Soccer - Ethical and Moral Credo

The coach:
  1. Treats own players, parents, and opponents with respect
  2. Teaches and inspires soccer players to love the game and to compete fairly
  3. Demonstrates by example the type of person he/she wants the players to be
  4. Has control and commands discipline at all times
  5. Respects the interpretation of rules and judgment of the officials
  6. Realizes that as a coach he/she is a teacher and therefore understands the game and proper
    behavior at all times

The Player:
  1. Treats opponents with respect
  2. Players hard, plays within the rules of th game of soccer
  3. Demonstrates self control
  4. Respects officials and accepts their decisions without gesture or argument
  5. Wins without boasting, loses without excuses and never quits
  6. Remembers that it is a privilege to represent his/her soccer club and community

The Official:
  1. Knows the rules and understands the game
  2. Places health and welfare of the players above all other considerations
  3. Treats players and coaches courteously and demands the same from them
  4. Works cooperatively with fellow referees and linesmen
  5. Is fair and firm in all decisions on the field
  6. Maintains confidence, pois and self control from start to finish of the game

The Parents:
  1. Do not coach the team players including your own youngster, from the sidelines during the
    game
  2. Respect the judgment of the referee and do not criticize the officials
  3. Supportive parents focus on mastering soccer skills and game strategies
  4. Decrease the pressure to win
  5. Believe that soccer's primary value is to provide youth an opportunity for self-development
  6. Understand the risks.  A soccer game is full of mistakes and the team that makes the fewer
    mistakes generally wins the game.  Playing soccer is a willingness to chance failure.
  7. Communicate with the coach and create a positive, supportive working relationship
  8. Understand and respect the different roles of parents and coaches
  9. Control negative emotions and think positively
  10. Avoid the use of fear - because player development is rarely fostered by fear of the
    consequences of failure
  11. Parents mus show empathy for the young developing soccer player
Please read all of the above before continuing on the next page
OYSA Sportsmanship Guidelines