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 these reports, the most common unsportsmanlike scenarios in high school boys' basketball appear to revolve around intense emotional reactions to officiating. Coaches frequently receive warnings and technical fouls for arguing calls, using inappropriate language, and crossing the coaching box. Players are often ejected for taunting, committing flagrant fouls involving physical contact, or, less frequently, for accumulating multiple technical fouls for behavior like dunking and hanging on the rim. Fan behavior is also a significant factor, with ejections occurring due to abusive language directed at officials, and in extreme cases, entering the court to complain or being involved in physical altercations.
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 girls' high school basketball involve escalating situations stemming from in-game fouls and calls. These often begin with verbal altercations between players, including taunting, foul language directed at opponents and officials, and accusations of cheating. These disagreements can quickly turn physical, ranging from pushing and shoving to outright fighting, often with benches clearing and leading to ejections. Unsportsmanlike conduct also extends to the stands, with unruly fans yelling at players, officials, and even provoking confrontations, sometimes requiring ejection and police intervention.
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, unsportsmanlike conduct in high school football frequently stems from volatile on-field interactions leading to physical altercations. Players throwing punches, engaging in shoving matches, or kicking opponents, often during or after plays, are common occurrences. Furthermore, verbal altercations involving profanity directed at officials, opponents, or even gestures considered obscene, contribute significantly to ejections. Entering the field from the bench area during a confrontation, intentional contact with game officials, and repeated unsportsmanlike penalties leading to disqualification are also recurring problems.
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 conduct in high school soccer includes dissent towards officials (leading to coach ejections), physical altercations between players (hair pulling, punching, reckless tackles), foul and abusive language directed at referees or opposing players, and unsportsmanlike behavior from fans (profanity, derogatory comments) that often warrants removal from the stadium. Receiving multiple yellow cards in this context as well as violent actions or language seems to be a pattern that can lead to a Red Card quickly.
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 girls' soccer involve dissent towards officials, often expressed through disrespectful or abusive language from players, coaches, and spectators. Ejections are frequently the result of this dissent, as well as violent conduct, often stemming from frustration or retaliatory actions. Air horns are also a common issue causing the Athletic directors to confiscate air horns from the stands. Finally, there are instances of fans shouting vulgarities at players who were just cautioned.
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 high school girls' volleyball appear to revolve around coaches or spectators exhibiting aggressive and disrespectful behavior toward officials and, in some cases, opposing teams. This includes arguing calls, using profanity, yelling insults, refusing to follow procedures for questioning rulings, and even physical acts of throwing objects or making threats. Fan misconduct, ranging from heckling to targeted harassment and potentially even physical intimidation outside the gymnasium, also poses a significant problem, often exacerbated by a lack of adequate security presence or enforcement.
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, unsportsmanlike conduct in high school wrestling frequently stems from frustration and lack of emotional control. Biting opponents during matches, often confirmed by visible teeth marks, stands out as a particularly egregious offense leading to immediate disqualifications. Verbal abuse is prevalent, ranging from cursing at opponents, coaches, or officials, to heated arguments and disrespectful language. Physical acts of aggression like throwing punches or headbutting also occur, along with throwing headgear. Spectator interference, like stepping onto the mat or directing inappropriate language towards the officials, also contributes to the unsportsmanlike environment, as does refusing to adhere to rules and directives from the officials.
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.