Lesson #23: Unsporting conduct penalties¶
by Stephen Lorimor / Axis of Stevil
Last updated: January 9, 2019
4.3 - Unsporting Conduct¶
This penalty type involves significant officiating discretion, and is not limited to actions listed on this handout.
Unsporting conduct penalties can be elevated to expulsion for egregious or repeated offenses depending on the context.
Unsporting conduct penalties and their verbal cues
“Misconduct” (basic cue) - Undermining the legitimacy of the sport or displaying a lack of respect for the sport, its execution, or those that contribute to it.
Abusive or obscene language or gestures directed at a non-official
(no call or warning) Minor slights inaudible to the audience addressed to a teammate or opponent
(expulsion) Long strings of profanity or losing one’s temper
Impersonating an official
Hiding an active helmet cover during a jam
Reckless or negligent penalty box entry
Attempting to deceive a referee into issuing a penalty
Blocking outside the acceptable range of the sport
Positional blocking preventing a downed skater from standing
Blocking while airborne
Non-forceful / unintentional contact with significant impact
Intentional contact regardless of impact
(expulsion) Intentionally falling on a prone or down skater
(expulsion) Pulling a helmet cover off an opponent
Failing to abide by governing body policies during the game
Example: fielding too many team staff
Intentionally blocking a skater into a downed skater
An ejected skater that interferes with subsequent gameplay
Penalty to captain, skater is banished to the locker room
(expulsion) Intentional, reasonably avoidable, and forceful contact to an official
“Insubordination” - Willfully or neglectfully failing to comply with the instructions of an official, or wrongful or improper behavior motivated by intentional disregard for the rules.
Abusive or obscene language or gestures directed at an official
Not every slight warrants a penalty
Willfully failing to follow the instructions of an official
This includes immediately leaving the track in response to a penalty
A skater must exit the track relative to where they were issued the penalty.
A bit ahead or behind this area has no impact.
A lot ahead or behind has impact.
Exiting is also subject to having a safe and legal opportunity to exit the track.
Failure to leave the track after repeatedly being directed to do so