Family Code of Conduct

Good sportsmanship is one of the core values of DC SCORES. Sportsmanship is displayed not just on the soccer field, but throughout the program and throughout our kids’ lives.

Sportsmanship is defined as playing fair, following the rules of the game, respecting the judgment of referees and officials, treating coaches and opponents with respect, and graciousness in winning or losing.

Some define good sportsmanship as the "golden rule" of sports — in other words, treating the people you play with and against as you'd like to be treated yourself. You demonstrate good sportsmanship when you show respect for yourself, your teammates, and your opponents, for the coaches on both sides, and for the referees, judges, and other officials.

El buen espíritu deportivo es uno de los valores centrales de DC SCORES. El espíritu deportivo se muestra no solo en el campo de fútbol, sino en todo el programa y en la vida de nuestros hijos y hijas.

La deportividad se define como jugar limpio, seguir las reglas del juego, respetar el juicio de los árbitros y los oficiales, tratar a los entrenadores y oponentes con respeto y la gracia de ganar o perder.

Algunos definen el buen espíritu deportivo como la "regla de oro" de los deportes; en otras palabras, tratar a las personas con las que juegas y contra las que te gustaría que te trataran a ti mismo. Demuestra buen espíritu deportivo cuando muestra respeto por usted mismo, sus compañeros de equipo y sus oponentes, por los entrenadores de ambos lados, y por los árbitros, jueces y otros oficiales.

What we expect from parents and spectators on game days:

The parents' role is to support the players and coaches. Parents should not engage in "coaching" from the sidelines; criticizing players, coaches or game officials; or trying to influence the makeup of the team at any time. Every parent and spectator is expected to:

• Learn and respect the rules of soccer, and the rules of our league.

• Show respect and courtesy to game officials, coaches, and players at all times.

• Respect the game officials and refrain from questioning their decisions or from addressing them in a loud, disrespectful, or abusive manner.

• Cheer for your child's team in a positive manner, refraining at all times from making negative or abusive remarks about the opposing team. Maintain control of your emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and humiliating.

• Demonstrate appropriate gestures of sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game, win or lose.

• Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally demonstrating commitment to these virtues.

• Promote the concept that soccer is merely a game, and that players and coaches on other teams are opponents, not enemies.

Lo que esperamos de los padres y espectadores en los días de juego:

La responsabilidad de los padres es apoyar a los jugadores y entrenadores. Los padres no deben participar en el "entrenamiento" desde la barrera; criticar a jugadores, entrenadores u oficiales de juego; o tratar de influir en la composición del equipo en cualquier momento. Se espera que cada padre y espectador:

• Aprender y respetar las reglas del fútbol y las reglas de nuestra liga.

• Mostrar respeto y cortesía a los oficiales del juego, entrenadores y jugadores en todo momento.

• Respetar a los oficiales del juego y evitar cuestionar sus decisiones o dirigirse a ellos de manera ruidosa, irrespetuosa o abusiva.

• Alentar al equipo de su hijo/a de manera positiva, evitando en todo momento hacer comentarios negativos o abusivos sobre el equipo contrario. Mantenga el control de sus emociones y evite acciones, lenguaje y / o gestos que puedan interpretarse como hostiles y humillantes.

• Demuestre gestos apropiados de espíritu deportivo al final de un juego, gane o pierda.

• Enseñar y practicar el buen espíritu deportivo y el juego limpio demostrando personalmente el compromiso con estas virtudes.

• Promover el concepto de que el fútbol es simplemente un juego, y que los jugadores y entrenadores de otros equipos son oponentes, no enemigos.

Game Day Tips for Parents

Before the Game

• Tell your children you are proud of them regardless of how well they play.

• Tell them to play hard and have fun and remind them that “nervous is normal.”

• Commit to Honoring the Game no matter what others do.

During the Game

• Let the coaches coach. Avoid instructing your child (or other players).

• Fill your child’s (and teammates’) Emotional Tanks.

• Cheer good plays and good efforts by both teams.

After the Game

• Thank the officials for doing a difficult job.

• Thank the coaches for their effort.

• Remind your child that you are proud of him or her – especially if the game didn’t go well!

Support Your Child

Support your child by giving encouragement and showing an interest in his or her team. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory. Your child will be a winner, even in defeat.

Always Be Positive

Parents are not participants on their child's team. However, they do contribute to the success experienced by their child and the team. Parents serve as role models for their children. Applaud good plays by your child's team and by the opposing team. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities.

Be Enthusiastic and Supportive

Let children set their own goals and play the game for themselves. Be careful not to impose your own standards and goals on your child. Don't put too heavy a burden on your child to win games. Surveys reveal that 72 percent of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winner.

Reinforce Positive Behavior

The best way to help a child to achieve goals and reduce the natural fear of failure is through positive reinforcement. No one likes to make a mistake. If your child does make one, remember that he or she is still learning. Encourage your child's efforts and point out the good things your child accomplished.

Let Coaches Coach and Referees Ref

Coaches and referees are usually parents. They volunteer their time to help make your child's youth soccer experience a positive one. They need your support, too. What coaches and referees don't need is your help in coaching from the sidelines. So please refrain from coaching during games and practices. Referees are not the "bad guys." They are volunteers, too, and need your support and encouragement. Treat them and their calls fairly and respectfully.