CYPRESS YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

CYPRESS POP WARNER

REQUIREMENTS FOR COACHES

The Cypress Youth Athletic Association is part of the Orange Empire Conference (local) and Pop Warner Football (national).  Any coach, staff or board member must adhere to all rules and By-Laws set forth by the Cypress Youth Athletic Association as well as those of OEC and Pop Warner.

• NEW REQUIREMENT! New Coaches as of the 2010 season must complete a football training program through Pop Warner. http://www.popwarner.com/football/coachingclinics.asp?lable=coaching 
• Coaches must uphold all rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and decisions of Pop Warner Football, whether at the National, Conference, or Local level.
• Coaches must understand that they do not make policy; they carry it out as directed by the local program Board of Directors.
• Coaches are required to implement the goals and philosophy of Pop Warner Football. Coaches must attend all mandatory clinics and/or meetings.
• Coaches along with league officials must control their fans.   Any fan who is a nuisance and out of control will be ejected from the area adjacent to the playing/practice field.  If coaches refuse to help League officials with fan removal they will be suspended.
• Coaches are required to accept the decisions of the game officials on the field and in competitions as being fair and “called” to the best ability of said officials.
• Coaches must never criticize a player or cheerleader in front of spectators, but reserve comments for a later time in private.
• Coaches must never criticize an opposing team, its players, coaches, or fan by word of mouth or by gesture.
• Coaches are required to be sportsmanlike at all times.
• Coaches are required to teach the basics of football to all children on your own team as well as other teams.
• Coaches are not allowed to use abusive or profane language at ANY TIME!!!
• Coaches are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages or smoke on the practice or playing field at any time.
• Coaches must emphasize that good athletes strive to be good students and that both are physically and mentally alert.
• Coaches must not permit an ineligible player to participate in a game.
• Coaches must keep the children free from the burden of a “win-at-any-cost” environment.
• Coaches must be responsible for reading, understanding, and enforcing the following:
  • The Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. Official Rules (National Rule Book)
  • The Orange Empire Conference, Inc. (OEC) rules
  • The Cypress Youth Athletic Association By Laws
• Head Coaches are responsible for the entire team operation to include cheerleaders and staff.  The head coach should consult with the Athletic Director regarding player disciplinary action and with the Cheer Coordinator regarding cheer or cheer staff disciplinary action.  Any actions may be appealed to the Board of Directors and further to the Board of Presidents, Orange Empire Conference in writing.  Decisions of Orange Empire Conference are final.
• Head coaches must be responsible for both Players and Cheerleaders.   A Head Coach is responsible for both the Football and the Cheerleading programs for his team.
• Head coaches must be responsible for not only the “Coaching” aspects of the team, but also for the “Management.”  This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
  • Training players in the game of football
  • Creating and managing a “Team” budget
  • Obtaining required team staff
  • Ensuring the proper operation of the Cheer Coaching staff
  • Ensure that fundraisers are meeting budgetary goals
  • Ensure that team staff follow proper procedures

Additionally, board meetings should be attended by the Head Coach or designated representative.  The Head Coach starting in July and ending in December must attend at least one (1) Board Meeting each month.  So much information is generated at some Board Meetings that it is imperative that Head Coaches attend.  “I didn’t know!!” is not a legitimate defense in the event of disciplinary proceedings for failing to follow a Board Directive:  but, primarily we want and need your input.

There will be a maximum of ten (10) Staff Members allowed on the field.  Field Staff may consist of:  Assistant Coaches, Coach Trainees, Business Manager, trainer (or medical card holder), and Equipment Managers.  Additional staff may include Team Mother(s), Cheer Instructor(s), Assistant Cheer Instructors, a Cheer Mom, and a maximum of one (1) Assistant Cheer Mom for every  twelve (12) girls.  A staff roster must be submitted no later than end of the second week of practice for approval of the Board of Directors.  This roster must be updated as changes are made.

Alcohol at ANY game and/or practice field is strictly prohibited.  It is the responsibility of each Head Coach to enforce—refer to your notebook for exact wording of this restriction.  In addition, you are reminded that these are young minds that we are trying to teach and they will look to you and your staff as role models.  Try to take this into consideration when you are having team pizza parties and banquets.

Each team will be responsible to provide four (4) assistants over the age of 18 on designated dates during day practices, on Saturdays seven (7) assistants at Oak Knoll Park.  Failure to provide the required help will result in an assessment to your team of $25 per person.  Repeated failure to provide help will result in the suspension of the Head Coach for one week of   practice and one game plus assessment.  All coaches are responsible for working exhibition!!

Please ask your parents, players, and cheerleaders to make an effort to throw their litter in the trash cans which are conveniently provided throughout the park on practice nights and game days.  The team scheduled for the first game of the day is responsible for field setup.  The team with the last game of the day is responsible for field take down and cleanup.  “The Field Director or other responsible Board Member may assess a fine for non-compliance.”

If there is a valid complaint (judgment calls do not qualify) against any official, you must advise the President, Athletic Director, or other designated board member immediately following the game (we must notify OEC ASAP) and follow up in writing within 24 hours.  This notification must be followed for other protests and complaints as well.  “Under no circumstances will a Head Coach, member of his staff, or parent confront referees in an aggressive manner.”  If the complaint is involving safety, make every effort to contact the Athletic Director or President immediately.  If it is imminently dangerous, you may remove your team from the field.  This is the only circumstance where you will be allowed to do so.  Secure any game films for subsequent hearings.

OEC RULES

1.  Mandatory Play Rule:  While it is recommended that every player be used to the maximum in learning to play the game of football, OEC requires that each player have a mandatory play rule (see OEC).   Kick-off returns, and P.A.T.s do not count toward the MPR.
2. Notification of Discipline/Injury:  Association Presidents (or the Athletic Director) shall be notified prior to that week’s game of all players who shall not play due to disciplinary action or injury.
3. layer Administrator:  Each team shall have one staff member designated as the Player Administrator.  He/she shall be authorized to enforce the Mandatory play rule.
4. Run-up Scores:  Be sure to thoroughly read page 5 of the OEC playing rules for procedures and penalties to avoid running up scores.
5. Team Coordination:  Both Head Coaches shall be responsible for contact between the two teams prior to Wednesday of each game week to verify time, place, and jersey color.  If contact cannot be made or there is conflict both Head Coaches must contact a Commissioner at NUMBERS LISTED IN OEC PLAYING RULES and it is recommended that they notify the President.
6. Weigh-ins:  Weigh-ins shall begin at least 1/2 hour before game time.  A copy of your team certified roster and a properly filled out MPR form must be ready at this time.  The weigh master may check contracts with pictures attached.  “If you don’t have them you will forfeit the game.”
7. Equipment:  Any equipment changes after weigh-ins will cause the player to be reweighed.  Any equipment change after kick-off, without the approval of the weigh master shall cause the player involved and the Head Coach/coaches to be ejected.
8. Leaving the Field:  After weigh-ins is completed, no player will leave the playing area without a representative of the opposing team, a commissioner, or a local board member.  “Please have your players go to the restroom before weigh-ins.”
9. Conditioning of Added Players:  All players must participate twenty (20) hours of conditioning prior to take part in any contact.  This includes players added after the first day of practice.
10. Photographs and Contracts:  At certification, a photograph, no older than 12 months, shall be permanently taped to the back of the contract carried by the team at all times.  The tape shall be of such construction that tampering will be evident.
11. Medical Cards:  All teams must have a representative with a valid Red Cross Multi-Media card or its equivalent before they may practice or play any games.
12. Player Removed from Game:  If a player is removed from a game, the President or Athletic Director must be contacted no later than Saturday night.  The President is required to notify OEC by noon on Sunday.
13. Mighty Mites:  Mighty Mite teams may not participate in Post Season Games or Championships.