APPENDIX B - U . S . ALL STAR FEDERATION SAFESPORT CODE
PHYSICAL ABUSE & MISCONDUCT POLICY
It is the policy of the U . S . All Star Federation that there shall be no physical abuse of any participant involved in any of its member programs by any employee , volunteer , independent contractor ( including choreographers and guest coaches or clinicians ) or other participant . Physical abuse means physical contact with a participant that intentionally causes or has the potential to cause the participant to sustain bodily harm or personal injury . Physical abuse also includes physical contact with a participant that intentionally creates a threat of immediate bodily harm or personal injury . Physical abuse may also include intentionally hitting or threatening to hit an athlete with objects or sports equipment .
In addition to physical contact or the threat of physical contact of a participant , physical abuse also includes the providing of alcohol to a participant under the age of consent and the providing of illegal drugs or nonprescribed medications to any participant .
Without limiting the above , any act or conduct described as physical abuse or misconduct under applicable federal or state law constitutes physical abuse under this Policy .
Physical abuse does not include physical contact that is reasonably designed to coach , teach , demonstrate or improve a skill associated to All Star Cheer or Dance , including physical conditioning , team building and appropriate discipline . Permitted physical conduct may include , but is not necessarily limited to , physical touch that is non-threatening , non-sexual in manner with the purpose of training and direction .
Any U . S . All Star Federation member who engages in any act of physical abuse is subject to appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension , permanent suspension , and / or referral to law enforcement authorities .
EMOTIONAL ABUSE & MISCONDUCT POLICY
It is the policy of the U . S . All Star Federation that there shall be no emotional abuse of any participant involved in any of its member programs by an employee , volunteer , independent contractor or other participant . Emotional abuse involves a pattern of deliberate , non-contact behavior that has the potential to cause emotional or psychological harm to a participant . These behaviors may include verbal acts , physical acts or acts that deny attention or support .
Examples of emotional abuse prohibited by this Policy include , without limitation : a pattern of
1 . Verbal behaviors that : a . attack a participant personally ( e . g ., calling them worthless , fat , or disgusting ); or b . repeatedly and excessively yelling at a particular participant or participants in a manner that serves no productive motivational purpose ;
2 . Physically aggressive behaviors , such as a . throwing sport equipment , water bottles , or chairs at or near participants ; or b . punching walls , windows , or other objects ; and
3 . Acts that deny attention and support , such as ignoring a participant for extended periods of time , or routinely or arbitrarily excluding participants from practice or training .
While a single incident of any of the above behaviors may be inappropriate and justify a review and / or disciplinary or other action by the U . S . All Star Federation or any of its member programs , such behaviors would typically not constitute emotional abuse unless a pattern of such conduct had occurred .
Constructive criticism about an athlete ’ s performance is not emotional abuse or misconduct . Further , emotional abuse does not include generally accepted and age-appropriate coaching methods of skill enhancement , physical conditioning , motivation , team building , appropriate discipline , or improving athletic performance .
A U . S . All Star Federation member who engages in any act of emotional abuse is subject to appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension , permanent suspension , and / or referral to law enforcement authorities .
NOTE : Bullying , threats , harassment , and hazing , defined in the next section , often involve some form of emotional misconduct .
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