Rules

• If a player decides to sit out practice due to injury, that player will not be allowed to return to play until cleared by the middle or high school trainer (parent/guardian must be present) or the player’s doctor. A written statement clearing the player will be required in order to return to play.
• Players missing half (or more) of the practices between games due to injury or illness will not be allowed to play in part (or all) of the next game.
• Players will only be excused from practices/games if coaches are provided with a call or email from their parent/guardian (preferably before the absence). Notes will NOT be accepted. Players will still be required to do extra conditioning in order to match teammates work during the day that the player missed.
• Unexcused absences from practices and/or games will result in consequences with increasing severity and suspension from part of the following game. After three unexcused absences, players will be deemed temporarily ineligible to participate in games until the player completes five consecutive practices without another unexcused absence. Parents/guardians will be contacted after each unexcused absence.
• Players who receive disciplinary action from teachers and/or school administration will also face consequences issued by the coaching staff. This could also include unsportsmanlike conduct during practice or games. These consequences could include, but are not limited to, additional conditioning, suspension from part (or all) of a game, and possible removal from the team.
• Shelbyville Middle School and its coaches are not responsible for items lost or stolen from the locker room. Players are provided lockers with working locks that should be used for storing equipment and personal items during practices and games.
• Cell phones are not permitted at practices or games unless given individual permission from the coaches. If a player is seen with a cell phone without permission, the phone will be confiscated until a parent/guardian collects it, and the player will face consequences issued by the coaches with increasing severity for every incident.

* Any situation not covered in the above rules shall be subject to the SMS Athletic Handbook as outlined in the SMS Student Handbook.

Player Expectations

• Respect your coaches and teammates at all times.
• Maintain all equipment to the best of your ability. Report any equipment issues well before practice/games.
• Helmet should be on and properly secured whenever on the field (unless told otherwise by coaches).
• Stay up-to-date on classwork. Failure to do so may result in players being withheld from practice activities in order to make up missing work. These will be regarded as excused absences.
• Have athletic shorts and tennis shoes available for each practice.
• If dissatisfied in their amount of playing time, players should arrange to speak with coaches with the intent to discuss what the player can do to get more playing time.

Parent/Guardian Expectations

• So as not to unreasonably inconvenience coaches, parents/guardians are expected to have players picked up within 15 minutes from the end of practice or the team’s return to SMS after games. If parents cannot meet these requirements, parents/guardians are expected to notify coaches so as to arrange a ride with a teammate. Failure to do so will result in coaches contacting parents/guardians to develop a more reliable arrangement.
• If a player is too ill to participate in practice, the player’s parent/guardian is expected to contact the coaches to acknowledge that they are aware of the missed practice. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence for the player.
• Parents/guardians who wish to meet with coaches regarding the outcome of games (i.e. coaching decisions, playing time, etc.) MUST refrain from contacting the coaching staff for 24 hours following the conclusion of the game. Coaches are willing to discuss these matters but require this time for both coaches and parents/guardians to reflect on the outcome of the game.