San Mateo AYSO Region 36  P.O. Box 5316, San Mateo, CA 94402 650-341-4112

Sportsmanship Program Overview

San Mateo AYSO uses a points system designed to promote positive sportsmanship for players, coaches, and spectators.  In the U10, U12 and U14 Divisions, sportsmanship point totals are part of team standings, and may affect a team’s qualification for tournament play.  Our Area uses a similar system for U16 and U19 teams.

Points are awarded by the Referee for the match, using the scale described below.  The key idea is RESPECT - respect for the participants, officials, coaches, spectators and for the game.

The Point System

The point system is based on a 0-3 scale; points are awarded as follows:

• Exceptional = 3
• Expected = 2
• Below average = 1
• Unacceptable = 0

One overall point score is awarded for each team after a match, taking into account both positive and negative sportsmanship by that team’s players, coaches and spectators.

Sportsmanship Points and Tournament Play:

Sportsmanship points will be used to determine qualification for post-season tournament play, both for the Regional tournaments at U10, U12 and U14, and for teams moving on to Area tournaments:

• Referees are instructed that a score of “2” is considered “typical” for a match.
• A team must earn a minimum of 16 points during the 10 regular-season games to be eligible for post-season tournament play (80% of the “expected” total of 20 points for a 10-game season).
• All “0” awards will be reviewed by the match referee, the relevant Division Coordinator, and the Regional Referee Administrator together. If necessary, the decision to enforce a “0” score will be brought to the Regional Board for resolution.
• The award of two or more "0" sportsmanship scores during regular season games disqualifies a team from post-season tournament play.
• The sportsmanship point system will be applied in San Mateo Regional tournaments.

Sportsmanship points will be reported weekly on the AYSO Web site for U10, U12, and U14 divisions.

Point Deductions:  All point deductions or additions from the expected “2” must be noted by the match referee on the back of the match scorecard, providing justification for the points awarded.  Separately, a KidZone report should be filed by the referee, describing the situation in more detail. The appropriate Division Coordinator will initiate an investigation for every game where a “below average” or “unacceptable” sportsmanship award is made.  Following the investigation, the Division Coordinator has the authority to adjust all Sportsmanship Points and may choose to proceed with any one of the following three hearing processes.

Level 1 Verbal Counseling:

Division coordinator will contact the team Head Coach and discuss the incident in person or by phone.

Level 2 Formal Warning:

Division coordinator will meet with team Head Coach and Assistant Coach for additional fact finding.  Written recap with any recommendations from Division Coordinator to coaches involved will follow no later than one day prior to next game.

Level 3 Regional Hearing: 

All involved parties will meet with pre-appointed Regional Sportsmanship Committee for discussion and review.  The Committee will make a decision and/or recommendation and forward it to the Regional Commissioner.  The recommendation can range from verbal counseling to suspension of volunteer activities. The decision of the Regional Commissioner then will be final.