The USA Sports Association ("USASA") grants the privilege of membership to perspective members, who are committed to the mission of the association. Therefore, said membership privilege may be withdrawn from any member by USASA whenever it deems that the member's behaviors are no longer in line with the mission of the association, or the best interest of its members. Members are encouraged to act with integrity and honor. Member behaviors should be reflective of the association's code of conduct and general mission. In order to better serve our members, we have developed a code of conduct to help guide members with regards to participation in the organization.
Physical Misconduct
Physical abuse means any non-accidental act or behavior causing injury, trauma, or other physical suffering or bodily harm. Additionally, physical abuse is any act or conduct described as physical abuse or misconduct under federal or state law (e.g., child abuse, child neglect, assault).
Members should not engage in any action that would be in physical violation against another member.
Members should not issue threats of physical violence towards other members.
Emotional Misconduct
Emotional misconduct involves a climate or pattern of deliberate, non-contact behavior that has the potential to cause emotional or psychological harm to an athlete or other participant. Non-contact behavior includes verbal and physical acts, as well as actions that deny attention or support. Emotional misconduct must have a ‘sustained’ and/or ‘repetitive’ component or be seen as a course of conduct; it is not a single event. It also includes any act or conduct (i.e. psychological abuse, emotional abuse, mental abuse, child abuse) described as emotional abuse or misconduct under federal or state law.
Members should not engage in emotional manipulation which creates an environment as described above.
Members should avoid name calling, avoidance or the promoting of any other undue emotional stress on other members.
Sexual Misconduct
Members should refrain from sexual contact with, and if so engaged, do so with the highest level of mutual consent. Engaging in any of the following is in direct violation of this code:
Members should not solicit or engage in a sexual relationship with a minor.
Members should not engage in any sexual relationship that is violation of Federal, State, County, or Municipal Laws.
Members should not utilize their position in the organization to gain sexual favor with other members
Sexual harassment is strictly forbidden. One should not engage in any activity such as bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors.
Members should avoid unobservable one-on-one contact between minor athletes and adults. These include, but are not limited to (i) training, (ii) competitions, (iii) travel to and from training or competition, and (iv) private areas such as washrooms, locker rooms or classrooms.
Criminal Misconduct
Members of the USASA are expected to comply with all applicable federal, state, county and municipal criminal codes. A member is considered to have violated this code if the member has:
Been convicted of, or has entered a plea of guilty or no contest to, a criminal charge or indictment involving sexual misconduct, child abuse, or conduct that is a violation of a law specifically designed to protect minors, and, depending on the nature of the crime.
This code may also be violated by any member who has been convicted of, or has entered a plea or guilty or no contest to, any felony charge or indictment involving conduct other than specifically described above.
Bullying/Hazing
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. Hazing is the practice of rituals and other activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group.
Members should not engage in bullying or behavior.
Members should encourage others to not engage in bullying or behavior.
Member clubs should promote bully-free and hazing-free environments for athlete development.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
USASA should be maintained as a drug and alcohol free organization:
Members should not engage in the use or distribution of any drug considered to be illegal according to Federal, State, County or Municipal Law.
Members should not engage in the use of any drug considered to be banned according to WADA or USADA (See "Resources" page).
Members should not encourage other members to engage in the behaviors expressed in numbers 1 and 2.
Members should not provide alcohol to minors, or engage in consumption thereof at any USASA sanctioned event, or in the presence of other association's youth athlete members.
Minors should not engage in the use of alcohol or drugs at any time.
Misrepresentation of Association
Members have an obligation to appropriately represent the association and their position within it. To maintain compliance in this matter:
Members should not purposefully misreprent the policies or actions of the USASA or its authorized representatives.
Members should not misrepresent their position or authority within the association.
Preventative Methods
In order to protect all members from minor children, athletes, coaches, and officials we recommend the following guidelines: Preventing Offenses Against Youth
Adults should never place themselves in a position where they are alone with a child. This includes but is not limited to:
Giving rides to youth participants alone.
Entering private areas such as restrooms, locker rooms, offices, etc, alone.
Adults should minimize interaction outside of what is necessary with youth participants.
Preventing Offenses Against Adults
Refrain from entering relationships that could be affected by your status or position within the association.
Avoid relationships which may lead to allegations of favoritism, or coercion.
Competition Conduct
USASA members should display professionalism and honorable conduct with regards to their respective participation in USASA sanctioned events. Participation should reflect the goal of providing quality competitive opportunities for the members of the association. In consideration of this members should follow the following: Association Officials
Executives, officials and promoters should never restrict any members opportunity to qualify for participation based on race, sex, creed, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or mental or physical disability.
Officials should not engage in unethical business practices as it pertains to their unique positions.
Officials should do their best to help the association provide a safe and fair environment for competition participation.
Officials should not attempt to utilize position or intimidation to affect the outcome of an athletic contest.
Coaches
Coaches should do their best to properly prepare and educate their member athletes.
Coaches should help athletes to gain an understanding of competition rules prior to competition.
Coaches should provide safe environment for athlete development that falls in compliance with this code of ethics.
Coaches should help athletes be prepared and organized for participation in association activities, including the acquisition of appropriate training and competition equipment.
Coaches should be fair in their competition protest, and work cooperatively resolve any issues that may arrive of a difference of opinion.
Athletes
Athletes should ensure that they are prepared physically and mentally for competition.
Athletes should be prepared to participate fairly and with consideration of the physical well-being of all other member athletes.
Athletes should abide by the rules of competition, and when possible, obey the orders of the refereeing staff resolving any conflicts in a calm and cooperative manner.
Athletes should not engage in any activity that interferes with the order of an event. Athletes should work to make the competition an enjoyable experience for each other, and the respective fans.
Continued Development
Members are expected to constantly strive for technical improvement in the martial arts. Technical improvements helps the association grow and provides greater opportunity to produce world champions within International competition.
Members should participate in USASA sponsored development events such as camps, seminars, and clinics.
Members should share their respective knowledge with each other for the growth of individuals and the association.
Members should remain current on technical rules and strategies of the martial arts.
Conflict of Interest
From time to time, conflicts of interest may arise. In times of conflict of interest:
Members should promptly remove themselves from a position of influence, when possible.
Members should evaluate the situation based solely on merit, and not on any personal bias.
Members should ensure that any decisions made can be done in as fair a manner possible.
Violation of Code of Conduct
Violations of the USASA code of conduct may include, but are not limited to:
Being found to have engaged in any of the above behaviors that are deemed to be inappropriate or contrary to this code or the mission of the association.
Engaging in any behavior as described above at any USASA sponsored or sanctioned event.
Willfully tolerating and/or ignoring behaviors of other members, that violate the code of conduct.
Violations may be reported by any member.
Serious violations should be reported immediately.
Submitting false accusations of another member with malicious intent.
Intimidation of member reporting an incident.
Enforcement of the Code of Conduct
Compliance with this code lies in the hands of each individual member. It is a guideline by which members should aim to govern themselves. In cases where code violations are exceptionally detrimental to the mission and ethics of the association, the complainant should first professionally address the alleged violator. The goal is for complaints can be handled in a professional manner between members. In cases where a resolution can not be reached, or where a serious violation has occurred, the complainant should submit a formal complaint, via US mail, to the USASA headquarters: 23808 W. Andrew Road Suite 1, Plainfield, IL 60585 within a reasonable time period from the date of the incident. Complainant should include the date, any and all evidences of the violation, and reference which code they believe to have been violated. At that time, the board will evaluate and determine if the complaint falls within the authority of the association, and if necessary, take further action.
The board will look to resolve or refer all complaints to the proper authorities in a timely fashion.