By volunteering to be a COACH (head coach or assistant coach) you are taking on an important position with great responsibility, and agree to abide by the following:

I will

• Arrive to all games and practices 15 mins early.  (Field Youth Soccer does understand that at times this will not be possible, but those situations shall be rare)

• Notify all team participants, with the best of my ability, of any game changes or practice changes in a timely fashion. 

To my Players, I will

• Create a safe environment at practices and games

• Remember that I am a youth coach, the game is for children, not for adults, and making mistakes is a part of learning.

• Place the well-being of the children I coach ahead of any personal desire to win

• Be a positive role model with regard to character, sportsmanship and attitude

• Not use profanity or abusive language or exhibit abusive behavior at games or practices.

• Use positive feedback and not yell at players during practices or games. 

• Become knowledgeable about coaching techniques appropriate for the skills for the age I teach, and do my best to plan practices that are challenging and fun for all my players.

To Parents, I will

• Be responsible for the conduct of the parents of my players and the conduct of the spectators rooting for my team. I understand it is imperative to explain acceptable play and parent behavior in a preseason meeting to ensure that they exhibit maturity and sportsmanship at all times. By my example, I will encourage my team parents to demonstrate positive support for all players, coaches, and if applicable officials.

• I will encourage parents to applaud and cheer for good plays by either team and will discourage anyone from yelling at players and the referee

To Opponents, I will

• Respect coaches and players from the opposing team before, during and after the game

• Take appropriate steps to minimize running up the score in games that I clearly dominate

• Model good sportsmanship

• I will not tolerate inappropriate behavior from players regardless of the situation. During the game, I am responsible for the sportsmanship of my players. If a player is disrespectful, irresponsible or overly aggressive, I will take that player out of the game to calm him/her down.

To Referees, I will

• Not address the referee during the game; if I have a small issue, I will discuss it with the referee calmly and patiently at halftime or after the game. If I have a major complaint, or if I think the referee was unfair, biased, unfit or incompetent, I will report this opinion to the Referee Coordinator with the knowledge that my comments will be taken seriously

• Do my part to ensure officials have the support of coaches, players, and spectators. Criticism of officials undermines their purpose in the game.

I understand that failure to follow these codes of conduct will result in the following: 

1. Verbal warning with a plan to change the action or lack thereof. 

2. An emergency meeting with the board to discuss changes which need to be made

3. Immediate dismissal from the role of coaching, with no option to return to the role in future seasons. 

It is the goal of Field Youth Soccer to provide a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for young children to learn and play the game of soccer. All efforts and energies of the coaches, parents and spectators during games, as well as practices, should be directed towards this objective. To this end, it is the expectation of this program and the responsibility of the coach(es) to ensure that parents and spectators adhere to the following: 

• There is no smoking on or around the soccer fields before, during or after games and practices. Smoking is only permitted in the Lion's Club parking lot.
• There is no alcohol at any soccer game or practice.
• There is no swearing or disrespectful/abusive language, attire or signs of any kind before, during or after games and practices. No pets are brought to the soccer fields before, during or after games and practices. This is for insurance purposes.
• Parents do not coach their child or other children from the sideline. Restrict your cheering to general and supportive "happy noise".
• Support your coaches regardless of the results on the field
• All spectators are to stay five feet or more from the field of play at all times and are not permitted behind the goals during the course of the game,
• No spectator will be permitted to enter the field of play without the express permission of the referee/coach. In the case of an injury the referee/coach will signal the parent (if necessary) to come onto the field to tend to the injured player. Failure to abide by this rule may result in the stoppage of the game and possible forfeiture by the team who violates
• One side of the field shall be designated for the spectators where they will remain for the duration of the game.
• Cooperate with requests by referees and coaches
• Parents will not be allowed to conduct practice or any activity that involves 1:1 interaction with the players unless they have completed the proper background checks and safety courses.
• Please remember that all coaching and FYS personnel are volunteers who are trying their best - Communicate concerns to the coach in a constructive manner.

A parent or guardian understands that:

• Any parent or spectator who fails to adhere to these standards will be required to leave the playing area, and play will be suspended until he or she does so.
  
• Parents or guardians are responsible for their guests’ behavior and must inform their guests of the applicable rules of conduct.