Coaching Ethic Guidelines

I think this is very interesting topic and will be become even larger in the years to come. Interested to hear of specific incidents and if there is a typical norm for this type of behavior?

uukicker, thanks for getting the ball rolling.  After some searches, I've found a few things.   

Humanity
Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being and their ultimate right to self-determination. Specifically, coaches must treat everyone equitably and sensitively, within the context of their activity and ability, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religion or political affiliation.

Relationship
The good coach will be concerned primarily with the well-being, safety, protection and future of the individual performer. There must be a balance between the development of performance and the social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs of the individual.

A key element in a coaching relationship is the development of independence. Performers must be encouraged and guided to accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance in training, in competition, and in their domestic, academic or business life.

Coaches are responsible for setting and monitoring the boundaries between a working relationship and friendship with their performers. This is particularly important when the performer is a young person. The coach must realize that certain situations or friendly words and actions could be misinterpreted, not only by the performer, but also by outsiders (or other members of a squad or group of performers) motivated by jealousy, dislike or mistrust, and could lead to allegations of misconduct or impropriety.

Where physical contact between coach and performer is a necessary part of the coaching process, coaches must ensure that no action on their part could be misconstrued and that any National Governing Body (NGB) guidelines on this matter are followed.

The relationship between coach and performer relies heavily on mutual trust and respect. This means that the performer should be made aware of the coach's Qualifications and experience, and must be given the opportunity to consent to or decline proposals for training, performance or competition.

Commitment
Coaches should clarify in advance with performers (and/or employers) the number of sessions, fees (if any) and method of payment. They should explore with performers (and/or employers) the expectation of the outcome of coaching. Written contracts may be appropriate in some circumstances.

Coaches have a responsibility to declare to their performers and/or employers any other current coaching commitments. They should also find out if any prospective client is receiving instruction from another teacher/coach. If so, the teacher/coach should be contacted to discuss the situation.

Coaches who become aware of a conflict between their obligation to their performers and their obligation to their club(or other organizations employing them), must make explicit to ail parties concerned the nature of the conflict, and the loyalties and responsibilities involved.

Coaches should expect a similar level of reciprocal commitment from their performers. In particular, the performer (parent/guardian in the case of a minor) should inform the coach of any change in circumstances that might affect the coach/performer relationship.

Coaches should receive appropriate acknowledgment for their contribution to the performer's progress and achievement. Where money is earned from performances, it is reasonable to expect the coach should receive an appropriate share of the rewards. Such apportionment with any attendant conditions should be agreed in advance (in writing) to avoid any misunderstanding.

Co-operation
Coaches should communicate and co-operate with other sports and allied professions in the best interests of their performers. An example of such contact could be the seeking of:

•educational and career counselling for young performers whose involvement in sport impinges upon their studies
•sport science advice through the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)
Coaches must communicate and co-operate with registered medical and ancillary practitioners in the diagnosis, treatment and management of their performers' medical and psychological problems.

Integrity
Coaches must not encourage performers to violate the rules of their sport. They should actively seek to discourage and condemn such action and encourage performers to obey the spirit of the rules.

Coaches must not compromise their performers by advocating measures that could constitute unfair advantage. They must not adopt practices to accelerate performance improvement that might jeopardise the safety, total well-being and future participation of the performer. Coaches must never advocate or condone the use of prohibited drugs or other banned performance enhancing substances.

Coaches must ensure that the activities, training and competition programs they advocate and direct ore appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual performer.

Coaches must treat opponents with due respect, both in victory and defeat, and should encourage their performers to act in a similar manner. A key role for a coach is to prepare performers to respond to success and failure in a dignified manner.

Coaches must accept responsibility for the conduct of their performers and discourage inappropriate behavior in training, competition, and away from the sporting arena.

2. Do not use profanity when coaching. There is no excuse for it. Criticize the action, not the person. Criticize the fumble or missed tackle, not the person.
3. Talk to a player individually after practice especially if you have been particularly hard on him.


I'm not real good at #2. As I approach 30 and now have 2 kids, I'm a lot better than I was. I tell my guys that if you get on a kid, you be sure to tell him after practice how much you love him and how proud you are of him. Goes a long way. Negativity breads negativity.

That coach of your SYFB needs to be shown the door.

I don't see it as a big deal either.  The guys I know are good friends and they are open about it as well.  My only thought is the opportunity for something bad happening.  i.e. The HC that gets in deep and the next thing you know, football funds are being misappropriated.  

It reminds me of the Soprano's episode where Tony S. grudgingly let his friend into the high stakes poker game.  By the end of the show, Tony owned his sporting goods store and the guy was bankrupt within months.  I know its a fictional example, but as they say, "life imitates art."

There is also the idea of living by a double standard, which, in this case is asking kids to obey the law, while the coach routinely breaks it.

4. Be smart about your appearance in the community. Go out to eat with family and friends, attend social gatherings, but understand we are public figures. Going out and getting hammered on the weekends while wearing athletic gear looks poorly on you, the school, me and our program.

How do you feel about coaches having a big lipper in at practice? That's against school tobacco policy and it's in front of the kids. Talking about betting amongst a few coaches only and not around the kids, to me, isn't a big deal.

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I'm with you on anything that is against school policy should be unacceptable for the coaches as well. I don't use tobacco, and only one of our older coaches smokes cigars, but not on school grounds, so this isn't an issue with us. I know in some area, dipping runs wild, so that's why I brought it up.

I like this thread though. All these issues, even if they are minor like chewing tobacco, should be addressed at a staff meeting. What you can and can't do

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All good points and issues brought to light.  It's funny, but I have a coach that is truly hooked on the leaf.  He doesn't dip in front of the kids, but sprints to his truck to grab his can after the last whistle in practice.  

He also hails from the north east region of our country and prides himself off of bearing shorts regardless of the temp.  I wouldn't deny him that.  He's an excellent coach.  All staffs are different in that regard.

 However, I think it needs to be mentioned that ethical conduct and various staff guidelines are two different things.  

I agree. Personally, I don't gamble because when I was younger I found out the hard way that I'm no good at it. If guys are betting on college/NFL games, though, it's none of my business.