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Cougar Gymnastics - Can't Be TouchedCoach: Paul Bernhard 2007-2008 Welcome PacketWelcome to the 2007-2008 Gymnastics Season! This year your coaches will be Paul Bernhard, Anna Yunker, Teri Homan, Renae Zimmer, and Rachel Jones. This packet is to inform you of the most important things you need to know to have a successful season! Please keep it in a handy spot for your reference. First and foremost, Congratulations! You have picked a truly unique sport. You will do and try things other people only wish they could do. Another unique quality of this sport is that it's both a team and individual competition. Lakeville South Gymnastics Philosophy: The Lakeville South Gymnastics Program is committed to maximizing our gymnast's individual potential in and out of the gym. Our "Drive for Excellence" will focus on character, academic achievement, strength development, conditioning, mental preparation, fundamentals and teamwork. Our “Drive for Excellence” will focus on becoming the most respected Gymnastics Program in Minnesota. 2007-2008 GOALS
COMMUNICATION WITH COACHES Communication within the program is a key element to a successful and happy season! Please feel free to e-mail, send a note, or call at:
POLICIES AND GUIDELINESPRACTICE Practices will run from 3:00- 6:00. We appreciate all you do as a parent, and as one sign of appreciation we will do our part to have your daughter out of practice on time. However, your daughter needs to do her part as well. She is personally responsible for managing her time effectively in order to complete her workouts on time. Also, there may be times when your daughter needs to arrive early to practice or stay late to finish missed workouts, but it will be her responsibility to schedule this in advance based on her schedule. As this is a team sport, the coaching staff expects each member of the team to fulfill their potential as an athlete, leader, and teammate. This includes practicing all four events daily and competing on all events (and in whatever position) the coaches believe will contribute to the greatest success for the team as a whole. The coaching staff also expects each athlete to demonstrate a positive attitude and offer support and encouragement to all teammates. BASIC PRACTICE RULES Be ON TIME to practice (or come with a note from a responsible adult, i.e. teacher, dean, or parent). The activities bus will travel from the middle schools to Lakeville South. Practice begins promptly at 3:00pm and “being on time” means: being appropriately dressed for gymnastics in a leotard (shorts are optional) and sports bra with hair securely tied back, tennis shoes on, and in the gymnastics gym by 2:55pm. Arriving late or unprepared to train is disrespectful to both your teammates and your coaches and will not be tolerated (this also includes arriving late to individual rotations during practice). Bring a water bottle, and dress appropriately for gymnastics workouts. This includes a practice leo and spandex shorts, hair tied back, no jewelry or loose clothing, and tennis shoes on. You know the drill! If you are injured, you are still expected to attend all practices and competitions and participate to the best of your limitations as determined by you, the trainer, and the coaching staff. Do something CONSTRUCTIVE with ALL of your practice time in the gym. You can be working on beam routines on a line, conditioning, flexibility, difficult parts of your floor routine, offering constructive help to a teammate, etc. There will be NO SITTING AROUND! FOCUS – Once practice starts think about Gymnastics! Leave bad grades, boyfriends, and conflicts of any kind out of the gym. Concentrate on what you are working on or how to help your teammates become better gymnasts. This is a great time to clear your mind and TO IMPROVE INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A TEAM. Some aspects of practice will be lead by our three captains. All gymnasts are expected to respect their captains and treat them as they would a coach in this situation. If you must go and use the restroom during any part of the practice please ask your event coach that is working with you at that time. No cell phones in the gym. Please leave these in the locker room before you come to the gym. You may use your cell phone only in an emergency situation. Our expectation as coaches is for you as gymnasts to just ask if you need to use your cell phone in an emergency situation. ATTENDANCE Specific attendance guidelines include: 1. Daily attendance and timeliness are required of all gymnasts. Due to the nature of the sport, missing several days of practice will significantly hamper your ability to fulfill your role on this team. Plan on being present for every practice and every meet (regardless of whether or not you are competing) for the entire duration of the practice or competition. 2. If you are injured, you are still required to attend all practices and competitions and participate in whatever capacity you can as determined by you, the trainer, and your coaches. Regardless of your specific injury, there are always productive things you can do in the gym such as, flexibility, drills, strength, dance-throughs, watered down routines, and individual skills. So, your coaches and teammates expect you to attend practice and do as much as you can. 3. We understand that, at times, missing practice, arriving late, or departing early is unavoidable. In these situations, gymnasts are required to notify the head coach in advance by at least two days, and provide a note from a teacher, dean, or parent to excuse this absence, tardiness, or early departure. As is the case when missing school, gymnasts are also required to make up any missed workouts, regardless of whether the absence, tardiness, or early departure was excused or unexcused, before being permitted to compete in the next competition. Gymnasts can work with their coaches to schedule days to arrive early or stay late in order to make up these workouts if they feel they cannot finish them in subsequent practices. 4. Certain activities will always be regarded as unexcused regardless of whether or not a note is provided to the coaches. These activities include shopping, hanging out with friends, salon appointments and activities, or any other events or activities the coaches deem optional or inappropriate events for which to miss any portion of practice or competition. It is wise for gymnasts to check with the coaches in advance of at least 2 days of a questionable activity to inquire as to whether or not it will be excused. 5. Since each gymnast is given a calendar listing all practices and competitions, the coaching staff anticipates that each athlete will arrange her schedule and other obligations in such a way that she will not miss, arrive late, or depart early from any practices or meets if at all possible. As much as possible, medical appointments, dentist appointments, group projects, meetings with teachers, and make up work should be scheduled outside of practice and competition time. 6. Time management, prioritizing, planning ahead, and responsibility are all valuable personal characteristics. Again, since each gymnast is given a calendar listing all practices and competitions, the coaching staff expects that each gymnast will manage her time and plan her activities and scholarly pursuits in such a way as not to conflict with practice or competition. We believe that scholastics should be a priority for every gymnast. So, we expect each gymnast to give academics the time and attention it deserves and not procrastinate doing homework or studying which would force her to miss any part of practice or competition to catch up. We regard missing practice or competition to complete homework or study for exams as a failure to prioritize, plan properly, and manage time, so it will not be considered an acceptable excuse for missing practice or competition. The exception to this policy is when a gymnast needs to meet with a teacher to make up an exam, or help on work and scheduling it outside of practice time is not feasible. In this case we will expect the gymnasts to bring a note from the teacher and make up any time for a missed workout. 7. For gymnasts who have a job, we as a coaching staff will let a particular gymnast leave 15 minutes early three times a week. Academic Policy 1. The team takes academics very seriously. We as coaches expect that all students are make progress in all of their classes of a passing grade, and progress towards graduation. In the instance that a gymnast is failing a class the athletic director notifies the head coach, teacher, dean, parent, and gymnast. The gymnasts is then put on a academic contract in which she has 10 SCHOOL days to make a passing grade in this class(es). If the grade is not bought up to passing status within the 10 day period then she would be ineligible to compete until the next marking period. MEET GUIDELINES Home meets: You need to be at the gym at 3:45 and be ready to help prepare our gym for the visiting team and upcoming competition. We will work and compete together. We will sit together and encourage every teammate at all meets. CAPTAINS: You will be responsible to meet and discuss important meet information with the visiting team's captains as well as lead our team. There will be no leaving the gym during a meet except in emergency situations. If for any reason you need to leave the gym please ask one of the coaches before leaving. Away meets: Departure and arrival will be from Lakeville South unless otherwise noted. Students must accompany the team to and from meets unless signing a release form from Coach B. We do not plan to stop to eat after meets, so pack a lunch. If we ever do, we will try and inform the parents and gymnasts prior to that meet. Dress Code: Every athlete will be issued a team competition leo, warm-up, and team bag. It is your responsibility to care for them and turn them in at the end of the season. If the gymnasts fails to turn in, loses, or damages any team issued clothing or equipment they will be charged. The gymnasts are responsible to purchase a team warm-up leo. The captains and assistant coaches will decided on what to wear for that day at school and how each one should wear their hair for that particular meet. It is expected that everyone follows these instructions from the captains and assistant coaches. Let's represent Lakeville Schools positively and proudly! Appropriate Conduct at Competitions and Additional Competition Guidelines 1. Each gymnast represents her team, coaches, hometown, and school. The coaching staff expects each gymnast to strive to always bring honor to these groups she represents through mature, responsible conduct. This includes, treating opposing teams, coaches, equipment, fans, and facilities with utmost care and respect. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action. 2. Due to the importance of competitions, each gymnast is expected to dress neatly and secure hair carefully and appropriately. This includes wearing team apparel as designated by coaches and captains (an example would be making sure warm up jackets are zipped and uniform looking prior to march in) and taking care to style hair securely and attractively as is determined by acceptability of the coaches. Ultimately, judgment on these matters will be deferred to captains and coaches. 3. Gymnasts are expected to be attentive to their teammates at all times while they are competing (unless they are volunteering as a score flasher or assisting at the scoring table). This demonstrates care and respect to their fellow teammates. 4. Each gymnast is expected to at all times to have two pairs of broken in, competition ready grips for bars. In the past, gymnasts have experienced grips breaking during team warm ups and in touch warm ups. It is essential that gymnasts be prepared for this likelihood by having a spare pair of grips at all times. It is also essential that all gymnasts have a copy of their floor music on tape and/or CD in a plastic bag in their grip bag at all times for similar reasons. In the past, electronic equipment at meets has eaten tapes and been unable to read some CDs, therefore it is imperative that each gymnast always have a second copy of music in the event it is needed. Failure to do so will result in a gymnast being ineligible to compete. 5. Since many meets last several hours including bus time and warm ups, it is recommended that gymnasts bring some sort of snack to competitions. However, the coaching staff insists that the gymnasts choose healthy snacks and beverages. Optimal performance is always desirable at practice and competitions so, drinking soda or other caffeinated beverages and eating chips, candy, or other unhealthy snacks is not permitted during competitions or practice. It is fine to have food at the meet, however the gymnasts has to keep it in their bag and only take it out to grab the snack for a few seconds and then put it away. This needs to be done at times that are acceptable, meaning between rotations or when there is a break. Also there is no food allowed on the competition area. GENERAL DISCIPLINE POLICY Failure to comply with the standards, policies, and procedures outlined in this packet will result in disciplinary action being taken against the offending gymnast by Lakeville South High School and/or the coaching staff. Discipline will proceed as follows: First Offense: verbal warning given to gymnast (parent will also be notified) unless specific consequence for the violation is otherwise specified in this packet Second Offense: removal from competing lineup for one or more meets (number of meets to be missed is left to coaching staff discretion and is based on nature and severity of offense) unless specific consequence for the violation is otherwise specified in this packet. A parent will also be notified in writing. Third Offense: meeting with coaching staff, gymnast, and parents unless specific consequence for violation is otherwise specified in this packet Fourth Offense: removal from team In extreme circumstances, the coaching staff reserves the right to skip steps one and two above and proceed directly to parent meeting if we deem it appropriate. ATTENDANCE DISCIPLINE POLICY Each gymnast is permitted one personal day absence from practice. This is considered a personal day, as well as your first unexcused absence. You as gymnasts need to get this approved from Coach Bernhard. The main stipulation being that you can’t take this absence the day before a meet. The second unexcused absence gets counted when you have been late a total of 3 times, or miss the entire practice without prior approval. In this instance the gymnasts will miss the next meet. The third unexcused absence the gymnast will miss the next two meets. On the fourth unexcused absence the gymnast will be removed from the team. SPORTSMANSHIP District 194 Chemical Use policy During the calendar year, regardless of the quantity, a student shall not: (1) use or possess a beverage containing alcohol; (2) use or possess tobacco; or, (3) use or consume, have in possession, buy, sell, or give away any other controlled substance or drug paraphernalia. This applies to the 12-month calendar year. It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a controlled substance specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by his/her doctor. Consequences: First Violation: After confirmation of the first violation, the student shall lose eligibility for 25% of the number of interscholastic contests on the regular season schedule or 2 weeks, whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant Second Violation: After confirmation of the second violation, the student shall lose eligibility for 50% of the number of interscholastic contests on the schedule in which the student is a participant or 3 weeks/6 consecutive interscholastic contests, whichever is greater. Consult table for specific penalty. The penalty may be reduced to the MSHSL guidelines if the student on their own volition enters and satisfactorily completes a treatment program from a certified chemical treatment facility. Written confirmation of participation and satisfactory completion of the treatment program from the director/certified counselor of that program is required. Third and Subsequent Violations: After confirmation of the third or subsequent violations, the student shall lose eligibility for one calendar year. The penalty may be reduced to the MSHSL guidelines (12 consecutive interscholastic contests in which the student is a participant or four (4) weeks, whichever is greater) if the student on their own volition enters and satisfactorily completes a treatment program from a certified chemical treatment facility. Written confirmation of participation and satisfactory completion of the treatment program by the director/certified counselor of that program is required. With each violation, ISD 194 requires the following steps: A. Students participate in an initial meeting to discuss the violation with the student, parent, Dean of Students, and Athletic Director to set a course of action. B. Students participate in a meeting prior to resuming eligibility with the student, parent/guardian, coach, Activities Director, Dean of Students, and the Chemical Prevention counselor. C. The coach may have the option to require service hours to directly benefit the team. Captain Qualifications: Students are expected to be positive team leaders. If a student has a single chemical violation of MSHSL eligibility rules during their ninth or tenth grade year, he/she may apply for captainship, providing they discuss the incident with their coaches, describe what changes they have made in their lifestyle, and what leadership opportunities they have participated in school to make themselves a stronger person/leader. A second chemical violation during their ninth or tenth grade year prohibits that individual from becoming a captain. A single chemical violation during the eleventh or twelfth grade year prohibits that individual from becoming a captain. LETTERING POLICY
HOW THE COACHES STAND.SCHOOL: An athlete MUST be making satisfactory progress in school to compete. POTENTIAL: We believe we are blessed with a team full of intelligent and talented girls. We will coach as best as we can, the desire and effort to use your many talents are up to YOU. HABITS: We know you will be working very hard to get your bodies into condition. Please don't ruin all your sweat and training by abusing your body with chemicals, drugs, tobacco, or alcohol. Respect your body – it's the only one you've got! BOYS: We believe relationships can be great. Great relationships can make life more fun and encourage us to do our best. Please remember they are not, however to interfere with your training or conditioning. They'll respect you for your dedication to yourself and your team. IDEAS: We welcome any and all suggestions and ideas you have. Nothing we do is sacred or can't be changed if there is a better way. TEAM: We believe in "we" more than "I". That's what will make us a successful team! We believe we have the finest group of young women in the Lakeville Public Schools on this team, and it's AMAZING what a group can do when no one takes all the credit! DISCIPLINE: The final authorities in all matters related to this team are the Coaches. We will always have your best interest in mind, providing that they coincide with those of the team. Any fine athlete accepts discipline, especially self-discipline. VACATIONS: We believe that vacations are great and a wonderful collection of memories. A gymnast can take minor vacations during the season with a monitored make-up when she gets back to fulfill any missed workouts or assignments. This will be monitored by that gymnast’s event coach. Other infoParent/Guardian Guidelines:
Acceleration Guidelines for 7th and 8th grade gymnasts:
Floor-Round-off
backhand spring back tuck, and punch front pass with a front handspring
Important web-sites:
Again the Coaching Staff would like to thank you for joining the ride of the Cougar Gymnastics Program. Can’t be Touched |