Spectator Behavior Guidelines
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SPECTATOR BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES ● Remember that you are at a contest to support and cheer for your team and to enjoy the skill and competition, not to intimidate or ridicule the other team and its fans. ● Remember that interscholastic athletics are a learning experience for students and that mistakes are sometimes made. Praise student-athletes in their attempt to improve themselves as students, as athletes and as people, just as you would praise a student working in the classroom. ● Remember that a ticket is a privilege to observe the contest; it is not a license to verbally assault others and be generally obnoxious. ●Learn the rules of the game so that you may understand and appreciate and support groups. Treat them as you would treat a guest in your own home. ● Respect the integrity and judgment of contest officials. Understand that they are doing their best to help promote the student-athlete and admire their willingness to participate in full view of the public. ● Recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team. ● Refrain from the use of any controlled substances (alcohol, drugs, tobacco, etc.) before, during and after contests, on or near the site of the event (e.g., tailgating). ● Use only those cheers that support and uplift the teams involved. ● Recognize and compliment school and athletic administrators for their efforts in emphasizing the educational benefits of interscholastic athletics and the role of good sportsmanship. ● Be a positive role model through your own actions and by censuring those around you whose behavior is unbecoming. Behavior Standards: As specified by the National Federation and State High School Association Acceptable Behavior ● Applause during introductions of players, coaches and officials. ● Players shaking hands with opponent who fouls out while both sets of fans recognize player's performance with applause. ● Accept all decisions of officials ● Cheerleaders lead fans in positive school yells in positive manner. ● Handshakes between participants and coaches at the end of contest, regardless of outcome. ● Treat competition as a game, not a war. ● Coaches/players search out opposing participants to recognize them for outstanding performance or coaching. ● Applause at end of contest for performances of all participants ● Everyone showing concern for injured players regardless of tea. ● Encourage surrounding people to display only sportsmanlike conduct. Unacceptable Behavior ●.Yelling or waving arms during an opponent's free-throw attempt. ● Disrespectful or derogatory yelling, chants, songs or gestures. ● Booing or heckling an official’s decision. ● Criticizing officials in any way; displays of temper with an official call. ● Yells that antagonize opponents. ● Refusing to shake hands or give recognition for good performances. ● Blaming loss of game on officials, coaches or participants. ● Laughing or name-calling to distract an opponent. ● Use of profanity or displays of anger that draw attention away from the game. |