OSAA SPORTSMANSHIP/SPECTATOR CONDUCT

Rule 3.3 - - Sportsmanship Responsibility

The high school principal, coach and other responsible officials of each member school shall take all reasonable measures to insure that the school’s students and supporters maintain a sportsmanlike attitude toward all events so that events may be conducted without unreasonable danger and disorder.All cheers, comments and actions shall be in direct support of one’s team. No cheers, comments or actions shall be directed at one’s opponent or at contest officials.Derogatory and/or unsportsmanlike language is not allowed.No player may be singled out by number, name, or position with negative comments of any kind. (Revised Fall 2008)

Executive Board Policy 67 – Spectator Conduct at OSAA Sanctioned Events

In addition to the general expectations included in the OSAA Constitution, Rule 3, that school officials “…shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that the school’s students and supporters maintain a sportsmanlike attitude toward all events…”the following specific expectations regarding spectator conduct at all OSAA sanctioned events, including regular and post season competition, are provided:

  1. Spectators are not permitted to have signs or banners (larger than 8 ½ by 11 inches), confetti, balloons or glass containers.Spectators are required to wear shirts.

  2. Spectators are not permitted to have artificial noisemakers.Some examples of artificial noisemakers are Thunder Stix, cowbells, clappers and air horns.

  3. Spectators shall not be permitted to use vulgar/offensive or racially/culturally insensitive language.Spectators shall not be permitted to engage in any racially/culturally insensitive action.

  4. All cheers, comments and actions shall be in direct support of one’s team.No cheers, comments or actions shall be directed at one’s opponent or contest officials.Some examples of inappropriate conduct or actions that are not permitted are: turning backs, holding up newspapers or jeering at cheerleaders during opposing team introductions; disrespecting players by name, number or position; negative cheers or chants: throwing of objects on the floor.

  5. Spectators who fail to comply with Association or site management spectator conduct expectations may be expelled from the contest.

  • At least one empty row must serve as a buffer between the floor and the student sections

  • The student sections for competing teams shall not be directly behind either goal or directly behind the bench of the opposing team.

  • At no time should cheerleaders be placed directly underneath the goal.

(Revised Fall 2008)