Kearsley Youth Football & Cheerleading

Code of Conduct

It is the mission of the Kearsley Youth Football and Cheerleading (KYFC) to organize and maintain recreational athletics (youth football and cheer) in an instructional nature; to provide adequate supervision and guidance; and to promote development of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline and team play, which are the basic essentials for good sportsmanship. We strive to provide all Kearsley area and children the opportunity to participate in Youth Football and Cheer in a safe and supportive environment. Most importantly, this is a great opportunity for them to make new friends!

I hereby agree to commit to the guidelines, rules and regulations stated below.

1)      Attendance

a.      If an athlete misses practices or games it not only hurts the development of the athlete, but the whole team. Therefore, if an athlete misses practices or games for unexcused reasons, it can limit playing time.

b.      Family comes first. KYFC understands an athlete may have to miss practices/games due to family functions such as weddings, birthdays or funerals.

c.       KYFC understands and supports that athletes may be involved in other sports or activities that may create conflicts with practices or games. In the event that this occurs, it is essential that the player and/or parent discusses these conflicts in a timely manner with the head coach.

2)      Playing Time

a.      KYFC will offer equal playing time to the best of the coach’s ability but is not guaranteed. As a parent, you must understand that participation and playing time are two different things. You must understand that participation in practices are guaranteed to all players (at various levels depending on position) but playing time in games for any athlete is not guaranteed and will not be equally divided among athletes  on any team and that there is no minimum play requirement.

                   i. Offense, Defense and Special Teams: While an offensive player may get equal time on the field as other offensive players, if the offense is not on the field as long as the defense or vice versa, the playing time may differ greatly between offensive and defensive players.

                   ii. Playing “Both Ways”: Coaches may have the same players on the starting lineup for both the Offense and Defense (i.e., playing “both ways”). While coaches would ideally like to have the best offensive players and the best defensive players (not playing both ways), this is very seldom the case.

                    iii. Flag Football: For our Flag Football teams, coaches are instructed to do their best to ensure that every player takes the field for every game and distribute playing time as equal as possible.

                    iv. Tackle & Flag Cheer: All cheerleaders will have the opportunity to cheer the entire game. Stunting positions and jumps will be decided by the coach based upon strength and athleticism. Coaches are responsible for the safety of the athletes therefore, stunting and jumps may be changed based upon player attendance and participation.

3)      Coaches

a.       Coaches are selected by the Football Director, Cheer Director and Flag Director based upon volunteer requests and knowledge of the sport.

b.      Coaches are to follow the guidelines created by the KYFC that include playing time and personal conduct. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in the coach being removed from his/her duties and replaced by a coach chosen by the KYFC Board.

4)      Behavior Policy

a.       The goal of this policy is to not only promote sportsmanship but to also encourage positive communication and experiences between KYFC, coaches, players, referees, parents and spectators.

b.      Any board member, coach, player referee, parent or spectator that demonstrates behavior that is detrimental to this program may be removed from the KYFC program.

c.       Detrimental behavior is defined as physical and/or verbal abuse towards any participant, board member, coach, player or referee at any time.

d.      Violators of this policy will be ejected from the event (game/practice) and may be expelled from the program (nonrefundable).

e.       If the violator is a board member, coach or player then the KYFC will meet to discuss the violator’s possible disciplinary action.

f.        If the violator is a parent or spectator, and if the violator has been ejected from the event, they can possibly be expelled from the program and all future events at the sole discretion of the KYFC.

g.       All tobacco products (chew, snuff, cigars and cigarettes), electronic cigarettes and alcohol usage is strictly prohibited for all parents and coaches during team activities.

I have read and understand this entire Code of Conduct and agree to abide by it.

Player Name:­­­­­­­­­­­______________________________________________________

Parent Signature:___________________________________________________ Date: _____________