Zero Tolerance Policies

USA Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy

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, theyshall 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, he/she 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. Officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.

Parents/Spectators

The game will be stopped by game officials when parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game.
The game officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectator’s 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:

1. Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.
2. Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.
3. Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.

Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois Zero Tolerance Policy (AHAI)

Zero Tolerance Policy

In an effort to keep ice hockey a more desirable and rewarding experience for all participants, AHAI has instructed the Officiating Program to adhere to certain points of emphasis relating to sportsmanship. This campaign is designed to require all players, coaches, officials, team officials and administrators and parents/spectators 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 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 officials 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 officials 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

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 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 anytime. Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.

Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.

Additional penaltIes

The following rules have been implemented for all ice hockey games played in the State of Illinois. All USA Hockey registered teams (whether registered with AHAI or not) must abide by these additional penalties:

A.  In regards to Rule 613 - Fisticuffs (Fighting) of the official Playing Rules of USA Hockey, the following addition has been imposed on all games under the jurisdiction of AHAI:

Any player who is assessed a penalty for fisticuffs under Rule 613 shall be suspended for the next three (3) games of that team not including the game in which the penalty was assessed.

Any player, coach, team, manager, association, club or individual violating this Rule shall be referred to the AHAI Rules & Ethics Committee and/or AHAI Suspension Committee for disciplinary action.

Any Tier I team, or, any team participating in a league based outside Illinois, or, any other Illinois team participating in a game outside the State of Illinois, shall follow regular USA Hockey Rules and/or the Rules of the Affiliate/Federation, and/or tournament rules they are playing that game within.

Illinois Hockey Officials Association Zero Tolerance Policy (IHOA)

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.

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.
Officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.

Parents/Spectators
The game will be stopped by game officials when parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The game officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectator’s 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:

1. Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.
2. Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or
physical violence.
3. Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.