Golden State Soccer League Behavior Policy

By participating in the Golden State Soccer League as a player, team administrator, coach, parent or other team supporter certain expectations and ethics are to be met regarding conduct at games and team events. Keeping in mind at all times that youth soccer is a game and purely an outlet for athletic expression regardless of the level at which the player, or team, competes. All participants are expected to show respect for members of opposing teams, for referees and league personnel.

Sponsoring clubs to which participating teams are registered will also be expected to support this Behavior Policy. By giving its teams authorization to apply to participate in the league the club is accepting responsibility for the behavior of the team and its participants and supporters. Prompt investigation into any reports of misbehavior at league games or functions will be expected when requested by the league’s officials. The club will also be expected to report back to the league’s official whether, or not, of any corrective action taken by the Club.

Consequences for violating the Behavior Policy, depending on the severity, can range from giving the league assurance that there will be no repeat of any given offense, to the team being banned from participation in the league.

As a measure of the level of behavior expected, the league requires that the principles of the Positive Coaching Alliance (or equivalent) be adopted by each club and each team.
www.positivecoach.org

Clubs’ Responsibilities:

• By authorizing teams from your club to apply to play in the league you giving assurance that the team is capable of competing and that the teams’ behavior will be acceptable to the league.
• Coaches assigned to teams applying for participation in the league are capable of controlling the behavior of players, parents of players and the team’s other supporters.
• Coaches assigned to teams applying for participation in the league have been instructed on the principles of the Positive Coaching Alliance (or equivalent).

Coaches’ Responsibilities:

• The team coach assumes full responsibility for the behavior of players, parents of players and the team’s other supporters during league games.

• Be thoroughly familiar with the laws of the game and rules of the league.
• Inspire a love of the game to all players.
• Teach players to play the game fairly and show respect to opponents.
• Be an example of good behavior, in actions and words, to game officials, to all players, parents of players and the team’s other supporters.
• Be sure that all parents of players and supporters be familiar with the laws of the game, rules of the league and the principles of the Positive Coaching Alliance (or equivalent).
• Respect game officials and admonish any player, team-parent or supporter for not doing so.
• Be gracious in victory and courteous in defeat.

Players’ Responsibilities:

• Know the laws of the game and rules of the league.
• Play each game fairly and be respectful to opponents.
• Show respect to game officials, team officials and other adults.
• Be an example of good behavior, in actions and words, to team-mates, game officials and opponents.
• Be gracious in victory and courteous in defeat.

Expectations of Parents and Supporters:

• Learn and respect the rules of the league.
• Be familiar with the laws of the game, rules of the league and the principles of the Positive Coaching Alliance (or equivalent).
• 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 expressing any verbal abuse.

• Be example to your child or children of courteous behavior toward others. At all times use emotional restraint and avoid making any negative or abusive remarks about the opposing team.
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game, win, draw or lose.
• Promote the concept to your child, or children, that soccer is just a game, and that players and coaches associated with other teams are also part of the game.