No Tolerance Policy

AYSA has adopted a zero tolerance policy for the 1999 season. This means that any yelling, badgering, disrespect or derogatory comments directed at a referee or assistant referee will not be tolerated by either a coach, administrator, parent or fan (coaches are responsible for sideline behavior for everyone on your side of the field). Zero tolerance means that disciplinary action will be taken for each and every offense. The FC Aanvallen board members support this policy in it's entirety. I am sure that we will take our own measures to ensure positive sideline behavior.

This of course will all be a mute point if we all practice a few simple guidelines.

A. Coaches must set the example (speak calmly to referees and show the utmost respect. Even when the referee truly blows the call we must let it go. Referees usually know when they make a mistake anyway and will subconsciously make up for it at some time. In my 15 years of coaching this game I have never seen a call reversed as result of a tantrum by a coach, so it is just wasted effort and breath and sets a very bad example). Additionally we are trying to establish a reputation and project a positive image. Part of that reputation needs to be that we are a class act. Improper sideline behavior just doesn't fit into our association mentality or philosophy.

B. As a coach, control your sideline. You are the boss. Have a conversation with all players about showing proper respect towards, referees, parents, coaches and opposing players and coaches. Again this fits in with our philosophy and the image we are trying to project. Have this same conversation with parents. Regardless of the situation, everyone on the sideline must exhibit class and decorum. Let the other team rant and rave and make fools of themselves. We will not get caught up in that and will not tolerate it either. If you have a parent that just doesn't get the message, remind them of the RULES and ask them refrain. If they just cannot contain themselves TELL THEM TO LEAVE, WATCH THE GAME FROM A DISTANCE, BUT THEY CANNOT BE ON THE SIDELINES WHILE EXHIBITING THIS NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR. Only positive comments should come from our sidelines.

C. Referees are a valuable and scarce commodity. Part of the reason for this is all of the unnecessary and unwarranted abuse they have to put up with. If we show class and treat referees with the respect and dignity they deserve we will probably have a lot more referees willing to work our games and subsequently attract some of the more qualified and effective referees.

I cannot stress enough our need to rise above any form of referee abuse or disrespect. This issue is one of if not the most significant problem with the youth game in our area. FC Aanvallen is going to lead the way within AYSA and partner with AYSA to correct this problem.

Thanking you all in advance for season filled with doing the right things, for our players and for those who help to facilitate the game, particularly the referees.

Jeff
FC Aanvallen