CMS Trojan Football

2020

Objectives and Goals

            The overall objective of the football program is to teach student athletes the fundamentals of the game of football as they relate to the overall Chesterton Football Program. It will teach healthy life habits, how to work as a part of a team, and how to persevere through and overcome challenges. Student athletes will be expected to learn, demonstrate, and apply skills, tactics, and assignments in both practice and competition. Students will also be expected to represent their team, school, and community in a positive light both on and off the field.  

Requirements

            All student athletes are required to have a FULLY COMPLETED physical, as well as supporting paperwork, on file with the CMS Athletic Office prior to the first practice.  Students WILL NOT be allowed to participate with an incomplete physical.  Completed paperwork can be turned at equipment handouts on 8/1/2020. Student athletes will also be required to follow all rules and regulations in both the CMS Student Handbook and CMS Athletic handbook. Failure to do so may result in loss of playing time or removal from the team.

Equipment      

            CMS will provide practice pants, practice jerseys, belts, game pants, game jerseys, helmets, shoulder pads, knee pads, mouth guards, a locker, and a lock at no cost. Student athletes will be required to supply the following themselves:

·         Lower body pads in the form of a girdle (can be purchased at equipment hand out)

·         Cleats

·         Under shirt that is either maroon, gold, white, or black for games

·         Team socks for games (available from the Blythe’s online spirit shop)

They may also use, but are not required to, such items as athletic protective cups, gloves, and mouth guards. Personal mouth guards must have a strap to attach to helmet face mask.

Student athletes are responsible for keeping track of their own personal items, as well as school supplied equipment. Student athletes may not take home school equipment, except practice jerseys and practice pants on Fridays so that they can be cleaned.  Student athletes will be responsible for replacing any equipment that is damaged outside of normal football activities or that is lost.

Varsity and Junior Varsity Teams

            When it comes to team placement, coaches consider player safety and providing a level of competition where student athletes can best develop and apply what they have learned. This year, we will start referring to the teams as Varsity (formerly “A” team), and Junior Varsity (formerly “B” team). Placement on a team is based on several factors. These factors can include grade level, size, physicality, playing ability and abilities in practice and on the field.  Students are not assigned to a team for the entire season and assignment may change as need arises.

Playing time

            There is no set number of plays a student athlete must play and there are no requirements that all student athletes must play in a game. The coaching staff will attempt to make sure that each athlete is able to play in a game. Playing time is determined by how athletes perform on the practice field, each athlete’s ability to learn plays & techniques, and their ability to develop and apply the skills they have learned in practices.

Practice and games

            Attached is the tentative practice and game schedule for the season.  Athletes and parents are encouraged to sign up for remind.com for the latest information and changes. Please make arrangements for player pick up at the times listed at the end of practices.   Athlete participation in practice is linked to playing time in games. Therefore, student athletes who are absent the practice prior to a game will not be permitted to play in that game.   During compilation where both the varsity team and junior varsity team play, the junior varsity game will happen first with the varsity team to follow. The times are generally 4:30 for the junior varsity team and 6:00. These times are rough estimates and are not firm times.

Substance Use Statement

            Participating as a member of the football team will provide many positive experiences for our young people.  In order for your team to achieve at its highest potential, they will need to practice hard, work together, and maintain a healthy lifestyle free of tobacco, vaping, alcohol, and other drugs.  Student participants cannot achieve peak performance under the influences of these dangerous substances. We strongly believe that parents must be partners in efforts to alcohol use amongst our student participants.