Louisiana Flag Football Code of Conduct & Game-Day Expectations

Louisiana Flag Football is committed to providing a safe, organized, competitive, and family-friendly environment for every player, coach, referee, parent, and spectator.

By participating in or attending any Louisiana Flag Football event, all players, coaches, parents, spectators, and guests agree to follow this Code of Conduct.

Our standard is simple: support the kids, respect the game, respect the officials, and help create a positive environment for every family.

For Players

Players are expected to represent themselves, their team, and Louisiana Flag Football with effort, respect, and sportsmanship.

Players must:

• Respect teammates, coaches, opponents, referees, league staff, and spectators

• Listen to coaches and follow team instructions

• Give strong effort during practices and games

• Compete with a positive attitude, win or lose

• Avoid taunting, trash-talking, fighting, or disrespectful behavior

• Follow all league rules and safety guidelines

• Wear required safety equipment, including a mouthpiece

• Play safely and avoid actions that could injure another player

• Accept referee decisions and move on to the next play

Players who repeatedly display poor sportsmanship or unsafe behavior may be removed from a game, suspended, or subject to further league discipline.

For Coaches

Coaches are leaders in Louisiana Flag Football. They are expected to set the standard for their players, parents, and sidelines.

Coaches must:

• Lead by example at all times

• Promote sportsmanship, discipline, integrity, and respect

• Focus on player development, teamwork, and a positive experience

• Communicate clearly with parents about practices, schedules, expectations, and team updates

• Treat players fairly and provide meaningful opportunities for participation

• Follow league rules, game-day procedures, and referee instructions

• Respect referees and avoid arguing, yelling, or creating confrontations

• Manage their sideline and help keep parents and spectators under control

• Prioritize player safety at all times

• Represent Louisiana Flag Football professionally

Coaches may not publicly criticize players, parents, referees, league staff, or opposing teams.

If a coach has a concern, it should be handled calmly through the appropriate league communication channels, not during live game action.

For Parents and Spectators

Parents and spectators play a major role in the game-day environment. Louisiana Flag Football expects every adult to help keep the atmosphere positive, respectful, and focused on the kids.

Parents and spectators must:

• Cheer positively for players

• Encourage good sportsmanship

• Respect coaches, referees, league staff, opposing teams, and other families

• Avoid yelling at referees, players, coaches, or league staff

• Avoid negative comments, taunting, booing, or inappropriate language

• Refrain from coaching players from the sideline during games

• Stay in approved spectator areas

• Keep off the field and out of team areas unless approved by league staff

• Follow all facility, admission, and field-access rules

• Help keep the facility clean

• Ensure any guests they bring also follow this Code of Conduct

Parents should allow coaches to coach, referees to officiate, and players to play.

Concerns should be addressed respectfully through the proper league channels, not during games or in a way that disrupts the event.

Respect for Referees and League Staff

Referees and league staff are essential to creating an organized and safe game-day environment.

The following behavior is not allowed:

• Yelling at referees

• Following referees after a game

• Threatening, intimidating, or confronting referees

• Arguing calls repeatedly

• Using profanity toward officials or staff

• Entering the field to dispute a call

• Encouraging players or spectators to disrespect officials

Referee decisions are part of the game. Disagreements must be handled calmly and through the appropriate league process.

Any adult who threatens, intimidates, or aggressively confronts a referee or staff member may be removed from the facility and subject to suspension or permanent removal from Louisiana Flag Football events.

Field Access and Sideline Rules

For player safety and game organization, only approved individuals may be on the team sideline or field area.

Approved field-access individuals may include:

• Players

• Approved head coaches

• Approved assistant coaches

• Referees

• League staff

• Approved media or medical personnel

Parents, spectators, and unauthorized individuals may not enter the field, team bench area, referee area, or restricted spaces unless approved by league staff or needed for an emergency.

Failure to follow field-access rules may result in removal from the game site.

Substance-Free Events

All Louisiana Flag Football games, practices, and league events are substance-free youth sports environments.

The following are prohibited at league events:

• Alcohol

• Illegal drugs

• Tobacco products

• Vaping products

• Any behavior caused by impairment that creates a disruption or safety concern

Anyone violating this policy may be removed from the facility.

Facility and Equipment Respect

All participants and spectators are expected to respect the facilities, equipment, and property used by Louisiana Flag Football.

This includes:

• Throwing away trash

• Respecting fields, restrooms, parking areas, and common spaces

• Not damaging league equipment

• Not moving league equipment without permission

• Following facility rules

• Leaving the facility in good condition

Families, coaches, and teams may be held responsible for damage caused by intentional or reckless behavior.

Inclusivity and Respect for Others

Louisiana Flag Football is committed to creating a welcoming environment for all participants.

Discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation, or disrespectful behavior toward any player, coach, referee, staff member, parent, or spectator will not be tolerated.

All participants should be treated with respect regardless of background, ability, experience level, school, team, or community.

Social Media and Public Conduct

Participants, coaches, parents, and spectators are expected to represent Louisiana Flag Football respectfully online and in public.

The following behavior is not acceptable:

• Publicly attacking players, coaches, referees, league staff, or other families

• Posting threats, insults, or harassment

• Sharing private team or family information

• Posting misleading or harmful comments about league issues before allowing the league to address them properly

Concerns should be handled directly and respectfully with league leadership.

Disciplinary Action

Louisiana Flag Football reserves the right to take disciplinary action when this Code of Conduct is violated.

Depending on the severity of the situation, disciplinary action may include:

• Verbal warning

• Written warning

• Removal from the game site

• Suspension from future games or events

• Loss of coaching privileges

• Removal from the team or league

• Permanent ban from Louisiana Flag Football events

Serious violations may result in immediate removal without prior warning.

Serious violations include, but are not limited to:

• Fighting

• Threats

• Physical aggression

• Harassment

• Intimidation

• Entering the field to confront a referee, coach, player, or staff member

• Repeated disruptive behavior

• Unsafe conduct

• Discrimination or bullying

• Refusal to follow league staff instructions

Louisiana Flag Football’s priority is the safety, organization, and experience of the players.

Final Acknowledgment

By participating in or attending Louisiana Flag Football events, all players, coaches, parents, spectators, and guests agree to follow this Code of Conduct.

Our league works best when everyone does their part.

Support the kids. Respect the game. Respect each other.

Louisiana Flag Football
Where Louisiana Plays.