DC SCORES SPORTSMANSHIP CODE OF CONDUCT
Good sportsmanship is one of the core values of DC SCORES. Sportsmanship is displayed not just on the
soccer field, but throughout the program and throughout our students’ lives.
Sportsmanship is defined as:
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playing fair
following the rules of the game
respecting the judgment of referees and officials
treating coaches and opponents with respect
graciousness in winning or losing
Some define good sportsmanship as the "golden rule" of sports — in other words, treating the people you play
with and against as you'd like to be treated yourself. You demonstrate good sportsmanship when you show
respect for yourself, your teammates, and your opponents, for the coaches on both sides, and for the
referees, judges, and other officials.
EXPECTATIONS
COACHES
The coach's role is to teach soccer skills to players and promote good sportsmanship throughout his/her
respective school. This goes on to include everyone involved with DC SCORES including parents, teachers,
administrators, and community spectators. All coaches within the soccer program will promote good
sportsmanship among players, foster team camaraderie, and help participants have fun while teaching players
the technical skills of soccer.
In addition, each Coach will ensure that his/her conduct sets a good example for everyone involved with DC
SCORES. To meet these responsibilities, the Coach is expected to:
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Know the rules of soccer and of the DC SCORES League and abide by them.
Instruct players and parents in the rules and motivate each player to compete according to the rules at all
times.
Respect the game officials at all times. Refrain from questioning their decisions or challenging their
authority, during and after the game, and especially amongst your own players. This also includes
suppressing negative talk about the referee amongst your own players.
Ensure that league rules and regulations are followed by all players and spectators.
Ensure that fans of his or her team exhibit sportsmanship and maturity at all times and assist league and
game officials in maintaining control of spectators during games.
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Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team before, during, and after the game. Also, remind
your players to show the same respect, especially when shaking hands.
Take appropriate steps to minimize scoring in runaway games.
Teach each player, especially through personal example, to be humble and generous in victory and proud
and courteous in defeat.
Maintain control of his/her emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted
as hostile and humiliating.
Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally demonstrating commitment to these
virtues.
Promote the concept that soccer is merely a game, and that players and coaches on other teams are
opponents, not enemies.
PLAYERS
Every player is expected to:
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Know and respect the rules of soccer, and abide by them at all times.
Show respect and courtesy to officials and coaches by following their instructions and directions.
Respect the game officials and refrain from addressing them or commenting on their decisions during or
after the game.
Maintain control of his/her emotions, avoiding the use of abusive or profane language, taunting or
humiliating remarks, and/or gestures and physical assault upon another player at any time.
Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team and display sportsmanship at the conclusion of a
game; be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat. This includes every team
member shaking hands with the opposing team after a game.
Follow all League rules and regulations, respecting at all times the property of others.
Remember that soccer is a game, and treat players and coaches on other teams as opponents, not
enemies.
PARENTS AND SPECTACTORS
The parents' role is one of support to the players and coaches. Parents should not engage in "coaching" from
the sidelines; criticizing players, coaches or game officials; or trying to influence the makeup of the team at
any time. Every parent and spectator is expected to:
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Learn and respect the rules of soccer, and the rules of our League.
Show respect and courtesy to game officials, coaches, and players at all times.
Respect the game officials and refrain from questioning their decisions or from addressing them in a loud,
disrespectful, or abusive manner.
Cheer for your child's team in a positive manner, refraining at all times from making negative or abusive
remarks about the opposing team. Maintain control of your emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or
gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and humiliating.
Demonstrate appropriate gestures of sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game, win or lose.
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Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally demonstrating commitment to these
virtues.
Promote the concept that soccer is merely a game, and that players and coaches on other teams are
opponents, not enemies.
SPORTSMANSHIP INFRACTIONS
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Every game day, schools are able to earn one sportsmanship point. A sportsmanship point is earned for
the whole school, not as separate boys’ and girls’ teams.
A team automatically earns a sportsmanship point unless a DC SCORES staff member or opposing team
coach files a Sportsmanship Infraction Report by 4PM of the following Monday after the game.
Any team that earns all sportsmanship points at the end of the season will have a bonus win (3 points)
added to their end of the season standings.
Any team that is reported for two infractions in one season will drop one place in standings at the end of
the season. If a team is cited for three infractions, they will be deemed ineligible for the playoffs.
All reports will be shared ASAP with the school that committed the infraction(s).
To file a Sportsmanship Infraction Report, please go to http://bit.ly/dcscores
The goal of the Sportsmanship Code of Conduct is not to unfairly punish schools or encourage schools to
point fingers at one another, but to address sportsmanship issues in a timely manner and make the DC
SCORES Soccer League a safe and fun environment for everyone involved.
We ask coaches from both teams to play an active role in addressing sportsmanship concerns. If you have
an issue with a player, parent, or spectator from the opposing team, please let the opposing team coach or
a DC SCORES staff member know of the problem ASAP so that it can be addressed. When reviewing a
Sportsmanship Infraction Report, whether or not a coach attempted to address the problem will be
discussed.
While we hold a coach’s Sportsmanship Infraction Report to be of the highest integrity, DC SCORES holds
the final say in awarding sportsmanship points.
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