San Marcos Soccer

Team Handbook
2016-2017

Developing character, commitment, and community

Player Expectations

Academic

Student athletes must earn and maintain a 2.0 GPA in their classes to become and remain
eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics.
Players will attend all classes and must attend all classes in which they are enrolled in
order to play or practice on any given day unless it is a pre-arranged absence e.g. a doctor
or dentist appointment. This does not include Drivers License test.
An academic intervention action plan will be create for all players who have a grade
below a C in any class. The head coach, player, and educational staff at San Marcos
will work together to create the plan. Parents are welcome to have input with respect to
the plan.
Players will explore all options with respect to meeting with teachers and academic
counselors including but not limited to before school and lunch time meetings.
Homework Club is not an excuse to miss practice.
Failure to follow all criteria for the academic intervention action plan will be considered
analogous to missing practice and will result in consequences identical to missing
practice.
Players are required to complete any assignment set forth by the coach. This usually
consists of an email response that should take no more than 15 minutes. We will have no
more than 5 assignments per season. Failure to submit an assignment may result in no
playing time that week.
Players who are in serious jeopardy of not maintaining academic eligibility, may be
suspended from the team until their eligibility is restored.

Athletic
Players will attend all practices, games (including practices and games during
Winter Break) meetings, and team events e.g. fundraisers, community service, etc.
Missing practice due to part-time employment or to complete SMHS community
service graduation requirements will not be considered valid excuses for missing
team events. Players must be on time.
**Full participation is expected in all fundraisers. Participation is based on
attendance, completed forms, and directions followed.
If a player misses any games that are not injury related, he will sit out the same
amount of games when he returns. Therefore, if a player misses a tournament,
which could consist of 5 games, the player will have to sit out 5 games when he
returns. Avoid missing tournaments, as it will affect your student-athletes playing
time.
A note from the athletic trainer or a doctor will be needed in order to excuse the
student-athlete.
If a player misses practice or a team event, he will not start that week. Multiple
practice absences will result in no playing time that week. Four unexcused
absences will result in a one-week suspension from the team. Five unexcused
absences will result in dismissal from the team.
Three tardies for a class will be equivalent to one unexcused practice absence.

Maximum effort and participation at all times in all activities must be given
* Players participating in another SMHS sport during the fall or spring season

are excused from soccer team activities while their sport is in season.
* Players participating in another SMHS sport during the fall and spring season
are expected to participate in organized team activities e.g. athletic
performance training, film sessions, etc. the week following the conclusion of the
aforementioned seasons.
Players are not allowed to play on any outside teams during the high school
season, unless it is a tournament or game approved by CIF.
In case a player participates in a game with another team, the player will be
dismissed from the team.

Conduct
Players will show respect to the SMHS coaching staff, SMHS school staff,
students, and officials.
Players will not verbally deride a teammate or coach.

No taunting or excessive celebration will be allowed.

Any team rule violations will result in consequences based on the infraction.
Major rule violations e.g. fighting, stealing etc., will result in a suspension from

the team
A repeated major rule violation will result in dismissal from the team.

Winter Break

Players will attend all training sessions while in town.

Players will inform that players level head coach if he will be absent from any
winter break practices PRIOR to the absence.

Parent Expectations

Encourage your son to be a student athlete who values character and commitment.
Take an active role in your sons academic progress. Remind him of the need to
make the daily investment toward reaching his academic goals. Dont allow
procrastination!
Support your son and the program in contests, fundraisers, and community events.
Monitor your sons diet and hydration choices. It is important to emphasize a diet
consisting of lean protein (e.g. chicken, fish), complex carbohydrates (e.g. pasta,
rice), fruits, and green vegetables. Discourage your child from excessive caffeine,
fast food, and refined sugars.
Cheer from the stands. Encourage your son and his team. Do not communicate
directly with your son from a period of one hour before the scrimmage or game
until the conclusion of the scrimmage or game.
Refrain from entering into the field area. Only SMHS coaching and administrative
staff will be allowed in the locker room or on the field prior to or during a
scrimmage, game, or practice.

If you have any concerns, please contact your sons head coach. In the event that
you feel your concern is not resolved, contact the athletic director, and finally
SMHS administration.
Please do not approach your sons head coach with a concern on game day

Expectations of the Coaching Staff

Head Varsity Soccer Coach will:

Create and implement a risk management plan for the program

Create and form an action plan for academic, athletic, and character development
goals program wide
Institute an organized playing system and philology

Develop and assist in the implementation of a strength and conditioning program

at all levels
Oversee fundraising for all levels

Implement and oversee an academic monitoring program for all levels

Plan community service events
Coordinate logistical needs, i.e. facilities use, equipment storage, etc.
Supervise inventory in coordination with equipment manager
Plan professional development opportunities for all staff
Communicate program needs to administration, parents, and community
shareholders

Head Junior Varsity and Head Frosh Coach will:

Oversee student-athlete academic monitoring for that level

Oversee fundraisers and other team events at that level
Organize practices, team meetings, and game day responsibilities
Communicate program information to student athletes and their families
Communicate level needs and concerns to the varsity head coach
Establish a consistent meeting schedule with staff to discuss program
progress, goals, and concerns

All Coaches
Character traits
You can expect each coach to:

Be loyal to the program.

Exhibit character at all times
Practice humility when interacting with others
Practice being a positive communicator and active listener

Personal conduct
Coaches will not:

Use profanity on the field, locker room, or weight room

Berate a player, staff member, or parent.
Use any tobacco products on the school campus. No exceptions
Coaches will:
Wear appropriate coaching attire for practice, games, and team events
Never attempt to settle a conflict with another coach in front of the players.

Professional actions
Coaches will:
Be prepared for team practices, meetings, and contests
Develop professionally with respect to teaching skills and position responsibilities
as well as in teaching life skills
Work together with other coaches in a collegial manner

Meet to continually evaluate level progress with respect to player progress

academically, athletically, and affectively
Communicate expectations clearly to players with respect to their role as a player,
student, and person
Teach skills according to sound safety and fundamental principles

Important Information
Traveling

In order to dress for each contest, a player must meet the following criteria:
Attended all team activities for the week (see player expectations)
Actively participated in practice
Players must travel in San Marcos HS Soccer attire. E.g. game jersey or practice
shirt, game shorts or practice shorts, sweatpants and jacket.

First Aid for Minor Injuries

Injuries are a part of any sport. Minor cuts, sprains, and bruises occur in soccer.
Players are urged to follow the ICE principle:
Ice only for the first 48 hours following the injury, 15 minutes on and then 45
minutes without ice.
Compression to the injured area e.g. ace bandage

Elevation of the injured area

*Note: Brian Linden, ATC, is a certified trainer and is on site at San Marcos to assist
with injury rehabilitation and as a first responder to injuries sustained at practice
or at games during the season.

Risk Management
Several measures can be taken to manage risk of injury including adequate hydration and
nutrition prior to and following the activity, participation in a dynamic warm up prior to
activity, participation in the strength and conditioning program, being properly equipped,
wearing proper athletic attire and footwear, adequate rest, and following coaching
instructions.

Equipment
Each player will be issued a game jersey(s), shorts, sweatpants and jacket(varsity)
SMHS has invested time, effort, and financial resources to provide the best
possible equipment and uniforms for all participants in the program. It is our expectation
that each player is responsible for the return of all equipment and apparel on the
equipment check-in date set by that players head coach following the conclusion of the
season. Further, the equipment and apparel must be returned unaltered and in good
working order less normal wear and tear.
Failure by a player to return any school issued equipment or uniform apparel will
result in that player not being cleared to play another SMHS sport until any missing items
are made or restitution is given to SMHS.

Hydration
The need for adequate hydration is critical for an athlete to perform at an optimum
level. Water, in particular, plays an essential role in both temperature control and the
removal of waste from cells. The best defense against dehydration is prevention.
Research supports the need for athletes to consume at least 64 oz. of water each day.
Further, it is recommended that 16 oz. of water needs to be consumed one hour before
activity and another 16 oz. of water must be imbibed 15 minutes before activity resumes.
Sport drinks can be helpful in providing a carbohydrate boost and in the replenishing of
electrolytes. However, athletes must be cognizant of the fact that sport drinks do not
hydrate better than water.

Spirit Pack
All players are expected to purchase a spirit pack. The spirit pack serves as the
team uniform for practices and activities. The spirit pack will consist of shorts and shirt.
Players are not allowed to wear practice gear that is not SMHS Boys Soccer attire.
Any concerns about the spirit pack should be made to the players level head coach.

Fundraisers
All student athletes are expected to participate in each fundraising activity.
Program needs cannot be met unless the program is successful in each fundraising
opportunity. Therefore, each player must do his best to meet fundraising goals.
As mentioned earlier in the handbook, players must participate in 100% of all
program fundraisers. Participation is based on attendance, completed forms, and
fundraiser tasks. Participation is not based on funds raised.

Community Events
The program will be participating in community events. The purpose of the events
is to provide an opportunity for players to learn about ways that they can be active in
serving the community around them. Further, the hope is that greater community support
will result for the program by forging a greater bond between the community and the
soccer program.

NCAA Requirements
Before an athlete can participate in a sport or receive an athletic scholarship at a
Division I or Division II school, he/she must meet specific academic citeria as set for the
by the NCAA, A student must have at leas a 2. 0 GPA (Based on a 4.0 scale) in 16 core
classes and the required SAT or ACT score which a given institution mandates. SAT/ACT
requirements for Division I eligibility are based on a sliding scale. The higher the GPA,
the lower the test score required. For example, a student with a GPA of 2.5 needs a score
of 1230 on the SAT. A student with a 2.0 GPA needs a score of 1530 on the SAT.
Students must take specific courses in order to meet the NCAA eligibility
requirements. These include a certain number of college preparatory English, science,
social science, and mathematic courses with at least one year of algebra, one year of
geometry, and one year of algebra II. Because the NCAA has such specific requirements,
it is important that student athletes meet with their guidance counselors as early as
possible to obtain information on NCAA requirements and to make sure they will
have the courses necessary to satisfy the NCAA requirements.
Athletes should take the SAT or ACT no later than the spring of their junior year
in order to have time to retake them if necessary. In order to initiate the eligibility
process, athletes need to complete the NCAA Clearinghouse Students Release Form.
Forms are available online at https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common.
Calculate Core GPA from the courses listed:
English: 4 years
Math: 3 years
Natural/Life Science: 2 years(at least one lab course)
Social Science: 2 years
Additional courses in English, Math, Science-1 year
Additional core courses-4 years (any of the above areas or language,
philosophy or
religion)

Division I 16 core classes required

Division II- 14 core classes required

Parent and Player Handbook Review Form

I have read and will comply with the expectations outlined in the SMHS team handbook.
Parent name _______________________
Parent signature_____________________

Date___________________

Player name________________________
Player signature_____________________

Date___________________