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Coaches Code Of Conduct
London Blitz American Football Club expects all coaches to conform to ethical standards in a number of areas. These areas are clearly laid out in this document and it is imperative that all coaches have read and understood this code before working with any group of performers.
Additional standards as set by the British American Football Coaching Association (BAFCA) can be located at www.bafca.co.uk or see your head coach or team manager for a hard copy. The London Blitz American Football Club has a duty to its members to provide guidelines within which coaches work. Thus ensuring that all those involved within the game are acting in the best interests of the players at all times.
It is important that the expected standards of ethical behaviour in coaching practice are widely publicised and maintained. It is essential that people within the sport and members of the public who are using the services of coaches are informed of the code of ethics and are protected
through its application.
Introduction
American Football is a popular sport for young people. It is important therefore that all who take part are exposed to positive experiences and protected from negative ones.
The role of the coach within the sport is a very important one. The coach is any person who is responsible for the development of an individual or group of individuals within a specific sport. As well as the sporting development the coach is also tasked with the all round development of the player, or group of players, within the sporting context.
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The coach is the mentor, the confidante and the teacher, and therefore must demonstrate exemplary behaviour at all times. The coach also has to maintain this level of behaviour when dealing with parents, assistant coaches, managers and other personnel involved in the sport. Sports publications detailing and providing guidance relating to good conduct include sport coach UK’s ‘Code of Ethic and Conduct for Sport Coaches’, ‘Working with Children’, ‘The Coach in Action’ and ‘Protecting Children’. Coaches who accept and work to the guidelines within this document are accepting their responsibility to the players they coach and their families, and to other colleagues within the sport.
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Procedures are in place to deal with any situation, which could arise, where acoach’s application of the ‘Code of Conduct for Coaches’ may be called into question. Should such a situation occur it shall be considered in an objective and confidential manner. The below sections set out the overriding principles that coaches are expected to adhere to, so as to ensure that taking part in football is a positive and worthwhile experience for all.
Personal Standards
Personal appearance is of great importance when coaching, and although individual taste will affect differences in appearance, the coach has a responsibility to look clean, promote the club by wearing branded clothing and project an image of functional efficiency at all times. Coaches should never smoke while coaching. Coaches should never coach under the influence of alcohol under any circumstances. Coaches should avoid using profanities during coaching sessions. It is recommended that coaches should Consistently project a favourable image of the sport and of coaching to the players they are working with, their parents/families/guardians, officials, spectators and the general public. Make sure that the level of activity carried out by the performers is suitable for their age, strength, maturity and the ability of each individual performer. Encourage appropriate behaviour by the performers during both training and competition.
Encourage the performers to abide by the rules of American Football
(BAFA, BAFCA) . All performers should be encouraged to uphold the spirit of the sport. Make a positive effort to educate the performers as to the improper use of substances that are on the sport’s banned drugs and substances list. Help the performers to deal with victory and defeat in a sporting manner, and encourage them at all times to treat opponents with due respect.
Relationships
Coaches have a responsibility to set and uphold the boundaries between a coaching relationship and friendship between themselves and the performers. This is especially important when the performer is a young person. It is recommended that coaches should be concerned at all times with the safety and well being of the performers. There should be a sensible balance between performance and the emotional, physical, social and developmental needs of the performers.If any part of the coaching process requires physical contact between coach and performers, it is recommended that coaches ensure that no action on their part could be seen as inappropriate. It is essential that all coaches are aware and adhere to the BAFCA ‘Child Protection’ guidelines with regard to such situations.
As the relationship between coach and performer is based heavily on trust it is important that all coaches can offer proof of experience and qualification. Coaches will undoubtedly build up strong relationships with performers, and in some cases will travel and reside with them during the course of competition. At no time is a coach to use this privilege to place undue pressure or exert influence over performers to gain personal benefit for themselves or their club. Coaches will, in the course of a working relationship, gather much information about performers. It is important that an appropriate degree of confidentiality is maintained and that personal information is not divulged without the permission of the performer. At times coaches will be asked to provide relevant information concerning a player’s performance and
development and an agreement must be made between the coach and the performer with regard to the passing on of such information. Encourage the performers to abide by the rules of American Football
Competency
Competency to coach should be verified through the proof of qualification and should not be inferred from evidence of prior experience. It is recommended that coaches confine themselves to carrying out sessions in accordance with the experience gained whilst obtaining their highest qualification.
It is important that coaches take responsibility for their own continuous professional development, making the most of opportunities offered to them through the club, association or other education agencies. It is important for coaches to be objective about their coaching ability. If at any time they feel concerned about their ability to coach at a certain level,
or about their effectiveness in a certain situation it is up to them to find help or withdraw if necessary.
Expectations
Coaches should clarify the level of commitment expected from performers at the outset of any agreement. Details should include number and length of sessions, attendance at matches or tournaments, fees and method of payment. In the same respect, the performers should state the expectation of the outcome of the coaching. It is strongly recommended that player contracts are acceptable to all parties and signed at the beginning of any coaching undertaken.
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Equity
It is recommended that coaches respect the rights of every human being
they work with, and treat all as equals within the context of their activity
and ability. This must be regardless of age, ethnic origin, gender, religion,
sexual orientation, cultural background or political affiliation.
Coaches should try and ensure that any activity under their supervision is
free from any form of non-equitable behaviour. (a copy of the Blitz Equity
statement is available from the head coach or team manager)
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