The foundation of the Maple Grove Football Program is based on three criteria.  These criteria apply to all coaches and players who participate in the program.  As we develop each of these criteria we believe we are building our foundation for success on the field, in the classroom, in the community.

1.   Trust Can we trust you?  Trust and loyalty work together.  Be loyal to one another and to our school.  We must pull together. 

2.   Commitment  Are you committed to excellence?  Show your commitment every day with a burning desire to Improve and be the Best you can be. 

3.   Caring About Others  Do you care about other people?  We want people who care about the program, and care about their teammates and what happens to them.  Love comes from the football family, when players care about one another.  We want to know when there is a problem, question or concern.

These criteria will form our Attitude and Self-Image.  The greatest power we have is the "Power to Choose."  Attitude is something you control.

Football Philosophy

MGSH is a "technique" oriented football program. We believe teaching and developing the techniques involved at each position will give our players the best opportunity to compete and perform at their highest level.  Additionally, we employ the following:

1. Platoon Football
2. Sound Special Teams
3. 4-3 Defense
4. Multiple Two Back Offense
5. Emphasis on academics and student behavior
6. Emphasis on MGSH strength training
7. Emphasis on being a multi-sport athlete

Football is the most complex game ever invented.  The game is constantly changing.  New strategies and the need for communication add to the ever increasing complexity of the game.  The challenge is to keep the game simple for us, and complex for our opponents!

Through all the excitement and challenges of participating in football, we can not lose focus on who we are and what our purpose is.  In order to be successful and to meet the challenges ahead, we must understand what is expected of us.

What the coaching staff expects of our student athletes:

The Maple Grove football family will live and operate according to three principles:

1.    Do What’s Right (avoid what’s wrong)
2.    Do Your Best (for family, in school, in football)
3.    Treat others the way you would like to be treated

These principles apply to the classroom, hallways, field, sidelines, and our community.  Our players and coaches are ambassadors of Maple Grove Senior High School and the Maple Grove Football program.  We will represent ourselves as champions in all that we say and do.  Our desired outcome is to become the best possible people we can be.

What you can expect from the coaching staff:

We believe coaching is teaching fundamentals.  Our focus is teaching and improving fundamentals!  All players will be coached in their techniques and fundamentals on a daily basis.  All students who participate in the Maple Grove Football program are considered players.  Each player has a role in the program.  A player’s role may be to start or to be an alternate.  Each role is equally important in this program.  This coaching staff respects and cares that the student has made a decision to participate.

1.    To see our players improve as students
2.    To see our players improve their fundamentals/techniques
3.    To have a winning season
4.    To win the Northwest Suburban Conference Championship
5.    To win the Section 5-5A Championship
6.    To win the State Championship

Season Goals

1.   Have Fun
2.   Become the best football team we can
3.   Represent MGSH as best we can
4.   Have each player take something from our program which will help later in life
5.   To provide a great positive high school experience that kids will remember the rest of their lives

Strength and Speed Development Program Goals

*SUCCESS IS NOT FOUND IN A BOTTLE*

** NUTRITION @ WORK ethic="SUCCESS"**

1.   Discipline (structure, routine, order)
2.   Togetherness (through accomplishment)
3.   Leadership (through commitment)
4.   Quickness (through development of force)
5.   Strength Conditioning (through improvement)
6.   Fundamental Athletic/Football Position (exercise design)

1.    School Conduct
All players are expected to contribute positively to school climate.

"No Cut Rule."  All players will be required to attend all class periods and study halls.  Any player that "cuts" any class period or study hall, receives any detention or school suspension can require game suspension or removal from the team.

2.    Minnesota State High School League Policy is enforced all 12 months a year.  Any violations will require a player/parent meeting with the Head Coach to determine whether the player will continue on in the Football program.  Any additional violations will end that player’s opportunity to participate in MGSH Football.  Any In-season training violations will make a player ineligible for the remainder of that season.  The player may remain with team at the discretion of the Head Coach.

3.    Maple Grove Senior High/District 279 student regulations and policies:  athletes must be in attendance at school the entire day in order to be eligible to practice or play in a game that same day.  If a student misses any portion of a school day it must be an excused absence for a specific appointment.  A note from that appointment is required and must be given to the school attendance office and grade level Head Coach.  Note, MGSH school/class field trips are not an absence from the school day.

4.    Team Conduct
All players are responsible to contribute positively to team morale.  Any player that disrupts team morale, misses practice, games or team events can require game suspension or removal from the team.  Any unsportsmanlike behavior or unsportsmanlike penalties can require game suspension or removal from the team. 

5.    Community (city and school)
The Maple Grove community is excited to support Maple Grove Senior High School and the Football Program. All players will be respectful of our community.  Any behavior that misrepresents our program can require game suspension or removal from the team.

6.    Lettering (varsity-jrs and srs), Certificates (sophs/frosh) 
All team members (players and managers) that participate the entire season and contribute to the improvement of the team will letter or receive a certificate at their grade level of competition.  Participation includes attendance at ALL practices, games and team events for each level.  Participation also includes each player has worked and contributed to the best of his ability.  This includes injured players unless excused by the grade level Head Coach.  Varsity includes all Junior Varsity. 

NOTE: A player must finish the season in good standing with the coaching staff.

Practice Policies (includes all classroom and team meetings)
1.    Be on time, be completely dressed, be ready.

2.    A player must be at practice unless he is sick and not in school or if excused by the Head Coach at his grade level.  A signed note from a parent is required.

3.    A player must be in attendance at school the entire day to be eligible to practice or participate in a game that day.  If a player misses any part of the school day it must be an "excused absence" as defined by ISD 279 policy.  If a player is absent for an appointment a note from that appointment must be given to school attendance.

4.    An injured player must be at practice and dressed in practice uniform unless he is excused by the grade level Head Coach.

5.    A player must be at all non-school day practices (vacation days, MEA, Saturdays, etc).

6.  A player with an unexcused absence will not play for that particular game.  A second unexcused absence can lead to removal from team

Communication: Parent/Player/Coach

1.    Player / Position Coach Talk

2.    Player / Head Coach (grade level) Talk

3.    Player and Parent meet with grade level Head Coach and Position Coach.  Varsity Head Coach can be present.

Communication is critical for all of us to work together to ultimately help all kids be as successful as they can be.  Parents, email is not a vehicle for discussion, it is best used to share basic essential facts such as illnesses, injuries, game times, practice times, etc. 

At MGSH, as well as any school, we have a procedure to follow in regard to discussing and resolving issues that can arise throughout a Football season and school year.  Please encourage your son to talk with his coach.  We ask that you please follow the steps listed.  We want to work together, the one thing we can always agree on is we care about kids and want to help them through rough times as well as the good times.

Feel free to call any time regarding injuries, school problems, family situations, or help you may need.  We are here to work with you and your son to help him be as successful as he can be.  

Varsity (includes JV) Craig Hansen            MGSH            (S) 763-391-7249

Sophomores                Derek Ward              OJH                (S) 763-391-8800

Freshman                   Mark Cook                MGSH            (S) 763-391-8700

Injury Procedures
A trainer is available at games and practices at all levels of participation at MGSH.  The trainer will treat non-emergency situations.  If an injury occurs the trainer will also instruct the player as to treatment.  When needed, the trainer or a coach will contact the parent/guardian.  If it is an emergency the parent/guardian will be contacted, and emergency personnel will be contacted.

Treatment at home it is best to follow RICE; Rest/Ice (10-12 mins/treatment)/Compression/Elevation.  Stay away from heat treatments unless prescribed.

If you see a Doctor for any injury or illness, you are required to bring a note from the Doctor’s office explaining what the injury or illness is and when specifically the athlete may return to practice or play.  Without a Doctor’s note and the specific information the player can not participate.  The note must be given to the trainer and the grade level Head Coach.

Please, always call the trainer at MGSH (763-391-8905) or the grade level Head Coach with any questions regarding injuries, illnesses or back ground health information you feel we should know.

Pre-game:  A good pre-game meal consists of carbohydrates and should be consumed 3 to 4 hours before game time.  Avoid proteins, fats and sugars, as they are difficult to digest.  Pasta, breads, and pancakes are examples of complex carbohydrates for pre-game meals.

Game Week:  A good diet and plenty of rest is essential.  The meal consumed the night before a game is most important.  Drinking plenty of fluids (soda does not count) during the week and the night before a game is very important.

1.    Obedience
Be willing to follow and obey rules.

2.    Purpose and Cause
Have a cause and purpose in doing what you are doing.

3.    Confidence
Say something and then follow it up with action.  Confidence comes from knowing what to do, and being prepared from experience.

4.    Faith
Have faith in your coaches.  Show faith in your teammates.  Have faith in yourself.

5.   Use Your Own Equipment and Do The Job to the Best of Your Ability
Don’t worry about what you don’t have.  Use what you have to the best of your ability, and develop it to its fullest potential.

6.    Do Not Listen to the "Nay-Sayers"
Find the good and the positive.  Eliminate the negative.

7.    Selectivity
Use the greatest ability you have, which is to choose and make decisions.

8.    Action
Put "wheels" to your plans, dreams, and goals.

9.    Finish the Job
Be disciplined to maintain your commitments in the classroom and on the field.

10.  Overcome Defeat
Defeat comes to everyone, it is an important part of life.  Success does not last; people who overcome defeat do last!

 Maple Grove Senior High School Football
Player Goal Sheet
"Turning Desire Into Development"

Student:  ________________________  (current)Grade/Year:  ___________

Years in Football Program (Jr. & Sr. High):  ______________

1. Do you plan on playing MGSH Crimson Football next year?  _________________

2. Student Academic Goal (G.P.A.): Current: ________  Goal:________
3.   Study Skills (what do you need to improve?):
4.  Team Goal (what I want our team to accomplish):
5.  Position Goal (What do you want to play/at what level?):
6.  Fundamentals Goal (what technique do I want to improve?):
7.  Speed Goal (40 yards): Current: __________ Goal:__________
8.  Strength Group Goal (Gold, Crimson, Elite, Super, Universal): (write in Group
Current Bench:____________   Current Dead Lift:__________

10 Month Goal Bench:__________        10 Month Goal Dead Lift:___________

9.  What other sports do you play at MGSH?  __________________________________

10.Will you help develop TEAM UNITY by making a commitment to lift with your    teammates at the MGSH SDC?

When: M/W/F 2:15 – 4:30 p.m.; Strength and Conditioning Class; SS&S? (circle)