Parents Code of Conduct in Youth Sports

Parental codes of conduct were developed by organizations across the country with many common themes. This was to help remind parents to keep their cool at their children's sporting events. Even with the codes, it is not unusual to see parents being kicked out of sporting events because they have been rude or abusive to other fans, coaches or officials.

  1. Creation of the Codes of Conduct

    • The Sports Parents Code of Conduct begins what are the six core principals that will build character and ethics. The six core principals are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. It is believed that each sport reaches its highest potential when everyone follows these six core principals.

    Sportmanslike Conduct

    • The code says that you will encourage good sportsmanship and act as a good role model for your child, never doing anything to harm any member of any team, coach or official. You must agree never to yell or ridicule any other player, coach or official during a game for doing anything wrong. Instead encourage things that are done right. You must also insist that your child does not insult anyone at the game as well. You must agree not to taunt the opposing team such as shouting boos or yelling anyone's name in anger. You should also show good conduct by teaching your children to always shake the opponents' hand no matter how upset they may be. Instead you should comfort them and tell them that the important thing is that they did their best.

    Respect

    • The code states that you must agree to respect all officials, coaches, parents and players and to not confront them during the game or match. You must never insult or call other players' names or run out onto a field or mat to speak with an official during the event.

    Forcing Your Child and Winning Isn't Everything

    • The code says that the parent must not force their child to participate in the sport; instead they should remember that the child is there for their fun, not for the adults' fulfillment.

      Also, you should teach your child that playing the game is fun, and that it doesn't matter if you win or lose. Once children realize that, pressure is taken off of them because they are no longer trying to win because mom or dad wants them to. Instead, you should emphasize practice and developing their skills; that will help them win further down the road where it really counts.

    Medical Issues

    • You also must agree to tell the coach whenever your child has a medical impairment that could harm a teammate or opponent. This also includes injuries that your child has that could further hurt your child. Examples would be communicable diseases and injuries such as breaks, sprains, concussions and others.

    Learn the Rules of the Game

    • You should learn the rules of the game. By doing so, you will have more fun watching, and you will understand the official's rulings.

    No Alcohol or Drugs

    • You must agree not to allow your children to use alcohol or drugs at sporting events. You should set an example by not using them yourself so that your children will follow your lead. Children often do what their parents do, especially when young, so show them what is the right thing to do.