SIFA ATHLETICS

 COACHING PHILOSOPHY

SIFA Athletics utilize many coaching and counseling techniques that are designed to effectively accomplish our training goals. In general, these techniques fall into the following main methods: Instruction – Learning to play volleyball, or any sport, requires the guidance of an experienced coaching staff who can communicate with the players to help them develop their fundamental and advanced skills in the sport. Repetition – We believe that repetition of skills is necessary to master the sport. Our training techniques look to include every player extensively in each drill to increase the number of touches that they get each practice. Feedback – We believe that player development is enhanced when coaches interact with the players by providing feedback. This feedback can come in many forms and may include both constructive criticism and positive reinforcement. Competition – We believe our players must compete. Whether it be to make the program, the team, earn a starting position or simply competing on their own team. Competition is at the core of what we do. We provide many opportunities to compete in practice and have an extensive tournament schedule for each program. Players must earn their playing time through competition for their spot. Players are given opportunities every day to compete and learn valuable life lessons as well. 

ATHLETIC GOALS

Our Goals Develop the individual player. This is accomplished in several ways. First, we strive to develop complete volleyball players that are taught all the skills of the sport. Second, we also focus on the development of self-discipline, dedication, and confidence in each athlete, qualities that will assist them as they grow into young women of character. Develop our teams. We believe that learning how to function in a positive team environment is one of the most useful life skills a player can develop. We want our teams to compete at a high level relative to their program and have them compete not only in tournament play, but also in the training environment. Teaching our players to compete within a team environment will help them in learn how to both work with different personalities, and figure out how to be a productive member of teams they serve on in their lives. Prepare our players for the next level. We excel in preparing those players that have the desire, athletic ability and academic standing to play at the high school and collegiate level. Whatever their goals may be, we know that we will strive every day to help them take it to the next level. 

ATHLETIC COMMUNICATION

There are several ways SIFA Athletics will communicate information with our players and their families throughout the season. These may change during the season. 

Below are some communication methods with examples of the type of communication. 

SIFA School Website 

E-Mail Communication: athletics@sifalacs.com and specific sport/coach email.

Our administrative staff will use email/text to communicate the following throughout the season:
1) Club Announcements 

2) Dues: Uniform or Fundraising  

3) Payment Reminders 

4) Season/Tournament Schedules

5) General Practice/Schedule Announcements

(pending development of SIFA Athletics App)

PLAYING TIME Policy 

SIFA Athletics does not guarantee playing time to any player. However, we do believe players are entitled to know what is affecting play time as well given instruction on how to increase their playing time. We ask that players approach their coach with these questions whenever there might be an issue or concern. We know that all players want to play and the vast majority of concerns by players and parents involve the amount of playing time that is allocated to the player. 

The following outlines our general philosophy on playing time. 

• We agree that all athletes should play. 

• Playing time is not guaranteed, is not equal and must be earned. 

• Playing time is based on the player’s performance at practice and in matches, as well as the flow of set/match. 

• Your coach and the flow of the game will determine who plays and how much. They will take into account many factors in coming to that decision, but the decision is theirs 

Practice Arrival & Preparation

 Players should plan on arriving at the facility no more than 10 minutes prior to a scheduled practice time and then follow all check in procedures. Players MUST wear one of their official practice t-shirts and knee pads along with bottoms of their choice to all practices. Head coaches are allowed to create additional policies, such as wearing the same color t-shirt on an individual team basis. Additional practice t-shirts may be purchased throughout the season if necessary from our team website. 

Practice Attendance Practices are MANDATORY and a player’s attendance is EXPECTED. Practice attendance will factor in determining a players’ role on the team. Attendance will be kept throughout the season. 

All absences will be considered unexcused with the following exceptions: 

• Family Emergency 

• Illness / Injury (A doctor note maybe requested) 

• School Sport (in season) /Activity Conflict (Supply a schedule to the coach) 

• College Entrance Exam 

• Religious Education 

• Allotted Homework Day (see section below)

 Should a player have 3+ or more unexcused absences the following consequences are in place: 1) 3 unexcused absences will result in a player being held out of one match in a tournament (with attendance required) 2) 4 unexcused absences will result in a player being held out of an entire tournament (with attendance required) 3) If the player has 5 or more unexcused absences, a meeting will be held with the player and her family to determine how to proceed. 

Finally, while excused absences do not have any direct consequences, we want players and parents to understand that the player’s role may be affected if they miss significant time training with their team. Missing opportunities to work within the team’s system and develop the timing and chemistry necessary to compete may or may not affect how the player is used in tournaments. We anticipate that our coaching staff will work closely with those players to communicate where the coach stands on the situation and ensure that the player is fully aware of the circumstances dictating any such decision. 

NOTE: Missing practice for homework and studying (including finals) is not considered an excused absence. This is an important part of our student athlete’s time management skills. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis, but are not encouraged. Academics are extremely important to us so we have added Homework Days for each player to use throughout the season. Please contact your coach in advance when you will be missing practice 

HOMEWORK DAYS

 Homework Days are EXCUSED absences that can be used throughout the season in the event that a player needs to miss a practice for academic purposes. Some examples may be: 

1) Final Exams 

2) School Project 

3) ACT/SAT Prep 

4) Significant homework load 

5) National Honor Society event 

6) Private tutoring 

The number of days are 2 days/season, and must be communicated in advance. Any additional days taken for these reasons would be considered unexcused. 

 CODE OF CONDUCT:

Behavior Standards

All students athletes are expected to adhere to the following behavior standards.

Will treat coaches, referees, and all other players fairly and with respect.

Will play by the rules.

Will control their temper and will not use foul language.

Will speak in English.

Will be a team player and work with the team. 

In cases where past behavior (in classrooms, athletics, or hallways, and cafeteria) has been an issue, a behavior contract may be a condition of participating.

Coaches Code of Conduct

All coaches are expected to adhere to the following behavior standards.

Will treat players, referees, and all other coaches and players fairly and with respect

Will encourage the students to speak in English

Will control their temper and will not use foul language

Sportsmanship

Teaching fair play and how to both win and lose gracefully is of critical importance to the SIFA Athletic Program.  Student athletes are expected to show good sportsmanship. This requires attention to not only the words said but also attitude, body language, and showing negative emotions. 

Quitting

Students that quit a team will be ineligible to a position of captain/co-captain on teams(sport) for the current calendar year.  After team selection, student athletes recognize that they are holding a position that other students may have wanted.  Being on a team requires the acknowledgement that other student athletes depend on their participation, effort, and following these policies. 

Commitment

Each member of an athletic team MUST:

Commit to being present at all team activities, including tryouts, practices, meetings and contests/games with other schools/teams.

Dedicate himself/herself to becoming an excellent team member and school citizen.

Strive to continually improve as an athlete.

Demonstrate pride in team performance and in himself/herself as members of a team.

Transportation

Current school year (SY2022-2023),  the school does not have any standardized arrangements for transportation to sports team events.

Each student athlete must arrange for travel to the event unless parental/guardian permission through the SIFA Athletics Transportation Release Form  is submitted to the coach or athletic director. 

Clothing & Equipment

Student athletes will provide their own athletic clothing for practices.  

Team (sport) jersey's for competition will be made available for purchase through the SIFA Athletics Department to be paid to SIFA Accounting Office.  Special exceptions may be made on a case by case basis to be decided by SIFA Administration and SIFA Athletics. 

SIFA Athletics will provide equipment for the sport.

Risk Factors

SIFA Athletics training, practices and competitions run the risk of injury.  Student athletes participating in tryouts, practices, scrimmages, games, and tournaments acknowledge that they are aware of the risks of injury.  They also agree to inform the coach or athletic director if they are any medical reasons that the school needs to be aware of.  Students should all be physically able to participate as an active member of the team and are required to submit an athletic sports physical signed by their primary care physician. 

Any injury that occurs during a school event or practice needs to be brought to the coaches or athletic director's attention right away.  Before an athlete returns to any athletic program after an injury, a physician must provide written approval to resume participation in the sport. 

SPORTMANSHIP
Sportsmanship, or good sporting behavior, is about treating one another with respect and exhibiting appropriate behavior. It is about being fair, honest and caring. When these types of appropriate behavior occur, competitive play is more enjoyable for everyone. 

Coaches set the tone at athletic contests with their display of sportsmanship. If these individuals act in a sportsmanlike manner, their behavior sets the tone for players, spectators and others.  If coaches, however, are complaining constantly about the decision of contest officials, spectators are more likely to do the same. There must be a collaborative, working relationship between contest officials and game administration to promote good sportsmanship and safely conduct the contest. Everyone has their roles to play in creating a positive, sportsmanlike atmosphere at contests.  Officials should focus on the actions of players, coaches and other bench/sideline personnel. A positive, open line of communication between officials and coaches ultimately results in a better contest for everyone involved. Contest officials, however, should never engage with spectators who are exhibiting unsporting behavior.  Once the contest begins, school administration is responsible for dealing with unruly spectators. 

A proactive approach by school administration includes monitoring the behavior of spectators and intervening as needed.  If spectators are using demeaning or profane language at officials – or at others in the stands – those individuals should be removed from the contest by school administration. In recent years, a heightened level of unsportsmanlike behavior has been occurring by spectators at school sporting events, and it must be stopped. The use of demeaning language, or hate speech, by students, parents and other fans must cease.  School sports and other activities exist to lift people up, not demean or tear people down. 

The goal is to treat everyone fairly and treat each other with respect. Any speech or harassment that is insulting, demeaning or hurtful will not be tolerated.  Schools must establish a culture that values the worth of every single person – both players on the school’s team and players on the opposing team. There must be a no‐tolerance policy regarding behavior that shows disrespect for another individual. Good sports win with humility, lose with grace and do both with dignity. It takes the efforts of everyone every day to ensure that sportsmanship remains one of the top priorities in education‐based activity programs.