Parents Code of Ethics
Although your child is under the supervisory guidance of very fine coaches during practices and games, the most important people in their life are still you, the parents.
We’d like to pass on a few tips we’ve learned while teaching your children the finer points of soccer:
1. Just as you’ve earned your child’s respect through personal discipline and a sense of responsibility at home, teach them to respect the officials of the game and to respect teammates by not openly criticizing the decision of the officials yourselves. A child loses admiration for a coach if his/her parents feel the coach is not respected by their parents.
2. Whenever possible, please make game day a family event! You are there to encourage him/her and their teammates. It means a lot to a kid when you are out there watching and cheering them on!
3. Applaud good effort by all players on the field but let the coaches point out the mistakes when players have left the field. That is their responsibility and you’ll agree they do it very well.
4. Since you do not condone abusive language and gestures at home, do not display such things during a game. Lead by example. Do not ever display abusive or inappropriate language at a practice or game towards coaches, officials, other parents or even another child.
5. Keep in mind that your child plays soccer for the enjoyment of the game and character building, not for your pleasure. This league is for the KIDS.
6. Make sure you understand from the coach the equipment guidelines for your youngster’s division and provide all needed gear that will not be provided by the league.
7. When attending games, do not coach the team from the sidelines. This is distracting for the players, your child's Coaches, other families and the game officials. One negative result is that your child will be more concerned with getting your approval than following the play. If you want to coach, consider becoming a volunteer.
8. Never laugh at or criticize any player on the field. Ever.
9. Don’t forget that a soccer game is a form of recreation and not a life or death struggle. Keep a rein on your emotions, regardless of who wins or loses.
10. Arrive when asked for practices and games. Show your child this is just common respect for other people's time.
Above all, have fun and allow your kid to be a kid!
