PAFA CODE OF CONDUCT, RULES & REGULATIONS
GENERAL PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES: PAFA is dedicated to promoting football and cheer among the youth of our community, and to providing instruction and understanding related to football in a safe, positive, and fun environment. Our objective is not only to teach area youths the fundamentals and rules of football but to also help each athlete achieve an understanding of how football promotes positive life qualities such as teamwork, discipline, respect, effort, perseverance, and physical fitness; qualities which they will practice both on the field and in life. We support our objectives through our commitment to:
- Inspire and encourage our youth participants, regardless of sex, race, creed, or color; and bring area youths closer together through common interests, fellowship, and athletic competition.
- Strive to coach fundamentals, skills, and rules related to football, as well as sportsmanship, teamwork, self-discipline, self-esteem, respect, physical fitness, and leadership.
- Promote the development of leadership, character, sportsmanship, tolerance, friendship, discipline, and athletic ability.
- Encourage adults to behave in an exemplary manner by demonstrating respect and courtesy, and to provide positive support, care, and encouragement to every youth participant.
- Keep the health, safety, and welfare of each youth participant as our priority, free from any adult compulsions for power, glory, or personal desire to win.
- Help youth participants to develop a lifelong love of the game of football, cheer, and sports in general.
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To achieve our objectives and promote the safety and spirit of youth football, PAFA has adopted this CODE OF CONDUCT, RULES & REGULATIONS in addition to the rules, regulations, and Code(s) of Conduct included within the By-Laws of the Bill George Youth Football League (BGYFL). A Panther participates in the BGYFL and operates within the rules and By-laws of that program. The PAFA CODE OF CONDUCT, RULES & REGULATIONS does not supersede or amend the rules, regulations, Code(s) of Conduct, or any other provisions included within the By-Laws of the BGYFL, and no provision herein shall be interpreted in such a manner. The PAFA CODE OF CONDUCT, RULES & REGULATIONS is binding upon all PAFA participants, including but not limited to, Board Members, Coaches, Football Players, Parents, Volunteers and Spectators.
Violations of this CODE OF CONDUCT, RULES REGULATIONS will result in disciplinary action against the offender and penalties will be decided by a special meeting of the BGYFL Board of Directors.
BOARD MEMBERS AND COACHES: Board members and coaches are vital to establishing ethics and enforcing safety in youth football. Their conduct, ethics, and attitude can directly affect the emotional and physical welfare and behavior of players in the program and/or under their supervision. In their capacity as youth coaches, and as representatives of the BGYFL and PAFA, they must always show proper respect to all and will be held to the highest standards of moral conduct and character both on and off the field. They must additionally always be aware that their behavior, decisions, and choices of action have ethical, moral, and physical implications relating to youth participants. Therefore, Board Members and Coaches:
- Shall not criticize players in front of spectators but shall reserve constructive criticism for private discussion.
- Shall accept decisions of game officials and judges on the field and in competitions as being fair and called to their best ability.
- Shall not criticize the opposing team, its players, coaches, cheerleaders, or fans by word of mouth or by gesture.
- Shall not permit a player to re-enter any game or competition after he/she is badly hurt, bruised, or injured.
- Shall place the health, safety, and welfare of each member of his/her team or squad, and any other youth in the league, ahead of his/her compulsions for power, glory, or personal desire to win.
- Shall do his/her best to ensure that their team or squad participates in a safe and healthy environment.
- Shall refrain from any vulgar, lewd, obscene language or gesture while participating in, attending, or watching any league-sponsored game, practice, event, or competition.
- Shall not at any time push, shove, punch, kick, fight, or be guilty of physical contact as an aggressor upon any official, coach, player, cheerleader, or spectator.
- Shall not verbally abuse, threaten, harass, or bait any official, coach, player, cheerleader, or spectator.
- Shall encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support and respect to all officials, coaches, players, cheerleaders, spectators, and volunteers
- Shall review and be familiar with the Rules, Regulations, By-Laws, and Codes of Conduct of both the BGYFL and PAFA.
- Shall not act in any way that is detrimental to themselves, their team, the BGYFL, or PAFA.
SPECIFIC RULES APPLICABLE TO COACHES: In addition to their Code of Conduct, PAFA specifically requires that all coaches:
- Maintain proper communication with the parents and/or guardians of participants on their team by keeping them informed and updated regarding game decorum, league, and team rules, scheduling, changes, etc., and ensure that all questions and concerns of team parents are addressed to the best of their ability. Head coaches are further required to have at least one team meeting with parents to discuss these matters.
- Ensure that each player on his/her team plays a minimum of ten (10) plays per game.
- Abide by any BGYFL and/or PAFA approved protocols and procedures relating to safety matters, such as lightning, heat, dehydration, concussion, and injuries.
- Complete coaches USA Football Youth Tackle Certification. A Board member is dedicated to monitoring certification compliance.
- Participate in league-approved sponsorship and/or fundraising activities or, if he or she is unable to participate, do their best to support, encourage, and help those who do participate in such activities.
- Report any improper conduct, wrongdoing, Code of Conduct violations, or team disciplinary action(s) to the VICE PRESIDENT. Coaches establishing team rules or disciplinary measures must also report any violations that resulted or may result in the participant(s) “sitting out” during games, losing game privileges, being suspended, or being removed from the program.
- Shall place the health, safety, welfare, and development of their players ahead of his/her compulsions for power, glory, or personal desire to win. Ten plays per player will be met unless there are safety concerns or a player has not fulfilled their practice requirements. If a child will not get 10 plays per game, the coach must discuss this with the PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT at least 1 day (24 HOURS) before the start of the game.
2024 POINT OF EMPHASIS REGARDING OFFICIALS: The PAFA Board of Directors relies on Head Coaches AND Officials to control the football game and create a fun and safe playing environment for all children. The Board has a zero-tolerance policy toward individuals who want to argue calls or verbally attack officials. The Board EXPECTS that the Head Coach will be the only person who has any conversation with or statements toward officials before, during, and after all contests. If players, assistant coaches, and parents make any statements or off-color comments to the officials then it is the Head Coach’s responsibility to REMOVE them from the playing field and/or spectator area. THIS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED BY THE PAFA BOARD. YOU EITHER CONTROL YOUR PEOPLE OR THE BOARD WILL REMOVE YOU FOR FAILING TO CONTROL THE GAME SITUATION. If the people are asked to leave and they will not go then you may need to contact the authorities or stop the contest in conjunction with the officials. If you are playing at home then a Board Member should be notified and be a part of all decision-making regarding issues with officials, parents/spectators, coaches, and players.
