In order to ensure that the principles of sportsmanship, fair play, and mutual respect among players, coaches, officials, and spectators characterize all competition sponsored by the East Hanover Soccer Club (“EHSC”), the following Code of Conduct has been established. It is the obligation of all program administrators, coaches, parents, and players to create an environment that promotes this objective. Those who willfully violate this code jeopardize their participation in the EHSC soccer program.

 

The coach’s role is one of teaching soccer skills and sportsmanship to the players. The coach is responsible for communicating practice and game times to the players and parents. The coach is also responsible for monitoring the behavior of the players and parents during practice and games. All coaches within the soccer program will promote good sportsmanship among players, foster team camaraderie, and help participants have fun while teaching players the technical skills of soccer.

 

The program will not tolerate unsportsmanlike conduct of coaches. Such unsportsmanlike conduct includes berating or making unkind comments to a player or referee that would reasonably be expected to cause substantial embarrassment to the player or referee. Other examples include the intentional abuse or attempt to abuse the player selection system or willful failure to follow program rules. Each coach agrees to the above code of conduct, certifies that he/she has read all EHSC Rules and will abide by them and acknowledges that coaching in the soccer program is a privilege and not a right.

 

In addition, each Coach will ensure that his/her conduct sets a good example for team members and spectators. To meet these responsibilities, the Coach is expected to:

•      Know the official Laws of the Game of soccer and the rules of EHSC, and abide by them.

•      Instruct player and parents in the rules and motivate each player to compete according to the rules at all times.

•      Respect the game officials at all times. Refrain from questioning their decisions or challenging their authority.

•      Ensure that all players and spectators follow EHSC rules.

•      Ensure that fans of his or her team exhibit sportsmanship and maturity at all times and assist league and game officials in maintaining control of spectators during games.

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

•      Take appropriate steps to minimize scoring in runaway games.

•      Teach each player, especially through personal example, to be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat.

•      Maintain control of his/her emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and humiliating.

•      Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally demonstrating commitment to these virtues.

•      Promote the concept that soccer is merely a game, and those players and coaches on other teams are opponents, not enemies.

•      Refrain from using any language that would be considered offensive in nature including all forms of profanity.

 

Every player is expected to:

•      Know and respect the rules of soccer and EHSC and abide by them at all times.

•      Show respect and courtesy to officials and coaches by following their instructions and directions.

•      Respect the game officials and refrain from addressing them or commenting on their decisions during or after the game.

•      Maintain control of his/her emotions, avoiding the use of abusive or profane language, taunting or humiliating remarks, and/or gestures and physical assault upon another player at any time.

•      Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team and display sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game and be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat.

•      Follow all Association rules, respecting at all times the property of others.

•      Promote the concept that soccer is merely a game, and those players and coaches on other teams are opponents, not enemies.

•      Refrain from using any language that would be considered offensive in nature including all forms of profanity.

 

 

The parents’ role is one of support to the players and coaches. Parents should not engage in "coaching" from the sidelines, criticizing players, coaches or game officials or trying to influence the makeup of the team at any time.

 

Every parent and spectator is expected to:

•      Learn and respect the rules of soccer and the rules of the EHSC.

•      Show respect and courtesy to game officials, coaches, and players at all times.

•      Respect the game officials and refrain from questioning their decisions or from addressing them in a loud, disrespectful, or abusive manner.

•      Cheer for your child’s team in a positive manner, refraining at all times from making negative or abusive remarks about the opposing team. Maintain control of your emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and humiliating.

•      Ensure that your child is at all games and practices at the required time or provide the coach with an appropriate excuse beforehand.

•      Demonstrate appropriate gestures of sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game, win or lose.

•      Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally demonstrating commitment to these virtues.

•      Promote the concept that soccer is merely a game, and those players and coaches on other teams are opponents, not enemies.

•      Refrain from using any language that would be considered offensive in nature including all forms of profanity

 

 

 

 

If a coach or assistant coach receives a yellow card, a verbal or written report will be given to any member of the Board. The EHSC Executive Board will submit a written warning. A second yellow card in the same game or same season is an automatic red card. If a second yellow card appears in the same game the coach is immediately expelled from the game. The members of the EHSC Board will convene and appropriate actions will be taken. There will be a mandatory one game suspension; however, longer suspensions or expulsion from the league can be issued.

 

 

If a coach or assistant coach receives a red card, they are immediately expelled from the current game. The members of the EHSC Board will convene and appropriate actions will be taken. There will be a mandatory one game suspension; however, longer suspensions or expulsion from the league can be issued.

 

Please note that a card does not have to be shown to the coach. If a verbal or written report is given to any member of the EHSC Executive Board about a coach or assistant coach’s behavior this will lead to an inquiry. Following the inquiry this can lead to a written warning or suspension.

 

If a coach or assistant coach is a consistent problem in which the Board feels they are taking away from the experience of the children of the EHSC a meeting will be called and a decision will be reached about the appropriate violations. This can include a written warning, suspension or expulsion.

 

In the case that a coach is suspended and there is no assistant coach, a senior referee will assume the responsibility of coaching the team for that game. The head coach can still conduct practices

 

This is outside the scope of the EHSC and if the situation calls for, local police will be notified

 

If a player receives a yellow card there is a written warning. If they receive a second yellow or a red card there will be an automatic suspension of one game. A written report will be written and kept on file. If a consistent problem develops the EHSC Executive Board will meet and appropriate action will be taken.