LeFlore County Express Rules and Policies
It is the responsibility of ALL coaches, spectators, and parents to maintain the highest standards of conduct before, during and after all games. Abusive and obscene language, violent play, violent conduct, fighting and other behavior detrimental to the game will not be tolerated.
A coach's responsibility for referee support and spectator control includes the time prior to, during, and after the game at the field and surrounding areas.
All persons responsible for a team, and all parents and other spectators shall support the referee. Failure to do so will undermine the referee's authority and has the potential of creating a hostile environment for the players, the referee and all other participants and spectators.
LeFlore County Express has adopted the following RULES:
Except as provided below, NO ONE IS TO ADDRESS THE REFEREE.
During the game, the coaches may interact with the referee when:
1. Responding to a referee initiating a communication.
2. Making Substitutions.
3. Pointing out emergencies or safety issues.
At halftime or at the end of the game, a coach may interact with the referee:
1. A coach or assistant coach can ask a referee to explain a rule(s) in a polite and constructive way.
2. Polite and friendly feedback can be given to the referee.
3. Absolutely no CRITICISM, no SARCASM, no HARASSMENT, and no INTIMIDATION shall be shown to the referee.
During the game, the spectators and parents may interact with the referee when:
1. Responding to a referee initiating a communication.
2. Pointing out emergencies or safety issues.
At the end of the game, the spectators and parents may interact with the referee:
1. A spectator or parent may ask a referee to explain a rule(s) in a polite manner.
2. Positive feedback can be given to the referee.
3. Absolutely no criticism, no sarcasm, no harassment and no intimidation shall be shown to the referee.
Failure to adhere to the rules shall result in the following:
An initial minor infraction shall result in a verbal warning by the referee. The referee shall inform the coach/spectator that this is their WARNING and subsequently report the incident to the LCSA board through the referee assignor. A record will be maintained of all minor coach/parent infractions by the LCSA.
Any additional minor infractions or a major infraction during the initial game or subsequent game will result in an ejection from the soccer fields and the incident will be brought immediately to the attention of the LCSA Board, which will determine the level of punishment to be administered to the violating coach/parent.
ALL MEMBERS OF THE LeFLORE COUNTY EXPRESS SOCCER ASSOCIATION (COACHES, BOARD MEMBERS, PARENTS, AND REFEREES) SHALL TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE TO INSURE THAT THIS POLICY IS STRICTLY ENFORCED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR THE REFEREES AND CHILDREN.
LeFlore County Soccer Association
Rules of Conduct
1. No Smoking
2. No Alcohol
3. No Illegal Substances/Drugs
4. No Pets
5. No Glass Containers
6. No Littering
7. No Profanity or Abusive Language
8. Fields for Approved Soccer Play Only
9. No guns or weapons allowed on premises
In addition, all who enter shall:
1. Follow all rules and policies set forth by the Club, Regional, State, and National Associations.
2. Be a positive role model.
3. Work in the spirit of cooperation with officials, administrators, coaches, and spectators.
4. Demonstrate positive support for all players, coaches, and officials.
5. Treat officials with respect and dignity.
6. In all instances, provide a safe and healthy environment.
Violators, if requested will be required to leave the LeFlore County Soccer Association. LeFlore County Soccer Association reserves the right to deny violators future access to the LeFlore County Association.
No Fault Adult (Spectator, Parent or Coach) Fighting Policy
In the event of a physical altercation (meaning ANY physical contact whatsoever) between adults, it is LeFlore County Soccer Association’s policy that all adults involved will be automatically banned from the remainder of the current game and the next game that your team plays at the LeFlore County Soccer Association LeFlore County Association. It is also LeFlore County Soccer Association’s policy that it will not attempt to determine cause or blame for the physical altercation. It is LeFlore County Soccer Association’s view that under all situations and circumstances adults must refrain from physical altercations at the LeFlore County Soccer Association. The one game banning and balance of the current game is NOT appealable and is automatic and the decision final. Additionally, LeFlore County Soccer Association will conduct inquiries into the situation to determine if the severity of the situation dictates the need for additional consequences and or/action.
In the event that a banned party is found to be at the LeFlore County Soccer Association during the remaining or subsequent game day for which the ban applies, their child’’s team will automatically forfeit their game, the game will either not be played or will be stopped short from continuing if it was in process and such game will not be made up. If the situation is escalated by the banned party, appropriate authorities will be called to handle the situation.
Two Strikes Policy relative to Abusive Behavior
LeFlore County Soccer Association has a policy of zero tolerance for referee abuse.
Everyone should recognize that most referees are youth players. Our referee program provides our youth an opportunity to shadow and learn from more experienced referees and be mentored by those senior referees. It is a great opportunity to mature, learn responsibility and develop a better understanding of the game of soccer.
All referees have the ability to remove a coach, parent, or player from a game and the facility. However, we recognize that due to the age and maturity of some of our youth referees they could be intimidated by overbearing, boisterous and/or loud adults and may lack the confidence to control the situation. In an effort to assist with that, LeFlore County Soccer Association uses its referee assignors, administrators and Field Marshals to provide support during on-the-field issues that comes to its attention.
LeFlore County Soccer Association assignors have the ability to issue a formal warning which is "Strike One" to any coach of record (assistant or head) or parent that they have determined at the moment of the issue to have abused a referee. If upon issuing the formal warning, the matter escalates, they can issue the second and final warning which is "Strike Two". For a coach, if this happens the coach will be suspended from coaching at LeFlore County Soccer Association for the remainder of the current season including the balance of the game currently being played and additionally risks not being invited/accepted back in future season as a coach at LeFlore County Soccer Association. For a sideline parent, Strike Two can appeal their case to LeFlore County Soccer Association Operations Board pursuant to the then posted Appeals Process which can be found at leflorecountysoccer.com.
Further, the Two Strikes Policy carries forward for the entire season. Strike One can occur during one game day and Strike Two during a subsequent game day. In such case, if Strike Two occurs during the same season as Strike One, the above note consequences are effective.
LeFlore County Soccer Association LeFlore Rules of Conduct
As part of LeFlore County Association’s continued effort to enhance the safe and positive experience of every athlete, parent, visitor, coach and volunteer, LeFlore County Soccer Association has adopted specific rules of conduct for the LeFlore County Association. Our goal here is to promote an athletic environment based on positive reinforcement, good sportsmanship, fair play, the importance of team building and respect for your opponents while having fun and honoring the game. To assist us in meeting these goals, we rely on you (our coaches, volunteers, athletes, parents and visitors) to abide by the LeFlore County Soccer Association Rules of Conduct.
In the unlikely event that there is a violation of the LeFlore County Soccer Association LeFlore County Soccer Association Rules of Conduct, violators may be required to leave the LeFlore County Soccer Association LeFlore County Soccer Association by an official LeFlore County Soccer Association representative (board member, director or referee). If the violator is unwilling to leave or persists in a manner that violates the LeFlore County Soccer Association LeFlore County Soccer Association Rules of Conduct then
(a) Coaches involved in the applicable game may be solicited to resolve the problem ,
(b) If the coaches are not able to resolve the problem, the game may be immediately ended ,
(c) The violator may be denied future access to the LeFlore County Soccer Association and,
(d) The violator may forfeit participation in LeFlore County Soccer Association and access to the LeFlore County Soccer Association for themselves and their family for the future.
Please help us by being a good role model for all our young athletes. Thank you for your future cooperation.