Eagle High Tennis Parent/Player Handbook
SPRING 2016 2016 Eagle High Mustang Tennis VARSITY STAFF Head Coach Assistant Coach Volunteer Coach Katie Ware Trang Pham Di‐Yuan Tzeng 208‐406‐3910 208‐353‐0588 208‐272‐1433 [email protected] [email protected] di‐[email protected] JV STAFF Head Coach Dan Oliver 208‐283‐0357 IN‐SEASON PRACTICE SCHEDULE [email protected] JV Practice: Monday‐Thursday (TBA Friday) 3:10‐4:00 pm Varsity Practice: Monday‐Thursday (TBA Friday) 4:00‐5:15 pm *Season runs from February 26 to May 14 (JV) and May 21 (Varsity) ELIGIBILITY To be eligible to compete all players must address the following guidelines for Cost, Athletic Eligibility, Attendance and Tryouts (for Varsity). COST: ASB Activity card ‐ $40 Sport play fee ‐ $110 *To be paid before first competition on March 15. ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY: 1. Athletes must have earned six credits the previous high school semester. 2. An athlete is ineligible on the day of his/her 20th birthday. 3. An athlete must have an IHSAA physical on file at the school. A new physical is required the freshman and junior years. 4. Athletes must follow all IHSAA guidelines, rules and regulations. 5. Any student with an “F” grade in any subject will not be allowed to participate in any athletic/activity contest. 6. An athlete must maintain a 2.0 GPA. ATTENDANCE: You must attend ten (10) practices before you are eligible for competition. Tryouts count as practice. A student who is absent during any part of the day may not participate in any practice, performance, or function that day unless deemed an extraordinary absence/waived. A student suspended in school for more than one period or out of school on the day of an activity will not be allowed to participate in that activity, game or practice. TRYOUTS: Practice & Tryouts start on Friday, February 26 from 3:10‐5:15pm – Tryouts/Practice Saturday, February 27 from 10:00 am ‐ 2:00 pm – Tryouts/Practice Monday, February 29 from 3:10‐5:15 pm – Tryouts/Practice Tuesday, March 1 from 3:10‐5:15 pm – Try Outs/Practice Wednesday March 2 from 3:10‐5:15 pm – Wrap‐up Try Outs & Official JV/Varsity Practice Starts Nine total positions are available for boys’ varsity and nine total positions are available for girls’ varsity. All returning players must tryout unless they qualified for state competition the previous season. 2015 State Qualifiers – Adam Tzeng, Skylar Schossberger, Aurin Bagchi, Ellie Jacobs, Jake Hirst and Kennidi Amorebieta. All players who do not want to try out for Varsity are welcome to come to practices starting Wednesday, March 2 when tryouts are wrapping up. TRYOUT INFO: 1. Varsity tryouts begin Friday, February 26 from 3:10‐5:15pm. Tryouts may go longer due to inclement weather and amount of players trying out (possibly until dark), but we will try to wrap up around 5:15pm. 2. The purpose of the tryouts is to determine which players will fill the available varsity spots and to determine the ability ladder for both Varsity and JV teams. 3. Students must be present on all days in order to have complete tryout opportunities – contact the head coach for extenuating circumstances. 4. Students trying out need to come ready to play with tennis specific shoes, a racquet and clothing appropriate for the weather. Remember, you will be outdoors for several hours, so a coat, gloves, beanie, long and short sleeved shirt, warm‐ups, sweatpants and sweatshirt will prevent you from being cold or getting chilled and sick. 5. You must be eligible to participate in tryouts. IQ form and physical must be submitted. TRYOUT FORMAT: 1. Round Robin format (you’ll play singles against everyone else of same gender), first to four games (no ad scoring). 2. Game wins and losses will be totaled for each player. 3. Players with the best win/lost game percentage will be placed on the varsity ladder up to the number of positions available. 4. Other players will be placed on the JV ladder. 5. In cases of players whose tryout records are tied or are extremely close, playoff matches will be held. 6. Missing tryout matches: If you miss any tryout matches because you are not present you will default that match by a score of 4‐0. Makeup of these matches must be approved by the coach. 7. The varsity coach has the final decision on the varsity team positions and players can be excluded for ability reasons, attitude and team cohesiveness. No spot is guaranteed and players must maintain athletic ability and positive attitude throughout the season. ALTERNATE SPOTS: Alternate spots will be determined by tryout results and/or challenge matches. Alternates may be asked to play in Varsity matches if a Varsity player is unable to compete. Alternates would be notified day of competition after school as to whether they will compete for JV or Varsity. Challenge matches for the alternate spots are conducted on Fridays if approved by the Varsity Coach. 1. The varsity coach will create the original ladder and player positions based on previous state, district, and tournament results, USTA Idaho and Intermountain rankings, head to head results, tryout results and current ability of players. 2. A player must obtain prior approval from the coach on who they want to challenge for alternate position. 3. Matches are two out of three sets with a match tiebreak (first to ten points) played in lieu of the third set. 4. Players must accept a challenge or forfeit their position on the ladder. No excuses accepted except ill and out of school. 5. The coach reserves the right to request a rematch between two players if necessary. 6. The coach has the final decision on the varsity team positions and players can be excluded for ability reasons, attitude and team cohesiveness. PRACTICE GUIDELINES ● If you miss a practice, you will not play in the next match. ● BE ON TIME!!! We are limited in courts and practices are short, timeliness is mandatory. ● BE FOCUSED AT PRACTICE! We are very limited on time so get the most out of practice. You can joke around with your teammates after practice. ● Give your best effort at all times. ● Excused practices are: Sick, Doctor, Family Emergency, Funeral; if you miss practice due to one of these, you can practice and play in the next match only if you have a signed excuse from your parent (in the event of Family Emergency or Funeral) and/or doctor (if you missed school due to being ill or having a doctor’s appointment). ● Dress properly: Wear appropriate tennis clothing for the weather, always wear appropriate tennis shoes on the courts and NEVER wear non‐tennis approved black‐soled shoes on the courts. ● Take care of the balls: If you hit a ball over the fence, immediately go get it. ● Don’t talk back to a coach or make excuses. Look at the coach when s/he is talking to you. ● Be courteous and respectful to coaches and teammates at all times. ● Bring water to stay hydrated and a snack for after to stay energized. ● No swearing. If you miss a practice due to an unexcused absence (example: skipping school or not providing a signed excuse): (1) First offense will result in missing the next match. (2) Second offense will result in a two week suspension. (3) Third offense will result in suspension for the year. MATCH GUIDELINES ● BE ON TIME!!! (see busing policy on page 6). ● BE FOCUSED and NEVER GIVE UP! ● Support your teammates! We are a team, which means we support our team until everyone is done with their matches. Please do not ask to leave early unless you have cleared this with the coach at least a day BEFORE match day. ● Wear the proper school uniform. ● Bring water to stay hydrated and snacks to stay energized. **Represent yourself and the school positively at ALL times. At practice, during matches, around town and on social media.** Inappropriate or unsportsmanlike behavior will be addressed by the coaching staff and the Head Coach reserves the right to remove a player from finishing a match if excessive unsportsmanlike conduct is witnessed. JUNIOR VARSITY EXPECTATIONS Our goal is to have all players and coaches working toward making our junior varsity programs as strong as possible. Each team is working to make tennis a fun sport for students to play and prepare interested players to be part of the varsity team. If a player is not going to consistently participate in practice they should refrain from joining the JV squad. If a player truly desires to become part of the varsity team, there are three main areas in which s/he must focus: 1. Athletically a. Improve strength and quickness b. Consistency c. Ability to place the ball d. Mental understanding of how to set up points e. Desire of and understanding to play competitive tennis. 2. Summer, Fall & Winter Programs a. Get involved in tournaments, camps and clinics b. Practice in season and during the off season 3. Play Hard a. Stay focused b. Give your best effort at all times c. Have fun VARSITY LETTER OR CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS ● Community Service: Each athlete must have two hours of community service during the tennis season. The coach and team captains will schedule a time to do this as a team. If you are unable to participate in the team event, your community service must be approved of by the Varsity Head Coach ahead of time. ● Varsity Matches: Must play in 50% of varsity matches and/or tournaments. ● Fundraising: Must participate in tennis fundraisers or donate in lieu of participation. ● Players must complete the season in good standing with the Varsity Head Coach to receive a letter. VARSITY MATCH IHSAA REGULATIONS MATCH LIMITATIONS: No team or individual shall play more than 16 regular season dates. A contestant who exceeds the limitations of regular season participation will become ineligible for district, state or any other additional IHSAA‐sponsored tennis competition. Friday after 3:00 p.m. and Saturday counts as one of the allowed dates. A two‐day tournament starting prior to 3:00 p.m. on Friday will be counted as two of the allowed dates. PARTICIPATION IN SPECIAL EVENTS: Competing in outside non high school events during the IHSAA season is prohibited. See Outside Competition Rule 8‐11. Exceptional student‐athletes may participate in special events (i.e. Intermountain ranking tournament) without loss of eligibility provided approval of the high school principal and the IHSAA is obtained at least 30 days prior to the event. Participation will count towards the individual’s allowed number of dates, but will not count towards the team’s allowed number of dates. PARENT/COACH RELATIONSHIP Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an amiable understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other, and provide greater benefit to the student‐athlete. As parents, when your child becomes involved in our program, you have a right to be advised of the expectations that will be placed on the player. This begins with clear, concise communication from the coach. COMMUNICATION YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THE COACH: ● Philosophy of the coach in dealing with sport specific issues. ● Expectations the coach has for individuals as well as the players on the team. ● Locations and times of all practices and matches. ● Team requirements: fees, special equipment, fundraisers, etc. ● Procedure to be followed should your athlete be injured during participation. ● Punishment that may result in the denial of athlete participation. COMMUNICATION COACHES CAN EXPECT FROM PARENTS: ● Concerns expressed privately and directly to the coach. ● Notification of any schedule conflicts or missing of class or a match well in advance. ● Any health issues your child may have that would be vital for the coach to know. As your athlete becomes involved in the tennis program at Eagle High School, they will experience some of the most rewarding times of their lives. Still, it is vital to understand and be prepared for moments when things don’t go the way they might expect. It is at this time that a discussion with the coach is encouraged. APPROPRIATE CONCERNS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COACH: ● The treatment of your child, both mentally and physically, by the coaching staff. ● Ways to improve player performance. ● Concerns about your child’s behavior. INAPPROPRIATE CONCERNS THAT SHOULDN’T BE DISCUSSED WITH THE COACH: ● Individual playing positions. ● Other team members. ● Team strategy. It is extremely hard to accept your child not playing in the positions as you had hoped. Coaches are professionals. They make decisions based upon what is best for the TEAM. We recognize that there are situations when a conference between the coach and the parent are necessary. These are encouraged, in order to have a complete understanding from both parties regarding positions taken. To arrange a meeting of this nature the following procedure should be followed to ensure resolution of the problem: 1. Please DO NOT attempt to confront the coach immediately before or after a match or practice. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings in such a highly charged atmosphere do not promote resolution. 2. Contact the coach privately, directly and set up a meeting by calling or emailing the coach. 3. If the coach cannot be reached, contact the Activities Director at the school (Kimber Chrz) and she will set up a meeting. What can a parent do it he meeting with the coach was unsatisfactory in providing a solution? 1. Call and set up an appointment with the Activities Director to discuss the situation. 2. An appropriate next step will be determined. Co‐curricular activities are an integral part of your athlete’s educational development. S/he will experience the important values of sportsmanship, teamwork, hard work, honesty, selflessness, and much more. A successful life is promoted by developing these and other character traits. As coaches, we want your child to have an enriching experience while a student at Eagle High School. So, with your assistance and support we will make every effort to ensure their participation in our tennis program is a positive one. BUSING POLICY The JV and Varsity teams will not be bused unless the match starting before 4 p.m. We do not bus to tournaments, unless they are out of our metro area (example: JV Parma Invitational). When we do bus to a two‐day tournament, we only bus on school days, not on weekends. IT IS REQUIRED THAT ALL PLAYERS DRIVING TO A MATCH BE AT LEAST ON TIME, IF NOT 10‐15 MINUTES EARLY. If you are late to a match, your match will be defaulted. If you default two matches, you will not be allowed to play for the remainder of the season. We will not be holding any warm up hitting sessions at the Eagle High courts before leaving for away matches. Due to time constraints, we suggest you change into your tennis clothes, get something to eat and get to the match site, as matches will start at 4:30 p.m. If you intend to drive your child to or from a match where a bus has been taken, please notify the coach prior to the event. On those days where a bus has been taken, you cannot give rides to other players on the team. Players are only allowed to ride home with a parent or legal guardian. TEXTING/EMAIL GUIDELINES Coaches will use email as the primary mode of communication when possible, always copying parents if contact information is provided. Texting is allowed to notify players of any cancellations, absences, or keep track of tournament progress should players be at different sites. Players should only text coaches regarding tennis related activities. DRUG, ALCOHOL & TOBACCO POLICY As a team, we will adhere to the districts’ policy on alcohol, drugs and tobacco as stated in the student handbook. Failure to comply with these policies will result in immediate consequences which forbid the violator to play for a set duration of the season. CONCUSSION INFORMATION Concussions are a type of brain injury that can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Concussions can occur in any recreational activity and can result from a fall or from players colliding with each other, the ground or with obstacles. The Eagle High Tennis Coaching Staff have all taken specific concussion training through the IHSAA If a concussion occurs the decision to return to play is determined by the high schools’ physical training staff and/or qualified health provider. In accordance with Section 33‐1620, Idaho Code the Idaho High School Activities Association has provided information on its website for coaches, parents and athletes concerning the Identification and Management Strategies regarding concussions. The IHSAA encourages all coaches, parents and athletes to educate themselves about the recognition and treatment of concussions. Please take the time to visit our website at www.idhsaa.org. If you have any questions or need of further information, please contact your school or the IHSAA Office at [email protected]. It is the wish of the IHSAA that you have a safe and enjoyable season. If you have read the rules and expectations from the Spring 2016 Eagle High Tennis Parent/Player Handbook and agree to follow these regulations, please sign below. The EHS coaching staff appreciates your willingness to help bring success to the Mustang program. Date Parent/Guardian Name (Print) Parent Email Player Email Player Short/Skirt Size Parent/Guardian Signature Parent Cell Phone Player Name (Print) Player Signature Player Cell Phone Address Player Shirt Size