A parents' code of conduct sets out how adults behave at training and matches: encourage, don't coach from the touchline, respect the referee and opposition, and stay behind the spectator line. Share it at the start of the season, keep it short, and follow your club's Respect code and welfare process if it's broken.
Your club probably has one already
Clubs affiliated to the FA follow the Respect programme, which has codes of conduct for players, coaches, match officials and spectators/parents. In Scotland, clubs have their own codes and wellbeing policies. Ask your club secretary or welfare officer first and use the official version where there is one.
A simple team charter to share
Use this alongside your club's code, in your own words, in the parents' chat at the start of the season:
- We cheer effort and good play, for both teams.
- We leave the coaching to the coaches, and let players make their own decisions.
- We respect the referee, even when we disagree.
- We stay behind the spectator line or rope.
- We talk to the coach about concerns away from the game, not on the touchline.
- We remember they're children playing for fun.
Introduce it the right way
Frame it as what helps the children, not as rules for troublemakers. Send it with your first fixture message (our fixture message tool builds the message and calendar invite), and mention it briefly at the first game.
When a parent crosses the line
Stay calm, speak to them privately after the game, and focus on the children. If behaviour continues or involves abuse of a referee or child, follow your club's Respect and welfare process. You don't have to deal with it alone.