The following Code of Ethics and Conduct (hereinafter referred to as the “Codes”) forms the basis of the Laws, Rules, Regulations, Policies and Procedures for the Rensselaer Regional Soccer Club (hereinafter referred to as “RRSC”).
These Codes and the Penalties for violation apply to all regular season games, Area Tournament games, and State Tournament games and also to any practices or other actives conducted or sanctioned by RRSC or which occur on premises owned by, rented to, occupied by, or used by RRSC.
Any person found to be in violation of these Codes by the judgment of RRSC Board of Directors shall be held accountable by the penalties dictated herein.
RRSC teams which interplay with teams from other Areas may also be subject to their rules and policies.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR COACHES AND SPECTATORS
The coach’s role is one of teaching soccer skills and sportsmanship to the players. The coach is responsible for communicating practice and games times to the players and parents. The coach is responsible for monitoring the behavior of the players and parents during practice and games. All Coaches within the soccer program shall promote good sportsmanship among players, foster team camaraderie, and help participants enjoy the sport while teaching players the technical skills of soccer. Unsportsmanlike conduct of coaches will not be tolerated by RRSC and will result in corrective actions. In addition, each Coach will ensure that his/her conduct sets a good example for team members and spectators.
· Abide by the Laws of the Game and SAY soccer rules.
· Ensure that fans of his or her team exhibit sportsmanship and maturity at all times and assist league and games officials in maintaining control of spectators and players during games.
· Respect the game official at all times. Refrain from questioning their decisions or challenging their authority.
· Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team before, during and after the game. Teach each player, especially through personal example, to be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat.
· Maintain control of his/her emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile.
· Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally demonstrating commitment to these virtues.
· Place children’s physical and emotional well-being ahead of any person’s desire to win.
· Profanity or vulgar language is never acceptable. Coaches should help mold player’s character.
· Coach talented and non-talented players with equal vigor. Allow all players more than the required playing time.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOR COACHES AND SPECTATORS
It is against the Rules of RRSC and SAY Soccer for any coach, spectator or player to threaten, harass or intimidate any person in any way. This includes before, during and after any game sanctioned by RRSC and/or SAY Soccer. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary actions listed below. Additionally, expulsion from the game and field area requires expelled player, coach, and/or spectator to be out of sight and earshot of the official. Any physical contact with any person could mean legal action by RRSC, and/or SAY Soccer Association, and/ or the individual person.
Per the Referee’s discretion - Coaches and Spectators may be cautioned (yellow card) and ejected (RED CARD) before, during, or after a sanctioned game. In addition, Spectators may be ejected by a RRSC Board Member (the equivalence of a RED CARD from a referee) from the field or field area per the penalties/disciplinary actions listed below:
INFRACTION | PENALTY/ DISCIPLINARY ACTION |
Any coach, player, or spectator observed using or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol before or during a game. | Ejection from the match, and minimum one (1) game suspension.Subject to expulsion from the Club by RRSC Board review. |
Engages in dangerous or unsportsmanlike behavior. | Ejection from the match, and minimum one (1) game suspension. Subject to additional penalty and possible expulsion from the Club pending RRSC Board review |
Constant and/or excessive verbal harassment towards an adult official, adult coach, or adult spectator | First offense: Yellow card – Caution Second Offense: Red Card – Ejection from the game.One game suspension (next game) |
Constant and/or excessive verbal harassment towards a player (who is a minor) and/or official (who is a minor), and or spectator (who is a minor) | Ejection from the match, and minimum one (1) game suspension (next game).Subject to expulsion from the Club by RRSC Board review |
Aggressive physical contact with the referee, player or coach, i.e. grabbing the arm turning the individual around, poking, bumping, etc. | Red Card – Ejection from the game and 4 game suspension.Subject to expulsion from the league by RRSC Board review. |
Refusal to leave the playing field after an ejection. | Two game suspension. |
Entering the field of play without the permission of referees. | First offense: Yellow Card – Caution Second Offense: Red Card – Ejection from the game.One game suspension (next game) |
Instructing players to play in a dangerous or unsportsmanlike manner. | First Offense: Caution – Yellow Card. Second Offense: Red Card – Ejection from the game. Two (2) game suspension possible Expulsion review. |
Coaches do not remain between penalty box and mid-field.Spectators on wrong side of field or behind goal. | First Offense: Yellow Card – Caution Second Offense: Red Card – Ejection and one game suspension. |
Playing an illegal player. | Game Forfeiture and season suspension |
Instructs players to delay the restart of the game. | First Offense:Yellow Card – Caution Second Offense: Red Card – Ejection from game and one game suspension. |
CODE OF ETHICS and DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOR PLAYERS
All players in the SAY program are required to learn the SAY Laws of the Game play fairly and assure the safety of themselves and their teammates. Violation of the Laws of the Game will result in a penalty as determined by the Referee in accordance with the SAY Laws of the Game.
Each coach is instructed to make all players and parents aware and knowledgeable of the Code of Ethics and their penalties.
In addition to any penalties assessed in a game in accordance with the SAY Laws of the Game, the following:
Infraction | Penalty / Disciplinary Action |
Showing dissent by words or actions with any decision of the referee. | First Offense: Yellow Card – Caution Second Offense: Red Card – Ejection and one game suspension (next game). |
Offensive, insulting, abusive, or threatening language or actions (i.e. pushing or tripping the referee) toward an official, player, coach or spectator. | First Offense: Red Card – Ejection and one game suspension (next game). Plus additional one game suspension.Subject to expulsion from the league by RRSC Board review. |
Unsporting behavior (e.g. Interfering with or attempting to delay the taking of a throw in, with the keeper clearing the ball, or with the taking of a kick by falling to withdraw or using inappropriate language or gestures, etc.) | First Offense: Yellow Card – Caution Second Offense: Red Card – Ejection and one game suspension (next game). |
Making avoidable contact with an opposing goalkeeper in their Goal Area or while in possession anywhere in their Penalty Area | First Offense: Yellow Card – Caution or Ejection at the discretion of the Referee Second Offense: Red Card – Ejection and one game suspension (next game). |
Serious Foul Play (e.g. fouling an opponent or handling the ball to deny a clear goal scoring opportunity. | First Offense: Yellow Card – Caution or Ejection at the discretion of the Referee Second Offense: Red Card – Ejection and one game suspension (next game). |
Violent Conduct (e.g. aggressive physical contact with an opponent, teammate, referee, coach or any other person – including grabbing their arm, Turing them around, poking, bumping, striking, kicking, punching etc.) | First Offense: Ejection Subject to additional penalty, possible expulsion pending RRSC Board review |
Entering or leaving the field of play without the permission of the Referee | First Offense: Yellow Card - Caution Second Offense: Red Card - Ejection |
Using or appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. | First Offense: Ejection Subject to additional penalty, possible expulsion pending RRSC Board review |
Refusal to leave the playing field after an ejection. | Additional one game suspension. |