Throughout the school year, TSSAA-registered contest officials report incidents of unsporting behavior to the TSSAA in order for the Executive Director to insure that schools are respecting association bylaws regarding unsportsmanlike conduct.
The TSSAA and its member schools believe strongly that the major purpose of education-based athletics is to be a part of the total educational program. A major part of this purpose is to stress to coaches, players, officials, and fans the vital importance of sportsmanship. It is critical that all parties understand the role they play in maintaining an atmosphere of good sportsmanship and being a positive role model for others.
A finalized list of incidents and responses is maintained by the state office staff and presented to the Board of Control each year at its June meeting.
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To address these issues, coaches and school administrators can teach and demonstrate positive behavior by emphasizing the importance of respect and sportsmanship. Coaches should lead by example, treating officials, opponents, and their own players with respect at all times. They should emphasize the importance of fair play and encourage their players to display good sportsmanship. Additionally, coaches and administrators should create a positive game environment by promoting crowd etiquette and addressing any fan behavior that goes against the values of sportsmanship. It is crucial to educate everyone involved in the game about the importance of positive behavior, both on and off the court, to create a more enjoyable and respectful atmosphere for all participants.
Based on numerous game reports, the most common unsportsmanlike scenarios in boys' high school basketball stem from reactions to officiating decisions, taunting/verbal altercations, and physical altercations. Players and coaches frequently receive technical fouls for arguing calls, with some escalating to profanity-laced rants and delayed exits from the court. Beyond players and coaches, fan behavior is a significant issue, often involving yelling at or even approaching officials, sometimes crossing the line into threats and necessitating removal from the venue. On-court incidents like intentional fouls, retaliatory shoves, and even players leaving the bench during altercations also contribute to a volatile atmosphere and highlight the challenges of maintaining sportsmanship.
The full list of disciplinary actions is only available to school personnel. Sign into the Portal and return to this page to view the report.
Based on the officials' reports, the most common unsportsmanlike scenarios in Girls' Basketball involve disrespectful behavior towards officials, physical altercations between players, and inappropriate conduct from fans. Players are frequently cited for using profanity directed at referees, instigating fights, and committing flagrant fouls. Fan misconduct includes yelling abusive language, rushing onto the court, and exhibiting unsportsmanlike behavior leading to ejections. Coaches and assistant coaches are also guilty of unsportsmanlike behavior such as arguing calls, yelling at officials, and refusing to sit down leading to technical fouls and ejections.
The full list of disciplinary actions is only available to school personnel. Sign into the Portal and return to this page to view the report.
Based on these reports, the most common unsportsmanlike scenarios in high school football involve fighting, which includes throwing punches, general scuffles, and players leaving the bench to join altercations. Disrespect toward officials, whether through profanity, contact, or gestures, is also frequent. Additionally, unsportsmanlike conduct often manifests as inappropriate language directed at opponents, gestures such as grabbing the crotch or flipping the bird, and rough plays like kicking or stomping on downed players, and helmet to helmet contact with the receiver.
The full list of disciplinary actions is only available to school personnel. Sign into the Portal and return to this page to view the report.
Based on these reports, the most common unsportsmanlike scenarios in high school soccer appear to revolve around dissent towards officials, often escalating to verbal abuse and, in some cases, physical contact. Players frequently receive cautions (yellow cards) and ejections (red cards) for arguing calls, using foul or abusive language towards referees, or reacting poorly to perceived unfairness. Additionally, altercations between players, including fighting and retaliation for perceived fouls (like hair-pulling), are a recurring issue. Fan behavior, including public profanity, derogatory comments towards players, and dissent directed at officials is also a common factor.
The full list of disciplinary actions is only available to school personnel. Sign into the Portal and return to this page to view the report.
After reviewing numerous game reports, a recurring theme of unsportsmanlike conduct in girls' soccer revolves around dissent towards officials, often escalating to offensive language and verbal abuse. Both players and spectators frequently challenged calls, sometimes resulting in ejections for profanity directed at referees or opponents, and for parents crossing the line with aggressive behavior including verbal abuse and delaying game restarts. Fighting and violent conduct, such as kicking or hair pulling, also surfaced.
The full list of disciplinary actions is only available to school personnel. Sign into the Portal and return to this page to view the report.
Based on these officials' reports, the most common unsportsmanlike scenarios in girls' volleyball revolve around escalating tensions related to perceived bad calls, particularly double contacts, net violations, or out-of-bounds plays. This leads to coaches and sometimes fans exhibiting disrespectful behavior, including arguing with officials (even after warnings), using profanity, making accusations of cheating, verbally abusing referees and scorekeepers, and in extreme cases, throwing objects, refusing to leave the premises, or even following officials after the game. The lack of adequate security personnel, coupled with administrators sometimes seemingly hesitant to intervene, further compounds these problems, creating unsafe and intimidating environments for everyone involved.
The full list of disciplinary actions is only available to school personnel. Sign into the Portal and return to this page to view the report.
Based on these official reports, the most common instances of unsportsmanlike conduct in high school wrestling stem from frustration and a lack of self-control. These often manifest as verbal abuse directed at opponents or officials, including cursing and derogatory language. Physical aggression after the whistle, such as striking an opponent or throwing equipment, also appears frequently. Biting, whether out of frustration or during a scramble for position, is another recurring and egregious offense warranting immediate disqualification. Finally, outside the wrestlers themselves, unruly behavior from coaches and parents at the edge of the mat and in the stands can also lead to ejections from matches and venues.
The full list of disciplinary actions is only available to school personnel. Sign into the Portal and return to this page to view the report.