Coaches Code of Conduct

Hold themselves to the highest standard of coaching and promote a positive and safe environment for all participants.

Treat all players, staff members, officials, and opponents with respect. It is important to consider the effect of conduct, rather than relying only on the intent behind conduct.

Communicate with honesty and integrity, while maintaining appropriate boundaries and following all state, league, and club standards for communication, including on social media.

Model inclusive behavior and encourage diversity while opposing all types of discrimination, including, but not limited to, discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status.

Use positive coaching and constructive criticism.

Maintain appropriate relationships with players by establishing healthy boundaries and exercising caution when participating in social activities with players outside of team events.

Ensure appropriate meeting environments, specifically related to time and location.

Ensure facilities, equipment, and resources provided meet appropriate safety standards.

Guarantee the team and staff have appropriate and readily available access to hydration and fluid needs.

Ensure their organization has emergency equipment, training and emergency action plans they are prepared to execute in the interests of health and safety across all stakeholders.

Accept feedback and seek continuous personal and professional improvement.

Understand and act upon their mandatory reporting obligations, reporting any suspected child abuse to law enforcement and to the Center for SafeSport.

Self-report their behavior to a supervisor if they violate the code of conduct or applicable prohibited conduct policies.

Recognize their responsibility to report when they witness a violation of the code of conduct, or when they have reason to believe a violation is likely to have occurred.

Break policies set forth by the U.S. Soccer Federation, member organizations, leagues, or clubs. This includes all safeguarding policies such as the organization’s prohibited conduct, the MAAPP, and the SafeSport Code.

Verbally, physically, sexually, or emotionally abuse, harass, or haze any player, referee, or peer.

Illegally use or possess drugs, alcohol, and tobacco at team events.

Meet one-on-one with players in a private setting.

Engage in any conduct with a player that could be reasonably construed as romantic or sexual, including, but not limited to, pursuing or maintaining a romantic relationship where a power imbalance exists.

Show excessive favoritism toward one player over another, but rather will treat all players with equal dignity and compassion.

Intentionally isolate, shame, or single-out a player that is in a destructive or harmful way.

Retaliate against a player, parent, peer, or referee, including, but not limited to, in response to when a concern has been raised about the coach.