SAFETY FIRST Take care of your body Tackle correctly Report all injuries

1. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS SAFETY FIRST Take care of your body Tackle correctly Report all injuries If a doctor says you can’t play, that’s that, until the doctor clears you

2. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 2. NO HAZING, NO INITIATION • Never demean, insult or humiliate a teammate • Upperclassmen are expected to befriend younger players • Younger players are expected to show proper respect for upperclassmen

3. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 3. THE TEAM ALWAYS COMES FIRST! • No player is more important than our team • There is no room on the team for selfishness • Always do whatever your asked to do • Do whatever it takes to make our team successful

4. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS • 4. BE COACHABLE! • Take correction positively • No arguments, No excuses • Yes, Coach

5. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 5. BE LOYAL! Be a good team member Stand up for your team and your teammates Stand up for your faith, your country, your family, your school and your community Never bad mouth a teammate Never point fingers

6. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 6. BE DEPENDABLE! We can only play people we know can be counted on Show that you can be counted on Be early and ready All practices are mandatory

7. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS • 7. BE A GENTLEMAN! • Be polite and respectful – to everyone • Address the people at home and at school respectfully • Say “please” and “thank you” and “excuse me” • Look people in the eye and use there names.

8. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 8. BE A GOOD CITIZEN! Conduct yourself with class Represent your team proudly Obey the law and support people in authority Obey school rules and respect school personnel

9. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 9. BE THE BEST STUDENT YOU CAN BE! Show teachers that you care Be polite and use their names Be early and prepared Sit up from and pay attention Hand in your work on time Never make a teachers job harder than it needs to be Don’t even think about skipping class

10. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 10. BE A GOOD FAMILY MAN! Make your family proud Show your appreciation Do what your asked to do Be Respectful Show that football has made you a better person

11. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 11. GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT! Only family, faith, and school become before football Cut back on your social life Do not play another sport during football season Manage your time - don’t ever make football an excuse for poor grades

12. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 12. RESPECT THE LOCKER ROOM! Pick stuff up off the floor Wash your football gear once a week – at Least Never take anything that isn’t yours, give it to a coach Never leave valuables in the Locker room You will “pay” for Equipment that is not put away

13. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 13. RESPECT YOUR EQUIPMENT! Wear everything issued to you and wear it properly Never wear anything of your own without coach’s approval Check equipment daily for signs of wear and tear Handle repairs after today’s practice – don’t wait! Never take or borrow any equipment not issued to you

14. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 14. TREAT MEETINGS LIKE CLASSES! Be early and ready Sit up and pay attention Be quiet and look at the coach Never be talking when the coach is talking and no phones/etc. Be brave enough to ask questions if something is not clear

15. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 15a. PRACTICE LIKE A WINNER! Be early and ready If you are ever late - Run Wear only the issued gear Shirt always tucked in (unless it’s been cut short) Helmet always on, chin strap always fastened EVERYTHING IS AT FULL SPEED Never walk Never sit down

16. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 15b. PRACTICE LIKE A WINNER! Be the first in line When something goes wrong, suck it up! Watch your mouth No talking during drills – pay attention so you’ll know what to do when its your turn Whatever you’re asked to do, do it the best it’s ever been done

17. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 16. TRAVEL LIKE A WINNER! Have a dry shirt for the ride home Use the buddy system - equipment Be on the bus early No comments or gestures to anyone outside the bus Walk straight to the locker room; Look straight ahead Leave their locker room better than we found it Leave the bus clean and than the bus driver

18. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 17a. REPRESENT US PROUDLY ON THE PLAYING FIELD Look sharp but don’t wear anything to draw attention to yourself as an individual The national anthem… stand respectfully, helmet off, looking at the flag the entire time Treat officials with respect

19. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 17b. REPRESENT US PROUDLY ON THE PLAYING FIELD Never retaliate – walk away! Never play dirty football Never say anything to anyone except a teammate – and make sure it’s positive when you do If your not paying attention – pay attention! Win or Lose – Be a good Sport

20. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 18. BE HARD-NOSED & MENTALLY TOUGH At some point, something is sure to go wrong – suck it up! Be Resilient – get back into it Be relentless – never let up Inspire others with your toughness

21. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 19. BE YOUR OWN MAN Deal with coaches Man-To-Man Ask to talk with a coach and you’ll be given a fair hearing Make sure you do that before going any further

22. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS 20. YOU’RE A WILDCAT ALL YEAR ROUND Always bring credit to your football program, wherever you are, whenever it is Either play another sport or lift weights, but always be doing something to make yourself and your team better

23. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS • The 3 R’s: • Respect • Responsibility • Resilience

24. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS Respect The Game Your Team Your School Your Community Your Family Yourself

25. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS Responsibility The team is more important than you Can we count on you? Will you do whatever the team requires

26. WILDCAT KEYS TO SUCCESS • Resilience • Can you take a punch? • Things will go wrong • Can you deal with it? • No Excuses – suck it up.