Rules & Policies

Code of Conduct Policy

Youth sports are supposed to be fun - for the kids. The actions of coaches, parents, and fans, whether verbal or nonverbal, can have a lasting emotional effect on children, and too many kids walk away from sports because adults unintentionally take the fun out of it. 

Competition and winning matter, but what matters more is teaching kids how to be competitive and how to win or lose well. Kids watch how the adults around them act - so this Code of Conduct applies to everyone at a Mudsock Youth Athletics event: coaches, parents, and spectators alike.

Our Commitments

Be a positive role model. Show respect and courtesy, and give positive support to all players, coaches, officials, and spectators at every game, practice, or event.

No unsportsmanlike conduct. No booing, taunting, profane language, or gestures directed at any official, coach, player, or parent.

Player safety comes first. Never encourage behavior or practices that could endanger a player's health or well-being.

Play by the spirit of the rules. Resolve conflicts without hostility or violence - and teach players to do the same.

Respect for everyone, no exceptions. All players, coaches, officials, and spectators are treated with respect, regardless of race, gender, or ability.

No ridicule. Never yell at or ridicule a player - your own child or anyone else's - for a mistake or a loss.

Respect officials' authority. Never question, argue with, or confront a coach or referee at the field. If there's a concern, raise it at an agreed-upon time and place instead.

Stay in your lane. Only official team coaches coach players during games and practices - parents and spectators should let coaches coach.

Share what coaches need to know. Let your child's coach know about any physical disability or condition that could affect their safety or the safety of others.

If These Standards Aren't Met

Violations may result in escalating disciplinary action, which can include:

• A verbal warning from an official, head coach, or league representative

• A written warning

• Game suspension, with the incident documented in writing

• Season suspension

Mudsock Youth Soccer —Mallorie Parrish, MYS President, Dave Rowe, MYS Vice President 

Coach Conduct Policy

This policy expands on the expectations set in the MYS Code of Conduct, with a specific focus on coach conduct during games and practices. All coaches are expected to follow the Code of Conduct in full; this page adds detail on what that looks like on the sideline.

Requirements to Coach

• Coaches must be registered with the league and allocated to a team in order to coach practices or games.

• Head and assistant coaches are required to complete a background check, online concussion training, and SafeSport training.

Sideline & Game Conduct

• Stay on your own side of the field with your players, opposite the spectators. Remain on your own half of the field to avoid confusion between teams.

• Do not leave the coaching area during a game unless called onto the field by the referee.

• Respect the referee's authority. Never question, argue with, or confront a referee at the field. If you disagree with a call, raise it calmly and respectfully at halftime or after the game — not in the moment.

• Do not publicly criticize an official, player, parent, or coach from either team. Applaud good plays by both teams and be respectful to the opposing team during and after games.

• Never yell at or ridicule a player — your own team's or the opposing team's — for a mistake or a loss.

• A goal differential of more than seven is discouraged. Actively manage lopsided scoring — adjust player positions, focus on possession, use the non-dominant foot — rather than running up the score. Work with the opposing coach on a mutually agreed approach if needed.

• Help supervise and manage the behavior of your players, parents, and spectators. Coaches are expected to be engaged with their players on the field, not with opposing spectators.

• Treat every player, coach, official, and spectator with respect, regardless of race, gender, or ability.

Parent Conduct Policy

This policy expands on the expectations set in the MYS Code of Conduct, with a specific focus on parent and spectator behavior at games, practices, and other MYS events. All parents and spectators are expected to follow the Code of Conduct in full; this page adds detail on what that looks like in practice and how to report a concern.

Expectations

• Support all players, coaches, officials, and spectators — from both teams — with positive, respectful behavior at every game, practice, or event.

• Never confront, question, or argue with a coach or referee at the field. If you have a concern, raise it with the coach at an agreed-upon time and place, away from players and the middle of a game.

• Do not coach from the sideline. If you're not one of the team's official coaches, let the coaches coach.

• Never yell at, ridicule, or criticize a player — your own child or anyone else's — for a mistake or a loss.

• No booing, taunting, profane language, or gestures directed at any player, coach, official, or parent.

• Stay off the field during games and practices unless a coach calls you onto it.

• Treat every player, coach, official, and spectator with respect, regardless of race, gender, or ability.

How to Report a Concern

If you witness or experience a violation of this policy:

1. Email your division commissioner with a description of what happened, including the date, game or event, and names if known. Find your commissioner's contact on the Board Members & Commissioners page.

2. If the concern isn't resolved at that level, or involves the commissioner directly, email the MYS President.

Please report concerns as soon as possible after the incident, while details are fresh.

What Happens Next

Reported concerns are reviewed by the division commissioner and/or MYS Board. Response depends on the severity of the incident — a first-time, minor issue may result in a verbal or written warning, while more serious conduct (threats, physical altercations, repeated violations) may result in immediate suspension from games or events, regardless of prior history. Possible outcomes include:

• Verbal warning

• Written warning

• Suspension from games or events for a defined period

• Suspension for the remainder of the season

The MYS Board has final discretion on the appropriate response based on the nature and severity of the incident.

This policy works alongside the full MYS Code of Conduct, which applies to coaches and players as well as parents and spectators.

Referee Abuse Policy

Mudsock Youth Soccer follows Indiana Soccer and U.S. Soccer's Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (Policy 531-9) for all MYS games and events. Referee abuse — physical or non-physical — will not be tolerated.

What Counts as Abuse

Under Policy 531-9, referee abuse includes behavior such as:

• Physical contact or threats of physical contact toward a referee

• Language or gestures intended to belittle a referee or undermine their authority

• Speech or body language intended to make a referee feel unsafe

• Any other conduct that disrupts a match or interferes with a referee's ability to do their job

This applies to coaches, players, parents, and spectators alike.

Penalties

Policy 531-9 sets minimum penalties for referee abuse, which increase in severity for repeated or more serious offenses. MYS applies these minimums to all games and events.

Full policy details: https://www.soccerindiana.org/referee-abuse-prevention/ Official U.S. Soccer policy page: https://www.ussoccer.com/rap

Reporting Referee Abuse

If you witness or experience referee abuse at an MYS game or event, see the Report a Concern page for who to contact and what happens next.

This policy works alongside the full MYS Code of Conduct, Coach Conduct Policy, and Parent Conduct Policy.

Report a Concern

If you witness or experience a conduct issue at an MYS game, practice, or event — involving a parent, coach, or referee — please report it using the guidance below. All reports should be sent by email, as soon as possible after the incident, with the date, game or event, and names if known.

This page works alongside the MYS Code of Conduct and Parent Conduct Policy, which describe the standards of behavior expected from everyone at MYS events.

Who to Contact

Concern about a parent or spectator: Email your division commissioner and the MYS President.

Concern about a coach: Email your division commissioner and the MYS President.

Concern about a referee: Email the MYS Referee Assignor and the MYS President.

Concern about a Commissioner: Email the MYS President/Vice President 

If you're not sure who a concern involves, or it spans more than one of the above, email info@mudsockyouthsoccer.org and it will be routed appropriately.

What Happens Next

Reports are reviewed by the relevant commissioner or assignor together with the MYS Board. Response depends on the severity of the incident — a first-time, minor issue may result in a verbal or written warning, while more serious conduct (threats, physical altercations, repeated violations) may result in immediate suspension from games or events, regardless of prior history. Possible outcomes include:

• Verbal warning

• Written warning

• Suspension from games or events for a defined period

• Suspension for the remainder of the season

The MYS Board has final discretion on the appropriate response based on the nature and severity of the incident.