Coaches Code of Conduct – Rapids Volleyball

The athlete/coach relationship is a privileged one. Coaches play a critical role in both the athletic and character development of their athletes. They must understand and respect the inherent power imbalance that exists in this relationship and must be extremely careful not to abuse it. Coaches must also recognize that they are conduits through which the values and goals of a sport organization are channeled. Thus, how athletes regard their sport is often dependent on the behaviour of the coach. The following Code of Conduct has been developed to aid coaches in achieving a level of behaviour that will allow them to assist their athletes in becoming well rounded, self-confident and productive human beings. Credit Cross Country Canada

Coach’s Mandate:

To consistently display high personal standards
To exhibit the important character traits of honesty, integrity and fairness, in practice and in competition, so as to bring credit to the sport of volleyball and to the Rapids organization
To be a positive role model and encourage sportsmanship by demonstrating respect and courtesy for all athletes, coaches and officials in victory and defeat
to understand that coaching is a continuous conversation that empowers athletes to take measurable steps towards a clear goal

A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life. John Wooden

Best Coaching Practices

develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect
communicate clearly with players exactly what is expected of them in a practice, during a game and as a team mate
Direct comments or feedback at the performance rather than the
Encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance
recognize that challenge, competition and fun are all key elements of a team culture and that from enjoyment comes the will to

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

Modeling Team Values

A group becomes a team, when each member is sure enough of themselves and their contribution to praise the skills of others. Norman Shidle

respect the rights, dignity and worth of each athlete – treat every athlete fairly
attend all practices – it’s your priority
arrive on time – be dependable
be prepared – preparation leads to confidence and confidence precedes success
create an environment where failure is seen as an essential part of the learning process
continually define and communicate success for your group of

I know I am getting better at golf because I am hitting fewer spectators. Gerald R Ford

Coaching Integrity

Do not engage in actions that unfairly disadvantage one athlete over
be aware of and take measures to educate and mediate any personal harassment (bullying) that is (see appendix)
Maintain an inclusive environment in which all individuals are treated with respect regardless of body type, athletic ability, gender, ethnic or racial origin, sexual orientation, religious belief, or economic status
Under no circumstances provide or promote the use of drugs or performance-enhancing substances or alcoholic beverages and/or tobacco
To abstain from use of alcohol or tobacco products before or during practice and competition
Take reasonable steps to manage the responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages in parent/team social situations.
Refrain from the use of profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive language in the conduct of your
Dress professionally, neatly and inoffensively
Place the wellbeing and safety of each player above all other considerations
Consider the athlete’s future health and well-being as foremost when making decisions regarding an injured athlete’s ability to continue training or
Refrain from any behavior that constitutes harassment (see appendix)
At no time become intimately and/ or sexually involved with your athletes or fellow (see appendix)

The supreme quality in leadership is unquestionably integrity, without it no success is possible.

Dwight D Eisenhower

Supporting Each Other

To support all Rapids teams by refraining from public criticism of fellow coaches
To show support by cheering for Rapids teams during tournament competition
To foster a healthy spirit of competition between the Rapids teams while maintaining respect for each individual team’s level of experience
To show respect by refraining from ‘coaching’ athletes from other teams unless asked by the coach who is responsible for that team and
At all times, extending respect and courtesy to the caretaking staff at the facilities where we practice and compete

Teamwork: A few harmless flakes working together can unleash an avalanche of destruction. Justin Sewell

If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself. Henry Ford

To me, teamwork is the beauty of our sport, where you have five acting as one. You become selfless. Mike Krzyzewski

None of us is as smart as all of us. Ken Blanchard

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. Michael Jordan

Appendix

Types of behavior that constitute harassment include, but are not limited to:

Written or verbal abuse, threats or outbursts
The display of visual material which is offensive or which one ought to know is offensive in the circumstances
Unwelcome remarks, jokes, comments, innuendo or taunts
Leering or other suggestive or obscene gestures
Condescending or patronizing behavior which is intended to undermine self-esteem, diminish performance or adversely affect working conditions
Practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment, endanger a person’s safety, or negatively affect performance

Any form of hazing where hazing is defined as “Any potentially humiliating, degrading, abusive, or dangerous activity expected of a teammate, which does not contribute to the athlete’s positive development
practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment, endanger a person’s safety, or negatively affect performance

Types of behavior that constitutes sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:

Unwanted physical contact including, but not limited to, touching, petting, pinching, or kissing
Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, requests, or invitations
Physical or sexual assault
Behaviors such as those described above that are not directed towards a specific individual or group but have the same effect of creating a negative or hostile environment
Types of behavior that constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to: Sexist jokes, display of sexually offensive material, sexually degrading words used to describe a person

Types of Behavior that constitutes personal harassment, but are not limited to:

Personal harassment is defined as improper conduct (comment, conduct, or gestures), which is directed toward an individual, and which is offensive or harmful to that individual, and which the person making the comment, conduct, or gestures knows or ought to know is unwelcome or
This conduct includes verbal, psychological and physical forms of behaviour that is demeaning, belittling, or causes personal humiliation or embarrassment, and may be on a one-time or continuous
Spreading bad rumours about people, keeping certain people out a group, forming an exclusive group, teasing people in a mean way, getting certain people to “gang up” on others
Cyber Bullying – using the internet or text messaging to intimidate, put-down, spread rumours or make fun of someone.