ATHLETE’S CODE OF CONDUCT
AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Code of Conduct

Athletes are expected to abide by the USAV Code of Conduct, Disciplinary Policies, Waiver and Release of Liability, and the Player Agreement they have signed.  Any athlete who willfully performs any act which is detrimental to their team, teammates, the Salem Volleyball Club, or any staff members shall be subject to discipline, suspension, or expulsion from the Salem Volleyball Club program. Club dues shall not be waived. Refunds will not be issued.

Discipline:    A form of corrective action deemed necessary to correct an individual problem. The athlete will be notified verbally, and be given a specific time to correct the deficiency. The athlete is expected to participate in team practices, team travel and tournaments even though player participation may be limited. If a player fails to make corrections to the deficient behavior or actions in the specific time period, they may have further discipline action taken, or suspension, or expulsion from the Salem Volleyball Club program.

Examples are as follows but not limited to: Being tardy; missing more than one practice or tournament without notification to their coach; offensive language or behavior; harassment of others on and off the court; breaking curfew at out-of-state tournaments by more than five minutes; and failure to fully inform the coach of any physical condition which would impact a player’s ability to play safely or without jeopardy to their own health and well-being.

Suspension:    The individual shall not be permitted to take part in club or team activities for a specific time period (number of days).

Expulsion:    The individual shall be removed from the SVC program. Action may be for the remainder of the year, or specific number of years.

Examples are as follows but no limited to: Being issued 3 warnings or reprimands; being in possession or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, or failure to remove themselves from the area where such activities are taking place; assaulting, originating gross behavior or harassing others; failure to abide coach’s decision or acting with flagrant disregard for one’s own safety or the safety of others; Violation of the USAV Code of Conduct or disqualification from participation by USAV.

How to be a Supportive Athlete

-  Be mentally and physically ready to take part in practice.
-  Listen. Think. Act with 100% effort.
-  Don’t distract your teammates.
-  Accept responsibilities for your mistakes.
-  Never put down fellow teammates or opponents.
-  Keep your commitment to your team for the full season.

Practice Guidelines

1.    You are required to be ready to begin practice at the designated start time.  Please allow yourself enough time to put on knee pads,
      change shoes, and be taped if needed.  You are expected to assist in practice set-up and take-down.  Begin practice mentally
        prepared.  Have personal goals for all practices.

2.    if you have to miss a practice, are going to be late, or can not participate, a telephone call to your coach is mandatory at least one
       hour prior to practice.

3.    School or prior approved excuses and tardies, including Winter and/or Spring sports, are excused only if told about them
       in advance.

4.    Two (2) excused tardies that fall between the same two tournaments equal one Excused Absence.

5.    If you are sick and can not participate, you must come to practice and observe.  If you are too sick to observe, have your parent
      call your coach.

6.    Consequences for an Excused Absence will result in not having the opportunity to start a game of the next tournament.

7.    Consequences for an Un-Excused absence will result in not being able to play one game of the next tournament.

Remember This:

YOU, are responsible for your performance. It is measured by your efforts both on and off the court during practices and competitions.

Every practice is an opportunity to learn and improve yourself mentally and physically.   Improvement comes by way of successful performance in practice, and in competitions.

100% on time - practice attendance is the expectation.  We can’t train you if you are not here. Also, arriving late to practice is not fair to your teammates. You must contact the coach in advance if you intend to miss a practice or a tournament.

100% intensity.  Mental toughness and intensity is a "learned skill".  Everyone is responsible for challenging and supporting each other during practice. The harder we work the better we become.

Distracting others while at practice will not be allowed.  If you have a question ask your coach.  Have a caring, supportive attitude.  Aggressive posture is the expectation on the practice and on the competition court.

Problems related to performance needs to be communicated with the coach at the beginning of any practice or tournament.  Players must notify their coach immediately of any injuries or illness.

Aggressive, positive errors are part of learning. Un-aggressive or thoughtless errors will be challenged for improvement.  Focus and effort is everything.

Jewelry is not allowed during practice or during tournaments.

Appropriate behavior when representing SVC will be expected at all times. Fellow players, coaches, Club staff, parents, and members of other clubs shall be treated with respect at all times. 

EXPECT SUCCESS, EXPECT TO LEARN! Expect our coaches best efforts and yours. Expect to have fun through hard work, discipline, consistency, and personal achievements.

Cleanliness

Our club’s image should be one of professionalism and cleanliness.

- Equipment must be clean and functional for tournament play.
- Uniforms must be laundered and neat for tournament play.
- Keep pant legs on sweats zipped while wearing.
- Help clean-up our area prior to leaving the tournament facility.

Safety Rules

Safety awareness is as important to volleyball and learning the skills of the sport. Players need to follow all safety rules. These rules are for your safety and the safety of those around you.

-  Horseplay is not permitted at any time, in any place.
-  You need to properly warm-up and cool-down before and after every practice and match.
-  You need to wear proper equipment such as knee pads, footwear, and gym cloths to prevent chafing, 
    blisters, and floor burns.
-  You are not allowed to practice or play when you are injured, and medical approval is required for
    participation following serious injury or illness.
-  Joint injuries are expected to be taped if deemed appropriate on advice of your physician.
-  You need to treat bruises, sprains, and floor burns with ice packs or cold water to reduce swelling and pain.
-  First aid kits are available which include ice packs, band-aids, tape, elastic bandages, splint materials, and
   gauze.

Tournament Check-list

Following is a list of items you should or will need to have:

Mandatory:
- Team uniforms - shirts, shorts, spandex
- Knee pads, volleyball shoes
- Athletic Bag, team Sweats
- Water jug
-* Clothing for the number of days
-* Appropriate outerwear depending on weather
-* Home stay - Sleeping bag (foam pad / air mattress optional), alarm clock, pillow, pajamas
-* Towels (1-2)

Should Have:
- Extra socks
- Cooler with healthy lunch & snacks
- Extra shoes / sandals for off court
- Personal needs (medicine, brush / comb, extra money, etc.)

Nice to Have:
- Books, Walkman / tapes
- Outerwear depending on weather
-* Blanket / throw
-* Camera
-* Extra knee pads

* NOTE: Optional items. Also needed for out-of-state tournaments.