Coaches Code of Conduct

TERMS OF AGREEMENT and CODE OF CONDUCT:

I understand that the Downtown Soccer League is a volunteer based recreational youth soccer league which stresses skill development, team play and good sportsmanship.  I will, at all times, adhere to the following code of conduct:

Team Managers and Coaches shall:

  1. Be appointed, and reviewed annually by the Board of Directors. 
  2. Be responsible for the actions on the field of themselves and their teams.
  3. Adhere to the Downtown Soccer League Privacy and Security Rules:
    1. Do not share, sell, or lease personally identifiable data or information
    2. Do not forward sensitive emails to a third party.
    3. Only Use the Downtown Soccer League Messaging Center for league related communications.
    4. Do not capture any parent information including email addresses with the intent of using the information outside of the web site.
  4. Adhere to the DSL Code of Conduct.
    1. Maintain perspective.
    2. Adjust the measure of success on a player by player basis.
    3. Position players to balance play on the field and then coach to win. Rotate all players to help them learn every position.
    4. Stay focused on making the experience fun. 
    5. Skill development is a crucial aspect of fun.  It is more important than winning. 
    6. Become a communicator: being a good listener is as important as being a good giver of feedback. 
    7. DON’T RUN UP THE SCORE.  Reward the goal scorer with the opportunity to celebrate by standing alongside the coach for a few minutes after scoring. 
    8. Reward the scorer of a hat trick with the opportunity to hone up on goalie skills. 
    9. Remember the criticism sandwich, it works well in helping the players digest your directions: Praise, Adjust, then Praise again.
    10. Keep in mind what the experience is like for the players and families on both sides of the ball. 
  5. Promote good sportsmanship and fair play.  Make all effort to ensure roughly equal playing time for players regardless of skill level.  Refrain from public criticism of any league official and referee. 
  6. Not receive any compensation for acting as such.
  7. Provide a list of coaching assistants to the Coordinator to confirm that all coaching assistants for the team have been registered.  
  8. Throughout the season, communicate any cancellations in player membership or lapse in attendance to the Division Coordinator so that trades or player replacements may be effected.
  9. Adhere to the Rule of Three.  For the safety of our children and volunteers/staff, there will never be less than three persons present in any situation.  This can be two adults and one child or one adult and two children.  This rule will be enforced both on and off the ball field at all DSL practices, games and events. 
  10. Understand that any person who is required to register as a sex offender shall not serve as a volunteer.  
  11. Understand that any person arrested for a serious or violent felony shall not serve as a volunteer. 
  12. Encourage fellow teammates and parents to obey the ball field rules and regulations.
    1. Only water is allowed on the fields. No food or beverages of any kind, except water is allowed.  That means no coffee either. 
    2. No smoking on the ball fields.
    3. Rubber or plastic cleats for children 15 years or younger – no metal cleats are allowed.
    4. No dogs or other animals are allowed on the ball fields.
    5. No bicycles are allowed on the ball fields or chained to the fence inside the ball fields. 
    6. Strollers and scooters are to be stored in the indicated “parking lots” at the bottom of the ramps along the paved walkway and kept off the turf field. 

I understand that should my conduct be considered detrimental to the best interests of the League, disrespectful or unsportsmanlike, my membership may be terminated by action of the Downtown Soccer League Board of Directors.  I will comply with any such disciplinary action. 

I understand that I will forfeit the registration fee if I misrepresent any information.

 

I waive, release, absolve, indemnify and agree to hold harmless the DSL (including its officers, directors, volunteers, sponsors, coaches and referees), Battery Park City Authority, Hudson River Park Trust, New York City Parks Department and all participants and persons involved with the DSL, from any claim arising out of injury or harm to my child or myself, whether the result of negligence or for any other cause while engaging in DSL programmed or planned activities.