Montclair High School

Football Manual

2015 Season

Agenda for parent’s meeting 2015Introductions:

Head CoachAssistant Coaches

Packets:PhilosophyGuidelinesIntangiblesUnder Program philosophyCoaching Plan (Academics)Coaching Plan (Football Program)Code of Conduct contractRecruiting (Hudl), Grades, Camps7 on 7Summer Calendar (Web Site)montclairmountiesfootball.com

Varsity Letters:CriteriaJV RuleAcademics

Student/Athletes may leaveQuestion and answers

Coaching Philosophy• My philosophy with regard to coaching is student/athletes first, winning

second. I believe winning is important, but of even greater importance, is providing opportunities for young people to grow and develop mentally as well as physically and to make it an enjoyable experience. There are valuable lessons to be learned from playing football and team sports in general, that can be used throughout life. I also believe that developing confidence and self-worth in young student/athletes is an ongoing process essential to their success as individuals. At the same time, emphasis must be placed on establishing an understanding and appreciation for academics and for the “Team” concept relative to the important roles they play in ones growth and success on and off the football field. It has been my experience that emphasizing competitive spirit, sportsmanship, responsibility, and commitment greatly enhance this process. My goal is to prepare student/athletes and provide the direction necessary for them to compete at their full potential in the toughest game they will ever play...LIFE. I am a firm believer that being “COMMITTED TO COMPETE” yields success on and off the football field.

Football Program Guidelines• Participation in the football program is a privilege, not a right!

Like the game itself, players must be able to play within the rules.• Any and all forms of poor attitude/behavior observed by the

coaching staff or reported to the staff by players, teachers, parents, or other responsible persons may be grounds for any player to be disciplined.

• The coaching staff will fully investigate each situation where discipline may be needed. After evaluating the facts of the incident, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

• Because it is impossible to imagine every situation that may arise, this document does not attempt to define all of the possibilities.

• It should be understood that all situations requiring discipline are not listed here-in, and it does not and will not prohibit the coaching staff from identifying inappropriate behavior and taking proper corrective action.

• Repeat offenders will not be tolerated, after review by our disciplinary council three strikes will usually result in dismissal from the team.

• There may be situations that call for immediate dismissal from the team, the coaching staff reserves the right to exercise this option.

• Not all incidents can be corrected through discipline, and in situations where applicable, players will be assisted in seeking the proper treatment.

• Discipline is a course of study used to improve mental and moral training. It helps to insure adherence to the rules, provides correction, and most importantly, it develops good character.

• The football program is “COMMITTED TO COMPETE”. Only the well prepared and properly disciplined are able to reach and ultimately surpass their goals.

• Footnote: This document does not supercede or replace any of the rules or regulations set forth by the school district. It is designed to compliment district policy, and emphasize the football program’s commitment to both academic and athletic excellence.

Montclair High School Football players

Intangibles

• Personal• 1. You are at Montclair High School to graduate. You

must work hard every day toward that goal. See the Head Coach if any academic problems arise.

• 2. Treat coaches and teammates with respect.• 3. Absolutely no hats or sagging pants in school or

football related activities!• 4. We will be mature about our approach to the game of

football. It will make winning the more important game of life easier.

• 5. We will be on time. On time means 15 minutes early.• 6. If an absence or tardiness is unavoidable, see the

Head Coach first.• 7. Expect nothing but the best effort from your coaches

and accept nothing less than that from yourself.

• Football• 1. The TEAM comes before the individual.• 2. Treat your opponents with respect-- never ridicule

the opposition.• 3. Call your coaches “COACH_______”• 4. Call the official “Mr. Official”• 5. Leave the coaching to the coaches, and leave the

officiating to the officials.• 6. Never ridicule the officials. • 7. Problems with football should be addressed to the

Head Coach.• 8. Remarks detrimental to the team, coaches, or

teammates will not be tolerated. (Including Parents)• 9. Win with grace, and if we must lose, do it with class.

Junior Varsity and Freshmen Teams Philosophy

• Opportunity is my main philosophy as a head coach when it comes to the under programs. Pop Warner and the Montclair Cobras are a great starting ground to pick up some fundamentals and a love for the game; however there are a lot of kids who don’t play football till High School. This means for some of these student/athletes we are their introduction to the great game of football. It is important to give these young people a solid foundation to prepare them for the next level.

Freshmen football• Freshmen Football is the introduction to high school

sports. When a student/athlete goes out for a fall sport in their freshmen year it is the first time many of them will face real competition. They will not only face competition in the form of other schools but more importantly from their peers. It is the first time that many of them will be asked to practice or play six days a week, and in many cases the first time that there will be a consequence for missing any of these days. It is very important to get these freshmen acclimated to how things are done right away. Everyone who follows the team rules should have an opportunity to play in every game. Our Freshman philosophy is that everyone plays at least 10 plays. The winning of games is learned, just like blocking or tackling winning needs to be taught as well.

Junior Varsity• Junior Varsity is used as a feeder system for

the varsity. I feel that every junior who does not get significant playing time on the varsity level should hone their skills on Mondays. Our goal is for everyone who dresses to participate in a quarter of playing time. I like to send as many coaches as possible to all these levels to afford them an opportunity to call plays and get better as well. It also allows them to view our players in a game situation to see how well they are playing and help in their evaluations as football players. (Sophomore games)

Coaching Plan• This is a two part plan which consists of a disciplined academic program and a progressive football program

approach. The plan emphasizes the similarities between academic preparation and preparation for football.• l. Academic Program• A. Code of conduct (Mounties’ Code of Conduct)• a. Player/ parent signed agreement• b. Commitment to academics• B. Class Attendance• a. Absences (less than 7 a year, none during football)• b. Tardiness (Unacceptable)• C. Grade Policy• a. Expectations ( B’s or better)• b. Requirements (No F’s)

c. Monitoring/ progress sheets/Star portal• a. Clearing house (end of junior year)• D. Discipline Policy• a. Violation of grade requirements• b. Unacceptable classroom/ social conduct• E. Team Study Hall• a. Homework assistance• b. Study techniques• c. Volunteer tutors• F. Performance• a. Homework/ exams - playing eligibility

b. Citizenship

Coaching Plan part 2• II. Football Program• A. Code of Conduct (Mounties’ Code of Conduct)• a. Player/ parent signed agreement• b. Commitment to football• B. Attendance• a. Absence/ tardiness - games and practices• b. Absence/ tardiness - team meetings and related activities• C. Grade Policy• a. Progress reports/ interim reports• b. Report cards• D. Discipline Policy• a. Violation of school rules• b. Violation of team rules• E. Team Decisions• a. Players input• b. Coaches input• c. Administrations input• F. Performance• a. Off-season,practice, scrimmages, and games - playing time• b. Sportsmanship

Mounties’ Code of Conduct• We have read and fully understand the rules of the Montclair High School football program.• Player: I recognize that my signature represents a full commitment to academics and to the football program. I

am aware that my conduct must be appropriate and reasonable at all times if I wish to remain a part of the program. The eleven items listed below serve as a guideline for conduct that is unacceptable.

• 1. Poor school attendance and ineligible academic performance.• 2. Absence from practice/ games and other football related meetings.• 3. Tardiness to practice/ games and other football related meetings.• 4. Disrespect of coaching staff, teachers, administrators, teammates, and classmates. (I.e. open disobedience,

cursing, and physical violence)• 5. Failure to keep football areas clean!• 6. Failure to adhere to treatment schedules when injured.• 7. Poor classroom/ social conduct.• 8. Failure to give your best effort in the classroom.• 9. Failure to give your best effort at practice and during games.• 10. Use of alcohol and/ or drugs• 11. Quitting the team• 12. Parental discussion of playing time with coaches is unacceptable! 24 Hour rule is for other concerns!• Parent: I recognize that my signature represents full support of my child’s decision to participate in the Montclair

High School football program. I am aware that his conduct must be appropriate and responsible at all times and will encourage him to abide by the team rules.

• • Player’s Signature_________________________ Dated___________________• Parent’s Signature_________________________ Dated___________________

Criteria for a Varsity Letter

• Attendance at 95% of all the practices (including games) 80 of 84 not including religious holidays.

• Maintains a respectable GPA (2.5 or better)• Is a role model throughout the school (stays

out of trouble)• If a player misses more than 1 Tuesday after a

JV game they forfeit their Varsity letter for that season.

• * Please make all appointments after 6:30pm if possible.

Weekly Practice Schedules

• Varsity• Mondays – from after school to 6:00pm• Tuesdays – from after school to 6:30 pm• Wednesdays - from after school to 6:30 pm• Thursdays - from after school to 6:30 pm• Fridays if we play on Saturday - from after school to

9:30 pm• Fridays if we play on Friday – 30 minutes after the

game ends or bus arrives back at school• Saturdays if we play on Friday night – 9:00am -

12:00pm• Saturdays if we play on Saturday - 30 minutes after

the game ends or bus arrives back at school

Junior Varsity

• Mondays – 30 minutes after the game ends or bus arrives back at school

• Tuesdays – from after school to 6:30 pm• Wednesdays - from after school to 6:30 pm• Thursdays - from after school to 6:30 pm• Fridays if we play on Saturday - from after school to

9:30 pm / Fridays if we play on Friday – 30 minutes after the game ends or bus arrives back at school

• Saturdays if we play on Friday night – 9:00am -12:00pm

• Saturdays if we play on Saturday - 30 minutes after the game ends or bus arrives back at school

Freshmen

• Mondays – from after school to 6:30pm• Tuesdays – from after school to 6:30 pm• Wednesdays - from after school to 6:30 pm• Thursdays - from after school to 6:30 pm• Fridays if they play on Friday – after the team meal

or 30 minutes after the game• Fridays if they play on Saturday - from after school to

after the team meal(7:30pm)• Saturdays if they play on Friday night – 9:00am -

12:00pm• Saturdays if they play on Saturday - 30 minutes after

the game ends or bus arrives back at school• *Special Note – Please do not schedule any vacations

after August 10th 2015 for this season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7 on 7 schedule

Sunday June 14th @ Maryland football camp 4:30am 8:00amSaturday June 20th @ Monmouth 6:40amSaturday June 27th @ Rutgers 7:00amOthers may be added

Recruiting and Summer camps

Football CampsOne Day CampsCombinesRecruiting ServicesOutsidersParents responsibilitiesCoaches ResponsibilitiesPlayer Responsibilities

Coach Fiore’s Info

• Home # 908-931-1561

• Cell # 908-418-6668

• School # 973-509-4100 ext. 5536

• E-Mail – johnfiore86@gmail.com

• School Email -johnfiore@montclair.k12.nj.us

• Twitter: hfc_ johnfiore

Grid Iron Club

• President – Chad Riley

• Secretary – Jami Ransom

• VP – Denice Corpening-Diaz

• Treasurer – DeAnna Beedy

• Raised over $60,000 last year

• Board elections –