1. Practices will be everyday and on weekends.
2. All players, including injured players, must attend every practice unless physically impossible
3.  Missing Practice. A player should never miss practice. There are three exceptions: a player participates in a winter sport whose season overlaps, a medical emergency, or a family emergency. In all three cases, a note is required in order to not count the practice as “missed.” If a player misses a practice, he will not be allowed to play in the next game. If a player misses three “unexcused” practices, he will be suspended from the team. Practice times will be posted a week in advance. If you are going to be absent from practice, you (THE PLAYER) must contact me before the practice (by phone or email). You must also tell a captain that you will not be at practice.
4. Lateness will not be tolerated. If practice begins at 2:33 pm…that means dressed and ready to go. A late player will run…and run…and run.
5. Players will NEVER argue with an official or his calls.
6. Players will not argue with the coaching staff. You can disagree without being disagreeable.
7. Insults, name calling, otherwise putting down another player doesn’t happen. We are a team. Period.
8. Slacking. All aspects of playing lacrosse should be taken with 100% effort. Slacking will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to: drills, conditioning and play. At no time during practice or a game will a player remove his equipment without a coach’s permission.
9. Players will have an open door policy with the Head Coach to discuss concerns. I expect, as I will give you in return, complete honesty and open communication.
10. Captains will act as the team’s representatives.
11. In order to develop players for all levels of competition, playing time is decided on by the coaching staff. Factors such as attendance, attitude, commitment, a solid work ethic and athletic skill enter into the decision.
12. Player’s conduct and behavior towards opponents, game officials, coaches or any other supervisory staff shall be respectful, regardless of their level of respect or lack there of. Fighting, cussing, trash talking, etc will not be acceptable and will be taken care of appropriately.
13. Fight Policy – No player who is on the field or on the bench will participate in a fight.
14. Players Dress – Players are to be neat at all times since they represent their school and team.
15. Transportation Policy – Players will be at the school at the time set forth by coach. Any lateness will result in limited playing time. If you miss the bus, you are expected to be at the game, however you should never under any circumstances drive yourself or accept a ride from anyone other than your own parents. Players must return to the school on the bus.
16. Player’s behavior on the bus will be polite and reserved.  The players are to use the time to mentally prepare for the day’s game. Headphones are encouraged to get yourself in the zone.
17. All players will be required to police the field for trash and recover stray balls after each game/practice. Field markers (cones) must also be picked up after every home game. It is mandatory that we show good sportsmanship and assist our opponents in cleanup at all our away games.
18. Players must remain academically eligible during the season.
19. Profanity is not permitted and will not be tolerated.
20. Smoking tobacco substances, drinking alcohol, or using drugs will result in suspension from the team.
21. Lock your locker. I do not want to hear that something was stolen.

Your son has decided to become a member of the River Dell Lacrosse Program.  In becoming a team member, he has agreed to accept certain responsibilities that are vital to all successful athletes.

Please read and discuss theses regulations with your son so he may have a rewarding lacrosse season.  

Parent/Coach Relationship

            Both parenting and coaching are difficult vocations. I would like to make it known that I have an open door policy for both parents and players. Appointments should be made with the head coach in order to ensure that your questions will be answered accurately and completely. There is also a 24 hour rule; I will not meet with a parent regarding any issues in a game until 24 hours after the competition. This will not allow any emotions that may have surfaced, be it related to your son or not, to subside. Below is a brief explanation of the expectations that I have for the season and the appropriate way of communicating. 

Communication you should expect from the coaches

1. Philosophy of the coach
2. Expectations each coach has for your son.
3. Locations and times of all practices and contests.
4. Team requirements, i.e. equipment, off-season conditioning.
5. Procedure should your son be injured during participation.

Communication coaches expect from parents

1. Concerns expressed directly to the head coach.
2. Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance.
3. Specific concern in regard to a coach’s philosophy and/or expectations.

If things are not going the way that you had envisioned them, I encourage your son to approach me and talk to me about his concerns.

Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches

1. Ways to help your son improve.
2. Concerns about your son’s behavior.

It is very difficult to accept your son’s not playing as much as you may hope.  Coaches are professionals.  We make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best for all players involved.  As you have seen form the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with the head coach.  Other things, such as those in the following paragraphs must be left to the discretion of the coach.

Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches

1. Playing time.
2. Team strategy.
3. Play calling.
4. Other players.

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent.  These are to be encouraged.  It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other’s position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

If you have a concern to discuss with a coach, the procedure you should follow…

1. Email me to set up an appointment
2. My email is CoachRendine@yahoo.com.
3. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice.  These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach.  Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution.