Code of Conduct

JP Youth Soccer strives to provide a safe and positive environment while developing passionate and skilled soccer players. The success of JPYS depends upon the collective efforts, sportsmanship and cooperation of ALL participants. To that end, we ask that all players, coaches and families review and follow the JPYS Code of Conduct, the Zero Tolerance Policy regarding disrespect toward referees and officials, and the Guidelines for Encouraging Players during Games.

JPYS Code of Conduct

• Respect the safety​ of all players

  • Play under control

  • No reckless play

  • Take responsibility if you hurt another player by mistake

  • Never try to hurt another player

• Be a good sport

  • Celebrate your team’s success

  • Do not taunt or tease any players

  • Never swear, curse, or call other people mean names

• Play soccer!

  • Have fun

  • Play with energy and spirit

  • Follow the rules

  • Do not cheat

  • Follow the directions of the coaches and referees

Zero Tolerance Policy regarding Disrespect toward Officials

Refereeing is a tough job, and if we want to keep good referees in our program, we need to train and encourage them along with the players and coaches. JPYS is committed to making sure that referees are supported and respected during match play. Our travel teams must abide by the BAYS League's "Zero Tolerance Policy". We expect the same  from all of our coaches, players, and families, whether they are on a travel team, Campeones team, or in any other part of the program. This means:

• SPECTATORS SHOULD NOT SPEAK TO THE REFEREE during or after the game.

• Absolutely NO DISPUTING CALLS, during or after the game, and no remarks to the referee to watch certain players or to attend to rough play.

• NO YELLING AT THE REFEREE, EVER, and no criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation, or feedback of any kind shall be directed at a referee during or after the game.

• Coaches may ask questions before the game, call for substitutions, point out emergencies during the game, or respond to the referee if addressed. Otherwise, coaches must also abide by the policy.

• For our travel teams, violations of the Zero Tolerance Policy can result in caution, ejection, abandonment of the game, forfeits, or more serious sanctions against the team and the organization. JPYS may take action in response to violations that happen as well.

• If you do see a serious problem with a referee, please bring it to the attention of your coach, our referee assignor, or a JPYS Board member.

Just remember that we're all learning--players, coaches, and referees.  Mistakes will be made. It's not the end of the world.

Spectator Behavior Guidelines

Finally, and we know this is a tough one...

• We ask JPYS parents, families, and spectators to PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE refrain from providing instruction or direction to the players during games, scrimmages or practices. We emphasize this at all levels in JPYS (Academy, Campeones, Travel) because we believe it is that important to players' development. It's great to offer words of encouragement or praise such as, "Great pass!" or "Nice teamwork!" but please avoid shouting directions such as "Shoot!", "Spread out!", “Kick it!”, “Pass it to ______,” or anything that is intended as a direction or suggestion to a player about what they should do while playing.

 There are many reasons we ask this, but most importantly:

• One of our main goals in JPYS is to help the players learn to make their own decisions on the field. Outside direction from spectators while they are playing doesn't help them learn to do that.

• Players need to practice communicating with their teammates; outside shouting and direction can be confusing

• It can be distracting to players while they are playing

• It may be wrong, or contrary to something the coach has told them, but even at best, it usually doesn't help them

• It is the job of the coaches to coach the players, and you’ll find that, in the JPYS community, even the coaches are encouraged to speak as little as possible to the players while they are playing in games.

In short, the games belong to the players. We should do our best to let the players have them. We recommend looking at The Sideline Project (https://thesidelineproject.com/take-pledge/) or the Positive Coaching Alliance (https://www.positivecoach.org/) for more ideas on how to support our players in a positive environment.

Massachusetts Youth Soccer Codes of Conduct

We also ask everyone to review and abide by the coordinating MYSA Codes of Conduct:

• Zero Tolerance Policy

• Player's Code of Conduct

• Coach's Code of Conduct

• Parent's / Guardian's / Spectator's Code of Conduct

• Soccer Official's Code of Conduct