Example behaviors for Spirit of the Game scoring

Poor (0) – Some “Not so Good” plus… Not so Good (1) Good (Normal) (2) Very Good (3) – Some “Good” plus… Excellent (4) – Some “Very Good” plus…
o For the level of play, they showed appropriate
o For the level of play, they showed a general lack
Rules Knowledge and Use

knowledge of the rules

of rules knowledge
o They repeatedly exhibited poor o They did not purposefully misinterpret the
o They disregarded or purposefully misinterpreted o For the level of play, they showed an o For the level of play, they showed
knowledge of the rules rules
the rules during the game a few times above-average knowledge of the rules excellent knowledge of the rules
o They often disregarded or purposefully o When they didn’t know the rules, they
o They were resistant to being taught rules or o There was at least one case where they o They explained rules we didn’t know
misinterpreted the rules showed a real willingness to learn them
elements of SOTG offered to help us learn some of the rules well very clearly, efficiently, and in a
o They refused to accept input or o They started on time and respected the time
o They didn’t keep to time limits (Note: It’s good Spirit to accept the offer) way that added to our joy of the game
feedback on the rules and SOTG limits throughout
o They were offside during pulls even after an
o They abided by the rules throughout the
initial warning
game
o Even after repeated calls, they
Fouls and Body Contact

continued to have the same foul or

o No significant physical contact occurred o They made several clear decisions that
contact issues o They actively avoided contact at least
o They created a bit too much repeated non- beyond incidental contact avoided contact to keep other players
o They made several dangerous or once
incidental body contact o No players seemed to play in a risky or unharmed
reckless plays o They consistently played in a style that
o There was at least one significant instance of hazardous manner o Considering the competitive nature of
o They made little effort to avoid body avoided the potential for both fouls and
them making a dangerous or reckless play o The game flowed smoothly without frequent the game, they played with the highest
contact unnecessary body contact
calls level of care and safety
o They frequently fouled intentionally or
for tactical reasons
o There was at least one case where they
o They were quick to complain when we made a informed teammates that they had made
o They always only took the stance that o There were several clear examples of
call, irrespective of the appropriateness of the wrong or unnecessary calls/contests
they were right on calls opposition players seeking to uphold
call o They respected and acknowledged our o They didn't call breaches that did not
o When asked, teammates did not give the truth of a situation, even if it did not
Fair-Mindedness

o They called many insignificant breaches, (e.g. a opinions on calls, even when they disagreed affect the outcome of the action, such as
their opinion on calls where the result benefit them
very small travel or incidental contact that didn't o They apologized in situations where it was a minimal travel on an unmarked thrower,
could have gone against their team o Their players helped each other make
affect the throw) appropriate (like an uncontested foul) or fouls on throws they made that would
o They made many unjustifiable consistent, accurate calls, even if the
o They often gave the impression they would only o They adjusted their behavior based on our not have been caught anyway
calls/contests result went against their team
see things in a manner favorable to their team feedback in a way that improved the o They retracted calls when they thought
o They made retaliatory calls o They remained fair-minded and
o They made a few unjustifiable calls/contests enjoyment of the game they were wrong
o They unduly delayed the game for consistent even in intense, crucial
o They were not consistent in their calls o They made calls in a consistent manner,
tactical reasons situations (e.g. universe point)
throughout the game from player to player and from beginning
to end
o Their players and/or sideline were often o Their players and/or sideline sometimes o Their players and/or sideline generally
o They made an effort to make it a good
(towards players, officials,
Attitude and Self-Control

rude and discourteous exhibited a lack of self-control and positive exhibited self-control and positive attitude o They went out of their way to make
volunteers, organizers,

and enjoyable game

o There was a physical and/or verbal attitude o They left an overall positive impression sure that everybody had a great game
o They communicated their point of view
and spectators)

confrontation on- or off- the-field o They actively celebrated our errors in an before, during and after the game (e.g. during o They demonstrated excellent self-
effectively and calmly
o They deliberately damaged equipment unfriendly manner directed at our players warmup and the Spirit circle) control on and off the field during
o They complimented us on a good play or
several times o They taunted or intimidated our players o They were polite to us, their teammates, potentially stressful situations
celebrated good plays by either team
o They played in a manner inappropriate o They exhibited one or more instances of edge- officials and spectators o They exhibited the highest level of
o They shared with us
to the situation (e.g. patronizing trick- down spiking or aggressive celebration towards o They thanked us for the game respect and positive attitude from start
o There were a few instances where they
throw points, ultra-aggressive behavior, opponent o They played with appropriate intensity to finish
clearly exhibited very good self-control
etc.) o They deliberately damaged equipment irrespective of the score
o Conflicts were resolved without incident o If asked, they provided clear, factual
o They explained the game to spectators
officials, volunteers, organizers,

o Their players not directly involved in the play or o They communicated respectfully explanations to support their calls
(with teammates, opponents,

o They frequently refused to discuss or new players

who did not have best perspective got involved o They listened o They introduced themselves to us and
issues/calls o They motivated us to keep high spirit
a few times without being asked o They kept discussions to reasonable time knew our team name
o They got angry/reacted with contempt and suggested or demonstrated how to
Communication

and spectators)

o There were a few instances where they were lengths o Their captain/leaders communicated with
at several calls/contests do it
not calm while communicating o They clearly explained their point of view our leaders very effectively
o They frequently used offensive o They communicated extremely
o There were a few instances where their body o If asked for input, their sideline/other players o They brought up spirit issues and general
language effectively and respectfully and made us
language was rude or aggressive, such as were helpful concerns as early as possible, directly or
o Their body language was frequently feel comfortable discussing the game
smirking or making offensive hand gestures o They understood and occasionally used through (spirit) captains
rude or aggressive, such as smirking or o They always used official hand signals to
o They did not keep discussion to a reasonable official hand signals to indicate fouls, scores, o They made use of official hand signals
making offensive hand gestures indicate fouls, scores, etc., and they
duration etc. throughout the game to indicate fouls,
echoed our calls also
o A Spirit time out was called scores, etc.
It’s better to address problems early than to mark the other team down at the end. Spirit scoring is a group effort, so discuss this as a team. Don’t give half points. When in doubt, trust the other team.
And remember, Spirit of the Game is mindful behavior practiced by players prior to, during and after a game, in a mutual effort to protect the basic joy of play. Send feedback to [email protected] A4, © May 2019