AFL & NFL FLAG CODE OF CONDUCT
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Alliance Flag League values sportsmanship, fair play, skill development, and mutual respect among all players, coaches, officials, and spectators. This Code of Conduct has been established and adopted to ensure the guiding principles of the AFL are understood and met by all individuals associated with this organization. This Code of Conduct applies to all sports and activities associated with AFL. These activities include, but are not limited to, signup sessions, drafts, practices, combines, AFL sponsored games, and any activities, attended under the AFL/ NFL banner. The Code of Conduct for coaches, players, parents, volunteers, and spectators will be thoroughly discussed at the coaches meeting and parent zoom meeting. In addition, this Code of Conduct, Offensive Actions, and Disciplinary Procedures will always be available on the website for review.

The following codes of conduct will be strictly enforced:

Players Code of Conduct
Each player will ensure that his/her playing conduct is that of a young lady or gentleman fairly competing to the limit of his/her ability. To satisfactorily meet these responsibilities, all players are expected to have the following attitude:
1. I will treat all players, coaches, umpires, parents, and spectators with dignity and respect, as I would like to be treated, using appropriate language in appropriate tones when interacting with them.
2. I will arrive on time for practices, meetings, and games.
3. I will seek to become the best athlete I can be by practicing with a purpose, trying my hardest on the field, and concentrating on the play of the game. I will learn to take correction as a compliment.
4. I will win and lose graciously, demonstrating good sportsmanship throughout games and practices.
5. I will be honest and take responsibility for my actions and results.
6. I will not use any form of intimidation or bullying against another player, coach or umpire.
7. I will play for the team, not myself.
8. I will support my teammates and have a positive impact on my team.
9. I will encourage and assist my teammates, giving encouragement and support in success and struggle.
10. I will learn the rules of the game, so that I may understand and appreciate why certain situations take place.
11. I will be courteous and listen during practice time devotionals and halftime talks.
12. I will be respectful of the field, bathrooms, and facilities by no littering, destruction, or any other cause of the damage not mentioned. Leave in the same if not better condition than you found it.
13. I will respect the integrity and judgment of the game officials, understand that they are doing their best to help promote the youth athletes, and admire their willingness to participate in the full view of the public.
14. I will recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team.

Coaches Code of Conduct
The Head Coach will be provided with copies of the Code of Conduct before the start of the season. Each Head Coach is responsible to see that their assistant coaches, players, and spectators abide by the respective Code of Conduct. It is also the coach’s responsibility to review the Codes of Conduct with their assistant coaches, parents, and players. All coaches will ensure that his/her conduct is that of a responsible adult fairly competing to the limit of his/her ability. To satisfactorily meet these responsibilities, the coach is expected to:
1. Be a positive role model for the athletes you coach.
2. Respect the talent, developmental stage, and goals of each athlete.
3. Focus on player development by dedicating practice time every practice toward the fundamentals.
4. Know the rules and abide by them.
5. Be respectful of the field, bathrooms, and facilities by no littering, destruction, or any other cause of the damage not mentioned. Leave in the same if not better condition than you found it.
6. Instruct players in the rules and coach his/her team in such a way as to motivate each player to always compete according to the rules.
7. Place the emotional and physical well-being of the players ahead of any personal desire to win for both his/her team and that of the opponent as well.
8. Respect the game officials and refrain from questioning their decisions in a disrespectful or abusive manner.
9. Ensure that all rules and regulations are followed by the players.
10. Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team both during the play of the game and at its conclusion, win or lose.
11. Teach each player, especially through personal example, to be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat.
12. Maintain control of emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and humiliating.
13. Realize, accept, and practice the principle that a team’s/league’s reputation is built not only on its playing ability, but also on its sportsmanship, courtesy, and manner.

Offensive & Disciplinary Actions
Any individual violating the Code of Conduct set forth above shall be subject to penalties and sanctions as outlined in the Disciplinary Procedures below. In addition to conforming to the Code of Conduct requirements above, the following actions are specifically prohibited:
1. Refusing to abide by an official’s decision.
2. Verbally abusing or assaulting any player, coach, official, parent, spectator, or AFL volunteer staff.
3. Physically assaulting, abusing, or threatening any player, coach, official, parent, spectator, or AFL volunteer staff.
4. Stalking, tailing, or attempting to intimidate any player, coach, official, parent, spectator, or AFL volunteer staff.
5. Engaging in any other type of violent behavior, such as throwing equipment or other objects.
6. Engaging in any lewd or sexual behavior, physically abusing a player, or engaging in any inappropriate physical contact with a player.
7. Using or under the influence of drugs or alcohol while coaching, attending, or participating in any AFL sport event.

Disciplinary actions for offenses:
• 1st Offense - Verbal Warning
• 2nd Offense - Removed from the game (If spectator, parent or guardian is removed athlete can finish game. Removed party must leave field of play)
• 3rd Offense - Removed from the league for the remainder of the season 
The steps the AFL takes will depend on severity. The AFL reserves the right to jump to any step they deem necessary for offense committed. AFL brand as well as the NFL brand does not tolerate detrimental situations. Zero Tolerance Policy is in effect to maintain a high standard of NFL Flag Official Leagues.

Additional Information
• If a coach or parent is expelled from the league, any child associated with that person is also expelled from the league.
• If a player is suspended from the AFL, they cannot participate in AFL for the duration of their suspension.
• If they are currently on a team, they will be removed from that team.
• There are no refunds as a result of any person being removed from the league.