Basketball Sportsmanship Guidelines
Basketball Sportsmanship Guidelines 5.0 (A): Exemplary Team displays excellent sportsmanship that goes above and beyond to create an environment that supports the Department of Recreation’s Spirit of Competition. No unsportsmanlike technical fouls are issued, and the teams create an overall positive experience. All players cooperate fully with referees about rule interpretations and calls. Team displays exceptionally respectful conduct towards the opposing team, referees, spectators, and teammates (e.g. retrieving balls after a foul, helping teammates and opponents to their feet). Regardless of the score or game situation, teams aim to create a positive atmosphere for all (e.g. complimenting and encouraging everyone involved in the game). Team does not intentionally run up the score if leading by a large margin. Team picks up after itself (i.e. throwing away empty water bottles, trash, etc.); captains do their best to ensure that the game runs efficiently and smoothly.
4.0 (B): Average Team displays average sportsmanship: All players respectfully address referees about rule interpretations and calls. Captain exhibits full control over themselves, their team, and fans. No team members engage in dangerous play or consistent unsportsmanlike trash talking. Team members actively assist in getting games started on time (e.g. shirt colors are decided and all players are signed in and ready to start at scheduled game time). Substitutes, coaches, and fans stay off of the court, and observe rules regarding proper substitution procedures (e.g. not subbing into an active play). Team makes an active effort to learn and comply with IM Sport policy and game protocol. Players respond to referee’s warnings and requests. Team members refrain from retaliating or committing openly dangerous fouls, and captains help to effectively diffuse any potential player conduct situations. 4.0 is the standard for all games and scores will be moved up or down from here based on positive or negative actions straying from this standard. Most games will receive a 4.0 score.
3.0 (C): Slightly Below Average – No ejections and/or 1-2 technical fouls – Team displays a slightly below average sportsmanship. If any unsportsmanlike technical foul is issued, that team can earn no more than a 3.0 rating. Team makes some vicious comments to the officials on the court and/or sidelines throughout the contest and some players may show minor dissent. The team captain exhibits control over teammates and themselves. Opposing teams communicate with one another as long as it is not detrimental to the spirit of the game (e.g. team members rarely engage in trash talking or taunting). Teams unnecessarily run up the score further than the max point differential (30 points) against a hapless opponent (e.g. full-court pressing while ahead by 40 points). However, if despite one technical foul or an insatiable urge to run up the score, the team otherwise maintains its composure and recreational spirit, its rating will drop no lower than a 3.0.
Basketball Sportsmanship Guidelines 2.0 (D): Below Average – 1 ejection and/or 3+ technical fouls Team displays below average (“poor”) sportsmanship. Team consistently engages in dissent by word or action and viciously engages opponents, teammates, and spectators verbally on multiple occasions. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates, spectators, and/or themselves (e.g. kicking the ball out of frustration after a play or call). Team members consistently engage in reckless play (excessive contact, “type 2” flagrant fouls, etc.). Team members engage in excessive trash talking that is offensive and disrespectful. Game gets out of hand to the point where IM Sports staff needs to intervene. *Teams that receive 1 ejection can receive either a 2.0 (D) or 1.0 (F) rating, depending on the behavior of the players/spectators following the ejection. If play continues and the player(s)/spectator(s) respect the call and leave(s) the field without further incident, the team may receive a 2.0. If play continues and the players/spectators continue with profanity, dissent, and/or disrespectful behavior, the team may receive a 1.0. A team with two ejections will automatically receive a 1.0 (F).
1.0 (F): 1-2 ejections and/or 4+ more cautions technical fouls – Unacceptable An unacceptable display of sportsmanship that grossly violates the Department of Recreation’s Spirit of Competition. Team displays poor sportsmanship and is completely uncooperative. Captain has no control over themselves, teammates, and/or spectators. Team creates an unsafe and hostile environment to the point where the supervisor and/or officials have to step in and stop the game (e.g. verbal and physical threats, punching, fighting, etc.). Other examples may include multiple ejections or joining in an altercation that has started (e.g. benches, spectators, or other participants leaving their respective areas). Also include teams that abuse or destroy Department of Recreation equipment/property or are under the influence of alcohol/drugs or use alcohol/drugs in recreational facilities (including tobacco products). 3 or more ejections by a team will cause the game to be called and ended immediately. The game will not be rescheduled and the team with the multiple ejections will forfeit the game and receive a Sportsmanship rating of 0.
PLAYOFFS: For teams to maintain their playoff eligibility, they must have a season average Sportsmanship score of 3.5. If a team falls below 3.5 then they are ineligible for playoffs despite what their record may be.
NOTE: These are guidelines for IM Sports staff to grade the Sportsmanship of all IM teams. Grades for any actions or situations that fall outside of these guidelines will be left to the discretion of the IM Sports staff present.
4.0 (B): Average Team displays average sportsmanship: All players respectfully address referees about rule interpretations and calls. Captain exhibits full control over themselves, their team, and fans. No team members engage in dangerous play or consistent unsportsmanlike trash talking. Team members actively assist in getting games started on time (e.g. shirt colors are decided and all players are signed in and ready to start at scheduled game time). Substitutes, coaches, and fans stay off of the court, and observe rules regarding proper substitution procedures (e.g. not subbing into an active play). Team makes an active effort to learn and comply with IM Sport policy and game protocol. Players respond to referee’s warnings and requests. Team members refrain from retaliating or committing openly dangerous fouls, and captains help to effectively diffuse any potential player conduct situations. 4.0 is the standard for all games and scores will be moved up or down from here based on positive or negative actions straying from this standard. Most games will receive a 4.0 score.
3.0 (C): Slightly Below Average – No ejections and/or 1-2 technical fouls – Team displays a slightly below average sportsmanship. If any unsportsmanlike technical foul is issued, that team can earn no more than a 3.0 rating. Team makes some vicious comments to the officials on the court and/or sidelines throughout the contest and some players may show minor dissent. The team captain exhibits control over teammates and themselves. Opposing teams communicate with one another as long as it is not detrimental to the spirit of the game (e.g. team members rarely engage in trash talking or taunting). Teams unnecessarily run up the score further than the max point differential (30 points) against a hapless opponent (e.g. full-court pressing while ahead by 40 points). However, if despite one technical foul or an insatiable urge to run up the score, the team otherwise maintains its composure and recreational spirit, its rating will drop no lower than a 3.0.
Basketball Sportsmanship Guidelines 2.0 (D): Below Average – 1 ejection and/or 3+ technical fouls Team displays below average (“poor”) sportsmanship. Team consistently engages in dissent by word or action and viciously engages opponents, teammates, and spectators verbally on multiple occasions. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates, spectators, and/or themselves (e.g. kicking the ball out of frustration after a play or call). Team members consistently engage in reckless play (excessive contact, “type 2” flagrant fouls, etc.). Team members engage in excessive trash talking that is offensive and disrespectful. Game gets out of hand to the point where IM Sports staff needs to intervene. *Teams that receive 1 ejection can receive either a 2.0 (D) or 1.0 (F) rating, depending on the behavior of the players/spectators following the ejection. If play continues and the player(s)/spectator(s) respect the call and leave(s) the field without further incident, the team may receive a 2.0. If play continues and the players/spectators continue with profanity, dissent, and/or disrespectful behavior, the team may receive a 1.0. A team with two ejections will automatically receive a 1.0 (F).
1.0 (F): 1-2 ejections and/or 4+ more cautions technical fouls – Unacceptable An unacceptable display of sportsmanship that grossly violates the Department of Recreation’s Spirit of Competition. Team displays poor sportsmanship and is completely uncooperative. Captain has no control over themselves, teammates, and/or spectators. Team creates an unsafe and hostile environment to the point where the supervisor and/or officials have to step in and stop the game (e.g. verbal and physical threats, punching, fighting, etc.). Other examples may include multiple ejections or joining in an altercation that has started (e.g. benches, spectators, or other participants leaving their respective areas). Also include teams that abuse or destroy Department of Recreation equipment/property or are under the influence of alcohol/drugs or use alcohol/drugs in recreational facilities (including tobacco products). 3 or more ejections by a team will cause the game to be called and ended immediately. The game will not be rescheduled and the team with the multiple ejections will forfeit the game and receive a Sportsmanship rating of 0.
PLAYOFFS: For teams to maintain their playoff eligibility, they must have a season average Sportsmanship score of 3.5. If a team falls below 3.5 then they are ineligible for playoffs despite what their record may be.
NOTE: These are guidelines for IM Sports staff to grade the Sportsmanship of all IM teams. Grades for any actions or situations that fall outside of these guidelines will be left to the discretion of the IM Sports staff present.
