How to Write a Code of Conduct for Teamwork
One of the most important aspects of a coach or athletic director's role is to establish and maintain a consistent code of conduct for the players. An unspoken code of conduct will develop early and may need to be changed to align with the purpose of the team.
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Instructions
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Create a list of the behaviors that you would like your players to exemplify on and off the field of play.
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Draft a separate list of behaviors that you would desire your players to refrain from doing, both on and off the field.
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Consult the rulebook of your sport's governing body and be sure to add any appropriate rules or behaviors to your lists. If you need to modify the rules of your sport due to the ages or sizes of your players, also consult with Modifications of Team Sports Rules at the Education Resources Information Center. (See Resources.)
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Combine the lists to create a single list. Put the actions in the first-person voice for the player.
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Add an explanation of rewards and consequences for following or disobeying the rules of the code of conduct. Explain that behaviors that fall outside the code of conduct are still up to the coach's discretion on how to proceed.
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Type a blank line at the bottom of the document for the player to sign his name, along with the date. You may wish to add a line for yourself or whomever the enforcer of the code of conduct will be.
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Print enough copies for yourself, each player and his parents, if applicable. This will help with reinforcing the code of conduct.
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Tips & Warnings
The more detailed your rules and consequences are, the less room there will be for interpretation and argument.
The code of conduct is only as powerful as its enforcement. If the code is broken and the consequence is not enforced, it will cease to serve its purpose. With that in mind, only list consequences that you are willing to enforce.
