Columbus United Soccer Club

United Policies

Policy on Playing Up

Approved by the Columbus United Advisory Group Oct. 2010.

It is typically permissible for a player to play up one age group—for example from a 2002 team to a 2001 team. However, the parent/guardian can not ask or demand that their player do so. The coach, in consultation with the DOC, makes the decision of whether a player can play in an older age group.

It is typically permissible for a player to play up two age groups—for example from a 2003 to a 2001 team. However, the parent/guardian can not ask or demand that their player do so. The coach, in consultation with the DOC, makes the decision of whether a player can play in an older age group. Playing up two age groups should only be done when a player is both physically and technically ahead of the other players in their birth year. It should only be undertaken in very special situations. In general it should not be undertaken if the player has a team in their age group that provides player development opportunities for the player.

The decision to “play up” should only be based around the needs and ability of the player. It will not be allowed to avoid a particular coach, team, or other player. It will not be allowed purely to help a team fill its roster.

Playing up three age groups is not allowed.

Coaching Assignments

The Director of Coaching is responsible for selection of all coaches, both head and assistant, and assignment of coaches to teams. Head coaches once assigned to a team may recommend an assistant to the DOC. The DOC is responsible for monitoring and evaluating coaching performance through the year. Based on that evaluation coaches may be removed from positions or denied positions in the future at the discretion of the DOC. Having served as a coach of a team in the past is not a guarantee of coaching that team in the future. All coaching assignments are on a single season basis.

CSO/ Columbus United Guest Player Policy

The following policy covers players registered with CSO/Columbus United teams (including Columbus Crew). Guest playing is not allowed for any recreational player other than players registered with Crew.

CSO/CU players may guest play on another team provided the following criteria is met.

1. The guest play opportunity does not conflict with a scheduled match or commitment with their CSO team.

2. The player/family of the player that is going to be guest playing on a non-CSO team or a team within CSO makes a request to their team coach to be allowed to guest play.

3. The CSO coach and/manager (depending on team structure) receives the request to guest play a minimum of 72 hours before the first day of the event.

4. The CSO coach approves the request. The coach sends the request and the note of approval to the DOC within 48 hours before the first day of the event.

5. The DOC approves the request.

6. Under no circumstances may a CSO guest player play with or be placed on more than one roster for any event.

CSO/Columbus United Teams Requesting Guest Players Policy

The following policy covers players that may be asked to guest play with a CSO/Columbus United teams (including Columbus Crew). CSO recreational teams are not allowed to have guest players.

1. The CSO team (coach/manager) making the request must be fully appraised of the guest player policy of the team/club from which they are requesting the guest player. The CSO team must fully abide by the rules, guidelines, etc. of the team/club.

2. The CSO team requesting an outside guest player must make the DOC aware of the request when it is made. The DOC must approve the request.

3. If the player(s) accept the opportunity to guest play the DOC must be alerted to the specifics (player name, home organization, event, etc) at least 48 hours in advance of the first day of the event.

4. Under no circumstances may a guest player with a CSO team play with or be rostered with another team for the same event.

5. Guest players with CSO may only be asked to pay a event cost equal to that paid by other CSO rostered members of that team. Under no situation may a player be asked to pay additional money to guest play with a CSO team.

6. If requesting guest players from within CSO the coach/manager must abide by the CSO guest player policy.

7. A CSO team may not request guest players if that request means that a CSO registered player would be replaced in any manner and would not be able to play at an event.

Dispute Resolution Policy

Approved by Columbus United Advisory Group Oct. 2010, Updated CSO Board July 2018

Players or parents who have a substantive dispute with a coach, assistant coach, manager, or other team official (hereafter referred to as “coach”) should follow the following dispute resolution protocol.

1. The individual should first approach the coach and clearly and politely express the nature of their concern. The coach should be given the opportunity to resolve that dispute at the team level.

2. If the complaining individual is not satisfied with #1 they should take their complaint to the CSO Board Member for Competitive Soccer.

3. If the complaining individual is not satisfied with #2 they should take their complaint to the Director of Coaching. The DOC shall be considered the final arbiter at the club level.

These steps do not apply to the following:

1. Criminal activity. Any criminal activity should be reported to law enforcement.

2. The club does not field complaints regarding referees .

Coach Conduct Policy

Any Columbus United coach or assistant coach in attendance at a match or other event is expected to behave in a manner that is respectful to all players, coaches, and referees. This includes times when they are coaching a United team as well as times when they are in support of other players and teams. If a United coach or assistant coach is shown a red card for behavior unbecoming or otherwise ejected from a match or event whether by a referee or other tournament official they shall be required to write a letter of apology to the individuals involved, the organization involved, and the CSO Board of Directors. Failure to do so will result in a suspension of all coaching duties until a letter is produced. Subsequent offenses will be referred directly to the DOC for a determination of penalties that may include fines taken from coaching pay, suspension, or termination.

Furthermore, the Columbus United coach responsible for a team at which a breech of the “Parent Code of Conduct” takes place is responsible for reporting the violation to the Board Member for Competitive Soccer within 72 hours. Failure to do so may result in a fine assessed from coaching pay.