Volleyball

Spring Lake Park Panther Volleyball Rules and Regulations

Philosophy:

It is the philosophy of this coaching staff that all players receive the best possible coaching available. Coaches will strive to train and teach the players volleyball skills, teamwork and also life lessons. We are committed to building a strong, positive, team oriented gym culture that results in hard working players that support and push each other daily.

Team Membership:

Cuts will be made if players are not at the skill level needed for the team they are eligible for and if numbers exceed that which will allow us to keep a successful program. 

Varsity/JV/B-squad: The goal is to have 10-15 players on each team. We want as many people involved with the team as possible and have a meaningful experience. Roles will be determined by the coach and it will be the responsibility of the player to inform their parent/guardian of their role on the team. Playing time can never be fully equal but each player will have a meaningful role.

Freshman: No cuts will be made at the freshman level.

7^th/8^th graders: May tryout for the high school teams if they have 2 years of playing experience either in school or at the club level. A player of this age will only make a team is there is space and they are advanced in their volleyball skills.

The try-out process will last two days. Players will be evaluated in physical tests, volleyball skills, playing ability and behavior on and off the court around their teammates. After that time, all teams will be set. Lists for each team will be posted by players’ tryout numbers. Coaches will be available to have conversations as needed with players who were cut.

A position is never guaranteed. A position must be earned each day and is always subject to change. It is important to have competition in practice to force the players to work hard and become stronger on the court. Those who work hard in practice will be awarded with playing time during games.

Code of Conduct:

All MSHSL rules apply. Any abusive language, or other forms of misconduct, may result in suspension of an event. Coaches will be left the final decision. If problems persist, the player may be asked to leave the team. 

Traveling:

If there is a bus for an event, all players will ride the bus to the event. Players may ride home with their own parent after the parent signs them out with their coach. Players may not leave any event with anyone other than their own parent. 9^th grade will leave after their game, JV/B will stay for the Varsity game.

Players are representatives of the school, and should dress accordingly. This includes practices, game days and before/after games. The entire team is “uniformed”, meaning each player is dressed the same. This will be decided by the coaches and the varsity captains for the entire program.

Attendance:

Players are expected to be at all practices and events. To practice, the player must be in school all day unless it is an excused absence. Coaches need to know ahead of time if a player will be out of school or will be missing practice and the reasoning behind it. If a player misses a practice the day before a game, they will not play in the game. If they miss a practice and there is no game the next day, they will not start in the next game but will be allowed to play. Being late to practice and leaving early will be handled case by case by their coach, and the head coach if needed.

Coaches Availability:

Any coach can be contacted through email or phone.  If an appointment needs to be set up, please do so.  The coaching staff is not available to meet or talk before or after an event. Please wait 24 hours before meeting.

Process for Player Issues:

If a player has an issue, this is the process to deal with it:

• Player and Coach will meet to discuss issue. Player needs to communicate what coach said to parents.
• If not resolved: Player, Coach, Assistant Varsity Coach and Head Coach will meet to discuss issue. Player needs to communicate what was discussed to parents.
• If not resolved: Player, Coach, Assistant Varsity Coach, Head Coach and Parents will meet to discuss issue.
• If not resolved: Player, Coach, Assistant Varsity Coach, Head Coach, Parents and AD will meet to discuss issue. 

LETTERING POLICY FOR VARSITY VOLLEYBALL

HEAD COACH:  Joy Johnston  Last Revised:   August 2021

A. General criteria for letter (points, time played, practice time, etc.):

Any non-senior will need to meet the following criteria to letter:

1.     Must be in the program from start of the season to the finish.

2.     Must attend practices – can only miss 5 excused or unexcused.

3.     Must attend all matches and tournaments.

4.     Must play in 15 Varsity matches during the season.

5.     If a player has been part of the varsity team all season, has attended all games and tournaments and plays in a section playoff game, they will letter automatically.

B. Alternate methods of lettering (seniors who don’t meet prime criteria and others):

Seniors will need to meet the following criteria to letter:

1.     Must be in the program from start of the current season to the finish.

2.     Must attend practices – can only miss 5 excused or unexcused.

3.     Must attend all matches and tournaments.

C. Considerations for injuries or illness (lost time):

A player who becomes injured or ill must still meet the criteria listed in section A. or B. for lettering, but playing time will be taken into consideration depending on how many matches they played in before being sidelined.

D. Consideration for discipline problems and time for suspensions (team and school):

The athlete must not have been caught engaging in any activities that are against the rules of the MSHSL, SLP, or the volleyball team. (This will result in a suspension from team).

E. Consideration of unexcused/excused absences from practice/games:

The athlete must not miss more than 5 excused or unexcused practices. A note prior to the missed practice is required. Coming late to practice and leaving early will be handled case by case but must not be a common trend for a player.

F. Consideration for drop outs, terminations:

No letter.

G. Consideration for those not on the team at start of season (late comers):

Players at varsity level for half of the season must play in 10 of the remaining matches and must also meet criteria #2 and #3 of lettering policy A or B.

H. Automatic letter (all conference, state qualifiers, state champ, etc.): 

Players will only automatically letter if they play in a section playoff match and have been on varsity the entire season and have attended all varsity games and tournaments or if the team makes state and they are on the roster for the state tournament. However, the athlete must not have been caught engaging in any activities that are against the rules of the MSHSL, SLP, or the volleyball team as this will void an automatic letter.

I. Consideration for underclass persons (7-10):

Underclassmen must meet the same criteria listed in section A.

J. Consideration for managers, scorekeepers, i.e. non-participating team members:

            Mangers will need to meet the following criteria to letter regardless of year:

1.     Attend at least 2 practices a week.

2.     Attend all home matches.

3.     Attend at least half of the away matches.

4.     Attend at least one tournament.

5.     Attend all post season matches.   

K. When are letters presented: 

End of season banquet.

L. When are letter winners announced or posted:

Announced at the end of season banquet.

M. Other considerations:

 None.   

N. Consideration for nomination for special awards (all-conference, all-state, etc.):

Coaching staff will determine nominations based on playing time, leadership, attitude and impact they had on the team. All-Conference nominations will be presented at the end of season conference coaches meeting to be voted on by all conference coaches.

Athletic Department policy urges that foreign students from approved organizations (see Minnesota State High School League list) be awarded a letter if they participated for the season (varsity, junior varsity, or b-squad).

All letter winners will be approved by the Athletic Director prior to announcement and/or posting.