HIGH COUNTRY SOCCER ASSOCIATION DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES

HCSA Behavior Expectations

High Country Soccer Association adheres to the Zero Tolerance policy for poor and disruptive behavior by anyone participating in our programs. The HCSA Disciplinary Committee ensures that our Coaches, Players, Family Members, and Spectators are complying with the expectations and standards set forth by the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association. In addition, sportsmanship is a major focus of HCSA’s club philosophy and player development. NCYSA and HCSA believe in the principles of fair play, ethical behavior, and the right of every individual to fully enjoy the sport of soccer without undue interference from others.

It will be the responsibility of the HCSA Disciplinary Committee to handle discipline and appeals issues as well as to educate our club on the NCYSA Code of Conduct, rules, and expectations within HCSA and NCYSA. In the event that an HCSA member (Coach, Player, Spectator) is reported or observed to have demonstrated unacceptable conduct, it will be HCSA Disciplinary Committee’s responsibility to conduct a hearing, enforce necessary sanctions, and manage the appeal process within appropriate timelines.

HCSA will refer to the NCYSA Discipline and Appeals Manual for guidance and refer to page 18 for disciplinary action.

Please review the HCSA Disciplinary Guidelines below for how we strive to handle such behavior in players, parents, and spectators. Should you see behavior from a player that is disruptive to the team or club, please report to your coach first. If it continues, report to the Director of Coaching. If you see disruptive behavior from a parent or adult, please report to Jason Joyce, HCSA Disciplinary & Appeals Chair or Rick Suyao, Executive Director. They will report the incident to the HCSA Disciplinary Committee for further action.


HCSA Player Behavior

HCSA is a club that observes Zero Tolerance for poor and disruptive behavior. For severe violations of misconduct, HCSA holds the right to administer severe punishments at any time without warning. Otherwise, if a player becomes disruptive to team activities, engages in unsportsmanlike behaviors like swearing or name-calling, or endangers themselves and other children, it is the policy of the club to address such behaviors immediately using a firm but encouraging tone of voice and follow the steps outlined below.

Player Feedback:
When a misbehavior or disruption occurs, we expect the coach to explain his or her expectations and why those expectations are important, using a firm but pleasant voice. When a misbehavior occurs, the coach is expected to apply any combination of the following to resolve the issue:

• Pull the player out from the group to speak to him or her one-on-one. 
• Position himself or herself at eye level with the player and give feedback.
• Give his or her observation: "When you were on the sideline, I saw you do...”
• Describe the impact of the misbehavior, "When you do that, it disrupts the team... and causes..."
• Set his or her expectations: "In the future, if you want to express... please use words like..."
• Confirmation: "Will you please repeat for me what have I asked you to do?"
• As appropriate, allow the player time to briefly express their opinions and feelings to you.
• If the player is upset and not able to control himself or herself, we expect the coach to ask the player to sit apart from the team and allow him or her time to regain control of himself/herself before returning to the team
• When appropriate, invite the player to rejoin the team. 
• If appropriate, ask the misbehaving player to apologize to other players who were affected by the misbehavior.
  

Player Warning:
If a player repeats a misbehavior or if the coach considers the misbehavior serious, and the feedback approach outlined above does not change the player's behavior after a reasonable number of attempts on the coach's part, the coach may issue a "Warning" to the player, indicating that, if he or she repeats the behavior again, the coach will suspend him or her from the team until he or she is able to correct the behavior problem. When the coach issues a warning to a player, the coach will notify the player's parents at the end of the practice or game to explain the circumstances and consequences of the misbehavior and suspension. The coach will also notify the Director of Coaching of the warning.

Player Suspension:
If the misbehavior occurs again, and the coach determines that suspension is the appropriate next step, the coach will tell the player and the parents at the end of the practice or game that the player is suspended for, at minimum, one week of team activities. The coach and the Director of Coaching will work with the parents to outline mutually agreeable conditions under which the player may return to the team. Once a player has returned to the team, an additional misbehavior may, at the discretion of the Director of Coaching, Executive Director, or Club President, result in suspension of the player from the team for further activities or the remainder of the season.

Parent and Spectator Behavior

HCSA observes a Zero Tolerance policy and does not accept any unruly behavior by any parent or spectator for any reason on any occasion.  This behavior can include yelling at a player, speaking harshly to a player, speaking harshly to a spectator, coaching from the sideline, and questioning the motives of a coach, referee or other game official.  There is Zero Tolerance for verbal or physical abuse for any reason. For severe violations of misconduct, HCSA holds the right to administer severe punishments at any time without warning. All other incidents will be deemed inappropriate and will be reported to the HCSA Disciplinary Committee and handled in the following manner:

If the parent exhibits this behavior, an HCSA Official will ask the parent to take a moment to become composed.  The issue at hand will be talked about in a responsible, calm, and coherent manner.  If the parent does not adhere to these guidelines then,

The parent will be asked to leave the field, meeting, etc. An HCSA Official will make an attempt to contact that parent to discuss the negative situation and to try to find a rational solution.  If the parent still does not adhere to the guidelines set forth,

A verbal and written warning will be presented to the parent asking for the negative behavior to end. This warning will also serve as the beginning of a probationary period for the parent. If the negative behavior continues to exist,

The HCSA Disciplinary & Appeals Chair, the HCSA Disciplinary Committee, and the HCSA Board of Directors will decide if the parent will be suspended from attending any HCSA functions for the remainder of the season and any other disciplinary actions including but not limited to giving apologies, presentations, etc.

* As always, HCSA will refer to the NCYSA Discipline and Appeals Manual for guidance and will refer to page 18 as a reference for disciplinary action.