The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), which oversees high school sports in the state, has seen an increase in the number of ejections in several sports, including a "disturbing" rise in boys soccer, reports the Tri-City Herald.
About boys soccer, the Herald reported:
The WIAA noticed a disturbing trend during several years in the number of ejections for violent conduct and abusive language. In spring 2009, there were 42 ejections for violent conduct and 47 for abusive language.
It was the result of an "imperfect storm," said John Miller, a WIAA assistant executive director.
"I think it had to do with a lot of different things," he said. "Soccer is becoming a much more physical sport, and because of its nature, there's a lot more retaliation."
In response, the Herald reported, the WIAA implemented the most severe suspension policy in WIAA-sanctioned sports:
Effective last spring, the WIAA executive board's boys soccer policy requires players who are ejected for violent conduct or abusive language to receive a three-game suspension.
The definition of violent conduct in boys soccer applies to acts on and off the field, regardless of whether the ball is in play.
Violent conduct also includes using "excessive force or brutality" against an opponent "when not challenging for the ball," as well as against a teammate, spectator, official or other person, according to the WIAA policy.
While the 2010-11 school year saw a 22 percent increase in player ejections in football, the changes implemented in boys soccer seemed to have had an impact.
From the Herald:
In boys soccer during the 2010-11 school year, there were 129 player ejections in Washington.
That was down 26 percent from 175 ejections the previous season.
And the totals for violent conduct and abusive language also fell.
"I think it's going to take a few years to turn that culture around, but I believe we're headed in the right direction," Miller said.
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