Wisconsin Prep Hockey -

Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

PREAMBLE

The distinguishing characteristic of any profession is that its members are dedicated to rendering a service to those with whom they come in contact. Personal gain must be lesser consideration. Those who elect to coach hockey must understand the justification for the game of hockey is that it provides spiritual, emotional, and physical values for those who play the game, and that the game belongs, for the most part, to the players.

The welfare of the game depends on coaches following the letter and spirit of ethical conduct. Coaches must be mindful of the high trust and confidence placed in them by their players, the institutions they serve, and the parents of the players they coach.
PURPOSE

The Code of Ethics has been developed to protect and promote the best interests of the game as well as the coaching profession. Its purpose is to clarify and distinguish ethical and approved conduct and practices from those which are detrimental. It is not intended to be a vehicle for policing the profession. It also emphasizes the purpose and value of hockey and stresses the proper behavior of coaches with regard to school, player, parent, and the public.

The ultimate success of the principles and standards of this Code depends upon those for whom it was developed – the Hockey Coaches of Wisconsin high schools.
ARTICLE ONE: RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PLAYERS

1. A coach should always be aware of the tremendous influence he has over his players, and his ability to influence them for good or bad. Parents entrust their dearest possession to the coach’s charge, and the coach should make every attempt to see that those who have played under him have been positively influenced for having done so. The coach should never place the value of a win above that of instilling the highest, desirable ideals and character traits in his players. The players safety and welfare are always uppermost and never sacrificed for personal prestige or selfish glory.

2. In teaching the game of hockey, the coach must realize that there are certain rules and standards for protecting players and determining a winner and loser. Any attempts to beat these rules, to take unfair advantage of an opponent, or to teach deliberate unsportsmanlike conduct, have no place in the game, nor has any coach guilty of such conduct any right to call himself a coach. The coach who follows the rules and standards of the game of hockey need have no fear of failure, for in the final analysis, the success of a coach can be measured in terms of the respect he has earned from his own players and his opponents.

3. The diagnosis and testament of injuries is a medical problem which should not fall under the duties of the coach, but under the auspices of trained medical personnel. A coach’s responsibility is to see that injured players receive prompt and competent medical attention and the physician’s orders are carried out to the letter.

4. The coach should NEVER authorize the use of any drugs. Medication, stimulants, or drugs should only be authorized and supervised by a physician.

5. A player’s future should not be jeopardized by any circumvention of eligibility rules.

6. A player’s academic responsibilities takes priority over any coach’s demands which would jeopardize the player’s academic success.

ARTICLE TWO: RESPONSIBILITY TO THE SCHOOL

The primary and basic function of the coach is to educate students through participation in the game of hockey. Never overlook this.

1. A coach is an extension of the school conduct himself so as to maintain the principles, integrity, and dignity of the school.

2. A coach should not exert pressure on faculty members to give players special consideration which they do not deserve.

3. The coach has the responsibility to see that the hockey program is being promoted and represented properly. The coach should offer his experience and training to the administration in the solution of problems regarding the hockey program.

ARTICLE THREE: RULES OF THE GAME

1. The rules and suggestions, which appear in the National Federation of State High School Associations Rule Book, should be considered an integral party of this Code of Ethics and should be carefully read and observed.

2. Every coach should be familiar with the rules of the game. He is responsible for teaching, interpreting and enforcing them with his players and team.

3. Both the letter and the spirit of the rules must be adhered to by players, coaches and anyone associated with the team. To gain an advantage by circumvention or disregard for the rules brands a coach or a player as unworthy of being associated with his game.

4. Obstruction, hooking, interference and other means of slowing opponents are detrimental to the game of hockey. These tactics are restricting player’s ability to show their skills, slowing the speed of the game and increasing potential hockey was meant to be played.

5. A coach is responsible for flagrant roughing tactics used by his players. These tactics should never be taught or accepted by the coach. Checking from behind, spearing, butt ending, head butting, fighting or any other deliberate attempt to harm a player must not be tolerated in practice or games. A coach must be mindful that IT IS NOT the purpose of hockey to harm any player by using questionable or illegal tactics.

6. Good sportsmanship habits are formed on the ice at practice. When coaches permit, encourage, or condone methods which are dangerous to an opponent, they are derelict in their responsibility to teach fair play and good sportsmanship. This aspect of coaching must be approached just as vigorously as the teaching any aspect of hockey. To the players, this is more important than any technical aspect of the game. Any coach who fails to stress this point, or who permits, encourages, or defends the use of unsportsmanlike tactics should be considered guilty of the most serious breach of hockey coaching ethics.

ARTICLE FOUR: OFFICIALS

1. No competitive contest can be played satisfactorily without impartial competent officials. Officials must have the respect and support of the coaches and players. On or off-the-record criticism of officials to players, or the public, is considered unethical.

2. Officials Associations. There should be a cooperative relationship between coaches and officials. Coaches are expected to attend WIAA rules interpretation meeting. Coaches are encouraged to have officials discuss rules interpretations with their teams and to have officials at scrimmages, for the mutual benefit of players, coaches, and officials.

3. Treatment of Officials. On the day of the game, officials should be treated in a courteous manner and be provided a private room for meeting and dressing. Conferences between coaches and officials and coach-official relationship should be conducted according to the National Federation of State High School Associations Rule Book at all times. Criticisms of officials should be made in writing to the WIAA office. For a coach to address, or permit anyone on his bench to address uncomplimentary remarks to any official during the progress of a game, or indulge in conduct which might incite players or spectators against officials is a violation of the rules and is considered conduct unworthy of a member of the coaching profession.

4. It should be recognized that slow-motion studies of controversial decisions by officials is far different from the split-second decision he must make during a game. To show these decision to media representatives, booster clubs, or the public for the purpose of labeling officials as incompetent is considered unethical conduct.

ARTICLE FIVE: PUBLIC RELATIONS

1. Use courtesy, honesty, and respect in all dealings with the media. Derogatory or misleading statements should be avoided. The media should be used to promote the game of hockey.

2. Coaches should instruct their players as to proper conduct when being
interviewed by the media.

1. The media is not a place to “air-out” disciplinary measures, academic difficulties, measures, or injury problems. These should be treated as private “family” matters and kept within the school.

2. Coaches should not publicity predict game winners. Solution of professional problems should be kept within the profession not in the press.

Coaches should not be associated with gambling concerning the game of hockey.
ARTICLE SIX: OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. A coach’s conduct and behavior should at all times bring credit to himself, his family, school, and to the game of hockey.

2. When the opponent arrives at the rink, a home team coach or rink personnel should direct the visiting coach to their locker room, explain the warm up schedule and assist with any questions the visiting coach may have about the game procedure. Before and after the game, rival coaches should meet and exchange friendly greetings.

3. Coaches should use their influence to upgrade levels of sportsmanship shown by their school by working closely with cheerleaders and pep club advisors.

4. No coach, player or anyone in an official school capacity shall make uncomplimentary remarks to an opponent’s players before, during or after a game.

5. Demeaning awards, which glorify or reward play outside the spirit of the rules are not in the interest of the game and should not be condoned.

6. It is unethical under any circumstances to scout any team except in regularly scheduled season games, playoff games, or previously agreed upon scrimmages. The head coach is responsible for the actions of his scouts.