LA PINE SPORTS ACADEMY

Coach Code of Conduct

Purpose

The La Pine Sports Academy (LPSA) is committed to providing a safe, positive, and development-focused environment for youth athletics.

Coaches play a critical role in shaping the experience of young athletes and are expected to demonstrate leadership, professionalism, integrity, and sportsmanship at all times.

Participation as a coach within LPSA is a privilege, and all coaches must adhere to this Code of Conduct.

Athlete First Principle

Coaches must place the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of athletes above the outcome of any contest or competition.

Winning must never be prioritized over:

• athlete safety

• athlete development

• sportsmanship

• character building

Every athlete shall be treated as an individual whose welfare is the primary concern.

Professional Conduct

Coaches represent the La Pine Sports Academy, their sport, and the La Pine community and must conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner at all times.

Coaches shall:

• demonstrate honesty, integrity, and fairness

• lead by example in sportsmanship and character

• treat athletes, parents, officials, and spectators with respect

• promote teamwork, discipline, and personal growth

• follow all LPSA policies and procedures

Athlete Safety & Supervision

The safety of athletes is the top priority of all LPSA programs.

Coaches are responsible for:

• supervising athletes during all team activities

• maintaining safe practice and competition environments

• ensuring equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate

• immediately reporting injuries or unsafe conditions

• following concussion and injury protocols

• never leaving athletes unattended during practices or events

Appropriate Coach–Athlete Interaction

Coaches must maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all athletes.

Coaches shall not:

• engage in inappropriate physical contact with athletes

• be alone in private settings with a single athlete whenever possible

• use physical punishment or intimidation

• engage in any conduct that could be interpreted as harassment or abuse

Physical contact should only occur when necessary for instruction, safety, or medical assistance.

Communication Standards

All communication with athletes must remain professional and transparent.

Coaches should:

• communicate respectfully with athletes and parents

• avoid private one-on-one digital communication with minors whenever possible

• use approved team communication platforms when available

• include parents or guardians when communicating with minor athletes

Sportsmanship

Coaches must promote and model good sportsmanship at all times.

Coaches shall:

• respect officials and their decisions

• encourage athletes to respect opponents

• refrain from arguing with officials in a disrespectful manner

• maintain control of team conduct during games and practices

Coaches are responsible for promoting respectful behavior from players, parents, and spectators associated with their team.

Substance-Free Environment

LPSA programs must provide a safe and healthy environment for youth athletes.

Coaches shall not:

• use alcohol or drugs during any LPSA event

• use tobacco or vaping products during practices, games, or team events

• be under the influence of any substance while supervising athletes

Respectful Behavior

Coaches must maintain a respectful environment for all participants.

Coaches shall not:

• use abusive, degrading, or humiliating language

• bully, intimidate, or harass athletes or officials

• engage in unsportsmanlike conduct

• discriminate against any participant

LPSA maintains zero tolerance for harassment, abuse, or discrimination.

Compliance With Governing Rules

Coaches must comply with all applicable rules and regulations governing youth athletics.

This includes:

• La Pine Sports Academy policies

• league and tournament rules

• NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) playing rules

• OSAA (Oregon School Activities Association) standards for sportsmanship and safety when applicable

Coaches are responsible for understanding the rules of their sport and ensuring athletes compete within them.

Anti-Hazing Policy

La Pine Sports Academy maintains zero tolerance for hazing.

Hazing includes any act that humiliates, degrades, intimidates, abuses, or endangers an athlete as a condition of participation.

Hazing is prohibited at all LPSA activities including:

• practices

• games

• tournaments

• travel

• team events

Coaches are responsible for preventing hazing and immediately reporting incidents to LPSA leadership.

Concussion & Safety Training Requirements

The safety of athletes is a top priority of the La Pine Sports Academy.

All coaches must complete annual safety and concussion awareness training prior to participating in LPSA programs.

Training requirements include:

• Completion of an approved concussion awareness course each year

• Completion of annual youth sports safety training, which may include topics such as injury prevention, abuse prevention, emergency response procedures, and athlete safety protocols

• Understanding the signs and symptoms of concussion

• Immediate removal from play of any athlete suspected of having a concussion

• Ensuring athletes do not return to play until cleared by a qualified medical professional

Coaches may not participate in practices, games, or team activities until required training has been completed.

Coaching Structure & Chain of Command

To maintain clear leadership and communication, LPSA follows a defined coaching chain of command.

Head Coach Authority

The Head Coach is the designated leader of the team and holds responsibility for:

• team operations

• coaching decisions

• practice planning

• game strategy

• communication with parents

• communication with LPSA leadership

Final coaching decisions rest with the Head Coach.

Assistant Coach Responsibilities

Assistant coaches operate in a supporting role under the direction of the Head Coach.

Assistant coaches are expected to:

• support the leadership of the Head Coach

• assist with instruction and supervision

• contribute positively to the team environment

Assistant coaches do not have authority to override or contradict the Head Coach regarding team management or coaching decisions.

Communication With LPSA Leadership

Assistant coaches must address concerns with the Head Coach first.

If issues cannot be resolved at the team level, the Head Coach may escalate the matter to LPSA leadership.

Assistant coaches should not bypass the Head Coach unless concerns involve:

• athlete safety

• abuse or misconduct

• serious policy violations

Discipline & Enforcement

Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action including:

• verbal warning

• written warning

• suspension from coaching duties

• removal from a team

• permanent removal from LPSA programs

The LPSA Board reserves the right to determine disciplinary actions based on the severity of violations.

Coach Agreement

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the La Pine Sports Academy Coach Code of Conduct.

I agree to uphold these standards while coaching in LPSA programs.