Sportsmanship

Goal Promote sportsmanship Communicate with players, coaches and game administration Communicate with the IHSA in appropriate manner

Communication Pre-contest conference with captain(s) and head coach Emphasize sportsmanship Negative actions will not be tolerated Review procedures for handling unsportsmanlike acts Review procedures for captains and coaches to approach officials

Unsportsmanlike Conduct Inappropriate behavior is not always directed at the official it could be: coach to player coach to opponent player to opponent spectator to team spectator to official

Unsportsmanlike Conduct Don’t just focus on the playing field, mat or court Give proper verbal warning for prevention Defuse rather than abuse Administer proper penalty use yellow, 15 yd penalty, technical, ect. If at all possible before an ejection is made

Communication to IHSA Use special report form to communicate any inappropriate behavior to the IHSA With any ejection it is mandatory that the official file a special report form describing the reason for the ejection and contact the school verbally or in writing about the incident. Make sure that an ejection is warranted. It is not acceptable to tell a coach or school after the fact that “I guess it wasn’t that bad” If possible use your partner(s).

Trouble with a spectator Your communication obligation is with the schools, players and coaches Do not get into confrontation with a spectator. If you need to have a spectator ejected, it is the host school’s responsibility to have that spectator removed. The official should never deal with the removal of that spectator or try to stop a spectator from leaving.

Key Components For Promoting Sportsmanship Accept your role in an unassuming manner Showboating and over-officiating are not acceptable Maintain confidence, poise and control Know the rules thoroughly and abide by the established code of ethics Publicly shake hands with both coaches prior to the contest

Key Components For Promoting Sportsmanship Never exhibit emotions or argue with participants and coaches When watching a contest as a spectator, give the officials the same respect you expect to receive when working a contest.

REMEMBER The day you stop learning as an official is the day you start to deteriorate. High school programs are improving every year, it is the job of the official to grow with the game or sport. To grow and improve as an official, you must be open to constructive criticism from others. Use each contest as a learning experience. Even the best officials make mistakes