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Codes of Conduct for

PLAYERS | PARENTS | COACHES

I. The Code of Conduct

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

In becoming a member of the lacrosse community an individual assumes certain obligations and responsibilities to the game of lacrosse and its participants. The essential elements in this "Code of Conduct" are HONESTY and INTEGRITY. Those who conduct themselves in a manner that reflects these elements will bring credit to the sport of lacrosse, themselves, their teams, and their organization. It is only through such conduct that our sport can earn and maintain a positive image and make its full contribution to youth sports in the United States and around the world.

The Arizona Youth Lacrosse (AYL) supports the following behaviors for those participating or involved in any way with the AYL and youth lacrosse in general:

 A. The essential elements of the "Code of Conduct" must be adhered to.

 B. Sportsmanship and teaching the concepts of fair play are essential to the game, and must be taught and developed both at home and on the field during practices and games. Permitting, encouraging, or condoning performance that is dangerous or demeaning to a player, coach, official, spectator, or anyone connected with the function of the game is unacceptable.

 C. The emphasis on winning should never be placed above the value of good sportsmanship, the concepts of fair play, or the skills of the game.

 D. Derogatory comments are unacceptable. Use positive reinforcement with players and adults alike. It should be remembered that criticism, once made, can never be retracted.

 E. The safety and welfare of the players are of primary importance.

 F. Coaches must always be aware of the tremendous influence they have on their players. They are to strive to be positive role models in dealing with young people, as well as with adults.

 G. Officials are expected to conduct themselves as professionals and in accordance with those guidelines and rules set forth in the applicable rule books and manuals; and in a manner that demonstrates courtesy and fairness to all parties while exercising their authority on the field.

 H. Adults involved with the game must never permit anyone to openly or maliciously criticize, badger, harass, or threaten an official. To do so is a violation of the rules of the game and must be considered unacceptable conduct. The coach must quietly and privately address all concerns to the officials at the appropriate time as defined by the rules; and if deemed appropriate, place in writing to the official's assigning authority any significant problems with the officiating.

 I. Knowledge of the Rules of Lacrosse must be respected and adhered to by all who participate in the game of lacrosse, both in the letter and the spirit of the game. The Rules are designed to protect the players, provide common standards and control the game. Attempts to beat these rules, to take unfair advantage of an opponent, or to teach deliberate unsportsmanlike conduct is considered unacceptable conduct.

 J. Guidelines and eligibility requirements, such as age and previous level of participation, have been established to encourage and maximize participation, as well as promote safety. All who
participate in the game of lacrosse must be thoroughly acquainted with these rules and regulations, and should assume the responsibility for their observance and enforcement. Attempts to circumvent eligibility rules, or to use ineligible players, shall be considered unacceptable conduct.

II. Enforcement of Violations of the Code of Conduct

 A. A player or coach who commits Unsportsmanlike Conduct (See Definitions) in any AYL-sanctioned game may be barred from the remainder of the game in question and, if in the course of a festival or tournament, from any remaining festival or tournament games. The offending individual(s) must immediately leave the game area. Upon a players or coachs further failure to comply with the officials rulings in this regard, AYL may bar the coach from attending or participating in any future games, festivals or tournaments. In addition, depending upon the seriousness of the infraction, a player or coach may be barred from attending or participating in any future game, festival or tournament games.

 B. A team that plays an Illegal Player (See Definitions), knowingly or unknowingly, in an AYL- sanctioned game, shall forfeit all games during which the infraction occurred and, if in the course of a festival or tournament, shall be barred from participating in any remaining festival or tournament games (no tolerance). Upon a teams further failure to comply with the officials rulings in this regard, AYL may bar the team from participating in any subsequent playoff or championship game.

 C. If a duly constituted event official or game official determines that one or more spectators has committed Unsportsmanlike Conduct (See Definitions), the game officials shall stop play and direct the coach(es) to personally ask the offending spectator(s) to immediately cease the disruptive activity. If such unacceptable behavior by the offending spectator(s) continues, the game officials shall assess a one-minute penalty against the team favored by the offending spectator(s), to be served by its in-home player, and shall direct the offending spectator(s) to immediately leave the game area for the remainder of that game. If the offending spectator(s) shall fail to leave the game area as directed, the game officials shall immediately stop play, and the team favored by the offending spectator(s) shall forfeit the game. Depending upon the severity of the infraction, or upon the offending spectator(s) further failure to comply with the officials rulings in this regard, AYL may bar the team favored by the offending spectator(s) from attending or participating in any future games, festivals or tournaments.

 D. A player, coach, team official, or spectator who berates or abuses an official or another coach, player, or spectator prior to, during, or after a game may be barred from participating in the remainder of the game and, if in the course of a festival or tournament, from any remaining festival or tournament games. In addition, the offending individual shall immediately leave the game area. Depending upon the seriousness of the infraction, the offending player, coach, team official, or spectator may be barred from attending or participating in any future games, festivals or tournaments.

 E. Any player, coach, team official or spectator on festival or tournament grounds, who conducts himself outside of game situations in an abusive, offensive, or illegal manner, may be barred from participating in any or all remaining festival or tournament games. Depending upon the seriousness of the infraction, the offending individual and his team may be barred from attending or participating any future games, festivals or tournaments. NOTE: Game officials may call for a designated authority (Police, Security, Festival Committee Member, Tournament Director, etc.), to escort from the festival or tournament grounds or game area, any individual(s) who has been requested by game officials, but fails, to leave voluntarily.

III. Definitions

 A. Illegal Player(s): An Illegal Player is defined as a player who plays during, or is listed on a teams official roster for, an AYL-sanctioned game, but who is then under suspension or ineligible for participation on that team.

 B. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Unsportsmanlike Conduct is defined as abusive, offensive, or illegal conduct by a player, coach, or spectator, at any time while on field or on the grounds of an AYL- sanctioned event, during game situations or outside of game situations. Unsportsmanlike Conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Fighting
  2. Causing property damage at an event site, (i.e.: Property damage to dorm rooms, eating areas, any part of the host site's physical plant, etc.);
  3. Entering into an argument with an official or umpire as to a decision that has been made;
  4. Attempting in any way to influence the decision of an official or umpire;
  5. Using threatening, profane, or obscene language or gestures at any time during a game;
  6. Baiting, taunting, or any other act which is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule, or demean others under any circumstances, including on the basis of race, religion, gender, or national origin.
  7. Appeal Procedure and Process

 C. If the barred individual or team in question wishes to challenge being barred from, participation in any future AYL-sanctioned event, he/she/it may make a formal request in writing to the AYL President for a hearing specifically in that regard. Upon receipt of such a request, AYL shall convene and conduct the hearing in accordance with AYL Rules.