Mission Viejo High School

Girls Water Polo

Policies

 

Team Policies

 

1.  Always respect teammates, opposing teams, officials and coaches.

2.  Playing time/starting will be based on  “ABILITY to LEARN and WORK TOGETHER.”

□       ABILITY = How well you know and play water polo

□       LEARN = How coachable or teachable are you?

□       WORK = How hard do you work at practice?

□       TOGETHER = How good of a teammate and sportsman are you?

(The best players that make the best teams will play.)

3.  Profanity will not be tolerated.

4.  Keep your priorities in order.  Every player’s family must determine their own priorities.  Suggested priorities:

□       Family

□       School

□       Water polo

□       Everything else

5.  Do not do anything that will be detrimental to yourself or the team!

 

Injury Policy

 

A good general rule:  If it hurts or aches ICE IT!  We will do exercises to prevent as many injuries as possible.  However, Water Polo IS a full contact sport and injuries do happen.  If the injury is severe enough you will be advised to see your doctor.

 

Attendance Policies

 

You are expected to attend every practice and game.  However this may be a lofty expectation.  Therefore, communication with a coach becomes extremely important.  If you need to miss a practice please notify a coach at least 24 hours in advance if possible.  In addition, if an athlete misses the practice on the day before a game, that athlete will not play in the game.  No exceptions.    

 

Health Policies

 

You must take care of your health.  If you are not in the water you and your team suffer.  If you begin to feel ill, do not hesitate to take care of it.

□       Drug, alcohol or tobacco use is cause for immediate suspension from the team.

□       Keep your ears dry and clean.

□       Eat right.

□       Get adequate rest.

 

Academic Policy

 

All athletes are required by CIF to maintain a 2.0 GPA.  Therefore if a student-athletes GPA falls below this they will not be able to participate.  In addition if any student-athlete receives an F in any class either at the progress reporting period or at the quarter, they will be suspended from the team until they show proof that the grade has been brought up.  NO EXCUSES OR EXCEPTIONS!       

 

Zero Tolerance Policy

 

Violation of any of the above policies will carry with it an immediate consequence.  Those consequences may include extra swim yardage, a game (or multiple game) suspension, parent conference, temporary or permanent removal from the team.  

 

Communication Policies

 

Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations.  By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefits to our children.  As parents, when your children become involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child.  This begins with clear communication from the coach to your athlete.

 

Communication you should expect from the coach:

  1. Expectations the coach has for your child as well as all the players on the squad.
  2. Location and times of all games and practices.
  3. Team requirements, policies, etc.
  4. Discipline that result in the denial of your child’s participation.

 

Communication coaches expect from parents:

  1. Concerns expressed directly to the coach.
  2. Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance.
  3. Specific concerns in regard to a coach’s expectations.

 

As your children become involved in the Mission Viejo program, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives.  It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes.  At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged.

 

Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches:

  1. The treatment of your child, mentally and physically.
  2. Ways to help your child improve.

 

It is very difficult to accept when your child is not playing as much as you may hope.  Coaches are professionals.  They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be the best for all students involved.  As you have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your child’s coach.  Other things must be left to the discretion of the coach:

  1. Playing time
  2. Team strategy
  3. Play calling
  4. Other student-athletes

 

Together we will create an environment that will be beneficial to your child.