Team Handbook

  • Playing football is a privilege not a right. Everything in The Spartan Football program is earned, not rewarded by age, grade or anything else. Playing time is awarded in the same manner. The “best eleven" will play not the “eleven best.”
     
    Athletes receive playing time because:
    • They exhibit character on the field, in the classroom and in the community
    • They get the job done better than someone else
    • They add the most value to the team
    • Their number one goal is to make the team better
    • They do the things that are required plus more
    • They make plays in games and practice
    CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
    Conduct yourself as a gentleman and show respect to your teachers.  Do not allow a poor attitude,  misbehavior or poor attendance to get you into trouble. You are responsible for your behavior and academic performance, not your coach.
     
    PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS
    Player expectation for practice is to have a great attitude and effort. Be ready to go!!
    • Always be early.
    • All players should be at every practice.

    Communication should come from players, not from parents. Texting or email is acceptable only as a follow up to a phone call.

    If you are injured and cannot practice, you still need to be at practice with your position coach to learn, dressed out in full gear. 

    FACILITY/EQUIPMENT EXPECTATIONS
     
    Treat facility and equipment like it is your very own. Take pride in our facility and take care of it. You are responsible for all equipment checked out to you and will be charged for lost, stolen or unaccounted equipment at the rate listed below. 

    Gear checked out to Players:
    • Helmet (Replacement Cost $200)
    • Shoulder Pads (Replacement Cost $125)
    • Game Pants (Replacement Cost $75)
    • Belt (Replacement Cost $5)
    • Practice Jersey (Replacement Cost $15)
    • Game Jersey (Replacement Cost $95)
    • Thigh and Knee Pads (Replacement Cost $15)
    • Locker & Lock (Replacement Cost $10)
    • Travel Bag (Replacement Cost $60) 
    PERSONAL CONDUCT/APPEARANCE
     
    Drugs and Alcohol:  It is impossible to be at mental and physical best if you use drugs or alcohol. Both reduce your chances to become as physically fit as you need to be. To be the best football player you can be, you need the mental advantage of knowing you are doing everything possible to enhance your team’s chances of being successful.

    Profanity:  The Sentinel Spartans strive to be a first- class team. There will be no cursing. High emotions are not an excuse for the use of poor language.

    School Policies:  All policies as outlined by the MCPS student handbook apply to our program. We are leaders of the community as well as the student body. We will adhere to these policies and set the standard on this campus.

    Team Appearance:  Player appearance should strive to represent a disciplined team. Players should look appropriate in their presentation. We want attention to be focused on the team, not individuals trying to make a statement. 
     
    PARENT MEETING PROTOCOL
    1. PLAYER W/ POSITION COACH.
    2. PLAYER W/ POSITION COACH & HEAD COACH.
    3. PARENT & (PLAYER) W/ POSITION COACH & HEAD COACH.
    4. WE WILL DISCUSS YOUR SON ONLY!
    5. NEVER TRY TO RESOLVE AN ISSUE AFTER THE GAME. WAIT UNTIL AT LEAST THE NEXT DAY
    BE AN ATHLETE!
    We strive to make kids all around athletes. We want every one of our football players to be involved in another sport during the winter and spring. The same philosophy is why we strive for every young man to play football in the fall and not specialize in one sport! This allows Sentinel Football Players to become better athletes while also helping build a competitive athletics program at Sentinel. 

    We offer a zero period lifting class, in which football players can still lift and become strong while participating in off-season sports!!