All coaches, players, and parents are expected to endorse and comply with their Codes of Conduct. Coaches are required to inform players and parents of their Codes of Conduct. Coach, player, or parent violations will be brought before the Honor the Game Committee for review and serious violations may result in suspension.

• Enthusiastically support and practice “everyone plays” and positive coaching philosophies. Ensure that your players’ soccer experience is a positive one. Winning is only one part of that experience. 

• Be reasonable in your demands on the young player’s time, energy, enthusiasm, and their performance on the soccer field. Keep informed about sound principles of coaching and growth and development principles relating to children.

• Communicate with parents on a regular basis in a clear and concise manner to convey season goals and team objectives.

• Be a positive role model whenever you are around players and parents. Exercise professional decorum and conduct at all practices and games, including team kickoff meetings, team dinners, and team end-of-year parties. Socializing with parents and players outside these parameters is inappropriate.

• Develop team respect for the ability of opponents and their coaches. Impress upon your players that they must abide by the rules of the game at all times.

• Develop team respect for referees. Mustang supports a zero tolerance policy as far as questioning or harassment of referees.

• Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their sideline. Enlist the support of your team’s parents to instill the proper attitudes and values in the players.

• Check your equipment to make sure it meets safety standards and is appropriate to the age and ability of your players. Report any facility/field safety concerns to the appropriate authority.

• Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured player is ready to play again.

• Abide by the rules of leagues and tournaments in which your team participates. Engage a field marshal or tournament official if you feel a situation is getting out of control. 

Players Code of Conduct

•  Play soccer for the fun of it. Remember the goals of the game are to have fun, improve skills, and feel good about your contribution to the team. (Don’t be a showoff or a ball-hog.) 

•  Play by the rules of the game and show respect to all coaches, referees, and tournament officials. 

•  Never argue with or complain about referee calls or decisions. Mustang supports a zero tolerance policy concerning harassment of referees.

•  Control your temper and, most of all, resist the temptation to retaliate when you feel you have been wronged.

•  Concentrate on playing soccer and affecting the outcome of the game with your best effort. Work equally as hard for your team as for yourself.

•  Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Be a good sport by cheering all good plays – on your team and your opponent’s team.

• Always conduct yourself in a manner befitting someone representing themselves, their family, and the Mustang Soccer Club.   

Parents Code of Conduct 

•  Remember children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment, not yours. Do not force an unwilling child to participate. 

•  Teach your player that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than a victory. Help your player work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship – even in defeat your child will be a winner.

•  Be a positive role model whenever you are around players. Set a good example – do not yell at, ridicule, or criticize your child or any other player. Instead applaud good plays by your team and by those of the opposing team.

•  Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities.

•  Show respect to all coaches, referees, and tournament officials. Mustang supports a zero tolerance policy as to questioning and harassment of referees. Leave conflict resolution to the field marshals or tournament officials.

•  Do not engage coaches in social activities outside the parameters set in the Coaches Code of Conduct: practices, games, team kickoff meetings, team dinners, and team end-of-year parties.