Coaches' Code of Conduct:

I will place the emotional well-being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.

-Use appropriate language in appropriate tones when interacting with players, league officials, game officials, parents and spectators.

-Treating all players, league officials, parents and spectators with dignity and respect.

-Playing all players, according to the equal participation rules established by the league and the spirit of those rules.

-Encouraging youth to participate in other sport and activities to promote all aspects of their development.

-Allowing reasonable absences from practice.

I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.

-Encouraging all players, regardless of skill level, to be included as a member of the team and to remain involved in sports.

-Recognizing the differences of each child and treating each player as an individual while demonstrating concern for their individual needs and well being.

-Recognizing that some physical tasks, drills and demands are not appropriate for all youth.

I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for my players.

-Protecting players from sexual molestation, assault, physical or emotional abuse.

-Correcting or avoiding unsafe practice or playing conditions.

-Seeing that the players are provided with adequate supervision while under the coach care.

I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all my players.

-Establishing practice plans that are interesting, varied, productive and aimed at improving all player’s skills and individual abilities.

-Devoting appropriate time to the individual improvement of each player.

-Conducting practices of reasonable length and intensity appropriate for the age and conditioning of the players.

I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players.

-Adopting the position, teaching and demonstrating that it is our basic moral code to treat others as we would like to be treated.

-Abiding by and supporting the rules of the game as well as the spirit of the rules.

-Using the influential position of youth coach as an opportunity to promote, teach and expect sportsmanship and fair play.

I will provide a sports environment for my team that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and I will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.

-Being alcohol and drug fee at all team activities or in the presence of players.

-Refraining from the use of any type of tobacco products at all team activities or in the presence of your players.

-Encouraging parents to refrain from the public use of tobacco products or alcohol at team activities.

I will be knowledgeable in the rules of each sport that I coach, and I will teach these rules to my players.

-Becoming knowledgeable, understanding and supportive of all applicable game rules, league rules, regulations and policies.

-Teaching and requiring compliance of these rules among players.

I will use those coaching techniques appropriate for each of the skills that I teach.

-Teaching techniques that reduce the risk of injury to both the coach’s own players and their opponents.

-Discouraging illegal contact or intentional dangerous play and administering swift and equitable discipline to players involved in such activity.

I will remember that I am a youth sports coach, and that the game is for children and not adults.

-Maintaining a positive, helpful and supportive attitude.

-Exercising your authority/influence to control the behavior of the fans and spectators.

-Exhibiting gracious acceptance of defeat or victory.

-Accepting and adhering to all league rules and policies related to the participation of adults and youth.

-Fulfilling the expected role of a youth coach to adopt a “children first” philosophy.

-Allowing and encouraging the players to listen, learn and play hard within the rules.

-Placing the emphasis on fun and participation.

Coaches' Role in Bullying

Coaches set the stage for how kids on a team treat one another. They should be very clear that they want to create an atmosphere of respect, support and team unity. They should also state clearly that they won't tolerate players bullying each other or members of other teams. Take the time to educate your players on unacceptable behavior and clearly explain the consequences for bullying.

As a coach, you are one of the single biggest influences in your athletes’ lives. In many ways, ending bullying behavior begins and ends with you. Here are nine ways to both prevent and stop bullying on your team:

• Be an anti-bullying role model. Coaches can be a strong deterrent to bullying if they make it clear they are firmly against it. Your relationship with your players matter, and athletes who report having a good relationship with their coach are less likely to engage in antisocial behavior such as bullying.

• Encourage players to report bullying and create an environment at the start of your season that does not condone it. Discuss bullying and make sure you are there to supervise your players unstructured time (when bullying often occurs) during practices and games.

• Have open discussions. Talking about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior on and off the field is an important part of reducing bullying. For example, discuss the difference between being aggressive during the game and using that aggression outside of practice and competition with the intention to harm.

• Clearly state the punishment for bullying. Be clear about the procedure that will be followed if bullying occurs (e.g. “If you bully, the punishment will be…”). Be particularly aware not to inadvertently blame the victim for being bullied.

• Identify the origin of the bullying. Coaches should take the time to identify the sources of bullying to help diminish reactionary behavior, such as retaliating against the bully. As a coach, you should help the victim find constructive ways to respond to the bully and remind them to always report incidents instead of retaliating.

• Keep your players’ attention. Supervising athletes closely and providing them clear goals can help reduce the frequency of negative interactions. Increased supervision during unstructured play is essential to prevent and reduce bullying, as this is the time in which most bullying occurs.

• Protect all athletes equally. Coaches and teachers tend to be more vigilant in protecting overweight victims against bullying, but make sure you look after and support all athletes equally.

• Break up cliques. Research shows that strong cliques within teams can lead to strong bullying and antisocial behavior toward other teammates. Emphasize the team as a whole over subgroups to maintain a positive and healthy team dynamic.

• Don’t encourage harmful behavior. Do not teach or condone aggressive behavior on the field, as it can result in aggressive behavior off the field. Minimize retaliation against a team that is playing dirty by having your players channel their anger into more productive actions within the game.

Volunteer Coach Job Description

Description
Instruct and teach the fundamentals and skills needed to play the game of football. Responsible for the children on his/her team and the organization of team practices. Serve as a role model for good sportsmanship and provide a safe, fun, and comfortable environment that generate positive experiences for the participants. Teams consist of ages: 6-8yrs, 9-11yrs, and 12-14yrs.

Hours
Approximately 2-6 hours a week for practices and games from mid-August thru November

Essential Functions
- Provide a safe environment for the children
- Teaches sportsmanship to all participants
- Responsible for teaching the basic fundamentals and skills needed to play football
- Organize equal playing time for all participants
- Put feelings of the players ahead of your desire to win
- Communicates effectively with the parents regarding practice times, game times, cancellations and all other pertinent information regarding the team
- Maintains self-control and exhibits good sportsmanship and conduct toward official, players and opposing players and coaches.
Physical Demands
- Physically active including but not limited to running, throwing, catching, and lifting.
- Frequently required to walk, run, throw and catch a football, stand for long periods of time, reach, kneel, squat, sit, and bend while monitoring children and participating in football activities.
- Ability to bend and stoop down to a child's eye level
- Lift and carry up to 20 pounds

Working Conditions
Outdoor recreational facilities; frequent public contact; exposure to sun, heat and inclement weather.
 

Experience
- Head coaches and assistant coaches must be at least 18 years of age. Coaching apprentices may be of high school age.
- Basic knowledge of football skills and rules.
- A great interest in working with children and helping them develop good character and self-esteem.
Training and Resources
- Coaches will be provided a binder with rules, tip, sample playbooks and other related documents and guides to ensure successful coaching.
- Coaches will receive a free membership to USA Football that grant them access to online coaching resources.

Volunteer Incentive
- Head coaches receive a free registration (minus $25 jersey fee) for one child in the program.
- Assistant coaches receive half off of the regular registration price (minus $25 jersey fee). Only one assistant coach per team is eligible for the discount.

Required Forms, Trainings, & Background Checks
- Completed Application
- Completed Questionnaire 
- Cleared Background Check
- Mandated Reporter Training 
- Concussion Training 

Workers Compensation Insurance

In the event of an injury that required medical care, the volunteer is covered under Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District's Workers Compensation Insurance.

In the event the volunteer is injured, the volunteer will need to immediately report the injury to a Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District staff member. Volunteer and or guardian of volunteer acknowledges the volunteer is covered under Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District's Workers Compensation Insurance.

VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT, WAIVER, AND RELEASE

Information to participant regarding risk of injury

I understand and agree that submitting this application form does not automatically register me or my child as a volunteer, and that there may be certain qualifications I or child volunteer must meet, including the acceptance of established volunteer policies and procedures before I may begin volunteering.

By submitting this form, I attest that the information I have provided on the form is true and accurate.

In consideration for being permitted by the Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District to participate in this volunteer assignment/ activity, I hereby waive, release and discharge any and all claims for damages for personal injury, death, or property damage which I may have, or which may hereafter accrue to me, as a result of participation in the assignment/activity. This release is intended to discharge in advance the Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District (including its officers, employees, volunteers, and agents) from any and all liability arising out of or connected in any way with my participation in said activity, even though that liability may arise out of active or passive negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons or entities mentioned above.

It is further agreed that this waiver, release and assumption of risk is to be binding on my heirs. administrators, executors, and assigns. I agree to indemnify and to hold Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District, (including its officers, employees, volunteers, and agents) free and harmless from any loss, liability, damage, cost or expense which may arise out of or connected in any way with my participation in the volunteer assignment/activity.

I fully understand that my participation in this volunteer assignment/activity exposes me to the risk of personal injury, death, communicable diseases, illnesses, viruses, and/or property damage. I hereby acknowledge that I am voluntarily participating in this activity and agree to assume any such risks.

I certify that all statements on this application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the information I provide may be verified, and I give permission to the Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District to make inquiry of others concerning my suitability to act as a volunteer. I also understand that a criminal background check may be accomplished if that action is deemed necessary. I understand that any false statements will disqualify me from the Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District’s volunteer program.

I am aware that the relationship between the Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District and a volunteer is “at will” in nature, and that it may be terminated at any time without cause by either the volunteer or the District. Further, I understand that as a volunteer, I am offering my services of my own free will without any expectation of compensation, health or life insurance, or other employee benefits of any kind. Finally, I agree to comply with all District rules and guidelines as well as all applicable public health rules, regulations, orders, and/or guidance in effect at the time of my participation in this volunteer activity.

I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT, WAIVER AND RELEASE AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND A CONTRACT BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE ABOVE DISTRICT AND I AGREE TO IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.

Electronic Signature Agreement*

By checking the "I agree" box below, you agree and acknowledge that 1) your application will not be signed in the sense of a traditional paper document, 2) by signing in this alternate manner, you authorize your electronic signature to be valid and binding upon you to the same force and effect as a handwritten signature.