2017 MHSVolleyball Policy Handbook
Please understand that our goal number one is to provide a positive experience for all members of our program. There are rules and guidelines in place to help ensure we achieve this and other goals.
1)If a coach makes a request of a player – that request should be carried out by the player to the best of their ability, immediately – without questioning or attitude.
2) Please be aware of any and all MHS Athletics and MSHSL rules in regards to eligibility, substance use and any infractions that could result in a loss of eligibility for volleyball. Ie: Academic standards, detention, participation standards, etc... It is your responsibility to know and accept the consequences of these rules.
3) We ask that your commitment hierarchy be: Family, School then Volleyball. Any absence or conflict arising from another avenue must be resolved in advance with your team coach, or your eligibility will be in jeopardy. Injured players should be dressed in appropriate volleyball equipment and engaged in all of the team practices and competitions while rehabilitating their injury.
4) Playing time philosophy is as such: We will make every effort to create and foster a role for each athlete. We make no guarantees about playing time and cannot institute any kind of "equal playing time" agenda. We will make certain every player has a clearly defined role within her team provided they are in good standing with their team coach. Please understand that there can and will be differences in opinion between participants, parents and coaches as to playing time. While the coach will always take part in conversation with families regarding their individual daughter – the coach will not discuss another player or in-game strategies (which includes the choices regarding starting lineups and substitution patterns).
Conflict Resolution:
All issues that arise should follow this protocol: A) The player speaks with the Team Coach, B) The player speaks with the Team Coach and Head Coach, C) The player and parent speak with the Head Coach, D) If the issue cannot be resolved after these steps, then the Club Director will become involved.
5) Please allow 24 hours after a match to address any issues with the coaching staff. Emotions can run high for players, coaches and parents immediately after a contest and no issues will be addressed with a family pursuant to a particular match until 24 hours after the fact.
6) Understand that substance use will not be tolerated. The first offense will be dealt with under MSHSL rules and/or lead to expulsion from the volleyball program. The offender will also lose eligibility for captaincy for the remainder of her volleyball career. The second offense will terminate eligibility for the volleyball program indefinitely.
7) Understand you are a student/athlete. If grades or attendance standards fall below guidelines published by middle school or the MSHSL you will be ineligible to compete unless there are special circumstances resolved with the coaches and school staff.
8) Personal conduct. If you are found to be conducting yourself in a manner that is detrimental to yourself or the MHS Volleyball program, you will be notified in writing of a violation. If you fail to correct the behavior outlined in a performance improvement plan provided by the coaching staff you will be in jeopardy of losing eligibility to participate in the MHS Volleyball program. Personal conduct includes but is not limited to: negative interactions with MHS team members, hazing, abuse of equipment, dishonesty and inappropriate use of social media
9) You must have appropriate volleyball equipment to participate at MCE. Appropriate volleyball equipment is defined as a T-shirt with sleeves that is long enough to tuck in, athletic shorts and ankle socks with no kneepads or long socks when wearing kneepads.
10) Our team’s focus will divided between having fun and enjoying the privilege it is to play volleyball – and while maintaining a workplace like environment in practice more often than not. This is a high school preparatory team and it would do the players a great disservice to not understand the ideal ratio of working hard and having a good time. These two are not mutually exclusive!
Addendums to this policy will be made in writing and distributed immediately.