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Code of Conduct

Players • Parents/Guardians • Coaches/Team Reps • Spectators

PURPOSE GRIT is competitive and expects high standards of character, safety, and sportsmanship. This Code sets clear expectations and a transparent discipline process for all participants.

AUTHORITY GRIT game play and in-game penalties are governed by the GRIT 5v5 playing rules and GRIT league adoptions. GRIT may impose additional league discipline for conduct that violates this Code, creates an unsafe environment, or increases risk to participants, officials, staff, or spectators.

Applies to: all practices, games, events, and GRIT-affiliated communications, including in person, online, and via app or text.

Core expectations — everyone

  • Respect: Treat athletes, officials, staff, opponents, and families with respect before, during, and after competition.
  • Safety first: No action or behavior that increases injury risk or creates an unsafe environment.
  • Sportsmanship: Compete hard, but play fair. No taunting, threats, intimidation, or retaliation.
  • No abuse: No profanity directed at others, harassment, discrimination, or bullying, including online.
  • Follow directions: Participants must follow instructions from officials and GRIT staff immediately.
  • Sideline control: Stay in designated areas and keep the team box/restricted area clear, organized, and in compliance with GRIT game-day procedures.

Player conduct standards

  • Play within the rules: No illegal contact, unsafe play, or deliberate attempts to injure.
  • No fighting or retaliation: Walk away and let officials handle it.
  • Equipment compliance: No illegal or unsafe equipment; flags must remain accessible; no pockets; no jewelry unless specifically permitted by league policy.
  • Communication: Respect officials’ authority and use respectful, non-abusive language at all times.

Parent/guardian & spectator standards

  • Cheer positively. Do not yell at officials, players, coaches, or staff.
  • Do not enter the field of play or restricted areas unless directed by GRIT staff.
  • Concerns should normally go through the team’s Head Coach/Team Rep. If the concern involves that individual, direct it to GRIT staff. No sideline confrontations.
  • No disruptive behavior, including threats, profanity directed at others, or aggressive confrontation.

Coach/team rep standards

  • Model leadership: Coaches set the tone for athlete behavior and sideline culture.
  • Sideline responsibility: Maintain order in the team box/restricted area; keep substitutes and spectators compliant.
  • Officials interaction: Only respectful, rule-based questions during appropriate dead-ball or conference opportunities; no public arguing, prolonged debate, or intimidation.
  • Safety: Remove an athlete from play if injury is suspected; follow concussion/blood protocols and staff direction.
  • Eligibility: Ensure only eligible rostered athletes participate and report discrepancies immediately.

Discipline ladder

GRIT uses progressive discipline when appropriate. Severe incidents may skip steps. In-game penalties and game-day ejections/removals remain in effect regardless of league discipline.

Level 1 — Corrective

  • Verbal warning or education, documented when applicable.
  • Sideline reset: official/staff instruction to correct behavior immediately.
  • Written reminder to family or coach.

Level 2 — Formal warning / game management

  • Bench restriction for a player or sideline restriction for a coach/spectator at staff direction.
  • Removal from the sideline area for the remainder of the game for a spectator.
  • Written warning and meeting requirement before the next game.

Level 3 — Ejection / removal

  • Any player, coach, team rep, or spectator removed/ejected under GRIT game rules or by GRIT staff must leave the venue immediately.
  • GRIT staff may remove spectators for unsafe or disruptive behavior.
  • Removed/ejected individuals must leave the venue, at minimum out of sight and sound.

Level 4 — Suspension

  • Automatic review after ejection/removal for unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting, threats, dangerous contact, or other unsafe acts.
  • Suspension may be one game, two games, the remainder of the season, or another length determined by GRIT.
  • Reinstatement may require a conduct meeting and written acknowledgment of expectations.

Level 5 — Removal from league

  • Serious misconduct includes fighting, repeated threats/harassment, targeting an official, or severe/repeated safety violations.
  • Removal may be permanent or season-long at GRIT’s discretion.

Ejections & suspensions — process

Immediate steps — game day

  • An official issues an ejection/removal under GRIT game rules, or GRIT staff removes a spectator for cause.
  • The individual must leave the venue immediately. The Head Coach/Team Rep ensures compliance.
  • Officials complete an Incident Report within 24 hours.
  • The league reviews the incident within 48 hours and issues a discipline decision.

Review & decision

  • Review team: League Director, Officials Coordinator, and Operations/Safety representative.
  • Inputs may include the incident report, scorekeeper notes or video if available, staff statements, and prior history.
  • Possible outcomes: no additional action, warning, suspension, conditions for return, or removal from the league.

Appeals

  • Appeals must be submitted in writing within 24 hours.
  • Appeal standard: whether the decision was reasonable based on available facts. Judgment calls are not re-officiated.
  • The appeal decision is final.

Reporting concerns

  • Safety or misconduct should be reported immediately to the Head Coach/Team Rep, an official, or GRIT staff.
  • Non-emergency concerns: info@gritflag.com.
  • Emergencies: call 911 first, then notify GRIT staff.

Acknowledgment

By participating in GRIT through registration, coaching, or attendance, all individuals agree to follow this Code of Conduct and the discipline process described above. GRIT reserves the right to update this document for safety and operational needs.