Parent Information

The purpose of the St. Joe’s playing time policy is to reinforce the overall goal of school sports.  We want to promote participation, skill development, and teamwork.  In the earlier grades where many kids may be playing for the first time, we want to promote participation in the sport recognizing that there will be talent and skill gaps thus the policy will trend toward equal playing time.  In the later grades, where there is more experience across the board and overall league competition level is hither, playing time for the overall benefit of the team in addition to participation, therefore skill and talent can be a factor.

We do not require coaches to keep notes or records of playing time as this would be an undue burden on them.  We do have the expectation that the substitution patterns will reflect the St. Joe’s policy.  Issues with playing time should be brought up to the coach first, and athletic director/sport coordinator second.  If it is a serious issue, the AD may be contacted first. 

For all sports, players that miss practices or act inappropriately will be exempt from these rules. Coaches should discuss this action with the player, the player’s parents and the sport commissioner. If the problem cannot be immediately resolved, the grievance policy should be followed. 

Volleyball 

5th and 6th Grade 

In 5th and 6th Grades, equal playing time is required. All games are considered equal regardless of the number of points played. 

For Tournaments, equal playing time is not required but all players must participate in each match. 

7th and 8th Grade  

In 7th and 8th Grades, playing time is at the coach’s discretion but participation in each match is required. All games are considered equal regardless of the number of points played. 

For tournament play, regardless of the number of players on the team, each player must play during each tournament. 

Basketball 

5th and 6th Grade 

In 5th and 6th Grades, equal playing time is required over the course of the year.  The exception is for Tournament play where all players must participate, but equal playing time is not required.  

7th and 8th Grade  

In 7th and 8th Grades, playing time does not need to be equal and is at the coach’s discretion but participation in each game is required. For tournament play, regardless of the number of players on the team, each player must play during each tournament. The exception to this is the Padre Serra Tournament. 

Softball 

All Grades 

We will follow the participation rules set out by the Maria Goretti League. 

St. Joe’s relies heavily on parents to volunteer their time in order for our athletic teams to be able to use our gym.  For each home volleyball match and basketball games we host visitors and guests.  In order to properly host games we need volunteers to work the admissions table as well as concessions.  Without volunteers, we would not be able to have concessions and/or admissions, and leagues may restrict or prohibit St. Joe’s from hosting games.  The following is the volunteer policy.

• Each family must volunteer a certain amount of shifts during each season that their child is participating in.  The amount of shifts is determined by the athletics board based on the amount of games that we are hosting.

• Coach’s families are exempt for the season they are coaching in provided the coach is a parent or guardian. There is a limit of two coach exemptions per team. 

• If a family chooses not to volunteer they must pay a buyout fee prior to the season.  This allows the athletic department to cover shifts by paying.

• Family volunteers can be any family member in high school or older.  An older sibling may volunteer in place of a parent and have that slot count toward the family.

• Scoring for games is not considered a volunteer position.