Coach Ladd's 3 Fundamentals for a Successful Team
1) Never criticize a teammate:
Positive encouragement leads to positive results, blaming someone else accomplishes nothing. Work to solve the problem, communicate but never blame a teammate for a result.
2) Talk to a coach so we don't have to be upset at you
Coaches will trust athletes more if they know what is going on. Communicating absences ahead of time, making us aware of trips to miss meets will just help us plan for the overall team strategy. Also, letting coaches know when you are hurt vs injured. If something hurts for a single day, keep going. If you have something bothering for several days, let us know and we will work to prepare a rehab plan. Finding out anything at the last minute is potential source for conflict so find whatever way is best to communicate and do it if possible.
3) Want to be better
Not just jump higher, run faster or throw farther, but want to be a better leader, communicator, teammate, friend, worker, learner and everything else that goes with being on a team. Come to practice with an attitude everyday that the little things matter and will make you a better person, which will then make you a better track and field athlete.
Positive encouragement leads to positive results, blaming someone else accomplishes nothing. Work to solve the problem, communicate but never blame a teammate for a result.
2) Talk to a coach so we don't have to be upset at you
Coaches will trust athletes more if they know what is going on. Communicating absences ahead of time, making us aware of trips to miss meets will just help us plan for the overall team strategy. Also, letting coaches know when you are hurt vs injured. If something hurts for a single day, keep going. If you have something bothering for several days, let us know and we will work to prepare a rehab plan. Finding out anything at the last minute is potential source for conflict so find whatever way is best to communicate and do it if possible.
3) Want to be better
Not just jump higher, run faster or throw farther, but want to be a better leader, communicator, teammate, friend, worker, learner and everything else that goes with being on a team. Come to practice with an attitude everyday that the little things matter and will make you a better person, which will then make you a better track and field athlete.
Meet Policy
Dual Meets are over after the 4x400 is concluded. Not when you finished your events. Athletes are expected to help with meet setup/cleanup at home, cheering on teammates, and a team cooldown at other meets. Athletes are expected to take the bus home with the team unless a note has been submitted by parents prior to the meet. Many of our invitations while all day are also team scored, do you really want to go home early when the team has a chance to win a title? Would you leave a basketball game at half-time because you fouled-out and can't play anymore?
Safety
Track and field accidents happen every year, mostly when people are not paying attention. Flags are put up for a reason to guard throwing event areas and you should always go around these areas when practice or a meet is in session.
Lane 1 and 2 of the track are also an area to avoid unless you are running. Do not walk or stand here to avoid being "run over".
Endurance runners out on the roads, must ALWAYS run with a teammate, no solo running unless directly spoken to by a coach. It is the responsibility of the team to make sure everyone makes it back to the outdoor track.
Lane 1 and 2 of the track are also an area to avoid unless you are running. Do not walk or stand here to avoid being "run over".
Endurance runners out on the roads, must ALWAYS run with a teammate, no solo running unless directly spoken to by a coach. It is the responsibility of the team to make sure everyone makes it back to the outdoor track.
Language
Swearing = 25 pushups. No matter when or where. If you can't discipline your mouth how can you be disciplined to be an athlete and push your body to new extremes, blocking out the little voice that says "stop or I can't"
Practice Schedule
Monday through Friday 3-5pm. Meet outside the field house to warmup to the outdoor track. Practice is over after team meeting or checking out with your event coach. Saturday mornings 8-10am
Varsity vs JV
Track and field does not break down with official teams, everyone practices together. At dual meets, certain numbers of individuals are allowed to participate in each event, and jv are allowed to compete after the varsity events for limited events. Not all athletes will compete in every meet, due to resting, illness/injury, or tapering in their training. Athletes that do not attend practice the day before a meet without prior notice will not be able to compete the following day, this is for their health and safety. Invitationals, and state championships require qualifying standards for individuals. If you have a question about whether a student athlete will participate in a particular meet, please ask a coach as we try to have submit entries several weeks before hand for some meets and plan others for strategy.