Coach's Handbook

High Schools

Ashley Ridge High School

9800 Delemar Hwy
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 695-4900

Fort Dorchester High School

8500 Patriot Blvd
North Charleston, SC 29420
(843) 760-4450

Summerville High School

1101 Boone Hill Rd
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-6460

Middle Schools

Alston Middle School

500 Bryan St
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-3890

DuBose Middle School

1005 DuBose School Rd
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 875-7012

East Edisto Middle School

1011 Beech Hill Rd
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 695-2451

Gregg Middle School

500 Greenwave Blvd
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 871-3150

Oakbrook Middle School

296 Old Fort Dr
Ladson, SC 29456
(843) 873-9750

 

River Oaks Middle School

8642 River Oaks Dr
North Charleston, SC 29420
(843) 695-2470

Rollings Middle School

1635 Beech Hill Rd
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 873-3610

It is the mission of Dorchester School District Two athletics to foster the development of interscholastic student-athletes, both on and off the playing fields in a manner that is consistent with the high school’s mission.

We want to create an environment that constantly challenges each student-athlete while making it enjoyable to achieve their goals and provide a high level of respect and sportsmanship for others. We want to develop a sense of pride and integrity for all our student athletes to become productive citizens in their communities during high school and after they leave high school. A successful athletic program helps develop student athletes to be mentally and physically tough along with building high moral character. Athletics teaches the values of teamwork, loyalty, sportsmanship, perseverance, hard work, courage, fair-play, and self‐sacrifice. Athletics instills life‐long habits of health, fitness, and physical discipline. Athletics fosters a sense of community, strengthens relationships, and enhances leadership skills. We seek excellence in athletics just as we strive for excellence in the classroom.

The Athletic Director is responsible for showing good judgment by hiring competent coaches that have the necessary credentials and are willing to work together as a team. The Athletic Director must be able to communicate clearly, show strong leadership skills, have the vision to see when a change is needed and to make sure the program is about student first. The Athletic Director must oversee the development of policies and procedures, risk management plan, and have an emergency action plan for the department. To ensure that the athletic programs are running efficiently and effectively the Athletic Director or should have an annual evaluation with each coach following their respective season. These annual meetings ensure that the athletic administrator and the coach are working towards the same vision and mission of the athletic program. The evaluation and assessment methods will include four sections.

• Team structure - The head coach must have a clear direction in terms of daily practice plans along with short- and long-term objectives. The head coach has rules and policies that are clear and follow school and district guidelines. The head coach gains the respect of their coaches, team members, and parents. The head coach establishes stability in his/her program, builds tradition and establishes effective lines of communication.
• Creating a culture - The head coach must have the ability to create a positive culture on the team. This positive culture helps motivate and energize the players to reach their full potential. Players are treated fairly regardless of talent level, have respect for one another and always provide a safe place for the athletes.
• Player development - The head coach practices and drills are set up to help the team and individuals develop and improve each day. The coach can see the potential in his or her players and maximize their efforts at the appropriate level and adjust as needed. The coach has a strength and conditioning program regiment for the student athletes. 2
• Role models - We expect our coaches to be role models, committed to setting a higher standard, exhibiting good sportsmanship, enthusiastic, passionate, and working well with his or her assistants. 

As student athletes are promoted to high school, most of them will start their learning curve at the junior varsity level. Here is where they will start developing the skill and knowledge of the sport, the competition will start to increase and ultimately prepare them for varsity level competition. Junior varsity programs work towards achieving a balance between continued team success and individual development, and the development of social and emotional growth. At the varsity level, the learning goals and challenges intensify as the student athletes start preparing to compete for league and state championships, act as role models and mentors for younger athletes and develop their skill and knowledge at their highest level. The student athlete can grow socially by learning how to deal with fear, minor physical and mental difficulties, and become more independent. 

Athletic Directors should be supportive of coaches during the grind of their seasons and be supportive if coaches have new ideas about his or her program. The Athletic Director needs to be fair and treat non-revenue sports just as he/she would a revenue sport in the program. The Athletic Director should follow through on what they have promised and keep the best interest of the program at the forefront. 

OBJECTIVE

To establish a resource whereby athletes can go for academic support. It may be used as an optional academic resource center or a required study hall. This will be determined by the varsity head coach or Athletic Director. All coaches are responsible for ensuring that their athletes are on track, are performing in the classroom, are in the correct classes, are working to prepare for college, and most importantly, remain eligible to play.

DUTIES

1. Help guide, advise, and follow the progress of high academic risk student/athletes throughout their academic high school career.
2. Work with teachers of student athletes in difficult subjects.
3. Keep parents informed as to the progress of the student with academic problems.
4. Manage and supervise study hall sessions.
5. Assist college-bound student athletes with NCAA academic requirements (SAT, ACT, core course requirements).
6. Handle all assignments given by the Principal or Athletic Director.

GOALS

• Gradual increase in athletes’ GPA.
• All teams 2.5 GPA or better.
• No student athletes ineligible.
• All college bound student athletes meet NCAA requirements.

All DD2 student athletes must meet all South Carolina High School League Association requirements for credits earned and any other rule or regulation set by the SCHSL and/or Dorchester School District Two. 

All coaches are to abide by the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) rules and regulations. These are published each year in the SCHSL Constitution and By-Laws book. Coaches are required to attend an annual SCHSL sponsored rules clinic. It is the responsibility of each head coach to ensure that all coaches associated with his/her sport attend this clinic. Failure to attend a rules clinic will result in a $100.00 (paid for by the individual coach). The Athletic Director will ensure that all coaches are updated annually. 

Any blatant disregard of rules could bring a reprimand, fine, or dismissal of the head coach or assistant coaches. 

All coaches are required to have and upload to Planet High School: 

• Hands-on First Aid/CPR Certification (Hosted by American Heart Association or Red Cross)
• Fingerprinting/Background check (Dorchester School District Two)
• Adult Sexual Misconduct Training (SCHSL)
• Concussion Protocol Certification (SCHSL)
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest Certification (SCHSL)
• Sport Specific Rules Clinic
• Any additional certifications required from the District or State. Areas covered during these trainings include but are not limited to:
  • Preseason screening of student-athletes
  • Proper conditioning
  • Prevention of injuries
  • Recognition, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Injury reporting

The beginning dates for practice are set by the SCHSL. These dates can change from year to year, so look on the SCHSL website first and then check with the Athletic Director at the school in which you coach. 

Our Booster clubs exist for promoting our athletes and providing services for our athletic programs. Our Booster clubs must work in conjunction with the athletic department policies. The Athletic Director is the main point of contact with the Booster clubs and individual coaches are to make known their requests through him or her. The Athletic Director has the responsibility of communicating to the school Principal all related requests and associated activities. In the event the booster club or benefactor wishes to make capital improvements to the system’s facilities, permission must be obtained from the Principal, District Athletic Director, Facilities Director, and the Superintendent before beginning any work. 

The gate receipts of the revenue producing sports fund that sport budget. All non-revenue sports will receive assistance from the district office as needed. A tentative budget from the district office will be developed from the gate receipts and an approval of that sport’s spending plan will be issued to the Athletic Director then to the head coach by July 16th of the next school year. The funding of this spending plan will hinge on the revenues generated during the previous school year and may have to be adjusted accordingly. The use of booster clubs, player contributions, and other fundraising activities may have to be used. All fundraising activities must follow board policy and have the prior approval of the school Principal. Additionally, all funds generated by a sport must be turned into the athletic administrative assistant no later than the next business day. 

The head coach is responsible for scheduling varsity and junior varsity games. Tentative schedules are to be approved by the building Principal and Athletic Director before being finalized and signing contracts. Dorchester School District Two has a rule that all football teams have written contracts signed by both schools. This is strongly recommended in all other contests.

All schedules should be made with the overall school schedule in mind. Contests during semester exams and other testing periods should be avoided. Additionally, strong consideration should be given to holidays as athletes as well as coaches need to spend time with their families, especially Christmas and Spring Break. Coaches should share tentative schedules to avoid (if possible) home date conflicts between sports. Sunday competition is prohibited unless approved by the District Athletic Director. 

Eligibility rosters are due into the SCHSL office on assigned dates listed in the SCHSL Calendar. These dates change each year. It is the head coaches’ responsibility to get the team rosters to the athletic administrative assistant one week prior to the SCHSL due date. 

The athletic facilities are under the control of Dorchester School District Two. They are managed by the Principal and the Athletic Director. These facilities are for the use of the student body, faculty, and staff. No other individuals or groups are allowed to use the facilities without approval from the District Office. All scheduling of the athletic facilities is done through the Athletic Director, with Principal’s approval. Priority will be given to the sports that are in season. If there remains a conflict, the Athletic Director will determine the schedule. High School athletic facilities are as follows: the gym, the field house, the football stadium, the indoor facility, the baseball field, the softball field, the tennis courts, the soccer fields, the weight room, the track, and the practice fields. Because all facilities used by our sports program are owned by Dorchester School District Two, it is very important that all work together to ensure clear communication, cooperation, and appreciation to those other entities who help make opportunities available for our youth. 

All head coaches will receive keys to the areas that are needed for games, practice, storage, and weight room. These keys are the coaches’ responsibility. Keys are not to be given to anyone for use not dealing with DD2 athletics. All outside groups must go through the Athletic Director, Principal and District Office to use the athletic facilities. All keys must be returned to the Athletic Director when a coach gives up their coaching assignments.

All coaches are expected to dress in a manner that is professional and uniform. 

For student athletes to participate in a sport, they must give all required paperwork to the head coach and the athletic administrative assistant. These requirements are as follows: All student-athletes must have a current physical signed by a doctor after April 1st for the upcoming school year. The current physical on file for the current school year will expire the day before fall practice of the next school year. The head trainer should keep a copy of this form and the original is kept in the athletics director’s office. A physical is good for one school year. All forms are found on the Big Teams website.

• Assistant coaches should refrain from giving quotes to the media unless directed to do so by the head coach. All information given to media outlets should be cleared through the head coach and/or Athletic Director
• All comments to the newspaper regarding individual athletes should be positive in nature.
• When meetings with parents, coaches should refrain from discussions regarding other team members unless they and their parents are present. 

TEAM MANAGEMENT AND EXPECTATIONS

Team rules and expectations should be given to each player at the beginning of team tryouts. This should include the requirements for lettering in that sport. The team rules need to specify the number of practices, excused and unexcused, that a player can miss. The rules for being late to practice or a game will also be covered in the team rules. School discipline should be covered. The procedure for contacting the coach in case of an emergency needs to be listed. Any special practice days those players need to be aware of before trying out will need to be mentioned in writing. This would include basketball practice during Christmas holidays, football camp during summer vacations, and baseball practice throughout the spring break vacations. 

Before coaches can add players to their team second semester that were ineligible first semester, they must provide the AD & Principal with clear evidence that all courses were passed and that eligibility requirements, including being on-track, have been met. 

Any player that has been dismissed from a team for any reason (academics, discipline or quits) will not be allowed to attend post season banquets, try out or participate in any way with another team until the first team’s season is completely over. 

It is possible to be a part of two teams at the same time, but not recommended. The player must choose a primary sport and a secondary sport. The two head coaches are to work out the player’s practice schedule and games. If at any time there is a conflict between the two sports, the player will be forced to choose one. Team sports must always be the primary sport. It is only fair that all team players practice together.

Get the AD approval before issuing any literature to the student-athletes. When all the team rules and regulations are written and signed by each player, there should be a clear understanding of the head coach’s expectations. The head coach will keep the signed copies on file and send a copy to the Athletic Director. 

All athletes must travel to and from athletic contests with the transportation provided by the school district, except that an athlete may travel with their parent if the parent arranges with the coach ahead of time to transport the athlete in their own vehicle. No player is allowed to drive to any event. No player will be allowed to leave the competition site without a parent present. Bus request forms are to be approved by the AD if using activity buses or DD2 transportation office if using school buses. Coaches are reminded that our athletes always represent our school and community during road trips. Coaches and players are to dress appropriately for practices and games . There must be an approved DD2 employee on the bus during all trips. This employee oversees the players and is responsible for them. 

All head coaches will be evaluated by the Athletic Director. The evaluation is a procedure to help head coaches stay within the philosophy of the athletic program. The form identifies a coach’s strengths and weakness and gives feedback on improvement where needed. Evaluations are kept in the Athletic Director’s office for only the Principal, District Athletic Director, and the Athletic Director to see. They will be made available to the Superintendent upon request. All head coaches will be given an opportunity to evaluate the Athletic Director. These too are subjective in nature and given anonymously to the District AD. The high school Principal is also asked to evaluate the Athletic Director. These are made available to the District Athletic Director upon request. Coaching recommendations for renewal and acceptance for next year’s positions are found in the evaluations. An acknowledgment of the evaluation process is also found at the end of the form. 

Coaching supplements are assigned for fall, winter, and spring sports. The coaching supplement is a year-to-year contract that is approved by the board after the entire packet has been vetted by the personnel office. 

The first time the use of profanity is used in the presence of a student-athlete, and it is brought to the District Office attention, a Verbal Warning will be issued. A conference with individuals involved will take place on the first available date and time by the Athletic Director.

The second time the use of profanity is used in the presence of a student-athlete, and it is brought to the District Office, attention a fine of $250 or docking one half days from the next paycheck.

The third time the use of profanity is used in the presence of a student-athlete, and it is brought to the District Office attention, the coach will be suspended by the Athletic Director for a period of time or termination of athletic employment.

This will be addressed on an annual basis. Incidents will not carry over from year to year. 

The most updated HIPPA law prohibits discussion of an injury without written consent from the legal parent or guardian of the athlete. This restriction includes but is not limited to the media. 

Issues such as vaping and bullying, which are also covered under school policies, can be addressed by the coach but they must also be communicated to school administration and the athletic director for disciplinary actions. To ensure a consistent and effective approach to these issues, the following guidelines should be followed:

1. Reporting Incidents

   Any instances of vaping, bullying, or other violations of school policies must be reported to the administration and athletic director immediately. This allows for appropriate documentation and adherence to established disciplinary procedures.

2. Role of Coaches

   Coaches play a vital role in reinforcing school policies within their teams. However, disciplinary actions beyond team-related consequences should align with school regulations and be handled by the appropriate administrative personnel.

3. Collaboration

   If a coach becomes aware of an incident, they should notify the athletic director, who will then work with school administration to determine the necessary course of action.

4. Consistent Communication

   Ensuring transparency and consistency in handling such matters will help maintain a safe and respectful environment for all students.

By following these procedures, we can ensure that all incidents are addressed properly while maintaining alignment with school policies. If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to administration or the athletic director for further clarification.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to our student-athletes and school community.

ATHLETIC CAMPS, SUMMER LEAGUES, ETC. 

All camps & leagues must be cleared through the AD & Principal and have official approval by the District Office. Overnight stays and out of town events will need all proper forms and documentation submitted in a timely manner before an individual or team will be approved. If fees are collected, then all school accounting procedures must be followed.

 This document is compiled from several sources of information and in no way is it to be portrayed as an original document. Other schools (as well as internet sources) athletic procedures, budgeting procedures, administrative procedures as well as individual philosophies have shaped this document into its final form.