Falls Soccer Club Philosophy

The primary goal of the Falls Soccer Club is to provide children a place to learn and play the game of soccer in a fun yet competitive atmosphere where all members: players, coaches, parents, visitors, referees and board members conduct themselves with respect, courtesy and demonstrate sportsmanship all around.

Falls Soccer Club is an organization run by volunteers of our great community. The Falls Soccer Club board is comprised of volunteers who have been voted in each year by the general membership.

FSC believes that we must never forget that the game of soccer is just that - a game. It’s not about how many wins and losses are accumulated. It is not about how many trophies are collected. It is not about how many goals we score or concede. It is all about enjoying the game and, at the same time, learning and developing soccer and life skills.

FSC believes that proper soccer development requires that children play age appropriate activities so that they can experience, comprehend, and execute the game as it relates to where they are at their own stage of physical and mental development.

We may need to add that we try to adhere to USYS guidelines for playing time., which is 50%.

Here at FSC we strive to teach players to play in all field positions so that they learn all the skills necessary to develop in the game.

FSC expects that all players are to receive adequate playing time, so that all players are given the opportunity to learn. We try to adhere to the USYS guidelines for playing time: each player plays 50% of each game.

FSC strive to make practices and training sessions about learning the techniques of the game through a variety of fun games and drills where players have as much contact with a ball as possible and learn at their own rates.

Code of Conduct for Parents/Care Givers

• Have your child at practices and games on time. Attendance is important not only for your child but to the team as well. If you are unable to attend a practice or game, inform your coach immediately.
• Pick your child up as soon as practice and/or games are over.
• Be your child’s biggest fan and offer support unconditionally.
• When you take your child home after a match or training session, please be supportive and always focus on the positive aspects of his/her game.
• Develop a responsibility in your child to pack their own kit, clean their boots and take a water bottle to every practice and games.
• Respect the facilities of not only our home facility but others as well. This includes respecting other members as well.
• Do not criticize your child’s coach to your child or other parents. If you are not happy with the coach you should fill out a grievance form (found online at our website) with the FSC board to help mediate the situation. At no time is it appropriate for adults to argue/fight in front of the players/ kids. Such actions will result in action by the board.
• Encourage your child to speak with his/her coach. If your child is having difficulties in training or games, or can’t attend training etc. encourage him/her to speak directly to the coaches. This “responsibility taking” is a big part of becoming a mature person. By handling off the field tasks, your child is claiming ownership of all aspects of the game.
• Help your child to focus on the performance and not the result. Remember - winning is not as important as the performance.
• Support all the players on your child’s team. Do not criticize anyone. Remember – children don’t mean to make mistakes.
• Do not criticize the opponents, their parents or their officials.
• Never audibly dispute a referee’s decision. They will make mistakes occasionally. We all do. If you abuse or shout at the referee you are breaking the rules of the game and risk generating a fine for the club. You are also demonstrating inappropriate behavior to the children that is not in compliance with what we stand for as a club. Behavior such as this will not be tolerated by the club.
• Parents should cheer for the team but will not involve themselves with sideline coaching. Leave this to the manager/coach as you may cause confusion and erode your child’s confidence.
• Parents must not enter the field of play ever. If a situation warrants that a parent be brought on to the field due to injury, the referee will inform you to do so.
• If an issue may arise, first talk calmly to the coach for resolution. If a resolution is not made, submit a grievance to the FSC board for review and resolution.

• Failure to act in a respectful manner or by violating our code of conduct will result in an investigation by the FSC board and disciplinary action, if warranted, can include suspension and/or expulsion from the club.

Please remember: This is a game, these are kids, the coach is a volunteer and the referee is human….. "the game is for the children. It is not for the glory of the coach, manager or parents."

Code of Conduct for Players

Players should:

• Understand that regular attendance to practice and games is expected and the commitment that they signed up for when joining a team.
• Be on time and be prepared for matches and training sessions. This includes wearing the appropriate uniform or practice clothes, shin guards, ball, water, and cleats. No Jewelry.
• Play according to the laws and spirit of the game.
• Display self-control in all situations. Never use foul or abusive language - before, during or after a game or training session.
• Train and play to the best of your ability, have a positive attitude, and encourage others to do the same. Display good sportsmanship always.
• Respect their team mates and coaches.
• Respect the opposition. Treat them as you would like them to treat you.
• Respect the referee. Never dispute his or her decisions. They are only human and they make mistakes, just like you.
• Failure to act in a respectful manner or by violating our code of conduct will result in an investigation by the FSC board and disciplinary action, if warranted, can include suspension and/or expulsion from the club.

Code of Conduct for Coaches and Officials

A coach’s primary responsibility is to make sure that his/her players have fun, develop as soccer players and to instill in them a passion for the game.

The performance of coaches is not measured in wins and losses, but rather in what players learn in terms of technique, sportsmanship, and fair play.

Coaches are charged with the responsibility of controlling their players and parents at all times during a match and practice.

Coaches lead and teach by example; our players will be a reflection upon the manager and coach.

Coaches will:

• Provide state mandated background clearances prior to coaching.
• Complete their concussion training and submit their certificate to the appropriate board member.
• Be a positive role model for your team and show up on time for practices and games.
• Use positive reinforcement when dealing with players.
• Never use foul or abusive language and never abuse a player mentally, verbally, or physically.
• Have respect for the authority of the referee, our opponents on match days and the officials of their club.
• Teach the players the rules of the game, fair play, and proper behavior.
• Develop your players technique and their decision-making ability.
• Inspect the playing area for hazards and generally make practice sessions and matches as safe as possible for your players. You should be aware, however, that soccer is a contact sport and your players may get injured. If this happens, we will provide appropriate first aid.

• Not allow a player to take part in a practice session or a match if he/she is injured. A player suffering from a concussion will have to provide a medical clearance before resuming practices and games.
• Not leave any player unattended at a practice session or a game.
• Only allow a player to leave a practice session or a game if a responsible person collects them unless you give written permission for the player to leave on their own.
• Be enthusiastic (even in the pouring rain!)
• Try our best to make the game enjoyable for everyone who takes part – players, opponents, parents/care givers and spectators.
• Failure to act in a respectful manner or by violating our code of conduct will result in an investigation by the FSC board and disciplinary action, if warranted, can include suspension and/or expulsion from the club.

Referee Coach Relationship and Expectations

We all want our players to have fun, and be safe first and foremost, which is explained at coaches and referee meetings. With that said, we want the Falls Soccer Club Referee and Coach relationship to remain strong in support of our growing club.

If a coach truly values the safety of his players, and sportsmanship above winning, then he/she and the referee are on the same page. If, however, a coach values winning more than the Laws of the Game, he/she will find himself/herself constantly at odds with the Referee, whose functions are to adjudicate the Laws of the Game, and to maintain the safety of all players.

All referee’s will be current in their USSF certification. All referees have agreed to be honest, forthright, know the laws of the game to the best of their ability, not to show favoritism, be responsible and honor their position, and to do their best. Sounds like a Boy Scout oath, but it’s true. We may not be able to see everything, or "call all right" all the time, but we will do our best. To foster and strengthen the Referee Coach Relationship, please keep the following in mind during games:

• The primary focus is player safety and to ensure the kids have fun, while playing the game the proper way (following the Laws of The Game).
• The referee is in total control the field. Coaches will respect their position and their calls.
• Referees must report all carded violations to the Referee Coordinator, the Divisional Director, President, and Vice President.
• Coaches are responsible for teaching sportsmanship and player safety including proper uniform and equipment (no jewelry; no metal showing anywhere, including hair berets, etc). The referee(s) adjudicate these teachings during the game and holds the coach responsible if in violation.
• Coaches are responsible to know game playing times (length of halves) and should confirm these times with the referee(s) prior to game start. If the coaches have a need to change these times, they will concur with each other prior to approaching the referee(s).
• For younger teams, Coaches should know when and how to pull back while ensuring safety of players during the game both on and off the field of play. The referee should not interfere with coaching styles unless they are in violation of the primary focus (first bullet). Referees must report any violations to the Referee Coordinator, President and/or Vice President.
• Coaches need to be responsible for controlling parents, as well as players.

The FSC Board has the ultimate say in any and all grievance/ disciplinary action. Every grievance the board receives will be treated without bias and investigated thoroughly. Our goal is that every player no matter the age or league feels safe, respected and a love for the game of soccer.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS, PLAYERS, COACHES, OFFICIALS:

Cancellations due to inclement weather will be decided by the Falls Soccer Club Board and/or referee if field conditions are deemed unplayable. In the event a game is canceled by the board for inclement weather, we follow our rain out policy. Please not that soccer is played in inclement weather and games will be forfeited and not made up in event of coaches or parents cancelling games.