Flag Football - Dominate

Student-Athlete Policies and Procedures

What You Can Expect From Your Coaches

To be totally honest!
To prepare you for the next level of your life after high school.
To be loyal to you in all areas.
To provide leadership, training, and game planning necessary to achieve our goals.
To work you beyond your expectations.
To assist you in any way possible now and after graduation.
To treat you as a responsible young adult and to love and respect you.
To make all decisions predicated on what is best for the team and then what is best for the individual.
To do everything possible to make this the best place in Florida to play Flag Football.
To help you mature and grow into an effective citizen.

[What You Can Expect From Your Coaches] [Parents Expectations] [General Eligibility] [Team Goals] [The DO RIGHT RULE] [Attendance & Punctuality] [Academics] [General Discipline][Communication and Media] [Grooming and Attire] [Equipment & Security] [Nutrition] [The X Rule] [In Closing] [Back to the Top]

Parents Expectations

Be positive with your student/athlete. Let them know you are proud they are part of the team (focus on the benefits of teamwork and personal discipline).
Encourage your student-athlete to follow all training rules. Help the coaches build a commitment to the team.
Allow your student-athlete to perform and progress at a level consistent with his/her ability (athletes mature at different ages; some are more talented).
Always support the coaching staff when controversial decisions are made (the coaches need your backing to keep good morale on the team).
Insist on positive behavior in school and a high level of performance in the classroom.
Cheer for our team and players. Opponents and referees deserve respect (realize the high school players will make mistakes. Your support is needed during tough times).
Promote having fun and being a team player (concentrate on what is best for the team. Preoccupation with statistics can be very distracting).
Winning is Great, but building positive team values is most important (the concept of working together to perform a task will have lasting benefits. Winning takes place when all the little things are done correctly).
Find the time to be an avid booster of school activities (help build a solid support system for ALL coaches and ALL student-athletes).
Emphasize the importance of well - balanced meals and regular sleep patterns (a student-athlete functions best when care is taken to consume nutritious food and obtain sufficient rest).

In that “championship Flag Football” requires great commitment, effort, responsibility and concentration from its participants, the following guidelines shall apply to ALL those individuals involved in the Program … without exception!!

General Eligibility

All members of the student body are eligible to try-out for the team providing they are residentially and academically eligible.
Any questions regarding academic, residential, transfer or general eligibility should be referred solely to the head coach or athletic director.
Primary Documentation: A current sports physical (FHSAA form EL2), a current consent, release of liability and proof of insurance (FHSAA form EL3), and proof of age (Birth Certificate).
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, No failures in any core classes required for graduation, (must start the school year at Pine Ridge High School to participate in PRHS athletics,) age does not exceed 19 years and 9 months.
Volusia County Schools student-athletes are charged pay to play participation fees; fees will be required to be paid prior to the first competition.

Team Goals

The student-athlete and his/her family will learn that expectations of a student-athlete are greater than those for non-athletes in the general student body … and that the student-athlete will be held accountable for any failure to meet those expectations. In general, the expectations are as follows:

Prioritize and focus on the Five F’s
Be on time … being early is better
Pay attention to your teachers and your coaches
Be at school every day … all day
Be at practice every day … plan ahead to meet your commitment
Earn A’s, B’s and C’s on your interim and report card … never I’s, D’s or F’s
Adhere to the “DO RIGHT RULE” at all times

“DO RIGHT RULE”

The coaching staff makes the assumption that all Flag Football players know the difference between “right and wrong”. All Flag Football players are always expected to make the “right” decision in relation to matters of behavior, discipline and academics. If a player makes a “wrong” decision in relation to behavior, discipline or academics, the coaching staff will assume that it was a conscious decision on the part of the athlete to do so … and the athlete will therefore be held accountable for willfully making a “wrong” decision. Accountability can range from being counseled and or reprimanded by the head coach … denial of playing or practice time … suspension or dismissal from the team … expulsion from the Flag Football program … all to be decided at the discretion of the head Flag Football coach. The “DO RIGHT RULE” is in effect 24 hours a day … both on and off campus … for the duration of a student/athlete’s participation in the Program.
“INDIVIDUAL” RIGHTS NEVER SUPERSEDE “TEAM” RIGHTS

The Program is based on PRIDE, COMMON SENSE, GOOD CITIZENSHIP, RESPECT, LOYALTY and ACADEMICS … we are not a “win at all cost” Flag Football program. Flag Football championships are won by “special” people … a championship Flag Football player must be a disciplined person … we must be a disciplined team. An athletic team cannot win championships with “individuals” … nor does a team win championships with common people. The Program requires student/athletes who will sacrifice their personal welfare for the betterment of the team. Student-athletes who wish to stand out or draw attention to themselves as “individuals” will not be allowed to participate.

A student-athlete wishing to join the Program must first commit to proper and appropriate behavior on and off the campus … must promote a feeling of pride, loyalty and respect for his/her team, school, community, family, faculty and administration … coupled with the understanding that his/her primary purpose is to be an excellent student/citizen … his/her secondary purpose is to play Flag Football.

A student-athlete’s decision is not whether he/she wants to adhere to these disciplinary guidelines … but whether or not he/she wishes to join the team. Once an athlete chooses to join the team, his/her decision in terms of these disciplinary guidelines has already been made. A student-athlete who chooses to lie, cheat, steal, sneak or perform poorly academically has no place in the Program.

Attendance & Punctuality

IF YOU CANNOT PRACTICE … YOU CANNOT PLAY
All Flag Football players and their families are expected to PLAN AHEAD and organize their personal schedules so that they can meet and honor their school responsibilities and commitment to their team. Parents must consider these guidelines when scheduling family functions, doctor and dental appointments and all other activities that involve the player.
2nd and subsequent excused absences = game day suspension

Academics

All student-athletes will attend MANDATORY STUDY HALL.
The coaching staff will check all student-athletes grades weekly during the season … beginning at the second week of season. These grade checks are mandatory and must be signed by all of the player’s instructors. A player who fails to turn in a completed grade check will be suspended from game day activities.

General Discipline

A player engaged in any criminal activity, on or off campus, at any time of the year … will be dismissed from the team.
A player found in the act of stealing equipment or personal property from another player or the Athletic Department … or in possession of stolen equipment or personal property will be dismissed from the team and have charges brought against him/her with the SRO for theft.
Any demonstration of disrespect or insubordination towards a teammate, coach, official, manager, trainer, faculty, staff member or administrator shall be held accountable for their behavior at the discretion of the head coach.

Communication and Media

Think about being successful.
Spend time off the field thinking about your assignments.
Picture yourself executing your skills and technique perfectly.
Never leave practice with a negative attitude or complaint.
Respectfully talk your feelings out with your coach or the head coach. Get things squared away; if you don’t, then little problems and misunderstandings become major problems.
Be a positive person. Don’t complain or talk negatively to or about our teammates, coaches, or program. It only causes morale problems and dissension.

Grooming and Attire

Any “gang” or “gang-related” attire and behavior are strictly prohibited.The Thug mentality will not exist within this program.
The basic concepts of personal hygiene, health and cleanliness must be adhered to daily by every player.
Tank tops and soccer shorts are appropriate; any other apparel may lead to immediate dismissal from practice or games.

Equipment & Security

Any player finding equipment or personal property that does not belong to him/her must immediately return the items to their proper owner or to a member of the coaching staff. Any player found in the possession of missing or stolen equipment or personal property shall be dismissed from the team.
Each player is completely responsible for his/her individual gear and personal property. Safety and security is the duty of each player. All players must be diligent in maintaining their equipment and keeping it in a safe, secure place.

Nutrition

Try to stay away from soda, fast food, fatty foods, fried foods, and sweets. Pasta, breads, meat, fruits/vegetables, and milk are preferred. Drink lots of water. On game days, definitely, do not consume soda and candy. Think healthy. The better you eat the more energy you will have and you will feel and play better. It is also very important to get at least eight hours sleep per night.Ask the head coach for the nutrition plan.

The X Rule

X in mathematics is the symbol for the unknown. Any player performing an act not specifically outlined in this booklet, that contradicts the spirit and philosophy of these disciplinary guidelines, violates the “DO RIGHT RULE” or detracts from the appropriate image of the Flag Football program will be held accountable for their decision and behavior at the discretion of the head Flag Football coach.

In Closing

This is your team, your time, your legacy. We must all conduct ourselves with class and professionalism at all times. We must exhibit good sportsmanship on the field and good citizenship off the field. Our actions (players, coaches, parents) are a reflection of us and the name we compete for, Pine Ridge. So begin your actions with a high level of respect and follow the Golden Rule to love and treat others, as you would want to be treated. This we must and will do together as one team in order to have the success that comes with it.