Parent / Player Handbook and Contract 2025-2026
TNT’s MISSION & CLUB PHILOSOPHY
The mission of TNT Volleyball Club is to provide student-athletes with sound fundamental volleyball skills and develop each player to his/her maximum potential. The coaches and directors are committed to developing the whole athlete. The "total package" encompasses the players’ academics, athleticism, self-esteem and citizenship. In addition to teamwork, discipline, and fundamental skills, the coaching staff is devoted to making each boy/girl not only a player of the game, but also a student of the game.
Participating in club volleyball requires a significant amount of time and financial commitment for the student-athlete and parents, which is why TNT wants everyone to maximize that investment. Becoming an organized, dedicated and confident student-athlete is one advantage of the aforementioned commitment. Our goal, for players who wish to continue playing at the collegiate level, is to collaborate with them (and their parents) such that they will be well positioned to do so. In addition, we look to provide a feeling of belonging and unity for all athletes, coaches and families.
TNT CLUB SUCCESS
TNT Volleyball is a recognized and well respected volleyball program in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond. The success of our program is a direct reflection of the hard work our players, parents, and staff have contributed since the club’s inception. We strive for success, which is measured beyond the win-loss record. Success is within the journey, as much as it is about reaching the destination. Our success is about uniting a group of individuals, to pursue a common goal and to overcome individual differences, in order for the team to achieve its potential; success of an athlete excelling on a personal level, on and off the court, by being a part of something greater than an individual. Our success is about teaching life skills through volleyball play, which are necessary to be successful, regardless of future pursuits. The expectations are high for TNT club volleyball players. Being on a TNT Club Volleyball team is a commitment to hard work and dedication, which requires the selection of athletes who "bring something special to the court and their team.”
PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Parents are expected at all times to show respect to coaches, players, other parents and officials. Our coaching staff has not only played but also studied the game. We understand that each player has strengths and weaknesses. Our coaches do their best to recognize the strengths of every athlete and place them in a position where their strengths will be showcased to provide the best results for the team. Please remember that practice is a time to improve and work on weak areas of the game.
If you feel you must discuss an issue with a coach (after your player has done so first dependent on the issue), refrain from doing so during tournament play. If you would like to speak to the coach, please set up a meeting, no sooner than 24 hours after a tournament, to discuss your concerns. Remember that the coaches need to be just as focused during tournaments as the players.
We believe that athletic competition should demonstrate high standards of ethics and sportsmanship and promote the development of good character and other important life skills. Our expectations for parents, then, are summarized below:
Avoid Disrespectful Conduct – do not engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including: profanity, obscene gestures, offensive remarks of a sexual nature, trash-talking, taunting, boastful celebrations, or other actions that demean individuals or the sport.
Respect Coaches – treat coaches with respect at all times; recognize that they have team goals beyond those of your child. Do not shout instructions to players from the stands/sidelines. Players play, Referees ref, Coaches coach, and Parents parent.
If there is failure to adhere to the guidelines contained in our parent code of conduct, TNT reserves the right to exercise any/all of the following measures:
Parent/Parents will no longer be permitted to attend practices or tournaments.
Immediate dismissal of a player from their TNT team for the remainder of the season.
LINES OF COMMUNICATION
This is a critical area of emphasis. The following line of communication policies will be strictly enforced within our program. TNT truly believes that if all are conscientious in following procedures, we should not encounter problems that cannot be resolved.
If a player is having frustrations or concerns, it is very important that the player speak with the coach as soon as possible, within our guidelines. If after doing so, the player does not feel that the problem has been resolved, then parents may document the concern and send written communication to the coach.
It will be determined at that time if an in-person meeting needs to be arranged, or if it can be discussed by email or over the phone. If after discussing matters with the coach, you still have concerns, then an additional meeting may be arranged with the parent, athlete, coach, and a TNT Club Director.
Please note that meetings as much as possible will involve the players, not just the parents. The discussion will ONLY be about that player and the documented concern. A Club Director will be informed of any concerns and meetings with the coaching staff, so they are aware that communication is taking place. Any information given to parents by Coaches will be shared openly and honestly with TNT Club Directors.
Again, parents should not approach coaches before, during or after practices or matches. If the matter is related to a specific incident or event, parents and athletes should wait 24 hours after the incident or event before contacting a coach.
Tournaments can be an emotional time for both parents and coaches. Often, meetings under these settings do not promote resolution. Productive meetings require calm, rational attitudes, in a private setting, where concerns can be addressed and all parties are cooperating, to make the meeting effective for the betterment of the athlete. Violation of communication rules may result in the athletes removal from playing time for the duration of the tournament and/or future events as well.
Appropriate Issues to Discuss with Coaches
Issues Not Appropriate to Discuss with Coaches
Playing time
Coaching decisions
Other athletes
PLAYING TIME
Playing time will be determined by the level of team and competition, each player’s individual skills, attitude, and their ability to consistently contribute to the team’s performance and chemistry. These are based on the coach's assessment of the team and players.
Due to positional or skill needs, player ability, player confidence, player attitude, cadence of the match, strength of the opponent, and hard limit on number of substitutions, some players may experience limited playing time.
Coaches sometimes need to make hard decisions on lineups, especially at crucial crossover, semifinals, and finals matches - please respect their decisions regardless of the outcome of the matches.
Acceptance of an offer to play at TNT indicates your agreement with the following:
I understand that making the team does not guarantee me playing time in a game.
I understand that playing time for each athlete is based on skill level, work ethic and attitude, but ultimately it is the decision of the coach.
I understand that supporting every player, even if it is the one who is playing in front of me, will be expected of all as part of being on a team.
PRACTICE PROTOCOL
We strive to make practice conditions mimic game conditions.
All players are expected to attend all practices. If you must miss a practice, you must contact the coach prior to the practice. Please notify coaches as early as possible, so that practice plans can be adjusted as needed.
Players should arrive at the gym at least 10 minutes prior to the practice start time. This will give the players time to put down their things, say hello to teammates and be ready to start on time.
Players must be dressed in practice attire, have shoes on, water bottles ready and individual training needs (such as stretching) addressed before practice starts.
Practice is team-time; the focus should be on team practice, nothing else.
Players will not have cell phones out during practices (or games).
No foul language or disruptive attitudes during practice.
Players should wear proper outdoor attire when coming to/leaving practices.
Water breaks need to be at the bench. Please bring a water bottle or water container.
Hair should be pulled back and out of the face.
No Gum should be in the gym / on the court.
Players are responsible for picking up trash and water bottles from the bench area after practice.
Players are responsible for attending to equipment used to facilitate the practice plan.
PLAYER PICK-UP / DROP OFF
TNT coaching staff will never leave a player alone – someone will wait until a ride for the player arrives. Because of this, we appreciate in advance your consideration for being prompt in picking up your children in a timely fashion. If for some reason, players are not getting picked up / dropped off in a timely fashion on a consistent basis, a meeting to discuss the situation and possible resolution options may be needed.
INJURY / ILLNESS
Players should let the coaches know if you are sick or injured or ill before practice starts. If your child has a physical injury or other medical issue that does not allow him/her to practice, they may need a doctor’s note clearing them to resume participation at a later date (Ex: concussion, COVID, etc).
CHEMICAL / SUBSTANCE USE AND OTHER BEHAVIOR CONCERNS
At TNT, the use of illegal substances is prohibited! Players will NOT use alcoholic beverages, Illegal drugs, or tobacco in any form.
Fighting or any other behavior exhibited that’s deemed inappropriate by TNT can be grounds for dismissal from a team.
CELLULAR PHONE & SOCIAL MEDIA USE
Cellular phone and social media usage have been proven to promote separation among individuals in group settings. For this reason, during practices, tournaments and team events at TNT, the use of these items will be restricted. Cell phones and other forms of technology used during restriction times that cause an interruption or separation from the team or team activities will result in a player / team losing the privilege of using these items. Devices may, with coach permission, be used during team bonding activities to make a record of those events and during other appropriate times as well.
Please be advised that anyone using social media (X, Facebook, SnapChat, etc.) to distribute unsolicited comments / pictures or the like pertaining to team strategies, voice personal attacks on the TNT club, other players or parents, or members of a coaching staff or their families may result in the involved party being dismissed from the team, and all associated activities.
Accepting an offer to play at TNT indicates your agreement with the following:
I will not post any negative comments about TNT, coaches, or teammates.
I will not have any inappropriate pictures posted of myself or teammates.
I will not encourage peer mistreatment through social media or any aspect of life.
Coaches & Club Administrators may post social media content to bring awareness to the team or to the club. Any team or individual activities conducted during the period between start and end of a tournament are considered appropriate for posting, whether on the court or outside the court or event facility. Acceptable posts include the following:
Team performance updates from a tournament
Individual or team activities within or surrounding the tournament venue
Individual or team pictures taken during the tournament timeframe, which may include off-site activities such as team bonding, team breakfast/lunch/dinners, scenic photos, and others
If a parent does not want their child to be included in social media posts, the parent should contact the coach to explain their concern at the start of the season. However, team pictures that include all players or majority of players are not subject for removal.
ADDITIONAL PARENT AND PLAYER BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES
Inclusivity of all members of your group as part of TNT is mandatory.
No bullying or harassment of any kind is tolerated. Any suspected incidents of such discovered by the club will be investigated and could result in immediate dismissal of the perpetrator(s) from the team.
See our Add'l Parent - Player Behavior Guidelines for more information.
TOURNAMENTS
All players must arrive at the tournament site well-rested at the time specified by their coach.
Players must bring their bag with ALL UNIFORMS (one never knows when an unexpected event could cause a need to change jerseys).
Teams will stay together during tournaments. If leaving the tournament site for any reason during an event, you must notify the coach.
Scorekeeping and Work-Team Responsibilities: Each team should generate a schedule so this responsibility is shared equally among all players.
At the conclusion of tournament play every team member must stay, even if not working, until the team's work responsibilities are completed.
Before a tournament site / court is left, every TNT team’s area will be cleared of any and all trash and left as it was found, if not better, by our participants.
A volleyball tournament is an athletic event and player food choices should reflect the need for one’s body to be properly fueled.
Come to tournaments ready to play, both mentally and physically for each day of the event. Every team needs every player to maximize success!
UNIFORMS
Please be patient with uniform orders, as club administration works diligently to get the team orders and your individual spirit wear orders ready. Always keep track of your personal belongings and the equipment issued to you by the club. Contact Director of Operations Leon Kasperski at [email protected] if you have any issues with uniforms.
TNT CLUB SEASON PAYMENTS
Payments are due on the 1st of the month, September - April or June. If a payment is late (1st-5th) there will be a $25.00 late fee, and the athlete will not be able to participate in any sanctioned events or practices until a payment is made. A $25.00 transaction fee will be assessed for each returned check, and if the problem occurs two times, parents must pay by cash or a cashier’s check.
Payments can be made in one of (3) ways:
1) Online via the TNT website
2) Via a Drop Box at the bunker (make sure to put player name and team on check)
3) By Mail: Notify the club first that you are mailing a check via email ([email protected]) and send to the following address with the player name and team clearly indicated:
TNT Volleyball
237 Berkeley Rd, Glenside, PA, 19038
Please know that once you are committed to a team, we incur several expenses whether you continue your season with the club or not. It is your responsibility then, to make sure all payments are made. All funds paid are non-refundable should you choose a player not be able to fulfill your commitment for the duration of the season.
For any payments not made in compliance with the above schedule and methods, TNT reserves the right to release you from your contract or enforce "no pay, no play."
By accepting an offer with TNT, I acknowledge that I have received, read and will abide by the information provided herein including that regarding payments. I also acknowledge that there will be no refunds issued.