Coaches' Resources
The function of a coach is to educate students through participation in interscholastic competition. An interscholastic program should be designed to enhance academic achievement and should never interfere with opportunities for academic success.
Each student-athlete should be treated as the coaches' own, with the student-athletes' welfare be uppermost at all times.
Accordingly, the following guidelines for coaches have been adopted by the NFCA Board of Directors.
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The coach shall be aware that he or she has a tremendous influence, for either good or ill, on the education of the student-athlete and, thus, shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest ideals of character.
- The coach shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession.
- The coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct in all personal contact with student-athletes, officials, athletic directors, school administrators, the state high school athletic association, the media, and the public
- The coach shall take an active role in the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse.
- The coach shall avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco products when in contact with players.
- The coach shall promote the entire interscholastic program of the school and direct his or her program in harmony with the total school program.
- The coach shall master the contest rules and shall teach them to his or her team members.
- The coach shall not seek an advantage by circumvention of the spirit or letter of the rules.
- The coach shall exert his or her influence to enhance sportsmanship by spectators, both directly and by working closely with cheerleaders, pep club sponsors, booster clubs, and administrators.
- The coach shall respect and support contest officials.
- The coach shall not indulge in conduct which would incite players or spectators against the officials.
- Public criticism of officials or players is unethical. Before and after contests, coaches for the competing teams should meet and exchange cordial greetings to set the correct tone for the event.
COACHES' CHECKLIST
Preseason
- Preseason meeting with assistant coaches for planning and preparation
- Preseason meeting with athletes to schedule tryouts and other details
- Check physical exams with the nurse
- Confirm schedule and transportation schedule with the Athletic Director
- All paperwork is now online through FamilyID
- Make sure you have the necessary keys
- Finalize practice times, field, and gym times with other coaches
- Arrange a time to get needed equipment from Athletic Director for the season
- Establish emergency procedures with coaching staff if a student is injured, if a coach is injured
- If you have volunteers New York State Law requires them to have completed everything in the checklist in Appendix A. If this is not complete, they will not be able to volunteer.
In season
- Conduct tryouts. Make sure that there are criteria for selecting the team and that ALL athletes trying out understand the criteria. Head coaches should make sure that all coaches in the program are on the same page, and that this is a collaborative effort in selecting athletes for all levels. Cuts are a team effort and a single coach should not be stuck making all the cuts. Keeping lines of communication open and the criteria as transparent as possible.
- Selective classification should be an invite-only process. Coaches need to work together to determine if there is a student ready to be brought up. This process needs to be done at least 2 weeks before the start of the season. This process is not used to fill roster spots but is for kids beyond competition in the modified ranks.
- Once teams are selected, fill out a roster in grade order by last name, seniors on top, and return to the Athletic Director
- All forms are filled out online this year. Hand out instructional sheet to all athletes who may have not signed up online.
- Schedule a time with the Athletic Director for uniforms
- Keep lines of communication open with parents and players. (Take the time to get to know your players)
- Take time at the end of the first day of practice to review eligibility policy
- Supervise students at all times
- Warm-up music needs to be appropriate (i.e. swearing or lyrics about drugs)
- Click on link to report scores with Section V
Postseason
- Submit the end of season awards and record sheet
- Collect all the uniforms and equipment after the last contest. If a student loses a uniform, they are responsible to replace lost uniform. Fill out a lost uniform slip and return to the Athletic Director.
- Clean out the locker room. Everyone must get their belongings out. (Please leave it in the same condition or better than you received it.) If lockers or ceiling tiles are broken from neglect, boosters may be responsible for repairs.
- Locks off lockers and turned in
- All clothing and equipment out of lockers
- Floor swept and clear of debris for next season
- If needed, hold one extra practice to do final clean out
- Make an appointment to go over the end of year coach's evaluation with the Athletic Director.
Fingerprints
Go to IdentoGO and click on the top-right corner to get fingerprinted. Enter New York State in the drop-down box. Hit "Go" and scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the box labeled "fingerprinting". This takes visitors to a box to enter the code 14ZGR7. Fill out all your information and schedule an appointment.