Missoula Lacrosse Club Operations Guide
Table of Contents
1.Introduction
2.Code of Conduct and Sportsmanship
3.Coaches Requirements
4.Head Coach Interview and Selection
5.Players Equipment and Uniforms
6.Medical Concerns and Injured Players
7.Practices
8.Teams
9.Refund Policy
Missoula Lacrosse Club Operations Guide
1. THE PURPOSE OF MISSOULA LACROSSE IS:
1.To foster, promote, and advance the understanding and development of the sport of lacrosse in the Missoula, Montana area.
2.To teach the game of lacrosse to the youth and adults of the Missoula area; to maintain, operate, equip, and support lacrosse players, teams, and leagues; to operate and conduct lacrosse clinics, games, athletic events, exhibitions, and recreation for the general public; to acquire, hold, operate, and dispose of any and all privileges, rights, franchises, and concessions.
3.To promote goodwill, sportsmanship, and good welfare among its members.
4.To affiliate with other lacrosse organizations for the furtherance of the corporation’s purposes.
5.To conduct fund raising projects and otherwise solicit and receive donations and funds for the accomplishment of its exempt purposes.
6.To do all and everything suitable or proper for the accomplishment of any of the exempt purposes or the attainment of any of the objects herein set forth, and to do every other act or acts, thing or things incidental or appurtenant to or growing out of or connected with the corporation.
2. COACHES, PLAYERS & ADULT CODE OF CONDUCT & SPORTSMANSHIP
All coaches, players, administrators, and adults will abide by a Code of Conduct which includes thefollowing provisions. If any of these rules are broken, MLC shall have the authority to impose a penalty.
Coaches Code of Conduct
1.Refrain from engaging in any action which reflects negatively on, or causes embarrassment to, MLC.
2.Not smoke and/or use smokeless tobacco in the vicinity of practice or game fields. Abstain from the possession and drinking of alcoholic beverages and the possession or use of any illegal substance in the vicinity of the game and practice fields.
3.Not criticize players in front of spectators, but reserve constructive criticism for later, in private, or in the presence of team members if others might benefit, without causing harm to an individual player.
4.Accept decisions of the game officials on the field as being fair and called to the best ability of said officials.
5.Not criticize an opposing team, its players, coaches, or fans by word of mouth or by gesture.
6.Strive to make every lacrosse activity serve as a training ground for life, and a basis for good mental and physical health.
7.Emphasize that winning is the result of good “teamwork”.
8.Together with team officials, be jointly responsible for the conduct and control of team fans and spectators. Any fan who becomes a nuisance and out of control will be asked to leave.
9.Not use abusive or profane language at any time.
10.Not verbally abuse anyone. Verbal abuse includes but not limited to: belittling, patronizing, blaming, harassment, invalidation, mocking, threats aimed at anyone.
11.Not recommend or distribute any medication, controlled or over the counter, except as specifically prescribed by participant’s physician.
12.Not permit an ineligible player to participate in a game.
13.Not deliberately incite or applaud unsportsmanlike conduct.
14.Remove from a game or practice any participant when even slightly in doubt about his/her health, whether or not as a result of injury, until competent medical advice is available.
15.Not physically assault anyone. The term “physical assault” includes, but is not limited to: hitting, slapping, pushing, spitting, kicking or striking in any way with any part of the body or any physical implement.
16.Uphold all rules and regulations of MLC.
Offensive Language Rule Adoption:
MLA has a defined set of consequences for individuals that use offensive language. MLC will follow these set of consequences:
1.An official shall eject from the game any player, substitute, non-playing member of a team, coach, assistant coach or anyone officially connected with a competing team or fan using a racial slur or derogatory term related to race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.
2.A coach or assistant coach ejected by an official for using a racial slur or derogatory term related to race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity shall be immediately suspended from coaching any MLA team for the remainder of the season.
3.Any player that is ejected twice in a season by an official for using a racial slur or derogatory term shall be suspended from playing in the MLA for the remainder of the season.
In the event that a racial slur or derogatory term is not heard by the official, the offended player(s) should inform their coach at the earliest possible time. At the next official time out, the coach should inform the head referee or umpire, who should in turn inform the opposing coach of the allegation. The offended player(s) and any others who heard the comments are encouraged to file a Sportsmanship Incident report with the MLA as soon as possible after the game, which gives the MLA a basis to conduct an investigation and take action as deemed appropriate.
Ejections:
MLA has a defined set of consequences for coaches that are ejected. MLC will follow these set of consequences:
A coach who is ejected from a game must leave the field immediately and is barred from coaching the next game. If a coach is ejected from a game a second time, he/she is barred from coaching any team in the MLA for the remainder of the season.
Violations
For Violation of any part of “Coaches Code of Conduct” or any other conduct deemed unacceptable by the MLC board the penalty shall be:
•First offense - One week suspension
•Second offense - Suspension for the remainder of the season
•Major offense - Minimum one year suspension
Players Code of Conduct
1.Display good sportsmanship and set a positive example at all times on and off the field.
2.Encourage my teammates at all times and put my team first ahead of my personal needs.
3.Respect your teammates, coaches, officials, and opponents at all times.
4.Accept decisions of the game officials on the field as being fair and called to the best ability of said officials.
5.Play with heart and hustle.
6.Wear the required equipment at all games and practices.
7.Come to your practices and games on time and ready to play.
8.Treat our fields and our host fields with respect.
9.Not use abusive or profane language at any time.
10.Not be disruptive or distracting at practice or games.
11.Not physically assault anyone. The term “physical assault” includes, but is not limited to: hitting, slapping, pushing, spitting, kicking or striking in any way with any part of the body or any physical implement.
12.I will “respect the game.”
Ejections:
MLA has a defined set of consequences for players that are ejected. MLC will follow these set of consequences:
The first time a player is ejected from a game he/she is barred from playing in the next game. The second time the same player is ejected from a game, he/she is barred from playing the next three games. A third ejection will result in expulsion for the remainder of the season. This rule does not apply in the case of a player’s disqualification from the current game. The disqualified player may no longer participate in the current contest. They can remain in uniform within the team box during the remainder of the game. Disqualification does not limit the player’s participation in future games.
Violations
For Violation of any part of “Player Code of Conduct” or any other conduct deemed unacceptable by the MLC board the penalty shall be:
•First offense - One week suspension
•Second offense - Suspension for the remainder of the season
•Major offense - Minimum one year suspension
Adult Code of Conduct
1.At any lacrosse event, practice or game, any adult who: verbally abuses;attempts to intimidate;is flagrantly rude, or,cannot control their language or action with an official, coach,
or volunteer will be asked to immediately leave the event. His/her child(ren) may be immediately removed from the event.
2.Any adult who physically assaults an official, coach or MLC volunteer will be banned from MLC and their child may be removed from the MLC program for one year from the date of the offense. After one year, the parent may apply for re-instatement of his or her child. If the adult commits a second offense, he or she may be banned from MLC and the child(ren) may be permanently banned from MLC.
3.Not smoke and/or use smokeless tobacco on the field. Abstain from the possession and drinking of alcoholic beverages and the possession or use of any illegal substance in the vicinity of the game and practice fields.
4.Not criticize players in front of spectators, but reserve constructive criticism for later, in private, or in the presence of team members if others might benefit.
5.Accept decisions of the game officials on the field as being fair and called to the best ability of said officials.
6.Not criticize an opposing team, its players, coaches, or fans by word of mouth or by gesture.
7.Emphasize that winning is the result of good “teamwork”.
8.Not use abusive or profane language at any time.
9.Not deliberately incite or applaud unsportsmanlike conduct.
10.Uphold all rules and regulations of MLC.
Ejections:
MLA has a defined set of consequences for adults that are ejected. MLC will follow these set of consequences:
A parent who is ejected from a game must immediately leave the field and surrounding area and will be barred from attending his/her child’s next game. If a parent is ejected from a game a second time, he/she is barred from attending her/her child’s games for the rest of the season.
Violations
For Violation of any part of “Adult Code of Conduct” or any other conduct deemed unacceptable by the MLC board the penalty shall be:
•First offense - One week suspension
•Second offense - Suspension for the remainder of the season
•Major offense - Minimum one year suspension
Line of Communications
In order to handle questions and concerns in an efficient and orderly manner, protocol has been established regarding lines of communication.
1.Parents should address the coach first at the appropriate time and place. We encourage all communication to take place before or after practice. If your concern is emotionally charged it is best to wait 24 hours and then contact the coach to set up an appropriate time to discuss your concerns.
2.Parents should address the team manager if the issue pertains to an administrative component of the club (uniforms, hotels and travel, etc.).
3.Parents should contact MLC Board President if they do not get a satisfactory resolution from the coach or manager.
Complaint against a MLC Coach, player or parent
When MLC receives a complaint about an MLC coach, parent, or player within twenty-four hours (24) the MLC Board will initiate a review process that includes:
1.Gather information and document eyewitness accounts of the event(s) that took place from interested parties involved to determine if a violation of the letter or intent of the Code of Conduct has occurred. This may include the game officials, other coaches, parents and children.
2.Meet with the coach/parent/player to address the complaint and to offer his/her side of the incident. This meeting will be documented.
3.MLC has the authority to determine the severity of the situation and whether or not the affected individual has violated the expected behaviors outlined under the Code of Conduct.
4.The President, after approval from MLC Board, has the authority to enforce the appropriate range of disciplinary actions outlined in the MLC Code of Conduct. This information will be logged in the member’s file.
3. COACH’S REQUIREMENTS
Mandatory Background Checks
MLC shall not permit any person to participate in any manner, whose background check reveals a conviction for, or guilty plea to, any crime involving or against a minor. In addition, other charges and convictions may be an indication of an unfit volunteer, and therefore MLC may prohibit any individual from participating as a volunteer if MLC deems the individual unfit to work with minors, as long as MLC applies the same criteria uniformly for ALL individuals seeking to volunteer.
MLC must require that all volunteers are screened by conducting a search of the applicable governmentoperated statewide sex offender registry for the state in which the volunteer resides and MLC must require a statewide criminal background check through the appropriate governmental agency, unless prohibited by law. MLC may also perform a multi-state search of a national database, such as rapsheet.com, as long as that database includes the sex offender registry of the state wherein the applicant resides. If a local organization becomes aware of information, by any means whatsoever, that an individual, including, but not limited to, volunteers, players and hired workers, has been convicted of or pled guilty to any crime involving or against a minor, MLC must immediately contact the applicable government agency to confirm the accuracy of the information. Upon confirmation of a conviction for, or guilty plea to, a crime against or involving a minor, MLC must prohibit the individual from participating in any manner.
First Aid
1.Even if there is a physician, registered nurse, paramedic or EMT affiliated with the team, each coach (head and assistants) of the team must be the holder of valid Red Cross certificates in community CPR and First Aid, or its equivalent, before practice starts. The P.R.E.P.A.R.E. On-line Course by the National Center for Sport Safety may be completed to satisfy the CPR and First Aid requirement.
2.A first aid kit is to be at every practice and game. MLC will provide the first aid kits.
General Regulations
1.Coaches do not make team or league policy. Rather, they carry it out. However, on the playing and practice fields, the coaching staff is in complete charge and shall not be interfered with except in cases of rules violations and any other conduct deemed by higher authority to be contrary to the welfare of youth.
2.The Head Coach will have a Parent meeting at the 1st practice to discuss their expectations for the upcoming season.
3.The Head Coach has the right to remove any player(s) from the practice or game field that is being distracting/disruptive. If severe enough, the coach will call the parent to come pick up the player(s).
4.The Head Coach shall make certain that all players are involved in practice sessions.
5.Ensure everyone gets equal playtime. However, game time play is earned at practice. The Head Coach has the discretion to give and take game time play based on attendance and behavior expectations.
6.All practices must be attended by one staff member holding a Red Cross Community CPR and First Aid Certificate, or its equivalent.
7.Coaches within MLC will set an example at all times to the players, parents and fans.
8.Each Head Coach and 1 assistant coach must be US Lacrosse level 1 certified.
9.EACH HEAD COACH AND STAFF MEMBER are expected to read and understand all stated rules in this booklet, all rules and regulations stated in the Montana Lacrosse Association and Regulations and the US Lacrosse.
4. HEAD COACHES INTEVIEW AND SELECTION
Those individuals interested in coaching for MLC will be interviewed by the board for consideration of coaching.
5. PLAYER’S EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS
The parent/guardian of a player assumes full and complete responsibility for the proper care and maintenance of all uniforms and equipment loaned by MLC to said player. All uniforms and equipment shall be used for MLC activities only and all equipment remains the legal property of MLC.
A $75 practice jersey and uniform deposit check is required at the time the uniform is handed out. A $50 rental equipment fee and a $150 rented equipment deposit check (returnable) is required upon equipment check out. MLC will cash the deposit check for any and all uniforms and/or equipment that is lost or damaged. Participants who do not return their uniforms/equipment and checks do not clear, will be refused membership for the entire family in subsequent seasons so long as the uniforms/equipment is not returned or paid for.
Full Protective Equipment Required
1.At ALL practices each player must be dressed in the full complement of protective equipment described in “Required Equipment”.
2.If helmets are to be used, ALL players must wear them or none at all.
3.The league is not responsible to provide equipment. Unless, it has been rented under the rental program.
Required Equipment
The following items shall be worn by players in all divisions beginning with physical contact in practice sessions: