Update 2/28/04

There has been a disturbing trend spreading like wildfire through the sport of hockey. It is the attitude that abuse and harassment of officials or opponent is “just part of the game.” This phenomenon is not a stranger to our association. This fact is very disturbing! Below you will find several links to copies of policies and letters emphasizing that this aggressive behavior and poor sportsmanship must come to an end.

It is applicable to substitute player, teammate, coach, parents, spectators, officials, team officials, or administrators for each other in the following documents.

USA Hockey Core Values

USA Hockey Code of Conduct

USA Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy

USA Hockey Rule 601

January 13, 2004 Letter from USA Hockey

December 14, 2004 Letter from ASHA President-PDF

USA HOCKEY CORE VALUES

The following core values of USA Hockey are adopted to guide the association's members in their planning, programming and play, both now and in the future.

SPORTSMANSHIP – Foremost of all values is to learn a sense of fair play. Become humble in victory, gracious in defeat. We will foster friendship with teammates and opponents alike.

RESPECT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL – Treat all others as you expect to be treated.

INTEGRITY – We seek to foster honesty and fair play beyond mere strict interpretation of the rules and regulations of the game.

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AT THE INDIVIDUAL, TEAM AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEVELS – Each member of the organization, whether player, volunteer or staff, should seek to perform each aspect of the game to the highest level of his or her ability.

ENJOYMENT – It is important for the hockey experience to be fun, satisfying and rewarding for all participants.

LOYALTY – We aspire to teach loyalty to the ideals and fellow members of the sport of hockey.

TEAMWORK – We value the strength of learning to work together. The use of teamwork is reinforced and rewarded by success in the hockey experience.

USA HOCKEY CODE OF CONDUCT

• Winning is a consideration, but not the only one, nor the most important one. Care more about the child than winning the game.

• Be a positive role model to your players, display emotional maturity and be alert to the physical safety of players.

• Be generous with your praise when it is deserved; be consistent and honest; be fair and just; do not criticize players publicly; learn to be a more effective communicator and coach; don't yell at players.

• Adjust to personal needs and problems of players; be a good listener; never verbally or physically abuse a player or official; give all players the opportunity to improve their skills, gain confidence and develop self-esteem; teach them the basics.

• Organize practices that are fun and challenging for your players. Familiarize yourself with the rules, techniques and strategies of hockey; encourage all your players to be team players.

• Maintain an open line of communication with your players' parents. Explain the goals and objectives of your association.

• Be concerned with the overall development of your players. Stress good health habits and clean living.

• Do not force your children to participate in sports, but support their desires to play their chosen sport. Children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment. Make it fun.

• Encourage your child to play by the rules. Remember, children learn best by example, so applaud the good plays of both teams.

• Do not embarrass your child by yelling at players, coaches or officials. By showing a positive attitude toward the game and all of its participants, your child will benefit.

• Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit your young athlete. De-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.

• Know and study the rules of the game, and support the officials on and off the ice. This approach will help in the development and support of the game. Any criticism of the officials only hurts the game.

• Applaud a good effort in both victory and defeat, and enforce the positive points of the game. Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice - it is destructive. Work toward removing the physical and verbal abuse in youth sports.

• Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches. They are important to the development of your child and the sport. Communicate with them and support them.

• Act appropriately; do not taunt or disturb other fans; enjoy the game together.

• Cheer in a positive manner and encourage fair play; profanity and objectionable cheers or gestures are offensive.

• Help provide a safe and fun environment; throwing any items on the ice surface can cause injury to players and officials.

• Do not lean over or pound on the glass; the glass surrounding the ice surface is part of the playing area.

• Be responsible for your own safety - be alert to prevent accidents from flying pucks and other avoidable situations.

• Be supportive after the game – win or lose. Recognize good effort, teamwork and sportsmanship.

USA HOCKEY ZERO TOLERANCE

In an effort to make ice and inline hockey a more desirable and rewarding experience for all participants, the USA Hockey Youth, Junior and Adult Councils and the InLine Section have instructed the Officiating Program to adhere to certain points of emphasis relating to sportsmanship. This campaign is designed to require all players, coaches, officials, team officials and administrators and parents/spectators to maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all USA Hockey-sanctioned games.

Thus, the following points of emphasis must be implemented by all Referees and Linesmen:

A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a player:

2. Uses obscene or vulgar language at any time, including any swearing, even if it is not directed at a particular person.

3. Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official's decision. Any time that a player persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a misconduct penalty. A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such action.

A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a coach:

2. Uses obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.

3. Visually displays any sign of dissatisfaction with an official's decision including standing on the boards or standing in the bench doorway with the intent of inciting the officials, players or spectators.

Any time that a coach persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.

Officials are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike, impartial and constructive manner at all times. The actions of an official must be above reproach. Actions such as “baiting” or inciting players or coaches are strictly prohibited. Officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.

The game will be stopped by game officials when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The game officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectator’s viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include:

1. Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.

2. Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.

3. Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.

January 13, 2004

Dear USA Hockey Coaches and Officials:

USA Hockey would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy New Year and thank you for your continued involvement with our programs and your dedication to the great game of hockey. We realize the commitment you have made contributes positively to numerous participants on a daily basis and this effort has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. We hope that your season, thus far, has been filled with enjoyment for everyone.

As we enter into the second half of the season, much of which will be filled with playoffs and tournaments, we would also like to take this opportunity to re-emphasize the commitment USA Hockey has made to create a safe, enjoyable and positive hockey environment for all participants. Your role in this process is vital to our success and we are asking you to take a few minutes and review some important points that will help you be successful.

For coaches, please take a few minutes to review your role in teaching hockey skills in an enjoyable and positive way. Evaluate the emphasis you have placed on your team and compare that to the USA Hockey ideals presented to you through the various coaching resources you have been provided. This is also a good time to review expectations as it relates to sportsmanship and fair play with both your players and the parents from your team.

For officials, now is the time to refresh your knowledge of the rules and renew your commitment to doing your job on the ice, which is to simply enforce the rules of the game to the best of your ability. In doing so, pay special attention to the USA Hockey "Points of Emphasis" for the 2003-2005 seasons, which includes intimidation tactics such as the late avoidable check, contact after the whistle and stick work. USA Hockey's volunteer leadership has not backed off on their commitment to eliminate these tactics from the game and officials are expected to do the same.

Finally, both coaches and officials are asked to renew their commitment to working together to create a positive hockey environment. The success of our National U20 Team, winning the Gold Medal at the World Championship, has brought new recognition to our sport and presents us with an opportunity to expand awareness of USA Hockey as a successful National Governing Body. We need your help in fostering this awareness at the grassroots levels by establishing a positive hockey atmosphere. Be sure to pass this information on to other coaches and officials who may not have access to this e-mail.

As always, please use any of the resources available to you to assist you in your endeavors. USAHockey.com is continually updated with new material. Your education manuals and publications are up-to-date and share the ideals and goals of USA Hockey while your local volunteer leaders, or national office staff, are only a phone call away. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything we can do to assist you in your efforts.

Thank you, once again, for your involvement with our game. Keep up the great work and best wishes for the remainder of the season.

Respectfully,

Mark Tabrum and Matt Leaf
Directors, Coaching and Officiating Education Programs

December 14, 2003

Affiliate Association Presidents: Re: Ending Abuse of Officials and New Alaska “Point of Emphasis”

Over the years many sports programs have experienced, at times, negative publicity from reported acts of violence performed by parents, players, and coaches against each other and against game officials. These acts of aggression have not been limited to any particular sport and unfortunately appear to be increasing in frequency.

Within the sport of ice hockey, the national governing body is USA Hockey. USA Hockey has very clearly stated its philosophies and codes of conduct and playing rules that address appropriate behavior by all participants. These are outlined in the “Annual Guide” and within the “Official Playing Rules” handbook which is made available each year. These guidelines explain that appropriate behavior is expected from everyone, including: those involved in administration (including affiliate and association boards of directors and program directors, etc.), players, parents, coaches, and officials. USA Hockey has also clearly laid out within these guidebooks its policies with regard to Zero Tolerance, Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Screening, and Consumption/Use of Mood Altering Substances. These policies insure that appropriate actions are taken and due process followed for correcting noncompliance in these areas. The Alaska State Hockey Association (ASHA) and each member affiliate association have agreed to follow these rules when we signed affiliate agreements with USA Hockey.

At the ASHA board meeting held in Anchorage on December 6, 2003, the board was requested to address a growing problem within our program, namely “abuse of officials.” Our Referee in Chief and our Local Area Referee Supervisors have confirmed to us that we are losing many of our “on ice” officials every year due to such abuse. This is unacceptable and we cannot ignore such inappropriate behavior.

We as the governing body for the sport of ice hockey within Alaska and each of you as your affiliate representative, have the responsibility and authority to insure that USA Hockey philosophies, codes of conduct, and policies are followed. In this area USA Hockey has very clearly laid out for us a Zero Tolerance Policy with regard to abuse of officials. We must therefore work together to enforce this policy and stop any such abuse.

The key to enforcement will begin with the “on ice” officials. I am therefore asking our Referee in Chief and our Local Area Referee Supervisors to implement a very clear and immediate Zero Tolerance Policy with regard to coach or parent conduct in this area. I am asking that they forward this request to all USA Hockey officials working in Alaska and that they work with these officials to insure our expectations on enforcement of USA Hockey rules for Zero Tolerance are followed. This will be an Alaska “point of emphasis” to insure attention by our “on ice” officials in this matter.

Many parents and coaches do not believe their comments and actions to be abusive. They appear to misunderstand their role in the game and also misunderstand when and where they cross the line. I would therefore like to help clarify this question. Even when speaking in a normal tone of voice, it is NEVER appropriate for a coach to question an official’s judgment, capabilities, honesty or integrity. All of these types of comments are out of line and abusive. The referees should not allow whining, antics, or negative comments, and should not wait and let coaches’ behaviors escalate. Enforcement should be applied for the first negative act or comment. Such enforcement will stop the abuse.

The referee will normally follow a procedure of giving a warning, followed by a bench minor, which is followed by a game misconduct being assessed. For coaches that repeatedly receive such game misconduct penalties, the appropriate disciplinary committee within your organization should review these suspensions to determine if additional supplementary discipline may be necessary.

Affiliate level assistance may also be necessary to identify and discipline parents/spectators that abuse officials after a game has concluded. Please work with your local officials if they register a complaint with you in this area. Abusive individuals need to be identified and handled appropriately by your disciplinary committee.

Working together we will bring this area of concern back into compliance with USA Hockey guidelines. This change will be good for our officials, coaches, players, and parents, as it will help everyone to focus on their role and truly enjoy the game being played.

Thank you for your assistance with enforcing this Alaska “point of emphasis” for our program. Please don’t hesitate to contact me, should you have any questions in this matter.

Cc: Chris Milles, AK Referee in Chief AK Local Area Referee Supervisors ASHA Vice Presidents

Rule 601 Abuse of Officials and Other Misconduct

(Note) In the enforcement of this rule the Referee has, in many instances, the option of imposing a “bench minor penalty,” “minor penalty” or a “misconduct penalty.” In principle the Referee is directed to impose a “bench minor penalty” in respect to the violations that occur on or in the immediate vicinity of the players’ bench but off the playing surface, and in all cases affecting nonplaying personnel or players. A “minor penalty” or “misconduct penalty” should be imposed for violations that occur on the playing surface or in the penalty bench area and where the penalized player is readily identifiable.

An infraction covered under Rules 601(a) through (c) that occurs after the game shall be initially penalized under Rule 601(d).

(a) Any player who challenges or disputes the rulings of any Official or endeavors to incite an opponent (including taunting) or create a disturbance during the game shall be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. If the player persists in such challenge or dispute, he shall be assessed a misconduct penalty, and any further dispute by the same player will result in a game misconduct penalty being assessed.

(b) Any player who shoots the puck after the whistle has been blown shall be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct if, in the opinion of the Referee, the player had sufficient time after the whistle to refrain from taking such shot.

(1) In the vicinity of the players’ bench, using obscene, profane or abusive language to any person or using the name of any Official coupled with any vociferous remarks.

(2) In the vicinity of the players’ bench or penalty bench, throwing anything into the playing area during the progress of the game or during a stoppage of play.

(d) If any player is guilty of any one of the following, he shall be assessed a misconduct penalty:

(1) Using obscene, profane or abusive language to any person on the ice or anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game.

(2) During a stoppage, intentionally knocking, throwing or shooting the puck out of reach of an Official who is retrieving it.

(3) Deliberately throwing the stick, or any other equipment, out of the playing area at any time.

(4) After being penalized, not proceeding directly and immediately to the penalty bench and taking his place on the penalty bench, or to the dressing room, when so ordered by the Referee (gloves, stick, etc., shall be delivered to him at the penalty bench or dressing room by a teammate).

(5) Entering or remaining in the Referee’s crease while the Referee is reporting to or consulting with any Game Official including Linesmen, Timekeeper, Penalty Timekeeper, Official Scorer or Announcer except for the purpose of taking his place on the penalty bench.

(6) Interfering in any nonphysical manner with any Game Official including Referee, Linesman, Timekeepers or Goal Judges in the performance of their duties.

(e) If any player is guilty of any one of the following, he shall be assessed a misconduct or game misconduct penalty:

(1) Touching or holding the Referee, Linesman or any other Game Official with his hand or stick.

(2) Continuing or attempting to continue a fight or altercation after he has been ordered by the Referee to stop, or resisting the Linesman in the discharge of his duties.

(3) Intentionally banging the boards, protective glass, dasher boards or goal with a stick or any other instrument at any time. (If the offense is committed in protest of an official’s decision, a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct plus a misconduct or game misconduct shall be assessed the offending player.)

(f) If any player is guilty of any one of the following, he shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty:

(1) Persisting in any course of conduct for which he has previously been assessed a misconduct penalty.

(2) Using obscene gestures or racial/ethnic slurs on the ice or anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game.

(g) If any player is guilty of any of the following, he shall be assessed a match penalty:

(1) Deliberately inflicting physical harm to a Game Official in any manner or attempting to do so.

(Note) Any game official assessing a match penalty under Rule 601(g)1 shall file with their USA Hockey District Referee-in-Chief a written game report within 48 hours of the incident.

(2) Deliberately injuring an opposing Team Official in any manner or attempting to do so.

(3) Behaving in any manner that is critically detrimental to the conducting of the game, including spitting at an opponent, spectator, game or team official, or verbally threatening a Game Official with physical harm.

(h) If any Team Official is guilty of any one of the following, his team shall be assessed a bench minor penalty:

(2) Using obscene, profane or abusive language or abusive gestures (including taunting) to any person or using the name of any Official coupled with any vociferous remarks.

(3) Throwing anything into the playing area from the vicinity of the players’ bench during the game or during a stoppage of play.

(4) Using threatening or abusive language or gestures or similar actions designed to incite an opponent into incurring a penalty.

(5) Interfering in any nonphysical manner with any Game Official including the Referee, Linesman, Timekeepers or Goal Judges in the performance of their duties.

(i) If any Team Official is guilty of any of the following, he shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty:

(1) Using obscene gestures or racial/ethnic slurs on the ice or anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game.

(2) Persisting in any course of conduct for which he has previously been assessed a bench minor penalty.

(3) Interfering in any physical manner with any Game Official, including the Referee, Linesman, Timekeepers or Goal Judges in the performance of their duties.

(j) If any Team Official is guilty of any one of the following, he shall be assessed a match penalty:

(1) Deliberately inflicting physical harm to a game official in any manner or attempting to do so.

(Note) Any game official assessing a match penalty under Rule 601(j)1 shall file with their USA Hockey District Referee-in-Chief a written game report within 48 hours of the incident.

(2) Deliberately injuring a player or Team Official in any manner or attempting to do so.