Code of Conduct - Freeport Socccer Club

Player Expectations

These guidelines shall seek to govern the behavior and conduct of all players participating in Freeport Soccer Club (FSC). The guidelines are enforceable by coaches and administrators in FSC. The following are the steps taken for conduct and/or behavior unsporting or detrimental to image of club, community and/or team.

A verbal warning to the player notifying him/her of the infraction.
Dismissal of player from game or practice session, with notification sent to the FSC Board.
Suspension and/or dismissal from Freeport Soccer Club, with notification sent to the FSC Board.

Notification can be in form of letter, e-mail, or phone contact.

Behavior considered unsporting and/or detrimental to the image of FSC at games and practice sessions:

Gross insubordination
Profanity directed at coach(s), officials, opponents, spectators, and teammates.
Verbal threats to coaches, officials, opponents, spectators and teammates.
Physical assault of coaches, officials, opponents, spectators, and teammates.
Vandalism and/or Theft of FSC property, Tournament host property, property belonging to coaches, officials, opponents, spectators, and teammates.
Illegal drug use/Alcohol consumption while a player for FSC.

1. Gross Insubordination:: Consistent refusal to follow team/FSC rules, inciting others to follow detrimental behavior, refusal to leave a game or practice field, consistent unsportsmanlike behavior that undermines the goals and philosophies of FSC, and in the opinion of the coach takes away time from positive coaching of the remainder of the team.
2. Profanity:: Profanity directed at coaches, players, officials, spectators or teammates that intends to humiliate.
3. Verbal threat and Intimidation:: Verbal threats intending to suggest physical harm to coaches, officials, opponents, spectators, and teammates.
4. Physical Assault:: The physical contact by a player with the intent to injure a coach, official, opponent, spectator, and teammate.
5. Vandalism/Theft:: A finding that a FSC player has vandalized FSC property or participated in the vandalization of FSC property, or vandalized property belonging to others. A finding that a FSC player has stolen or participated in the theft of FSC property or property belonging to others.
6. Illegal Drug Use/Alcohol Consumption:: A player who appears, is suspected and/or acts under the effect of alcohol while a member of FSC. After notification on violations of FSC Player conduct, the FSC Board will investigate and seek to communicate with all parties involves if applicable. The FSC Board reserves the right to impose step three (Suspension and/or dismissal from FSC) based on their findings without adhering to step two (2) or one (1). Furthermore, the Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA) identification cards are and remain the property of FSC at all times during the players membership in FSC.

A FSC Player receiving a red card in a tournament game will not be allowed to play in the following game, even if it occurs at an upcoming scheduled tournament. Only the FSC Board may reinstate a suspended or dismissed player after a hearing has occurred and shall not be conducted with less than half the FSC Board in attendance. A player will have 14 days to appeal any suspension/dismissal from FSC by requesting a hearing with the FSC Board. A player to be eligible for consideration for reinstatement the following season must have FSC Board and the team coach's approval.

Fan Expectations

Freeport Soccer Club (FSC) expects all fans, spectators, and parents of FSC players to set a good example by observing the following. Fans need to realize they are subject to the same conduct guidelines as the players.

Don't undermine the Coach with sideline coaching! Remember, your player may have had specific instructions during the game. If you yell and shout suggestions and tactics from the sideline, you will distract and impede the players performance. Let the Coach do his or her job!
Critical, unsporting, negative, insulting comments directed at the officials is totally unacceptable with FSC. Allow the game to be played. Mistakes happen, get over it and your children will learn good sportsmanship. Blaming the referee for a loss is useless, counterproductive and is a bad example of sportsmanship. “Be respected, don't be ejected!”
Remember, many of the officials who work the center and lines of our games are children. You are adults, keep things in proper context.
Soccer Referees do not have to explain their calls. Yelling “What's the Call Ref?” is insulting and unnecessary. Let your Coach find out what the situation was calmly at half time or after the game.
Address the referee as Sir or Ma'am. Regardless of age of the official.
Remember that our community, club and teams are on display at every tournament we attend. Hold yourselves up to a higher standard.
Shouting “Good Call Ref!” is as insulting as “Bad Call!”. It incites the fans of the rival team.
Don't allow yourself to get caught up in the actions of a few people who may have a hard time getting their emotions under control. Confront the offender(s) as fellow fans and help them to get themselves under control. Your coach will appreciate it!
Avoid wandering up and down the sidelines and stay away from the goal area. It violates the rules and is seen as intimidation and unsportsmanlike conduct. Find a chair or bleacher and enjoy the game.
Only the carded coaches should be on the sideline with the team. It's the IYSA and FSC policy.
Have your player on time for games. For practices. Encourage the player to be responsible for his/her equipment.
Expect positive coaching! Don't allow negative reinforcement. Expect your coach to set high standards and help the team, by your example, to reach them.
Find out how you can help. Be a Team Manager, supply ice water, keep stats, whatever your team and coach need.
Support your teams physical health. Encourage good eating habits, proper soccer nutrition, and plenty of water, rest and support, win or lose.
Encourage the player to shake hands with and thank the referee regardless of game result. It's good sportsmanship. It's classy too.
Wear your FSC apparel! Let people know who you came to support!
Learn the Rules of the Game! Educate yourself on the world's greatest game.
Let the kids play. Enjoy the game!

Coach Expectations

All coaches must read, sign and return this document to the board.

Freeport Soccer Club (FSC) Coaches are directed to take an active, participatory role in developing the players on their prospective teams. FSC coaches are to adhere to the governing rules ascribed by the FSC By-Laws, the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), the Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA).

FSC coaches strive to be the best informed, most knowledgeable coaches they can be and are required to complete training for and receive the "E" license for coaching from IYSA. All coaches are encouraged to continue their self education and work towards further certification when applicable. FSC will pay for any FSC coach attending training to obtain an "E" license or above.

FSC coaches will adhere to the Rule 021 - IYSA Code of Conduct for Coaches. In addition, Coaches in FSC will follow the FSC guidelines set forth covering positive coaching and positive reinforcement. FSC coaches must never put winning above the physical and emotional health of the players.

FSC Coaches are responsible for maintaining and promoting a good sportsmanship policy among players, fans, and parents. The Coach is responsible for maintaining a positive spectator side and is expected to be a good role model for all involved. Coaches are to nullify negative remarks by spectators at officials, players, opponents, and other spectators. The FSC coaches need to understand the new IYSA rules concerning harassing behavior towards soccer officials. It is possible for the coach to be carded or ejected for failure to manage the negative behavior of the spectators of his/her team.

FSC coaches are expected to prepare the team physically, tactically, technically and mentally for competition and ensure sporting behavior at all times.

FSC Coaches are to plan, implement and execute a positive practice/training schedule for their teams. FSC expects Coaches to have, a minimum of two (2) practice/training sessions per week during the season.

The FSC Board & Coaches should be working to have a full roster for each team at all times and make every effort to make roster positions available to players and families who desire to be FSC members. Coaches are expected to provide skill coaching to all players and offer acceptable levels of play time while balancing the momentum of the game to provide the best chance for the team to win during competitive events. Game condition play is an important part of soccer development and FSC Coaches are expected to ensure appropriate playing time for each child on the team. Please refer to the Player Expectations for disciplinary infractions that effect playing and practice time.

FSC Coaches can expect cooperation and support from the selected Team Managers and parents. FSC Coaches are there to coach and should expect that Team Managers and parents help with, and carry out, administrative duties that the Coach selects. FSC Coaches can expect support from the Board of FSC to resolve soccer related issues within FSC.

FSC Coaches are expected to ensure their players have adequate hydration at all practice and games and receive medical treatment as necessary.

Yellow Cards, Red Cards and Disciplinary Action

Any FSC Coach receiving a Yellow card from a referee should immediately remove him/her self from the situation. This is a "cool off" period to avoid further escalation of the situation. A FSC Coach receiving a Red card is subject to the rules and decisions of the tournament and tournament director. A FSC coach who receives a red card, or is asked to leave the game by the referee, will not be allowed to coach the next game in which his/her team participates – even if the next game is the following tournament or league game. A FSC Coach losing his/her coaches card to IYSA due to a Red card being issued, or being asked to leave the game, will be subjected to review by the FSC Board. A coach surrendering his/her card to IYSA will not be financially reimbursed by FSC. A coach who receives a red card, or is asked to leave the game, is expected to report the incident to the FSC Director of Coaching as soon as possible. The Director of Coaching is to report all incidents to the FSC Board at the next board meeting.

FSC Coaches are expected to remove a player immediately if that player receives a yellow card in accordance with the "cool off" period. A player receiving a Red card is subject to the rules of the Tournament and Tournament Director. In addition, per FSC Policy, a player receiving a Red card will miss the next game even if the next game is the following tournament or league game. A Red Carded player is expected to be reported to the FSC Board for review. Refer to the Player Expectations for information on how to request a meeting with the FSC Board.

All FSC Coaches need to be aware of and properly sign off on their Goal Safety Sign Off Sheets in accordance with FSC and IYSA.

Only IYSA carded FSC Coaches and FSC Assistant Coaches are to be with the team on the sideline during the games. FSC Coaches should conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Dress in a recognizable fashion that denotes FSC and puts our organization in a positive light. FSC Coaches should at all times put the team ahead of the individual and strive to make the FSC experience a positive one for all.