Playing football by the rule and the book: (from the AFCA Summer Manual).

* Stay informed about the major issues that affect the coaching profession, especially those that are controversial. Communicate with your athletic director, faculty athletic representative, and president. Let your opinions be known early. Don't wait until it's too late.

* Avoid teaching blind-side blocking below the waist. Even though blindside and peel-blocks are legal near or behind the neutral zone in certain instances, the AFCA Ethics Committee reminds the membership that teaching such blocking is ethically improper and should be avoided because of the high risk possibility of serious injury.

* Speak up for football. Coaches have many opportunities through interviews, shows, and speeches to put in a good word for the sport and the profession, and should try to improve the game's image by saying positive things. They should also do all they can to encourage community involvement in the high school game.

* Finger pointing and dismissing unethical acts with an "everyone's doing it" attitude does nothing to help the game or the image of the profession. Everybody is NOT doing it, and those who do should not be allowed to get away with it by the honest coaches. Coaches should stand up for their profession by acting responsibly. Lead by example and insist that your fellow coaches adhere to strict professional standards that are outlined in the Code of Ethics.

* "Smash Mouth Football" and similar terms should be eliminated from the coach's vocabulary. Football is a contact sport, hardnosed perhaps, but not in a way that reflects brutality and violence.

Image is important in the courtroom where descriptive terms can be used against coaches and the game. Don't hesitate to ask your fellow coaches, athletes, and especially the media who cover your team to refrain from using such overly descriptive terms that reflect poorly on the sport and your profession.

* Caution your team about player agents. The activity of such people has increased and it has become imperative for your athletes to know all of the consequences for signing agreements with them. This signing is almost always done without the knowledge of the coach. Some agents openly admit their guilt and their intentions to continue.

This could lead to forfeiture of games. Some agents are even advising the athletes to discontinue playing for fear of risking injury. You should continue to warn your players about this problem.

* Copying film videotape without permission is unethical. The Board of Trustees is concerned about the practice of shooting games without the consent of the two institutions involved in the game footage. AFCA legal counsel has reminded the Board that copying film without permission is in violation of copyright laws and becomes a legal matter. The Board urges every coach to get written permission from all schools involved before copying film.