Program Policies

Philosophy

Trojan Football Philosophy: To take a group of young men with various backgrounds who are committed to becoming a successful, cohesive team, whereby all participants strive to become stronger and classier people as a result of their experience.
   
Mission Statement: The New Prague Football Program is committed to maximizing our player’s potential on and off the field. Our Philosophy will focus on having a successful season and reaching our team goals of playing as a team, believing in one another, and making a commitment to academic achievement, strength development, conditioning, and fundamentals.

Goals:
1. Have fun.
2. Become the best football team we can.
3. Play with class, commitment, maturity, and a great attitude.
4. Represent New Prague as best we can.
5. Develop the student/athlete for later life.

Philosophy:
1. Platoon Football - program emphasis
2. Option Offense
3. 5-2 Base Defense
4. Sound Special Teams
5. Emphasis on well rounded individual
6. Emphasis on strength training
7. Emphasis on being a multi-sport athlete

Parent / Coach Communication:
1. Player / Position Coach talk
2. Player / Head Coach talk
3. Player and Parent meet with Head Coach and Position Coach

Feel free to call anytime regarding injuries, school problems, or help you may need.

Varsity:
Jim Benick 952-758-1251 (School) jbenick@np.k12.mn.us

Sophomore:
Erik Garnass 952-758-1271 (School) egranass@np.k12.mn.us

Freshman:
Jake Timm 952-758-1281 (School) jtimm@np.k12.mn.us

8th Grade:
Kiffin Deihl 952-758-1243 (School) kdeihl@np.k12.mn.us

7th Grade:
Dan Holgate 952-758-1464 (School) dholgate@np.k12.mn.us

5th & 6th Grade:
Rick Bell 952-758-1772 (School) rbell@np.k12.mn.us

 
Policies and Procedures

School Attendance:
Players must be in attendance by the start of 3rd period in order to practice or play.

School Discipline:
A player who spends the day in the In-School Suspension Room will not participate in practice or in a game on that day.

Injury Procedure:
If an injury occurs during practice or during a game, a coach will make an effort to contact you if they believe it is necessary. If it is an emergency and we cannot contact you, we will get your son to a doctor if you consent. A trainer is present at varsity games and practices. The trainer will treat the non-emergency situations.

All injured players will dress for practice and games unless the trainer and head coach decide it is not practical.

In Case of Illness:
Please see previous page of Coaches and appropriate grade level to call in a sick child who will not be able to attend practice due to absence from school.

Theft:
A player who steals from another football player will be dismissed from the team for the remainder of the season.

Football Equipment:
The football equipment your son wears is the best money can buy. The coaching staff individually fits each player. We teach the most up-to-date techniques in the game of football. Your son is taught to block and tackle with the shoulder. He is constantly reminded to avoid leading with the head.

Equipment Policy:
Your son is responsible for the equipment issued to him. Players must pay for any unreturned or unnecessary damaged equipment.

Refund Policy:
School equipment must be returned before a refund is issued.
1. Injury or Transfer - refund is prorated.
2. Ineligibility - No refund as student may continue to practice.
3. Dropout - If Activities Office is notified before the 1st scheduled game, then a 75% refund of the fee will be refunded. No refund will be given after the 1st scheduled game.

Nutrition:
Pre-Game: A good pre-game meal consists of carbohydrates and should be consumed 3 to 4 hours before game time. Avoid proteins and sugars, as they are hard to digest. Pancakes, pasta, and whole grain breads are examples of good pre-game foods.

Game Week: A good diet and plenty of rest are essential. The meal consumed the night before the game is also very important. The drinking of fluids during the week and the night before the game is very important. (NO POP)

 
Practice Policies

1. A player must be at practice unless he is sick and not in school or if excused by the Head Coach.

2. A player must be in school before the start of 3rd period in order to practice or to participate in a game. A player is allowed to practice or play in a game if he is absent from school due to a school field trip or school function.

3. An injured player must be at practice and dressed in practice uniform unless the Head Coach excuses him.

4. A player who has been assigned to the In-school suspension room the day of a game will be held out of that particular game.

5. A player who has been assigned to the In-school suspension room on a practice day must attend practice but will not participate. (The player will sit out the 1st quarter of the upcoming game).

7. A player with an unexcused absence from practice will not start for that particular game. A second unexcused absence the player will sit out an entire game. A 3rd unexcused absence will lead to the player being dismissed from the team.
   

MSHSL Policy:
Minnesota State High School League Policy will be enforced at all times during the season and during the off-season. Policies are included in the State High School League brochure. A player who is serving a penalty practices with the team but does not participate in any games until the penalty is over.

Lettering Policy:

A player can earn a varsity letter one of the following ways:

1. A letter will be awarded if a player has perfect attendance throughout the season.
All Meetings are included.

2. A letter will be awarded to every player who is a member of a state tournament team.

3. A letter will be awarded to a player who has played in ten (10) quarters of Varsity Football. One play constitutes a quarter.


Note: A player must finish the season in good standing with the coaching staff.


Special Lettering Situations:
1. A letter will be awarded to a senior who has been a faithful squad member for two (2) years but has not met
the requirements for a letter.

2. A player who is injured will be awarded a letter if he would have accumulated 10 or more quarters if the injury had not occurred. The injured player must attend all practices and games unless excused by the coaching staff.

“When Parents Cross the Line”

Bruce Brown, speaker for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and its “Champions of Character” program, has great advice for the parents who have children competing in high school athletics. “Athletics is one of the best places for young people to take risks and fail,” Brown said. Brown outlines “red flags” that indicate a parent may be too involved.

1. Parents who share the credit for their child’s accomplishments.
2. An athlete who avoids a parent after the game.
3. When the game’s outcome means more to the parent than the player.
4. Parents who try to solve problems best left to the team and players.

Brown encourages parents to ask their sons or daughters these questions before the season starts.

1. Why are you playing?
2. What is a successful season?
3. What goals do you have?
He encourages parents to ask themselves the same questions, plus what the parent hopes to gain from their child's experience. “If your answers are different from theirs, you need to drop yours and accept theirs,” he advises. For example, if an athlete is playing basketball because he likes the sport and enjoys being a part of the team, trouble is inevitable if the parent’s chief objective is to win a college scholarship.

The coach - parent relationship can be a delicate one, and Brown says there are “appropriate” and “inappropriate” subjects to discuss with coaches. Appropriate subjects include mental and physical treatment of a child, ways to help their child improve and any concerns about the athlete’s behavior. The inappropriate subjects include playing time, strategy, and other team members.

Brown is quick to remind everyone that the only guarantee in a sports season is “that it won’t be perfect.” “Even if there aren't problems among players, parents, and coach, there are going to be problems with relationships on the team, problems with playing time, and problems with individual and team success," he said.   As a coach, Brown said he had one commandment for his players: “Don’t let your teammates down.”

 
Ten Commandments of Football Parents

“As parents, encourage - do not complain; motivate - do not agitate; be a team parent.”

1. Be positive with your son. Let him know it is a great accomplishment to simply be a part of New Prague Football.

2. Do not offer excuses for why he is not playing. There is usually a reason for it. Encourage him to work hard and do his best.

3. Do not criticize his coaches. The coach represents: the Boss, Authority, the Parent, and the Teacher. If you constantly criticize your son’s coaches, you cannot expect him to play for them. He is being taught to be a complainer, not a doer. Discuss problems with your son. If needed, have your son talk to his position coach. If he is still not satisfied, meet with Coach Benick. Problems do not get solved unless your son communicates with his coaches.

4. Encourage your son to follow team and school rules. If we are going to truly be successful, your son must follow the MSHSL rules, New Prague High School rules, and New Prague Football Rules.

5. Insist on your son working to his ability academically. Check the number of hours your son spends on homework. It is the duty of the parent to see that their son is working in the classroom. No matter how good a player he may be, if he doesn’t have good grades he doesn’t get in to college. Contact teachers if you are concerned about a specific class.
(Refer to the New Prague High School Academic Eligibility Page)

6. Do not develop envy toward other players. Do not live your life vicariously through your son. Football is a game - let him play it. Do not show animosity or jealousy for any of your son’s teammates because they carry the ball more, score more touchdowns, or get more publicity. Who cares who scores or gets the publicity? The important thing is that every player on the team does his best!

7. Do not be a know-it-all. The coaching staff at New Prague works with your son and his teammates every day. They know what each player can do and what each player cannot do. As a fan, you are encouraged to be “into the game,” but please be positive toward our players and coaches.

8. Insist on your son’s respect for the game of football, the officials, and our opponent’s players and coaches. Instill in him the importance of sportsmanship. Make sure he understands how important it is to have “class.” It takes years to develop a “class” program, but it can take seconds to destroy it.

9. Foster in your son a positive self-image. Do not compare and contrast you son with former family members who played. Help him in any way possible to feel good about himself and his role in New Prague Football.

10. Encourage your son to play the game of football for the “love of the game.” Winning will take care of itself. Post-season awards will take care of themselves. College scholarships will take care of themselves. Usually, good things happen to teams and individuals who happen to be unselfish, hard working, and committed.



New Prague Football Association


PHILOSOPHY:

The mission of the organization is to promote and enhance the football program at New Prague High School. There are a number of different functions within the New Prague Association. The Association has three main functions:

1. Members of the Association sponsor events throughout the football season for players and parents such as Coffee with the Coaches, Dads Fall Practice, Meet the Trojans Night, and the Annual Golf Tournament.

2. The Association helps raise the necessary funds to operate the entire football program.

3. Members of the Association assist with special projects that deal with the development and promotion of the entire New Prague Football Program.


EVENTS:
Moms and Coaches Coffee / Dad’s Fall Practice
Meet the Trojans Night / Pre-Game Meals
Annual Golf Tournament / Youth Football Program
Coaches Video Night / Big-Little Buddy Cookout


Watch KARE - 11 Prep Sports Extra on the CW Network at 11:05 PM.
Begins Friday night, September 4th.