Tips, Tools and Real World Advice for Youth Athletic Coaches

2006 Mission Viejo Cowboys “Star Power!” Junior Pee Wee BLUE Football
Parent/Player Manual

Head Coach: Robin Bivona
Phone: (949) 939-XXXX    E Mail: CoachRobin@cox.net
TEAM WEBSITE: www.CoachRobin.net

Offensive/Defensive Line Coach:    Robin Bivona
Receivers/Defensive Backs Coach:    
Running Backs/Linebackers Coach:
Quarterbacks Coach:     Robin Bivona
Coach:       
Coach:        
Team Mom:       
Must-Play Spotter Coordinator:   
Game Day Video:      
Game Day Action Photos:    

Make www.CoachRobin.net one of your frequent destinations. The Cowboys League Calendar is there, and virtually anything else you need to know about our team and about football. We will also have practice/game photos and recaps on the website throughout the season!

E Mail/Communication: Please respect my preference to communicate via
E mail. It is very efficient and time friendly as I run a business and spend many hours per week with football preparation. So, please check your e mail every day and expect important info there first. Of course, anyone is welcome to phone me anytime or speak with me after practice or a game when I can give you my full attention.
Expectations of Your Player: You should expect that your football player will be taught well in the fundamentals, techniques, safe play, and good sportsmanship of football. We will challenge your child mentally and physically with up-tempo, efficient practices in which there will be little wasted or idle time. We will practice hard so that the games should be easy and fun. We will mix in non-contact, fun events for the kids and our coaches will be good natured and fun along the way too. Most of all, we will work to help assure that your player will be nurtured in a practice and game environment that will lead to a consistently growing understanding, appreciation, respect, and love for the game of football. Your children will learn to work as a team, compete, finish, and have fun!

Your child will also learn amazing life skills through this great game! Is winning important? Absolutely! But, not at the expense of fairness or integrity.

MANDATORY Player Requirements for Practice & Games:
1) Soft Athletic Cup or Athletic Supporter
2) Mouthpiece (I recommend “Brain Pad” for maximum protection).
The mouthpiece MUST attach to the facemask with a SOLID strap (no break-away straps allowed). The mouthpiece MUST be colored! No clear ones allowed.
ALWAYS have an extra mouthpiece! Your child CANNOT participate without one. They DO lose them. Chewed up mouthpieces must be replaced.
3) Elbow Pads (Youth Knit Elbow Pads. DO NOT get neoprene)
4) Football Shoes (wear double socks to prevent blisters)
5) All Football Gear (have a checklist before getting in the car!)
6) Water and/or Gatorade

PRACTICES: We will practice from July 24 through September 1,  Monday through Saturday (with the exception of Labor Day weekend). Our practice location is likely to be La Paz Middle School LOWER practice field (from the 5 Freeway: on the right, up the hill just pass Chrisanta Drive).  Parking can be a challenge and it’s a long walk to the practice field so please allow extra time for that. Monday through Friday practice times are 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Saturday practices will be a scrimmage vs. another team whenever possible and most likely in the morning. We are allowed 5 scrimmages. Our September through December practice schedule will be Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

1st week of practice: All players will wear Supporter, “Star Power”  or Cowboys T-shirts, football shoes, and Navy Blue shorts. NO Helmets or Pads in week one.
We will test all players on Day 1 for speed, strength, and mental preparation. There WILL be an Exam for all players to test their knowledge of our basic terminology/philosophy (attached). We will also teach every football position to every player on Day 1.

We will request that all players decide on what positions they want to try out for on Day 2. Each player will play an Offensive AND Defensive position.
All players will have fair opportunity to earn a position they desire during August training camp. Criteria for being awarded any position are: the player’s off-season/pre-season football development program (tutoring, camps, or training), desire, focus, effort, teamwork, and effect on team chemistry. No positions are a “lock” during the season. Each player must show consistent effort, attitude, and focus to hold a position. Any player who has not gained the position of their desire may end up playing there at some point by working hard on our “scout” teams. All decisions on player positions will be made collectively by our coaching staff with the Head Coach having the final decision.  Head Coach will have final decision-making authority on all issues including players, parents, volunteers, events, and Cheer.

Second week of practice: We will be in full gear, but will only hit bags & dummies.

Third week of practice:  We will be going full contact in week 3 through the end of the season.

GAMES: All regular season games will be on Saturdays and will begin on September 9. Mission Viejo High School is our Home football field and we hope to have about half of our Home Games on their new professional football surface. Please have your son at the game location with all equipment on and ready to go one and one-half hours prior to game time. Failing to do so could jeopardize our team’s preparedness and/or your son’s playing time.

Minimum Play Rules:  All players will play a minimum of one continuous quarter on Offense or Defense.
Players can be suspended for behavior detrimental to the team at the discretion of the Head Coach.
AWARDS! We have a very positive reward program in which ALL players will share in throughout the season. Our team will only be as good as our Offensive and Defensive lines are! Thus, the REAL STARS of our team are our linemen! We present weekly awards as follows based on PRACTICES:

Offensive Lineman of the Week
Defensive Lineman of the Week
Special Teams Player of the Week
Practice Player of the Week (can be any position)

We will have a mid-season football dance contest and maybe some surprises too!

Mandatory Parent/Family/Fan Rules & Etiquette for a GOOD
Football Experience:

Mission Viejo Cowboys Youth Football and your Junior Pee Wee Blue Cowboys Football Team enforce a no-tolerance parental/family/fan behavior policy. Anyone that refuses to adhere to MVYF, OCJAAF, and our Junior Pee Wee Blue Team Rules as stated here and in respective rule books are subject to suspension or ban.

1) COACHES COACH! PARENTS WATCH and SUPPORT! Thank You!

2) All inquiries, complaints, or suggestions are to be presented directly to your Head Coach only. DO NOT go to assistant coaches or our Team Mom. This way there is never any misunderstanding, back-biting, politicking, or screening of your legitimate feedback. Failure to adhere to this requirement is not in the best interest of anyone and negatively affects our children and our parents. If you don’t wish to deal with your Head Coach, the Cowboys Board of Directors will be happy to hear you.
You are welcome to approach your Head Coach after practice or game, by phone, or by e mail only. We have an open door policy and welcome your input. Remember, there is a proper time and place.

3) Practices will start immediately at 6:00 pm. Please be fair to your child, coaches, and the team and do your best to have your player on the practice field, fully dressed for action, and ready to roll 15 minutes early. Skill players including Quarterbacks, Centers, Running Backs, and Receivers are encouraged to voluntarily arrive at least 15 minutes early to warm up the arm, take snaps, and catch balls on their own. This extra effort and time each day makes a HUGE difference! I will normally get to the practice field ½ hour to 1 hour before practice begins to set up and prepare. Your children will not be coached until 6:00 pm.

4) The only adults or children allowed on the practice or game field are players, coaches, and other official volunteers.

5) Please do not “coach” or scold your child from the sidelines during practices or games. If you see something from your player that you feel requires attention during practice or a game please address your Head Coach directly after practice or the game. Of course, any positive feedback is welcome and encouraged!
6) Absolutely NO negative or critical remarks are to be directed at game officials, players, coaches, or fans during a game. No matter how bad a call or how much you may disagree with a coach or player decision, these remarks only make things worse for the kids and the attitudes of the officials. Failure to adhere to this directive will be grounds for removal at the least, and may lead to suspension or ban.

7) We encourage you to observe as many practices as you can and attend all games. The kids love and need your support and this also assures that you may make informed opinions in regards to your child’s progress and other team issues.

8) Please assist your child with his weekly football homework package.
15 minutes a day/night of mental preparation makes a HUGE difference on the football field. 80% of Football is MENTAL!

9) School is very important to us! Let us know during our season if we can assist in any way. Sometimes a little talk from coach can do wonders for a Scholar-Athlete…

10) We strongly encourage your child to complete school homework as soon as he gets home from school. A nap is a huge bonus too.

11) If your player will miss practice or a game you must call the Head Coach directly!  Do not pass a message to another Coach or parent. We must be informed in consideration for our Coaches & Players, so that we may adjust practice/game plan/roster accordingly.

12) Please gladly accept an assignment as a game spotter or other volunteer duty if requested to do so. We want to spread it around so all can maximally enjoy watching their kids play. All parents will be required to assist with spirit/apparel sales during the season. Please accept your assignment and support our efforts to fund/operate and foster the best youth sports experience in SoCal!

13) Our Team Mom is to be treated with ultimate respect and consideration. She has a busy and difficult job and football is an intense sport. Please support her requests and efforts. DO NOT complain to her. Complain to your Head Coach.

Pre-season/Summer Preparation:
In order for your child to be well-prepared and ready for the intense, unique skill-sets and conditioning that tackle football requires, we strongly encourage your player to attend as many football camps/trainings as possible! We understand that they all cost money and everyone has a different budget, but if your child loves this game, invest in his skills and give him his best chance for success.
Football excellence requires extensive muscle memory and central nervous system training which can only come from specific, focused training. Remember also that your child is only 3 to 4 years away from High School ball. It will be here before you know it! Our mission is to give you and your player all the info, knowledge, and experience required to succeed and flourish in the ultra-competitive SoCal High School football world! This knowledge and advice includes the advantage of specialized training in the off-season and in the summer.
***We expect ALL of our players to attend the COWBOYS FOOTBALL CAMP, PRESENTED BY WEST FOOTBALL CAMPS! BE READY FOR COWBOYS TRAINING CAMP BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS SPEED, AGILITY, TECHNIQUE, POSITION CAMP TAUGHT BY FORMER NFL FOOTBALL PLAYERS. BEGINS JULY 11. OPEN TO ALL KIDS AGES 7 THROUGH 14. A Flyer/sign up is attached and is also on our team website. See you there!***

There are many awesome football camps this summer! You can find virtually all of them on our team website: http://www.coachrobin.net/kids.htm

Important Food/Hydration/Nutrition Suggestions:

Proper nutrition/hydration will make a phenomenal difference in your son’s ability to stay safe, compete at a high level, feel good, and have fun!

Where does efficient, competitive energy come from? CARBOHYDRATES.  Carbs that are low in fat!

It begins with the meal the night before practice or a game. This dinner should consist of something similar to this: Pasta, Rice, Fresh Fruit, Gatorade, and Ice Cream for desert. Other awesome carb-loading foods are low-fat Yogurt, Milk, Breakfast Cereal, Fruit Smoothie, Dried Fruit, Fresh Fruit, Breads, Bagels, Tuna Salad, and Potatos.

The Pre-practice or Pre-game meal (2 to 3 hours before) should look something like this: Pancakes/French toast or a bowl of Cereal with Milk, a Banana, and a Gatorade.

60 minutes before practice or a game a bag of Fruit Chews, Energy Bar, Raisins, Banana, or Gatorade is ideal.

Half-time will consist of quick-digesting carbs: a Rice Crispy Bar or bag of Fruit Chews and/or a Gatorade only. NO Oranges! Be aware also that at Home Games at MVHS (on the new professional surface) the ONLY substance that our players/coaches can bring on the field is WATER.
Post-game/practice meal is crucial. An athlete must restore used energy stores within 2 hours of competition. Now the cycle is complete by serving up a night before practice/ game type of meal after practice or a game. It is advisable to drink a Gatorade and/or fruit chews,Rice Crispy Treats, or energy bar immediately after practice or a game to restore used carbs and to begin the process of storing energy for the next day.

Foods to Absolutely Avoid: Fast Food and fried food.

WEIGHT LIMITS:  THE FOLLOWING ARE THE AGE/WEIGHTS OUR JUNIOR PEE WEE PLAYERS MUST BE BY AUGUST 26 (CERTIFCATION DAY)(LEAGUE AGE IS THE AGE OF THE PLAYER ON JULY 31, 2006):

9 YEAR OLDS =  100-115 POUNDS
10 YEAR OLDS =  85-110 POUNDS
11 YEAR OLDS =  65-95 POUNDS

DON’T WAIT TO BURN OFF THE WEIGHT IN JULY/AUGUST CAMP - START NOW!

HYDRATION: Drink a large bottle of water every night! Drink another bottle of water during the day. Proper hydration can only occur cumulatively. You can not “catch up” on the day of a game or practice. Proper hydration will make a phenomenal difference in your son’s ability to stay safe, compete at a high level, feel good, and have fun!

Drink a Gatorade before practice or game and at Halftime. Drink Water during practice or a game.
Drink another Gatorade after practice or game.

The Gatorade supplies/replaces important nutrients and electrolytes that your child will use during practice or a game and is loaded with easily absorbable carbs. FYI: Gatorade All Stars or PowerAde have about twice the Carbs that regular Gatorade has.

Water is typically more easily absorbed and utilized by the body during competition which is the reason water is recommended during competition.

The most important thing is that your child drink as much fluid as possible whenever possible.

Sleep: Please try to make sure your player gets at least 9 hours of sleep.

Injuries: Put ICE on whatever hurts! 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off.

***Lots of awesome nutrition/health info/research can be found here: http://www.coachrobin.net/safety.htm
 
No elbow pads = no sympathy! The most vulnerable area of your player’s body are the elbows. Properly pad them!

We will not ask your player or our parents/supporters to do anything that will not make your player better or provide a more positive experience for all! Please support us!

Team Sponsor(s): We will have a nice end of the season banquet, full color Team yearbook, and Team highlight DVD. These are things the kids absolutely love and deserve and parents will treasure as the years fly by! We would like to have team sponsorship in the amount of $5,000 to fund these things. We have an MVYF League sponsorship requirement of $850. Everything we raise after that we split 50/50 with the league. This will net our team around $1,650 to spend on the kids at season’s end (the team yearbook, in particular, is very expensive). We can do it with one sponsor or multiple sponsors. It’s up to you. We can provide excellent packages for our sponsor(s)!
More info for Sponsors attached and on our Team Website.

Suggested Motivational/Inspirational Movies:
“Remember the Titans”, “Radio”, “Rudy”

Junior Pee Wee Blue “STAR POWER!” Spirit Wear:
Each Junior Pee Wee BLUE player will receive a complimentary 2006 “STAR POWER!” Cowboys T Shirt on Equipment Pick Up Day.
Additional “STAR POWER!” Cowboys T Shirt may be ordered at that time
(cash or check only): $15 for Youth, $20 for Adult

GO COWBOYS!
     
 
 
2006 Mission Viejo Cowboys
 Junior Pee Wee BLUE Football
Parent/Player Manual

PARENT ACKNOWLEGEMENT

I ____________________________________________________________,
 (Please Print parents/guardians names)

Parents/guardians of ___________________________________________,
  (Please Print participant name)

Acknowledge receipt, full understanding of, and agreement to adhere to all Orange County Junior All American Youth Football, Mission Viejo Cowboys Youth Football, and Mission Viejo Cowboys Junior Pee Wee Blue team rules and guidelines as set forth in this manual and in the respective rule books/bylaws of the afore-mentioned organizations.

I understand that rule books of any of the afore mentioned organizations will be made available to me upon my request and/or are available online.
***Each Parent/guardian must sign and turn in an acknowledgement***

Signed______________________________________________
  (Parent/guardian Signature)

Signed______________________________________________
  (Parent/guardian Signature)

Dated_________________________________________________________

Please return to Head Coach Robin Bivona asap (MUST be received prior to July 23, 2006).
E mail: CoachRobin@cox.net
Mail: Robin Bivona
 30251 Golden Lantern, E304, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

THANK YOU FOR YOUR POSITIVE SUPPORT!

GO COWBOYS!