PARENT / COACH RELATIONSHIPS

Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult. By establishing and understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to children. As parents, when your child becomes involved in our program, you have the right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach or your child’s team.

Communication you should expect from your child’s coach:

• Philosophy of the coach
• Expectations the coach has for your child as well as all the players on the team
• Locations and times of all practices and games
• Team requirements, (i.e. uniform fees, or special equipment)
• Procedures should your child be injured during practice or games
• Discipline that results in the denial of your child’s participation

Communication coaches should expect from parents:

• Concerns expressed directly to the coach
• Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance
• Specific concern in regard to a coach’s philosophy and / or expectations

As your child becomes involved in the program, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the ay you or your child wishes. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged.

Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches:

• The treatment of your child mentally and physically
• Ways to help your child improve
• Concerns about your child’s behavior

It is very difficult to accept your child may not be playing the position you hoped. WTFC Coaches are volunteers. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best for all children involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can and should be discussed with your child’s coach. Other things, such as these listed below should not and must be left to the discretion of the coach.

Issues Not Appropriate to discuss with coaches:

• The Position Your Child Is Playing
• Team Strategy
• Play Calling
• Other Children On The Team

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and parents. These are to be encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the others position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

Procedures to follow if you have a concern to discuss with a coach:

• After practice or a game, ask if you can have a PRIVATE word with him or her.
• Call him at home after practice or a game
• If steps one & two fail call your child’s league director (A League directory is located in the front of this manual)
• PLEASE DO NOT attempt to confront a coach before or after practice or games. These can be emotional times fro both the parent and coach. Meetings of this nature usually do not promote resolution.

What a Parent can do if a meeting with the coach does not provide a satisfactory resolution?

• Call and set up and appointment with WTFC’s President & Vice President to discuss the situation
• At this meeting, the appropriate next step can be determined.

Research indicates a child involved in co-curricular activities has a greater chance of success during adulthood, therefore, this league has been established. Many character traits required to be successful participant are exactly those that will promote a successful life after high school. We hope the information provided within this handbook makes both your experience with Warren Township Football Club less stressful and more enjoyable.

COACHES CODE OF ETHICS

I pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for the children participating in Warren Township Football Club by following this Coaches Code of Ethics:

• I will place the emotional and physical well being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.
• I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.
• I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for my players.
• I will promise to review and practice basic first aid principles needed to treat injuries of my players.
• I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all my players.
• I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players.
• I will provide a sports environment for my team that is free of drugs, and alcohol, and I will refrain from their use at all WTFC events.
• I will be knowledgeable of the rules, and I will teach these rules to my players.
• I will use coaching techniques appropriate for all skill levels.
• I will remember that I am a youth coach, and that the game is for children and not adults.

COACHES RULES, REGULATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• No alcohol, drugs or smoking permitted at game or practice sites. This rule applies to all coaches, players, parents, and spectators.
• No pets allowed at game or practice sites.
• Each coach is responsible for the conduct of that coach’s followers and will be given one (1) warning before a fifteen (15) yard penalty is called.
• Field Set up: The coach of both teams for the first game of the day must have two (2) people at the field to report to the Director of Field Maintenance one (1) hour prior to game to help prepare the field. Failure to do so will result in a one (1) game suspension for the Head Coach.
• Field Clean up: The coach of both teams for the final game of the day must have two (2) people from each team stay to assist the cleaning of the fields, school grounds, parking lots, concession stand, etc. after final game of the day. They cannot leave until released by specified Board Member on duty. Failure to comply will result in a one (1) game suspension for the Head Coach.
• Practice fields are to be cleaned after every practice. The Head Coach has the responsibility in making sure the fields are kept clean. Be kind to the schools that are being nice enough to let the WTFC use their fields.
• Each team will have one (1) Head Coach and a minimum of (1) assistant coach; the Board of Directors before your first practice will approve the coaching staff.
• Each team must have a team mom appointed by their first (1^st) practice.
• All complaints by coaches or their followers must be made to the Director of Coaches of their respective league. Any unsettled complaints will be referred to the Warren Township Football Executive Board.
• Intent to protest a game must be declared by the Head Coach (only) to the official at the time of occurrence. An official protest sheet must be completed and submitted to the Director of Coach of their respective league along with a check for $50.00, within two (2) days following the game.
• There shall be no Coach transporting a player from one site to another in the back of an open vehicle.
• Draft Day: There will be only one (1) trade per team; trades must be completed within five minutes once trades have been declared. The Director of Coaches of your respective league, President or Vice President of the WTFC, can only approve the trade.
• All By-Laws and rules of the Warren Township Football Club will prevail and be abided by.