Player Discipline

It is the coach's responsibility to establish discipline on his/her team so that the players will enjoy and be able to learn the game without disruption. We are dealing with children on a recreational basis, not as professional adult athletes. Therefore, discipline should be only as strict as is necessary to maintain smooth running practices and games. Remember that being too harsh in discipline can be just as damaging to the child as no discipline at all.

The coach has the authority to take what steps he/she feels necessary to maintain discipline on his/her team, within reason. Severe player disruption may be cause for player suspension, but the coach should seek the counsel of the soccer Commission in such instances.

In most cases of minor player disruption, assigning sit-ups, push-ups, running laps, or warning that the player might have to sit out a game usually is enough to correct the problem.