The following forms are mandatory for coaches to fill out for registration for Fall 2010.

ADDITIONAL COACHES RESPONSIBILITIES The Board of Directors of the St. Charles County Youth Soccer Association and the leaders of the affiliated leagues are concerned about the conduct of all coaches and referees during games at all levels, from recreational to premier to ODP.

We want to ensure that games are fair, positive and enjoyable experiences for all of the children and adults involved. A soccer game should be friendly and unifying - a spirited social and athletic occasion for players, coaches, referees and spectators.

To clarify expectations of coach conduct, we jointly expect all coaches to conform to this code of conduct.

Before, during and after the game, be an example of dignity, patience and positive spirit.

Before a game, introduce yourself to the opposing coach and to the referee.

During the game you are responsible for the sportsmanship of your players. If one of your players is disrespectful, irresponsible or overly aggressive, take the player out of the game at least long enough for him or her to calm down.

During the game your are also responsible for the conduct of the parents of your players. It is imperative to explain acceptable player and parent behavior in a preseason meeting. Excessive celebration or negative behavior is not allowed. This is to include waiving of flags, signage and/or taunting.

Encourage them to applaud and cheer for good plays by either team. Discourage them - and you may need to be forceful and direct - from yelling at players and the referee.

During the game, you are also responsible for the conduct of spectators rooting for your team.

During the game, do not address the referee at all. Coaches are reminded that referees are mostly freshmen and sophomores in high school and sometimes easily intimidate by adults. Therefore, harassment of referees by spectators and coaches is not allowed. In case of excessive spectator and or coach harassment, referees are instructed to stop the game and request coaches of both teams to quiet spectator(s). If you have an issue, discuss it with the referee calmly and patiently after the game. If you have a major complaint, or if you think the referee was unfair, biased, unfit or incompetent, report your opinion to the league or the field marshall. Your reactions will be taken seriously if they are presented objectively and formally. Explain to parents that the referee is trained in the laws of the game, and is almost always better positioned than a spectator to see what actually happened. Point out that much of refereeing is judgment and that the referee is neutral, parents are not. Let them know that all referees miss calls in every game; three people watching 22 in constant motion over 2 acres cannot see everything. Coach’s refusal or inability to control their teams’ spectator(s) will result in shutdown of the game and the score will stand Once the game commenced, a coach may enter the field of play only to administer to an injured player, when requested or authorized by the referee. Any coach who violated this will automatic be ejected from the game and will receive a minimum of one match suspension starting with the next league match.

After the game, thank the referee and ask your players to do the same.

We Stress two points:

Referees - especially young and inexperienced ones - are like your players and yourself, in that they need time to develop. You can play an important role in helping them to improve by letting them concentrate on the game. You can help by encouraging them, by accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes and by offering constructive post-game comments. On the other hand, you could discourage and demoralize the referees by criticizing their decisions, by verbally abusing them and inciting - or even accepting - your own players' overly aggressive behavior.

Your example is powerful, for better or worse. If you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players' enjoyment of the game and their overall long-term development, and if you support the referee, your players and their parents will notice. If you encourage (or allow) your players to play outside the rules, if you're overly concerned about results, if you criticize the referee harshly, your players and their parents will also notice.

Think about what you're doing during a game! REMEMBER THIS IS YOUTH SOCCER!! Uphold the spirit of the game! If you follow the expectations described above, the spirit of the game will be alive and well in Missouri, and will grow, along with the enjoyment of all.

Coaches, players and spectators who don't follow the expectations described above will be disciplined or removed.