Southern Local School District
Administrative Guidelines
 

2431B - GUIDELINES FOR THE FOOTBALL TEAM

Eligibility to Play

Students at Southern High School are eligible to participate in the football program if:

 A.they are academically eligible to participate;
 B.they are willing to participate to the fullest mental and physical ability which the student-athlete can produce.

Varsity Letter Criteria

To qualify for a Varsity Letter a student-athlete must participate:

 A.in 1 play in 1/2 of the quarters played in Varsity competition;
 B.10 games with 4 quarters each, 40 quarters Varsity Ball a year;
 C.in 1 play, in 20 quarters, with the exceptions of over-time games.

Injuries

If a player misses practice or game because of an injury requiring doctor care, he must have a signed release from a doctor before he can return to practice or play.

Guidelines for Each Athlete and the Team
 A.Get an education.
 B.Develop into a quality individual.
 C.Develop into a quality football player.
 D.Develop a dignified football program.
 E.Never get into a situation that could cause embarrassment to self, family, teammates, etc.
 F.Abuse brings restraint.
 G.Each team member is responsible for his actions, equipment, etc.
 H.If you miss a practice notify the coach PRIOR to that practice.
 I.Take pride in being a part of Southern Football.

Conduct in Games and/or Practice
 A.Never lose your poise.
 B.Show respect to the officials, always.
 C.Never lose your self-respect.
 D.Always play with enthusiasm.
 E.Never walk on or off the field.
 F.Show class at all times.
 G.At the conclusion of the game get behind the captains and get in a single file line and shake hands with the opponents.
 H.Always give 100% effort, mentally and physically.

Equipment
 A.Players will receive game pants and jerseys the day prior to the game. At the conclusion of the game they will turn in their pants and jerseys to the managers in the locker room.
 B.All equipment is to be turned in the week following the conclusion of the season.
 C.Each player is accountable for the equipment that he is using.

Locker room Rules
 A.All equipment is to be in your locker. Shoulder pads are to go on top.
 B.If you have valuables, give them to the managers during practice to hold for safe keeping.
 C.No equipment is to ever be left on the floor at anytime.
 D.All trash is to be put in the trash cans.
 E.Help pick up when needed.
 F.At all times, all personal belongings are to be in your locker.
 G.On the night prior to all games, all practice clothing is to be taken home and washed.
 H.You are responsible for the equipment issued to you.
 I.Do not bother another players equipment, ever.
 J.Do not cut any pants or jersey.
 K.The cage and the coaching office is off limits to all players.
 L.Each player is responsible for his locker area.

General Rules

All discipline will be done at the discretion of the coach. * will indicate reminders. Suspension and removal of the team will be clearly identified. The following covers 1st offenses only.

 A.From the beginning of football season until the end of the season, home on school nights by 10:00 p.m. On the night prior to the game home no later than 9:00 p.m. in the evening. * Home on the weekends by 1:00 a.m.
 B.Smoking, smokeless tobacco, use or possession of. Suspension of one (1) game*.
 C.Use of alcohol, drugs, etc. use, discretion of the coach. Removal from team.
 D.Flagrant detentions in school.*
 E.Disrespect to any staff members. Removal from team.
 F.Missing a practice without prior notification to the coach personally. Removal from team.
 G.Stealing. Removal from team.
 H.Lying to coaching staff member. Removal from team.
 I.Late to practice.* For every minute late, time for playing in the following game will be deducted. Example: two (2) minutes late to practice, player will not play in the 1st two (2) minutes of the following game. Practice starts on the coach's watch.
 J.Disrespect to a coaching staff request. Removal from team.
 K.Walking off the practice or game field. Removal from team.
 L.Defacing or misuse of property that you come into contact with as a member of the Southern Football Team. Appropriate action will be taken by the coach.
 M.Improper actions. *
 N.Profanity. *
 O.No high school player is ever allowed to enter into the Jr. High locker room.
 P.If any player is involved in legal matters that are not in the benefit of the football program, the coaching staff and the Superintendent will make a decision. This could end up as reminders, suspension of playing time, or removal from the team.
 Q.All players are required to take showers at the conclusion of practice. * Exception is the night prior to game night. This will be altered in August, depending on the shower situation in the locker room.
 R.Improper disposal of materialistic by-products, leaving equipment outside of your locker, leaving personal equipment outside your locker, etc. *
 S.Buses will be taken to away games. Each player will ride the bus to all away games, and each player will ride the bus home.
 T.Leaving of the sideline during the game. Removal from team.
 U.Continued lack of effort. This lack of effort can be mental or physical. Removal from team.
 V.The process of cutting from the football team is in effect.
 W.If a situation arises that is not covered in these rules, the situation will be met head on by the coaching staff. This is a team sport, if you choose to be an individual, if you choose not to do what is best for the team, you will be removed from the team.
 X.All players are required to eat lunch at school. *
 Y.All players are to report immediately after school to the football building to get ready for practice. You are not to leave school grounds after school is over.**************Seniors are to talk to me as a group. (Upon arrival from the Superintendent, all football players who drive to school are to park at the football building first thing in the morning. Players are to report immediately after school to the football building.
 Z.If any players are facing the possibility of failing a subject, they are to notify the coaching staff. A tutor will be provided for you. There should be no surprises with grades.
 AA.If any player receives a fifteen (15) yard unsportsmanlike penalty for reasons that will be explained in detail, they will immediately be removed from the game and will set on the sideline until fifteen (15) minutes are up. If the end of the game happens before the fifteen (15) minutes is up, it will continue at the beginning of the following game.