Club Policies

Club-wide policies and protocol.

Our club has implemented policies to support our players, staff, families, and community as we strive to provide the best environment for our players to develop within the game.

Any questions or concerns can be sent to info@dmvfc.org.

Policies

Player & Family Code of Conduct

DMV FC & Total Futbol strive to provide the best training environment for all of our players to achieve their individual goals. All teams are taught to play a skillful possession style with strong team unity. Our teams will
be smart, hard-working, focused, fit, and aggressive. To achieve this, we have policies within the organization that all players and families are expected to follow to maintain the best environment for players, their
families, and our coaches & staff.

Player Code of Conduct:

I agree to abide by this code and the policies and procedures of DMV FC. I understand that if I engage in improper conduct, then I will be subject to the rules and disciplinary procedures of the organization.

• I will do my best, work hard and have a positive attitude.
• I will learn the laws of the game and play with honor and dignity.
• I will help my parents and family understand the laws of the game, so they can watch and enjoy the game better.
• I will not get into arguments with opposing teams, players, parents or coaches.
• I will not criticize referees or dispute their calls, and I understand there is zero-tolerance for those who do.
• I will be gracious and humble in both victory and defeat.
• I understand that I represent the Club in matches and tournaments and will not act in any way that is detrimental to my team or the Club.
• I will not engage in, nor encourage, any behaviors or practices that would endanger the physical, emotional or mental well-being of any player.
• I will not use abusive, offensive or vulgar language.

Parents & Players - Communication Guidelines:

24-Hour Rule

- With all age groups, please refrain from contacting the Coach within 24 hours of completion of a game to discuss any issues such as playing time, positions, etc. Everyone’s emotions are highest directly after the game and this rule allows the player and their family, as well as the coach, the necessary time to “cool off” and more objectively assess the situation.

Player Communication:

- Beginning with the Fall of the U13 season, all conversations about playing time, issues players need to work on, positions, practice attendance, etc., need to be initiated by the player, not a parent. We
encourage parents to observe any conversations about such topics, but we feel that at this age the kids need to begin to handle things on their own as part of their maturation process.

Parent & Family Code of Conduct:

I agree to abide by this code and the policies and procedures of DMV FC. I understand that if I engage in improper conduct, then I will be subject to the rules and disciplinary procedures of the organization.

• Parents are encouraged to be supportive throughout all contests but should refrain from:
1. Comments that are in any way instructional to the players
2. Criticism of the referees
3. Criticism of the coaches or players of either team.
• The coach should be handling all communication during games to the players, as well as to match officials.
• Coaching from the sideline is detrimental to your child’s development as a player, as well as the team’s performance. Cheer for what happened rather than telling them what to do.
• Maintain control of your emotions and avoid the use of abusive language, profanity, and gestures of ill-temper; and refrain at all times from making hostile or negative remarks about or to, or engaging or
threatening to engage in physical behavior against the opposing team, any coach, parent, player, DMV FC board member, DMV FC staff member, officials, or any other sports attendee.
• Any behavior constituting harassment, intimidation or bullying toward any coach, parent, player, DMV FC Staff or Board member, official or any other sports attendee.
• Using drugs or alcohol while attending or participating in any DMV FC sporting event. All attendees must follow all field rules and regulations.
• Cyberbullying acts directed at any coach, parent, player, staff or board member, official or any other sports attendee. This includes, but is not limited to, harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing by way of any technological tool, such as sending or posting inappropriate or derogatory email messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or Web site postings (including blogs)

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES:

- Coaches shall promptly address any conduct that violates this Code that is observed or brought to the attention of the coach and shall promptly report such conduct and any actions taken to address it to the Executive Director & Executive Board
- Coaches have the absolute authority, in their sole discretion, to issue verbal warnings and/or eject any player, parent/guardian, or from any game or match if the player, parent/guardian violates this Code.
- DMV FC - The Executive Director, the Executive Board, or any individual delegated by the Executive Director or Board, will investigate any observed or reported violation of this Code.
- The investigation shall include an opportunity for any person alleged to have violated this Code to speak with the Executive Director, DMV FC Board or such delegate.
- Upon the conclusion of a reasonable investigation, the Executive Board will determine the appropriate penalty for any violation of this Code.
- Penalties will be based on the nature and severity of the violation and may include one or more of the following: verbal warning, written warning, suspension of one or more games in duration and/or
expulsion.
- The Executive Board will not discriminate in any manner in determining whether or not to impose a penalty or in determining an appropriate penalty. The club will keep reasonable and appropriate records of each reported violation and shall document each penalty imposed and the reasons for imposing such penalty.
- All decisions of the Executive Board made under this Code are final and cannot be appealed.

Coach Code of Conduct

Coaches are key to establishing and upholding the ethics in soccer. Their concept of ethics and their attitude directly affects the behavior of players under their supervision. Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct. Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions have ethical implications.

The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are a first priority, before the achievement or the reputation of the club, coach or parent.

• Soccer is the players’ game. The paramount concern of coaches is the holistic development, welfare, enjoyment and safety of their players.
• Coaches bear responsibility for teaching their players to strive for success while playing fairly, observing the Laws of the Game and the highest levels of sportsmanship.
• Coaches shall treat officials with respect and dignity, and shall teach their players to do the same.
• Our opponents are worthy of being treated with respect. Coaches will model such respect for
opponents and expect their players to do likewise.
• In both victory and defeat, the behavior of a coach shall model grace, dignity and composure.
• Coaches shall adhere to the highest standards and the regulations of the institutions they represent:
clubs, schools, sponsoring organizations and sports governing bodies.
• Coaches have a responsibility to promote the interests of soccer, including treating media with
courtesy, honesty and respect.
• Coaches shall model inclusive behavior, actively supporting cultural diversity while opposing all types of discrimination, including, but not limited to, racism and sexism, at all levels of soccer.
• Coaches are responsible for taking an active role in education about, and prevention and treatment of, drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse, both in their own lives and in the lives of their players.
• Coaches shall refrain from all manner of personal abuse and harassment of others, whether verbal,
physical, emotional or sexual, and shall oppose such abuse and harassment at all levels of soccer.
• Coaches shall respect the declared affiliations of all players and shall adhere to all guidelines and
regulations on recruiting established by the governing bodies having oversight of their teams and
leagues.
• Coaches shall seek to honor those who uphold the highest standards and principles of soccer and shall use appropriate protocol to oppose and eliminate all behavior that brings disrepute to the sport – violence, abuse, dishonesty, disrespect and violations of the Laws of the Game and rules governing
competition.
• Coaches must ensure that the activities they institute are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the players.
• Coaches must abstain from the use of tobacco products and alcohol while in the presence of athletes.
• Coaches must co-operate fully with other specialists (eg. other coaches, officials, sports scientists,
doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interests of the player.
• Coaches must consistently display high standards of behavior and appearance.
• Coaches must not use or tolerate inappropriate language.
• Coaches must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance.
I understand that if I engage in improper conduct, then I will be subject to the rules and disciplinary
procedures of the Club.