Central Maryland Soccer Association (CMSA) is committed to creating positive opportunities and experiences through our soccer programs that are beneficial and will foster the development of positive moral and ethical standards within the youth of our communities and promote good sportsmanship among all participants. The achievement of those goals, in large part, depends on the character and conduct of persons involved in those programs as administrators, officials, and coaches.

In order to assure CMSA’s commitment to those goals, all participating coaches hereby agree to abide, and be bound, by the following standards of conduct and further agree to the authority of CMSA to enforce those standards:

The coach shall:

• Be aware that he or she has an influence on the education of the athlete and, thus, shall constantly display and demand good sportsmanship in practice and in games, including, but not limited to, accepting decisions of game officials in a professional manner; refrain from criticizing opposing coaches, players, and fans; congratulate opposing players and coaches following a game; and refrain from teaching unsportsmanlike strategies.
• Master the contest rules and shall teach them to his or her team members. The coach shall not seek an advantage by circumvention of the spirit or letter of the rules.
• Respect and support the contest officials. The coach shall not indulge in conduct that would incite players or spectators against the officials.
• Refrain from using abusive or profane language in or around the playing field at games and practices.
• Provide opportunities for all players regardless of race, color, ethnic background, or religion.
• Strive to promote good mental and physical health in all aspects of participation and refrain from any type of verbal or physical abuse of any players.
• Refuse to permit a player to participate in a practice or game when in doubt as to the player’s health or physical condition and abide by a doctor’s decision in all matters relating to a player’s health and physical ability to participate.
• Avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco products when in contact with players, or in view of players at the playing field.
• Provide players with additional challenges rather than “running up the score” against another team.

PARENT’S CODE OF CONDUCT

Central Maryland Soccer Association seeks to instill positive character-building traits in our communities’ youth through the demonstration of good sportsmanship, respect for others, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. We ask that parents and their guests attending CMSA sponsored events help us by reflecting these character traits at games.

When attending CMSA sponsored events, I therefore agree:

• I will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
• I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing, taunting or using profane language or gestures, etc.
• I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and wellbeing of the athletes.
• I will teach my child to play by the spirit of the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
• I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, sex, or ability.
• I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.
• I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches or referees at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
• I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.
• I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.

I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:

• Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or member of league organization
• Written warning
• Parental game(s) suspension with written documentation of incident
• Parental season suspension

REFEREE’S CODE OF CONDUCT

Referees are independent contractors assigned to us by area referee associations. Once they arrive at the game site, they are in control of the fields they have been assigned to.

They are responsible for the safety of the players and coaches during a match. Referees must know the laws of the game and enforce them fairly. They have the responsibility for upholding the laws and spirit of the game. Referees should show respect for the players, coaches, spectators, and the game itself.

• Referees are expected to always maintain the utmost respect for the game.
• Referees are expected to conduct themselves honorably at all time and maintain the dignity of his/her position.
• Referees are expected to always honor an assignment or any other contractual obligation.
• Referees will not tolerate nor allow abusive behavior or language.
• Referees are expected to attend training meetings and clinics so as to know the rules and regulations of CMSA, their proper interpretation and their application. Referees are expected to know the rules and regulations of the games and divisions to which they are assigned.
• Referees are expected to strive to achieve maximum teamwork with fellow officials.
• Referees are expected to show respect for other referees, coaches and players and never promote criticism of them.
• Referees are expected to control players, coaches and Parents/Spectators effectively by being courteous and considerate without sacrificing fairness. Referees will handle disputes with coaches, players and parents calmly and respectfully.
• Referees are expected to do their utmost to assist fellow officials to better themselves and their work.
• Referees are expected to not make statements about any game except to clarify an interpretation of rules.
• Referees are expected to not discriminate against nor take any undo advantage of any individual group on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Referees are required to give one (1) verbal warning; if the problem continues then the referee will remove the person 0r persons responsible from the playing area. If the problem continues and the referee feels that there is a need to terminate the game; then play will be discontinued. When the game is stopped, the parents, players and coaching staff are required to immediately leave the facility. The team responsible for the problem will receive a 3-0 loss