Girls' Lacrosse
The purpose of this information is to give each player and their parents a better understanding of the policies that have been established by the Minnesota State High School League and the coaching staff of Lakeville High School.
ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
Both Lakeville High Schools and the MSHSL have academic eligibility requirements. To be eligible, a student must be making satisfactory progress towards graduation.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Both Lakeville High Schools believe participation is co-curricular activities is a privilege which is accompanied by student responsibilities. A violation of the code of responsibilities may result in a period of ineligibility or removal form an activity or performance. Refer to your school's Student Activities Guide for further information and a list of student responsibilities.
PARENT/PLAYER EXPECTATIONS
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 benefit to our student-athletes. As parents, when your student becomes involved in a program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on them. This begins with clear communication from the coach.
Communication you should expect from the coaches:
- Basic coaching program philosophy
- Locations and times of all practices and games
- Team requirements: e.g. practices, special equipment, lettering policy, awards, team rules
- Procedure to follow if student is injured
- Discipline that may result in a period of ineligibility
- Sportsmanship
- Squad determination
- Transportation expectations
- Attendance at school on practice/game days
- MSHSL and LNHS/LSHS rules (academic/chemical)
Communication coaches should expect from parents:
- Specific program concerns expressed directly to the coach
- Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance
Communication parents should expect from their student-athletes:
- Practice times
- Bus departure and arrival times
- Game schedule
- Game day dress
- End of season awards program information
It is our objective as coaches to help your student-athlete have a successful and rewarding Lacrosse experience. It is also important to note that there may be times when things do not go as they wish. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged.
Examples of these situations:
- Treatment of your student-athlete mentally and physically
- Ways to help your student-athlete improve
- Concerns about your student's attitude
- Academic support and college opportunities
It is difficult to accept your student's not playing as much as or in the role you may hope. Coaches are professionals. They make judgments based on what they believe to be best for all students involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your student's coach. Other situations should be left to the discretion of the coach.
Examples of these situations:
- Team strategy
- Other student-athletes
- Playing time
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and parent. These are encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other's position. When these conferences are necessary, the following steps should be followed.
- Conflicts should be resolved between the student-athlete and the coach. Parents are welcome to provide support for the student-athlete through conversations after the initial player/coach discussion!
- It is inappropriate to approach the coach immediately prior to, during, or at the conclusion of a game, or at any other unscheduled time. These can be emotional times for both the parent and coach. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution. Please wait 24 hours before contacting a coach after a game!
- If, after a good faith attempt to discuss the situation or resolve an issue without reasonable satisfaction, the next step is to contact the Activities Director to further discuss the situation.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance will be taken at all practices!
Participants must be in school for the entire day in order to be eligible for practice or games. If a participant goes to a doctor or dentist before school or during the day, a note from that doctor's/dentist's office must be presented to the activities office. A Participation Permit will be given to a student who shows proof from the doctor/dentist of an appointment.
Coming late to school or leaving because of an illness, personal errands, oversleeping, and other reasons that the school will not consider excused absences will result in the participant being ineligible for practice or play that day. Please always be honest about absences.
It is extremely important that each player attend practices. It is a short season (9 weeks). There will be a minimum of 12 games. That leaves us with approximately 20 practices. Missing practices makes it much more difficult for the coaches to teach the mechanics and strategies of the game of lacrosse.
Coaches need to be contacted in advance if a participant knows she will not be at a practice or a game. Reasons for an absence deemed to be legitimate by the coaching staff and/or the Activities Director will be considered excused absences. For example, attending an AP review session that is not offered at any other time would be considered an excused absence. Missing practice because you have too much homework is not an acceptable reason. School work needs to be organized and planned for. It is unlikely a big paper or project is assigned the day before it is due. Make arrangements to get it done ahead of time.
Not showing up at practice without contacting a coach is an unexcused absence. Telling a teammate to tell the coach you won't be at a practice or game is an unexcused absence.
The outcome of one or more unexcused absences is as follows:
- 1 unexcused absence = will not play at next game (you will still dress)
- 2 unexcused absences = will not play for two consecutive games (you will dress)
- 3 unexcused absences = you are off the team
LETTERING
Student-athletes who participate in a minimum of 6 halves of play at the Varsity level will be eligible for lettering. Participation in a half is defined as entering the game for a minimum of one "shift".
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