Expectations

Team Requirements

1. Each person must turn in a completed physical form, take the concussion impact test, pay the participation fee, be academically and otherwise eligible, and attend a meeting regarding the co-curricular code.
2. Each team member must follow the rules of the NDHSAA, the Fargo Public Schools, the team and coaches, and common sense.
3. An athlete will need to have completed 9 official practices before being eligible to compete.
4. Appropriate behavior is always expected.
5. A watch is required for practice daily so athletes can track their own performance. If the student/athlete cannot afford a watch, then a coach will find a way to provide one.

Practice Requirements

1. All practices (including the cardio room sessions and other settings) are mandatory, unless indicated otherwise by the coaching staff. You are expected to be at each practice in its entirety. If you are injured you will rehab. If you are legitimately sick, you should stay away from practice, so others don't become ill. There are very few good reasons to miss part or all of practice. If you are not able to be at practice, you need to notify the head coach personally, not through your parent or another teammate.
2. Be prepared, on time, and ready to work each practice
3. Athletes who miss practice for reasons other than illness, injury, or family emergency will have their chances to compete lessened or eliminated.
4. You may not attend practice or a meet if you leave school during the day sick.

The Parents' Role

As your runner is entering the first weeks of training there are a number of areas that may be of concern to you. How can you assist your runner? What should you expect? How should a student athlete prepare and deal with

training and competition in terms of eating habits, sleep, and mental attitude?

As a rule, don’t change any aspect of the normal daily routine. Everything should remain the same in terms of home responsibilities, appropriate eating, sleeping, and social habits. Parents should be aware that a common result of training may be muscle soreness. Any athlete in intensive training could be subject to injury. All concerns should be directed first to the coach, so the coach can determine the best method of treatment for the athlete.

​A well-balanced diet is an asset for any individual and especially for an athlete. Any nutritional changes should occur gradually. On meet day’s high fat and fried food, eggs, and carbonated beverages should be avoided. Take advantage of easily digestible foods in low quantities. Water intake should not be limited. Generally, the last intake of food should be 2-3 hours prior to the start of the race. Recognize that each individual has different nutritional needs.

A runner should go into a race slightly on the hungry side, because the opposite can be detrimental.

What Can a Parent Expect at a Meet?

Get acquainted with the race course and strategic course points. The start and finish line are good spectator areas. The layout of each course is different, so getting there early will help in finding spots to watch the race. There is often an informational table at the meet that provides course maps for the spectators. The coaches are always happy to assist with any questions, but remember that the coaches’ focus is on the runners and the race first and foremost.

DO NOT expect the attention of your child once they have joined their team at the race site. They need time to mentally and physically prepare for the race with the coach and the rest of the team. This also includes up to an hour after competition, as they need to encourage the rest of their teammates, have team meetings, and go on a cool- down run. Your athlete WILL NOT be able to leave the course until a proper cool-down has been completed with their teammates.

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Cross country is an active sport for the participant and spectators. There are many ways for a spectator to enjoy watching a race. One exciting aspect is to watch the start of the race. After the start, you can hurry to a number of spots along the course where you can see the runners come through. As the race goes on, you may want to make your way to the finish line where the runners will complete their race. An important aspect of the Fargo Davies Cross Country program is teamwork, and as parents you can help model

this teamwork by cheering for all the Fargo Davies cross country runners!

A vast majority of distance runners are perfectionists by nature, and have set high expectations for themselves and their team. Expect the possibility of disappointment after a race by an athlete. Although one goal set by the individual may have been achieved, a runner may have fallen short of others and may not be satisfied with the total result. Athletes may need some emotional space after the race by both the coach and parent. Parents need to show support by offering the athlete needed space, not be discouraging towards the athlete at the meet, and to offer SUPPORT at home when the athlete is ready to talk. The role of the parent is to be a GREAT LISTENER and not be a “coach” at home. The role of the coach is to determine the best course of action for each runner, and design a method with the other coaches that best suits that runner and the entire team’s needs.