2016

INFORMATIONAL

HANDBOOK

For

Players, Parents and Coaches

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Mission of West Michigan Junior Football League:Page 3

League OrganizationPage 3

2016 Board of DirectorsPage 3

League Web SitePage 3

SportsmanshipPage 4

Code of EthicsPage 4

Team Organization (Coaches & Players)Page 5

Guidelines for CoachesPage 6

Guidelines for PlayersPage 6&7

Guidelines for ParentsPage 7&8

This Informational Handbook was prepared by the Directors of West Michigan Junior Football League (WMJFL) in an effort to answer common questions asked by parents, players and coaches. If you have suggestions for improvements, please contact your local director.

OUR MISSION…

Character, Courage and Loyalty

West Michigan Junior Football League is a program of service to children in grades 3rd-6th. It is geared to provide an outlet of healthful activity and training under adult leadership in an atmosphere of wholesome community participation. The program inspires youth with a goal and enriches their lives towards the day when they must take their place in the world. It establishes the value of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play.

West Michigan Junior Football League is currently comprised of teams from various communities. They include Allendale, Byron Center, Dorr, Fennville, Hamilton, Holland, Kelloggsville, Saugatuck, South Christian, Unity Christian, Wayland, West Ottawa, Wyoming and Zeeland. Our league must adhere to all rules and regulations established by the West Michigan Junior Football League.

League Organization

The West Michigan Junior Football League is a program that is constructed, supervised and assisted by directors who offer organized football to their respective communities.

Each community sets up and administers each of their teams. Each community director is responsible for the teams that play under its registration.

The West Michigan Junior Football League has an equal board of directors that consists of one representative from each community. These directors meet to discuss the further advancement of the league. Each community MUST provide a representative to attend all necessary meetings. Each community will be assigned a task each football season. If a community fails to attend the necessary meetings or fails to complete their tasks they will risk being eliminated from the league.

2016 Board of Directors

Allendale:Chris Jones

Byron Center:Derek Melville

Dorr:Ryan Lenhart/Don Laidler

Fennville:Joe Rodriguez

Hamilton:Eric Talsma/BJ Nykamp

Holland:Jeremy Myers/Juan Alfaro

Kelloggsville:Josh Barnes/Bruce Foster

Saugatuck:Scott Kierzek

South Christian:Todd Schrotenboer/Joe Skinner

Unity Christian:Mark Te Slaa

Wayland:Mike Omness

West Ottawa:Darrin Duistermars/John Kievit

Wyoming:Kenny Westrate

Zeeland:Kelli Koss

WMJFL Web Site:

SPORTSMANSHIP

  • A zero tolerance rule for unsportsmanlike conduct was placed into effect for the WMJFL.
  • It will be the responsibility of each head official and/or field director to ensure compliance with the tolerance rule is maintained.
  • The head official will maintain full authority of implementing penalties or ejections associated with this rule.
  • Foul language used by a coach or player will be cause for immediate ejection from the game. Foul or abusive language used by a parent or fan will result in a 15-yard penalty against the sideline charged. A second offense by the parent will result in ejection from the game of their child.
  • Any parent stepping onto the field of play while displaying unsportsmanlike behavior will be ejected from the field area. Play will not resume until the parent has departed or been removed.
  • Fighting will not be tolerated. Any player initiating or involved in a fight on the playing field will be ejected and will not be allowed to participate without the approval of the respective local league directors and/or the WMJFL Board
  • Any coach involved in promoting unsportsmanlike conduct amongst his players may be ejected without warning if deemed necessary by the Head Official.
  • Coaches ejected from a game will sit out the next official game. Coaches ejected from a game will immediately leave the field area. Additional suspensions may be considered by the respective local league director and/or the WMJFL Board if deemed necessary.

WMJFL CODE OF ETHICS:

All directors, coaches and officials will adhere to all the rules and regulations of the W.M.J.F.L. If any infraction of the league rules/regulations occurs then disciplinary action will be enforced accordingly.

I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for my team participating in youth sports by following this Coaches Code of Ethics:

  • I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches and officials at every game, practice or other youth sports events.
  • I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my team ahead of my personal desire to win.
  • I will insist that my team play in a safe and healthy environment.
  • I will require that all coaches be trained in the responsibilities of being a youth sports coach and that the coach holds up the Coaches Code of Ethics.
  • I will support the players, parents and officials working with my team, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
  • I will demand a sports environment for my team that is free from drugs, tobacco and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
  • I will remember that the game is for youth – not adults.
  • I will do my best to make youth sports fun for my team.
  • I will ask my team to treat other players, coaches, fans and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability.

TEAM ORGANIZATION

HEAD COACHES

It is impossible to overstate the importance of adults who accept primary responsibility for your child’s football playing experience. Each community strives to engage qualified adults who possess the ability to model the philosophy of our league and who have the commitment to instill these values in each player. Training young football players in the fundamentals of teamwork, good sportsmanship and discipline are our primary objectives.

Each community will ask each head coach to sign a “code of conduct” which sets forth their responsibilities and the level of commitment expected of them.

A Good Head Coach:

  • Will be a positive role model to players, fellow coaches and fans.
  • Will coordinate a field and schedule practice.
  • Responsible for substitutions.
  • Will attend all of the league meetings.
  • Will make reasonable disciplinary rules and stick with them.
  • Will make sure that injuries are reported.
  • Will establish a communication tree so all players can be notified of game delays, schedule changes or other important matters.

ASSISTANT COACHES

Assistant Coaches assist the Head Coach in directing practices and games. Assistant Coaches complete the same training and must adhere to the same philosophies as the Head Coach.

A Good Assistant Coach:

  • Will be selected by the director or head coach.
  • May attend league meetings in place of the head coach.
  • May fill in for the Head Coach during games.
  • Will help carry out practices.
  • Will be a positive role model to players, fellow coaches and fans.

PLAYERS

They are the reason we are all here. A Good Player will:

  • Be at practice on time.
  • Be encouraging to teammates.
  • Be respectful and demonstrate good sportsmanship to coaches, opponents and game officials.
  • Practice on their own time at home, as well

WEST MICHIGAN JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE: GUIDELINES FOR COACHES

All Coaches are required to read and adhere to the following “Commitment to Coaching”.

“As a coach of a WMJFL team, I understand I am committed to all of the following:

  • Attend all meetings setup by your community’s directors.
  • Have a working knowledge of the rules, which pertain to the division you are coaching.
  • Organize and conduct regularly scheduled practices.
  • Assure that each player is in full uniform for each game.
  • Communicate with players and parents your practice schedule and expectations as a coach and make yourself available to each player and parent to address any concerns they might have regarding your team.
  • Arrive at each game at least one hour before it starts in order to get players warmed up and ready for weigh-in.
  • Insure a safe practice environment. Keep medical emergency forms and first aid kit available at practices and games.

The purpose of the football coaching commitment is to increase the quality of each player’s football experience. As in everything else, the more you put into the coaching, the better coach you will become. Coaching is a wonderful opportunity to have a positive impact on your child and their friends. Thank you for volunteering and good luck this season.

WEST MICHIGAN JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE: GUIDELINES FOR PLAYERS

Please speak with your football players to make sure each player understands and abides by the following expectations:

COMMITMENT

1.Players are expected to:

  • Participate in team practices, scrimmages, games and tournament games.
  • Arrive on time.
  • Bring necessary equipment.
  • Pay attention to and follow directions of the coaches of your team.
  • Learn and follow the rules of the game.
  • Try their best at all times.
  • Learn from your mistakes.

2.Players should also:

  • Spend time at home playing catch, kicking and other tasks which use and improve football skills.

3.WMJFL suggests the following priorities:

  • Family
  • School and Church
  • Sports team and School activities
  • Other recreation activities

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR: As a player, I will make every effort to:

  • Follow the discipline rules developed by the coach.
  • Hustle on and off the field.
  • Stay with my teammates on the sidelines during games.
  • Cheer on and support my teammates.
  • Obey the referees on the field.
  • Maintain my cool when I make a mistake.
  • Be a good sport at all times.
  • Show respect for the referees, other players, spectators and coaches.
  • Win or lose gracefully.
  • Develop self-control.
  • Take responsibility for myself.
  • Learn from losing as well as from winning.
  • Show respect for the equipment and fields provided for my use.
  • Wear and maintain my uniform with pride.
  • You will be a role model showing positive participation and will help the quality of the team.

WEST MICHIGAN JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE: GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS

What makes the difference in your child’s football experience starts at home. The WMJFL, like all extra-curricular events, is not about finding an after hour’s baby-sitting service. The values of teamwork (developing a sense of working together toward a common goal) and sportsmanship (learning to perform with grace while being challenged) start and end when they see and hear good examples from their families and the closest people to them in their lives. If we work together, the WMJFL can provide a child with a learning experience while playing at the same time.

YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD

  • Be a positive role model at home and at games. Support them whether the player or the team succeeds or fails. Don’t criticize the coach, players or other parents. Model for them the best ways to accomplish teamwork and sportsmanship.
  • Make sure that your players and teammate get to practice and games, all the time and on time.
  • Play football with them. That’s the surest way to help them improve as a player and its QUALITY time.

YOU CAN HELP THE TEAM

  • Help the team organization. Share the burden of sending messages or calling players and parents when it needs to be done.
  • Organize the after game “treats”.
  • Ask the coach if he could use more help at practices.

YOU CAN HELP WEST MICHIGAN JUNIOR FOOTBALL

  • Volunteer your time, your skills and your resources to make sure we have enough people to fill all of the jobs that need to get done.
  • Provide creative suggestions for improvement – don’t just complain. We are constantly looking for new solutions and for people to help improve our league. If you notice a weakness, there are usually others who do as well. If it hasn’t been addressed, ask how you can help to address it. Remember: “If you aren’t part of the solution, you may be part of the problem.”
  • Bring your concerns to the right people. If you have questions or concerns, don’t wait. Bring it to the director of your league, IMMEDIATELY. We (players, parents, coaches, referees and league organizers) are all interested in the quality of the experience for the teams, family and fans, not just the quality of play on the field.
  • Voice your concerns in the right way. Yelling not only raises tension for the team but also sets a poor example for your child. Find the right time and place to have an intelligent discussion. Behavior that affects the play, the integrity, or anyone associated with West Michigan Junior Football, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

1