Handbook Items not Separated within the Website Pages.

Contents:

• Attendance.
• Banquet
• Camps
• Captain Selection
• Coaches Office-attached Locker Room
• Communications
• Injury Protocol
• Junior Varsity
• Nutrition
• Practice
• School Forms and Physicals
• Social Media
  • Hudl
  • Facebook
  • Max Preps
  • Website

Attendance

Player Attendance Expectations:

Post Season:  Athletes are required to attend all off season events possible, with a goal of 3 Days a week.  Players who participate in additional sports must keep the coach informed as their lack of attendance will be understood. However, the coaching staff will attempt to make modifications to the schedule to support dual athletes if possible.  Other athletes need to make every attempt to schedule family, social, and work events around the football calendar.  Family vacations and special events are understandable, with advanced notification for the purpose of team planning.

Pre Season:  In May the preseason activities begin, and all athletes are expected to attend, with the goal of 3 times a week.  Every effort is made to inform players and parents in advance to the calendar events so that family events, social events, work schedules, and vacations can be scheduled accordingly.  A player missing practice, work outs for reasons other than a family vacation, sport conflict, illness or very special family reason is not a reason to miss practice.  Each athlete will earn attendance points and those not earning the appropriate amount of points will jeopardize their ability to play.  If points are not earned a discussion will be held to determine if football is the correct sport for the athlete.

In Season: Once August begins all practices are mandatory without excuse.  Other activities must be scheduled around practice.  If there are any conflicts the coach must be informed in advance.  PIAA requires every athlete to attend HEAT ACCLIMATION practice and a number of practices with full pads prior to any participation in a game.  These mandatory practices begin the first full week of August. If a player can not attend, football may not be the best sport for your participation.  There may be unique situations that could be acceptable but it will delay a player from their game participation for 2 weeks minimum.

Attendance will be taken. Missed practices during the season will result in sitting out football games by the quarter, half, or entire game depending on the absence. In addition athletes with absences will also be assigned extra conditioning.  Ongoing absences will result in forfeit of a position, playing time, ability to dress for a game, their varsity letter, and if necessary will be removed from the team.

School Attendance:  School attendance is also very important.  Athletes are expected to be on time for school Monday through Friday.  Tardy’s causes problems in class, and can result in detentions.  If tardy’s add up please inform the coach in advance.  This attendance also includes CTC and or work study programs.  Players who miss on the day of a game are not permitted to participate or attend the game.

Detentions: Detentions interfere with practice.  If an athlete feels he is in danger of receiving a detention he must speak to the coach in advance so that arrangements can be made in reference to the practice. 

Homework:  There may be times when an athlete would traditionally stay after school to make up missed school work, or receive extra assistance.  This may be very important and very necessary but it also interferes with practice planning and can affect other members of the team.  Any student finding themselves in this situation must inform the coach as soon as possible so that appropriate changes can be made prior to practice.

Illness or Injury:  If an athlete is not in school for illness or injury or leaves school, please inform the coach immediately.  Practice schedules are designed around players and positions. It is important for the coach to be told of any problems to both offer assistance to the athlete and plan for a replacement player at practice and or games.   In some cases, an athlete with an illness may be able to watch practice instead of participating.  In many situations players who cannot participate in practice may still continue to attend and expected to attend to hear instructions and announcements, and continue team commitment.

Transportation:  There are times when an athlete may have the availability to attend all events but may not have transportation.  If this is the situation please contact the coach and efforts will be made to assist the athlete in coordinating with other parents and or players.

Banquet

The football Banquet is the 2^nd Sunday in December.  The full team in grades 9 to 12 are invited.  Players attend free of charge. However if you commit to attend you must attend as your meal has been paid for.  The banquet includes awards, guest speaker, season highlights, and a meal.

Camp

The Penn Manor football team will attend the Millersville summer camp. The team attends at a reduced fee that includes 2 nights, and meals.  The team also attends 1 or 2 single day camps.  The camp dates are announced 6 months in advance, and is typically the same weekend every year.

Players can earn discounts for the camp that are designed and announced by the booster club.  Players must confirm their attendance and pay all fees prior to the end of June.

Items to pack for Camp:

• Clothes, navy, white, and gold shirts for each day
• Spending money for pizza and vending machines
• Shower and bath items
• Towels
• Swim suit
• Flip flops for shower
• Phone charger
• Do not bring extra electronics
• Bed sheets, blanket and pillow
• Any specific food/allergy items must be notified in advance to camp

Additional Camps:

Players may select to attend private camps.  When attending any outside camps they should not interfere with any Penn Manor events, and all PIAA rules must be followed.

Captain Selection

Information

The team and coaches will vote on varsity and JV captains at the beginning of the season.  Every member of them is important and should encourage each other with strong leadership skills.  All athletes who earn the assigned summer points may apply for captain.  Captain applications are submitted to head coach.  The coaching staff will conduct interviews and then a player vote. Votes are counted and those with the highest votes will be assigned captain.  An extra game captain will be added each week.

The role of the captains will be to provide leadership, encouragement, and support to the coaches.  Captains are expected to meet the following conditions:

• Be the hardest worker at practice today!
• Be a spark of energy and enthusiasm today!
• Model Mental toughness today!
• Connect with a teammate today!
• Compliment a teammate today!
• Challenge a teammate today!
• Support a teammate today!
• Constructively confront negativity, pessimism and laziness today!
• Build and bond your team today!
• Check in with your coach today!

• Check in with your coach today!
• Remind your team how today’s work leads to tomorrow’s dreams!
• Represent yourself and the team with class and pride today!

The captains Code of Conduct:

• I will follow the Code of Conduct24 hours a day throughout the year.
• I will treat younger players as I would like to be treated. There will be no hazing, and nothing immoral, unsafe, or illegal.
• I will attend all practices, and be first on the field.  My absences will be approved in advance and only absolutely necessary
• I will be on time for school daily.
• I realize that good conduct in school is important. I will treat teachers and administrators with the same respect that I give my coaches.  I understand that detentions are not acceptable
• If I have academic problems, I will see seek extra held during the school day, before school, or after practice if necessary
• I will treat my schoolmates with respect. If I want them to support me on
  • • Friday night, then I must support them during the week
• When I speak to media, I will not boast or trash talk. I will be confident, but humble at all times while I praise our opponent
• I will treat my parents with respect at all times
• I will not discuss weekly game plans or other pertinent information with social media, friends, or my parents.
• I will treat officials, game managers, and opposing coaches with respect at all times. I am aware that unsportsmanlike conduct in a game is detrimental to our football program’s image of fair play.
• I will behave like a young adult at all times. The community and the world are watching me

Sr Questionnaire:

All Seniors are asked to complete a Senior Questionnaire and hand in before the first football game.

Coaching Office

The coaches office is provided for the football coaching staff.  Lockers, tables, chairs, and storage shelves are available. This is for the football coaching staff starting in late May to December.  Upon that time the office is cleaned out so that the track staff may use the office in the spring.

All coaches are to use the connecting door to the locker room to assist in supervising the players.

The door is to be locked at the end of the evening when the building is locked up.

Locker Room

Players will be assigned lockers in the locker room starting in June.  A name plate will be added to identify the lockers. Players may not trade lockers.  A personal lock may be added, but must be removed at coaches request for inspection and or by the end of the season.

The coaching staff/booster club will distribute items from time to time by playing the items in the locker.

Players are assigned to sweep the floors at times, and pick up equipment.  The locker room is to be treated with respect. It is a privilege to use the locker room. Players for HS must stay on the HS side, and players for MS must stay on the MS side.  High School players should be helpful to the younger students at all times.

The locker room is cleaned out after the last football game.  Any items that are not picked up or cleaned out will be removed and placed in lost and found.  It is the responsibility of the player to pick up their belongings.

In the event a player quits the season prior to the end, they too must cleanout the locker within one week.  Any items remaining will be placed in lost and found.

Communications

Introduction

The coaching staff will rely heavily on communicating current information with the athletes and parents through the use of email and the Remind App for students. Players can stay connected and informed by ensuring they check and read the emails in a timely fashion.  If they do not have an email/remind they need to be assigned an assistant coach to be their primary source of contact. 

Information and announcements will also be shared with players at practice and other events.  If an athlete who has attendance issues should be assigned to assistant coach to reach out to the player.

The coaching staff must be available to talk to players and parents as much as needed and will always be approachable.  However, the head coach can take the lead in these conversations. Players are encouraged to talk to the coach directly if they have a concern.  If parents would like a meeting they are encouraged to request a conference with the coach during a time that does not interfere with practice or games.  It is important that meetings be scheduled and planned by both parties. When a conference is necessary, the following procedures should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue or concern.

• Player should request a meeting with coach to address concern. It is preferred that there should be 2 coaches in the meeting.
• If parent(s) and player do not feel the concern was addressed, the parent(s) may schedule a meeting with the coaches. Parent(s), player and coaches should attend.
• If parent(s) and player do not feel the concern was addressed completely the parent(s) may schedule a meeting with the Athletic Director. All of the participants must be in attendance with Athletic Director.
• If the parent(s) and player do not feel the concern was addressed completely the parent(s) may schedule a meeting with the High School Principal. All participants in should be in attendance with Principal, who is final arbiter

Parents and Players

Off Season November to April

• Monthly Newsletters to all families in email and remind
• Post on facebook
• Post on website

Pre-Season May, June, July

• Bi weekly Newsletters to all families in remind and email
• Post on Facebook
• Post on website

In Season August, Sep, Oct

• Weekly Newsletters to all families in remind and email-Send Sunday’s
• Post on Facebook
• Post on website

Coaching Staff with Players

• Use of Remind App
• Do not use facebook, Instagram, or any form of social media
• Use text messages sparingly so to only use Remind app
• When calling players attempt continue to follow decorum and code of conduct, do not engage in confrontational language
• Report any issues to head coach and to AD as necessary

Player Interviews Pre and Post Season

• Pre Season interviews are scheduled with each player and 1 parent
• All coaches must participate in a schedule of interviews
• An interview outline  will be used to address, goals, calendar, commitment, training, and answer questions and concerns
• Post Season Interviews will be scheduled with each player
• All coaches must participate in interviews
• An interview outline will be used to address strength, weakness, concerns and next step planning

Injury Protocol

Procedure

Every effort is made to reduce injuries but football is a physical sport and some injuries do occur.  The school provides an excellent trainer who is available Monday through Friday.  Many basic injuries can be addressed by the trainer and assist the athlete in returning to activity as soon as possible.  A team doctor is also available on the side lines at all Friday night football games and Monday JV games.

If an athlete suffers an injury it is important that it is reported and the incident and can be treated immediately.  For example if an injury occurs on Friday and it is not addressed until Monday, an athlete may end up missing practices and a game instead of receiving care when needed.  Injuries and concerns from a game need reported to the trainer immediately after the event so that if additional care is needed you can be informed.

Currently a trainer is not available on Saturday mornings.  However, inform the head coach and care may be able to be arranged.  The coach can contact the parent to seek needed advice.

Medical Care: As a player seeking medical attention the parents may seek a first and or second opinion. Parents are asked to consider doctors who specialize in sport injuries.  It also recommended that athletes follow the doctor’s instructions and begin physical therapy as soon as possible when recommended.  In addition there is a local practice who specializes in Active Release Therapy who ranges in treating professional athletes to non-athletes. This practice is Seigenthaler Active Release Therapy, 2323 Oregon Pike, Lancaster 569-8905; lancasterartchiro.com. The doctors available are Dr. Paul Pettay and Dr. Jim Seigenthaler.

Concussions/Helmets: The diagnosis of concussions are increasing as sports medicine has a better understanding of injuries and the seriousness.  Concussions are not to be taken lightly.  Each athlete will be tested prior to the football season beginning, so that the trainer has a baseline evaluation.  In the event of a diagnosis of a concussion, the player will sit out of football for a minimum of 1 week and most likely two weeks, and follow the protocol set up by the trainer in order to return.  There are also several steps you the athlete can take to assist in your own protection.  First attending weight training, and full participation in practices aids the athlete in proper conditioning, and understanding proper tackling.  All coaches must take concussion training.

Helmets: A proper fitting helmet is important so taking another players helmet is not permitted. Each helmet will be marked with the player’s number. A helmet representative will visit the team the first week of practice to ensure the helmets are fitting properly.  The school also sends all helmets out after the season ends to be reconditioned and certified. Athletes may not use a helmet from a previous season unless it has been reconditioned and certified.

Mouth Pieces:  A proper fitting mouth piece may also aid in the reduction of concussions. The school provides the basic mouth pieces that the athlete can mold at home. If the mold is damaged, the equipment manager may provide additional mouth pieces.  However, from my experience as a coach of many years I have found that a proper fitting mouth piece molded by a dentist provides better protection.  Consult with your parents to inquire with your family dentist.  Another option is considering a stronger mouth pieces sold in retail athletic stores. 

• Injury Procedure of Notification: 

All athlete’s are to follow the injury notification steps to ensure proper care and attention.

1. Report injury to the coaching staff & head coach, and then report to the trainer
2. Receive care from trainer
3. In the event the trainer is not available, return and notify the coach immediately, so that alternative care can be arranged. 
4. The trainer or the coach will notify the parent in the event of serious injury
5. The trainer will keep the coaching staff informed of players reporting injuries, care needed, and when they can return to play

Players injured are still expected to attend practice with the team, to provide ongoing leadership and cooperation with the team.

To Contact the Trainer: Athletic Training Staff; --------

Kelly McNeil

Equipment & Uniforms

Helmets: Helmets will be distributed in May for passing work outs. Jersey numbers must be selected in May or June so that numbers can be placed on the helmets. Number selection is given to players with the best attendance. Players are expected to care for the helmet and ensure it is not lost or stolen. Players will also be provided with a mouth piece at this time. Reminder: athletes are not to take another players helmet, and should consider the different options for mouth pieces as stated in the "Safety" tab.

Shoulder Pads: Shoulder pads and a practice jersey will be handed out in May or June. However, the PIAA does change this requirement at times. Due to this reason, hand out dates are subject to change.

Additional Uniform and Equipment: The equipment manager for the team will select dates in July, typically the last Thursday and Friday of July, to hand out additional uniforms and equipment. Players will receive 3 pair of game pants, 2 jerseys, practice pants, practice jersey, helmet, shoulder pads, knee pads, belt, girdle, gym bag, and additional pads as needed. Throughout the season athletes may see the equipment manager if they are having any problems with the uniform or equipment. All equipment must be returned or the athlete will be charged a replacement fee.  Players are encouraged to obtain their own cleats, and girdle and mouth piece if you are able. Many players like to have their own gloves as well.  Some years depending on the budget team socks may be distributed.

Extra Equipment: Sometimes as a player you see NFL or college players wearing additional pads, sleeves, etc... Some of these items may be valuable and some of these items are just for show. If you have any questions please ask your coach. The one additional item I would recommend for lineman is knee braces. Tinted face shields are not permitted by PIAA. Each year there may be additional items that PIAA do not accept. Always ask the coach first before buying extra items.

Laundry: Laundry is available for players in grades 10 to 12. (if approved by school budget) Jerseys and pants are collected after the varsity and junior varsity game. The jerseys are then redistributed on Thursday. Players may also select to take their uniform home to be washed. However, the laundry service also reconditions the jersey's by mending tears. In the event the school budget does not include laundry service, players will be expected to take uniforms home and clean for each game.

Players are also required to take their equipment pads home routinely to be washed. The inside of the helmets should be cleaned, shoulder pads etc... Every attempt to keep equipment clean should be considered for good hygiene and good health.

Players must shower after every game and practice, whether at the school or at home to prevent the spread of illness.

Uniform

The Penn Manor School District provides the team with equipment, and uniforms. They are the property of the school and every athlete is expected to treat these items with respect. All uniforms and equipment supplied to the athlete must be returned or they will be invoiced for the item. The team equipment manager will hand out and collect all equipment. If at any time the equipment is lost, stolen, or broken it must be reported to the team equipment manager.

There are additional items and supplies that an athlete will need. Please see the list below.

• Shoes: Athletes will need to purchase their own football cleats. Players may buy their own or use the team on lines sales for player discounts. Players should wear black or black and white cleats only.  Underarmour also offers a white and navy combination. No additional colors that do not match the team.
• Socks:  If the budget allows, the team will order matching socks.The booster club and school will see that players are given at least one pair of socks. Players may buy their own as well.  Each player needs one pair of blue and one pair of white, available through the on line team sales to order extras as needed.
• Summer Shirts: All team members will need a summer shirt to use for camps, passing work outs ect... Every attempt possible is made to keep the cost of the team shirt between $20 and $32. At times fundraising goals are used to lower the cost.
• Additional Items: Additional items will be selected and provided for purchase on the team sales website.

Junior Varsity

Information

The Penn Manor football program also provides junior varsity games for players to continue the learning experience.  Junior Varsity games are held on Mondays at 4pm.  Separated practice time will be devoted to the JV team on Saturday mornings to prepare for Monday’s game.

Team Availability:  All JV games are tentative and at times could be cancelled.  Games cancelled due to weather are often not rescheduled.  Another larger issue that can cause a JV game to be cancelled is the lack of players.  Either the opposing team or the Penn Manor team may experience injuries at the varsity level that requires JV players to be moved to Varsity.  This may provide a shortage of players in certain positions to continue to have the JV game.  Every attempt is made to make sure the JV games can continue, but there may be times when the safety of team must come first.

Nutrition

To be added

Practice

To be added

School Forms

To be added

Social Media

To be added