PLAYER EXPECTATIONS:

Upon selection to our athletic community, a player is expected to participate in all activities of their team (training, matches, service, and other team related activities). Players should be committed to improving as athletes and as people and should take participation within the program seriously. Miss Porter’s School student-athletes are required to:

• Represent Porter’s as a leader and model citizen at all times, including
  on and off the field, around campus, and in the greater community
  and world.
• Possess and maintain a positive and NO QUIT attitude.
• Exemplify and demonstrate exceptional sportsmanship at all times.
• Reflect respect for all authority figures, including coaches, trainers, referees, administrators, and families.
• Attend ALL training sessions and games.
• Arrive early to training sessions and to game days. “If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late!”
• Begin team practice and game warm up with dynamic movements and technical training. The coach will specify.
• Bring water, appropriate footwear/clothing, and train hard in each and
  every practice and match.
• Engage in individual training, coordinated in advance with the coach for proper planning purposes.
• Give coaches prior notice and get their permission if you must miss a practice or game.
• Approach a coach with any personal sport specific related problems. The
  coaches are there to help you. If you don’t understand something the coach does or says, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
• Be present at every training session and match even when injured. The only exceptions are events that may conflict with physical therapy or doctor visits pertaining to the injury. This must be cleared with the coach prior to the conflict.
• Watch your sport live in person or on TV. Watch your sport and study how it is played at the highest level.
• Focus on school. No matter how talented, enthusiastic, dedicated, and passionate you are about your sport, your education must come first.

FAMILY EXPECTATIONS:

Having supportive family members is essential to the individual player and school’s success in athletics. Miss Porter’s School recognizes and values the amount of work and commitment from families that goes into a dedicated student-athlete’s development. Continue to supply plenty of love, recognition, support, and encouragement. This allows your child to be confident, enjoy their sport, and perform better in training and matches. Support your child unconditionally; do not withdraw love when your child performs poorly. With that in mind we ask you to help us reach your child’s full potential:

• Have a positive, nurturing influence on your child’s development, and conduct yourself in a professional, courteous manner.
• Respect the coach and referee’s decisions.
• Encourage your child to talk with the coaches and to take responsibility for playing difficulties, missing matches, and sportsmanship issues.
• NEVER confront the coach with emotional issues in front of players or directly before or after a match or training session.
• NEVER coach from the sidelines or give instructions. Only provide encouragement. “Coaches coach, players play, and families cheer.”
• NEVER criticize players of Miss Porter’s School or their opponents.
• Enjoy the experience and take an active part in your child’s development.

COACH EXPECTATIONS:

Being a Miss Porter’s School coach is an honor within the community. The standard of excellence expected inside the classroom applies to our athletic program as well. A Miss Porter’s coach or trainer is expected to:

• Represent Miss Porter’s School in a positive, professional manner.
• Develop players to the best of their abilities.
• Be honest and truthful when communicating with players and families (on a regular basis) with respect to performance, playing time, and changes to the training/match schedule.
• Keep winning and losing in perspective. Winning is an attitude we encourage, but won’t tolerate winning at all costs.
• Serve as a role model to your team. Prevent any foul, abusive, or profane language on or around the practice field before, during, and/or after a game.
• Develop positive life qualities (discipline, teamwork, etc.) in players.
• Be early and give yourself enough time to organize your training session. We suggest arriving at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of practice.
• Arrive an hour in advance of a match to organize your team warm-up prior to your pre-game meeting.
• Develop lesson plans and provide match analysis.
• Conduct 4+ training session per week during season.
• Attend coaches meetings, clinics, and 1:1 meetings established by the
  Athletic Department.
• Make yourself available to families and players to provide feedback and
  answer team related questions.
• Take total responsibility for the actions of players on the field.
• Understand the health, safety, and wellness needs of your athletes by
  maintaining regular communication with the Co-Directors of Athletics
  and the Head Athletic Trainer.
• Seek support and direction from the Athletic Department as needed.