Give your full attention to coach at practices and games.
Give unconditional support for your teammates.
Treat each other, coach, parents, and officials with respect.
Absolutely no foul language at practices or games.
Always give your best effort during practices or games.
Exhibit good sportsmanship at all times.
Remember there is no “I” in soccer—it’s a team sport.
Don’t ever blame or yell at fellow team members.
Notify coach or manager of any personal injury or ailment.
Take care of yourself—stretch, hydrate, eat healthily, personal conditioning.
Keep a positive attitude—never “give up” on yourself or each other.
Accept decisions of the officials with good grace.
Treat opposing team with respect.
Participate in team social events.
Arrive on time to practice and games.
Be open to new strategies, ideas, and techniques—you just might learn something new.
Keep a positive attitude, even when we don’t win.
Be respectful to teammates, opponents, officials, coaches, and parents.
Attend all practices and scrimmages. Call the coach in advance if you are going to miss a practice or a game. Follow up with a discussion with the coach about your absence when you return.
Coaches make the decisions regarding player’s position and game substitutions. Please do not ask coaches to be substituted into games.
Do not put yourself down for a mistake. Work harder to fix the mistake.
Better your game by attending referee clinics.
Give back to your club by using your skills to referee league games.

The expectation is that all coaches set the example and show proper respect for the referees, even when you disagree with them.

Always put the player’s safety and welfare above the importance of winning.
Provide instruction to players to develop technical skills such as passing, trapping, shielding, dribbling, chipping and shooting the ball, etc.
Provide instruction to players to develop tactical and strategic skills such as positioning, setting up plays, switching the field, back passing, and using teamwork to score goals and defend more effectively, etc.
Foster a positive attitude among team members.
Inform manager of any schedule conflicts at least two weeks in advance to allow ample time for re-scheduling of games, etc.
Inform manager of any player problems or issues.
Arrive on time and prepared for all games and practices.
Attempt to attend team social events.
Treat players, parents, and officials with respect and honesty.
Never use foul or abusive language at a game or practice.
Provide feedback, both formally and informally, on player skills and performance.
Keep a positive attitude, even when we don’t win.
Provide instruction to the players for full understanding of the various playing positions and skills need in each of these positions.
Enforce team policy fairly toward both players and parents using consequences outlined in this document.
Complete a monthly coaching report to be mailed to Club Manager.
Zero tolerance Policy enforced.

GAME DAY BEHAVIOR

Attitude

Always have a positive attitude
Be competitive in every game
Compete fairly with your teammate. This will make you and your teammate better players.
Never give up, regardless of the score.
Observe good sportsmanship.
Learn something new at every game.
Play smart and simple.
Be a soccer student. Watch soccer games on TV. Read soccer magazines. Stay informed about soccer.

Players on Sideline

Stay next to the coach for instruction.

Watch the game.

Support your teammates with positive comments.

Mentally prepare to return to the game.

Let coach decide on substitutions.

Parents on Sideline

Please DO NOT comment during the game in any manner other than to offer positive comment during a score and at the conclusion of the game.

Do not comment on referee calls or management of the game in any manner.

Do not give technical instruction to players during the game.

Offer positive encouragement of players only during a score or at the conclusion of the game.

Support the team no matter how the game is going.

Support the coach’s decisions. He is likely considering things that you are not aware of.

Parents/players have the right to discuss any concerns with the coaches at appropriate times. This should not be on game day or just before practice. Set a time with the coach to express concerns. The club recommends a 24 hour cooling off period before discussing concerns.

Let the coach focus on the game without interruption.

No negative comments about any player.

Remember: This game is not about the parents, it’s for the players. To play the game only requires the players, coaches and referees. Parents are observers not participants. Please parents, OBSERVE ONLY. If you have a complaint regarding anything that happens on the field, there are many outlets to use to file your complaint. None of them involve directly confronting a player, coach or a referee.

Playing Time Guidelines

At competitive level, playing time is at coach’s discretion. Playing time is affected by:

Performance on the field that day (mental and physical)
Performance during practices and prior games
Attendance at practices and games
Conditioning
Skill
Behavior/Disruption

PLAYER DISCIPLINE AND ACCOUNTABILITY CONSEQUENCES

At the Coach’s discretion he/she may require additional laps (or other physical conditioning) to be run by individual or team for:

Not listening or paying attention.
Not showing respect to coach, players, parents, or officials.
Not giving full effort.
Not following instructions.
Foul or abusive language.
Negative attitude
Intentionally fouling
Not showing up and/or being late to practice
Forgetting to bring your equipment and/or uniform

Repeated violations of the above by a player and/or other violations of team policies by a player, or parent, may result in the following actions being taken:

Generally informal discussion with player/parent and coach
Being taken out of the game
Not being allowed to start
Sitting out all or a portion of a practice and/or game
Formal meeting with player, parent, coach and manager resulting in written warning

The following Board of Director’s actions may be taken:

Player or parent suspension from one game
Player or parent suspension from games for one month.
Player may be dropped from the team as a result of player or parent’s conduct.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Let the coach do the coaching.
Do not attempt to instruct your child from the sidelines.
Never talk negatively about any player—including your own player.
Never talk negatively about the team, coach, parents or club in front of the players.
Help your child arrive on time to all events and practices.
Never use foul language during a game or practice.
Support the coach in his/her decisions.
Inform the coach or manager of any problems, ailments, etc that may affect your child’s ability to play.
Remind your child of their player responsibilities.
Always treat game official and opposing team with respect.
Win or Lose—always cheer on the team and your child’s efforts.
Don’t come up with excuses for a team’s loss
Make all required payments in a timely manner.
Do not to use up valuable practice time to talk to the coach—arrive early, stay late or set up another time.
Remember that all the players on your team bring value to the team.
Let the coach make decisions on playing time, positions, substitutions, etc.
Realize that different positions require different skill sets. Speed, endurance, tenacity, passing, shooting, kicking power, kicking accuracy, trapping, chipping, shielding, heading, dribbling, play-making, field positioning, touch, and overall knowledge of the game, etc. are all important skills for various positions – (See “Position/Team Skills” for more details).
Attempt to learn the rules of the game and strategy along with your child.
Make an effort to attend games, tournaments, practices, meetings and social events.
Make suggestions to the coach on how to better reach or motivate your child so he/she can reach their full potential.
Keep a positive attitude, even when we don’t win.
Periodically review these policies with your child to help keep them focused.
Parents will share responsibility for the team. Each family will be responsible for an administrative task.
Better your understanding of the game by attending referee clinics.
Give back to your club by using your skills to referee league games.
Follow “Zero Tolerance Policy”.

Home Tournament:
Each family must work with your committee member to fill your team’s responsibilities.

SUGGESTED TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

MANAGER

Work with the coach to apply for tournaments/jamborees

Handle any team issues that may arise.

Attend monthly club meetings.

Game score reporting within 24 hours of game being played.

Coordinate team additional attire orders. (warm-ups, bags, jackets, practice shirts)

The Clubs direct contact between the EDUCC Board and the teams coach, players, and parents.

Ensure distribution and enforcement of Club Policy.

Distribute Club/Team information to team players/parents via written documents, telephone or email.

Enforce “Zero Tolerance Policy”

TREASURER

Collect team fees

Maintain team monthly income/expense balances.

Write monthly club dues to be mailed to Club Treasurer.

Send a copy of monthly statements to Club with dues.

TRAVEL COORDINATOR

Reserve team hotel/motel space when attending tournaments/jamborees.

TOURNAMENT/FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR

This position is necessary to ensure that the EDUCC annual Tournament is successful. It
is an individual team decision to add this position to the Manager’s duties.

Attend Tournament Committee meetings.

Coordinate individual team Tournament committee. (Field marshals, trash pick-up, field set-up and tear down.)

Coordinate Tournament snack responsibilities.

Implement and manage all Team fundraising decisions.

Manage EDUCC team Scrip sales. (this may be a shared position with the treasurer)

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Required Club Fees:

Registration fees

Uniform

Monthly Club Dues

Monthly Club Dues pay for the following:

Coaching monthly fee’s

Goalie Training

Field usage fees.

Additional light usage.

Game referees.

Team Fee’s pay for the following:

Tournament/Jamboree fees.

Optional team attire. ie. Warm-ups, bags etc.

Team Equipment.

Coach Travel and expenses.

The team manager/treasurer will establish a payment schedule that will cover the cost of the year.
If a parent is unable to meet the financial payment schedule, it is suggested that they discuss any alternate payments with the team manager/treasurer.

MONTHLY DUES:

Club dues are required to be sent to the Club treasurer by the 10th of each month. In addition to payment, an attached list of any non-paying team members. A copy of the team bank statement is to be included with monthly dues.

Recommended Communication Process:

Communicate immediately any problems with the team treasurer/manager.
Non-payment of monthly dues to Team Treasurer by team’s established due date of each
month, will result in notification of Club treasurer.
30 day non payment will result in notification to appropriate Club Vice President prior to Board
intervention.
45 day Non-payment will result intervention pursuant to El Dorado United Competitive internal Board policies.

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

As stated above in the “Coaching Responsibilities” the goal for EDUCC Coaches are many and NONE of them encourage arguing with the Referees. Every one of these goals deals with the Coaches’ responsibility to teach Youth Players about soccer using skill, reason, fitness and logic. Some specific goals encourage the coaches to:

Inspire a love for the game and the desire to compete fairly.
Realize that you are a teacher (and role model) and that the soccer field is a classroom.
Develop respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgment of the officials and opposing coaches.

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

As a role model and teacher of youth Players, it is expected that all Coaches will refrain from exhibiting negative behavior by shouting and arguing with the Referees officiating their games. The CYSA Rules of Play (3:08:03) specifically prohibit this behavior and an offending Coach can be awarded a minimum of a three game suspension and a three game probation by the proper authorities.

Many verbal confrontations revolve around Coaches and the referee’s difference in opinions. Referees are trained to make calls based on FIFA Instruction of the Application of the Laws of the Game. FIFA and CYSA specifically recognize the decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.

COURSE OF ACTION

EDUCC has adopted a ZERO tolerance response toward any Coach, player or parent confronting and verbally abusing a referee before, during or after a game. Coaches will be suspended per CYSA guidelines mentioned above.

The Club has instituted steps to monitor behavior. The first step is instructions to Referees to record on the game card any warning to a Coach regarding unacceptable behavior. The Club referee coordinator will work the offending Coach regarding the negative impact of unacceptable behavior on Youth Soccer. Secondly, selected Board members will attend random games to observe first hand any negative behavior. This may also be done, by the use of Referee Assessors and Referee Instructors, to observe the referees. All game observations will be documented and reported back to the Board.

REMINDER TO COACHES:

All Coaches must understand that they are the Leader for their team and their actions, both positive and negative. Coaches greatly influence the enjoyment of the Youth Players and Team Parents. As stated above, it has been noted that a Coaches’ abusive language on the sidelines, spills onto the playing field and increases the chance of Youth Players being Cautioned or Sent Off for Dissent or worse – use of foul and abusive language. Section 4:08:02, of the CYSA Team Manual, assigns a minimum for a send off of one game for dissent or two games for the use of foul and abusive language. Section 4:08:06 adds two games, whatever the send off, if the offender is a Coach.
Review the Club “Coaching Responsibilities” and the “Goals for Coaches” in the CYSA Team Manual. This is the criteria by which EDUCC will judge Coaches’ acceptable versus unacceptable behavior. Pages are available for the Parents and Players because Coaches are held accountable for their actions as well.
Understand the Laws of the Game and how they should be applied. The USSF web site, www.us-soccer.com, provides instructions to Referees on how the Laws of the Game are to apply during a game. This information is valuable.

Reminder to Coaches, Players and Parents:

A negative comment during a game to a Referee reduces the pleasure and heightens the tension for Officials, Players, Spectators and other Coaches. These comments accomplish nothing except to diminish the Good of the Game.
Learn the proper way to protest a Referees’ actions on the Field. EVERY Club has a
Referee Coordinator where you can register your comments regarding an individual Official.
Parents and Players; remember that your Coaches will be held accountable for your actions as well.

CYSA Rule of Play 3:08.03 states that: "Coaching from the sidelines, giving directions to one's own team on points of strategy and position is permitted, provided:

The tone of voice is informative and not a harangue.
No coach, substitute, or player is to be anywhere but his/her bench area during the game.
No coach, substitute, player, or spectator is to make derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other players, substitutes, or spectators.
No coach, substitute, or player is to use profanity.
No coach, substitute, player, or spectator is to incite, in any manner, disruptive behavior of any kind.
The penalty for the above shall be ejection from the game ...."

COMMUNICATION

Being able to express your concerns and viewpoints are an important part of the success of the team.

Suggestions on how to help your child succeed are always welcome.

Parents/players have the right to discuss any concerns with the coaches at appropriate times. This should not be on game day or just before practice. Set a time with the coach to express concerns. It’s best to give the coach some advance notice to any discussion you may need to have with him.

The club recommends a 24 hour cooling off period before discussing heated concerns that arise. It is also suggested that along with your concerns that parent or player is prepared to discuss what they feel could be a solution to the concern being discussed.

Suggested Communication Process:

Any major concerns should first be discussed with the team manager and then the coach. Manager is usually free to discuss issues or answer questions during practices, after games, via email or phone calls.

If needed, conferences can be scheduled with coach, manager, player and parents.

If conference doesn’t resolve issue, your concerns should be addressed in written format to the appropriate girl’s or boy’s El Dorado United Club Vice President.

If this still does not resolve the issue, your concerns should be addressed to the El Dorado United Club Manager.

If all other steps have been unsuccessful and your issue requires Board action, an allotted time for closed session will be provided to resolve the issue at the scheduled board meeting. Depending on the severity of the issue a “special meeting” can/will be arranged.