Club Guidelines & Code of Conduct

Mission Statement: To provide a high-performance environment focused on human development, technical excellence, and competitive integrity.

1. Attendance & Punctuality

The Rule: All parents must RSVP to all scheduled events (practices, games, team meetings) via the designated team app with a minimum of 48 hours' notice.

• Excused Absences: Illness, family emergencies, or mandatory school conflicts (communicated in advance).

• Unexcused Absences: Failure to RSVP, no-shows, or conflicts not communicated within the 48-hour window.

• Consequence: Unexcused absences will directly impact the player’s playing time in the following match.

The Reasoning: Soccer is a team sport that relies on cohesion. Coaches plan specific sessions based on the number of players available. Late cancellations or no-shows disrupt the development of the entire team, not just the individual.

2. Playing Time Policy

The Rule: Players are guaranteed a minimum of 50% playing time on average throughout the season, provided that:

1. The player is in good standing regarding attendance and behavior.

2. The parents have fulfilled all financial and behavioral expectations.

• Note: Playing time may be reduced if a player is returning from injury, arrives late to warm-ups, or has unexcused absences.

The Reasoning: We believe players develop best by playing. However, playing time is also a privilege earned through commitment. This policy balances developmental needs with accountability, ensuring that families who fully commit to the program are respected.

3. Uniforms & Equipment

The Rule: Parents are responsible for purchasing all required gear packages.

• Mandatory: Players must wear the specific assigned uniform (practice kit for training, game kit for matches) to all events.

• Safety: Shin guards and appropriate footwear are mandatory at all times.

The Reasoning: Uniformity fosters a sense of belonging, discipline, and professional identity. It also ensures that coaches can easily identify players during sessions and that players are physically protected against injury.

4. Parent Sideline Behavior (No Coaching)

The Rule: Parents are strictly prohibited from coaching from the sidelines.

• Allowed: Cheering, encouragement, and positive reinforcement (e.g., "Good job!", "Keep going!").

• Prohibited: Instructional shouting (e.g., "Shoot!", "Pass it!", "Run wider!"), criticizing referees, or addressing opponents.

The Reasoning: "Joystick coaching" creates confusion. Players must process the game and make decisions autonomously. When a parent yells instructions, it splits the player's focus between the coach, the game, and the parent, increasing cognitive load and hindering development.

5. Outside Training Protocol

The Rule: Participation in outside training programs, clinics, or private sessions is not permitted unless explicitly approved in writing by club leadership.

The Reasoning: We carefully manage the physical load placed on our athletes to prevent overuse injuries and burnout. Additionally, outside trainers may teach techniques or concepts that conflict with our club’s specific methodology, confusing the player and slowing their progress within our system.

6. Guest Playing Policy

The Rule: Players may guest play for other teams only if the request is initiated by the inquiring team’s coach directly to us. Parents may not arrange guest playing opportunities independently.

• Process: The inquiring coach must email info@bottlenoses.com.

• Vetting Requirements: The inquiring coach must provide proof of:

  • a) Completed SafeSport certification.

  • b) Cleared US Soccer background check.

  • c) Clean disciplinary record (verified via the US Soccer SafeSport Database).

• Approval: Fulfillment of these requirements does not guarantee approval. The club reserves the right to deny requests based on player schedule/load.

The Reasoning: Player safety is our absolute priority. We must verify that any environment our players enter meets our rigorous safety and child protection standards.

7. Alcohol & Controlled Substances (Zero Tolerance)

The Rule: There is a strict Zero Tolerance Policy regarding alcohol and drugs. Family members are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages or using illegal drugs at any club event, including sidelines during games, practices, and parking lot "tailgates."

The Reasoning: We are a youth organization. Adults must model healthy, responsible behavior. Furthermore, the presence of substances creates liability issues and compromises the safe, family-friendly environment we strictly maintain.

8. Behavioral Standards

The Rule: All families must display high standards of sportsmanship and respect. This applies to interactions with:

• Referees and officials.

• Opposing parents and players.

• Our own coaches, players, and parents.

The Reasoning: Reputation matters. Your behavior on the sideline reflects directly on the club and your child. A hostile sideline creates a toxic environment that distracts players and drives referees away from the game.

9. Commitment & Prioritization

The Rule: While we support multi-sport athletes, this club must be designated as the primary commitment. External sports or activities must not conflict with our mandatory practices, games, and scheduled events.

The Reasoning: High-performance development requires consistency. Frequent absences due to conflicting sports disrupt team chemistry and slow down the tactical development of the squad.

10. Communication Channels

The Rule:

• Team Logistics: All day-to-day team communication (schedules, RSVPs) will be conducted via the designated Team App.

• Club Leadership/Feedback: Issues requiring leadership attention must be sent to info@bottlenoses.com or via text to (469) 489-0935.

• Restrictions:

  • Do not post grievances or negative feedback in the public Team App chat.

  • Do not contact coaches via their personal phone numbers or personal emails; such communications will be ignored.

The Reasoning: Centralizing communication ensures nothing is lost and maintains professional boundaries. It allows coaches to focus on coaching rather than administrative texts at all hours. Keeping grievances out of public chats prevents "group drama" and protects team morale.

11. Social Media & Privacy

The Rule: The club will not initiate the sharing of player images or names on social media channels. We may re-share content if a parent posts it and explicitly tags Bottlenoses or Canteraz, but we will not originate the post.

The Reasoning: We prioritize the digital privacy and safety of our minors. We leave the decision of whether a child's image appears online entirely up to the parent.

12. Medical Assistance & Injury Protocol

The Rule: The club reserves the right to remove a player from participation and mandate a medical evaluation if the coaching staff observes concerning symptoms. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Potential concussions or head trauma.

• Significant impact injuries.

• Signs of physical overuse or chronic pain (specifically knee, ankle, or hip pain).

If the club requests a medical assessment, parents must take the player to a qualified medical professional. The player may not return to full unrestricted activity until the club receives medical clearance. The coaching staff will strictly implement any recovery protocols or load management adjustments prescribed by the medical professional.

The Reasoning: Coaches are trained to identify "red flags" in athletic movement and behavior, but they are not doctors. Youth players often hide pain to keep playing, which can turn minor overuse issues into long-term, chronic injuries. We prioritize the long-term physical health of the human being over the immediate availability of the player.

13. The "24-Hour Rule" (Grievance Cooling Period)

The Rule: Parents are not permitted to discuss a game, playing time, or tactical decisions with a coach immediately following a match. Parents must wait 24 hours after the final whistle before contacting the club or coach regarding these issues.

The Reasoning: Post-game emotions are high for players, coaches, and parents. Discussions held immediately after a game are rarely productive and often lead to conflict. The cooling-off period allows for objective, constructive dialogue.

14. Financial Responsibility

The Rule: All club fees (registration, monthly dues, tournament fees) must be paid by the assigned deadlines. Failure to stay current on fees will result in the suspension of the player’s pass and inability to participate in training or games until the balance is resolved.

The Reasoning: The club operates on a budget that covers fields, insurance, coaching salaries, and equipment. Timely payments ensure operational stability for all members.

Disciplinary Framework & Consequences

If a parent, player, or family member breaches any of the above rules, Club Leadership will enforce the following Three-Step Process:

• Step 1: Written Warning. The family will receive a formal notification detailing the infraction and the required corrective action.

• Step 2: Suspension. If the behavior continues or is repeated, the player and parent will be suspended from all team activities (practices, games, socials) for a determined period.

• Step 3: Permanent Expulsion. If there is no resolution, or in the event of an egregious first offense (e.g., violence), the family will be permanently removed from the club.

  • Scope: This expulsion is total and final. It bans the family from all future access to camps, private training, clinics, and teams. No refunds will be issued.