Coach Code of Conduct

All coaches will abide by a Code of Conduct which includes the following provisions:

Health and Safety

Not smoke and/or use smokeless tobacco on game or practice fields, or within the sight of any participants.
Abstain from possession of alcoholic beverages and/or use of any illegal substance at practice and/or a game. I also will Not consume alcohol for a minimum of 8 hours prior to any game, or practice.
Not attempt to be verbally abusive, intimidating or threatening to others, flagrantly rude with officials, board members, other coaches, members/guests or volunteers.
Not physically assault anyone at all. The term physical assault includes, but is not limited to: hitting, slapping, pushing, spitting, kicking or striking in any way with any part of the body or any physical implement.
Not recommend or distribute any medication, controlled or over-the-counter to any participant.
Immediately remove from the game or practice any participant, when there is even the slightest doubt about his/her health, whether or not as a result of injury, until competent medical advice is available.
Not permit an ineligible player to participate in a game.
Be jointly responsible for the conduct and control of team fans and spectators, along with team officials.

Professionalism

Not engage in excessive sideline coaching by leaving the bench area to shout instructions to the players.
Not criticize the players in front of the spectators or other players. (other than constructive criticism).
Not criticize any opposing team, its players, coaches, or fans by word of mouth or gesture.
Accept the decisions of the game officials on the field.
Inform and consult with the ODYFA Football Director before filing any complaints or officially disputing any decisions made by officials during a game. This should be done immediately following the game in question.
Not "pile it on" by placing the best players the majority of time in order to get a commanding lead. Coaches shall make every effort to let all the players play as much as possible.
Not receive any payment in cash or in-kind for services as a coach.
Not deliberately incite any unsportsmanlike conduct.
Not yell at, threaten, or berate any referee, league official, player, parent or coach.
Will accept the decision of the referees on the field and not argue with them.
Not swear at or curse or use threatening or abusive language towards any ODYFA player, parent, official, referee or other coach. (definition of this is by the determination / discretion of the ODYFA)
When instructed to copy the league on any team correspondence, do so. Cease team communication when ordered by the league to do so.
Not start nor repeat any gossip, rumors, lies or other comments and statements.
Obey any verbal instruction or order given by the League Director, President or Vice President.
Realize that the League is BEFORE the team. Without the league, there is NO team. Know that I as an ODYFA coach, represent the ODYFA first, then the team second. Any concerns, disputes, or questions should be immediately brought o the league’s attention, and I will not incite disagreements or choose sides or promote dissent. I will defend the league and its decisions.
Be responsible for team web-site content and agree that site content must be approved by the ODYFA.

Encouragement

Emphasize to its players that winning is a result of good teamwork.
Emphasize to its players that good athletes strive to be good students.
Teach and practice the guidelines for good sportsmanship found on the ODYFA web-site. Set good sportsmanship examples. (it will be decided by the ODYFA if a coach is or is not doing this)
Strive to make every football activity serve as a training ground for life by setting good examples for good conduct.

Coaches are to uphold all the rules, codes and regulations set forth by the ODYFA. Any infraction of the above codes or other rules will result in a guideline of disciplinary action as follows… First offense: a coach will be asked to leave the premise and receive a written warning regarding their behavior. If the coach commits a second similar offense, he will be banned from the events for the remainder of the season. If a coach physically assaults an official, player, coach, board member, volunteer or parent, he will be banned from any ODYFA events for one year from the date of the incident. If the coach commits a second physical assault, he/she will be permanently banned from all ODYFA events, as a coach, and as a parent. (Seriousness of any violation as determined by the ODYFA may dictate more serious penalties regardless of when and how many offenses have taken place. This is at the discretion of the ODYFA. I am ultimately responsible for the on-goings and workings and conduct of my team, including the players, parents and volunteers.