaches take this procedure very seriously and do not make any decisions lightly. It takes a great deal of time and thought to evaluate players while keeping the team goals at the forefront.

All in season practices are MANDATORY! If you miss a practice there will be consequences.

Journals

Each player will have a journal that will be given to them. This is to help them reflect on the players and persons that they are. They are to bring these to every practice and every game. They should always have a writing utensil with their journal. A journal is a great way to track your goals and communicate with your coaches. The journals will be read by coaching staff per the player’s discretion. I want them to hold themselves accountable while getting to know who they are.

Cell Phone Policy

There will be no phones during any volleyball related functions.

Game Day/ Travel:

On game days you will dress to represent our program. Your captains will be in charge of your game day attire. We will travel by school bus for most competitions and tournaments. All athletes are expected to ride to and from competitions with the team. Athletes should have a travel bag and double check for all required equipment prior to departure. Extra uniforms will not be available in the case that you forget yours. Athletes that are not on time for the bus departure may be left.

We want to emphasize that student-athletes are students first and need to make their schoolwork and studies a priority. Athletes need to prioritize homework and make arrangements for away games. We will have the scheduled snacks from each player before competition, but make sure that your daughter has money or food for after the competition.

The Maple Valley District policy for riding home with a parent will need to be followed if there is a circumstance that warrants a student to go with their family rather than the team. We travel various distances for tournaments and competitions. This may result in arriving in Tower City very late in the evening. The bus is expected to be left clean after each use.

Captains:

Responsibilities of the captains are:

  • Discuss player concerns with coaching staff and help resolve conflicts.
  • Show leadership on and off the court.
  • Model hard work, academic success and the skills of the game.
  • Demonstrate sportsmanship and a positive attitude towards teammates, coaches, and officials.
  • Abides by team rules and demonstrates responsible decision-making (does not have any prior NDHSAA violations).

Absences:

Athletes need to have a signed note from a doctor or parent for any absence from school and practice. Athletes are students first and need to maintain academic eligibility. Life happens and athletes may miss a practice or two. Please call your coach or send your coach an email about the absence prior to practice.

Any athlete who has an unexcused absence from school or practice will not be involved in the next competition.

If an athlete has two or more unexcused absences, the athlete will have a conference with the coach and parent/guardian.

Drugs/Alcohol/Illegal Activity:

Maple Valley does not tolerate any illegal substances or participation in any illegal activity. Our student athletes will always play and practice drug free. Our students will act in a positive and responsible manner on and off the court.

Any violation will follow the NDHSAA guidelines. After that probation period is served, an athlete’s playing time does not automatically return.

Academic Eligibility:

Maple Valley Raiders are students first, and athletes second. It is the athlete’s responsibility to maintain a strong GPA and remain caught up on the schoolwork. Please do not hesitate to ask your coaching staff for help if your grades are falling behind. We want to be proactive not reactive.

Lettering:

Athletes are eligible to receive a Varsity Letter if she participates as part of the Varsity roster for the entire season; this includes post-season practices and competitions.

Lettering Infractions: If any school or volleyball policies are broken, I as the coach will be the sole decision maker of not lettering a player.

Important Date Information:

Pre Season – August 15th:

8-10:00 AM – All grades 9-12

10-11:00 AM - 9th and 10th graders

1-3:00 PM - All grades 9-12

3-4:00 PM - 11th and 12th graders

  • Players Picnic/Swim at Ashtabula on Wednesday August 17th at 4pm
  • Our practice times will shift to 3:30-5:00 pm beginning on August 22nd( WARM UPS)
  • We have our first match on 8/27

Please let us know what we can do for you and your athlete. We want your involvement with our program to be a positive, worthwhile and memorable one!

Thank you!! Our staff is very excited for the 2015 season!! Let’s Go Raiders!!!

Alecia Killoran and the Maple Valley Coaching Staff

Integrity, Respect, Excellence, Adaptability, Engagement & Collaboration

As a Parent and member of the Raider Volleyball Team

I agree to the following:

*To follow all rules and guidelines set by the North Dakota High School Activities Association.

*To follow all the rules and guidelines set by the handbook from Maple Valley High School

*To follow all the rules and guidelines in the team handbook

*To model the proper behavior and attitude that exemplifies good sportsmanship both on and off the court, and in and out of season.

*To treat my teammates, coaches, managers, opponents, officials and fans with respect

*To accept any and all consequences of not complying with the rules and guidelines of our team.

*To always give my best effort in practice and in games, even in the face of adversity.

Athletes Signature:______Date:______

Parents Signature:______Date:______

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