EMCYFL Code of Conduct The mission of the East Montgomery County Youth Football League (EMCYFL) is to provide a safe, fun learning environment for the youth of our community. We strive to create an opportunity for kids to work together as a team toward common goals. We emphasize sportsmanship, teamwork and respect for authority figures (Directors, Coaches, and Game Officials). While we are not a farm system for high school football programs, we recognize the impact we may have on those programs. Our focus is on developing good life skills through the sport of football. EMCYFL will not tolerate verbal or physical abuse of its volunteer coaches, referees, or players from any Parent, Player, or Spectator. Spectator, as well as the players and coaches, are expected to abide by the code of conduct described here at all EMCYFL events. While most of the adults and children in the program will abide by this code without being instructed, it being published to protect the children, the integrity of our program, and emphasize the values of EMCYFL. Coaches Code of Conduct As a Team Coach, you (through your actions and words) set the example for your players, parents/guardians, and spectators. You set the tone and lead by example. Read the players, spectators, and parents Code. Understand what is being asked of all participants in your sport. Actively promote these Codes. Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance. Ensure that each player is correctly dressed with the necessary safety equipment (helmet, mouthpiece, pads, etc.) before being allowed to play. Get treatment for an injured player immediately. Cooperate fully with medical personnel in the best interest of the player. Never physically or mentally push children beyond their abilities. The game is of minor consideration when compared to the child’s future health and well being. Encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance. Never condone unacceptable behavior. Accept the decisions of the referees on the field as being fair and called to the best ability of said referees. The referees are in charge of all games; their decision is final. Always be prompt, courteous, and direct when dealing with League Officials, opposition Coaches, and Referees. Agree to background screening of you application with regards to your suitability to work with children. Abstain from being under the influence of or in possession of and/or drinking alcoholic beverages and the possession or use of any illegal substance during the game or practices and at any other events such as birthday or team parties. Page 1 EMCYFL Code of Conduct Athletes Code of Conduct I will: Have fun. Be a good sport (win or lose), be honest and fair Learn the value of commitment to the team; sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play. Show courtesy and respect to my teammates, opponents, coaches and officials. Know that athletic contests are educational experiences. Give complete attention to the instructions of my coaches and league officials. Maintain passing grades and satisfactory conduct in school. I will not: Use profanity, talk “trash”, or taunt others before during, or after any game. Display any unsportsmanlike behavior. Criticize my teammates or players from other teams. Act in any way that may provoke spectators. Parents/Spectators Code of Conduct I Will: Support the coaches, players, and/or cheerleaders and help teach the value of commitment to the team, sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play. Support my child’s team and help my child and EMCYFL make athletic contests a positive educational experience. Direct constructive criticism of my child’s team program to the head coach and/or association officials at an appropriate time. I will work toward a positive result for all concerned. Accept decision of the game officials. The officials are in charge of all games; their decisions are final. Exhibit exemplary sportsmanship at all times. Emphasize that good athletes strive to be good students that are physically and mentally alert. Strive to make every football activity serve as a training ground for good mental and physical health by being present to support the children. Stay behind the designated spectator line during a game. Abstain from being under the influence of or in possession of and/or drinking alcoholic beverages and the possession or use of any illegal substance during the game or practices and at any other events such as birthday or team parties. Page 2 EMCYFL Code of Conduct I will not: Interfere or disrupt the coaching staff during games or practices. Criticize officials or coaches, direct abuse or profane language toward them, or otherwise subvert their authority. Criticize an opposing team players, coaches, or spectators by word of mouth, by gesture, or by deliberately inciting unsportsmanlike behavior. Undermine the authority of the coach or EMCYFL Consequences of Behavior At any EMCYFL event, practice, or competition, any adult who verbally abuses, attempts to intimidate, is flagrantly rude to, or does not control their language or actions with a player, official, coach, spectator, or EMCYFL board member will be asked to leave the event. If the spectator fails to leave upon request, law enforcement authorities may be called to remove the spectator. Any adult that commits a second similar offense maybe banned from EMCYFL events for the reminder of the season. Any adult who physically assaults and official, coach, or EMCYFL board member will be banned from EMCYFL for one year from the date of the offense. After one year, the parent may apply for reinstatement. If the adult commits a second offense, he or she will be permanently banned from EMCYFL. 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. Important Notes: Player Participation Players are allowed to participate in four events a week during the regular season. Games and practices count as an event. A player missing more than half of the scheduled practices without notifying the coach of an unforeseen circumstance may be sat out at least one quarter and up to a half of the week’s game provided the coach shows proof that the child has missed these practices and the head football commissioner is notified and approves the coach’s decision. A player missing all scheduled practices without notifying the coach of unforeseen circumstances may be sat out for that week’s game provided that the Page 3 EMCYFL Code of Conduct coach shows proof that the child has missed these practices and the head football commissioner is notified and approves the coach’s decision. A player that is sitting out due to miss practice must remove his or her shoulder pads and wear a jersey on the sideline. If a coach chooses to sit a player, he/she must notify the officials and the opposing coach of that decision prior to the start of the game. Once a coach has declared a player ineligible, he/she may not change this decision based on the outcome of the game. Team Finances Anybody handling league or team’s funds is responsible to replace any missing money. All football teams must have on full team sponsor of $350.00 and one partial sponsor of $200.00. All cheer squads must have one full team sponsor of $350.00. All sponsored money must be processed through the league. The league will receive the initial full and partial team sponsor amounts and half of the next two sponsor’s amounts. Any full sponsors thereafter, the league will take the amount required to pay for the sign and plaque and return the balance to the team. There is a two-week processing period for this money to be returned to the team. EMCYFL will retain $250.00 from each team , these funds will be returned to each team prior to Tournament of Champions (TOC) unless the team decides not to play any regular season game then these funds will be used to pay for the forfeit fee. Any cash amounts received by the teams are considered donations and the league will not receive any portion of the donation. The league will not issue a plaque or a sign for any donations received by the teams. Teams that do not turn in all sponsor money, the head coach will not be able to coach during games until sponsorship requirements are met. Each team should have two team parents, representing the team. All team parents must pass background checks done by EMCYFL. There should be no team monies left at the end of the season; all monies should be spent on the kids through team parties and end of season gifts. Each team is required to keep a balance sheet that must be turned into the league at the end of the season detailing how all money taken in was spent throughout the season. These balance sheets must be available at any time throughout the season for board and parent review. A final balance sheet with receipts should be turned in by the end of the regular season (before TOC). The head coach is held responsible for all team sponsor finances. Failure to track team expenses will result in a one-year suspension from coaching or being a team parent with EMCYFL. Page 4