Code of Conduct

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MVLA SC Coach Code of Conduct


Setting a Good Example

The coach’s example is powerful. If a coach insists on fair play, concentrates on players’ enjoyment of the game and their overall, long-term development, and supports the referee, players and parents will notice. If a coach discourages (or allows) players to play outside the rules, are overly concerned about the results, and/or criticize the referee or opposing coach, players and parents will also notice. Above all, children deserve a coach they can respect.


  • Coaches, in all contact with MVLA players, parents, officials and coaches, should strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct. Before, during, and after the game, they should be an example of dignity, patience and positive spirit.
  • Before games, opposing coaches should meet and exchange greetings to set the proper tone for the game. After games, the teams and coaches should meet and congratulate each other in a sportsmanlike manner.
  • Coaches should ensure that their players’ soccer experience is one of fun and enjoyment, and improvement in skill (winning is only part of it). Players should never be yelled at, lectured or ridiculed for making mistakes or losing a game. Coaches should be generous with praise when it is deserved.
  • Coaches should avoid any conduct that could be construed as physically or verbally abusive.
  • Coaches should completely refrain from verbal dissent during a game with an opposing coach’s bench.
  • Coaches should honor all professional relationships with colleagues, associations, the media, officials and the public. Conflicts of interest and exploitation of these relationships must be avoided.



Keeping Players Safe

Coaches should have the safety of the players in their charge as their first priority at all times. Coaches should be familiar with the facility and fields on which their teams practice and play, and be mindful of the levels of fitness and skill of each one of their players. Coaches should also be familiar with the Laws of the Game, current with principles of age-appropriate coaching, aware of applicable existing rules and regulations, and informed of the affairs of MVLA and their league.


  • Coaches should check players’ equipment and playing facilities frequently. They should meet safety standards and be appropriate for the age and ability of players.
  • Coaches should follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured player is ready to play again. During a game, and in an absence of medical advice, coaches should err on the side of caution in permitting an injured player to return to play.



Creating a Positive Experience

MVLA wishes to ensure that games are fair, positive and enjoyable experiences for 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.

  • Coaches should require all players and spectators to adhere to the highest level of sportsmanship at all times. During the game, the coach is responsible for the sportsmanship of the players. If a player is carded or is disrespectful, irresponsible or overly aggressive, the coach should remove the player from the game at least long enough for him/her to calm down. Coaches should explain acceptable behavior to players and parents at a preseason meeting. Encourage parents to make positive comments about good play by either team. Prohibit them from yelling at players and the referee.



Relating to Officials

Coaches should demonstrate respect for the official and his/her role. Coaches can help referees improve by letting them concentrate on the game, accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes, and offering constructive post-game comments.

  • Before a game, coaches should introduce themselves to the referee. During the game, they should never address the referee except to request a substitution. After the game, they should thank the referee and ask players to do the same.
  • A small disagreement should be discussed with the referee calmly after the game. For major complaints, or if the referee appeared to be unfair, biased, unfit, or incompetent, report opinions to the Director of Referees, the MVLA Referee Coordinator (referees@mvlasc.org)?



Communications and Conflict Management

Feedback and responsiveness to player and parent communications is part of setting a good example and contributes to the type of experience that players have. Thus, it is important that coaches respond to texts, emails or phone messages from their players or parents on the teams they coach within a reasonable time frame. That would normally be within 2-3 days of the player or parent outreach. The coach may not have every answer available to questions/issues raised, but will follow up with the player or parent to acknowledge the communications and will follow up in a timely manner with the answer if not immediately known.  If the coach does not know how to answer the matter, he or she should reach out to the Director of Coaching for additional advice or guidance. 


Coaches set an example and how they respond to communications demonstrates their respect and sensitivity to player or parent matters brought to their attention. Communications not addressed by the coach may be escalated by the parent (for unresolved issues with the player or parent) using the Club Escalation Process. Multiple offenses of not addressing matters raised in a timely and professional manner may result in disciplinary action. 

Should conflict arise between MVLA SC coaches, players, or parents it is required that such confrontations be addressed in the appropriate manner (with respect), and at the appropriate time (privately). While the coaches are committed to open communication with parents, there is a certain process that should be observed. In particular, the time before and during a game is dedicated to the players. It is not appropriate for a parent to approach a coach to discuss game or individual player concerns at this time. The coach will be happy to set up a meeting/phone call to address parent concerns at a time that will not interfere with the attention required by the players. An exception to this request is an incident when a player is injured. If a player falls ill shortly before a game, the parent should text or call the coach to advise of the change in the player’s status. The coaches will be available immediately after a game to discuss the situation and any concerns with parents. 

MVLA SC Player Code of Conduct


The following code of conduct is being implemented so that you know what is expected of you as a player of MVLA SC. MVLA SC players are expected to act like reasonable and prudent individuals, who represent the club, and individual teams on and off the field. The club holds its coaches and parents to a code of conduct and feels it is equally important that players know their responsibilities both on and off the field.



Who We Are and What We Value

MVLA SC values hard work, commitment, and excellence both on and off of the field. As a club, we believe that a player’s commitment to training sessions and games will not only help the club’s success, but will also contribute to that individual’s personal ability to continually improve, as well as to each team’s quality of play.


Athletes play soccer to have fun, to learn, to develop a passion for the game, and to improve their skills. In doing so, they represent their team, coach, parents and community.


MVLA SC expects its players to maintain a high level of sportsmanship and fair play. Players must show respect for the game, the coach, teammates, opponents, and the authority of the referee and his/her assistants. This is demonstrated as follows:



Players

  • will play within the laws of the game and spirit of the game
  • are expected to be on time (meaning arriving at the requested time, not when the match/training starts) and prepared for matches and training sessions
  • will display self-control in all situations and will not use foul or abusive language at any time     before, during or after a match or training session
  • shall train and play to the best of their ability, have a positive attitude and encourage others to do the same. Negative comments by players will not be tolerated. The coach should speak to the player to make sure they understand what is acceptable and what is not. The coach should have a similar conversation with the team. The first offense is a warning and should be used to educate the player. The second offense can result in a game suspension, and the third can possibly be expulsion from team and club
  • will show respect towards the referee and his/her assistants as well as towards the opponents. They will not harass, abuse, or berate a referee for any reason.



Travel

Any time a MVLA SC team travels, players are expected to:

  1. Act appropriately and avoid circumstances that could negatively represent the club and its members.
  2. Dress and act appropriately at meals, in hotel lobbies, and during special events.
  3. Always be mindful that their actions represent the entire MVLA SC community.


Communication

A player should feel it is safe and acceptable to bring questions or issues to the coach’s attention and that the coach will respond in an appropriate and timely manner. The coach will decide how to address matters raised and if the question/issue needs to include parents in the conversation or others within the club (technical director, team manager or board member) to most effectively handle it. Players should be aware that the time immediately before or after a game is dedicated to match preparation/close out and not the best time to bring up questions to club staff. We encourage players to reach out to their coach at a different time either in person, or via email or text. Situations that cannot be adequately resolved may be escalated following club processes. Please note that only parents can initiate and complete the club Escalation Form. Once a matter has not been resolved between a player and coach, the escalation process occurs between the parent and MVLA official (coach, team manager, board member). The Escalation form can be found at HERE.


Commitment

Players are expected to attend every practice, unless that practice has been deemed optional by the coaching staff. If a player cannot attend practice due to unforeseen circumstances, then that player is required to notify their coach as soon as it is possible to do so. For changes to availability on a game day, the player (or parent if a younger player) should text the coach and advise if the player can no longer participate in a game. For practices, the parent should annotate the change in availability in Byga and contact the coach or team manager in line with whatever expectations that coach/team has in place additionally.


Players are expected to wear the appropriate practice gear (shirts, shorts, shin guards, and proper shoes) and may be denied participation if they fail to do so.


All players must bring a properly inflated ball and water to practices and games unless instructed otherwise.

MVLA SC Parent Code of Conduct


The following code of conduct is being implemented so that you, as parents of MVLA SC players, will know what is expected of you. As a club, we expect our parents to act like reasonable and prudent individuals, who represent the club positively on and off the field. The club holds its coaches and players to a code of conduct and feels it is equally important that parents know their responsibilities/expectations both on and off the field.


Who We Are and What We Value

MVLA SC values hard work, commitment, and excellence both on and off of the field. MVLA SC believes that its parents can play a vital role in impacting and positively representing the MVLA community through the examples we set to our players/children.


To ensure the best possible experience for our players and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, we expect our parents (and any family/friends who come with them to games as spectators) to be positive and supportive to all players. Parents/Spectators participate in a match by watching, cheering and supporting the efforts of all participants of the match. Soccer should be fun. The game is for the players; their participation and enjoyment of the game is the most important element.


Still, parents have responsibilities to the coach, to the team, and to the entire MVLA SC.


Communications

A parent should feel it is acceptable to bring questions or issues to the coach, team manager or a board member’s attention and that the person contacted will respond in an appropriate and timely manner. Communications will be acknowledged in a timely manner (typically no more than 2-3 days) with appropriate follow up as needed. Communications that are not responded to or handled satisfactorily may be escalated following club processes. It is the parent’s role to escalate items either not personally resolved or those for which his or her player has been unable to get addressed. Click HERE for Escalation Form.


Availability Changes

If a player cannot attend practice due to unforeseen circumstances, then that player is required to notify their coach as soon as it is possible to do so. For changes to availability on a game day, the player (or parent if a younger player) should text the coach and advise if the player can no longer participate in a game. For practices, the parent should annotate the change in availability in Byga and contact the coach or team manager in line with whatever expectations that coach/team has in place additionally.



Conflict Management

Should conflict arise between MVLA SC coaches, players, or parents it is required that such confrontations be addressed in the appropriate manner (with respect), and at the appropriate time (privately). While the coaches are committed to open communication with parents, there is a certain process that should be observed. In particular, the time before and during a game is dedicated to the players. It is not appropriate for a parent to approach a coach to discuss game or individual player concerns at this time. The coach will be happy to set up a meeting/phone call to address parent concerns at a time that will not interfere with the attention required by the players. An exception to this request is an incident when a player is injured. The coaches will be available immediately after a game to discuss the situation and any concerns with parents.


Fees

It is understood by accepting a roster spot for their child on an MVLA SC team that the parents are committing to pay club and teams fees for their player(s) in a timely fashion. If parents fall behind in payment, their player(s) may not be allowed to train with the team, and/or may be ineligible for any games while fees remain outstanding. Injury or quitting the team does not release the player from meeting the club dues obligations set forth by the team. The club Reimbursement Policy can be found on the Parent page.