Players and Parents Guidelines

Section I — PLAYERS

A. Responsibilities

1. Will attend all practices/games as established by the coach or league. If a player is not able to attend a practice or a game, he/she has the responsibility to notify the coach as soon as possible.
2. Will wear proper uniform and equipment to all games and practices as directed by the coach.
3. Will wear shin guards and bring a ball to all practices.

B. Behavior

1. Will insure that his/her conduct is that of a young lady or gentleman at all games and practices.
2. Will NOT use profanity or abusive language against the coach, coaching assistants, officials, or another player at games and practices.
3. Will NOT engage in fighting (verbal or physical assault) against the coach, coaching assistants, officials, or another player at games and practices.
4. Will maintain a practice and game environment that is conducive to learning and playing of soccer.

C. Disciplinary Procedures

1. If a player has two weeks of unexcused missed practices or continually disrupts practices, the coach can:

1. try to resolve the conflicts by talking to the player’s parents. The coach should inform the parents that if the player’s attitude doesn’t improve, the coach will request the league to suspend the player for the next scheduled game;
2. notify the commissioner of the age division of the disciplinary problem and request that the player be suspended for the next scheduled game;
3. the commissioner will investigate the facts and if warranted, suspend the player for the next scheduled game;
4. the coach will call the player’s parents and inform them of the decision that their child has been suspended for the next scheduled game and he/she shall not suit up for it. The coach should also inform the parents that if the player’s behavior doesn’t improve, the coach will request that:

1. the parents attend all practice sessions to assist him/her in the supervision of their child;
2. the league suspend the child for the balance of the year. Players shall receive a verbal warning for any behavior that is:

• unbecoming of a young lady or gentleman;
• disrespectful towards the coaches, officials and players;
• displays bad sportsmanship.

The warning should consist of that this behavior is NOT going to be tolerated and what disciplinary action will be rendered for any future occurrences.

SECTION II — PARENTS

A. Responsibilities

1. Southwest Youth Soccer is a voluntary organization and your active participation in the league at some capacity is expected. Your participation will not only insure the success of the league, but will become a consideration when league membership needs to be restricted due to lack of facilities or volunteers. Possible levels of participation are:  

a) Board member or age group commissioner;

b) Coach or assistant coach;

c) Team parent;

d) Field preparation

e) Referee

2. Reinforce to their child the expected behavior at practices and games towards the coach and officials.
3. Assist the coach in the correcting of undesirable behavior of their child.
4. Support the league and coaches in all decisions rendered. This applies to:

a.       Disciplinary action;

b.       Practices and game rules.

5. Ascertain that the child arrives at games and practices at the time scheduled by the coach and picks up their child promptly at the conclusion of the game or practice.
6. Parent(s) SHALL NOT LEAVE their child until the team coach/parent has arrived and accepted responsibility for their child.
7. Show respect to officials and refrain from questioning official decisions in a loud, abusive or disrespectful manner.
8. Reinforce the meaning of sportsmanship into their child.
9. Provide the league with the hold harmless document if they desire their child to play with a cast or some other medical consideration.

B. Behavior

1. Will insure that conduct while in attendance at games shall reflect courtesy, sportsmanship, good citizenship and a positive example for the players at all times.
2. Will cheer for their team in a positive, supportive manner refraining at all times from making hostile, negative or abusive remarks about the opposing team.
3. Will enter a facility quietly, refrain at all times from coming onto the playing area or from throwing foreign objects or other material onto the playing field, and exit in an orderly manner at the conclusion of the event.
4. Will follow all facility rules and regulations, respecting at all times the property of others.
5. Will park in parking lots provided.
6. Will dispose of all trash in the receptacles provided.
7. Will not be permitted on the players side of the field during games.
8. Will not bring alcoholic beverages to practices or games.

C. Disciplinary Procedures

1. For minor offenses parents or any spectator can be asked to leave the grounds for the duration of the game or practice.
2. For repetitive offenses or offenses not considered major, but greater that minor, can be banned from the games or practices for a time duration as established by the age group commissioner.
3. For major offenses or continuous undesirable behavior, the board or an appointed committee will determine the punishment. Possible actions are:
   1. Total ban from the games and practices;
   2. Removal of their child(ren) from the league;
   3. Total ban from participating in any KYSA sanctioned league or event.
4. All disciplinary actions can be appealed to the Southwest Youth Soccer Board.
5. The appeal must be in writing and state the full facts of the situation; disciplinary action taken; and the reasons for the appeal.
6. The president of the board can issue an injunction to stop the disciplinary action if, in his/her opinion, the charges should be reviewed by the board prior to the disciplinary action being enforced.