A child who is a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament and is home schooled may participate only if he/she has a sibling who is currently enrolled at Blessed Sacrament School and is also accepted by the particular school who is running the league.

Team Composition

• Every attempt will be made to keep the number of players per team to a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 10.  Recognize that there may be exceptions depending on the number of registrations.
• The 4th, 5th, and 6th grade teams will be divided as equally as possible (equal talent and numbers) under the supervision of the director with assistance from the coaches from the previous year and/or the school physical education teacher.
• There will be one competitive team for the 7th and 8th grades respectively, and if necessary, the remaining players divided as equally as possible under the supervision of the director and judges.  These remaining players will form recreational team(s).
• Selection for the competitive teams will be based on ability and performance at tryouts prior to the start of the season.  Tryouts will consist of one session using at least two judges (non-school and/or non-parent), with a possible second session dependant upon the decision of the judges on an as needed basis.
• If any one grade level does not have enough players to form a team, players from the next lowest grade may be invited to try out for the higher grade team.  Both the parent and player will have a choice and should agree prior to placement.
• The director will put forth a good faith effort to locate a coach for all teams at each grade level.  However, if a coach cannot be located by the director or Boosters, parents of team members must find a coach or the team will be disbanded.
• For the girls’ competitive teams, the head coach may not be a parent of one of the players unless a coach cannot be located by the director, Boosters, or parents.

Attendance

• All players and coaches are expected to regularly attend both practices and games.  We urge that players or parents provide the coach with 24 hours notice if you anticipate not making either a practice or a game.

Supervision

• All Blessed Sacrament sports programs require the presence of two adults at each practice and game.  Parents, on occasion, will need to help the coaches with this required supervision.  All adults (including coaches) must be Virtus trained.
• In order to ensure proper supervision, it is imperative that players be dropped off and picked up promptly before and after practices and games.
• Children should not be left unattended at the gym.  A parent must be present until the coach arrives.  After practice the coach(es) must stay until all children are picked up by parents.

Playing Time

• 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th and 8th grade recreational team players should receive as close to equal playing time and attention in games as well as practices, provided there has been an earnest effort on the players part to attend and participate in practices and games (tournaments may vary slightly).  Coaches will be instructed to be fair and reasonable.
• We strongly encourage that all 7th and 8th grade competitive players receive equal amounts of attention and playing time in practices.  However, equal playing time in games and/or tournaments is not guaranteed but earned.  Besides skill level, the players’ effort, attendance, attitude, and active participation in practice/games may also effect playing time.  A coach may enforce the “not allowed to play rule” for, but not limited to, the following: poor attendance, defiance, fighting, drinking alcohol or illegal use of drugs, or poor sportsmanship by either parent or player.

Communication and Sportsmanship

• We will encourage our coaches to communicate regularly with parents and players regarding player progress and development of skills, sportsmanship, teamwork, and participation.  In addition, parents are encouraged to communicate with coaches.  We ask you to remember that our coaches are volunteers and not paid professionals.  DO NOT confront a coach with negative comments or criticism at a game or practice, especially in front of another player or parent.  If you or your child are having difficulty with any particular coach, please call or email him/her in private and try to discuss any differences in a positive, professional, and adult manner.  Any issue not worked out between the parent/player/coach may be directed to the volleyball director and ultimately, if necessary, to the Boosters Board.
• Players, coaches, and parents are accountable for their behavior during practices and games.  Blessed Sacrament players, coaches, and parents are expected to display good sportsmanship and a positive attitude toward other players, coaches, officials, and spectators.  Our goal is to mold young lives, not win at all costs.

Other

• BSS Athletic Boosters will provide uniforms.  Parents will provide kneepads and proper shoes.
• Players are not permitted to bring friends or food into the school gym during practice time.
• Northern Kentucky Catholic Schools league rules include:
  • Players are not to be left unattended prior to games.
  • Players should carry their shoes into the gyms to protect the gym floors.
  • Players are not to bounce or hit balls while another game are in progress.
  • Players are not to bounce or hit balls outside of gym or in parking lot.
  • Parents’ comments of a non-positive nature are not to be voiced during/after a game, but at a more appropriate time.
  • Gyms will open no more than 20 minutes before the first scheduled game.
  • Officials have the discretion to control team/fan behavior ranging from verbal warning to forfeiture and/or removal from the gym.
  • Sportsmanship among players, parents, and fans in the gym will be enforced.
  • Teams whose players, parents, or fans are behaving poorly will be reported by league’s director to the school director for a warning or suspension.