Code of Conduct

Players, coaches, officials, volunteers, parents, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that honors the game of lacrosse and demonstrates respect to other players, coaches, officials, volunteers, parents, and spectators.

Hillsboro United Girls Lacrosse believes that good sportsmanship is critical to the success of our program.  Our goal is to provide all girls with a positive, competitive experience. As a member of the lacrosse community, an individual assumes certain obligations and responsibilities to the game of lacrosse and its participants.  The essential elements of this Code of Conduct are HONESTY and INTEGRITY.  Those who conduct themselves in a manner reflecting these elements brings credit to the sport of lacrosse, themselves, their team, and their organization.  It is only through such conduct that lacrosse can continue to earn and maintain a positive image and make its full contribution to amateur sports and around the world.

Hillsboro United Girls Lacrosse supports the following behaviors for those who participate in lacrosse or are involved in any way with Hillsboro United.  The following essential elements of our 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 and participants are of primary importance
• Players, coaches, officials, parents, and spectators are expected to demonstrate the utmost respect for officials and reinforce that respect to players/teammates, regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or ability
• Players and coaches agree to not use abusive or profane language, nor physical threats at any time aimed at any player, coach, parent, official, spectator, or any other participant
• Players and coaches agree to respect officials, activity rules, and officials’ decisions without argument or gesture, and to save all questeions and concerns regarding the activity or participants for a time when the atmosphere is conducive to problem-solving

Hillsboro United has implemented a Code of Conduct to ensure that the behavior of everyone involved with our program does not detract from our players’ safe enjoyment of the sport of lacrosse.  Our Code of Conduct and expectations apply to all players, parents, coaches, volunteers, and spectators affiliated with our program as follows:

COACHES

• Encourage athletes in a positive manner, using the appropriate language to support all players’ efforts
• Be prepared for all practices and games
• Set an example of good conduct, maintaining a wholesome and friendly rivalry between teams
• Give all players sufficient playing time
• Treat all with respect and dignity, without shouting or making derogatory comments to players, coaches, officials, parents, and spectators
• Don’t humiliate an opponent by severely outscoring a team
• Be humble in winning and gracious in defeat
• Exchange a positive comment with the opposing coach(es) after every game, regardless of the outcome

PLAYERS

• Participate in all scheduled practices, games, and other events unless she (or her parent) has communited with the coach(es) ahead of time with an appropriate excuse – we understand that players who are absent from school may not be able to practice or compete due to the absence
• Arrive at least 15 minutes early for practice
• Arrive at least 45 minutes early for games
• Bring ALL of gear to all practices and games – pinnie, stick, mouthguard, goggles, cleats
  • Bring water and weather-appropriate clothing
  • Make sure all gear fits properly and is US Lacrosse compliant
  • Make sure sticks are properly strung and tightened
• Wear game shirts and shorts to games
• Be ready for every practice and game before the scheduled start time
  • Use the restroom, remove jewelry, get gear on, etc. 
• Stay engaged throughout the entire practice session/game
  • Listen and stay focused – no phones
  • Work hard – warm ups, conditioning, stick work, drills, competition
• Offer only constructive criticism and positive encouragement to teammates
• Treat opponents with respect and dignity
• Respect the official(s) and accept their decisions without gesture or argument
• Play by the rules, play fair
• Act with honesty, straightforwardness and a dignified attitude when others do not play fairly
• All teams at the conclusion of their games should exchange a handshake and/or cheer
• Be a good sport and maintain a good attitude - OGLA TEAM Sportsmanship Program
  • T = Teamwork
  • E = Effort
  • A = Attitude
  • M = Mental Toughness

PARENTS

• Ensure your player arrives at least 15 minutes early for practice
• Ensure your player arrives at least 45 minutes early for games
• Ensure your player brings ALL of her gear to all practices and games – pinnie, stick, mouthguard, goggles, cleats
  • Don’t forget water and weather-appropriate clothing
  • Make sure it fits properly and is US Lacrosse compliant
  • Make sure her stick is properly strung and tightened
• Ensure your player wears her game shirt and shorts on game day
• Remember that eligibility requirements at all levels of lacrosse 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
• Remember that children play organized sports for their own fun and enjoyment
• Remain in the appropriate areas during all games and practices
• Offer only positive, constructive comments to players, coaches, officials, and other parents – there is no place for booing or criticizing officials
• Applaud good plays for both your own team AND the opposing team
• Show respect for your team’s opponents – without them, there would be no game
• Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during a game or practice
• Condemn the use of violence in all forms
• Don’t coach players, including your own child, from the sideline during a game
• Communicate with your coach and create a positive, supportive working relationship
• Don’t interfere with your player’s coach – be willing to give responsibility for your player to the coach during practices and game
• Don’t direct any comments or concerns to the game officials at any time – these should be directed to your player’s coach(es)

SCOREKEEPERS, TIMEKEEPERS, & OTHER EVENT VOLUNTEERS

• ?Remember you’re considered officials of the game
• Conduct yourself in an impartial manner throughout the game
• Don’t coach players, yelling at players, coaches, and/or officials
• Remember you’re encouraged to show appreciation for any exceptional play during games

SPECTATORS

• Remember that children play organized sports for their own fun and enjoyment
• Remain in the appropriate areas during all games and practices
• Make only positive, constructive comments to players, coaches, officials, and other parents – there is no place for booing or criticizing officials
• Applaud good plays for both your own team AND the opposing team
• Show respect for both teams  – without them both, there would be no game
• Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during a game or practice
• Condemn the use of violence in all forms
• Don’t coach players, including your own child, from the sideline during a game
• Don’t interfere with the coach(es) 
• Don’t direct any comments or concerns to the game officials at any time – these should be directed to your player’s coach(es)

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

• ?Each coach is responsible for the conduct of his/her team’s players, parents, and spectators – any coach, player, parent, or spectator may be cited for unsportsmanlike conduct by a coach
• If a coach or a player is cited for unsportsmanlike conduct (i.e., abusive language or unsportsmanlike actions), the offending individual will receive at least a one-game suspension
• The person cited for an infraction must meet with his/her team’s coach before being reinstated to participate in Hillsboro United games/events or practices
• The range of sanctions is determined by the seriousness of the infraction – they include, but are not limited to, forfeiture of games and denial of refunds for registration fees for players removed from the program due to unsportsmanlike conduct
• If a coach is cited for unsportsmanlike conduct or any behavior unbecoming to their status as coach, the Hillsboro United board reserves the right to suspend or terminate such coach for the remainder of the season 

Agreement Regarding Disciplinary Conduct

By participating in or attending as a coach, player, parent, or official any Hillsboro United team practice, game, or other event, I agree that if I fail to conform my conduct to the foregoing, or performing any duties or attending any event associated with Hillsboro United any league or organization, I will be subject to discipinary action, including but not limited to the following in any order or combination as determined or issued by Hillsboro United and/or any league, organization, or official who is authorized to issue such warning or make such determination by Hillsboro United, OGLA, and/or US Lacrosse:

• Verbal warning
• Written warning
• Suspension or immediate ejection from any Hillsboro United practice, game, and/or other event
• Suspension from multiple Hillsboro United practices, games, and/or other events
• Season suspension frrom Hillsboro United

All enforcement decisions made by Hillsboro United regarding violations of the Code of Conduct are final and not subject to review.  No refunds will be granted to those players dismissed from Hillsboro United for violating this Code of Conduct.