Track and Field Rules for Success
Attending Practice- we feel it is vital for athletes to attend all practices to receive proper training and conditioning
Attendance policy- all track practice absences must be excused within 24 hours by contacting Coach Jaeger-Smith, via her cell phone (Remind message) or email. In an effort to promote the importance of being at all practices to train for competition, an excused absence will warrant in missing the next scheduled meet by discretion of the coaching staff. Unexcused absences will constitute in missing the next 1-2 meets by discretion. School related absences (concerts, club events, field trips, etc.) must be excused but will not result in penalty. Excused absences from the classroom during the school day will not result in penalty, but unexcused absence from the classroom will result in missing the next scheduled meet. Student athletes are not allowed to practice if they did not attend school that day, this includes “Senior Skip Day”. Please let Coach Jaeger-Smith know ahead of time for any anticipated absences. If you are sick you must let a coach know, under the circumstances, illness will be an excused absence.
Conflicts with practice- Please try to schedule appointments outside of practice time.
Practice will begin at 4:00 in the Raptor Gym, attendance is taken so athletes must check in at the start of practice.. Mondays and Wednesdays are scheduled weight room days, please check in with your event coach for workouts and times. Being late to practice without a note from a teacher, parent, or trainer will result in missing the next scheduled meet.
Respect and behavior at practice and meets- athletes that are a behavior problem at practice or meets will first be given a warning, with a second offense your parents will be contacted, after a third infraction, the athlete will be released from the team.
Practice attire- It is expected that all athletes wear long sleeves and full-length pants to practice, layers of clothing are key! Practices will be outside as long as weather permits. All athletes must come prepared to practice in all weather conditions, rain, snow, or shine. Athletes that are not dressed appropriately for weather will warrant being sent home from practice.
Check for posted meet entries- prior to each meet, the specific entries in which each athlete will compete will be posted on Athletic.net, check these entrees and communicate with your event coach.
Missing an event without permission- this infraction will result in the athlete not being able to compete in the next meet, a second infraction will result in removal from the team for the rest of the season. If things come up mid-meet and an athlete wishes to scratch, they must check in with their event coach for approval, this includes an athlete’s place on a relay team.
Travel to away meets- athletes are to be prompt when meeting the bus at the determined time. The bus will leave on time and not wait for anyone. When traveling, the athlete is to dress presentable, in street clothes or team/school issued team gear.
Track meets- Athletes are not excused from track meets until the meet is over. We expect support from everyone until the last relay or field event is over. You must check out with the head coach before leaving a track meet with your parents or guardians, leaving early or without checking out will result in missing the next track meet. Athletes may not drive their own car or ride with anyone else to a track meet unless instructed otherwise before the meet.
Sports that conflict with track- Any athlete participating in an additional sport (soccer, baseball, hockey, basketball tournaments, etc.) are required to attend all practices from the beginning of the track season. We will allow athletes to miss up to 2 meets to participate and or finish up a sport that started before track season.
Team sweats and meet warm-ups- athletes will be provided with uniforms, along with team warm up gear. It is expected that all athletes will wear their warm up gear to every track meet. This gear is for competition use only and is not required to be worn at practice and should not be worn outside of track meet days.
Take care of equipment- school issued uniforms, clothes and equipment are very expensive, if clothing is not returned at the end of the season the athlete must pay to replace it. If any equipment is intentionally damaged, the athlete must pay to replace it.
Use and abuse of the training room- Gallatin High has 1 full time trainer, they and the training room are there for the treatment and rehabilitation of injuries. Track can be a very physically demanding sport, we ask that you be tough and work through the aches and pains. Please do not become a training room groupie, if you are in track to be injured, then you will miss track meets.
Expectations for team meetings- Be on time, check in and wait for the meeting to start. Athletes are expected to be attentive at team meetings, do not speak out of turn or be rude and disrespectful.
Competition shoes- Track spikes and throwing shoes are not a requirement for athletes. You can wear normal running shoes or trainers to practice and compete in, but if you want to have a competitive edge, competition shoes will surely provide that. With that being said, track spikes and throwing shoes are only to be worn in competition and in certain training practices. Do not wear your competition shoes to practice unless your coach says to put them on. Competition shoes come in different styles, designs and price ranges. Please speak with your event coaches on their recommendations on shoes, and purchase your shoes through a reputable vendor that specializes in track and field apparel.
Attendance policy- all track practice absences must be excused within 24 hours by contacting Coach Jaeger-Smith, via her cell phone (Remind message) or email. In an effort to promote the importance of being at all practices to train for competition, an excused absence will warrant in missing the next scheduled meet by discretion of the coaching staff. Unexcused absences will constitute in missing the next 1-2 meets by discretion. School related absences (concerts, club events, field trips, etc.) must be excused but will not result in penalty. Excused absences from the classroom during the school day will not result in penalty, but unexcused absence from the classroom will result in missing the next scheduled meet. Student athletes are not allowed to practice if they did not attend school that day, this includes “Senior Skip Day”. Please let Coach Jaeger-Smith know ahead of time for any anticipated absences. If you are sick you must let a coach know, under the circumstances, illness will be an excused absence.
Conflicts with practice- Please try to schedule appointments outside of practice time.
Practice will begin at 4:00 in the Raptor Gym, attendance is taken so athletes must check in at the start of practice.. Mondays and Wednesdays are scheduled weight room days, please check in with your event coach for workouts and times. Being late to practice without a note from a teacher, parent, or trainer will result in missing the next scheduled meet.
Respect and behavior at practice and meets- athletes that are a behavior problem at practice or meets will first be given a warning, with a second offense your parents will be contacted, after a third infraction, the athlete will be released from the team.
Practice attire- It is expected that all athletes wear long sleeves and full-length pants to practice, layers of clothing are key! Practices will be outside as long as weather permits. All athletes must come prepared to practice in all weather conditions, rain, snow, or shine. Athletes that are not dressed appropriately for weather will warrant being sent home from practice.
Check for posted meet entries- prior to each meet, the specific entries in which each athlete will compete will be posted on Athletic.net, check these entrees and communicate with your event coach.
Missing an event without permission- this infraction will result in the athlete not being able to compete in the next meet, a second infraction will result in removal from the team for the rest of the season. If things come up mid-meet and an athlete wishes to scratch, they must check in with their event coach for approval, this includes an athlete’s place on a relay team.
Travel to away meets- athletes are to be prompt when meeting the bus at the determined time. The bus will leave on time and not wait for anyone. When traveling, the athlete is to dress presentable, in street clothes or team/school issued team gear.
Track meets- Athletes are not excused from track meets until the meet is over. We expect support from everyone until the last relay or field event is over. You must check out with the head coach before leaving a track meet with your parents or guardians, leaving early or without checking out will result in missing the next track meet. Athletes may not drive their own car or ride with anyone else to a track meet unless instructed otherwise before the meet.
Sports that conflict with track- Any athlete participating in an additional sport (soccer, baseball, hockey, basketball tournaments, etc.) are required to attend all practices from the beginning of the track season. We will allow athletes to miss up to 2 meets to participate and or finish up a sport that started before track season.
Team sweats and meet warm-ups- athletes will be provided with uniforms, along with team warm up gear. It is expected that all athletes will wear their warm up gear to every track meet. This gear is for competition use only and is not required to be worn at practice and should not be worn outside of track meet days.
Take care of equipment- school issued uniforms, clothes and equipment are very expensive, if clothing is not returned at the end of the season the athlete must pay to replace it. If any equipment is intentionally damaged, the athlete must pay to replace it.
Use and abuse of the training room- Gallatin High has 1 full time trainer, they and the training room are there for the treatment and rehabilitation of injuries. Track can be a very physically demanding sport, we ask that you be tough and work through the aches and pains. Please do not become a training room groupie, if you are in track to be injured, then you will miss track meets.
Expectations for team meetings- Be on time, check in and wait for the meeting to start. Athletes are expected to be attentive at team meetings, do not speak out of turn or be rude and disrespectful.
Competition shoes- Track spikes and throwing shoes are not a requirement for athletes. You can wear normal running shoes or trainers to practice and compete in, but if you want to have a competitive edge, competition shoes will surely provide that. With that being said, track spikes and throwing shoes are only to be worn in competition and in certain training practices. Do not wear your competition shoes to practice unless your coach says to put them on. Competition shoes come in different styles, designs and price ranges. Please speak with your event coaches on their recommendations on shoes, and purchase your shoes through a reputable vendor that specializes in track and field apparel.