California Climbing Team Handbook

Welcome to the California Climbing Team community! Parents, athletes, and coaches all play an important role in supporting each athlete’s growth, development, and love for the sport. This handbook outlines how parents can best support their athletes, as well as the expectations for athletes, and families.

1. Supporting Your Athlete as a Parent

Parents and coaches working together help athletes progress further. Below are ways you can support your child:

  • Encourage effort, not just results: Praise the hard work, determination, and perseverance your athlete shows rather than only outcomes. Don’t show your athlete results until they have checked in with a coach and only if your athlete asks to see them. 

  • Promote healthy habits: Support your athlete in balancing their academic responsibilities with those of the team. Make sure they are getting enough sleep and eating enough to support their climbing goals. 

  • Partner with coaches: Ask questions to learn about the sport and how you can best support your athlete.

    • Share with coaches any concerns, injuries, goals, or positive progress.

  • Get involved in the community: Volunteer at competitions, attend team events, or help organize team gatherings.

  • Stay informed: Stay informed by reading emails, attending townhalls, looking out for USAC updates and emails. 

  • SIGN YOUR ATHLETES UP FOR COMPS. Or help remind them to sign up themselves. Make sure you have a plan ahead of the QE season for which comps your athlete will attend. 

  • Videos: take continuous videos during competitions to help assist in the appeals process and for reflection after the event. 

2. Athlete Code of Conduct

  • Commitment:

    • Give 100% effort at practice & competitions. It is ok to show up to practice tired or stressed etc. Please work with coaches to figure out a plan for the day that allows you to be successful and push yourself at whatever your current ability level. 

    • Maintain consistent attendance at practices and communicate about any larger absences well in advance 

    • Stay focused at practice, being attentive to coaches, and put your phone away. 

  • Communicate 

    • Inform coaches coaches about injuries, concerns, or needs promptly 

    • RSVP consistently in Heja so coaches understand your schedule 

    • Check in regularly about goals and how the team/ coaches can best support you in reaching them. 

  • Community 

    • Represent the team positively (words, actions, attitude). Show everyone what it means to be part of the CCC community. Show up for your teammates and yourself in a way that represents our commitment, drive and focus of the team. 

    • Athletes are expected to behave as a team at all times. Supporting, uplifting and celebrating the work and accomplishments of those around you. 

    • Athletes should always be respectful of the larger climbing community. 

3. Team Rules

To create a safe and productive training space, all team members must follow these rules:

  • Bring proper gear (shoes, harness, chalk, team shirt)

  • No cell phones during practice without coach approval. This is a new rule for us this season and we intend to hold athletes accountable. Phones should only be used for parent communication, and timers during practice.

  • Snack time is not a group activity. We expect athletes to arrive to practice having eaten. If needed take a quick break during practice to refuel but this is not sometime athletes should be doing as a large group.

  • Be on time and notify coaches if absent, or running late. Consistently update your attendance in Heja so that we can staff accordingly.

  • Listen attentively when coaches address the group. Group up promptly listen and engage with coach questions and discussion during lessons.

  • Keep communication supportive & encouraging with other athletes. Always be supportive of your teammates.

  • Follow all gym rules and be respectful of the space and gym members at all times. 

  • Athletes are required to wear team apparel at competitions. During practice, any appropriate athletic apparel is acceptable. Shirts worn to the team must not include any profanity, slurs or inappropriate innuendos.  Shirts are required during all team events and activities. 

4. Zero Tolerance Policy

Our goal is to maintain a welcoming environment for everyone. We have zero tolerance for:

  • Discrimination

  • Harassment

  • Bullying

Any violation may result in disciplinary action, including:

  • Sitting out of drills or practice

  • Removal from practice and parent notification

  • Suspension or expulsion from the team (at the discretion of the Head Coaches)