Participation Theory

7th and 8th Grade: The middle school program teaches the skills of the activity.  Interscholastic competition begins at this level and will afford as many students as possible the opportunity to participate within the schedule so that they may achieve their fullest learning and performance levels.

9th Grade:  Some 9th grade activities are more limited in scope and availability for participation.  Therefore, while an effort is made to allow as many students as possible to compete, the more advanced participants may receive the majority of participation time.  Other team members may be offered the opportunity to participate in a schedule, which demands lesser skills development.

Junior Varsity:  This program will develop and utilize those that show the greatest ability in a variety of skills.  Role specialization may become more evident at this level.  Those who are more able will be the primary participants.

Varsity:  The varsity team is for those who have learned the basic skills well and perform them in both practice and in interscholastic competition.  Role specialization is often a necessity at this level and participants may be used in specific roles for the benefit of the entire team. Depending on the activity, not all wishing to participate will be able.

• Will understand their roles.  Varsity playing time is earned; the best players play.   JV, 9th grade and MS are developmental levels.  As student-athletes progress through the levels, the equality in playing time may decrease.

Because of the competitive nature of varsity athletics, participation and playing time can vary greatly between athletes.  Playing time will be decided by the careful evaluation of the coaching staff.

• Participants who display leadership and/or enthusiasm, in combination with basic skill development may enhance their opportunity to participate.

Essentials Elements for Students to be Successful in Activities

In order for students to be successful in activities at East Marshall…

We believe students

• Will be in practice.  Practice is important and good teammates are in practice.  Missing practice may result in a lack of improvement and may result in a lack of playing time.

• Will contact coaches & sponsors personally if they must miss practice and/or an event.

• Will be on time to all practices, events and team activities during the regular season and the off-season.

• Will notify coaches of any injuries and/or illnesses immediately.

• Will take responsibility for talking to their parents regarding dates, times and schedules for their activities.

• Will be involved in multiple activities.

• Will take advantage of opportunities to improve skills when offered outside of their regular season.

• Will understand their roles.  Varsity playing time is earned; the best players play.   JV, 9th grade and MS are developmental levels.  As student-athletes progress through the levels, the equality in playing time may decrease.

• Will understand that the coach decides playing time and/or positions.

• Will understand that team accomplishments far outweigh individual accomplishments.

• Will attend post-season banquets and team activities.

• Will take responsibility for participating in strength and conditioning program to its fullest extent.

• Will understand that strength and conditioning is vital and essential to the mental and physical development of our student-athletes.

• Will expect to be evaluated, critiqued and challenged.

• Will be expected to care about and support their teammates.

We believe Coaches/Sponsors and Directors

• Will be in practice, and be early.

• Will contact students & parents with changes of the dates, times or events.

• Will notify parents of injuries and/or illnesses that need to be addressed outside practice.

• Will take responsibility for providing students and parents with dates and times of practice, events and team activities.

• Will support all East Marshall Activities.

• Will support the off-season opportunities provided by other activities, and will work together with other activities to give everyone a chance to be successful.

• Will provide opportunities for students to improve skills outside of their regular season.

• Will understand that there are roles for all team members.  Varsity playing time is earned; the best players will play.  JV, 9th grade and MS are developmental levels.  As student-athletes progress through the levels, the equality in playing time may decrease.

• Will communicate with students regarding their role on the team, and identify the areas of improvement.

• Will make decisions regarding playing time on what is best for the team and its individuals.

• Will understand that team accomplishes far outweigh individual accomplishments.

• Will provide opportunities for students and parents to participate in postseason banquets and/or team activities.

• Will understand that banquets are an important time to recognize team accomplishments, and give recognition to the achievement of individual goals.  However, not all programs will approach this in the same way.

• Will take responsibility for participating in strength and conditioning program to its fullest extent.

• Will understand that strength and conditioning is vital and essential to the mental and physical development of our student-athletes.

• Will be expected to evaluate, challenge and provide feedback to students.

• Will be expected to care about and support the individual members of the team.  Coaches are not friends with students, but do care about their well being.

• Will continue to learn about their activity and grow professionally.  Through research and study, they will improve themselves.

We believe parents…

• Will understand and support that practice is important and good teammates are in practice.  Missing practice may result in a lack of improvement and may result in a lack of playing time.

• Will work with their son/daughter help them contact coaches & sponsors personally if they plan to miss practice and/or an event.

• Will work with their son/daughter on skills that will help them be on time or early to all practices, events and team activities during the regular season and the off season.

• Will expect their son/daughter to notify coaches of any injuries and/or illnesses immediately.

• Will take responsibility for talking to their son/daughter regarding dates, times and schedules regarding their activity, and will resist contacting the adults.  This is a valuable skill for students to learn.

• Will support their son/daughter in being involved in multiple activities.

• Will encourage their son/daughter to take advantage of opportunities to improve skills when offered outside of their regular season, and remind them of their responsibilities to their teammates.

• Will understand that there are roles for all team members.  Varsity playing time is earned; the best players will play.  JV, 9th grade and MS are developmental levels.  As student-athletes progress through the levels, the equality in playing time may decrease.

• Will understand that the coach, sponsor or director decides playing time and/or positions.

• Will understand that team accomplishes far outweigh individual accomplishments.

• Will attend postseason banquets and team activities when invited.

• Will encourage their son/daughter to take responsibility for participating in strength and conditioning program to its fullest extent.

• Will understand that strength and conditioning is vital and essential to the mental and physical development of our student-athletes.

• Will expect their son/daughter to be evaluated, critiqued and challenged.

• Will let their son/daughter work on the skills of communication and resilience, and will expect them to fight their own battles, and work through difficult situations on their own.

• Will remember that proper time to speak to coaches/sponsors/directors about concerns is not before, after or during an event or practice.

• Will expect their son/daughter to care about and support their teammates.

• Will support their son/daughter by letting players play, coaches coach and parents parent.  This will provide clear roles for everyone involved.

Each of these belief statements correlates to the “value of activities”.