This Code of Ethics and Penalties applies to all regular season games, Area Tournament games, and State Tournament games. Any suspensions of players, coaches, or spectators not fulfilled in the season in which they occur will be carried forward to the next season in which that person participates. (Example: Fall Season to Spring Season, or Fall Season to the next Fall Season, etc.) Any person found to be in violation of the spirit of the Code of Ethics by the judgment of the Area Board shall be held accountable by the penalties dictated herein.

A responsible coach in the Northwest Area will conduct himself/herself using the following guidelines. Coaches should:

1. Know the laws of the game and teach them to your players. Read the rule book and attempt to attend a clinic to enhance your knowledge of the game.
2. Abide by the laws of the game and the Soccer Association for Youth rules.
3. Treat the referees with respect, no matter what the call.
4. Exhibit excellent conduct both at practices and games. Team discipline reflects the coach's attitude 100%. The coach is responsible for the conduct of the players when they are together as a team.
5. Coach clean, skillful, honest, and sportsmanlike soccer by stressing playing hard to win over winning itself.
6. Stress good sportsmanship.
7. Help maintain a climate of enjoyment among spectators by discouraging negative remarks and/or harassment of players, referees, and other spectators.
8. Work at team morale as hard as soccer skills and tactics. Be a "fun leader". Stress individual skill development more than tactics. Minimize lectures and maximize demonstrations. Stress having fun.
9. In dealing with team members, maximize praise and minimize criticism. Make corrections slowly and calmly in a manner tailored to the individual.
10. Do not use profanity or vulgar language. Remember you are helping to mold the character of your players.
11. Coach talented and non-talented players with equal vigor. Allow players more tan their required playing time.
12. Minimize coaching from the sidelines during games. Screaming during the game accomplishes nothing.
13. Pre-plan all practice sessions in detail to be interesting, fast paced, and involve all team members as much as possible (minimize standing around).
14. Welcome feedback from players and parents alike concerning potential problems and way to improve.

The following rules are to be used in assessing penalties for coaches. Penalties for coaches will be imposed by the District Representative as assessed by the Area Referee Coordinator, the Hearing Committee, or by action of the Area Board.

1. Excessive, abusive, or threatening words or actions toward officials, other coaches, players or spectators. Penalty - two game suspension.
2. Aggressive physical contact with officials, other coaches, players or spectators (i.e. grabbing the arm, turning the individual around, poking, bumping, pushing, etc.) Penalty - five game suspension and probation for five games.
3. Striking an official, coach or player. Penalty - expulsion.
4. Refusal to leave the playing field after an ejection. Penalty - two game suspension in addition to the penalty imposed for the original ejection and possible game forfeiture as determine by the Hearing Committee.
5. Heckling or harassing officials, players, or other coaches. Penalty - one game suspension.
6. Instructing players during the game to play in a dangerous or unsportsmanlike manner. Penalty - five game suspension and probation for five games. Also, this penalty will result in a hearing of the full Board to determine if additional penalties will be assessed, and may result in expulsion.
7. Ejection from the game for any other reason no listed here. Penalty - one game suspension.
8. Ejection from the game for a red card due to spectator misconduct. Penalty - removal from the game and potential for an additional one game suspension as determined by the Hearing Committee.

In general, the penalties for a coach on probation will be twice that applied under non-probation status as described above.

A coach under suspension may not attend or be in the vicinity of higher team's game up until 30 minutes before the game time during the suspension. After 30 minutes before the game time he/she may attend his/her child's game as a spectator only, but not coach any team. A violation of suspension results in automatic expulsion.

A coach under expulsion is out of the program indefinitely. Reinstatement may be made only after a favorable review by the Area Board. An expelled coach may not act in a coaching, managerial or supervisory capacity of a team. He may not attend or be in the vicinity of his former team's game up to 30 minutes before the game time.

The violation of an expulsion will result in possible game forfeiture and/or elimination of the team from league play and/or necessary legal action against the violator.