SOUTH BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

&

F. H. TUTTLE MIDDLE SCHOOL

 

               ATHLETIC HANDBOOK


 

 

Patrick Burke                                                                                    Michael O'Day

Principal - S.B.H.S.                                                                       Director of Student Activities

                                                                                                                                                           

Joseph O’Brien

Principal - F.H.T.M.S.

 

 

Revised August 2005


                             TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PURPOSE...................................................................................................................................   4

 

PHILOSOPHY..............................................................................................................................   5

 

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES......................................................................................................   5

 

COACHES/ADMINISTRATION RELATIONSHIPS.................................................................   5

 

COACHES LEGAL DUTIES .....................................................................................................   6

 

COACHES RESPONSIBILITY TO PARENTS.........................................................................   9

 

COACHES RESPONSIBILITY TO SCHOOL...........................................................................   9

 

COACHES RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY...........................................................   9

 

COACHES A.S.E.P. REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................   9

 

STUDENT WELFARE GUIDELINES.....................................................................................   10

 

SAFETY AND WELFARE OF PARTICIPANTS....................................................................   10

 

SOUTH BURLINGTON CODE OF SPORTSMANSHIP........................................................ 11

 

GENERAL COACHING INSTRUCTIONS..............................................................................   13

 

SBHS ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES............................................................................................. 14

 

FHTMS ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES.......................................................................................... 15

 

TRAVEL...................................................................................................................................... 15

 

ADDITIONAL FHTMS EXPECTATIONS................................................................................ 16

 

HAZING....................................................................................................................................... 17

 

TRANSFER FROM ACTIVITY TO ACTIVITY.......................................................................... 17

 

TWO SPORT POLICY............................................................................................................... 18

 

AWARDS.................................................................................................................................... 18

 

MAJOR SPORTS AWARDS.................................................................................................... 18

 

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE FOR ATHLETES.......................................................................... 21

 

RECRUITMENT OF STUDENTS............................................................................................. 21

 

POSTPONEMENT OF GAMES............................................................................................... 21

 

PRESS COVERAGE................................................................................................................ 21

 

REBEL BOOSTER CLUB........................................................................................................ 22

 

INJURIES.................................................................................................................................... 22

 

EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN................................................................................................. 23

 

CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER............................................................................................ 23

 

ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT........................................................................................................... 24

 

SEASON SUMMARY................................................................................................................ 26

 

COACHES CHECKLIST.......................................................................................................... 26

 

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT TRAINING RULES...................................................................... 29

 

FORMS:

 

REBEL ROSTER....................................................................................................................... 32

 

STANDARD STUDENT ACCIDENT FORM.......................................................................... 33

 

ATHLETICS REQUEST FOR MATERIALS............................................................................ 34

 

ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT INVENTORY.................................................................................... 35

 

SPORTS RESULTS.................................................................................................................. 36

 

ATHLETIC AWARDS SHEET.................................................................................................. 37

 

ATHLETIC AWARDS - TROPHIES......................................................................................... 38

 

SELF EVALUATION REPORT................................................................................................ 39

 

 

 

                                                                    PURPOSE 

 

This handbook is intended to familiarize all coaches, students and parents with the purposes, goals and objectives of the South Burlington High/Middle School athletic program and to alert each coach to the responsibilities they have as an integral part of the athletic staff.

 

CODE OF ETHICS OF THE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL COACHES ASSOCIATION:

 

AS A PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR I WILL:

 

   -        Exemplify the highest moral character, behavior and leadership.

 

   -        Respect the integrity and personality of the individual athlete.

 

   -        Abide by the rules of the game both in letter and in spirit.

 

   -        Demonstrate a mastery of, and continuing interest in coaching through professional improvement.

 

   -        Encourage a respect for all athletes and their values.

 

   -        Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat.

 

   -        Promote ethical relationships among coaches.

 

   -        Fulfill responsibilities to provide health services and an environment free of safety hazards.

 

   -        Encourage the highest standards of conduct and scholastic achievement among all athletes.

 

   -        Seek to instill good health habits including the establishment of sound training rules.

 

   -        Strive to develop in each athlete the qualities of leadership, initiative, and good judgment.

 

As a member of the South Burlington Athletic Department, I will uphold these values and strive to meet these objectives.

 

_______________________________________                    ________________

Coach's Signature                                                                                        Date

 

Please sign and return to the Director of Student Activities

 

Fall Coaches date due:  September 1st

Winter Coaches date due:  December 1st

Spring Coaches date due:  April 1st

PHILOSOPHY

 

The athletic experience is a very intense educational situation.  The coach should utilize this situation to instill in the athletes the values that will help them enter society as well-adjusted, useful, emotionally and morally mature individuals.  To achieve these values, a coach must treat all individuals equally while simultaneously realizing the potential and limitations of each individual.

 

The personal example of everyone connected with the program will do much towards attaining these high ideals.  Coaches should display the values they are striving to instill, for to teach these values, one must have them.                                     

 

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

 

Ø      The development of student abilities through healthy competition.

Ø      To bring about the realization in our students that competition is a privilege that carries definite responsibilities.

Ø      To develop an interest in sports that will carry over into adult life.

Ø      To represent South Burlington Schools and the community, in a manner that brings respect for the school and each individual participant.

Ø      To develop a healthy attitude towards opponents, realizing that they deserve our most sincere effort to emerge victorious while simultaneously understanding that their purpose is to defeat us in a healthy, sporting encounter.

Ø      To allow every individual the maximum opportunity to participate in an activity while recognizing that sports, like life, is a competitive situation in which some will excel, some will succeed, some will fail, and all will benefit merely by being participants.

 

COACHES/ADMINISTRATION RELATIONSHIPS:

 

All athletic coaches are directly responsible to the Director of Student Activities in carrying out their co-curricular duties.  All co-curricular positions (coaches, advisors, etc.) are specific to the assignment and are for one-year only. No continual employment rights to any assigned co-curricular position beyond the annual assignment are implied or should be assumed.  The Director of Student Activities is under the supervision of the high school and middle school principals. 

 

The Director will initiate and carry out an evaluation of head coach's performances closely following the completion of the sports’ season on a rotating basis.  The Director should be considered to be constantly accessible to every coach should situations arise during a season which require discussion.  It is expected that all discussion may be entirely open and free with the overall goal of the program always in perspective.  If at any time a coach does not feel satisfied at the department level, they should feel free to seek redress at the next administrative level, i.e. middle school or high school principal.

 

Athletic policies are generally determined at the department level.  Once established and approved--every coach is expected to enforce departmental policy in a positive manner, whether in complete agreement or not.

 

 

14 LEGAL DUTIES OF A COACH

 

DUTY TO PLAN –

 

This is an ongoing process that continually focuses on analyses and to develop strategies that prevent or reduce injury.  Items to consider: 

-         Coaching Competence – keep up to date 

-         Medical Screening

-         Responsive Strategies that prevent or reduce injuries

-         Appropriate Activities that consider age, maturity and environmental conditions

-         Facility and Equipment evaluation and improvement

-         Injury Response

-         Safe Storage of equipment

-         Warnings to athletes and parents

-         Insurance of athletes

-         Keep Written Plans of practices, policies, etc.

 

DUTY TO SUPERVISE –

 

A coach must be physically present, provide competent instruction, structure practices that are appropriate for the age and maturity of players, prevent foreseeable injuries and respond to injury or trauma in an approved manner.  Things to keep in mind:

-         Lock all doors to unsupervised areas

-         Control reckless player behaviors – set high standards

-         Evaluate the condition, safe usage, maintenance and up keep of equipment and facilities

-         Set high standards of conduct in locker room area, practices and games, etc.

 

DUTY TO ASSESS ATHELTES READINESS FOR PRACTICE AND COMPETITION –

 

Coaches are required to assess the health and physical maturational readiness skills and physical condition of athletes.  Athletes are required to have a Sport Physical on file with the Athletic Trainer before they can try out for a sport.  Other areas of importance:

-         Athletic Physical Exam every two years

-         Proper conditioning of athletes

-         Athletes who require the care of a physician should have a physician’s release before they return to practice

-         Mismatch of athletes of different skills

 

 

 

 

 

14 LEGAL DUTIES OF A COACH - continued

 

DUTY TO MAINTAIN SAFE PLAYING CONDITIONS –

 

Remember that coaches are considered trained professionals who possess a higher level of knowledge and skill that permits them to identify foreseeable causes of injury inherent in defective equipment or hazardous environments.   Areas of concern:

-         Improve unsafe environments

-         Repair or remove unsafe equipment

-         Weather conditions:  lightening, snow day, ice day, frost warnings, high humidity, frostbite, etc.

 

DUTY TO PROVIDE EQUIPMENT –

 

Coaches must ensure athletes are properly equipped with clean, durable and safe equipment.  We must assure that the equipment is properly fitted and properly worn.  Selection of equipment must also consider age and maturity of athletes. Remember to keep up with the NOCSAE approved equipment. Maintain your equipment with a regular reconditioning schedule.

 

 

DUTY TO INSTRUCT PROPERLY –

 

Athletic practices must be characterized by instruction that accounts for a logical sequence of fundamentals that lead to an enhanced progression of player knowledge, skill and capability.  Instruction must move from the simple to the complex and unknown to known.  Instruction must demonstrate appropriate and safe technique and must include warnings about unsafe techniques and prohibited practices. It is vital that you are able to identify and avoid dangerous practices or conditions. 

Other helpful suggestions:

-         Annual coaches in-service meetings

-         Encourage coaches to join professional associations

-         Encourage coaches to attend coaching clinics

 

DUTY TO MATCH ATHLETES – </