2010 Track & Field Team Policy Changes

THE FOLLOWING TRACK & FIELD POLICY CHANGES WILL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY:

-MORNING practice sessions are canceled for the remainder of the season.

-SATURDAY practice sessions are canceled for the remainder of the season.

-SPRING BREAK practice sessions are canceled for April 5th through April 9th.

-FLOTRACK training log is no longer required.

-Practice session attendance after 5:00pm is optional. Athletes that wish to
leave practice may do so anytime after 5:00pm. Just let the coaches know you
are leaving.

REQUIRED FORMS AND READING MATERIALS FOR ATHLETES AND PARENTS

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ATHLETE INFORMATION ON-LINE ENTRY

REQUIRED SPRING SEASON DOCUMENTS

AUHSD Athlete Clearance Form: Athletes MUST have this form completed with medical insurance and emergency contact information, as well as a doctor's signature, and turned in to the coaches to be eligible to participate.

AUHSD Athlete Ejection Policy: This form explains the NCS rules and regulations regarding athlete sportsmanship and penalties for violations of NCS policies. Athletes MUST complete this form and turn it in to the coaches to be eligible to participate.

AUHSD Illegal Substance Contract: Parents and athletes MUST understand and agree to CIF policies on illegal substances to be eligible for participation. This form must be signed and turned in to the coaches.

AUHSD Sports Participation Handbook: This document covers rules, procedures and expectations for all AUHSD after school sport team participants.

2010 Track & Field Team Package Order Form: The Cougar Track & Field Program asks that each athlete contribute a team donation of $100 as well as purchase team apparel for the spring season. Please print out this form and follow the instructions for making payment on the Campolindo WEB STORE.

2010 Track & Field Athlete Information Sheet: This 2 page form should be printed, completed by the athlete, and turned in to the coach on the first practice day! Be sure to note any potential schedule conflicts on this form.

2010 Track & Field Additional Contribution Form: The Cougar Track & Field Program depends on the generosity of parent and communtiy support. Read this document for an explanation of how the Athlete Contribution funds are used, and to learn about various major funding needs for the 2010 season and beyond.

2010 Track & Field Season Goal Sheet: Individual and team goals for each third of the season must be articulated on this form and placed in the athlete's team folder.

2010 Parent Meeting Agenda: The 2010 season parent meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 18, at 5:30pm in the CHS library. Parents can get a head start on signing up for meet volunteer duties by visiting our 2010 PARENT VOLUNTEER SIGN UP PAGE HERE!

2010 Letter Requirements: Athletes will be recognized as "Participants" or "Lettermen" based on this criteria.

WINTER NECESSITIES & SEASON PREPARATION

2010 Winter ENDURANCE Training Schedule:Those athletes interested in long sprints, middle distance and distance events should follow this training plan for the months of December and January! Daily workout sessions will meet at 3:20pm on the CHS track. Veteran athletes will facilitate these sessions. All athletes regardless of ability or level of experience are encouraged to attend these sessions.

2010 Winter SPEED Training Schedule:Those athletes interested in sprints, jumps, hurdles and throws should follow this training plan for the months of December and January! Daily workout sessions will meet at 3:20pm on the CHS track. Veteran athletes will facilitate these sessions. All athletes regardless of ability or level of experience are encouraged to attend these sessions.

Important Team Rules

1. Consistent Practice Attendance: Each athlete is expected to attend all practices. Every effort must be made to schedule time so that there are no conflicts with daily practice. If a valid reason for missing practice exists (illness or emergency), the athlete must notify the coach prior to the practice that will be missed. MISSING PRACTICE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION FROM COMPETITION.

2. Punctuality: Each athlete is expected to arrive to practice and competitions on time and ready to run. SECOND TIME LATE WILL RESULT IN CAMPUS CLEAN-UP. IF LATENESS BECOMES CHRONIC YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE TEAM.

3. Practice Apparel: Each athlete is required to wear RUNNING SHOES, SHORTS, TOPS, & SWEAT PANTS to practice. Sweat Pants will be worn for warm-up, stretching, and drills every day regardless of weather. Basketball or other long shorts are NOT acceptable. FAILURE TO WEAR APPROPRIATE APPAREL WILL RESULT IN CAMPUS CLEAN-UP.

4. Meet Uniforms: Team uniforms, sweats & team shirts are to be worn at all competitions. Athletes are expected to step off the bus wearing sweats and team shirts ! Sweats & team shirts shall remain on at all times before and after your races! This is important for warming-up, mental focus, team unity, & intimidating our opponents. Under NO circumstances are team uniforms or sweats to be worn at any other time! It is a CIF violation to wear a school uniform in unsanctioned competition. WASHING INSTRUCTIONS: Wash in cold, hang dry! DO NOT PUT IN DRYER!

5. Athlete Conduct: Track & Field Team members represent the premier athletic program at CHS. They are representatives of the school and the community. Each athlete is responsible for continuing our tradition of exemplary conduct. Support your teammates, make a positive contribution to the sport, and act responsibly in every situation. Problems must be handled in a mature and rational manner. Communication with your coach is essential. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO LIVE UP TO THESE STANDARDS YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE TEAM.

Under NO circumstances are athletes or parents allowed to dispute rulings with meet officials! Athletes and parents must maintain their composure and let their coach deal with the situation. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS PROTOCOL IS GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION FROM COMPETITION AND SUSPENSION FROM THE TEAM.

6. Transportation to and from Competition: Team policy regarding student-athlete transportation will be followed WITHOUT exception! This policy is as follows: Athletes transported from CHS to an away competition via district bus must also return to CHS via district bus or be released to their legal guardian at the competition site. Athletes will not be released to anyone other than a legal guardian. Friends, relatives, neighbors, etc., are NOT legal guardians. Team policy further requires that any athlete not returning to CHS with the team via district bus give the head coach verbal notification and visual confirmation of the presence of a legal guardian before departure. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION FROM THE TEAM.

Mandatory Equipment

REQUIRED ITEMS: The following items are required at all practices and competitions.

• Water Bottle
• Running Shoes
• Spikes (sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers)
• Sweat Pants
• Running Shorts (NO basketball or long shorts!)
• Digital Watch with Split/Lap Time Capabilities

Athletic Letter Requirements

FROSH-SOPH REQUIREMENTS:

• Athlete must compete in a minimum of 7competitions and attend a minimum of 50 practice sessions to be considered for a Letter Award: Only athletes that compete in at least seven competitions and attend at least 50 practice sessions during the spring season are eligible to be considered for a FROSH-SOPH Track & Field Letter Award. Athletes that do not reach these minimums will receive Participant Awards.

Achievement of one of the following automatically earns Letter Award provided the athlete has competed in seven competitions and attended 50 practice sessions.

• 30 points earned in league competition
• Achievement of 3 Letterman Event Standards
• Achievement of a Golden Foot Event standard

VARSITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Athlete must compete in a minimum of 7 Varsity competitions and attend a minimum of 50 practice sessions to be considered for a Letter Award: Only athletes that compete in at least seven Varsity competitions and attend at least 50 practice sessions during the spring season are eligible to be considered for a VARSITY Track & Field Letter Award.

Achievement of one of the following automatically earns Letter Award provided the athlete has competed in seven Varsity competitions and attended 50 practice sessions.

• 30 points earned in league competition
• Achievement of 3 Letterman Event Standards
• Achievement of a Golden Foot Event standard
• Qualification to NCS Tri-Valley Region Trials

ATHLETES THAT QUIT THE TEAM FOR ANY REASON, OR ARE DROPPED FROM THE TEAM AS DISCIPLINARY ACTION, OR FAIL TO ACHIEVE THE MINIMUM ACADEMIC STANDARD FOR PARTICIPATION FORFEIT ALL AWARDS.

THE COUGAR COACHING STAFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE FINAL DETERMINATION ON ATHLETE LETTERMAN STATUS IN THE INTEREST OF PRESERVING THE INTEGRITY OF THE LETTERMAN AWARD.

Letterman Standards

Achievement of Letterman Standards in THREE separate events qualifies athlete for a Track & Field Letter Award provided that the athlete has attended 50 or more practice sessions and participated in at least 7 competitons during the season.

Golden Foot Standards

Athletes that obtain a Golden Foot Standard while competing in a sanctioned CIF competition as a member of the Falcon Track & Field Team will be honored as a Golden Foot recipient and awarded a Golden Foot pin.