What are the penalties for unsporting or unacceptable conduct?
Rule- USA
- NFHS
- High school
- Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)
- NFHS rules
- Track and field
- 2027 season
- Coaches
NFHS Rules 4-6-1 and 4-6-2 set two levels:
| Type | Examples | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Unacceptable conduct (athletes) | Willfully failing to follow an official's direction, profanity not directed at anyone | Disqualification from that event |
| Unsporting conduct (athletes, coaches, team personnel) | Disrespectfully addressing an official, flagrant behavior, intentional contact, taunting, criticizing or profanity directed at someone | Athlete: disqualified from the event and further competition in the meet. Coach or other personnel: disqualified from further participation in the meet. |
- Places and points earned before the unsporting conduct are kept.
- Spontaneous celebrations (high fives, chest bumps, pointing skyward, cheering for competitors) are not taunting (2027 point of emphasis).
- Many state associations require the incident to be reported and add a suspension.
Added 21 Oct 2026