Suffolk Officials of Girls Soccer

GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CODES OF BEHAVIOR FOR COACHES, PARTICIPANTS, SPECTATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS IN INTERSCHOLASTIC COMPETITION

I.  INTRODUCTION

    It is the duty of all those concerned with high school athletics to emphasize the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play under all circumstances.  The values to be derived from playing the game fairly should be stressed, and any actions which tend to destroy those values should be discouraged. Courtesy should be shown toward opponents, officials, supervisors, spectators and administrators. Efforts must be made to achieve a thorough understanding and acceptance of the rules of the game and the standards of eligibility and to respect the integrity and the judgment of the sports officials. It is important for all to recognize that the purpose of athletics is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social, and emotional well-being of the individual players. Most of all, it is the duty of all concerned with high school athletics to remember that an athletic contest is only a game and should be kept in that perspective.

II.  THE COACH is expected to:

     1.  Set a positive example both on and off the playing area.

     2.  Be aware that you are representing a school district, a school, and a student body.  Impressions made are lasting and hard to live down.

     3.  Recognize that athletic competition is a means toward an end, not an end in itself.  Specifically, athletics should lead to the development of healthy, well-adjusted young men and women.

     4.  Approach competition as a healthy and constructive exercise, not as a life and death struggle that requires victory at any price.  It should be fun and enjoyable.

   5.  Recognize that the participants in individual or team sports are young men and women with human frailties and limitations who are capable of making mistakes.

     6.  Be prepared to win or lose.  Be positive.  Encourage peak performance within the rules of the game.

     7.  Command respect by personal attitude and behavior.

     8.  Be well-groomed.  Wear appropriate attire be it casual or otherwise.

     9.  Not use crude or abusive language with players, opponents, officials, or spectators.

    10.  Respect the judgment of the officials.  Although it is reasonable for the coach to question officials' decisions and even to disagree, the officials' decisions must be accepted graciously.

    11.  Handle dissatisfaction with officiating quietly and efficiently through the use of the rating cards supplied by Section XI.

    12.  Instruct players to respect officials.  Questions concerning rules or interpretations should be made by the team captain as the team representative during the contest.

    13.  Refrain from shouting disapproval of calls made by officials.

    14.  Avoid behavior that will incite players, opponents, or spectators.

    15.  Encourage good sportsmanship, and remove players from competition who demonstrate unacceptable behavior.

    16.  The athletic program is a total part of the educational opportunities provided for all students.  It should be treated as just that.

III.  THE ATHLETE is expected to:

     1.  Understand and abide by the rules and regulations of the game, and to respect the integrity and judgment of the officials.

     2.  Conduct themselves as ladies and gentlemen at all times.

     3.  Demonstrate self-control and mutual respect at all times.  Uncontrolled emotions can be self-defeating.

     4.  Not use crude or abusive language or gestures in dealing with opponents, officials or spectators.

     5.  Accept victory with grace and defeat with dignity.  Poor winners or losers do a disservice to themselves.

     6.  Set an example in word and deed, both on and off the playing area.  Remember that athletes assume a role of leadership and that the young emulate their role models.

     7.  Be well-groomed, both on and off the field, as a representative of the school. Improper behavior while in uniform reflects badly upon yourself, your school, and your community.

     8.  Observe training regulations and requirements of physical fitness for better personal performance and greater contribution to the team effort.

     9.  Place athletic competition in its perspective.  It represents only one part of the learning process and should not be pursued to the exclusion of everything else.

    10.  Remember that participation in athletics is a privilege that should not be abused.

    11.  Refrain from shouting disapproval of calls made by officials.  Shouting disapproval of calls made by officials may result in misconduct.

IV.  THE SPECTATORS are expected to:

     1.  Conform to accepted standards of good sportsmanship and behavior.

     2.  Respect officials, coaches, and players and extend all courtesies to them.

     3.  Taunting, foul and abuse language, noisemakers, inflammatory remarks and disrespectful signs and behavior are not acceptable.  Violations during a free throw attempt will be penalized by repeating the free throw, if missed.  The officials will make this decision.  (Rev. 3/7/12)

     4.  Obey the regulations of the site authorities. Those who do not conform should be brought to the attention of the supervisors.

     5.  Understand that schools are responsible for the conduct of their respective spectators, whether at home or away.

     6.  Refrain from shouting disapproval of calls make by officials.

V.  THE ADMINISTRATORS

     1.  The Athletic Director is responsible for the conduct of coaches, players, spectators, and other employees of the school.

     2.  The Athletic Director assumes responsibility for informing these groups of the code of behavior expected during participation in Section XI athletic events.

     3.  General Recommendations for Home Contests:
          a.  The visiting school should be provided with information on directions to the school, game times, physical layout including parking area, locker facilities, and specific school regulations affecting visiting teams.
          b.  The home school is responsible for excluding from athletic events spectators whose past behavior indicates an unacceptable risk for trouble.
          c.  Adequate supervision must be provided in the gymnasium area as well as in hallways, bathrooms, and outside area where spectators may congregate. 
          d.  Separate seating areas should be designated for visiting team spectators whenever possible.
          e.  Request the cooperation of the Suffolk County Police Department and/or Auxiliary Police units whenever the anticipated crowd size or previous relationship between schools indicate the potential for trouble.
          f.  Confer with coaches, cheering advisors, supervisors, and custodial help on your expectations for their behavior and on ways to handle difficult situations.
          g.  The Athletic Director should meet with game officials to identify him/herself, to offer any assistance, and to emphasize the importance of keeping the game under control.
          h.  The supervisor in charge should immediately report to police any information regarding any possession of weapons, drugs, or alcohol.  Anyone under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol should be removed fro the game and reported to the administration.
          i.  Supervisors should remain on duty until all spectators and visiting teams have left the premises, including parking lots.
          j.  Problems with students, coaches, and spectators should be communicated to the other Athletic Director, to the Principals, and, when appropriate, to the Section XI Executive Director.

    4.  Requirement for Schools/Teams Participating In Playoffs at Neutral Sites:
It is required that any school/team participating in a Section XI playoff activity at a neutral site provide adequate supervision for that activity. The supervisor(s) must be easily identifiable and maintain an active presence throughout the activity. Refer to the Section XI Neutral Site Policy.

     5.  General Recommendations for Visiting Teams:
         a.  Visiting teams must be properly supervised at all times at the host school.
         b.  At spectator events, if possible, the visiting school should provide a supervisor for its spectators.
         c.  When a Varsity/JV doubleheader is held, the team not playing should be supervised in the stands.
         d.  Clarify with the host Athletic Director the best area for parking and access into locker facilities.  Also arrange for exiting after the event with at least one home school supervisor in the area to supervise.
         e.  Report in writing to the host Athletic Director any incident involving players, spectators, supervisors, etc., that deserves follow-up by the home school.
         f.  Refrain from shouting disapproval of calls made by officials.

VI.  RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE VISITING SCHOOL:

     1.  Athletic Director
         a.  Contact the Athletic Director of the home school and request the following if needed:
             >  Directions and best route to school.
             >  Location of parking area and recommended area for bus parking.
             >  Will there be a charge for spectators?
             >  Is there a specific seating area for spectators?
         b.  Inform the Athletic Director of the home school of the following:
             >  If there will be a cheerleader and/or spectator bus in addition to the athletes' bus.
             >  If the additional buses will be accompanied by one or more supervisors.
             >  What type of identification your supervisors will be equipped with.
         c.  Inform the coach of the team of the particulars in a and b above.
         d.  Inform supervisors of the above information, and ask them to inform persons on the bus for whom they are responsible, of the pertinent information.
         e.  Inform the student body of any necessary details by public address system and/or bulletin.

     2.  Coach
         a.  Consult the Athletic Director for the above information.
         b.  The head coach of each sport should disseminate the information above for each school to his or her junior varsity and modified team coaches.
         c.  Follow the recommendations for Code of Behavior for Coaches in Section XI.
         d.  Require team members to follow Section XI Guidelines for Good Sportsmanship.

     3.  Supervisors
         a.  Should be persons who are familiar with the visiting school's student body.
         b.  Should be well informed of what their responsibilities are and be capable of enforcing regulations and encouraging proper behavior.

RELATED SECTION XI POLICY:
     > Coaches Ethics
     > Emergency Preparedness & Crowd Control Policy and Procedures
     > Code of Conduct for Spectators