Ethics
A coach assumes certain obligations and responsibilities to the game, to
the players, and to
one’s fellow coaches. It is essential that every member of the profession be constantly aware of these obligations and responsibilities so that the coaching profession will always remain an honorable one. Each member is to conduct him/herself in such a manner as to maintain the dignity and decency of the profession.
The coach should always be aware of the tremendous influence that he/she exerts for good or
bad. The coach should never place the value of victory above that of instilling the highest possible ideals and character traits in the players. The safety and welfare of the players should always be uppermost in one’s mind and must never be sacrificed for personal prestige or glory.
Any attempts to teach unsportsmanlike conduct have no place in the coaching profession.
Any coach guilty of such teaching, violates the basic purpose of high school athletics. The coach must set the example of winning without boasting and losing without bitterness.
It is important that the coach’s conduct maintain the principles of integrity and dignity of the
school which employs him/her. School policies and the athletic program should be adhered to both in letter and spirit.
A coach should assume that all members of the coaching profession intend to follow the
precepts set forth in a code of ethics. All evidence of unethical conduct should be brought openly to the attention of the USHAA through prescribed channels. Sportswriters and sportscasters should not be used as an outlet for relieving ill-feelings toward other coaches, players, officials, or schools.
The essential elements in a code of ethics for the Utah coaches are honesty and integrity.
Coaches whose conduct reflect those two characteristics bring credit to the coaching profession, to the games which they coach, their school and to themselves. It is only through such conduct that profession can earn and maintain its rightful place in the educational program and make its full contribution to the school and to the community.
One of the coach’s fundamental responsibilities must be to inspire the players to achieve
academic success. Not only to make good grades, but to secure a well-rounded high school education and graduate with highest possible grades. To this end the coach should be careful not to create situations where athletes are forced to choose between academic and athletic endeavors.
The coach must remember that he/she is a living example for all boys and girls in the
school’s community. It is important that his/her actions and behaviors at all times bring credit to the profession and to the coach.
The coach should be thoroughly knowledgeable about the rules of the game. Official rule
books should be studied and frequently reviewed. The coach is primarily responsible for teaching and interpreting the rules to the players. The letter and the spirit of the rules must be respected and observed by the coach. Rules are made for the protection of the players and in the best interest of the game. It is the coach’s responsibility to see that they are observed.
Officials must have the respect and support of the coaches and players if they are to do their job efficiently. Open criticism of officials, players, or the public is unethical. Officials should always be treated in a courteous manner. The responsibility of coaches to media representatives is to provide news about their team and players. The press should be treated with courtesy, honesty, and respect.
Coaches should stress the importance of ethical procedures when teaching their players how to conduct themselves on and off the playing surface as well as in or out of town.
The coach should not be an official party to the operation of Booster Club Organizations. Such organizations can be of value to the school and the coach if they have proper objectives. However, it is unethical for the coaches to use such groups to subvert administrative of school athletic controls, or to strengthen any part of the athletic programs. It is unethical for coaches to make demands, financial or otherwise, upon controls. Any other form of misuse of such strength and power violates accepted rules and regulations.
Therefore, as a professional educator, the coach must:
A. Exemplify the highest moral character, behavior, and leadership.
B. Respect the integrity and personality of the individual athlete.
C. Abide by the rules of the game in letter and in spirit.
D. Respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials, never baiting or taunting that official in
any way. The head coach is responsible for all bench personnel by rule.
E. Demonstrate a mastery of, and continuing interest in, coaching principles and techniques
through professional improvement.
F. Encourage a respect for all athletics and the values they promote.
G. Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat.
H. Promote ethical relationships among coaches.
I. Fulfill responsibilities to provide health services and an environment free of safety hazards.
J. Encourage the highest standards of conduct and scholastic achievement among all athletes.
K. Seek to inculcate good health habits including the establishment of sound training rules.
L. Strive to develop in each athlete the qualities of leadership, initiative, and good judgment.
one’s fellow coaches. It is essential that every member of the profession be constantly aware of these obligations and responsibilities so that the coaching profession will always remain an honorable one. Each member is to conduct him/herself in such a manner as to maintain the dignity and decency of the profession.
The coach should always be aware of the tremendous influence that he/she exerts for good or
bad. The coach should never place the value of victory above that of instilling the highest possible ideals and character traits in the players. The safety and welfare of the players should always be uppermost in one’s mind and must never be sacrificed for personal prestige or glory.
Any attempts to teach unsportsmanlike conduct have no place in the coaching profession.
Any coach guilty of such teaching, violates the basic purpose of high school athletics. The coach must set the example of winning without boasting and losing without bitterness.
It is important that the coach’s conduct maintain the principles of integrity and dignity of the
school which employs him/her. School policies and the athletic program should be adhered to both in letter and spirit.
A coach should assume that all members of the coaching profession intend to follow the
precepts set forth in a code of ethics. All evidence of unethical conduct should be brought openly to the attention of the USHAA through prescribed channels. Sportswriters and sportscasters should not be used as an outlet for relieving ill-feelings toward other coaches, players, officials, or schools.
The essential elements in a code of ethics for the Utah coaches are honesty and integrity.
Coaches whose conduct reflect those two characteristics bring credit to the coaching profession, to the games which they coach, their school and to themselves. It is only through such conduct that profession can earn and maintain its rightful place in the educational program and make its full contribution to the school and to the community.
One of the coach’s fundamental responsibilities must be to inspire the players to achieve
academic success. Not only to make good grades, but to secure a well-rounded high school education and graduate with highest possible grades. To this end the coach should be careful not to create situations where athletes are forced to choose between academic and athletic endeavors.
The coach must remember that he/she is a living example for all boys and girls in the
school’s community. It is important that his/her actions and behaviors at all times bring credit to the profession and to the coach.
The coach should be thoroughly knowledgeable about the rules of the game. Official rule
books should be studied and frequently reviewed. The coach is primarily responsible for teaching and interpreting the rules to the players. The letter and the spirit of the rules must be respected and observed by the coach. Rules are made for the protection of the players and in the best interest of the game. It is the coach’s responsibility to see that they are observed.
Officials must have the respect and support of the coaches and players if they are to do their job efficiently. Open criticism of officials, players, or the public is unethical. Officials should always be treated in a courteous manner. The responsibility of coaches to media representatives is to provide news about their team and players. The press should be treated with courtesy, honesty, and respect.
Coaches should stress the importance of ethical procedures when teaching their players how to conduct themselves on and off the playing surface as well as in or out of town.
The coach should not be an official party to the operation of Booster Club Organizations. Such organizations can be of value to the school and the coach if they have proper objectives. However, it is unethical for the coaches to use such groups to subvert administrative of school athletic controls, or to strengthen any part of the athletic programs. It is unethical for coaches to make demands, financial or otherwise, upon controls. Any other form of misuse of such strength and power violates accepted rules and regulations.
Therefore, as a professional educator, the coach must:
A. Exemplify the highest moral character, behavior, and leadership.
B. Respect the integrity and personality of the individual athlete.
C. Abide by the rules of the game in letter and in spirit.
D. Respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials, never baiting or taunting that official in
any way. The head coach is responsible for all bench personnel by rule.
E. Demonstrate a mastery of, and continuing interest in, coaching principles and techniques
through professional improvement.
F. Encourage a respect for all athletics and the values they promote.
G. Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat.
H. Promote ethical relationships among coaches.
I. Fulfill responsibilities to provide health services and an environment free of safety hazards.
J. Encourage the highest standards of conduct and scholastic achievement among all athletes.
K. Seek to inculcate good health habits including the establishment of sound training rules.
L. Strive to develop in each athlete the qualities of leadership, initiative, and good judgment.