Player Manual
2014
Remember
This is Burke.
The following player’s manual has been constructed as an aid to members of the Burke High School Girl’s
Soccer Program. Included in this manual are:

Program Philosophy

Keys to Success

Behavior Expectations

Team Rules

Commitment

Evaluation Process

Lettering Requirements

Academic Standards

Schedules
Philosophy
The philosophy of the Girl’s Soccer Program encompasses many things. Our first goal is to live up to the
standards set in the Burke High School motto, Loyalty, Integrity, & Honor. In doing so, we hope to create
and maintain a winning attitude through teaching young women the value of leadership, teamwork,
discipline, toughness (mental & physical), and self-sacrifice. We hope each young woman will a have a
positive experience and develop a sense of pride in Burke High School.
We will teach you to make good decisions
We will teach to you not be afraid to fail
We will teach you character through winning and more importantly, through losing.
Keys to Success

Hustle- “Good things come to those who wait, but only the things left behind by those who hustle.” Larry Jacobsen
Hustling must become a mentality for us if we are to be successful. Whether it is on the training ground,
in the weight room, or on the match field, we must always strive to get the very most out of our time
there. The most efficient way to do this is by hustling all the time.

Compete- We will compete every day against opponents, teammates and ourselves. Competition is
not just a part of athletics, but of life. Those who are unwilling to compete at all times, no matter how
small the reward, will have a difficult time making it in athletics or in life.

Tradition- The Burke High Girl’s Soccer Program was forged long before any of you were born and will
continue to thrive long after you graduate. Remember we are playing not only for Burke 2014 students
and staff, but for Burke 1963 and every class since then. Take the time to look at the pictures in the Hall
of Fame and the banners in the gym and remember who and what we represent. “To become truly
great, you must be willing to fight for something bigger than yourself.” –Dean Smith

TEAM- "A team above all, above all a team." We must be willing to work together to achieve our goals.
We cannot afford to rely on individual talents. Burke athletic teams pride themselves on playing hard as
a team and the Girl’s Soccer Program will be no different. You must be willing to put the team before
yourself or you will have no place in the program.
Behavioral Expectations
Remember, your actions represent the entire Girl’s Soccer Program. Unacceptable behaviors whether on
or off the field will not be tolerated in any way, shape, or form. You are responsible for your own
actions. Do not allow negative attitudes or peer pressure to jeopardize your future in the Girl’s Soccer
Program. There are multitudes of distractions out there. Being a student-athlete in 2014 is not easy.
Student-athletes may not be able to do all the things their friends do. It takes a special person to be a
successful student-athlete.

Be on time! (There is no good excuse for being late.)

Do not miss school.

Work hard on your own without having to have someone looking over your shoulder all the time.

Do not be a troublemaker on the field, in the classroom, in the lunchroom, etc. (Teachers & students
love to tattle on athletes!)

Have a positive attitude towards education, the staff, the administration, the facilities, and the student
body.

Be willing to accept any role in order to benefit the team. (e.g. starter, 12th Man, training player, etc.
Team Rules
Any successful organization has rules that govern it; the Girl’s Soccer Program is no different. Adherence
to these rules is mandatory for all members of the program at all times. All of the rules that appear below
are to be followed not only on the training ground and match field, but when not at soccer related events as
well.
Training Sessions

No foul language.

Adults will be referred to as “Mr./Ms. (last name),” or “Coach (last name).”

If you are unable to train due to injury or illness you are still expected to attend training sessions.

If you cannot attend training, you must personally contact Coach Anderson at
402-676-6112 or Coach Walker at 402-415-8511. You must call before the scheduled training time.

Absence from a training session may only be excused with a parent or physician’s note and proper
calling procedure.

We train in all weather conditions. Do not ever assume practice has been cancelled unless told so
directly by a coach or office announcement.

Have a variety of training apparel readily available. (tennis shoes for indoors, stocking hat/gloves for
cold, etc.)

If you need to see the trainer for taping, ultrasound, etc. allow time before practice, so you will not be
late for training. No excuses!

Remove muddy shoes before entering the building. Never clean shoes by banging them on the walls of
the building.

Mentally prepare yourself to train at your highest level everyday. The only way to get better is to
practice as if you are playing in a game.

Walking or sitting is not permitted on the training ground unless instructed to do so by a coach.

If you are sent in from training due to a poor attitude or a lack of effort or choose to leave training, you
will be subject to, but not limited to, extra conditioning and/or suspension.

If you “skip” practice with no prior notification you will be suspended from the next match and are
subject to further disciplinary measures. (see attendance policies)

Proper equipment will be worn to training everyday (e.g. shinguards, cleated soccer shoes, training
apparel, etc.) Without proper training attire, no practice.

No jewelry of any kind is to be worn during training (e.g. necklaces, earrings, watches, etc.).

No apparel bearing any club name or logo is permitted at training sessions.
NSAA ATHLETIC BYLAWS RULE 3.5.1:
Any student who participates in any athletic contest other than as a representative of his/her high
school during the season of the sport involved becomes inelligible to represent his/her school in that
sport for one or more contests or the remainder of the season.
Criticism
There will be times when each player will be criticized by a member of the coaching staff. Criticism will
always be constructive in nature and will emanate only from the coaching staff. The key to making criticism
a positive aspect of training is to not take criticism as a personal attack, but instead feel as though it is a
coach taking a specific interest in a player’s progress and attempting to aid the player become better as an
individual and as part of the team. Those who immediately begin pouting and lose confidence after
receiving criticism will have a difficult time being a positive member of the program.
Games

Players not dressing for Varsity matches are strongly encouraged to attend matches.

Non-dressing players may often have other match related duties that will be listed on the board (e.g.
video taping, statistics, etc.).

Varsity players are encouraged to attend Junior Varsity matches.

All players must maintain conservative hairstyles throughout the season.

Only dressed players, injured/ill players, and those performing special duties will be allowed in the
bench area.

Players are to keep all equipment on until entering the locker room after the match unless told to do
otherwise by a coach or trainer.

Once on the field warming up, players will wear either their match top or team warm-up.

Players not in the match are to remain focused while on the bench.

Positive encouragement only from the bench.

Tired Signal: If at any time during a game you become fatigued to the point where it affects your ability
to perform at your highest level, signal to the bench by tapping the top of your head. We will substitute
for you as quickly as possible (until you can be subbed for it is always better to concentrate your
remaining energy more defensively than offensively). When a player requests to be substituted by
signaling to the bench she retains the right to reinsert herself back into the line-up when she feels
recuperated. This is done by telling the coaches she is ready to go back in, receiving necessary
instructions, and then reporting to the scorer’s table.

Any time a player is substituted she is expected to run off the field and the substitute is expected to run
on the field.

When a player is substituted for everyone on the bench will stand as the player leaves the field to
acknowledge their effort.

Any player receiving a red card for descent, unsportsmanlike conduct, or a malicious act will be
suspended for the next game (state mandated). In addition, there will be an additional one game
suspension for team discipline not to be served simultaneously but consecutively.

Any player receiving a second red card for descent, unsportsmanlike conduct, or a malicious act will be
immediately dismissed from the team. We MUST be in the business of representing Burke in the best
light possible and any behavior that suggests otherwise will NOT be tolerated.

All players will ride back to Burke High School after away matches on a school bus. We arrive as a
team and come back as a team. No exceptions!

While on the bus for away games all players will be sitting down, not talking, and focusing on the
upcoming game. If you like to listen to music you may; however, it must only be at a level on your
headphones that you can hear it and not others. This is a good time to start mentally preparing for the
game. Bus behavior is mandatory!
Commitment
Being part of a varsity athletic program is a big commitment. The expectations of coaches, teammates,
teachers, and peers can seem overwhelming at times. Therefore, it is important for players to arrange their
priorities properly. Below is a list (in order of importance) of priorities for high school student-athletes in the
soccer program.
1. Family
2. Religion
3. School
4. Soccer
5. Friends
Evaluation
In order to maintain a certain level of intensity and quality in both training and matches squad selection is a
necessity. There are many factors that enter into the selection process. As a coaching staff we realize each
athlete’s desire to be a part of the program and are sympathetic to the disappointment involved with not
being selected. There are ways to be a part of the program besides being a player. The majority of the
evaluation process is subjective. Subjective evaluations are primarily based on the coaching staff’s
opinions. The coaching staff are professionals who have been hired for their expertise in making these
types of decisions. The following is a general outline of the guidelines used by the coaching staff during the
evaluation process.

Players who will make our team better

Players who we believe have a realistic chance to play at the varsity level during their career.

Players who fit the available positions for the greatest benefit of the team.

Players who are coachable.
Lettering Requirements
In order to earn a Varsity letter you must finish the year in good standing and meet one of the following
criteria.

Participate in 12 regular season halves.

Participate in 2 district tournament halves.

Participate in a State Tournament match.

Start a Varsity Match
Academic Requirements
The Soccer Program adheres to the Burke High School established rules for Academic/Athletic standards.
(See Student Handbook for questions) In addition to the rules in the Student Handbook, no player will play
in any game if he is failing more than one class at the time of grade checks until the F/F’s are brought up to
passing. No exceptions! Remember you are a STUDENT/Athlete.)
Schedules
Some Saturday practices may be necessary, especially during the pre-season and in preparation for the
District and State Tournaments. Schedules for these will be given as soon as possible.
The Burke High School Girl’s Soccer Program will operate under the rules as described in the Bulldog
Player’s Manual, Burke High Athletic Code, and the Code of Conduct set up by the Omaha Public Schools.
All participants in the soccer program are responsible for their own conduct. Any violation of the rules will
be acted upon as described in the Player’s Manual and the Code of Conduct. Any athlete refusing to abide
by the above rules will be suspended from participation until she chooses to do so.
Athlete’s Signature: ___________________________ Date: _______________
Parent’s Signature ____________________________ Date: ________________