PALMETTO ACADEMY
2014-15
Player & Parent
Sports Handbook
Welcome To Palmetto Academy Sports!
This handbook has been created to help our parents and players become
acclimated to our expectations and rules to ensure that all the student/athletes
have a productive and enjoyable time as part of the Warthog’s Team. We
expect this to be a wonderful experience for your son or daughter and look
forward to seeing you at many of our games this year!
1
PLAYER EXPECTATIONS


PLAYERS WILL STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM
In order to be eligible to play, student athletes must maintain a “C” average. A grade that is a “D” or below will keep
players from playing and practicing for an entire week. During this week players will work on their homework until
evidence of an improved grade has been shown to the coach. If they are ineligible for more than two weeks in a row or
three weeks total during the season they will be removed from the team. If a child is absent from school or tardy (after
8:30am) she may not play in that day’s game, unless it’s an excused absence/tardy and they are medically released to
play (if applicable).

PALS players must display appropriate behavior at school. Receiving detentions and referrals is not acceptable. Players
are also expected to behave appropriately outside of school or while at other schools during games. Players who choose
to behave inappropriately are subject to consequences including loss of playing time, loss of team privileges, or
dismissal from the team.


PLAYERS WILL PUT THE GOALS OF THE TEAM FIRST
As a Warthog, you are expected to put your team first. Your individual goals and your team’s goals do not necessarily
conflict, but when they do, you accept that decisions are made for the good of the entire team. In order for our team to
be successful on the field/court, we must develop trusting relationships with each other.


PLAYERS WILL SHOW RESPECT
Each player is to show respect to teammates, coaches, teachers, opposing teams and officials. Failure to do so will
result in consequences including loss of playing time, loss of team privileges, or dismissal from the team.
Unsportsmanlike behaviors will not be tolerated at all.



PLAYERS WILL POSITIVELY REPRESENT THE TEAM
PLAYERS WILL ATTEND ALL PRACTICES AND GAMES
Players are expected to attend all practices and games. A note should be given when players have excused absences,
which includes those due to illness, family emergency, funeral, ext. Injured players are expected to attend all practices
and games. Players must inform the coach before any missed practice or game. Missed practices and games will affect
playing time. Unexcused practices or games may result in loss of playing time or dismissal from the team.

PLAYERS WILL BE ON TIME TO PRACTICE
Players are expected to arrive on time to stretch and go through pre-practice. On school days when practice begins at
2:40, players must come to the gym immediately after dismissal and be ready to play with appropriate attire. Players
that are late to practice will be subject to extra running/practice. Players that are consistently late to practice and/or
not helping set up or after practice clean up may lose play time or be dismissed from the team.


PLAYERS WILL SUPPORT THE TEAM DURING GAMES
Players must report to the games 30 minutes before scheduled start time for warm-ups for all games and setting up the
gym for each home game. No players are to leave the gym/field until the coach has given the entire team permission to
leave. Players should refrain from activities that take their attention away from watching the game and cheering.

PLAYERS WILL WORK HARD
Players will give 100% effort at practice to help improve team and individual skill. Players will hustle at all times at
practice and maintain a positive attitude.

PLAYERS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE AND PREPARED
Players are responsible for having the necessary items to participate at practice and for games. Players are expected to
take care of issued equipment and/or uniforms. Each player will receive a jersey, or full uniform which must be returned
in good condition at the end of the season. Jerseys may only be worn during games and warm-ups. Jewelry is not to be
worn during practices or games (League Rules). A fee will be charged for any uniform not returned, returned missing
pieces, or returned in a different condition than original.
2

PLAYERS WILL UNDERSTAND THAT BENCH TIME IS ALSO PLAYING TIME
As a Warthog player, you maintain the same focus and enthusiasm whether you are between the lines or on the bench.
You accept that playing time is decided by the coach for the good of the team in the circumstances of the moment. You
know that PALS bench is its secret weapon: every player has his/her head in the game at every moment, and is ready
to come in at any opportunity. Coaches need to be able to count on you at a second’s notice. Show them you are ready
by being aware of what is happening on the court or field. PALS teams are competitive teams and as such players earn
their play time by effort and skill. Players will not be given equal play time and generally the older and more skilled
players will have more play time. While we allow select 4th and 5th graders to be a part of our team, they must
understand that they are in a learning phase.
PARENT INFORMATION
As a parent of Warthog Player, we ask the following from you:

Please make arrangements to pick up your son/daughter on time at the end of each practice and game.

The coach will stop practice 5 minutes prior to the end of practice to allow time to put away equipment.
Coaches will normally have practices done on time so we are asking you to pick up your child on time please;
however, you must be patient in circumstances where practice/games run over.

Please demonstrate the highest level of sportsmanship while representing PALS sports teams. Please cheer
for our team’s efforts and successes and never celebrate our opponents’ mistakes. Display of poor
sportsmanship will be removal from sporting events.

Please understand that officials are off-limits to fans. Refrain from yelling at the referees—before, during and
after the game—no matter what the perceived error or injustice. PALS coaches believe players must learn to
perform under adversity, and to not waste emotion or effort on things not within their control. If you feel
there has been a grave error that you must address, you may address it with OUR COACHES away from the
other team and allow our coaches to handle the problem.


Please understand that it is not guaranteed that each player will play during a game. Playing time in games is
not guaranteed and equal playing time is not possible. Lineup decisions are the result of careful consideration
about our own team’s chemistry, and our opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Playing time is earned by
proven performance and hard work demonstrated at practice and in the classroom. Generally the older and
more skilled players will have more play time.

Please refrain from measuring your son/daughter’s experience solely by the amount of their playing time. We
strive to inject each player with a love for the sport, teaching them to value the opportunity to be strong and
confident, whether in practice or a game. The growth of character and work ethic will help the student
athlete to be successful in all of life. While we allow select 4th and 5th graders to be a part of our team, they
must understand that they are in a learning phase.

If you have a question regarding your son/daughter’s playing time, please start by asking your son/daughter.
Coaches are constantly providing each player with feedback at practices. Encourage your son/daughter to
ask their coach how they can improve as a player, rather than asking how they can play more. We ask you to
respect the coach’s decisions regarding play time.

If you are concerned about a sports-related issue that requires you to speak directly with a coach, we ask
that you contact us to schedule a private meeting or see us after practices. Please refrain from speaking to
us before practices or games due to the limited time.

Players who choose to leave a sports team or are dismissed from a team, may forfeit the right to join other
teams for the remainder of the school year. Extenuating circumstances need to be discussed with the
executive director prior to leaving a team. Uniforms are expected to be returned the following school day.
3
PLAYER CONTRACT
I have read, understand, and agree to the PALS Warthog Player Expectations. I
understand that failure to meet these guidelines will result in loss of opportunities to
continue as a member of the PALS athletic team.
Print Name: ________________________________
Signature: __________________________________
Date: ___________________________
PARENT CONTRACT
I, the parent of above named player, have also read and understand the requirements
set forth by the PALS coaches. I understand that failure by my child or myself to
meet these guidelines will result in loss of opportunities for my child to continue as a
member of the PALS athletic team.
Print Name: ________________________________
Signature: __________________________________
Date: ___________________________
4