SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TEAM EXPECTATIONS & BEHAVIOR CODE

Being a member of the Southside High School Soccer Team is a privilege. Players represent themselves, their families, their teammates, their coaches, Southside High School, and our community every time they wear the Southside uniform.

Our goal is to build a program based on discipline, accountability, respect, teamwork, commitment, and excellence.

Every player is expected to understand and follow the expectations outlined below.

I. GENERAL TEAM EXPECTATIONS

All players are expected to:

• Give their best effort every day.

• Be respectful to coaches, teammates, opponents, officials, teachers, administrators, parents, and fans.

• Be coachable and willing to accept instruction and constructive criticism.

• Put the success of the team ahead of individual statistics or personal recognition.

• Take responsibility for their actions and decisions.

• Maintain a positive attitude, even when things do not go their way.

• Encourage teammates rather than criticize or embarrass them.

• Take care of all school, team, and athletic equipment.

• Represent Southside High School with class and sportsmanship.

• Understand that being on the team is a commitment, not simply an activity.

II. ON-FIELD BEHAVIOR

Southside soccer players are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.

Players will:

• Respect referees and accept their decisions without arguing, disrespect, or inappropriate gestures.

• Treat opponents with respect.

• Never intentionally attempt to injure an opposing player.

• Control their emotions during competition.

• Avoid unnecessary arguing, trash talking, taunting, or provoking opponents.

• Help an opponent up when appropriate.

• Shake hands and demonstrate good sportsmanship following games.

• Listen to coaches during games and respond appropriately to instructions.

• Remain engaged on the bench when not playing.

• Encourage teammates regardless of the score.

• Never blame teammates, coaches, officials, or others for mistakes or losses.

• Leave the field and facilities cleaner than they found them.

Remember:

The scoreboard reflects the result of the game. Your behavior reflects the character of the program.

III. OFF-FIELD BEHAVIOR

Players are Southside soccer representatives even when they are not on the field.

Players are expected to:

• Conduct themselves appropriately at school and in the community.

• Follow all Southside High School and school-system rules.

• Treat teachers, administrators, staff, and other students with respect.

• Maintain appropriate behavior while traveling to and from competitions.

• Demonstrate good manners and sportsmanship at restaurants, hotels, tournaments, and other team activities.

• Respect opposing schools and their facilities.

• Respect buses, locker rooms, hotels, fields, and other facilities.

• Avoid behavior that could embarrass themselves, their families, or Southside High School.

Social Media

Players are responsible for what they post, share, comment on, or associate themselves with online.

Players should never use social media to:

• Bully, threaten, harass, or embarrass another person.

• Attack teammates, coaches, officials, opponents, teachers, or administrators.

• Post inappropriate photographs, videos, or comments while representing the team.

• Create conflict within the team.

• Misrepresent Southside High School or the soccer program.

If you would not want your coach, parent, principal, or future employer to see it, think twice before posting it.

IV. PRACTICE ATTENDANCE & PUNCTUALITY

Practice attendance is an important part of being a member of the team.

Players are expected to:

• Attend every scheduled practice.

• Arrive on time and be completely prepared to practice.

• Be dressed and ready to begin at the scheduled practice time.

• Bring all required equipment.

• Remain at practice until dismissed by a coach.

• Give full effort throughout practice.

• Notify a coach as soon as possible if an unavoidable conflict occurs.

Absences

Players may not simply decide to miss practice. An absence should be communicated to a coach before practice whenever possible.

Examples of legitimate reasons for missing practice may include:

• Illness

• Injury

• Family emergency

• School-related obligations approved by the school

• Other circumstances approved by the coaching staff

Unexcused absences may affect:

• Playing time

• Starting opportunities

• Team selection

• Tournament participation

• Player responsibilities

• Other team privileges

Repeated Tardiness

Being late to practice affects the entire team.

Repeated tardiness may result in consequences determined by the coaching staff.

V. GAMES, TOURNAMENTS & TEAM EVENTS

Players are expected to attend all scheduled:

• Regular-season games

• Playoff games

• Tournaments

• Scrimmages

• Team practices

• Team meetings

• Film sessions

• Team-building activities

• Fundraisers

• Community-service activities

• Team events

• Award ceremonies or other required program activities

Some events may be designated MANDATORY by the coaching staff.

Players and parents will be given as much advance notice as possible.

Failure to attend a mandatory event without an approved reason may result in consequences determined by the coaching staff.

VI. ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS

Student-athlete comes before athlete.

Players are expected to:

• Attend school regularly.

• Be on time to class.

• Complete assignments.

• Prepare for tests and quizzes.

• Ask teachers for help when needed.

• Maintain appropriate classroom behavior.

• Follow all school academic requirements for athletic participation.

A soccer player who is successful on the field but fails to take care of his responsibilities in the classroom is not meeting the expectations of this program.

VII. TEAMWORK & ATTITUDE

No player is more important than the team.

Players are expected to:

• Support teammates.

• Celebrate teammates' success.

• Accept their role on the team.

• Continue working when playing time is limited.

• Understand that playing time is determined by the coaching staff.

• Never pout, complain, or display negative body language because of playing time.

• Never encourage teammates to challenge coaching decisions.

• Help younger or less experienced players improve.

• Hold one another accountable in a respectful manner.

A Team-First Mentality

“What can I do for the team?” should always be more important than “What is the team doing for me?”

VIII. COACHABILITY

A Southside soccer player must be willing to learn.

Players are expected to:

• Listen when a coach is speaking.

• Make eye contact and pay attention during instruction.

• Ask appropriate questions when they do not understand something.

• Accept coaching without arguing.

• Correct mistakes and move forward.

• Understand that coaching is intended to help the player and the team improve.

Disagreeing with a coach does not give a player permission to be disrespectful.

Questions and concerns should be handled privately and respectfully, not during an emotional moment or in front of teammates.

IX. EQUIPMENT & FACILITY RESPONSIBILITY

Players are responsible for helping protect the facilities and equipment used by the program.

Players will:

• Properly care for uniforms and equipment.

• Return equipment when requested.

• Keep locker rooms and team areas clean.

• Pick up trash.

• Respect school property and opposing facilities.

• Never damage or intentionally misuse athletic equipment or facilities.

We represent Southside everywhere we go. Leave every facility better than you found it.

X. TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS

When traveling with the team, players are expected to:

• Follow all instructions from coaches and school personnel.

• Remain with the team unless given permission to leave.

• Behave appropriately on buses.

• Respect hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.

• Keep rooms and common areas clean.

• Observe designated quiet hours.

• Be on time for all scheduled departures and activities.

• Remember that they are representing Southside High School throughout the trip.XI. HEALTH, SAFETY & INJURIES

Players are expected to communicate honestly with coaches regarding injuries, illness, or conditions that could affect their ability to participate safely.

Players should:

• Report injuries to a coach immediately.

• Follow athletic trainer and medical instructions.

• Never intentionally hide an injury.

• Stay properly hydrated.

• Take responsibility for appropriate nutrition, rest, and preparation.

• Follow all team and school safety procedures.

XII. ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, DRUGS & ILLEGAL ACTIVITY

Players must comply with all school-system rules, athletic rules, and applicable laws.

The use, possession, distribution, or promotion of illegal drugs or other prohibited substances is not acceptable.

Players are also expected to avoid:

• Alcohol use

• Tobacco/nicotine products

• Vaping

• Illegal drugs

• Performance-enhancing substances prohibited by applicable rules

• Any illegal activity

Violations may result in school, athletic, and/or team consequences.

XIII. HAZING, BULLYING & HARASSMENT

There is no place in the Southside soccer program for hazing, bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, or threatening behavior.

Players will not:

• Humiliate teammates.

• Intentionally isolate teammates.

• Threaten or intimidate others.

• Participate in hazing.

• Use physical force as a form of initiation.

• Use social media to harass or embarrass another player.

• Retaliate against someone who reports inappropriate behavior.

Every player deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued as a member of the team.

XIV. PLAYER RESPONSIBILITY

Every player is responsible for his own choices.

“Everyone else was doing it” is not an acceptable excuse.

Players are expected to:

1. Know the expectations.

2. Make good decisions.

3. Accept responsibility for their actions.

4. Learn from mistakes.

5. Make the necessary corrections.

6. Help protect the reputation of the program.

XV. TEAM DISCIPLINE

Failure to meet team expectations may result in consequences.

Depending upon the circumstances, consequences may include:

• Verbal warning

• Meeting with the player

• Parent/guardian contact

• Additional conditioning or team-related consequences consistent with school policy

• Loss of privileges

• Loss of playing time

• Removal from a starting position

• Suspension from a practice or competition

• Suspension from the team

• Removal from the team

Serious incidents may be referred to school administration and handled according to Southside High School and school-system policies.

Consequences will be determined based upon the nature and circumstances of the behavior.

XVI. THE SOUTHside SOCCER STANDARD

Every player should strive to live by these six standards:

RESPECT

Respect yourself, your teammates, your coaches, opponents, officials, teachers, and community.

DISCIPLINE

Do what is expected even when nobody is watching.

COMMITMENT

Be present, be prepared, and give your best effort.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Own your actions, your mistakes, and your responsibilities.

TEAMWORK

Put the team before yourself.

PRIDE

Represent Southside High School with class wherever you go.

PLAYER & PARENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I understand that being a member of the Southside High School Soccer Team is a privilege and a commitment.

I have read and understand the Southside High School Soccer Team Expectations & Behavior Code. I understand that participation on the team requires appropriate behavior on and off the field, regular attendance and punctuality, academic responsibility, respect for others, and participation in mandatory team activities.

I understand that violations of team, school, athletic, or district expectations may result in consequences, including loss of playing time or other team privileges.