Professional Members Requirements & Responsibilities

Coaches Requirements & Responsibilities

• Maintain a Professional (or Jr. Professional if 16-17 yrs. of age) Member and safety certification and visibly display your current Professional Membership card on your person at all sanctioned competitions. A confirmation paper from Member Services copied from the web site is valid proof of membership.

• Follow Code of Ethics. 

• Function ONLY as a coach during a competition. They may not serve in a dual capacity (i.e. Coach / Judge)

• Be professional: Display good sportsmanship, dress in appropriate attire, be mentally and physically prepared, turn off your cell phone (or set to vibrate mode)

• Attend all coaches meetings

• Be present at all warm-up and competition sessions. Check the time of floor exercise music on the competition audio system prior to the competition.

• Be respectful of and responsible for your athletes at all times

• Follow all guidelines for the competition and the USA Gymnastics Rules and Policies, including entry regulations.

• Continually update your coaching knowledge and experience on a planned regular basis.

• Treat all competitions the same, regardless of the skill level.

• Set an example for the athletes by displaying a positive attitude and exemplary conduct.

• Show respect for all gymnasts, coaches, judges and meet personnel.

• Coach gymnasts from your own team, unless asked by another coach.

• Direct any inquiries regarding apparatus, judging or meet schedules through the meet referee or the director of the competition: refrain from approaching a judge directly, instruct your gymnasts and parents to discuss any concerns they may have with you (coach).

• Inform the gymnasts and gymnasts' parents of all competitive requirements.

• Highest Terminating Competitions: Level 9 & 10 National Championship, Level 8 Regional Championship, Levels 7-6-5 State Championship Competition.

• File an Accident Report if and when necessary

• Practice the New York State Warm-up and Compete Format with your gymnasts so they are mentally prepared for sectional and above competition and understand how things will be done.

• Show respect for the United States flag and the National Anthem.

Judges

• Maintain a Professional (or Jr. Professional if 16-17 yrs. of age) Member and safety certification and visibly display your current Professional Membership card on your person at all sanctioned competitions. A confirmation paper from Member Services copied from the web site is valid proof of membership.

• Maintain Judges Accreditation ratings for the appropriate level of competition and be current with Continuing Professional Education requirements.

• Follow the Code of Points

• Be Professional: dress in the required uniform with Official's patch, be mentally and physically prepared, be quick, cooperative and efficient in resolving differences at a conference, remain at your event station until the entire competition is completed, turn off your cell phone (or set at vibrate mode).

• Serve only in an official capacity during warm-ups and competition.

• Be familiar with the meet setup and organization. No judge has the right to demand a last minute change in the course of the meet or to jeopardize the athlete/competition in any way unless there has been a violation of the Rules and Policy.

• Fulfill all assignments according to the contractual agreement. If a judge must cancel, she/he must notify the appropriate officials at the earliest possible moment (officials assignor/meet director).

• Refrain from conversation with other judges and coaches during the competition. In addition, the judges responsibility does not involve the conduct of the gymnast during warm-up or training. Any conversation or comments with the athlete should be made only if requested by the coach of the athlete.

• Show respect for all gymnasts, coaches, judges, meet personnel and volunteers.

• Be confidential about meet matters.

• Update judging knowledge and experience on a planned, regular basis, which includes studying, practice judging with videos or live athletes, attending courses, and judging as much as possible.

• Treat all competitions the same, regardless of skill level.

• Avoid judging a meet in which any personal bias (positive or negative) towards any competing team and/or individual athlete would affect their ability to judge objectively.

• Set a good example for the athletes by displaying a positive and exemplary conduct.

• Show respect for the United States flag and the National Anthem.

Behavior policy at Sanctioned Events
Unacceptable coach behavior can be defined as: verbal, emotional, sexual, or physical abuse of the gymnast, inappropriate remarks or comments, harassment, and/or gestures directed toward any official or meet personal during the competition. No coach has the right to demand a last minute change in the course of the meet or to jeopardize the athlete/competition in any way, unless there has been a violation of the Rules and Policies, Contact with other persons outside the competitive floor area during the actual warm-up and course of competition. Derogatory remarks to the press in regards to USA Gymnastics, its designated representatives, meet officials or personnel

Such above described behavior will be penalized as follows:
First Offense: Verbal warning will be issued by the Meet Referee/Technical Director and/or designated representative of USA Gymnastics, Second offense: Withdrawal of floor credential, necessitating ejection from the competitive floor area (or possibly the entire competitive arena).