Dodgeball Sportsmanship Guidelines
Volleyball/Dodgeball 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 fouls are issued, and the teams help create an altogether positive experience. All players cooperate fully with supervisors about rule interpretations and calls – the supervisor never has to intervene in a game. Team displays exceptionally respectful conduct towards the opposing team, staff, spectators, and teammates (e.g. retrieving balls, helping teammates and opponents to their feet, etc., no arguing over calls, etc.). Regardless of the score or game situation, team aims 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 above average sportsmanship. All players respectfully address IM Sports staff 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 the court/field, and observe rules. Team makes an active effort to learn and comply with IM Sports policy and game protocol. Players respond to IM Sports staff warnings and requests. Team members refrain from retaliating or playing in a dangerous manner, and captains help to effectively diffuse any potential player conduct situations. The IM Sports staff rarely has to intervene as the teams manage themselves. 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 unsporting issue arises, that team can earn no more than a 3.0 rating. Team makes some vicious comments to opponents 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 are not excessively taunting or trash-talking each other. However, if despite one or two unsporting issues, the team otherwise maintains its composure and recreational spirit, its rating will drop no lower than a 3.0.
Volleyball/Dodgeball 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. 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 IM Sports staff has 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 includes 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 above average sportsmanship. All players respectfully address IM Sports staff 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 the court/field, and observe rules. Team makes an active effort to learn and comply with IM Sports policy and game protocol. Players respond to IM Sports staff warnings and requests. Team members refrain from retaliating or playing in a dangerous manner, and captains help to effectively diffuse any potential player conduct situations. The IM Sports staff rarely has to intervene as the teams manage themselves. 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 unsporting issue arises, that team can earn no more than a 3.0 rating. Team makes some vicious comments to opponents 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 are not excessively taunting or trash-talking each other. However, if despite one or two unsporting issues, the team otherwise maintains its composure and recreational spirit, its rating will drop no lower than a 3.0.
Volleyball/Dodgeball 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. 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 IM Sports staff has 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 includes 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.
