Wisconsin All-American Youth Football League

ARTICLE ONE – Responsibilities to Players

1. A coach should always be aware of the tremendous influence he has over his players, and his ability to influence them for good or bad. Parents entrust their dearest possession to the coach’s charge, and the coach should make every attempt to see that those who have played under him have been positively influenced for having done so. The coach should never place the value of a win above that of instilling the highest desirable ideals and character traits in his players. The players’ safety and welfare are always uppermost, and never sacrificed for personal prestige or selfish glory.
2. In teaching the game of football, the coach must realize that there are certain rules and standards for protecting players, and determining a winner and loser. Any attempts to beat these rules, to take unfair advantage of an opponent, or to teach deliberate unsportsmanlike conduct, have no place in the game, nor has any coach guilty of such conduct any right to call himself a coach. The coach who conducts himself according to these principles need have no fear of failure, for in the final analysis, the success of a coach can be measured in terms of the respect he has earned from his own players and his opponents.
3. The diagnosis and treatment of injuries is a medical problem, which should not fall under the duties of the coach, but under the auspices of trained medical personnel. A coach’s responsibility is to see that injured players receive prompt and competent medical attention, and that physicians’ orders are carried out to the letter.
4. A player’s future should not be jeopardized by any circumvention of eligibility rules.
5. A player’s academic success takes priority over any coach’s demands, which would jeopardize the same.

ARTICLE TWO – Rules of the Game

1. The rules and suggestions, which appear in the WIAAYFL Rule Book and the National Federation Rule Book, should be considered an integral part of this Code of Ethics, and should be carefully read and observed.
2. Every coach should be familiar with the rules of the game. He is responsible for teaching and interpreting them to and for his players.
3. Players must adhere to both the letter and the spirit of the rules.
4. To gain an advantage by circumvention or disregard for the rules brands a coach or a player as unworthy of being associated with his games.
5. A coach is responsible for flagrant roughing tactics used by his players. He shall not permit faking of injuries in order to stop the clock, nor permit an illegal shift, or other deceitful tactics designed to draw the opponent offside.
6. A coach must be mindful that it is not the purpose of football to hurt or injure an opponent by legal or illegal tactics.

ARTICLE THREE – Officials

1. No competitive contest can be played satisfactorily without impartial, competent officials. Officials must have the respect and support of the coaches and players. On- or off-the-record criticism of officials to players, or the public, is considered unethical.
2. Officials are to be treated in a courteous manner at all times. Criticisms of officials should be made to the WIAAYFL office. For a coach to address, or permit anyone on his bench to address, uncomplimentary remarks to any official during the progress of the game, or to indulge in conduct which might incite players or spectators against officials, is a violation of the rules and is considered conduct unworthy of a member of the coaching profession.

ARTICLE FOUR – Other Responsibilities

1. A coach’s conduct and behavior should at all times bring credit to himself, his team, and to the game of football.
2. Before and after the game, rival coaches should meet and exchange friendly greetings.
3. No coach or anyone in an official team capacity shall make uncomplimentary remarks to an opponent’s players before, during, or after a game.
4. Demeaning awards, which glorify or reward play outside the spirit of the rules, are not in the best interest of the game and should not be condoned.