Zero Tolerance Policy Adopted by GNASH

A key policy of USA Hockey is the Zero Tolerance Policy. The policy, which has been spread through the use of posters, spells out what makes up unsportsmanlike behavior and what type of penalty should be handed out as a result. 

For players, a minor (two-minute) penalty shall be assessed whenever a player:
1.  Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2.  Uses obscene or vulgar language at any time, even if it isn’t directed at a particular person.
3.  Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision. A misconduct and, if necessary, a game misconduct penalty should result if the player continues such action. 

A minor penalty shall be assessed whenever a coach:
1.  Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2.  Uses obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner at any time.
3.  Visually displays any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision with the intent of of inciting the officials, players or spectators. A game misconduct penalty shall be assessed any time a coach persists in any of these actions.

While officials cannot receive penalties for inappropriate behavior, they are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike, impartial and constructive manner at all times. Officials must remember they are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.

Officials also have the responsibility to stop a game whenever parents or spectators displaying inappropriate behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. Officials will identify all violators to the coaches, who will then remove them from the spectator’s viewing and game area. Once removed, play will then resume. Officials also have the right to assess a minor penalty against the team whose fans display inappropriate behavior.

Such disruptive behavior by parents and spectators includes, but is not limited to:

1.   Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner at any time,

2.   Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators, and

3.   Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, player’s bench, penalty box or ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard