Rockport Youth Soccer Coach Code of Conduct

Rockport Youth Soccer is committed to providing an inspiring and positive soccer experience through practice and play. Our goal is to be inclusive to the entire community and to provide each child with an opportunity to play the game at the appropriate level and develop technical and tactical skills, a sense of team spirit, leadership qualities, and sportsmanship.

To achieve these goals, we have established a Code of Conduct for coaches. RYS reserves the right to dismiss a coach who does not comply with the Code of Conduct.

Coach Code of Conduct:

• Coaches and assistants are expected to have at least a basic knowledge of the game and a willingness to participate in coaching clinics and courses to improve their understanding of soccer and to hone their coaching skills.
• Coaches and assistants will use positive reinforcement when dealing with players, and never use offensive or abusive language.
• Coaches will exercise patience with players.
• Coaches and assistants will display respect for referees at all times. They will also defer to referees.
• Coaches will designate a team captain for each game. The team captain is the only player who can speak to or engage the referee.
• Coaches should introduce themselves to the opposing coach and referee before each game. Coaches will shake hands with the opposing coach and have their players shake hands will the opposing team after each game.
• Coaches and assistants will model good sportsmanship both on and off the field.
• Coaches will comply with the ECYSA Zero Tolerance Policy (see below).
• Coaches will communicate to players and parents prior to the start of each season expectations for practice and game attendance and behavior. Each player and parent must sign a Code of Conduct and return to the coach before the first game.
• Coaches will report persistent inappropriate behavior by players, parents, or spectators to RYS.
• If a Rockport team leads a game by a wide margin, the coach should make every effort to prevent the differential from increasing. Suggestions include playing players out of position, requiring players to use non-dominant foot only, allowing only long-distance shots, and playing keep-away without shooting. Use discretion in implementing these measures; the goal is not to show up the opposing team.
• Coaches are responsible for the sportsmanship of your players.  If one of your players is disrespectful, irresponsible, or overly aggressive, take the player out of the game at least long enough for him or her to calm down.
• Coaches are also responsible for the conduct of parents and spectators. We recommend that prior to the first game you review the parent and spectator Code of Conduct and tell parents that they will be asked to leave the field if they violate the code.
• Coaches will not engage the referee during a game.  If you have a small issue, discuss it with the referee calmly and patiently after the game.  If you have a major complaint, or if you think the referee was unfair, biased, unfit, or incompetent, report your opinion to the league.
• After the game, thank the referee and ask your players to do the same.

Referees – especially young and inexperienced ones – need time to develop.  You can play an important role in helping them to improve by letting them focus on the game.  Encourage them, accept their inevitable, occasional mistakes, and offer constructive post-game comments.  Do not criticize their decisions, verbally abuse them, or tolerate or encourage your players’ overly aggressive behavior.

Your example is powerful.  If you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players’ enjoyment of the game and their overall long-term development, and if you support the referee, your players and their parents will follow your lead.  You’ll be setting a terrible example if you encourage or allow your players to play outside the rules, if you’re overly concerned about results, or if you criticize the referee harshly.

ECYSA ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

It is the responsibility of ALL coaches to maintain the highest standards of conduct for themselves, their players and supporters in all games. Abusive and obscene language, violent play, violent conduct, fighting and other behavior detrimental to the game will not be tolerated. A coach’s responsibility for referee support and spectator control includes the times prior to, during and after the game at the field and surrounding areas.

All persons responsible for a team and all the spectators shall support the referee. Failure to do so will undermine the referee’s authority and has the potential of creating a hostile environment for the players, the referee and all the other participants and spectators. Consequently, ECYSA has adopted the following rule:

PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS

Initial violation: A verbal warning from the RYS board of directors.

2^nd violation: Coach misses next game

3^rd violation: The coach will not coach for the remainder of the season.