Player/Parent Code of Conduct
Participant’s agreement to accept and abide by the rules of TFA
Parents of players participating in the organization of Total Futbol Academy are required to follow the code of conduct as set forth by TFA. Parents must exhibit the behavior that is representative of the Total Futbol Academy’s goal of exhibiting good sportsmanship at all times. Thus, the following guidelines and rules shall apply for all activities:
- You thoroughly understand the expectations as laid out herein.
- In terms of discussing your child’s performance, capability, development or issues- we recommend that these conversations transpire with the coach of the team. It is important that parent’s refrain from talking about players on the team, other than their respective child.
- The practice of any parent approaching a coach, referee or opposing team player or family before, during, or immediately following a game to voice a complaint is strictly forbidden. If you have an issue, there is a mandated 24 hours before reaching out to a coach or organization.
- Do not question an official’s call – You may not agree with the call, but it is not your job (or the player’s or coach’s either) to officiate the game. Accept that bad calls happen and move on. The coach will handle any player safety issues.
- Never make a scene in front of the team as it is embarrassing for you, your children, the coach, the team, and the Club.
- Youth soccer is for the players. If you find yourself becoming too emotionally involved in what is happening on the field, take a step back and relax. Give the young players the freedom to express themselves.
- Be a cheerleader. Nothing is better for your son/daughter than having his/her parents on hand to watch. And nothing is worse than hearing a parent booing, taunting, screaming or making comments at, or about, players, coaches, fans or officials (that includes your team as well as your opponent). Offer applause and cheers of
encouragement for both teams following a good play or a great effort, otherwise keep quiet. - Be responsible – get your kids to practice and games on time with the necessary equipment. Respect the team and the coach’s rules. Send the coach knowledge of absences in a timely manner.
- Set the example by showing respect, dignity, humility, and sportsmanship.
- Parents must not coach from the spectator’s side during matches and training. Chances are you do not know what the coach’s tactics are for the game. or any specific instructions they may have given your child. This type of behavior only confuses the players and can have a detrimental effect on the game and their development.
- Parents should not criticize their child, or any child, during the game, leave this to the coaches since it may cause confusion and erode the player’s confidence.
- Respect the facilities at our opponents’ grounds as well as all our home facilities, this includes cleaning up after yourself, your family and/or your pet.
- TFA’s fields prohibit the possession of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances or weapons. Please extend this prohibition to all fields at which your players participate.
- Do not criticize your child’s coach to your child or other parents; if you are not happy with the coach, you should raise the issue with the coach. Solving issues as close to the source as possible is always the best policy.
- Help your son/daughter focus on the performance and not the result. Avoid post-game analysis – Do not analyze their performance following every game. If you do, chances are they will avoid talking to you after the game, get upset at the end of bad games or worse yet, not want you at games at all. Let your child come to you for advice. This will have a larger impact.
- Winning is not as important as performance. Put winning and losing in perspective. Keep reminding your respective player about this reality and the need to deal with both outcomes. Humility in winning and losing is the goal.
- Do not criticize the opponents, their parents, coaches, or the referee even if they are being confrontational.
- Parents will not question the “coach’s coaching” during or after practices or games. The same applies for questioning the referees during or after games. Positive and encouraging comments are welcome. Negative comments or detrimental comments directed at coaches, players, referees, or other spectators are not acceptable. Seeking to learn is acceptable but needs to be done at the appropriate time.
- Recognize that this is competitive soccer. Playing time will not be guaranteed. Your player will have to earn their playing time through practice, performance, and attitude. If any of these items are missing it could affect playing time.
- Serious infractions will result in the removal of the player from Total Futbol Academy.
