The following CODE OF CONDUCT applies to all current East Lansing Youth Lacrosse players, parents/guardians, and coaches. All of the groups stated above are encouraged to follow these guidelines at all times while representing the East Lansing Lacrosse Youth Lacrosse Club. This will include practices, games, tournaments, and other club events. Failure to adhere to these policies outlined below may result in parents not being able to attend games and/or practices, players not being able to play in games, and coaches not being able to attend practices and/or games. These issues will be brought to the East Lansing Youth Lacrosse Board and placed to a vote in regards to the outcome of the situation.

East Lansing Youth Lacrosse Club follows and honors the code specifically detailed by the US Lacrosse organization.

US LACROSSE CODE OF CONDUCT

Players, coaches, officials, parents, and spectators are to conduct themselves in a manner that “Honors the Game” and demonstrates respect to other players, coaches, officials, parents, spectators, and fans. In becoming a member of the lacrosse community, an individual assumes certain obligations and responsibilities

to the game of lacrosse and its participants. The essential elements in this “Code of Conduct” are HONESTY and INTEGRITY. Those who conduct themselves in a manner that reflects these elements will bring credit to the sport of lacrosse, themselves, their team and their organization. It is only through such conduct that our sport can continue to earn and maintain a positive image and make its full contribution to amateur sports in the United States and around the world. US Lacrosse supports the following behaviors

for those who participate in the sport or are involved in any way with US Lacrosse. The following essential elements of the “Code of Conduct” must be followed:

• Sportsmanship and teaching the concepts of fair play are essential to the game and must be taught at all levels and developed both at home and on the field during practices and games.
• The value of good sportsmanship, the concepts of fair play, and the skills of the game should always be placed above winning.
• The safety and welfare of the players are of primary importance.
• Coaches must always be aware of the tremendous influence they have on their players. They are to strive to be positive role models in dealing with young people, as well as adults.
• Coaches should always demonstrate positive behaviors and reinforce them to players, parents, officials and spectators alike. Players should be specifically encouraged and positively reinforced by coaches to demonstrate respect for teammates, opponents, officials, and spectators.
• Players should always demonstrate positive behavior and respect toward teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, parents, and spectators.
• Coaches, players, parents, and spectators are expected to demonstrate the utmost respect for officials and reinforce that respect to players/teammates. Coaches are also expected to educate their players as to the important role of lacrosse officials and reinforce the ideal of respect for the official to players/teammates.
• Grievances or misunderstandings between coaches, officials or any other parties involved with the sport should be communicated through the proper channels and procedures, never on or about the field of play in view of spectators or participants.
• Officials are professionals and are therefore expected to conduct themselves as such and in a manner that demonstrates total impartiality, courtesy, and fairness to all parties.
• Spectators involved with the game must never permit anyone to openly or maliciously criticize, badger, harass or threaten an official, coach, player or opponent.
• Coaches must be able to demonstrate a solid knowledge of the rules of lacrosse and should adhere to the rules in both the letter and the spirit of the game.
• Coaches should provide a basic knowledge of the rules to both players and spectators within his/her program. Attempts to manipulate rules in an effort to take unfair advantage of an opponent, or to teach deliberate unsportsmanlike conduct, is considered unacceptable conduct.
• Eligibility requirements, at all levels of the game, must be followed. Rules and requirements such as age, previous level of participation, team transfers, etc, have been established to encourage and maximize participation, fair play and to promote safety.

In addition to US Lacrosse code of conduct, East Lansing has added…

24 Hour Rule -The club has a 24-hour rule which means that parents should wait 24 hours after a game before contacting a coach with an issue or conflict from a game. This waiting period will allow time for reflecting upon the situation to occur between both parties. This will usually take the emotional response away and handling of the situation will occur in a more effective manner.

Comments during the games and practices. Parents are always welcome to support and encourage the team during practices and games. However, parents should refrain from “coaching” from the sideline. Comments of praise and encouragement for the players is always welcome. But leave the coaching to the coaches.

Player pick-up. Our number 1 priority is your child’s safety. All players are to be picked up within 15 minutes of the conclusion of practices or games. If you are unable to be there on time, please make prior arrangements for your child to get home safely.