Players, parents, coaches and fans represent Lakelands Toros when our teams play. The actions of one of us affect the image of all of us. This Code of Conduct encourages us to work together to play with good sportsmanship and to treat players, coaches, referees and parents with respect.

Players Code of Conduct

1.    I will treat referees with Respect.
I will accept referee calls with respect and not argue, complain or verbally harass a referee during or after a game

2.    I will treat my coach with Respect.
I will come to practice and games with a positive attitude and obey the coach’s rules.

3.    I will treat my teammates and other teams with Respect.
Whether we win or lose, I will do so with class and not “trash talk” players on my team or opposing teams.

4.    I will not bring alcohol, tobacco, family pets or drugs to soccer practice or games.

5.    I will not use profanity at soccer practice or games.

6.    I will not physically or verbally assault another player, coach, referee or spectator.

I understand that physically or verbally assaulting another player, coach, referee or spectator will result in automatic dismissal from the Lakelands Toros

7.    I understand the SCYSA and USYSA set suspensions for Red Cards.
1st red card in a season is a minimum 1 game suspension; 2nd red card in the same season is a minimum 2 game suspension; 3rd red card in the same season is a possible 10-month suspension.

Parent Code of Conduct

1.     Treat Referees with Respect

• There are no circumstances in which a parent should confront a referee during or after a game.
• Do not verbally harass a referee.

2.     Treat Your Coach with Respect

• Ensure your child and all of his/her equipment gets to the games and practices on time.
• Pick up your child promptly at the end of games or practices; don’t make the coaches wait for you.
• Disagreements with the coach do not belong on the public soccer field before, during or after a game or practice.
• Questions or comments should be voiced later during an adult atmosphere.

3.     Treat all Lakelands Toros Players, Including your Own Child, and Other Teams with Respect

• Coaches, not parents, are the ones we entrust to instruct our players. Coaching and/or instructing from the spectator sideline are not permitted. It may confuse, distract or frustrate the players as well as contradict a coach’s instructions.
• Be positive. Never yell or criticize your child or other players. Don’t expect them to play like professionals.
• Avoid confrontations or shouting matches with the parents or fans of an opposing team.
• Allow your child and other players to have fun playing soccer. Don’t let soccer become a chore!

• Whether you win or lose, do so with class.

4. Treat Yourself with Respect

• “Motor Mouths Not Welcome”. Constant yelling is very irritating to everyone around you.
• Learn the rules of soccer; you will enjoy it more. Attend a coaching, parent or referee clinic.
• No alcohol, drugs, family pets, profanity or fighting are ever permitted at soccer games or practices.

Select Players’ Off-Field Code of Conduct

As a registered player representing Lakelands Toros, I acknowledge it is a privilege to represent this Club and my community. Realizing and understanding the importance of doing so in a responsible and respectable manner, I absolutely agree as follows:

1.    I will not drink alcohol at any time, place or location. I fully understand I am under the legal age to do so and I understand the club has a zero-tolerance under-age drinking policy, which forbids me to do so. In the event, it is determined by school officials, law enforcement or any coach of this club that I have consumed alcohol, I fully understand I will be suspended for a minimum of four consecutive matches inclusive of training, practice and all club activities for a first offense, and one full season for a second offense. After each suspension, I shall be required to enroll in and commence participation in an alcohol abuse rehabilitation program before I am able to return to play soccer for Lakelands Toros.

2.    I will not use marijuana nor any other illegal drug or controlled substances at any time, place or location. I fully understand the use of non-prescription drugs and controlled substances are against the law. I understand the club has a zero-tolerance drug policy, which forbids me to do so. In the event, it is determined by school officials, law enforcement or any coach of this club that I have taken illegal drugs or controlled substances, I fully understand I will be suspended for a minimum four consecutive matches inclusive of training, practice and all club activities for a first offense, and one full season for a second offense. After each suspension, I shall be required to enroll in and commence participation in a drug abuse rehabilitation program before I am able to return to play soccer for Lakelands Toros.

3.    I will not steal other persons’ property at any time or otherwise commit a crime at any time, place or location. I understand the club has a zero-tolerance theft and crime policy, which forbids stealing or committing a crime. In the event it is determined by school officials, law enforcement or any coach of this club, that I have taken another’s property with intent to steal it or to have otherwise committed a crime, I fully understand I will be suspended for a minimum four consecutive matches inclusive of training, practice and all club activities for a first offense, and one full season for a second offense. After each suspension, I shall be required to enroll in and commence participation in a pre-trial intervention program before I am able to return to play soccer for Lakelands Toros.

4.    If I am suspended and/or expelled from school, I fully understand I shall also be suspended from Lakelands Toros related activities. When I am reinstated in school, I will be permitted to resume my activities with Lakelands Toros provided however, that if the school disciplinary action was the result of violations of #1, #2 or #3 above, I understand I must serve the match suspensions and satisfy the rehabilitation requirements outlined above for such violations before I can return to the team. This only applies to out-of-school suspensions and expulsions.

5.    I fully understand that I am 100% accountable for my own behavior and the decisions. I make and if I chose to engage in any of the above forbidden activities or engage in conduct that causes me to be suspended or expelled from school, I understand I am actually choosing to be disciplined as outlined herein and thereby bring dishonor upon myself, my parents, my teammates, my coaches, my Club and my community. In addition, I fully understand I will be forfeiting all monies paid to the Club through that time and my parents and I shall still be responsible to pay (1) all balances due (if any) to the Club and (2) my pro rata share of all Team Fees incurred by the team through the end of the current season.

6.    I fully understand the Club encourages self-reporting of such violations. To that end, I fully understand that should I/we feel I/we need counseling help to correct one of the above mentioned addiction and/or behavioral problems before school officials, law enforcement or a coach of this club discovers a violation of this Off-Field Code of Conduct, I/we should immediately engage the services of a certified mental health care professional, schedule counseling sessions and thereafter notify our Directors of Soccer. In the event such proactive measures are taken by a parent or legal guardian, the Directors of Soccer shall have discretion to reduce the match/training/practice/event suspension penalties for a first offense violation as set forth in paragraphs #1, #2 and #3 above.