September 28, 2011 (Fullerton, CA) - With the 2011 fall season well underway, this is a good time to remind ourselves of the appropriate conduct that all parents, players, coaches and fans should take into consideration whenever they are attending or participating in a soccer match. Like most sports, soccer can be very inspirational and can engage the emotions. While the vast majority of soccer's participants and spectators are able to conduct themselves with politeness and civility, every so often, certain individuals can get a little carried away with their passion for the sport.

Several years ago, Cal South established a Code of Conduct outline that can be downloaded from our website here. Leagues and clubs should take steps to ensure that all of their members are aware of this code. You can also read the full text of this form below.

Codes of Conduct

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.

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.

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.

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