Player/Parent Handbook

We give this to our kids and parents at a preseason meeting.

PHILOSOPHY OF FOOTBALL
The purpose of this document is to allow Galva-Holstein players and parents to get a better understanding of our philosophy of coaching high school football. Many times conflict arises between the aforementioned parties due to a breakdown in, or lack of, communication. It is my belief that the following pages will clearly communicate our expectations as Galva-Holstein football coaches.

There are numerous philosophies utilized in the coaching world, many of which are focused solely on winning, no matter the cost. Our philosophy, however, is not based solely upon wins and losses. We chose to become a professional educators and coaches because we felt it would allow us to make a difference in the lives of the next generation. Many individuals have helped to shape our lives, many of them teachers and/or coaches. We felt it important that in return we should help do the same for others. As teachers in the classroom, and a coaches on the field we have the opportunity to supplement, and often times instill fundamental morals and values into student and athletes lives. The following beliefs will be the foundation upon which the Galva-Holstein football program is built:

1. The team is more important than me.
2. I must have my priorities in order.
3. I must prepare myself for life after school.
4. I must come to an understanding of what SUCCESS really is.
5. I will learn to trust in others, and I will become trustworthy as well.
6. I will be a person of character and integrity.
7. I will learn how important it is to GIVE back to others.
8. I will learn that through hard work ANYTHING is possible.
9. I will become accountable to MYSELF, MY FAMILY, MY TEAM, MY SCHOOL, and MY COMMUNITY.
10. I will learn to accept responsibility for my own actions.
11. I will learn to be a first class citizen in both VICTORY and in defeat.
12. I will learn that I am responsible for my own effort on a daily basis.

Any athlete associated with football will be expected to be a first class citizen at all times. On the field and off, in and out of season, they will be held to a higher standard than others. It takes a special person to be a Pirate football player.

In most cases if you show me a “successful coach”, I will show you a successful teacher. We pride ourselves on the fact that WE ARE TEACHERS who also happen to be a coaches. Our philosophy is based on the fact that we make more money as teachers, or in our other professions, than as a coaches. We take pride in the fact that we do an excellent job in the classroom or place of business. Our philosophy of teaching is basically the same as our philosophy of coaching. Set the goal, organize the plan, introduce, check for understanding, reteach, check for understanding, reteach again, and drill, drill, drill until it becomes habit. To fully gain the respect of community members, administrators, bosses, supervisors, fellow teachers or co-workers, students or customers, and athletes we are positive that we need to place more emphasis on my teaching, or at our other jobs, than we do into our coaching. Being a quality teacher, or quality employee will lead to good coaching.

The question we are sure will be asked, “How much emphasis will we put on producing a winning football program?” Make no mistake about it, winning is a major factor in our plan. It is an expectation. Success on the football field is ultimately defined by wins and losses. Any coach who says otherwise is not being honest. Along with the wins, success can be defined by some other things as well. If a person does everything in their power, and within the rules and regulations of the game, to become successful, but has lost on the scoreboard, in my opinion he/she is still ultimately a winner. The failure is not in the defeat itself. Failing to do the things necessary to succeed, or cheating to achieve success in my mind is failure. The ultimate goal in any competition is to WIN. Along with the desire to win one must be willing to give everything they have, to leave it all on the field. If an athlete/team can do these things the WINS will take care of themselves. A strong work ethic will go further in life than any number of games won or lost on the playing field. It is our hope that our players will learn that through hard work, anything is possible.

As commented on earlier, communication is vital. It is the most crucial aspect needed for any team to be successful. The reason successful businesses are successful is because they have good communication by all people involved in the business. Successful schools are successful because they have staff members who are able to communicate effectively. Successful athletic teams are no different. In my building of the Pirate football program, communication will be of the utmost importance. We want all of our coaches to feel a sense of ownership in our program. Players will be given the opportunity to set goals for themselves and for the team. As the season progresses the plan is to meet on a weekly basis as a staff to ensure the proper use of practice time. We also plan to establish a senior leadership team in which members selected have been trained and taught manners of leadership that we feel are important. Any issues that need to be discussed and or addressed by a team member can be taken to them at any time and they in turn will bring it to us. This allows all parties involved to feel as though they have some ownership in the program as well. We are also a firm believers in post season evaluations. All players and coaches will be evaluated at the completion of each season. It is our hope to set up a time where we can meet individually with each athlete to discuss things that they did well, and to discuss areas for improvement. At this time we are also hoping to get an honest evaluation of what things we can do better as well, as we feel it is important that we continue to try to improve our skills as coaches.




Offensive Philosophy
We are firm believers in the Doublewing Offense. As a staff we feel it allows us to be very simple yet give the appearance of being very multiple as well (simplicity and breadth). Utilizing the athletes we have from year to year we feel this offense will give us the best chance to win ballgames. We believe being very physical on offense, and doing the little things well will increase our chances of success and make us better defensively. We also believe that many ballgames are won by the team that best controls the tempo of the game and the clock.

Defensive Philosophy
We are equally as firm in our belief in an odd front defense. This is not to say from time to time you won’t see us jump to an even front defense, but when we do it will still involve odd front principles so our athletes can understand what we want from them. We believe good defense involves being very physical, having good speed, and making good tackles. Doing the little things well, and playing assignment, “TEAM” style defense are keys for our success. We want to get as many Pirates to the ball as possible, but only after we have made sure that our gap is not threatened.

Special Teams Philosophy
We also believe that our best athletes need to play on special teams. Too many coaches think of special teams as an after thought. We will practice our special teams like we do offensively and defensively, and we will load what we feel are our very best athletes on these teams to give us every advantage against an opponent. Again we will focus on doing the little things well. A starter on special teams is a starter on our team in the minds of the coaching staff.





















Requirements to Earn A Letter
1. In order to earn a varsity letter for football, an athlete must meet all of the expectations of a Pirate Football Player, appear in twelve quarters of varsity football, and be in good standing with the administration. Any violation of expectation one of the player section may cost you your letter. An athlete may also letter a player at the discretion of the coaches if the 12 quarter rule is not met.

2. In order to earn a varsity letter all equipment issued to the player must be turned in to the head coach, and any money owed to the school, or football program must be paid.


































Expectations of Pirate Football Players

1. You must be drug, alcohol, and tobacco free. Any violation of this expectation is a direct violation of the G-H Good Conduct Policy and will be handled accordingly. In conjunction with the punishment determined appropriate by our administration you will be subject to additional punishment by the football staff as well. Remember while you are sitting out this team will move forward without you. Someone will be playing in your spot, and they may prove to be as good or better than you are.

2. You must put the team before yourself. Football is a team game, and the philosophy of our football staff is that we will always do what we think is best for the team.

3. You must be academically eligible. No exceptions, if you are failing you will not play.

4. You must obey the G-H Good Conduct Policy and any other team rules as deemed appropriate by the G-H Football Staff. Any violation of the Good Conduct Policy will be dealt with according to school guidelines. In conjunction with this punishment you will also be subject to additional punishment by the coaching staff as well.

5. You must support your teammates and coaches. Failure to be supportive shows us you are not a team player, and you will be dismissed from the team.

6. You must demonstrate good character by meeting FIVE expectations in and out of school, on and off the practice or game field.

a. You will strive to get better everyday.
b. You will care for your teammates and help our team come together.
c. You will work extremely hard.
d. You will act with class.
e. You will never do anything to embarrass yourself, your family, your teammates, your coaches, your school, or your community.

7. You will be at all practices.

a. Unexcused absences
1. First Offense = 1 Game Suspension

2. Second Offense = You have shown us you do not want to be a part of our team and you will be dismissed from the team.
b. Excused absences (ie. Dr. appointments, funerals, illnesses, etc.)

1. These do not necessarily cost you any playing time BUT understand that while you are gone someone is playing in your spot and they may prove to be as good or better than you.

8. You must behave in school.

a. Any complaint to a coach from a teacher will cost you some extra conditioning.
b. Any detention will cost you a 400 meter lap for every minute you are late to practice. In the event a detention does not cause you to be late for practice you will owe me one mile before you can play in a game.
c. Any referral that causes you to miss a practice (which if you are referred to the office you may not practice according to school policy), could result in a meeting with the high school principal, the head coach, and the player referred.

1. First Offense = Extra Conditioning at the discretion of the coaching staff

2. Second Offense = 1/2 Game Suspension

3. Third Offense = 1 Game Suspension

4. Fourth Offense = 3 Game Suspension

5. Fifth Offense = Dismissal from the team

9. You will take care of and keep track of your equipment. If you lose anything , alter anything, or destroy anything you have been issued by the school you should be prepared to be billed two times what it costs us to replace it (because we have to pay more to just buy one of anything). (ie. a helmet costs the school approximately $120.00, if you lose yours it is going to cost you $240.00.) If I find your equipment you will owe each of the 8 coaches on our staff a soda.

10. You must be on time for all practices, meetings, and games. If you are late we will leave without you or start without you. Every minute you are late to practice will cost you a 400 meter run.


11. You will turn in your equipment at the end of the season before you are allowed to practice or participate in any other extra-curricular activities.

12. You will attend TWO in-season weightlifting sessions per week during the season. Varsity lifts Monday and Wednesday, JV lifts Tuesday and Thursday. In the event you are injured or ill you will be able to make it up on an alternate day.

13. In accordance with school policy you must be present in school for at least 1/2 of the day on game day to be eligible to play that evening. In certain situations the administration may allow an athlete to play even if they have been gone all day.

14. You must be able to practice the night before a game to be eligible to play in the game the next night. (ie. Varsity players have to practice Thursday night to be able to play on Friday night). We will use our own discretion in certain situations. (example Bob practices all week and is sick on Thursday (not in school all day or leaves early) and is present at school Friday, Bob may be able to play.)

15. You must report any and all injuries to one of the coaches. We are all trained in helping you to get healthy. You do us no good if you can’t play.



























Expectations of Pirate Football Parents
1. Show positive support for your son and the rest of the Pirate football team.

2. Encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating support for all athletes, coaches, and officials at every game.

3. Place the emotional and physical well-being of your son before any personal desire to win.

4. Treat other players, parents, coaches, fans, and officials with respect and refrain from any verbal digs.

5. Teach your son to play within the rules of the game, never encourage any behavior or practice that purposely endangers the health and well being of any opponent.

6. Do your absolute best to make ensure that football is enjoyable for your son and remember that the game is for the athletes involved, not for the adults.

7. Be a GREAT fan in the stands. As coaches AND players we appreciate the enthusiasm shown by our great fans. We think we have the best fans in class A football.

8. Respect the coaches and the decisions that we make. We spend hours preparing for practices and games, and we make decisions to help this team be it’s best. This includes playing time, play calling, etc. We don’t take these decisions lightly, and we hope you can appreciate the effort we place on being fair and doing what is best for this team.

9. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me to set up a meeting. We will meet at a mutually agreed on time and place. It is the policy of the football staff that we all will meet with you, and your son together so as to avoid any miscommunication. We will set up a meeting at the earliest and most convenient time so as to resolve any problems or concerns in the most professional, and efficient manner possible. We appreciate you contacting us directly. If you are not satisfied with the result of our meeting, you may visit with the athletic director.

10. We will ALWAYS make an error on the side of your son’s safety. Just because the Doctor has cleared your son does not mean we feel comfortable with him being back on the field. Part of being a player on our team involves being at practice, if your son has been unable to practice we have to be sure he can do what is expected of him. Once again others have stepped in for him and might be doing a good job as a replacement. We have the final say on whether or not your son is cleared to play, and we will be sure he is going to be safe. Do not forget your son is also very important to us as well.
11. Support your son’s role on the team. All of our team members are important, and each will have a role to fulfill. We know when each person fulfills his role our team has a better chance to win games, and there will be enough glory to go around. Make sure your son knows that you support him 100% and that you are proud of him for fulfilling his role and being a part of our team.

12. If you plan to have your son ride home with you from a road game that is fine, BUT you MUST sign him out, and he MUST ride with you or another responsible adult parent or grandparent (for liability purposes). If it is found out you signed him out and he rode home with a friend or someone else he will not be allowed to ride home with you for the remainder of the season.


We have read, and understand the expectations as listed in this player/parent handbook.

Athlete Signature:__________________________________________________

Parent Signature:___________________________________________________