Skip to main content

Athletic Placement Process

The Athletic Placement Process

 

 

Livonia Central School is proud to offer its students a wide range of options for athletic involvement, including opportunities for those students in the 7th and 8th grade. We encourage the majority of our students at the junior high level to compete at the modified level, but we also recognize that there are a select few exceptional student-athletes with the athletic ability and sport specific skill to play at the junior varsity and varsity level. This is a coach driven process where coaches will invite those select few student-athletes that could have a major contribution in the contest (either start or be one of the first off the bench). In order for seventh and eighth graders to compete interscholastically at the high school level, these athletes will have to go through the Athletic Placement Process (APP) as mandated by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. It is very important to note that successful completion of the Athletic Placement Process simply allows the student-athlete to try out for the high school team and does not guarantee him a spot on the final roster.

Parents/guardians are cautioned that even though their child may be physically ready, it does not mean that he/she will be emotionally or socially ready to handle the stress of high school competition or the social interaction with older athletes.  Although coaches at Livonia Central School place a high priority on assimilating all students into the team structure, this does not necessarily mean younger student-athletes are comfortable in this environment.  If you or the child has any reservations about competing at the high school level, then it is highly recommended that this child remain at the modified level.

The purpose of this statewide program is to evaluate students' personal and social responsibility, sport-specific skill development, knowledge of the game, and physical fitness. To be eligible to participate in tryouts, all student-athletes must complete every required step in the application and eligibility process.

 

APP Steps

The District recognizes the possibility of an exceptional athlete. The District further recognizes that an exceptional athlete is a rare possibility. The New York State APP program is not to be used to fill positions on teams, provide additional experience, provide a place for junior high students when modified teams are not offered, or reward a student. It is aimed at the few select students who can benefit from such placement because of their level of readiness.

This is a coach-driven process and coaches will ask players that they feel are exceptional. If you feel that your child was overlooked, please feel free to communicate with the coach. That coach will determine if it is appropriate. Coaches will hand out all APP packets.

The following steps must be followed, in order, for each APP Request.

  • The Athletic Placement Process is a coach driven process where the coaching staff recommends the student athletes to be assessed. The coach will notify the Athletic Director of the student athletes they wish to invite.

  • The athletic administrator should confirm that the student is suitable for consideration, which includes the likelihood that the student would play in at least 50% of the games. Additionally, because of the increased time demands of participation at the high school level, the student’s academic performance (as determined at the local level) should be at or above grade level. Furthermore, administration should assess the student’s emotional readiness to socialize with high school-aged students. If the student is not academically or socially ready, the student should not be considered for promotion.

  • All students who are to be invited must first obtain written parent/guardian consent.

    Athletic Placement Policy Parent/Guardian Consent Form

  • Under the Commissioner’s Regulations, students must have a health examination before participating in sports. This examination is intended not only to determine if a student may participate, but also to help ensure the student’s overall health and safety before beginning strenuous physical activity. Follow-up checks may be required during the sports season if concerns arise. The school nurse will verify that the student's physical examination is current and up to date. Upon medical clearance by the school nurse, the student-athlete may try out for the sport and level requested

  • The sport coach will rely on past personal observations and may consider input from the student's former coaches to complete the evaluation. During the tryout process, the coach will assess the student-athlete's sport-specific skill development, knowledge of the game, and physical fitness to determine their readiness for participation.

  • The student is allowed to try out for the sport and level requested or the student must return to the modified level of competition. The coach will assess the student-athlete's sport-specific skill development, knowledge of the game, and physical fitness to determine their readiness for participation.