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Communication
Scheduling
Equipment
Team Discipline
Health
Player Attitude
Parent Conduct
Organization
Rewards
Winning
Communication:
Parents are as important to the success of the team as the players. Coaches, Team Managers and Parents must work together. Please keep the Coaches or Team Manager informed about problems that may be going on with your child. If the child has been sick, taking medication, or going through some emotional trauma.
In issues regarding the team, in respect to Players Position, Playing Time, Playbooks, On-Field Instruction and Handling of Game Situations, there shall be no discussion between parents and coaching staff. It is not that the opinions of the parents are invaluable, only that an impartial coaching staff is better able to make these types of decisions.
If a parent feels that something is not correct, then they may contact the Team Manager for resolution. If this does not resolve the situation, then the parent may contact the Head Coach for resolution. If there is still no resolve to the situation, then the parent has the right to contact the Area president.
Parents and coaches must communicate with mutual respect. Parents, Team Managers and Coaches shall reserve the right to postpone conversations that are getting out of hand. Heated discussions have no place in front of the players.
Scheduling:
For Practice, we ask our players to be at least 5 minutes early. This will allow for them to get ready for practice to begin precisely on time. If the player is a QB, Receiver, or Kicker, we may ask that they be at practice 15 minutes early to enhance their individual skill.
For games, we ask that all players arrive 1 hour early. This gives us a chance to make sure everyone is there and to do our pre-game warm-ups.
Equipment:
*Note: Parents and players are responsible for the upkeep of the football equipment, specifically the Helmet and Shoulder Pads. These should be checked weekly prior to the game. Look for loose bolts, screws or rivets as well as frayed or broken straps.
- Players will need a white Helmet that meets NOCSAE requirements(Helmet Sizing Instructions) with a face mask and chin strap of their choosing.
- Shoulder Pads(Shoulder Pad Sizing Instructions).
- Knee/Thigh/Hip/Tail Pads (supported by a girdle and/or by the football pants).
- Uniforms:
- Game Pants: Black
- Game Jersey: White on red jersey which will be provided by the Area or bought by the team.
- Game Jersey will be red on white if playing another Arvada opponent and we are the away team. The numbers may not match the players current one and the jersey will be provided by the area.
- Game Socks: Black football knee socks.
- Practice Pants: It is recommended that players have a pair of inexpensive practice pants and save game pants for the games. These practice pants should have the same type of Hip/Tail pad fasteners as the Game pants, for interchangeability.
- Practice Jersey: Players should have a red colored practice jersey. Preferably the inexpensive mesh type. We ask that the players do not wear black practice jerseys. Also, wearing of large t-shirts as a practice jersey is strongly discouraged.
- Light weight t-shirt for under the shoulder pads. This prevents chaffing and rashes.
Cleats with molded sole(Detachable cleats are not allowed).
Jock Strap with hard protective Cup.
2 Mouthpieces(1 for back-up with name on holder and held by coach with game equipment).
Miscellaneous arm pads, rib cage protector or neck roll if desired.
There may be several helmet decals. A mascot decal on each side of the helmet. A stripe down the spine of the helmet, and a small circular number, corresponding with the players number, on the back of the helmet are all considered. The costs for these decals will be recouped through the team funds collected either by parent donation or fund raiser.
**Note Equipment loaned to the team members will be returned to the provider at the end of the season unless otherwise stated.
- Dressing Warmly
While the old adage states "for cold weather situations, dress in layers", it is somewhat difficult to dress in layers when you are wearing a football uniform, so this adage proves tough to comply with. It is important to keep warm out there so we are listing below some ideas.
Don'ts
- Don't wear sweat pants or shirts. The reason for this is that while they are warm, after they get wet, they hold the wetness close to the body. This can make the player colder.
- Don't wear thick winter gloves or mittens. They are not allowed on to the playing field as they are considered a potential hazard.
- Don't wear scarves. Again, they are not allowed on to the playing field and are considered a hazard.
Do's
- Wear Spandex or Lycra workout pants and shirts. These items tend to keep a player warm while allowing moisture to evaporate rather efficiently. These items should be warn as close to the skin as possible. As a side note, these items tend to be rather expensive. There are other less expensive ideas.
- One really simple inexpensive idea is to have the player wear pantyhose. While these may be a little embarrassing, it is quite simply one of the best ideas there is. Millions of Women can't be wrong! It does an ok job of keeping warmth in the legs while doing a great job of repelling water. Dry is a good thing to be!
- Spandex, Lycra or thin cloth head wrap or bandana. If thin enough, these provide great warmth for the head while not hurting the helmets ability to protect the head. Please do not use the thicker type of wool hat as it will affect the fit and performance of the helmet.
- Thin cotton long sleeve shirt for underneath the shoulder pads. While they don't repel water very well, if it is thin enough, it should protect the skin while not holding a large amount of moisture.
- For the hands, try a pair of football gloves. These look a lot like batting or golf gloves, but are usually designed for football. These can be fairly expensive!
- Large jackets are nice for the sidelines. Large jackets, big enough to fit over the shoulder pads are a great idea for the kids while they are on the sidelines during games. It should be something large enough to be easily put on and removed. A great suggestion is one of Dad's old jacket's!
Team Discipline:
Rules for the team will not be altered for any reason. The only acceptable reason for being late, leaving early or missing practice is a School Function/Activity which should have been previously discussed with Staff of team.
- Late for practice / Leaving early (considered late if not running with team for initial warm-up):
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1st Time - 1 lap after practice.
- 2nd Time - 2 laps after practice. No minimum play rule during the next game.
- 3rd Time - 3 laps after practice. No minimum play rule and benched for half of the next game.
- If a player is missing their mouthpiece or protective gear or has improper equipment for the start of practices and/or games, player will be benched until properly equipped.
- 1st - No minimum play rule and benched for 1st quarter during the next game.
- 2nd - Benched for next game.
- 3rd - Case by case.
- Late for game (considered late if not running with the team for initial warm up):
- If not at game prior to game start time, then player will be benched for the first half of the game.
*Note: Player must remain on the sidelines for the game.
- Off-Field Problems (if coaches are made aware of the problem by parent/s):
- Automatic one game suspension.
Health:
Players should drink 6 glasses of water everyday. Two before and after school, and two after practice, especially during the hot Summer months. A little extra salt sprinkled on their vegetables helps.
While we do not want to try to tell you how to feed your family, we felt as though we could give these hints for better performance of the players. We are by no means nutritionist, so please take these as suggestions only.
Night before the game, food items high in carbs (carbohydrates) are excellent. One of the best foods to serve the night before a game is Spaghetti. If vegetables can be fitted in to the meal, even better! Foods high in proteins (meats) and highly fatty foods (fast foods) can be detrimental to the players performance due to the time required to digest these items and their impact on the body. Drink plenty of water!!!
Morning Pre-game, large greasy or fatty breakfasts or those high in sugar and carbohydrate content tend to be detrimental to the players performance. Try some toast, oatmeal, fruit, juice and a small glass of milk. We know the kids want to eat their Fruity Pebbles, however save that for Sunday! Drink plenty of water!!!
Player Attitude:
- Keep up with your school work. Poor grades in school and not completing homework will result in disciplinary actions by the coaches.
- If you don't practice, you don't play. All excused absences must be coordinated with the coaches. We have a minimum play rule. However, If you don't make an effort to attend practices, we as coaches are not required to play you.
- What the coaches say goes. Back talking, profanity, or any form of disrespect will result in disciplinary actions.
- Respect other players. Remember your team mates are working with you not against you. Any unnecessary aggression or violence towards another player will result in disciplinary actions.
- Take care of your equipment. Let the coaches know if your equipment needs repair. This is the key to safety.
- Wear your mouthpiece when required and keep a spare.
- Come to practice prepared to work and play.
- Learn the rules of the game.
- Know the name of each position.
- Arrive on time for practices and games.
Parent Conduct:
- In the game of Football, kids occasionally get hurt. A parents initial reaction for their child is to help. This being said, we ask that parents not come on the playing or practice field when an injury happens. While the help is appreciated, it can often cause problems while under the care of the coaching staff and game officials.
- In the event of an injury the treatment order is as follows...
- Acknowledgement of the injured player.
- Stoppage of game or practice.(note: During game play, if the game is stopped due to injury, then the injured player must come out of the game for at least one play.)
- Initial assessment of the injury.
- Care of the injury if minor(small cut, stinger, etc...).
- If it is a major injury(loss of consciousness at all, broken bone, etc...), consultation with parent or guardian(if available) and transportation to the nearest medical facility.
- No physical involvement in team practice or games until full release of physician.
A member of the coaching staff will be currently trained to handle these situations and is also First Aid/CPR/Sports Injury Certified.
- If your child has sustained a minor injury, they, and the parent(if available) will be instructed on the proper care of the injury. Please try to follow the care procedures as they will help alleviate the injury.
- Please refrain from instructing your player in a manner different from what is being taught on the field by the coaches. This will only serve to confuse the player and create a power struggle.
- Parents and spectators on the sidelines are asked to remain behind the ropes(if available) or at least 15 feet behind the sidelines if no ropes are present. Spectators are also required to stay within the goal lines and not be in the end zone area. *Spectator areas are subject to change.
- There will be no communications with the referees on field during games or scrimmages. This includes talking on or off the field and yelling. League rules prohibit discussion with referees by all except designated team officials. League rules also prohibit team sidelines from saying or yelling profanities or demeaning words of any sort. As a result the team could be penalized, coach removed, and forfeiture of the game.
- There will be no negative or demeaning comments, remarks or gestures towards players, coaches or spectators of either team by parents or guests on the sidelines. Encouragement is what is needed.
- Failure to follow the above 3 rules will result in the following actions:
- Parent will be asked by Coach, Team Manager, or Team Mother to refrain from the action.
- If this does not resolve the action, the Parent will be asked to leave the field.
- If this does not resolve the action, the child of the parent will be asked to stop playing in the game and to leave the field with their parent.
- If this does not resolve the action, then the authorities will be asked to get involved.
Organization:
The team must have a Team Manager and Team Mom. If more than one applicant, there will be a vote on the positions at the Team Meeting.
- Team Manager is responsible for management of the team. This includes, but is not limited to:
- To act as a liaison between team parents and the coaching staff.
- To organize volunteers for the chain gang(home games) and Scorekeeper/Play Counter(Note: the Scorekeeper should be someone familiar with the game of Football and willing to concentrate on thier duties while watching the game).
- To promptly report to the Area Scorekeeper, the score of the game.
- The Team Manager should plan on attending and assumes the voting rights of the Head Coach at all of the area meetings for the rest of the year. This is an important task and decisions will be discussed with the Head Coach(if present).
- Co-Responsibility for returning player jerseys and team equipment at end of season.
- Team Mom(s) is/are responsible for organization of the team. There should be a specifically designated person for this position. However, due to the amount of work that is involved with this position, it is recommended that the official Team Mom deputize up to three others to help in the duties. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Communication with all members of the team. Usually in regards to changes with team practices or events.
- Organize snack schedule.
- Organization of team fundraiser(s) and collection of monies from said fundraiser. (Note: Monies are to be held by the designated Team Mom-Team Account is available for review at any time.)
- Organization of end-of-year team banquet.
Rewards:
Rewards can come in two forms; verbal and physical. Many of the rewards a player receives are from positive reinforcement from coaches and parents. Often the coaches will not require individuals to run sprints at the end of practices if the player has showed exceptional effort. Game captains will be used to honor our hard workers. However, the best reward is always a smile and a pat on the back by a parent.
- The Iron-Man award is given to players at the end of the year for making it to every practice. The duration of the award period is from the first week of school during the season, until the end of the season. Only mandatory school functions shall be excluded.
Winning:
Nothing in life, including football, is worthwhile unless you enjoy it and gain something from the experience. Sure, we're trying to win football games and we are going to set our goals high, but I don't want it to ruin our lives if we lose. I don't want our football team to believe that a football loss is a tragedy because it's not. All you can ask of our kids is to do their best. If we win, Great! If we lose, it's not the end of the world. There is another game next Saturday. I don't what my players crying. If they did not put out the effort I want them to feel bad, but not ashamed. Coaches that think only of winning, don't belong in football. Try this: Ask your child if he had a good time instead of whether he won or lost.
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Conduct, Rules and Rewards
