Briarcliff UFSD Athletic Department Tryout Procedures

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION OF TRYOUT PROCEDURES

Dear Parents/Guardians of BHS Student-Athletes,

The athletic team selection process is without question the Briarcliff Manor UFSD’s coaching staff’s most challenging responsibility.  In order to create procedures that will give every student an equal opportunity during the team selection process, the Athletic Director and the Assistant Athletic Director evaluated all facets of the tryout process to establish best practices for the district. This handbook codifies those practices.

We are confident that these guidelines will help not only our athletes, but also our coaching staff as they navigate through the process of identifying players during team selection and help us to provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes.

Go Bears!

Sincerely,

BRIARCLIFF MANOR UFSD ATHLETIC

TRYOUT PROCEDURES

1.  Number of Days for Tryouts

Varsity & JV – Minimum of 3 days

Extending Tryouts

Tryouts will be extended as needed at the discretion of the coach(es).  Tryouts are not to exceed 6 days for Varsity and JV.

The Athletic Department will split tryout groups as needed to make smaller groups.  As each sport is unique, there will not be a specific cutoff number, rather the decision as to whether to create a second, third, etc., tryout group will be made by the Athletic Director in consultation with the coaching staff.

2.  Number of Coaches Evaluating Students During Tryouts

There will be a minimum of two coaches evaluating students during the tryout period.  The best practice is to have at least two coaches and potentially an additional coach(es), when available, to help evaluate players.  A third coach is not always available, but the Athletic Department will work to find a third evaluator for at least one of the tryout days.

3.  Evaluation Rubric

All evaluating coaches will use a rubric to score student-athletes and will compare the rubric with their fellow evaluator(s) at the end of the evaluation period when making a shared decision about team selection.  The rubric will include, but may not be limited to, the following elements for scoring:

• Play during scrimmage (if able to scrimmage, sport-dependent)

• Attitude

• Attendance

• Sport-specific skills

• Physical fitness

• Intangibles, leadership, hustle

• Knowledge of the game

• Know their role

• Respects teammates and is respected

4.  Tryout Procedures

The following procedures shall serve as a guideline for coaches to follow.  However, coaches may also include other elements they feel are helpful in evaluating student- athletes.

• Skill-Related Drills – Students will be brought through a series of sport related drills to assess their ability.

• Stations – Stations may also be used, depending on the sport.  Stations are especially helpful for sports with tryout taking place inside (e.g., baseball and softball).

• Conditioning – Students’ level of fitness will be tested during tryouts.

• Scrimmaging – Students will be given the opportunity to scrimmage with peers in sports where possible, giving coaches the ability to assess students in situations approximating a game.

5.  Notification of Team Selection

After the team selection process has taken place, students will be invited to a face-to-face meeting with the coaching staff on the BHS campus.  All students will be brought in for a meeting regardless if they will be invited to join the team or not.  The meeting location will be such that the student will be able to enter the meeting room/area from one location, and exit from another, to allow for student privacy.  There will be a minimum of two coaches present for the meeting.

For students who do not make the team, the coaching staff will go over the team selection rubric and give very specific feedback to the student to explain why they were mot selected.  In addition, those students who do not make the team will be given information on how they can improve in that sport over the course of the year in an effort to give that student athlete a better chance of making the team the subsequent year.  Unfortunately, team selection is unavoidable.  Roster size is dependent on the number of athletes the Athletic Department judges appropriate given the level, the facilities available, and the number of coaches available. 

6.  Preparing your son/daughter for the possibility of not making a team

Not making a team can be devastating for a student-athlete.  It is critical that students and parents be prepared in the event that this is the case.

Joel H. Fish, PhD, Director at the Center for Sport Psychology, and author of “101 Ways to be a Terrific Sport Parent” (Morgan James Publishing, 2013), offers this helpful advice on how parents can help support and encourage the young athlete:

• Be self-aware parents – Parents need to be aware of their own attitudes towards making the team, and towards winning and losing because inevitability these attitudes will be picked up by their children.  Fish cautions, “I believe parents are extremely well intentioned, but parents often have an emotional response to their child not making the team.”  Parents who display anger or immediately want to challenge the coach’s decision are adding an extra dimension to their child’s burden.  Charles Kuntzleman, author of over fifty books on fitness and health, says that “The most powerful thing is to not display, when they get home, displeasure with what the coach did.  Parents have to learn to bite their tongue; it’s demoralizing to the team, and a great disservice to the child.”

• Give your child a chance to feel.  Parents can help their child cope by giving him or her ‘permission’ top have a normal response.  Fish says, “There’s a tendency for parents to rush in there and say, ‘it’s ok’ – sometimes we need to say to our kids ‘that must hurt’, or give them a hug, or not say anything.”  Parents who respond to their child not making the team by saying “Well, soccer is a stupid sport anyways!” invalidate the hurt their child is feeling as well as dismissing something that may well be very important to him or her.

• Help your child see the big picture.  There’s much more to being successful in life than simply making a sports team, however important it may seem at the time, and parents can help their children realize this.  Fish suggests that, before a tryout, parents make a list together with their child of multiple goals which reflect what a tryout is really about.  One of those goals can be making the team, but include others as well, such as having fun, trying your best, being a good teammate, and learning something.  Says Fish, “When not all the eggs are in the outcome basket, that can be really helpful for a child who doesn’t make the team, because he’s going with multiple definitions of what it means to be successful.”

Parents can also help their children realize that even though they didn’t make it onto the team they were hoping for, they have other options.  A community league may offer an opportunity to get involved, or maybe a different sport or activity altogether would provide a fun and exciting challenge.  Some athletes who have been cut from one team have gone on to be very successful in a totally different area.  Others who were at one time cut from their high school teams (like basketball great Michael Jordan) have gone on to become outstanding athletes.  Every young athlete or performer who is making an effort to succeed will eventually encounter some stiff obstacles and competition.  Parents can help their kids to not only handle these setbacks graciously, but to actually grow from them.

7.  Contacting Coach Regarding Tryouts

• If you as a parent/guardian have specific questions regarding your son or daughter’s tryout, we ask that you wait a period of 24 hours prior to sending the respective coach an email to set up a time to facilitate a brief phone call.  We appreciate your cooperation in advance.  Note - When asking about your son/daughter’s tryout, please only discuss your own son or daughter.  Coaches will not discuss other student-athletes with you.

• Please also remember that your son or daughter’s status on AAU, Club teams, and other teams that are facilitated outside of the district are not a consideration in selecting student-athletes for interscholastic teams at Briarcliff High School.  We thank you again for your cooperation.

Tentative Starting Dates 2023-2024 

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NYSPHSAA Spectator Sportsmanship Regulations

Any negative, inappropriate, derogatory comments or actions that brings direct attention to a supervisor or school administrator by a spectator or group of spectators are required to be addressed by the host school, Sectional or NYSPHSAA representative in the following non-sequential order depending on the comments or behavior.

* Depending on the severity of the behavior/comments or future disqualifications by the offending spectator, NYSPHSAA and the Section may get directly involved in the situation.

Note: A school may take any or all these actions during or after an interscholastic contest.

Rationale:  NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Committee believes that the time has come to hold our spectators to the same expectations that our coaches and students are held to during an interscholastic contest.  If our spectators cannot meet these expectations, then just like our coaches and student athletes, they will face a similar consequence to their behaviors and comments.  NYSPHSAA schools have a requirement to address these types of behaviors as members of our association.

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

Welcome to the 2023-24 Winter Sports Season.  This fall season we will return to the full range of sports related schedules and activities.  Daily covid screenings and masks are no longer required but masks can be worn at your child’s own discretion.  To help you prepare the first day of the season, please view the main page of our website. There are tabs which will answer many, if not all, of your questions regarding our program: 

• 2023-2024 Athletic Calendar
• 2023-2024 Starting Dates
• 2024-2025 Tentative Starting Dates

 Before Practice 

• Student-athletes should bring and use their own water bottles. They must make sure they have enough water to stay hydrated throughout an entire practice or contest/game. It is recommended that, daily, each student-athlete bring 2-3 water bottles, or the equivalent of 40 ounces.  
• Students will be able to store their equipment (in the morning upon arriving to school) and change clothing after school in the Boys’ & Girls’ Locker Rooms. (There will be signs showing them where to store their belongings.)

Practice/Tryout Location - 1^st Week – Monday, November 13, 2023 – Saturday, November 18, 2023.  Schedule is subject to change.  All up to date schedules can be found on the athletic website. 

*All students participating in sports are required to have their rescue medications with them at all times, i.e. inhalers, epi-pens, glucagon, etc.  In addition, a current emergency care plan for students requiring emergency medication must be updated annually and sent to the health office for review.

All of us associated with Briarcliff Athletics want to thank you, our student-athletes, and their families for your continued support of our program.  Our goal remains the same, to have fun and compete in a safe and happy environment. 

NYSPHSAA Spectator Sportsmanship Regulations

Any negative, inappropriate, derogatory comments or actions that brings direct attention to a supervisor or school administrator by a spectator or group of spectators are required to be addressed by the host school, Sectional or NYSPHSAA representative in the following non-sequential order depending on the comments or behavior.

Penalty for being removed from a game or event: Any spectator removed from a game or event will have a minimum penalty of completing the NFHS Parent Credential course or a one game suspension before they are allowed to attend any interscholastic event.  Once the course is completed the spectator will provide a certificate of completion to the athletic department office.  Schools are required to communicate with the offending spectator on the NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Spectator Expectations.

* Depending on the severity of the behavior/comments or future disqualifications by the offending spectator, NYSPHSAA and the Section may get directly involved in the situation.

Note: A school may take any or all these actions during or after an interscholastic contest.

Rationale:  NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Committee believes that the time has come to hold our spectators to the same expectations that our coaches and students are held to during an interscholastic contest.  If our spectators cannot meet these expectations, then just like our coaches and student athletes, they will face a similar consequence to their behaviors and comments.  NYSPHSAA schools have a requirement to address these types of behaviors as members of our association.

We are looking forward to a new, great, and successful school year.  More information to follow on how to access the school building, due to the major high school renovation.  As of now, we are all using the MS Main Entrance.  Follow me on Twitter @CDrops3.

 With Gratitude,

Dear Briarcliff Families, 

2023-24 Varsity and JV Winter sports including Freshman Boys Basketball Family ID registration opened on Friday, October 13, 2023.   Baseline ImPACT testing will be done at home and must be completed before Friday, November 10, 2023.  Baseline ImPACT tests are needed every 2 years. If your child is due for a baseline test this season, you will receive an e-mail AFTER you register them on Family ID. The e-mail will be sent to the address you used to register on Family ID. Instructions on how to take the ImPACT test will be included in this e-mail. If you have any questions regarding ImPACT testing. please e-mail Brittany Chorey at bchorey@briarcliffschools.org.   All students requiring any rescue medications such as Epi-Pens, Inhalers, or Glucagon must have their medication on them for the first day of practice.  Please remember, participants must have the following before starting practice. 

• A valid physical exam submitted to the nurse. You can either scan & email, fax, or mail it in.
• All physicals must be submitted 14 days PRIOR to the first day of practice or it may delay your child's clearance for participation.
• Athletic paperwork must be submitted online. Click on tab for ATHLETICS REGISTRATION
• Please note: All student-athletes who have tested positive for COVID-19 and/or have a history of COVID-19 infection, must submit the attestation form to the Health Office for clearance.  In some cases, your child may also require clearance from their healthcare provider with supporting documentation.

Parents/Guardians should register by doing the following.  Go to the Briarcliff Website home page www.briarcliffschools.org  Click on Parents – HS/MS– there is a drop-down box, click on Family ID (Athletics Family ID/Registration Instructions).

 Follow these steps:

1. Next, click on the program you would like to register your child in, scroll down and click on the green button Register Now.  If this is your first time using FamilyID, click Create Account. Click Log In, if you already have a FamilyID account.
2. Create your secure FamilyID account by entering the account owner First and Last names (parent/guardian), E-mail address and password. Select I Agree to the Family ID Terms of Service. Click Create Account.
3. You will receive an email with a link to activate your new account. (If you don't see the email, check your E-mail filters (spam, junk, etc.).
4. Click on the link in your activation E-mail, which will log you in to FamilyID.com
5. Once in the registration form, complete the information requested. All fields with a red* are required to have an answer.
6. Click the Save & Continue button when your form is complete.
7. Review your registration summary.

For returning parents, please use the following directions:

1. Parents/Guardians should register by doing the following. Go to the Briarcliff Website home page briarcliffschools.org  Click on Parents – HS/MS– there is a drop-down box, click on Family ID (Athletics Family ID/Registration Instructions).
2. Login using the email address and password you created previously (do not create a new account)
3. Choose the sport
4. Click on "Add Participant Below or Click to Select" and pick your child's name.
5. Update health and demographic information, if necessary.
6. Sign-off on seasonal agreements.
7. Save and submit.

If you need assistance with registration, contact FamilyID at: support@familyid.com or 1-800-311-4060.  Support is available 7 days per week and messages will be returned promptly.

All of us associated with Briarcliff Athletics want to thank you, our student-athletes, and their families for your continued support of our program.  Our goal remains the same, to have fun and compete in a safe and happy environment. 

With Gratitude,

Chris Drosopoulos

Director of Athletics

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TENTATIVE STARTING DATES 2024-2025

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

Welcome to the 2023-24 Winter Sports Season.  This winter season we will return to the full range of sports related schedules and activities.  To help you prepare the first day of the season, please view the main page of our website. There are tabs which will answer many, if not all, of your questions regarding our program: 

• 2023-2024 Athletic Calendar
• 2023-2024 Starting Dates
• Tentative 2024-2025 Starting Dates

 Before Practice 

• Student-athletes should bring and use their own water bottles. They must make sure they have enough water to stay hydrated throughout an entire practice or contest/game. It is recommended that, daily, each student-athlete bring 2-3 water bottles, or the equivalent of 40 ounces.  
• Students will be able to store their equipment (labeled bins in the MS Lobby upon arriving to school) and change clothing after school in the Boys’ & Girls’ Locker Rooms.

*All students participating in sports are required to have their rescue medications with them at all times, i.e. inhalers, epi-pens, glucagon, etc.  In addition, a current emergency care plan for students requiring emergency medication must be updated annually and sent to the health office for review.

All of us associated with Briarcliff Athletics want to thank you, our student-athletes, and their families for your continued support of our program.  Our goal remains the same, to have fun and compete in a safe and happy environment. 

NYSPHSAA Spectator Sportsmanship Regulations

Any negative, inappropriate, derogatory comments or actions that brings direct attention to a supervisor or school administrator by a spectator or group of spectators are required to be addressed by the host school, Sectional or NYSPHSAA representative in the following non-sequential order depending on the comments or behavior.

* First warning - Directing the spectator or group of spectators to refrain from any negative comments or actions.

* Second warning - A personal discussion with the spectators or group of spectators on the above NYSPHSAA expectations and reminding the spectators or group of spectators of the next step, removal of the game or event, will be utilized if the behavior continues.

* Removal from the contest - The spectator or group of spectators will be directed to leave the facility for the remainder of the game or event.  If spectators or group of spectators refuse to leave the game or event, play will be stopped until they vacate the premise.

Penalty for being removed from a game or event: Any spectator removed from a game or event will have a minimum penalty of completing the NFHS Parent Credential course or a one game suspension before they are allowed to attend any interscholastic event.  Once the course is completed the spectator will provide a certificate of completion to the athletic department office.  Schools are required to communicate with the offending spectator on the NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Spectator Expectations.

* Depending on the severity of the behavior/comments or future disqualifications by the offending spectator, NYSPHSAA and the Section may get directly involved in the situation.

Note: A school may take any or all these actions during or after an interscholastic contest.

Rationale:  NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Committee believes that the time has come to hold our spectators to the same expectations that our coaches and students are held to during an interscholastic contest.  If our spectators cannot meet these expectations, then just like our coaches and student athletes, they will face a similar consequence to their behaviors and comments.  NYSPHSAA schools have a requirement to address these types of behaviors as members of our association.

We are looking forward to a new, great, and successful school year.  Follow me on Twitter @CDrops3.

 With Gratitude,

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