Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct and
Expectations:
The goal and purpose of Predators FC programs are to teach the athletes the meaning and understanding
of sportsmanship, commitment, fairness, sacrifice, teamwork and hard work.
Additional goals include knowing how to win and lose, increasing the knowledge
of the sport, developing a healthy lifestyle and skill development. We ask all
parent/guardians to support our efforts to help teach these goals. Listed below are the
guidelines and expectations that we expect all parents/guardians to follow to
ensure that our Predators FC soccer players have a positive athletic experience.
**Parents/Guardians who are
unable to meet these expectations may be asked to take a short break from some
of the soccer activities or possibly leave the program all together.
1) Make every effort to have your child attend all
scheduled practices and games, failure to attend events can lead to lack of
playing time.
2) Understand that participation in the program
is a privilege and not a right.
3) Avoid putting pressure on your child to
start, score, or be the star of the team. Do not force an unwilling child to
participate in sports. Children take part in organized sports for their own
enjoyment, not yours.
4) Support the coach, team managers and
Predators FC around other parents and fans.
5) Avoid speaking negatively about the coach in
front of your child. It may create a major barrier in the child’s hope for
improvement in the sport.
6) Support your child by being a positive
listener, especially after a tough loss.
7) Serve as a good role model for the athletes
and other fans. Children often learn best by imitating a good example.
8) Appreciate the enormous amount of time and
effort provided by the volunteer Coaches/managers.
9) Teach your child to always play by the rules
and to be realistic with them about their abilities.
10) Show respect and good sportsmanship to
everyone involved in the Predators program- the coaches, athletes, fans, other
parents etc.….including all game officials.
11) Follow the chain of command when you have a
concern. You or your athlete should speak to the manager first. The next step
would be for you to contact the coach in order to set up a meeting at a
mutually convenient time. If you are not satisfied after meeting with the
coach, please contact Armando Mendoza (email: [email protected]) to
request a meeting to discuss your concerns.
12) Express your concerns and questions in a
courteous and civil manner and please do it at the right time and proper
setting.
13) Help “fuel” your athlete with healthy food
choices.
14) Teach your child that hard work and honest
effort are more important than Winning or the amount of playing time they get.
15) Teach your child to live and play with
class and to be a good sport. An athlete should be gracious in victory and
accept defeat with dignity.
A Parent’s Guide to
Dealing with Coaches:
Communication parents should expect from the
coach/Managers:
The coach’s philosophy.
The coach’s expectations for your son or daughter, as well
as other players on the team.
Locations and times of practices and games.
Communication coaches
expect from parents:
Concerns about their child expressed directly to the coach
at the appropriate time and place.
Concerns about the coach’s philosophy or expectations.
Notification of any schedule conflicts in advance.
Appropriate concerns to
discuss with a coach:
The mental and physical treatment of your child.
What your child needs to do to improve.
Aspects of your child’s behavior or any health issues or
concerns.
Concerns that are NOT
appropriate for discussion and must be left to the discretion of the coach:
How much playing time each athlete is getting.
Team Strategy or Practice Organization.
Play calling.
Any situation that
deals with other athletes.
Youth soccer is a very emotional sport but there must be limits to spectator behavior.
Actions the soccer referee is allowed to take with disruptive parents (spectators)
When parents attend a soccer game they are no longer parents they are now spectators.
The referee has full, complete control and authority from the moment he/she enters the field of play to when he/she exits the field at the end of the game this includes all players, coaching staff and spectators.
All soccer referees have the same authority regardless of their age.
Referees under the age of 18 are considered children and abusing a child referee is the worst action a spectator may take. This is bad news!!
Referees have the authority to ask a spectator to stop the verbal abuse, failure to comply with the referees request will lead to the following:
1. The referee may ask the team coach to have a word with the spectator about their behavior.
2. The referee has the authority to eject the coach or even terminate the game due to spectator behavior.
3. The referee may ask the spectator to leave at which time the spectator MUST leave the area, failure to leave the area will start a string of more negative actions by the referee.
4. The referee will summon someone from the club administration and have the spectator removed.
5. If the spectator refuses to leave the area when asked by the club administration the police will be summoned and have the spectator moved from the soccer park.
All these action can be prevented if spectators just attend youth soccer games, enjoy the games and support the team.
Player Code of Conduct
Soccer is an exciting, fast moving and fun
game. Coaches, players and fans should remember that the objective is to have
fun and learn the game of soccer. It is important to our soccer program that all
participants conduct themselves in a positive and responsible manner.
The Lawton Predators FC will not
tolerate behavior which brings the Club, team, or game into disrepute. The Club
believes that the attitude shown by players toward the coaches, the referees,
the opposing players and the importance of winning vs. losing are of paramount
importance. Inappropriate comments or actions by players towards coaches,
parents, opposing players and or through social media are not acceptable. These
types of actions and comments include foul language, excessive physical contact
not associated with normal soccer play, or other types of unsportsmanlike
conduct (i.e. taunting), harassment, bullying both through social media or on
the playing field will not be tolerated.
The following standards have
been established by the Lawton Predators FC to set expectation
for players’ behavior during and after soccer club events:
Be respectful towards teammates, opponents, coaches and referees. No one
is to address the referee in a negative manner during or after the game.
Conduct yourself with honor, dignity, and self-control.
Play the game for the fun of the game, the challenge, and the chance to show
your best. Be gracious when you lose and generous when you win.
Accept decisions of coaches and referees with class and dignity. Believe
in their judgment and honesty.
Have fun, make new friends and learn new skills. Be a good and supportive
teammate. Do your best for your team.
Be a good sport whether you win or lose. Be honest and fair always, no matter
what the circumstance. Demonstrate fair play and good sportsmanship at every
practice, game and tournament. Encourage fair play and good sportsmanship from
other players.
Obey the rules of the game. Listen to and respect your coaches and the referees
at all times.
After each game. Offer congratulations say “good game” to the opposing team.
Applaud the efforts of your teammates and your opponents.
When a player is injured during play, every player on the field after the time
of the injury should give the injured player a round of applause. This is
a common sign of respect for the injured player as well as a show of good sportsmanship.
Come to practices and games on time and ready to learn. Follow coaching
direction and do not be disruptive during practice or games. Do not use
bad language.
Immediately report any injury to my coach
Minimum Sanctions:
The following minimum sanctions will be
imposed should a player receive a red or yellow card:
A red card will result
in mandatory suspension from the next officially scheduled and sanctioned
match.
Two yellow cards which
result in suspension from a game will result in the same penalty as a red card.
Players in violation
of any of the rules listed above will be asked to appear before the club board
and explain the reason for their behavior.
The Lawton Predators Soccer Club has a
standing committee to address violations of our Code of Conduct. The Committee
will be comprised of three members of the Board.
If any member of our Club wishes to complain
about conduct which they believe is contrary to our Codes of Conduct, they
must: Address the issue with
the person directly, either verbally or in writing, within one week of the
incident or issue at hand.
If there is no
satisfactory resolution, then the complainant must, within one week and in
written form, notify the Committee.
All matters which are
directed to the Committee will be responded to within one week of the receipt
of the complaint.
Decisions and actions
by the Committee to address the complaint are final.
First offense the
player will be given a verbal warning, parents will be notified and this action
will be documented at the club level.
Second offense the
player and parents will receive a written warning this action will be
documented at the club level.
Third offense the
player will be removed from the team and ll no longer allowed to register with
the Predators FC, no registration or uniform refund will be given. This
action will be documented at the club level.