HADDON HEIGHTS SOCCER CLUB (HHSC)
CODE OF CONDUCT

It is one of the principles of the HHSC that all participants, including spectators, at all times maintain the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship. The ethics and sportsmanship of the players, coaches, officials, and others associated with the game must be exemplary and beyond reproach. Everyone participating and watching must conduct himself or herself so as to be a credit to the sport and the HHSC.

Coaches

• Coaches shall set a positive example for all players and spectators.
• Coaches shall foster a positive environment, with a focus on teamwork, soccer skills and player self esteem.
• Coaches shall motivate players so that they will control themselves at all times, thereby preventing any un-sportsman-like act to opponents, officials, or spectators.
• Coaches shall not tolerate actions by players which are physically dangerous to opponents, such as players deliberately kicking another, fighting between players, etc.
• Coaches shall not incite players to retaliatory actions whatever the provocation, or imply to the player his/her dissatisfaction with the game official.
• Coaches shall not intimidate, or have an undignified discussion with, or concerning a referee.
• Coaches shall only direct remarks to their own team players. They must not use their posi-tion to upset or intimidate opposing team players.

Players

• Players shall not do anything with intent to physically harm an opposing player.
• Players shall not verbally abuse an opposing player.
• Players shall not intimidate, or have an undignified discussion with, or concerning a referee.
• Players shall wear proper attire.

Spectators

• Spectators shall set a positive example for the players.
• Spectators are not to incite players to retaliatory actions whatever the provocation, or imply to the players dissatisfaction with the game official.
• Spectators may only direct remarks to their own team players. They shall not upset or intimidate opposing team players.
• Spectators shall not intimidate or have an undignified discussion with, or concerning a referee.

SELECTION OF TEAMS

A player's division level is based on the player's year of birth. HHSC follows the guidelines of the United States Youth Soccer Association which designates a seasonal year to be August 1st through July 31st of the next year. Therefore children whose birthday falls between these dates are grouped together. Exceptions must be approved by the applicable Divisional President.
Travel
Players for travel teams are selected via tryouts held in the spring; typically the week following the conclusion of the Spring Season. All players of travel age are encouraged to attend tryouts. Players selected for a travel team remain on that team for one seasonal year (Fall / Spring). A player may be transferred from a Suburban team to a South Jersey League team only if agreed to by the player's parents, the Travel League President and the Suburban League president. Players added to a team, who did not attend tryouts, must be of South Jersey ability.
Recreation
Every effort should be exerted to see that the teams are as evenly divided as possible. This takes precedence over all other criteria. The Board is responsible for setting guidelines so that the selection of players is done in an im-partial manner. In the event any imbalance in the Club teams should occur before the commencement of the season, the Division Coordinator may transfer players from teams accordingly. The Division Coordinator, whose child is playing in his/her division, shall not be the sole individual setting up teams. At the conclusion of each season, Recreation coaches have the responsibility to evaluate every player on his/her team. The league may also arrange for an independent group of coaches or individuals to rate all players.
Player Transfers
Every effort should be made to allow team rosters to remain the same during the season. Players can not be transferred from team to team without league approval. The league may transfer players to correct team imbalances so extreme as to be detrimental to the children on the team, or the overall league. Player transfers must be completed before the third game of the season. Unregistered children can only be assigned to a team by division coordinator, providing a vacancy exists. At no time is a coach allowed to transfer or pick up players without league approval. Special situations should be discussed with the division coordinator or Recreation League President. A transfer of a Club player to a South Jersey team can only be done in very limited circumstances as explained in the section of Selection of Teams.
Player Solicitation
Coaches, Players and Player Parents shall not solicit HHSC players to leave the Club and play for another Club. Any individuals caught soliciting a player or players shall be banned from participating in the HHSC.

COACHES

Selection of Coaches
Candidates for coaches are identified on the player registration forms. Coaches are selected based on interest, commitment and coaching experience by the applicable Division Coordinator or League President. To coach a travel team, the candidate must possess a NJ Youth Soccer Coaches F-License. The F-license is not required to coach a recreation team but is encouraged. Once selected, all coaches and assistant coaches must complete a "Coaches Disclosure form".
Coaches Clinics
All coaches must attend Club coaching clinics and demonstrate, through coaching of players, the ability to impart soccer tac-tics and skills. Failure or refusal of attending coaching clinics may result in removal of coaching position.
Removal of a Coach
In the event a coach fails to meet the Club's Code of Conduct, fails or refuses to at-tend clinics, and/or fails to show that he/she can coach his/her team effectively, the Division Coordinator or the Club League President may notify the coach that he/she will be removed from his/her position. In such situation, the coach may invoke the grievance procedures established by the Club to challenge his/her removal. If the coach is removed, the Club will make every effort to find a replacement coach for the team. Should a replacement coach not be found; the team will be disbanded and team members placed, if possible, on the remaining teams.

GAMES

Coaches, players, linesmen and referees should cooperate in eliminating game delays. Player Attire Players must wear proper attire including shorts, game shirts (no hoods outside of the shirt), shin guards and non-metal cleats. Players are not permitted to wear any jewelry. Coaches and referees are responsible for enforcement.
Playing Time
All recreation players are to play at least a minimum of one-half game unless there is a valid reason such as an injury or a disciplinary problem. Any disciplinary reason for play-ing a child less than one-half game should be applied equally to all players. Because the travel teams play in a highly competitive environment, it may not be possible for all players to play a minimum of one-half of a game each game. However coaches are encouraged to distribute playtime in an equitable manor. Coaches are also encouraged to discuss with the parents of their players their strategy in distributing playtime.
Coaching
Coaches in the Micro-mini division (maximum of one per team) may coach on the field for the first 5 games of the season. Likewise in the Mini division coaches may coach on the field for the first 2 games of the season. In all other divisions, coaches may coach only from the sideline. At no time is a coach allowed to coach from the touch-line (behind the goal).

GAME SCORE
Recreation Program
A team should not win by more than 4 goals. A coach may take one or more of the following actions to prevent lopsided wins: · Substitute the high scoring players more frequently. · Rearrange player positions to reduce scoring. · Play one less player. · Challenge his/her players to encourage a different individual to score. In the event a coach takes no actions to balance the score and continues to deliberately run up the score; the coach is subject to disciplinary action including removal from coaching.
Travel Program
Team scoring is subject to the rules of New Jersey Youth Soccer.
Travel Team Tournaments
Travel team player registration fees cover the registration fees for each travel team to participate in 4 local tournaments during the seasonal year. Each travel team is encouraged to play in their choice of tournaments. If a team does not attend all four tournaments, the unused fee money is absorbed by the club and can not be used for trainers or tournaments in subsequent seasons.
Foul Weather Procedure
All members should understand that soccer is an all weather sport and that every effort should be made to play every game. A game will only be canceled or stopped once started, for reasons of lightening or an unplayable field. Rain (unless making play impossible) is not, alone, a reason for not playing a game. A game stopped before the start of the second half must be replayed. But if the second half has started, the game will be considered a complete game and the results will be the status of the game at the time of the final suspension. Once the game has started, only the referee has the power to suspend the game. Before the first game of the day had started, the Vice-Chairperson, League President or Division Coordinator must decide if the games on that field should be started.
Protests
A game may be protested if the protest is based on a goal being allowed or disallowed improperly, based on a rule of the game being violated. Further, the goal must have a direct result on the end result of the game that is, to change a win to a tie or a loss or vice-versa. Additionally, any error in applying the applicable rules of play that materially aff-ects the outcome of the game may be the subject of a protest. Discretionary calls or decisions by the referee are not sub-ject to protest. A written protest, explaining the circumstances must be sent to the Commissioner within 24 hours of the end of the disputed game. The protest must be signed by the head coach or assistant coach (if the head coach was not present at the field) of the protesting team. When a valid protest is received the Grievance Committee should meet as quickly as possible. The protesting coach and game referee may be asked to attend the hearing, but may only be present during a vote when requested by the committee chairman. If a protest is upheld, the game will be replayed from scratch, at a time and place specified by the Commissioner.
Game Ejection
The following statements refer to official game ejection (red card) or warning (yellow card) given by the game referee or division coordinator:

• If a Player receives a Yellow card, the coach may substitute that Player at the time the card is issued.
• For receiving a red card, or two yellow cards, during the same gave from a referee, a player, in addition to being removed from the game, shall be suspended from his next official game, subject to an appeal to the Grievance Committee. The referee shall bring the issue of a red or yellow card to the attention of the coach or acting coach and to the referee coordinator. The referee coordinator shall advise the division coordinator so that a record can be maintained as to the player's name and number. The division coordinator shall maintain the record of all red and yellow cards issued. The Referee coordinator will also report the incident to the Referee Trainer if it requires further action.
• A player may play in any official game once his/her appeal has been submitted and until it is heard.
• For receiving a second or subsequent: red card from a game referee in the same season, the player will receive a minimum two game suspension and the Grievance Committee may recommend further suspension.
• For receiving three yellow cards in the same season a player shall be suspended for one game.
• Coaches and spectators are subject to exactly the same suspensions as the players.
• The Grievance Chairperson shall not be bound by the rule requiring an automatic game suspension following an official ejection but may assess any or no penalty based solely upon its judg-ment of the incident.
• In the event a player is removed from a game for receiving a red card or two yellow cards, the player may be replaced for the remainder of that game. There is no requirement to play shorthanded.

REFEREES
The referee coordinator shall select referees and set up a system of scheduling and payment with the Club treasurer. Referees should be instructed in the Club league rules and their responsibilities. Referees should be selected on criteria such as previous experience and dependability, and participation in the Club.

PUBLICITY
Publicity in the news media should be in accordance with the spirit of the Club and Youth soccer. The Club may designate a limit on the amount of space each team is given in fairness to all the teams in the Club. Write-ups should not contain derogatory or controversial statements about either HHSC players or the opposition or in-clude coach's names.

MISCELLANEOUS
At no time should a Coach allow an unregistered child to prac-tice with the team. (Players who are registered within the HHSC but not on the team roster may practice with the team.)