Team Yakima

Player & Parent Handbook

Definition of the Regular Season

The regular season is begins in November and concludes with the Evergreen Regional tournament in April.

Post-Season Participation

Post-season play involves additional tournaments and travel to a national level event such as the Junior Olympics and the Volleyball Festival.
The individual player is responsible for registration, hotel, meal, coaches’ expenses, and all related travel expenses.

Registration

All Team Yakima participants must register in the WEBPOINT system and pay the $50.00 registration fee with a debit/credit card to be eligible for the first day of practice.
Directions for new players, renewing members, and previous USAV members can be found at www.evergreenregion.org on the main page.
If you are having difficulty with this process, please contact April Stark of the Evergreen Region by email: april@evergreenregion.org.

Financial Information

Monthly player fees are due on the 1st of the month and no later than the 10th of the same month. Player fees for the regular season are collected for November/December, January, February, March, and April.
Participation in practice and tournaments is dependent on payment and will be suspended until payment is received.
There will be a $20.00 NSF charge on all returned checks.
Players who commit to a team are committed for the regular season. Players who choose to end their season early will still be held to the financial commitment outlined by the regular season definition. Post-season is optional.
Individual participants are responsible for travel and food expenses to tournaments.
The cost of the coaches’ hotel, gas, and food for tournament travel are to be divided amongst the team and made available to the coach(es) the day of the tournament.
If a team elects to participate in the Pacific Northwest Qualifier, the team is responsible for paying/fundraising the registration fee.

Fundraising

Participants are to sell advertisements for the annual yearbook to raise funds for the program. Each athlete is required to sell $125.00 worth of advertisements or pay the equivalent amount to Team Yakima.
Gold teams may be required to participate in additional fundraisers to off-set season costs.
Teams are welcome to organize additional fundraisers, but must get approval from the general manager or a member of the board.

Scoring Clinic

All athletes are required to participate in the scoring clinic as if it were a regular practice. Please plan accordingly.
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend the scoring clinic.

Medical

Due to new legislation under the Zackery Lystedt Law, athletes who suffer a head injury and/or concussion MUST get clearance from a medical professional and bring written confirmation from that professional before returning to practice or a match.
Due to the outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus, please make sure your athlete washes/sanitizes her hands frequently and does not share water bottles with other athletes. If your athlete is running a high temperature or exhibiting other flu-like symptoms, please keep them home.
USAV provides secondary insurance for injuries incurred during practice/tournaments. Team Yakima strongly encourages its participants to carry medical insurance.

Grievance Procedure

Please follow the following protocol if your athlete has concern:
The athlete must discuss the matter and possible solutions outside of practice with her coach.
If there are further concerns or the concern is not resolved, the coaches, the player, and a parent may schedule a meeting to address them.
If the matter continues to go unresolved, a meeting involving those previously mentioned plus the General Manager/Board Member will be arranged.

Parent Conduct

All parents are encouraged to attend matches and be supportive of ALL players. Please leave the coaching and instruction to the coaches during a match. If you have nothing positive to say, please refrain from expressing it during a match.
All parents are encouraged to discuss questions and concerns with the coaching staff. However, there is a time and place to express concerns. Approaching the staff on game day is NEVER acceptable. An appointment must be scheduled and take place in the presence of your player.
BE ON TIME TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD!!!!! It is expected that parents and/or guardians will be PROMPT in picking up their child. It is inconsiderate and unsafe to leave your child AND the coaching staff waiting for extended periods of time.

Player Conduct

As a participant of Team Yakima, your priorities are:
- Family and related commitments
- School
- Volleyball
Players are to attend and participate fully in team practices, team meetings, and in other team activities. If a scheduling conflict arises, the coaches must be notified PRIOR to the absence. Failure to communicate will result in loss of playing time and/or removal from the team.
There is ZERO tolerance for drinking, drugs, and/or smoking. Participation in those activities will result in removal from the team and administrative action. Do not involve yourself in a situation that will compromise the integrity of the team.
Players will treat one another in a courteous and friendly manner at all times.
Any disrespectful behavior to adults (coaches, teammates, parents, etc.) will result in the loss of playing time.
Boys are not allowed to hangout at practice and/or pre-game settings. The team area is off limits; boys may support you from the family area.
Water is wonderful!!! Avoid pop, energy drinks, and/or coffee at practice and during tournaments.
Try to eat a balanced diet. Your body needs good fuel to help you maintain grades, family, and volleyball.

Practice

Practice is to start on time. Come early. Being late is not acceptable!
There is no sitting down in practice. Hustle everywhere. Start serving after you have taken a drink of water.
Team bags, coats, and water bottles need to be organized neatly against the wall. All clothing, shoes, purses, etc. not worn during practice must be tucked away neatly. Failure to do so will result in sprints.
Players are to report injuries and sickness to the coaching staff immediately. If you must leave a drill or practice, notify your coach.
No tank tops, sleeveless shirts, or midriffs are allowed at practice. Come prepared to practice with appropriate workout gear.
No jewelry. This is a safety issue.
Tattoos must be covered with a band-aid and/or athletic tape.

Competition

Playing Time

Ultimately, playing time is at the discretion of the coach. The expectations for playing time vary from team to team as the competition level increases:
- Blue/Red/White – As a developmental team, playing team will be more equal.
- Black – As an intermediate developmental team, specific positions will be emphasized and playing time will vary.
- Gold – As a competitive team, no playing time is guaranteed.