AMBROSE ATHLETICS Volleyball Club
2023-2024 Season Handbook
"Mission Statement:
AMBROSE ATHLETICS Volleyball Club provides athletes with high-level technical skills tactical instruction in a positive learning environment that fosters personal growth and development and a passion for the game of volleyball.
Club Philosophy:
We are committed to ensuring that every AMBROSE ATHLETICS Volleyball Club athlete positive experience that fuels their love of volleyball and competition. While we do provide our athletes with the highest caliber of volleyball training, it is equally important that athletes learn life lessons that will stay with them long after their volleyball career comes to an end. Our coaches are mentors, role models, and
above all, teachers. We will teach our athletes to be disciplined, compete and train at full effort, be a positive and supportive teammate, be a problem solver, push beyond their comfort zone, and compete with confidence and enthusiasm.
AMBROSE ATHLETICS Volleyball Club is a family. Our older athletes work with and get to our younger athletes and our teams support and cheer for each other whenever
they can. We will host club wide events and activities throughout the season that will give all of our athletes and families the chance to get to know each other better.
AAVB has no aspirations of growing into a sizable club with numerous teams at each age group. Limiting the number of AAVB teams allows us to focus our organizational abilities and maintain our attention to detail. AAVB can then ensure that every team has two or three extraordinary coaches. We are very fortunate
to have an outstanding group of coaches upon whom our athletes can rely on for
struction, guidance, and support."
Coach’s Responsibilities:
1) To teach and fundamentals to all players.
To teach and apply proper strategies.
To communicate clearly, to each player, her role on the team.
To balance hard work, fun, and discipline.
To create a positive, growth based, and trusting environment for athletes.
To act as a positive role model for players both on and off the court.
To prepare players for any and all situations that might occur when playing in a match.
To motivate players to compete at a high level due to strong work ethic and responsibility to their teammates.
Club Volleyball is a Commitment & Priority:
Academics are the number one priority for our student-athletes; however, homework and school projects are NOT an excuse to miss practices or tournaments. Players must be able to manage their time so that they get their schoolwork done appropriately and are still able to attend practices and tournaments with quality physical and mental focus. AAVB supports athletes who participate in other High School sports and other club sports teams. Players will not be penalized for missing a club event for a School athletic competition. It is very important to have quality and timely communication with the coach about any possible conflicts. The player must let her club coaches know as soon as her school sports schedule is available, preferably at least two weeks before the event. Athletes competing in other club sports need to communicate those conflicts to the coaches with as much notice as possible. Playing time in tournaments may be affected due to practice and tournaments missed for another club sport. Absences due to school athletics or required school events as well as injury or illness will be excused. All other absences are unexcused and are likely to affect playing time. Excessive unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the team as determined by the coach. Players and their families will receive a warning if a player is reaching their limit of unexcused absences. The coach has the right to dismiss the player from the team if a lack of commitment and attendance continues.
Player’s Rules & Regulations:
As a member of the club, it is critical to understand that you represent yourself and your club, coaches, family, and the AAVB community at all times. Whether you are on or off the court, we expect all players to maintain a positive image that reflects highly on all of the activities and behaviors described below.
Player Expectations:
1) To attend all practices and tournaments. If for some reason a player is ing to miss a practice or match, it is her responsibility to contact her
coach directly as far in advance as possible.
2) Be a team player; the team comes first, always and no matter what.
3) Have a positive attitude at all times; encourage and support your teammates to the best of your ability whether you are on the court or on the sidelines. Being a great teammate is always expected at AAVB.
4) Demonstrate strong club/team spirit and pride through your words and actions.
5) Be a leader on and off the court.
6) Stay focused, mindful, and display a strong work ethic at every practice and tournament.
7) Always show respect to all teammates, parents, coaches and officials.
8) Do not provide, use, or condone the use of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, or recreational drugs. The use of any illegal substance will not be tolerated and could result in dismissal from the club.
9) Clean up after yourself everywhere you go (gyms, hotels, restaurants, vans, etc.).
10) Be the kind of teammate you would like to have beside you. Find ways to make your teammates better at every opportunity and celebrate team
successes.
Practice Rules:
1) Players should be at practice at least 15-10 min early so they have e to put on shoes/kneepads and be ready to begin practice right at the start time.
2) Players need to bring their own water bottle to every practice so that they stay well hydrated and water breaks can be taken quickly.
3) Come to practice mentally prepared; have personal goals set for yourself before each practice.
4) If a player is going to miss a practice, they must inform their coach directly and in advance. Telling a teammate to tell the coach is not an acceptable vehicle of communication.
5) No walking - run or jog everywhere!
6) Find ways to improve and have a specific technical goal to work on during every drill.
7) Do not speak or distract teammates while the coach is communicating with the team.
8) Practice the way you want to play at tournaments. All of your habits and foundations for your play are created during practice.
9) Take care of our facilities - Remove all water bottles, towels, etc. from the floor. Replace equipment quickly and neatly, exactly as or better than you
found it.
Tournament Rules:
1) At the completion of each tournament be sure the team area is left the way it was found.
2) Obey all food and beverage policies of the tournament or gym.
3) Abide by all rules set by the coaches or chaperones at all times
4) Check in with coaches and chaperones before leaving the playing facility, hotel, lobby, pool, etc. Players must always travel or be accompanied by at least one or more teammates.
5) Each team’s coach or chaperone will assign a curfew. Team chaperones will oversee and regulate the team’s curfew.
6) At travel tournaments ALL players on 13’s teams and older will stay in rooms with their teammates at the team hotel.
Officiating:
1.) Officiating is the responsibility of the entire team.
2.) No player is ever allowed to leave the tournament while her team is officiating.
3.) Each coach will determine a procedure that his/her team will follow for officiating duties.
Playing Time:
1. All players will have equal opportunities to train and play during practice sessions.
2. Players are NOT guaranteed equal playing time during tournaments and coaches will make playing time decisions based on what they think will bring success to the team as a whole.
3. Players will be expected to earn a starting position or playing time every day in practice.
4. Factors that can affect playing time are: attendance at practice, attitude and work ethic, leadership skills, team chemistry, statistical analysis, and performance during practices and matches.
5. Players on the bench must encourage and show their support for players on the court. No bad attitudes or sulking will be tolerated.
Parents’ Responsibilities:
1. To provide transportation to and from tournaments, as well as to practice sites.
2. You are financially responsible for your child, whether or not you attend a tournament. If you will not be accompanying your daughter to a tournament, be sure to give her enough money to cover additional food costs and entertainment.
3. Contact your team parent prior to a tournament if you need additional information. Most information can be found at www.ambroseathleticsys.org or on “GroupMe” It is your responsibility to know where a tournament is held and
to get there.
Team Parent Purpose and Responsibility:
The primary reason for having a team parent is to help provide clear and consistent contact between the entire team and coach. If any changes to practice times/facilities happen, the coach will contact the team parent and he/she will contact the rest of the team.
Team parents will always act and communicate in support of the coaches and the club. If there is a concern or issue to be discussed they will immediately address it with the Head Coach as opposed to discussing it with other parents
The team parent will be the point of contact for any questions regarding travel, tournament dates, times, and locations.
The team parent is responsible for distributing directions and logistical information for tournaments, play sites, and hotels.
The team parent will also be in charge of communicating travel information and associated costs to the team.
Parent Code of Conduct:
It is very important to cheer for our team, and not against another team. (Be positive and respectful at all times)
Do not argue with or yell at officials. Keep in mind; officials are trying to do their best and are human and make mistakes from time to time.
Good sportsmanship is a vital component of AMBROSE ATHLETICS VB, so please be a good role model for your daughter and demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times just as we expect our athletes to be.
Aggressive or hostile confrontations between a parent and any coach, administrator, official, player, or other parents will not be tolerated and may result in parents losing the privilege to attend team tournaments or practices.
Basic rule: If you have nothing positive to say, say nothing at all. Discussing negative comments or criticizing AMBROSE ATHLETICS VB coaches, administrators, team parents, chaperons, or players will not be permitted. TThis creates a negative culture among our families that we will not tolerate.
If you have questions for a coach or administrator please direct your question to that coach or administrator directly as opposed to discussing the matter with other parents or players. Please set a good example for your daughter by showing respect to our coaches and administrators and complying with their rules and decisions which they make with the best interest of our teams in
NOTE: Parents are never to discuss playing time or any concerns regarding strategic decisions with the coaches at a tournament or practice. If you have concerns please set up a
separate time to speak or meet with the coaches and do so at least 24 hours after a tournament.
A parent’s role is to support their daughter and support the team she made a commitment to whether you agree with a coach’s decisions and strategies or not. You must understand that AMBROSE ATHLETICS VC coaches will make choices based on what they believe to be in the best interest of the team as a whole, the
team’s goals, and not with the interests of a single player in mind.
7. We really much appreciate you entrusting our coaches with your daughter’s volleyball development and career. Once you make the choice to do so though, please leave the coaching to our very capable coaches and please don’t provide feedback to your daughter that is potentially conflicting with the training she is receiving at Prime. This is especially important during tournaments but is detrimental during practices as well. Parents need to be there to support their daughters and celebrate team successes as well as be there for a hug after a tough match.
8) Parents must rally themselves with the coach in teaching their daughter how to cope with the potential frustrations of being a member of a team.Sports provide an excellent opportunity to teach young women about therealities of highly competitive situations. They must be taught how to be a valuable team member regardless of their role, how to make use of both positive feedback and constructive criticism, how to cope with adversity, and how to be a gracious winner. Dealing with adversity is a skill that needs to be learned just like any other ability. Please don’t rob your daughter of the chance to learn how to bounce back from difficult situations by trying to solve their problems for them. Instead please do your best to be supportive and someone who’s there to listen or be a shoulder to cry on when they’re having a tough time.
9) Please consider how much time, energy, effort, and dedication your team’s coaches are putting into coaching the team for relatively little compensation. They do it because they are passionate about the sport of volleyball and wantto pass that along and help your daughter and her teammates to be the best players, team, and people that they can be. Please be appreciative of their efforts and all that they do and know that they deserve your respect and support and that all of our coaches are always well intentioned and have the best interests of their teams in mind.
10) IMPORTANT - REGARDING EMAILS AND TEXT MESSAGES: Parents are NEVER to express any concerns or ask questions relating to playing time,positions, lineups, or any kind of coaching decisions over email or text. Parents are welcome to discuss these matters in an appropriate setting but must do so by arranging a time to meet with the coaches and their athlete in person.Additionally, emails to the entire team are to be used ONLY to distribute logistical information to the team and parents. Any other team wide discussions related to the team in any way are to be had in person and in an appropriate setting.
Communication:
1) Our website and GROUPME provides us with excellent tools for communications club wide. Please use these resources to find information regarding schedules, club information, and registration and payment procedures.
2) Coaches will provide their teams with their preferred method ofcommunication and will work closely with their team parent to make sure the team has all relevant information for practices and tournaments.
3) Please communicate with all coaches, club staff, fellow parents, and players in a respectful and considerate manner. Disrespectful or rude communications will not be tolerated.
4) If there is an issue or matter of concern that needs to be addressed the process needs to adhere to the following guidelines:
Step 1: The athlete addresses any issues or concerns directly with their coaches. We really encourage our athletes to learn to communicate effectivelywith their coaches on their own behalf.If the issue is not resolved between the athlete and coach then:
Step 2: Parents and players meet with team coaches together (never just
parents as athletes should be a part of any and all discussions regarding them
and their coaches and teams) – this meeting is not to take place during or
immediately following a tournament. Please wait at least 24 hours following a
tournament to arrange a meeting.
If the first two steps have taken place and the issue still has not been
resolved:
Step 3: Contact the Club Director, David B Ambrose at
dambrose@ambroseathleticsys.org to arrange a meeting with athletes,
parents, and coaches all included.
Club Fees:
Families are responsible for payment of the full club fees in addition to any
travel or tournament costs for any travel tournament the team attends. The
only exception would be if a family has made other arrangements with Club
Director David B Ambrose.
Players will not be allowed to begin practicing until the initial deposit payment
is made. At each payment due date if a payment isn’t made within 2 weeks
of that date a player will be suspended from practices and tournaments until
the payment is made.
A non-refundable Commitment deposit of $550 is due Signing a commitment
agreement on or before August1st with approval arrangement. If
participating on an Adidas National level team ALL athletes are expected to
attend all travel and season-end tournaments.
For Local/Regional teams end of season tournament participation will be
decided by each coach and team. End of season tournaments are not
included in club fees and will entail an additional cost for athletes who
participate so the club can cover tournament fees and coaches’ pay for the
additional practice and tournament days.
All travel tournament fees must be paid in full before the departure date. If
travel fees are not paid at that time athletes will not be allowed to participate
in the tournament