Girls JV & Varsity Outdoor Track & Field

Rules of Conduct and General Guidelines

            As a student-athlete, you are a role model whether you realize it or not.  How you handle yourself in public is very important.  Always be polite and courteous, respectful, and work to the best of your ability.  You need to lead by example.  Track & Field is as much a team sport as it is individual.  It is important to be concerned with how you can help your team and not be worried about what others are doing.  Your individual actions represent the team as a whole.  The impression you project during school, at practice, and in meets will be the lasting memory of Mohonasen.  Live up to the positive reputation and always be “Mohon Proud!”

Rules

1.  Always follow the proper chain of command within the team.  If there is a problem, please talk to the coach first, before involving the athletic director or administrators.  The coach may not be aware there is even a problem.  Always feel free to discuss any issues or concerns you may have.

2.  Abide by the Rotterdam-Mohonasen Athletic Handbook.

3.  All practices and league meets are mandatory.  Unexcused absences from practice or meets are unacceptable.  Notify the coach if you have to miss a practice or meet due to an extreme circumstance, such as emergency, illness, or an appointment.  The excuse needs to be in writing from a parent/guardian and handed in to the coach as soon as possible.  Please call Nikki Steele in the Girls PE Office at 356-8273. 

       *Consequences: 

a.       If you miss a practice (unexcused) the day before a meet, you will not be able to attend that meet.

b.       If you miss 2 unexcused practices, you will have a meeting with the athletic director, coach, athlete, and parent/guardian to discuss this matter.  If you miss 3 unexcused practices, you will no longer be part of the outdoor track team. 

c.       If you miss a track meet due to an unexcused reason, you will not be eligible to run in the following track meet.  You still have to attend the meet, but you will be required to work the meet (timing, recording, etc).  So, you miss one, you sit one out!!!!

4.  Be on time for everything, including practice, meets, and other team events.  Do not use the trainer as an excuse.  If you are injured and have to see Mr.DeVito, the athletic trainer, be sure to do so before practice (10^th Period) or make an appointment with him.

5.  Always be prepared to go outside during practice (hats, gloves, long-sleeve t-shirts or sweatshirts, pants).  You are not to leave the campus unless a coach is with you. In order for you to run off campus a coach must be accompany you during distance runs.

6.  Ride the bus to the track meets and back to school.  Only in extreme cases, with prior permission and a signed notice from the coach and athletic director, will you be allowed to ride with parents.

7.  Practice makes perfect is true, only if proper mechanics are practiced.  Everyone must practice with purpose.

8.  Avoid senseless horseplay.  This will minimize your chance of getting injured.

9.  Treat everyone in the program with respect and they will treat you with respect.  This includes other athletes, coaches, managers, and trainers.  They are all very important people in this program.

10.  The coaches will prepare you physically and mentally for the outdoor season.  It is our job to teach you the proper technique, form, and training methods you will be engaged in throughout the season.  Believe in us!

11.  Always work as hard as possible to improve yourself and the team.  Challenge yourself and each other.  You should set goals and strive to be the best you can be!

12.  We always say that Track & Field is unlike any other sport.  If you don’t work hard in practice when a workout is given to you, you are cheating yourself.  Improve your weaknesses:  do extra drills, go to the weight room, watch instructional videos, etc.  Utilize outside resources that help you improve.

13.  Follow the Bigger Faster Stringer Program to the best of your ability.  When the team is in the weight room, help each other Break Records!  Keep accurate detailed lifting records.  If for any reason you miss a scheduled weight room session, it is your responsibility to make up the work out as soon as possible (either during the day or 10^th per.) 

Meet Conduct

1.  Always be on time for the bus.  Arrive at least 15 minutes before the bus leaves and have all equipment with you.  Pole vault poles need to be kept out of the aisles and placed under the seats.

2.  You are responsible for making sure all equipment (pole vault poles, blocks, shots, discs, etc.) returns to school with you.

3.  Warm-up as a team as soon as you arrive at the meet.  Perform the proper warm-up and stretch.  You should break a sweat before your race goes off.  Do some form drills, stride outs, accelerations, etc.

4.  If you are in a relay, practice your handoffs in the zones before the meet begins.

5.  Know the order of events.  Do not skip any of your events.  If you miss your race, you will run a race at the next meet that is twice the distance of the race you missed.

6.  If you scratch yourself from an event, you will not be allowed to run in any other events for the remainder of the meet. 

7.  Cool-down after every meet.  Jog at least an 800M and stretch.  This will help avoid soreness.

8.  Always practice good sportsmanship.  Do not “show-boat” across the finish line.  Congratulate your teammates and opponents for their accomplishments.  You will make a lot of long-lasting friendships during this season.

9.  Not every athlete will attend every meet.  You will know at least a day in advance if you will or will not be attending a meet.  In large invitationals, there are standards that athletes have to meet in order to compete.  If an athlete has beaten the standard for that meet, she will go to and compete at that meet.

10.  Mohonasen is in charge of running all home track meets.  The girls track & field team is required to stay and work at all home boys meets and vice versa.  We are responsible for cleanup, hurdle crew, finish line timers, long, triple, and high jump, pole vault, discus, and shot put.  A responsible adult is required to run all of the field events.  We are no longer able to allow students to run these events.  Students will help time and measure for all events.  Any help from parents or siblings that are available these days would be greatly appreciated.  Please let us know if you can attend so we can give you an assignment.

11. Report to a coach before and immediately following your event/race.  We will keep accurate records of times, heights, and distances from every meet.  This is very important!  If we are attending a large invitational, as soon as you clerk in for your race/event, tell the coaches your heat & lane assignments, flights, etc

12.  Always cheer for your teammates during every competition.  It is important to not only support the runners, but throwers and jumpers as well.  They are often forgotten about during the meets.  Make an effort to cheer for EVERY ATHLETE on your team!!!!

13.  This goes for you, too, parents!  The outdoor track team needs your support!  Come out and cheer for the team.  You can also help by being involved in fundraisers throughout the season.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

Coach Nikki Steele at 356-8273 (w)

***Please take some time to check out our Girls Outdoor Track and Field Website:  http://www.mohonasen.org/mhsphysed/nsteele/mhstrack.htm

Read the rules and guidelines through with your parents.  Sign, date, detach, and turn in to Coach Steele no later than Wed. March 14th.  Keep this form as a reference throughout the season!!

 Outdoor Track & Field 2007

 I have read and understand the above statements.  I will abide by the code of conduct of this team.

 Student Athlete_______________________________________                        Date_______________

 Parent/Guardian______________________________________                         Date_______________