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Practice guidelines

Practice Guidelines

 

  1. Practice Arrival  
    Players are expected to be on-time for practice.  If a player is going to be late or miss a practice the coach must be notified as soon as possible. Players with continued unexcused missed or late practices can expect to lose playing time.  
     
  2. Unexcused Absences 
    The coach or assistant coach must be notified in advance.  If you are unable to contact them in person, leave a voice message on their answering machine with the date and time of your message. 

    Unexcused absences will result in the following discipline:  
    First incident – one  game suspension.  
    Second incident – two game suspensions.  
    Third incident – suspension from the team, pending review with the coach, Board member(s), and parent.
     
  3. Change in Practice Time
    Coaches or the Team Parent will notify players of changes or cancellations in practice times.  

ATB Playing Time Guidelines

  • Grades 4 – 6
    Coaches will focus on the development of all players.  Coaches will attempt to schedule fair playing time for all players.  As a general rule, coaches will play all players in all four quarters of a game. Over the course of the season, all players should receive ample playing time.  
     
  • Grades 7 & 8
    More emphasis will be placed on performance and competition. Coaches will continue to focus on development, but greater emphasis will be placed on how a player is performing to earn playing time.  Practices will be more intense and competitive.  As a general rule, coaches will play all players in the first three- quarters and use the fourth quarter to compete to the best of the team’s ability. 

DISCIPLINE


Coaches will have the authority to bypass playing time guidelines if they see a need to discipline.  In these cases, the coach is expected to meet with the parent and player and explain the cause of the discipline as soon as possible. Coaches are encouraged to discuss any issues with the parent and child prior to any suspension. If the coach needs to take extensive action (suspension beyond one game) he/she should review his/her recommendation with the ATB Board.

Examples of incidents, which could result in disciplinary action, are:

  • Disrespect shown for coaches, teammates, opponents, or referees.
  • Unexcused missed practices.