7/14/25
Hi Carolyn. Last week, Cara expressed to me an interest in completing the Athletic Placement Process (APP) testing to see if she can play up on the EHS JV field hockey team this Fall. I wanted you to be aware that she had this discussion with me. I also wanted to give you some information so that you can decide — as a family — if this is something Cara should pursue. It is important to emphasize upfront that there is absolutely no pressure for Cara to pursue the APP testing and play JV FH this Fall. This is a family decision. We will respect whatever you decide as a family.
STEP ONE: Consider the Time Commitment
Before reviewing the APP process below, you should first CLICK HERE to review important preliminary information on the high school FH season. I know that you are a marching band family and the link provides you with information on how we work with Mr. Hoffman to make it possible for students to do both marching band and Fall FH with minimal stress. Equally important for you to review is the calendar I provide showing you the EHS FH schedule from the start of preseason (Mon 8/18) through to our second game of the season (Monday 9/8). We play a full 16-game season with the last game currently scheduled for 10/23. I believe that JV games will be played at 5:00, 5:30 or 6pm. JV will travel on their own bus to and from AWAY games. We have only 1 game scheduled on a Saturday, which Mr. Hoffman says will not create a conflict for marching band kids. Carefully consider all of the information provided at the link so that you determine whether this type of rigorous schedule is something that Cara and your family will be able to handle this Fall.
STEP TWO: Preparing for the APP Testing
As a team, EHS FH will give Cara plenty of opportunities to practice the fitness exercises required for the APP testing. We have already completed all of the tests one time each (except for the V-Sit & Reach). We will continue to give Cara opportunities to do practice tests at our Tu/Th morning workouts this summer. Cara should also be practicing on her own. Below are the results of Cara’s practice tests so far:
Curl-Ups / Sit-Ups (# in one minute): 21
30-Foot Shuttle Run (out & back 2x): 11.05 seconds
V-Sit & Reach: not yet tested
Mile Run: 11 minutes 9 seconds
Push-Ups: 21
Below is the chart that shows you the target numbers for Cara at her age:
STEP THREE: Let us know Cara’s Tanner Score
The Tanner scale is a scale of physical development as pre-pubescent children transition into adolescence, and then adulthood. Cara’s Tanner Score should appear as part of her latest physical. To play on a high school JV team as an 8th grader, Cara should have a Tanner Score of 4. NOTE: If Cara’s Tanner Score is less than 4, yet she still can meet the APP fitness testing requirements, you have the option of having your family doctor complete an “MD Waiver” form that grants approval for Cara to play up on JV, despite not having a Tanner Score of 4.
STEP FOUR: Coach’s Recommendation
Provided that Cara is hitting close to the APP testing numbers by the first week in August, I will write a recommendation for her to be considered to play up on JV field hockey this Fall. I will submit this recommendation directly to the Athletic Director. IMPORTANT TO NOTE: If a player is not close to hitting the target #’s for the APP Testing by the first week in August, EHS FH will not recommend her for the official APP Testing (which usually takes place in the 1st or 2nd week of August).
STEP FIVE: Parent Permission Form
The Athletic Department will also need to receive a completed Parent Permission Form from you in order for Cara to be allowed to pursue the APP Testing.
A Few Other Things To Note
I will have the MD Waiver Form and the Parent Permission Form to give to Cara when I see her next. I will also have a copy of the APP testing chart that shows the target numbers for her age as well as descriptions of how each exercise should be performed. Again, Cara should practice these exercises on her own as well as with our team on Tu/Th mornings.
The APP testing typically is scheduled in the first or second week in August. As soon as I know the date, I will let you know.
Again, I want to emphasize that there is absolutely no pressure for Cara to pursue the APP testing and play JV FH this Fall. This is a family decision. We will respect whatever you decide as a family.
Please know that if Cara does pursue the APP testing and chooses to play up on JV this Fall that we will be very happy to have her on the team and she will get significant playing time.
Also keep in mind that, if Cara qualifies and chooses to play up on JV FH this Fall, she will not be eligible for Modified FH in the Spring (though we will welcome her support in helping us find more EIMS FH players and — if she is available — also helping us at ModFH practices).
