Fan Sportsmanship Rules

[Racket_Man]

I heard about this on one of the local US Public Radio stations the other day

IT seems that every school sports season we get almost weekly news stories about parents/fans/guests doing VERY inappropreiate things such as yelling profanities, off-field coaching, getting physical with coaches/other players/other parents/confronting coaches about playing time/game stragedy, etc.

http://www.wiscnews.com/news/local/a...8d97d0440.html

http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/...323018021.html

http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/Ba...322860241.html

Boiled down this essencially is a set of rules for FAN behavior while at the local high school sporting events.

Here are some of the rules and protocols proposed by the school district

•I will not coach my child or other players during games and/or practices. I understand that I am the parent or fan and will leave the coaching to those who have been entrusted with the position.
•I will give my child space and time after games, except for encouragement and praise.
•I will understand the role my athlete plays on the team. I will encourage my athlete to perform that role to the best of his/her ability.
•I will refrain from undermining or spreading ill will by passing on gossip, rumors, and innuendos which would or could destroy team morale or cohesiveness.
•I promise to help my child enjoy the sport experience by doing whatever I can, such as attending as many games as possible and being a supportive, respectable fan.
•I, and my guests, will never be under the influence of, or in the possession of, drugs, alcohol, tobacco products or weapons of any kind at practices, contests or other school events.
•I, and my guests, will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike or disrespectful conduct toward an official, coach, player or parent such as booing, taunting or using profane or offensive language or gestures.
•I will support the 24-Hour Rule: with the exception of the safety of a student, parents are not to address athletic concerns with the coach for at least 24 hours after a contest. I will follow the established protocol for addressing concerns if an issue arises.
•I will not post on any social media site negative, demeaning or derogatory comments that may hurt, humiliate, threaten or intimidate any player, coach or spectator.
•I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of my personal desire to win. I will inform the coach of any physical disability, illness or injury that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others
•The code includes a list of decisions that will be made by coaches, at their discretion. These are not to be discussed with parents. They are: playing time, coaching style, game strategy (including substitutions), style of play, information regarding a child other than your own and team awards.

What are you thoughts on this??

[Bloodsoul]

Wouldn't it be simpler to just boil it down to three?

• Sit down.
• Shut up.
• Watch.

[TheHuckster]

It's sad that parents in the past have not only been disruptive at games, but violent and abusive, to the point where we need these kinds of rules written.

[Gravekeeper]

"If a child next to me catches a ball, puck or souvenir from a player I will not tear it out of their hands like a despicable monster and hold it up like I caught it myself."

[Sarah Valentine]

"If a child next to me catches a ball, puck or souvenir from a player I will not tear it out of their hands like a despicable monster and hold it up like I caught it myself."

Every so often someone posts a link to a video saying "look what this asshole did" and it's just that, as for the rules that Racket Man posted it should be titled "how not to be an asshole" or as Bloodsoul said: sit down, shut up, watch. Maybe it's me but I just don't get how some people get so worked up over sports.

[Andara Bledin]

People get so worked up over sports as a substitute for the excitement they lack in their lives.

And others just like to be part of something, even something as random of as $fan.

[Racket_Man]

Part of the reason is they get to be entitled EWs type helicopter parents who think their "special snowflake" child is the next <insert big name sports star> , that they the parents are soooooo muuuuucccchhhhhh better at coaching, stragedy, play calling, refereeing, etc.

What it boils down to is the parent is living vicariously through their children.

[TheRoo]

It's not limited to high school either. I coach tball for special olympics. This year, the athletes on my team range from age 15-65 with everything in between. Last year, we had a 12 year old girl on it, and during one of our games, her dad was criticizing how I would always hold the runner at 3rd base. Our athletic director said to him that if he thinks he could help, they're always looking for more volunteers. He didn't say a word after that.

This year, they introduced a "Parent/Caregiver Code of Conduct", to supplement the Player's Code of Conduct that the players need to abide by, and the Coach's Code of Conduct that I and all of the other coaches adhere to. All three of them can basically be boiled down to: Don't be a dick.

To sign up online, you have to check a box saying that you agree to abide by whatever code applies to you. We were told by the athletic director that if we needed help enforcing the caregiver code, she would be more than happy to help, and it's my understanding that in some extreme circumstances (none on my team) that the caregiver is not allowed to attend any functions sponsored by our local group.

[Estil]

My thoughts on all this is how pathethic it is that such steps are needed. I mean seriously all young athletes are taught from the very start about the importance of good sportsmanship, teamwork, never giving up/quitting (unless you happen to have that 10 run rule), and so on. I guess the grown-ups (I bet the vast majority of whom were involved in sports or other such activities in their day as well) forgot all about that.

[Nekojin]

People get so worked up over sports as a substitute for the excitement they lack in their lives.

And others just like to be part of something, even something as random of as $fan.

IMO, It's not excitement that people feel they're lacking, it's achievement, or accomplishment. Only instead of making their own achievements, they're attaching their ego to a group that they like - a local sports team, a celebrity, a politician.

It's the same thing that drives people to getting addicted to MMOs - having your Guild beat a very difficult Boss gives far more sense of accomplishment than most 9-to-5 jobs, especially McJobs. Most corporate jobs are anything but emotionally rewarding.

[HYHYBT]

It's halfway implied elsewhere, but since the bottom section lists things that will not be discussed, it should have an explicit safety exception.