Preamble
This ethical code provides standards of professional conduct that the NWCA requires collegiate wrestling coaching members to adopt as guiding principles in executing their duties. It provides general principles and decision rules for the situations coaches face, with the welfare and protection of the individuals and groups with whom coaches work as its primary goal. Coaches are individually responsible for aspiring to the highest ethical standards of conduct, respecting and protecting human and civil rights, and not knowingly participating in or condoning unfair discriminatory practices.
1. Competence
Coaches strive to demonstrate high standards of excellence in executing their duties. They provide only those services and use only those techniques for which they are qualified by education, training, or experience. In areas where professional standards do not yet exist, coaches exercise careful judgment and take appropriate precautions to protect the welfare of those with whom they work. They maintain knowledge of relevant professional and scientific information related to the services they render and recognize the need for ongoing education.
In practice
- Pursues coaching education to build and maintain coaching competence.
- Keeps up with the latest developments in coaching knowledge by reading, attending, and presenting at coaching clinics and conferences.
- In areas outside of one’s competence (athletic injury) defers decisions to appropriately trained support specialists (e.g., certified athletic trainer).
- Does not recommend the use of dietary supplements or ergogenic aids without understanding their side effects and illegal substance status.
2. Integrity
Coaches are honest, fair, and respectful of others. In describing or reporting their qualifications, services, products, university, program or fees, they do not make statements that are false, misleading, or deceptive. Coaches strive to be aware of their own belief systems, values, needs, and limitations and the effect of these on their work. To the extent feasible, they attempt to clarify for relevant parties the roles they are performing and to function appropriately in accordance with those roles. Coaches avoid improper and potentially harmful dual relationships.
In practice
- Coaches do not allow their athletes to violate established weigh-in practices.
- Coaches do not provide false information about rivals’ programs or coaching practices.
- Descriptions of the university and majors offered are accurately described to recruits by the coach.
- Tolerance is shown to the range of backgrounds comprising the university student body.
- If a coach has a dual role of teacher-coach at their university and has a wrestler in a class they teach, the wrestler is treated in an identical manner as all other enrolled students.
3. Concern for the Welfare of Others
Coaches seek to contribute to the welfare of those with whom they interact professionally. In their professional actions, coaches consider the welfare and rights of their athletes and other participants. When conflicts occur among coaches’ obligations or concerns, they attempt to resolve these conflicts and to perform their roles in a responsible manner that avoids or minimizes harm. Coaches are sensitive to differences in power between themselves and others, and they do not exploit or mislead other people during or after professional relationships.
In practice
- In recruiting, a coach does not tell a wrestler they can break into the starting lineup in their first season when the coach does not believe this to be the case.
- A coach does not pressure a wrestler who is motivated to wrestle on the team to quit in an effort to free up an athletic scholarship for a better performer.
- Athletic support personnel such as certified athletic trainers, academic support personnel, and strength coaches are treated with respect and dignity.
- Wrestlers who are not making satisfactory academic progress are not allowed to participate until their academic progress is deemed acceptable.
4. Health and Safety
The wrestling coach will always display behaviors that reflect the best interest of the individual and the entire wrestling community, whether the subject is diet, hydration, injury, illness, or disease. The coach does everything possible to ensure that student-athletes’ physical and psychological health is maintained and maximized from and during wrestling participation.
In practice
- Coaches do not allow their athletes to reduce their weight beyond a level that is designed as medically safe.
- Coaches encourage their athletes to lose weight in accordance with medically sound principles and practices.
- Coaches do not pressure medical personnel to allow injured wrestlers to participate when participation is judged not to be medically sound.
- Coaches consistently take steps to ensure that wrestling mats are disinfected according to prescribed guidelines.
- If an athlete is experiencing personal problems or psychological issues that are beyond the capabilities of the coach, the coach refers that athlete to the appropriate mental health provider.
5. Respect
The wrestling coach will conduct all aspects of their work with a demonstrated respect for the sport of wrestling, the rules of the sport, and the entire wrestling community. Coaching actions should also be focused on respecting the dignity of student-athletes.
In practice
- Hazing or bullying practices in any form should not be condoned or allowed on one’s team.
- Coaches should shake the opposing coach’s hand at the conclusion of meets.
- Coaches show respect for and adherence to the general policies of their university and athletic department.
6. Professional Responsibility
Coaches uphold professional standards of conduct, clarify their professional roles and obligations, accept appropriate responsibility for their actions, and adapt their methods to the needs of different student-athletes. The wrestling coach also recognizes the role they accept not only with their team and immediate surroundings, but with the greater community; and they will do that within their reasonable power to represent the sport of wrestling in only the most positive light. Coaches’ moral standards and conduct are personal matters to the same degree as is true for any other person, except when coaches’ conduct may compromise their professional responsibilities or reduce the public’s trust in their coaching profession. Coaches are concerned about the ethical compliance of their colleagues’ professional conduct. When appropriate, they consult with colleagues in order to prevent or avoid unethical conduct.
In practice
- Coaches report unintentional NCAA, NJCAA, or NAIA rule infractions in their program to the appropriate member of their athletic administration.
- In public non-wrestling settings, coaches do not engage in actions that are inappropriate or disparaging to the reputation of the sport.
- If a coach is part owner of a wrestling equipment company that sells equipment to student-athletes, that dual relationship would be identified to all appropriate parties.
- Coaches have a responsibility to point out observed unethical practices of other coaches to the involved coach and/or to appropriate authorities.
7. Sportsmanship
The wrestling coach will model and encourage behavior that demonstrates dignity in both victory and defeat. They will also hold their student-athletes to the same standards of good sportsmanship and conduct.
In practice
- Coaches insist that their wrestlers shake opponents’ hands regardless of the outcome of the match.
- A wrestling coach does not incite the crowd to yell disparaging remarks to opposing coaches, wrestlers, or officials.
- In cases of perceived poor officiating, coaches question officials in appropriate manners demonstrating respect for the officiating position.
- Coaches make efforts to consistently inform their wrestlers of what good sportsmanship involves and hold their athletes accountable for exhibiting good sportsmanship.
8. Leadership
The wrestling coach embraces their role as a positive model not only for their team, but also among peers and the greater community, thus demonstrating the value of wrestlers and wrestling coaches as leaders in society. They not only promote their program but the values of wrestling. Coaches comply with the law and encourage the development of laws and policies that serve the interest of sport. They are encouraged to contribute a portion of their professional time for little or no personal advantage.
In practice
- Coaches volunteer time to promote wrestling in their community.
- Concern is demonstrated for the general health and promotion of wrestling, not just one’s team or program.
- Actions are taken to engage in community-service activities.
- It is recognized that academic development of the student-athlete is never less important than wrestling success.
Parts of this code are taken directly and/or revised from the United States Olympic Committee Coaching Ethics Code.
