The role of a DYSL coach should not be taken lightly. League standards encompass four distinct areas: 1) Equality, 2) Safety and Health, 3) Sportsmanship and Respect, 4) Participation and Education. Therefore, as a DYSL Coach, I am expected to strive to achieve and maintain the following standards:
1) Equality
Treat each player as an individual, recognizing the varying ranges of emotional and physical development of my players and that some physical tasks, drills and demands are not appropriate for all.
Encourage all players, regardless of skill level, to be included as a member of the team and to remain involved in sports.
Include all players in team activities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or any other state or federal legally protected classification.
2) Safety and Health
Place the emotional and physical well-being of my players ahead of anything else and encourage my players to remain active in youth sports and other activities to promote all aspects of their development.
Maintain a high level of awareness of potentially unsafe conditions and correct any which I find in an effort to provide the safest playing situations for my players.
Use required safety equipment to help guarantee my player’s safety and reduce injuries.
Maintain a complete DYSL first aid kit at all practices and games.
Understand and practice the basic principles of first aid to treat minor injuries to my players; and recognize when to notify and/or defer to parents and medical authorities if circumstances are beyond my control.
Ensure injured players do not return to activity until they are cleared to do so, either by a parent or medical authority.
Support and provide a sports environment for my team that is free of drugs, tobacco and alcohol and refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
3) Respect and Sportsmanship
Remember that this is youth sports, and as a coach the game is intended for the players, not adults. As such, my desire to win shall not outweigh that of my players.
Remember, the expected role of a youth coach is to adopt a “children first” philosophy.
Treat all players, league officials, game officials, parents and spectators with dignity and respect.
Use appropriate language, in appropriate tones when interacting with players, league officials, game officials, parents and spectators.
Lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to my players and peers.
Always be gracious whether accepting victory or defeat.
Maintain a positive, helpful and supportive attitude to my peers, DYSL members and players.
Exercise my authority/influence to help control the behavior of fellow coaches, fans and spectators.
4) Education and Participation
Place the emphasis on fun, participation, and skill development.
Play all players according to the participation rules established by the games rule appendices.
Become knowledgeable of the rules of DYSL softball and teach these rules to my players.
Establish practice plans that are fun, interesting, varied, productive, challenging and aimed at improving all players’ skills within their individual abilities.
The practices/events shall be of reasonable length and intensity appropriate for the age and condition of the players.
Abide by and support the spirit of the rules of the game and discourage illegal or intentional dangerous play.
