Conduct

Team Rules and Code of Conduct

What you do off the field is a reflection of the entire program

 
 

• All players Must
  • Meet all academic eligibility polices
  • Demonstrate conduct and behavior that meets and exceeds school and program guidelines.
  • Respect the 10:30 PM curfew the evening before a game.
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet and avoid junk food and caffeinated beverages.
• Do Not engage in any behavior that would be detrimental to themselves or to the team as a whole.
  • SMOKING, DRINKING, OR DRUG USE RESULTS IN IMMEDIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION, AS DOES ATTITUDE OR ACTIONS THAT ARE DETRIMENTAL TO YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL, THE WELFARE OF THE TEAM, OR THE SCHOOL.  Violating this policy is grounds for immediate removal from the team.
• Thou Shalt Not Swear on My PITCH!
  • Profanity or vulgar language is not permitted anywhere, EVER! This is the unmistakable mark of lack of discipline. Refrain from using abusive or foul language on the training field, on the bus, on the bench, or on the game field.
• The way a person trains reveals their true character.
  • The way you train will be the way you will play.  You are required to bring all of your required equipment to training.
• We are a team; therefore, we will look like a team during training. This means that we will wear the same colored training shirt and socks for training. (Exception is for cold or wet weather.)
  • All players must be on the pitch and completely dressed at the start of training. Violating this rule will result in discipline sprints for entire team.
• NO JEWELRY!! 
  • Take off NECK CHAINS or EARRINGS before GAMES and TRAINING!
• If a player is unable to train, he must contact the coach PRIOR to the start of training and PRIOR to visiting the athletic trainer.  Everyone is to be at training everyday, unless instructed by the coach or trainer.
  • All training sessions are mandatory except for illness or family emergency.  (Suspension for next game)
• Attitude is everything.
  • PRIDE and spirit is something that has to be developed. The better person you are, the harder you work, the greater your sacrifice, the more pride you will have. You will not gain any pride by a half-hearted performance. The level of your pride is, therefore, directly proportional to the extent of your effort.
  • Strive to become the best person, the best son, the best student, and the best soccer player you can become. It will, however, cost a great deal. Any player or coach whose attitude or conduct is found to be detrimental to the unity of the team is subject to dismissal form the team.
• Actively engage in physical and mental drills and exercises that will develop your individual athletic abilities.
  • All I ask is that you give all you have, everyday! We expect 100% attendance at all training and games.  During training, you will:
    • Actively engage in physical and mental drills and exercises that will help your teammates develop their individual athletic abilities.
    • Actively engage in physical and mental drills and exercises that will help you work together with other athletes on this team.
    • Actively give 100% of what you have at that moment.  When you are tired, you are expected to give 100% of what you have.  You will not be criticized for not giving what you don’t have.
    • At all times, maintain a positive attitude toward training, the team, the coaches, the school, and your fellow teammates, even those with whom you are competing with for a position on this team. Bickering or verbal abuse will not be tolerated in our program! Encourage! Don’t criticize!!
    • Help coach your less experienced teammates. During every drill, observe the techniques of your teammates and imitate the best and eliminate the worst. Verbally encourage one another to strive to achieve ones potential!

Home Game Conduct

• Get to bed by 10:30 PM night before game; Eat good, balanced meal and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Arrive to the field at appointed time prior to kick-off with all equipment and correct colors!
• If you need to be taped, see the trainer early!!
• No player will communicate with people in the stands during a game.
  • If you are not playing at a particular time, you are to be either sitting on the bench or standing near it. You are not to acknowledge the fans. Your attention is to be focused on the game. (If you acknowledge fans in the stands, you will be removed from the game)
• Players are required to run on and off the pitch during games. (Removal from Game)
• Players are expected to enthusiastically encourage their teammates during games.

Pre-game

• Mentally prepare yourself to play. Quiet talking, listening to music, and thinking about the game are acceptable. Eating food or snacks is NOT permitted in the bench area or near the field of play!
• Be ready at the assigned time. Be sharp in pre-game warm-up. There is to be no fooling around. This is the time to get serious and focus on the task ahead. Pre-game warm-up is to be done as a team; everyone must be together and in unison. Push each other.
• Only the captains will speak to the officials. If you have a problem with an opponent, tell the coach or captain. They will talk to the official. Always address the official as “Sir.”
• Be a class player belonging to a class organization. Any unsportsmanlike conduct yellow or red card will result in removal from game and disciplinary action. 
• Sideline organization and discipline is essential. If a coach asks you to take stats or run the sideline with the balls, do so diligently and accurately!!

Half-Time

• We will move to the unoccupied goal for a team meeting. Take water, but stay together and listen to the coach. You are to talk about nothing else but the game -what is working and what is not working!!
• Be sharp in everything you do. Remember, we have been working months, weeks, and days for this game that takes 90 minutes to play. We must stay focused for 90 minutes.

Post-Game

• We will exchange good-will with opposing team as a team, salute our fans as a team, discuss the game as a team, perform cool down run as a team, and coaches will then dismiss the team. Athletes will then complete assigned chores.
   

Away Game Conduct:  Same as home game conduct with the following additions:

• On the bus, treat the bus driver with courtesy and respect!
• Do not leave garbage, papers, etc. on the bus.
• Keep the noise on the bus to a minimum. Quiet listening to music and thinking about the game are acceptable. 
  • “A quiet thinking team on the way is a loud and happy team coming home.”
• Make sure that your bring all your equipment with you on the bus. It is also advised to bring a towel and sweats for games played in inclement weather.
• Be early for the bus. We leave on schedule.
• You are to be fully dressed -other than cleats and shirts- when we arrive at the visiting school’s field.
• Traveling as a member of the Olmsted Falls Soccer Team is a privilege. Wherever you are, you must remember that you not only represent yourself, but our soccer program as well. Act Accordingly!
• Both Varsity and JV will sit together during the other team’s game.
  

Player Conduct Ladder

Wearing Wrong Training Colors Extra Fitness for Entire Team 5 in 7 or Double Gassers Swearing / Profanity Extra Fitness for Player 5 in 7 Extra Fitness for Entire Team Unexcused LATE to Training or Meeting  Extra Fitness for Player 5 in 7 or Double Gassers Detention LATE to Training  Extra Fitness for Player 5 in 7 or Double Gassers  Extra Fitness for Entire Team Reduced Playing Time Removal from Team

Unexcused MISSED PRACTICE  Extra Fitness for Player 5 in 7 or Double Gassers  Extra Fitness for Entire Team Reduced Playing Time Removal from Team Unexcused LATE to GAME  Extra Fitness for Player 5 in 7 or Double Gassers  Extra Fitness for Entire Team NO START/Reduced Playing Time Removal from Team Unexcused MISSED GAME  Extra Fitness for Player Reduced Playing Time Removal from Team

 
Parental Support – The Key to Peak Performance

The role that parents play in the life of a soccer player has a tremendous impact on their experience. With this in mind, I have taken some time to write down some helpful reminders for all of us as we approach the upcoming season.

1. Let the coaches coach:  Please DO NOT coach your child or anyone else’s child during the game.  It is distracting to them.  Moreover, what you tell them may be different from what the coach is saying, and it is confusing for him and his performance usually declines.
2. Support the program: Get involved with boosters, OFSA, REC, and Travel. Volunteer. Help out with fundraisers, car-pool, anything to support the program and soccer in Olmsted Falls.
3. Support and root for all players on the team: Foster teamwork. Your child’s teammates are not the enemy. When they are playing better than your child, your child now has a wonderful opportunity to learn.
4. Encourage your child to talk with the coaches: If your child is having difficulties in training or games, encourage them to speak directly to the coaches. This “responsibility taking” is a big part of becoming a big-time player. By handling the off-field tasks, your child is claiming ownership of all aspects of the game – preparation for as well as playing the game.
5. Understand and display appropriate game behavior: Remember, your child’s self esteem and game performance is at stake: be supportive. 
   • To perform to the best of his abilities, a player needs to focus on the parts of the game that they can control (his fitness, positioning, decision making, skill, aggressiveness, what the game is presenting them). If he starts focusing on what he cannot control (the condition of the field, the referee, the weather, the opponent, even the outcome of the game at times), he will not play up to his ability. 
   • Do not yell at the referees or say anything bad to or about the other team. If he hears a lot of people telling him what to do, or yelling at the referee, it diverts his attention away from the task at hand.
6. Monitor eating, sleeping, academics, and stress: Be sure your child is eating the proper foods and getting adequate rest and keep an eye on the player to make sure that they are handling stress effectively from the various activities in his life.
7. Help your child keep his priorities straight: Help your child maintain a focus on schoolwork, relationships and the other things in life beside soccer. Also, if your child has made a commitment to soccer, help him fulfill his obligation to the team.
8. Reality test: If your child has come off the field when his team has lost, but he has played his best, help him to see this as a “win”. Remind him that he is to focus on “process” and not “results”. His fun and satisfaction should be derived from “striving to win”.
9. Keep soccer in its proper perspective: Soccer should not be larger than life for you. If your child’s performance produces strong emotions in you, suppress them. Remember your relationship will continue with your children long after their competitive soccer days are over. Keep your goals and needs separate from your child’s experience.
10. Have fun: That is what we will be trying to do! We will try to challenge your child to reach past their “comfort level” and improve themselves as a player, and thus, a person. We will attempt to do this in environments that are fun, yet challenging. We look forward to this process. We hope you do too!
11. What about Club soccer? 
    • All serious soccer players should consider playing club during the off-season.  As a club coach, I see first hand how much club ball helps a players overall attitude and level of play.  There are more than a dozen, good quality clubs in the area.  Most club fees are very reasonable; some even have payment plan options.  If your son wants to improve his game and be a more competitive player, club soccer is the way to do just that.