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.
26players |
4coaches |
3fans |
1faculty/staffs |
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 the provided reports, the most common unsportsmanlike scenarios involve fighting—specifically, players throwing punches during or after plays, often escalating from shoving matches—followed closely by profanity directed at officials or opponents, which frequently results in multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties 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 girls’ soccer involve violent physical conduct—such as hair pulling, punching, and striking opponents—combined with persistent verbal abuse and dissent directed at both officials and opposing players, often escalating from reckless challenges into multiple 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.