Parent Expectations and Conduct

Team Meetings

Parents/guardians and players are expected to attend every team meeting as requested by the coaching staff.

Parent Behavior

In particular, parents/guardians are expected to adhere to the following rules when attending any United Soccer Training Academy function.

This includes before, during and after the function.

  • Offer unconditional encouragement and support regardless of individual or team performance.
  • Realize that any excessive parental coaching or refereeing during a match is inappropriate and counterproductive. Profanity and/or negative comments - directed at coaches/players, opposing players, referees, other parents, or fans - are not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
  • Encourage the team.
  • Treat the other team, the referee and other parents with respect.
  • Set a good example for the players. Refrain from smoking or other inappropriate activities in the vicinity of the field or during the duration of a tournament.
  • Help your child minimize conflicts that interfere with his/her soccer commitments.
  • Help my child to abide by the team rules and itinerary when attending out-of-town events.
  • Communicate through the team manager to arrange a time to discuss issues with your coach privately. If a question or concern arises, match days are not acceptable times to address them. Parents are encouraged to attend training as often as they'd like. This provides an excellent way for parents to observe and learn from our staff.
  • DO NOT instruct the players under any circumstance.
  • DO NOT engage in any negative dialogue with opposing parents or players.
  • DO NOT speak to or question the referee.
  • DO NOT use foul or abusive language.
  • DO NOT question the player choice or tactics of the coach.
  • DO NOT criticize the coach, trainer or the players.
  • DO NOT attempt to recruit players to leave the Academy.
  • DO NOT approach a coach/trainer while they are in the process of coaching or training.
  • DO NOT approach a coach/trainer before, during or immediately after a training session or game.
  • DO NOT complain about the trainer, coach, players, Academy Curriculum or Academy Philosophy in public or to other parents. Such complaints do little to address the real issue at hand, but almost always serve to undermine the team and the players on the team.

Concerns

USTA has an open door policy for concerns. Problems should be identified and dealt with at the earliest possible time. Please note that issues regarding playing time, positional choice and Academy Philosophy/Curriculum are not parent issues and will not be addressed with parents, EXCEPT where a parent believes that a trainer or coach has repeatedly violated Academy protocol. United Soccer Training Academy employs extremely qualified individuals to oversee our curriculum. Concerns should be voiced to the following individuals in the order and method listed:

  • Team Manager via email
  • Team Manager via telephone or in person
  • Coach or Trainer via email
  • Coach or Trainer via telephone or in person (with the permission of, or at the request of ,the coach or trainer)
  • Academy Director via email
  • Board of Directors via email

The best way to contact USTA Academy Officials is by email. No parent should ever approach a trainer or coach before, during or immediately after a training session or game.

Consequences

If parents/guardians or players cannot follow these guidelines, the coach/trainer, with the approval of the Academy Director and Director of Coaching, or the Board of Directors by a Majority Vote, may take any one or all of the following steps:

  • Warn the parent/guardian/player about their behavior;
  • Have them re-read the expectations and the Academy Philosophy;
  • Ask the parent/guardian to no longer attend games and/or practices;
  • Reduce the playing time of the player;
  • Suspend the player from training and/or matches; and/or
  • Remove the child from the team (a last resort).

Please note that all issues that have a direct effect on Academy Players can be, and may be, handled by the Academy Director and the Director of Coaching, without input from the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors advises the Staff, but does not have authority over on field issues or issues that have an impact on player development or team morale, other than ensuring that all members of the Academy Staff are properly performing their duties in relation to the Academy Curriculum and Academy Philosophy. The Academy Director and the Director of Coaching do, however, generally look to the BOD for guidance on all issues, including disciplinary matters.