J.E.B. STUART HIGH SCHOOL
Field Hockey Tryout Information
REQUIREMENTS:
Girls grades 9 -12 who wish to try out for either the Junior Varsity or
Varsity teams of the field hockey program must have a completed VHSL physical form and emergency care form before they get on the bus for the first day of tryouts. The tryouts for the positions for each team will have numerous candidates, and it is expected to be very competitive. Girls without the proper paperwork are putting themselves at risk of not making a team.
DATES:
The 2010 - 2011 season starts on August 10, 2010. Candidates who are trying out for JV and
Varsity will be expected to attend all tryout sessions. Once teams have been established, mandatory practices will be held Monday-Friday, 3:00-5:00pm, throughout the season. Please try to schedule all vacations and appointments around practice time.
August 10, 2010:
Submit all paperwork
August 10-16, 2010:
Tryouts for JV/Varsity teams @ Mason District
Be ready to get on the bus at 2:30pm.
2:00-2:30pm
3:00-5:00pm
August 17, 2010:
Team selections will be made at the beginning of practice.
JV/Varsity practice @ Mason District
Be ready to get on the bus at 2:30pm.
3:00-5:00pm
August 19, 2010:
JV/Varsity scrimmages @ Thomas Jefferson HSST 6:00pm (JV)/ 7:15pm (Varsity)
Be ready to get on the bus at 4:30pm.
MISSED TRYOUTS:
Players that will miss the regularly scheduled tryouts must contact Coach Ferri or Coach
Himelfarb before August 9 th to pre-arrange the absence. An exception may be made to those who have pre-arranged their absence(s) and who have submitted all of their completed paperwork by the first day of tryouts (August 10, 2010).
CONTACT INFO:
Coach Ferri, Varsity CEFerri@fcps.edu/ ceferri@gmail.com
Coach Himelfarb, JV kmhimelfarb@fcps.edu
Coach Marchwicki holley.marchwicki@gmail.com
Exceptions will be made for an injury and illness. If this is the case, please contact Coach Ferri or Coach Himelfarb. No opening will be held on any team for late-arriving players that do not have approval to miss tryouts, and no guarantees will be given that late-arriving players will be placed on a team.
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TRYOUT
SCHEDULE
WHAT YOU
WILL NEED TO
BRING
EVALUATION
CRITERIA
WHAT TO
EXPECT AT
TRYOUTS
OPTIONS FOR
PLAYERS NOT
SELECTED
Tryouts for the 2010 JV and Varsity teams will be held Tuesday, August 10 th , at Mason District Park from
3:00pm-5:00pm.
All players must ride the bus to and from tryouts.
You must be at school and ready to get on the bus by 2:30pm .
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Field Hockey Stick
• Shin Guards - These should cover your entire shin. Shin guards with ankle protection are best for field hockey!
• Mouth Guard (any color but clear or white)
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Running Shoes - Make sure that they are in good condition. We will use them every day! (We will change into cleats on the field hockey field).
• Water bottle(s) - Players are responsible for bringing their own water bottles. It will be very hot, so please bring a lot of water!
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Sunscreen and bug spray are also recommended.
All students who are academically eligible and have submitted all the required FCPS athletic paperwork are eligible to tryout.
The following criteria will be used when the selection process begins:
• Sport Specific Skills: Players will be asked to demonstrate their understanding of basic field hockey skills, including ball handling; passing/driving; defensive techniques; and overall knowledge of the sport.
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Athletic Abilities: Players are expected to complete each drill with intensity. Players should not sit unless instructed by the coaches.
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Attitude: Players should maintain a positive attitude, demonstrate a willingness to learn, and communicate effectively with teammates as well as coaches.
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Sportsmanship
• Commitment: Players should be willing to try hard, make mistakes, learn from those mistakes, and keep trying.
• Position: Players whose skills fit a specific need for the team’s overall balance.
The coaching staff will assess the following for all new and returning players:

Endurance runs
 Sprint speed (timed 200 yard, 50 yard)

Footwork/agility
 Ball handling and stick work

Straight dribble speed
 Push pass/drive accuracy
 Players will also be assessed on their field hockey skills through small-sided games and scrimmages. Game sense, work ethic, attitude, and ability to work within a team environment will also be taken into consideration.
 Any illness or injury should be reported to the coaches immediately. All injuries will be checked out by our certified athletic training staff, so you can take the appropriate steps for recovery.
Tryouts are a difficult time. One of the toughest jobs for any coach is the final decision about which players make the team, and those who do not. The coaching staff strives to make all decisions fairly, without bias, based on an evaluation of all criteria throughout tryouts.
If you are not selected this season, and would like to try out again in the future, there are other options available to you that may help you in the future:
1. Be a team manager.
Field hockey managers have a chance to learn leadership and organizational skills and fill a valuable role on the team, as well as developing their skills and participating at practice.
2. Play another sport for the Raiders.
3. Try out for field hockey clubs or attend camps.
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Field Hockey:
Please keep in mind that no player is guaranteed a position on a team or entitled to a position on a team because of previous placement.
SENIORS
Seniors are trying out for the varsity team only. In order to make the team, seniors must have a skill level that will allow them to be a starter, or a major contributor from the bench.
Consideration is also given to the needs of the team in regard to position (i.e. goalie, forward, back, and midfield).
JUNIORS
Juniors are trying out for the varsity team. On some occasions, juniors will be placed on the junior varsity to develop skills and contribute to the leadership on that level. Juniors on the junior varsity team should be starters and major contributors to the team in all aspects. In order for a junior to make the varsity team, she must show skill in some or all aspects of the game that would allow her to contribute to a competitive team.
SOPHOMORES
Sophomores are trying out for the junior varsity team. On some occasions sophomores will be considered for varsity depending on skill level, athleticism, and the coach’s determination that they will develop into a contributing player on the varsity level. Sophomores will be selected over juniors or seniors of the same skill level and attitude in order to contribute to a solid future foundation with the team.
FRESHMEN
Freshmen are trying out for the junior varsity team. Consideration will be given to moving players to the varsity level if they show adequate skills, good attitude, and commitment.
Players will only be moved to a higher level if they will continue to gain significant playing experience.
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Field Hockey:
Coaches will enforce the “Fairfax County Public Schools Participation Policy;
Extracurricular Activities and
Athletic Programs” (2010-2011).

Players are expected to attend all team functions.
Team talks, meetings, gatherings, award presentations, etc. are mandatory by all team members.
These events also include senior night, fundraisers, and the Fall Awards Banquet at the end of the season.

Be accountable for all team requirements. This includes being on time to practices, team activities, bus rides, scrimmages, and games (see attendance policy).

Players are responsible for ensuring they have the proper equipment.
Players are responsible for bringing their sticks, mouth guards, shin guards, running shoes, and water. Players must wear mouth guards and shin guards during all practices and games. Any equipment borrowed from the coaches or the school for practice is to be returned at the end of the day. (Players may hold onto coaches/school equipment overnight or for a certain period of time with coaches’ permission as well as the completion of the proper form).

Maintain a high level of academic success. Progress reports will be checked.

Demonstrate respect towards both coaching staff and team members.
Name calling, swearing, put-downs, hitting, and other forms of abuse/inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Players also need to demonstrate respect towards the referee as well as the opposing team(s).

It is important that student athletes take care of themselves both physically and mentally.
This includes getting enough sleep, eating well-balanced meals, staying hydrated, and addressing any other health-related issues as they might occur. Energy drink products that contain performance enhancing aids are banned during school hours and activities.
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Field Hockey:
Unexcused missed practices
(including preseason practices)
Any absences that are not pre-approved by the coach and are not school-related absences will be considered unexcused .
1 st offense – Player will sit the bench for the first half of the next game.
2 nd offense – Minimum of one game suspension. Player will sit on the bench and support the team.
3 rd offense – May result in dismissal from the team.
Players that present false information (including forged excuse notes) regarding an absence will receive a penalty determined by the coach.
Excused missed practices
Unexcused tardy to practice
Excused absences from school will not hold any penalties.
All other absences must be cleared through the coach to be excused. Any necessary disciplinary actions will be determined at that time.
Players must be present in school for the entire day to participate in practices/games.
1 st offense – Warning
2 nd offense – Suspension from starting and/or playing in the next game
3 rd offense – Suspended from playing in next game and contact the parent
Continued offenses – Suspended indefinitely and will not travel with the team.
Failure to comply with
team rules
Disciplinary action will be determined by the coaches according to the offense, which may result in the dismissal from the team.
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Field Hockey:
To be awarded a letter in field hockey, the athlete must fulfill the following criteria:

Play in at least 75% (or 9) of the regular season varsity games.

Play in a combination of regular season, tournament, and district/regional/state varsity games that equal 75%.
Managers need two years of service to letter. Seniors may be lettered the first season.
All final lettering decisions are made at the discretion of the coach.
J.E.B. STUART HIGH SCHOOL
Field Hockey Program and Tryout Information
I have read and understand the program and tryout information for the J.E.B. Stuart
High School Field Hockey Program.
Player Signature: ______________________________ Date: ___________
Player Name (printed): __________________________
Parent/ Guardian Signature: ___________________________ Date: ___________
Parent/ Guardian Name (printed): _______________________
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