KOUTS SOCCER CLUB
CODE OF CONDUCT

The goal of the Kouts Soccer Club is to promote, develop and regulate the game of youth soccer for the community of Kouts, Indiana and nearby areas of Porter County and Pleasant Township. Kouts Soccer Club is here to develop team and individual soccer skills and that the participants will be able to carry them throughout their middle and high school years. We hope to achieve our primary goal by developing strong players through participation in a fun, educational environment that encourages fair play and that builds positive character. All games played within The Northwest Indiana Soccer League are to provide a fun and enriching environment for our players to grow their skill and love for the game. Any skill level may play and will be added to skill and age appropriate teams to better serve our players. We believe in learning skills, building confidence, positive sportsmanship, and respect while having fun! 

On the following pages you will find Kouts Soccer Club’s Code of Conduct for all coaches, players and fans. This code of conduct will need to be signed by all parents, guardians, and coaches. Players may be required to sign this as needed throughout the season. The acknowledgement sheet should be signed and returned to the Kouts Soccer Club before the start of the season. Any coach, player, or parent that is not willing to sign will not be allowed to play or participate in any Kouts Soccer Club events. If a coach or player is found to be in violation of Kouts Soccer Club’s Code of Conduct they will be subject to the disciplinary actions as outlined. Once disciplinary consequences have been assigned, they cannot be overturned.

We would like to thank all of the coaches, parents, players, and fans that make Kouts Soccer Club possible! We look forward to a successful season and starting this new chapter with the NWISL! If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at: [email protected]. 

CODE OF CONDUCT
PLAYERS

The following is the Code of Conduct for the players registered with the Kouts Soccer Club:

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship by example on and off the field 

• Play by the laws of the game

• View the sport as a privileged opportunity to learn and have fun 

• Remain respectful toward other players, coaches, referees, and spectators

  • Name calling, bullying, foul language and physical violence will not be tolerated

• Never argue or complain about referees' calls or decisions

  • Refrain from arguments with referees, coaches, parents and other players from either team

  • Speak to referees in a respectful way at all times

• Be respectful of all boards and members as a whole

  • This includes: Kouts Soccer Club Board, the Board of our competitors, and the NWISL Board

• Maintain an even temperament and resist retaliation

• Be humble! We know you're talented and we love it! Others may not be as good as you, but are trying. Lead by example!

• Make every effort to be at ALL practices and games on time: You are part of a team, and your team needs you!

• Focus on coaches, trainers and referee instruction, both in games and at practice

  • This includes leaving electronic devices (cell phones, iPod’s, headphones, etc.) off the field during play and instructional time

• Concentrate on playing hard for both their team and themselves

• Focus on doing their best in school

• Not to engage in drug, alcohol, or tobacco use

• Not to engage in any form of cyber bullying: 

  • This includes but is not limited to: Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok or any other platform that may cause harm.

• Not to engage in any type of social media challenge which calls for dangerous, illegal, harmful or hurtful behavior

  • This includes: themselves, others, or their community

• Clean up your area before leaving. Do not leave your trash or belongings. We do not have housekeeping at the fields. 

CODE OF CONDUCT
COACHES

• Encourage good sportsmanship by example

  • The game is for children, not for adults 

• Learn the rules of soccer

• Maintain the safety and well-being of their players

  • Remembering the large range of emotional/physical development at any age. 

• Explain to parents what is expected of them and their children

• Make sure parents and players are following current NWISL Seating guidelines at all fields, both home and away 

  • An up-to-date diagram will be provided for all teams each season

• Provide a positive, enjoyable atmosphere for the players and parents 

• Refrain from arguments (both verbal and physical) with referees, coaches, parents and players from either team 

• Be respectful of all boards and members as a whole

  • This includes: Kouts Soccer Club Board, the Board of our competitors, and the NWISL Board

• Speak to referees in a respectful way at all times

• Refrain from making negative comments about other coaches, players, and referees

• Coach from inside the coaches’ box if one is provided at the field on which the game is played, both home and away

• Encourage parents to support the team with their presence as much as possible 

• Provide necessary guidance and equipment at games and practices 

• Discipline players in a FAIR and CONSISTENT manner

• Be prepared to deal with injuries in a timely manner by reviewing first aid principles 

• Maintain a consistent practice schedule that is fun and challenging for the players 

• Must be present for all scheduled games and practices

  • If a head coach cannot be present an assistant may take their place

• Ensure that all players play a minimum of half a game

• Not partake in drug, alcohol or tobacco use at any Kouts Soccer Club event

• Not engage in any form of cyber bullying

  • This includes but is not limited to: Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok or any other platform that may cause harm while associated with Kouts Soccer Club

• Not engage in any type of social media challenge which calls for dangerous, illegal, harmful or hurtful behavior

  • This includes themselves, others, or their community while at a Kouts Soccer Club function

• Always clean up any garbage you or your players have left. Remind players to take their belonging with them. Ensure your practice area is clean before your leave. 

CODE OF CONDUCT
PARENTS/GUARDIANS

• Attendance:

 Make every effort to drop off and pick up players at designated practices/games on time. If your child has a health condition exacerbated by heat we ask that you stick around. 

When you register your child to be on a team you are acknowledging that you  understand the commitment you are making for that team. Please teach your child what it means to be part of a team and the values it will instill on him/her. Other players rely on their teammates as a whole. Failure to have your child to games only hurts the other children who may be left with no subs and/or but not limited to not having enough players to even play. Repeated lack of attendance will be a problem and can subject your child to not being on a team the following season as we carefully review each child for appropriate team placement. This is to protect the well being of teams and ensure productivity of small sided games. We understand that unpreceded events and/or illness happens but repeated and continued attendance issues will not be tolerated. 

• Encourage good sportsmanship and self-discipline by demonstrating positive behavior for ALL players on both teams 

• Will not allow my player or any other child to play/hang on any soccer goals! Please don't make us babysit your children. This is dangerous and can seriously injure or kill a child if they flip them. Google it.... it has happened and we will not have that happen here!

• Make athletic participation for their child and others a positive, fun experience

• Give encouragement and show interest in their child's teams

• Help their child work toward good sportsmanship in every game

• Attempt to relieve the pressure of competition and place the emotional/physical well-being of players ahead of a desire to win 

• Be respectful toward coaches, referees, and other parents at all Kouts Soccer Club functions

• Be respectful of all boards and members as a whole

  • This includes: Kouts Soccer Club Board, the Board of our competitors, and the NWISL Board

• Alert coaches of any players’ health conditions 

• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sports activities

• Refrain from coaching and refereeing from the sidelines

• Not partake in drug, alcohol or tobacco use at any Kouts Soccer Club event

• Not engage in any form of cyber bullying

  • This includes but is not limited to: Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok or any other platform that may cause harm while associated with Kouts Soccer Club

• Not engage in any type of social media challenge which calls for dangerous, illegal, harmful or hurtful behavior

  • This includes themselves, others, or their community while at a Kouts Soccer Club function

• Always clean up any garbage you or your family may have. Leave your area clean. Remind your player to get his/her belongings. 

BEHAVIOR AT GAMES
PARENT GUIDELINES

• Sit on the parent half of your teams’ sideline at all games, both home and away

• Sit at a respectful distance from the field (5 feet back from sidelines and 3 feet off the centerline) both home and away

• Not sit behind the goals at any point in time, for any reason

• Will not cross into Kouts Soccer Club’s TEAM/COACHES section for any reason during a game. 

  • There are NO Parents allowed in the team area once warm ups begin

  • There should be NO interaction between fans to coaches or players during warm ups, or during the match (outside of normal cheering for the team)

  • Fans that do not comply will be immediately ejected to the parking lot by their coach for the remainder of the game

• No pets of any kind are allowed at the Kouts Soccer Club Fields 

  • This includes, but is not limited to: dogs, cats, reptiles, rodents, etc 

  • This includes both home and away games 

• Refrain from any negative interaction with the opposing team

  • This includes verbal and physical interactions

  • This includes but is not limited to players, fans, coaches, and board members

• Refrain from any interaction with the referees. No arguing, yelling, or being disrespectful to them even if they made a bad call!

  • They are there to do a job, interaction with you distracts them from that job and makes them ineffective. They are kids and also learning. It is just a game and this is NOT the World Cup! 

• Refrain from any interaction with another club’s board members

  • This includes, but is not limited to travel reps, coordinators, and trainers

• Address any problems or concerns they have with an opposing team, referee, or any incident that may have occurred at a game with their own coach, away from the field of play, away from the players, and in a rational manner

  • You may also email [email protected] and one of the board members will reach out to you

• Do not cross the field of play for any non-emergency reason at any time

  • This includes but is not limited to before game warm up, during the game, half-time, and after the game has ended

• Ensure that any fan associated with their player knows, understands and complies with the Kouts Soccer Club Code of Conduct at all times

• Do not engage in any physical altercations with anyone at any Kouts Soccer Club events

• Do understand that a violation of any of the above rules may result in an immediate suspension of their player for a minimum of 1 game

*All participants of Kouts Soccer Club shall abide by the club's Code of Conduct at all times. Inappropriate behavior that violates this Code of Conduct shall result in immediate disciplinary consequences.

KOUTS SOCCER CLUB
Maximum Penalties for Violation of Player Code of Conduct

The following are examples of violations of the Code of Conduct. These unsporting behaviors will result in specific penalties to be issued by the Area Review Board, District Representative and/or the Kouts Soccer Club Board. Every coach is hereby instructed to make all parents aware and knowledgeable of the following penalties for breaches of the Code of Conduct. 

• Entering the field of play without permission of the referees 

  • WARNING

  • CAUTION

  • EJECTION

  • 1 GAME SUSPENSION

• Threatening actions or words towards officials, players, or spectators 

  • EJECTION

  • TWO GAME SUSPENSION

• Abusive language to an official

  • EJECTION 

  • 2ND OFFENSE: 2 GAME SUSPENSION

• Aggressive physical contact with the referee or a player (i.e., grabbing the arm, turning individual around, poking, bumping, or pushing)

  • EJECTION WITH TWO GAME SUSPENSION

  • 2ND OFFENSE: EJECTION

  • EXPULSION (Expulsion must be approved by the National Board of Directors)

• Striking an official, player or spectator

  • EJECTION

  • EXPULSION (Must be approved by the National Board of Directors)

• Refusal to leave the playing field after an ejection

  • ONE GAME SUSPENSION AND FORFEITURE OF GAME, REGARDLESS OF LENGTH OF GAME PLAYED

• Constant and excessive verbal harassment of the referee or players

  • CAUTION

  • EJECTION

  • 2ND OFFENSE: 1 GAME SUSPENSION

• Instructing players to play in a dangerous or unsporting manner 

  • CAUTION

  • EJECTION

  • 2ND OFFENSE: 5 GAME SUSPENSION

• Instructing players to play in a dangerous or unsporting manner with deliberate intent to harm

  • EJECTION: WITH 2 GAME SUSPENSION

  • 2ND OFFENSE: EJECTION WITH EXPULSION (Expulsion must be approved by the National Board of Directors)

• Playing an illegal player

  • GAME FORFEITURE 

  • If it can be proved that the coach deliberately and with full knowledge used an illegal player

    • SEASON SUSPENSION (Must be approved by National Board of Directors)