I will honor the ROOTS of the game:

• RULES –
  • I will refuse to bend the rules to win.  
  • I will honor the letter and spirit of the rules at all times. 
  • I will not  argue with or comment to an official about another player or ruling.

• OPPONENTS –
  • I will treat opponents with respect.    
  • I will not engage in any excessive displays of emotion either in defeat or celebration. 
  • I will respectfully congratulate my opponents on a game well played.

• OFFICIALS –
  • I will treat officials with respect at all times in all situations. 
  • I will respect officials’ rulings without comment.

• TEAM –
  • I will respect and care for every player on my team.  
  • I will be supportive and encouraging of my fellow teammates and coaches.
  • I will respect the property of my teammates and the community in which I play.
  • I will respect coaches’ instruction without complaint.
  • I will be on time and prepared for any practice, game or meeting.

• SELF –
  • I promise to live up to my own standards even when others don’t.
  • I will not  use foul or profane language.

I will set an example for my child by Honoring the Game and will encourage him/her to remember ROOTS—respect for the Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates, and Self.

• RULES –
  • I will teach my child to honor the letter and spirit of the rules at all times. 
  • I will represent my child’s age accurately during registration. 
  • I will not  argue with or comment to an official about another player or ruling.
  • I will familiarize myself with the rules of the game and strive to educate my child about them.

• OPPONENTS –
  • I will treat opponents with respect.    
  • I will not engage in any excessive displays of emotion either in defeat or celebration. 
  • I will not comment negatively on another player's skills or abilities
    • I promise to live up to my own standards even when others don’t.
  • OFFICIALS –
    • I will respect officials’ rulings without comment.
    • If the official makes a "bad" call against my team, I will Honor the Game and be silent!
    • I will use a self-control routine to avoid losing my composure when things go wrong. I will take a deep breath, turn away from the game to refocus, count backwards from 100 or use self-talk (“I need to be a role model. I can rise above this.”).
  • TEAM –
    • I will respect and care for every player on the team.  
    • I will not comment negatively on another player's skills or abilities
    • I will have my child on time and prepared for any practice, game or meeting. I will get my child to practice and games on time and will be on time picking my child up after and notify coaches if they cannot attend games or practices.
    • I will respect coaches’ instruction without complaint. 
    • I will refrain from making negative comments about my child's coach in my child's presence.
    • I will wait 24 hours after a game or practice to communicate with my child’s coach.
  • SELF –
    • I will live up to my own standards even when others don’t.
    • I will engage in No-Directions Cheering. I will limit my comments during the game to encouraging my child and other players and not Coach from the sideline.
    • I will remember  that all participants in this organization are parent volunteers, spending their free time and efforts to ensure our kids have a positive and rewarding experience playing Lacrosse.

I understand that my responsibilities as a Volunteer Lutherville Lacrosse Coach are of great importance and that my actions have the potential to significantly influence the young athletes I coach. Therefore, I promise to uphold the following rights of young athletes to the best of my ability. 

All participants have the right to:

• 1.  Participate and do so at an age appropriate level corresponding with each child’s maturity and ability.
• 2.  Have qualified coaches that understand the men’s and/or women’s game.
• 3.  Play as a child and not as an adult.
• 4.  Participate in safe and positive environments.
• 5.  Have an equal opportunity to strive for success.
• 6.  Be treated with respect

Furthermore, I will honor the ROOTS of the game:

• RULES –
  • I will honor the letter and spirit of the rules at all times.
• OPPONENTS –
  • I will treat opponents with respect.
  • I will serve as a Double Goal Coach. who strives to win (one goal), while pursuing the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports.
• OFFICIALS –
  • I will treat officials with respect at all times in all situations.
• TEAM –
  • I will complete the mandatory Coach’s Bag Training
  • I will care for every player on my team.
  • I will keep an open line of communications with my parents and provide schedules for both practice and games in a timely manner.
  • I will communicate age appropriate rules (including playing time) that I expect the players and parents to abide by.
  • I will create practice plans that maximizes opportunities for players to be engaged throughout practice.
• SELF –
  • I will live up to my own standards even when others don’t.

I will not share any player or parent contact information with any external organizations including other rec councils or  club programs.  

With my signature, which I voluntarily acknowledge that I have read, understood, and will do my best to fulfill the promises made herein.

Click here for a printable version of this code of conduct >