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Littleton Soccer Club
Littleton Massachusetts Youth Soccer
Conduct Policies
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Littleton Soccer supports the growth of player self-esteem as well as athleticism. We expect the following from athletes and families to insure a positive, supportive atmosphere for growth and enjoyment by all involved.
Sportsman-like Conduct
- Fair and kind treatment of all teammates, opponents, referees, and coaches.
- No critical, insulting, foul, or discriminating actions before, during, or following games and practices.
- Respect for the decisions of referees and coaches.
- Reporting any inappropriate behavior on the part of a referee or coach to the Littleton Soccer Board.
Generally Helpful Conduct
- Please refrain from sideline coaching during practices and especially during games. It is very confusing for the players and undermines the role of the coach in guiding the team.
- Please remain on the side of the field designated for spectators unless a referee or coach requests your assistance.
All coaches, all assistant coaches, all players, and all spectators shall support the referee before, during, and after the game. Failure to do so undermines the referee’s authority and could create a hostile environment for players, the referee, coaches, assistant coaches, and all spectators, including participants in other matches. Consequently, AVYSL has adopted the following rule:
NO ONE IS TO ADDRESS THE REFEREE DURING THE GAME!!!!!
Coaches/Assistant Coaches – Allowable Exceptions:
During the game:
- Responding to a referee initiating a communication
- Making substitutions
- Pointing out emergencies or safety issues
At half time or at the end of the game:
- Asking a referee to explain a rule(s) in a polite and positive way
- Giving polite and friendly feedback to a referee
- ABSOLUTELY NO SARCASM, NO HARASSMENT,
AND NO INTIMIDATION!!!!!
Penalties:
- 1st Minor Infraction – Referee should ignore
- 2nd Minor Infraction – Referee should issue a verbal warning
- 3rd Minor Infraction – Referee should issue a caution
- 4th Minor Infraction – Referee should issue an ejection
- 1st Serious Infraction – Referee should issue a caution or ejection depending on the seriousness of infraction per FIFA.
- 2nd Serious Infraction – Referee should issue a caution or ejection depending on the seriousness of infraction per FIFA.
Accumulation of two cautions in one match is equivalent to an ejection.
Spectators – Allowable Exceptions:
During the game:
- Responding to a referee initiating a communication
- Pointing out emergencies or safety issues
At half time or at the end of the game:
- Asking a referee to explain a rule(s) in a polite and positive way
- Giving polite and friendly feedback to a referee
- ABSOLUTELY NO SARCASM, NO HARASSMENT,
AND NO INTIMIDATION!!!!!
Penalties:
- 1st Infraction – Referee should stop the game and ask the coach to quiet the offending spectator.
- 2nd Infraction – Referee should stop the game, give a verbal warning to the coach, and ask the coach to warn the spectator that the next infraction will be an ejection or the referee will abandon the game.
- 3rd Infraction – The referee shall instruct the coach to direct the spectator to leave the field. The referee should abandon the game if the spectator does not leave the field.
Communications among players and referees are governed by the FIFA Laws of the Game.
REFEREE SUPPORT
Everyone, especially coaches and assistant coaches, shall provide support to the referees at all times.
- Coaches are responsible for assistant coaches’, players’, fans’, and their own behavior.
- Any coach who does not comply with a referee’s request to deal with a fan shall be issued a misconduct as deemed appropriate by the referee.
- Anyone responsible for the verbal or physical assault of a referee prior to, during, or following a game will be subject to review by the Board of Directors.
- Any team/town that refuses to provide the name and address of the responsible person(s) for the verbal or physical assault on a referee will be subject to review by the Board of Directors.
Every coach an all spectators shall support the referee. Failure to do so undermines the referee’s authority and has the potential to create a hostile environment for players, the referee, and all the other participants and spectators. Consequently NVYSL has adopted the following rule:
No coach or spectator is to address the referee during the game!
Coaches – Allowable Exceptions:
During the game:
- Responding to a referee initiating a communication
- Making substitutions
- Pointing out emergencies or safety issues
At half time or at the end of the game:
- A coach can ask a referee to explain a rule(s) in a polite and constructive way.
- A coach may give polite and friendly feedback to a referee
- Absolutely no sarcasm, no harassment, and no intimidation
Penalties:
- 1st Minor Infraction – Referee should ignore
- 1st Serious Infraction – Caution or ejection depending on seriousness of infraction per FIFA
- 2nd Minor Infraction – A verbal warning
- 3rd Infraction – Caution
- 4th Infraction – Ejection
Spectators – Allowable Exceptions:
During the game:
- Responding to a referee initiating a communication
- Pointing out emergencies or safety issues
Penalties:
- 1st Infraction – Referee should stop the game and ask the coach to quite the offending spectator.
- 2nd Infraction – A verbal warning. Referee should stop the game and ask the coach to warn the spectator that the next infraction will be an ejection or the referee will abandon the game.
- 3rd Infraction – The referee shall instruct the coach to direct the spectator to leave the field. The referee should abandon the game if the spectator does not leave the field. If the referee abandons the game, the referee shall file a report, and NVYSL may impose a forfeit on the spectator’s team.
Communications among players and referees are governed by the FIFA Laws of the Game.
The Board of Directors of Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association, Incorporated (MYSA) and the leaders of the affiliated Leagues are concerned about the conduct of all coaches and referees during games at all levels, from recreational to premier to ODP.
We want to ensure that games are fair, positive and enjoyable experiences for all of the children and adults involved. A soccer game should be friendly and unifying - a spirited social and athletic occasion for players, coaches, referees and spectators.
To clarify expectations of coach conduct, we jointly expect all coaches to conform to this code of conduct.
- 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/her to calm down.
- 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.
- 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.
- During the game, you are also responsible for the conduct of spectators rooting for your team.
- During the game, do not address the referee at all. If you have a small issue, discuss it with the referee calmly and patiently after the game.
- If you have a major complaint, or if you think the referee was unfair, biased, unfit or incompetent, report your opinion to your League. Your reactions 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.
We stress two points:
- Referees - especially young and inexperienced ones - are like your players and yourself, in that they need time to develop. You can play an important role in helping them to improve by letting them concentrate on the game. You can help by encouraging them, by accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes and by offering constructive post-game comments. On the other hand, you could discourage and demoralize the referees by criticizing their decisions, by verbally abusing them and inciting - or even accepting - your own players' overly aggressive behavior.
- Your example is powerful, for better or worse. If you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players' enjoyment of the game and their overall, long term development, and if you support the referee, your players and their parents will notice. If you encourage (or allow) your players to play outside the rules, if you're overly concerned about results, and if you criticize the referee harshly, your players and their parents will also notice.
Think about what you're doing during a game! Uphold the Spirit of the Game! If you follow the expectations described above, the spirit of the game will be alive and well in Massachusetts and will grow, along with the enjoyment of all.
Coaches who don't follow the expectations described above will be disciplined or removed.
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Littleton Soccer Club
c/o Littleton Park & Recreation
P.O. Box 934
Littleton MA 01460
(978) 486-3120