RULES and EXPECTATIONS

RRHS BOYS SOCCER PROGRAM

RULES & EXPECTATIONS

These rules & expectations are for your benefit so you know what is expected from you for the season. 

By accepting a place in this program, you are agreeing to these rules and expectations.

NON-NEGOTIABLES:  RESPECT and SPORTSMANSHIP.

TEAM - "We before me."  🥚 Gatorade for the first player to tell Shep the meaning of "We before me." 🥚

Soccer is a team sport.  We win as a team; we lose as a team. The team’s success is more important than individual success.  No individual is bigger than the RRHS Boys Soccer Program.  Throughout the season individuals may move between varsity, junior varsity and C-team, between full minutes and limited minutes, for various reasons, i.e. work rate, injury, fitness, numbers, position, etc.  Support your teammates during practice & games.  Good teammates have the team’s best interest in mind.  If we make the team the priority, we will have a successful season. 

BE COACHABLE

Coaches love to work with athletes that want to learn and improve.  Be open to critique as we are trying to help you.  Be flexible and open to playing new positions.  Listen to instruction, ask questions, respectfully make suggestions. You may be asked to play a different position to help the team.  Trust that we as coaches have yours and the team’s best interest in mind.  High expectations result in a high level of success & satisfaction.  We don’t expect you to be perfect, but we do expect your best efforts, both on the field and in the classroom.

ACADEMICS

• Student-athletes are expected to maintain excellence in the classroom.  Any concerns that arise will be discussed first with the player and then the parents/guardians.  

• RRHS boys soccer players are STUDENT athletes.  Excellence in the classroom will carry over to the playing field.  Student-athletes will attend class regularly.  Grades will be checked by the coaching staff periodically.  Players not meeting expectations will be dealt with individually.  Consequences may include game suspension(s), required tutoring, and/or time away from the team.  

• Players’ behaviors in the classroom are a reflection of their team & coaches.  RRHS boys soccer players will hold themselves to a higher standard and not be drawn by peer pressure into misbehavior in the classroom or halls.  Players not holding themselves to high standards will face consequences which may include extra conditioning, game suspension(s), and/or time awway form the team.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

• To be eligible for practice and games, an athlete must attend school the day of competition/practice; unless it is a school excused absence or medical appointment. (Friday's attendance counts for Saturday games.)

• Excessive tardiness or poor attendance will result in consequences (suspension, extra fitness, etc.).

COMMITMENT & PRACTICE

• Athletes earn their playing time at practice. If you are not present at practice, you will struggle to earn playing time. If you do not give full effort at practice, your playing time will be affected. If you are outstanding at practice, your playing time will be affected (in a good way!).

• Practices will generally take place right after school. Start time determined by Coaches and/or team. Occasionally practices may be later due to field needs/conflicts.  Players are expected to be available for all practices. 

• Sometimes, extenuating circumstances do arise; those will be dealt with on an individual basis. Players should notify coaches in advance if they will miss practice—even if they are sick from school, they must contact their coach.

• Unexcused absence from practice/game/team function will be dealt with individually and will likely result in consequences (loss of playing time, game suspension(s), etc.).

7TH PERIOD SPORTS FIT

Students playing Varsity soccer are expected to enroll in the Sports Fit soccer class for the fall & remain in the class until the end of the semester (unless they are participating in another sport that semester).  If students are not participating in another sport the second semester, it is recommended they continue in the off-season program during 7th period to develop strength, agility, conditioning, & technical skills.

CELL PHONES

Cell phones must be put away during practices & games.  During team functions athletes may be asked to refrain from cell phone use.  If an emergency arises parents may contact one of the coaches. 

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

• Being part of a team means getting along with others.  This does not mean you have to be “best” friends, but part of being a team means working with (not against) each other in order to accomplish our goals.  This is difficult to do with internal conflict. 

• In the event conflict arises between players:

  • Try to talk calmly and respectfully to the player with whom you are having conflict

  • Talk to a Coach to help resolve the issue.

  • If the situation remains unresolved, an administrator will be contacted.

• In the event conflict arises between a player and a Coach:

  • Try to talk calmly and respectfully to the Coach with whom you are having conflict

  • Talk to the Head Coach to help resolve the issue.

  • If the situation remains unresolved, an administrator will be contacted.

24 HOUR RULE: Any conflicts/concerns that arise during or after a competition will be addressed AFTER a 24-hour period.  This allows both the coaches and athletes time to cool down, thus allowing better communication.  It is NEVER appropriate to confront a coach or other athlete during or  immediately after a contest.

PLAYING TIME

• Players earn their playing time at practice and in previous games.

• Playing time is determined by coaches and is NOT guaranteed. Coaches are looking to reward good practice habits and success in practice.

• Players may ask Coaches respectfully about their playing time. Coaches will not discuss playing time with parents.

GAMES and OTHER TEAMS

• Players are not allowed to play for any other soccer team during the high school season. There is a game limit on high school players - per the NMAA - and we fill that game total with our schedule.

• We want players that are 100% committed to THIS team.

• Some players might “float” between our teams (JV and C-team for example) and might therefore have to sit out a game, but will still get their full allotment.

TREATMENT OF GAME OFFICIALS/OPPONENTS – PARENTS/GUARDIANS & PLAYERS

• Officials should at all times be treated with respect.  It is highly inappropriate to question publicly an official’s integrity or to in any way insult his/her dignity.

• Opposing teams should be treated with respect at all times.  It is inappropriate to make derogatory comments toward a player on an opposing team.

• Always treat others as you would want them to treat your son, parent, friend, coach, or self.  They may not always return the favor, but you should set a positive example.

• Disrespect or mistreatment of officials/opponents by a player will result in consequences (suspension, etc.)

• Disrespect or mistreatment of officials/opponents by parents will be reported to school administration.

• Demonstrations of superior sportsmanship and respect will be rewarded.

• 🥚 First player to tell Coach Monty at training that his new book is awesome gets to sit out the fitness that day. 🥚 

PLAYER CONDUCT

• Members of the RRHS boys soccer team will conduct themselves appropriately in accordance with the Rio Rancho High School Student Handbook and Athletic Handbook.

• RRHS boys soccer players will conduct themselves in a respectful manner when addressing teachers, staff, administrators, officials, coaches, and opposing teams.

• Players will refrain from using inappropriate language during practices, games, and during team travel.  

• Players will dress appropriately during school, practices, games and all other team or school functions. 

• There are policies in place in the student and athletic handbooks for various violations, such as substance abuse, fighting, etc. RRHS Boys Soccer reserves the right to enact additional consequences on an individual basis.

• Conduct detrimental to the team, as determined by the Coaching Staff, can result in suspension from team activities or dismissal from the team.

HEALTH – NUTRITION & SLEEP

• Athletes should maintain good eating habits during the season.  In season is NOT the time to go on a “diet” or weight loss plan.  Minimizing simple carbs (sugars), caffeine, sodas, chips, candy, etc. during the season will help your body run more efficiently.

• Athletes should be drinking at least 64 ounces of water outside of practice each day.  WATER is the most important drink—if your body is well-hydrated it will function more effectively!

• After practices players should replace carbs/protein ideally 10-30 minutes after working out (i.e. chocolate milk, protein bars/shakes).

• Athletes should never skip meals at any time during the season—this includes breakfast!  It is very important that athletes eat breakfast, especially on game days.  Bodies need energy to perform at their highest levels—energy comes from food!

• Athletes should strive to get at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night to allow their bodies adequate rest.

HAVING FUN

Participation in soccer is optional and is a privilege.  It should be a rewarding experience where you make many memories.  We want to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience for student-athletes. Being positive and supportive of your teammates, win or lose, almost always results in a more enjoyable experience.