Playbook Kickoff Slides
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Athletic Department
Pre-Season Kickoff
THE COACHES'
PLAYBOOK
Strategies, logistics, and safety protocols for leading our student-athletes to excellence this season.
MS
Middle School Athletics
Fall / Winter Season 2026
Slide 1 of 6
TODAY'S GAME PLAN
Agenda
Q1
Administration & Logistics
Roster management, facility bookings, transportation scheduling, and physical clearance sheets.
Q2
Safety & Medical Defense
Concussion protocols, weather extreme procedures, incident reporting, and athletic trainer resources.
Q3
School Policies & Standards
Academic eligibility requirements, behavioral codes, social media rules, and parent communication paths.
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Overtime: Q&A & Sign-Offs
Equipment hand-out, key pickup, administrative digital links registration, and coach credential validation.
Middle School Athletic Directors' Office • Pre-Season Meet
Slide 2 of 6
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Pass Strategy
01/ ADMINISTRATIVE LOGISTICS
Offensive Strategy
Core Coach Playbook Checklist
Roster Lock & Clearances
Every single athlete must have an approved physical & athletic packet uploaded in Aktivate BEFORE stepping onto the court/field. No exceptions.
Transportation Sheets
Submit away-game bus requests at least 14 days in advance. Print out athlete departure check-lists and match count before departure and return.
Facility Bookings
Practice windows are locked strictly. Submit gym/field schedule adjustments via the online scheduling form by Thursday 5:00 PM for the upcoming week.
Crucial Target Deadlines
CRITICAL TIMELINES
Physical Clearance Prior to Practice 1
Roster Submission Due Friday, Sep 4
Equipment Requests By Next Tuesday
Parent Orientation Meet Within Week 1
Compliance Note: Coaches who allow uncleared players to practice risk immediate seasonal suspension. Verify every athlete!
Playbook Section: Offense & Prep Logistics
Slide 3 of 6
02/ SAFETY & MEDICAL DEFENSE
Defensive Strategy
When in Doubt, Hold Them Out!
Concussion Protocol (HB 182)
If an athlete suffers any head impact or shows signs of dizziness, fatigue, or confusion, they must be removed immediately. May only return with certified athletic trainer/MD signed clearance.
Heat & Severe Weather Playbook
Outdoor coaches must monitor the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) daily. For temperatures > 92°F, modify drills, mandate water breaks every 15 minutes, and eliminate heavy pad wear.
EMERGENCY PROTOCOL
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- Call 911 immediately for breathing trouble, spinal alerts, or unconsciousness.
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- Contact parents using emergency card numbers in your team folder.
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- Notify the Athletic Director immediately (within 1 hour).
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- Submit an digital Incident Report form within 24 hours.
Note: Red first aid kits, emergency physical clipboards, and individual student inhalers must be present at every practice/game.
Playbook Section: Player Safety & Crisis Management
Slide 4 of 6
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03/ SCHOOL POLICIES & STANDARDS
Special Teams
Defining Student-Athlete Standards
Academic Standing
Athletes must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA with no more than one "F" grade. Grade checks occur bi-weekly on Mondays. Ineligible players cannot compete but may attend practices.
Conduct & Sportsmanship
Representing our middle school is a privilege. Technical fouls, unsportsmanlike behavior, or online cyberbullying will lead to immediate single-game or multi-game suspensions.
COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL
- The 24-Hour Rule: Instruct parents to wait 24 hours after a game before contacting coaches about playtime.
- Use approved school apps (e.g., ParentSquare, SportsEngine) for official communication only. No direct private texting with single athletes.
Golden Rule: Keep CC copy of all athletic email communications addressed to parents to the Athletic Director.
Playbook Section: Standards, Ethics, & Academic Policy
Slide 5 of 6
04/ THE EXTRA POINT: IMMEDIATE ACTIONS
Overtime
Your Immediate Drills
1
Verify all roster applications and mark uncleared players in your roster binder.
2
Pick up first aid medical packs and official team keys from the main athletic closet.
3
Schedule your 15-minute mandatory team orientation parent call/meeting.
4
Complete and submit your mandatory state High School Athletic Association safety quiz.
"A coach will impact more young people in a year than the average person does in a lifetime."
— Billy Graham
Athletic Director Contact:
Office: (555) 019-2834
athletics@middleschool.edu
Let's Make This A Great Season! • Go Panthers!
Slide 6 of 6
Coaches Kickoff Checklist Handout
Official Athletic Dept Resource
THE COACH'S PRE-SEASON PLAYBOOK
Compliance, Logistics, and Field Safety Checklist
AD
Coach Name:
Sport / Team:
Season Year:
2026 - 2027
I. Pre-Season Action Items COMPLETE BEFORE PRACTICE 1
Roster Audit: Verify all players are cleared in Aktivate.
Medical Pack: Retrieve designated first aid kit from athletic office.
Parent Meet: Schedule & host mandatory 15-minute season intro.
Safety Creds: Submit state athletic safety certificate to AD.
Facility Check: Walk practice area to report loose turf/broken equipment.
Key Release: Sign out storage shed and gymnasium access keys.
II. Athlete Roster Clearance Log DO NOT ALLOW ON FIELD UNTIL SIGNED
| ATHLETE NAME | PHYSICAL OK | EMERG. CARD | FEE PAID | SPECIAL MEDICAL NOTES / ALERTS |
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| | | | |
III. Emergency Incident Defense Guide SAFETY PROTOCOLS
CONCUSSIONS
Remove player instantly if head impact occurs. Do not permit return on same day. Only return with a cleared physician signature.
HEAT DEFENSE
WBGT index > 92°F triggers mandatory practice cuts. Water break must be taken every 15 minutes. Watch closely for pale, dizzy athletes.
CHAIN CALLS
1st: Call 911 (if acute).
2nd: Dial Parent Mobile card.
3rd: Call Athletic Director.
4th: Complete incident sheet.
Athletic Dept Support Hotline: (555) 019-2834 Official Email: athletics@middleschool.edu
MIDDLE SCHOOL PANTHERS Compliance Handout • Keep in Clipboard