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COACHES CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT
USA
VOLLEYBALL
USA Volleyball has adopted, in its entirety, the
United States Olympic Committee's Coaching Ethics
Code, and it is my responsibility to familiarize
myself with that document and conduct myself
according to its tenets. Failure to understand any
of the principles of these documents does not
constitute a defense for violation of its rules. The
principles outlined in this document are intended to
be clarifications or expansions on the USOC
document, and are an emphasis on the values of USAV;
this document should not be considered to be the
full scope of regulations and Ethics Codes required
of coaches. Further, where this document supersedes,
contradicts or exceeds the scope of the USOC
Coaching Ethics Code, I will adhere to the
principles and intent of the USAV Code. I recognize
that this Code of Ethics goes beyond the scope of
the law, and should be treated with the same, or
greater, respect and gravity with which I treat the
laws and standards of my community.
PRINCIPLE I - PROFESSIONAL
PRACTICES
I
pledge to maintain practices that protect the public
and advance my profession; I will:
A. Maintain responsible association with USA
Volleyball, its national programs and member
organizations.
B. Continue personal and professional growth,
remaining current on new developments in the
field
through continuing education.
C. Use my knowledge and professional association(s)
for the benefit of the people I serve.
D. Always strive to be truthful and put colleagues
or other professionals in a positive light.
E. Avoid discrimination in all of its forms.
PRINCIPLE II- COACH/ATHLETE
RELATIONSHIPS
I
pledge to maintain relationships with athletes on a
professional basis; I will:
A. Conduct all my relationships from a perspective
of dignity and sound educational and
scientific foundation to:
1. Direct comments or criticism relative to the
performance, not the athlete.
2. Ensure that all activities are suitable for the
age, experience and ability of the athletes.
3. Educate athletes as to their responsibilities
in contributing to a safe environment, and
to do my best to ensure that all facilities and
equipment meet safety standards and
that
they
are age/ability appropriate.
4. Consider the athlete's future health and well
being as foremost when making decisions
regarding an injured athlete's ability to continue
competing or training, and seek
professional
medical opinions to serve as a basis for my
decisions.
5. Be aware of academic
responsibilities; conduct practices and match
schedules in a
manner
so as not to unduly interfere with academic success.
Never encourage, condone,
or
require any behavior that threatens an athlete's
high school, USA Volleyball, collegiate
eligibility
or amateur status.
6. Comply with regulations and ethical guidelines
for recruiting practices as defined by
governing sport organizations.
7. Strive to develop individual and team respect
for the ability of opponents.
8. Prioritize being present at all practices and
competitions and, when unable to, assure
knowledgeable and safe supervision.
B. Work with and strive to develop every member of
the team.
C. Show sensitive regard for the moral, social,
religious and sexual orientations of others and
communities. I will not impose my beliefs on others.
D. Recognize the trust placed in, and the unique
power of, the coach and athlete relationship.
I will not exploit the dependency of athletes and
will avoid dual relationships (e.g., business
or
close personal relationships) which could impair my
professional judgment, compromise
the integrity of the process and/or take advantage
of the relationship for my own gain.
E. While serving in a professional capacity or as a
role model, avoid any
drug, tobacco or alcohol use while in the presence
of athletes. I will discourage by way of education
any consumption of these substances by minors and
will remain at all times within the limits of the
law with regard to legal substances. I will avoid
illegal ones entirely.
F. Not engage in physical, verbal or emotional
harassment, abusive words or actions, or
exploitative coercion of current or former
athletes. I will report any suspected cases of
abuse to the appropriate authorities immediately.
G. Recognize that all forms of sexual abuse, assault
or harassment with athletes are illegal and
unethical, even when an athlete invites or consents
to such behavior or involvement. Sexual
abuse and harassment is defined as, but not limited
to, repeated comments, gestures or physical contacts
of a sexual nature. I will report all suspected
cases of sexual assault or abuse to law enforcement
as required by law.
PRINCIPLE III -
CONFIDENTIALITY
I
will respect the integrity and protect the welfare
of all persons with whom I am
working and
pledge to safeguard information about them that has
been learned or obtained during the coaching
relationship, including performance reviews,
statistics and all personal confidences. Further, I
will obtain permission from athletes before sharing
videotape recordings or other data of them with
anyone excepting the recognized coaching staff; when
current or former athletes are referred to in a
publication, while teaching or in a public
presentation that is not laudatory, their identity
will be thoroughly disguised. The only exception to
this will be that I will not use these standards of
confidentiality to avoid intervention when it is
necessary (e.g., when there is evidence of physical
or psychological abuse of minors, or legal issues).
PRINCIPLE IV - STAFF/EMPLOYEE
RELATIONSHIPS
All relationships with employees and staff will be
maintained on a professional and confidential
basis, and I will avoid exploiting their trust and
dependency.
PRINCIPLE V - PROCESS RELATING
TO VIOLATION OF CODE
I
acknowledge that this Ethics Code is administered
under the authority of USA Volleyball or
other responsible organization and that a violation
of this Code subjects me to the processes
of USA Volleyball or other such organization
required to be provided in the event of disciplinary
action. |
