Tha Handbook

Please thoroughly read and understand the contents of this handbook.

We are serious when we say that Tha Truth Track Tribe is NOT for everyone. We have standards and expectations that some athletes, parents, and families have a hard time with, and that’s OK. We may not be a fit for you, and you may not be a fit for us. Again, that’s OK. There are plenty of track and field clubs across the state to service the needs of every athlete and family that desires to participate. Click HERE if you need help finding one. For those of you who desire something more, please continue reading.

Medical Release

As the Parent or Legal Guardian of the enrolled Tribe athlete, I hereby give my consent for emergency health care administered or prescribed by a duly licensed health care practitioner, EMT, or paramedic. My athlete(s) participating in this program are included in a medical insurance policy that I maintain. I hereby acknowledge this release from liability for accidental injury or illness which my athlete(s) may incur as a result of participating in any physical activity. I hereby assume all risks connected therewith and give my athlete(s) full consent to participate in this program. I agree to disclose any physical limitations, disabilities, ailments, or impairments which may affect my athlete(s) ability to participate in this program. For myself, children, heirs, executors, administrators, and assignees, I hereby release all rights and claims for damage against Tha Truth Track Tribe, coaches, staff, board of directors, club organizers, and other volunteers for any and all injuries suffered by my athlete(s), myself, or anyone with me traveling to, from, and during practices and meets during the track and field season for which I am registering my athlete(s).

NO Electronics Policy

All athletes are expected to abide by our NO Electronics Policy while engaged in Tribe activities. This includes, but is not limited to, all practices, competitions, team bonding experiences, etc. While not an exhaustive list, the electronic devices that are not allowed includes but is not limited to the following:

Cell Phones
Tablets/iPads
Smart Watches
Airpods/earbuds/headphones
Gaming Systems (including VR)
Laptops
TV’s
And anything else that a coach would look at and be like, “c’mon bruh, seriously?!” Yeah, that's not allowed either.

We are not a “face in the phone” team. We cultivate and promote antiquated, old school values like human interaction, face to face communication, community building, etc. The NO electronics policy is addressed, although not exclusive, to the athlete alone. The policy also applies to the athlete’s siblings, cousins, younger family members and friends that may want to join them under the Team Tent during track meets. We also ask parents to be mindful of their cellphone usage while under the Team Tent, and around their athlete. Please don’t be that “face in the phone” parent that thinks that you, your family, and your athlete are the exception. You are not.

Clothing Policy

All Tribe athletes will wear modest and appropriate clothing for ultimate performance at practice and track meets regardless of the weather conditions. This will always include sweatpants, collared t-shirt, running shoes, and a filled water bottle. This expectation does not change as temperatures increase or decrease throughout the season. We promote the idea that “kids should just be kids” and not dress like mini-adults. Appropriately lengthed shorts may be worn underneath sweatpants, and sweatpants may be removed AFTER warm ups and before starting the day's work. Warm up pants and t-shirt must be put on immediately following an athlete’s competition. Tribe athletes do not walk around track meets or sit under the tent in their uniforms only.

Running shoes are a must. Tribe athletes do not come to practice or track meets wearing Crocs, slides, house shoes, slippers, or any other types of inappropriate footwear. If your personal finances allow, please ensure that your athlete has proper running shoes. Vans, Jordans, Air Force 1’s, basketball shoes, etc. do not constitute appropriate running shoes.

Personal Responsibility Policy

All Tribe athletes accept personal responsibility for themselves and their items. Athletes are expected to come prepared to all practices and competitions with the appropriate clothing and accessories necessary to perform to their fullest. Upon leaving practice, competitions, etc. all Tribe athletes are expected to take ALL of their items with them. Anything not brought or taken back home will result in burpees for the athlete as an incentive for them to remember to keep track of their things. Beyond the initial “Mom, I need new shoes” request, it is not your responsibility as the parent to ensure that they have their items.

Proper hydration and nutrition are crucial for performance and, honestly, dangerous if done poorly. Please ensure that your athlete is nutritionally prepared for the rigors of track and field. They can not hide from this. Poor hydration and nutrition gets exposed quickly.

Consumables Policy (Food, Drinks, Drugs, Alcohol, etc.)

We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs and alcohol. This includes but is not limited to:

Cigarettes, cigars, cloves, bidis, etc.
Vape pens or vape paraphernalia (disposables, mods, pod kits, etc.)
Illegal substances – alcohol, marijuana, or drugs of any kind (including prescribed pills without a prescription and authorized permission to take medication as prescribed)

In addition to edibles and other drug/alcohol based foods, our food policy includes NO NUTS. Due to athletes with SEVERE nut allergies, we are a 100% Nut-Free Team. In addition to alcohol our drink policy includes NO Energy Drinks. Per USATF Regulations all energy drinks are prohibited.

Please remember we abide by the USATF Regulations and are a smoke-free, alcohol-free, drug-free, & energy drink free team. This applies to all athletes, coaches, parents, and fans. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation!

Track Meet Team Tent Policy

All Tribe athletes will stay under the Team Tent during track meets and competitions. Tribe athletes do not walk around the meet, hang out in other peoples/teams tents, sit in the bleachers, throw the football around, etc. We are there to compete, not spectate and play around. Feel free to supply your Tribe athlete with card games, books, drawing pad, etc. to help them stay occupied and engaged with their teammates while waiting for their event.

Parents, siblings, and family members are welcome under the Team Tent as long as they can abide by the rules set forth in this handbook, as well as those conveyed by coaches throughout the season. This includes, but is not limited to the NO Electronics Policy & NO Nuts Policy.

Parents are welcome to drop their well behaved, self supervising athlete off at the Team Tent, and go and enjoy the meet/competition from the stands or elsewhere. Parents with a feral, uncontrollable athlete must stay with them under the Team Tent throughout the meet. Please don’t furrow your brow upon reading that last sentence. You know if you have a feral, uncontrollable child, and quite frankly, so does everyone else. If that applies to you, then we expect you to stay under the Team Tent to supervise your athlete.

Parent Volunteer

The Arizona Association of USA Track and Field (USATF AZ) operates all track meets with the voluntary assistance of its youth track clubs. Tha Truth Track Tribe is given a yearly duty of maintaining one area of the track or field for the duration of the season. Parent and/or family member volunteering is MANDATORY. As stated earlier, you are NOT the exception! The responsibility is divided amongst Tha Truth Track Tribe family and we require everyone to sign up and contribute. Please understand that Tha Truth Track Tribe coaches may not be able to volunteer as they are subject to the meet schedule and athlete's needs.

Tha Truth Track Tribe (T4) Culture

Community: All T4 Members greet coaches, teammates, parents, and elders upon entering locations where Tha Tribe is gathered. (Includes meets, practices, team bonding, etc)
Confidence: All T4 Athletes practice confident greeting etiquette, by giving a firm handshake and eye contact to all coaches upon entering any T4 gathering.
Performance: All T4 Athletes dress appropriately for ultimate performance at practice and track meets regardless of the weather conditions. This will always include sweatpants, collared t-shirt, running shoes, and filled water bottle.
Self-Respect: All T4 Members strive to use language that expresses what they want and need, and will refrain from using the following words, “Huh”, “What”, or grunting in response to a question. They, instead, choose to say, “I’m sorry, I did not hear you.”
Gratitude: All T4 Athletes demonstrate gratitude to officials by saying “thank you” and shaking hands, if they are available, immediately after competition. This is of particular importance to field events.
Character: All T4 Members strive to be known for being good natured, disciplined, and of high moral conduct.

Tha Truth Track Tribe Rules

All T4 members will always show respect to fellow athletes, parents, coaches, and officials.
All T4 members (including parents) will not ridicule, gossip, and/or put down any athlete, coach, official, or other parent.
All T4 members will adhere to the rules and judgements of the coaches & officials.
All T4 members will not use foul language at practice or at track meets.
All T4 members will stay current with all school assignments and grades to ensure eligibility to participate in track and field events
All T4 members will attend all practices and track meets on time and be fully prepared to participate.
All T4 members will bring with them to practice and meets their track spikes, running shoes, sweatpants/warmups, and a filled reusable water bottle with their name on it.
All T4 members will always encourage and be supportive to each other.
All T4 members will not use and/or abuse any drugs or alcohol, including illicit street drugs, prescription drugs, over the counter medications, natural or synthetic supplements, and/or any other substance meant to imitate a drug in a manner outside of what’s prescribed.
All T4 members will not engage in any type of physical altercation at practices or track meets.
All T4 members will not bully any athlete, parent, coach, official, vendor, or anyone while representing Tha Truth Track Tribe.
All T4 members will not steal.
All T4 members will not bring any type of weapons to practice or track meets.
All T4 members will inform the coaches of any foreseen absence from practice or track meets.
All T4 members will respect all facility grounds where we train and compete.
All T4 members will ensure that the practice and track meet facility is cleaned before leaving.
All T4 members will always show good sportsmanship, including but not limited to practice and competitions.

The ultimate rules are to respect each other, always keep a positive mind, compete hard, and always have fun!

Tha Truth Track Tribe Disciplinary Action Plan

First Offense: The athlete(s) and parent will be called in to have a meeting with the coaches about the offense, and the athlete will be given a verbal warning.

Second Offense: The athlete(s) and parent will be called in to have a meeting with the coaches about the offense, and the athlete will be suspended from the team for one week.

Third Offense: The athlete(s) and parent will be called in to have a meeting with the coaches about the offense, and depending on the situation, the athlete(s) could be removed from the team indefinitely or face further suspension. This decision will be left up to the coaching staff only.

For every meeting with the athlete(s) he/she will be given methods/modalities to deal with the problems to avoid further situations.

Serious situations may result in immediate removal from the team.

Examples are drug use, possession of a deadly weapon, deliberate injury to another club member, total defiance to the coaching staff, etc. Team removal is not only limited to these examples.

The goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all club members, where they can enjoy their teammates, coaches, and the entire track and field experience.

Congratulations, you made it to the end! Now it's on you to choose.

The Sword or The Ball