Signal Mountain Youth Sports

COACHES CODE OF ETHICS

Responsibilities to the League

1. I will read the Bylaws of the Signal Mountain Youth Basketball League and the TSSAA rules of play and will abide by them. Failure to read or understand these rules will not excuse me from penalties.
2. I will attend all coaches meetings or send a representative for me. I am responsible for understanding any information discussed at each meeting.
3. I agree to abide by findings and disciplinary actions of the SMYBL Board of Directors.
4. As a coaches’ coach, I must volunteer for basketball activities in addition to those of coaching to further the goals of my league and association.
5. I understand that all officers of the association, committee chairpersons, age division coordinators and commissioners, and board members are volunteers and thus receive no financial remuneration for their many hours of work on behalf of me, my players, and
my team’s supporters. I will therefore make no request of them, which will bring additional work, hardship, burden, or expense to them or their families.
6. I will seek to honor those who uphold the highest standards and principles of basketball and shall use appropriate protocol to oppose and eliminate all behavior that brings disrepute to the sport: violence, abuse, dishonesty, disrespect, and violations of the laws of the game and the rules governing competition and oversight of the league.
7. I will accept and abide by the decisions of the coaches, referees, board members, league commissioners, and/or league officials.
8. As I require continual training of my players, I agree to also participate in a minimum of one coaches training session each season.
9. If I have a problem or grievance with a coach, player, parent, or official, I will follow the appropriate procedure for correcting that grievance. I will go “up the chain of responsibility:” Coach, Commissioner, President of league, Board of Directors. If problems with a referee, I will first approach the Referee Assignor, then the President, then the Board.

Responsibilities to My Team

1. I will communicate my goals and expectations as well as those of the SMYBL to parents, guardians, spectators, and players regarding their responsibilities and behavior.
2. I will place the emotional/physical well being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.
3. I will do my utmost to allow each player maximum participation in each game, at least each player playing half of a game.
4. I will organize practices that include the involvement and participation of all players and that are fun, challenging, and constructive. I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players.
5. I will teach the rules of basketball to my players.
6. I will remember that I am a recreational sports coach and the game is for children and their enjoyment and development. The game is not for the adults.
7. I will obey both the letter and the spirit of the laws of the game and I will instruct my players and team supporters to do the same.
8. I will always demonstrate a working knowledge of the laws and rules of the game and behave in such a manner that the principles of integrity and dignity of the sport are maintained. I will provide a responsible role model for others.
9. I will never place the value of winning over the safety and welfare of players. I will never put a player at risk by returning the player from injury prematurely or forcing play while injured. Winning should be the result of preparation, discipline, and conditioning with emphasis placed on the highest ideals and character traits.
10. I will motivate my players to pursue excellence in academics as well as athletics.
11. I will refrain from the use of alcohol or drugs around my players and I will refrain from verbal abuse, intimidation, or physical altercations.

Responsibilities at Games and Practices

1. I will refrain from the use of inappropriate, offensive, or abusive language whether or not it is directed toward another coach, referee, player, or spectator.
2. In both victory and defeat, the behavior of a coach shall model grace, dignity, and composure.
3. Coaches shall refrain from all manner of personal abuse and harassment of others, whether verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual, and shall oppose such abuse and harassment from anyone at all levels of basketball.
4. I will never seek unfair advantage by teaching deliberate unsportsmanlike behavior to players or intimidating opposing players, coaches, or supporters. I will not intimidate referees or league officials. Being responsible for my players’ actions on the court means not permitting them to perform with the intent of causing injury to other players.
5. I will never tolerate inappropriate behavior from players, spectators, or other coaches. This includes abusive or derogatory behavior and language.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS CODE OF ETHICS

I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for my child participating in youth sports by following this Parent’s Code of Ethics

Responsibilities to My Child

1. I will place the emotional and physical well being of my child ahead of my personal desire to win.
2. I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment.
3. I will do my very best to make youth sports fun for my child.
4. I will train my child to treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect and sportsmanship regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability.
5. I will help my child enjoy the youth sports experience by doing whatever I can, such as being a respectful fan, assisting with coaching, or providing team support.
6. I will train my child in his/her responsibilities to the coach, to the teammates, and to the team. This includes: attending practices and games; listening to the coaches; encouraging the team members; striving to improve; and respecting league officials and referees.

Responsibilities to My Team

1. I will require that my child’s coach be trained in the responsibilities of being a youth sports coach and that the coach upholds the Coaches’ Code of Ethics.
2. I will support coaches and officials working with my child, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
3. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
4. I will remember that the game is for youth – not adults.

Responsibilities During Games and Practices

1. I will accept the decisions of the coaches, referees, and league officials without arguments or derogatory comments or intimidating tactics.
2. I will use only positive encouragement to either team from the sidelines.
3. I will avoid interference in the play of games by remaining behind the designated spectator lines.
4. I will conduct myself with honor and dignity recognizing that I am setting an example to all children and adults.
5. I will refrain from the use of alcohol and illegal drugs at practices, games, or league functions.
6. I will refrain from verbal abuse, intimidation, or physical altercations at any basketball venue or event.

Responsibilities to the League

1. I will obey both the letter and the spirit of the laws and rules of the game and the league.
2. I will treat all officials, players, coaches, referees, and other spectators with respect.
3. I will never tolerate inappropriate behavior from players, spectators, or other coaches. This includes abusive or derogatory behavior and language.
4. If I have a problem or grievance with a coach, player, parent, or official, I will follow the appropriate procedure for correcting that grievance. I will go “up the chain of responsibility:” Coach, Commissioner, President of league, Board of Directors. If problems with a referee, I will first approach the Referee Assignor, then the President, then the Board.

PLAYERS CODE OF ETHICS

Responsibilities to My Team

1. I will attend every practice and game that I can and I will notify the coach if I cannot attend.
2. I will expect a fair amount of playing time during games, at least one-half of every game.
3. I will expect attention and instruction from my coach during practice.
4. I will listen to my coach and participate in practice, always striving to improve my personal skills.
5. I will not be a distraction to other players during practice or games.
6. I will alert my coach when the basketball experience stops being fun.
7. I will encourage my parents or guardians to be involved with my team and with the league in some capacity because it is important to me.
8. I will do my very best in school, recognizing that my schoolwork takes precedence over my extracurricular activities.
9. I will work for the good of my team and I will honor my commitment to my team and to the league.
10. I will not use abusive, derogatory, or profane behavior or language.

Responsibilities to the League

1. I understand that my participation in this league is an opportunity to compete, to learn, to improve, to be part of a team, and to have fun.
2. I will obey both the letter and the spirit of the laws and rules of the game and the league. Responsibilities in Games and Practices:
3. I will be generous when my team wins and I will gracious when my team loses.
4. I will treat all officials, players, coaches, referees, and other spectators with respect. I will accept the decisions of the coaches, referees, and league officials without arguments or derogatory comments or intimidating tactics.