The following outlines the responsibilities of coaches, players and parents.

Coach Responsibilities

The York Suburban Lacrosse Club utilizes a Positive Double-Goal Coaching Strategy. It is the coach's responsibility to teach the sport of lacrosse, and to give each individual participant the opportunity to be as successful as possible both on and off the field. It is understood that a coach can be a great role model for an athlete and therefore nothing less than exceptional role modeling will be accepted both on and off the field. Positive reinforcement is a coaching value that will be stressed much more than critical analysis. Practices will be designed so that they may be understood, carried out, and assessed. Goals for individuals and the team as a whole will be measurable, specific, and attainable. However, goals will also stretch the imagination and ambition of the athletes to push them to their maximum potential. Expectations and standards for the team will remain consistent for all athletes throughout the season both on and off the field.

Click here for more info on the Positive Double-Goal Coaching Strategy

A coach attempting to intimidate player’s physical or verbal abuse and/or harassment is prohibited. Based on the extent of infraction coaches may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from the position. Concerns regarding the performance of the coaches are to be directed to any board member including the general manager or league president.

Coaches attempting to intimidate referees by physical or verbal abuse and or harassment will be warned to discontinue this behavior or face expulsion from the next game. If coach is expelled in two games will warrant a league expulsion and only allowed to return after a Disciplinary Board Review. Concerns regarding the performance of the referees are to be directed to the age group commissioner of the program providing the referee or to Chairman of Disciplinary Review Board.

Coaches who allow other players to intimidate teammates during games or practice by physical or verbal, harassment or bullying is prohibited. Based on the extent of infraction coaches may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from the position. Concerns regarding the performance of the coaches are to be directed to any board member including the general manager or league president.

Player Responsibilities

It is the players' responsibility to aspire to be the best they can be. Athletes should come into the season ready to give there best mentally and physically. During the season players must be on time and ready for both practices and games. If practice is at 5:00, the player must be dressed with helmet and pads on and ready to go at 5:00. No exceptions. Physical presence does not mean a player is on time. Being on time and ready means being dressed and ready to go when the coach or captain blows the whistle. Family and academics will always be considered higher priorities than lacrosse. There is life outside lacrosse and playing lacrosse will not support a family when you are an adult. The player is a STUDENT ATHLETE. The player is required to BALANCE schoolwork and athletics. If a player must be absent from practice or game, it is that player's responsibility to contact his/her coach in advance to explain the reason for the absence. Unexcused absences from practice or games affect the entire team. Playing time may be adversely affected by unexcused absences.

Players are prohibited from intimidating or harassing teammates during games or practice by physical or verbal bullying is prohibited. Based on the extent of infraction players may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from the team practice and games. Concerns regarding bullying are to be directed to any board member including the general manager or league president

Click here for the Code of Conduct

Parent Responsibilities

Parents are responsible for their own conduct and for setting a good example for our children who play the game of lacrosse. Parents should conduct themselves as mature adults at all times. Allow your child/player to speak directly with a coach before you discuss with any coach your child's playing time. If you are still not satisfied, call and schedule a face-to-face meeting with the specific coach. Avoid discussing a complaint about a specific game. If you must discuss a specific complaint, do not contact any coach until 24 hours after the specific game. At games support the team, not just your son or daughter, in a positive manner.

Cheering any good play (by either team) is appropriate and appreciated. Booing sets a poor example. Young people not associated with the Club often attend our home games. By example and word, parents can help ensure these fans too display good sportsmanship. Parents with questions or concerns during the season may also contact the parent coordinator for their child's team. All parents are responsible for ensuring that their children/players arrive at practices and games in a timely fashion, have money for food when appropriate, and are picked up promptly after games and practices. This is not the coach's responsibility. It is your responsibility as a parent who has chosen to provide your child with the opportunity to play lacrosse.

Click here for information on the ROOTS Sportsmanship Program

Spectators must view the game from the sideline opposite the team bench sideline (except in a stadium situation where there is a significant partitioned area between the sideline and the bleachers). Only coaches, players and timekeepers are allowed on the team bench sideline.

Grievance Procedure

Knowing when and how to communicate with your athlete's coach is a concern for almost every parent at some point in the season. We encourage the athlete to discuss matters with the coach if a problem should occur, or if an expectation is unclear.

When a parent has an issue that is specific to their athlete, they are welcome to discuss it with the appropriate coach. Coach will make all attempts to explain playing time, substitutions and player positioning. Playing time is a complex determination and all attempts will be made to ensure equitable playing time for all registered players who attend practice regularly and fully abide by the player code of conduct.

Coaches will not discuss individual athletes with anyone other than a parent of said athlete. Additionally, they will not discuss the actions of any other coach. If you have a legitimate concern about a coach or another player, please address the Head Coach. Often times these types of issues are simply a matter of miscommunication or misunderstanding that can be resolved by simply addressing the issue when it arises.

Listed below are the procedures to follow, should you or your player incur a problem:

• The player should speak with the coach.
• The parent should meet or speak with the coach. A scheduled meeting time is to be requested. Meetings are to be held at times and locations other than games and/or during practice. If a parent approaches a coach, the coach has a right to refuse the conversation, until the proper channels have been followed. The recommended time for a meeting is either before or immediately following a scheduled practice.
• The parent may speak to a Board Member to request a meeting. In special situations, we may ask that the player attend the meeting. Or we may ask that the player not attend. Meetings should be scheduled privately. Coaches will not schedule a meeting directly before, during, or after a game.
• Other general policies regarding grievances: Aggressive confrontations should not and will not be tolerated. This applies to all coaches, parents, officials, and players.
• Asking uninvolved parties to take sides on an issue is unfair to the third party and the Club.
• Competitive sports often create situations where everyone is not always happy. Please be discreet, as team morale can suffer in the shadow of disputes.
• Any member who hears remarks or stories that concern them is advised to take matters to the Head Coach or Board Member. They are also encouraged to remind the complaining party of the grievance procedure, so that all facts can be determined and the issue can be resolved in an appropriate manner.
• It is detrimental to everyone to repeat complaints that you may hear to uninvolved parties. Please use your utmost discretion.