HOLY CROSS VARSITY FOOTBALL PROGRAMS

Varsity Football (7th& 8th Grade Boys)

The objectives of the varsity football program at Holy Cross are:

• To further players' understanding of offensive and defensive strategies.
• To continue development of fundamental football skills;
• To instill the concepts of team play, of an individual's responsibilities as a team member and of good sportsmanship.
• To institute the realities of team sports competition.
• To provide a challenging and rewarding experience for the players, parents and coaches.

The following policies and guidelines are set forth to assure the accomplishment of these objectives.

1. There shall be a single boys' team. All boys who come out for the team shall be placed on the roster.
2. Team coaches shall be selected by the Athletic Director and may not be parents of participating children. Previous experience in coaching a youth sports team and knowledge of the rules, regulations, strategies and other aspects of the game of football, along with enthusiasm, love and concern for youngsters and a desire and commitment to pursue the objectives of the program will all be weighed in the selection of coaches.
3. The responsibilities of the coaches include:

• Planning and running practice sessions.
• Planning and implementing game strategies.
• Maintaining attendance records, rosters, etc., and reporting of game scores to the Holy Cross Athletic Director.
• Having a thorough knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to, the Codes of Ethics of Holy Cross School and the conference(s) to which we belong.
• Scheduling and conducting a meeting of all players and parents at the beginning of the season to discuss objectives, playing time rules, Codes of Ethics, etc.
• Continual concern for the safety and well-being of the children.

Coaches must remember that meaningful participation is an important element of the success and vitality of Holy Cross sports programs over the years. Accordingly, it is understood that coaches will seek to provide playing time in excess of these minimums (where applicable), consistent with the competitive postures set forth below:

• Varsity Football institutes the objective of winning and the realities of team sports competition - the better players play the most, the lesser players the least.

4. The responsibilities of the parents include:

• Arranging for their child to attend games and practices regularly; and to arrive and be picked up promptly.
• abiding by school and conference Codes of Ethics, rules and regulations.

5. The responsibilities of the players include:

• Dedicating themselves to the achievement of the high academic standards and conducting themselves in accordance with the high behavioral standards of Holy Cross School.
• Regular attendance at practices and games.
• Committing to learn and improve football skills, to give always their best efforts, to be team players and to practice good sportsmanship at all times.
• Abiding by school and conference Codes of Ethics, rules and regulations.

6. All games will be played with the objective of winning; accordingly there shall be no restrictions on the coaches as to player utilization except in the case of disciplinary action. Players and parents should therefore expect that not all players will play in each game, and that total playing time may vary significantly from player to player.

• Players who miss practices or games, or who consistently goof around during practices may be benched by the coaches for one or more games for disciplinary purposes. Players who are not meeting Holy Cross academic or behavioral standards (as advised to the coaches by the Athletic Director) will forfeit playing eligibility for the game following the infraction. To the extent possible, coaches shall inform the player and parents of impending problems and of the consequences. Players suffering the consequences of an infraction are nonetheless expected to attend the match and to sit with the team.

7. Players are expected to attend all practices and games except in the case of illness, family vacations, etc. If a child is involved in an organized activity during football season outside of Holy Cross, practice/game conflicts are sure to arise. It is certain that missed practices or games will impair the development of the football skills and knowledge of the player; and it is probable that team development will be negatively affected as well. Thus, players are strongly encouraged to make a commitment to place their Holy Cross team in front of other organized activities. If the choice of priority is otherwise, every effort will be made to accommodate the child; but there will not be any exceptions made to the rules concerning forfeiture of playing time for missing practices or games.
8. Should a player be unable to attend a practice or game, the player or a parent must advise one of the coaches in advance.
9. Coaches may award up to five trophies to individual players, choosing from the following categories:

• Most Valuable Player
• Most Improved Player
• Coach's Award
• Best Offensive Player
• Best Defensive Player

Trophies will be given to recipients at the Sports Recognition event following the season, along with a team photo for all players.

Junior Varsity (5th& 6th Grade Boys)

The objectives of the junior varsity football program at Holy Cross are:

• To teach the game of football (rules, regulations, offensive and defensive concepts).
• To develop fundamental football skills (blocking, tackling, passing, pass-catching, kicking, etc.).
• To instill the concepts of team play, of an individual's responsibilities as a team member and of good sportsmanship.
• To provide a challenging and rewarding experience for the players, parents and coaches.

The following policies and guidelines are set forth to assure the accomplishment of these objectives:

1. There shall be a single boys' team. All boys who desire to participate should be placed on the roster.
2. Team coaches should be adults, and may be parents of participating children. Previous experience in coaching a youth sports team and knowledge of the rules, regulations, strategies and other aspects of the game of football along with enthusiasm, love and concern for youngsters and a desire and commitment to pursue the objectives of the program will all be weighed in the selection of coaches.
3. The responsibilities of the coaches include:

• Planning and running practice sessions.
• Planning and implementing game strategies, including player rotations.
• Having a thorough knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to, the Codes of Ethics of Holy Cross School and the conference(s) to which we belong.
• Scheduling and conducting a meeting of all players and parents at the beginning of the season to discuss objectives, playing time rules, Codes of Ethics, etc.
• Continual concern for the safety and well being of the children.

Coaches must remember that meaningful participation is an important element of the success and vitality of Holy Cross sports programs over the years. Accordingly, it is understood that coaches will seek to provide playing time in excess of these minimums (where applicable), consistent with the competitive postures set forth below:

• Junior Varsity Football is considered to be strictly a developmental program. The emphasis is on putting forth best effort; winning or losing is incidental.

4. The responsibilities of the parents include:

• Arranging for their child to attend games and practices regularly; and to arrive and be picked up promptly.
• Abiding by school and conference Codes of Ethics, rules and regulations.

5. The responsibilities of the players include:

• Dedicating themselves to the achievement of the high academic standards, and conducting themselves in accordance with the high behavioral standards, of Holy Cross School.
• Regular attendance at practices and games.
• Committing to learn and improve football skills, to give always their best efforts, to be team players and to practice good sportsmanship at all times.
• Abiding by school and conference Codes of Ethics, rules and regulations.

6. Each sixth-grader will get substantial playing time in each game and each fifth-grader may play in the games, but the coaching staff will determine playing time. The coaches for disciplinary action may modify these rules:

• Players who miss practices or games, or who consistently goof around during practices will forfeit some or all of their playing time for the game following the infraction. Players who are not meeting Holy Cross academic or behavioral standards (as advised to the coaches by the Athletic Director) will forfeit all of their playing time for the game following the infraction. To the extent possible, coaches shall inform the player and parents of impending problems and of the consequences. Players suffering the consequences of an infraction are nonetheless expected to attend the game with the team.

7. Players are expected to attend all practices and games except in the case of illness, family vacations, etc. If a child is involved in an organized activity during football season outside of Holy Cross, practice/game conflicts are sure to arise. It is certain that missed practices or games will impair the development of the football skills and knowledge of the player; and it is probable that team development will be negatively affected as well. Thus, players are strongly encouraged to make a commitment to place their Holy Cross team in front of other organized activities. If the choice of priority is otherwise, every effort will be made to accommodate the child; but there will not be any exceptions made to the rules concerning forfeiture of playing time for missing practices or games.
8. Should a player be unable to attend a practice or game, the player or a parent must advise one of the coaches in advance.
9. Trophies are not awarded at this grade level. Team members will be recognized and given a team photo at the Sports Recognition event following the season.