Lady Viking Basketball
Program Policies
"To Be a Lady Viking"
1) You must recognize the honor it is to belong to the Lady Viking Basketball program. This is a program
that represents many people. You are representing a school population of over 1,500 students, your
parents, your teammates, your coaches, and your community, as well as all of those who have played
before you and wore the Lady Viking uniform. This is an honor not to be taken lightly.
2) You must recognize the difference between yourself and other students. To be on a championship team,
you have to be a champion yourself and be willing to maintain strict training rules. Basketball cannot be
an impulse, but an obligation. You must realize that some things have to be sacrificed for the sake of
basketball, but keep in mind…the rewards can be many.
3) You must recognize the reason(s) you want to be part of the lady Viking program. What goals do you
have in mind for yourself? Think about what you want people to think and feel when they see and hear
about the girl's basketball team at Howell.
4) The following are qualities that we deem desirable and necessary to the Lady Viking basketball
program.
A) HUMILITY - all great athletes are humble and do not show their emotions on the court. If you make
a mistake, don't hang you head…make up for it by your effort on the next play. Take an interest in the
welfare of the total team-not just yourself.
B) CONFIDENCE - Confidence is necessary for success and is gained by experience. Know the
difference between being cocky and being confident and be willing to recognize that difference in both
your teammate and your opponent. Keep in mind that constructive criticism is a sign of interest by a
coach and should be viewed as such. When a coach quits criticizing…they probably have lost interest or
feel that their words are ignored.
C) DESIRE- Everything is furnished to you that will make you a good player except for desire and
effort on your part. To be successful, you must be willing to work, wait, sacrifice and have a tremendous
desire to win. You must take the fundamentals and skills presented you and make them your own.
D) LOYALTY - Put your school, teammates, and coaches ahead of yourself and you will be a loyal,
happy (TEAM) player.
E) RESPECT - You must respect fans, faculty, teammates, coaches, managers, family, administrators,
and officials. You must also respect your opponent - if taken for granted, they may earn respect in the
win/loss column.
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F) POISE - Be aware of how you carry yourself at all times. There are "Eyes Upon the Athlete". You
never know when that future player or college scout may be looking your way. Poised players never lose
tempers, become flustered, or become excited to the point of losing control.
G) DISCIPLINE - To become successful at anything, we must discipline ourselves through the tough
times - those late-night practices after a long day - those days when we aren't feeling as good as we'd
like to. Discipline yourself to be at every practice and every game; giving 110% every minute.
H) WINNERS - "Winners take chances. Like everyone else, they fear failing, but they refuse to let fear
control them. Winners don't give up. When life gets rough, they hang in until the going gets better.
Winners are flexible..they realize there is more than one way and are willing to try others. Winners
know they are not perfect; they respect their weaknesses while making the most of their strengths.
Winners fall, but they don't stay down. They stubbornly refuse to let a fall keep them from climbing.
Winners don't blame fate for their failures nor luck for their successes. Winners accept responsibility for
their lives. Winners are positive thinkers who see good in all things. From the ordinary, they make the
extraordinary. Winners believe in the path they have chosen, even when it's hard, even when others can't
see where they are going. Winners are patient. They know a goal is only as worthy as the effort that's
required to achieve it. Winners are people like you. They make this world a better place to be." (Nancye
Sims)
"Rules & Regulations"
The following guidelines must be followed by all participants in the Lady Viking Basketball program. These
rules have been taken either from State guidelines, School rules, or from rules adopted by the Lady Viking
Coaching Staff.
1) ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY - Francis Howell High School State Minimum Requirements are simply
that student/athletes pass at least five classes the previous semester and maintain a 1.5 GPA.
Student/Athlete must currently be enrolled in at least 2.5 units of credit. Lady Viking Program minimum
requirements are that student/athletes pass all classes each semester and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA.
If a student/athlete is unable to achieve these standards, they will be placed on a weekly grade sheet to
track their performance and receive proper assistance, as needed.
2) ATTENDANCE - Athletes are expected to attend school and practice on a daily basis. Any prearranged
appointments that require absence from school for any reason must be cleared through the Activities
Office and the coaching staff prior to the absence. Any absence that may be sudden must be called into
the appropriate coach. If an athlete must leave school for any reason and it is not prearranged, they must
check out personally with the appropriate coach. Do not relay messages through your teammates. If an
athlete is not at school prior to 7:50 a.m., she is not eligible for that day's activity (practice or game). If
an absence or late arrival occurs on a Friday, she is not eligible for Friday or Saturday activities. These
policies are MSHSAAA and FHSD guidelines and will be strictly enforced.
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3) MISSED PRACTICES - If an athlete misses practice for any reason, they will not be allowed to start in
the following game. On an individual basis, this may be waived. (ie: college visits, funerals, etc.)
4) ALCOHOL - Drinking will affect mental and muscular efficiency, loss of coordination, and cause
nutritional shortages. A small amount of alcohol brings about a loss of skill and physical capacity, not to
mention that it is illegal for underage minors. DO NOT DRINK alcoholic beverages at anytime. Failure
to comply with this policy is a mockery of the efforts of this program. Game suspensions and squad
dismissal can and will result. DO NOT PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION TO BE ACCUSED OF
VIOLATING THIS RULE!
5) DRUGS - The use of drugs in any form is absolutely prohibited and has no place in our athletic
program. Penalty is a prompt dismissal from the squad. NO NOT PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION
TO BE ACCUSED OF VIOLATING THIS RULE!
6) TOBACCO PRODUCTS - The use of any tobacco products is strictly prohibited. The difference
between winning and losing is often a half stride, a fraction of a second, or a few inches. The difference
is often one cigarette. Penalties many include game suspensions as well as dismissal from the squad. NO
NOT PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION TO BE ACCUSED OF VIOLAING THIS RULE!
7) PROFANITY - Do not use language you would be ashamed to use at home or in the classroom.
Remember to remain poised. You will be reprimanded for the slip of language in practice and/or games.
8) NUTRITION - "You are what you eat!" You need to eat well-balanced meals on a daily basis. We will
be asking a lot of you both physical and mentally and you need to be at your best. Drink liquids like
water and Gatorade; refrain from soda. Meals, the night prior to a game, should consist of some type of
pasta and vegetables need to be eaten daily. If you want a snack, try fruit, vegetables or nutri-grain bars.
Avoid candy and high-sugar items. This will only slow you down and not provide quick energy. This is
not a joke and is not to be taken lightly.
9) EDUCATION - Academics before athletics. You are in school to get an education and extra-curricular
activities are secondary. When I talk to college coaches, the first question asked is what kind of student
you are. Don't wait until you are a Varsity athlete to worry about it; by then, it could be too late.
Mistakes made at the Freshman level take years to overcome. "What you are going to be, you are now
becoming!"
10) CLASS BEHAVIOR - We expect you to stay out of trouble during the school day. Get to class on time -
any detentions will not be served during basketball practice - that will be done on your own time.
Remain disciplined in your school work and be model students. Teachers are encouraged to inform the
coaching staff of any problems both academically and behaviorally. Any problems will be addressed on
an individual basis.
11) CAPTAINS - A good leader is an asset to any program. Captains are selected based on the leadership
they display both verbally and by example. Captains are not to overstep their responsibilities and are to
respect the role they have been given.
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12) PLAYS - Every practice is a lesson and every game is a test. Know your plays as they are the lessons
that are taught. Your knowledge may be the difference between winning and losing. Learn by watching
as well as by doing. If you do not know or do not understand…ASK QUESTIONS!
13) TEAM PLAY - If you can remember that it takes the five players on the court and all of the players on
the bench to win a game, then and only then, will we be able to do the job that you are striving to do.
Nothing is more irritating to a coach than to have an athlete that constantly wants to see their individual
statistics and challenge their validity. The most important statistics are for the team.
14) ROLE - Know, understand, and accept the role that you play. All roles are vital to the success of a team.
Accepting these roles is vital to the success of a championship team.
15) BENCH STRENGTH/ENTHUSIASM - It is difficult for any athlete to sit on the bench for any length
of time. Try to understand that without the strength of a bench, there would be no competition on a daily
basis for the so-called starters. Everyone needs to contribute during their time on the bench through the
enthusiasm that they display. We are one team and each basket or rebound or defensive stop is the work
of a team. All players need to be involved in each and every play while on the court and on the bench.
You should know when defenses have changed or when a play has been called, etc. I do not want you
talking to the crowd or your parents during the game. Stay focused on the task at hand.
16) PREGAME WARM-UP - During the pregame warm-up, your only thoughts should be of basketball and
the game ahead. Do not try to locate friends or parents in the stands. Focus on the preparation for your
opponent and the confines of the court. Be aware of your opponent at the other end, but do not let it
interfere with your confidence. FOCUS! Varsity players will be available to assist with JV warm-ups
and JV will be available to assist the Varsity, as well as participate in all Pregame Ceremonies (ie:
announcements & National Anthem).
17) EQUIPMENT - You are responsible for all equipment issued to you. You will be charged for anything
that is not returned at the end of the season or is damaged by you. Do not use any school-issued
equipment for anything other than team usage. Keep your uniform neat and presentable. "You seldom
get a second chance to make a first impression!"
18) PRACTICES - Practice schedules have been determined and printed. Starting and ending times will be
strictly followed unless circumstances beyond our control necessitate4s a change. These changes will be
announced as soon as possible. Late arrival to practice will be made up at the end of practice and will
include additional conditioning or skill work. Start time means ready to go, not walking in the gym with
shoes in hand. Enter the gym ready to practice. Keep your gym bag locked in your locker - not in the
gym.
19) APPOINTMENTS - All doctors, dentist, orthodontist, hair, etc. appointments need to be scheduled
around the practice/game schedule. Calendars are given at the beginning of the season and changes are
given as soon as possible. Please honor this schedule and make appointments accordingly.
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20) INJURIES - If you are injured, you are still required to attend practice. Inform the coaching staff of any
injuries and use the trainer provided by the school as necessary. This is a service provided to treat
injuries and return you to optimal performance - this is not an excuse to get out of practice. Sometimes
we have to tough it out and play with a little discomfort. If an athlete requires treatment by the trainer,
she must be on time to practice as well. Any delays, out of your control, please check in with the
appropriate coach prior to start time. If an athlete sustains an injury that prevents them from
participation in a physical education class, it should be assumed that they are not healthy enough to
participate in a basketball event. Therefore, any exemption from physical education class will also deem
the athlete exempt from basketball participation. This is in place to protect the athlete as well as
maintain a high standard for all.
21) GAME DAY ELIGIBILITY - You must be in school all day the day of a game to dress out and play that
night. Arrival to school after 7:50 a.m. will deem you ineligible for that nights' practice or game. If this
late arrival occurs on a Friday, you are ineligible for Saturdays' activities as well. This is strictly
enforced by the school and the coaching staff. Remember, all appointments must be prearranged through
the Activities Office and Attendance Office as well as the coaching staff.
22) JV/VARSITY Game Behavior - The varsity team will be at the JV game prior to its beginning and they
will sit as a team to support the JV. As a team, they will shoot around during JV halftime. At the 2:00
mark of the 3rd quarter, they will begin their team meeting. They will then return for the remainder of
the JV game as time allows. The JV team will stay and support the Varsity during their entire game as
well. As needed, the JV players will assist in warm-ups for Varsity. The JV will line up in the player
announcement and they will sit as a team for the Varsity game. **These are sacrifices that players will
make. This is a program and not separate levels of participation.
23) TRANSPORTATION/AWAY GAME POLICIES - Bus transportation will be provided for all away
contests and all athletes are required to ride the bus to the games. The Varsity team will be required to
ride the bus back to the school following every game as well. If JV and Freshman parents attend the
game, they may take their daughter home after the game. Provide a note to the coaching staff prior to the
game(s) stating that they will be riding home with you. You may write a note to have on file for the
entire year. You may also write a note if your daughter will be riding home with another parent after
games. Under NO circumstance is an athlete allowed to ride home with a friend or boyfriend or any
other minor.
24) DETENTIONS - Every effort should be made to avoid receiving detentions for any reason. If you
receive a detention, you must serve it on your own time - not during basketball time.
25) ISAP/SUSPENSIONS - In-school and out of school suspensions will not be tolerated for any reason.
School policy states that if you receive a suspension, either in school or out of school, you are ineligible
to participate in any extra-curricular activities until the day after your suspension ends. However,
program policy is much more severe and may result in immediate dismissal from the team. Each
situation will be handled on an individual basis, but the bottom line is that we are looking for individuals
that have the character to avoid situations that may result in suspensions. Again, any suspension, either
in-school or out of school, may result in immediate dismissal from the program
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26) TECHNICAL FOULS/GAME MISCINDUCT - There are many times during a game that you may feel
that an official has missed a call or made an unfair judgment. Do your best to remember that an official
will never change his mind and reverse his/her call, no matter how much pleading you do. As coaches, it
is our duty to question from time to time for the clarity of the call - as players, it is your duty to play the
game without question. Any player receiving a technical foul will be removed from the court and will be
further disciplined at practice the next play. We must represent each other in a respectable manner at all
times.