Enforcing team rules brings hard but necessary decisions

Rules are not made to be broken.

Records, yes.

Rules, no.

I can't remember all the team rules I had to follow in my high school sports career, but I do know I made it through four years without being disciplined.

OK, maybe I was yelled at a few times for not going all out all the time, but I didn't lose any eligibility.

I also can't remember anybody on our teams ever being suspended, but the years have a way of making a person forget the negatives. I am sure somebody must have violated a team rule, maybe sneaking a cigarette or a beer.

Rules in high school obviously are ineffective if no consequences exist for violations.

The athlete must know on the opening day of practice that if he or she breaks a team rule, they can expect appropriate consequences.

Appropriate is the key word.

I have always thought that the coach is the person to establish team rules, but the players should have some input in developing the consequences and agreeing to them.

It makes sense to me that athletes who have been involved in setting the consequences are more likely to patrol their actions.

Athletes are less likely to follow rules they feel are stupid.

The New York Times recently ran a story about a high school football program in the small Kansas town of Smith Center. At the time of the story the school had outscored its opponents this season 704-0 and had won 51 straight games.

The town of 1,931 worships these kids. Their photos are on trading cards, and those cards are traded at the elementary school, for example, with the enthusiasm of swapping a Peyton Manning for a Tom Brady or a Brett Favre.

As the article by Joe Drape points out, the trading cards are not about hero worship. Each player and cheerleader signs a contract pledging to remain alcohol-, drug- and tobacco-free.

"If they break that promise," Drape writes, "they must go to the elementary school to explain to the children why they were kicked off their team, and their cards are revoked."

Stop and think about that punishment for a moment.

Maybe this is something we have done around here, but I haven't heard of it before. I think the elementary school idea is magnificent.

These younger kids idolize the high school players. They are crushed when one of their favorite players gets suspended and the card gets taken away.

Sending the suspended athlete to the elementary schools to stand in front of the classes and explain just what happened is a marvelous way to deal with the problem.

Will the suspended athletes be totally embarrassed?

Yes. That's the point.

Will they feel they let down these wide-eyed youngsters sitting before them?

I hope so. They should feel that way.

Consequences to rule violations must fit the crime. They should be logical, not just punitive, and seen by the majority of the team as being fair.

Coaches have to be very careful to not develop consequences they can't live with, remembering they are trying to help the teenager to become not only a better athlete but also a better human being.

Athletes who flirt with suspensions are likely to be discouraged athletes. They may feel insecure with their role on the team or have personal problems elsewhere.

Coaches must talk to the athlete. They must be good communicators. Some athletes may not respond to words, but others will.

If coaches have guidelines set to cover rules violations, they're off to a good start. The guidelines should be specific and clear.

Good coaches never respond in haste if they're at all uncertain about the proper punishment.

When they are certain, they should deliver any consequences respectfully and without anger.