TULSA SPIKES

Guidelines for Sprint and Jump Parents

1. Practice begins at 6:00. It is important that the athletes be at practice on time. The practices are designed to build from warm-up, to stretching, to movement drills then to the normal practice. It is very important for the athlete to go through the entire process.

2. Practice will not be held if the temperature is less than 45 degrees, it is raining and/or lightening at the time practice starts or if the weather is such that the athletes have to struggle with the weather conditions to maintain their form, i.e. high winds. If storms are threatening, please stay close to the track to pick up your athlete if lightening strikes

3. Practice will normally end at 7:30. It is important for the athlete to stay for the entire practice. The cool down and stretching are just as important as the warm-up. Parents, please be on time picking your athlete up after practice. It is not fair to make the coaches wait after practice with your kids. Coaches will never leave kids unattended.

4. All athletes must bring water to practice every day. Use a plastic bottle. Glass containers present a safety hazard. All athletes need to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

5. All sprinters and jumpers should wear sweat pants to practice every day. Reason: They need to keep their muscles warm, especially their legs. This does not exclude warm or hot days. Coaches will decide when the athletes can remove their pants.

6. Sprinters and jumpers should bring their spikes to practice every night. We may not use them every night, but they need to bring them just in case.

7. Athletes should attend as many practices as possible. The practices are designed to build on each other. Nothing exposes lack of practice like competition.

8. Each athlete working out with the team must have a current United States Track and Field Association membership. No exceptions. This is a liability issue.

9. Parents will exhibit good sportsmanship toward officials, athletes, coaches and parents from other teams at all times. This includes sportsmanlike behavior at practices and meets. If you have a problem with parent, coach or official, go to an officer of the club or a coach in private. Do not make a display of the problem. There are appropriate channels through which such problems can be addressed.

10. Parents will also encourage other Spikes parents and athletes to exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. This includes sportsmanlike behavior at practices and meets.

11. The Spikes organization uses a “Three Strikes” policy. Strikes are issued for inappropriate or unsportsmanlike behavior. Strikes are not negotiable. If an athlete accumulates three strikes, he/she will be suspended from participation in the Spikes program.

12. Parents, do not leave your younger children at practice unattended. Also, if you have young children at practice who are not members of the team, please do not let them run around the field, on the bleachers or on/in one of the jumping pits. The field and all of the apparatus are for the athletes. This is a safety issue for your younger children, the athletes, coaches and other athletes using the track.

13. Athletes should not be encouraged to work out more that once a day. It is better to under work young athletes than to over work them. Over work will only cause injuries that will slow their progress.

14. Most track and field meets, with the exception of the National meets, will last too long and run very inefficiently and slowly. Prepare accordingly. When you go to a meet, expect to spend the day. Most of them are not completed until 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. Parents are expected to supervise their own children at the meets. Do not bring your child to a meet and leave them. At a bare minimum you will need the following:

a. Lawn chairs for all in your party.

b. Water-lots of it.

c. Sun block.

d. Hats.

e. Food and snacks for the day. Nothing spicy or greasy for athletes.

f. A sun shade or umbrellas.

15. Parents will not, as a rule, be allowed on the field during the competition. We will have a team tent and general area for the team. Keep the athletes off their feet, well hydrated and in the shade while they are not competing. If you are unsure which events to enter please consult with the coaches.

16. Parents are responsible for entering their athletes in the meets. The club will not take that responsibility.