Parent Harassment
Well, this can be annoying, and it does happen. First, do not lose your cool, as this can give them demonstrated evidence to throw in your face. The reasons for your team parents harassing you normally vary all over the board: ‘we are not winning; our kids are not getting trained; the coach favors his own kid; the coach treats the kids badly…..‘. If some items are factual, you need to discuss the subject openly with the parents and seek a solution. If you are a brand new coach, with minimum soccer skills/experience, it is the normal thing that they are expecting too much, too soon, from you. Typically as a coach continues through the age groups coaching, they have to take more classes, to appropriately teach the older players. There is an aspect of ‘parental coaching’ that a lot of parents do not consider/understand. Most kids do not like their parents shouting out, telling them what to do while playing. It annoys and embarrasses them. They should let their kids enjoy and play their game.
You may find that you have ‘coaches’ in the ranks of your parents. These people can be observed instructing the players what to do, through vocal statements during play. This may be irritating to a coach, as it may be contrary to what they want the players to do. This can cause confusion on the field. The parent may feel that they are helping the team, or that the coach is not ‘pushing’ the team to perform. During a team meeting you could bring the subject up, thanking them for want to encourage the team, but please don’t, as it can cause player confusion. They need to understand the difference between ‘coaching’ the team and ‘cheering’ the team.
Invite those that seem eager to ‘give advice’ to be part of the registered team staff, to help at practices, and to get further training for themselves. If one, or a few parents continue to instruct their child on the field, and it is disrupting team play, talk to the league and ask them to speak to the parent.
Don’t get discouraged from parent complaints, as this can occur, even when you are doing everything right. Parents sometimes get stuck in the ‘winning’ mentality mode, which sometimes will not see other positive things that are happening. For losses, it can help to use them as learning tools at the next training sessions as what the team needs to improve on, making it a positive experience.
If you feel that you cannot speak directly with a parent, talk to the league, requesting assistance. Typically there is a person designated to work with coaches in each age group. You could request that a meeting be held, between you and the parent, with this party present. This would insure that the league had a complete understanding of the viewpoint of both parties. Their function would be to serve as a mediator, helping you and the parent.
It is ironic in that coaches are lost in the same manner that youth referees are lost. People directing continuing dissenting commentary toward them, about their performance. The ‘fun’ is removed and they get tired of hearing it. The end result is a shortage of coaches to take teams, and a shortage of referees to referee games. In both cases, you might hear people complain again, about why aren’t there enough of either?
During a game you believe that a lot of fouls are not being called
If a coach has reason to believe that their players are in danger, from physical play on the field, a coach can pull their players and not continue play. This is rather a drastic thing to do and you would absolutely need to ensure that you can justify this action.
You would have to explain your action to your parents, and your league officials. This would have to be more than you believe that the game was not being called ‘fair’, or was ‘one-sided’. You would have to give specific examples to demonstrate that your players had been placed in danger through improper physical play. You in effect are indicating that the referees did not control the game, which will always bring questions.
If this were to occur, you should definitely explain to your parents why you were pulling the team. Before you actually pulled the team, you could ask your assistant coach to pull the parents aside to get their viewpoints (i.e., to see if they are seeing what you think you are seeing and feel the same as you do). Before you get to this position, at half time send your team captains out to speak with the center referee, to explain your concerns. Here you should be as specific as possible.
If there is a referee mentor/monitor on site, or a field coordinator, also speak to them prior to making a decision to pull a team. To pull a team is essentially for the safety of the players and should only occur if all other means have been exhausted.
If there is no referee mentor, or other field official at your field, contact a league official after your game. You will need to provide them with a concise description of the issue, so that they can speak with the referee assignor for your league. A comment such as ‘they don’t know what they are doing’ would give nothing to work with. Specify the rule that you felt was not being enforced.
A large number of your team does not show up for a game
A game can start and count as a regular game, with minimum number of players on the field, as defined by CYSA, FIFA, or your league. The opposing team may be asked (not by the referee, it would be coach-to-coach discussion, but are not required to ‘play down’. One of the reasons for this is to not penalize the opposing players, who showed up to play.
If you do not have enough players to make the minimum number on a field, and the opposing team has a full roster of players, you have another option. You can speak to the opposing coach about playing a game, with some of his players joining your minimum number (more typical for recreational games). In this type of case, you have two teams that really want to play a game. This can be a bummer for a player that has taken the time out to be at the field, and is dressed for the game, with the game being canceled. Even if the opposing team does not show up, and if you have a full roster, you could split them in half and let them play each other, as a scrimmage game, just so they could play.
One note, if both teams have the minimum number of players for a game to start, the game must start. The referee does not have to wait for a player, such as your goalie to show up. You would have to designate someone to be goalie until they arrived.
Neither you nor your assistant coach(es) can make it to the game
The game cannot be played without at least one person from each team with a current, valid CYSA coaches pass. When you find out that no registered adults can make it to the game, you will need to notify your Coach Coordinator, IMMEDIATELY. Your team cannot play without a registered coach/assistant coach. The team cannot be turned over to a parent, for a game. This is why it is extremely important that a team have a coach and a registered assistant. You can also have more that one registered assistant, as a just in case. If the coach cannot make it to a game, they need to ensure that the assistant coach has the player passes and the 1601 forms.
You find that you and your assistant coach are having problems working together
It is typical in some leagues that the coach selects their assistant coach. If this is the policy in your league, you have ground to stand on. The first step is attempting to speak with your assistant, trying to work things out. If the conversation goes nowhere, then you want to speak with the league party that is in charge of your teams age group. Just tell them the problem, frankly, and state what you believe is required, in the best interests of the team.
Understand that your assistant coach will have their opportunity to speak with the party, and give their side of the story also. If you and your assistant have a productive talk, give some observance time, to see if the talk translates into a better working relationship with you, or for the team. What you don’t want to happen is an open conflict between you and your assistant, which the team observes, which can lead to poor morale on your team, or politics getting started, where parents line up on either side.
Neither you nor your assistant coach(es) can make practice
In this situation, the medical releases for players will typically be with the coach or assistant. To have a practice session, these forms must be there, or ALL of the parents for ALL of the players MUST be there. A parent cannot ask another parent to watch their child. If a medical situation were to arise, only the parent can authorize treatment for their child. Also, for insurance purposes, the CYSA rules would have been violated, so no coverage would be available.
This same situation applies to games. No game may begin, without medical releases on hand, or the parents present, for each player. ‘Going home to get them’ does not count, as a player could get injured while they are gone. This could also place a coach in a civil liability situation, as they have violated CYSA rules, placing a player’s health in potential jeopardy. The coach is directly responsible for following all CYSA rules, in regards to the operation of their team. This is only part of the problem.
The other main problem is that if you or your assistant cannot make practice, the practice cannot happen. Any party working with a team must be registered with the league, have filled out the league 1650 form, and must have had a background check. There is also California Law, under Assembly Bill AB2007, which states that a coach working with youth must have taken a concussion course, prior to working with a team, and the SafeSport Act of 2017, a federal law, which states that a coach must have taken an Abuse Course, before they can meet with youth players. In Short, a parent cannot temporarily fill-in for a coach. Simply put, the league, and all of the parents on the team, must be assured that the party is ‘o.k.’ to work with children. If you, as a coach, allow an non-league registered party to work with your team, you assume full legal liability should something occur with a player, due to this party. You have broken league rules.
It also needs to be fully understand that a party is not ‘cleared’ to work with a team, under Cal North rules, until the background check has been completed. Just the fact that a person has completed the paperwork does not clear them to work with the team. These rules apply to the coaches family/relations in the same manner as they apply to any other party.
You lose your coaches’ binder and all your paperwork, including team roster, medical release forms, and player passes
Contact the league registrar and let her know that you have lost your paperwork. It will have to be replaced, and that may take some time. Inform your Coach Coordinator of your problem.
A player on your team receives a red card, or a coach on your team is sent off
(The following is for teams playing in Cal North)
The referee will keep the pass of the player/coach who was ejected and will not give it back after the game. A coach/parent must leave the field of play. A player may usually stay along the sidelines with the team unless the referee instructs him or her to leave, but the player should change his or her jersey or put on a jacket.
If a coach from your team feels it is necessary to speak to the referee after the game, do so calmly and respectfully. Do not allow parents to approach the referee. Remember, the referee will write a report about the incident and you do not want to cause any additional problems.
If you need to speak with some one, look for a league official, field marshal, or referee mentor. If you do not fully understand the rule, you will need to look the rule up yourself, if you cannot find a league party/field marshal, or referee mentor to explain it to you.
The referee will send the report and the pass to the league. The league will form a ‘PAD’ committee to discuss the situation and decide on disciplinary action. This action will typically take place prior to the next weekend of play. Depending on your league, the committee may simply decide the necessary disciplinary penalty, or request that they party appear before the committee. The committee will use the referee report as a basis for making their decision.
The committee will follow CYSA guidelines. You should be aware that CYSA rules dictate the following items, which some coaches are not aware of. Please note item 4:08:07. This states that a red carded team official must leave the field and area. A league cannot over rule this. Please take note that a referee is not required to show a red card to a coach who is being ejected. The party is simply told to leave the field. Remember that if a coach, or assistant coach, is ejected, they must leave the field immediately and they may not return to the field after the game.
4:08:03 Any player, substitute or coach who refuse the referee’s request for their name, or gives a false name, while the referee is gathering data to report an infringement of the “Laws of the Game” involving them, shall have one game added to the suspension that would normally be levied by the Disciplinary Committee.
4:08:04 Disciplinary actions listed above are to be regarded as minimum game suspensions, depending on the findings of the Disciplinary Committee. The Disciplinary Committee has discretionary powers to increase penalties befitting the infractions.
4:08:06 Coaches and assistant coaches sent off the field of play for infringement of the “Laws of the Game” shall have two (2) games added to the suspension that would normally be levied against a player for a similar infringement.
4:08:07 Any player ejected (sent off) from a game shall remain on the sidelines with his or her team and not leave the area without the permission of a team official. Any team official ejected (sent off) from a game shall leave the vicinity of the field of play and the area in which the game is being played. In the event that a team official is ejected (sent off) and there is no other team official properly registered to that team present, the game shall be terminated.
A key item to remember is that under Cal North rules, a coach gets two extra games (see 4:08:06 above), over what a player would receive as a game penalty. With this, a coach is looking at a minimum of three games for being ejected. A league disciplinary committee can increase this amount, but they may not decrease the CYSA minimum. The same applies to a spectator.
A parent on the sideline persists in yelling insulting or vulgar comments that disturb the players and the referee
Coaches are responsible for the behavior of parents. If parents get out of hand, it is the coach who can ultimately be ejected from the game and subject to disciplinary action by the league and the district. Be proactive; meet with your parents ahead of time and impress upon them the importance of being positive and supportive fans.
Cheering is fun and encourages the team; negative comments, insults, and threats cause ejections and possible legal action. If the offensive parent is with your team, ask him or her to calm down and to refrain from further comments as you are in danger of being ejected. Some coaches will pull the child of the offensive parent out of the game until the parent cools down. If the parent continues, and you cannot control them, notify the Assistant Referee that the parent is causing a problem and you cannot control them.
If the offensive parent is with the opponent’s team; some coaches have their team captain tell the referee during a stoppage in play, “A person on the sidelines is saying awful things to us. Can you make them stop?” You can also notify the assistant referee on your side that your players are being verbally abused by the other team’s parents. He or she may evaluate the situation and may attempt to get the referee’s attention during a stoppage in play. At the end of the game, you may write a complaint and submit it to your Coach Coordinator, or similar league official.
A player on the opponent’s team repeatedly directs profanity or threats towards your players
Speak to the assistant referee about it, pointing the player out to them. You may also send your team captain out, at half time, to speak to the center referee about it. If it is in the second half, tell the assistant referee about it. At the end of the game, you may write a complaint and submit it to your league. To do so, you would need to be specific, including the players number, and what actions you, or the referees took to resolve the matter.
You should be aware that a center in the middle of the field most likely will not hear comments from player to player, which occur near the touch line, or in the goal box area. With the noise from fans/coaches, and if any wind noise is happening, it becomes difficult to hear speech, unless it is done loudly, which a player typically would not do. Typically a player knows where the referee is and knows that the referee most likely cannot hear what they are saying to a player. They may make commentaries away from the center referee and the assistant referee. When this is done near the touch line, spectators may hear such comments. The problem for the referee crew is that they must actually hear the comments, before they act on them.
A player on your team is acting unruly and you are concerned for the safety of other players. Do you still have to play them 50% of the game.
Generally, no, absolutely not. First, when you pull the player from the field, you should take a moment to speak with the player, pointing out the playing practices that you had an issue with. You should also speak with the parents, explaining to them why you have benched the player. You want the behavior to not be repeated in the future, and at the same time keep harmony within the team. Some leagues have a guaranteed 50% play policy. If you go against this policy, you must be prepared to justify this, and it generally cannot be (recreational play) due to wanting your best players on the field to win a game. This typically only applies in competitive games, for competitive (Div. 1, or Div. 3) players.
After the game it may pay for you to have a one-on-one conversation with the player, to see if their might have been other factors influencing the way they had played. This is especially true if the player had been playing o.k. for a while, and the problem just sprang up. You may also want to make a written note of the issue, the date of the game, and what you did, in case the behavior does not change and you have to make a report to the league.
The referee makes what your team thinks is a bad call
Keep your cool and remember your responsibilities as a coach and role model for your players.
Calm the players and the parents. Nothing that anyone can say or do at that point will change the call. Sometimes, parents become agitated at the smallest infractions, simply because they are not very familiar with the laws of the game and what is and is not allowed in soccer Educate your parents whenever possible.
Sometimes you will have to explain these calls to them. If you want to speak to the referee about it, wait until half time and send your captains out to speak to the referee. If it happens during the second half, you may seek to get an explanation on a call from the referee.
However, you must understand that they do not have to explain their calls. Some coaches mistakenly believe that a referee has to explain their call, if asked. Speak calmly and respectfully. Do not become confrontational, either by physical stance, or sarcastically.
You should be aware that a referee is in control of the game/field, both before and after a game. If dissent is presented after a game, a referee can eject/card anyone on the basis of this.
If you think that the referee has committed serious errors that the league should know about, write down all of the details and give your own report to your league.
A player forgets to bring shin guards to the game
CYSA rules state that players are required to wear shin guards at every game and at every practice. The referee will not allow a player to participate who does not have shin guards. The coach is just as responsible as the referee in insuring that the players equipment is proper.
You forget your player passes
(The following is for teams playing in Cal North)
You have a problem. Player passes are required to play a game. Your league may have a person at the field that you can speak to, such as an Age Group Coordinator, or a recreational, or competitive coordinator.
In general, the rules may be more relaxed for recreational play and more strictly enforced for competitive play. In no case may a player play in a game/practice without the coach having the medical release on the back of the players pass signed, or having the 1601 forms present, which have the medical releases on them, signed by the parent.
Either the player pass with the signed medical consent on the back, or the signed 1601 form must always be present when the team gathers (for games, practices, fundraiser, etc.), in case of player injury and the parent is not there. If you are a traveling soccer team, player passes are always required in CYSA play.
A player is wearing pierced ear jewelry in their ear and claims that it cannot be removed
(The following is for teams playing in Cal North)
This is simple, the player cannot play. CYSA rules are specific on jewelry, they cannot be wearing any. Taping of jewelry is not allowed. There is a new ruling, in late 2013, that addresses jewelry that is permanently inserted. A player may wear such jewelry, if the parent has signed a Cal North waiver form, and this form is presented to the referee (NOTE: This form must be presented to every referee, for every game that a player plays in. If the form is not presented, the jewelry must come off for them to play, or they do not play). It is then subject to the judgment of the referee, as to if the jewelry in question might be dangerous to an opponent during play, resulting in possibly injury to them. You may find information on jewelry in Cal North PIM 12-1.
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