JFK SOCCER POLICIES
1. Philosophy
2. Mission Statement
3. Eligibility
4. Training
5. Levels
6. Selection
7. Lettering Policy
8. Expectations of Players
9. Attendance Policy
PHILOSOPHY
The Eagles Soccer Program aims to be:
The Eagles Soccer Program aims to be:
- DEVELOPMENTAL…providing an opportunity to participate, learn, and develop the skills of soccer.
- COMPETITIVE… identify those players whose skills reach the highest levels and provide competitive opportunities to demonstrate those skills.
- ENJOYABLE…focus on learning the joy of soccer and being part of a team.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Eagles Soccer Program strives to:
The Eagles Soccer Program strives to:
- provide the opportunity for high school student-athletes to play soccer in an educational and competitive environment.
- give each participant the experience and the tools to self-assess their abilities.
- provide a fun, team, and family-like environment to mature as both a soccer player and a person.
ELIGIBILITY
The Eagles Soccer Program is open to any male Kennedy High School student. Middle school boys may also apply. Eligibility includes:
The Eagles Soccer Program is open to any male Kennedy High School student. Middle school boys may also apply. Eligibility includes:
- Parent Permission, Medical Approval, Student Signature on compliance with all MSHSL guidelines.
- Minnesota State High School League guidelines include the realms of: enrollment, drug policies, and academic eligibility. Participation also requires payment of an athletic fee. Fee may be waived if student qualifies under the free and reduced lunch policy.
TRAINING
Fall practices generally begin three weeks before school starts. The first two weeks of practice will be at the Kennedy High School fields north of the building and usually take place for 2-3 hours in the mornings. After that all levels will be practicing at either Kelly Park (102nd and Stevens) or on the north fields at Kennedy High School. We will alternate with the girls program every other year.
Fall practices generally begin three weeks before school starts. The first two weeks of practice will be at the Kennedy High School fields north of the building and usually take place for 2-3 hours in the mornings. After that all levels will be practicing at either Kelly Park (102nd and Stevens) or on the north fields at Kennedy High School. We will alternate with the girls program every other year.
LEVELS
Kennedy Boys Soccer offers four levels of participation based on a number of factors including player ability, physical fitness, position, and numbers needed to balance the team rosters. Players from any grade can be selected for Varsity, Junior Varsity and B-Squad. C-Squad must be formed with players from grades 9 and below.
Kennedy Boys Soccer offers four levels of participation based on a number of factors including player ability, physical fitness, position, and numbers needed to balance the team rosters. Players from any grade can be selected for Varsity, Junior Varsity and B-Squad. C-Squad must be formed with players from grades 9 and below.
- VARSITY
- JUNIOR VARSITY
- B-SQUAD
- C-SQUAD
SELECTION
We look closely and carefully at all the athletes in the program to find the best players we have and to put them in the right combinations. The four components of the game we assess the players in are: TECHNIQUE, TACTICAL INSIGHT, PHYSICAL FITNESS, and MENTAL TOUGHNESS.
We will try our best to evaluate and inform the players about where they stand in our program. If anyone has a question about where he or his/her son stands, please feel free to contact Coach Bushendorf (651-900-5449). Also be aware that we see your sons every day in training and in games. Everything they do affects their status in our program (this includes academic performance in school and behavior within school and the community).
At some point, interest in our program may cause registration to be closed due to an overabundance of players at any given level. The real hope would be to have 16-18 players per team, but we feel participation by more Kennedy student athletes is good. At some point, the addition of further players really works in detriment to those who were already registered, practicing, and working for a spot on a team roster. The coaching staff, at that point, would place these players on a waiting list, to be taken aboard in place of any drops we have early in the season. The coaching staff would also work to find another quality activity at Kennedy in which these folks may participate during the fall season.
We look closely and carefully at all the athletes in the program to find the best players we have and to put them in the right combinations. The four components of the game we assess the players in are: TECHNIQUE, TACTICAL INSIGHT, PHYSICAL FITNESS, and MENTAL TOUGHNESS.
We will try our best to evaluate and inform the players about where they stand in our program. If anyone has a question about where he or his/her son stands, please feel free to contact Coach Bushendorf (651-900-5449). Also be aware that we see your sons every day in training and in games. Everything they do affects their status in our program (this includes academic performance in school and behavior within school and the community).
At some point, interest in our program may cause registration to be closed due to an overabundance of players at any given level. The real hope would be to have 16-18 players per team, but we feel participation by more Kennedy student athletes is good. At some point, the addition of further players really works in detriment to those who were already registered, practicing, and working for a spot on a team roster. The coaching staff, at that point, would place these players on a waiting list, to be taken aboard in place of any drops we have early in the season. The coaching staff would also work to find another quality activity at Kennedy in which these folks may participate during the fall season.
LETTERING POLICY
Players may earn varsity letters if they meet the following criteria:
> Be part of the section playoff roster
> Participate for four years in the boys soccer program (grades 9-12).
> Special cases to be evaluated by the coaching staff.
Players may earn varsity letters if they meet the following criteria:
> Be part of the section playoff roster
> Participate for four years in the boys soccer program (grades 9-12).
> Special cases to be evaluated by the coaching staff.
EXPECTATIONS OF PLAYERS
Each season begins with high expectations for all of our teams. We work hard to blend players into team units as quickly as possible. Before the season's end, each team will play in about 14-16 games and have between 30-40 training sessions. During this time, as students, you will be functioning and performing the routine and not-so-routine expectations of your classes. Your tasks will be easier if you get organized right away at the start of school, meet all your deadlines, and use your time wisely.
The following guidelines will make all of our tasks much easier:
1. Be a good communicator with parents, teachers, coaches, and teammates.
2. Be aware how unexpected events at home and in school may affect your play.
3. Take good care of the fields, locker room, and building by cleaning up after yourself. This includes other schools' fields, locker rooms, and buildings.
4. Do not wear cleats in the building. Put them on at the end of the athletic hallway and remove them before coming into the building.
5. Help willingly on practice or game days to carry team equipment.
6. Report all injuries to your coach and the trainer. Follow wise rehabilitation steps.
7. Be positive in your words and actions to yourself and your teammates.
8. Respect yourself and others at all times. Respond correctly to all adults in our building and in the community.
Each season begins with high expectations for all of our teams. We work hard to blend players into team units as quickly as possible. Before the season's end, each team will play in about 14-16 games and have between 30-40 training sessions. During this time, as students, you will be functioning and performing the routine and not-so-routine expectations of your classes. Your tasks will be easier if you get organized right away at the start of school, meet all your deadlines, and use your time wisely.
The following guidelines will make all of our tasks much easier:
1. Be a good communicator with parents, teachers, coaches, and teammates.
2. Be aware how unexpected events at home and in school may affect your play.
3. Take good care of the fields, locker room, and building by cleaning up after yourself. This includes other schools' fields, locker rooms, and buildings.
4. Do not wear cleats in the building. Put them on at the end of the athletic hallway and remove them before coming into the building.
5. Help willingly on practice or game days to carry team equipment.
6. Report all injuries to your coach and the trainer. Follow wise rehabilitation steps.
7. Be positive in your words and actions to yourself and your teammates.
8. Respect yourself and others at all times. Respond correctly to all adults in our building and in the community.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Our coaching staff is aware that players’ lives are hectic as they try to balance school, work, athletics, family, and a social life. We sympathize with our athletes, but everyone must realize that participating in a sport (any sport) requires more of a commitment than just showing up whenever you can. A team cannot be put together in that way. If someone misses a training session, they miss out on the information that was presented that day. They miss out on the fitness and they are less ready for the next match. As part of a team, everyone has to be prepared to do their best at every practice so that we can do our best in every game. We are looking for people committed to our soccer program here at Kennedy.
Players should always notify a coach if they know they will be missing an event. An event is defined as any game, scrimmage (including the Alumni game), practice, or team function. If a player misses practice repeatedly, the player may be dropped from the team. We understand sometimes an unexpected emergency might come up. Once the unexpected emergencies reach 5 or more absences, the player may be dropped.
Schoolwork is a priority, but the way our schedule is set up you should be able to plan after school sessions with your teachers to coincide with our game nights when you are not required to be somewhere right after school. Players are expected to communicate with coaches regarding any academic issues.
Our coaching staff is aware that players’ lives are hectic as they try to balance school, work, athletics, family, and a social life. We sympathize with our athletes, but everyone must realize that participating in a sport (any sport) requires more of a commitment than just showing up whenever you can. A team cannot be put together in that way. If someone misses a training session, they miss out on the information that was presented that day. They miss out on the fitness and they are less ready for the next match. As part of a team, everyone has to be prepared to do their best at every practice so that we can do our best in every game. We are looking for people committed to our soccer program here at Kennedy.
Players should always notify a coach if they know they will be missing an event. An event is defined as any game, scrimmage (including the Alumni game), practice, or team function. If a player misses practice repeatedly, the player may be dropped from the team. We understand sometimes an unexpected emergency might come up. Once the unexpected emergencies reach 5 or more absences, the player may be dropped.
Schoolwork is a priority, but the way our schedule is set up you should be able to plan after school sessions with your teachers to coincide with our game nights when you are not required to be somewhere right after school. Players are expected to communicate with coaches regarding any academic issues.