Wildcat Athletics Guidelines

1. All athletes must attend all practices unless there is a doctor, family, or academic reason to miss practice.
   • If there is any injury, athletes are still expected to attend practices. 
      
2. Coaches must be notified of a missed practice.
   • Five (5) unexcused absences may result in loss of playing time and/or suspension. 
      
3. Practice times may change due to weather or school events.
   • Parents will be notified via school email or the sportsYou app.
      
4. Athletes are expected to be fully prepared for practices with proper team attire and practice gear. 
   • Each head coach will go over team practice attire and gear needed for all practices.
      
5. Athletes may lose playing time due to team philosophy, expectations, and game preparation not being met by missed practices or negative practice demeanor.
    
6. Practices are crucial for learning proper skills to achieve personal and team goals.
    
7. Coaches will send out a practice schedule for each sport, which will also be posted on The Wildcat Portal (Blackbaud). 
    

Some teams may have tryouts. If cuts need to be made, the coach will notify the athletes. It is strongly encouraged that if an athlete doesn’t make the competitive team, coaches will be able to have a discussion with the athlete to help them learn what skills need to be improved to help achieve their personal goals. After a discussion with the head coach, boys may be allowed to participate in practices if they did not make that team. Please understand that coaches should not be negatively questioned if a boy doesn’t make a team that season. 
 

All athletic equipment/bags will be stored in the student’s assigned locker unless otherwise noted by their head coach. The coaching staff will pick up any equipment/athletic bags found outside the assigned locker or area. This helps develop basic responsibilities for athlete development. 
 

1. The Middle School teams are all competitive and trying to win championships.
    
2. Playing time will be determined by practice attendance, practice participation, team dedication, and positive mental growth on team philosophy. 
    
3. Practice participation and knowledge of team philosophy and fundamentals strongly correlate to game playing time.
    

1. Student-athletes may be suspended from game participation due to negative school, practice, and game conduct. 
    
2. Suspension will be determined by the coaches, athletic director, and school administration.
    
3. Suspensions will vary depending on the severity of incidents and amount of incidents occurring throughout the school year. 
    

Student-athletes will be at school by 10:30 AM on the day of an afternoon or evening athletic event. Should the event occur during the school day, the student is expected to be on campus at the start of school. If the event is on a weekend, the student-athlete must be in school no later than 10:30 AM the day prior to the event. If a student-athlete misses classes prior to or after an athletic event while school is in session, a doctor's note will need to be presented to the school.

The Academy is a highly academic institution.

1. If athletes are having academic trouble, they may continue to participate in practices but will need to show improvement in classes for game participation.
    

2. If possible, athletes are expected to make plans with teachers for support outside of practice times. 
    

1. Game times are subject to change for various reasons. Please be understanding and flexible.
   • Emails or team messaging will be sent out for game changes.
      
2. All sports except football, tennis, and lacrosse are scheduled through the ISAL Athletic Directors on certain dates. All schedules will be sent out and posted as soon as they are available.
    

1. Most of the scheduled school athletic events will have transportation to the event. 
   • Parents will be notified of transportation arrangements before each athletic event. 
      
2. Coaches must be notified of any athlete leaving the game/event.
    
3. Post-game transportation will be by family or family friends. Please make sure the coaches know who is leaving and who is transporting.
    

All teams will have a team account through the SportsYou app for parent/coach information and communication for games and practices. This will help message quick information for practices and games when necessary.
 

1. Each team has a school uniform for practice and games. These uniforms will be handed out at the start of the season and need to be returned at the end of the season. If uniforms or practice gear are not returned, a uniform fee will be charged to your school account. 
    
2. Practice attire will need to be worn to each practice. These are fundamental ideals of what it means to be on a team. 
    

1. Athletes must be dedicated to school teams/sports.
    
2. Leaving or missing for other private athletics is not good support for the school or school teams.
    
3. Skipping/missing school team practices/games for private clubs could result in a loss of playing time.
    
4. Athletes have an obligation to team athletics during that current season. If another school sport begins practices during another season, athletes are required to finish their current season before joining another school team practice.
    

1. All teams will go through Wildcats In Training to learn basic fundamentals of strength, agility, and conditioning training. This is intended to develop the athletes for proper knowledge and technique expected for the high school level. 
    
2. This is also intended to teach safety expectations for multiple types of athletic training. 
    

1. Parent meetings at the beginning of the sport’s season will explain team rules and expectations.
    
2. Team guidelines will be emailed and posted to SportsYou for parents after the parent meeting. 
    
3. Players should communicate with coaches with questions or concerns before parents notify coaches. This helps the athletes develop good communication and collaboration skills to achieve their personal goals.
   • If the athlete has spoken to the coach and has more concerns, the parent may notify the head coach for further information or a meeting request.
     *It is highly encouraged that meetings between coaches and athletes occur before a parent meeting is requested.
      
4. In coach’s circles, there is an old tradition known as the “24-hour rule.” This rule suggests a 24-hour "cool down" period before post-game communication. The rule allows coaches, players, and parents to gain a degree of perspective before any post-game discussion. In addition, it provides time for coaches and players to meet after a contest and prior to potential parental meeting requests. A parent meeting should be requested if there is still confusion after the coach and athlete discussion. 
    
5. Coaches use much of their personal time to help young athletes achieve goals they never thought they could obtain. Constant respect for coaches is highly encouraged so that there is a strong bond between families and The Academy athletic department.
    

1. Injuries during athletic participation are never good. Please understand that information on injuries are viewed as very important to the coaching staff and school protocol.
    
2. If an athlete is injured, please provide a doctor's note giving the coaches/school proper information for injury protocol. 
    
3. Athletes must present a doctor's note to be allowed to participate in practices or games after an injury.
    
4. Athletes need to attend practices while injured to show team support and be able to learn. 
    

1. Coaches will immediately seek an athletic trainer, doctor, or nurse to assess the injury.
    
2. The athlete, coach, and/or nurse will notify family or caretakers of the injury via phone call.
    
3. Coaches will send a follow-up email to check on the student and ensure proper communication with the family/caretaker.
    

Concussions

• If an athlete or parent/caretaker/school nurse says anything to a coach about a possible concussion, the athlete will be put on concussion protocol.
   
• Once on concussion protocol, the athlete needs to be assessed by a neurological doctor, and communication with the doctor's recommendation to coaches and school nurses is necessary before being cleared for athletic participation.
   

There are certain guidelines that a coach will be watching and assessing to help make proper playing time decisions. 

Attitude: Player attitude is vital for a strong team. A player should never be worried more about his personal playing time than his care for the team overall. Players with a negative attitude will hurt the team dynamics. Players with a positive attitude and care for the team will be a much greater asset to the team overall.

Hustle, Effort, and Grit: Players with a constant drive for their team will be great assets. Going 100% on and off the field will help the team achieve goals. A player pushing himself each rep will help the team overall. This is shown by true grit in practice/games. The team will only get better if all athletes put forth their full ability and potential.

Team Dynamics: All players are expected to contribute to the team. Players are expected to know team philosophy, assignments, and responsibilities. Being a positive teammate is described as being a positive motivator and encourager with great character.

Talent: Talent is highly encouraged and expected to grow through team practices. It is also important for athletes to seek advice from coaches to help advance their talents. Coaches may also see where the athlete can contribute to the team, even if it isn’t their desired position. 
 

1. Sportsmanship guidelines should be constantly followed at all athletic events. Respect for opposing team athletes, coaches, officials, and fans shows the community what The Academy is all about. We want to demonstrate high levels of respect to the community as a whole at all times. This helps show the community why The Academy is a strong athletic and academic institution. 
    
2. If a negative situation occurs at practices or games, depending on the severity of the occurrence, those involved may be asked to leave and may not be allowed back to future practices or events. This applies to all students, families, and fans.