Coaching Philosophy
- Our overall emphasis is on athlete development as well as academic excellence by helping each student –athlete on this team grow as a player on the court, a student in the classroom and a leader in the community.
- We aim to inspire a passion for the game of volleyball in each player. We will strive to teach each player the correct skills, tactics and techniques of competitive volleyball
- On a bigger scale, we emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, respect, discipline, responsibility and commitment to the team. All of these values will assure the complete growth and development of the student athlete. The athlete’s character will be enhanced in teaching these lessons in volleyball and are related to lessons in life, which will help them succeed in their future.
Ladycat Standards
It is a privilege to be a member of the Ladycat volleyball program; no one is making you play or even tryout for the team. It is important that each player and coach maintains the highest of standards.
- Attitude/Respect: Your personal talent and ambitions mean very little unless you channel them for the good of the Ladycat program. Let your teammates know that you are behind them through encouragement in practices and matches. Jealousy and bitterness are useless emotions and if individual glory is what you seek, than seek it elsewhere. Pride and enthusiasm for your teammate’s achievements will earn you respect as an athlete and will help us as a winning team.
- Responsibility: All players are young adults and are expected to accept certain responsibilities. Be on time for practices, bus departures and home matches. All players should speak to the coaches personally and in advance if there will be a problem.
- Self-Discipline: You have volunteered to be a part of this team and program by participating in tryouts. Since you have made this decision, we expect that you will follow through with your commitment to this team by pushing yourself and your teammates to do their best, even when it is not easy.
- Character: As a member of the Ladycat volleyball program, you represent each of us whether you realize it or not. So make sure you represent our school, your team, and yourself with the utmost respect. Failure of students to represent Morenci Schools in a positive manner WILL NOT be tolerated. Please see the athletic rules and regulations for the Morenci School District.
- Fun: Volleyball is fun! It is one of the few sports that can be played both competitively and recreationally for a lifetime.
As a coaching staff we have set forth clear behavioral standards for our athletes and we ask that as parents, you will assist us in holding our athletes accountable both on and off the court.
Volleyball Rules
- Each player will be given three (3) unexcused absences during the season. The third unexcused absence will result in dismissal from the team. Conditioning will need to be made up for any unexcused practices. Examples of unexcused absences are as follows: hair/nail appointments, prior social obligations, etc...
- Excused practices are determined with SIGNED documentation from a physician. Missing practice for any reason the week of a contest allows the coach to make the determination of not allowing the athlete to play in one of the matches. Rotation and substitution in volleyball is tricky, and must be practiced and tweaked constantly. This cannot be done if your daughter is not present.
- Each player will attend mandatory study hall from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm unless one of the excused examples from above applies. Keep in mind the NO PASS/NO PLAY rule. Grades are checked on a week to week basis, if a player is failing a class for that week then they are not allowed to play in competition. Please see the attached rules/regulations regarding study hall.
- Athletes must be in school at least 3 hours to participate in a scheduled practice/competition the day of the absence.
- In the event of an injury, the player is expected to attend practice. You can still watch and learn new drills or changes so that when you return you will not be lost as to what the team is doing. If the player refuses to attend then this will count as an unexcused practice.
- If you are too sick to attend practice, then it is YOUR responsibility to contact one of the coaches prior to not attending practice. Do Not send a message through another player. All contact information for each coach is included in this packet.
- If you are late to practice this will result in TEAM conditioning.
- If you have any hickies visible you will not be allowed to practice or play in a game. This will be counted as an unexcused absence.
- All teams, Varsity, JV, and Freshmen are required to be at all matches. At this time, some players will have specific duties assigned to them while the other players are expected to sit in the stands as a TEAM and cheer. If a player is not in attendance for the matches then this will result in extra conditioning. Players have responsibilities during the other teams games such as line judging, book keeping, stats, or ball rollers to mention a few. They must stay at the gym.
- All players will ride the bus to and from matches when they are out-of-town. Players will only be released to their parents. If you are to ride home with another adult, prior arrangements need to be made through Mr. Ogas or Mr. Boling and a signed note will be required. Parents must sign their daughter out with one of the coaches before they will be allowed to ride home with their parents.
- Proper attire will be worn on out of town game days. You may wear jeans, but they CANNOT have holes or tears in them. Please follow school dress code when we are traveling.
- While it is our desire to play as many players as possible, the best players at their positions will play in the Varsity games, as Varsity sports are highly competitive. Our coaching staff believes that Junior Varsity and Freshmen level games are part of a player’s development and will make every effort to rotate all players into these contests. We do not believe that juniors and seniors play varsity and freshmen and sophomores play on the jv or freshmen teams. A player will be placed on the team that is most appropriate based on skills, attitude and hustle.
- A major concern of a parent is the amount of playing time their daughter may get. Playing time, team strategies, and play calling are all topics that would be difficult for a coach to talk about to a parent. All of the coaches would gladly explain why they rotate players the way they do and explain the areas of improvement your daughter could work on.
In order to solve problems, as a coaching staff we encourage players to approach their coach first to discuss any of these topics. We will not tolerate the use of illegal substances or alcohol in our program. If your child is caught using drugs or alcohol it will be dealt with according to MHS policy. This will result with expulsion\suspension from our team.
Communication You Should Expect From the Coach
• Philosophy of the Coach
• Expectations the coach may have for your student-athlete and the team
• Times and locations of all practices and contests and any changes in that schedule as far in advance as possible
• Team requirements, i.e., fees, special equipment, eligibility, attendance, out-of-season conditioning, etc.
• Procedure that will be followed should your child become injured during participation (practice or contest)
• Athletic Code of Conduct and any additional rules that may affect your child's participation.
• Disposition of lost/outstanding equipment at the end of the season
Communication the Coach Expects From Parents and Athletes
• Concerns expressed directly to the coach first
• Notification of schedule conflicts well in advance of the conflict
• Special needs of the student-athlete, i.e., physical limitations that may not be obvious to the coach Appropriate Concerns to discuss with the Coach
• Ways to help your child improve
• Concerns about your child's behavior
As your child becomes involved in athletics, it is our hope that he/she will experience some of the most rewarding moments of her life. It is important to understand that things may not always go as your child wishes. At these times, discussion with the coach may be desirable (in fact, encouraged) to clear up the issues and avoid any misunderstanding.
Concerns Not Appropriate To Discuss with a Coach
• Playing time/position assignment for your child
• Team strategy/play calling
• Matters concerning other student-athletes
It is very difficult to accept your child's not playing as much as you may hope. Coaches are professionals. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be the best for all students involved. It is imperative that certain matters be left to the discretion of the coach.
Procedure to follow if you have a concern to discuss with a Coach
There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and a parent. Such a meeting is encouraged when necessary. It is important that both parties have a clear understanding of the other person's position. Each should be willing to listen. The following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue:
• Contact the coach the day after a contest to set up an appointment (see list of
School phone numbers and e-mail addresses on the back contact page) please.
• Important. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before, during, or after a contest. These can be emotional times for both the parents and the coach. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution and, in fact, often cause more harm than good.
The Next Step
What can a parent do if the meeting with the coach does not provide a satisfactory resolution? Although total agreement may not always be reached, most often such a meeting does afford the opportunity for productive discussion and better understanding. If the parent desires further communication, please call the Athletic Director to discuss the situation. The appropriate next step will be determined.
Chain Of Command
Morenci Jr/Sr High School in conjunction with the Athletic Department follows the chain of command listed below. We ask that you observe this order if you elect to pursue any concern you may have with regard to the athletic program.
1. The Coach
2. Athletic Director
3. Superintendent
4. Board of Education
There will always be extreme cases where a coach will have to make a judgment call. If this is the case then all coaches will make the decision together. Please contact us if there are issues you would like to discuss in regards to your daughter. |
