1. PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
“Great teams try hard to win the ball at all times and then seek to do something positive, purposeful and creative with it once they have won it. “
A. The very nature of a select team dictates the need for a serious, disciplined, and conscientious effort by all players. We must never forget that our teammates are constantly striving to improve themselves and their contribution to the team. Poor personal behavior or inadequate level of effort can never be allowed to adversely affect our teammates who are "giving it their all." In simple terms we must constantly attempt to motivate, encourage, and assist our teammates in their efforts each and every day. To that end the following will not be tolerated:

1. Rude, berating, teasing or any form of negative behavior toward another player, coach, or parent.
2. Behavior which excludes any individual or group. (clique formation)

2. PRACTICES

A. Players are expected to attend practices on time and ready to play. This means dressed and ready to go by 4:00pm. Players who are late will be running at the end of practice (roll the purple dice).
B. If a player cannot attend a practice or other team events she is expected to call explaining her absence. (I accept only a voice mail message or a written notification- Do not try to tell me during practice).
C. All players will bring to each practice:
1. Personal water bottle (no sharing of water bottles)
2. Appropriate weather related clothes (warm up, gloves, hat, etc.)
3. Shin guards and soccer cleats  (dress in practice like you play in the game)
      Note: Tennis shoes may only be worn with special permission by the coaching staff.
4. Always bring a pair of tennis shoes to practice for conditioning activities
D. All necklaces, jewelry and wristwatch must be removed for safety reasons.
E. Players who forget their belongings at practice will need to run laps to reclaim ownership. (Roll the purple dice).

3. PLAYING TIME

A. Playing time is determined by MERIT. Each position and playing time will be earned. Hard work, positive attitude, attendance at practice and other Soccer events, adherence to team goals and strategy will be determining factors. Nothing is guaranteed from week to week except the opportunity to control your own destiny.

B. The players who starts in a game and to some degree their playing time, is determined by the following:
1. Attendance and punctuality.
2. Speed and fitness activities…Ex: shuttle runs, mile time, speed ladder ratings. These too will be ranked and measured.
3. Coaches Discretion (I consider your team spirit, attitude, and leadership abilities)
4. Positional need. If I need a certain position filled then I will look for the player that plays or can play that position.

Note: Just because a player has earned a starting spot does not necessarily mean that they will receive the most playing time. I will always reserve the right to adjust/rotate…(COACH) the team as I see or feel fit in the best interest of the overall team or current competitive situation. You should never speak to me about playing time after a game. Wait until the next day.

4. DRUG, ALCOHOL, TOBACCO POLICY

There will be immediate consequences for any player who chooses to become involved in under-age drinking, illegal drug use, or the use of tobacco.  Do not jeopardize your hard work and dedication by foolish behavior. Remember that our school has adopted a drug testing program that will hold athletes accountable for their actions.

No profanity is allowed at any time. We must always remember our roles as mentors and guides to our teammates and the community. Goshen’s standards of excellence in play and behavior cannot thrive in an atmosphere that tolerates profanity.

6. BUS TRAVEL

I believe that open communication is the key to a successful soccer program.  If you ever have any problems or want to know how you are doing do not hesitate to come and talk to me. I promise to always be honest and understanding.

Coach Graber's Cell: 849-5154
E-mail: grabermeister@yahoo.com
 
 
 

ADVICE FOR PARENTS
            The role that parents play in the life of a soccer player has a tremendous impact on their experience. With this in mind, we have taken some time to write down some helpful reminders for all of us as we approach the upcoming season. If you should have any questions about these thoughts, please feel free to discuss it with us, the coaches.

1. Let the coaches coach: Leave the coaching to the coaches. This includes motivating, psyching your daughter for practice, after game critiquing, setting goals, requiring additional training, etc. You have entrusted the care of your player to these coaches and they need to be free to do their job. If a player has too many coaches, it is confusing for her and her performance usually declines.

2. Support the program: Get involved. Volunteer. Help out with fund-raisers, car-pool; anything to support the program.

3. Be you child's best fan: Support your daughter unconditionally. Do not withdraw love when your daughter performs poorly. Your child should never have to perform to win your love.

4. Support and root for all players on the team: Foster teamwork. Your daughter's teammates are not the enemy. When they are playing better than your daughter, your daughter now has a wonderful opportunity to learn.

5. Do not bribe or offer incentives: Your job is not to motivate. Leave this to the coaching staff. Bribes will distract your child from properly concentrating in practice and game situations.

6. Encourage your daughter to talk with the coaches: If your daughter is having difficulties in practice or games, or can't make a practice, etc., encourage them to speak directly to the coaches. This "responsibility taking" is a big part of becoming a big-time player. By handling the off-field tasks, your daughter is claiming ownership of all aspects of the game - preparation for as well as playing the game.

7. Understand and display appropriate game behavior: Remember, your daughter's self esteem and game performance is at stake. Be supportive, cheer, be appropriate. To perform to the best of her abilities, a player needs to focus on the parts of the game that she can control (her fitness, positioning, decision making, skill, aggressiveness, what the game is presenting them). If she starts focusing on what she can not control (the condition of the field, the referee, the weather, the opponent, even the outcome of the game at times), she will not play up to her ability. If she hears a lot of people telling her what to do, or yelling at the referee, it diverts her attention away from the task at hand.

8.    Monitor your daughter's stress level at home: Keep an eye on your daughter to make sure she is handling stress effectively from the various activities in her life.

9.  Monitor eating and sleeping habits: Be sure your daughter is eating the proper foods and getting adequate rest.

10. Help your daughter keep her priorities straight: Help your daughter maintain a focus on schoolwork, relationships and the other things in life beside soccer. Also, if your daughter has made a commitment to soccer, help her fulfill her obligation to the team.

11. Reality test: If your daughter has come off the field when her team has lost, but she has played her best, help her to see this as a "win". Remind her that she is to focus on "process" and not "results". Her fun and satisfaction should be derived from "striving to win". Conversely, she should be as satisfied from success that occurs despite inadequate preparation and performance.

12. Keep soccer in its proper perspective: Soccer should not be larger than life for you. If your daughter's performance produces strong emotions in you, suppress them. Remember your relationship will continue with your children long after their competitive soccer days are over. Keep your goals and needs separate from your daughter's experience.

13. Have fun: That is what we will be trying to do! We will try to challenge your daughter to reach past their "comfort level" and improve themselves as a player, and thus, a person. We will attempt to do this in environments that are fun, yet challenging. We look forward to this process. We hope you do too!