B&B United Soccer Club

Code of Conduct

The purpose of this document is to ensure that all players, coaches, parents, and spectators associated with B&B United Soccer club adhere to the highest standard of sportsmanship and ethics and commit to follow this code of conduct.  Parents are expected to ensure their child(ren) and any family members or friends that attend practices or games are aware of the expectations listed below as well as the penalties for failing to adhere to this code of conduct.

Players

1. I promise to be a team player and encourage my fellow teammates at all times.
2. I promise to follow the directions of my coaches and trainers.
3. I promise to respect my teammates, coaches and trainers. I will accept the authority of my coach during all training sessions and games.
4. I promise to respect and not criticize teammates, coaches, opposing players or teams.
5. I promise to respect and not criticize or raise my voice to officials.
6. I promise that I will not use foul or degrading language while playing for the club.
7. I promise that I will not engage in any fighting or flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct during any practice, training session, game or event.
8. I will respect all equipment and playing facilities.
9. I will accept victory AND defeat with dignity.
10. I understand that playing time is not guaranteed and a player’s playing time and/or position is determined exclusively by the coach(es).

Coaches/Volunteers

1. I will never place the value of winning before the safety and welfare of all players.
2. I will always show respect for players, other coaches, spectators, and game officials.
3. I will lead by example, demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship at all times.
4. I will never use abusive or insulting language.  I will treat everyone with dignity and respect.
5. I will respect the integrity and judgment of game officials and will not complain about or argue with referee calls or decisions during or after the game.
6. Coach’s actions on sidelines during games shall be in the spirit of good sportsmanship at all times.  Profanity, profane gestures, arguing, inciting disruptive behavior by spectators and/or other players, or any conduct not in the spirit of good sportsmanship, will not be tolerated and subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors.
7. Alcohol, illegal drugs, and unauthorized prescription drugs shall not be possessed, consumed or distributed before or during any game or at any other time at the field and/or game complex.

Parents/Spectators

1.  I will not use abusive, insulting, or profane language towards players, coaches, officials, or other spectators.
2.  I will refrain from verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, referee, or other spectators
3. I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, game officials, and administrators, at all times
4. I will give positive comments that motivate and encourage continued effort, not coach my child or others from the sideline.  Parental coaching from the sidelines is strongly discouraged.
5. I will support the coaches, officials, and administrators working with my child, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
6. I will respect the decisions of the officials and will not complain about or argue with referee calls or decisions during or after the game.
7. I will stay off the playing area at all times and never come onto the field, for any reason, during practices and/or games.
8. I will refrain from the use of alcohol or illegal substances while attending practices and/or games.
9. I will remember that the game is for the players, not for the adults.
10. I will not approach any of the coaches with questions or issues before, during or after training sessions and games, unless a meeting has been previously arranged.  ALL parent inquiries or issues must be communicated to the respective B&B United coach via email or in-person (scheduled via email).  B&B United Soccer Club adheres to a strict 24-HOUR RULE for all concerns and issues following a game. The purpose of this rule is to delay communication when frustration may be high, so that there is a “cooling down” period. This reduces the chance of emotional reactions and increases the likelihood that communication will be clear and productive.

Code of Conduct Penalties

Failure to abide by one or more principles of the B&B United Soccer Club code of Conduct will result in the penalties listed below.  Depending on the severity of the incident, the Board of Directors reserves the right to increase the penalty, beyond what is listed below, which can include suspension and/or expulsion from the club.  Additional penalties, including fines, may be levied by the league (MCYSA) for conduct that occurs during a game.    Depending on the situation, fines can range from $100 to up to $1,000 for serious incidents such as displaying violent conduct or assaulting a referee.  Parents/players will be held responsible for any individual or team fines incurred due to violating league rules.  A player will be ineligible to participate in training sessions or games until any such fine is paid.  This includes situations in which it was a parents conduct that led to the fine, not just a player.  Should a player or parent wish to appeal, they should submit an email to the club email address, formalizing their appeal request.  The details regarding the appeals process can be found in the B&B United Soccer Club Bylaws document, which is posted on the club’s webpage.

Players

1. Disrespect to the coach/trainer or displaying disruptive behavior during training or practice sessions will result in the player sitting out the remainder of practice and depending on severity, sitting out the next scheduled game.  A repeat offense will result in expulsion from the team without refund.
2. Disrespect to a teammate or opponent during training and/or practice sessions and/or games will result in the player sitting out the remainder of practice or game and depending on severity, sitting out the next scheduled game.  A repeat offense will result in expulsion from the team without refund.
3. Striking a teammate or opponent during training, practice sessions, and/or games will result in expulsion from the team without refund.
4. Disrespect toward the referee or assistant referees will result in immediate substitution, playing time reduced, return to game at coach’s discretion.
5. Disrespect toward the referee or assistant referees which results in receiving a yellow card will result in immediate substitution, will sit out the remainder of the game, as well as an additional one game suspension.
6. Disrespect toward the referee or assistant referees which results in receiving a red card will result in automatic suspension by the League for the rest of the current game, plus one additional game.  B&B United will issue an additional one game suspension, which will be served subsequent to the League suspension.
7. Disrespect to Home or Opposing coaching staff, players, or spectators will result in immediate substitution, will sit out the remainder of the game. A repeat offense will result in expulsion from the team without refund.

Coaches/Volunteers

1. Disrespect toward the referee or assistant referees which results in receiving a yellow card will result in a one-game suspension, as well as any practice sessions leading up to the next game.
2. Disrespect toward the referee or assistant referees which results in receiving a red card will result in a two-game suspension, as well as any practice sessions leading up to the 2^nd game.
3. Foul or abusive language used during a practice session or game, will result in a minimum 2 game suspension, as well as any practice sessions leading up to the 2^nd game.  Depending on the severity of the language used, the coach or volunteer may also face expulsion from the club, which will be determined by the B&B United Board of Directors.
4. Threatening of, or actual physical violence, will result in immediate expulsion from the club.

Parents/Spectators

1. Any parent displaying unsportsmanlike behavior or referee abuse of any kind during a game, will be removed from the field for the duration of the game and serve a one-game suspension in which that parent is not allowed to attend the next game.  Failure to leave the field or not adhere to the one game suspension will result in the identified parent's child being removed from the game until such time as the parent leaves the field.
2. Should a parent display unsportsmanlike behavior or referee abuse of any kind, which results in being removed from the field for a second time, the identified parent's son or daughter will be dismissed from the team without refund.
3. Threatening of, or actual physical violence, will result in immediate expulsion from the club.