The Board of Directors of Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association, Incorporated (Mass Youth Soccer)
and the leaders of the affiliated Leagues are concerned about the conduct of all coaches and referees
during games at all levels, from recreational to premier to ODP. We want to ensure that games are fair,
positive and enjoyable experiences for all of the children and adults involved. A soccer game should be
friendly and unifying – a spirited social and athletic occasion for players, coaches, referees and
spectators.
To clarify expectations of coach conduct, we jointly expect all coaches to conform to this code of
conduct.
• Before, during and after the game, be an example of dignity, patience and positive spirit.
• Before a game, introduce yourself to the opposing coach and to the referee.
• During the game, you are responsible for the sportsmanship of your players. If one of your
players is disrespectful, irresponsible or overly aggressive, take the player out of the game at
least long enough for him/her to calm down.
• During the game, you are also responsible for the conduct of the parents of your players. It is
imperative to explain acceptable player and parent behavior in a preseason meeting.
• Encourage them to applaud and cheer for good plays by either team. Discourage them
and you may need to be forceful and direct from yelling at players and the referee.
• During the game, you are also responsible for the conduct of spectators rooting for your
team.
• During the game, do not address the referee at all. If you have a small issue, discuss it
with the referee calmly and patiently after the game.
• If you have a major complaint, or if you think the referee was unfair, biased, unfit or
incompetent, report your opinion to your League. Your reactions will be taken seriously if they
are presented objectively and formally.
• After the game, thank the referee and ask your players to do the same.
We stress two points: Referees – especially young and inexperienced ones – are like your players and
yourself, in that they need time to develop. You can play an important role in helping them to improve
by letting them concentrate on the game. You can help by encouraging them, by accepting their
inevitable, occasional mistakes and by offering constructive post-game comments. On the other hand,
you could discourage and demoralize the referees by criticizing their decisions, by verbally abusing them
and inciting – or even accepting – your own players’ overly aggressive behavior. Your example is
powerful, for better or worse. If you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players’ enjoyment of
the game and their overall, long term development, and if you support the referee, your players and
their parents will notice. If you encourage (or allow) your players to play outside the rules, if you’re
overly concerned about results, and if you criticize the referee harshly, your players and their parents
will also notice.
Think about what you’re doing during a game! Uphold the Spirit of the Game! If you follow the
expectations described above, the spirit of the game will be alive and well in Massachusetts and
will grow, along with the enjoyment of all.
Coaches who don’t follow the expectations described above will be disciplined or removed
Coach’s Code of Conduct