Principals of six schools in the Fullerton Union High School District on Thursday adopted a policy that allows schools to suspend coaches or players who are ejected from sports events, involved in altercations or leave the sidelines or bench during an altercation.

The policy represents the toughest action yet in Southern California against increasing violence at prep sports events.

"It got to the point where I was afraid to open Saturday morning's paper and read about the next incident," said La Habra High School Principal Tom Triggs, who proposed the policy. "I kept hearing, 'Something has to be done.' Well, we've done something. It's in writing so every coach and player knows what is expected."

Under the policy:

* Coaches or athletes who are ejected from a sports event will be suspended for the next game.

* Any athlete who leaves the bench or sidelines during an altercation will be suspended for the next game.

* Any athlete who assaults or strikes another athlete, coach or official will be suspended from all prep athletics for one calendar year.

The policy was announced in Buena Park by representatives of the Freeway League, which includes Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Sonora, Sunny Hills and Troy high schools.

Under current policy for the California Interscholastic Federation's Southern Section, major incidents of violence are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by section administrators. Thursday's action by the Fullerton-area schools was the first policy response to the violence by a league in the section, where eight major violent incidents have been reported this school year.

The incidents included an attack on two football officials by three Palmdale players; an attack on two basketball referees by three Victor Valley players at the Moreno Valley high school; an assault on a basketball referee by a fan at the Sunny Hills-Fullerton game; and a fight between basketball players from Servite High in Anaheim and St. Paul High in Santa Fe Springs.

Five of the eight incidents have been in Orange County, including a fight between Villa Park and El Modena basketball players. After that incident, Walt Otto, Villa Park principal, said he would consider playing next year's games between the schools in an empty gymnasium.

The Freeway League also plans to schedule a series of workshops for activity directors, boosters, students and student advisers to review the rules and regulations and to outline the responsibility of administrators for the behavior of students at athletic events.