Soccer Etiquette

1. PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT

Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
Focus on the child’s effort and performance rather than winning or losing.
Encourage children always to play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
Remember that children learn best by example. Appreciate good performances and skilful plays by all participants.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

2. COACHING CODE OF CONDUCT

Remember that young people participate for pleasure and winning is only part of the fun.
Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake.
Be reasonable in your demands on player’s time, energy and enthusiasm.
Operate within the rules and spirit of your sport and teach your players to do the same.
Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience. All young people are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
Avoid overplaying the talented players; the just average need and deserve equal time.
Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of all players.
Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport. This includes opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, parents and spectators. Encourage players to do the same.
Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured player is ready to recommence training or playing.
Obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and principles of growth and development of young people.
Any physical contact with a young person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

3. SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT

Remember that children play organised sports for fun. They are not playing for the entertainment of spectators only, nor are they miniature professionals.
Applaud good performances and efforts from each team. Congratulate all participants upon their performance regardless of the games outcome.
Respect the official’s decisions. If there is a disagreement, follow the appropriate procedure in order to question the decision and teach the children to do likewise.
Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during a competition. Positive comments are motivational.
Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
Show respect for your teams opponents. Without them there would be no game.
Encourage players to follow the rules and the official’s decisions.
Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not using foul language, harassing players, coaches or officials.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Avoid the use of derogatory language based on gender.

4. PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT

Play by the rules.
Never argue with an official.
Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.
Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team’s performance will benefit… so will you.
Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays, whether they are made by your team or the opposition.
Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
Cooperate with your coach, teammates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.