2007 SWHS Girls’ Lacrosse Program’s Philosophy, Expectations, and Rules

 

The South Windsor High School’s Grades 9-12 Girls’ Lacrosse Program seeks to develop each student-athlete to the best of her potential, individually and collectively.  We believe that an athletic experience is “co-curricular,” part of a complete education.   However, participation in lacrosse is a privilege, and with that comes responsibility: to yourself, your teammates, your coaches, the program, and the sport of lacrosse and its community. Make the best of this great opportunity to play and compete together.    

 

School and Team Policies and Guidelines—the student-athlete must adhere to all school eligibility guidelines and CIAC policies.  In addition to being academically and medically eligible, we require the athletes to be physically eligible throughout the season.  We insist on total abstinence (“possession” as well as “use”) from tobacco, alcohol, and any other illegal substance. (See athletic form for guidelines.) Numerous girls’ lacrosse activities are not school functions.  Therefore, the coaching staff will determine if athletes who abuse any of these policies will be permitted to attend these activities.

 

Practice—75% of the season takes place on the practice field.  This is the opportunity we get to play the sport we love. Sports are an opportunity to push yourself and others to levels that you may never have accomplished on your own.  Consequently, players earn playing time during practice.  As coaches we will prepare each player for competitions in practices that will include fundamentals, conditioning, strategies, and mental preparation.

  

Dangers of the Game—bumps, bruises, and occasionally worse are possible in any sport.  In most sports there is a possibility of serious injury, including paralysis or even death.  We do not say this to frighten you, but rather to be certain that the players and parents are aware of any risk, however remote, that could occur during an athletic experience.  Lacrosse has inherent dangers. Consequently, safety is our priority.  Part of the reason behind our insistence on the commitment and practice is because when players miss competitive situations, they are not as prepared mentally and physically as they need to be. 

• You MUST wear protective eyewear and a mouth guard. 
• If a player misses practice due to an injury or illness, she will return to competition once the trainer determines that she is fit. 

 

Academic Conflicts—academics are your first priority, although conflicts are bound to arise.  Naturally, school commitments take priority. If extra help with a teacher is needed, that always comes first. However, if there is a time to meet with the teacher that will not affect practice or game time, we prefer that the athlete find that time. Please talk with your coach at least the day before so that she/he can plan an alternative if possible. 

 

Our Expectations

• Personal Responsibility: “Personal responsibility” sums up much of our philosophy.  You are not only responsible for yourself, but responsible for everyone in this program.  Being part of a team means acting in its best interest both on and off the field.
• “Respect”:  Respect for yourself, for your teammate, for your coach—when we give respect to others, we receive respect in return.
• “Communication”:  Notify your coach verbally and in writing immediately if you must miss a meeting, practice, or game.  If you are out of school sick, you need to contact your coach during that day.
• “Chain of Communication”:  When addressing a problem or concern, use the communication chain: player to player, player to coach, coach to coach, parent to coach, player/parent/coach to athletic director.  Please begin by addressing the problem with the person with whom you are having the concern.  For example, if a player is having a problem with a coach and her mother addresses the concern first, the coach will NOT address the problem with the parent until the player has done so first. 
• “The 24/24 Hour Rule”:  Take 24 hours to think about what you want to address; and then address all problems within the next 24 hours.  By doing so problems won’t have the opportunity to get distorted or addressed with undue emotion.

Our Rules

·         Yellow Card—a player receiving a yellow card for an “unsportsmanlike” penalty will sit for the remainder of that game.  On a 2^nd offense, the player will be suspended for an additional game. [Note: A suspended player is required to attend the game she “sits”.]

·         Deliberate Cut—if a player cuts a practice (cut=deliberately missing with no communication), she will sit the next game.  If a player cuts a game, she will sit the next two games.   

·         Detention/Suspension—a teacher detention equals a half-game suspension; office detention equals a full game suspension; and a school suspension equals a 2 game suspension (after the suspension has been served).

·         Missing a Practice—any player who misses an entire practice will not start in the next game.  Whether and how much she plays in the next game depends on several factors: the athlete’s physical condition, whether she is current with game strategies, etc.  

 

3rd Team:  Priority—development of individual and team skills.  Playing time is guaranteed for the 9^th Grade player who meets all team expectations. 

Junior Varsity:  Priority—development of individual and team skills in order to play at the varsity level.  For the JV player who has met all of the team expectations, playing time is earned during practice and game performance. 

Varsity:  We seek to put the “12 players” who make our best team on the field.  Our priority is the collective team rather than individual talent.  Substitution becomes limited, and playing time is based on production during the game and practice.  Playing time in games is not guaranteed.           

 

Success vs. Winning

            The goals of our teams foster sportsmanship and life skills, but winning is emphasized, too.  Our varsity belongs to a conference (the CCC) that declares a champion based on our win-loss record.  We are members of a state-wide association (the CIAC) that has a season ending tournament based on our win-loss record.  However, success is not determined solely by the score or outcome of the game.  Team play is at the heart of SWHS girls’ lacrosse.  This is how we define success each day:

           1.   working to do better than your assumed best,
           2.  willing to try new things and go beyond your percieved limits,
           3.  connecting with teammates and coaches on the team,
           4.  putting forth your best each and every step of the way.

 

You and Our Program

            You are now a representative of SWHS Girls’ Lacrosse and your appearance and behavior, decisions, actions and words reflect our philosophy and tradition.  You are now a reflection of us.  Being part of a team means acting in its best interest both on and off the field.  Before you do anything, you need to think of us now.  You are not only responsible for yourself, but responsible for and connected to everyone in this program. 

            Remember the reasons why we play sports: the fun, the competition, the personal challenge, and the companionship—and the fun.  Let’s play! 

 

The SWHS Girls' Lacrosse Coaching Staff