I HEREBY PLEDGE THAT AS A Youth Lacrosse of Arizona COACH I WILL:

• Honor the Game of Lacrosse and the YLA organization

• Consider it a privilege to coach youth and recognize that the game I am coaching is for youth and not for my benefit as an adult.

• Recognize that as a coach I am the single person who is the most responsible for setting the tone of behavior for my players and my team’s parents and fans.

• Lead by example in demonstrating a sense of fair play and superior sportsmanship to all my players.

• Strive to master the rules of lacrosse and teach those rules to my players and their parents.

• Teach lacrosse skills, and use coaching techniques, appropriate for the age I coach.

• Emphasize positive coaching methods designed to foster a love and appreciation for the sport of lacrosse in my players.

• Place the emotional and physical well being of my players ahead of my personal desire to win.

• Remember to treat each player as an individual and recognize that there is a large spread in emotional and physical development of players within the same age group.

• Avoid displays or outbursts of anger in the presence of my players.

• Not threaten, harass or abuse a player physically, verbally, mentally or sexually.

• Not use alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs in the presence of players.

• Not maliciously criticize, badger, harass, or threaten any official.

• Comply with Arizona law and USA Lacrosse policy regarding concussions; educate myself about the risks and symptoms of concussions; and not return to play a player who has been suspected of sustaining a concussion until I have received reasonable assurance that the player has been evaluated by a licensed physician who has provided the player with written clearance to return to play.

• Not use the media (including electronic media such as websites, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) or other forms of communication to criticize an official, opposing coach or player, or those associated with administering the sport of lacrosse thru YLA. All inquiries or arguments of outcome must go through the board of directors.

All the above are non-negotiable. Any failure to comply may lead directly to the loss of coaching opportunity for clubs under Youth Lacrosse of Arizona.

IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN LEAGUE ACTIVITIES, I PLEDGE TO:

• Honor the game by showing respect for all teammates, coaches and referees.

• Honor the game by learning and upholding the rules of lacrosse.

• Honor the game by understanding the traditions and customs of lacrosse.

• Honor the game by adhering to the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play.

• Honor the game by winning with grace and losing with dignity.

IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN LEAGUE ACTIVITIES, I PLEDGE NOT TO:

• Dishonor the game by using profanity at practice or games.

• Dishonor the game by use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs.

• Dishonor the game by criticizing opposing coaches, players or officials.

• Dishonor the game by fighting or threatening an opposing player, coach or game official.

I ___________________(athlete’s name), have read and understand the leagues player code of conduct. I understand that I will be held accountable to this code of conduct, and I will do everything in my power to abide by the rules and values of the league. I further acknowledge that should I violate the code of conduct and my actions result in personnel injury to others or damage to property I and my parents/guardian shall be responsible for any and all costs that may arise from such action.

Each club must keep an original copy of this Code of Conduct on file for the season. Any player who wishes to participate in the league must sign this contract. A parent(s) or guardian must sign a player’s form. The signature indicates that the person has read and agrees to this Code of Conduct and knows that the consequences of violating one of these rules may include ejection from the event. The league’s Board of Directors or designated persons will be notified of the ejection.

The essential elements of character building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concepts of sportsmanship and six core principles:

1. Trustworthiness

2. Respect

3. Responsibility

4. Fairness

5. Caring

6. Good citizenship

The highest potential of sports are achieved when competition reflects these “six pillars of character.”

I therefore agree:

• I will not force my child to participate in lacrosse.

• I will remember children participate to have fun and the sport is for youth, not adults.

• I will inform the Club Administrator and coach of any physical disability or ailment that might affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.

• I will learn and abide by the rules of lacrosse and the policies of my club and the league.

• I will support my child’s coach by having my child on time to practices and games.

• I and my guests will be positive role models 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 practice, game and other events.

• I and my guests will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, athlete, or parent, including but not limited to, booing, taunting, refusing to shake hands, or using profane language or gestures.

• I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that might endanger the health and wellbeing of the athletes, coaches, officials and/or spectators.

• I will teach my child to obey the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

• I will demand my child treat other athletes, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, gender or ability.

• I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard regardless or win or lose.

• I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition.

• I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.

• I will respect the officials, coaches, club and league officials. I will respect their authority during games and will never question, discuss or confront coaches or officials at lacrosse events, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.

• I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all events.

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

1. Verbal warning from an official, head coach, my club and/or the league;

2. Written warning from my club and/or the league;

3. Suspension or immediate ejection from a game by an official, my club and/or the league;

4. Game forfeit through the official or coach.

5. Parental season suspension.

I also understand that all documentation of all incidents shall kept on file by organizations involved.

Ejections are an automatic one (1) game suspension in addition to the initial game infraction. In the youth league, with two (2) games per weekend, the suspension is served either the second game of the weekend, or the first game of the following weekend depending on occurrence.

Depending on the severity of the Ejection, such as Fighting, bench clearing brawls, etc, two (2) games or more will be considered. 

A second ejection in the same season will be an automatic two (2) games, a third ejection in the same season the Disciplinary Committee will consider expulsion for the remainder of the season. 

Please know the best coaches will self suspend their own players every time if the ejection is merited, which 99% of the time ejections are merited.

If a coach requests an “Appeal”, the appeal must be submitted with film to substantiate the request. Without film, the appeal will not be reviewed. We will however take into account the opposing coaches view if pertinent.  

If a person (coach, player, parent) does not serve their respective suspension, either due to pending appeal or other reason, any played game(s) will add directly to the suspension. Example: Coach A receives and ejection in the first game of the weekend. Coach A is still on the sidelines for the second game. Coach A is now subject to an automatic (2) two game suspension UNLESS the Appeal is ultimately granted.