To: All State Associations
From: Esse Baharmast, Director of Officials, USSF

Rules of Conduct for Coaches: There are, unfortunately, continuing incidents of coaches treating referees with something other than respect. What is a coach allowed and not allowed to say? Where does the drive for competitive advantage cross the line? What can/should a referee do to deal with poor conduct from the bench or spectators?

Here's what the CYSA Rules of Play say, "Coaching from the sidelines, giving directions to one's own team ... is permitted provided:

No mechanical devices are used.
The tone of voice is informative, and not a harangue.
The coach stays within the bench area.
No coach , substitute, player, or spectator is to make derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other players, substitutes, or spectators.
No coach, substitute, or player is to use profanity.
No coach, substitute, player, or spectator is to incite, in any manner, disruptive behavior of any kind.
The penalty for the above shall be ejection from the game....."

If a coach violates these rules of conduct, the referee should warn the coach. If they [sic] persist, then the coach should be cautioned or sent off. If they [sic] refuse to leave, the match should be abandoned. If spectators violate these rules, it is the coach's responsibility to enforce them. If the coach refuses, the coach should be cautioned or sent off. If the coach is unable to control their spectators, the match should be abandoned. If you, as a referee feel threatened or assaulted, abandon the match and call 911. It is a crime to threaten or assault a sports official. It doesn't happen very often. When it does, it should be taken very seriously. It is NOT part of the game. Referees should not be overly sensitive to what spectators or coaches say to us. We should not, however, feel powerless to act against abusive, insulting, or disruptive behavior at games. Know the rules and apply them - for the good of the game.

Referee Conduct for Referees: It is also unfortunate that referees don't always behave in a professional, respectful manner to coaches, players, and spectators. When you enter the field as a sports official, your behavior and attitude should be exemplary. No matter how much "abusive, insulting, or disruptive" behavior you see from coaches, players, or spectators, YOU should treat them in a respectful manner. Don't bring your bad day at school or work onto the field with you. Whenever a referee loses their [sic] temper, insults a player, or badmouths a coach or spectator - it destroys their [sic] stature and authority on the field. And, that loss carries over to how other referees are viewed and treated. If you can't lose that chip off your shoulder or put your personal troubles off to the side, then don't go to the game - for the good of the game.