Parent Handbook

VISION & PLEDGE

To provide the best coaching and player experience through effective program development and to create a positive culture in soccer by executing on the Paladin Sports Club Motto of Faith, Family, Fun and Fight.

Faith: We pledge to disciple, guide, lead and train the coaches, parents and players in a manner that always points to Christ.

Family: We pledge to create an environment that molds each team into a lifegroup.

Fun: We pledge to create a fun, positive and energizing environment.

Fight: We pledge to create a club that focuses on the whole development of the player: technical, tactical, physical, mental, social and spiritual.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

1. Negative character traits and behaviors that will not be tolerated within the program: Selfishness, apathy or laziness, foul language or discussion, disrespect, complacency and/or distractedness. Bullying or hazing of any type or kind will not be tolerated and shall be grounds for immediate removal from the team.
2. Positive character traits and behaviors that are expected within the program: Love, respect, honesty, integrity, tenacity, discipline, loyalty, humility and accountability.
3. Five (5) markers to ensure a positive and healthy program environment: Openly Communicate, Be Punctual, Have a Positive Attitude, Give Maximum Effort and Don’t Take Yourself Too Serious.

ATTENDANCE

Being a member of a team requires a high degree of commitment. As with an engine, all parts are required and to be in good condition for a team to work efficiently, if at all. Every member, regardless of role, is important to the team. Absences and tardies hurt the team. Therefore, the following policy will be adhered to over the duration of the season, this includes holiday breaks.

• Excused Tardies/Absences (more than 4 in a season is unreasonable and will affect playing time)
  • Example: Illness, unavoidable personal and/or family situations, school commitments, etc
• Unexcused Tardies/Absences (more than 2 in a season is unreasonable and will affect playing time)
  • Example: Voluntary, extracurricular and other activities, appointments, vacations, etc
• Excused Tardies/Absences must be communicated to your coach via GroupMe prior to training that day.
• Missed/Tardy Training Sessions the Day Prior to a Game
  • If you are late for a training session the day before a game, without an excused reason that was told to your coach ahead of time, you will neither start nor play in the game the following day for the first half.
  • If you miss a training session the day before a game, without an excused reason that was told to your coach ahead of time, you will not play in the game the following day for the entirety of the game.
  • If you are late or miss a training session the day before a game, with an excused reason that was told to your coach ahead of time, you will neither start nor play in the game the following day for the first half.

TRAVEL

Arrival times for all games will be communicated to the parents in the weekly email update from the coach and via the LeagueApps team chat. There is no team travel, parents are responsible for bringing their players to all games, practices and team events.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

It is part of our mission to be a Christ-like influence on our community and we will do that through service. The program will host at least one community service event over the course of each season, all players are expected to participate.

PLAYING TIME

Allowing our coaches to make discretionary decisions on playing time is an important ingredient in Paladin Soccer Club’s mission for teaching kids life lessons such as the importance of hard work, learning to be a genuine team player and overcoming adversity. We challenge coaches to balance good judgment with a genuine concern for the best interests of the team and the players as they make age-appropriate, discretionary decisions on playing time. Along those lines, we provide coaches with the following general guidelines for making playing time decisions.

Playing time should be determined by the coaching staff based on the following criteria:

1. Attendance and level of effort demonstrated during training.
2. Overall attitude, respect, and commitment to team play demonstrated during training and games.
3. Skill level demonstrated in practice and games.

Minimum Playing Time Guidelines

• 8U | 50%
• 9U-10U | 33%
• 11U-14U | 25%
• 15U-19U | Coach’s Discretion

Note: Minimum playing time percentages are specific to a season (including tournament and league games) and not specific to an individual game. Minimum playing time percentages assume attendance thresholds are being met.

Playing Time Discussion Protocol

Players and parents have the right to discuss their concerns about playing time and the coaches have the responsibility to address these concerns from players and parents with clear and concise direction as to what the player needs to focus on in order to earn more playing time. However, it is not appropriate for a player or parent to approach a coach before, during, or immediately after a game regarding playing time concerns. If a parent wishes to discuss a player’s playing time, the parent should make an appointment with the coach to discuss his or her concerns via a phone call, email or a face-to-face meeting at a later date. Any playing time discussions should not include any evaluation or comments about other players.

If a coach is approached by a parent before, during or immediately after a game, the coach should ask the parent to make an appointment at a later date to discuss the issue. If a coach refuses to meet with the parent to discuss playing time, the parent should bring this issue to the attention of the Club Director to facilitate the conversation.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parents will be expected to participate in fundraising and volunteer opportunities. Our program is a family unit and as such we all play an important role; there are no insignificant roles. The more parents that get involved the better the experience for all and the lighter the burden on each.

Other/Misc

GRADES

If your child is struggling with their grades please proactively communicate that with your child’s coach. We want to come alongside and support you in teaching your child the importance of their education and the responsibilities of keeping up their grades.

EQUIPMENT

The program will provide all balls and other training equipment. Each child should have their own cleats, shinguards and a water bottle at all practices and games.

CELL PHONES

Cell Phones are NOT to be out during training or games. If your child needs to call a parent/guardian about a ride, etc., please have them check with a coach first. Failure to do so will result in some type of physical conditioning disciplinary action.

ATHLETIC INJURIES

An injury does not excuse a player from attending training sessions, competitions and team functions. That said, if a player has a related doctor’s appointment or is physically unable to attend, they will be excused from training sessions, competitions and team functions. If an injury requires a doctor’s visit it must be reported to your coach and our club director and you will need to provide a doctor’s note prior to returning to play. This includes concussions.

COMMUNICATION

• Weekly in-season schedule and reminder email – Your Coach
• LeagueApps Team Chat – Your Coach
• Team Dues, sponsorships, community service and other email – Club Director
• Website: PaladinSoccerClub.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paladinsoccerclub
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paladinsoccerclub