COACH'S CORNER

COACH
CODE OF ETHICS
From The National Alliance for Youth Sports Web Site

• I hereby pledge to live up to my certification as a NYSCA Coach by following the NYSCA Coaches’ Code of Ethics.
• I will place the emotional and physical well being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.
• I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.
• I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for my players.
• I will promise to review and practice basic first aid principles needed to treat injuries of my players.
• I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all my players.
• I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players.
• I will be knowledgeable in the rules of each sport that I coach, and I will teach these rules to my players.
• I will use those coaching techniques appropriate for all of the skills that I teach.
• I will remember that I am a youth sports coach, and that the game is for children and not adults.

• Teach and enforce good sportsmanship by spending time talking about how to act before, during and after games. Good sportsmanship means no “trash talking” or taunting.
• Understand the rules of the game and always be open to learning more about coaching.
• Setting clear expectations in “Team Rules” will help maintain order and discipline.
• Get to know each player individually so you can praise and reinforce according to his/her individual needs and personality.
• Treat your players, their parents and the officials with respect; no yelling, no sarcasm and no embarrassing anyone. Treat everyone as equals.
• Always plan your practices and end them on a positive note. Make them fun for your players.
• Focus on the fundamentals and help your players to master the basics. Remind them that “hustle” is also a fundamental skill.
• Be patient and help your players to learn from their mistakes. Don’t emphasize the negative effects of the mistake, but instead, point out the good things that will happen if your instructions are followed.
• Use time outs as a way of regaining control of your players during a volatile situation.
• Talk to parents and understand their goals for their child.
• Be fair and be everyone’s coach. Let every player have the opportunity to contribute and emphasize TEAM rather than individual performance.
• Promote fun and avoid getting too serious about winning. If your players aren't having fun, then you are doing something wrong.