Tiger Junior Lacrosse Club

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TJLC and USA Lacrosse Code of Conduct

Tiger Junior Lacrosse Club has a zero-tolerance policy for violations of the USA Lacrosse Code of Conduct and the Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy. If anyone is found to violate these policies, they will face disciplinary action. This may include suspension or removal from Tiger Junior Lacrosse Club and all future TJLC events, with no refund provided.

USA LACROSSE CODE OF CONDUCT

The USA Lacrosse Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy is embedded into each participant’s Code of Conduct.

Players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators are to conduct themselves in a manner that "Honors the Game" and demonstrates respect to other players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators fans. In becoming a member of the lacrosse community an individual assumes certain obligations and responsibilities to the game of lacrosse and its participants. The essential elements in this "Code of Conduct" are HONESTY and INTEGRITY. Those who conduct themselves in a manner that reflects these elements will bring credit to the sport of lacrosse, themselves, their team and their organization. It is only through such conduct that our sport can continue to earn and maintain a positive image and make its full contribution to amateur sports in the United States and around the world. US Lacrosse supports the following behaviors for those who participate in the sport or are involved in any way with US Lacrosse. The following essential elements of the "Code of Conduct" must be followed:

Sportsmanship and teaching the concepts of fair play are essential to the game and must be taught at all levels and developed both at home and on the field during practices and games.
The value of good sportsmanship, the concepts of fair play, and the skills of the game should always be placed above winning.
The safety and welfare of the players are of primary importance.
Coaches must always be aware of the tremendous influence they have on their players. They are to strive to be positive role models in dealing with young people, as well as adults.
Coaches should always demonstrate positive behaviors and reinforce them to players, parents, officials and spectators alike. Players should be specifically encouraged and positively reinforced by coaches to demonstrate respect for teammates, opponents, officials and spectators.
Players should always demonstrate positive behavior and respect toward teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, parents and spectators.
Coaches, players, parents and spectators are expected to demonstrate the utmost respect for officials and reinforce that respect to players/teammates. Coaches are also expected to educate their players as to the important role of lacrosse officials and reinforce the ideal of respect for the official to players/teammates.
Grievances or misunderstandings between coaches, officials or any other parties involved with the sport should be communicated through the proper channels and procedures, never on or about the field of play in view of spectators or participants. Officials are professionals and are therefore expected to conduct themselves as such and in a manner that demonstrates total impartiality, courtesy and fairness to all parties.
Spectators involved with the game must never permit anyone to openly or maliciously criticize badger, harass or threaten an official, coach, player or opponent.
Coaches must be able to demonstrate a solid knowledge of the rules of lacrosse, and should adhere to the rules in both the letter and the spirit of the game.
Coaches should provide a basic knowledge of the rules to both players and spectators within his/her program. Attempts to manipulate rules in an effort to take unfair advantage of an opponent, or to teach deliberate unsportsmanlike conduct, is considered unacceptable conduct.
Eligibility requirements, at all levels of the game, must be followed. Rules and requirements such as age, previous level of participation, team transfers, etc, have been established to encourage and maximize participation, fair play and to promote safety.

USA Lacrosse prohibits and will not tolerate acts of harassment, discrimination, and bullying. Harassment, discrimination or bullying means any gestures, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether a single incident or a series of incidents that:

Are reasonably perceived as being motivated by either any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, ethnicity, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability.
Takes place in relation to any program function or team;
And that a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a player or damaging the player’s property, or placing a player in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property.
Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any player or group of players or creates a hostile environment for the player by interfering with a player’s participation or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the player. (N.J.S.A 18A:37-14)

NJJLL Policy and Procedures

K. Sportsmanship Policy

There is zero tolerance for unsportsmanlike behavior. Any coach or player ejected for such conduct will face an automatic suspension for at least the next two scheduled games following the ejection.
a. The NJJLL must be notified by the offending program and game officials of all ejections and serious unsportsmanlike conduct violations.
The game officials reserve the right to escalate any situation and remove any coach, player, parent, or spectator at their discretion.
The NJJLL discipline committee may enforce additional sanctions based on the severity of the incident.

L. Progressive Discipline for Sportsmanship Violations by a Coach

1st Offense (Ejection)
a. Suspension for the next two scheduled games
b. $250 fine to the program
2nd Ejection in the Same Season
a. Ejection
b. $500 fine to the program, and the coach cannot coach or be on the sideline for the remainder of the season
c. Reinstatement must be requested in writing from the program director
d. Reinstatement is subject to NJJLL board review and approval
Additional Ejections (Any Year)
a. Permanent ban from coaching in the NJJLL
b. $500 fine to the program
An ejected coach cannot be present at any games during their suspension.

M. Progressive Discipline for Sportsmanship Violations by a Team, Fan, or Parent

1st Offense
a. Referee warns the head coach
b. Coach/Site administrator must address parents/fans
c. Team is charged a time-out
2nd Offense
a. 1-minute non-releasable penalty
b. Coach/Site Administrator must address the issue
3rd Offense
a. 3-minute non-releasable penalty
b. Ejection
4th Offense
a. End of the game.

NJJLL Player Border/Location Policy

C. Player Border / Location Policy

1. All players must reside within the physical boundaries which are recognized by the program and the league.

2. If a player lives in a municipality that does not offer a program or a team at the player’s grade or combined grade level, they must play for the NJJLL program which borders their municipality.

a. In the event that there is not a bordering program, or the bordering program cannot accommodate the player, the player must play for the next closest bordering municipality that is able to accommodate them (a player is not permitted to Jump over a bordering or next closest program to play for another program.

b. If an out-of-town player’s home municipality starts a program, all players will be required to play for their home municipality’s new program. The only exception being an 8th grade player who has played at least two previous seasons with the neighboring program shall be permitted to remain with the neighboring program for their final year unless the program does not offer a team at the player’s grade or combined grade level.

3. Should a member program not have a sufficient number of players at a given grade level, and the board of the respective program elects to merge the grade level with another accepting member program in geographic proximity to the sending program, players at the grade level from the sending program shall not be eligible to play for any NJJLL program other than the accepting program.

a. Similarly, if a program is unable to accommodate all interested players due to facility or other critical limitations, they may, with league approval, partner with a member program in geographic proximity, thus allowing some of their players to play for the other program.

b. The Intent of this rule is to maintain the geographic integrity of our “Town Based League” while achieving our goal of allowing as many kids as possible the opportunity to enjoy the game of lacrosse while playing with their friends and schoolmates. The NJJLL is not a private club pay-to-play league that allows recruiting and dynasty building

4. Regional teams shall submit to the NJJLL executive committee the boundaries of their program.
a. Players from “regional” programs are required to play for the town team, associated with the High School that student/region will/would attend. This includes students that elect to attend a private high school out of their regional town’s jurisdiction
i. Player must play for the town program that supports their local/regional/public high school- NOT the town their private school is in.

5. If a town finds a player/program is violating this policy

a. That town should reach out to the offending program immediately.
b. If the issue is not resolved, the program should contact their Divisional Director to address with the NJJLL Board.
c. The Executive committee shall resolve all disputes over program boundaries as they arise
i. Should a town be found to be violating this policy, penalties from loss of playoff/all-star participation up through and including league suspension may result.
ii. Wonton disregard for this policy or active player recruitment will not be tolerated and result in the severest of penalties.
d. Examples:
i. A 7th grade player from Randolph attends Delbarton Middle School in Morristown. He must play for the Randolph team and NOT the Morristown town even though his parents say it’s more convenient for him to play for Morristown because he goes to school there
ii. A 5th grader from Hackettstown has played for Long Valley for 2 years when Hackettstown joins the league and starts a program. He must now leave the LV program and play for Hackettstown, even if it means he is on a combined 5th/6th grade team.
e. Procedure:
i. If a program finds a player/program is violating this policy or if a special circumstance should arise.
ii. The town/program should reach out to the other program immediately
iii. Both programs should attempt to work out a solution that is in the best interest of the player and programs and agree to such solution in writing
iv. Send the recommended solution to the Divisional Director for approval.
v. If the issue is not resolved, the program should contact their Divisional Director to address with the NJJLL Board

6. All players and coaches shall be required to have active USA Lacrosse memberships valid through June 15th of the current season.

7. If any player is dismissed or suspended from their program, they are ineligible to play for any other NJJLL program during the same time period. At the discretion of the NJJLL President, the NJJLL Executive Committee will hear any appeals in the event of extenuating circumstances

JGLA Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

JGLA Sportsmanship Statement

There will be NO TOLERANCE for UNSPORTSMANLIKE behavior such as negative statements or actions between players, coaches, officials, and fans. This includes TAUNTING, BERATING, or ANY ACTIONS THAT RIDICULE OR CAUSE EMBARRASSMENT TO THEM. If such comments are heard, a penalty will be assessed immediately. WE ARE ALL A TEAM; the players, coaches, parents, and officials. The purpose of youth town lacrosse is to learn and grow in the spirit of the game and the JGLA wants to encourage GREAT behavior.

JGLA Conduct Rules

Good sportsmanship on the part of all players, coaches and fans is always the standard. Each town must ensure that their coaches/players/fans abide by the standards of good behavior outlined by the Association. The following Code of Conduct and Association administrative rules are expected to be followed by all towns participating in the Association.

Rules:

Each team (home and away) will provide a Sideline Administrator (SA) for each game. The SA is responsible for maintaining the following rules on any non-participant. Details on the SA role including instructions on using “Blue Cards” are available on the US Lacrosse website.

All (Players, Coaches, Fans)

Be respectful
No profanity
No threatening behavior
No interference (physical or verbal) with play
Clean up after yourselves at game sites

Players

Good sportsmanship is expected
Do not make derogatory comments about other players, coaches, or officials
Do not argue with the officials
Do not throw equipment
Be responsible for you stick and actions at all times

Coaches

Coach with positive techniques rather than negative ones
Remember this is youth lacrosse – not the NCAA finals – put things in perspective and relax
Understand that many times youth lacrosse is where inexperienced refs and cadets gain experience – do not expect perfection – do not verbally attack the officials
Do not make derogatory comments about players, coaches, or officials
Do not encourage or reward players for fouls or physical play. Players receiving Yellow Cards or Red Cards should not be getting high five’s when they come to the sideline.
All coaches should know the rules of women’s / youth lacrosse

Fans

No berating officials, players or coaches
All fans must be on the opposite side of the field from the players
Do not approach the coaches during the game
Do not approach officials before or after the game
Try not to coach your kids from the sidelines – what you are telling them might be contrary to the coaches’ instructions

Enforcement

All coaches, players and parents must read and agree to the Conduct Rules.
Coaches will be responsible for their players and fans.
Officials will file complaints regarding players, coaches, and parents with the Association. Infractions will be disciplined.
Players ejected from games must sit out the immediate next JGLA game they are to play in. If the next game is rained out that does not count towards the player’s game suspension. It is important that players fulfillment the suspension so that future players are deterred to not commit and or be more responsible for their sticks and checking attempts .
Coaches (both teams) and officials are required to meet just prior to games to go over Association rules and any grounds rules that may apply. This is also where coaches will agree to half time length as well as for the home team to introduce their Sideline Administrator to the Officials and opposing team coach.

JGLA Coach’s Code of Conduct

I acknowledge that I am familiar with both the rules of girls’/women’s lacrosse and the rules of the JGLA. I will honor both the spirit and letter of rules and insist that my players, their parents and our fans do the same.

I understand that at all times I must lead by example and that I must be a positive role model for my players and their parents. I know that the way my team conducts itself can also have an influence, for better or worse, on those we compete against. Each year and throughout the course of the season I will explain my expectations regarding acceptable behavior, sportsmanship and conduct to my players and their parents.

I understand that the true measure of success for a youth lacrosse coach is player enjoyment and improvement. I will concentrate on my players’ enjoyment of the game and their overall, long-term development as athletes and young women.

I pledge to use Positive Coaching Alliance Double Goal Coaching techniques, including:

Modeling and teaching my players to Honor the Game through ROOTS (Respect for Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates and Self)
I will help my players to redefine what it means to be a “winner” in terms of mastery, not just the scoreboard. I will reward effort and team play, not just good outcomes.
I will fill my players Emotional Tanks using the 5:1 magic ratio of positive reinforcements to each criticism/correction.

I acknowledge that making mistakes and losing are part of life. I pledge that I will be tolerant of the mistakes of players, coaches, umpires and others. I recognize that mistakes lead to coachable moments. I understand that my success is not measured by winning but through teaching life lessons and providing a safe, positive learning environment for all of my players regardless of their skill level.

I will do my best to treat all my players fairly. I acknowledge that lacrosse is a team sport and I will encourage my girls play as a team. I pledge that I will commit to promoting an atmosphere of healthy competition to ensure fun for all participants. I will not run up scores against weaker opponents or novice teams. I understand that the JGLA is concerned about a limited number of players dominating game play. I will use my dominant players creatively by encouraging them to work on all aspects of their game and to do what they need to do to make their teammates improve and have a positive experience.

I understand that girls’ youth lacrosse has changed and evolved rapidly in recent years due to both rule and equipment changes. I am committed to teaching my players the basic stick skills and advanced team concepts they will need to play lacrosse safely and to succeed in the modern game. I pledge to continue to grow and learn as a coach by embracing modern coaching techniques and will do my best to prepare my players for success at the next level.

I will show respect for all involved in the game of lacrosse and I will demand that everyone associated with my team do the same. Before, during and after games I will be responsible for the conduct of my players, their parents and our fans. Prior to each game I will introduce myself to the opposing coaches and umpires to go over Association rules and any ground rules that may apply. I will report any misconduct by coaches, players, parents or umpires to the Association’s Sportsmanship Committee so that it can be dealt with appropriately.

I understand that youth lacrosse is where inexperienced umpires gain valuable experience. I will never expect perfection. I will never verbally attack the umpires nor will I ever make critical or derogatory comments about them. After each game I will thank the umpires and ask my players and their parents to do the same.