Clearances & Training
YYSL requires the following clearances from all coaches and board members. Coaches must submit the documents when registering for each season.
- Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification Form (valid if signed in the past twelve (12) months)
- PA State Police Criminal Record Check (valid if issued in the past five (5) years)
- PA Child Abuse History Certification (valid if issued in the past five (5) years)
All coaches are required to complete the HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Online Training for Coaches course annually. This online course is available at no cost. The training module includes a series of videos followed by several questions which can be completed in about 30 minutes.
You will need to create an account to access the training module. For assistance creating an account, reference this document: How to Create a CDC Account
The training certificate is valid with YYSL for twelve (12) months.
Responsibilities
- Ensure only properly registered players participate in practices and games
- Report 30 minutes before the start of a game for warm-ups and field checks
- Check goals at each practice and before each game; report any concerns or need for new equipment (soccer balls, cones, pumps, goalkeeper shirt, or First Aid items) to the Equipment Manager.
- Check players for cleats and shin guards at practices and games
- As much as possible, ensure equal playing time for all players; exceptions can be made for late arrivals, illness/injury, red card, or disciplinary situations
- Share players with the opposing team to create an even match
- Maintain control of themselves, their team, and team parents; coaches are responsible for any misconduct of parents or their team members and will receive appropriate disciplinary action from the referee
- Use good judgment when holding practices during inclement weather; under no circumstances should coaches use a field that has been closed
Code of Conduct
As a coach in the York Youth Soccer League, I agree to the following Coach Code of Conduct:
- I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee. I will instruct players or any other person, not to engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee.
- I acknowledge that as a coach, I am responsible for teaching and exhibiting good sportsmanship. This includes providing the officials with sideline assistance for games and maintaining control of parents and spectators during the games.
- I will not engage in any behavior that would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee. I will instruct players or any other person, not to engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee. I will report to the Division Commissioner any incident or injury that causes a player to be removed from play using the reporting requirement as outlined by YYSL.
- I will not consume drugs or alcohol while at a YYSL event. I will not attend, coach, officiate, or participate in a YYSL event while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
- I will treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or ability. I will instruct players to treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or ability.
- I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee. I will instruct players or any other person not to engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee.
- I will not confront or have any physical contact with another coach, parent, player, participant, official, or any other attendee. Loud, insulting, or humiliating language or gestures will not be tolerated.
- I will refrain from arguing about individual infraction calls during gameplay. I will contact the Division Commissioner to discuss any issues or objections.
- I will immediately inform the Division Commissioner if I cannot complete the season in my assigned coaching role. I will coordinate with the Division Commissioner to return or transfer equipment to YYSL within 15 days of my last practice or game.
- I understand that any violation of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to the following in any order or combination:
- Verbal warning issued by the YYSL Board
- Written warning issued by the YYSL Board
- Suspension, immediate ejection, or expulsion from YYSL events issued by the YYSL Board, or league official who is authorized to issue such action
Rev. 11/14/2023
