May 10, 2010

To:     Fortuna High School Tennis Community
From: Shane Feusier, Fortuna High Boys / Girls Tennis Coach
Re:     Acceptable Coaching Activities Throughout The Year

The following is my summary of a document found at cifncs.org, the governing body for high school athletics for northern California.  The document is titled " Practice and Conditioning Rules Interpretations."  There are restrictions based on three sports seasons throughout the calendar year:  1) The official sport season; 2) The school year outside the official sport season; and 3) The summer season (after the last spring season ends (golf) and before the first fall season starts (tennis).

Season 1:  The official sport season

          Coaches may schedule practices throughout a sport's official season.  The upcoming girls tennis season starts on August 16 and ends on November 20, 2010.

Season 2:  Outside the official season but within the school year.

Coaches may not work with players or potential players on any sport specific skills.  Specifically, "Coaches may not use school facilities or equipment other than as allowed by school or district policy for outside use,", meaning that ball machines and tennis balls owned by the school cannot be used unless they are also available for use by the public.

Coaches may not instruct or correct swings, tosses, etc. when observing players during acceptable activities.  Coaches may not conduct drills or even feed balls to players or potential players.

Coaches may conduct open courts available for all ages and genders, and the open courts must be announced at a minimum within the school daily bulletin.  Coaches may not instruct players in any way.  Coaches may participate in pick-up games (eg. basketball), or rallying with players, but cannot give instructions at any time. [I will try to schedule open courts through the Parks and Recreation Department for next year during the girls and boys seasons.]

Season 3:  Summer  (June 8, 2010 - August 15, 2010)

          Coaches may conduct practices, once or twice a day, seven days a week (including Sunday). [Lots of practice during the summer!!!]

I hope this document makes the tennis coaching rules as clear to you and your player as they do to me.