Codes of Conduct/Expectations

Remember, the difference between being ordinary and extraordinary requires extra effort.

Player's Codes of Conduct/Expectations

Practice, Games and Tournaments:

By accepting a place on a Stingray team, you have taken on a responsibility — a responsibility to yourself as a player, your teammates who count on you, the club and your coach. Therefore, Stingrays policy is that training, games and tournaments are mandatory unless some extenuating circumstances occur (in which case the coach needs to be alerted in an early and timely fashion). There is no place for “big timers”. Players must make decisions between what they HAVE to do and what they WANT to do. The parents must assist the players with understanding this important distinction.

Commitment:

As a Stingray, you must be committed to the following:

• Practicing and playing hard every time you take the field
• Team chemistry
• Having a positive attitude while showing respect to your teammates, coaches, the referees, your opponent, the parents, and the club
• Your academics
• Taking care of yourself mentally and physically
• Being the best individual you can be representing the club with class, pride, dignity, and honesty

These pledges are promises that you make to your team for the full soccer season. They are your word to your teammates and the Stingray coaches.

• I promise to arrange my schedule so that I can get to practice regularly and on time, and to participate in games and tournaments.
• I promise to work hard at practice to improve my soccer skills and my understanding of the game.
• I promise that at practice I will give my coaches my full attention. When the coaches are talking I will stop talking, listen and keep my eyes on the coaches. I will not distract others during practice sessions.
• I promise to do whatever is asked of me on the field, without complaint for the good of the team.
• I promise to always encourage, and never criticize my teammates.
• I promise to always hustle and never quit, until the game is over.
• I promise to come to each game on time, well rested, ready to play my best for my team.
• I promise to display the highest standards for sportsmanship at practice and games, regardless of the outcome of either.

Playing Time:

Playing time is EARNED not given. This is club soccer, and we have many levels of goals and expectations for each stingray team. Our number one goal is the development of each player on and off the field. Secondary to player development is development of the team and preparing the team to compete at the highest levels possible. At the u10 level, playing time in games will be relatively even. At other levels, playing time may be uneven based on the game, player’s attitude, player’s attendance, player’s performance, etc.

PARENT'S CODE OF CONDUCT/EXPECTATIONS & GUIDELINES

Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing and understanding each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to children. As parents, when your children become involved with a team, you have the right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach, and parents knowing their role and not over stepping their boundaries

Simple Expectations of the Parents:

• Take pride in the team and the club
• Get involved in team and club activities
• Only positive energy from the sidelines — do not address opposing players, parents, coaches, or referees in a negative way (parents that cause problems at games will be subject to disciplinary action by the club). Parents who facilitate drama or negativity will be asked to leave the club
• No sideline coaching, including your own child. Leave the coaching to the coaches
• Please speak directly with a coach concerning your child and any concerns you may have — no emails or text messages. Do not approach a coach after or before a game. Face to face privately is the best way to professionally and appropriate handle delicate situations. Please go directly to the HEAD COACH, not the assistant or team manager.

The club fully supports all coaches and staff members.

The essential elements of character-building ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these “six pillars of character.”

Therefore parents must agree:

• I will not force my child to participate in sports.
• I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.
• I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.
• I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.
• I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
• I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.
• I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well being of the athletes.
• I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
• I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.
• I will teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance.
• I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.
• I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.
• I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning. I will also de-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
• I will promote the emotional and physical well being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
• I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game Field, and will take time to speak with coaches at any agreed upon time and place.
• I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.

Communication you can expect from the Coach:

• Philosophy of the coach
• Expectations the coach has for your child
• Locations and times of practices and games
• Team requirements, i.e: user fees, forms, code of conduct, equipment, off-season expectations, etc
• Procedure should your child get injured during participation
• Discipline that results in the denial of your child’s participation

Communication coaches should expect from Parents:

• Concerns expressed directly to the coach
• Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance
• Specific concern in regards to the coach’s philosophy and/or expectations

Please understand that being involved with this team, your child will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there may also be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged.

Appropriate concerns to discuss with the Coach or Coaches:

• Treatment of your child, mentally and physically.
• Ways to help your child improve
• Concerns about your child’s behavior

It is very difficult to accept your child’s not playing as much you may hope. Coaches are Professionals. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe is best for all players involved and the team. As you may have seen from the previous boxes, certain things can and should be discussed with your child’s coach. Other things, such as those in the next boxes, must be left to the discretion and judgment of the coach.

Issues not appropriate to discuss with the Coach:

• Playing time
• Team strategy
• Coaching decisions
• Other members of the team

There are extreme situations that may require a conference between a coach and a parent. These should be encouraged IF the situation warrants. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the others position. When these meetings are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

Codes of Conduct/Expectations printable page.