LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

General Rules and Expectations

No smoking or use of other tobacco products.
No drugs.
No alcohol consumption.
Curfew will be 11:00 P. M. one and two nights before a match.
Be on time to all team functions, practices, meetings, trips, etc. Do not waste your teammates’ and coaches’ time by being late. (see disciplinary procedures)
Dress Code:
1. Practice: only issued clothes may be worn for practice (including shoes, t-shirts, knee pads). Jewelry, hard headbands, etc. may not be worn. If you cannot wear it in a game, you cannot wear it to practice. (see disciplinary procedures)
2. Team Travel: it will be announced ahead of time whether we will all dress in our travel warm-ups or dress up (dress slacks, etc.). You may dress comfortable for any bus ride home.
3. Each player will be accountable and financially responsible for all volleyball issued clothing and equipment.
Locker room will be kept neat and clean. Keep it picked up! (see disciplinary procedures)
Represent LHS Volleyball with the utmost class and respect. Remember that you are a role model in our community.
Be totally committed and loyal to the philosophy and goals of our team.
Communicate regularly with your coaches, teammates, administrators, and teachers.
Be open-minded and coachable.
Team unity is our motto!!! Believe in it, and we’ll be successful!!!
All cell phones are to be turned in to coaches upon entering the locker room for all practices and upon boarding the bus for all games. They will be returned upon completion of practice and 30 minutes before arriving back at Longview High School in order for students to call their parents for a ride home. Athletes are welcome to leave cell phones at home or with parents if they are not comfortable with leaving them with the coaches.
JV and Freshmen are required to stay through any home Varsity match. On nights when the Varsity plays first, Varsity players are also required to stay through JV games.
Binders will be distributed to each player. These will be checked on each Thursday and must be with the athlete on bus trips.

Team Procedures and Expectations

TEAM TRAVEL PROCEDURE

Policies

Players will be assigned a roommate for overnight tournaments.
No one will be allowed to leave the hotel/motel premises with another player, other team personnel, or family member unless authorized by a coach. (This should be in writing).
Curfew will be required on all road trips. Standard curfew times will be 11:00 P.M.—lights out, radio, TV off!
Be on time for all functions: meals, practices, games, and travel.
We will let you know about dress code for each trip.
During pre-season and tournaments, athletes will be allowed to ride home with their parents with written permission. District game policy will be at the coach’s discretion. Athletes who will be riding home with another player and NOT their own parents must turn in a written note from their parents the day before the match

TEAM PRACTICES

Expectations

a. Be on Time to all practices. Tardiness is not permitted. (see disciplinary

procedures)

b. Missing Practice will not be tolerated unless physically sick or injured. ALL missed practices must be made up within 48 hours or before the next match. Athlete must make up his/her work before being allowed to compete.

c. Be dressed properly in issued attire.

d. Be mentally ready in giving your very best daily.

e. Attitude: Respect your teammates and coaches. Work to your level of ability. Hustle always. Leave your worries off the practice court.

f. Be attentive once practice starts. This is a learning situation where we begin to “gel” as a team.

g. Focus! We practice like we play! Practice Hard!

h. Come to practice to Compete! Practice to make yourself and your teammates better!

i. Motivate yourself to be the best you can be everyday.

j. NO SWEARING! (see disciplinary procedures)

k. Know the difference between social time and practice time. When you step between the lines, the business at hand is volleyball.

TEAM EQUIPMENT

Procedures

a. Volleyball shoes are never to be worn outside of the playing facility.

b. No alterations of any type will be made to issued-equipment.

c. Unauthorized possession of any Athletic Department equipment is stealing.

d. If equipment is lost or damaged, athlete will be responsible for paying the purchase price of that equipment before being released from volleyball.

LOCKER ROOM

Since you will be spending a great deal of time in the locker room during the

season, we expect you to keep this area as neat and sanitary as possible.

Expectations

a. Keep the locker room clear of garbage. Put your personal trash in the garbage.

b. Put tape in the trash.

c. Pick up all dirty practice clothes and towels and put them in the laundry bin.

d. Keep your belongings in your locker and deep the locker doors shut.

e. Do not bring visitors in the locker room.

f. Do not give anyone outside the team the combination to the locker room.

g. The locker room will be checked each night for neatness. (see disciplinary procedures)

h. It is not our managers’ job to be your maid.

i. Place all ice bags in the trash. Keep them off the floor.

j. Keep your personal items, gear, etc. in your locker.

LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

Player Guidelines

Your first priority at Longview High School is to obtain a high school diploma. Academic excellence can go hand-in-hand with athletic excellence. Mediocrity is not acceptable with the entire philosophy of the volleyball program. Just as in athletics, your academic achievements area direct result of the time and energy you give to your studies. Set your academic goals and work hard—you will be surprised at how much you can accomplish with a little extra effort.
Take pride in your appearance—dress neatly on and off the campus. Your appearance influences how people react to you and also influences your own self-image. You are a female athlete, and you are always setting an example for the Lady Lobo Volleyball Team and the Athletic Department. Represent LHS with pride.
Do not make negative remarks about any player, team, coach, program, class, or teacher—be objective. Besides, it is not our place to judge.
Strive for excellence—in the classroom, in practice, in competition, in your personal life.
Let your actions and deeds speak for themselves—nobody likes a “hot dog” or a “show off.” Boasting and bragging are traits of insecure and weak people. Be a doer, not a talker.
Communicate—be open to your teammates and your coaches.
Be on good terms with all your teammates. Try to get to know everyone a little better—close knit teams are successful teams.
Respect each person’s individuality and especially respect players who are older than you. Likewise, upper-class athletes should set an example that is worthy of this respect.
Be positive. If you have negative traits or thoughts (laziness, jealousy, etc.) –do not share them with your teammates. Give only your positive thoughts to the team. A great team is made of GREAT people, not just great athletes.
Be an excellent student, in terms of grades and behavior. Maintain high standards for yourself. Remember, since you are a representative of Longview High School, everything you say and do will be judged. Be careful that no one (student, coach, teacher, or administrator) has reason to judge you in a negative manner.
Above all, be loyal to your teammates, coaches, and Athletic Department.
Be a team player. Always be enthusiastic about others’ accomplishments as well as your own. Believe in your teammates and your coaches and above all, believe in yourself. Good athletes become good athletes when they believe they can accomplish their goals. “You must believe in order to achieve.”

LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

Game Conduct

All of our work and effort are put forth for these goals:

1. Win 90% of all regular season matches.

2. Win the District.

3. Qualify for the Playoffs.

4. Win a state title.

Remember: We expect to win, but more importantly, we expect to play to our maximum abilities regardless of the score on the scoreboard. We respect everyone, but fear no one!

Guidelines:

1. For home games, JV/Freshmen must be dressed and in the gym one hour before their game time. Varsity must be in the gym one hour before the JV/Freshmen game as well.

2. Run the best pre-game in the country. (How you warm up is how you will play)

3. Always maintain your poise.

4. Be respectful of the officials—address them as “sir” or “ma’am.” Do not touch them at any time except to shake hands. Say nothing else to them during the course of the game unless you are the designated “captain” on the floor.

5. Do Not talk to your opponent. Under no circumstances say anything negative or derogatory to them. The scoreboard will show who the better team is.

6. Communicate with the person you are replacing in the game. Let her know her match up or any changes the coach as directed.

7. No swearing.

8. Always maintain a “uniform” appearance. All jerseys must be tucked in without additional adornments unless specified by the trainer.

9. Encourage your teammates.

10. Be attentive in time outs. Coaches will meet first and allow you time to get water, towels, etc.

11. Always run on and off the floor during timeouts or substitutions. Hustle makes a statement.

12. At the conclusion of each game, shake hands with your opponent and go directly to the locker room. You can talk to your family and friends when released from the locker room after the game.

LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

Academic Requirements

Must pass the required hours each year to be eligible for competition the following season. (UIL Policy).
Must take the required classes each semester to be eligible for competition.
Attend classes. NO unexcused absences are allowed. (see disciplinary procedures)
Failing to pass a class will result in immediate probation status, a probation contract, a parent meeting, and mandatory tutorial assignments to set up by the student-athlete and their respective teacher(s). A written weekly grade check sheet must be submitted to the team coach and filed in your personal file every Friday. A 3 week progress report must be completed. If your grade falls below an 80%, disciplinary actions will be taken. (see disciplinary procedures) If a grade falls below an 80%, the athlete will be responsible for attending tutorials daily in that class until the grade raises to an 80% or above. A tutorial sheet must be turned in to the coaches weekly.
Failing a class a second time will result in immediate removal from the team and practice. Tutorials will continue, and we will have a parent conference.

Classes Missed because of a Game

“Notice of Absence” will be emailed to the entire LHS staff before the competition. Student-Athletes are encouraged to supply their teachers with a schedule and consistent communication with teachers prior to absences.
This notice DOES NOT guarantee an “excused absence,” but should be confirmed by the principal. It is an indication of the commitment by the department and the student athlete to the educational objectives we support.

Disciplinary Procedures

Disciplinary actions will take place for the following reasons:
1. Missing an appointment with the trainer, coach, team practice without an excuse from a coach (or being late and not phoning ahead).
2. Missing a scheduled appointment with a coach (or being late and not phoning ahead).
3. Missing a team practice without an excuse from a coach.
4. Being late to a team function whether it is social, or practice related.
5. Not being accountable with your specific attire/equipment: shoes, socks, shirt, notebook, etc.
6. Misconduct as it relates to team policies such as: alcohol, drugs, curfew, smoking, etc.
7. Being late to or missing tutorials.
8. Missing class or being tardy
9. Swearing
10. Violation of locker room policy.
11. Grades falling below an 80%/grade sheet not turned in/tutorials sheet not turned in
12. Discipline referrals from teachers (emails, ISS assignments, etc.)
13. Fighting

**a phone call before being late or absent can go a long way in helping the situation.

Disciplinary action will relate to the seriousness of the problem.

Coach Harris and the staff will assign appropriate make-up practice time and workouts. You must complete the make-up work prior to the next schedule competition on your own time (i.e. after practice, before school…)

Pre-Set Consequences
1. For a violation of letters A, B, C, D, G, H

1. Missing completely

1. Run 2 miles/ 2 stadiums/150 push ups/300 bicycles/500 jump ropes

2. Tardy

1. 10 Towels (down and back =1)

3. Failing to personally inform a Coach of your tardiness/absence

1. 10 Bear Crawls (after second time, miss first game)

4. Missing a practice the day before a game

1. Automatically sit out the first game

2. Failure to complete make up work before the match results in sitting out the entire match.

For a violation of letters E and J

1. 2 stadiums

2. Jewelry: 20 pushups

For a violation of letter F

1. Parent Conference and District Policy

For a violation of letter I

1. 50 push ups

For a violation of letter K

1. 1 towel for every point below 80% per class

2. grade sheet missing/unsigned: 10 towels per day

3. Tutorial sheet missing, not attended: 10 towels

For a violation of letter L

1. 3 coast to coasts per referral/ISS assignment

2. Multiple referrals result in parent conference/disc. contract

g. For a violation of letter M

1. Automatic probation from the team

2. Obtain a police report

3. Consult with principal and parent

4. Temporary dismissal from the team until incident is investigated

5. 5 coast to coasts will be mandatory, and further punishment will be determined case by case

Tutorial Hours: May accumulate for the following reasons:
1. Unsatisfactory Progress Report
2. Missing Class
3. Missing Class Assignments

Number of Tutorial Hours
1. Until the problem is corrected or work is made up and satisfaction is given by the teacher.

Team Discipline

If you do not meet the expectations of your coaches in regards to what is deemed by them as appropriate behavior in representing Longview High School and its Volleyball program, disciplinary action may be taken against you. Each case will be review by the coaching staff and if necessary, the athletic administration. The disciplinary action may be determined as an indefinite suspension from the team or removal from the team. The severity of the violation(s) will determine the penalty.

Communication with the Media

Our policy is that reporters cannot talk to you without the permission of the coaches.

Remember the following things when talking with reporters.

1. Do not compare, knock, or criticize your opponents. Only praise them.

2. Be confident but not boastful. Talk about your teammates. Whenever you receive recognition, many others contributed to that success.

3. Never pass up an opportunity to praise.

4. Do not comment on the technical aspects of our team strategy.

5. Do not comment on the officiating.

6. Do not say anything that would help our opponents or end up on their bulletin board.

7. Be courteous to reporters.

8. When a reporter makes an appointment, be prompt.

9. Some reporters may attempt to harass you or create controversy with leading questions or questions that set you up for critical answers. When this happens, tell the reporters, “I’d rather not comment on that.”

10. Do not believe what you read in the newspapers. Believe what your coaches tell you because it will be the truth. If you have ever been interviewed and then read what they thought you said, you will understand.