Team Guidelines

Players Should Be:

A Team Player:

Soccer is a team sport and players should always put the team first. Remember that the team, not the individual, needs to come first.

Committed:

Players should be committed to their own training, their teammates, and all team goals.

Disciplined:

Players should always show up to practice ready to practice and work hard. Players should practice to the best of their abilities at all times.

A Student:

Players should always be striving to learn more. Players should apply themselves in the classroom and on the field to learn about the game and the position that they play in order to become better in all aspects of life.

Practice and Season Rules:

Make Good Choices. Your teammates and your coaches are depending on you.

Eat Smart, always drink plenty of Water and be sure to get the proper amount of Rest each day.

Be on Time for all practices. Your teammates and coaches expect it and are counting on it.

No Unexcused Absences. Coaches should be notified ahead of time when you will be missing practice. Appointments and activities should be scheduled so they don’t interfere with practice times.

All Violations have their own circumstances. Consequences are at the coaches discretions and may include extra conditioning, reduced playing time, and/or possible game suspension.

No Tobacco, Alcohol, or Drugs. All abuse will be reported to the Billings Schools and infractions will be enforced according to school and district policy.

Practice Expectations

Be on time: Players should be dressed out, taped, and ready. This shows commitment to the team. Practice will typically be from 4-6 pm. Weight lifting/conditioning times will be announced.

Be competitive: Players should always push themselves in practice, play at game speed, and encourage teammates. Taking shortcuts will harm not only yourself but also the team.

Communicate: Players should be focusing on communicating with other players at all times. Communication is vital to success on the field and should be a main focus for each player at practice.

Learn: Players should listen to their coach’s instructions and to the advice from teammates. Great players absorb information in practice and are able to display this knowledge in games.

Concentrate: Players should stay focused at practice and push themselves physically and mentally every day.

Conditioning and Physical Training

Players interested in participating in the Skyview soccer program, especially with the intent of playing at the Varsity level, must be in exceptional condition before the season begins.

Conditioning will be emphasized during the season, including weight lifting, but there is not enough time prior to the first game for players to be adequately conditioned if they do not take the summer training seriously. Players should arrive for the first practice in good condition and be prepared to practice and work at a high level.

Players are encouraged to also participate in other Skyview sports when in the off season.

Player and Parent Concerns

Players can ask coaches what they need to work on to develop their own skills, help their team, and increase playing time. Schedule a time to talk with a coach after a practice.

Parents with concerns can also schedule a time with a coach. Coaches will discuss concerns provided they do not involve playing time or positions. This is a varsity program and these are coaching decisions. Concerns and comments should not be addressed on game days.

It is a privilege, not a right, to play for the team. Not every athlete will play the position or time that they may wish. All decisions are based on what is best for the team to be successful.

It takes cooperation and dedication of all players, parents, coaches, and administrators to build a successful varsity program.

Mental Fatigue

It is the goal of the coaches to better help players handle the stress and fatigue that occurs over the season. Practices will be planned with this in mind to deal with physical fatigue. One major area of sports that is being addressed more today is the mental fatigue aspect. Please allow players time to reflect on games especially before discussing them. The season is fast and we often have multiple games in a three day span. We want players that do not dwell on mistakes or fear making them but rather that reflect, learn, and improve over the season.

Academic Excellence

Players will not only be expected to work hard on the field. The classroom is a major part of high school sports, hence the term student-athlete. Academics come first.

All school policies regarding academic eligibility will be followed.

In addition, any players with missing assignments will go to lunch study sessions with Coach Cam or Coach Polkow during the 20 minute window the new schedule dedicates to this. There are no punishments for players for having missing assignments provided they arrive to the session. Failure to arrive to the session will result in a loss of game time.

Travelling

Varsity and Junior Varsity teams both have games that will involve travelling. Trips may for a variety of reasons force coaches to limit the number of athletes that will travel. This may include injuries and travelling limitations such as total number of seats.

These decisions will be made and announced by the coaching staff as soon as possible prior to the trip.