Coaches and officials from the club that are on the same sideline as the players are expected to dress appropriately and professionally with club designated apparel.
Coaches and team officials are expected to fully support the leagues’ vision and overall expectations of player and team development.
During the game, you are also responsible for the conduct of the parents of your players. It is imperative to explain acceptable player and parent behavior in a preseason meeting and enforce it during a game if necessary. If an assistant, manager, or parent becomes abusive in any way, and you cannot quiet them, ask them to leave before the official does. They are your responsibility from the time you come on to the field until you leave the field of play.
Explain to parents that the official is trained in the laws of the game, and is almost always better positioned than a spectator to see what happened. Point out that much of refereeing is judgment and that the official is neutral – parents are not.
Before, during and after the game, be an example of dignity, patience, and positive spirit.
Before a game, introduce yourself to the opposing coach and to the referee.
During the game, you are responsible for the sportsmanship of your players. If one of your players is disrespectful, irresponsible, or overly aggressive, take the player out of the game at least long enough for him or her to calm down. Encourage them to applaud and cheer for good plays by either team. Discourage them – and you may need to be forceful and direct – from yelling at players and the referee.
If you have a major complaint with a referee, think the referee was unfair, biased, unfit, or incompetent, report your opinion to the league utilizing our referee appraisal form. Your comments will be taken seriously if they are presented objectively and formally.
After the game, thank the referee and ask your players to do the same.
Inappropriate language from either team officials or parents has no place in a youth game and will result in immediate expulsion from the field.
Coaches who don’t follow the expectations described above will be disciplined or removed.
