Code of Ethics

Parents' Code of Ethics

Preamble

As a parent I play a special role in contributing to the needs and development of children.

Through my encouragement and good example, I can help assure that all the boys and girls learn good sportsmanship, and self-discipline. In soccer young people learn to work together, to sacrifice for the good of the team, to enjoy winning and deal appropriately with defeat – all while becoming physically fit and healthy. Best of all, they have fun.

Support Your Child

Support your child by giving encouragement and showing interest in their team is very important.

Help my child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach my child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory – that way your child will always be a winner despite the outcome of the game!

Always Be Positive

Parents serve as role models for their children. Become aware of this and work to be a positive role model. Applaud good plays by your child’s team as well as good plays by the opposing team. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sports activities.

Remember That Your Child Wants to Have Fun

Remember that your child is the one playing soccer, not you. It’s very important to let children establish their own goals – to play the game for themselves. Take care not to impose your own standards and goals on them.

Children play for the fun of playing.

Reinforce Positive Behavior

Positive reinforcement is the best way to help your child achieves their goals and their natural fear of failure. Nobody likes to make mistakes. If your child does make one, remember it's all part of learning, so encourage your child’s efforts and point out the good things your child accomplished.

Don’t Be a Sideline Coach or Ref

Coaches and referees are usually parents just like you and they volunteer their time to help make your child’s youth soccer experience a positive one. They need your support too. That means refraining from coaching or refereeing from the sidelines. As a volunteer organization, there’s usually always an opportunity for you to take your interest in coaching or refereeing to the next level and become one yourself!

Players’ Code of Ethics

I will play soccer for the enjoyment of the game.

I will show respect to all involved in the game:

  • Referees
  • Coaches
  • Parents and spectators

And most of all to the players, both on my team and the opposing team, for without the other players, the game would not be played. 

I will conduct myself with dignity and obey the laws of the game.

Coaches' Code of Ethics

I coach because I want to help young people mature into well adjusted, productive adults with strong character and because I want these young people to get a proper exposure to the fun and exciting game of soccer. In short, I want them to enjoy soccer and sport and to grow up well.

1. My actions and personal manner will be a good example for young people to follow.

  • I will treat all players, coaches, administrators, parents and referees with the respect and courtesy I desire for myself.
  • Any dissatisfaction I want to express will be stated in a private forum and in a restrained and civil manner.
  • I will respect and honor the beliefs and sensitivities of all players, coaches, parents, administrators, and referees.

2. No matter how selected, I recognize that all players on my team have value, both as players and as a person.

  • If I select players for a competitive or select team, I will do so recognizing that players are on the team to play, not to watch.
  • If I am assigned players for a recreational team, I recognize that all signed up to play and have fun and, except for health or disciplinary reasons, I am committed to playing each player more than fifty percent of the game and in a manner that seems fair to all players and parents.
  • As a coach it is not appropriate for me to teach the players that "life is not fair"; they will learn enough of that on their own. My job is to make the soccer part of their life as fair as possible, no matter what the level of competition.

3. I will be prepared for each game and practice.

  • For practices I will have a practice plan that efficiently uses the time available and teaches the players important skills and strategies for the game of soccer.
  • For games I will have a game plan that will utilize the talents of all my players to the utmost while ensuring that each player feels needed and respected.

4. I will be an encourager, not a discourager.

5. I will follow all the Laws of the Game and will abide by all the administrative procedures of my club, local association, South Texas Youth Soccer Association, United States Youth Soccer, and the United States Soccer Federation.

6. I will do my best to make soccer the fun game for all.

Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of interest arise when one expects some consideration not specifically deserved and not generally available to others in an area of special interest. Special interest does not in and of itself indicate a conflict of interest. If one profits from the special interest situation, but in a way for others to also benefit, there may not be a conflict of interest. The conflict of interest occurs when one individual, or a select group of individuals, profits from the special interest situation in a way not deserved and not available to others, and possibly to the detriment of others.

Areas of special interest for volunteers in youth sports organizations, such as the local soccer club, include treatment and promotion of

  • The volunteer’s own child
  • The volunteer’s team, or the team on which the volunteer’s child plays
  • The volunteer’s club
  • The volunteer should endeavor to avoid all reasonable appearances of conflict.

Such instances of potential conflict certainly include, but are not limited to

  • Promotion of a single player at the expense of others
  • Promotion of one team or club to the detriment of others and not on the basis of fair play competition.

Possible inappropriate inducements include monetary or other valuable gifts, special treatment, and other possible considerations.

The volunteer coach has the opportunity to unfairly promote his or her own child. The administrator can put his or her child on a team in violation of club rules and regulations. The referee assignor can give the best referees to favored teams and the worst to teams he or she dislikes.

The motto "The Game for All Kids" should be helpful in sorting through potential conflicts of interest. This is not the game for coaches, for trainers, for promoters, for profit, etc.; it is "the game for all kids."

Adopted as STX Youth Soccer Policy by the Governing Board, July 21, 2002.