Zero Tolerance ~ Tri-City Youth Hockey

USA Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy

                                                                Why Zero Tolerance?
     Recently, several negative aspects of today's society have crept into the sport of ice hockey with a vengeance. The increasing number of physical assaults against On-ice officials reached staggering proportions during the past season. There were over 75 reported incidents of direct physical confrontations from either a player, coach, or spectator in amateur hockey. These assaults have occurred at all levels of our game. As a result of the alarming number of physical assaults against officials, the USA Hockey Board of Directors has developed a Zero Tolerance Policy regarding the verbal abuse of officials. Verbal abuse is the first step leading to physical abuse of officials. This Zero Tolerance Policy has been unanimously endorsed by the youth, junior and senior councils, the district referees-in-chief and the coaching achievement program directors for immediate implementation.
     To make ice hockey a more desirable and rewarding experience for all participants, the USA Hockey Board of Directors has instructed the Officiating Program to adhere to certain points of emphasis relating to sportsmanship. These points were written and implemented to maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all USA Hockey sanctioned games.

                                                              What is Zero Tolerance?

                                                                          Players
A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a player:
1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2. Uses obscene or vulgar language at anytime, including any swearing, even if it is not directed at a particular person.
3. Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official's decision.
*Any time that a player persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a misconduct penalty. A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such action.

                                                                         Coaches
A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a coach:
1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2. Uses obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.
3. Visually displays any sign of dissatisfaction with an official's decision including standing on the boards or standing in the bench doorway with the intent of inciting the officials, players or spectators.
*Any time that a coach persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.

                                                                       Officials
     Officials must apply these guidelines in a realistic manner and must be careful not to get overly technical in their enforcement. This policy is designed to eliminate direct confrontations with officials while still allowing players and coaches an avenue to communicate in a calm and reasonable fashion. Officials are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike and nonvindictive manner at all times. The actions of an official must be above reproach. Actions such as "baiting" or inciting players or coaches is strictly prohibited. On ice officials are ambassadors of the game and shall always conduct themselves with this responsiblity in mind.

                                                                Parents/Spectators
     The game will be stopped by on ice-officials when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The on-ice officials will identify the violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectators viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include:
     -Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.
     -Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.
     -Throwing of any ofject in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.

                                 What Is Considered A Physical Assault Against An Official?
     A Gross Misconduct Penalty under Rule 601 (g) or 601 (j) for Physical Abuse of an Offical shall be assessed any time a player , coach or other team official inflicts or attempts to inflict physical harm to an on-ice or off-ice official. This rule is in force from the time a team leaves the dressing room to begin a game until they re-enter the dressing room following that game.
     Additionally, any player or coach who resists an official by pushing or otherwise physically abusing him/her in any manner during an altercation, shall be penalized under this rule based on the severity of the violation. Officals shall exercise judgement based upon the intent of the player when applying this rule to breaking up an altercation. If it is clear that a player has physically abused an official who is attempting to restrain him/her, a Gross Miscondut Penalty shall be assessed. Incidental or minimal physical contact with an official must not be penalized under this rule.

                                   What Happens When An Official Is Physically Assaulted?

     Whenever an official is physically abused under Rule 601 (g) or 601 (j), he/she must complete an official report form and send it to the District Referee-In-Chief within 48 hours of the incident. The District Referee-In-Chief will immediately notify the President of the Affiliate Association of the offending player or team official. The Referee-In-Chief will review the case first. If it has merit, the governing Affiliate Association must conduct a hearing for a player or team official who has been assessed a Gross Miscondut under Rule 601 (g) or 601 (j) and has been reported to the Affiliate Association through the District Referee-In-Chief. The hearing MUST take place within 30 days of the incident. During the hearing, if a player or team official is found guilty of physical abuse of an official under this rule, he/she shall be assessed an automatic one year suspension (minimum) and a subsequent one year probation (minimum). The Affiliate Association may increase this suspension, based on the severity of the incident; however, it may not decrease this penalty.