PLAYER EXPECTATIONS

The team always comes first. There is something special about being part of a team. Teams have the ability to do special things once the individuals learn their roles and put the goals of the team at the forefront. By putting your team first, you agree to the following:

• You will positively support the athletes on the floor, even when you believe you could perform at a higher level than they are exhibiting.

• You will learn your role on the team and execute it to the best of your ability (some roles include limited, if any, playing time – it’s how these players deal with this role that can make or break a team). Everyone’s role is important.

• When you’ve had a poor match, but our team is successful, you will relish the fact that our team played well – not dwell on the fact that you did not.

• You will NEVER engage in talking about your teammates in a negative manner. This is unacceptable behavior and is not a personality trait we will tolerate on any team.

  • THIS INCLUDES SOCIAL MEDIA.  Electronic communication (text, Facebook, Twitter, etc…) should be positive and should never negatively reflect on other teammates or coaching staff.  If it is not positive - don’t post it.

• Your behavior both in and out of school should represent what it means to be a part of the Bruin Volleyball Program.

  • DO NOT use illegal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco at any time.

  • DO NOT allow yourself to be in a situation, in school or away from school, where you are accused of/arrested for an illegal activity.

  • DO NOT skip class or school.

  • DO NOT have poor sportsmanship.

  • DO NOT participate in any act (either in school or away from school) which in the opinion of the coaching and/or school administration, reflects in a negative manner on the Bruin Volleyball Program.

Our team will be successful and never outworked. Success comes in many forms.  We will help all athletes set and achieve attainable goals.  You will find that the coaches will have high expectations and one of the main goals of our team is to reach our potential.  To reach one's potential requires a certain type of sacrifice many cannot handle.  It is our expectation that every Bruin Volleyball Team will have a reputation of relentlessness on the court--defensively, offensively, to shanked balls, etc. 

Our team is disciplined. Our work ethic is always something we can control--work ethic over the summer, at practice, in a match. Work hard, even when a coach isn’t watching.

Our team is competitive. In order to reach our goals on the court, we need to understand that competition in practice and against our teammates is good for our team.  it should be your goal to compete at the highest level in every drill, every practice, and every match.

Our team is supportive. The best teammates find a way to support each other when everything seems to be going wrong.  It's easy to become a supporter when we are playing well...but it takes great teammates to assist a teammate through turmoil.  Be a great teammate.

Athletes are expected to attend all practices. Practices will run from 4:00-6:00 pm every day. It is all of the players’ responsibility to set up the court before practice begins and take down the court after practice is over.

All school attendance policies concerning eligibility will be enforced. Please review the Fargo Public School District’s Code of Conduct Handbook. If a problem of missed practices persists, the player may be removed from the team at the discretion of the Head Varsity Coach and the Athletic Director.

Appointments should be scheduled outside of practice time. If players must miss practice due to an appointment, the athlete needs to contact her coach prior to practice. If a player must miss practice or knows that she will be late, it is her responsibility to contact her coach before practice. If an athlete is absent from school and/or not able to attend practice, she must contact her coach by phone, email, or Remind ASAP. Getting additional help from teachers and/or making up missing work should be taken care of during an off period or in the morning prior to school. If an athlete must meet with a teacher after school and will miss a portion of practice, the athlete must communicate this to their coach before practice. The player will also be required to have a signed pass from the teacher.

Missing practice or an unexcused absence mayresult in loss of playing time. If a player is unsure if an absence will be excused or unexcused, they should ask their Coach, as all absences will be determined excused or unexcused by their Coach.

Tardiness is not acceptable. Each coach will assign their own policy regarding tardiness. Continual tardiness may result in a loss of playing time.

No players are guaranteed spots based on last year’s performance. Cuts will be made for players that are not in the top positions for the teams that match their age group or above with the exception of freshmen. Each player must win a spot and is encouraged to compete each day to earn a spot on one of the Bruin Volleyball Teams.

The Bruin Volleyball Program will have the following teams, as long as numbers suffice:

• Freshmen: There will 1-2 Freshmen teams consisting of Freshmen players only.

• C-team: There will be (1) C-team consisting of players above the Freshmen level, but below the JV level.

• JV: There will be (1) JV team consisting of players that are above the C-team level, but below the Varsity level. Some players may play both JV & Varsity.

• Varsity: There will be (1) Varsity team consisting of athletes who demonstrate the highest skill level of all athletes at any grade. Selections for all teams will depend on ability, attitude, coachability, and team chemistry. Playing time will not be equal and will depend on consistent execution of skills and team needs. Some players may play both JV & Varsity.

Student-Athletes are expected to be responsible and focused students in the classroom. Student-Athletes are to follow the Co-Curricular Code for athletic participation eligibility. Every two weeks the coaches will request a progress report to be sure players are keeping up with their grades. All detentions need to be made up prior to being able to play in a match, NO EXCEPTIONS! Players must make up detentions on their own time. Missing practice to make up detentions is not allowed. Commitment and discipline in the classroom carry over to the court. Strive for Excellence!

The coaching staff expects that any athletic issues that need attention will be dealt with as quickly as possible. The 24 Hour Rule is encouraged so that all parties involved have time to process the situation and handle it appropriately. We encourage the player to first address the issue with her coach - preferably face-to-face. If the matter still needs attention, then the player along with her parent/guardian(s) should schedule a meeting with her coach. If the situation still needs attention, then the Varsity Coach, as well as the Athletic Director, will become involved.

Each team must be dressed and ready on the court at the time specified by her coach. Only members of the team are allowed to be at the team bench during the match. Friends and family members are not permitted at the bench.

Members of the Varsity team are expected to attend all C-team and JV home matches. Be in the Bruin Den by 4:10. These athletes will assist with shagging volleyballs during their warm-ups and are required to line judge for the C-team match.

Members of the C-team and JV team are expected to attend all Varsity home matches. These athletes will assist with shagging volleyballs during the Varsity warm-ups. Athletes are encouraged to sit in the student section during the match and support the Varsity team. Athletes are not allowed to wear their uniform or spandex in the stands. Some of the athletes from the C-team and JV team will have responsibilities during the Varsity match. Freshmen teams are encouraged to attend C, JV, and Varsity matches when their schedule permits.

C, JV, and Varsity players are ALL responsible for setting up/taking down the court for home matches.

ALL players must wear tennis shoes at matches in order to shag and line judge. No exceptions!

All players must ride the bus to and from away matches and tournaments. Players should be ready to board the bus ten minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Bus rides together are part of being a member of the Bruin Volleyball Program.

All personal items must be removed from the bus when we arrive to the site. Everyone will help carry equipment on and off the bus. A member of the C-team will grab the Med Kit and Team Captains will be sure the bus is cleared and clean.

All C, JV, and Varsity players are responsible to find their own transportation to “in town” away matches (Fargo North, Fargo Davies, Moorhead, etc.). Freshmen teams will have busses to provide transportation to “in town” away matches.

Remember, we represent Fargo South High School and the Bruin Volleyball Program when we are on trips. Keep the bus clean, be polite, conduct yourself in a professional manner, and dress appropriately! Be sure to do things the BRUIN WAY!

Players will either dress-up or wear Bruin Volleyball gear for each match. Varsity Team Captains will decide what the C, JV, and Varsity teams will wear for the upcoming match. The Freshmen Coaches will decide what the freshmen teams will wear for their matches. Players are expected to wear clothing that follows the school’s dress code policies. Be sure to represent the Bruin Volleyball Program in a positive manner.