Team Expectations

100% Attendance in all team functions is important to team morale and unity, and therefore is critical to the success of a top notch program. It is expected that ALL participants will be present at ALL team functions. Players that are not excused in advance (right before practice is not "in advance") from a team function will sit out the following game(s). Specific expectations include, but are not limited to the following:

1. On school days, practice time will be from 3 till 5:30. During vacation or on Sundays (if necessary due to Monday games) practices may be at other times, but will be prearranged before the season begins. (Occasionally a rainout may precipitate the need for an added Sunday practice.) It is expected that players will arrive on time and remain the entire time.
2. There will be games and mandatory practices during April vacation.
3. It is expected that players will be in school for the entire day. If a player leaves school early due to illness, they should check in with me or coach Harp before leaving school. It is expected that this player will be at home or in the doctors office during practice. It is expected that you will be in school on time. Repeated tardiness to school or classes will have consequences.
4. Certainly an emergency visit to the doctor is excusable, however, routine maintenance visits or physicals should be arranged around all team functions.
5. College visits should be arranged at appropriate times. Missing practices and games is not appropriate.
6. Employment is NOT considered a valid excuse. Your job must come second to your team commitment. Players will not leave practice or game (staying through at least the entire first half of the second game) early to go to a job. 100% participation in all fund-raisers is expected. Jobs must be arranged around these fund-raisers.
7. Playing on outside teams is acceptable as long as it does not interfere. It is unacceptable to miss (be late or leave early) a team function because of participation in an outside team.
8. It is also important to remember that players need to come to practice healthy and rested. Since academics take a sizable chunk of time, employment and outside teams in addition to participation in lacrosse is a very full plate, leaving little time for the rest that is required by a hardworking athlete. It is expected that players will choose their participation in either a job or other teams carefully and wisely with all factors considered.
9. As long as Northampton continues to have the prom on a Friday, attendance at the prom will be a valid excuse for missing practice that Friday. Missing any team functions to attend a different prom will not be acceptable without early prior approval.
10. Extra help or make-up work with classroom teachers directly after school is appropriate and encouraged. If outside tutors are used, an attempt should be made to schedule them so they do not interfere with team functions.
11. Players will come to practice outfitted appropriately, do not dress as if you are at the beach. Goggles and mouth guard will be worn at every practice. Cleats and running shoes will come to every practice. Assume practice will happen in spite of the weather, so plan ahead and dress appropriately for cold or wet.