For Coaches, Players, and Parents

Our goal is to set and maintain high standards of sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity throughout the MYL program. It is our responsibility to provide the discretion and constant vigilance that allow good sportsmanship to prosper and have a positive impact on our children, the leaders of tomorrow.

The value of the lessons learned through exhibiting good sportsmanship will last a lifetime. The positive actions of a coach, athlete, or spectator at an event can influence how the MYL is perceived in the community.

We ask for your support in this effort by emphasizing to your son or daughter what is expected of them at an event, whether as a competitor or spectator. We urge you to encourage your children to demonstrate self-control and self-discipline while still enjoying the game.

Finally, we ask you to set a good example when in the stands at a game or practice. It is through these efforts that we can clearly communicate what constitutes acceptable behavior. We hope your positive example will help set the tone for those around you.

When you attend a game, you have the privilege of watching and supporting our teams. We want that support to be positive.

Thank you in advance for your positive influence and for enjoying the sport.

Coaches’ code:

1. Enthusiastically support and practice "Everyone Plays" and extend the MYL's positive coaching philosophies.
2. Be reasonable in your demands on young players' time, energy, enthusiasm, and on-field performance.
3. Impress upon your players that they must always abide by the game's rules.
4. Develop team respect for opponents' abilities and for the judgment of referees and opposing coaches.
5. Ensure your players' experience is fun (winning is only part of it). Players should never be yelled at or ridiculed for making mistakes or losing a game.
6. Set a good example and be generous with your praise when it is deserved. Children need a coach they can respect.
7. Keep informed about sound coaching principles and growth and development principles relating to children.
8. Enlist your team's parents' support in developing the proper attitudes and values in the players.

Parents' Code:

1. Do not force an unwilling child to participate in sports.
2. Remember that children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment, not yours.
3. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory.
4. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Your child will then be a winner, even in defeat.
5. Do not ridicule your child for making a mistake or losing a game.
6. Set a good example. Children learn best by example.
7. Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.
8. Do not publicly question referee judgments.
9. Recognize the value and importance of volunteer coaches, referees, and officials, and give them the respect they deserve. Without them, there would be no MYL.
10. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities.

Player's Code:

1. Play for the fun of it, not just to please your parents or coach.
2. Play by the rules.
3. Never argue with or complain about referee calls or decisions.
4. Control your temper and, most of all, resist the temptation to retaliate when you feel you have been wronged.
5. Concentrate on playing lacrosse and on affecting the outcome of the game with your best effort.
6. Be a good sport by cheering all good plays, whether they are your team's or your opponent's.
7. Remember that the goals of the game are to have fun, improve skills, and feel good. Don't be a "show-off."
8. Cooperate with your coaches, teammates, opponents, and referees.