Orientation for Junior High & Middle School Programs

1. Orientation for Junior High & Middle School Programs Jerome Singleton Commissioner Skip Lax Assistant Commissioner

2. www.schsl.org

3. General Philosophy • “The greatest good to the greatest number of participants involved” • Athletic program should supplement programs at schools-- not serve as a substitute for physical education • The welfare of the youth concerned is of greatest importance

4. Rules and Regulations • Ignorance of the rule on the part of the school shall not be considered sufficient cause for setting aside the effects of the rule. • Differences between High School regulations and Middle School regulations. • Magnet schools and IB programs. • Number of scrimmages/jamborees allowed. • Competition time limit in selected sports (i.e. baseball and softball). • 75% rule (outside league). • Out of season skill sessions (two athletes per day). • Out of season regulations in football.

5. Students below seventh grade may not participate in interscholastic athletics. • Students in grades 7 and 8 will not be permitted to participate on varsity interscholastic teams in football, wrestling, lacrosse and soccer. • All sports are allowed one scrimmage, one jamboree and two tournaments. • Participation: Is defined as being in the same uniform and permitted in the bench area of one of the competing teams.

6. Age Rule • If a student turns 15 prior to July, he/she is not eligible for eight grade and under teams. Advanced Participation • A junior high or middle school student promoted to a varsity or JV team may not return to the Jr. High or Middle School team if he participated at that level. Note: If started at Varsity level or JV level, he can move down.

7. Officials • Recommend certified officials - NO high school students used as game officials

8. Original Eligibility • A student establishes his eligibility when he is promoted to and first attends (1 day) school in the Seventh grade. He is eligible at this school and the school it feeds until he attends another school (breaks enrollment). Should the feeder school supply students to more than one high school, each student’s eligibility will be determined by the attendance area in which he lives.

9. Student Eligibility • Must be promoted academically (not social or placed) • Seventh or Eighth graders must be doing satisfactory work at the end of the first semester to be eligible second semester. • Seventh or Eighth grade repeaters may become eligible second semester if they pass first semester work. • Seventh or Eighth graders who met the standards for promotion, but decided to stay back are ineligible for the entire year. • Satisfactory work is defined as meeting the school district’s promotion policy.

10. Each school shall keep on file, a duplicate copy of the student”s birth certification, all submitted eligibility forms, a parent's permission record properly filled out and a physical form. • A physical is valid from April 1 through the following school year. Physical forms must be signed by a licensed doctor of medicine or a nurse practitioner in a written collaboration with a licensed medical doctor or a certified physicians assistant in a written collaboration with a licensed medical doctor.

11. Transfers • Treat as being ineligible until the name of the student is placed on the League Web Page.

12. Transfers continued • Bona-fide change of address . • Transfer from a non-member school to a member school. • Student is placed by the courts in an orphanage or foster home in your attendance area.

13. Special Form A (Transfer Form) • Do not submit 7th graders on Special Form A unless they are repeating the 7th grade.

14. Guardianship • Both parents are deceased. • Both parents reside outside the contiguous US, and the parents are US citizens. • Student becomes a ward of the court, and DSS assumes legal guardianship.

15. Unsportsmanlike Acts • Athletes who are ejected for : abusive language, flagrantly or maliciously contacting another person, making obscene gestures to opponents or spectators are ineligible for a minimum next two contests in all sports except football, competitive cheer and lacrosse to maximum of one year. • 2nd ejection in same sport: Minimum of 2 weeks. • 3rd ejection: Remainder of the school year.

16. A coach will be in violation of the standards for good sportsmanship established by the League for: • Degrading remarks about officials • Dissent • Approaching an official after the contest • Note: The minimum penalty for a coach’s ejection will be next contest suspension a $100 fine to the school.

17. Closed Season • During closed season, school facilities cannot be used for anything except conditioning and weight training. Open participation is permitted during the following dates. • Fall Sports: May 1st – 21st • Winter Sports: September 1st – 21st • Spring Sports: November 1st – 21st • No tryouts or school against outside competition permitted.

18. Camps • Attendance at camps from August 1 to the closing of school are governed by the following restrictions: • The student or the parents must pay all fees and expenses. • Students may be transported by their coach to camps or clinics at any time. • A coach may serve as an instructor at the camp, but may not teach skills to students from their own school during the closed season. • Attendances at camps during a sports season that are controlled entirely by a school and restricted to its students are exempt from these regulations. A violation of any part of this section will result in a $500.00 fine and probation.

19. Clinics The principal of a member school must approve a clinic. A clinician's fee and expenses should be reasonable. Principals should pay close attention to this item before giving approval. Room and board must not be a part of the clinic. The clinic must not exceed three days. Team competition is prohibited and all physical activity must be restricted to fundamentals. The coach may transport his players to the clinic.

20. Heat & Hydration

21. Concussion • NFHS Course • www.nfhslearn.com • Required for all coaches

22. Middle School Representation • Executive Committee Representative • Constitutional Change Proposals • Rules & Regulations Change Proposals

23. Questions/Concerns

24. Have a Great Year