AR-KEN YOUTH FOOTBALL and CHEER            

                                                                         Code of Conduct                                              

Establishing proper ethics and conduct is essential for any successful youth organization; therefore, the Ar-Ken Youth Football and Cheer Organization recommends that all Rules of Conduct pertaining to all players, cheerleaders, coaches, and volunteers in our organization must be accepted and followed completely in order to remain a part of AKYFCO.  These rules are the guidelines for which decisions on disciplinary actions including suspensions to all participants, parents of participants, extended family members of participants, and any disorderly spectators are determined by the Executive Board.  The primary goal of Ar-Ken Youth Football and Cheer should be the development of boys and girls through organized athletics and instruction. The players and/or participants of AKYFCO must be taught PROPER sportsmanship and fair play.  These teachings should always govern their behavior at all times especially when representing AKYFCO during practices, games, or events.  Any improper conduct, in the judgment of the game officials, on any part of the players, coaches or spectators that may result in penalties, expulsion, and suspension or forfeiture of the game will also be subject to disciplinary actions by the Executive Board.  The Ar-Ken Executive Board is responsible and will be for enforcing these rules without hesitation or reservations.  

Ar-Ken Youth Football and Cheer recommends the following coaching ethics:  

• The coach will not negatively or abusively criticize players in front of teams, parent, or spectators. 

• The coach will accept the decisions of officials.

• The coach will not criticize the officials, the opposing team, the coaches, fans or parents, through language or gesture. 

• The coach will emphasize that good athletes are good students, and both are physically and mentally alert.

• The coach will strive to make every football activity serve as a training ground for life, and as a basis for good mental and physical health. 

• The coach will emphasize that winning a game is the result of teamwork. 

• The coach shall not use profanity. 

• The coach will refrain from “running-up” the score against an opponent if the mercy rule is in effect.  The “Mercy Rule” is when one team is up by 28 points or more, the clock becomes a running clock until the other team scores.  No passing or running outside the tackles is also in effect while under the “Mercy Rule.” 

• The coach shall not be under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs.

• The coach will not smoke or use any form of tobacco while on the field of play during games, scrimmages or practices.

• The coach will treat each player, cheerleader, coaching staff, volunteer opposing coach and staff, parent and administrator with respect and dignity.

• The coach will learn the strengths and weakness of his/her players so they may place them into situations where he\she will have a maximum opportunity to achieve success. 

• The coach will protect the health and safety of his/her players by insisting that all of the activities under his/her control be conducted for their psychological and physiological welfare, rather than interests of adults.

• All coaches are expected to conduct themselves in a humble professional manner, remember we are on display at all times. 

• ZERO Tolerance for Fighting or Aggressive Physical Contact of another person.  The violation of this rule will result in an immediate removal, termination, and lose of right to participate and/or volunteer in AKYFCO for 1 year after offense.

• Favoritism is not tolerated by any means.  We are all created equal and so are the kids.

• All coaches are to contact the Organizations Head coach if they cannot make it to practice or a game for any reason at 2 hours ahead of time.

• All Head Coaches must be able to report to practice 15 minutes before practice starts to set up practice area, water, ECT.  Practice starts at 5:30pm.

• All full/part time coaches must have necessary clearances and a criminal background check, as stated by the AKYFCO, completed within 2 weeks prior to start of regular season.

• All coaches must report to our game day field for set/clean up on their scheduled days.  If they cannot report for any reason, the head coach of that team must assign an assistant to take their place.

• All head coaches are responsible for their team for cleanup.

• Head coaches are responsible to collect uniforms at the end of the season. 

• All head coaches are to maintain a copy of current roster and are responsible for the possession and documentation for their team’s book at practice and game day.  Attendance, conduct report, rosters, players contact information, and disciplinary reports are to remain current at all times.  Team books are to be handed in to Head of Coaches and stored in equipment room during and at end of season. 

• Head coaches will reframe from “running up” the score against an opponent if the “Mercy Rule” is in effect.  The “Mercy Rule” is when one team is up by 28 points or more, the clock becomes a running clock until the other team scores.  No passing or running outside the tackles will also be in effect while operation under “Mercy Rule”. 

• The Head coach will be obligated and responsible for all assistant coach(s), volunteer coach(s), youth/teenage coach(s), manager, water boys, and players on your team at all times.

• Must direct their players in the proper participation of mandatory fundraisers and only participate or solicited fundraisers authorized by the Executive Board.

• Will follow and enforce the Game Day Dress Code for all players established by AKYFCO.

• Any Head coach that has witnessed or has knowledge of any violation of the Code of Conduct rules from any player, assistant coach, or volunteer MUST report incident to the Head Coach of AKYFCO and member of disciplinary committee within 24 hours.

• Head coach, assistant coach(s), and approved volunteer(s) assigned to respective team are permitted on the sidelines or playing field during practices and games.  No Exceptions.

• All Head coaches, in an effort to promote fairness, opportunity for players to earn a position, and to reward players for attendance and participation must follow the AKYFCO attendance policy:

1. 1^st missed practice results in player not starting game.

2. 2^nd missed practice results in player no play entire first half of game.

3. 3^rd missed practice results in player will not get much playing time (if any) during game.

4. If a player is sick or injured- attends every practice and is cleared by doctor or given permission from parent to play by game day-will not start game but will get playing time in a rotation system established by Head Coach of AKYFCO without any other restriction. 

                                                                 Code of Conduct

Player Conduct

Youth Athletics plays a vital role in encouraging physical, social and emotional growth in all children.  Therefore, it is essential for parents, coaches and officials to encourage all youth football players or athletes to embrace the values of good sportsmanship, discipline, and character development.

Ar-Ken Youth Football and Cheer Organization recommends the following Player Code of Conduct:  

• Have fun! 

  Be a good sport (win or lose), be honest, fair and always show good sportsmanship to all coaches, players, officials and fans. 

• Learn the value of commitment to the team. 

• Put personal goals aside for the betterment of the team. 

• Show courtesy and respect to teammates, opponents, coaches, parents, spectators, and officials. 

• Realize that athletic contests, including practice sessions are educational experiences and opportunities. 

• Players will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or rude behavior.

• Players will take care of equipment issued and make sure it’s returned in proper condition.  This uniform must be worn as instructed by coaches during game day and not worn outside of game day unless authorized by the Ar-Ken Executive Board. 

• I will treat everyone, including coaches, parents, players, and officials, with respect and dignity regardless of race, creed, color, nationality, or sex.

• ZERO Tolerance for Fighting or Aggressive Physical Contact of another person.  The violation of this rule will result in immediate removal, termination, and lose of rights to participate and/or volunteer in AKYFCO for 1 year after offense.

• No use of Profanity or negative gestures.

• No verbal threats or intimidation of any kind.

Parent Conduct

Parents are vital to the development of young athletes. Whether sitting in the stands or helping out as a volunteer, parents must set a positive example. Parents, and adults involved in youth sports, should be models of good sportsmanship and lead by example on and off the playing field.  Ar-Ken Youth Football and Cheer Organization recommends the following Parent Code of Conduct: 

• Give constructive criticism during a private moment, never in front of other parents, players, officials, spectators, coaches, volunteers, and administrators. 

• Support your coaches and volunteers, and REFRAIN from excessive “sideline coaching” or yelling from the stands at coaches, players, or referees.

• Must wait 24 hours to approach a coach about any situation or issues involving your child about playing time, position, or dislike of coaching or team performance. All unresolved issues MUST be presented in writing and submitted to Executive board before a meeting will be granted about any and all situation involving any coach, coaching staff, player, cheerleader, parent, volunteer, or spectator.

• No use of profanity. 

• Abide by doctor’s decision in all matters of players health and injuries, and physical ability to play. 

• Accept the decisions of officials on the field as being fair and called to the best ability of the officials. Parents must stay off the field and remain under control in order to set a good example for players and other spectators. 

• Do not criticize an opposing team, its players, fans, coaches or team, by offensive language or gestures. 

• Support the coaches, players and officials and help teach the value of commitment to the teams, sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play. 

•  Inappropriate behavior is cause for immediate ejection from the stands. Violators, including participants and family members, will be barred from future games and league sponsored activities for remainder of the season. 

• Parents will not encourage their child, or any other person, to engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participants, officials or any spectators.

•  ZERO Tolerance for Fighting or Aggressive Physical Contact of another person.  The violation of this rule will result in an immediate removal, termination, and lose of right to participate and/or volunteer in AKYFCO for year after offense.

• NO SMOKING or use of tobacco products on school property.

                                                                    Dress Code

As a participant of the Ar-Ken Youth Football and Cheer Organization, we expect the players and parents to be responsible for representing AKYFCO in a uniformed, professional and polished manner.  Please read the following to have a full understanding of your requirements as a participant of this league. 

PLAYERS DRESS CODE:

Game Day:

• Game Jersey

• Game Pants

• Helmet and Chin Guard

• Mouthpiece

• Shoulder Pads 

• Girdle/Pads

• Solid Black Socks

• Football Cleats

• Rib Pads (if not attached)

• Under armor or long sleeve clothing is permitted in inclement weather.  All items must be Black or Vegas gold ONLY.

• Any head bands, skull caps, arm pads/sleeves, hand warmers, gloves, and/or wrist bands must be Black with minimum color.

• NO EXCESSIVE tape on helmet, face guards, uniforms, or cleats permitted.

It is the parent’s and player’s responsibility to make sure all football equipment is kept clean and in proper condition. All football players must be dressed accordingly, for all full contact practices and/or games, to be allowed to participate.

CHEERLEADERS DRESS CODE:

Game Day:                                                                                                                    Practice:                                                                       

• Cheer Uniform (Shell, shirt)                                                                   *         T-shirt or 1’ wide tank top and shorts or sweatpants

• Black Briefs                                                                                             *         No spaghetti strap tanks, ripped shirts, jeans, or jean shorts

• Black Turtleneck                                                                                     *         Tennis shoes (not game day shoes) and socks

• Plain Black Leggings (No designs, sparkles, patterns, etc.)                  *          No flip flops, opened toed shoes, or sandals

• Game Day Shoes (MUST be kept clean!)                                               *          No jewelry and/or watches

• Ar-Ken Warm Up Suits                                                                           *          No cell phones, i pods, or electronic devices            

• Ar-Ken Black Ear Warmers                                                                     *          No candy, gum, or food of any kind

• All white ankle socks (NO color socks permitted)                                         

• Hair up in a single ponytail with Ar-Ken issued hair bow ONLY

• No fingernail polish, hair beads, headbands, fake nails or tips

• Minimal make-up

• No eating in uniform nor can it be worn to school

   (must remove uniform after cheering)

• Black undershirts, bras, sports bra, and/or tank tops ONLY

All cheerleaders must be in uniform when going on to the field on game day.  If for any reason your cheerleader is not uniform or in compliance with dress code with the others, she will not be able to cheer that game.  Depending on weather, the coach will decide if turtlenecks, leggings, warm up suits, and/or ear warmers will be worn on game day and notify cheerleaders as soon as possible.  All cheerleaders are required to bring ALL clothing items with them to every game to be fully prepared of any wardrobe changes that may occur.  All participants must bring a water bottle/container with them to all practices and game days to keep adequately hydrated. 

**During the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness, any “PINK” clothing worn by participants must be approved and established as acceptable  

     Game Day attire by the Executive Board of AKYFCO. **