USC Boys’ Soccer Team Guidelines/Disciplinary Actions

Guidelines

1. PLAYER ETHICS- The “Upper St. Clair High School Ethics Code” in the Student Handbook outlines appropriate expectations for students with regard to Equality, Teamwork, Honesty, Integrity, Character and Social Conduct. ALL school rules apply at ALL soccer functions (games, practices, bus rides, etc…). We are an extension of the school; therefore all school laws and consequences apply anywhere the Upper St. Clair name is being used.

2. ATTITUDE- Players will be required to maintain a professional attitude in all pre-games functions, home or away. This includes on-time arrival and the following of pre-game procedures. Players must follow procedures set for away games, inclusive of school rules and bus rules. Players must ride the assigned bus to all away games

3. TRANSPORTATION FROM AWAY GAMES- Players are encouraged to ride the bus home from away games, but may travel home with their parents under certain conditions. School District Policy, “Educational Trips/Non Staff Drivers” suggests that transportation of players by someone other than a staff member (or bus driver) “is prohibited unless prior approval in writing is granted by the school principal to a parent/guardian to transport only his/her child.” There are no exceptions to this policy.

4. EQUIPMENT- All players must have the necessary equipment required to practice and play. Equipment needed is as follows: complete uniform, shin guards, etc. Players will not be permitted to participate in the activities if they are not properly equipped. All players are required to report to functions early and ready to go at the time given.

5. TIMELINESS– All players are required to report to games and practices at the assigned time and be ready to participate in both practices and games.

6. ABSENCES- Unexcused absences and tardiness will affect the player’s participation in the practices and games. The players need to personally inform their coach of their absence prior to practice. Excessive unexcused absences could result in suspension or expulsion from the team.

7. DRUGS AND ALCOHOL– Per School District policy, “The use and or possession of drugs and alcohol by our students will not be tolerated.” Absolutely NO foreign substances (tobacco, alcohol, etc…) will be permitted anywhere. If a player is caught abusing a foreign substance on OR off of school time, disciplinary action will be taken.

8. LANGUAGE– Players and parents are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that is non-damaging to the integrity of the team or the school district. Foul or abusive language is not permitted on the field of play and results in a red card, ejection from that game and a one game suspension. The usage of abusive language will not be tolerated at any time from or to: teammates, coaches, referees, spectators or yourself. Players will be disciplined for their actions and if the problem persists, serious consequences will be handed down.

9. SAFETY OF OTHER PLAYERS- Endangerment of another player’s safety (opponent or teammate) will NOT be tolerated. Fighting, vicious tackles and threatening (verbal or physical) are all examples of endangering a player’s safety. This is a very serious issue and no tolerance will be given for this type of behavior. Any person (player or parent) breaking this rule will receive immediate disciplinary action that may result in suspension or expulsion from the team and/or activities.

10 .ABUSE OF TEAMMATES- Verbal or physical abuse of a teammate as well as actions deemed damaging to the integrity of the team will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to: hazing, degrading any player, violent abuse during training and the under minding of the: team philosophies, coaching staff and the coaching methods and booster organization. This applies to both players and parents. A team is a group of individuals working together to accomplish a common goal. If that vision is lost, the goals of the team will be disrupted and the play will be affected on the field. Any infraction of this rule may result in suspension or expulsion of that player from the team and its activities.

11. INJURIES- All decisions regarding the return of the player to the field of play, for any type of participation, will be made by an athletic trainer from the Upper St. Clair high school athletic department. All players must be cleared to play by said athletic trainer before participating in any athletic function. If a player has to see a doctor for injury or illness, they must provide a clearance to play for that doctor to said athletic trainer before rejoining team activities.

12. CONCUSSIONS– A student who, as determined by a game official, coach from the student’s team, certified athletic trainer, licensed physician, licensed physical therapist or other official designated by the student’s school entity, exhibits signs or symptoms of a concussion or traumatic brain injury while participating in an athletic activity shall be removed by the coach from participating at that time.

13. Return to play—The coach shall not return a student to participation until the student is evaluated and cleared for return to participation in writing by anappropriate medical professional.The governing body of a school entity may designate a specific person or persons, who must be appropriate medical professionals, to provide written clearance for return to participation.

14. Safety Youth Act--Senate Bill No. 200 also known as The Safety Youth Sports Act mandates the following: Appropriate Medical Professional”is defined as a licensed physician who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions or a licensed or certified health care professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and designated by such licensed physician A licensed psychologist neuropsychologically trained in the evaluation and management of concussions or who has a postdoctoral training in neuropsychology and specific training in the evaluation and management of concussions. Only a medical doctor trained in the evaluation and management of concussions can clear an athlete to play.

15. MINIMUM GPA- Upper St. Clair School District requires athletes to maintain a minimum GPA in order to participate in athletics. The coaching staff will follow said guidelines set by the school district with regard to a student’s GPA. Players that do not meet the minimum GPS requirement will not be permitted to participate until the school district has cleared them to participate.

16. Team Commitment- Our players will be competing with some of the best in the league, therefore, they must play and train in the right environment. Thus, players that have committed to playing for USC High School Soccer will not be permitted to play for any other team during the fall season. No Exceptions.

Disciplinary Actions

The USC Soccer Coaching Staff (“Coaching Staff) reserves the right to implement disciplinary actions for any player that willingly chooses to disobey the rules set forth:

1. Coaching Staff will discuss disciplinary issues with the player and will present her with remedial steps, as well as consequences for not correcting the issues discussed.

2. Coaching Staff will discuss disciplinary issues with both the player and her parents. The player and parent will be given ample notice and remedial steps to be taken to resolve the issues being presented. If the issues continue and the player chooses not to follow the remedial steps given, the player may be suspended from both games and/or practices.

3. For persistent issues, the Coaching Staff will arrange a meeting with the player, her parents, the Coaching Staff and the Athletic Director. A review of previous warnings and remedial steps will be discussed and a final opportunity will be presented to the player and her parents to take corrective action. The consequences for not following these steps will result in, but not be limited to suspension or expulsion from the team.

USC Boys’ Soccer Team Guidelines/Disciplinary Actions

Player and Parent Agreement

Our goal each year, is to succeed on and off the field. It takes a team effort to accomplish all of the goals that we set out to be achieved at the beginning of the season. Players, coaches, boosters and parents must all work together to help our student athletes do the very best they can on and off the field. Without this rigor and discipline, we cannot succeed as a team.

The above guidelines, regarding rules and discipline, are published and implemented to maintain the highest integrity within the team and to represent the Upper St. Clair School District with dignity and pride.

Please indicate that you have read and understand the guidelines, and that you agree to upholding them by signing and dating this form. Please return this form to me no later than Friday, August 18, 2016. Your signature acknowledges that both player and parents understand the guidelines and their consequences.

Sincerely,

Uwe Schneider

Head Coach – USC Boys’ Soccer

Player’s signature: _____________________________ Date: ________________

Parent’s signature: _____________________________ Date: ________________

Parent’s signature: _____________________________ Date: ________________