Match Penalty Protocol
 

When a player or coach is accessed a match penalty during play within the boundaries of SAHOF the following will be established as the proper protocol in the responsibilities of reporting the incident.

Game Official

1. Advise player's head coach immediately following the assessment of penalty. If the Match Penalty is against the coach, advise the scorekeeper and coach taking over for the ejected coach.

2. Upon completion of the game, the official will make notations in the remarks area of score sheet explaining why the penalty was assessed (i.e. spearing, head butt, head contact, kicking, etc.) and cite match penalty number as per USA Hockey rule book.

3. Retain a copy of score sheet for further expedition.

4. Contact Florida Supervisor of Officials to verbally report incident on the same day penalty is accessed. This report should contain the following information regarding the player or coach: name, age classification, association, location of rink, type of infraction.

5. File a Match Penalty Incident Report via electronic mail (e-mail) to Florida Supervisor of Officials within 48 hours (unless it is a 601(g)(3) – assault on a official and then within 24 hours)  with a copy of score sheet.  The failure to file a timely game report may be deemed a withdrawal of the Match Penalty.

6. Attend the hearing on the Match Penalty if a hearing is conducted. 

Florida Supervisor of Officials

1. Interview Game Official on telephone to establish the validity of the Match Penalty being accessed.

2. Electronically mail a copy of a Match Penalty Incident Report to the President of SAHOF upon receipt.

3. Contact Referee in Chief (if a league game) or league official to advice of Match Penalty. This verbal report should contain the following information, player or coach name, age classification, association, location of rink, type of infraction.

4. Review Game Official's electronically filed report, to ensure its accuracy and advise Game Official to file the signed report and score sheet within the prescribed time limits.

5.  Transmit all Match Penalties under 601(g)(3) (assault on an official) to the SE District Supervisor of Officials for approval and validation.

SAHOF Disciplinary Chair / Committee

1. Upon receipt of electronically filed report from SAHOF President conduct a complete investigation into the incident to ensure accuracy and validity of the penalty accessed.

2. Contact President of SAHOF to advice of recommendation to either pursue hearing or exonerate player or coach without a hearing.

3. If Match Penalty is upheld preliminarily, send accessed player's or coach’s Association President notification of immediate suspension until all reports are submitted and hearing held.

4. If so inclined to conduct hearing, do so within 30 days of date of incident under rules in USAH Annual Guide with two other appointed committee members.  It is preferred to have the hearing held within 15 days of the incident.

5. File recommendation of disciplinary action taken to President of SAHOF for his approval within 72 hours of the hearing date.

6. Provide player or coach a written decision with notification regarding the right to appeal decision to SAHOF Board.