Players Manual

Public Appearance
Game Day Professionalism
Practice Policies
Move Out Day
Accountability
Personal Conduct Rules
Leave the Team

Otterbein College Football Team Policy

General Conduct Policy

Don't engage in any activity that could reflect back on us and your Otterbein teammates in a derogatory manner.

If you are hurting the team with your behavior, we will eliminate you, so you cannot hurt the rest of the squad.

CHARACTER IS WHAT YOU DO WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING!

BE A GOOD TEAMMATE!

Training Camp Policy

It is extremely important that we all get "ON THE SAME PAGE" as quickly as possible. In order to do this we need to run a well organized, disciplined training camp. It really isn't difficult to do, if each and every person cooperates.

The following information will bring you up to date as to what is expected of you at all times.

-Park your cars in the Campus Center parking lot. I will give security people the authority to have cars towed at the player's expense, if a violation occurs.

-Be neat in appearance at all times. Be on time for all meals, meetings, practices and team functions.

-You are not allowed to leave CAMP at anytime for any reason without permission. We are responsible for you. Once you have moved into your permanent housing you will be allowed to come and go as you please.

-All meetings are scheduled, organized and detailed in order to help each player become a better football player. Therefore it is extremely important that each man is on time. A good habit to get into is to be 'early'. Be the first one there! No excuses will be accepted!

Dormitory Policy (Rules Apply When Traveling)

-The dorm is not like home for you, but it can be a more pleasant place to live during the training camp, if everyone will cooperate.
-Keep the noise level down. Play stereo sets and radios quietly.
-If gathered as a large group in a room prior to bed check, keep the noise level down.
-No guests allowed in room or dorm. Permission can be obtained to meet with close friends or members of your family by asking the head coach.
-Your room and furniture are your responsibility. Any damage done will cost you and those involved.
-No weapons of any kind in your dorm room. This includes guns, pellet guns, BB guns, knives, sling shots, chinese stars, etc.
-No alcohol in your room.
-Lights out is 11:00 p.m. A coach will make bed check at 11:00 p.m. Keep your dorm door unlocked or propped open until a coach checks you in

Locker Room Policy

-A locker room can be a pleasant room or it can be a very unpleasant spot to be, if not cared for properly. Every squad member should do everything possible to make sure his contribution to the overall atmosphere in the locker room is a winning one.
-Keep your specific location clean and neat.
-Don't leave food around your area.
-Put what belongs in the trash, in the trash. Don't leave old tape and bandages for someone else to pick up. An area has been provided in the shower room. Tape cutters, tape removers are provided for in this area. PUT TAPE IN TRASH.
NO FAMILY IN OUR LOCKER ROOM AFTER A GAME OR AT ANY TIME.
-Your helmet should be stored in the upper left hand shelf of your locker. Your street shoes should be placed behind the seat. Your practice shoes and game shoes should be placed in the locker.
-You will be provided a lock with combination. Keep your valuables locked up in your locker at all times.

-Clean your shoes outside prior to entering the locker room.

LOCKER ROOM ASSIGNMENT (IN-SEASON & CAMP)
-This group of player responsible for cleanliness of locker room
-this includes cleaning up all tape, etc.
-this includes vacuuming locker room
Sunday- Seniors Thursday- Juniors Monday- Sophomore Friday- Seniors
Tuesday- Juniors Saturday- Sophomores Wednesday- Freshmen

Equipment Room Policy

Equipment Manager: Skip Ford
Assistant Manager: Terry Fry
Assistant Manager: Barry Fry

Student Assistants:

The equipment room is a highly organized business room.

PLAYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN EQUIPMENT ROOM WITHOUT PERMISSION..

-Report any problems right away. Don't wait until just before practice.
-Make sure your equipment fits properly. Have equipment manager, equipment coach or trainer check it out. (Keep air in your helmet)
-Take a periodic check on your equipment, make sure it is in sound condition. -Remember the body you are protecting is your own!
-Take a periodic check on your equipment, make sure it is in sound condition. -Remember the body you are protecting is your own!
-Do not alter any piece of equipment. All alterations will be done by the equipment manager,coach, or trainer. NOTE: DO NOT CUT ANY PRACTICE JERSEYS OR PANTS. DO NOT CUT SLEEVES OFF OF ISSUED T-SHIRTS.
-The uniform of the day will be announced. The uniform must be worn in total. Socks etc.
-Hang up your uniform after each workout. Use the laudry clip provided. Keep your lockers as clean as possible. Leave as little as possible on the floor.
-Wear white socks only.
-Helmets should be inspected each day-Shoulder Pads on a weekly basis
-Do not switch helmets with team members. If helmet does not fit see equipment staff.

Training Room Policy

Head Athletic Trainer:
Chuck Goodwin
Assistant Athletic Trainer:
Joe Wilkins

Athletic Training Students:
Matt Brown
Ember Johns
Carly Lee
Ben Moldenhauer
Kristin Moore
Beth Rowland
Abby Stillings
Justin Tatman

1. There is to be NO loitering in the AT room.

2. The AT room is not a lounge. Only those needing tape, treatment should be in the training room.

-Wear shorts in the training room for all treatments and taping.
-Wear shorts while using the whirlpool.
-Do not throw old tape, dirty laundry, equipment or any other article on the floor. -Your cooperation in keeping this area clean will be greatly appreciated. After all, it is your "second home", take care of the facilities.
-There will be no smoking, no tobacco chewing, no snuff dipping, no food or drinks permitted in the training room.
-Report all injuries to the athletic trainers. If an injury is not detected until you get home, report it the first thing the next day. If we had played a Saturday game, then you should report the injury on Sunday. If you fail to report for treatment, then you are expected to suit up and participate in practice.
-Any player who disregards an Athletic Trainer's or Doctor's appointment will discuss it with the Head Coach.
-No one is to use therapeutic equipment unless under the Athletic Trainer's supervision.

-Coach A. Moore is our go between with our athletic trainers. He will chart your progress, make sure you are not using the athletic training room for an excuse, and help condition all injured players.
-All injured players are expected to be on time for all scheduled events, meetings and practices, unless excused by the head coach.
-You must be out at practice in full gear unless you are unable to play in the upcoming game. You will then be in Otterbein issued T-Shirts, Shorts, or Sweats.
Rehabilitation will only be done during practice hours if you are unable to participate for the upcoming game. Treatment will be given at scheduled times.
If you are not dressed in full gear today you will not practice tomorrow except for unusual circumstances.
-The (AT) Athletic Trainers are part of the COACHING STAFF. Treat them accordingly!

Public Appearance

Being a Otterbein football player automatically puts you on display to the public, regardless of whether or not it is organized function, so always think in terms of being a professional in every way!

Our relationship with the press, radio and TV people is vital to our success of our organization and, in a way, valuable to you as a college athlete. Treat those people with respect.

Don't criticize your teammates, coaches or team in public. If you have a gripe, come and see me! Just remember, regardless of if it is organized or not, you are always put in the position of being in a public appearance situation. Demonstrate Pride!

Practice Policies

Everyone is required to be at practice on time.
The training room is not an excuse for being late for practice.
All pads are to be worn out to practice. (Hip pads, butt pads, etc.)
Helmets are to be worn during practice. It may never be taken off during individual. During group and team periods it may be removed if you are not on the playing field. You must be on the sideline for it to be off. It must be in your hand, never set a helmet on the ground.
If injured, but able to practice no contact, you will be in FULL GEAR.
If you expect to play in the weekend scrimmage or game you must be out at practice in full gear.
If injured without the ability to play in the next game you may come out in Otterbein football gear (T-Shirts).

You must run to and from all drills, and when substituting between teams. When between the lines you are running. DO NOT WALK ON THE FIELD.
If you physically miss practice for any reason during the season. Study group, sickness, family emergency. etc., you will not start the upcoming game.
If you are out at practice observing this is not considered physically missing practice

Tempo:
1. Whiz- O-Line / D-Line Fit Ball Carrier Runs Free- touch him on belt- HELMETS ONLY
2. Thud- O-Line / D-Line Full Contact- Ball carrier wrapped up- No one leaves there feet- STANDARD
3. Live- Full Go On line- Ball carrier brought to ground (no cutting allowed)
4. Scrimmage- Ball carrier brought to ground (Cutting allowed)

WE MUST BE ABLE TO PRACTICE ON OUR FEET- THUD

Move Out Day

You will be moving out of the dorm into your actual housing on Friday September 1st at 8:00 AM. Prior to that you will be required to live in Davis Hall and follow our camp rules. You will receive your car keys prior to the Hiram game but will still have bed checks until Thursday night September 1st.

Camp Meals

All camp meals are mandatory. You will be checked in by a coach or have a sign in sheet.

Breakfast: Must eat between 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM
Lunch: Must eat between 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Dinner: Must eat between 6:00 PM- 6:40 PM

Pride Books / Playbooks

You must bring your Pride Book to your morning meetings and night meetings. You will also be required to bring your Pride Book to our January 3rd, March 27th ,team meetings and your May 30 Exit meeting.

Installation books must be brought to morning meetings and afternoon meetings if we are having a 2-a-day practice.

You will leave your books in the Rike/Clements Center following your morning meeting. We go directly from meetings to practice. You may return after practice to pick up your books to study

PERSONAL CONDUCT RULES
"Remember Who You Are"

Because you are an athlete, you are looked up to by many people (particular young kids); justify the pedestal they place you on.

You must have PRIDE in yourself. Be selective where you go, what you do and what you say.

Be polite and courteous to all persons who are trying to help you and support our programs, especially those persons working in the athletic office, training room, admissions office, and cafeteria. Your conduct on and off campus is well observed as you are a football player. Project an "image" of a gentlemen. Football is not a gentle game, but "gentlemen" can play it!

Never discuss the team, the physical condition of members of the team, planned strategy etc. with anyone. You may be giving information that would help our opponent and hurt our chances to win.

The use of profanity and swearing is the effort of a weak person to express himself forcibly.

Player-Coach relationship problem. -Talk about it- Position coach, Recruiting coach, Captains, Seniors, Upperclassmen, Coach Loth

Coaches Phones- can only call locally- NCAA Violation

Avoid the use of alcohol. It will inhibit your performance. This continues to be the #1 problem on college campuses and our nations roads.

There will be no sympathy for drug users of any sort. Any discovered will be stopped or be eliminated as soon as possible.

Hazing of an kind will not be permitted.

Nothing good happens past 10:00 PM

Accountability

You must call the football office prior to missing any football planned event. (614) 823-3519.
If you call prior it will be excused. If you call after it is considered unexcused.

Responsibility

Be a great teammate!
-Show up early
-Work hard
-DO NOT be rude
-Respect peoples space

Discipline

Will be handled on an individual basis. I must hear any problems or trouble that you got into immediatley. Call me- leave a message. No problem is to small. Do not let me hear it first from someone else.

LEAVE THE TEAM

If you decide to leave the team you must handle the following:
Meet with your position coach
-Turn in playbook and Pride Book
Fill out Leave the Team form
Turn in all equipment to Skip
Leave your room key with Coach Doup
(Do not leave your key in your room or with your roommate. You are responsible for it until you personally turn it into a coach)
There is a $55.00 charge for lost keys.
(Do not leave keys in room or with a room mate)
We will be sending a letter to your parents and HS Coach upon your decision to leave the team.

.