Code of Conduct

Connecticut Basketball promotes and mandates good conduct by all participants including players, coaches, referees, parents and spectators.

Good Conduct is essential to provide a safe athletic environment, good role models and a sense of community spirit throughout the league.

Connecticut Basketball participants are to maintain and promote the highest standards of conduct at all times.

Connecticut Basketball believes that good conduct and competitive sports can co-exist.

Players will:

1. Be on time (If you're not five minutes early--you're late!)
2. Work hard to improve skills, learn the game and play by the rules.
3. Always respect teammates, opponents, coaches and referees.
4. Support teammates at all times.
5. Shake hands with opponents after the game.

Parents & Spectators will:

1. Always behave in a manner that is consistent with Connecticut Basketball's mission: to teach winning habits and get young people prepared for life. 

2. Parents are mindful that that they are not advancing the mission of teaching winning habits and getting young people prepared for life when:
   • Derogatory remarks are directed at a student athlete (or instructions are yelled out onto the court).
   • Speaking to a coach during the game--and in front of the children
   • Stepping onto the court at any time during the playing of a game (which under League rule will likely result in the forgeit and end of the game).
3. Connecticut Basketball parents advance the mission of teaching winning habits and getting young people prepared for life when:
   1. Being a positive role model by respecting all players, coaches, referees, parents and spectators at all times.
   2. Valuing skills development, fair competition and good effort. And recognize that the efforts of all children, your own team and opponents, is more important than the outcome of the game.
   3. Cheering for all children on the team in a positive fashion, not just your own child.
   4. Refraining from rude or obnoxious behavior or comments toward the opposing team and officials, and never confront referees or other game personnel.
   5. Discouraging any behaviors or tactics that would endanger the health and well being of anyone.

Coaches will:

1. Make skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, fun and learning the game…the goals of the team.
2. Be a positive role model by respecting all players, coaches, referees, parents and spectators at all times. Coaches should not direct negative comments at the opposing team.
3. Learn and play by the rules of the game.
4. Be as respectful and restrained as possible in response to calls by officials.
5. Never lose their temper.
6. Be generous in their praise, emphasizing the efforts of players over the outcome of the game.
7. Be fair, honest and consistent in coaching philosophies and practices.
8. Recognize that children learn differently… and adapt coaching to each child’s needs accordingly.
9. Communicate clearly to players and parents about goals for the team and what behavior is appropriate.
10. Provide a safe environment for the children to play.

"Problem Coaches" have been and will continue to be expelled from our League. This is a youth league, model adult behavior takes priority over any argument over a basketball technicality. 

Referees:
Although Connecticut Basketball only has a limited and indirect relationship with the Referees of League games, it has established the following guidelines for ethical standards of conduct for all officials.

It is expected that Referees will:

1. Exercise a high level of self-discipline, independence and responsibility. Master both the rules of the game and the mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, and shall exercise authority in an impartial, firm and controlled manner.
2. Work with each other in a constructive and cooperative manner.
3. Uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interactions with players, coaches, parents, colleagues and the public at large.
4. Prepare themselves both physically and mentally, shall dress neatly and appropriately, and shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the high standards of the profession.
5. Be punctual and professional in the fulfillment of all obligations.
6. While enforcing the rules of play, remain aware of the inherent risk of injury that competition poses to the players and where appropriate, they shall inform the coaches and the league of situations that appear unreasonably hazardous.