HMHS Boys Soccer Official Program Standards and Code of Conduct 

Prepared by Head Boys Soccer Coach Ryan Nixon

SECTION A. COMMITMENT

In keeping with one of the traditions of our Program, commitment to HMHS Soccer should rank third in a list of priorities that first serve: 1. Commitment to Family and 2. Commitment to Academics.

In order of importance:

1. Family

2. Academics

3. Soccer

SECTION B. PRACTICE / GAMES / PLAYING TIME

Sub-Section 1. Attendance

Potential In-Season Practice Times:

- Monday through Friday no earlier than 3:30 pm

- Saturday anytime

- Sunday practices after 12 pm with permission from the Athletic Director

Players at all levels of the program are expected to attend every practice on time.  On time means ready to practice or play at the scheduled time.  If there is a conflict in accordance with SECTION A., then you must correspond with your coach in a time-efficient manner (i.e. not the day of).  The coach (of the player’s particular program level in collaboration with the head coach) will make the final determination as to whether or not a conflict is in line with our program’s commitment guidelines.  If a player misses a practice due to an unauthorized conflict or is absent from practice without the proper correspondence with his coach, he will face a potential suspension from competitive play of length to be determined on a case by case basis.  This may include: loss of a starting role with the team for the following game, suspension for the first half of the following game, a full game suspension, or a multi-game suspension dependent upon the severity of the situation.

Players committed to the Boys Soccer Program at HMHS are expected to attend practices and participate during the season from beginning to end.  This requires attendance at preseason camp beginning on Monday, August 22nd for all program levels and during fall break and also takes into account that players will be expected to schedule trips around their commitment.  College visits are to be scheduled around or after the fall season for upperclassmen.  Those who miss a portion or the entire preseason camp period may be considered ineligible to participate in boys soccer for the fall season depending on the situation.  Missing practice and/or a game as a result of a haircut, dentist visit, etc... are not considered acceptable conflicts.  Any potential conflict for the fall season in accordance with SECTION A. should be communicated with the coaching staff by Sunday, August 14th.  All players must complete six (6) full days of practice as outlined by the NJSIAA in order to be considered eligible to take part in scrimmages and/or regular season games at any program level.

The coaching staff fully recognize and accept that the players will have serious conflicts that arise due to family and/or religious observances and circumstances during the season.  Any player within the program observing a religious holiday that will require them to miss a practice and/or game (or multiple scheduled program events) is absolutely and 100% expected to do so with their family without exception.  We simply ask that the players remind their coaches know when this is the case.  We ask that the players communicate these dates by Sunday, August 14th as mentioned above.  

Sub-Section 2. Roles / Participation / Playing Time

Players may be assigned different roles or activities during the course of a training session, practice, pregame warmup, or game.  Specific player assignments during practices and in game warm-ups are and will remain the coaching staff’s decision.  These assignments are to maximize the potential for team success rather than emphasize the individual player's preference. 

Roles & participation on the part of the players will vary regardless of the player's grade level.  While there will be every effort made on the part of the coaching staff to reward good attitude, body language, & commitment (during training and in games) to the players within our program with playing time (regardless of the player's grade level), there is no amount of guaranteed playing time at any of the three program levels.   

Sub-Section 3. Attire and Equipment

Players will wear any combination of BLACK, WHITE, RED, and/or GRAY at practice. No exceptions.  Otherwise, any practice package apparel regardless of color, or formerly issued official HMHS Boys Soccer apparel is acceptable regardless of color.  Official HMHS Boys Soccer warmups, regardless of issue date are acceptable as well. 

Players will be properly equipped at all times during practice and in games. This includes without exception: shin-guards, full-length socks, and proper footwear.  Failure to comply with Program equipment guidelines will result in the player’s ineligibility to practice that day, activating Sub-Section 1 of SECTION B.

SECTION C. CONDUCT

Any player found to be in violation of HMHS Conduct Policies or the HMHS Boys Soccer Code of Conduct will be subject to a conduct review by the coaching staff in conjunction with the Athletics Director and receive the necessary appropriate discipline.  The following statement was taken directly from the HMHS Student Handbook:

“The Haddonfield Board of Education affirms the human dignity of each member of the Haddonfield School Community.  Each person has an inherent worth and has something to contribute.  Diversity is a source of strength. Treating each other with respect and valuing differences eliminates prejudice, builds cooperation and makes a stronger community.  The Haddonfield School Community fosters an environment in which each individual is valued.  Bigotry, insult, defamation and harassment will not be tolerated in this community.  The Human Dignity Policy is essential for students to learn, teachers, to teach and staff to work to their fullest human potential.  Therefore: Behavior which violates an individual’s human dignity will not be tolerated in the Haddonfield School Community.  Specifically: Acts of bigotry, insult defamation or harassment directed at an individual’s race, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, appearance or individual character will receive aggressive and comprehensive action by the school community.”

THE FOLLOWING ARE NON NEGOTIABLE:

- Players WILL NOT act in an unsportsmanlike manner toward match officials.

- Players WILL NOT engage their opponents in negative ways or participate in taunting, trash-talking, or any other form of negative verbal exchange.  This includes on social media platforms.

- Players WILL NOT harass opposing players, supporters, or fans in attendance at games.

- Players WILL NOT participate in any form of hazing, bullying, abusive behavior, inappropriate and/or harassing behavior amongst teammates or fellow student-athletes.

- Players WILL RESPECT the field of play, all equipment provided by the program and by fellow High Schools, and any and all facilities both home and away during the season.

- Players WILL RESPECT each other as teammates, the coaching staff, the athletics training staff, Athletics Director, opposing players and staff, as well as all student athletes from other High Schools, and recognize that the coaching staff has the final say in all manners related to HMHS Boys Soccer.

- Players WILL CONDUCT themselves in a manner that would make their parents, the Haddonfield community, and Haddonfield Memorial High School proud of their effort, attitude, and character at all times.

SECTION D. COMMUNICATION

The HMHS Boys Soccer coaching staff stresses effective communication.  That includes amongst the players and staff but also of course takes into account our Head Athletic Trainer and Athletics Director.  If there is an issue or if a player has a specific concern within the team, the coaching staff expect that player to first approach his team captain for direction or advice.  The coaching staff are always available as a second option in the chain of command when it comes to resolution of player concerns or issues.  Bottom line: the Boys Soccer coaching staff expect our Boys to become responsible young adults during their tenure at HMHS and also learn invaluable life lessons through the game of soccer.  There is no greater lesson than to communicate effectively as a team and work together in all matters to find common ground and resolution.  As a result, players learn to communicate with their teammates, captains, and coaching staff without having to involve their parents as this teaches long-term responsibility and maturity on their part.  The coaching staff are 100% accessible and open to any and all communication with players and parents as long as that correspondence concerns matters of the team.  The coaches prefer to have a face-to-face dialogue with the players rather than relegate conversation to email-form as this promotes attentive listening and positive social skill development.  Please note that playing time is ONLY earned and non-negotiable as is consistent with with the HMHS Athletics Handbook.  Playing time concerns are outlined in Section B of this document.

“By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and fully understand the Official HMHS Boys Soccer Program Rules.  I hereby agree to adhere to aforementioned rules and guidelines as set forth by the Boys Soccer Program in cooperation with the Haddonfield Memorial High School Athletics Department.”

Player Name: ________________________________________________   Date: _____________

Player’s Signature: _______________________________________________________________

DAWG PRIDE