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CoachingHandbook

Coaching Handbook – (6-3-14 Update)

Table of Contents

Rocky Hill School Mission………………………………………………… 2Rocky Hill School Athletic Philosophy…………………………………… 2Introduction………………………………………………………………… 2Conferences by Sport ……………………………………………………… 3-6

NEPSAC Code of Ethics and Conduct…..………………………… 3Conferences by Sport ……………………………………………… 6

Pre-Season Practices……………………………………………………….. 6In-Season Games/Practices….……………………………………………... 6Player Commitment………………………………………………………... 7Captains……..……………………………………………………… ……...

8Sports Medicine Services…………………………………………………... 9-23

Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Protocol……………………………9General Emergency Care and Information…………………………. 9Campus Map, Campus Entrances and AED Locations…………….. 10General Emergency Prevention…………………………………….. 11Injury Care Procedures……………………………………………… 12Injury at HOME Athletic Event…………………………………….. 13Injury at AWAY Athletic Event……………………………………. 14Injury Conduct Procedures…………………………………………. 15Venue Specific EAPs……………………………………………….. 16-18

Sharpe Gymnasium…………………………………………. 16Playing Fields (1-6)…………………………………………. 17Waterfront and Tennis Courts………………………………. 18

Health and Safety…………………………………………………… 19Bad Weather/Lightning Policy……………………………… 19

Important General Information……………………………………… 20Student-Athlete Health and Safety Forms…………………… 20Coach Health and Safety Requirements……………………... 20Walkie-Talkie Use…………………………………………… 20Water Bottle Use…………………………………………….. 20First Aid Kit Use…………………………………………….. 20Travel Folders……………………………………………….. 20

Sports Medicine Schedule and Services…………………………….. 21-23Athletic Training Services………………………………….. 21About Athletic Training…………………………………….. 22Athletic Training Room Policy……………………………… 23

Home Games ……………………………………………………………... 24Away Games ……………………………………………………………... 24Student Drivers……...……………………………………………………… 24Team Parents ……………………………………………………………... 25Inclement Weather…..……………………………………………………... 25Gymnasium Rules………………………………………………………….. 25Equipment and Uniforms…………………………………………………… 25

Equipment…..……………………………………………………… 25Uniform……..……………………………………………………… 26

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Team Apparel Purchases…………………………………………… 26Coaching Staff……………………………………………………………… 26

Coaching Expectations……………………………………………… 26Supervision….……………………………………………………… 27Rosters……………………………………………………………… 27Student Managers/Statisticians……...……………………………… 28Media ……………………………………………………………… 28Evaluations….……………………………………………………… 28Professional Development…..……………………………………… 29Outreach and Attracting Student-athletes to Rocky Hill…………… 29

Awards and Recognitions…..…………………………………………….… 29Post-season Parties….……………………………………….……… 29Awards……...…………………………………………………….… 29

Rockey Hill School Athletic AdministratorDirector of Athletics & Certified Athletic TrainerArthur Entwistle IV MEd ATC LATEmail: [email protected] Phone: 401- 884- 9070, ext 156Cell Phone: 401-556- 4305

ROCKY HILL SCHOOL MISSION

The mission of Rocky Hill is to educate the whole child—mind, body, and spirit. As a nurturing school community, we encourage our students to become good citizens and life-long learners, guiding them as they strive for knowledge and self-awareness.

ROCKY HILL SCHOOL ATHLETIC PHILOSOPHY

The Athletic Program at Rocky Hill School promotes every student's physical, emotional, and social growth through competitive team sports and physical fitness activities where good sportsmanship, leadership, a strong work ethic, commitment, and integrity are valued. Athletics are a critical component of the curriculum here, and we are committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to participate on a competitive sports team. Our athletic programs are designed to develop solid, age-appropriate, athletic skills through individual and team activities and interscholastic competition. Emphasis is placed on educating student-athletes to focus on lifelong health and fitness and to develop the skills required to pursue athletics at the collegiate level. We are proud of the many athletic achievements that our Rocky Hill School teams and student-athletes have achieved throughout the years.

INTRODUCTION

Athletics are an essential part of the school community and educational program that contributes to the development physical and mental health, social and recreational needs, and lasting interpersonal relationships. A strong athletic program promotes traits such as teamwork, leadership and

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sportsmanship, my hope that as coaches you will provide the necessary tools to inspire and bring out these traits within our students.

The purpose of this handbook is to provide coaches with a central and accessible source of information about the policies and procedures of the athletic program. This handbook will be updated as needed on an annual basis.

NEPSAC AND CONFERENCES BY SPORT

Rocky Hill School is a member of NEPSAC (New England Preparatory Schools Athletic Council). All member schools must abide by the rules, regulations, and the code of ethics and conduct. Below is the NEPSAC code of ethics and conduct, which Rocky Hill School will abide by.

NEPSACCode of Ethics and Conduct

As a basic principle, we believe that the lessons learned from fairly played athletics, whether interscholastic or not, and including games and practices, are of benefit to our students and our schools. The purpose of this Code of Ethics and Conduct is to define what “fairly played” means and to provide guidelines for NEPSAC athletes, coaches, officials and spectators alike to follow.

Proper Conduct and Good Sportsmanship:At the heart of this matter lie several terms which are often hard to define – yet no more important task confronts teachers and coaches than to set standards which are fair and honorable. Throughout this Code, when such terms as “proper conduct” and “good sportsmanship” are mentioned, they refer to such standards as these:

1. Treat other persons as you know they should be treated, and as you wish them to fairly treat you.2. Regard the rules of your game as agreements, the sprit or letter of which you should not evade or

break.3. Treat officials and opponents with respect.4. Accept absolutely and without quarrel the final decision of any official.5. Honor visiting teams and spectators as your own guests and treat them as such. Likewise,

yourself behave as an honored guest when you visit another school.6. Be gracious in victory and defeat; learn especially to take defeat well.7. Be as cooperative as you are competitive.8. Remember that your actions on and off the field reflect on you and your school.

Purpose of Athletics in Our Schools:Athletics exist primarily as an essential part of the student’s full education. As an educational process, they serve these purposes:

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1. To teach and instruct students in the rules, fundamentals and skills of various individual and team sports; to provide physical training and physical outlet for adolescent energy.

2. To provide healthy competition and cooperation within and between schools, thus inculcating in each student the best principles of good sportsmanship.

3. To develop the other aspects of good sportsmanship which will best serve each student’s education.

4. To maintain the spirit of true amateur competition.

Middle School Spirit of Competition:Along with the rules for middle school play, coaches should play with a good spirit of competition. The NEPSAC Code of Ethics provides the framework on which all game behavior should be based. Beyond that, middle school coaches should intentionally make the game a positive experience for everyone involved – players on both teams, coaches, officials and spectators. This means taking a leadership role with your team and setting standards of behavior. Running up the score, keeping a press on in a basketball game when the outcome is clearly evident, putting your starters in as a group when the score is already lopsided, and continuing a run and gun style of play rather than emphasizing passing and a set offense, all represent examples of a coaching strategy which do not meet the intended spirit of middle school competition.

Guidelines for Coaches:1. Coaches shall remember that school athletics are primarily part of each student’s education, not a

goal in themselves. Coaches shall use athletics to help each student achieve the standards listed above.

2. Coaches shall assist each student toward developing his or her fullest potential in athletics.3. Coaches shall remember that the behavior of a team can reflect the coach’s own manner,

attitudes, temper and approach to athletics, and shall conduct themselves in a way which brings credit to themselves, their team, their school and their sport.

4. Coaches shall be responsible not only for coaching their teams, but also for running games, dealing fairly and properly with officials, meeting before and after games and visiting coaches and players, and maintaining an objectivity and sense of balance commensurate with good sportsmanship. Coaches shall in particular preserve the tradition of shaking hands after games and matches.

Guidelines for Players:1. Players should at all times represent themselves and their school with honor, proper conduct, and

good sportsmanship. They shall understand that competitive rivalries and encouraged, but that disrespect for opponents is unsportsmanlike and lessons the value of the rivalries. They shall confine the competitiveness of the game to the field, and in particular behave properly on the sidelines and in the locker rooms both before and after games.

2. They shall fully comply with the rulings of the officials. In no way, either by voice, action or gesture, shall they demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the decisions made.

3. Players will not deface property or remove equipment of any kind from their own or another school.

Guidelines for Paid Officials:1. Officials shall arrive at school well in advance of game time, making themselves available to

coaches and other officials, and should be prepared to start the game on time.

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2. They shall, in dress, conduct, and knowledge of the game rules, advance the objectives of this Code of Ethics and Conduct.

3. They shall bring understanding and patience in situations which involve young players who err through lack of skill, experience, and maturity.

4. Officials shall deliver in energy and speed their fullest capacities. The association requires, regardless of the level of the game or size of the fee, that officials always give their best.

Guidelines for Spectators:1. Spectators – whether students, faculty, parents, alumni or friends – bear important

responsibilities to the school for atmosphere and conduct of games, whether home or away.2. Spectators shall watch games from those areas defined by each school as spectator areas. They

must not run up and down sidelines, call to players, coaches or officials in an unsportsmanlike manner, go onto the field of play, or deface property. Any action which detracts from the ability of the coaches, players and officials to do their best is not acceptable.

3. Faculty members should remember that their responsibilities for student discipline and behavior extend to disciplining and controlling students who misbehave as spectators.

4. The use of alcohol and illegal drugs should not be associated with any athletic event.

These standards are ones which NEPSAC expects all athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators to meet.

Expulsion RulePlayers or coaches who are ejected from interscholastic games for “unsportsmanlike conduct” or other flagrant behavior will forfeit their eligibility to play or coach in the next regularly scheduled interscholastic game or tournament game played in that sport. We encourage a conversation between athletic department, coach and disqualified offender.

CONFERENCES BY SPORT

Rocky Hill School Varsity teams compete in four athletic conferences in the Upper School, NEPSAC (New England Preparatory School Athletic Council), SENE (Southeastern New England Independent School Athletic Association), NESSA (New England Schools Sailing Association) and the RIIL (Rhode Island Interscholastic League). Here is a list of the conference memberships by sport:

FallBoys’ Soccer SENE/NEPSACGirls’ Soccer SENE/NEPSACField Hockey RIILCross Country SENE/NEPSAC

WinterBoys’ Basketball SENE/NEPSAC Girls’ Basketball RIILBoys’ Ice Hockey RIIL

SpringBoys’ Lacrosse SENE/NEPSACGirls’ Lacrosse SENE/NEPSAC

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Girls’ Softball RIILTennis SENE/NEPSAC Golf SENE/NEPSAC Sailing NESSA

In the Middle School athletic program, there are no specific leagues that Rocky Hill is affiliated with, a majority of the teams our Middle School teams compete against are generally from public and surrounding independent schools.

PRE-SEASON PRACTICES

Preseason practice is a valuable part of the athletic season. They give the team a chance to work on skills, understand concepts and plays, build fitness and endurance, as well as build team cohesion, and it gives the coaching staff the time to assess players’ abilities and place them at the appropriate level team. All players are expected to attend the preseason, as they are just as important as any other segment of the season. Each season has a specified date to begin practices. Please inform all students and parents of the specific dates and times that are agreed upon:

Upper School Fall - Preseason typically begins two weeks before school begins for field hockey, and one week for soccer and cross country, with dates/times to be announced in the beginning of July/August.Middle School Fall - Typically begins the second week of the school year from 2:30—3:30 p.m.

Upper School Winter - Typically begins the Monday before or after Thanksgiving, with dates/times to be announced in the beginning of November. Middle School Winter - Typically begins the week after “Hoops for Heart” ends from 2:3—3:30 p.m.

Upper School Spring - Typically starts the Monday before Spring Break from 3:30—5:30. Although the date has been set, if any winter team has been invited to postseason play, players and/or coaches may not be able to start the spring season by this time. Middle School Spring - Typically starts after Spring Break from 2:30—3:30 p.m.

Coaches should hand a schedule of practices and games to the players on the first day of practice, as well as a guide of the team’s expectations, rules and policies (Everything must be approved by the Director of Athletics before handing to the team).

IN SEASON GAMES AND PRACTICES

Coaches must be present for all practices and games. Students cannot be left alone under any circumstance. Coaches must remain at practices and games until all students have been properly dismissed from the campus or away game venue.

Rocky Hill’s Upper School offers a tutorial period from 3:15-3:45 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and on Wednesday and Friday from 2:35-2:55, which all students are encouraged to attend to get extra help for academic subjects. Practices during the fall and spring will run from 3:45-5:15 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 3:30-5:15 on Wednesdays and Fridays. There will be rainy days or days when this schedule will be changed to accommodate for an indoor practice schedule. Schedules for indoor practices or games that have been cancelled will be updated on the school website, Athletic

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Hotline and Upper School kiosk. Students should be made aware by their coaches of these special schedules and will be held accountable to still attend practices when the venue or time has changed. Occasionally, there may be games on Weekends.

During the winter basketball season, there may be games or practices that start later than 5:00 p.m. on campus. In the event that a team has one of these time slots, student-athletes are required to attend proctored study halls on campus from 3:45-4:45 p.m. Students who are involved in late practices or games are not allowed to leave campus after school and return for their event unless they are given special permission from the Head of Upper School or the Director of Athletics. All Middle School practices are held Monday through Thursday from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. All students should be with their teams at all times during this time frame. If a Middle School student has a late home game that starts later than 4:30 p.m., they are required to attend a proctored study hall. If a teacher in the Upper School or Middle School has to hold a student behind from practice or a game for academic reasons, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the coach that he or she will not be coming or will be late to practice.

On days when school is cancelled due to adverse weather, all games and practices will also be cancelled.

PLAYER COMMITMENT

Attendance All participants on every athletic team are expected to attend every practice, meeting and game. Any student-athlete arriving to school later than 10 a.m. is not allowed to participate in practices

or games for that day. Excused absences and tardiness due to doctor appointments or other scheduled appointments that are difficult to reschedule outside of the class day are acceptable, and do not disallow the student from participating.

If a teacher in the Upper School or Middle School has to hold a student behind from practice or a game for academic reasons it is the responsibility of the student or academic teacher to inform the coach that the student will not be coming or will be late to practice.

In the Upper School a player cannot miss any more than three excused or acknowledged practices, games, or meetings. If the student goes beyond the three, the student will be under administrative review whether they will receive the credit or not.

Each coach should keep a record of attendance and communicate to the Director of Athletics of any student who might be in danger of missing their second obligation of the season. Each coach is allowed to make their own policies concerning missed practices and playing time, but that policy should be communicated and consistent with every student at the start of the season.

In the Upper School the Director of Athletics will check in with every team daily to make sure your entire team is present at the practice or game. If a student- athlete does not communicate they are not going to be at the practice or game and are not in attendance, it is imperative the coach inform the Director of Athletics who the student-athlete is so the student can be tracked down. A call home may be needed.

Student- athletes with an unexcused absence will earn a detention for each infraction as well any further consequences that are put forth by the head coach, Dean of Student Life and Director of Athletics.

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Attendance, effort, and skill determine playing time in games. JV players should receive fair and equitable playing time (except in situations when team rules or policies have been violated). Any playing time at the varsity level is at the discretion of the head coach.

Discipline Coaches must set up appropriate rules as well as expectations and communicate them at the

beginning of the season. A copy must be submitted to the Director of Athletics. Infractions of the coach’s policies may mean, but are not limited to the loss of playing time. The

coach is expected to clearly explain the reason for the punishment. If problems persist the coach should set a meeting with the Director of Athletics to discuss the

situation and other possible avenues. The Head of Upper School or the Head of Middle School will also be notified and included in the decision to continue discipline.

As per NEPSAC, SENE, RIIL and Rocky Hill School rules, any player ejected from a game must sit out the next game. The player will dress in appropriate clothing and attend the next game in its entirety. Rocky Hill has the right to impose further consequences if they feel the situation warrants further action.

Students who are not being good citizens in our school community and violate any of the rules or policies as stated in our student handbook may lose the privilege of participating in a game, practice or an entire season as determined by the school’s administration

Pick-up after Games or Practices All players should be picked up promptly at the end of practices and games. If a player is picked

up significantly (more than 15 minutes) later than they should have been, the following procedure will take place.

o First offense – The coach or Director of Athletics will speak with the parent about the importance of a timely pick-up in the future.

o Second offense – The Director of Athletics will call the parent to discuss pick-up.o Third offense – The Director of Athletics will request a meeting with the parents, the

head coach, and either the Head of Upper School or the Head of Middle School to discuss the situation and work on a solution.

CAPTIAN SELECTION (Example)

At the end of each season students have the option to apply to be a varsity team captain. In order to be considered for the role of the team captain, a student will have to submit, in writing, his or her interest in the position as well as his or her qualifications for the role to the Director of Athletics.

The Director of Athletics then will share with the head varsity coach who the applicants are and what they have submitted in writing.

The head varsity coach will then meet with the team to take a vote on who should be appointed. The head varsity coach will then report back to the Director of Athletics on who he or she would

like to be the team captain or captains for next year for approval. The Director of Athletics may announce at the Spring Athletic Awards Program who the captains

will be for the following school year. JV teams have the option go through this process before the first game each season. Once they assume the role of captain, student-athletes must understand that their captaincy may

be revoked for any violation of our Student Handbook or Captains Handbook policies that results in suspension from school or other significant disciplinary action. This includes inappropriate behavior outside of school including, but not limited to, associating with individuals in

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possession of, or found to be involved with drugs, steroids, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, or individuals engaged in illegal behavior.

If a coach wants to revoke a captaincy from a student-athlete he/she must first get approval from the Director of Athletics.

Head varsity coaches should set up meeting with their captains on a regular basis to discuss how the season is going and to help them improve as team leaders.

SPORTS MEDICINE SECTION

EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN (EAP)

In Case of an Emergency: If unconsciousness, CALL 911 (dial 75 if calling from land-line on campus), find AED, and care

for as trained. Provide immediate medical care (CPR/AED/FA) as trained, contact and wait for further care to arrive.

If conscious, care for as trained. Provide immediate medical care (CPR/AED/FA) as trained, contact and wait for further care to arrive.

Emergency DURING the School Day: If an injury happens during the school day, contact the SCHOOL NURSE immediately for

further care. The School Nurse will contact necessary individuals.

Emergency AFTER the School Day: If an injury happens after school, contact the ATHLETIC TRAINER (ATC) immediately for

further care. The ATC will contact necessary individuals.

Emergency Contacts: (dial 75 if calling from a land line on campus)911 ambulance/policePoison Control 1 (800) 222 1222

Secondary Contacts: (add to cell phone)Margo Ott – School Nurse Cell: UK Ext: 112 Email: [email protected] Entwistle IV – ATC/AAD Cell: 401-556-4305 Ext: 156 Email: [email protected] Branch – Head of school H: 401-398-8076 Ext: 110 Email: [email protected]

Local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Hospital(s):East Greenwich Fire District (EGFD) will normally respond to emergencies at Rocky Hill School. The EGFD ambulance will decide upon which hospital to send the injured person to, based upon signs and symptoms (S/S) and care needed. Less severe/significant injured persons will normally be transported to Kent Hospital in Warwick. More severe/significant injured persons will normally be transported to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.

Kent Hospital (Kent County Memorial) Rhode Island Hospital455 Toll Gate Road 593 Eddy StreetWarwick, RI 02886 Providence, RI 02903Phone: (401) 737-7000, or (888) 455-KENT Phone: (401) 444-4000

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mailto:[email protected]

CAMPUS MAP

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Locations (2):ATC is responsible for the maintenance of the AEDs located on campus

1. Hopelands o At all times: Located in marked emergency box in reception office

2. Sharpe Gymnasiumo During the school day: Located in marked white cabinet in men’s coaches’ room.o After the school day: Located with the ATC at game/practices.

Directions for Emergency Vehicles to Campus Locations (2 Entrances): 1st Entrance off of Ives Road (Right onto Wampanoag Rd)Access to the following:

Waterfront (need key to get to waterfront) Tennis Courts Hopelands, Campbell, Carriage House, Preschool, Brick House, Faculty House, Perkins, Gibson,

Hale, Pony Barn

2nd Entrance off of Ives Road (Right onto Chinook Rd)Access to the following:

Sharpe Gymnasium, Flynn, Headmaster’s House, Maintenance Building, Perkins, Gibson Athletic playing fields 1-6

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General Emergency Prevention:At Rocky Hill School many prevention techniques are incorporated in an effort to thwart preventable emergency situations and in an effort to be prepared for any emergency situation that may arise. Performing regular facility/classroom/field maintenance and inspection, providing proper supervision at school/during events, as well as incorporating parent/student/faculty education are all important parts of emergency prevention. A properly developed emergency action plan is crucial to bridging the gap between prevention techniques and emergency response.

Student/Athlete Requirements:In order for a student to participate in athletics at Rocky Hill School they must have documented proof of a physical examination and immunizations on file with the school nurse. Each student who participates in athletics must also have a filled out health form. Included in the health form is a section that gives information on concussion, its mechanism, evaluation and treatment.

Faculty/Staff /Coach Training and Responsibilities:Faculty/staff undergo annual Blood Born Pathogen certification through the school nurse. The athletic trainer meets with all coaching staff prior to the season to discuss/educate emergency and injury protocol. The athletic trainer also certifies coaching staff in basic C.P.R./A.E.D. and First Aid (bi-annual courses available).

In order to coach a team at R.H.S., proof of current C.P.R./A.E.D. and First Aid certification must be presented (only certain certifications are accepted). Coaches must also have documentation of concussion course certification on file with the athletic trainer. The Rhode Island Interscholastic League (R.I.I.L.) imposes further training responsibilities on its coaches. Since most faculty on campus are also coaches, there is a high percentage of faculty that have C.P.R./A.E.D. and First Aid certification.

A faculty/staff member is often requested to be at the scoring table for athletic events. Having a person such as this helps in providing adequate adult, trained supervision during sporting events and is essential in the implementation of a smooth E.A.P.

A student athlete response team may be incorporated into each upper school team. This response team may consist of CPR trained student responders as well as individuals who will help in an emergency situation (phone calls, meeting ambulance, etc.)

Emergency Action Plan (E.A.P.) Rehearsal Schedules:During the school year, Emergency Response Plan (E.R.P.) rehearsals are held randomly. Some of these E.R.P. include school Lock Down/Code Blue, Fire Drills, and Evacuation Drills.

At the time of C.P.R./A.E.D. and First Aid certification, coaches rehearse responding to E.A.P. that they may encounter during sports participation. Most of these skills are also useful outside of sports participation. Occasionally, extra practice takes place at random times or with sports in which certain catastrophic injuries are prevalent.

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Injury Care Procedures:When notified of an injury, either the Rocky Hill School Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), or School Nurse will initiate emergency care as indicated appropriate. If deemed necessary, more advanced Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be summoned. There are a variety of Signs and Symptoms (S/S) that indicated the need for ambulance transportation to the hospital. There are also many S/S that determine that it is safe to refer an injured person to a hospital/physician by other means and at other times.

Reasons for Summoning Advanced EMS (Ambulance Transport to ER): ANY loss of consciousness (LOC) for any period of time/deterioration Seizure(s) w/o predisposition (unknown cause) S/S of respiratory emergency S/S of cardiac emergency Severe bleeding/bleeding that cannot be controlled S/S of acute neurological function loss/significant alteration/deterioration S/S of acute circulatory function loss/significant alteration/deterioration S/S of shock S/S of significant eye trauma S/S of significant tooth/teeth trauma Most open and/or displaced/significant fractures S/S of spinal cord injury or injury to spinal vertebrae (neck/back) If extreme pain/discomfort and not absolutely sure of cause If parent/guardian cannot be reached and/or cannot take injured athlete immediately to ER

Reasons for Immediate Referral to Hospital (Driven by parent/guardian to ER): S/S of non-displaced and/or possible fracture w/o circulation/neurologic loss Wound needing stitches but bleeding is controlled S/S of displaced tooth/teeth that needs further care S/S of eye trauma that needs further care If extreme pain/discomfort and not absolutely sure of cause

Reasons for Referral to Physician (Specialist): S/S of concussion S/S of possible fracture S/S of acute/chronic pain S/S of significant infection S/S of possible disease requiring further treatment Not sure of condition

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Emergency Steps at Home Athletic Event:

Student athlete is injured during a practice or game: (COACH RESPONSIBILITY) Coach will seek out the medical services of EMS and/or the Athletic Trainer (ATC). Coach and response team will help with emergency response and will provide care as trained.

Coach may be requested to accompany student athlete to hospital if needed. Coach will fill out an Injury Notification Form if requested

Form will be turned in to Athletic Department, ATC, or School Nurse by the next day.

Student athlete is injured during a practice or game: (ATHLETIC TRAINER RESPONSIBILITY) ATC will evaluate and care for athlete. ATC will contact and/or provide paperwork to appropriate individuals for care of athlete. ATC will complete an Athletic Training Injury Report. ATC will email coach(s), School Nurse, and Athletic Department that evening or the following

morning about the athlete’s status. ATC will fill out Athletic Training Injury Update Report(s) as appropriate. Status updates

will be emailed to coach(s), School Nurse, and Athletic Department as appropriate. ATC will fill out an Athletic Training Return to Participation Report as appropriate. Return

to participation status updates will be emailed to coach(s), School Nurse, and Athletic Department as appropriate.

Student-Athlete is sent to Hospital: EMS will be activated by calling 911. ATC will evaluate and care for athlete while waiting for EMS. Coach, Athletic Department, Nurse, Maintenance Dept. Staff will meet the ambulance at an

entrance. ATC will find out what hospital the athlete is going to.

At least one adult should accompany athlete to hospital. ATC will make sure that the following are contacted immediately:

Parent/Guardian Emergency Contact Travel FolderHead of School Peter Branch 401-398-8076 (Home)Athletic Department

ATC will complete an Athletic Training Injury Report. ATC and/or Head of School will follow up with parent/guardian that evening. ATC will email Head of School, coach(s), School Nurse, Athletic Department, US/MS Head and

student-athlete adviser that evening about the athlete’s status. ATC will fill out Athletic Training Injury Update Report(s) as appropriate. Status updates

will be emailed to Head of School, coach(s), School Nurse, and Athletic Department as appropriate.

ATC will fill out an Athletic Training Return to Participation Report as appropriate. Return to participation status updates will be emailed to coach(s), School Nurse, and Athletic Department as appropriate.

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Emergency Steps at Away Athletic Event:

Student athlete is injured during a practice or game: (COACH RESPONSIBILITY) Coach will seek out the medical services of the Athletic Trainer (ATC) and/or medical

professional as appropriate. Coach and response team will help with emergency response and will provide care as trained. Coach will contact parent/guardian if deemed necessary (Travel Folder). Coach will contact before 8am the day following the injury:

ATC/AD Arthur Entwistle IV [email protected] Nurse Margo Ott [email protected]

Coach will fill out an Injury Notification Form if requested Form will be turned in to Athletic Department, ATC, or School Nurse by the next day.

Coach will have student see Nurse and/or ATC (during lunch) the following day.

Student-Athlete is sent to Hospital: (COACH RESPONSIBILITY) EMS and Emergency Action Plan (EAP) will be activated. Coach will find out what hospital student athlete is being sent to. Coach and response team will call immediately:

Parent/Guardian Emergency contact Travel FolderHead of School Peter Branch 401-398-8076 (Home)ATC/AD Arthur Entwistle IV 401-556-4305 (Cell)Athletic Department

Coach may accompany the injured student-athlete to the hospital.At least one adult should accompany athlete to hospital.

Coach will email that evening:ATC/AD Arthur Entwistle IV [email protected] Nurse Margo Ott [email protected] of School Peter Branch [email protected]

Coach will fill out an Injury Notification Form Form will be turned in to Athletic Department, ATC, or School Nurse by the next day.

Coach will have student athlete see School Nurse and/or ATC ASAP. ATC and/or Head of School will follow up with parent/guardian that evening.

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Injury Conduct Procedures:Rocky Hill School prides itself upon teaching its students responsibility. Upper School student athletes are given more responsibility as far as injury care/notification than Middle School student athletes. For this reason, this policy has been put into effect. Certain special circumstances may attribute to deviation from set protocol.

RHS Middle School Athletic Injury Policy: ANY athletic injury that has an Athletic Training Injury Report written for it, and/or requires

time away from practice or game participation must be reported to parent/guardian.o Discuss possibilities, referral(s) and care instructions

Paperwork of the evaluation and for care will be sent home with athlete as appropriate. Athlete is encouraged to research injury possibilities.

RHS Upper School Athletic Injury Policy: Paperwork of the evaluation and for care will be sent home with athlete. Athlete is encouraged to research injury possibilities. Parent/guardian can contact the Athletic Trainer (ATC) for further information. Parent/guardian will be contacted if deemed appropriate.

Emergency Protocol: SHARPE GYMNASIUM

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1. Call 911 (dial 75 if calling from land-line)

2. Instruct Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel to:

“Please report to Rocky Hill School, located at 530 Ives Road, East Greenwich, RI 02818; Enter through the second entrance onto Chinook Road (bus, gymnasium and playing field entrance) and meet at the Gymnasium as we have an injured student-athlete in need of emergency medical treatment. Someone will meet the ambulance outside of the gymnasium.”

3. Provide necessary information to the EMS personnel:a. Name, address, telephone number of callerb. Number of victims; conditions of victimsc. First-aid treatment initiatedd. Specific directions as needed to locate scenee. Other information as requested by dispatcher

4. Provide appropriate emergency care until arrival of EMS personnel: On arrival of EMS personnel, provide pertinent information (method of injury, vital signs, treatment rendered, medical history) and assist with emergency care as needed.

NOTE: Coach/staff member should accompany student-athlete to hospital. Notify other sports medicine staff immediately. Parents should be contacted by sports medicine staff. Administration and coaches will be notified by sports medicine staff. Obtain medical history and insurance information. Appropriate injury reports should be completed.

Secondary Contacts:Margo Ott – School Nurse Cell: UK Ext: 112 Email: [email protected] Entwistle IV – ATC/AD Cell: 401-556-4305 Ext: 156 Email: [email protected] Branch – Head of School H: 401-398-8076 Ext: 110 Email: [email protected]

Emergency Protocol: PLAYING FIELDS 1-6

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FIELDS 1 and 2 (US Field Hockey and US Girls’ Lacrosse)“Please report to Rocky Hill School, located at 530 Ives Road, East Greenwich, RI 02818; Enter through the second entrance onto Chinook Road (bus, gymnasium and playing field entrance) as we have an injured student-athlete in need of emergency medical treatment. Someone will meet the ambulance at the entrance.”

FIELDS 3 through 6 (MS/US Soccer and Lacrosse)“Please report to Rocky Hill School, located at 530 Ives Road, East Greenwich, RI 02818; Enter through the second entrance Chinook Road (bus, gymnasium and playing field entrance) and continue straight through stop sign in parking lot as we have an injured student-athlete in need of emergency medical treatment. Someone will meet the ambulance at the entrance and will direct the ambulance further.”



NOTE: Coach/Staff member should accompany student-athlete to hospital. Notify other sports medicine staff immediately. Parents should be contacted by sports medicine staff. Administration and coaches will be notified by sports medicine staff. Obtain medical history and insurance information. Appropriate injury reports should be completed.


Emergency Protocol: WATERFRONT AND TENNIS COURTS

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Waterfront“Please report to Rocky Hill School, located at 530 Ives Road, East Greenwich, RI 02818; Enter through the first entrance (Hopelands) as we have an injured student-athlete in need of emergency medical treatment. Follow the road through the stop sign and over a speed bump. Someone will meet the ambulance at the entrance to the waterfront.”

Tennis Courts“Please report to Rocky Hill School, located at 530 Ives Road, East Greenwich, RI 02818; Enter through the first entrance (Hopelands) as we have an injured student-athlete in need of emergency medical treatment. Follow the road through the stop sign and over a speed bump. Someone will meet the ambulance at the entrance to the tennis courts.”



NOTE: Coach/Staff member should accompany student-athlete to hospital. Notify other sports medicine staff immediately. Parents should be contacted by sports medicine staff. Administration and coaches will be notified by sports medicine staff. Obtain medical history and insurance information. Appropriate injury reports should be completed.


Health and Safety

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Bad Weather and Lightning Policy:Prior to Start of Event:

The home AD of the sport/activity is in charge of making the decision to cancel/postpone/reschedule event prior to its start.

Monitor weather www.weather.com All sport/activity should be postponed or suspended if severe weather presents

risk to such sport/activity. All sport/activity should be postponed or suspended if a thunderstorm appears

imminent before or during an event (regardless of whether lightning is seen or thunder heard), until the hazard has passed.

Signs of imminent thunderstorm activity are darkened clouds, high winds or thunder/lightning activity.

During Event: Officials, AD, and ATC should coordinate to make the decision to cancel/postpone/suspend an

event once the event has begun. All sport/activity should be postponed or suspended if severe weather presents

risk to such sport/activity. All sport/activity should be postponed or suspended if a thunderstorm appears

imminent before or during an event (regardless of whether lightning is seen or thunder heard), until the hazard has passed.

Signs of imminent thunderstorm activity are darkened clouds, high winds or thunder/lightning activity.

Officials will make the call to remove individuals from the playing field in most events.

When thunder is heard, or cloud-to-ground bolt is seen, suspend sport/activity immediately and seek shelter.

Seeking Shelter: At signs of imminent severe weather or thunderstorm activity, all individuals must find

appropriate shelter. At home events, all individuals at fields must immediately take shelter in the

Sharpe Gymnasium. At away events seek available shelter.

An alternate safe shelter such as a school bus, or car (with solid roof) and windows rolled up may be sought if necessary.

Resumption of Event: The resumption of sport/activity can take place 30 minutes following the last sound of thunder or

spotted lightning flash.

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http://www.weather.com/

Important General Information

Student-athlete Health and Safety Forms:Individuals will be held from participation in sport/activity if they do not have the appropriate paperwork returned to the appropriate individuals.

Coach Health and Safety Requirements:All coaches must complete and maintain appropriate training and certifications to coach.

o Annual online concussion certification training.o Biennial Standard Adult CPR/AED and Basic First Aid.o Other associated coaching requirements.

Walkie-Talkie Use: (HOME EVENTS ONLY) Walkie-talkies are located in the AD office.

o All walkie-talkies must be returned to the charger after use.o Channel 2 is the athletic department channel.

Walkie-talkies are to be used during all HOME fall and spring sports/activities for communication and safety purposes.

All teams are to have a walkie-talkie with them at HOME practices. All HOME games will have walkie-talkie access at the score table. Please try to use walkie-talkies for business only. ATC/AD will have walkie-talkies.

o Please use ATC/AD cell phone if walkie-talkie failure.

Water Bottle Use: (HOME AND AWAY EVENTS) Water bottles are located in the athletic training room. Water bottles are to be taken to all home and away sports/activities.

o Please take no more than two cases per event.o Water Bottles must be returned and emptied daily after use.

Please have the water bottle caps placed into the cap bucket (white 5 gallon bucket).

Please have water bottles turned upside down in their cases to allow drainage. The ATC is responsible for the sanitary maintenance of the water bottles.

o Water Bottle caps are washed and cleaned daily.o Water Bottles are washed and cleaned every few weeks.

First Aid Kit Use: (HOME AND AWAY EVENTS) First-aid kits are located in the athletic training room. First-aid kits are to be brought to all away sports/activities. It is not necessary to bring the First-aid kits to home events.

o Contact ATC as needed for supplies and care. The ATC is responsible for the maintenance of the First-aid kits.

Travel Folders: Travel Folders are located in the AD office. Travel Folders are to be brought to all AWAY sports/activities.

o Take only one copy to away events. Travel Folders consist of:

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o Emergency contact informationo Medical release paperworko Injury Notification Formso Coach’s Handbook

CAUTION: Folders contain personal information.o Please do not lose or let students carry/care for them.

ATC is responsible for the maintenance of the Travel Folders.

Sports Medicine Schedule and Services

Athletic Trainer Schedule: (all hours subject to change)Fall:

On Campus 9 a.m.Office Hours 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Field House Hours 2 p.m. - whenever

Winter:On Campus 9 p.m.Office Hours 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Field/Field House Hours 2 p.m. - whenever

Spring:On Campus 9 a.m.Office Hours 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Field House Hours 2 p.m. - whenever

What is a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)?Certified Athletic Trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize patient and client activity and participation in athletics, work and life. The practice of athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination and diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute, sub-acute, and chronic neuromusculoskeletal conditions and certain medical conditions in order to minimize subsequent impairments, functional limitations, disability, and societal limitations.(Athletic Training Services, an Overview of skills and services performed by Athletic Trainers. NATA; Jan. 2010. pg 7)

What does a Certified Athletic Trainer do?An ATC specializes in five areas of practice: (Board of Certification and state licensure)

Prevention Recognition, evaluation and assessment Immediate, emergency care Treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning Organization and administration

ATC daily tasks can include: Preparing, maintaining and observing athletic playing surfaces for hazards Maintaining emergency response equipment and supplies Training coaches and staff on health and safety Organizing files and distributing as necessary Maintaining a sanitary athletic environment including water bottle care, and equipment care

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Preparing athletes for sport participation: pre-participation screening, taping, equipment fitting, bandaging and bracing, paper work acquisition

Developing conditioning programs Evaluating possible injuries to determine their proper management Communicating with parents, administrators and other health care professionals Implementing treatment and rehabilitation programs

ATC Care and Injury Responsibility: All coaches should have the ATC’s cell phone number and access to it at all times. The ATC is available for individual students during their assigned lunch periods and after school

before and during sport/activity and/or if otherwise scheduled appointment is made. o To ease the strain put upon the coaches, students and the ATC, new injuries from the

previous day should be seen during the individual students’ associated lunch period. o The time at the end of the school day prior to sport/activity should be used for preparing

individuals for sport participation, incorporating basic wound care and preventive measures, not for initial evaluation if at all possible.

All individuals needing to be treated prior to sport/activity must personally inform coach prior to seeking treatment.

o Rehabilitation will take place during sport/activity times and/or when otherwise individually scheduled.

o The ATC can refuse treatment for injuries occurring outside of RHS athletics.o Due to time constraints, more advanced/time consuming rehabilitations will be

outsourced to Physical Therapy clinic as appropriate.

The ATC will cover all home sports/activities. The ATC is not required to go to any away events.

o If multiple sports/activities are taking place, the ATC will spend most of the time at the event associated with more severe/numerous injuries.

o Game coverage takes precedent over practice coverage.o If an individual is injured during an event at RHS, the ATC should be notified. The ATC

will evaluate and treat the individual under their scope of practice. If necessary, the individual will be transported to a medical facility or referred to a specialist and all necessary people will be contacted.

If there is an injury at an away event, or when the ATC is not present, the coach must fill out a RHS Injury Notification Form and return it to the ATC/AAD or Athletic Director (AD) within 48 hours.

o If an individual is injured at an away event, the medical services of that school should be sought.

o If injury is significant or questionable the RHS ATC should be called and notified of the event.

o If injury requires an ambulance or hospital visit from an away event, the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the individual must be notified of the injury as well as the hospital that the individual is being brought to. Also contact the RHS ATC so that follow up communication can be made.

Use the emergency contact information from the travel folder.

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The ATC will maintain an open communication with the AD, School Nurse, Coaching staff, administrators and health care professionals as appropriate in order to coordinate proper care/treatment associated with all individual injuries.

The ATC has final call when returning an individual to participation in sport/activity.o After an evaluation, the ATC has the right to refuse return to participation during any

sport/activity at RHS.o Any injured individual who is evaluated, treated and rehabilitated by the ATC must get

clearance to return to sport/activity from the ATC.o Individuals under a physician’s care require a signed note/document from said physician

turned into either the School Nurse or the ATC prior to return to sport/activity. The individual must then receive clearance to return to sport/activity from the School ATC.

o In some instances a Release of Liability Form will be used if ATC is unsure of physician’s orders, or is uncertain of injury prognosis in any way.

o Injured individuals ARE NOT allowed to return to participation in sport/activity without written or spoken word from the ATC.

Athletic Training Room Policy:Individuals allowed in Athletic Training Room:

Certified Athletic Trainer Coaches/Staff Student-Aid (SA) Individuals seeking treatment Individuals receiving treatment

No individuals are allowed to “hang out” or do school work inside of the Athletic Training Room at any time.

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HOME GAMES

The Athletic Department is responsible for the set up for all home games, this includes lining fields, having goals in place, scoreboards on fields, scorer’s table with a walkie-talkie, cones, flags and forms to pay officials. The coaches should ensure that the following are present: water, scorebook, game balls, and other equipment needed for play.

Head coaches should meet and greet the visiting team and the officials whenever possible. Head coaches are responsible to have their team clean up after all games. This includes but is not

limited to: water bottles emptied and returned, ice buckets emptied and returned, equipment returned to the proper storage area, and general cleanup of field/court/etc. This includes scorer’s table and chairs, cones, flags, balls, etc. If the Athletic Trainer/Director of Athletics has room in the golf cart they will help with the transport of the equipment.

Coaches should be the last ones to leave the venue when their team finishes their athletic contest. They should make sure that there is no trash or debris left on their team bench or sidelines.

AWAY GAMES

For all away games, the kiosks in the Upper School and Middle School will give the early dismissal times if needed. Student-athletes should adhere to the dismissal time given on the kiosk and should not leave class any earlier than the scheduled dismissal time, unless special arrangements and permission have been made and given to receive treatment with the Athletic Trainer.

The coaches should ensure that the following are present: team medical kit, medical forms for all students, water, ice bucket with bags, cell phone with emergency numbers, equipment needed for play.

Students may not enter or exit the buses through the back door. The back door may be used for equipment loading and unloading, but all students should enter and exit the bus through the side door.

All passengers must be seated on the buses and may not be seated in the aisles or the storage areas in the back. Seatbelts must be used on all buses.

Coaches and/or drivers are responsible for following all laws, including the number of allowed passengers in each vehicle.

At the conclusion of every trip, the driver must inspect the bus and report to the Athletic Director if there are any safety or maintenance issues that need to be corrected. They should return the key immediately when they return or first thing the next day.

Head coaches are responsible for returning a clean bus. Bags will be stored on the bus for post-trip garbage. These bags should be thrown away in the dumpster upon returning from the event.

STUDENT DRIVERS

All players are required to take school transportation to all away practices and games, unless prior permission has been given from the Director of Athletics or Dean of Student Life. Only in special circumstances are students are allowed to drive themselves to an away game or practice. Students will need to provide a written or verbal confirmation from the students’ parents. Student drivers who have late practices or games are not allowed to leave campus in their cars and return to campus after the completion of the academic day.

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All players are required to take school transportation to and from every away game (bus or parent driver) with only the following exceptions:

o A parent chooses to drive their son/daughter to and from a game.o A parent chooses to allow another parent to drive their child to or from a game. This must

be made known to the head coach before the student leaves the game for liability purposes.

o A licensed student who lives near an away game location may drive their own car, only with the proper form signed by the parents, and on file with the Director of Athletics, and permission from either the Dean of Student Life or the Director of Athletics.

TEAM PARENTS

Each team is encouraged to have a team parent or two that will help organize various tasks for the team. Team parents are typically asked to, but are not limited to: organize snacks for the players for games, and help organize a team party at the conclusion of the season, etc.

It is encouraged that teams and coaches honor the team parents at the end of the season for their time and effort throughout the season.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The Athletic Department will do its best due notify the parents and the Rocky Hill community of any cancellations for practices or games by 1:30 p.m. daily due to inclement weather, but unfortunately even after this time adverse weather may still interfere with practices or games.

Please inform your parents of the importance of checking the athletic hotline or our website by 1:30 p.m. daily for any changes in the athletic schedule in regard to practices or games

GYMNASIUM RULES

Coaches are expected to monitor their players at all times while in the gym, and should make sure the gym is locked when you leave and there are not any students present in the gym, unless there is a faculty member staff or another Rocky Hill team present. Every coach should have a set of keys to the gym and if they do not they should see the Director of Athletics immediately.

Cleats should not be worn in the gym at any time. Students may not be unsupervised at any time in the gym.

EQUIPMENT

Before the beginning of the season the head coach must identify any and all equipment that will be needed for the season. Head coaches must realize that new equipment may not be possible to acquire due to budgetary constraints. All equipment must be returned in a timely manner at the conclusion of the season. At that time the head coach must identify if any equipment is in need of repair or replacement.

Head coaches are responsible for storing the equipment at the end of a practice or game. All equipment should be stored and locked to ensure safety of equipment and prevent loss of equipment or injury from unsupervised use.

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Head coaches are responsible for inspecting all equipment on a regular basis to insure working order, and the safety for all who may use it. If the coach is unsure of any piece of equipment, the piece in question cannot be used and the Athletic Director must be notified.

UNIFORMS

Once the rosters have been handed into the Athletic Department, uniforms will be issued to the Head Coach to distribute to their players. The Head Coach is responsible for handing out and recording the uniforms before the first game, and collecting them at the conclusion of the season. Uniforms not handed out should be returned in the bucket for storage throughout the season, along with a copy of the roster and uniforms issued. At the conclusion of the season, when every uniform has been collected and cleaned, the uniforms must be returned to the storage bucket and handed to the Athletic Department for storage. The Head Coach must inform the Director of Athletics if uniforms are in need of repair or replacement.

Once students have been issued their uniform, he/she is responsible for that uniform for the remainder of the season. Socks, reversible and other various items can be purchased from the school store.

If a player does not hand in all of the issued equipment, they will not be issued any equipment or uniform for the next season until the missing items are returned or paid for.

TEAM APPAREL PURCHASES

The vendor the school uses for team apparel is Squad Locker. All of the items that they sell will have our proper school colors and logos and that it is imperative that we use this company when looking to make a team purchase

If for some reason Squad Locker does not have what the team is looking for then the head coach will have to get permission for the Director of Athletics to look for another vendor who may have what the team wants to purchase.

COACHING EXPECTATIONS

All coaches should attend every meeting as requested by the Director of Athletics. Head varsity coaches must attend all league meetings for their respective sport. If they cannot attend this meeting, the head coach should ensure that an assistant coach represent Rocky Hill. Rocky Hill must be present for all league commitments.

All coaches should obtain their chauffeurs license for driving students in one of our 14-passenger buses. By having this endorsement, we have the ability to transport our many teams where they need to go.

Coaches should provide leadership at all times. Students take notice of the behaviors that coaches engage in, therefore all coaches should be diligent in demonstrating the highest level of sportsmanship and conduct at all times.

Every coach should promote the ideal that academics are the primary reason for attending Rocky Hill School. Students need to learn the balance between sports and school, and they should learn to manage their time well. The workload for every student is different, so coaches need to positively promote their academic work along with promoting their athletic endeavors.

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Coaches are asked to email after every game recap, highlight and final score to the Assistant Athletic Director to be put on the website and other avenues of communication.

All Upper School coaches are expected to attend early in the season a “Meet The Coaches Night”. Head coaches during this parent meeting should go over the schedule, expectations and rules of the team, attendance policy, coaching philosophies. This is also a good opportunity to collect emails and phone numbers for all parents, as well as appoint a team parent to help arrange snacks, parties and any other tasks that they may perform. The Director of Athletics will coordinate a time and place and notify the parents and students when to attend.

All coaches must be CPR, AED, and first-aid certified.

SUPERVISION

Coaches are responsible for monitoring their team at all practices, home and away games, and during transportation to and from any athletic event. Coaches and players should model the highest form of good behavior, as the team is representing the entire Rocky Hill community. If a student is showing any unsportsmanlike behavior towards opponents, coaches, fans, or officials it is the responsibility of the coaching staff to address this behavior immediately and impose consequences.

Whenever a bus is taken to and from a game a coach must be present on the bus. Players at an away game may go home with their parents, only after the coach is notified. Other

players may also get rides from a teammate’s parent only when the coach is notified ahead of time.

In most cases there are at least two coaches per team, it is imperative during transition and down time in locker rooms, hallways, field or gym space from the start of a game or practice time that one of the coaches is present in these areas if they cannot be present then they should notify the athletic department

ROSTERS

All Upper and Middle School head coaches must notify the Director of Athletics of any roster changes that he or she wants to make before the change can take place. This means if a player wants to be added or deleted form the team it first must be approved by the Director of Athletics.

Students are not allowed to leave or quit a team after the first 10 days of the season, unless for medical, academic or behavioral reasons and approved by the Director of Athletics and the Dean of Student Life

All Upper and Middle School head coaches must turn in a copy of their rosters before team uniforms will be given to the Head Coach to issue to his/her team.

Team rosters are due 48 hours prior to the first athletic contest A player may be moved up from a JV team to a varsity team during the season on either a

permanent or individual-game basis. The Director of Athletics must be notified of the change before it takes place.

Middle School students will not be eligible for varsity or JV participation in SENE/NEPSAC sports. Exceptions to this rule may occur, but the following procedure must be followed:

A. The head coach must inform the Director of Athletics of the interest.B. A meeting with the Head of the Upper School, Head of the Middle School,

Director of Athletics and students’ adviser will determine if the move is right for that particular student.

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C. If all parties are in agreement, the Director of Athletics and/or the coach will then approach the parents and the student for permission to play on the Uppers School team.

D. At no time will a coach approach the athlete or parents about the proposed move until the previous steps have transpired.

In cases when there are low numbers for a JV game, a player(s) can be moved down from the varsity team to play for the JV team. Please inform the Director of Athletics in cases such as these.

STUDENT MANAGERS/STATISTICIANS

Every team is encouraged to have a manager or two to help with the organization of the team. Coaches are responsible for finding their own managers and statisticians. The Athletic Department can assist coaches in finding students who may be interested. As a member of the team, managers and statisticians are expected to follow the same rules and expectations as any other member of the team.

Managers can earn co-curricular credits, but are expected to be at practices and game every day, just like the players.

MEDIA/ REPORTING SCORES/GAME SUMMARIES

After each athletic contest Varsity Head Coaches are asked to contact the Providence Journal. Coaches should contact the Providence Journal by phone immediately following your athletic contest and be prepared to give both teams’ box scores as well as the overall score, The number for the Providence Journal’s Sports Department is (401) 277-7340. Please do not leave contest information on their answering machine as you must talk to someone over the phone in person to give them this information. This must be done by no later than 7:30 p.m. after each game either home or away.

All Middle School and Upper School Head Coaches are responsible to send to the Director of Athletics within 24 hours after an athletic contest a final score and game summary that will go on our school’s athletic page of the website. The summary should be approximately a four to five sentence recap.

In the case that you are approached by any local newspaper or TV station during a home game please direct them to the Director of Athletics to verify their credentials before speaking to them or allowing them to talk to any of your players.

EVALUATIONS

At the conclusion of every season all Upper School players on a varsity or JV team will be asked to fill out an evaluation of their experience. These will be tallied and averaged by the Director of Athletics and the results will be shared with the Upper School coaches at the end-of-season meeting.

All Middle School and Upper School head coaches will also fill out a self-evaluation, which will be discussed at the end-of-season meeting with the Director of Athletics. There is room on this evaluation to add what is needed for the next year’s season.

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All Middle School and Upper school head coaches will also fill out an assistant coach evaluation. This information will be shared with the assistant at the end-of-season meeting.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

All coaches are strongly encouraged to do professional development each year. Suggestions: attend a clinic or coaching academy, observe other local teams, read coaching books, or watch DVDs that emphasis new ideas or strategies.

The athletic department will have funds allocated from time to time to purchase materials and books and to pay for any off campus professional development. When these funds do become available the Director of Athletics will inform the coaching staff.

OUTREACH AND ATRACTING STUDENT-ATHLETES TO ROCKY HILL SCHOOL

All head varsity coaches will be expected to help in attracting student-athletes to Rocky Hill. Outreach can be as simple as attending the Open Houses at school, running open practice

sessions or clinics during the season, or speaking with potential students as they walk through the building.

Being as visible as possible and attending sub varsity or JV games. When potential Upper School student- athlete admission candidates come in as part of their visit

to the school they will meet with the head varsity coaches of their particular sports of interest. Coaches can also run summer sports camps at Rocky Hill. Be a part of the coaching staff or present as a guest speaker at other local camps. Attend local or regional games and tournaments to scout and help attract potential athletes. Gain affiliation by coaching at a surrounding town’s recreational program or travel team.

POST SEASON PARTIES

Each team is encouraged to have a post-season party. This can be done by reserving space on campus, or parents hosting at their houses or a restaurant.

Funds for these parties are the responsibility of the team, not the Athletic Department.

AWARDS

In the Upper School there will be three award program assemblies during the school year. One will be held in November for the fall season, another will be held in March for the winter season and the final will be held in May for the spring season.

In the Middle School there will be three award programs during the school year. One will be held in November for the fall season, another will be held in March for the winter season and the final will be held in May for the spring season.

All student athletes who compete on a competitive athletic team in the Middle School will earn a certificate at the end of the season.

All varsity, JV and Middle School teams have the option to recognize some of their student-athletes with special awards. The most common awards that are given out are Most Valuable

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Player Award, Most Improved Player Award or Coach’s Award, based on the following criteria. These awards are subjective and are given at the discretion of the Head Coach.

Most Valuable Player Award – is presented to the team member who displays exemplary sportsmanship, who displays team leadership both at games and practices, who is dedicated to the improvement of the team, and who has attained a high level of skill in the sportMost Improved Player Award- is presented to the team member who shows considerable skill development over the course of a season, who demonstrates a positive attitude, and who accepts coaching well and works hard to learn the game.Coach’s Award – is presented to the team member who consistently displays a positive attitude and strong team spirit, is respectful of teammates, officials and coaches, and who exceeds expectations in his or her helpfulness to the coach and the team.

Teams may also work with the Athletic Department to create another award that would be given out on a yearly basis. Criteria would be developed and the award would become a tradition for that team.

At the end of every year the Athletic Department will recognize Upper School students at the athletic assemblies with the following awards:The Providence Journal Athlete Honor Roll Nominees are a senior boy and a girl selected from the Upper School who have competed in a sanctioned varsity sport, who show good sportsmanship and leadership qualities, as well as excel in academics. As nominees, these students will compete statewide for a $5,000 Honor Roll Scholarship.Three Season Mariner Award winners are students in the Upper School who have competed on a competitive team in all three athletic seasons during the school year.The M. Dorothy Young ‘48 Awards are presented to Upper School seniors who have completed 12 consecutive seasons of athletics at Rocky Hill School. Beginning as freshmen, these students competed on a competitive team at Rocky Hill in every fall, winter and spring season.Mens Corpus Spiritus Awards are annual awards given to graduating senior(s) who have participated in twelve (12) seasons of Rocky Hill School offered after-school athletic and/or co-curricular program combination.

At the end of every year the Athletic Department will recognize Middle School students at Moving Up Day with the following award:Nine Season Athlete Awards are presented to eighth grade students who have completed nine consecutive seasons of athletics at Rocky Hill School. Beginning as a sixth grader, these students competed on a competitive team at Rocky Hill in every fall, winter and spring season.

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