• The Atoms continue to vigorously strive for the highest standards of sportsmanship in ice hockey. Every participant; whether player, coach, referee, official, administrator, parent, or spectator, has a responsibility to behave in a respectable manner and comply with and support our organization's Zero Tolerance Policy, which has been adopted from both USA Hockey and NIHL Zero Tolerance policies. 

• The Atoms established Codes of Conduct for players, parents, spectators, coaches, and managers. They will apply at all Atoms functions. Players, parents, coaches, and managers are expected to confirm by Agreement their intention to honor the applicable Codes of Conduct.  All players, parents, coaches, and managers also will be expected to emphasize the Atoms' mission statement. All programs will be administered without regard to race, religion, sex, or national origin. 

Player Code of Conduct

• Each Atoms player is expected to follow the Atoms Player Code of Conduct.

·         Ice hockey is a game. Play for fun and enjoy yourself.

• Each player shall strive to develop and improve his or her individual playing skills and will
  encourage improvement by teammates. Atoms players cooperate with and support one another.
• Players will be on time for practices and games and should be ready, mentally and
  physically, at least 15 minutes before the start of each practice at least 30 minutes before each game and be ready to skate 15 minutes before each game.
• Players will show respect to their coaches. When coaches offer advice, players should
  listen and try to follow the advice. Never sulk or complain about the amount of your ice time.
• Never argue with the decision of an official.
• At no time, on or off the ice, will any player use disrespectful, abusive or obscene language to coaches, managers, parents, officials, teammates or players on the opposing team.
• Avoid retaliation, unsportsmanlike conduct, and misconduct penalties. This type of behavior only reveals selfish lack of self-discipline and hurts the team. Respect the USA Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct in the form of gestures, slapping boards with sticks, or other displays of individual anger are prohibited. The Atoms adhere to the USA Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy towards unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Fighting before, during, or after a game, on or off the ice, will be subject to disciplinary action by the Coaches and the Rules and Ethics Committee, regardless of any penalties imposed by the game officials.
• Coaches have the authority to bench any player for any part of a game or future game, for open personal criticism of teammates, coaches, or referees, abusive or obscene language, or unsportsmanlike conduct, anger, or fighting, regardless of any action by game officials.
• Each player will respect the property of others at all times. Any player who damages a rink or other personal or public property while participating in any Atoms related activity will be automatically suspended until restitution is made, and will remain on probation for the remainder of the season.
• The use of alcohol or drugs is absolutely forbidden and will result in automatic dismissal from the team.

I,                                                            , promise to adhere to the Lake County Atoms Code of Conduct and Zero Tolerance policies.  If found to violate these policies, I promise to comply with the decisions of the Lake County Atoms Organization as represented by it’s Board of Directors with respect to any suspensions or penalties that may result.

Parent's Code of Conduct

·         Parent members of the Atoms are expected to follow the Atoms Parent's Code of Conduct.

·         Do not force your children to participate in sports, but support their desire to play their chosen sport for fun and learning. They will learn from coaches and other players. Make it fun.

·         Teach by example. The parent is the most important example a child can relate to. Do not embarrass your child by yelling at players, coaches or officials. Show self-discipline, self-control, good sportsmanship, and a positive attitude; your child will benefit.

·         Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit your young athlete. De-emphasize games and competition in the younger age levels. Winning is a consideration but not the only one, nor the most important one. Care more about the player than winning the game.

·         Read the rules of hockey and support the officials on and off the ice. Encourage your child to play by the rules. Encourage and applaud good sportsmanship. Help support the game and the referees. Any criticism of the officials only hurts the game and consequently, your child.

·         Applaud a good effort in both victory and defeat. Again, encourage and applaud good sportsmanship. Emphasize the positive points of the game.

·         Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice. It is destructive. Help remove all physical and verbal abuse in youth sports. Players require a good example as opposed to criticism.

·         Support volunteer coaches. They are important to the development of your child and the sport. Respect the role of the coaches. Do not try to coach from the stands.

·         Recognize that your child's coach, assistant coaches, and manager are responsible for developing team play, as well as individual player skills. If you have a concern about your child's ice time, discipline or personal problems, please discuss it with the coach or manager in private.

·         No parent of a player at the Pee Wee level and above is permitted in the locker room without the express invitation of the coach. No parent is permitted on the ice at any time, unless a medical emergency exists, and an official summons them.

·         Players are expected to arrive at least 30 minutes before each game and to be ready to skate 15 minutes before each game. Parents should be out of the locker room 10 minutes before the game starts.

·         Parents are expected to attend all games and practices. If you are unable to attend, ensure that someone present at the event knows where you can be reached. If your child is unable to attend, please notify the team manager or coach in advance.

·         Parents are responsible for the safe transportation and custody of their children. They are also expected to supervise the off-ice activities of their children, even at the rink. If a parent cannot be present, they must assign a responsible individual to be left in charge of children while at the rink.

·         In the event of an extreme parental vocal or physical provocation of referees, coaches, managers or players, the offending parent will be asked to leave the arena by an on-ice official, a member of the Atoms Board of Directors or the Rink Manager, and the matter will be referred to the Rules and Ethics Committee. The Atoms reserve the right to ban the offending parent from future games and practices. Failure to comply with this ban will result in suspension or termination of the player.

I,                                                            , promise to adhere to the Lake County Atoms Code of Conduct and Zero Tolerance policies.  If found to violate these policies, I promise to comply with the decisions of the Lake County Atoms Organization as represented by it’s Board of Directors with respect to any suspensions or penalties that may result.

Signature:                                                         Date:                                       

I,                                                            , promise to adhere to the Lake County Atoms Code of Conduct and Zero Tolerance policies.  If found to violate these policies, I promise to comply with the decisions of the Lake County Atoms Organization as represented by it’s Board of Directors with respect to any suspensions or penalties that may result.

Coach's and Manager's Code of Conduct

Each team will have a Coach appointed by the Board of Directors. Each team will also have a Manager. Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Managers are expected to follow the Coach's and Manager's Code of Conduct.

• Coaches and Managers, working together, will promote the Atoms philosophy of good sportsmanship and "Hockey is Fun".
• Coaches and Managers will endeavor to set a good example of personal conduct at all times, and will promote both TEAM and INDIVIDUAL development.
• Coaches may take reasonable disciplinary actions, including benching players, if appropriate. Players and parents should be told exactly why such action was taken.
• All Coaches will be certified in compliance with the requirements of USA Hockey and those leagues in which the Atoms are a member. All Coaches, Assistant Coaches or parents assisting at practice or on the bench must be registered with and insured by USA Hockey. Non-registered or uninsured persons shall be not permitted on the ice or on the bench.
• Coaches and Managers should strive for parental involvement by:
• Understanding the parents concerns and allowing them to express their feelings freely.
• Soliciting the active support of parents by establishing specific duties and responsibilities, i.e. scorekeeper, timekeeper, etc.
• Communicating the objectives for the season's program and specifically what is expected of both parents and players.
• The decision for a particular team to attend a tournament will be made mutually by the Coaches, Manager and parents. All tournament invitations must be reported to the Scheduler.
• The Director of Scheduling must approve all schedule changes in advance.
• Obscene or abusive language, unsportsmanlike displays, intoxication, or substance abuse
  shall not be tolerated and will be referred to the Rules and Ethics Committee for action.
• The Atoms reserve the right to restrict ice time for any team in arrears on fees or fines.
• The Manager shall notify the Rules and Ethics Committee of all player/coach suspensions within 24 hours of occurrence.
• Coaches and Managers are responsible for seeing that any suspended player sits out all required games
  and for the coaches signing the score sheet as required by League rules.
• It is the responsibility of the team Manager, and parents of the Atoms players, to monitor parental actions at both practices and games. In the event that a parent fails to follow the established Atoms Code of Conduct, the Manager should politely point out the infraction and ask the parent to refrain from repeating the undesirable action. Recurring problems should be reported to the Rules and Ethics Committee.

I,                                                            , promise to adhere to the Lake County Atoms Code of Conduct and Zero Tolerance policies.  If found to violate these policies, I promise to comply with the decisions of the Lake County Atoms Organization as represented by it’s Board of Directors with respect to any suspensions or penalties that may result.

Signature:                                                                                             Date: