NASSAU/suffolk P.A.L. long island LACROSSE league

SPORTSMANSHIP PHILOSOPHY

The Long Island Lacrosse League is committed to promoting the ideals of sportsmanship. These include the concepts of ethical conduct and fair play by all who participate in, officiate, or attend our events and activities. We stand in opposition to all instances and activities which do not support the high standards of athletic competition and do not ensure the well-being of our participants. We expect that a high standard of citizenship and respect for others will be evident at all events.

We are also committed to the belief that all organizations participating in P.A.L. lacrosse activities will be held responsible for the conduct of their players, coaches, directors and spectators. Conduct deemed detrimental to the values of the League may be deemed just cause for reprimand, probation, suspension or expulsion from the Long Island Lacrosse League.

*Long Island Lacrosse League Sportsmanship Code*

*RESPECT THE GAME; RESPECT THE OFFICIALS; RESPECT YOUR OPPONENT; AND RESPECT YOURSELVES*

Spectators

It is the responsibility of the spectator to:

• Cheer positively. Profanity and/or degrading language/gestures are prohibited.
• Avoid actions which offend visiting teams, individual players, and/or officials.
• Show appreciation of good play by both teams.
• Treat all visiting teams and officials in a respectful, professional and appropriate manner.
• Abide by all rules and regulations of the game.
• Accept victory and defeat with grace and dignity.

Athletes

It is the responsibility of the athletes to:

• Demonstrate self-control and respect for other athletes, officials, coaches and spectators at all times.
• Remember that participation in all athletics is a privilege that is not to be abused by unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Treat all opponents with Shake hands after the event and congratulate them on their performance.
• Respect the integrity and judgment of the officials.
• Remember that you are a representative of your community. Improper behavior reflects negatively on yourself, your school, your family and your community.
• Understand and abide by all rules and regulations of the game.
• Accept victory and defeat with grace and dignity.

Coaching Staff 

It is the responsibility of the coaching staff to:

• Promote good sportsmanship by setting a positive example while coaching your athletes.
• Respect the integrity and judgment of all sports officials.
• Approach the athletic competition as a healthy and constructive exercise, not as a life and death struggle that requires victory at any price.
• Recognize that the athletes in any individual or team sport are young men and women with human frailties and limitations, who are capable of making mistakes.
• Refrain from the use of crude, abusive or demeaning language with players, opponents, officials, or spectators.
• Instruct players on the importance of sportsmanlike behavior and immediately remove players from competition who demonstrate unsportsmanlike behavior.
• Avoid behaviors that will incite players, opponents or spectators.

Lacrosse Organization

It is the responsibility of each lacrosse Community and Organization participating in the P.A.L. Youth Lacrosse League to:

• Share the P.A.L. codes of conduct with their players and spectators in an effective manner.
• Encourage all coaches to distribute an approved, written code of conduct to all athletes and spectators.
• Post P.A.L. lacrosse spectator codes of conduct at all athletic venues where possible. Such postings should be in areas where they are easily visible to all in attendance.
• Update their coaching staff on all sportsmanship rules, regulations, guidelines and procedures.
• Be held responsible for the conduct of their players, coaches, faculty, spectators and cheerleaders.
• Provide adequate supervision when visiting teams arrive and depart.
• Have a Director or his or her designee at contest sites.
• Know that if violations occur at the athletic events, it is the responsibility of the organization to report all such infractions to the P.A.L. Ethics Committee in accordance with established procedures.