1. SPRING TRACK 2015 MEET THE COACH NIGHT Allen Johnson LB ’89
8x World Champion
Olympic Gold Medalist
MEET THE COACH NIGHT

2. Introduction of Coaches
Bob Digby- Director Men’s & Women’s Track and Field
Sprints/Hurdles/High-Long-Triple Jumps & Relays
Mike Mangan- Asst. Director Track / Director Cross Country
Distance / Pole Vault / Throws
Jason Switzer- Asst. Coach
Distance / Mid Distance
Michaela Sands- Asst. Coach

3. What Spring Track IS A “circus” of events going on at the same time
Jumps/Throws/Vaults/Sprints/Distance/Relays/ Hurdles (with only a handful of coaches)
Basketball has 35 kids, 9 coaches and 3 player positions
Track has OVER 200 kids, 4 coaches, and 17 events
Great kids working hard to help the TEAM
(Together Everyone Achieves More)
A committed group of kids, parents, and coaches working to achieve the same goal

4. What you can expect from Coaches
To work hard to get the best from our athletes
To do what is best for the TEAM
To care about your kids
in school, off the track , after they graduate
To demand excellence from their athletes
To make sacrifices for the team
Early mornings, late nights, weekend meets
Taking time from their own families to be with yours
To constantly try and better their knowledge of track
New training techniques, weight lifting strategies, clinics, etc

5. Coaching expectations
Building a powerhouse Track & XC program
Congrats Indoor Track (dual conference / regional champs)
Prioritization of training groups. (varsity vs. jv. vs. training)
Parental support
Contacts about absences- or phone call
Problems/Items of discussion?: Phone call only
Volunteering
Athletes priority
Learn communication skills
Be a part of our TEAM (individual success comes as a part of TEAM success, not separate from)
Winning
State Champions every year

6. What We Expect From Parents
Support your child:
Cheer, Hug, pat on the back, push to improve
You aren’t the coach (trust me, you don’t want the paycheck)
Track is NOTHING like it was when you were in school/competing
Support your coaches
Let us coach (we have over 70+ years experience between us)
If you have a problem, CALL me first (not my boss)
Volunteer
To time, score, help at meets
To drive to away meets
To chaperone
For the booster activities

7. Needs for the athlete Clothing Water Bottle- Training shoes
Daily workout gear
Black Running pants for meets
Team Uniform (indoor track kids use the same)- For meets
Team Jacket (issued week of first meet)
Water Bottle-
Should be drinking water all day before practice
Training shoes
Spikes / Throwing shoes (not required, but..)
Proper Diet / Sleep

8. TEAM WEBSITES:
All information about our team / meets/ schedules/etc can be found on:
AND
Blackboard 24-7 under Track and Field. (will use this the majority of the time to contact the athletes)
My / phone number on both sites.

9. Boosters / Team Parents
Marion Speranzo – Booster Rep / Team Parent

10. PRACTICES Daily- 2:40-5:15 (2 ½ hours) Off days-
Athletes will be lifting / supplementals from 4:15-5:15
Kids need to be with teachers? Let us know.
Kids are dressed appropriately
Off days-
Non Technique Sprinters / Mid Distance / Distance - Thursdays
Throwers: Wednesdays
Technique Sprinters As offered
Schedule appointments on “off” days
We do practice over spring break, long weekends, etc
Parents responsibility to inform Coach Digby of absence
Absences affect participation in meets (excused or not)

11. Practices Cont. Technique practices: Band/Orchestra-
In order for us to be competitive in track, we need to use gym space for jumps / vault until the weather is permanently better.
High Jump- -Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:30am-7:00am
Pole Vault - Mondays/Thursdays 7-9pm
Jumps/Throws after school
Band/Orchestra-
Athletes that have rehearsals are required to attend both practices for ½ the time. It is up to the athlete to check in with coaches for workout.

12. Practice- Cont. Unexcused Absences from practice
No call / / communication
Missing because of music lessons / another sport practice
Athlete simply not showing up (skipping)
Not showing up because of “too much” homework
Athletes unexcused may be left off next competition. 2 unexcused absences and athlete will be removed from competition and may result in dismissal from team.

13. THERE IS NO BENCH IN TRACK
Meets
THERE IS NO BENCH IN TRACK
4 regular season meets: Schedule in packet
Coaches discretion on who competes in what events. Athletes must have been at practice, working hard, etc. to compete in meet.

14. VARSITY vs. JV Qualifying marks to make the Varsity
Earned at any time during the season or at try-outs
Varsity one year doesn’t necessarily mean varsity the next
Varsity athletes will have different uniforms/jackets
Only Varsity athletes travel to invitationals / overnights
Unlike other sports, it doesn’t matter your grade level
Post season banquet
JV awards the same night as Varsity banquet, but are handed out BEFORE the dessert portion of the varsity banquet
JV athletes are welcome to stay for dessert portion / VARSITY awards, slide show etc

15. Meets: Cont
We only get 2 busses, so we will need parents to drive to/from meets
Athletes may leave when MEET IS OVER, not when they are done
You wouldn’t leave in the 3rd inning or 2nd quarter of another sport would you?
Don’t put the coaches in a bad position by telling us you have to leave the meet early.
Parents may only take other kids with permission from their parents
PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO HELP

16. Invitationals & Overnight trips
March 28 Legard Woodson
April 3rd Leslie West Spring
April PR Robinson
April Hall of LB
April Penn Relays in Philadelphia
May 2 NIKE South Lakes
SAT day!! (Meet starts at 4:30)
May 9 TBA
Are for Varsity athletes only / Based on qualifying standards
MY decision on who goes
NO BUSSES

17. Injuries?? Kids can/do get injured in this sport
We will send them to the trainer (not on their own)
Trainer will suggest visit to the doctor
Don’t take to the doctor unless trainer tells you to
Most early season “injuries” are not really injuries
Aches / Pain from not doing this before
Shin problems from improper footwear
Not warming up / cooling down with a purpose
Injury Book- We will have injured athlete sign/date an injury log.
NEVER PUT HEAT ON AN INJURY UNLESS INFORMED TO DO SO.
BEN-GAY, ICY HOT, ETC DOESN’’T WORK!!!

18. MEET VOLUNTEERS www.SignUpGenius.com/go/8050F4CA8AC2D6- spring1
This is only for our regular meets AND the Hall of Fame Invitational

19. Hall of Fame Invitational
One of the largest meets in the state
Honors past LB Track / XC Greats
Middle School and youth club races
Our biggest fundraiser
Need tons of volunteers to help coordinate.
Please help!

20. Potomac River Running Spike Night
Thursday March Burke Center Store
Purchase shoes, spikes, apparel for the season. NIKE rep there giving stuff away
Portion of the proceeds are given directly back to our team
They will fit you for the correct shoes/spikes for your event

21. I have read & understand the policies/power point for Meet The Coach Night for Lake Braddock Indoor Track & Field
Athletes Name___________________________________
Parent Name____________________________________
Parent __________________________________________
Parent Signature________________________________
PLEASE FILL OUT AND RETURN BEFORE ATHLETE IS ALLOWED TO COMPETE.