Soccer Spirit of Competition Guidelines
Soccer Spirit of Competition 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. 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, 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.).
4.0 (B): Above Average Team displays above average sportsmanship: all players respectfully address referees about rule interpretations and calls. Captain exhibits full control over him/herself, their team, and fans. No team members engage in dangerous play or 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 field 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 Sports policy and game protocol. Players respond to referee’s warnings and requests (e.g. backing up for free kicks the first time the referee asks for distance, no dissent, etc.) – some careless tackles but zero reckless or excessive force challenges. 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): No ejections and/or 1-2 technical fouls – Slightly Below Average Team displays a slightly below average sportsmanship. If any non-procedural caution (yellow card) is issued, that team can earn no more than a 3.0 Spirit of Competition rating. Team makes some vicious comments to the officials from the field and/or sidelines throughout the contest and some players may show minor dissent. The team captain exhibits control over teammates and him/herself. 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). Team members do not retaliate towards participants and/or spectators. Team is late for check-in or needs a reminder to check-in and delays the start of the game. Procedural cautions are issued for:
Entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission (illegal sub) Deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission Cautionable offenses that lower a team’s Spirit of Competition rating include: o Unsporting behavior o Dissent by word or action o Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game o Delaying the restart of play
Soccer Spirit of Competition Guidelines o Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in
2.0 (D): 1 ejection and/or 3+ technical fouls – Below Average Team displays below average (“poor”) sportsmanship. Team consistently engages in dissent by word or action and viciously engages opponents, teammates, and spectators verbally. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates, spectators, and/or him/herself (e.g. kicking the ball out of frustration after a play or call). Team members consistently engage in reckless play (e.g. multiple yellow cards, cynical fouls, and embellishment/simulation of injury). 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 red card can receive either a 2.0 (D) or 1.0 (F) Spirit of Competition 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 send-offs (red cards) 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. Captain has no control over him/herself, 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 red cards or joining in an altercation that has started (e.g. keepers, spectators, or other participants leaving their respective areas). Also includes teams that abuse or destroy IM Sports equipment/property or are under the influence of alcohol/drugs or use alcohol/drugs in recreational facilities (including tobacco products). 3 or more send-offs (red cards) 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 send-offs 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 Spirit of Competition 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): Above Average Team displays above average sportsmanship: all players respectfully address referees about rule interpretations and calls. Captain exhibits full control over him/herself, their team, and fans. No team members engage in dangerous play or 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 field 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 Sports policy and game protocol. Players respond to referee’s warnings and requests (e.g. backing up for free kicks the first time the referee asks for distance, no dissent, etc.) – some careless tackles but zero reckless or excessive force challenges. 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): No ejections and/or 1-2 technical fouls – Slightly Below Average Team displays a slightly below average sportsmanship. If any non-procedural caution (yellow card) is issued, that team can earn no more than a 3.0 Spirit of Competition rating. Team makes some vicious comments to the officials from the field and/or sidelines throughout the contest and some players may show minor dissent. The team captain exhibits control over teammates and him/herself. 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). Team members do not retaliate towards participants and/or spectators. Team is late for check-in or needs a reminder to check-in and delays the start of the game. Procedural cautions are issued for:
Entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission (illegal sub) Deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission Cautionable offenses that lower a team’s Spirit of Competition rating include: o Unsporting behavior o Dissent by word or action o Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game o Delaying the restart of play
Soccer Spirit of Competition Guidelines o Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in
2.0 (D): 1 ejection and/or 3+ technical fouls – Below Average Team displays below average (“poor”) sportsmanship. Team consistently engages in dissent by word or action and viciously engages opponents, teammates, and spectators verbally. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates, spectators, and/or him/herself (e.g. kicking the ball out of frustration after a play or call). Team members consistently engage in reckless play (e.g. multiple yellow cards, cynical fouls, and embellishment/simulation of injury). 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 red card can receive either a 2.0 (D) or 1.0 (F) Spirit of Competition 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 send-offs (red cards) 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. Captain has no control over him/herself, 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 red cards or joining in an altercation that has started (e.g. keepers, spectators, or other participants leaving their respective areas). Also includes teams that abuse or destroy IM Sports equipment/property or are under the influence of alcohol/drugs or use alcohol/drugs in recreational facilities (including tobacco products). 3 or more send-offs (red cards) 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 send-offs 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 Spirit of Competition 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.
