AHAI ZERO TOLERENCE
AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION of ILLINOIS
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
In an effort to make ice hockey a more desirable and rewarding experience for all participants, AHAI has a very simple definition of Zero Tolerance and it will not be tolerated. The definition is: Any lack of Respect or Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated and will be a violation of AHAI’s Zero Tolerance Policy. This campaign is designed to require all players, coaches, officials, team officials and administrators, parents and spectators to comply with the Zero Tolerance Policy. Each organization, player, coach, officials, team officials and administrators, parents and spectators are expected to enforce this Policy. In addition, AHAI has instructed the Officiating Program to adhere to certain points of interest to enforce this Policy in all USA Hockey sanctioned games. Thus, the following points of emphasis must be implemented by all On-Ice Referees and Linesmen:
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 any time, 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 are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike, impartial and constructive manner at all times. The actions of an official must be above reproach. Actions such as “baiting” or inciting players or coaches are strictly prohibited. On-ice officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.
PARENTS/SPECTATORS
A game will be stopped by on-ice officials when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate or disruptive behavior interfere with other parents/spectators or the game. The on-ice officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the parents’/spectators’ viewing and game area.
Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced. Violators will incur a minimum mandatory 3-game suspension from that team’s games and may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body.
The reasons for this necessary minimum 3-game suspension rule are simple; last season there was a marked increase in parents’/spectators’ behavior being out of control. These behaviors included verbal and physical altercations with officials, players and other spectators. Additionally clubs/teams that have a responsibility to help control and penalize these behaviors were asking for guidance from AHAI.
No matter why a spectator is asked to leave, the minimum suspension is 3 games. There is emphasis on a minimum of 3 games.
Here is how the reporting system works:
An official will file an electronic “Incident Report” detailing the official’s version of the occurrence with the AHAI R&E Committee. The Committee sends the report to the spectator’s club in order for the club to conduct an investigation. Upon completion of the spectator’s club investigation (that should include talking to the accused spectator) the investigating club will report back to the AHAI R&E Committee for final approval of the minimum 3-game suspension or any additional imposed suspension.
This is a very simple rule. Any spectator asked to leave a rink by an official or by the rink personnel will automatically miss a minimum of 3 games. No questions asked.
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