Spectator Expectations
SCHOOL COMMUNITY SPECTATOR EXPECTATIONS
E.B.A.L. Expectations of Behavior
SPORTSMANSHIP PREAMBLE:The member schools of the CIF, EBAL are committed to providing a sportsmanlike environment for the students, coaches, and spectators.
SPORTSMANSHIP DEFINITION: A person who can take a loss or defeat without complaint, or victory without gloating, and who treats his/her opponents with fairness, courtesy, and respect. (CIF)
The following behavior is unacceptable at all CIF high school contests:
1. Berating your opponent's school or mascot
2. Berating opposing players
3. Obscene cheers or gestures
4. Negative signs
5. Noisemakers
6. Complaining about officials' calls (verbal or gestures)
In the EBAL:
- Spectators are expected to treat players, coaches, and officials with respect. No personal, non-performance related comments will be tolerated. (For example, spectators saying "air ball" would be tolerated but yelling "pizza face" at a player would not be tolerated.)
- Spectators must follow all host site rules, and therefore, follow direction, rules set by the administrators and/or designees from either school.
- Yells should emanate from the cheerleaders. (Schools should discourage impromptu yells, cheers, and comments from individuals or minor groups.)
- Face painting is allowed. Face painting may be done to show school spirit and only in one's own school colors.
- Spirit signs are allowed. Signs must be positive for one's own school and be kept in the designated area. Visiting school may also hang signs under the same aforementioned conditions. Visitors must abide by posting regulations of the host school.
- Only the home team band may perform
- Boasting/cheering about previous victories ("bragging rights") is not allowed.
See CIF definition of Sportsmanship.
Spectators: (CIF)
- Spectators are required to maintain a high degree of sportsmanship during athletic contests.
- Spectators must, at all times remain in the designated seating areas while a contest is in progress.
- No spectator is allowed to confront an official, coach, or player before, during or after an athletic contest.
- The actions of a spectator, detrimental to the playing of the game, may cause forfeiture of that contest.
In the EBAL:
- Spectators are not allowed on playing area before the game, at halftime, or during the game.
- Spectators, mascots, cheerleaders, and players are expected to stay in designated school area.
- Spectators will not interfere with homecoming floats or performing bands.
- Spectators will not throw any objects on the playing area.
- The host school's PA announcer must abide by the same rules of conduct and sportsmanship as any spectator.
- Coaches are responsible for their own and players' actions.
