Nothing Sabotages Loyalty Like the Blame Game

HORIZON FOOTBALL PLAYER / PARENT HANDBOOK 2017 HORIZON HAWKS FOOTBALL MISSION STATEMENT

HORIZON FOOTBALL IS A PROGRAM THAT WILL PROMOTE ACADEMICS FIRST, GOOD WORK ETHIC, SELF – DISCIPLINE, SELF – MOTIVATION, POSITIVE BEHAVIOR, AND UNSELFISHNESS IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE. OUR PLAYERS WILL CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY TO OUR COMMUNITY BY VOLUNTEERING IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES. WHEN A PLAYER FINISHES OUR PROGRAM, THEY WILL BE A BETTER PERSON THAN WHEN THEY BEGAN. ULTIMATELY, THEY WILL LEAVE THE PROGRAM, SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY BETTER THAN WHEN THEY ARRIVED. “YOU LIMIT YOURSELF ONLY BY THE WALLS YOU BUILD FOR YOURSELF!”

The Death of Loyalty Nothing Sabotages Loyalty Like the Blame Game Loyalty is central to the heart and soul of any prosperous relationship. Giving of your self to others is the foundation of loyalty. Many of our greatest satisfactions in life will be found in our relationships. A sports team provides the perfect platform for loyalty. At its core, loyalty is about reliability. And in the team setting reliability is a necessary ingredient for success. Loyalty is found in the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social support you provide others. It is the bonds of loyalty players have to their teammates that forge an effective team. Players interacting, committing to each other, and getting alon is the engine that empowers all teams. Getting along with others doesn’t mean that you need to avoid unpleasant actions.

The Blame Game Nothing destroys a relationship faster than blame. When you shift fault to another you cast yourself as a victim. In the court of victimhood what you want is the other person to be wrong and you to be right. No doubt, you feel you have real justification in your specific situation. When you blame, you sign off the right to loyalty. You’ve sacrificed a relationship to “save face,” “look good,” or to simply hide a weakness. By contrast, this is not loyalty. It is betrayal. Let me state it plainly: Playing the blame game is wrong. Blame fuels conflict. It feeds the fire of dissention. It divides people. It can destroy your team. The blame game makes a mockery of loyalty. Blame is an act of selfishness. Do you actively seek accomplices in your blame game? When you complain about what someone else “did to you” (such as a coach not giving you enough playing time), do you look for your friends to eagerly rush in and agree with you? Do you consider these friends to be loyal? These are not real friends. A real friend would say, “Cut the blame game and quit complaining about what “they” did to you. What did you do? What can you do to fix it?” Now that’s a loyal friend. That kind of honesty is what a loyal friend should do for you. You need to be honest, direct, willing to confront teammates that violate team norms. Say what you need to say in a manner that shows your intent to solve problems, not make them. Your objective is not to fight, but rather to make a positive impact toward some resolution. Your goal shouldn’t be to prove someone wrong, or to make you look good. Rather, your solution should be to cooperate and work toward a common purpose. If you find yourself playing the blame game, understand that you are limiting your growth mentally and emotionally. Every time you choose to blame someone for a setback or for something negative that’s happened to, you miss the opportunity to see the value and possibilities that arise out of adverse circumstances. Confidence in one’s teammates is what makes for a tight-knit team. A team of loyal players offers a clear way to win, and a few victims that play the blame game a clear way to lose. When blame rears its ugly head, look instead for the courage to build up the moral muscles necessary for growing your commitment to others. Pledge to remain loyal. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THE COACHING STAFF

1. We will run a well - organized program. 2. We will provide the leadership necessary to be successful. 3. We will communicate to the best of our ability. 4. We will respect you and your child for your commitment to the program. 5. We will discuss problems individually and behind closed doors at an appropriate time (24 HOUR RULE!). 6. We will control our emotions, enjoy coaching your child, and the game of football. 7. We will teach sportsmanship, leadership, discipline, teamwork, respect, hard work, etc. 8. We will be professional when representing the team, the school, and the community. 9. We will be fair and make decisions for the betterment of the team. 10. We will teach only proven and safe techniques to your child. 11. We will promote your child to the administration, faculty, press, colleges, etc. 12. We will provide a positive and memorable experience to your child.

WHAT WE WILL EXPECT FROM THE PARENTS

1. To support the program through the highs and lows. 2. To believe in the coaching staff and their abilities. 3. Restrain from telling the coaching staff how to coach. 4. To communicate any concerns in an appropriate and timely fashion (according to the communication protocol), but in private (24 HOUR RULE!). 5. To support all aspects of the program. (Team dinners, fundraising, parent meetings, game functions, etc.) 6. To control your emotions and enjoy watching your child play the game of football. 7. Promote sportsmanship, leadership, discipline, teamwork, respect, and hard work in all aspects of your child’s life. 8. Understand that decisions are made for the betterment of the team even if you may not agree with all of them. 9. Be a team player. 10. Make your child’s football experience a positive one. “NOT EVERYTHING THAT IS FACED CAN BE CHANGED. BUT NOTHING CAN BE CHANGED UNTIL IT IS FACED.” JAMES BALDWIN

DISCUSSING CONCERNS

1. The coaching staff will discuss issues pertaining to your child only. 2. The coaching staff will not discuss strategies/schemes or playing time with you. 3. The coaching staff will be open and honest when meeting. 4. Meet with an open mind and positive attitude.

CHAIN OF COMMAND

1. The player & parents speak with the position coach at their level. 2. The player & parents speak with the position coach and head coach of their level. 3. The player & parents speak with the position coach and Coach Ybarra. 4. The player & parents speak with Coach Ybarra and the Athletic Director (Mr. Marty Tonjes) and/or Principal (Mrs. Kim Brady). IMPORTANT CONTACTS

FRANK YBARRA: (FOOTBALL OFFICE) 720 – 972 – 2453 (CELL) 303 – 817 – 9448 (Emergency only) Email: [email protected] MARTY TONJES: (ATHLETIC DIRECTOR) 720 – 972 – 4406 KIM BRADY: (PRINCIPAL) 720 – 972 – 4405 LORI HILL: (ATHLETIC SECRETARY) 720 – 972 – 4433 HORIZON FOOTBALL PLAYER EXPECTATIONS

“IN THE LONG RUN, MEN HIT ONLY WHAT THEY AIM AT!” HENRY DAVID THOREAU

1. Do not embarrass yourself, the Horizon football team, the Horizon community, or Horizon High School. (IF IT’S NOT YOURS, DON’T TAKE IT. IF IT’S NOT NICE DON’T SAY IT. IF YOU KNOW IT’S NOT RIGHT, DON’T DO IT!) 2. GET IT DONE IN THE CLASSROOM! YOU ARE STUDENTS FIRST AND YOU WILL BE TREATED THAT WAY. 3 rd INELIGIBLE WEEK = DISMISSAL FROM TEAM TO FOCUS ON ACADEMICS. 3. Respect all coaches, teammates, managers, trainers, teachers, students, opponents, and officials. 4. The coach’s office will be closed 20 minutes before practice and 20 minutes after practice for coaching discussions. 5. You must respond to coaches with, “Yes, sir” or “Yes, coach”. 6. Clean up all meeting rooms after usage. (BOTTOM 50% IN POINTS) 7. Follow all training room policies. 8. All treatments are to be taken care of before or after practice, unless injury occurred during the current practice. 9. Injured players need to be dressed out (to the best of their ability) and with their designated group to get credit for a practice. THERE WILL ALSO BE SPECIAL WORKOUTS FOR INJURED PLAYERS. 10. Keep the locker room clean (BOTTOM 50% IN POINTS) 11. Players are not allowed in the equipment room without a coach present. 12. Be responsible for your own equipment. 13. Use only your assigned locker. 14. Wear all equipment to every practice & game. 15. Game uniforms will be clean for all games & practice uniforms will be cleaned weekly. 16. There will be no altering of any equipment (pads, jerseys, mouthpieces, etc.). 17. You may not add ornamental items to your uniform that will draw attention to yourself and separate you from your teammates (Socks, belts, headwear, etc.). 18. Do not wear any jewelry to any practices or games. 19. Do not wear your cleats in the building. 20. All players assigned to equipment must help. (BOTTOM 50% OF POINTS) 21. No walking or sitting on the field. 22. Sprint on and off the field when substituting. Sprint in and out of the huddle at all times. 23. Shower after each game and practice. 24. Any unsportsmanlike penalty will result in removal from the game. 25. No hazing or initiations of players will be tolerated! HORIZON FOOTBALL ATTENDANCE POLICY

WE WILL PRACTICE LABOR DAY! TEAM MEALS ARE MANDATORY! WEDNESDAY STUDY HALL IS MANDATORY!

1. Players are to be in attendance and on time to all team functions (practices, games, team meetings, team meals, etc.) Penalty: 1st offense = 25 prides, 2nd offense = 50 prides, 3rd offense = player-coach meeting to talk about other alternatives.

2. Players must participate in 9 days of practices and complete all Physical Testing (Weights, Agilities, 300 Shuttles) to be eligible for games and ALL PLAYERS MUST PASS THE 300!

3. 4 Unexcused absences from practice OR 1 absence from a game = dismissal from the team (FAMILY MEDICAL EMERGENCIES, FUNERALS, WEDDINGS, DOCTOR’S ORDERS ARE EXCEPTIONS)

(ILLNESS WITHOUT DOCTOR’S NOTE, SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL, CAR ISSUES, HUNTING TRIPS, OUTSIDE SPORTING EVENTS, ETC. ARE NOT VALID EXCEPTIONS AND WILL BE MARKED UNEXCUSED)

4. Weekly: 1 non-participate in practice = no start, 2 non- participate in practice OR 1 absence = no play!

5. ANY BEHAVIORAL ISSUES THAT RESULT IN A DEAN’S OFFICE REFERRAL WILL FORFEIT PLAYING TIME THAT WEEK. BE A POSITIVE MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL POPULATION!

PARENTS MUST INFORM COACH YBARRA BY 3:00 p.m. ON THE DAY OF THE ABSENCE FOR IT TO BE EXCUSED! UNFORSEEN EMERGENCIES WILL BE THE EXCEPTION. TO EXCUSE AN ABSENCE, CALL 720 – 972 – 2453 AND LEAVE A MESSAGE BY 3:00 p.m. HORIZON FOOTBALL PLAYING & LETTERING PHILOSOPHY

“YOU’VE GOT TO DO YOUR OWN GROWING, NO MATTER HOW TALL YOUR GRANDFATHER WAS.” OLD ENGLISH PROVERB

PLAYING TIME PHILOSOPHY

We all understand that playing time is important, but you must understand that the amount of game time is only about 5% of the time your child will spend in this program. It is what each player learns from the 95% that comes in practice and preparation that will shape what this program meant to them when their career ends. The coaching staff hopes that each player will take with them the discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, and hard work necessary to be successful for the rest of their lives. FRESHMEN / ”C” LEVEL The freshmen / “C” Level program will be one that promotes playing time for all, but not equal playing time. We know that winning is important, but we feel that all players must get playing experience at the Lower Levels, too. Players will be taught the base schemes of the varsity program so that when their time comes they will be prepared.

JUNIOR VARSITY The junior varsity program will promote playing time for all, but RESERVE VARSITY players will play first. This is the chance for VARSITY RESERVES to get some quality playing time so that they can immediately step in at the varsity level when called upon.

VARSITY The varsity program will promote playing time for the top players until an outcome can be determined. After an outcome has been determined, reserves MAY get playing time. The varsity level will be one in which winning is the priority.  ALL PLAYERS MUST HAVE A 2.0 G.P.A., DURING THE SEASON TO QUALIFY FOR A LETTER.

1. Any player who plays in 25% of all varsity quarters during the season. One play on offense, defense, or special teams, qualifies that quarter.

2. Any player who has been a member of the Horizon Football Program for 4 complete years.

3. Any player who contributes, on varsity for the entire season, to a state playoff qualifier.