JSC POLICIES
We're committed to ethical business practices and fair play. Explore our policies here and feel free to inquire with us if you have any questions.
Juneau Soccer Club Player Code of Conduct
PLAY FAIR:
Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Cheating is easy but brings no pleasure. Playing fair requires courage and character and is also more satisfying. Fair play always has its reward, even when the game is lost.
​
OBSERVE THE LAWS OF THE GAME:
All games need rules to guide them. The rules of soccer are simple and easy to learn. Make an effort to learn them so you understand the game better. This makes you a better player. It is just as important to understand the spirit of the rules. They are designed to make the game fun to play and fun to watch. By sticking to the rules, every player will enjoy the game more.
​
PLAY TO WIN:
Winning is the objective of playing any game. Never set out to lose; always put forth your best effort, whether playing in a game or training session. If you do not give your best effort, you are cheating your teammates, your opponents, and yourself. Never give up against stronger opponents, and never relent against the weaker opponents. Each time we step on the field, we are not competing against the other team; we are competing against our own best selves.
RESPECT OPPONENTS, TEAMMATES, COACHES, REFEREES, GOVERNING OFFICIALS, AND SPECTATORS:
Fair play means respect. Without opponents, there can be no game. They have the same rights as you have, including the right to be respected. You and your teammates form a team in which all members are equal. Referees are there to maintain discipline and Fair Play. Always accept their decisions without arguing and help them to help you enjoy the game more.
WIN AND LOSE WITH DIGNITY:
Nobody wins all the time. You will win some games, and you will lose others. Win and lose graciously. Always try to win, and don't seek excuses for defeat. If you win, congratulate your opponent for a good effort. If you lose, avoid passing the blame on the referee or anyone else. Congratulate your opponent with good grace and be determined to use training to improve upon your last performance.
PROMOTE THE BEST INTEREST OF JUNEAU SOCCER CLUB:
JSC is a great soccer club, but it always needs your help to improve. Think of JSC interests before your own. Consider how your actions may affect your Club, team, and yourself. Don't participate in any activity that would discredit or harm JSC or its image. Encourage your teammates, parents, and coaches to do the same. You are the ambassador for our Club.
REJECT VIOLENCE AND OTHER DANGERS THAT COULD BRING DISCREDIT TO YOURSELF AND JSC:
Any form of violence has no place in JSC or in the game of soccer. Treat all people involved in our Club and our sport equally. Conduct yourself on and off the field in a manner that promotes good sportsmanship. Don't engage in any behavior that may put our Club, your teammates, or yourself in a position of discredit or danger.
OBSERVE CLUB RULES AND GUIDELINES WHEN TRAVELING:
Traveling with your team can be very rewarding to a player, but it also has some responsibilities. Use common sense and show respect to the chaperones in charge of your care, including team curfews and other travel rules. Observe local ordinances and respect guest houses, rental accommodations, and hotel property and their guests. Club hotel rules such as opposite gender guests must be strictly observed, and failure to understand and follow the rules may result in loss of privileges and/or suspension.
Juneau Soccer Club Parental Code of Conduct
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN RULE:
Always treat others (coaches, parents, officials, and players) the same way that you would want you and your child to be treated. Set the example by showing respect, dignity, and total sportsmanship at all times. Avoid profanity, especially when players or younger family members of players are present on the sidelines or at designated team events.
ACT YOUR AGE:
Youth soccer is for the kids. If you find yourself becoming too emotionally involved in what’s happening on the field, take a step back and relax. Remember, your childhood is over. Give the young players the freedom to enjoy themselves without pressure.
BE RESPONSIBLE:
Get your kids to practice and games on time. Make sure they have their uniform, shin guards, soccer cleats and water bottle, and are well rested. Help them eat and drink right before, during and after the game. Make every effort to avoid sleepovers and other activities the night before a game.
BE SEEN, NOT HEARD:
Nothing is better for a young player than having their parents on hand to watch them play. And nothing is worse for a player than hearing a parent booing, taunting, screaming or making comments at, or about, players, coaches, fans or officials (that includes your own team as well as your opponent). Offer applause and cheers of encouragement for both teams following a good play or a great effort, otherwise keep quiet.
IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN:
So help make it that way. Keep smiling, and encourage enjoyment and participation over results. If it’s not fun, something’s wrong, and your player will lose their passion and interest in the sport.
MOTIVATE THROUGH CONFIDENCE:
Try and identify a positive from every game or practice to help build confidence. A young player’s sense of achievement is the greatest motivator.
DON’T QUESTION AN OFFICIAL’S CALL:
You may not agree with a call, but it’s not your job (or the players or coaches either) to officiate the game. Never should an official’s call be argued by a spectator. Accept the call and move on, while staying positive.
USE THE “24-HOUR RULE” IF YOU MUST TALK WITH THE COACH:
Wait until the next day if you have an issue to discuss about how the coach is running the team. Let the heat of the moment pass. Encourage your player to talk with the coach about playing time and their role on the team. Never make a scene in front of the team as it’s embarrassing for you, your children and the coach; and chances are nothing will get resolved in that environment.
PUT WINNING AND LOSING IN PERSPECTIVE:
Games have winners and losers. Keep reminding your child about this reality and the need to deal with both outcomes. Young players should avoid getting too cocky when they win and too upset when they lose. Overcoming adversity is required in life and in sports, so focus on how your player can respond to adversity instead of complaining.
AVOID THE POST GAME ANALYSIS:
Don’t analyze your player’s performance following every game. If you do, chances are they will avoid talking to you at all after games, or worse yet, not want you at the games at all. Let your children come to you for advice rather than offering unsolicited criticism. It will have more of an impact than you going to them.
LET THE COACH PERFORM HIS/HER JOB:
The Club has empowered each coach to make the coaching decisions regarding playing time and positions with the entire team in mind. This means that your son/daughter may not always play in their favorite position or in the parent’s preferred rotation. Presume that your coaching staff is making the best possible decisions on behalf of the entire team. Playing time is earned on the field and is subject to the coach’s discretion. Parents are welcome to discuss any and all issues regarding the team with the coach, but should not try to influence the coach’s decision.
FOLLOW TEAM AND CLUB RULES:
Travel and tournaments are important times for team bonding, and may have certain rules for all to abide. Make sure that you and your player know the rules for your team and for the club. Team and club rules will be enforced, and parents are expected to know those rules. Players will need to follow the rules even if parents are not present on a trip. Failure to respect the rules might be grounds for suspension of the player, and the player might have to be sent home at the expense of the parents.
PAY YOUR CLUB FEE(S):
The Club is a non-profit organization that operates with very little funds in cash reserves. Juneau Soccer Club 2023-12-04 Team and club expenses must be paid by all members in a timely fashion in order for the club and team to function. If families fall behind on payments to the club or team, the privilege of playing with teammates may be suspended until financial obligations are fulfilled and balances are paid.
Guest Playing / Playing Up or Down
Guest Playing and Playing Up or Down Policy
​
1 – Playing Up Request
​
Request to play up (in an older age group) will only be considered if the player does not have a team in his age and/or their skills far exceed the skills of the most skilled players in their age group. This player must be deemed mature enough; must possess an exceptional ability to play, as well as an understanding of the game. Requests to play up shall be sent to the technical director juneausocceerush@gmail.com. The technical director will provide a basis for approving or declining the request.
2 – Playing Down Request
​
Requests to play down (in a younger age group) are strongly discouraged but could be given some consideration as long as it is not based on the desire to be with friends. Requests to play down shall be sent to the technical director juneausocceerush@gmail.com. The technical director will provide a basis for approving or declining the request.
Guest Playing Policy
1 – Inter Club Guest Playing
​
As a member of Alaska Youth Soccer, JSC members can guest play with other clubs affiliated with Alaska Youth Soccer or US Youth Soccer. However, JSC has been working to provide competitive opportunities to its members. A part of that effort is encouraging players to compete in JSC’s local tournaments and to travel with their JSC age-level travel team. Guest playing is an additional benefit and is strongly encouraged as long as: 1) the player has participated in JSC events and, 2) the guest playing opportunity doesn’t conflict with JSC events.
Consistent with Alaska Youth Soccer Policy No. AYSA5182014, all guest playing requests must be handled through the club's technical directors. In addition, Juneau Soccer Club members planning to attend a practice or a non-competitive event must send a request to the technical director for approval juneausocceerush@gmail.com. This excludes attending a soccer camp.
2 – Intra Club Guest Playing
​
JSC strives to maximize travel and competitive opportunities. To achieve this, we will do our best to make sure we have a travel team in every gender and age group. Age group players are required to play with their team. Whenever we are unable to put a travel team together, we will combine age groups and look into inviting guest players from younger JSC teams. Coaches must send a request to the technical director for approval.