Q: What is the policy for the classroom?
A: Academic integrity is a must! If you ever need help academically, just ask! In the past 13 years, the soccer programs that I have been associated with have had an outstanding reputation with the faculty. I EXPECT that to continue!!
Q: Who are the coaches?
A: Mr. Walchanowicz is the varsity head coach. You will see ALL of us involved throughout the year working with all of the players.
Q: What will the team look like? What is program philosophy?
A: For the 2009 school year, my goal is to field two teams, a varsity and a JV. We will field 16-20 on varsity and the rest on JV. Tryouts will determine placement. Players may fluctuate throughout the year between Varsity and JV. Please note that grade does not indicate placement on Varsity. When and underclassman and upperclassman are equal in ability, the underclassman will probably be granted more playing time.
Program Philosophy
[+] I believe that Academics take priority over sports
[+] I believe that the way a person practices reveals his true character
[+] I believe that success doesn’t happen by accident; it requires hard work and dedication
[+] I believe that it is the player’s job to please the coach, not the coach’s job to please the player
[+] I believe that winning builds confidence and a program’s reputation
[+] I believe that adversity and losing builds character and defines what type of person we are
[+] I believe in giving one hundred percent effort in practice, and to work hard on improving ones weaknesses
[+] I believe that sportsmanship and team unity is more important than individual achievement
[+] I believe in creating an atmosphere that will encourage, nurture, and challenge your sons
[+] I believe that both negativism and positivism are highly contagious
[+] I believe in time-management: one can manage school and sports
[+] I believe that players must be fully responsible for themselves; do not get in the habit of blaming others for your performance
[+] I will treat your son, as I would want a coach to treat my daughter
Q: How will training be organized?
A: We will be sticking to the schedule indicated in the soccer calendar for July and August practices. Once school begins, we will practice at the high school from 3:40-5:40 or so every day except game days. You will change in the locker room or in the barn changing room, board the bus and travel to Schady Road.
Both mental and physical conditioning and fitness is something we work on everyday. I whole-heartily believe that what is done on the game field must be done on the practice field as well. There is no way athletic skills can be developed other than disciplined repetition and disciplined work habits during practices. Training will stress both; you should also.
Q: What is the policy for attendance of practices and games?
A: We will follow the guidelines set forth in the “Olmsted Falls Guidelines for All Athletes.” If you are unaware of this policy, refer to the copy you will be signing at the beginning of the year. We are looking for complete and total commitment to this program; attendance should never be an issue. If, however, you need to miss a meeting or training session because you are ill, you must notify either myself or the assistant coach prior to that training session.
If you are injured and cannot training, you must see the athletic trainer and you must report this to Coach Walchanoiwcz prior to that practice. You must still come to training unless you are told not to!
Unexcused absences and tardiness from practice for detentions will not be tolerated.
You may not be late for any scheduled meeting, training session, or game. Be Early!! People who are always early are Never Late!! It is your responsibility to be on time. Do not blame anyone else!
It is impossible to develop any type of effective organization without the participation and commitment from the members. Anyone with a conflict must contact the coaching staff as soon as possible.
Q: Will I be guaranteed playing time?
A: The OHSAA permits a player to play 38 halves a year. Any individual player can play up to 3 halves per day. For example, if we have a JV and a Varsity game on the same day, a player can play 2 halves in one game and only one in the other. A half is defined as stepping on the field for even one second.
There are no restrictions on amount of halves played during tournaments. The only restriction is on roster size for the tournament (20).
Playing time is determined by a combination of individual talent, commitment, and the needs of the team in a given situation. We will use training as a means of evaluating skill level and performance. Players who are not deemed capable of competing at a varsity level will be encouraged to improve their skills and remain a part of the program, but will be made to understand their limited roles in game situations. We encourage athletes to strive to improve themselves in all facets of the game. The key to remember is that we are all pushing each other to excellence. Playing time is earned, not given.
Any event that is organized in the off season is optional on the part of the player. Everything that you do and that we do in the off season is designed to improve the player and give them the chance to improve their play. The decisions that the coaching staff makes are based on the quality of the play that is observed in August when the official preseason start
Q: What type of cleats should I buy? Molded? Studs?
A: Having “cheap” shoes does not allow for comfort or control. As history has shown, we play on all sorts of fields. My suggestion is the following: Invest in a high quality pair of molded cleats and a reasonably priced pair of replaceable studs. For hard, dry field, the molded work fine, but for rain, mud, and long grass, a soccer player needs to have a pair of replaceable studs. My suggestion to all serious soccer players is to have two pairs of cleats: one molded and one replaceable.
If you can only afford one pair of cleats, get a pair of quality molded cleats. Make sure that the shoes you are buying are of high quality.
- Buying cheap or inexpensive boots will cause more problems to your feet, legs, and touch in the long run!
- Regularly condition the leather with a quality shoe care product such as leather food or mink oil.
- Do not store soccer shoes in plastic bags or other non-porous covers.
- Allow wet or damp soccer shoes to air dry naturally, away from a source of heat. Do not put them in front of or on top of a heater or vent.
- Stuff shoes with newspaper to aid in the drying process.
- In dry environments, condition your shoes weekly to prevent the drying out and cracking of the leather.
- Do not use waxes or silicones to preserve shoes.
- Never use household cleaners or chemicals to clean your shoes
Q: Will I need running shoes as well?
A: With the running that soccer players do, having a comfortable pair of running shoes is a MUST!!
Q: What if I have a question, or simply need help?
A: Just ask. We are more than willing to provide extra help and assistance. Email at OHHS Men’s Soccer-Email
