Good sportsmanship is founded on respect – for teammates, opponents, coaches, referees and others who make our club and our league possible, and for the game itself. LJSL’s Travel Program expects everyone involved in our program to embody and display good sportsmanship. We believe that sportsmanship on the athletic field translates to real life, contributing to the development of our athletes as citizens of our community.

Adults – particularly coaches and parents – have a particular responsibility to embody these values. Bad breaks, the occasional collision – and bad calls – are all part of the game. It is up to us to teach our children to accept them and move on, focusing on the things they can control.

Referees are of particular concern. Every year, referees, particularly young referees, from our league leave the game because of their treatment from the sideline. Referees have a difficult job. Remember, they are human, too and without them, there could be no league. Spectators and, generally, coaches should not direct any comments to referees, other than "Thank you" after the game.


WYSL Programs

Our teams participate in the WYSL’s sportsmanship program, in which the referee for each game assigns numerical ratings to players, parents/spectators, and coaches for sportsmanship like-behavior. At the end of each season, the top-rated team in each division receives the Sportsmanship Award and a patch to be worn on the winning team’s uniform the following season. We are proud to have had our travel teams win 16 Sportsmanship Awards over the 2002 calendar year. The winners are listed at the bottom of this webpage.
We are also supporters of the WYSL "Silent Sunday" program, designated games during which cheering and other commentary from the sidelines – even our coaches– are kept to a minimum. This program is designed to "give the game back to the players" and to promote sportsmanship on the sidelines. Being able to hear our children talk to each other as they play a game they enjoy – what a refreshing novelty!

For further information, see the WYSL sportsmanship webpage.



Player Responsibilities

LJSL has high standards for player conduct and expects players to:

Parent Responsibilities

Parents also play an important role by serving as good role models for their children and their teammates. They can help players keep a healthy perspective on winning and losing by applauding their effort, independent of the result of the game and the team's record. It is critical that parents support the kids, support the coach, and support the referee. We encourage parents to review "Guidelines on How to Be a Great Soccer Parent" at the WYSL website.

It is the responsibility of each parent or other participant or spectator to:

• Support the physical, mental, emotional, moral, and social well being of the players. Youth sport is educational.
• Lead by example in demonstrating sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play.
  
• Remember that children play for fun and enjoyment. Always place the emotional and physical well being of the children ahead of the desire to win.
  
• Tell your child before and after the game that you are proud of him or her regardless of the outcome of the game. Celebrate when they have worked hard to improve.
  
• Show cordial courtesy to visiting teams and officials.
  
• Respect the people and property of communities that you visit.
  
• Respect the integrity and judgment of the referees. Remember that they are human and will make mistakes, and that this is simply a part of sport. Do not comment on calls. Thank them for doing a difficult job and making the contest possible.
  
• Respect the role of the coach. Let the coach coach and give the only directions to players. Remember they are human and will make mistakes.
  
• Respect the players and celebrate their efforts, improvements, and achievements. Remember that mistakes are an important part of learning; let the coach comment on them if they choose to. Be generous with your praise when it is deserved and set a good example.
  
• Respect all participants and spectators regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability.
  
• Treat each player as an individual, remembering that there may be a wide range of physical and emotional development of players on the same team.
  
• Make a commitment to learn the principles of positive coaching and the principles of growth and development of children.
  
• Make a commitment to educate yourself in the rules of the game, LJSL, WYSL, and other sponsoring organizations.
  
• Remember that this contest is just a game and that it is for children not adults.
Individual teams may choose to make additional efforts to promote sportsmanship. For example, the parent(s) assigned for snack duty might also be designated as Sportsmanship deputy for the game and encourage spectators to show good sportsmanship on the sidelines

Coach Responsibilities

Coaches should set an example of the same high standards of sportsmanship that we expect of our players and parents. In addition, coaches are expected to:

Our club is a Positive Coaching Alliance Partner and has co-sponsored, with Scarsdale and Manhattan soccer clubs, a number of "Positive Coaching" seminars over the past several years. The website www.positivecoach.org has a number of useful ideas for coaches and parents interested in this area.


Sportsmanship Award Winners