ATHLETIC CODE

The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.

-Babe Ruth

Balboa High School Athletic Code

Participation in Balboa High School Athletics is a privilege, not a right. Student-athletes represent themselves, their teammates, families, school, and community. By joining a team, athletes agree to follow this Athletic Code, school rules, and team expectations.

1. Rules and Training

Athletes must:

• Follow school, athletic, and coach instructions.
• Follow sport-specific rules for attendance, training, nutrition, conditioning, and preparation.
• Follow safety procedures and use equipment properly.
• Ask questions when expectations are unclear.
• Accept reasonable consequences for failing to meet expectations.

2. Conduct and Sportsmanship

Athletes are expected to act respectfully and responsibly at school, practices, games, team activities, and while traveling. Athletes must:

• Treat teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, teachers, staff, and spectators with respect.
• Follow the rules of the sport and respect officials' decisions.
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship, whether winning or losing.
• Avoid fighting, bullying, harassment, threats, intimidation, and other inappropriate behavior.
• Understand that inappropriate behavior outside athletics may affect the team or school and may be addressed under school policies.

3. Appearance and Dress

Athletes should maintain a clean, appropriate, and presentable appearance when representing Balboa. On game and travel days:

• Follow any reasonable team dress code set by coaches or team captains.
• Wear clean, appropriate clothing consistent with school expectations.
• Remember that team travel and competitions are official school activities.

4. Attendance and Punctuality

Athletes are expected to attend all practices, games, meetings, and required team activities.

• Attend all scheduled events unless the absence is approved or excused.
• Arrive on time, prepared, and ready to participate.
• Notify the coach as soon as possible about unavoidable absences and provide advance notice when possible.
• Repeated or unexcused absences or tardiness may affect participation.

5. Academic Responsibilities

Student-athletes are students first. Athletes must:

• Attend all classes, arrive on time, and stay for the entire class.
• Complete assignments and meet deadlines.
• Prepare for tests and communicate with teachers when they need help.
• Seek academic support when needed.
• Maintain good academic standing.
• Notify teachers in advance when an athletic activity requires missing class and complete all missed work. Whenever possible, provide at least two days' notice.

6. Effort and Commitment

Athletes are expected to:

• Give their best effort at practices, conditioning, games, and competitions.
• Listen to and follow coaching instructions.
• Support teammates.
• Prepare physically and mentally.
• Work toward personal improvement.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Give appropriate effort to academics.

Effort is about preparation, attitude, teamwork, and commitment—not just playing time or athletic ability.

7. Respect, Language, and Teamwork

Athletes must:

• Use respectful and appropriate language.
• Avoid profanity, insults, discrimination, and offensive communication.
• Handle disagreements respectfully.
• Encourage teammates rather than embarrass or ridicule them.
• Respect differences in ability, experience, and background.
• Put the team’s success and well-being ahead of individual recognition.
• Support teammates regardless of position or playing time.
• Accept coaches' decisions about positions, lineups, playing time, and team responsibilities.

8. Uniforms and Equipment

Uniforms and equipment provided by the Athletic Department are school property. Athletes must:

• Keep equipment clean and in good condition.
• Use it properly and not intentionally damage or alter it.
• Report lost or damaged items promptly.
• Return all equipment and uniforms at the end of the season.
• Launder uniforms before returning them.

Cost of Equipment/Uniform Lost or Damaged:

• $100 for most sports
• $200 for basketball, baseball, and football

Make checks payable to Balboa High School. The check will only be cashed if required equipment or uniforms are not returned within two weeks after the final contest, consistent with Athletic Department procedures. Athletes may be responsible for items that are lost, intentionally damaged, or not returned.

9. Representing Balboa

Athletes represent Balboa High School during practices, competitions, travel, team activities, school events, and interactions with other schools. Athletes are expected to behave in ways that reflect positively on themselves, their teammates, and Balboa.

10. Accountability

Athletes are responsible for knowing and following this Code, team rules, and school policies. Violations may result in consequences such as:

• Meeting with a coach
• Parent/guardian notification
• Loss of team privileges
• Suspension from participation
• Removal from the athletic program

Consequences will depend on the circumstances and applicable school policies.