Red Cedar League Sportsmanship Code of Conduct

POSTED 1/12/17

Statement of Intent: To teach and encourage good sportsmanship, team work, and enjoyment of the game. To provide an instructional basketball league for 4^th through 8^th grade boys and girls who live in the school districts of the member communities.

Sportsmanship is defined as:

playing fair
following the rules of the game
respecting the judgment of referees and officials
treating opponents with respect

Good sportsmanship is the "golden rule" of sports — in other words, treating the people you play with and against as you'd like to be treated yourself. You demonstrate good sportsmanship when you show respect for yourself, your teammates, your community, your opponents, for the coaches on both sides, and for the officials.

Coaches Code of Ethics:

The coach shall be aware that he or she has tremendous influence, on the education of his or her players and, thus, shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest ideas of character and moral.
The coach shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession. In all personal contact with players, officials, community coordinators, parents, and spectators the coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct.
The coach shall master the contest rules and shall teach them to his or her players.
The coaches shall exert his or her influence to enhance sportsmanship for parents, spectators and team members.
Public criticism of officials or players is unethical and will not be tolerated.
The coach shall respect and support contest officials. The coach shall not indulge in conduct which would incite players or spectators against the officials.
The coach shall meet and exchange cordial greetings with the opposing coach to set the correct tone for the event before and after the contest.

Parents Code of Ethics: Good sportsmanship begins at home! Parents can be the most influential and positive support group for young athletes as they grow and develop. Here are some examples of things you can do as parents for your children/players:

Learn as much as you can about your sport. Play by its rules. Show up for practice, work hard, and realize that on a team, everyone deserves a chance to play.
Talk politely and act courteously toward everyone before, during, and after games and events. That includes your children’s teammates, opponents, coaches, spectators, and the officials presiding over the game.
Stay cool. Even if others are losing their tempers, it doesn't mean you have to. Remind yourself that it is after all, just a game. Violence will never be tolerated and for any incident that occurs there will be consequences for all involved.
Cheer your children’s teammates on with positive statements.
Acknowledge and applaud good plays, even when someone on the other team makes them.
When officials make a call, accept it gracefully even if it goes against you. Remember that officials may not be right every time — but they're people who are doing their best, just as you are.

Officials Code of Ethics

Officials shall master both the rules of the game and mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, and shall exercise authority in an impartial, firm and controlled manner.
Officials shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interaction with players, coaches, community coordinators, and spectators.
Officials shall prepare themselves both physically and mentally, shall dress neatly and appropriately, and shall comport themselves in a manner consistent with the high standards of the profession.
Officials shall remain mindful that their conduct influences the respect that player-athletes, coaches, and the public hold for the profession.