Legends Soccer League (LSL)- Code of Conduct
LRSL FIELD RULES
1. There will be a Legends staff person located at all facilities during games. If a patron has a problem that arises, he/she should ask the staff person for assistance.
2. No one is allowed on the Team bench or on the Team side of the field
3. Parents and spectators must stay off of the playing field.
CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Legends staff will determine all disciplinary actions.
Such conduct may include but is not limited to the following: pose a threat to others or themselves, demonstrate threatening or vulgar behavior, act in a manner that puts others in harms way, uses foul or threatening language, etc.
Be A Good Sport:
LSL has always encouraged good sportsmanship in its programs. In fact, "Good Sportsmanship" is one of the six philosophies listed in the LSL Bylaws. LSL strongly recommends that its individual Regions promote good sportsmanship through dynamic programs.
Elements of these programs may vary from Region to Region, but all define the conduct of players, coaches, referees and even parents. They explain the fundamentals of good behavior-which is simply showing courtesy and respect for all involved in the game.
We figure that if players, volunteers and parents understand what is expected of them when it comes to good sportsmanship, that's probably how they will act. LSL is proud of its many good sports, but understands that good sportsmanship doesn't just happen. It needs to be taught, encouraged and demonstrated.
Player's Code:
Play for the fun of it, not just to please your parents or coach.
Play by the Laws of the Game.
Never argue with or complain about referees' calls or decisions.
Control your temper. Most of all, resist the temptation to retaliate when you feel you have been wronged.
Concentrate on playing soccer with your best efforts. Work equally hard for your team as for yourself.
Be a good sport by cheering all good plays, whether it is your team's or your opponent's.
Treat all players as you would like to be treated.
Remember that the goals of the game are to have fun, improve skills and feel good. Don't be a showoff or a ball hog.
Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. Any player ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct must sit out the next scheduled game that is played. Legends, in its sole discretion may implement further disciplinary action if the unsportsmanlike conduct is deemed to be of a violent or threatening nature.
Players are not permitted to use tobacco, alcohol, and profanity at Silverlakes.
All players must be in team uniform.
Cooperate with your coaches, teammates, opponents and the referees.
Any players ejected from a game for fighting may be suspended/ejected indefinitely from league play.
SPECTATOR CONDUCT
All spectators are expected to adhere to all park rules and the same rules of sportsmanship as players, parents, and coaches. Any spectator who engages in unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended from the playing facility. The length of the suspension will depend on the severity of the violation or inappropriate conduct.
As a parent, you have a special role in contributing to the needs and development of these youngsters. Through your encouragement and good example, you can help assure the effectiveness of the LSL program.
Support Your Child:
Support your child by giving encouragement and showing an interest in his or her team. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory. Your child will be a winner, even in defeat.
Always Be Positive:
Parents are not participants on their child's team. However, they do contribute to the success experienced by their child and the team. Parents serve as role models for their children. Applaud good plays by your child's team and by the opposing team. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities.
Be Enthusiastic and Supportive:
Let children set their own goals and play the game for themselves. Be careful not to impose your own standards and goals on your child. Don't put too heavy a burden on your child to win games. Surveys reveal that 72 percent of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winner.
Reinforce Positive Behavior:
The best way to help a child to achieve goals and reduce the natural fear of failure is through positive reinforcement. No one likes to make a mistake. If your child does make one, remember that he or she is still learning. Encourage your child's efforts and point out the good things your child accomplished.
Let Coaches Coach and Referees Ref:
Coaches and referees are usually parents. They volunteer their time to help make your child's youth soccer experience a positive one. They need your support, too. What coaches and referees don't need is your help in coaching from the sidelines. So please refrain from coaching during games and practices. Referees are not the "bad guys." They are volunteers, too, and need your support and encouragement. Treat them and their calls fairly and respectfully.
Coaches Code:
Enthusiastically support and practice the "Everyone Plays," "Good Sportsmanship," "Positive Coaching" and "Player Development" philosophies of LSL.
Be reasonable in your demands on a young player's time, energy, enthusiasm and performance on the soccer field.
Impress on your players that they must abide by the Laws of the Game at all times.
Develop team respect for the ability of opponents, and for the judgment of referees and opposing coaches.
Ensure that your players' soccer experience is one of fun and enjoyment (winning is only part of it). Players should never be yelled at or ridiculed for making mistakes or losing a game.
Set a good example and be generous with your praise when it is deserved. Children need a coach they can respect.
Keep informed of sound principles of coaching, growth and child development.
All coaches must sign a “Coaches Code of Ethics” prior to each sporting season.
COACHES WILL SHOW SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT AT ALL TIMES. Each coach shall adhere to all points of emphasis as outlined in the “Coaches Code of Ethics” at all times. Failure to adhere to the “Coaches Code of Conduct” and/or to follow Silverlakes park and league rules may result in removal as a volunteer coach with suspension from coaching for a specified period of time, and/or suspension from coaching indefinitely. The length of time of the suspension will be dependent on the severity of the violation or inappropriate conduct. Coaches suspended for the remainder of the season must meet with Legends management before being considered for future coaching opportunities.
Any coach ejected from a game will not be allowed to coach the next scheduled game played.
Any coach ejected from two games will be suspended for the remainder of the season.
Any coach ejected from a game or suspended for the season will not be allowed to coach
Coaches will be responsible for player and parent conduct.
Check your equipment and playing facilities. They should meet safety standards and be appropriate for the age and ability of your players.
Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured child is ready to play again.
Section 1. -Introduction, Purpose, and Applicability
(a) The Code of Conduct Policy of Legends Soccer League establishes the ethical standards for governance and committee volunteers and staff of Legends Soccer League (collectively referred to as “Representatives”) in addition to all members and participants within any and all sanctioned programs, events, activities and competitions.
(b) The Code of Conduct Policy applies to all staff, volunteers, members and participants who are involved or engaged with any sanctioned Legends Soccer League program, event, activity or competition.
(c) The purposes of the Code of Conduct Policy is to provide evidence of Legends Soccer League’s commitment to the lawful and ethical conduct of its Representatives, members and participants and to protect those who report violations of the Code of Conduct Policy consistent with US Youth Soccer’s Whistleblower Policy.
(d) The Code of Conduct Policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state or federal laws governing behavior.
(e) Representatives, members and participants must respect and comply with Legends Soccer League rules and regulations, observe high standards of conduct, and participate in establishing and maintaining such high standards.
Section 2. -Zero Tolerance
(a) Legends Soccer League maintains a zero tolerance regarding abuse.
(b) The Legends Soccer League Zero Tolerance for abuse extends to all representatives, members and participants in any and all US Youth Soccer sanctioned programs, events, activities and competitions.
(c) Legends Soccer League requires every representative, coach and volunteer to assist in creating a safe environment for participants at and during any and all sanctioned US Youth Soccer programs, events, activities and competitions.
Section 3. -Prohibited Substances
(a) Legends Soccer League prohibits the use and possession of illegal drugs, alcohol, or, in the case of minors, tobacco for any and all coaches and participants at any and all sanctioned programs, events, activities and competitions.
Section 4. -Prohibited Activities and Sexual Misconduct
(a) Legends Soccer League prohibits nudity and any indecent exposure by any representative, member or participant at any sanctioned programs, events, activities and competitions.
(b) Legends Soccer League prohibits any representative, member or participant from engaging in sexually oriented conversations at any sanctioned programs, events, activities and competitions. This includes sharing information about one’s own personal relationships, dating or sexual activities.
(c) Legends Soccer League prohibits the possession of any sexually oriented materials to include magazines and videos while participating at any sanctioned program, event, activity and competition.
Section 5. - Physical Contact
(a) While appropriate physical contact taking place in public where the contact is designed for the benefit of the athlete and does not meet an emotional or other need of an adult while also not having the potential of creating a physical or sexual intimacy is common within sport, Legends Soccer League prohibits representatives, members and participants from 3 engaging in any other form of physical contact with and or between athletes. 1) An example of prohibited physical contact include a coach asking a minor athlete to sit in their lap or cuddling during training or while on an overnight trip.
Section 6. -One-on-One Interactions
(a) Observable and interruptible 1) One-on-One interactions between minors and an adult (who is not the minor’s legal guardian) are permitted if they occur at an observable and interruptible distance by another adult. 2) Isolated, one-on-one interactions between minors and an adult (who is not the minor’s legal guardian) is prohibited, except under emergency circumstances.
(b) Meetings 1. Meetings between adults and minors may only occur if another adult is present, except under emergency circumstances. Such meetings must occur where interactions can be easily observed and at an interruptible distance from another adult. 2. If a one-on-one meeting takes place in an office, the door to the office must remain unlocked and open. If available, it will occur in an office that (if available) has windows, with the windows, blinds, and/or curtains remaining open during the meeting.
(c) Individual training sessions 1. Individual training sessions between adults and minors are permitted if the training session is observable and interruptible by another adult. The adult must obtain the written permission of the minor’s legal guardian in advance of the individual training session. Parents, guardians, and other caretakers must be allowed to observe the training session. Permission for individual training sessions must be obtained at least every six months.
Section 7. -Massages and Rubdowns
(a) Licensed, certified professional 1. Any massage or rubdown performed by an adult on a minor athlete is prohibited unless such adult is a licensed massage therapist. 2. Any massage or rubdown by a licensed professional must be conducted in open and interruptible locations. Any massage of a minor athlete must be done with at least one other adult present and must never be done with only the minor athlete and licensed massage therapist in the room. 3. Even if the coach is a licensed massage therapist, the coach shall not perform a rubdown or massage of an athlete under any circumstances.
Section 8. -Restrooms and Changing Areas
(a) Use of recording devices 1. Use of any device’s (including a cell phone’s) recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras and video cameras in locker rooms, rest rooms, changing areas, or similar spaces is prohibited. Exceptions may be made for media and championship celebrations, provided that such expectations are approved in advance and two or more adults are present.
(b) Undress 1. Under no circumstances shall an unrelated adult be undressed (disrobed or partial or full nudity where private body parts are exposed) in front of minor athletes.
(c) Isolated one-on-one interactions 4 1. At no time are unrelated adults permitted to be alone with a minor in a locker room, rest room, or changing area except under emergency circumstances.
(d) Monitoring 1. Legends Soccer League regularly and randomly monitors the use of locker rooms, rest rooms and changing areas at facilities under our jurisdiction to ensure compliance with these policies.
(e) Non-exclusive facility 1. If Legends Soccer League uses a facility not under our jurisdiction (for, e.g., training or competition or similar events) and the facility is used by multiple constituents, adults are nonetheless required to adhere to the rules set forth here.
Section 9. -Social media and electronic communications
(a) Content 1. All electronic communication originating from participating adults to amateur athletes who are minors must be professional in nature.
(b) Open and transparent 1. If a participating adult needs to communicate directly with an amateur athlete who is a minor via electronic communications, another participating adult or the minor’s legal guardian will be copied. 2. If a minor athlete communicates to the participating adult privately first, then the participating adult should respond to the minor athlete with a copy to another participating adult or the minor’s legal guardian. 3. A participating adult communicating electronically to the entire team will copy another participating adult. 4. Amateur athletes who are minors may “friend” the organization’s official page.
(c) Prohibited electronic communications 1. Participating adults are not permitted to communicate privately via electronic communications with amateur athletes who are minors, except under emergency circumstances. 2. Participating adults are not permitted to “private message,” “instant message,” “direct message”, or send photos via Snapchat or Instagram to a minor athlete privately. 3. Participating adults are not permitted to maintain social media connections with minors; such adults are not permitted to accept new personal page requests on social media platforms from amateur athletes who are minors and existing social media connections with amateur athletes who are minors shall be discontinued.
(d) Request to discontinue 1. Legal guardians may request in writing that their child not be contacted through any form of electronic communication by the organization or by the organization’s participating adults. The organization will abide by any such request that their child not be contacted via electronic communication, absent emergency circumstances.
Section 10. -Bullying
(a) Legends Soccer League prohibits representatives, members and participants from engaging in any unwanted, aggressive behavior designed to intimidate or harm another through one’s superior physical strength, access to embarrassing information, popularity or influence.
Section 11. -Harassment
(a) Legends Soccer League prohibits representatives, members and participants from engaging in any activity designed to cause fear or humiliation, reflect discriminatory bias, offend or degrade through physical or non-physical actions towards any other representatives, members or participants at any sanctioned program, event, activity or competition.
Section 12. -Hazing
(a) Legends Soccer League prohibits representatives, members and participants from engaging in any activity that could be defined as hazing at any sanctioned program, event, activity or competition.
Section 13. -Mandatory Reporting
(a) Legends Soccer League requires all representatives, members and participants to immediately report any violations or suspected violations of the Legends Soccer League Code of Conduct Policy during any sanctioned programs, events, activities and competitions to a team official, sanctioned program, event, activity or competition official or US Youth Soccer representative.
(b) Legends Soccer League takes any and all reports of inappropriate behavior or suspicions of abuse seriously.
(c) Legends Soccer League complies with all laws requiring a person to make a report to appropriate law enforcement agencies and requires all representatives, members and participants to either notify an official as indicated in a. or report directly to law enforcement authorities.
(d) Retaliation against individuals making good faith reports of misconduct is expressly prohibited.