13.6 RULE OF TWO GUIDELINES (CANADA SOCCER) 

Purpose  

The Coaching Association of Canada’s Rule of Two states that there will always be two screened and NCCP-trained  or certified coaches with an athlete in situations where the athlete is potentially vulnerable. One–on–one interac tions between a coach and an athlete, without another individual present, must be avoided in all circumstances  except medical emergencies.  

Standards 

The Coaching Association of Canada has developed standards for the Rule of Two.  

Canada Soccer expects that all organizations will work toward the Gold Standard – having two NCCP-trained or  certified coaches always present with an athlete. If NCCP-trained or certified coaches are not available, screened  volunteers (such as managers, support personnel, chaperones, and Directors of the club or organization) should be  available instead. If screened volunteers are not available, parents of other athletes should be asked to temporarily substitute. If another adult is not available, there should always be more than one athlete with the coach (this is the lowest standard and is not recommended). 

Guidelines 

Canada Soccer strongly recommends the following guidelines for organizations to ensure they are following the  Rule of Two. In the guidelines below, a ‘Person in Authority’ is defined as an NCCP-trained or certified coach, a  screened volunteer, or other adults. The organization is meeting the Gold Standard for the Rule of Two if the Person in Authority is always an NCCP-trained or certified coach.  

Travel 

The following guidelines are strongly recommended during travel with athletes: 

A Person in Authority may not be alone in a car with an athlete unless the Person in Authority is the athlete’s  parent or guardian 

A Person in Authority may not share a room or be alone in a hotel room with an athlete unless the Person in  Authority is the athlete’s parent or guardian  

Room or bed checks during overnight stays must be done by two Persons in Authority

Locker Room / Changing Area / Meeting Room 

The following guidelines are strongly recommended for locker rooms, changing areas, and meeting rooms: 

Interactions between a Person in Authority and an individual athlete should not occur in any room where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy such as the locker room, meeting room, washroom,  or changing area. A second Person in Authority should be present for all necessary interactions in any such room 

If Persons in Authority are not present in the locker room or changing area, or if they are not permitted to  be present, they should still be available outside the locker room or changing area and be able to enter the  room or area if required 

Training / Competition Environment 

The following guidelines are strongly recommended for the training and competition environment  (including before, during, and after practices and games): 

A Person in Authority should never be alone with an athlete prior to or following a game or practice unless the Person in Authority is the athlete’s parent or guardian. If the athlete is the first athlete to arrive, the athlete’s parent should remain until another athlete or Person in Authority arrives. Similarly, if an athlete would potentially be alone with a Person in Authority following a game or practice, the Person in Authority should ask another Person in Authority (or a parent or guardian of another athlete) to stay until all the athletes have been picked up. If an adult is not available then another athlete should be present in order to avoid the  Person in Authority being alone with a single athlete 

Persons in Authority giving instructions, demonstrating skills, or facilitating drills or lessons to an individual  athlete should always be doing so within earshot and eyesight of another Person in Authority 

Gender Identity 

A Person in Authority who is interacting with athletes should be of the same gender identity as the athletes. The  following guidelines are strongly recommended: 

For teams consisting of athletes of just one gender identity, a Person in Authority of the same gender identity should be available to participate or attend every interaction 

For teams consisting of athletes of more than one gender identity (e.g., co-ed teams), a Person in Authority  of each gender identity should be available to participate or attend every interaction

Practical Tips 

Clubs and teams can consider the following practical tips when working toward the Gold Standard  for the Rule of Two: 

Take the Coaching Association of Canada’s Responsible Coaching Movement Pledge 

Inform parents and guardians that the club or team is aiming to achieve the Gold Standard for the Rule of  Two; that is, that two NCCP-trained or certified coaches should always be present with an athlete 

To hold the club or team accountable, share these guidelines with parents and guardians and ask them to  help identify situations, and acknowledge instances when the club or team was not following the Rule of  Two 

Provide parents with information about the NCCP so that parents can become NCCP-trained or certified  coaches (even if they are not actively coaching the team) 

Recruit a Parent Liaison or other individual to help find parents and guardians to assist in situations where  two NCCP-trained or certified coaches may potentially not be present 

For teams that only have coaches who do not share the same gender identity of some or all the athletes (i.e.,  for female teams with male coaches), ask a parent or guardian of the gender identity of the athletes to serve  as a regular volunteer or ‘bench parent’ with the team 

Ask parents or other individuals who volunteer with the team to participate in the organization’s screening  process and obtain a criminal record check 

Follow the requirements described in Canada Soccer’s Club Licensing Program, which requires all clubs to  have: 

I. A Code of Conduct to Protect Children 

II. Guidelines for Appropriate/Inappropriate Conduct between Adults/Adolescents and Children 

III. A policy and procedure, provided to parents and Persons in Authority, that outlines what to do if  inappropriate conduct is witnessed  

Adopt a Discipline Policy that includes the appropriate processes for addressing misconduct and failures to  follow these Rule of Two Guidelines