Sportsmanship

In Lacrosse

• NFHS considers High School sports to be an extension of the classroom
• Behavior that is not permitted in the classroom should not be tolerated in the game
• We officials are responsible for penalizing bad conduct. The buck stops here.

NFHS - Regarding Sportsmanship, It’s Time for Wake-up Call in High School Sports

By Dr. Karissa Niehoff, NFHS Executive Director, on February 23, 2022 nfhs news            

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From time to time, everyone needs a wake-up call to get back on course, to regain focus and to “get with the program.”

That time is at hand in high school sports as it relates to unsportsmanlike conduct.

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High school sports and other activities exist to lift people up, not demean or tear people down. The goal is to treat everyone equally and treat each other with respect. Any speech or harassment that is insulting, demeaning or hurtful will not be tolerated.

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Because of a concern that unsporting behavior in education-based athletics has increased the past year, the NFHS has made sportsmanship the No. 1 Point of Emphasis in all sports for the 2022-23 season.

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And if there was ever a doubt, the recent unfortunate events at the college level should make it crystal clear that the person most responsible for setting the tone at high school athletic contests is the coach(es).

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If coaches act in a sportsmanlike manner, their behavior sets the tone for players, spectators and others. If coaches, however, are constantly complaining about the decision of contest officials, spectators are more likely to do the same.

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The focus of this presentation is on Coaches unsportsmanlike conduct

USA LACROSSE CODE OF CONDUCT

SPORTSMANSHIP

• Players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators are to conduct themselves in a manner that "Honors the Game" and demonstrates respect to other players, coaches, officials, parents, spectators and fans.

• The value of good sportsmanship, the concepts of fair play, and the skills of the game should always be placed above winning.

Respect

Respect

Respect

NFHS SPORTSMANLIKE RULES

SPORTSMANLIKE

• NFHS Rule 2-3.2 “Head Coach shall act in a courteous manner.”

• NFHS Rule 5-12.1 Ejection, NFHS disapproves any form of taunting which is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule, or demean others under any circumstances.

• NFHS Rule 5-10 Unsportsmanlike Conduct. No Player, substitute or Coach shall….
1. Enter into an argument with an official as to any decision that has been made or in any way attempt to influence the decision of an official.

• NFHS Rule 6-6.3.C Conduct Foul “A player, coach, trainer shall not:

c. Object by arguing or gesturing to a decision by an official

• In the past our training has emphasized that official’s have thick skin and not have rabbit ears.

This is still true, but……

OFFICIAL’S PROFESSIONALISM

SPORTSMANLIKE

• It is not about whether you “can take it”.

• This will lead to greater retention and recruitment of fellow officials and greater fun for all

• Remember enforcement is about honoring the game and creating an atmosphere of respect.

• We have a thick skin so we can remain professional while penalizing coaches behavior, not so we ignore behavior that crosses a line.

• We do not have rabbit ears so we don’t over react to coaches behavior, not so we ignore behavior that crosses a line.

CHARACTERISTICS

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

• The abuser always has responsibility for their actions, not the victim of the abuse.

• Crew: Support your partners. If you are closest to the coach, you flag it. Be a team.

• Early intervention can prevent abuse escalation.
• What you permit you promote.

• Flag it to honor the game and the rules.

• Flag it to support the partner who is not comfortable with conflict

• Flag it to support the inexperienced partner

• Penalize coaches when they “cross the line”, don’t ever feel the abuse is your (Official’s) fault.

RESPECTFUL, COURTEOUS, NON-ARGUMENTATIVE AND NOT ATTEMPTING TO INFLUENCE

SPORTSMANLIKE

No, any dissent of an officials call or no call is unsportsmanlike

Is it sportsmanlike for a coach to call out….?

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“That was a foul”

“Terrible call”

“That is 6 fouls to 1”

“Call it both ways”

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Note: A coach asking “what did you see?” in a non-aggressive tone, after a call, is ok.

Is it sportsmanlike for a coach to demonstrate by ….?

• Kicking a cone marker
• Throwing a water bottle
• Raising hands in the air while yelling at an official

HOW TO KNOW WHEN CONDUCT BECOMES UNSPORTSMANLIKE

SPORTSMANLIKE

When does conduct “cross the line” and need to be penalized?

When one of the following 4 Ps are present-

• Public (Can be heard by or visible to many people)

• Provocative (insulting, goading, tone, etc.). Example, “Are you a varsity referee?”

• Personal (“you” or your name is used). Example, “You are a terrible ref”

• Persistent (Multiple complaints about 1 call or complaining about many calls or no calls)

Coaches Behavior

Nuclear Meltdown

No comments

No Visual Demonstrations

Ignore

Warn

Conduct Foul With

Possession-Turnover

Conduct Foul Without

Possession-30 Seconds

1^st USC NR

1 Minute

Ejection

The RAMP

Referee Behavior

OR

2^nd USC NR

1 Minute

DEALING WITH UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

SPORTSMANSHIP

Note: you can skip a step or steps if the unsportsmanlike conduct warrants it.

UNSPORTSMANLKE CONDUCT EXAMPLE

SPORTSMANSHIP

In this example we have-

• Public “coach screams”
• Provocative “Have you ever seen Lacrosse?

This must be your first game.”

• Personal “What are you doing?”
• Aggravating Circumstance – small foul

In this example Unsportsmanlike Conduct is recommended even if first offense

SPORTSMANSHIP

In this example we have-

• Personal “Come on ref, you have to call it both ways.”
• Aggravating Circumstance – Asst. Coach speaking
• Mitigating Circumstances:
• Quiet during entire game
• Complaint is likely not public
• Having a bad game

In this example either ignoring the statement is recommended unless the tone is inappropriate then giving a warning to the head coach about his assistant is recommended.

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Remember an assistant coach should not speak.

NFHS Rule 2-3.1 “Only the head coach will communicate with the officials.”

Ignore

or

UNSPORTSMANLKE CONDUCT EXAMPLE

SPORTSMANSHIP

Reporting Procedure

• What to report
• Conduct, USC & Ejections for Coaches
• USC & Ejections for athletes
• Ejections for fans

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• Where to report
• Ejections: Call John McGrath 317-319-9369
• Conduct, USC & Ejection: Online report form – ILOA Website
• WWW.inlaxref.ORG/Member Resources/Reference and Training Materials /Ejection & Misconduct Report

REPORTS

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