USA Hockey: Zero Tolerance Policy if a Player

Zero Tolerance Policy


In an effort to make ice and inline hockey more desirable and rewarding experiences for all participants, the USA Hockey Youth, Junior and Adult Councils and the InLine Section have instructed the Officiating Program to adhere to certain points of emphasis relating to sportsmanship. This campaign is designed to require all players, coaches, officials, parents/spectators and team officials and administrators to maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all USA Hockey–sanctioned games.

Thus, the following points of emphasis must be implemented by all Referees and Linesmen:

Players

A penalty (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a player (please refer to Rule 601 for appropriate penalty):

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, additional penalties shall be assessed per the penalty progression established under Rule 601.

RULE 601: from http://www.dwhl.org/allHockeyRules.php


601a Penalties & Abuse of Officials and Other Misconduct

(a) Any player who challenges or disputes the rulings of any Official or endeavors to incite an opponent (including taunting) or create a disturbance during the game shall be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. If the player persists in such challenge or dispute He/she shall be assessed a misconduct penalty, and any further dispute by the same player will result in a game misconduct penalty being assessed.

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601b Penalties & Abuse of Officials and Other Misconduct

(b) Any player who shoots the puck after the whistle has been blown shall be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct if, in the opinion of the Referee, the player had sufficient time after the whistle to refrain from taking such shot.

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601c Penalties & Abuse of Officials and Other Misconduct

(c) If any player is guilty of any one of the following, his team shall be assessed a bench minor penalty: 1) In the vicinity of the players? bench, using obscene, profane or abusive language to any person or any Official or 2) In the vicinity of the players? bench or penalty bench, throwing anything into the playing area during the progress of the game or during a stoppage of play.

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601d Penalties & Abuse of Officials and Other Misconduct

(d) If any player is guilty of any one of the following, he shall be assessed a MISCONDUCT penalty: 1) Using obscene, profane or abusive language to any person on the ice or anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game, 2) During a stoppage, intentionally knocking, throwing or shooting the puck out of reach of an Official who is retrieving it, 3) Deliberately throwing the stick, or any other equipment, out of the playing area at any time except as indicated in Rule 636(c), 4) After being penalized, not proceeding directly and immediately to the penalty bench and taking his place on the penalty bench, or to the dressing room, when so ordered by the Referee, 5) Entering or remaining in the Referee?s crease while the Referee is reporting to or consulting with any Game Official including Linesmen, Timekeeper, Penalty Timekeeper, Official Scorer or Announcer except for the purpose of taking his place on the penalty bench, 6) Interfering in any nonphysical manner with any Game Official including Referee, Linesman, Timekeepers or Goal Judges in the performance of their duties.


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601e Penalties & Abuse of Officials and Other Misconduct

(e) If any player is guilty of any one of the following, he/she shall be assessed a MISCONDUCT or GAME MISCONDUCT penalty: 1) Touching / holding the Referee, Linesman or any other Game Official with his hand or stick.... 3) Intentionally banging the boards, protective glass, dasher boards or goal with a stick or any other instrument at any time, If the offense is committed in protest of an official?s decision, a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct plus a misconduct or game misconduct shall be assessed the offending player.


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601f Penalties & Abuse of Officials and Other Misconduct

(f) If any player is guilty of any one of the following, he shall be assessed a GAME MISCONDUCT penalty: 1) Persisting in any course of conduct for which he has previously been assessed a misconduct penalty or 2) Using obscene gestures or racial/ethnic slurs on the ice or anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game.


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601g & 601 Penalties & Abuse of Officials and Other Misconduc

(g) If any player or team official who is guilty of any of the following, shall be assessed a MATCH penalty: 1) Deliberately inflicting physical harm to a Game Official in any manner or attempting to do so, 2) Deliberately injuring an Opposing Player or Team Official in any manner or attempting to do so, 3) Behaving in any manner that is critically detrimental to the conducting of the game, including spitting at an opponent, spectator, or team official, or verbally threatening a Game Official, Opposing Team Official or Opposing Player with physical harm. (Also see Rule 603.)