Player Expectations

Playing basketball for Lakeland High School will require dedication to a high standard of excellence in team and individual play, as well as require personal sacrifices and commitment. These expectations are to ensure fairness to all players by promoting sportsmanship, responsibility, and respect. These expectations are a combination of rules and procedures from both the Lakeland Union High School Handbook as well as from the basketball coaches. Rules provided in the Lakeland High School handbook should be observed at all times along with these expectations. Success will follow if each and every player commits to, and accepts, these expectations.

A student must be in attendance at school the entire day in order to practice or participate in a game on that day. The only exception to this would be an acceptable advance notice or an emergency situation approved by the school principal or the associate principal if the principal is not available.

A student must be in school the entire day following a game unless she has an acceptable advance notice, an excused absence due to a legitimate illness or injury or has a doctor’s appointment do to the illness or injury. Any other absences must be approved by the principal or an associate principal if the principal is not available. If the absence is unexcused or avoidable, the student will be suspended from the next contest.

I have requested all players cell numbers and email addresses, along with parents and guardians cell numbers. This information has been entered in the Remind App system that I use to communicate with all players and parents. It is very important that players and guardians read the information communicated through the remind app. It could be about practice times changes, uniform changes, game time changes, concession needs, etc. If you have not received a communication via Remind, or a guardian has not received a communication via Remind, it is your responsibility to get me the missing cell phone number or email address and contact name. All information that has been given to me has already been entered into the system. This means if you have not received any messages from me, I do not have your information.

Practice attendance is mandatory. You have been given the 2020-21 practice calendar. You will be notified of all practice time changes via the Remind app. You are expected to be on time and ready to begin practice in the gym at 3:45. Being ready for practice includes having all necessary equipment on, such as practice jerseys, t-shirts, shorts, socks, and shoes. You will be expected to change into your practice attire before entering the gym. This should be done in the designated team locker room. If you have a need to visit the training room, get there quickly so your needs can be attended to as soon as possible.

If you know you will miss all or part of a practice, it is your responsibility to contact the coach BEFORE practice. An unexcused practice the day before a game may result in suspension for the game being played the following day. An unexcused absence during the week of a game, but not the day before, may result in a player not starting the next game, restricted playing time, or possibly not playing in the next game. Two unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the basketball team. An unexcused absence from a game may result in dismissal from the basketball team. An absence is considered unexcused if your coach is not notified in advance and/or if the excuse is not family, illness, or injury related. Absence because of employment is not an excused absence.

In the case of a family vacation, a player needs to inform her coach of the dates she will miss as soon as possible. Depending on circumstances, missing practices for family vacations may or may not affect playing time. Early communication is the key to working out these types of situations adequately for both players and coaches. If no advance notice is given for a family vacation, the absences will be considered unexcused. 2 or more unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the basketball team.

If you are injured, you must still attend practice, unless an emergency or illness prevents you from attending. It is important to observe your position, even if you cannot physically participate. Missing practice because you are physically unable to participate will not be considered an excused absence, unless a doctor’s excuse or approval from the trainer has been given.

Players are expected to be in uniform and ready to begin the pregame team meeting at the time indicated by the coach. If, for any reason, a player will be unable to be ready at this time, it is the players responsibility to communicate this to your coach as soon as possible. If a player is late to the pre-game warm up without prior notification, that player will not start that game and will see limited, if any, playing time.

Players are expected to be in full uniform and/or warm-ups before entering the gym. Changing clothing in the gym at any time will not be permissible. Players should use the designated locker rooms for doing so. Players are also expected to have clean uniforms, and should be tucked in before entering the gym.

Swearing or other abusive language/gestures will not be tolerated whether at team meetings, on the bus/van, in the locker room, in the gym, or anywhere else that you are representing Lakeland Union High School. School rules and expectations apply at all basketball functions including practices, games, and travel.

Before, during, and after games, players must refrain from all altercations with referees, opposing players, opposing coaches, Lakeland coaches, teammates and fans. As a Lakeland Basketball Player, you will be expected to win and lose while utilizing good sportsmanship. Removal from the game will result if any altercations mentioned above are observed. Players will be expected to shake hands with ALL opposing players and coaches, following a game if both teams agree to do so.

The Lakeland Girls Varsity Basketball team will be expected to be present during the JV and JV2 games. Therefore, our expectation is that all JV and JV2 players stay to watch the varsity game. Furthermore, video-taping of the Varsity games will be required of the members of the JV and JV2 teams. A schedule will be set up at the start of the season. If a player is unable to video tape their assigned game, it is their responsibility to get it covered in advance and be coach approved. If the assigned player is asked to play with the varsity team, the coach will get it covered. If the assigned player does not show up, there will be a consequence at the following practice.

Youth Girls Tournaments: It is expected that the Lakeland Union High School Basketball Players assist and/or help prepare for the Girls GNBL youth tournaments. 12 hours of volunteer time between the 2 tournaments is required. The youth tournaments this year are on 12/12/20 and 1/23/21. Players will be assigned responsibilities for the tournaments. A schedule will be set up in advance. If a player is not able to fulfill the assigned requirement, it is that player’s responsibility to get it covered in advance and MUST be coach approved. If the assigned player does not show up or complete the requirement, it will be treated as an unexcused absence.

Concessions: It is expected that all players/parents help with concessions. A schedule will be setup and handed out. It is also necessary that each player has a parent or responsible relative help with preparation of food, setup and cleanup of booth, and concessions sales. A sign up sheet will be circulated and each player family will be responsible for an equal portion per player.

Players should change clothing in an appropriate setting. Changing on the sidelines or bleachers, or any public setting is not acceptable. It is the player’s responsibility to wear/bring appropriate clothing and equipment to all games and practices. It is also the player’s responsibility to take them with her after practices and games. Uniforms and practice jerseys should be cleaned and cared for in a timely manner. These items are Lakeland Union Property and if proper care is not taken, the individual will be charged the replacement cost for the damaged or lost item(s).

Game Attire: Proper equipment for games includes basketball shoes, socks, uniforms, and correctly colored head and/or wrist bands. A white uniform will be worn for all home games, and black for away games. Uniforms should be tucked in, and shooting shirts should be worn for the initial several minutes of the game warmup. If head gear or wrist bands are worn, they are to be black for away games and white for home games. Proper undergarments should also be worn. Long hair needs to be pulled away from face, so as not to obstruct proper viewing. No jewelry or hard hair pins of any kind are allowed for games.

If at any point during the season you have a question or concern that you need to discuss with the coach, you are expected to do the following:

1. Contact the coach as soon as possible and set up an agreeable time to meet.

2. Be respectful when expressing yourself.

3. Allow the coach an opportunity to express him/herself fully.

4. Don’t leave the meeting until you feel the question or concern has been heard and addressed.

5. Parent’s comments/concerns will be handled in the above manner with two or more coaches present at the meeting.

All players are responsible for the equipment. It is the player’s responsibility to help put away all equipment after practices and games. Players are to remain in the gym until everything has been put away properly. In-practice disciplinary action may be taken if neglect of equipment becomes a problem.

Cell phones and electronics must be turned off and put away during all games, practices and team meetings. This is the same for players not in uniform due to injury, illness or suspension. These items are not to be used on the bench or sideline until after the game or practice ends.

Players who use social networking in a negative way towards teammates, opposing teams, or coaches, will result in disciplinary action, which may include removal from the team. This includes comments, posts or tweets with negative implications towards any member of the team, coaching staff, or opposing teams.

All players must ride the team bus/van to a game. If a problem arises and a player must provide their own transportation, the coach must be notified at least 24 hours in advance. Players may ride home with someone other than their parent (another student’s parents or older sibling) if they bring an advance note to school the day before or the day of the away game. The note must be signed by high school administration.

All players who are transported to or from school must comply with the regulations made by the driver of the bus in which the student athlete is riding. If a student is insubordinate when riding on a school bus/van, she will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. If the student is disobedient again, she will be deprived of future transportation for the duration commensurate with the severity of the act.

Hazing of any kind is strictly forbidden. We want everyone, freshmen through seniors, to enjoy their time in the Lakeland Girl’s Basketball program both on and off the court. If you are a victim of hazing at any time, let the coaches know. It will be looked into and those responsible will be held accountable.

If a player participates in five varsity games, that player will earn a letter if the season is finished in good standing.

Consequences will be enforced if a player violates any of the practices or game expectations mentioned above. The coaching staff will evaluate each situation and enforce the necessary consequences. Consequences may include one or more of the following: in-practice discipline deemed appropriate by the coaching staff, apologizing to the team, whether it is your team or an opposing team, dismissal from practice, restricted playing time, game suspensions, or dismissal from the team.

Students who are reprimanded for drinking/drug use during the basketball season will not be allowed to participate in 25% of LUHS basketball games for the remainder of the season. Please remember to make good choices at all times. You are representing LUHS Girls Basketball and are role models for the youth in the community.

Initial each line, sign and date below. A guardian is also required to sign. Return to Coach Ouimette

_____ I will represent myself, my family, and my team properly at all times.

_____ I will take my education seriously, knowing that my education is for a lifetime.

_____ I will refrain from the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

_____ I will be on time for school and team activities, practices and games, and understand that

I must communicate in advance when I will not be on time, or when I will not be able to

attend. Coach Ouimette’s cell: 715-612-6126, or email: msouimette@gmail.com.

_____ I will not take my cell phone out during practices, games, or team meetings.

_____ I will stay away from people, places, and things that will not have a positive effect on me.

_____ I will never involve myself in any hazing of another student.

_____ I will not use social media in a negative way towards teammates, opposing teams, or coaches. Any

social media I use will reflect the positive values of my school and basketball program.

_____ I will adhere to my 10 pm curfew hours for school nights.

_____ I will involve myself willingly for a total of hours in assisting with the GNBL youth tourneys on

12/12/20 and 1/23/21.

I have read and understood all of the 2020-21 Lakeland Union High School Girl’s Basketball Team expectations for the season. I understand that failure to follow the “Expectations” could lead to suspension or removal from the team.

_____________________________________

Player Signature

_____________________________________

Date Signed

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Parent Signature