6th Grade Pre-Athletics Syllabus

West Ridge Middle School | 2025–2026

Coaching Staff

Coach Jeremy Donalson – Girls Pre-Athletics | jdonalson@eanesisd.net

Coach Juan Gonzalez – Boys Pre-Athletics | jgonzalez3@eanesisd.net

Course Description

6th Grade Pre-Athletics is designed for students who are eager to work hard and develop their

physical, mental, and emotional readiness for competitive athletics. This co-ed course serves

as an introduction to the expectations and demands of 7th Grade Athletics in Eanes ISD,

though it is not required for participation in athletics next year. The class promotes the habits

of a successful student-athlete and builds a strong foundation in fitness, movement, and

sportsmanship.

Focus Areas

1. The Role of a Student-Athlete (Academics, teamwork, character, competitive mindset)

2. Fundamentals of Weight Training

3. Athletic Development (Speed, agility, balance, stamina, flexibility)

4. Sport-Specific Skills (Movements, fundamentals, and introductory team strategies)

Weight Training & Athletic Movement

This course emphasizes learning proper weight training techniques with a strong focus on

form and technique over the amount of weight lifted. Students develop body control, posture,

and core engagement to support safe movement patterns across all sports. Foundational lifts

use light resistance to build proper habits. Students also engage in weighted sled work to

improve leg drive, acceleration, and total-body strength, along with speed and agility training

focused on sprint mechanics, change of direction, and reaction time. Our priority is athletic

development and injury prevention. Students are expected to be coachable, focused, and

consistent in their effort.

Activities & Instruction

Activities include strength and conditioning circuits, speed and agility drills, sled pushes,

team-building exercises, and sport-specific skill development in sports such as football,

volleyball, basketball, and track.

Unit Sequence

1. Volleyball – Fundamentals, movement, and teamwork 

2. Basketball – Ball handling, spacing, and offensive/defensive concepts 

3. Track & Field – Sprinting, jumping, relays, and conditioning 

4. Soccer – Footwork, passing, spacing, and game strategy

Student Expectations

✔ Be on Time

✔ Be Prepared – Pre-Athletics uniform and athletic shoes must be worn daily

✔ Be Respectful – To coaches, classmates, equipment, and facilities

✔ Participate Fully – Always give your best effort

✔ Have Fun and Stay Positive

Grading Policy

• 50% Participation – Daily effort, teamwork, and engagement

• 50% Dressing Out – Wearing the required Pre-Athletics uniform and athletic shoes

Medical Notes & Participation Guidelines

A parent/guardian or nurse’s note is required to excuse participation due to illness or injury. A

doctor’s note is required if the student will be excused for more than two consecutive days or

needs limited participation. All documentation must be submitted to the coaches before class

begins.

Disciplinary Policy

Students are expected to meet the behavioral and participation standards of a student-athlete.

Consequences for not meeting expectations may include: • Verbal warning • Behavior

reflection • Parent contact • Office referral (for repeated or serious issues) • Alternate workout

assignments may be given in place of the regular workout when behavior, injury, or

non-compliance requires it

Final Note

Pre-Athletics is meant to be challenging, rewarding, and fun. Our goal is to help students grow

into confident, disciplined, and coachable athletes. We’re looking forward to a great year of

growth, hard work, and teamwork!