Coach's Foreword
Thank you for your participation in the Shawnee Mission South boys soccer program, a program with a tradition of pride, class, and success. We welcome you to a program rich in heritage and strong in community support. The high standards of this program have been cultivated by twenty years of quality players, coaches, and parents; each year we strive and seek to replicate and reach this level of excellence. The annual maintenance of this standard pivots on the commitment of players, the dedication of coaches, and the involvement of parents. As we begin a new season, we again stress some fundamental principles of our program achievement through work and perseverance, excellence through sportsmanship and citizenship, pride through challenging boundaries and overcoming adversity.

Program Philosophy
Participating in the Shawnee Mission South soccer program is a privilege built upon a dedication to education and sportsmanship. As coaches we strive to create a player-centered program which promotes the acquisition of individual skills, the understanding of a team concept, the promotion of fair play, the fostering of a love for sport, the creation of a positive atmosphere, and the appreciation of citizenship and academics. In the South soccer program, players are considered ambassadors of their school and are expected to handle this role responsibly, conducting themselves as mature positive leaders on and off the soccer field.

Academic Responsibilities
Grades
Although the school district mandates that players pass at least five classes to be eligible to participate in athletics, our program strongly advises and subsequently monitors that students pass all classes in which they are enrolled. In the high school environment, academics outweigh athletics. Although sport teaches much about work ethic, goal setting, personal motivation, team competition, and fair play, the student's academic life forms and constitutes the foundation on which life beyond high school rests and depends. If necessary, coaches will encourage students to manage their classes and complete their homework before participation in practices or games to ensure that no athlete loses eligibility or academic standing by failing to meet their academic obligations.

To better monitor academic maintenance and progress, athletes must carry weekly eligibility cards to document their grades and behavior in the classroom. Athletes who were selected to honor roll from the previous semester must complete an eligibility card only for the first week of the season. Freshmen must carry an eligibility card throughout the season. Eligibility cards are due on Thursday each week.

Attendance
In order to participate in practices and games, athletes are required to be in attendance at school all day. Players must meet with the athletic director for exceptions to this policy. If a player is absent during the day and/or a conflict arises with a practice, a coach must be contacted by phone, email, or visit. Secondhand information through a friend or another source is not appropriate or acceptable. Players must communicate to their coach personally and directly.

Citizenship Responsibilities
Daily Classroom
Players should conduct themselves as ambassadors of the soccer program by demonstrating leadership, maturity, and responsibility in the classroom. Disruptive and inappropriate behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated. A season should pass without a faculty member speaking poorly about a player in the soccer program. Detentions and suspensions are not acceptable and must be reported by a player to the coach immediately. Any behavior which requires a faculty member to address the coach or which requires disciplinary action by a teacher or the administration will result in the loss of playing time and/or dismal from the team. Players who must sit because of suspension will be required to still sit with the team on the bench.

Assemblies
As ambassadors of the soccer program, players are expected to act and dress professionally at all school assemblies. Dress slacks, shirt, and tie should be worn on assembly days. Players should refrain from poor behavior which draws negative attention to themselves and to the team. Players should remember that they represent a family, a team, a program, a school and that selfish immature behavior is not healthy for any of these units which are larger than any one player. Any such behavior at an assembly will result in the loss of playing time and/or dismissal from the team.

Program Responsibilities
Freshmen
As initiates into the program, freshmen will be asked to complete managerial duties at practices and at games, including the carrying and collecting of equipment. In addition, freshmen may be asked to launder practice vests and wash water bottles. Freshmen must carry throughout the season an eligibility card due each Thursday. Freshmen also must understand that high school athletics involves a full time commitment with daily practices and games covering the expanse of the week.

Ball Boys
In order to facilitate proper management and organization of junior varsity and varsity games, c-team and junior varsity players will be required to perform ball boy duties at two contests which will be determined and acknowledged early in the season. Players who fail to perform their assigned responsibility will be subject to extra fitness at practice and/or playing time loss for games. If a player has a conflict with an assigned time, it is the player's responsibility to find a replacement. Such changes must be confirmed with the coach.

JV Tournament
To help with the management and organization of the junior varsity tournament, c-team and varsity players will be required to work shifts during the tournament performing tasks such as ball boy, clock manager, donation taker, and concession worker. As with ball boy duties, failure to perform one's assigned responsibility will result in extra fitness at practice and/or playing time loss for games.

Practice Policy
Attire
Players should attire themselves appropriately for all practices. Players must wear shin guards at every practice. In addition, players should bring with them all of the following items: running shoes, cleated shoes, water, light colored jersey, and dark colored jersey. Players should be prepared for all conditions, weathers, and environments. Players also should avoid wearing any jewelry and wearing any game attire.

Attendance
In order to develop a consistent approach and positive atmosphere, players are expected to attend every scheduled practice. If a player must miss a practice for any reason, a coach must be contacted. Most coaches are in the building and have a phone and an email. No legitimate excuse exists for not contacting a coach. Missing a practice for any reason will result in extra fitness and/or the loss of playing time. All players must attend practice in order to develop, achieve, and maintain a unified team concept.

In addition, if a conflict arises with another sanctioned school activity, our program's rule of thumb says that games or performances supersede practice. For example, a player should attend a band concert over a soccer practice. If a conflict exists between two games and/or performances, the athlete must make a decision about which event to attend. Such decisions should consider the athlete's role, function, and vitality in both activities as well as where the athlete would be most needed and which activity would be most hurt by the absence. These conflicts must be communicated clearly to the coach and early in the season in order to avoid any inconvenience or confusion about the conflict.

Attitude
Players should maintain a positive and constructive attitude throughout the season, an attitude which puts team first and which takes personal responsibility. Negative language and behavior will not be tolerated by the coaching staff. Such negativity often proves detrimental to the team's chemistry and success. The program asks its players to be cooperative, receptive, positive, responsible, committed, and focused-the traits of well-managed young men. Attitudes and behaviors which disrupt or impede coaching and playing will be addressed and will result in the loss of playing time and/or dismissal from the team.

Game Conduct
Pregame
At school on the day of a game, players should dress according to the standard as determined by the captains. Players should report to the game field roughly one hour before the start of a game, or according to coach's directions or bus schedule. Players should be fully equipped and ready to play by forty-five minutes before game time. Players should refrain from being disruptive in the stands or on the sidelines while they prepare to play.

Injuries
If a player has had to be excused from participation by a doctor due to an injury, the player must provide the coach with a medical release from a doctor before the player can resume participation in any way or manner. Our school provides a certified trainer who can administer assistance with injuries. The trainer is available after school and before varsity and junior varsity games to attend to injuries.

Traveling
All players without exception must ride the bus to all games away from our district soccer complex. Players should use this time to focus themselves for the game. All bus rides will be silent rides unless otherwise directed by the coach. Inappropriate behavior on the bus demonstrates that a player is not prepared to play. Players who miss the bus or act out on the bus will be subject to a loss of playing time and/or dismissal from the team. After the games, players may ride home with a parent if their parent signs out them. Players must ride home with a parent, not other students, other siblings, or even with another player's family.

On Field
Players must treat their teammates, opponents, officials, coaches, and spectators with respect. Players will be removed from a game for unsportsmanlike behavior whether acknowledged or not by the official. Coaches will review all yellow and red cards in order to determine if any further disciplinary action should occur. Any red card results in an automatic one game suspension. In addition, players must not taunt, heckle, or use any profanity towards their teammates or opponents. If issues need to be addressed from a practice, from a game, or from outside school, players must communicate their concerns with their captains or the coach in a constructive manner. All lines of communication should be appropriate and should be handled between players and coaches first.

On Sideline
When on the sidelines during a game, players and all personnel (coaches, managers, ball boys, trainers) should be focused on the game. Players should provide positive encouragement to teammates. In addition, because entering a game in the midst of play is a demanding and difficult task, players should stretch and jog every five minutes to remain ready to enter the field at any time. No comments whatsoever from players should be directed at officials from the sidelines. Taunting, heckling, profanity, and any other negative language or behavior by anyone on the sidelines will not be tolerated from the coaching staff. Failure to be positive, to stay focused, to remain warmed-up suggests to the coach that a player is not prepared to enter the game.

After Game
In order to maintain the quality of our facilities both home and away, practice and game, all players are responsible for cleaning the sidelines after participation. All trash must be disposed of and all equipment accounted for. Players are responsible for all of their equipment and should check their bags before they exit a field site. Players will be held accountable and must pay for any damaged, missing, or lost equipment that has been assigned to them. Sidelines not maintained to the coach's satisfaction will result in extra fitness for the team at the next practice.

In addition, players may not enter the stands or confront opponents or spectators on the field after a game. Such behavior can instigate situations and ignite tensions. Players should congratulate their opponents after win or loss on their effort and play in order to maintain the integrity and character of the sport. Players may cordially greet their spectators in an appropriate fashion at the fence in front of the stands. Any negative incident after a game will result in the loss of playing time and/or dismissal from the team.

Parent Relationships
The South soccer program has a wonderful tradition of supportive parents who seek to provide a positive atmosphere for their children. As coaches and educators, we too want what is best for your children - the teaching of athletic skill, the learning of life lessons, the building towards team goals, the development of a love for sport, the enjoyment of participating with peers. We will do our best with complete focus and attention to maximize the ability and talent of all players in our program. At times, however, difficult decisions will be made especially at the varsity level to ensure that our teams are competitive. The sophomore and junior varsity teams have been designed to be farm clubs, teams on which playing time is more equally distributed and in which players have ample opportunities to develop their skills. By the varsity level, coaches will start and play those athletes who will most strongly and competitively represent the school. Coaches determine playing time using a number of factors, but most specifically daily work ethic and recent game play, as well as general skill, fitness, leadership, and attitude. If concerns of playing time occur, players should establish contact with coaches first before parent intervention. We encourage our players to become young men and such communication is a good opportunity to facilitate this goal. If parents need to contact coaches for any reason, such contact must be made during the professional day.

Program Organization
Our program's booster club has the reputation as one of most well managed and organized in the area. We take pride in providing our players with a positive and rewarding soccer experience. We strongly encourage parents to take an active role in the program in order to maintain this standard. Great seasons are made great only with the support of great people. We simply ask that parents contribute what they can in order to make the season as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible for their children in the program.

Coaching Suggestions
While coaches cannot police athlete behavior, it is strongly encouraged that players maintain their health and fitness before, during, and after the season. Especially during the season, players should maintain a regular and adequate sleep schedule as well as a nutritious and proper diet. Our program emphasizes fitness and conditioning, so players must prepare themselves accordingly. Also, because the season proves so demanding, players should develop a reasonable curfew, even on weekends, to ensure proper rest and recovery. Most importantly, it is assumed that players, in respect of themselves and of their teammates, will follow the district drug and alcohol policy. It is encouraged that players and parents read and understand this contract and the repercussions for violations of it.