Code of Conduct and Game Behavior Policy

The Metrowest League has always promoted good sportsmanship among coaches, players, and spectators. As referenced in the league’s Mission Statement, it’s important that all constituents understand that the league is for the benefit of the players. In order to promote a positive environment for all constituents, and to protect the players’ experience while participating in the League, the League has adopted a Code of Conduct, as well a set of policies for dealing with unacceptable behavior.

ALL COACHES, PLAYERS, AND PARENTS MUST REVIEW THIS POLICY IN DEPTH.

SOME TOWN ORGANIZATIONS HAVE THEIR OWN POLICIES FOR GAME BEHAVIORS. THE METROWEST POLICY IS THE MINIMUM STANDARD THAT MUST BE ENFORCED DURING LEAGUE GAMES, BUT IT DOES NOT REDUCE OR ELIMINATE ASPECTS OF LOCAL TOWN POLICIES THAT MAY BE MORE STRICT.

Coach Code of Conduct:

• Coaches are expected to lead and act in a way that demonstrates their understanding and full support of the fact that the League is for the benefit and enjoyment of the players and not the adults.
• Coaches must place the emotional and physical well-being of their players as the top priority, well ahead of the development of performance or any personal desire to win
• Coaches are expected to set the standard for acceptable behavior for their team, its players, and the spectators who attend games. To do this, coaches must model good sportsmanship at all times. Understand that your words and actions influence the words and actions of others. Modeling good sportsmanship includes avoidance of unnecessary rough and dirty play. Dirty play will not be tolerated.
• Be Proactive– seek out opportunities to help create and maintain a positive environment before, during and after games.
• Support the referees and refrain from making derogatory comments towards them. Be especially cautious of any unnecessary sideline behavior.
• NO trash talking…and refrain from actions or words that undercut the self-esteem of the players from either team
• Never confront someone, use condescending or threatening language, make physical threats, or engage in any physical confrontation (even if initiated by someone else)
• Ensure that all members of your team and their fans practice good sportsmanship at all times. Do not allow players on your team to make derogatory comments towards other players, officials, coaches, or spectators.
• Understand and recognize the drivers and signs of an escalating situation. Understand and be ready to employ strategies that can help calmly diffuse an escalating situation.
• Understand that your most important role this season (your “vital moment” this season) might be to recognize an escalating situation and work together with officials to diffuse a situation that would otherwise become a horrible incident that has a very negative impact on the young children who witness it.
• At the end of the game, support a positive “nice game” exchange between players and coaches

Player Code of Conduct:

• Treat your teammates and your opponent as you would like to be treated
• Be a good sport at all times and remember you represent your team and your parents/family. Being a good sport includes avoidance of unnecessary rough and dirty play.
• Play by the rules. Compete and prepare to win, never cheat to win.
• Control your behavior at all times. Use of bad language is unacceptable.
• Do not do anything that would endanger your opponents, your teammates, your coaches, yourself, or officials

Parent/Spectator Code of Conduct:

• Always keep in mind that the players are grade school children trying to learn a game, the team concept, improve their skills, and learn life lessons. They are NOT playing for the entertainment of the spectators.
• Players making mistakes and “figuring it out on their own” is part of the process. Often what is perceived to be an intentional or hard foul or collision is simply a young, competitive player that is still adjusting their coordination level to a growing body.
• Be positive. Applaud good performances from both teams. Congratulate all players regardless of the outcome. Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during competition.
• Show respect for your team’s opponents. Encourage players to obey the rules and decisions of officials.
• Demonstrate appropriate social behavior by not using foul language, harassing players, coaches, or officials. Adults should never act in a manner that is less than what they expect from their own children.
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches or players.
• STAY IN YOUR LANE and let the officials and coaches do their job. Remember that coaches and officials are trained and responsible for managing escalating situations. Spectators that get involved in these situations are often trying to help, but generally their actions just make the situation worse.

Game Procedure for Dealing with Unacceptable Behavior!

To support a safe and respectful environment, the league has developed procedures to address inappropriate behaviors. These procedures are outlined below. The game officials are responsible for monitoring the conduct of coaches/players/fans, and for leveraging these procedures to maintain a safe and respectful game environment. Note that the League Commissioner has final say on all penalties, and reserves the right to take any action that is deemed necessary to support the Code of Conduct, the Mission of the League, or to protect the experience of the league’s players.

Coach Misconduct:

• If a coach’s conduct is deemed inappropriate, officials can take ANY of the following actions:
  • Informal Comment/Warning
  • Formal Warning
  • Direct Technical Foul for Unsportsmanlike Conduct (2 Free Throws and Possession)
  • Coach Suspension following a 2nd Technical Foul (coach is required to leave the gym)
  • Note that these actions do NOT need to be taken in sequential order
• If, in the judgment of the officials, conduct was extremely out of line, after the game the head official will file a report with the League Commissioner, which will be shared with the Town Coordinator. If the conduct is deemed severe, additional penalties can be levied. (see “Subsequent Action Penalties” below).
• Coaches should ONLY work through their town administrator when responding to any reported incidents and should NEVER contact league officials, game officials, opposing coaches or players regarding any incident.

Spectator Misconduct:

• If one or more spectators’ conduct is deemed inappropriate, officials will stop play and can take any of the following actions:
  • The official can issue a warning. In many cases, the official will confer with a coach (or both coaches) who is asked to address all spectators associated with his or her team….without singling out any one individual
  • The officials can issue one or more Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties to spectators, each resulting in 2 free throws and possession for the opposing team. On the 4th such penalty, the game is automatically cancelled.
  • The officials can require one, several, or all spectators to leave the gym. Failure on the part of the spectator(s) to comply may result in the referee calling a premature end to the game.
  • Lastly, the officials can cancel the remainder of the game if they deem appropriate due to spectator behaviors or actions, fights, or other material incidents or risks
• Officials have discretion on applying these actions, and they do NOT need to be taken in any order.
• If, in the judgment of the officials, conduct was extremely out of line, after the game the head official will file a report with the League Commissioner, which will be shared with the Town Coordinator. If the conduct is deemed severe, additional penalties can be levied (see “Subsequent Action Penalties” below).
• Spectators should NEVER contact league officials, game officials, opposing coaches or players regarding any incident. Spectators should only contact their town coordinator.

Player Misconduct:

• If an official determines that a player is exhibiting inappropriate behavior, the officials will stop play and confer with the coach to correct the inappropriate behavior.
• The use of technical fouls will continue as in the past, including mandatory suspension of a player for game ejection.
• If, in the judgment of the officials, a player’s conduct was extremely out of line, after the game the head official will file a report with the League Commissioner, which will be shared with the Town Coordinator. If the conduct is deemed severe, additional penalties can be levied (see “Subsequent Action Penalties” below).

ZERO TOLERANCE Policy regarding Post-Game Interactions:

• NO ONE is allowed to approach the officials or anyone else at the conclusion of the game for anything other than positive remarks or a handshake. This includes asking officials to clarify a ruling or call that was made that someone disagreed with and wants more clarity on. This zero-tolerance policy calls for a 1 game suspension for any violation of this rule and suspension for the remainder of the season on a 2nd offense. This policy will be strictly enforced. The League Commissioner can enforce further action after a review of the details.
• If someone felt an official/coach/player/spectator did something wrong, they should never confront them. There is a process in place to pursue a concern through the town coordinator.

Social Media Policy

Coaches, Players, Parents, Officials and Coordinators are prohibited from posting anything on social media– direct or implied– that could be implied as negative, critical, or derogatory in reference to any specific Metrowest affiliated individual/teams other than his or her own self or children. Positive comments are of course fine.

Posting critical comments on officiating on a social media platform is prohibited by anyone affiliated with a Metrowest team. Much like professional sports, college sports, or MIAA (Massachusetts HS sports), commenting on officiating via any media platform (print, electronic, social or otherwise) is not allowed. And suspensions are giving for any such activity.

Any offensive of this guideline will result in a game suspension for the first offense and removal from the league for a 2nd offense. This includes spectators, parents, coaches, coordinators, and players.