High School

• The goal of the varsity program is to win and demonstrate good sportsmanship.
• Playing time is NOT guaranteed.
• The varsity team is grades 9-12; any player is eligible for varsity, and no preference is given to senior players based upon their grade level.
• Players should strive to be a member of the varsity team by their junior year; players not determined to contribute to the varsity team by this age may be dismissed from the program.
• Each player in the program, regardless of grade level and varsity/JV/junior high placement, is equal. No player is entitled to fewer duties or higher status.

Junior High

• The Jr. High varsity team’s (A) primary goal is to win games while exhibiting sportsmanship at all times. This is no guarantee for playing time.
• The Jr. High JV team (B) is developmental and consists primarily of 7th graders who intend to play soccer in their 8th grade year.
• The Jr. High program will only carry a limited number of players. Players not selected will be dismissed from the program.

Elizabethtown Soccer Core Values

Our program aims to achieve the highest standards of hard work, commitment, respect, and responsibility. Student athletes who act to strive for these high standards earn the right to represent Elizabethtown on the soccer pitch.
When a student missteps and falls short of these goals, the consequences are as follows.

• First offense: discussion with coaching staff and possible half or game suspension
• Second offense/repeated offenses: discussion with coaching staff and parents, minimum one game suspension
• Third offense/major offense(s): discussion with coaches and parents and/or athletic director about player’s fit in the program, minimum two game suspension.

Players’ season guidelines

Eligibility and Practice Guidelines

Practice Uniform

Players may wear only gray, blue,  or white t-shirts and black or blue shorts. Blue or white socks only.
Academic Eligibility

• Sr. High: Must be passing 3 credits weekly and 6 the year before
• Jr. High: Must be passing 4 of the major subject areas
• Team Study Halls: Mandatory attendance required for Sr. High

Practice Expectations

• Players are expected to attend all practices with the following exceptions:
  • illness resulting in absence from school.
  • academic help, only if unavailable from school.
  • coaches’ discretion
• Injured players are expected to report injury to coach and athletic trainer, and continued attendance at practices and games to support the team is required. Players who receive treatment from the trainer must report to practice with a pass.
• Players receiving disciplinary action at school will still attend practice but will forfeit playing time.
  • Teacher detention will result in a half game suspension
  • ISS will be a minimum of a one game suspension with further action to be determined by a parent/coaches meeting.
  • OSS: Infraction will be reviewed by coaching staff.
• Players late to practice without a documented educational, medical, or family emergency will forfeit playing time. Players must notify coaches directly, not through other players, that they will miss/arrive late to practice PRIOR to the event. Telephone, e-mail, and face-to-face are all appropriate ways to notify coaches.
  • 1st Infraction: 20 minutes
  • 2nd infraction: 40 minutes
  • 3rd infraction: 60 minutes
  • 4th infraction: 80 minutes

Missed Games and Vacations

Players choosing to leave the team for any length of time for any reason other than documented and approved educational, medical, or family emergency are effectively choosing to miss an equal number of games upon their return to the team. For each practice he misses, a player must attend and participate in at least as many practices upon his return to the team before he is again eligible to play in a game.

Example – a player departs on a Friday afternoon and misses Friday practice and a Saturday game. Upon returning to the team at Monday’s practice, he must participate in Monday’s practice and may not play in Tuesday’s game.

The Coaching Staff reserve the right to delay, limit, and suspend game time until the coaches can assess the players team connectivity, tactical awareness, physical conditioning, and technical  training are at an acceptable level  to protect the team and players’ health and safety which was lost/missed during their absence.  

Game Expectations

• Players are expected to ride home from all games on the team bus.
• Players will refrain from commenting to and interacting with spectators during the game.
• Players will remain seated on the beach until called to play by the coach.
• All players’ equipment will be kept neatly behind the bench area with all personal items stored appropriately.
• Players are expected shake hands of opponents and referees at the end of each game.
• Players are expected to step forward when announced.
• Players are expected to wear the pre game attire required by the coaching staff.
• Players are expected to rise from the bench to applaud teammates being substituted.

Varsity Letter Criteria

• Players must play in at least half of the Varsity games to be eligible for a letter.
• Seniors in the program are guaranteed a Varsity letter.

Expectations of Character

• Players are expected to display proper sportsmanship both on and off the field of play.
• Players must treat all teammates with the highest respect at all times. Put downs and harassment, which are signs of selfishness and are disrespect to the team as a whole, are not tolerated.
• Repeated poor attitude during practices and/or games will result in a loss of playing time or dismissal from the team.
• Students are subject to the rules of the school with regards to appropriate social activities.

Relationship and Communication with Coaches

• Your coaches will respect you as a person, a student, and an athlete. Live up to their respect and give the same in return.
• Players will acknowledge a coach at all times, i.e. passing in the halls, in the community grocery store, at church, at public events.
• When appropriate, players should discuss concerns with their captains first if they are uncomfortable approaching a coach with a particular problem.
• Always discuss concerns with coaches in a private setting.
• Concerns and frustrations are best handled after calming down from the intensity of game and practice situations. Expect that some conversations will not take place during practices and games.

Coaches

• It is the responsibility of the coaches to direct the program with character education and winning as the primary goals.
• All decisions with regard to players (i.e. appropriate playing level, playing time, dismissal) will be made with complete objectivity and the best overall interests of the team in mind.
• Coaches are open to respectful suggestions in the appropriate venues and times, such as before and after practices.

Parents

• Parents are encouraged to participate in the annual fund raising efforts.
• Etown Fair Week Parking – profits divided between Boys and Big E
• Chicken BBQ – profits go to the Boys Account
• Big E Booster – shared profits with general account
• Senior parents traditionally organize the parent picnic and the end of the year season banquet with other parental assistance.
• Junior parents traditionally organize the Senior Night picnic prior to Senior recognition.

Parents’ Code of Conduct

On the sideline, parents are to refrain from coaching the players during games, and are expected to model class and good sportsmanship for our players.

24 Hour Rule

• Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. WAIT 24 HOURS.

Concerns to discuss with coaches:

• Treatment of your son both mentally and physically
• Ways to help your son improve
• Concerns about your athlete’s behavior or academics

Areas left to the discretion of the coaches:

• Playing time
• Team strategy
• Play calling
• Other student athletes