Spectator & Player Code of Conduct

Every player is required to be responsible for their participation in the Shallowater Youth Basketball League by following the Code of Conduct as outlined below:

1. PARENT & GUARDIAN CODE OF CONDUCT 1. Remember that this is youth basketball. Keep winning and losing in proper perspective and recognize that the primary purpose of SYBL is player development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and enjoyment of the game. 2. Encourage good sportsmanship. Encourage your child to compete hard, play fairly, respect teammates and opponents, and demonstrate good sportsmanship regardless of the score or outcome. 3. Respect coaches. Respect the decisions of SYBL coaches and do not attempt to coach your child or other players from the stands during practices or games. 4. Respect officials. Do not verbally abuse, threaten, intimidate, ridicule, or repeatedly argue with referees. Judgment calls made by officials are not subject to protest under SYBL rules. 5. Respect players and opposing teams. Do not ridicule, taunt, intimidate, or direct negative comments toward any player, including players on opposing teams. 6. Maintain appropriate behavior in the stands. Do not use profanity, engage in threatening or aggressive behavior, interrupt game play, enter the playing area without authorization, or otherwise create a disturbance at an SYBL activity. 7. Never engage in physical confrontation. Fighting, physical violence, verbal or physical threats, and similar conduct are prohibited by the SYBL Zero Tolerance Policy and may result in immediate removal and suspension from League activities. 8. Address disagreements appropriately. Concerns involving a child, coach, player, official, parent, or League operation must be addressed respectfully through the procedures established by SYBL rather than through confrontation during a game or practice. 9. Follow the SYBL conflict-resolution process. For ordinary concerns, first attempt to resolve the issue appropriately with the coach and, if necessary, proceed through the Division Coordinator and Executive Board. Conduct and Zero Tolerance violations may be referred directly to the Executive Board. 10. Respect practices and facilities. Respect all Shallowater ISD facilities and League equipment. Children who are not participating must remain in designated spectator areas and may not engage in unsupervised play in the facility. 11. Support your child's attendance and commitment. Make reasonable efforts to have your child arrive on time for practices and games and notify the coach in advance when an absence is unavoidable. SYBL rules permit consequences for unexcused practice absences or arriving late to games. 12. Support the entire team. Encourage all players and recognize that every child deserves an opportunity to learn, improve, and enjoy basketball. 13. Model the behavior expected from our children. Your behavior affects your child, the team, and the League. Demonstrate the sportsmanship and self-control expected from SYBL players. PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT 1. Be a good teammate. Encourage teammates, treat them with respect, and never bully, ridicule, intentionally embarrass, or exclude another player. 2. Show good sportsmanship. Compete hard while playing fairly and remain respectful whether your team wins or loses. 3. Respect coaches. Listen when coaches are teaching or giving instructions and respond respectfully. 4. Respect officials. Accept calls made by referees without arguing, yelling, making disrespectful gestures, or behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner. 5. Respect opponents. Do not taunt, threaten, insult, or intentionally attempt to embarrass an opposing player. 6. Control your behavior. Do not fight, intentionally attempt to injure another player, use threatening behavior, or use inappropriate or profane language. 7. Give appropriate effort. Make a reasonable effort during practices and games and understand that being part of a team requires commitment to teammates. 8. Attend practices and games. Make reasonable efforts to attend scheduled practices and games and arrive on time. 9. Respect facilities and equipment. Take care of gymnasiums, basketballs, benches, score tables, and other property used by SYBL. 10. Represent Shallowater appropriately. When participating in SYBL, including regular-season games, tournaments, and All-Star competition, remember that you represent your team, family, SYBL, and the Shallowater community. SIDELINE & GAME-DAY EXPECTATIONS SYBL wants its gyms to be a positive environment for children. Cheering and enthusiasm are encouraged. Behavior directed negatively toward players, coaches, officials, volunteers, or other spectators is not. • Yell at, insult, threaten, or harass referees. • Yell negative instructions or criticism at players from the stands. • Confront opposing players or coaches. • Engage in arguments or confrontations with other spectators. • Enter the court or team bench area unless authorized. • Use profanity or threatening language. • Attempt to interfere with or disrupt a game. • Engage in fighting or physical confrontation. Concerns about officiating, coaching, playing time, another parent, or League operations should be handled after the game and through the appropriate SYBL process, not from the stands during competition. VIOLATIONS & DISCIPLINE Violations of this Code of Conduct may be referred directly to the SYBL Executive Board for review and disciplinary action in accordance with Article 29 of the SYBL Bylaws. Depending upon the nature, severity, and frequency of the conduct, disciplinary action may include restrictions or other measures determined by the Executive Board consistent with the SYBL Bylaws. Conduct that constitutes fighting, physical violence, threats, or another violation of the SYBL Zero Tolerance Policy shall be handled under Article 14. A person may be directed to leave an SYBL facility immediately when appropriate for safety, but final disciplinary determinations are made by the Executive Board using the notice and review procedures established in the bylaws. Parent Conduct and Player Eligibility. A parent's misconduct may result in restrictions on the parent's attendance or participation in SYBL activities without automatically penalizing the player's eligibility, unless the Executive Board determines that additional action is warranted under the bylaws.