Safety

1.       My first responsibility is the health and safety of all participants.

2.       It is recommended that coaches become certified in basic first aid and are aware of their club, league or state requirements in this area.

3.       Be prepared to handle first aid situations as well as medical emergencies at all practices and games, both home and away;

·         Have and know how to use a properly supplied first aid kit/ ice

·         911 emergency procedure / telephone location

·         Location of nearest emergency medical facilities

·         Always carry emergency medical release forms and team safety and information cards

·         Follow up all injuries with parents / guardians

4.       Know and understand the laws of the game.

5.       Inspect player’s equipment and field conditions for safety reasons.

6.       Utilize proper teaching and instructing of players regarding safe techniques and methods of play.

7.       Implement appropriate training program to make sure players are fit for practice and competition.

8.       Supervise and control your players as to avoid injury situations.

Player Development

1.       Develop the child’s appreciation of the game.

2.       Keep winning and losing in perspective.

3.       Be sensitive to each child’s development needs.

4.       Educate the players to the technical, tactical, physical and psychological demands of the game for their level.

5.       Implement rules and equipment modification according to the player’s age group.

6.       Allow players to experience all positions.

7.       Players need to have fun and receive positive feedback.

8.       Practice should be conducted in the spirit of enjoyment and learning.

9.       Provide the appropriate number of training sessions and games according to the player’s stage of development.

10.   Strive to help each player reach their full potential and be prepared to move to the next stage of development.

Ethics

1.       Strive to maintain integrity within our sport.

2.       Know and follow all rules and policies set forth by clubs, leagues, state and national associations.

3.       Work in the spirit of cooperation with officials, administrators, coaches and spectators to provide the participants with the maximum opportunity to develop.

4.       Be a positive role model.

5.       Set the standard for sportsmanship with opponents, referees, administrators and spectators.

6.       Keep sport in proper perspective with education.

7.       Encourage moral and social responsibility.

8.       Just “SAY NO” to drugs and alcohol.

9.       Coaches should continue their own education in the sport.

National Soccer Coaches Association of America Code of Ethics

(adopted by Ethics Committee, 5/24/99)

1. 1. Soccer is the players’ game. The paramount concern of coaches is the holistic development, welfare, enjoyment and safety of their players.
   
2. 2. Coaches bear responsibility for teaching their players to strive for success while playing fairly, observing the laws of the game and the highest levels of sportsmanship.
   
3. 3. Coaches shall treat officials with respect and dignity and shall teach their players to do the same.
   
4. 4. Our opponents are worthy of being treated with respect. Coaches will model such respect for opponents and expect their players to do likewise.
   
5. 5. In both victory and defeat, the behavior of a coach shall model grace, dignity and composure.
   
6. 6. Coaches shall adhere to the highest standards and the regulations of the institutions they represent: clubs, schools, sponsoring organizations and sports governing bodies.
   
7. 7. Coaches have a responsibility to promote the interests of soccer, including treating media with courtesy, honesty and respect.
   
8. 8. Coaches shall model inclusive behavior, actively supporting cultural diversity while opposing all types of discrimination, including, but not limited to, racism and sexism, at all levels of soccer.
   
9. 9. Coaches are responsible for taking an active role in education about, and prevention and treatment of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse, both in their own lives and in the lives of their players.
   
10. 10. Coaches shall refrain from all manner of personal abuse and harassment of others, whether verbal, physical, emotional or sexual, and shall oppose such abuse and harassment at all levels of soccer.
    
11. 11. Coaches shall respect the declared affiliations of all players and shall adhere to all guidelines and regulations on recruiting established by the governing bodies having oversight of their teams and leagues.
    
12. 12. Coaches shall seek to honor those who uphold the highest standards and principles of soccer and shall use appropriate protocol to oppose and eliminate all behavior that brings disrepute to the sport- violence, abuse, dishonesty, disrespect and violations of the laws of the game and rules governing competition.

Volunteer Code of Conduct
- see Coach & Parent Code of Conduct

Board member Code of Conduct
- see Coach Code of Conduct

Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct
I, parent or guardian of registered player(s), agree to abide by the Parent's Code of Conduct. This includes providing a positive atmosphere for your child and other players, respecting the Zero Tolerance Policy toward referees, coaches and players on the field, letting the referees ref, letting the coaches coach and letting the players play without outside distractions at the field. I will refrain from public displays of disagreement and save any expressions of concern with coaches or administrators to private settings.  On the third weekend in October and May, I will observe the statewide Silent Sidelines - and reference the SSSC "no names" policy that requests that players names are not used during active play.

I/ We, the proud parent(s)/ Guardian(s) of my child registered with the Stafford Springs Soccer Club do hereby promise to be a model spectator(s) at games which my/ our daughter/ son is a participant or other games where they are present with me/ us.

I/ We will:

1.      Encourage Fair Play

2.      Cheer in a positive manner for all players.

3.      Not criticize the opponents of our children.

4.      Not embarrass my own child (ren) with my behavior.

5.      Let the coach do the coaching.

6.      Show respect for the game officials by not openly or otherwise criticizing them, which would undermine their authority in the eyes of my/ our child (ren).

7.      Display good sportsmanship.

8.      Remember the pre-game talk with your child (ren), “I love you, have fun and good luck”

9.      Remember the post-game talk with your child (ren), “It was fun to watch you play, I love you and where do you want to eat”.

I/ We understand the coach (es), Team Manager(s), other parents of this team and/ or the Club will hold us accountable for our actions and behavior.

USYSA Players Rights

1.     The right to decide when to participate in soccer.

2.     The right to play in every game.  At younger ages (NED editorial; and in Division V), every child should have an opportunity to play at least 50% of every game.  No child should have to stand and watch at practice.

3.     The right to participate at a level that corresponds to each child’s maturity and ability.

4.     The right to be taught the fundamentals of soccer.

5.     The right to participate in a safe and healthy environment.

6.     The right to play as a child and enjoy participation in the sport.

USYSA Players Code

·        Play the game for the game’s sake.

·        Be generous when you win.

·        Be graceful when you lose.

·        Be fair always, no matter what the cost.

·        Obey the laws of the game.

·        Work for the good of your team.

·        Accept the decisions of the officials with good grace.

·        Believe in the honesty of your opponents.

·        Conduct yourself with honor and dignity.