All players who are members of the Spokane Shadow understand playing premier soccer demands tremendous commitment and dedication to the game and their team. Likewise, parents make great commitment and sacrifice for their sons/daughters to play with the team. Playing for the Shadow is a privilege. As Shadow players and parents, we understand and agree to the following policies:

Player Responsibilities
All players will treat officials and opponents with dignity and respect.
•    All players, regardless of ability and/or playing time are equal members of the team. Each and every player will treat all teammates with acceptance, respect, and friendship.
•    All players will provide maximum effort in training sessions and games.
•    All players must wear club specified training gear and sweats (once available) to all training sessions or they will be asked to sit out.
•    All players may only wear Nike game uniform, pre-game training t-shirts and Nike club sweats at games (NO SCHOOL SWEATS, TOURNAMENT SWEATSHIRTS, and NON CLUB NIKE OR OTHER BRAND GEAR ETC.) or they will not be allowed to play.
•    Attendance at all practices and games is mandatory. While injured players may be unable to play, they are still expected to arrive on time, listen to instructions, encourage teammates and assist the team.
•    In rare situations, players may be excused from games and/or practices. When this occurs, players are responsible for informing the coach, in writing, at the earliest possible time. The only exceptions are:
     a. In crisis situations, when written excuses are not possible players are still responsible for verbally informing the coach prior to the event.
     b. In emergency situations when prior contact is not possible, the coach will be contacted at the earliest possible time following the game or practice.
•    When players miss practices and/or games, playing time in future game(s) may be affected.
•    Unexcused absences are absences in which the coach was not informed in the manner described above and/or the reason for the absence is not satisfactory. An unexcused absence from a practice and/or game may result in the suspension of the player from the next game in which the player is eligible to play.
•    Players are to be on time for games and practices. Tardiness may affect playing time in games. Chronic lateness may result in suspension of the player.
•    If a player is asked to participate in any competition as a guest player for a different team, they are responsible for communicating the opportunity to their Shadow coach. In addition, the player must provide their Shadow coaches contact information to the coach of the outside team. Then, request that coach to make official contact via phone to their Shadow coach asking permission for the player to participate as a professional courtesy.
•    While close friendships are natural on teams, all players have a responsibility to make sure all other teammates are accepted and included, both on and off the field.
•    Players are to treat coaches with honesty, dignity and respect at all times. They are to abide by coaching decisions and rules. Players accept the fact that coaches have responsibility for directing, correcting and guiding players in all Shadow activities.
•    Players are expected to directly seek understanding and resolution when questions or problems arise with coaches or teammates.
•    Players will conduct their personal lives in a manner that brings honor to themselves and the team. This includes school performance, self-respect, healthy behaviors and social responsibility.

Parent Responsibilities
•    Parents will treat players, coaches, opponents, and officials with respect and dignity.
•    All comments by parents and their guests from the sidelines will be encouraging and/or complimentary. Parents and guests will refrain from making comments about players mistakes or errors.
•    Parents will refrain from making derogatory comments to referees at any time.
•    Coaching at the soccer field is to be done only by coaches. Parents agree to refrain from coaching or directing their child or other players during all game and practice activities. No parents are allowed in the bench area (prior, during or after the game until the players are dismissed) once the coach has convened the team in preparation for the game. If a parent wants to direct and/or coach his/her child, this is to be done after games and away from the field of play.
•    Parents will discuss player and/or team concerns and problems directly with the head coach with their child present.
•    Parents will support (and if necessary, assist) their children to meet their responsibilities as outlined in this document.
•    Parents will support coaches and encourage their athlete to do the same.

Coaches Responsibilities
•    Coaches are responsible to abide by the rules of conduct embodied in the spirit of this document.
•    Coaches will balance individual growth, social development, and the acquisition of soccer knowledge and skills in working with individual players and the team as a whole.
•    Coaches will train players to play with good sportsmanship and to abide by the Laws of the Game. Success comes from the pursuit of working to be better and that is what coaches will strive to do.
•    Coaches will promote a positive atmosphere in all Shadow activities.
•    Coaches will devote the time and skill necessary for the good of the team.
•    Coaches will treat players, parents, officials and opponents with respect.

Coaching Roles
•    The Head Coach is responsible for the following:
a.    Organizing, convening and directing team training sessions and games.
b.    Supervising the team, and setting rules (e.g. curfew, meals, and team meetings)
during travel.
c.    Mentoring and disciplining players and directing player behavior.
d.    Coordinating with the team manager.
e.    Communicating and collaborating with other Shadow personnel.
f.    Mediating concerns and problems with players and/or parents.
g.    Other responsibilities as necessary. FIFA’s Code of Conduct
    1. Play to win
    2.    Play fair
    3.    Observe the Laws of the Game
    4.    Respect Opponents, Teammates, Referees, Officials and Spectators
    5.    Accept Defeat with Dignity
    6.    Promote the best interest of Soccer
    7.    Reject Corruption, Drugs, Racism and Violence