Several years ago, Cal South established a Code of Conduct outline for players, coaches, parents and spectators that can be downloaded online at www.calsouth.com/en/bylaws/. Similarly, referees are expected to follow a long-standing Code of Ethics established by the U.S. Soccer Federation, their direct governing body. This is a good time to remind ourselves of the appropriate conduct that all Cal South members, no matter their role, should take into consideration whenever they are attending or participating in a soccer match.

In order to ensure that the principles of sportsmanship, fair play, and mutual respect among players, coaches, officials, and spectators characterize all competition sponsored by Cal South, the following Code of Conduct has been established. It is the obligation of all program administrators, coaches, parents, and players to create an environment that promotes this objective. Those who willfully violate this code jeopardize their participation in the Cal South soccer program.

Players

Every player is expected to:

• Know and respect the rules of soccer and Cal South and abide by them at all times.
• Show respect and courtesy to officials and coaches by following their instructions and directions.
• Respect the game officials and refrain from addressing them or commenting on their decisions during or after the game.
• Maintain control of his/her emotions, avoiding the use of abusive or profane language, taunting or humiliating remarks, and/or gestures and physical assault upon another player at any time.
• Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team and display sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game and be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat.
• Follow all Association rules, respecting at all times the property of others.
• Remember that soccer is a game, and treat players and coaches on other teams as opponents, not enemies.

Parents and Spectators

The role of parents and spectators is one of support to the players and coaches. Parents and spectators should not engage in "coaching" from the sidelines, criticizing players, coaches or game officials or trying to influence the makeup of the team at any time. Every parent and spectator is expected to:

• Learn and respect the rules of soccer and the rules of Cal South.
• Show respect and courtesy to game officials, coaches, and players at all times.
• Respect the game officials and refrain from questioning their decisions or from addressing them in a loud, disrespectful, or abusive manner.
• Cheer for your child's team in a positive manner, refraining at all times from making negative or abusive remarks about the opposing team. Maintain control of your emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and humiliating.
• Ensure that your child is at all games and practices at the required time or provide the coach with an appropriate excuse beforehand.
• Demonstrate appropriate gestures of sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game, win or lose.
• Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally demonstrating commitment to these virtues.
• Promote the concept that soccer is merely a game, and that players and coaches on other teams are opponents, not enemies.

Coaches

The coach's role is one of teaching soccer skills and sportsmanship to the players. The coach is responsible for communicating practice and game times to the players and parents. The coach is also responsible for monitoring the behavior of the players and parents during practice and games. All coaches within the soccer program will promote good sportsmanship among players, foster team camaraderie, and help participants have fun while teaching players the technical skills of soccer.

Unsportsmanlike conduct of coaches will not be tolerated by the program. Such unsportsmanlike conduct includes berating or making unkind comments to a player or referee that would reasonably be expected to cause substantial embarrassment to the player or referee. Other examples include the intentional abuse or attempt to abuse the player selection system or willful failure to follow program rules.

Each coach agrees to the code of conduct, certifies that he/she has read all Cal South Rules and will abide by them and acknowledges that coaching in the soccer program is a privilege and not a right. In addition, each coach will ensure that his/her conduct sets a good example for team members and spectators.

To meet these responsibilities, the coach is expected to:

• Know the official Laws of the Game of soccer and the rules of Cal South, and abide by them.
• Instruct player and parents in the rules and motivate each player to compete according to the rules at all times.
• Respect the game officials at all times. Refrain from questioning their decisions or challenging their authority.
• Ensure that the Cal South rules are followed by all players and spectators.
• Ensure that fans of his or her team exhibit sportsmanship and maturity at all times and assist league and game officials in maintaining control of spectators during games.
• Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team before, during, and after the game.
• Take appropriate steps to minimize scoring in runaway games.
• Teach each player, especially through personal example, to be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat.
• Maintain control of his/her emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and humiliating.
• Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally demonstrating commitment to these virtues.
• Promote the concept that soccer is merely a game, and that players and coaches on other teams are opponents, but not enemies.

Referees

Source: Referee Administrative Handbook 2010/2011 [Pg. 13-14], U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program.

Standards of Conduct
(A) - Purpose

To define general guidelines to determine whether members of the National Referee Development Program act within acceptable limits so far as ethical conduct or conflict of interest are reflected in their conduct as soccer officials and members of the U.S. Soccer Federation.

(B) - Policy

Membership as a privilege offered and granted to individuals who perform capably as State Referee Administrators, referees, referee assignors, referee instructors and referee assessors during U.S. Soccer Federation sanctioned activities. It carries with it an obligation for each individual member to uphold and promote the stated goals and objectives of the Federation and do nothing to bring the Federation into disrepute or work against its goals and objectives. Any conduct which is considered unethical or as a conflict of interest shall be subject to possible disciplinary actions.

(C) - Code of Ethics for Referees

(1) I will always maintain the utmost respect for the game of soccer.
(2) I will conduct myself honorably at all times and maintain the dignity of my position.
(3) I will always honor an assignment or any other contractual obligation.
(4) I will attend training meetings and clinics so as to know the Laws of the Game, their proper interpretation and their application.
(5) I will always strive to achieve maximum team work with my fellow officials.
(6) I will be loyal to my fellow officials and never knowingly promote criticism of them.
(7) I will be in good physical condition.
(8) I will control the players effectively by being courteous and considerate without sacrificing fairness.
(9) I will do my utmost to assist my fellow officials to better themselves and their work.
(10) I will not make statements about any games except to clarify an interpretation of the Laws of the Game.
(11) I will not discriminate against nor take undue advantage of any individual group on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
(12) I consider it a privilege to be a part of the U.S. Soccer Federation and my actions will reflect credit upon that organization and its affiliates.