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.
108players |
43fans |
28coaches |
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, unsportsmanlike conduct in boys' high school basketball frequently arises from a few key situations. Disrespect towards officials, including verbal abuse, questioning of calls, and taunting, is a recurring theme from coaches, players, and fans alike, often leading to technical fouls and ejections. Physical altercations, ranging from pushing and shoving to intentional or flagrant fouls and even punching, are also common, sometimes escalating into bench-clearing situations or fan involvement. Finally, inappropriate and threatening behavior emanating from the stands, targeting players or officials, necessitates administrator intervention and ejections to maintain order and safety. These reports highlight fan ejections due to "threatening remarks towards 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.
Based on the officials' reports, the most common unsportsmanlike scenarios in girls' high school basketball appear to stem from a few recurring issues. First, physical altercations on the court, ranging from pushing and shoving to full-blown fights, often resulting in ejections for fighting or flagrant fouls. Second, verbal abuse and profanity directed at officials, sometimes by players or coaches, but frequently by fans, leading to technical fouls, ejections, and removals from the premises. Finally, unauthorized entry onto the court, whether by irate parents, coaches, or players leaving the bench during a confrontation, is a common trigger for technical fouls, ejections, and further disciplinary action.
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 physical altercations and verbal abuse. Fighting, including throwing punches during or after plays, is a frequent cause for ejection. Also prevalent are incidents involving making contact with officials, whether intentional or otherwise, often accompanied by profane language. Finally, leaving the bench area to participate in on-field altercations, as well as specific behaviors directed at other players or officials that are deemed taunting or flagrantly disrespectful, regularly result in penalties and ejections as well.
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 revolve around players directing offensive, abusive, or insulting language towards referees, opponents, or teammates, often in moments of frustration after a perceived bad call or missed opportunity. Dissent towards officials, expressed through arguing and shouting, is also a frequent issue, sometimes escalating to further misconduct. Additionally, reckless challenges endangering player safety and actions that deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity frequently lead to red cards, and can spark further negative reactions. Finally, violent conduct and taunting also play a significant role.
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 girls' soccer often manifests in a few key areas. Dissent towards officials, both from players and spectators, is prevalent, ranging from verbal abuse and profanity to accusations of bias and even physical intimidation. Reckless fouls, including those escalating to violent conduct such as punching, kicking, and hair-pulling, also contribute significantly. Furthermore, intentionally delaying the restart of play and using distracting tactics like air horns from the stands add to the challenges in maintaining a sportsmanlike atmosphere during matches.
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 officiating reports, the most common unsportsmanlike scenarios in girls' volleyball stem from coaches and fans losing their composure over perceived bad calls. Coaches often argue excessively with officials, sometimes escalating to profanity, throwing objects, or even directing personal insults. Fans mirror this behavior, with incidents of verbal abuse directed at officials, the scorer's table, and even opposing players, sometimes leading to ejections. Disrespect for the rules of the game ( e.g. illegal lineups, arguments over libero replacements) and refusal to follow the instructions of officials or administrators are also prevalent themes, leading to a disruptive and sometimes unsafe environment.
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 wrestling commonly stems from a few key scenarios: **Profanity and abusive language** directed at opponents, coaches, or officials is a recurring theme, often triggered by frustration after a tough loss or perceived bad call. **Physical aggression after the match**, such as shoving, punching, slapping, or even biting, is another common issue arising from heightened emotions and competitive intensity. Finally, **disregard for official warnings and rule violations**, including unsportsmanlike actions from the sidelines by coaches or fans, also contributes to a significant number of ejections and penalties.
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.