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Hillsborough Raider Soccer character - team - commitment This handbook is designed to provide parents and players with an overview of information about the policies and procedures of HHS RAIDER BOYS SOCCER including important information about practices, behavioral expectations, as well as many other topics. Although the handbook cannot list every practice and procedure of our program, it can help answer questions, simplify many processes, and improve our organization - especially for those new to HHS Raider Soccer. Raider Boys Soccer Operating Procedures HHS Soccer Club Inc. Release and Waiver of Liability
The Hillsborough Raider Boys Soccer program is committed to excellence. The program is built on three pillars: character, team and commitment. Everything we do as a program reflects upon ourselves, our families, our school and our town. We take great pride in doing our best to represent all of these different groups to the best of our ability. For specifics on how the program operates as well as the requirement for training gear, please view the Raider Boys Soccer Operating Procedures. Character: Each player will learn what good character is from their teammates and from the coaches. Soccer is the means by which these players will learn important life lessons and how to become model citizens. There is a lesson in victory as well as defeat. There is a lesson in mistakes as well as successes. It is more important for a young man to leave the Raider Soccer Program a good person rather than a good player. Team: Each individual will learn how to put the team first. Everything that they do to improve themselves should be seen as a way to improve the team. No individual can succeed alone. The strength of the team is only determined by the strength of each individual. Commitment: In order to develop as a person and as a player, each member of the team must learn how to dedicate themselves to a goal. That goal means they must make sacrifices along the way (academics is never one of these sacrifices). No matter what a player's level is, they should all be committed to constantly improving themselves. Freshman Team The emphasis here is on development. The coach is responsible for teaching the players the expectations of the program and how they should conduct themselves at games and training. Additionally, they will become familiar with our 4-3-3 system and hopefully be introduced to more than one position within that system. The goal here is for players to improve both individually and as a team by season's end. Results are not the main objective. Barring any extenuating circumstances, it is the goal of the coach to see that all players receive equitable playing time whenever possible. Game conditions, injuries, behavior issues, and other factors may make this impossible, but the best way for a player to develop is to play. Junior Varsity Team The players in this group are at the next step of their development and the competitive aspect of the game has increased. These players will receive instruction that reinforces what they learned at the freshman level and prepares them for the demands of the game at the varsity level. Development is still the main goal but the competitive aspect and demand to achieve results has been increased. Their qualities as a player will be further identified by the coach as they begin to specialize more in a position and be ready at any time to step into a varsity role. Varsity Team The goal for this group of players is to manage development with an equal emphasis on achieving results. However, at no time are the values of our program abandoned in the name of winning. At this point in the development, the goal is to have players master some of the tactical aspects of the 4-3-3 system. The players are also expected to have developed both technically as well as physically. They can meet the physical demands of the game as well as the speed at which it is played. Given these objectives and demands, playing time is likely to not be distributed evenly among players and consequently, clear, open communication between player and coach is critical. Voluntary Practices Preseason unofficially begins after school lets out in June. The coaches and senior players can legally hold voluntary practices through the summer. These practices are not mandatory but extremely important not only to improve the technical, tactical and psychological part of a player's game but to also begin to build a team chemistry and cohesiveness. Please visit the Summer Training page to see the times, locations and dates of these training sessions. It is not necessary to contact coaches when a player will to be present. Typical summer activities such as family vacations and jobs will make it difficult to attend all the sessions. What is important is that players do not let laziness or a sense of complacency be their reason for not attending. Finally, these sessions will be run like a camp; this means that players should see the coach for a waiver form and a small fee will be charged. The fee ensures players will be covered under the Board of Education's insurance policy should they be injured while playing on school grounds over the summer as well as provides players with a training kit consisting of (2) Hillsborough Raider Soccer training shirts, (1) pair of Nike cardinal shorts, and (1) pair of Nike cardinal socks. Players are expected to wear this gear at al time during training sessions. Summer Camps Any camps that the HHS Soccer Club Inc. endorses or advertises is voluntary and is in no way part of a tryout. Although this is a great opportunity for players to learn from other coaches and bond with each other, there is no expectation that they will attend camps. Performance or attendance at these camps also does not factor into the tryout and selection process. What more beneficial for players is to attend voluntary summer practices with their teammates to learn the Hillsborough system and learn to play with one another. Mandatory Practices - Tryouts Although the exact date will change from year to year, mandatory practices tryouts usually begin at the beginning of the third full week in August. If you have a question about the exact date, please email Coach Puma at the high school (epuma@hillsborough.k12.nj.us). Tryouts are a highly- selective process, therefore any absences during the first five training days (tryouts) will compromise the tryout and in some cases preclude a player from even being considered. Players and parents should also be aware of the absentee policy outlined in the HHS Athletic Contract. Once the teams are chosen, preseason ends, and the school year begins, training takes place every day after school from 2:30 to approximately 5pm. All players should have their soccer gear with them at school where they can change and then take a bus to Auten Road School for practice. Students are bussed back to the high school at the end of practice. NOTE: Any player who needs to stay for extra help after school and will miss the bus needs a note from a parent if they will be driving themselves to practice. For those players who are not able to drive, a ride from a coach (with parental permission) will be provided for you
There are many circumstances that could necessitate a player to be absent from a training session or game. Nevertheless, every player and parent should be familiar with the Athletic Contract. A copy of the contract can be found by clicking the following link: HHS Athletic Contract. Attendance is mandatory at every practice and game and there are penalties for unexcused absences. Although every player's individuals circumstance differs, they should pay particular attention to the start date for pre-season as family vacations and summer commitments require extra planning. Although the date varies from year to year, generally speaking, preseason officially begins at the beginning of the third full week in August.
HHS Raider Boys Soccer players are student-athletes. The players are students first. Before practice and game performance comes performance in the classroom. Students should always conduct themselves properly and if they are not earning acceptable grades, they should seek extra help. Intermittently, the coaches will distribute progress reports to the players in order to ensure they are doing their best in the classroom. Players will have their teachers sign them and the the reports are returned to the coaching staff. A copy of this progress report is accessible here: HHS Raider Boys Soccer Progress Report
Missing Practice for Extra Help With a Teacher This is completely acceptable and encouraged. The player should speak with the coach, ask to attend extra help and then, if possible, come to practice after he has received extra help. DO NOT go to extra help without speaking to a coach and come late to practice OR do not send a message to a coach through another player. Communication is important here and should take place among the teacher, player, and coach. If training is taking place off of high school grounds, the coach and the player may need to make arrangements for transportation.
After being selected for one of the three teams, players are issued various equipment and are responsible for returning that equipment at the end of the season in the same condition they were issued. Cleats and shin guards are not issued and are the responsibility of the player. Players should take special note of shin guards as there are specific requirements; they must be the appropriate size (usually "Adult" or "Large" since the rule specifies that the guard must sit no higher than 2 inches above the boot) and have a NOCSAE stamp on each of them.
Locker Room All players will have access to a locker to store their belongings. They are strongly encouraged to bring their own lock so that they may secure any valuables they may have while they are practicing or playing in a game. Appropriate behavior in the locker is very important. All players are expected to maintain safe and decent behavior at all times. Players will be supervised by a coach and during any circumstances that takes a coach out of the room, they should respect their teammates at all times. Bus While being transported to training and games, players are expected to maintain appropriate conduct on a bus. They should respect any bus driver as a teacher or coach. Also, if a player would like to be driven by their parents at any time (home from training or home from a game), for legal reasons, they must provide the coach with a note informing the coach that they will not be taking the bus, stating that they take responsibility for transporting their son.
Injuries The season can be very demanding. Injures can happen and players should be honest with coaches and parents about being injured. If a player sustains an injury or is experiencing some discomfort, he should see the coach and then the athletic trainer. If a trainer recommends he discontinue activity, the player must see the trainer again to gain medical clearance before he can return to practice or a match. If a player has the need to see a doctor outside of the school, they may also need written permission by that physician to return to activity. Ultimately, the coach is responsible for the player's safety and that must be the first priority. Nutrition Taking care of one's health as a player is paramount. One of the ways the athlete can do this is to eat right and get enough rest. Players should make sure they have the proper amount of fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates and proteins in their diet. They should stay away from energy drinks, candy, and other food high in sugar. IMPORTANT - Since players often eat lunch early in the day, they are very hungry by practice or game time. They should plan for this and bring a snack, such as a piece of fruit, mixed nuts, energy bar, etc so that they are properly fueled for an afternoon of activity. Too often, their performance will suffer because they have run out of fuel.
Hillsborough Raider Boys Soccer is a competitive, highly-selective program. If a player is not experiencing the amount of playing time he would like, he should do the following. 1. The player should talk with his coach. Players should be encouraged to advocate for themselves and learn to handle situations on their own. Communication is critical and the player should raise his concerns to his coach. Hopefully the coach can offer specific feedback and offer both reasons for his decision as well as suggestions on what the player can do to see more time on the field. The player and coach should put this plan into action immediately after the meeting. 2. If the player is not satisfied with the coach's response or with the agreement, then a parent should contact the coach and the two can set up a mutually convenient time (not on the field after a game or practice) to discuss the matter. The player is welcome to attend this meeting. The coach can then further explain himself and, if possible, a new plan of action can be put in place. 3. If, after steps one and two have occurred, and the coach and the player are at an impasse, a meeting with all parties and the athletic director can be arranged to further attempt to resolve the conflict. Finally, two excellent resources for all players are HHS Raider Good Soccer vs. Bad Soccer & HHS Player Evaluation & Expectation Standards
Players Players are expected to maintain an appropriate code of conduct at all times. They should be respectful of officials, opponents and all coaches. If, at any time, a player's emotions get the better of him, he will be removed from the field of play or may not be allowed back onto the field to represent his team. Specifically, a caution received on the field of play is an offense which, at the discretion of the coach, may necessitate them being removed from the rest of the game. At no time should a player question or be verbally abusive to an official. Only the coach and the designated team captain should speak to the official and it must be done with respect. Parents As outlined in the Hillsborough Parental Support Form, parents have one of the most crucial roles in a player's development. What a player hears from the sideline of a game can have a tremendous effect on that player's psyche and subsequently their effectiveness on the pitch. If parents are make negative comments about either the officiating, the play of the team, or a specific player (whether that player is their son or not), they stand to jeopardize everything the coaches and players have worked for in practice. Parents are asked to be supportive of each and every player and to refrain from making any negative comments, including about the other team or the officiating. Any type of comment that takes the player's focus off of their job on the field hurts our team's chances of performing at our best. Coaches Coaches are also expected to keep their comments positive, let the players play, and also refrain from criticizing the officiating. Since their comments will distract the players' from their purpose on the field, they should encourage the players to play through mistakes as well as questionable calls.
Whether it takes place in the classroom or on the playing field, good instruction must include Character Education. Since the objectives of this program are not only to produce good soccer players but good people, all players are strongly encouraged to participate in our Community Service Program. Run by parents and not the coaches, participation in this program has no bearing on whether a player is selected for a team or on the amount of their playing time. Rather, it is satisfying for the parents and coaches to see that our young men are making progress as people. After participating in the types of activities outlined on the Community Service page, players will be recognized at the end of the season for their efforts. More importantly, the satisfaction they will gain from helping others and being a contributing member of a community will be more gratifying to them. HHS Soccer Club Inc. Release and Waiver During club activities such as fundraisers and community service opportunities, players will be engaged in non-school related activities. Although the club does possess insurance which protects its members, the club asks that parents of minors complete the waiver linked below. Signing this Waiver and Release Form also permits the club to take pictures of players on the field and at different activities and then publish those images either on this website or in a season program. The release should be signed by parents of players who are minors and returned to a club official: HHS Soccer Club Inc. Release & Waiver of Liability
Head Varsity Coach - Eric Puma - epuma@hillsborough.k12.nj.us Assistant Varsity Coach - Robert Longo - rlongo@hillsborough.k12.nj.us Junior Varsity Coach - J. R. Spencer - lspencer@hillsborough.k12.nj.us Freshmen Coach - Fernando Vera - fvera@hillsborough.k12.nj.us
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This site was last updated 04/02/11. Site design assistance provided by Penguin Networks.
