NORTH ANDOVER SOCCER ASSOCIATION
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association Board of Directors approved the implementation of Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Parents, Players and Referees and a Zero Tolerance Policy by unanimous consent in January 2023.
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The Mass Youth Soccer Codes of Contact and Zero Tolerance Policy were developed over a number of months of consultation and collaboration with League and Member Organization leaders, Massachusetts State Referee Committee and other State Associations utilizing best practices from other Leagues, States and US Soccer appropriate for our programs.
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North Andover Soccer Association (NASA) fully endorses and subscribes to the MYSA's Codes of Conduct and Zero Tolerance Policies linked below. NASA has observed the critical need for adoption of these policies based on the continued and growing behavior issues that exists across all youth sports among players, coaches, referees, parents, and spectators.
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Please see below for these Codes of Conduct as well as the Zero Tolerance Policy:
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Athlete and Participant Safety Policy
Reporting Child Abuse (Mandatory Reporting) and Misconduct Policy
Parent/Guardian/Spectator Code of Conduct
Soccer Official's Code Of Conduct
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Spectator Behavior
The Director of Coaching and NASA Development wanted to ask for your help as you attend your child’s soccer practices and games this Spring season.
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We understand that every parent wants their child to enjoy the experience of playing a sport. In addition, we want them to develop, grow and improve as an individual player, as well as a member of a team. Allow them the opportunity to develop important leadership skills, solve problems, improvise when needed, etc.
With this in mind we have been working with our NASA coaches, in all age groups for both boys and girls teams, instructing them on NASA’s philosophy of coaching. Our philosophy is based on guided discovery. With guided discovery coaches are posing problems to their players and allowing them the opportunity to resolve those problems on their own, and as a member of their team. Because of this we are asking each of you to please refrain from coaching from the sidelines. We understand it is only with best intentions that you may shout out helpful hints such as “Shoot”, or “he/she is wide open, pass the ball” during a practice or game. But this only confuses the players. And it often contradicts what the coach has been teaching the players. We want them to learn when the right time to shoot is, or when/where to pass the ball, or whatever the technique/tactic the coaches are working on with the players at that time based on what they are seeing while playing. With guided discovery, the best teacher is the game itself.
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Another thing we would like you to keep in mind is that the players themselves are also communicating out on the field. This is a huge part of their development as well. By shouting directions to them, or their teammates from the sideline, we are interfering with that on-field player communication.
Will they make mistakes, of course. Will it look very messy and chaotic at times, absolutely. But both are very important steps for each player to learn what to do, or not to do, the next time the situation arises.
Thinking of it another way, would you go to your child’s school, into their math classroom and when the teacher asks the class “What is 2+2?” shout out “It’s 4, Tell them it's 4”?
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One final comment: we are not asking that you remain silent on the sidelines, not at all. We want you to support your child after you see an attempt of any soccer move, whether successful or not. Let them know you saw it, and were amazed by it. Maybe we can take this one step further? As we are a community, a great community, we should do what we can to foster the community spirit. For our In-Town programs, do not just cheer on your own child, cheer on your child’s teammates. And we know this might sound crazy, but cheer on players on the opposing team. Why not? When we see any player attempt something fantastic, let’s make sure they know we all saw it.
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If you have any questions about what is being coached, please ask your Coach. You can also reach out to the Director of Coaching (doc@nasoccer.com) or NASA Development (development@nasoccer.com)
NASA, the Director of Coaching and all our coaches appreciate your support during the season. We look forward to seeing you all out on the soccer pitch in the upcoming weeks.