Football Player Information

FOOTBALL PLAYERS HANDBOOK 

Section A.  CODE OF CONDUCT   

I will encourage good sportsmanship from teammates, coaches, and parents at every game and practice by demonstrating good sportsmanship. 

I will participate in all practices and games. I will notify my coach if I will be absent.  

I will expect to receive a fair amount of playing time.  I must play at least six plays in the game if I attended practices during the week. 

I will treat my coaches, teammates, opponents, cheerleaders, officials, and fans with respect, and I expect to be treated accordingly. 

I deserve to have fun while participating with the Taylor Jr. Vikes, and I will tell my coaches and parents if it stops being fun. 

I deserve to play in an environment that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. I also promise to care for my body by eating healthy and abstaining from drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol. 

I will encourage my parents to be involved with the Jr. Vikes because it is important to me. 

I will do my very best in school. 

I will remember that sports are an opportunity to learn and have fun. 

I will put my team above my own personal desires on the game field.

SECTION B:  RULES OF CONDUCT 

All participants will remain QUIET when receiving instructions from coaches. Ask questions by raising your hand and waiting to be identified.  Failure to pay attention to coaches may be subject to the disciplinary process.  All officers, board members, and coaches have full authority to demand complete cooperation of each participant. 

If any player is experiencing difficulties with another team member, you need to report the problem to your head coach.  If he does not resolve the problem, speak with the league president.  No participant is to verbally antagonize any other participant, whether he/she is your own teammate, cheerleader, or opponent.  Violation of this rule may result in a one week suspension. A second offense can result in suspension for the rest of the season. PHYSICAL CONFRONTATIONS, such as pushing, shoving, hitting, or face-masking after a play WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.  No player or coach is allowed to physically harm another participant or coach. Violation of this rule will result in immediate suspension until the Board of Directors meets to determine if the player or coach may return. 

SECTION C:  RULES AND REQUIREMENTS  

Refreshments: 

Gum, candy, and soda will not be allowed during practice or games.  Water is available during practice and games for all players.  Players may bring their own water or sports drink, if desired.  Food items may be purchased after practice. 

Equipment: 

All players must have all equipment to participate in practices and games.  Players are responsible for purchasing their own cleats (rubber molded or screw in), rib vest, and athletic supporter (no hard cup required). The Jr. Vikes provide one mouth guard per year.  Additional mouth guards may be purchased in our concession stand.  Guards must be colored and have the keeper strap attached.  No jewelry is to be worn.  If you loose your equipment, or fail to return it, you are expected to replace it.  Costs are as follows:  Girdles, $10.00; Practice Pants or Jersey, $15.00 each; Helmets with facemask and decals, $100.00; Game pants, $30.00; Game Jerseys, $50.00, Pads for pants and girdles, $5.00 per pad; Shoulder Pads, $35.00.  Please take care or your equipment.  Also, there will be NO THROWING HELMETS TO THE GROUND. 

Safety: 

Inspect your pads, helmet, and shoulder pads for damage after practices and games.  Notify your coach if anything is damaged.  You can be injured if you play with broken equipment!  If your jersey becomes torn, please give it to your coach immediately after the game.  It needs to be repaired before washing to prevent further damage.  There will also be no games of “tackle squally” before or after practice.  Report to your practice area and wait patiently. After practice, leave the playing area immediately.  Do not bring your own footballs to practice.  After games, your parents will be responsible for walking to the huddle and meeting you (Instructional and C teams). 

Attendance: 

The player is responsible for notifying his coach when he will be late or miss practice or games.  You may call the Field House at 5 p.m. for practices.  Do not leave messages with other players or parents.  Unacceptable reasons for missing practice include social plans, not feeling like playing today, too hot or cold outside, or injury.  Injured players are expected to attend and observe.  Acceptable reasons for missing are injury with a doctor’s excuse, school activities with prior notification, and family obligations with prior notification.  IF A PLAYER MISSES TWO PRACTICES IN ONE WEEK, HE IS NOT GUARANTEED HIS SIX PLAYS MINIMUM.  THE COACH HAS THE RIGHT TO REDUCE PLAYING TIME OR BENCH A PLAYER.  If the coach calls a Saturday practice and you miss, it counts as an absence. 

Transportation: 

Transportation to all practices and games is the responsibility of the participants’ parents.  You can make arrangements with other parents to carpool.  Directions to all away games will be posted on our website at www.jrvikes.netfirms.com.  Copies will also be posted in the field house. 

SECTION D:  DISCIPLINARY PROCESS 

FIRST OFFENSE:  WARNING 

The participant will be warned immediately and asked to stop whatever activity/action he in which he/she is engaging in. 

SECOND OFFENSE:  BENCHED 

If the player has been previously warned by any coach or staff member, the player will be removed from participation with the team for the next scheduled game and all practices prior to the game.  The participant will, as part of the disciplinary process, attend practices to observe.  The participant will also attend the game in full uniform, minus pads and helmet.  He may also be required to “work the gate” if the “benched game” is a home game.  This is in addition to any ACC suspension. 

THIRD OFFENSE:  FULL WEEK SUSPENSION 

A third offense of any nature will result in a full week suspension.  The participant will not be allowed to attend any practices, games, or functions.  If the child does not comply, she will be suspended for the rest of the season. 

FOURTH OFFENSE:  SUSPENSION FOR THE SEASON 

Player will be suspended for the remainder of the season, upon review by the Board of Directors.  Additionally, the player will be subject to prior approval before re-entry to the Jr. Vikes for the following season. 

All football players will be required to help with game-day operations. This includes, but is not limited to, working the entry gate, walking with an adult to sell 50/50 tickets, or cleaning up the grounds after the game.  Boys may also volunteer to assist with field painting on Saturday before game day. 

A note from your #1 fan: 

I hope you all have a safe, fun, and successful season. If you do your best, play hard, and most importantly, work as a team, you will be a winner, no matter what the win column says at the end of the season!

Good Luck!