MHS Kernels Boys Soccer Team Coach Novak’s Philosophy & Code of Conduct
It’s ‘Coach’ for student-athletes: I, and my coaching staff, go by “coach.” For team unity, it is best that everyone is on the same sheet. It’s respectful, professionally appropriate for athlete-coach relationship, and eliminates confusion about how to address the adults responsible for the student-athletes’ development.
Profanity. Profanity is not allowed. Profanity should not be heard from the coaching staff nor the players. Garbage in equals garbage out. We are competitors with class. Profanity reflects a different image. Furthermore, in a game profanity can get you a yellow or a red card. Discipline yourself for your own well-being, and your allegiance to your team.
Respect. Players nor coaches shall not humiliate nor violate the integrity of any student-athlete or coach. This includes verbal, emotional, physical mistreatment. Athletes will be upbraided or given extra physical conditioning for demonstrations of lack of discipline, disregard for the rules, or displays of disrespect. No person or group will be given any feedback that is non-constructive.
Corrections to athletic performance or behavior are directly related to an action or attitude demonstrated. Any derogatory label, such as a racial slur, mental or physical handicap slur, sexual orientation slur, or gender-related slur is always unacceptable. Players will be held accountable for this type of verbal abuse by consequence determined by the head coach. Persistent infractions will be elevated to the athletic director at the discretion of the head coach.
We travel co-ed. We sometimes share practice field space. We always show the utmost respect to all members of our sister Kernel team. Gentlemen-like behavior is the standard and expectation.
Earned Privilege. High school soccer, both varsity and junior varsity, is an earned privilege. No one is entitled to play high school athletics. Nor, is there an expectation that all players receive equal playing time.
Persistent Negative Behavior. If after sufficient feedback from the head coach, a student-athlete’s or a coach’s actions and/or attitude is toxic and jeopardizes the safety, security, and teamwork of other players and/or coaches, that person will no longer participate on the Mitchell High School Boys Soccer Team.
Player’s Responsibility. Each player will take responsibility toward a. academics b. hydration/ stretching / follow-up care / conditioning c. reporting any suspicion of concussion or injury of himself or a teammate d. reporting any suspicion of a violation of integrity of himself or a teammate e. care for his uniform and training gear
Slide-tackling during training is NEVER allowed. Nor any aggressive action that would put a fellow teammate in risk of injury. Training can occur with game-like intensity without transcending these limits.
Bench (sideline) behavior. During a game the coaching staff and players are professional, team-supportive, and never disrespectful of the referees nor the other team. The head coach is ultimately responsible for the bench’s and the spectator’s behavior.
One Voice. When a coach is speaking only his or her voice will be active. Disruptive behavior is disrespectful to teammates and coaches, and demonstrates an attitude closed toward improvement.
Full-focused Training. Come ready. Start on time. Respect team leaders. Take warm-ups and stretching seriously. Improve: better conditioned, higher soccer IQ, better touch. Growth mindset is expected.
Flagrant Unsportsmanlike Conduct. We work hard. Part of that work-ethic is training our emotions to align with our efforts. There is nothing wrong with being an emotive player, one who shows emotion while playing; however, if we act upon our emotions in a way that endangers another person, brings disrepute to ourselves, our teammates, or even the game itself – then we have stopped being a team player and have become a selfish participant. Regardless of whether or not you receive a foul during the game, such behavior may result in serious consequences as determined by the coach and/or the athletic director. We compete to win with integrity.
It’s ‘Coach’ for student-athletes: I, and my coaching staff, go by “coach.” For team unity, it is best that everyone is on the same sheet. It’s respectful, professionally appropriate for athlete-coach relationship, and eliminates confusion about how to address the adults responsible for the student-athletes’ development.
Profanity. Profanity is not allowed. Profanity should not be heard from the coaching staff nor the players. Garbage in equals garbage out. We are competitors with class. Profanity reflects a different image. Furthermore, in a game profanity can get you a yellow or a red card. Discipline yourself for your own well-being, and your allegiance to your team.
Respect. Players nor coaches shall not humiliate nor violate the integrity of any student-athlete or coach. This includes verbal, emotional, physical mistreatment. Athletes will be upbraided or given extra physical conditioning for demonstrations of lack of discipline, disregard for the rules, or displays of disrespect. No person or group will be given any feedback that is non-constructive.
Corrections to athletic performance or behavior are directly related to an action or attitude demonstrated. Any derogatory label, such as a racial slur, mental or physical handicap slur, sexual orientation slur, or gender-related slur is always unacceptable. Players will be held accountable for this type of verbal abuse by consequence determined by the head coach. Persistent infractions will be elevated to the athletic director at the discretion of the head coach.
We travel co-ed. We sometimes share practice field space. We always show the utmost respect to all members of our sister Kernel team. Gentlemen-like behavior is the standard and expectation.
Earned Privilege. High school soccer, both varsity and junior varsity, is an earned privilege. No one is entitled to play high school athletics. Nor, is there an expectation that all players receive equal playing time.
Persistent Negative Behavior. If after sufficient feedback from the head coach, a student-athlete’s or a coach’s actions and/or attitude is toxic and jeopardizes the safety, security, and teamwork of other players and/or coaches, that person will no longer participate on the Mitchell High School Boys Soccer Team.
Player’s Responsibility. Each player will take responsibility toward a. academics b. hydration/ stretching / follow-up care / conditioning c. reporting any suspicion of concussion or injury of himself or a teammate d. reporting any suspicion of a violation of integrity of himself or a teammate e. care for his uniform and training gear
Slide-tackling during training is NEVER allowed. Nor any aggressive action that would put a fellow teammate in risk of injury. Training can occur with game-like intensity without transcending these limits.
Bench (sideline) behavior. During a game the coaching staff and players are professional, team-supportive, and never disrespectful of the referees nor the other team. The head coach is ultimately responsible for the bench’s and the spectator’s behavior.
One Voice. When a coach is speaking only his or her voice will be active. Disruptive behavior is disrespectful to teammates and coaches, and demonstrates an attitude closed toward improvement.
Full-focused Training. Come ready. Start on time. Respect team leaders. Take warm-ups and stretching seriously. Improve: better conditioned, higher soccer IQ, better touch. Growth mindset is expected.
Flagrant Unsportsmanlike Conduct. We work hard. Part of that work-ethic is training our emotions to align with our efforts. There is nothing wrong with being an emotive player, one who shows emotion while playing; however, if we act upon our emotions in a way that endangers another person, brings disrepute to ourselves, our teammates, or even the game itself – then we have stopped being a team player and have become a selfish participant. Regardless of whether or not you receive a foul during the game, such behavior may result in serious consequences as determined by the coach and/or the athletic director. We compete to win with integrity.