Code of Conduct

Somers Point Street Hockey program will have a “zero tolerance” policy for the below, listed offenses. As a result, automatic game misconducts, game suspensions and/or appropriate penalties will be assessed to the player, the coach or the parent/spectator who violates these rules. Our referees have been instructed to enforce these rules to the maximum to keep control.

A. PARENTAL/SPECTATOR ABUSE, either verbal or physical towards anyone at the rinks, ESPECIALLY towards our officials (referees) will not be tolerated this year. The parents/spectators must remain under control and cannot address an official during the game or question a call.

1. Verbal Abuse – No Foul Language

(a) 1^st Offense. The parent/spectator and the associated coach will be given a team warning one time. The coach will be given an opportunity to speak to ALL of his parents on the sidelines.

(b) 2^nd Offense-1 minute minor penalty. If any of this team’s parents should address the official again, (even if it is a different parent)- a 2 minuet penalty will be served by the parents child. The coach, for the last time, will given his 2^nd and last team warning and will have one more opportunity to settle down his sideline parents.

(c) 3^rd Offense-3 minute major penalty. In addition, both the parent/spectator and the head coach will be ejected from the rink.

(d) 4^th Offense. The game will be declared a forfeit with the non-offending team being declared the winner.

2. Verbal Abuse – With Foul Language

(a) 1^st
Offense. 3 Minute Major Penalty. And the parent/spectator will be asked to leave the premises. The coach will be given an opportunity to speak to ALL of his parents on the sidelines. If he or she does not leave, the game will be suspended and a forfeit win will be declared in favor of the non-offending team.

(b) 2^nd Offense – If another parent/spectator from the same team uses foul language again, the game will immediately be declared a forfeit with the non-offending team being declared the winner.

3. Physical Abuse

(a) 1^st Offense – 3 Minute Major Penalty. And will result in an automatic ejection of the parent/spectator. This parent/spectator will then be brought up in front of the Somers Point Street Hockey Disciplinary Committee for review and possible further disciplinary actions In addition, if the referee thinks it is necessary, he may suspend the game and a forfeit win will be declared in favor of the non-offending team.

(b) 2^nd Offense - The game will immediately be declared a forfeit with the non-offending team being declared the winner. The parent/spectator will then be brought up in front of the Somers Point Street Hockey Disciplinary Committee for review and possible further disciplinary actions.

B. Player Abuse

1. Verbal Abuse No Foul Language

(a) 1st Offense – 1 Minute Minor Penalty. Accompanied by a stern warning to the Head Coach.

(b) 2^nd Offense – (by same player) – 3 Minute Major Penalty. And a game misconduct to the offending player.

(c) 2^nd Offense (by a different player same team) – 1 Minute Minor Penalty Accompanied by a 2nd stern warning to the Head Coach.

(d) 3^rd Offense (by any player same team) – 3 Minute Major Penalty And a game misconduct to the offending player.

(e) 4^th Offense (by any player same team) - The game will immediately be declared a forfeit with the non-offending team being declared the winner.

2. Verbal Abuse – With Foul Language

(a) 1^st Offense - 3 Minute Major Penalty And a game misconduct to the offending player.

(b) 2^nd Offense - The game will immediately be declared a forfeit with the non-offending team being declared the winner.

4. Physical Abuse

(a) 1^st Offense – 3 Minute Major Penalty Plus a 3 game suspension. The player will then be brought up in front of the Somers Point Street Hockey Disciplinary Committee for review and possible further disciplinary actions In addition, if the referee thinks it is necessary, he may suspend the game and a forfeit win will be declared in favor of the non-offending team.

2^nd Offense - The game will immediately be declared a forfeit with the non-offending team being declared the winner. The player will receive a 3 game suspension. The player will then be brought up in front of the Somers Point Street Hockey Disciplinary Committee for review and possible further disciplinary actions.

C. Any player leaving the bench during an altercation will receive a game misconduct and the team will be assessed a 3 minute major penalty.

D. Any player who goes to the opposing player’s bench and or penalty box to create a disturbance or to engage in verbal or physical abuse will be assessed a match penalty and later be brought before the Somers Point Street Hockey Disciplinary Committee. The team will receive a 3 minute major penalty.

Note: A game misconduct also carries with it an automatic suspension from player’s next game