[ Pursuit of Excellence ] [ Practices ] [ Playing Time ]
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1. PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
"Great teams try hard to win the ball at all times and then seek to do something positive, purposeful and creative with it once they have won it."

A. The very nature of a select or premier team dictates the need for a serious, disciplined, and conscientious effort by all players. We must never forget that our teammates are constantly striving to improve themselves and their contribution to the team. Poor personal behavior or inadequate level of effort can never be allowed to adversely affect our teammates who are "giving it their all." In simple terms we must constantly attempt to motivate, encourage, and assist our teammates in their efforts each and every day. To that end the following will not be tolerated:

1. Rude, disparaging, berating, teasing or any form of negative behavior toward another player, coach, or parent.
2. Behavior which excludes any individual or group. (clique formation)

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2. PRACTICES

A. Players are expected to attend practices on time and ready to play. This means dressed, fed, and well rested.

B. If a player cannot attend a practice or other NorthStar event she is expected to contact her NorthStar coach before practice and explain her absence.

C. All players will bring to each practice their soccer bag with the following items:

1. Personal water bottle (no sharing of water bottles)
2. Appropriate weather related clothes (warm up, gloves, hat, etc.)
3. Shin guards (dress in practice like you play in the game)
4. Supply of Band-Aids
5. Ace bandage
6. 1 chemical ice pack
7. TEAM NOTEBOOK
8. Ball

Parent Volunteers

The back bone of NorthStar is volunteerism. There are many opportunities to become part of the team, in whatever way shape or form that you can. Your help is truly needed for the overall success of the program. So step up and ask what you can do to support your daughter and the team. Parents are always welcome to assist, watch and sometimes play in practice. Many NorthStar team "adopt" a field at our home site and look after lining.  Of course, the glorious job of " ball shagger extraordinaire" is always a task worth fighting over. NorthStar club will try to instruct you as much as possible but a little pro-activity on your part would be helpful. Our focus is on the girls, so please do not think that we are ignoring you. Even if you would just like to learn a little more about the game, grab your shorts and join us!! You are always welcome.

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3. PLAYING TIME

A. Playing time is determined by MERIT. Each position and playing time will be earned. Hard work, positive contributions to team chemistry, attendance at practice and other NorthStar events, adherence to team goals, norms and tactics will be determining factors. Nothing is guaranteed from week to week except the opportunity to control your own destiny.

B. The players who start in a game and to some degree their playing time, is determined by the following:

1. Attendance and punctuality

2. Measured and ranked practice activities. These will be done every session and reported a.s.a.p. to the players. They then will be ranked for the week and the month. Examples are 1v1 competition, 4v4 competition, Air ball competition etc.. There are a variety of competitive games that the players will be scored and ranked on.

3. Speed and fitness activities .Ex: shuttle runs, cooper fitness test, speed ladder ratings. These too will be ranked and measured.

4. Coaches discretion. Items considered are: contribution to team chemistry, work ethic, leadership abilities or any exceptional performance or specific ability.

5. Positional need. If we need a certain position filled then we look for the player that plays or can play that position.

NorthStar believes in and respects the fact that the girls play other sports. We will try to make this as painless for them as possible, while trying to uphold the integrity of the team. If there is a conflict we strongly suggest that the GIRLS make the decision. NorthStar expects that the PLAYERS should make the proper contact and advise the appropriate party of the conflict or their absence. If a player misses a practice she will receive the score just below the lowest socre for that practice session for any measured and ranked event. This allows us to be fair to those that are at practice.

Keepers: The keeper position is a special position. Goal keepers will be expected to particpate in all field player activities including measured and ranked events. That is why NorthStar firmly believes that the keepers need to have and continue to work on their field skills as well.

Note: Just because a player has earned a starting slot does not necessarily mean that they will receive the most playing time. The NorthStar coach will always reserve the right to put the most effective team on the field in the best interest of the overall team or current competitive situation.

Tournament Teams:

Teams may be formed for the purposes of attending a specific tournament(s) under the direction and discretion of the directors.

Players from any Senior Division team, rostered or reserve, may be invited to participate in a tournament or event as part of a team assembled for that specific purpose.  These events are above and beyond the events listed in the team plan and are by invitation only.  Eligibility is determined by:  1) Member in good standing of a current NorthStar Senior team   2) Demonstrates effective team behaviors   3) Technical and tactical abilities   4) Positional need

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4. OUT OF TOWN TRAVEL

A. We will never forget that we are representing the absolute best Northern Michigan Girls' Soccer has to offer. We will do nothing which will bring a bad reputation to our club, our parents, our coaches and most importantly ourselves.

1. Overnight lodging will be arranged in advance and with an adequate number of adult(parent) supervision.
2. Overnight trips are not an excuse to party. A standard curfew of 10pm will be enforced unless a team or travel function dictates otherwise. This means in your room and preparing for the next days activities.

3. Players (even though age appropriate) may not drive themselves to any out of town function or event.

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5. DRUG, ALCOHOL, TOBACCO POLICY

A. Zero Tolerance is the policy.   If NorthStar becomes aware of any player who has become involved in under-age drinking, illegal drug use, or the use of tobacco she will be dismissed immediately WITH NO REFUND OF ANY FEES OR COSTS PAID to date. There will be no second chance, reinstatement, or appeal. Do not jeopardize your hard work and dedication by poor personal choices.

B. A player dismissed from her NorthStar team for this violation is not eligible to participate in any team, club activities or events during the soccer year* in which she was dismissed, with one exception; she may be allowed to tryout, during that soccer year, for a NorthStar team that would begin play in the next soccer year.

* "soccer year" is defined by United States Youth Soccer as August 1 of the tryout year through July 31 of the following year.

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6. PROFANITY

A. No profanity is allowed at any time. We must always remember our roles as mentors and guides to our teammates and the community. The NorthStar standards of excellence in play and behavior cannot thrive in an atmosphere that tolerates profanity.

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7. GUIDELINES FOR EFFECTIVE FEEDBACK:

A. It is delivered directly to the person who needs it. Not to team-mates, assistant coaches, friends, etc., that's just gossip. I am not going to tell Lisa what I don't like about your behavior, I'm going to tell you.

B. It is owned by the sender. I am not going to say 'Some people didn't like it when you..." I am going to say "I didn't like it when you..." or "I want you to play the ball wide. When you played the ball into the middle of the field the other team took it away from us right away."

C. It refers to specific behavior. Not attitudes, feelings, etc. I must state specifically what behavior I thought was wrong. "When you speak dis-respectfully to your teammates..." or "When you yell at John ..." is good feedback. You cannot be a general talker. "You've got to try harder," is ineffective. "When you didn't make that run up the touchline ...." is much better. "Good job receiving that ball..." works better than "Good job" by itself.

D. It specifies consequences. The consequences should be specific, but they cannot be threats. "If you don't stop playing the ball into the middle of the field I'm not going to let you play that position" is ineffective. The player hears only the threat and not the correction. You have now become a fear-based motivator. "When you yell at me even though I am doing my best, I get angry and feel bad and I lose respect for you ." (This is what our players would like to be able to say to us sometimes!)

E. It does not use "conflict causing" words, tone of voice or body language. . I am not going to say "you never...., "you always...." "you must not have been thinking... !" These words and phrases make players mad and the feedback gets lost in anger. "I've told you a hundred times.... !" Sarcasm and exaggeration also make for ineffective feedback.

F. It is timely. . I need to give critical feedback as soon as possible after I see the behavior, but after I have calmed down. If you're pleased and want to give positive feedback, do it right now! Your positive emotion and joy will come through and your player will reflect that immediately. On the other hand, if you're angry, let your anger subside until you can speak calmly and hit all the other elements of effective feedback.

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