Coaches Handbook - University Liggett School

2008-09CoachesHandbook

General InformationSchool name:Address:University Liggett School1045 Cook Rd.Grosse Pointe WoodsMI 48236-2509Athletic Office: (313) 884-4444 ext. 240 or 241Fax: (313) 884-1775McCann Ice Rink: (313) 343-0947Web site:www.uls.orgAdministrationHead of School:Joseph P. HealeyHead of Upper School:Trey CassidyAthletic Director:Michelle HicksAdministrativeAssistant:Mary Jo CampoTeam BrandingSchool colors:Navy and redSchool mascot:Knights

A coach is first and foremost a teacher; not only of X’s and O’s but also a teacher of life skillsand lessons. A successful athletic department depends on all coaches and all sports, not on anisolated coach or team. A cooperative attitude and approach is necessary to ensure the successof any program. Coaches are encouraged to communicate with each other often, share in eachother’s successes and support each other during difficult times. Coaches can serve asinvaluable resources for one another.This document is intended to serve as a resource for all ULS coaches and to establish consistentcommunication and efficiency in the ULS athletic program. The contents will help define aswell as communicate philosophies, policies and coaches’ responsibilities and expectations.The Coaches Handbook serves as a companion to the ULS Upper School Athletic Handbook.Coaches should review that handbook (found on-line) for additional information in order toprepare for their coaching responsibilities.PhilosophyInterscholastic athletics play an important role in a student’s educational experience.Participation in athletics provides students the opportunity for personal growth in a numberof areas including commitment, leadership, sportsmanship, responsibility, self-discipline,self-confidence, loyalty, pride, perseverance and teamwork. Participating in athletics, as anathlete, coach or spectator, is a privilege and along with it comes certain responsibilities.Integrity, sportsmanship and ethical conduct are expected from all involved. Coaches areexpected to foster and demonstrate appropriate behavior for their athletes. Coaches mustrecognize the young men and women with whom they work are individuals and will respondto coaching styles differently. Successful coaches continuously search for effective teachingmethods, create a balance between criticism and praise and make working hard a rewardingrather than dreaded experience.All ULS students, regardless of experience, are encouraged to participate in athletics. It’shoped, through their participation, students will reap the benefits that result from being amember of a team, learn to deal with success as well as adversity and realize that success canbe defined in many ways.University Liggett School Coaches Handbook 2008-09 1

Upper School Athletic OfferingsFall Boys GirlsSoccerField HockeyTennisVolleyballWinter Boys GirlsBasketball BasketballIce Hockey Ice HockeySwimming SwimmingSpring Boys GirlsBaseballLacrosseGolfSoccerLacrosseSoftballTennisSub-Varsity and Varsity ProgramsThe goal of sub-varsity programs is to prepare athletes tocompete at the varsity level. The main focus at the subvarsitylevel is skill and strategy development. Playingtime at the JV level is needed to improve the athlete’sskill level and knowledge of the game. Assuming a JVathlete attends practices consistently, puts forth goodeffort and follows team rules, she/he should receivegame time experience.At the varsity level, athletes continue to strengthen theirskills and the emphasis on winning contests increases.Playing time is earned and is ultimately determined bythe coach. Playing time can be affected by attendance,effort, attitude and skill development. Age, grade andyears on a team do not guarantee playing time.Upper School Sportsand Conference AffiliationsBoysConferenceBaseball...........................Metro ConferenceBasketball .......................Metro ConferenceGolf..................................Metro ConferenceIce Hockey......................IndependentLacrosse ..........................IndependentSoccer ..............................Metro ConferenceSwimming/Diving........League of Independent SchoolsTennis ..............................IndependentGirlsConferenceBasketball .......................Metro ConferenceField Hockey..................MI High SchoolField Hockey LeagueIce Hockey......................MI Metro Girls’Ice Hockey LeagueLacrosse ..........................South East MIWomen’s Lacrosse Conf.Soccer ..............................Metro ConferenceSoftball ............................Metro ConferenceSwimming/Diving........League of Independent SchoolsTennis ..............................Metro ConferenceVolleyball........................Metro ConferenceCoaches’ Roles/ResponsibilitiesThe responsibilities and expectations of coaches are many.Entering the coaching world should be done with carefulconsideration of the obligations involved. Coaches mustunderstand, as unfortunate as it may seem, society hassignificantly shifted the burden of responsibility awayfrom the athletes and their families and toward the coach.It has become increasingly clear the public has a pictureof a coach that differs from the traditional image. Thepublic expects expertise in its coaches. Courts, too, haveheld these individuals must perform as though fullyand completely qualified to do the jobs they’ve accepted.The following pages are intended to guide and supportcoaches as they work with the ULS student-athletes.Although responsibilities vary, these lists provide abasic overview.2University Liggett School Coaches Handbook 2008-09

Pre-Season Responsibilities• The MHSAA requires varsity head coaches to attendannual rules meetings. The dates and locations ofthese meetings are posted on mhsaa.com. Coaches arestrongly encouraged to check for and arrange to attendthe rules meetings far in advance of the start of theseason. Some rules meetings will be offered online.Coaches and schools can be subject to penalty if acoach fails to attend the rules meetings.• In addition to attending the MHSAA rules meetings,coaches are expected to attend league and conferencemeetings and the ULS coaches meetings (held prior toeach season).• Confirm your season schedule, including busdeparture times, with the athletic department. Bringany questions or concerns regarding your schedule tothe attention of the AD. Do this as soon as possible soconflicts can be resolved.• If applicable, review practice schedules for sharedfacilities.• Confirm all uniforms and equipment are ready fordistribution. It is the coaches’ responsibility to keepaccurate lists of items issued to the student-athletes.• Sign-up meetings will be held during upper schoolcommunity time a few weeks prior to the beginningof the season. Coaches should use this opportunityto communicate schedules, policies and expectationswith the athletes. At this time, coaches need to informstudent-athletes if they do not have an IAPF on filein the Athletic Department. Following the meeting,coaches need to provide the Athletic Department a listof student-athletes signed up for their sport.• Coaches must communicate with parents at thebeginning of the season. Coaches may choose tohold a parent meeting or send a letter of informationor both. Topics that should be communicated withparents include: coaches’ contact information, gameand practice schedules, expectations, teamrules/policies, criteria for earning a varsity letter,process used for choosing team captains, process usedfor team placement (JV or Varsity), playing timedecisions and any other information you feel will behelpful in making the coach-parent relationship asstrong as possible.Game Day Responsibilities• Fully stocked medical kits and ice are to be with theteam at all games and practices. Med kits and icecoolers are available from the athletic trainer.• IAPFs (athletes’ medical forms) are to be with thecoach during all games and practices. Student-athletesare required to have a completed IAPF on file in theathletic office prior to beginning practice. If a coachdoes not have a copy of an athlete’s IAPF, that athletemay not participate in practices or games. It is thecoaches’ responsibility to monitor this. Per theMHSAA, a game may be forfeited if an athleteparticipates without a completed IAPF on file.• Coaches, or individuals assigned by coaches, areresponsible for facility set-up: scoreboards, tables,score sheets, time keepers, line judges and any otherequipment or personnel (not including officials)necessary for the contest.• Officials’ payment will no longer be available ongame day. Coaches must have officials complete an“Official’s Voucher” (available in the Athletic Office)and return this form to the Athletic Office thefollowing day. Officials will not be paid without theseforms. Checks will be mailed on Fridays.• Greet, or appoint an assistant coach, team manager orparent to greet, the opposing team and show them totheir locker room or team area.• Away games: verify location, time and directions;board the bus on time and at the designated location.• Varsity coaches: Call newspapers with game results.JV and Varsity coaches: post game results on teamportals and email game results to the AD.University Liggett School Coaches Handbook 2008-09 3

End of Season Responsibilities• Collect all school-issued uniforms and equipment.It is highly recommended this be done immediatelyfollowing the last contest or on the very next day.• Inform the AD of any equipment or uniforms notreturned. The athlete’s family account will be chargedreplacement costs.• Take an inventory of the uniforms and equipment.Make a list of uniform and equipment needs for thefollowing year. Share and discuss this list with the AD.• If needed, uniforms will be sent out to be laundered.This can be arranged through the athletic office.• Attendance at post-season league and conferencemeetings is expected. These meetings are typicallyused to discuss league and conference honors as wellas other important issues.• Honors and awards must be communicated to theathletic office: MIP, MVP, three- and four-year varsityletter awards, coaches’ awards, league or state honors,academic honors, etc. This information will be sharedwith the communications office and used to orderplaques.• Coaches are expected to attend the end of the seasonathletic awards programs. Days and times will beannounced at the beginning of each school year. MIPand MVP honors will be announced at these programs.For fall and winter sports, coaches are to plan postseasongatherings in order to wrap-up the season andto present the remaining awards. This gathering canbe very simple and can take place at ULS. It shouldoccur promptly following the season in order to avoidconflicts with the next season. If a team is going togather at school, the AD must submit a facility requestform (based on information received from the coach)and receive permission to use the facilities for the dayand time requested. In the spring, team gatherings areincluded in the awards night program.• Coaches are to complete a “Coach’s Post-seasonSelf-assessment” form and give it to the AD within aweek of the season ending. This is available in theAthletic Office.• The MHSAA requires coaches to rate game officials.The ratings are completed online and are due beforethe end of the season. In order to save time at the endof the season, it is suggested coaches record officials’names, ID numbers and take notes throughout theseason so the information is available at the time ofcompleting the ratings. Schools are subject to a penaltyif coaches fail to complete officials’ ratings.Michigan High School Athletic Association(MHSAA) Participation RegulationsA copy of the MHSAA handbook is kept in the AthleticOffice. Go to mhsaa.com in to view it online.The following eligibility requirements, as set by theMichigan High School Athletic Association, must beobserved in order to participate in the ULS athleticprogram.EnrollmentA student must be enrolled in the school for whichhe/she competes not later than the fourth Friday afterLabor Day (first semester) or the fourth Friday ofFebruary (second semester).TransfersA student enrolled in grades 9-12 who transfers fromone high school to another high school is ineligible toparticipate in an interscholastic athletic contest orscrimmage for one full semester in the school to whichthe student transfers. There are exceptions to this rule.Please see the “TRANSFERS” section of the MHSAAhandbook (available in the Athletic Office).Semesters of competitionA student, once enrolled in grade nine, shall be allowedto compete in only four first-semester seasons and onlyfour second-semester seasons. For example, a studentmay not compete in more than four seasons of aparticular sport.Semesters of enrollmentA student who has been enrolled in grades nine throughtwelve for more than eight semesters shall not be eligibleto compete in any level of athletics. The seventh andeighth semesters must be consecutive.AgeA student in grades nine through twelve who participatesin any interscholastic athletic contest must be undernineteen (19) years of age. When a student’s nineteenthbirthday occurs on or after September 1 of a currentschool year, he/she is eligible for participation for thebalance of that school year.4University Liggett School Coaches Handbook 2008-09

Interscholastic Athletic Participation Form(IAPF)A student must have a physical examination formsigned by a physician certifying that the student isfully able to compete in athletics. This form, which ismailed to families in early summer, must be on file inthe Athletic Office prior to the student participating inpractices or competitions. Athletes must have a new IAPFeach school year.For privacy reasons, IAPFs are to be kept in the envelopein which they are given to each coach and not sharedwith anyone other than medical personnel. Coaches needto have IAPFs with them at all practices and games.(In case of an injury, every attempt will be made tocontact the parents. If the parents are unavailable, anattempt will be made to contact the doctor listed on theIAPF or, if deemed necessary, the injured athlete will betransported to a hospital for advanced medical care.)AwardsA student will not accept, from any source, anythingfor participation in athletics other than an emblematicaward. An emblematic award would include, but is notlimited to any medal, ribbon, badge, plaque, cup, trophy,banner, pictures or varsity letter award. Acceptance ofsuch items as cash, merchandise, memberships,privileges, services, athletic equipment, clothing orjewelry would be a violation.No acceptable award shall exceed twenty-five dollars($25.00) in value with the exception of the regular letteraward of the school. The cost of engraving a medal orsimilar award need not be included in determining thevalue of the award.No one, such as a parent, friend or other person mayaccept an award on behalf of the athlete at any time priorto graduation from high school.Maintaining amateur statusStudents participating in athletics or planning to do so inhis/her high school career, will not: (1) accept any moneyfor participating in athletics, sports or games; or (2) sign acontract with a professional team.Athletic competition outside of schoolA student who has participated in any contest as amember of a school team may not participate in thesame sport in the same season in any athletic competitionoutside of and not sponsored by the school.The exception to this rule is the individual sport athletewho may participate in a maximum of two (2) individualsports meets or contests during that sports season whilenot representing his/her school. A student may notparticipate in any “all-star” contest at any time in anysport (sponsored by the MHSAA) during the school year.Summer Dead PeriodEach school will designate a summer dead period of, atleast, seven consecutive calendar days, when school isnot in session, prior to August 1st of each school year.During the dead period, coaches shall not providecoaching to any students from the district in which theycoach in any setting including camps, clinics, open gyms,conditioning or weight training. The summer allowedcompetitions (7 or 15) may not take place during the deadperiod. The dead period will be the same for all sportswithin a school and shall not overlap the fall pre-seasondown time.In the simplest of terms, coaches are to have zero contactwith their athletes during the summer dead period.Pre-Season Down TimeIn all seasons, there will be a pre-season period when noopen gyms or competitions with groups that resembleschool teams shall occur at the school with any schoolpersonnel present. The pre-season down time distinguishesthe pre-season activity from the actual start oftry-outs or practices. For fall sports, the down time runsfrom August 1st until the first day of allowed practice.For winter sports, the down time runs 14 calendar daysprior to the 1st day of allowed practice. For spring sports,the down time runs from March 1st until the day ofallowed practice.Non-sport-specific conditioning (no sport-specificequipment allowed) is permitted and individual skilldevelopment work with no more than three players ispermitted during this time provided these are notmandatory, either directly or indirectly, not part of theteam selection process and do not use school funds,uniforms or transportation. Three-player scheduledrotations are not allowed…no more than three playersat a time are allowed in the immediate area (gym, weightroom, field, etc).In the simplest of terms, no open gyms or open skatesare to take place during the pre-season down period.Conditioning may take place with no sports-specificequipment used. Skill development may occur with nomore than three athletes.University Liggett School Coaches Handbook 2008-09 5

Background Checks/FingerprintsAll coaches are required to be fingerprinted in order for abackground check to be conducted.Coaches will also complete a “Conviction DisclosureForm.” Paperwork and information will be provided bythe Athletic Office.BehaviorAny athlete whose action/behavior is deemedinappropriate or requires police intervention may besubject to, but not limited to, suspension or dismissalfrom the team.Any athlete ejected from a game will automatically besuspended from the next contest or two depending onapplicable rules. The athlete may be subjected toadditional school, league or state consequences.Subsequent ejections may result in multiple contestsuspensions or removal from the team. It is expected thatULS athletes demonstrate self-control and sportsmanshipat all times.Coaches are expected to communicate with athletesregarding appropriate behavior and expectations.Coaches are expected to model appropriate behavior.CommunicationClear communication between parents and coaches isessential. Coaches make decisions based on what theybelieve to be best for all athletes involved and theguidelines listed below are intended to clarifyexpectations for channels of communication betweenparents and coaches.Communication parents can expect from coaches:• Coach’s expectations for the athletes and the team.• Locations and times of all practices and contestsand any changes in locations and times of practicesand contests.• Team requirements: practices, training rules,attendance policy, criteria for earning a varsityletter, etc.• Consequences for not following team requirements.• Coach’s contact information: phone numbers,e-mail, etc.Communication coaches can expect from parents:• Questions regarding a coach’s expectations.• Concerns regarding academic performance.• Notification of illness, injury or family commitmentthat will affect the athlete’s attendance at practicesand/or games (if possible, athletes, rather thanparents, are encouraged to communicate with thecoach).• Questions regarding how an athlete might improvehis/her skill level.Parents are encouraged to share their concerns with thecoach prior to discussing them with the AD or otherschool administrators.At the beginning of each season, coaches are expected tocommunicate with parents through a parent meetingand/or letter of information. Suggested content of thismeeting and/or letter is listed under Pre-SeasonResponsibilities.Changes in practice or contest schedules should becommunicated to parents. This can be accomplishedusing team portals and/or parents’ emails.Continuing Education• ULS coaches are strongly encouraged to pursuecontinuing education opportunities.• ULS will fund (in full or in part) conferences,seminars, workshops, etc which will assist coachesin developing their ability to coach and mentorULS athletes.• The MHSAA offers continuing educationopportunities through the Coaches’ AdvancementProgram (CAP). Information is available onwww.mhsaa.com• Coaches associations typically offer annualworkshops for their members.• Coaches are to complete a “Continuing EducationReport” and return it to the Athletic Officefollowing participating in a continuing educationprogram. This form is available in the AthleticOffice.University Liggett School Coaches Handbook 2008-09 7

Dress Code• Coaches and athletes are expected to dress in amanner which represents ULS in a positive andappropriate way.• Coaches may choose to set a team dress code.Consideration must be made to the cost involved.Harassment/Team Initiations• Team initiations are not permitted. Harassment isunacceptable. Team initiations and/or harassmentcan bring embarrassment or humiliation to teammembers. In the worst scenario, physical harmcan result.• Coaches are to be proactive in dispelling such“traditional” practices by teams. The supervisionof teams is critical to eliminating team initiationsor harassment.Hazing• Under no circumstances is hazing accepted as partof ULS athletics. Teammates are expected to treatone another with respect and compassion. Studentsparticipating in hazing may be subject tosuspension or removal from a team.• Coaches are expected to immediately address andput an end to any activity that might be consideredhazing. The supervision of teams is critical toeliminating hazing activities.Inclement Weather• Fall and Spring head coaches are responsible fornotifying the Athletic Office (the earlier the better)regarding practice plans when the weather isthreatening or already inclement. If notice is givenearly enough, the Athletic Office will post signs invarious areas to communicate the day’s plans.• On game days, the Athletic Office will notify headcoaches, via email, if a game has been cancelleddue to the weather.• Athletes are to be removed from the fields at thefirst sign of thunder or lightning. There is no roomfor debate on this issue: thunder is thunder andlightning is lightning. Practice is to end or to moveindoors in the case of thunder or lightning. A periodof 30 minutes without thunder or lightning mustpass before athletes can return to the fields.Injuries• Injuries, regardless of severity, are to be brought tothe attention of the athletic trainer. The athletictrainer is responsible for paperwork but the coachmay need to provide some information regardingthe injury and circumstances.• Coaches are to have the athletic trainer’s phonenumber on hand and call the athletic trainer whenan injury occurs.• If a physician determines an athlete may notparticipate due to an injury, the athlete must presenta signed release from the physician in order toreturn to play.• Medical kits, ice and IAPFs are to be at all practicesand contests.• Coaches are encouraged to receive training in firstaid procedures and CPR/AED training. Thesecourses are available through the American RedCross (ULS will cover the costs of such classes).Keys and Building Security• Coaches are to inform the AD when/if practiceswill be held on the weekends or during holidaybreaks.• Neither keys nor building codes are to be given toathletes. If an athlete is given keys or building codesand a security breach occurs, the coach will be heldaccountable for damages, re-keying expenses, etc.• When leaving for the day, assume you are the lastperson in the facility and turn off lights, returnequipment to its proper place and lock the doors.Logo/Team Branding• The school and team are to be referred to as“University Liggett School” or “ULS.”Team uniforms and official gear are to be navy blue, redor white in any combination.• If a logo is used on apparel or banners, request theofficial athletic logo from the Director ofCommunication. Any deviations from this must beapproved by the Director of Communication andAthletic Director.8University Liggett School Coaches Handbook 2008-09

Overnight Trips• Coaches are to communicate the desire to planan overnight trip with the AD prior to the start ofthe season.• Coaches are responsible for contacting the hotel andarranging for lodging. Athletes will be responsiblefor the cost of rooms and meals. Athletes willprovide checks, made payable to ULS, for theirshare of the lodging costs. These checks are to begiven to the coach prior to the day of departure.ULS will pay for the coach’s and bus driver’s rooms.• All school policies are in effect during any schoolsponsoredtrip. Should an athlete’s behaviorwarrant, he/she may require transportation homeat the parents’ expense.• Coaches will provide a letter of information forparents (with a copy given to the AD) when takingtheir team on an overnight trip. This letter willinclude the following:Practices• Contact information for the coach, hotel andhost school.• A schedule of departure and arrival times.• A schedule of contests and their locations.• A list of rules/expectations for the trip.• Costs.• On school days, practices should begin at or after3:30 pm and are to be done by 8:00 pm.• Times, locations and any changes in practices mustbe communicated to athletes and parents. Post thisinformation on team portals and encourage familiesto check the site frequently.• Practices are to be supervised by a coach at alltimes. Due to supervisory concerns, “captains’practices” are not permitted.• Coaches are to inform the Athletic Office if unableto attend a practice or game.• Practice schedules for shared facilities will bedistributed through the Athletic Office or rinkmanager.Purchases and Reimbursements• Purchases must be approved by the AD.• Coaches must submit a receipt for purchases inorder to be reimbursed. Please note that sales taxwill not be reimbursed. Tax exempt forms areavailable in the Business Office.Reporting Scores/Contacting the Media• Varsity head coaches are to report all contest resultsto the Grosse Pointe News (313) 343-6297, DetroitFree Press (313) 222-6661 and Detroit News (313)222-2260.• Varsity head coaches are to contact the GrossePointe News on a weekly basis. This is youropportunity to have ULS athletes and athleticsrecognized locally.• All head coaches are to report scores to the AD bynoon of the following day. The AD will post scoreson the main athletic portal. In addition, all coachesshould post contest scores on their team portals.• In the event of an injury or an event that may becontroversial, coaches are to direct the media to theDirector of Communications.Rosters• Head coaches are to provide a list of all athletes thathave signed up to participate on their team to theAthletic Office as soon as possible (no later than theday after the first day of practice). Rosters will beused as the main reference when making copies ofIAPFs and to generate MHSAA eligibility lists.• Coaches must immediately report changes in rostersto the Athletic Office. Changes in rosters will affectthe list of IAPFs a coach will need and the MHSAAeligibility list. If a coach fails to inform the AthleticOffice of changes in a team’s roster, the involvedathletes may be ineligible for MHSAA post-seasontournaments.Professional AssociationsMost sports have a national, state and/or regionalassociation to which coaches may apply for membership.Benefits of membership generally include opportunitiesfor workshops, newsletters and networking. ULS coachesare expected to join these associations (ULS will paymembership dues).University Liggett School Coaches Handbook 2008-09 9

Schedules• Coaches wishing to arrange their own schedule areallowed to do so provided there is communicationwith the AD. It is imperative coaches use the schoolcalendar and athletic policies as a guide whenscheduling their own games. As a scheduledevelops, coaches should share the updates withthe AD.• Coaches are not to make any changes to the gameschedule without consulting with the AD.Student Charges• Athletes are to be charged for anyclothing/equipment they will keep at the end of theseason. These charges are recorded on the studentcharge slips which are available from the AthleticOffice. Coaches are to complete these forms(including costs, quantities and totals), have theathletes sign them and return them to the AD.• School issued uniforms/equipment that is notreturned or has been damaged through an athlete’snegligence will be charged to the athlete’s account.The athlete will be charged replacement costs,which may include minimum quantity re-order.Student Managers• Coaches decide if a team manager is needed andmust communicate the “job description.” Studentmanagers must fulfill these expectations in order toreceive credit for participation.• The team manager is a vital member of any team.The effectiveness of practices and games dependsupon his/her ability to carry out duties specified bythe coach. Some of these duties may include, but arenot limited to, the following:Substance abuse• Any athlete using/consuming/providing drugs,alcohol and/or cigarettes while in-season, whetheron school property or not, will be suspended fromthe team for one week (no participation in practicesor contests).• A second offense will result in dismissal from theteam for the remainder of the season and theAthletic Director and Head of Upper School willreview eligibility for participation on future ULSteams.Summer and season off programs• There are numerous sports camps, clinics andtraining programs available for high school athletesduring the summer or off-seasons. These programsprovide the athletes opportunities to improve theirskills and knowledge in a given sport.• These programs are voluntary. A coach may notrequire enrollment in these programs as a conditionfor membership or placement on an athletic team.Supervision• Be in a position to supervise any activity in whichyour team is participating: practice, weight room,contests, off campus runs (coaches are expected toaccompany their teams during these runs).• Communicate (verbal and written) team rules andexpectations related to appropriate behavior, use ofequipment, skills and techniques.• Report any defective equipment or unsafe playingareas to the AD and the maintenance department.• Coaches should have well-organized practice andgame plans to assist with effective supervision.• Demonstrate respect for teammates, coaches,officials and opponents.• Fulfill commitment to the team by attendingpractices and contests.• Be responsible for practice and gameequipment.• Take attendance.• Provide water and ice for practices and games.• Assist the coach with drills.• Record statistics.• Run the clock and/or keep the scorebook at allhome games.10University Liggett School Coaches Handbook 2008-09

Team Selection• Team selection is the responsibility of the coach.Although coaches develop their own criteria forteam selection, the following criteria are commonlyused: ability, effort, attendance, attitude, and“coachability.”• Sub-varsity programs are meant to prepare anddevelop athletes for the varsity level. This isaccomplished through sport-specific skill andstrategy work. Assuming JV athletes attendpractices, display appropriate effort and attitude,playing time can be expected. At the varsity level,athletes will continue to strengthen skills but thereis an increased emphasis on winning. Playing timeat the varsity level will vary and is determined bythe head coach.• The team selection process must be clearlycommunicated to the athletes.• Some coaches find using a sport-specific rubrichelpful when evaluating athletes for teamplacement.• A minimum of two days of tryouts is encouragedprior to team selection.• This can be an emotional time for the athletes andparents. After teams are chosen, coaches need to beavailable to talk with athletes who may havequestions about their placement.Training room• Athletes requiring attention for an injury should seethe athletic trainer. The training room is located inthe upper school gym near the boys’ locker roomand is usually open by 3 pm.• Medical kits, water coolers and water bottles can beobtained from the athletic trainer. All equipmentfrom the training room must be returned at the endof the season.Transportation• Head coaches should confirm directions andlocation of contest with the bus driver prior todeparting.• A coach must accompany a team while traveling.It is the coach’s responsibility to maintain order anddiscipline and to supervise the athletes in the eventof an emergency.• Upon returning to ULS, coaches are to ensure, withthe help of the athletes, the bus is clean and allequipment is removed.• It is expected athletes use school providedtransportation to get to and from away contests.This is a time for the coach to speak with the teamabout the contest or other issues that may need tobe addressed. The only exception to this is if aparent makes prior arrangements with the coach ora school administrator for the parent to transporttheir child. Athletes are not allowed to transport oneanother to or from practices/contests.• If an athlete is not present at the time of departure,he/she will be considered absent and transportationwill leave. If he/she is able to get to the awaycontest, it will be the decision of the coach whetheror not the athlete participates in the contest.• It is the responsibility of the athlete to informhis/her parents of the estimated time of return fromaway contests, and the responsibility of the parentsto be at school on time to pick up their child.Coaches will provide this information to theirteams.• IInform the AD if a parent is chronically late pickingup their child.• Coaches should have the trainer’s phone number atall times.University Liggett School Coaches Handbook 2008-09 11

uls.org• Each team has a team portal (“team page”) onwww.uls.org It is expected coaches keep their teamportal current and use them to communicate withathletes and parents.• The team portal allows a coach to post game andpractice schedules, changes in schedules, teamrecords and stats and team messages. It can also beused to track school-issued equipment anduniforms.• Contact the Director of Communications withquestions regarding the website.Uniforms and equipment• Athletes are responsible for the care, security anduse of all uniforms and equipment issued to themthrough the Athletic Department. Athletes will becharged replacement costs for any uniforms and/orequipment damaged or not returned in a timelymanner.• All uniforms and/or equipment must be returned tothe coach.• Parents interested in donating uniforms/equipmentor funds for the purchase of uniforms/equipmentmust be directed to the Director of Development.12University Liggett School Coaches Handbook 2008-09

SportsmanshipWe encourage good sportsmanship by:1. Showing a positive attitude by cheering for the players.2. Showing respect toward our opponents and their efforts.3. Accepting the decision of the officials without comment.4. Being considerate of other teams’ fans.

University Liggett School1045 Cook Road, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236-2509www.uls.org