Watertown High School Athletic Department
Handbook for Parents of Athletes
Being a parent is often challenging. This effort and responsibility is frequently complicated by being a parent of an athlete. This handbook, with its guidelines and suggestions, will give you some insights into this responsibility.
There are many relationships that are involved in being the parent of an athlete.
The Player-Coach Relationship
The player-coach relationship is perhaps the most critical relationship in athletics. Unfortunately, a parent can have a pronounced effect on this very important relationship. While
you may not agree with all decisions of a coach, how and when you
express your feelings can have a decided effect upon your child.
If
you express a negative opinion in front of your child, you need to
remember that he or she will return to practice the next day
remembering your comments. Your child will be expected to interact with the coach in a cooperative manner. Your positive reinforcement will help both your child and the coach.
Receiving
technical or strategic instruction at home may interfere and conflict
with the instructional process at practice sessions and games. This may ultimately impede your son or daughter’s progress and affect playing time or position.
Should you have any questions or concerns, do not approach the coach immediately at the conclusion of the contest. At this time, coaches have other responsibilities, and it may be an emotional time. Call and make an appointment for a later time and approach this meeting in a calm, courteous, and logical manner.
One of the responsibilities which a coach has, at the conclusion of a contest, is to have a brief meeting with his players. Athletes should not pause to talk to parents or friends immediately after games. These brief meetings are essential to the learning process involved in athletics.
The Parent-Player Relationship
Some parents may try to live vicariously through their children’s athletic efforts. Being positive and supportive is important, but adding pressures and unrealistic expectations can be extremely harmful. Allow your son or daughter to enjoy and grow from this valuable experience. In numerous national studies, it has been determined that most athletes participate for enjoyment or fun. Excessive pressure or expectations can alter this most fundamental reason for playing.
When
you speak with your child after a contest, don’t dwell on his or her
play, how many points he or she scored, or if he or she started. Instead, first ask how the team did, did they play hard, give 100% and have a good experience?
Relationship with Officials
There is an age-old refrain often used by irate fans, “How much are you paying the Officials?” The home school does not assign officials. The
commissioner of officials for the particular sport assigns all
officials and neither team has control of which officials are assigned.
Officials agree to follow a code of ethics. They really do not have a vested interest in which team emerges as the victor. It is important to understand that they are a very necessary part of a game. A contest cannot be played without them. While you may not agree with all their calls, please do not harass and taunt them. It
is important to remember that they are in charge of the contest and
have complete authority to have unruly spectators removed. In many sports, a team will see the same official several times during a season. Coaches,
athletic administrators, and schools often work hard to establish a
rapport and good working relationship which can easily be damaged by
spectators.
Spectator-Cheerleader
Cheerleaders try to infuse spirit into the fans/spectators and to lead them in selected cheers. The
emotion and atmosphere at athletic contests can be very exciting and
the cheerleaders need to be allowed to direct and control this aspect.
Athletic Chain of Command
At Watertown High School, the following chain of command is in effect:
Superintendent
Principal
Athletic Director
Head Coach
Assistant/JV Coaches
Players
If there are any questions or concerns, the athlete should first contact the appropriate coach. If there is no resolution, he or she should then go to the head coach, etc.
Sportsmanship
Since
athletics should be educational in nature, it is important that all
parents demonstrate good sportsmanship and serve as role models for our
athletes and student fans. Sportsmanship is
an overt display of respect for the rules of the sport and for all
others – players, coaches, officials, and fans. It also involves a commitment to fair play, ethical behavior, and integrity. This means:
1. There can be no vulgar or inappropriate language from fans or spectators.
2. Taunting our opponents and their cheerleaders cannot be tolerated.
- Spectators cannot leave the bleachers or enter onto the court or field during a contest.
- Fans should be supportive and positive. Cheering should be done for our team and not against our opponent.
- We should not impede or interfere with our opponent’s cheerleaders when they are leading their cheers.
- In
some specific sports such as basketball and volleyball, we should not
yell while a player takes a foul shot or attempts to serve.
Responsibilities of an Athlete
Most coaches would expect an athlete to adhere to the following guidelines:
The team’s goals, welfare, and success must come before any individual interest.
1. An athlete needs to be consistent in attending practice sessions. This also includes weekend and holiday periods.
2. Players need to be receptive to coaching.
3. Team members are responsible for all issued uniforms and equipment.
4. As a member of a team, an athlete must agree to and follow the team rules. Athletes need to remember that they are ambassadors and represent not only themselves, but the coaching staff and the school.
5. An athlete must report all injuries to either the coach or to the athletic trainer.
Responsibilities of a Coach
A Watertown High School coach has the responsibility for the following:
1. The selection of the squad.
2. The determination of the style of play, including the offensive and defensive philosophy.
3. The teaching and instruction at practice sessions.
4. The determination of who starts and how long an athlete plays in a contest.
5. The decision as to who plays in what position.
6. The establishment of team rules.
7. The selection of team captains.
8. The
communications with athletes and parents with respect to when practice
sessions will be held and at what time the sessions will start and
finish.
Participation on an Athletic Team
It is important to understand that participation on an athletic team at Watertown High School
is a privilege and not a right. Being on and maintaining one’s
membership on a team means accepting all the responsibilities of an
athlete. However, unlike recreational or intramural teams, equal or guaranteed playing time does not exist. In an effort to win, a coach will use players best suited to the conditions or demands of the contest at a given time.
Practice Sessions and Games
Practice sessions are normally closed to spectators and there is a very sound reason for this. These sessions are the equivalent of a teacher’s classroom and there is real, quality instruction taking place. Interruptions
and interference with athlete’s concentration and focus in practice
cannot be allowed any more than a disruption would be tolerated in an
academic setting. Education in any setting can not be compromised.
At Watertown High School practice sessions:
1. May last two hours.
2. May
start and end at different times due to the schedule of the coach or of
our facilities. Check with the coach for the specific times.
3. Will not be held when school is dismissed early due to inclement weather.
4. May be held on Saturdays and over holiday periods.
Risks of Athletic Participation
In
spite of protective equipment and the supervision and sound instruction
by our coaches, there are some risks associated when someone
participates in athletics. Injuries can and do occur. All athletes and parents need to be aware and understand this possibility. At Watertown High School we will do all that we can to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our athletes.
Academic Requirements
Any
student who has more than one failure or incomplete grade for a marking
period or as a final average may not participate on a team.
HAZING
Since
responsibility, integrity, citizenship, and a strong sense of school
and team commitment are the foundations for appropriate participation
in modern day school athletic programs, hazing of any kind will not be
condoned. Any athlete participating in
hazing will be dropped immediately from the team and will face possible
suspension/expulsion from school.
Definition of Hazing: Hazing
is defined as “any activity that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or
endangers a person’s physical or emotional health for the purpose of
initiation or membership in or affiliation with any organization,
regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.”*
* As defined by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
POLICY FOR SPECTATOR BEHAVIOR
Please help us and represent Watertown High School in a proud manner.
1. Cheer for your team!
2. Do not yell at your opponents.
3. Do not use vulgar or profane language.
4. Yelling at officials cannot be tolerated.
5. Taunting and “trash talking” directed at players, coaches and fans is not permitted.
6. Remain in the stands during the contest.
7. Do not interfere with our opponents’ cheerleaders and their attempt to lead cheers.
8. Do not kick the bleachers. Not only does this display poor sportsmanship, but it also damages them.
9. As a parent, please set a positive example for our students and athletes.
10. If you see or hear something that is inappropriate, please help us by saying something to the offending individual. Remember
that purchasing a ticket provides you with the privilege and
opportunity to watch a contest; it is not a license to verbally assault
others or to be obnoxious.
11. Please remember that smoking and/or the use of tobacco products is not prohibited at all sports contests, and practices.
Thank you for your cooperation and help. We CAN do something positive by working together.
SPORTSMANSHIP EXPECTATIONS
ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
1. Applause during introduction of players, coaches, and officials.
2. Players shaking hands with opponents who foul out while both sets of fans recognize player’s performance with applause.
3. Accept ALL decisions of the officials.
4. Cheerleaders lead fans in positive school yells in a positive manner.
5. Handshakes between participants and coaches at the end of contests, regardless of outcome.
6. Treat competition as a game, not a war.
7. Coaches/players search out and congratulate opposing participants or coach.
8. Applause at the end of a contest for performances of all participants.
9. Everyone showing concern for an injured player, regardless of team.
10. Encourage only sportsmanlike conduct.
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
1. Disrespectful or derogatory yells, chants, songs, or gestures.
2. Booing or heckling an official’s decision.
3. Criticizing officials in any way; display of temper with an official’s call.
4. Yells that antagonize opponents.
5. Refusing to shake hands or give recognition for good performances.
6. Blaming loss of game on officials, coaches, or participants.
7. Taunting or name-calling to distract an opponent.
8. Use of profanity or displays of anger that draw attention away from the game.
9. Doing your own yells during cheerleader’s performances.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Dear Parent,
It is important that you and your child read and review the contents of the Handbook for Parents of Athletes. Please sign and return this page to indicate that you have read and reviewed the handbook with your child.
Parent/Guardian Acceptance:
I understand and acknowledge receipt of the Handbook for Parents of Athletes. I have read and reviewed the contents with my child. I agree to the provisions contained therein.
Student Name (print) Grade Date
Signature of Parent
Date