Dimond Lady Lynx Soccer Team 2016 Policies and Expectations

These policies have been developed to help you become the best soccer player possible and to continue a tradition of excellence with the Dimond Girls’ Soccer Team. It is your responsibility to know these policies. Please train on your own or with teammates and try to attend as many of our pre-season Open Gym sessions as possible. (Saturdays 9:00 – 11:0am, Old Gym). Good Luck to you all this season!

Coaches: Tim Vaesko, Dakota Young, Bill Thoma

Training Schedule: This may vary due to facilities and events beyond the coach’s control.

Varsity: Monday-Saturday, Time TBD. Includes 9th-12th graders.

JV: (2 teams) Monday-Saturday, Time TBD. Includes 9th-11th graders.

Attendance Policy: A record will be kept of attendance at practice. All players are required to have 10 practices before they may play in a game. Practices over Spring Break are not mandatory, but will count towards the 10 practices needed to participate in a game. If because of illness you cannot attend practice you must directly contact the coaches before practice that day. Plan ahead for schoolwork. Don’t wait until the last minute to do a report or study for an exam. Use the time before and when training ends to do homework every day. If you know of conflicts with High School Soccer and other school activities such as band, debate, foreign language declamation competitions, SAT’s, field trips, performances, etc. . . then you should notify your Coach as early as possible. If your coach knows about this conflict very early, alternative practice arrangements may be made. Neglecting to inform your coach in advance about conflicts with other school activities may result in loss of playing time. Missing practice/games due to non-school activities such as jobs, dances, or club sports may result in loss of playing time. Players must schedule these activities around practice and games.

Punctuality: The coaches expect all players to arrive early for games, practices, and meetings. The first fifteen minutes prior to training should be spent doing individual warm-ups such as dailies with a partner, juggling and stretching. Players who need to be taped or require minor medical attention, such as blisters, must report to the trainer/coach before this time.

Initial Team Selection and Placement: Placement will be determined by the coaches during tryouts the week of March tbd. Seniors who will not play on varsity will be identified as early as possible. There will be practices during the week of Spring Break, which will count towards your 10 total practices, but are not mandatory. Player placement is not set in stone. Players will continuously be evaluated for placement and playing time throughout the season.

Players will be evaluated in the following areas:

1. Fitness & Athleticism: A preseason conditioning program is of major importance to you as an athlete and us as a team. I cannot stress enough the importance of the superb physical condition of each and every member of our team. Statistics show that most games are won and lost late in the game. If a player is in excellent shape physically, she can be expected to perform up to her capacities. Your determination to do the job is increased and your contribution to the team morale is raised. Various forms of distance running, shuttles and sprints will be conducted at tryouts and throughout the season to evaluate fitness levels.

Pre-season training plan: (This is the very least you should do to avoid injury at tryouts)

Running: 5 days a week 45-60 minutes at a pace you can maintain, but do some short speed burst 30-90 seconds in duration during the run.

Lunges (Big Steps): 3 days a week, 50-100 reps total.

Juggling 50-100 reps feet only 15-30 minutes each day.

2. Technical and Tactical ability within a team: You will be evaluated in small-sided games subjectively. This has the advantage of evaluating the vital elements of real game skills, decision making, and the ability to play off the ball. You will play with a variety of teammates during these games.

3. Individual Attacking and Defending: 1v1 scenarios will be evaluated.

Players are evaluated daily on these areas, to determine playing time:

1. Attendance (see above section on attendance policies)

2. Fitness: effort and performance in training and games

3. Technical and tactical performance in training and games

4. Attitude and Effort in training and games

5. Injury status of the player and other team members

6. Tactical needs of the team for each game

Playing time and team placement is NOT based on:

1. Grade level

2. Soccer Club Affiliation

3. Whether you were on Varsity or JV last year.

Lettering in Soccer: Players must attend all Varsity practices and participate in at least 50% of the League Games. Participation means any amount of playing time in a League Game.

Uniforms: All players will be issued uniforms and additional gear. Players must wear the jersey tucked in and socks up or you will not be allowed to play. For training players will wear shin guards and socks up just like in games.

Game Days: Players will dress up on game days as determined by the Coaches and Captains. A bus will be provided for the transportation of JV & C team players to all games. A player can ride home after the games with only their parents after checking with the coach before departure. Varsity will ride the bus to Eagle River and Chugiak games, but may ride home with only their parents after checking in with the coach.

Captains: Coaches will elect Captains for Varsity, JV Teams. (player input will be taken into consideration)

Things to bring to every practice:

1. Soccer ball, inflated, with your name on it.

2. Water bottle with your name on it.

3. Soccer Shoes – cleats for practice or games on grass or turf. Indoor shoes for indoor or turf.

4. Running Shoes

5. Shin guards

6. Warm extra clothes – Rain shell, gloves, hat, etc. Never know when we will go outside.

7. Ball pump and needles.

8. Healthy post-practice snack.

9. A positive attitude!

Tryouts start Location and times TBA.

Make sure, before the first day of tryouts, you have turned into the activity office:

Physical Form, Parental Permission Form, Participation Fee, Impact Testing has been completed.

You must do this in advance to be able to try out.

If you have any questions please contact Coach Tim Valesko