OHSAA SPORTS REGULATIONS

SPORTS REGULATIONS

2019-2020 GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS

Introduction

Article5-6-1oftheConstitutiongrantsauthoritytotheBoardofDirectorstodeterminethecontest

rulesandregulationsforeachsport.

TheBoardofDirectorshasadoptedthefollowingcontestrulesandregulationseffectiveAugust 1,

2019.TheExecutiveDirectorisauthorizedtomodifytheseregulationswhenitisdeemednecessarybythe

ExecutiveDirector,subjecttoraticationbytheBoardofDirectors.

Theseregulationsapplytoallinterscholasticteamsandcontests,includingbutnotlimitedtovarsity,

juniorvarsity,reserve,junior,sophomore,freshmanand7th&8thgradeteams.For additional regula-

tionsspecicallyforgrades7and8,seeGeneralSportsRegulation32.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

1. Official Contest Rules

  Theofcialcontestrulesandrule books as published by the listed organizationhavebeenap-

provedbytheBoardofDirectorsforallinterscholasticathleticcontestsinthefollowingsports.

CROSSCOUNTRY  NATIONALFEDERATION

FIELDHOCKEY NATIONALFEDERATION

FOOTBALL NATIONALFEDERATION

GOLF UNITEDSTATESGOLFASSOCIATION

SOCCER NATIONALFEDERATION

TENNIS UNITEDSTATESTENNISASSOCIATION

VOLLEYBALL NATIONALFEDERATION

BASKETBALL NATIONALFEDERATION

BOWLING UNITEDSTATESBOWLINGCONGRESS

GYMNASTICS U.S.A.GYMNASTICS

ICEHOCKEY NATIONALFEDERATION

SWIMMINGANDDIVING NATIONALFEDERATION

WRESTLING* NATIONALFEDERATION

BASEBALL NATIONALFEDERATION

LACROSSE(BOYS) NATIONALFEDERATION

LACROSSE(GIRLS) NATIONALFEDERATION

SOFTBALL NATIONALFEDERATION

TRACKANDFIELD NATIONALFEDERATION

*DenotestorefertoBylaw1-4-3whichstates“Interscholasticcompetitionshallbeconductedus-

ingcontestrulesadoptedbytheBoardofDirectorsand/ormodicationsorchangesinsportrules

arenotpermittedexceptthoseprovidedintherulebookandapprovedbytheBoardofDirectors.”

2. Mandatory Attendance at or Participation in OHSAA-Sponsored Rules Interpretation

Meetings

2.1) Any school sponsoring a sport recognized by the OHSAA in which a state tournament

isheldmusthavetheheadvarsitycoach,assistantvarsitycoachorathleticadministrator

attendorparticipate(online)inanOHSAA-sponsoredstaterulesinterpretationmeetingin

thatsportbythecommunicateddeadlinedate.

2.2) Thedeadlinetocompleteanonlinestaterulesinterpretationmeetingwithoutpenaltyisprior

tothestartofthesport’sfirstregularseasoncontest.

2.3) Toreceivecreditforanonlinestaterulesinterpretationmeetingafterthefirstdeadline,there

willbea$50penaltyassessed,withafinaldeadlinecommunicatedbytheOHSAAoffice.

2.4) Failuretoattendorparticipateinthesport’sstaterulesinterpretationmeetingbythefinal

deadlineshallresultinineligibilitytoparticipateintheOHSAA-sponsoredtournamentin

that sport.

2.5) Those attending a meeting in person will be responsible to be in attendance within 10

SPORTS REGULATIONS

GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS 2019-2020

minutesofthestartofthemeetingandremainuntiltheconclusionofthemeetingtoreceive

creditforattendance.

3. Mandatory Requirement for Tournament Officials Selection

To assist in the process in determining which contest officials will be assigned to OHSAA

tournament contests the following school year, schools are required to vote for officials, and

coachesarehighlyencouragedtorateofficials.Votingbyathleticadministratorsandratingsby

coachesarecombinedwithvotesfromlocalofficialsassociationsandofficiatingleaderstocreate

acompositescorewhichdevelopsapooloftournament-eligibleofficialsforthenextschoolyear.

Thesportsinwhichvotingisrequiredandratingsareneeded;thedeadlinesinwhichvotingand

ratingsmustbecompleted,andtheproceduresonhowtovoteforandrateofficialsarepublished

ontheOHSAAwebsite,inthesport-specificOHSAAcoaches/officialsmanualandprovidedin

memosdisseminatedtoathleticadministrators.

3.1) Voting by Athletic Administrators

Bytheestablisheddeadlines,athleticadministratorsareresponsibleforsubmittingaballot

listingamaximumof15officialsineachrequiredsport,preferablyafterconsultingwith

their coaches.

Failuretoparticipateintherequiredvotingprocesswillresultintheschoolbeingfined$50

peroccurrence.Thefinewillbereducedto$15peroccurrenceifvotingissubmittedwithin

15daysafterthedeadline.

3.2) Ratings by Head Coaches

Following each varsity contest, head coaches are highly encouraged to rate the contest

officialsfromthatday’sorevening’scontestonascaleof1-5.Coachesmayrateasmanyas

50officialsthroughouttheseason.

Note: The OHSAAreservestheright to modify the ratingandvotingprocedures based on the

technologythatisavailable.

4. Penalties for Failure to Acquire Pupil Activity Program/Coaching Permit

Highschooland7th-8thgradecoaches,paidandvolunteer,whodonotpossessthePupilActivity

Program/CoachingPermit,whichispartoftheStateBoardofEducationrequirementstocoach

inOhio,shallnotbepermittedtocoachatanylevelatanOHSAAmemberschool.TheOHSAA

encourages all athletic administrators to utilize the tools in myOHSAA to view and track their

coaches’ certification.All Board-approved and properly credentialed coaches shallbelistedon

theEmergencyContactformforeachsport.Further,anyhighschoolcoachwhodoesnotpossess

thisPermitatthefirstlevelofthetournamentshallnotbepermittedtocoachatanylevelofthe

tournamentuntilsuchtimethatthePermitisobtainedandverificationofsuchpermitisprovided

totheOHSAA.Falsificationofthisinformationshallresultinacoach’sremovalfromtheOHSAA

tournament.

Note: ItistheintentionoftheOHSAAtoperformrandomauditsofthecoachingpermitsthrough-

outtheschoolyearandtofineschoolsthathavenotcompliedwiththebylawintheamountof$250

per coach. Inaddition,thepenaltyforacoachnotlistedontheEmergencyContactformisremoval

from coaching in the OHSAA tournament.

5. Penalties for Failure to Conduct Pre-Season Meetings

Whenithasbeenverifiedthatthememberschoolhasfailedtoconductapre-seasonmeeting(s)in

accordancewithBylaw3-1-4,theschoolshallbefined$500foreachviolation.

Note: PleaserefertotheOHSAAwebsiteforachecklistofitemsthatmustbecoveredandsam-

pleagendasandotherresourcestoassistwithcompliance.Eachmemberschoolshallrecordon

myOHSAAthedateandlocationofeachmeetingaswellasthepersonresponsibleforeachmeet-

ing.

6. OHSAA-Sponsored Tournaments Entry/Withdraw Procedures and Draw/Seed Meeting

Dates

6.1) InorderforamemberschooltoparticipateinanOHSAAtournament,theschoolprincipal

or athletic administrator shall indicate and authorize their student-athletes’ tournament

participation in myOHSAApriortotheestablisheddeadlines.

SPORTS REGULATIONS

2019-2020 GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS

6.2) A tournament entry/withdraw deadline will be established for each OHSAA tournament

sport.Thetournamententry/withdrawdeadlinesforeachOHSAAtournamentsportforthe

upcomingschoolyeararelistedlaterinRegulation6.

 6.2.1)Schoolsmaychangetheirtournamentparticipationinasportpriortotheestablished

deadlinewithoutpenalty.ChangestoOHSAAhighschooltournamentparticipation

after the established deadline will result in a monetary penalty as shown later in

Regulation6.

 6.2.2)Schools thatdesire toenteranOHSAAtournamentafterthe deadlineand priorto

noonontheFridaybeforethedraw/seedingdatemaydosobyfilinga“PetitionLetter

ofEntryorWithdraw”withtheOHSAAOfficeonly(not the tournament manager

orDistrictAthleticBoard)providedtheschoolhasmetalltournamentparticipation

requirementspriortonoonontheFridaybeforethedraw/seedingdate.TheOHSAA

Officeshallhavetheauthoritytoapproveordisapprovesuch“PetitionsofEntry.”

Decisionstodisapproveanentrymaybeappealed.

 6.2.3)SchoolsthatwithdrawfromanOHSAAtournamentafterthedeadlinemaydosoby

filinga“PetitionLetterofEntryorWithdraw”withtheOHSAAOfficeonly(not the

tournamentmanagerorDistrictAthleticBoard).

Note:SchoolsthatparticipateintheOHSAAMiddleSchoolCrossCountryInvitationalor

7thand8thGradeTrackandFieldStateChampionshipsshallfollowallentryproceduresas

publishedanddisseminatedbytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice.

6.3) AllschoolsthatentertheOHSAAtournamentsshallcompletealltournamentandsouvenir

programforms(roster,passlists,schedule,submissionofteamphoto,etc.)asdirected.

6.4) Aschoolcoach,administratororauthorizedschoolrepresentativeshallattendamandatory

draw/seed meeting for each sport for which a meeting is held. District Athletic Boards

willprovideschoolswithseedinginformation,willnotifyschoolsof the exact locations

andtimesofthemeetingsandwillnotifyschoolsinwhatsportsthemeetingswillnotbe

conducted.Thespecificdatesforeachsport’sdraw/seedmeetingdatesduringtheupcoming

schoolyeararelistedlaterinRegulation6.Commontournamentdraw/seedproceduresshall

beusedasapprovedbytheBoardofDirectorsandlistedwithineachsport’stournament

regulations.

6.4.1)Schoolsthatfailtosendacoach,administratororauthorizedschoolrepresentative

toamandatorydraw/seedmeetingand/orfailtoseedasinstructedwillbeassessed

amonetarypenaltyforeachoffenseasshownlaterinRegulation6.Seethespecific

tournamentregulationsforadditionalproceduresand/orpenalties.

6.5) Schoolsthatfailtoparticipateinatournament(individualorteam)afterindicatingthatthey

willenteratournamentmaybeineligibletoparticipateinthatparticularsport’sOHSAA-

sponsoredtournamentthefollowingyear.

 Additionalpenaltiesmaybeassessedandmayinclude:1.)amonetaryfineissuedbythe

OHSAAOffice;2.)paymentofofficials’feesforthemissedcontests;3.)paymentofthe

opponent’stravelexpensesforthemissedcontests,and4.)additionalpenaltiesasdeemed

appropriatebytheExecutiveDirectorincollaborationwiththerespectiveDistrictAthletic

Board. See General Sports Regulation 16.4 for additional information on “Failure to

Appear.”ThepenaltiesrenderedbytheOHSAAOfficemaybeappealed.

6.6) TournamentfinesandpenaltiesshallbeassessedbytheOHSAAOffice.DistrictAthletic

Boardsdonothaveauthoritytodetermineorsetfines.Allfinesshallbeuniformacrossall

sports of the OHSAA.

 6.6.1)Fines and penalties are adopted and designed to: 1.) mitigate unnecessary costs

in conducting a tournament when a school team does not attend according to the

scheduleadoptedbytheExecutiveDirector,and2.)provideafinancialdisincentive

fromaschoolmakingadecisiontonotparticipateintheOHSAAtournament.

 6.6.2)AllviolationsofGeneralSportsRegulation6forasectionalordistricttournament

shallbecommunicatedtotheOHSAAOffice.TheOHSAAOfficeandtheDistrict

AthleticBoardshallcoordinatetheentryandwithdrawal ofteams andindividuals

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GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS 2019-2020

from the tournament.

 6.6.3)TheExecutiveDirector’sofficeshallprepareandinvoicetheschoolbeingissuedthe

monetarypenalty.

 6.6.4)AllfinesforactivitiesinGeneralSportsRegulation6maybewaivedbytheOHSAA

Officeonlyforextraordinarycircumstances.Extraordinarycircumstancesaredefined

asunusualinnatureandinfrequentinoccurrence.

 6.6.5)FailuretopayfinesprescribedinGeneralSportsRegulation6shallprohibittheschool

fromparticipatinginsubsequenttournamentcompetitioninthesportforwhichthe

finewasissued.

 6.6.6)Finesfortournamentwithdrawalafterthedeadlineshallnotbeimposedinadditionto

otherpenaltieslistedwithinthissportsregulation.

6.7) TheappealsprocedureshallbeestablishedandcommunicatedbytheOHSAAOffice.

6.8) Thetableoffinesandpenaltiesfortournamentactivitiesisasfollows:

ISSUE FINE OR ACTION

Lateentrypetitiontoparticipateintournament $50

Withdrawfromtournamentafterdeadlineto

withdraw

$50

Failuretosubmitseedinginformationwhen

prescribedbyOHSAAregulation

$50

Failureforcoach,administratororauthorizedteam

representativetoattendthetournamentdraw

$50

Failuretopayspecificsportfeesrequiredfor

tournamentparticipationbythedeadline(e.g.,golf

greensfeesorbowlinglinagefees)

$150plusthecostofthesportsfee

Failuretoshowupfortournamentcontest

Refusaltofinishacontestwhichhasbeenstartedand

suspendedforanyreason

$150,plus

•costofofficialsscheduledto

officiate;plus,

•costofanysiteexpenses

incurredbytheOHSAA;plus,

•teamexpensesincurredby

theopposingteam,exceptfor

presaleticketrevenue.

2019-20 Sport

First-Round

Tournament

Entry/Withdraw

Tournament

Entry/Withdraw

(w/ Penalty)

Draw/Seed

Meeting Date (all at

2:00 unless noted)

FALL SPORTS

Golf Sectional

9/23-9/28&9/30-10/5 7/1-9/9 9/10 9/15

Girls Tennis Sectional

9/30-10/5 7/1-9/16 9/17 9/22

Soccer Sectional

10/14-10/19 7/1-9/30 10/1

10/6

(G-3:00p.m.)

Volleyball Sectional

10/14-10/19 7/1-9/30 10/1 10/6

Field Hockey StateQualifying

10/14-10/26 7/1-9/30 10/1 10/6

Cross Country District

10/19 7/1-9/30 10/1 10/6

(Continued on next page)

SPORTS REGULATIONS

2019-2020 GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS

7. Non-School (Non-Interscholastic) Programs or Teams

7.1) Definitions

7.1.1)Definition of a Non-School Program or Team – A non-school (non-interscholastic)

program,alsoknownasanon-schoolteam,isoneinwhichastudent-athleteparticipatesin

teamplayorasanindividual,andthatprogramorteamisnotunderthedirectorindirect

controloftheOHSAAmemberschool.ThismeanstheOHSAAmemberschooldoesnot

sponsor(onethatisBoardofEducation-orothergoverningboard-approved),superviseor

havefinancialresponsibilityforthatnon-schoolprogramorteam.

 Thenon-schoolprogramorteam,inwhichparticipationoccursoutsidetheschoolseason,

maybe composed of participantsingrades 7 through12and may beoperatedwithin or

outsidetheOHSAAmemberschoolfacility.Admissionmaybechargedandfeesorexpenses

maybecollectedfortrainingand/orcompetitionssponsoredbythatnon-schoolprogramor

team.Itisnotnecessaryforacoachtobepresentorforinstructiontobegivenforaprogram

orteamtobeconsideredanon-schoolprogramorteam.

 Examplesofornamesassociatedwithnon-schoolprogramsorteamsare:church,intramural,

rec(recreation),YMCA,CYO,AAU,USAVB,USSF,USASwimming,all-star,club,non-

interscholasticoranycombinationofplayersinvolvedinteamplay.

Note:SeeSportsRegulation7.3.1.a)forthenumberofteammembers(50percent)permitted

onthenon-schoolteamwhocamefromthesameschoolorwhoparticipatedinthatsport

asateammemberatanotherschoolintheprecedingseason.Arosterisdefinedasallthe

membersoftheentirenon-schoolteamthatwouldpracticetogetherorparticipatetogether

intheentiretyofanon-schoolevent.“Rotatingplayers”fromthesameschoolteamisnot

permittedinthe50percentplayerlimitation.

SPRING SPORTS

Softball Sectional

5/9-5/16

7/1-4/27 4/28 5/3

Boys Tennis Sectional

5/11-5/16

7/1-4/27 4/28 5/3

Baseball Sectional

5/16-5/23

7/1-4/27 4/28 5/3

Lacrosse RegionalQual.

5/16-5/21 7/1-4/27 4/28 5/3(G-3:00p.m.)

Track & Field District

5/18-5/23

7/1-4/27 4/28 5/3

2019-20 Sport

First-Round

Tournament

Entry/Withdraw

Tournament

Entry/Withdraw

(w/ Penalty)

Draw/Seed

Meeting Date (all at

2:00 unless noted)

WINTER SPORTS

Wrestling

(Team)

Regional

2/8 7/1-1/13 1/14 1/31*

Swimming &

Diving

Sectional

2/3-2/8 7/1-1/20 1/21 1/26

Gymnastics

Sectional&District

2/10-2/22 7/1-1/20 1/21 2/9

Wrestling

(Individual)

Sectional

2/24-2/29 7/1-1/27 1/28 2/2

Bowling

Sectional

D II2/9-2/16

D I 2/16-2/23 7/1-1/27 1/28 2/2

Girls Basketball Sectional

2/10-2/22 7/1-1/27 1/28 2/2

Ice Hockey District

2/17-3/7 7/1-1/27 1/28 2/12

Boys Basketball Sectional

2/17-2/29 7/1-2/3 2/4 2/9

*SeetheOHSAAwebsite(www.ohsaa.org)foradditionalseedinginformation.

SPORTS REGULATIONS

GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS 2019-2020

7.1.2)Definition of a School Program or Team–Aschool(interscholastic)programorteamis

oneinwhichastudent-athleteparticipatesinteamplayorasanindividual,andthatprogram

orteamisunderthedirectorindirectcontroloftheOHSAAmemberschool.Thismeans

theOHSAAmemberschoolsponsors(onethatisBoardofEducation-orothergoverning

board-approved),supervisesorhasfinancialresponsibilityforthatprogram orteam. See

Bylaw3foradministrativeresponsibilitiesastheyrelatetoaschoolprogramorteam.

 Memberschoolsmaysponsormorethanonevarsityorsub-varsityteamforinterscholastic

competition, but each team must have its own schedule and may not exceedthecontest

limitations for that sport.

Note:Seethespecificsportregulationsforparticipationlimitsforindividuals.

7.1.3) Definition of a School Contest–Forpurposesoftheseregulations,theOHSAAconsidersa

school(athletic)contestasanytypeofactivity,whichtakesplaceduringtheschoolseason,

involvingparticipants fromoneschoolagainstparticipants fromeitheranotherschoolor

fromanon-schoolprogramorteamduringtheschoolseason,andthesecontestsshallcount

intheseasonlimitations.Examplesofschoolcontestsaregames,meets,matches,previews,

scrimmages, jamborees, Foundation Games or any other type of competition.A practice

involvingtwoormoreschoolsquadsisalsoanathleticcontestunlessthosesquadsshare

thesameboard-approvedcoach.Agame,meetormatchmustfollowtherulesaswrittenin

thegamerulesadoptedbytheBoardofDirectors.Athleticcontestsmaybescheduledand

conductedonlyduringthetimeperiodsasspecifiedintheindividualsportregulations.

7.1.4) Definition of a Member of a School Team/Team Member (Bylaw 4-1-3)–Forpurposes

oftheseregulations, a student is a memberofan interscholastic squad when the student

participatesinaninterscholasticcontest.Suchstatusasasquadmembercontinuesuntilthe

startofthenextschoolseasoninthatsport.

7.1.5)Definition of Coaching–Coachingisprovidinginstructionorbeingpresentwithateamor

individualduringcontests,tryouts,trainingandpractices.Ifaschoolcoach,whetherpaid,

volunteerordesignated,isapprovedforhis/hercoachingpositionbyaBoardofEducation

orsimilargoverningboardpriortoJune1,thecoachisaccountabletoallOHSAArulesand

regulationsbeginningJune1.Foradditionalregulationsonschoolcoaches,seeBylaw6.

7.2) Regulations Prohibiting Students from Participating on Non-School Teams During the School

Team’s Season

7.2.1)Team Sports–Amemberofaschoolteamintheteamsportsofbaseball,basketball,field

hockey,football,icehockey,lacrosse,soccer,softballandvolleyballmaynotparticipatein

anathleticcontest,atryoutoranytypeofteamorgrouptrainingorpractices(includingopen

gyms/fields)withanon-schoolteaminthatsamesportduringtheschoolteam’sseason.

Note:Thisregulationappliestostudentsinvitedtoparticipateinatryout,grouptrainingor

practiceatacollegeorincontests,tryouts,grouptrainingorpracticeswithanynon-school

program or team.

7.2.2) Individual Sports–Amemberofaschoolteamintheindividualsportsofbowling,cross

country,golf,gymnastics,swimming&diving,tennis,track&fieldandwrestlingmaynot

participateinanathleticcontestwithanon-schoolteamorinnon-interscholasticcompetition

inthatsamesportduringtheschoolteam’sseason.

7.3) Regulations Permitting Students to Participate on Non-School Teams Outside of the School

Team’s Season

7.3.1)Team Sports (Other Than Football)–Amemberofaschoolprogramorteamintheteam

sportsofbaseball,basketball,fieldhockey,icehockey,lacrosse,soccer,softballandvolley-

ballmayparticipatewithanon-schoolprogramorteamincontests,tryouts,trainingand/or

practicespriortoandaftertheschoolteam’sseasonunderthefollowingcondition:

a) Thenumberofteammembersonthenon-schoolteamwhocamefromthesameschoolor

whoparticipatedinthatsportasateammemberatanotherschoolintheprecedingseason

islimitedtoamaximumof50percentofthemembersofateamasdefinedintheplaying

rulesofthesport.The50percentteamlimitisasfollows:

SPORTS REGULATIONS

2019-2020 GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS

50% Limitation on Sport Number of squad members

    Baseball 4

Basketball 2

    FieldHockey 5

    BoysLacrosse 5

    GirlsLacrosse 6

    Soccer 5

    Softball 4

    Volleyball 3

Note:StudentswhodidNOTplayforaschoolteamthepreviousyeardonotcountinthe50

percent limitation of that sport.

Exceptions:

a.) Theteammemberslimitforthesportoficehockeyshallbefive(5).

b.) The50percentteamlimitisnotineffectforthesportsofbasketball,fieldhockey,ice

hockey,lacrosse,soccerandvolleyballfromJune1throughJuly31.

c.) The50percentteamlimitisnotineffectforthesportsofbaseballandsoftballfromthe

FridaybeforeMemorialDaythroughJuly31providedthemembersoftheschoolteam

havecompletedtheirschoolteam’sseason.

d.) Amemberofaschool teammaycontinuetoparticipate withanon-schoolteamin a

nationalqualifyingtournamentafterJuly31untiltheteamiseliminatedfromthetourna-

mentbutnolaterthanLaborDay.

e.) Graduatingseniorsareexemptfromthe50percentparticipationlimitationoncetheir

schoolseasoninthesamesporthasbeencompleted.

f.) Theseregulationsdonotapplyifthe“members”ofthenon-interscholasticsquadareall

siblings(bybloodoradoption)andnootherplayerfromthesameinterscholasticsquad

isaparticipantonbehalfofthenon-interscholasticsquad.

7.3.2)Individual Sports–Amemberofaschoolteamintheindividualsportsofbowling,cross

country,golf, gymnastics,swimming & diving, tennis, track &field, and wrestling may

participatewithanon-schoolprogramorteamincontests,tryouts,trainingand/orpractices

priortoandaftertheschool’sseasonwithnorestrictionwhencoachedbyeitheraschool

coach or a non-school coach.

Notes: Students from school teams shall not be required to attend the coaching/instruc-

tion.A paid or unpaidschool(interscholastic)coachemployed by a Board of Education

or other governing board violates thisregulation when he/she suggests orimplies that a

student’schancetobeselectedforaschool(interscholastic)teamiscontingentuponthis

participation.

 Ifastudent-athletequitsorisdroppedfromaschoolteamandjoinsanon-schoolteamdur-

ingtheschoolteam’sseason,he/shemaynotrejointhatschoolteamfortheremainderofthe

season.

7.4) Regulations Prohibiting Football Players from Participating on Non-School Teams

7.4.1)Amemberofaninterscholasticfootballteammaynotparticipateinanathleticcontest,a

tryoutoranytypeofteamorgrouptrainingorpracticeswithanon-schoolteaminthatsame

sportbetweenAugust1 andMay31.Flagfootball,touchfootballandarenafootballare

examplesofnon-permissibleevents.

Note:Thisregulationappliestostudentsinvitedtoparticipateinatryout,grouptrainingor

practiceatacollegeorincontests,tryouts,grouptrainingorpracticeswithanynon-school

programorteam.(GeneralSportsRegulation7.2.1).

7.4.2)FromJune1toJuly31,amemberofaninterscholasticfootballteammayparticipateinan

athleticcontest,atryoutoranytypeofteamorgrouptrainingorpracticeswithanon-school

team.Thiswouldinclude7-on-7participation.(SeeGeneralSportsRegulation7.5regarding

coach’sinvolvement...the10-dayrule.)

SPORTS REGULATIONS

GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS 2019-2020

Note:Allactivities mustbe non-contactand theonly footballequipment theplayermay

weararehelmetsandcleats.

7.5) Regulations Permitting Coaches to Coach Their Own Student-Athletes on Non-School Teams

Outside of the School Team’s Season

7.5.1) Team Sports (10-Day Rule) – Members of a school team’s coaching staff in the team

sportsofbaseball,basketball,fieldhockey,football,icehockey,lacrosse,soccer,softball

andvolleyballmaycoachstudentsfromtheirschoolteamsforamaximumof10daysfrom

June1throughJuly31.Inaddition:

 a.)The10-daylimitationappliestotheentirecoachingstaff.Eachindividualcoachisnot

entitledto10differentdaysforcoaching.Tendaysreferstoanyamountoftimeutilized

duringthose10days(i.e.theregulationdoesNOTpermit240totalhoursofcoaching…

10daysof24hourseach).

 b.)Inthesportoffootball,onlynon-contactfootballispermitted.

 c.)TheBoardofDirectorsmayfurtherlimitthenumberofcontactdaysduringthisperiod

asspecifiedinthespecificsportsregulations.

 d.)SeeGeneralSportsRegulation8.2.1forregulationspertainingtoout-of-seasoninstruc-

tion,whichisdifferentthanthisregulationoncoaching.

7.5.2)Solongasthe50percentlimitationisobserved,apaidorunpaidschool(interscholastic)

coach approved by a Board of Education or other governing board may coach students

fromhis/herschoolteamsinteamplayatanytimeexceptduringthemandatoryno-contact

period.SeeGeneralSportsRegulation7.3.1formoredetailsonthe50percentlimitation.

7.5.3)Individual Sports–Membersofaschoolteam’scoachingstaffintheindividualsportsof

bowling,crosscountry, golf, gymnastics,swimming&diving, tennis, track & field,and

wrestlingmaycoachstudentsfromtheirschoolteamsoutsidetheschool(interscholastic)

season.Inaddition:

 a.)Studentsfromschoolteamsshallnotberequiredtoattendthecoachinginstruction.

7.6) Regulation Limiting Coaches to Coach Their Own Student-Athletes on Non-School Teams

Outside of the School Team’s Season (“All-Star” Games)

7.6.1)Interscholasticteamcoachesmaycoachplayersfromhisorherschoolinspecial“All-Star”

contests.Coachesarepermittedtocoachin“All-Star”contestsiftheymeetallthefollowing

provisions:

 a.)Participantsshallbeselectedfromatleastfourschools.

 b.)Allparticipantsshallbegraduatingseniorsorstudentscompletingtheirathleticeligibil-

ityattheendofthesemester.

 c.)Participantsshallnotparticipateuntilaftertheyhaveparticipatedintheirfinalcontestfor

their school.

Note on “All-Star” Games:“All-Star”gamesarenon-interscholasticeventsbyrule.Stu-

dent-athletesinteamsportswhowishtoparticipateinoneofthese“all-star”competitions

outsidetheschoolseasonmaydosowithoutjeopardytoeligibilityprovidedthestudents

maintaincompliancewithGeneralSportsRegulation7.3above.

7.7) Exceptions to Participation on Non-School Teams for Students

7.7.1)Special Olympics or Paralympics–Afterastudentbecomesamemberofaschool(inter-

scholastic)teamsponsoredbytheBoardofEducationorothergoverningboard,thestudent

mayparticipateintryoutsand/oracontest(s)sponsoredbyeithertheSpecialOlympicsor

theUnitedStatesParalympicsprovided:

 a.)ArequestforwaiverissubmittedtotheExecutiveDirector’sOfficethatincludesthat

student’sname,natureofthedisabilityandthedateoftheevent(s)inwhichthestudent

desirestocompete.Thewaivermustbesubmittedbytheschool’sprincipaloranother

senioradministrator.

SPORTS REGULATIONS

2019-2020 GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS

7.7.2) National Governing Body Selection or Other Waivers–Afterastudentbecomesamem-

berofaschool(interscholastic)teamsponsoredbytheBoardofEducationorothergovern-

ingboard,thestudentmayparticipateasamemberofanationalteam,asdeterminedbythe

NationalGoverningBodyinthatsport,orinanationalorinternationalcompetitionbyvirtue

of his/her past performance in an OHSAA sport.

Note:Studentswhowishtoparticipateincontests/eventsthatarenotnationalcompetitions

approvedbyaNationalGoverningBodymay,ifapplicable,requestawaiverforsuchpar-

ticipationinaccordancewiththespecificregulationsofthatrespectivesport.

7.8) Penalties for Violation of Regulations in This Section

  7.8.1)Themaximumpenalty forviolationoftheseregulations forany non-seniormemberofa

schoolteammaybeineligibilityinthatsportfortheremainderoftheseasonortheensuing

season.

  7.8.2)Themaximumpenaltyforviolationoftheseregulationsforaseniormaybeineligibilityfor

allinterscholasticathleticsfortheremainderoftheschoolyear.

  7.8.3)Thepenaltyforacoachforaviolationoftheseregulationsmayincludesuspension,proba-

tion,publicreprimand,anenottoexceed$1,000peroccurrenceoranyotherpenaltyasthe

ExecutiveDirectormaydeemappropriate.

8. Regulations for Participation in Camps, Clinics, Workshops and Programs Where Individual

Skill Instruction is Provided

8.1) Definitions

8.1.1)Definition of Individual Skill/Coaching Instruction–Instructionorcoachingprovidedto

amemberofaschoolteaminwhichthetechniquesandskillsofthesportarebeingtaught

andtheactivitydoesnotinvolveteaminstruction.

 8.1.2)Definition of Providing Individual Skill/Coaching Instruction– Itisconsidered to be

providingindividualskill/coachinginstructionbyaschoolcoachwhenthetechniquesand

skillsofthesportaretaughtinaone-on-oneorindividualsetting.Thismeansinstruction

orcoachingcomesdirectlytoastudent-athletefromacoachorinstructor.Astudent-athlete

watchingvideo/filmwithacoachorinstructorisalsoanactivitydefinedasindividualskill/

coaching instruction.

   Intheteamsportsofbaseball,basketball,fieldhockey,football,icehockey,lacrosse,soccer,

softball and volleyball and the selected individual sports of cross country, track & field

andwrestling,individualskill/coachinginstructionispermissiblewhennomorethanfour

members of a school team or individuals are present at one time in all facilities where

theindividualskill/coachinginstructionistakingplace(see 8.3.1 and 8.3.2 below for an

exception in the sport of football).

8.2) General Individual Skill Instruction Regulations

8.2.1)Studentsfromschool teams receiving individualskill/coachinginstruction from a school

coach shall not be required to participate in sessions where individual skill/coaching

instructionisprovided.Apaidorunpaidschool(interscholastic)coachemployedbyaBoard

ofEducation orsimilar governingboardviolatesthisregulation whenhe/she suggestsor

impliesthatastudent’schancetobeselectedforaschool(interscholastic)teamiscontingent

upon this participation.

8.2.2)Thereisnolimitonthenumberofschoolcoachesthatmaybepresentwhenindividualskill/

coachinginstructionisprovidedtostudent-athletes.

 8.2.3)Non-school coaches or instructors may provide individual skill/coaching instructionto a

memberofaschoolteamatanytimeprovidedtheindividualskill/coachinginstructiondoes

notviolateanyBoardofEducation(orsimilargoverningboard),schooladministrators’or

schoolcoaches’policiesortheOhioRevisedCode.

 8.2.4)Students from school teams may be used for out-of-season demonstration purposes if

approvedinadvancebytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice.

SPORTS REGULATIONS

GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS 2019-2020

8.3) Individual Skill/Coaching Instruction – Team Sports of Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey,

Football, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball

8.3.1)From August 1 through May 31 From School Coaches – Individual skill/coaching

instructionmaybereceivedbyamemberofaschoolteamatanytimepriortoandafterthe

schoolseasonandoutside the defined no-contact periodsfromschoolcoachesprovidedthat

no more than four members of a school teamorindividualsarepresentatonetimeinall

facilitieswheretheindividualskill/coachinginstructionistakingplace.

Exception:Inthesportoffootball,individualskill/coachinginstructionmaybereceivedby

amemberofaschoolteamorindividualsatanytimepriortoandaftertheschoolseasonand

outside the defined no-contact periodsfrom school coachesprovidedthat no morethan

seven members of a school teamorindividualsarepresentatonetimeinallfacilitieswhere

theindividualskill/coachinginstructionistakingplace.

Note:Allactivitiesmustbenon-contactandtheonlyfootballequipmenttheplayermaywear

ishelmetsandcleats.

8.3.2.)From June 1 through July 31 From School Coaches – Individual skill/coaching

instructionmaybereceivedbyamemberofaschoolteamorindividualsatanytimefrom

schoolcoachesprovidedthatnomorethanfour members of a school teamorindividuals

are present at one time in all facilities where the individual skill/coaching instruction is

takingplace.Foradditionalcoachingopportunitiespermittedfromschoolcoachesbetween

June1andJuly31,seeGeneralSportsRegulation7.5.1.

Exception:Inthesportoffootball,individualskill/coachinginstructionmaybereceivedbya

memberofaschoolteamorindividualsatanytimefromschoolcoachesprovidedthatnomore

than seven members of a school teamorindividualsarepresentatonetimeinallfacilities

wheretheindividualskill/coachinginstructionistakingplace.

Note:Allactivitiesmustbenon-contactandtheonlyfootballequipmenttheplayermaywear

ishelmetsandcleats.

8.4) Individual Skill/Coaching Instruction – Individual Sports of Bowling, Cross Country, Golf,

Gymnastics, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field and Wrestling

 8.4.1.)Individualskill/coachinginstructionmaybereceivedbyamemberofaschoolteamatany

time from either school or non-school coaches or instructors.

8.5) Penalties for Violation of Regulations in This Section

  8.5.1)Themaximumpenaltyforviolationoftheseregulationsbyamemberofaschoolteamshall

beineligibilityforinterscholasticathleticsforamaximumofoneyear.

  8.5.2)Themaximumpenaltyforviolationoftheseregulationsbyapaidorunpaidschool(inter-

scholastic)coachemployedbyaBoardofEducationor similargoverning boardshall be

suspensionfromparticipationincamps,clinics,workshopsandprogramswhereindividual

skill/coachinginstructionisprovidedtomembersoftheschoolteamwhereemployedfor

a maximum of one year and any other penalties in Bylaw 11-1-2, Penalties, as deemed

appropriatebytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice.

9. Conditioning, Weight Training and/or Physical Fitness Programs

9.1) Definition of a Conditioning, Weight Training or Physical Fitness Program – These

programsincludespecifictrainingforstrengtheningthebody,developing the cardiovascular

system,improving flexibility andagilityand do notincludespecific sports skillstrainingor

instruction.

9.2) Specific Regulations

9.2.1)TheseprogramsmaybeconductedatanytimeandarenotaviolationofOHSAABylaws

andRegulationssolongasnocoachingandinstructionofsportstechniquesandskillsis

provided.

9.2.2)TheseprogramsmayhaveoversightbyanyindividualapprovedbytheBoardofEducation

orgoverningbodyincludingcoaches,providedtheoversightbycoachesofmembersofa

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schoolteamintheirsportinconditioningandphysicalfitnessprogramsdoesnotoccurdur-

ingadesignatedno-contactperiod.

9.2.3)Equipmentusedinplayingasportisprohibitedintheseprograms.

 Exceptions:

   a.)Matsmaybeusedforsafetypurposes.

   b.)Crosscountryandtrack&fieldathletesmaybedirectedinaerobics,stretchingexercises

andrunning,butintervaltraining,sprintingandspecificdrillsareprohibited.

   c.)Sticksmaybeusedinfieldhockeyandicehockey.

9.2.4)Weightroomsandmachinesmaybeutilized.

9.2.5)Theseprogramsmaynotbeconductedforaselectgroupofstudents(example:membersof

thefootballteamonly).

Notes:Studentsfromschoolteamsshallnotberequiredtoattendtheseprograms.Apaidor

unpaidschool(interscholastic)coachemployedbyaBoardofEducationorothergoverning

boardviolatesthisregulationwhenhe/shesuggestsorimpliesthatastudent’schancetobe

selectedforaschool(interscholastic)teamiscontingentuponthisparticipation.

10. Open Gymnasiums or Facilities

Member Schools

10.1) Regulations

 10.1.1) Aschool may open its athletic facilities for unstructured free playprovidedthe

activity is supervised by a school employee who may remove participants or

spectatorsfordisciplinaryreasons.

 10.1.2) Theschoolmaydesignatethesportorsportsthatwillbeplayedduringthefreeplay

period,butmaynotlimitparticipationtoa selectgroupofstudentsfrom within

theschool.Theschoolmayalsodesignatethegradelevelsinvolvedandmaylimit

participationtostudentsenrolledintheschool.

 10.1.3) Theremaybenodesignationofwhowillplayonwhichteamorwhowillplaywhom.

Onlythestudentsparticipatingmaybeinvolvedinselectingorsubstitutingplayers.

 10.1.4) Theregulationtimingofgamesisnotpermitted.

 10.1.5) Writtenscorekeepingisnotpermitted.

 10.1.6) Noindividualinvitations,writtenororal,arepermitted.

 10.1.7) Acoach,paidorunpaid,violatestheprovisionoftheseregulationswhenthecoach

requires,suggestsorinanywayimpliesthatastudent’schancetobeselectedfor

aninterscholasticsquadiscontingentuponparticipationatanopengymnasiumor

facilities program.

 10.1.8) Mandatoryattendanceatopengymnasiumsorfacilitiesisnotpermitted.

 10.1.9) Transporting athletestoa school ornon-schoolopen gymisaviolation forany

memberofthecoachingstaff,paidorunpaid.

 10.1.10) Itisnotaviolationforthecoachorsupervisortoparticipateinunstructuredfree

playintheopengymorfacilities.

 10.1.11) Memberschoolsmayrestrictindividualsfromobservingtheopengymactivity.

10.2) Penalty for Violation

 10.2.1) Asquadmemberwhoviolatestheopengymnasiumorfacilitiesregulationsmaybe

penalizednottoexceedoneyearofineligibilityforinterscholasticathletics.

 10.2.2) A coach who violates any of the open gymnasium or facilities regulations may

beprohibitedfrominvolvementforoneyearinanyopengymnasiumorfacilities

programs in or out of school.

 10.2.3) Aschool which permits use of athletics facilities inviolationof the open gym-

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nasiumorfacilitiesregulationsissubjecttopenaltyasspeciedinBylaw11.

Non-School

10.3) Regulations for School Squad Members (Bylaw 4-1-3)

   Aschoolsquadmembermayparticipateinunstructuredfreeplayatnon-schoolathleticfa-

cilitieswithoutjeopardizingathleticeligibilityprovidingtherearenoviolationsofthefol-

lowingregulations:

 10.3.1) Theremaybenodesignationofwhowillplayonwhichteamorwhowillplaywhom.

Onlythestudentsparticipatingmaybeinvolvedinselectingorsubstitutingplayers.

 10.3.2) Theregulationtimingofgamesisnotpermitted.

 10.3.3) Writtenscorekeepingisnotpermitted.

 10.3.4) Noindividualinvitations,writtenororal,arepermitted.

 10.3.5) Acoach, paid or volunteer, violatestheprovision of these regulationswhenthe

coachrequires,suggestsorinanywayimpliesthatastudent’schancetobeselected

foraninterscholasticteamiscontingentuponparticipationatanopengymnasium

or facilities program.

 10.3.6) Mandatoryattendanceatnon-schoolfacilitiesisnotpermitted.

 10.3.7) Transporting athletestoa schoolornon-schoolopen gymisa violation forany

memberofthecoachingstaff,paidorunpaid.

10.4) Penalty for Violation

 10.4.1) Asquadmemberwhoparticipatesatafacilitywherethereisoneormoreviolations

oftheopengymnasiumorfacilitiesregulationsmaybepenalizednottoexceedone

yearofineligibilityforinterscholasticathletics.

 10.4.2)

Aschoolcoachwhoisresponsibleforcausingaviolationofanyoftheopengymnasium

orfacilitiesregulationsbyasquadmembermaybeprohibitedfrominvolvementinany

opengymnasiumorfacilitiesprograminoroutofschoolforoneyear.

11. Mandatory No Contact Periods — Coaches

11.1) Anycoach,paidorvolunteer,approvedbytheBoardofEducationtocoachbasketball,eld

hockey, football, ice hockey, soccer or volleyball is prohibited from providing coaching,

providinginstructionorsupervisingconditioningandphysicaltnessprogramsoropengyms

tomembersofaschoolteamintheirsportfortheperiodoftimestartingwiththerstday

aftertheschool’slastinterscholasticcontestandending28dayslater.Thisincludesanytype

oftryoutsinoroutofschoolforpurposesofnon-interscholasticcompetition.

11.2) Any coach, paid or volunteer, approved by the Board of Education to coach baseball,

basketball,icehockey,lacrosseorsoftballisprohibitedfromprovidingcoaching,providing

instruction or supervising conditioning and physical tness programs or open gyms to

membersofaschoolteamintheirsportfortheperiodoftimebetweenAugust1andAugust

31.Thisincludesanytypeoftryoutsinoroutofschoolforpurposesofnon-interscholastic

competition.

EXCEPTIONS—Activitieswhichmaybeconductedbyacoachwithmembersofaschoolteam

intheirsportduringthemandatoryno-contactperiodinclude:all-starcontests;awardsceremonies;

fund-raisers;providingoversightduringweighttraining;verbalcontactwithunderclassathletes

forthepurposeofreviewingtheseasonthatjustconcludedandgoalsettingforthenextseason;

verbalcontactwithaseniorathleteforthepurposeoffacilitatingthecollegerecruitmentprocess;

contactasafacultymemberassignedtoteachintheregularcurriculum(ex.:physicaleducation

coursessuchasweighttraining,tness,etc.);contactasacertiedathletictrainerinvolvedwith

athleterehabilitationandtreatment,pickupandreturnofschool-issuedequipment,andattendance

at OHSAA tournaments.

PENALTY—Anycoachwhoviolatesthemandatorynocontactperiodsregulationsmaybepro-

hibited for one calendar year from out-of-school season contact with athletes from the school

whereemployed.Aschoolwhosecoachviolatesthemandatorynocontactperiodsregulationsis

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2019-2020 GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS

subjecttopenaltyasspeciedinBylaw11.

12. Cheerleader Pyramids and Acrobatic Routines

12.1) Regulations for OHSAA Tournaments:

   12.1.1) Pyramidsandmountsbycheerleadersareprohibited.Individualsmaynotstandon

another’sshouldersorsupportanotherindividualinanytypeofmount.

   12.1.2) Minitrampolinesareprohibited.

12.2) Penalty

   InOHSAA-sponsoredtournaments,individualcheerleadersviolatingtheregulationsshall

beremovedfromtheeldorcourtimmediately.

12.3) Recommendation

   It is recommended that schools adopt the same regulations for cheerleading activities at

regularseasoncontestssponsoredbyschools.

13. EjectionProceduresforSchools

  Afteracontestofcialprovideselectronicnoticationofanejection,theOHSAAshallelectroni-

callynotifytheschool’sathleticadministrator,whoshallhavesevendaystorespondtothenotica-

tion.Ifnoresponsehasbeenreceivedaftersevendays,theOHSAAshallelectronicallynotifythe

school’sathleticadministratorasecondtime,andtheathleticadministratorshallbegivenseven

additionaldaystorespondtothenotication.

Ifnoresponsehasbeenreceivedafterthesecond7-dayperiodlapses,theOHSAAshallelectroni-

callynotifytheschool’sprincipal,whoshallhavesevenadditionaldaystorespondtothenotication.

  Ifnoresponsehasbeenreceivedafterthethird7-dayperiodlapses(21totaldays),theOHSAA

shall electronically notify both the principal and athletic administrator one nal time, and the

schoolshallhavesevenadditionaldaystorespondtothenotication.

  Ifnoresponsehasbeenreceivedafterthefourth7-dayperiodlapses(28totaldays),theOHSAA

shallassesstheschoola$150neperunansweredreport.

Note:ItistheresponsibilityofeachmemberschooltonotifytheOHSAAOfceeachtimeacoach

orplayer(s)hasbeenejectedfromacontestplayedoutofstatewithinsevendaysoncetheteam

hasreturnedtotheschool.Failuretoadheretothisprocedureshallresultintheschoolbeingned

$150andsubjecttoadditionalpenaltiesasoutlinedinBylaw11.

14. EjectionforUnsportingConduct(Disqualificationforunsportingconductorflagrant

violation)

14.1) Players

   Anyplayerejectedordisqualiedforunsportingconductoragrantfoulshallbeineligible

forallcontestsfortheremainderofthatday.Inaddition,theplayershallbeineligiblefor

allcontestsatalllevelsinthatsportuntiltworegularseason/tournamentcontests(onein

football)areplayedatthesamelevelastheejectionordisqualication.

Inthesportofwrestling,anyplayerejectedordisqualifiedforunsportingconductorflagrant

foulshallbeineligibleforallwrestlingcontestsfortheremainderofthatdayandevent.In

addition,he/sheshallbeineligibleforallcontestsatalllevelsinwrestlinguntiltworegular

season/tournament contest points or two event days at the same level as the ejection or

disqualificationhavebeencompleted.

Astudentwhohasbeendeclaredineligiblefortwogames(oneinfootball;seewrestling

policyabove)maybeonthesidelines/teambench,accompanyand/ortravelwiththeteam

butmaynot participateinpregamewarmupsand maynotwearateamwarmuporgame

uniformwhileonthesidelines/teambench,accompanyingand/ortravelingwiththeteam.

Whenejectionordisqualificationofaplayerresultsfromillegalsubstitutioninbaseball,

softballorbasketball,thetwocontestineligibilitydoesnotapply.

Anyplayerejectedordisqualifiedforunsportingconductduringascrimmageorpreview

shallbeineligibleforallscrimmagesorpreviewsfortheremainderofthatday.Ifascrim-

mageoccurspriortotheseason,theplayershallalsobeineligibleforthefirstregularseason

contest(previewsareonlypermittedpriortothefirstregularseasoncontest).Ifascrimmage

occursafterthefirstregularseasoncontest,theplayershallbeineligibleforthenextregular

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season or OHSAA tournament contest.

   Iftheejectionordisqualicationoccursinthelastcontestoftheseason,thestudentshallbe

ineligibleforthesameperiodoftimeasstatedaboveinthenextsportinwhichthestudent

participates.

   Astudent who is ejected or disqualied asecond time in a scrimmage, preview, regular

seasoncontestorOHSAAtournamentcontestshallbesuspendedfortheremainderofthe

seasoninthatsport.Astudentwhohasbeenejectedordisqualiedforunsportingconduct

forthesecondtimeintheseasonduringthelastcontestshallbeineligibleforaperiodof

time/numberofcontestssubjecttothediscretionoftheExecutiveDirector.Theperiodof

ineligibilityshallcommenceduringthenextsportinwhichthestudentparticipates.

 Itistheresponsibilityofthelocalschoolauthoritiestoensurethisregulationisenforced.

Whenanineligiblestudentisallowedtoparticipate,forfeitureofthecontestismandatory.

Thisregulation shall applytoall regularseasonand tournamentcontestsand shall inno

waylimitthediscretionaryauthorityoftheExecutiveDirectorasspeciedintheOHSAA

tournamentregulations.InaccordancewithBylaw8-3-1,thedecisionsofcontestofcials

arenal.

Note: When national playing rules (see the specic national playing rules) refer to a

disqualicationforunsportingconductoraagrantviolation,thisisconsideredanejection

asreferencedinthisregulation.

14.2) Coaches

Anycoachejectedor disqualified from an interscholastic contest for unsporting conduct

shallbesuspendedfromcoachinginallcontestsfortheremainderofthatday.Inthesport

of wrestling, any coach ejected or disqualified for unsporting conduct or flagrant foul

shall be ineligible for all wrestling contests for the remainder of that day and event. In

addition,he/sheshallbeineligibleforallcontestsatalllevelsinwrestlinguntiltworegular

season/tournament contest points or two event days at the same level as the ejection or

disqualificationhavebeencompleted.

Inaddition,thecoachshallbesuspendedfromcoachingforallcontestsatalllevelsinthat

sport until two regular season/tournament contests (one in football; see wrestling policy

above)areplayed at the same level astheejectionor disqualification and shall befined

$100.00. In addition, the coach shall take the National Federation of State High School

Association’s“TeachingandModelingBehavior”course,whichmustbecompletednolater

than30daysaftertheOHSAA’s“SeasonEnds”dateandcanbetakenatwww.nfhslearn.

com.

Anycoachejectedforunsportingconductduringascrimmageorpreviewshallbeineligible

forallscrimmagesorpreviewsfortheremainderofthatday.Ifascrimmageoccurspriorto

theseason,thecoachshallalsobeineligiblefortherstregularseasoncontest(previewsare

onlypermittedpriortotherstregularseasoncontest).Ifascrimmageoccursaftertherst

regularseasoncontest,thecoachshallbeineligibleforthenextregularseasonorOHSAA

tournament contest.

Iftheejectionordisqualicationoccursinthelastcontestoftheseason,thecoachshallbe

ineligibleforthesameperiodoftimeasstatedaboveinthesamesportduringthefollowing

seasoninthenextschoolyear.

Onthedayoftheejection,acoachwhohasbeendisqualiedshallbeejectedfromthevicinity

oftheplayingareaandisprohibitedfromfurthercontact,directorindirect,withteammem-

bers,managersandothercoachesduringtheremainderofthecontest.Thecoachmustreturnto

thelockerroomorteambusorleavethepremises.Thecoachshallnotgotothespectatorarea.

Thepenaltyforfailureofthecoachtocomplywiththeejectionregulationshallresultinthe

forfeiture of the contest.

Ifacoachisejected/disqualiedfromacontestandnoothercoachorapersonauthorizedby

theBoardofEducationfromthatschoolispresent(Bylaw3-2-1),thecontestshallbeforfeited.

Aftertheinitialejectionandsuspension,acoachwhohasbeensuspendedfromcoachingfor

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thenextcontest(s)mayattendthenextcontest(s),butmustbeseatedinthespectatorareaand

maynotgiveinstructionstotheplayersortotheindividualwhohasbeenassignedtocoach

theteamanytimepriortoorduringthecontestincludinghalftimeoranyintermission.Asus-

pendedcoachshallnottravelwiththesquadtoanawaycontest.

Acoachwhohasbeenejectedordisqualiedforunsportingconductforthesecondtimeina

scrimmage,preview,regularseasoncontestorOHSAAtournamentcontestshallbesuspend-

edindenitelyandrequiredtoattendamandatoryconferencewiththeExecutiveDirectorat

theOHSAAheadquarters.Theprincipaloftheschoolshallberequiredtoattendthisconfer-

enceaswell.AnypenaltyshallbedeterminedinaccordancewithBylaw11.

Itis theresponsibilityofthelocal schoolauthorities toensurethis regulationis enforced.

Whenasuspendedcoachisallowedtoparticipate,forfeitureofthecontestismandatory.This

regulationshallapplytoallregularseasonandtournamentcontestsandshallinnowaylimit

thediscretionaryauthorityoftheExecutiveDirectorasspeciedintheOHSAAtournament

regulations.InaccordancewithBylaw8-3-1,thedecisionsofcontestofcialsarenal.

15. Participants Leaving The Playing Area

  Nomemberofanyschool-sponsoredinterscholasticathleticssquadshallleavethe‘playingarea’

inwhichacontestisbeingconductedandenterthe‘spectatorarea’ofthefacilitytoengageinany

typeofconict—verbalorphysical.Ifastudent-athleteleavesthe‘playingarea’andentersthe

‘spectatorarea’ofafacilitytosoengageaperson,theminimumpenaltiesshallbe:

15.1) Thestudent-athlete’sprivileges toparticipatein interscholasticathleticsshall berevoked

andthestudent-athleteshallbeineligiblefortheremainderoftheschoolyear.

15.2) Theschoolshallbeimmediatelyplacedonprobationpendinganinvestigation(andreport)

intowhathappened,whatcausedittohappen,whatwasdonebytheschooltodiffusewhat

happened and what ‘safeguards’have beenimplementedbytheschool to prevent future

happenings.

16. Tournaments

16.1) Recognized and Emerging Sports

 16.1.1)AsspecifiedinBylaw1-5-1,arecognizedsportisoneadoptedbytheBoardofDi-

rectorsandforwhichtheOHSAAsponsorsatournament.

 16.1.2)While also a recognized sport, an emerging sport may be adopted by the Board

of Directors. The emerging sport category was designed to provide an OHSAA

tournamentforasport,whilealsoestablishingparameterstohelpfacilitategrowth

of the sport. Whileintheemergingsportcategory,thesportshallbeconductedasa

“recognized”sportasfollows:

  a.)AllapplicableOHSAAbylawsandgeneralsportsregulationsshallbeadheredto.

  b.)Specificsportregulationsshallbedevelopedandadopted.

  c.)A process for training and registering contest officials shall be developed/

continuedandadirector(s)ofofficiatingdevelopmentshallbehired.

  d.)Tournamentregulationsshallbedevelopedandadopted.

  e.)A process for assigning officials to tournament contests shall be developed/

continuedandadopted.

  f.)The Board of Directors shall have the discretion to suspend compliance with

GeneralSportsRegulation16.2,DivisionsDetermination(251schoolsneededto

addaseconddivision).

  g.)TheBoardofDirectorsshallhavethediscretiontoapproveregulations,tournament

regulationsand/ortournamentproceduresthathelpthegrowthofthesportand/or

ensurethesportmaintainsfinancialsolvency.Amongthepossibleconsiderations

are: 1.) Schools may be assessed an annual fee to participate in a tournament

series;2.)Schoolsmaybeprovidednoorlimitedreimbursementstoparticipatein

atournamentseries,and3.)Stipendsforsitestohosttournamentcontestsmaybe

limited.Note:Theremaybeotherconsiderationsthatarenotlisted.

 16.1.3)TheBoardofDirectorsmayconductareviewtodetermineifthesportshallcontinue

intheemergingsportcategory.AmongtheitemstheBoardmayconsiderformoving

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thesportoutoftheemergingsportcategoryiswhetheraminimumof150schools

sponsorteamsorindividualsinthesport.

 16.1.4)Boyslacrosse,girlslacrosseanddualteamwrestlingshallbeEmergingSportsfor

 the2019-20schoolyear.

16.2) Regulations for Sponsoring and Conducting

 OHSAAhighschooltournamentswillbesponsoredandconductedindivisionsaccordingto

thenumberofschoolssponsoringateamintherecognizedsport.

Team Sports—Thosethatrequireacertainnumberofplayerstoformateam.Presently,

thosesportsarebaseball,boysandgirlsbasketball,fieldhockey,icehockey,boysandgirls

lacrosse,boysandgirlssoccer,softballandvolleyball.

Individual Sports—Thosethatinvolveprimarilyparticipationandscoringbyindividuals

andinwhichteamscoringcouldbeobtainedbytotalingtheeffortsofindividuals.Presently,

thosesportsareboysandgirlsbowling,boysandgirlscrosscountry#,boysandgirlsgolf,

gymnastics,boysandgirlsswimming&diving,boysandgirlstennis,boysandgirlstrack&

eldandwrestling.

 Theminimumnumberofindividualsrequiredforateamdesignation*follows:

 Bowling 5 Swimming&Diving 7

 CrossCountry# 5 Tennis  4

 Golf 4 Track&Field  9

 GirlsGymnastics 3 Wrestling  7

 *Thenumberforateamdesignationhasbeenselectedtoreecteithertheminimumnumber

ofparticipantsneededtoscoreinacontestorthenumberofparticipantsneededtocompete

inatleasthalfofthecontest’sevents.

#Note:SeetheCrossCountryTournamentRegulationsfortheproceduresutilizedfordeter-

miningteamdesignationinthesportofcrosscountry.

Divisions Determination—ThenumberofdivisionsinOHSAAhighschooltournaments

inasportshallbedeterminedbythenumberofschoolteamsthatparticipatedinthetourna-

mentstheprecedingyearoryears,dependinguponthesport.

Number of Teams

ParticipatinginTournaments Divisions

 250orless I

 251-500 I,II

 501-750 I,II,III

 751ormore I,II,III,IV

 Sportstournamentchangesrelativetoaddingadivisionordiscontinuingadivisionoradding

atournamentordiscontinuingatournamentmaybemadeonlyafterthenumberofschools

hasbeenhigherorlowerfortwosuccessiveyears.

EXCEPTIONS—Infootballandwrestling,theBoardofDirectorsmayscheduletourna-

mentplayindivisionsotherthanspecifiedinthetableabove.

NOTE: Bylaw2-1-2indicatesthatinteamsports,schoolsarepermittedtoenteronlyone

teaminOHSAA-sponsoredtournamentsandthatinindividualsports,schoolsareonlyper-

mittedtoenterthemaximumnumberofindividualsinOHSAA-sponsoredtournamentsas

prescibedintherespectivesports’playingrulesand/ortournamentregulations.

16.3) School Assignments—Divisions

 AfterthenumberofdivisionsisapprovedbytheBoardofDirectors,schoolsareassignedto

highschooltournamentdivisionsbaseduponthespecificationsinBylaw2-1-2.

 The number of schools assigned to each division shall be determined by the number of

schoolteamsthatparticipatedinthetournamenteitherthepreviousyearortwoyearsearlier

(refer to Bylaw2-1-2forspecifics),witheachtournamentdivisiontohaveasequalnumber

of teams as possible.

EXCEPTIONS:In allsports, exceptfootball, aschool sponsoringa sportis eligiblefor

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tournamentparticipationregardlessofregularseasonperformance.Thetop10percentof

football-playingschools based onenrollmentwill be placedinDivision I ofthefootball

tournament.Theremainingschoolswillbedividedasevenlyaspossibleandplacedintosix

additionalfootballdivisionsbasedonenrollment.Eachofthesevendivisionsshallqualify

32teamstotheOHSAAtournament.

16.4) Failure to Appear and School Closures – OHSAA Tournament Contests

 Teamsandcompetitorsshallbeexpectedtoplaytournamentcontestsatthescheduledtime,

dateandlocation.

 “Closure,”“closed”or“schoolclosing”shallmeanthatalocalschoolorschooldistrict’s

boardofeducation/governingboardorsuperintendent/headofschoolhascancelledallhigh

schoolclassesand/orschool-sponsoredextracurricularactivitiesduetoinclementweather;

astrike;anaturalortechnological/man-madedisaster;anissuedeemedcatastrophicoran

emergency*,orthelocalhealthauthorityhascancelledallhighschoolclassesandschool-

sponsoredextracurricularactivitiesduetoaspecificpublichealth/safetyconcern.

*Note:Alocalschoolorschooldistrictmaybeopenbutalocalschoolorschooldistrict’s

boardofeducation/governingboardorsuperintendent/headofschoolmayalsodetermine

thatitisunsafeforitsschool’steamtotraveltothesiteofthetournamentcontest.

 Thefollowingtournamentregulationsapplytoteam(16.4.1)andindividual(16.4.2)sports

unlessnationalplayingrulesaddress“failuretoappear”orschool“closures”:

 16.4.1) Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Football, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer,

Softball, Volleyball, Dual Team Wrestling

Ifateam“failstoappear”orisnotreadytoplaywithin30minutesofthescheduled

startingtimeofthetournamentcontest,thespaceonthebracketmaybedeclared

vacant.A“forfeit”shallbedeclared,andtheopposingteamshalladvancetothe

nextroundofcompetition.

  In the event of a school “closure” within 48 hours of a tournament contest in

which the school is scheduled to participate, the Executive Director’s Office, in

collaborationwith theadministrativestaff,DistrictAthletic Boardsand/orBoard

of Directors and tournament personnel, shall make all reasonable efforts to

accommodatethecompetingschoolwithreschedulingthecontest(time,dateand/

orlocation),providedthatsuchrescheduleddatesdonotadverselyaffectthenext

roundofthetournamentcompetition/tournamentschedule.

  Intheeventofa“closure”atthesiteofthetournamentcontestwithin48hoursofa

tournamentcontest(s)inwhichschoolsarescheduledtoparticipate,theExecutive

Director’s Office,in collaboration with the administrative staff,DistrictAthletic

Boardsand/orBoardofDirectorsandtournamentpersonnel,shallreschedule(time,

dateand/orlocation)thetournamentcontest(s)fortheschoolsthusaffected.

Note:Intheeventaschoolisnotclosedbutunforeseenorextenuatingcircumstances

arisewithin48hoursofatournamentcontestinwhichtheschoolisscheduledto

participate,theExecutiveDirector’sOffice,incollaborationwiththeadministrative

staff,DistrictAthleticBoardsand/orBoardofDirectorsandtournamentpersonnel,

shall make all reasonable efforts to accommodate the competing school with

reschedulingthecontest(time,dateand/orlocation),providedthatsuchrescheduled

dates do not adversely affect the next round of the tournament competition/

tournamentschedule.

16.4.2) Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track

& Field, Individual Wrestling

  Ifateamorindividualparticipant“failstoappear”orisnotreadytocompeteat

thetimeoftheirscheduledcompetition,theteamorindividualparticipantshallbe

disqualifiedandremovedfromtheeventortournamentcompetition.

  Intheeventofaschool“closure”within48hoursofatournamentcontestinwhich

theschoolisscheduledtoparticipate,thetournamentshallproceedasscheduled.*

*Note: The Executive Director’sOffice,incollaboration with theadministrative

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staff,DistrictAthleticBoardsand/orBoardofDirectorsandtournamentpersonnel,

reservestherighttodelayorrescheduleatournamentcompetitionwhenallfactors

relatedtotheseverityofthesituationareconsideredandprovideditispracticalto

delayorreschedulesuchcompetitions.

  In the event of a “closure” at the site of the tournament competition within 48

hoursofatournamentcompetitioninwhichschoolsarescheduledtoparticipate,

the Executive Director’s Office, in collaboration with the administrative staff,

DistrictAthleticBoardsand/orBoardofDirectorsandtournamentpersonnel,shall

reschedule(time,dateand/orlocation)thetournamentcompetitionfortheschools

thusaffected.

 16.4.3) InformationonanychangesregardingOHSAAtournamentswillbepostedonthe

Association’swebsite(www.ohsaa.org).

A Note on Public Health Issues

OhiohealthprofessionalshaveadvisedthatitwillbethedecisionofeachlocalhealthauthorityinOhio

oreachboardofeducation/governingBoardastowhetherornottocloseaschooloruniversitydueto

apublichealthissue. The Center forDiseaseControldoesnot recommend closures except in extreme

circumstances.

Help Links

•CenterforDiseaseControlandPreventionEmergencyPreparednessandResponse:

http://emergency.cdc.gov/planning/

•CenterforDiseaseControlandPreventionPreparednessforAllHazards:

https://www.cdc.gov/phpr/documents/ahpg_final_march_2013.pdf

•OhioDepartmentofHealthGuidelinesandPublications:

https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/home/

17. Athletic Uniforms

Uniformswornbyparticipantsinahighschoolathleticcontestmustconformtotheplayingrules

adoptedbytheOHSAAforthatsport.Ingeneral,anyletteringoremblemsonuniformsmustpertain

totheschoolname,schoolnickname,individual’sname,thesport,druguseprevention,sportsman-

ship,ethicsorintegrityorbeofapatrioticnatureandprovideditdoesnotviolatetherulesofthe

sportin regardto location.Anyvisible manufacturer’slogoonauniformorundergarmentmust

conformtotherulesadoptedbythenationalrulescommitteeforthatsport.However,ifthereisno

specificrule,themaximumsizeis2

squareincheswithnodimensionexceeding2

". Additional

regulationsareindicatedwithintheplayingrulesofthesportandmaybeincludedintheindividual

sport’sregulations.

18. Individual Non-Interscholastic Competition Date

Anathletewhohasnotparticipatedforaschoolinagivensportthatseasonmustceaseallnon-in-

terscholasticcompetitioninagivensportbyasport-specificdateinordertobeeligibleforOHSAA

tournamentcompetitionprovidedapplicablebylawsandregulationshavebeenfollowed.Thesport-

specificdate(e.g.deadline)toceaseallnon-interscholasticcompetitionislisted in that specific

sport’sregulationspublishedelsewhereintheseregulations.

Inaddition,an athletewhohasparticipatedfortheschoolinanindividualsport(bowling,cross

country,golf,swimming&diving,tennis,track&field,andwrestling)andwhoviolatesthisnon-

interscholasticcompetitiondatebyparticipatinginanon-interscholastic contest shall be ineligible

forOHSAAtournamentcompetitioninthatsportinadditiontoanyotherpenaltiesthatmaybe

prescribed.

19. Non-Recognized Sports

ThereisnobylawthatrequiresaschooltocomplywithallOHSAAbylawsandapplicablesports

regulationswhenconductinginterscholasticathleticsprogramsinsportswhicharenotrecognized,

(notrecognizedmeansasportthatisnotoneoftheOHSAAtournamentsports–SeeBylaw1-5-1

foracompletelistofthecurrentBoardofDirectorsadopted“recognized”sports).

Schoolsareaskedtoregisteranon-recognizedsportwiththeOHSAAbutarenotrequiredtocom-

plywitheligibilitystandardsforstudentsinthosesports.Alocalschooldistrictcould,however,

requireparticipantsinnon-recognizedsportstomeetcertaineligibilitystandardsandconformto

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certain sports regulations.

Catastropheinsurance under theOHSAAplanfor RecognizedandEmergingsportswill not be

availablefornon-recognizedsports.Schools areofferedanopportunitytopurchasecatastrophe

insurancecoveragefornon-recognizedsportsunderaseparateplan.

20. Regular Season Participation Limitation Penalty

A team that exceeds the regular season participation limitation (maximum number of contests

permitted)orparticipatesinregularseasoncontest(s)priortothedesignatedstartdateforcontests

intherespectivesportissubjecttothepenaltiesoutlinedinBylaw11,which will include denial

of participation in the OHSAA tournament.Athletesfromsub-varsityteamsmaynotbeusedto

replacethevarsityteamintheOHSAAtournament.

Anathletewhoexceedstheregularseasonparticipationlimitation(periods,quarters,halves,or

contests)asspecifiedintheindividualsportsregulationsbecomesanineligibleathlete.Theathlete

isineligibleforfurtherregularseasoncompetitioniftheviolationoccurspriortotheendofthe

seasonortournamentcompetitioniftheviolationoccursduringthelastregularseasoncontestin

thesportconcerned.TheforfeiturebylawsapplyaswritteninBylaw10.

Shouldateaminanindividualsportexceedtheregularseasonparticipationlimitationbutaspe-

cific individual athlete on that team did not exceed the individual participation limitation, that

specificindividualathletemaybeeligibleforparticipationintheOHSAAtournament.

  Shouldateaminanindividualsportparticipateinaregularseasoncontest(s)priortothedesig-

natedstartdateforcontestsbutaspecificindividualathleteonthatteamdidnotparticipateina

contest(s)priorto the designated startdatefor contests, that specific individualathletemay be

eligible for participation in the OHSAA tournament.

21. Transportation To and From Interscholastic Contests

ItistheresponsibilityoftheBoardofEducationorothergoverningboardofamemberschoolto

provideforthesafetransportationofstudent-athletesandothercontestparticipantstoandfrom

athleticevents.TheOHSAACatastropheAccidentInsurancePolicycoversteamorgrouptravel

directlytoandfromacoveredevent.AcoveredeventisdenedbytheOHSAA(theauthorized

policyholder)asanyregular-season(includesscrimmagesandpreviews)ortournamentcompeti-

tioninaninterscholasticathleticeventinanOHSAA-recognizedsport,sponsoredbytheBoardof

Educationorgoverningboardofamemberschool.Travelmustbesupervisedbystaffmembersor

designatedrepresentativesofthememberschool.

Therefore,itisrecommendedthatschoolsrequirestudent-athletesandotherparticipantsininter-

scholasticathleticeventstotravelwiththeirschoolsquadsinschool-authorizedcarriers.Itisnot

recommendedthatstudentsbereleasedtotravelwithparentsorotherpersons;however,permis-

siontomakealternativetravelarrangementsremainsthepurviewoftheBoardofEducation/gov-

erningboardofthememberschool.Intheeventthatsuchalternativearrangementsareapproved,

itisstronglyrecommendedthattheBoardofEducationsecureproofofinsurancefromthosewho

willbeprovidingthetransportation.

22. Interscholastic Scrimmage

22.1) Aninterscholasticscrimmageisdefinedasacontestinsportsinwhichtherulesofthesport

arenotfollowedinallrespects.Inallsportswiththeexceptionofgolf,thelengthofthe

scrimmageislimitedtoamaximumofthreehourspersquadorindividualperdayforgrades

9-12,andtwohourspersquadorindividualperdayforgrades7-8.

22.2) Ascrimmagemayinvolveanynumberofteamsfromvariousschools.Ascrimmagedoesnot

countinthewon/lostrecordforanyschoolinvolvedinthescrimmage.

22.3) Noadmissionofmoney,materialsorsuppliesmaybechargedforascrimmage.Voluntary

donationsofsuppliesormoneymaybeacceptedatascrimmagebutcannotberequiredfor

admission.

22.4) Thisregulationprohibitstwoormoreschoolteamsfrompracticingtogetherunlessitisa

scrimmageorunlessbothschoolshavethesameboard-approvedcoach.

22.5) Ascrimmagemustbeconsideredthesameforallschoolsinvolved.

SPORTS REGULATIONS

GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS 2019-2020

22.6) Seeeach sports’ specific regulations to determine if that sport permits scrimmages. The

regulationsforthosesportsinwhichscrimmagesarepermittedwillspecifywhetherscrim-

magesmustbecompletedpriortothefirstregularseasoncontestorscrimmagesmaybeheld

after the first regular season contest.

23. Preview

23.1) Apreviewisanathleticcontestplayedaccordingtotheadoptedrulesforasportexceptthat

one-halfthelengthofaregularseasoncontestispermitted.Previewsarepermittedonlyin

thosesportsinwhichscrimmagesareallowed.Refertothespecificsportrelativetolength

ofpreviewandwhenitmaybescheduled.

23.2) Apreviewmaybescheduledandplayedonlystartingwiththefirstdayaftertheofficialstart

dateofcoachingandendingwiththedateofthefirstregularseasoncontestoftheteams

involved.SeetheFootballRegulationsfortheexceptiontothisregulation.Apreviewdoes

notcountinthewon/lostrecord.

23.3) Whenapreviewisscheduled,admissionmaybecharged.

24. OHSAA-Sponsored Tournaments Curfew Regulations

Thepriority whenmaking thedecision todelay,suspend,continueorpostpone acontest isthe

safetyofthestudent-athletes,coaches/schooladministrators,parents/fansandofficials.

24.1) Notournamentcontests/eventsshallstartlaterthan11:00p.m.

24.2) When deciding whether to delay, suspend, continue or postpone a tournament contest/

event,thetournamentmanagermustconsultwiththeschooladministrator/designee.Items

toconsiderinthedecision:

24.21)Theestimatedtimetocompletethecontest.

24.22)Thetraveltimeofallschoolsinvolved.

24.23)Thecurrentandexpectedweatherconditions.

24.24)Theavailabilityoftheofficials.

24.25)Othereventsscheduledatthehostsiteandtheparticipatingschools.

24.3) Inthecaseofunforeseencircumstancesoranemergency,thefollowingfactorsshallbe

usedtodevelopatournamentcontest/eventcontingencyplan:

24.31)Overnightaccommodations.

24.32)Alistofallpartiesinvolvedandlocalemergencytelephone/cellularnumbers.

24.33)Plansestablishedbytheparticipatingschools’emergencyplan.

Note: A sample tournament contest/event contingency plan is posted on the OHSAA

website(ohsaa.org).

The OHSAA recommends that all member schools develop an athletic contest/event

contingency plan for use during the regular season.

25. Sunday Contests

SundaycontestsarepermittedbytheBoardofDirectors.LocalBoardofEducationpoliciesand

administrativedecisionswillbedeterminingfactors.

26. Exhibition Competition

Anyeventorcompetitioninvolvingstudentsrepresentingmemberschoolsmayinvolveonlystu-

dentswhoareeligibleinallrespectsinsofarasage,enrollmentandattendance,scholarship,resi-

denceandindividualsportslimitation.So-called“scratch”or“exhibition”competitionpermitted

orconductedbyanyschoolcouldresultinineligibilityforathletesandsuspensionoftheschool.

Exception:TheBoardofDirectorsmayauthorizecompetitionineventswithinspecificsportsin

ordertoaccommodatestudentswithdisabilitieswithoutaffectingteamscoringinthosesports.

27. Team Member

Astudentwhohasparticipatedinaninterscholasticathleticcontestrepresentingaschool.

28. Team Play

Anyactivityofindividualswithmorethanoneplayeropposingoneplayer(2-on-2,2-on-1,3-on-2,

SPORTS REGULATIONS

2019-2020 GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS

3-on-3,4-on-4,5-on-5,etc.).

29. Pick-up Games

Unsupervised,unstructuredcontestsinwhichthereisnoadultplanning,schedulingororganization

involved.

30. Interrupted Contest

Ifaninterscholasticcontest(game,match,meet,etc.)isinterruptedforanyreasonbeyondthe

controloftheresponsibleadministrativeauthority,thecontestshallberesumedfromthepointof

interruption. EXCEPTION:Those sports which have aspecificprocedurefordeterminingthe

outcomeofaninterruptedcontest:e.g.,baseball,football,lacrosse,soccerandsoftball.

31. Regular Season No Contests/Tournament Forfeits

  Anyscheduledregularseasoncontestwhichisnotstartedshallbeconsidereda“nocontest.”A“no

contest”shallnotbeincludedinwon-lostrecords.

  Anytournamentcontestinwhichateamfailstoappearforreasonsotherthanthoseoutlinedin

SportsRegulation16.4orateamhasbeenremovedfromthetournamentinaccordancewithBylaw

11-1-2,Penalties,shallbeconsidereda“forfeit.”Shoulda“forfeit”occur,the“forfeit”shallbe

includedinwon-lostrecordsandtheopposingteamshalladvancetothenextroundofcompetition.

32. Grades 7 & 8

32.1) Astudentshallnotparticipateinmorethanoneinterscholasticcontestonanyonedayunless

permitted by specific sports regulations. EXCEPTIONS: baseball, basketball, softball,

volleyball,tennis.(Seespecificsportregulations.)

32.2) SportsSeasonWaiver—Schools,leaguesorconferencesmayadjustseasonstoaccommodate

schoolteamsbecauseofthelackofavailabilityofphysicalfacilitiesorpersonnel.Proposed

changesinseasonsshallbesubmittedinwritingtotheExecutiveDirectorandincludethe

proposeddatesofthe7th&8thgradeseasonnottoexceedthelengthoftheinterscholastic

seasonforthesportconcerned.Allotherregulationsregardingcontestlimitations,required

practicetimeandcoachingrequirementsshallbefollowed.

32.3) 7th&8thgradestudentsmaynotpracticewith,participateonthesameteamwithorcompete

against9ththrough12thgradestudents.

Note:7th&8thgradestudentsinthesportsofbowling,crosscountry,golf,gymnastics,

swimming&diving,tennis,track&fieldandwrestlingmaypracticewith9ththrough12th

gradestudentssolongasthereisnohead-to-headcompetition.

32.4) Studentsbelowthe7th grade maynotpractice withorparticipate with7ththrough 12th

gradestudents.

32.5) Itisstronglyrecommendedthatthecoachesof7th&8thgradesportscomplete the OHSAA

rulesinterpretationmeetingsforthesportstheyarecoaching.

33. Penalties

PENALTIES for violations will be administered in accordancewithBylaw11 if not otherwise

stated.

CONCUSSION REGULATIONS

mplementation of State Law and NFHS Playing Rules Related to Concussion and Concussed Athletes

and Return to Play Protocol

Itisimportantforallindividualsinvolvedininterscholasticathleticstorecognizethepotentialforcatastrophic

injury and even death from concussions. Thus it is extremely important that each coach, administrator,

contestofcialandmedicalsupport personnelreviewtheirresponsibilitiesin protectingstudents.Further

bothstudentsandparentshaveresponsibilitiesinthisareaaswell.

Note:Ithasalwaysbeentheultimateresponsibilityofthecoachingstaff,inallsports,toensurethatstudents

areonlyputintopracticeorcontestsiftheyarephysicallycapableofperforming.However,allindividuals

involvedintheconductofinterscholasticcompetitionhaveresponsibilitiesinthisendeavor.

InJanuary2011,theOHSAABoardofDirectorsadoptedasportsregulationwhichincorporatedtheNational

FederationofStateHighSchoolAssociations(NFHS)playingrulesrelatedtoconcussionrecognitionand

management.OnApril26,2013,legislationadoptedbyOhio’sGeneralAssemblyonconcussionandhead

injuriesinyouthsportsbecameeffective.OnFebruary14,2013,theOHSAABoardofDirectorsmandated

SPORTS REGULATIONS

GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS 2019-2020

thattheseregulationsbecomeeffectiveonApril26,2013,fortheremainderofthespringsportsseasonand

thereafter.ThisOHSAAregulation,asamendedtoincorporatethisrecentlegislation,nowreads:

Anystudent,whilepracticingfororcompetinginaninterscholasticcontest,whoexhibitssigns,symptoms

orbehaviorsconsistentwithhavingsustainedaconcussionorheadinjury(suchaslossofconsciousness,

headache,dizziness,confusionorbalanceproblems)shallbeimmediatelyremovedfromthepracticeor

contestbyeitherofthefollowing:

1) Theindividualwhoisservingasthestudent’scoachduringthatpracticeorcompetition.

2) Anindividualwhoisservingasacontestofcialorrefereeduringthatpracticeorcompetition.

RETURN TO PLAY PROTOCOL

Ifastudentisremovedfrompracticeorcompetitionduetoasuspectedconcussionorheadinjury,thecoach

orrefereewhoremovesthestudentshallnotpermitthestudent,ON THE SAME DAY THE STUDENT IS

REMOVED,toreturntothatpracticeorcompetitionortoparticipateinanyotherpracticeorcompetition

forwhichthecoachorcontestofcialisresponsible.Thereafter,whichmeansnoearlierthanthenextday,

thecoachorcontestofcialsshallnotpermitthestudenttoreturntopracticeorcompetitionuntilbothofthe

followingconditionsaresatised:

1) Thestudent’sconditionisassessedbyeitherofthefollowing:

a.Aphysician,whoisapersonauthorizedunderChapter4731oftheOhioRevisedCode(OCR)

topracticemedicineandsurgeryorosteopathicmedicineorsurgery(M.D.orD.O.)

b.Any other licensed health care provider that the school district board of education or other

governingauthorityofacharteredornon-charterednonpublicschool,authorizestoassessthe

studentwhohasbeenremovedfrompracticeorcompetition.

2) Thestudent receives written authorization that itissafe for the student to return to practice

orcompetitionfromaphysicianorotherlicensedhealthcareprovider authorized to grant the

clearance. Go to the “Sports Medicine” Section of the OHSAA website (www.ohsaa.org) to

retrievetheOHSAA’sMedicalAuthorizationtoReturnToPlay(RTP)form.

Aschooldistrictboardofeducationorgoverningauthorityofacharteredornon-charterednonpublicschool

mayauthorizealicensedhealthcareproviderwhoisNOTaPHYSICIANtomakeanassessmentandgrant

authorizationforastudenttoreturntoparticipationONLYiftheproviderisactinginaccordancewithoneof

thefollowingasapplicabletotheprovider’sauthoritytopracticeinOhio:

1) Inconsultationwithaphysician;

2) Pursuanttothereferralofaphysician;

3) Incollaborationwithaphysician,or

4) Underthesupervisionofaphysician.

Note:Aphysicianorotherlicensedhealthcareproviderwhomakesanassessmentorgrantsclearancefora

studenttoreturntoparticipationmaybeavolunteer.

COACHES REQUIREMENTS

All coaches, paid and volunteer, must possess a current Department of Education-issued Pupil Activity

Program/CoachingPermit.When renewing thispermit,thecoach will be required to completeanonline

concussioneducationcourseasstipulatedinthesectionentitledApproved Online Concussion Education

Course.ThiscourseisvalidforthreeyearsandexpiresatthetimethePupilActivityProgram/Coaching

Permitexpires.

CONTEST OFFICIALS REQUIREMENTS

Legislation signed into law by the Governor provides that no school “shall permit” an individual to

referee interscholastic athletic contests unless the individual holds a Pupil Activity Program/Coaching

Permit or has successfully completed within the last three years a training program in concussion

recognition. Therefore,allOHSAAlicensedofcialsshallpossesseitheracurrentDepartmentofEducation-

issued Pupil Activity Program/Coaching Permit or show evidence of completing an approved online

concussion education courseasstipulatedinthesectionentitledApproved Online Concussion Education

Courses.Thiscourseisvalidforthreeyearsfromthedateofcompletionandmustbeenteredontheofcial’s

SPORTS REGULATIONS

2019-2020 GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS

myOHSAAprole.

STUDENT AND PARENT REQUIREMENTS

Allstudentsandtheirparentsorlegalguardiansshallreviewandsignthe“ConcussionInformationSheet”

whichhas beendeveloped bytheOhioDepartmentof Healthand whichshallbedistributedby OHSAA

member schools to all students and their parents prior to each sports season. Students and parents shall

reviewandsignthisformeachyearandshouldkeepacopyoftheform.Inaddition,parentsandstudentsare

encouragedtocompleteanapprovedconcussioneducationcourse.TheConcussionInformationSheetcanbe

foundhere:https://www.ohsaa.org/Portals/0/Sports-Medicine/PPE_2019-20.pdf

APPROVED ONLINE CONCUSSION EDUCATION COURSES

The following free online training courses have been approved by the Ohio Department of Health for

coachesandcontestofcials:

National Federation of State High School Associations Concussion in Sports:

https://nfhslearn.com/courses/61151/concussion-in-sports

ThisfreeonlinecourseisavailablethroughtheNFHS.Completeabriefregistrationformtotakethecourse.

Inaddition:

1. Clickthe“ordercourse”buttontoaccessthefreeconcussioncourse.Continuefollowingprompts.

 Althoughitmaylooklikeyouwillbechargedforthecourse,thereisnocost.

2. Onceyou’vecompleted“Checkout,”youwillbeabletotakethefreeonlinecourse.

3. Whenyouhavecompletedandpassedthecourse,youhavetheoptionofprintingacerticateof

completion.

4. AllOhioOfcialsshouldselectthisoptiontoprint,retainacopyofthecerticateandcarryitwith

them to all contests.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports Online Training

Program: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html

PLEASE NOTE: Both courses offer a “certicate of completion” upon successful passage.The NFHS

courseallowsorganizationstosearchforandtrackcoachesandotherindividualssuchascontestofcials

whohavecompletedthecourse,whiletheCDCcoursedoesnot.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.What are the “signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion?”TheNationalFederation

rulelistssomeofthesigns,symptomsandbehaviorsconsistentwithaconcussion.TheU.S.Department

ofHealthandHumanServices,CentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionhaspublishedthefollowing

listofsigns,symptomsandbehaviorsthatareconsistentwithaconcussion:

SIGNS OBSERVED BY OTHERS SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY ATHLETE

•Appearsdazedorstunned  •Headache

•Isconfusedaboutassignment  •Nausea

•Forgetsplays   •Balanceproblemsordizziness

•Isunsureofgamescoreoropponent •Doubleorfuzzyvision

•Movesclumsily   •Sensitivitytolightornoise

•Answersquestionsslowly  •Feelingsluggish

•Losesconsciousness   •Feelingfoggyorgroggy

•Showsbehaviororpersonalitychanges •Concentrationormemoryproblems

•Cannotrecalleventspriortohit  •Confusion

•Cannotrecalleventsafterhit

2. Who is responsible for administering this rule?

All individuals who have responsibilities and duties in theinterscholasticathleticsenvironment are

responsible:coaches,contestofcials,administrators,students,parentsandmedicalpersonnel.

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GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS 2019-2020

3.What is the role of coaches in administering this rule?

•Coachesaretoreviewandknowthesignsandsymptomsofconcussionandtoprohibitanyathlete

whodisplaysthesesignsorsymptomsfromparticipatinginapracticeoracontest.

•Coachesarenotmedicalprofessionalsandhavenoauthoritytodeterminewhetherornotastudent

hassustainedaconcussion.Thecoachisresponsibleforinsuringthatthestudent’sparentsarenotied

andthestudentisreferredtoamedicalprofessional.

•Coachesshall be awarethatany studentremovedfrom a practiceora contestdueto a suspected

concussionorheadinjuryshall not return to participation on the same day as the removal.

•CoachesshallpossessacurrentPupilActivityProgram/CoachingPermitandshalltakeoneofthe

approvedonlineconcussioncoursesuponrenewalofthepermit.

4.What is the role of contest ofcials in administering the rule?

•Ofcials are to review and know the signs and symptoms ofconcussion andtodirectimmediate

removalofanystudentwhodisplaysthesesignsorsymptoms.Wheninformingtheheadcoachabout

removalofanathlete,theofcialshallbeaccompaniedbyanother(second)ofcialifpossible.

•An ofcial shall not permit the athlete who has been removed under this rule to return to

competition that same day.

•Ifacontestofcialisawarethatastudenthasbeenpermittedtoreturntocompetitiononthesameday

asremoval,thatofcialshallimmediatelystopplayandremovethatstudentfromcompetitionand

reporttheincidenttotheOHSAA.

•Notethatofcialsarenotmedicalprofessionalsandhavenoauthoritytodeterminewhetherornota

studenthassustainedaconcussion.Theofcialisresponsiblefordirectingremovalwhenheorshe

observessignsandsymptomsthatmayindicateastudentisconcussed.

•AllOfcialsshallpossesseitheracurrentPupilActivityProgram/CoachingPermitorshallcomplete

oneoftheonlineconcussioncourseswhicharevalidforthreeyearsfromthedateofcompletion.

•Atinitial licensureorrenewal of theOHSAAofciating permit,theofcial shall indicatethathe

or she has either a current PupilActivity Program/Coaching Permit or has completed one of the

approvedonlineconcussioncourses.

•Allofcialsshouldcarrywiththemevidenceofcompletionofoneoftheseoptionsatalltimeswhile

ofciatingacontest.

•OfcialsarerequiredtosubmittotheOHSAAthe“OHSAAConcussionReport”within48hours

wheneverastudenthasbeenremovedfromacontestunderthisregulation.

5.What are the expectations of student-athletes in concussion management?

•Whileallindividualsinvolvedintheinterscholasticathleticsprogramhavearesponsibilitytorecognize

thepotentialforcatastrophicinjuryandevendeathfromconcussions,itisalsotheresponsibilityof

student-athletestorecognizethesigns,symptomsandbehaviorsconsistentwithaconcussion.

•Student-athleteswhoexhibitsymptomssuchaslossofconsciousness,headache,dizziness,confusion

orbalanceproblems,havetheresponsibilitytoreporttheseimmediatelytotheircoachand/orhealth

careprofessional.Teammatesalsosharetheresponsibilitytoreportthesesymptomswhentheyare

exhibitedbyafellowstudent-athlete.

•Student-athletesshallreviewandsign,onanannualbasis,alongwiththeirparentsorlegalguardians,

theOhioDepartmentofHealth’sConcussionInformationSheetfoundontheOHSAAwebsiteandat

this link: https://www.ohsaa.org/Portals/0/Sports-Medicine/PPE_2019-20.pdf

6.Who decides if an athlete has not been concussed and/or who has recovered from a concussion?

• Only an M.D. (Medical Doctor), D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy), or another health care provider

approvedbytheschool’sBoardofEducationorothergoverningbodywhoisactinginaccordance

withoneofthefollowingasapplicabletotheprovider’sauthoritytopracticeinOhio:

1)Inconsultationwithaphysician;

2)Pursuanttothereferralofaphysician;

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2019-2020 GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS

3)Incollaborationwithaphysician;

4)Underthesupervisionofaphysician

is empowered to make the on-site determination that an athlete has not received a concussion.

Even if that determination has been made, however, the student may not return to practice or

competition on the same day he/she has been removed from a practice or competition (see No.

7below).

•Ifanyoneofthesephysiciansorauthorizedmedicalprovidershasansweredthat“yes”therehasbeen

aconcussion,thatdecisionisnal.

7. Can an athlete return to play on the same day as he/she has been removed from a practice or

competition for a suspected concussion?

•No,undernocircumstancescanthatathletereturntoplaythatday.

•Nocoachorcontestofcialshallallowastudenttoreturntopracticeortocompetitiononanyday

after the initial removal until that student has been assessed and cleared for return with written

authorizationbyaphysicianorlicensedhealthcareproviderauthorizedbytheschool.

•Iftheeventcontinuesovermultipledays,thenthedesignatedeventphysicianhasultimateauthority

overreturntoplaydecisions.

8.Once the day has concluded, who can issue authorization to return to practice/competition in the

sport for a student who has diagnosed with a concussion?

•Once a concussion has been diagnosed by a physician or other approved health care provider,

only a physician or approved provider can authorize subsequent ReturnToPlay (RTP), and such

authorizationshallbeinwritingtotheadministrationoftheschool.ThiswrittenRTP authorization

shall be kept at the school indenitely as a part of that student’s permanent record. Go to the

“SportsMedicine”sectionoftheOHSAAwebsite(www.ohsaa.org)toaccesstheOHSAA“Medical

AuthorizationtoReturntoPlay”Form.

•Schooladministrationshallthennotifythecoachastothepermissiontoreturntopracticeorplay.

9. What should be done after the student is cleared by an appropriate health care professional?

•Afteraclearancehasbeenissued,thestudent’sactualreturntopracticeandplayshouldfollowa

graduatedprotocol.

•TheNational Federation ofStateHigh SchoolAssociations hasincludedthe following graduated

protocolinitsSuggestedGuidelinesforManagementofConcussioninSports:(Note:Thisissimply

asuggestedprotocol.Theappropriatehealthcareprofessionalwhoissuestheclearancemaywishto

establishadifferentgraduatedprotocol.)

NFHS SUGGESTED MEDICAL CLEARANCE RETURN TO PLAY PROTOCOL

1.Noexertionalactivityuntilasymptomatic.

2.Whentheathleteappearsclear,beginlow-impactactivitysuchaswalking,stationarybike,etc.

3.Initiateaerobicactivityfundamentaltospecicsportsuchasrunningorskating,andmayalsobegin

progressivestrengthtrainingactivities.

4.Beginnon-contactskilldrillsspecictosportsuchasdribbling,elding,batting,etc.

5.Fullcontactinpracticesetting.

6.Gameplay/competition.

•Athletemustremainasymptomatictoprogresstothenextlevel.(Itisoftensuggestedthatanathlete

notbeallowedtoprogressmorethanonelevelperday.)

•Ifsymptomsrecur,athletemustreturntopreviouslevelandshouldbereevaluatedbyanappropriate

health care professional.

•Medicalcheckshouldoccurbeforecontact.(Finalwrittenclearancefromthemedicalprofessional

shallbeobtainedbeforetheathleteengagesinanyunrestrictedorfullcontactactivity.)

SPORTS REGULATIONS

GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS 2019-2020

QUICK LINKS FROM THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

InformationforCoaches,Ofcials,ParentsandStudents,PlusAdditionalResources–

https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/child-injury-Prevention/youthconcussions/

Ohio’s Return to Play Law –

https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/child-injury-prevention/resources/rtp-law

ADDITIONAL CONCUSSION RESOURCES

Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Concussion Information Toolkit

http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/concussion-toolkit

CDC Materials on Returning to School for Parents, School Nurses and Educators

https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/schools/index.html

SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST REGULATIONS

Ohiolawrequiresadditionalcoachingrequirementsforallinterscholasticcoaches(paidandvolunteer)and

neweducationalstandardsforparentsandstudent-athletesregardingSuddenCardiacArrest.Thislaw,known

asLindsay’sLaw,becameeffectivebeginningwiththe2017-18schoolyear.

TheOHSAAhascollaboratedwiththeOhioDepartmentsofHealthandEducation,alongwithothermajor

Ohio healthcare organizations and the Ohio Chapter of theAmerican College of Cardiology, to provide

educationthatisrelevantandeasilyaccessiblesothatinterscholasticcoachesandtheparentsofourstudent-

athletescancomeintocompliancewiththestatute.

WiththeleadershipprovidedbyODH,ODE,theOhioChapteroftheAmericanCollegeofCardiologyand

othermajorOhiohealthcareorganizations,wehavedevelopedourown“Ohio”materialstobeusedtocomply

withthisrequirement.Thematerialsincludeashortvideoforparents,whichispostedtotheODH,ODEand

the OHSAA (www.ohsaa.org)websites;aninformationalhandoutandasign-offform(muchlikethecurrent

ConcussionForm)whichmustbesignedbyparentsandstudent-athletesandisincludedinthepackageof

consentformsfoundintheOHSAAPPEandthepaperforms;andatrainingvideoandinformationalhandout

forcoacheswhichispostedontheODEwebsiteandincludesacompletioncerticateforverication.This

training will be the only acceptable coursework to meet this standard and is provided at no cost to

anyone.

The videos can be assessed through the OHSAAwebsite (www.ohsaa.org) under the “Sports Medicine”

section.Likewise,theeducationalmaterialsforparentsandstudents,whichincludeashortmemoandvideo,

andthesign-offformsforparentsandstudents,arealsoavailableontheOHSAAwebsite(www.ohsaa.org)

underthe“SportsMedicine”section.

HEAT ACCLIMATIZATION AND EXERTIONAL HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION

The following information should be reviewed with coaching and sports medicine staff prior to any

interscholasticpracticethisAugust.PleaserememberthattherearefourOHSAAsportsthathavearequired

acclimatizationperiodpriortothecommencingofanycontestsorphysicalcontact,whichisthecasefor

football.Theothersportsareboysandgirlscrosscountryand7-8thgradetrackandeld,whichrequirea

minimumof10daysofinterscholasticpracticepriortoanycompetitionforastudent.Thefollowingisthe

regulationthataddressesthemandatoryve-dayperiodinfootball.

Five Days of Acclimatization Required — Acclimatization is a period of time when players can become

accustomed to the heat and humidity. Health professionals recommend at least a ve-day period. All football

candidates must participate in ve days of pre-season, non-contact acclimatization prior to any physical

contact. No pads may be worn on the rst two days. Shorts, helmets, shoes may be worn. Shoulder pads may

be added on day three and four, but no contact is permitted. Full equipment may be worn on the fth day, but

contact is prohibited. Candidates reporting late must participate in ve days of non-contact acclimatization.

This rule applies to all school teams from grades 7-12.

Allcoachingandmedicalstaffpersonnelshallobservethefollowingprecautionsforall sports competed

outdoors and/or in a hot, humid environment:

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• Stress to participants the importance of properly hydratingthemselvesduringthedayleadingup

tothecontest,andalsotodrink8-to-12ouncesofwaterorsportdrinks20minutespriortothecontest.

Thispracticecanhelppreventproblemsduringpracticeandcontests.

• Schools should have unlimited amounts of water and sport drinks on hand during a contest, and

coachesinteamsportsshouldbepreparedtoplayalotofplayersratherthanjustthestarters.

• Contestofcialsarepermittedtoestablishpredeterminedbreaksduringacontest,suchashalfway

througheachperiod.Atthattimeplayerscandrinkwaterandremovetheirequipment,whichshould

alsotakeplaceathalftime(themoreskinthatisexposed,themorecoolingthatcantakeplace).This

provision applies to all sports.

• NFHS football playing rules allow the referee to shorten periods per mutual agreement by the

opposingcoaches.Inaddition,bymutualagreementagamemaybeterminatedatanytime.

• Contest managers are advised to monitor conditions for others afliated with the contest, like

cheerleaders,bandmembers,coaches,ofcialsandespeciallyspectators.

• In football, if schools decide NOT to play a contest, it becomes an open date for both.Ifoneschool

desirestoplaybuttheotherdoesnot,therearenoforfeitsinvolved.Again,itwouldbecomeanopendate

forbothschools.However,schoolsdohavetheoptiontoreschedulecontests,andOHSAAregulations

dopermitschoolstoplaymorethanonecontestperweek.TherealsoarenoOHSAAregulationsthat

prohibitgamesfrombeingplayedonSundays.ThesameconceptsapplytoallotherOHSAAsports.

• Please review the OHSAA policy on inclement weather and lightning. In short, upon the rst

indication that thunderstorm development is within 15 miles of the game site, the activity shall be

suspendeduntil30minutesafterthestormhasleftthis15-milezone.Individualsshouldmovetoasafe

areauntilthestormhasmovedaway.

• Know both the Temperature and Humidity.Thegreaterthehumidity,themoredifcultitisforthe

bodytocoolitself.Testtheairpriortopracticeoragameusingawetbulb,globe,temperatureindex

(WBGTindex)whichisbasedonthecombinedeffectsofairtemperature,relativehumidity,radiant

heatandair movement.Thefollowingprecautions are recommended when using theWBGTIndex:

(ACSM’sGuidelinesfortheTeamPhysician,1991):

Below64-Unlimitedactivity

65-72-Moderaterisk

74-82-HighRisk

82plus-Veryhighrisk

Oneothermethodofmeasuringtherelativehumidityistheuseofaslingpsychrometer,whichmeasures

wetbulbtemperature.Thewetbulbtemperatureshouldbemeasuredpriortopractice,andtheintensityand

durationofpracticeshouldbeadjustedaccordingly.Recommendationsareasfollows:

Under60F Safebutalwaysobserveathletes

61-65F Observeplayerscarefully

66-70F Caution

71-75F Shorterpracticesessionsandmorefrequentwaterandrestbreaks

75+F Dangerlevelandextremecaution

The OHSAA advises careful monitoring of the weather and plans to modify training and competition

including:

1.)Modicationofequipment,ifapplicabletothesport;

2.)Allowanceformorefrequentrestbreaksandtheuseofshadedareasforthosebreaks;

3.)Modicationofpracticetime;

4.)Availabilityofwateralways;

5.)Availabilityofcoldwaterimmersiontubsforonsitecooling;

6.)If exertional heat stroke is suspected, immediate onsite cooling using cold water immersion

beforetransportbyEMS,and

7.)ReviewandpracticeoftheOHSAA’srecommendedEmergencyActionPlan,“Anyone Can Save

A Life,”orsimilarplanforallsportsteamswithspecialemphasisontheheatillnesssection.

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TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, ILLEGAL DRUGS AND STEROIDS

1. Tobacco/Vaping

School participants (coaches, players, trainers, managers, statisticians, scorekeepers, cheerleaders,

etc.) and contest officials in an athletic contest are prohibited from using any form of tobacco or

electroniccigarettesorsimilardevices(e.g.vaping)attheplayingsiteofaninterscholasticcontest.

Penaltyforviolationbyschoolparticipantsisdisqualificationfromthatcontest.Violationsbycontest

officialsshallbereportedtotheOHSAA.

2. Alcohol and Illegal Drugs

The sale of, the distribution of, or the consumption of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs is not

permittedatthesiteofanycontestinvolvingOHSAAmemberschools.

3. Steroids

A student who uses anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs is ineligible for

interscholastic competition until such time as medical evidence can be presented that the student’s

systemisfreeofanabolicsteroidsorotherperformance-enhancingdrugs.

Note:AtitsSeptember1998meeting,theOHSAABoardofDirectorsendorsedthepositionstatement

issuedbytheSportsMedicineAdvisoryCommitteeoftheNationalFederationofStateHighSchool

Associations on the use of drugs, medicine and food supplements in interscholastic sports. The

statementisasfollows:

“School personnel and coaches should not dispense any drug, medication or food

supplement except with extreme caution and in accordance with policiesdevelopedin

consultationwithparents,health-careprofessionalsandsenioradministrativepersonnel

oftheschoolorschooldistrict.

“Use of any drug, medication or food supplement in a way not prescribed by the

manufacturershouldnotbeauthorizedorencouragedbyschoolpersonnelandcoaches.

Evennaturalsubstancesinunnaturalamountsmayhaveshort-termorlong-termnegative

health effects.

“Inordertominimizehealthandsafetyriskstostudent-athletes,maintainethicalstandards

andreduceliabilityrisks,schoolpersonnelandcoachesshouldneversupply,recommend

orpermitthe use of any drug, medication orfoodsupplementsolely for performance-

enhancing purposes.”

LIGHTNING AND INCLEMENT WEATHER

Theseguidelinesprovideadefaultpolicytothoseresponsibleorsharingdutiesformakingdecisionsconcerning

the suspension and restarting of practices and contests based on the presence of lightning or thunder. The

preferredsourcesfromwhichtorequestsuchapolicyforyourfacilitywouldincludethenearestofceofthe

NationalWeatherService.

Proactive Planning

1. Assignstafftomonitorlocalweatherconditionsbeforeandduringpracticesandcontests.

2. Developanevacuationplan,includingidentificationofappropriatenearbysaferareas,and

determinetheamountoftimeneededtogeteveryonetothedesignatedsaferarea:

a.)Adesignatedsaferplaceisasubstantialbuildingwithplumbingandwiringwherepeople

  live or work,suchasa school, gymnasium orlibrary.Analternatesafer place from the

threatoflightningisafullyenclosed(notconvertibleorsofttop)metalcarorschoolbus.

3.Developcriteriaforsuspensionandresumptionofplay:

a.)Whenthunderisheardorlightningisseen*,theleadingedgeofthethunderstormisclose

enoughtostrikeyourlocationwithlightning.Suspendplayforatleast30minutesandvacate

theoutdooractivitytothepreviouslydesignatedsaferlocationimmediately.

b.) 30-minute rule.Onceplayhasbeensuspended,waitatleast30minutesafterthelastthun-

derisheardorlightningiswitnessed*priortoresumingplay.

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c.)Anysubsequentthunderorlightning*afterthebeginningofthe30-minutecountwillreset

theclockandanother30-minutecountshouldbegin.

d.)Whenlightning-detection devices or mobile phone apps are available, thistechnology

couldbeusedtoassistinmakingadecisiontosuspendplayifalightningstrikeisnotedtobe

within10milesoftheeventlocation.However,youshouldneverdependonthereliabilityof

thesedevicesand,thus,hearingthunderorseeinglightning*shouldalwaystakeprecedence

overinformationfromamobileapporlightning-detectiondevice.

*Atnight,undercertainatmosphericconditions,lightningflashesmaybeseenfromdistant

storms.Inthesecases,itmaybesafetocontinueanevent.Ifnothundercanbeheardand

theflashesarelowonthehorizon,thestormmaynotposeathreat.Independentlyverified

lightningdetectioninformationwouldhelpeliminateanyuncertainty.

4.Reviewthelightningsafetypolicyannuallywithalladministrators,coachesandgamepersonnel

 andtrainallpersonnel.

5.Informstudent-athletesandtheirparentsofthelightningpolicyatthestartoftheseason.

MEDIA REGULATIONS

The Ohio High School Athletic Association develops the regulations for media coverage of all OHSAA

tournamentcontests.Somepoliciesshallalsobeineffectforregularseasoncontests.Generalmediaregulations

shallbeapprovedannuallybytheBoardofDirectorsandpublishedseparatelyfromtheOHSAA Handbook.

A. Videotaping and Photographing Regulations

Section 1. — Regular Season Contests

a. Itispermissibleforaschooloraschoolrepresentativetovideotapeorphotographregularseason

contests(includingpreviewsandscrimmages)oftheteamorindividualsfromone’sownschool.

Suchvideotapesorphotographsmaybeusedfor“in-game”coachingpurposesonlyifitisspecified

inthenationalplayingrulesofthesportorinthespecificsportregulations.

b. Itispermissibleforaschooloraschoolrepresentativetovideotapeorphotographregularseason

contests(includingpreviews,scrimmagesand/orpractices)ofteamsorindividualsnotfromone’s

ownschoolonly with the written consent of all schools participating in the contest(s).

Section 2. — OHSAA Tournament Contests

Videotaping and Photographing by Participating Schools

a. Videotaping OHSAA tournament contests of the team or individuals from one’s own school

participatinginthecontestispermittedprovidedpriorarrangementsaremadewiththetournament

manager,anditisdoneattheexpenseoftheschoolinvolved.Amaximumofoneindividualper

schoolispermittedtovideotape.

b. Allphotographsandvideostakenbyschoolrepresentativesoftheteamorindividualsfromone’s

own school at OHSAAtournamentcontests are for school use ONLY.The use of photographs

or videos taken by school representatives for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited. Such

videotapesorphotographsmaybeusedfor“in-game”coachingpurposesonlyifitisspecifiedin

thenationalplayingrulesofthesportorinthespecificsportregulations.

c. Itis permissiblefora schoolora schoolrepresentative tovideotapeor photographtournament

contests(includingpractices)ofteamsorindividualsnotfromone’sownschoolonly with the

written consent of all schools participating in the contest(s).

d. Itispermissibleforaschoolorschoolrepresentative to utilize videoandphotographsoftournament

contests(includingpractices)ofteamsorindividualsnot fromone’sownschoolonly with the

written consent of all schools participating in the contest(s).

Section 3. — Regular Season and OHSAA Tournament Contests

Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones)

a. Forpurposesofthispolicy,anunmannedaerialvehicle(“UAV”),commonlyknownasadrone,is

anyaircraftwithoutahumanpilotaboardthedevice.

b. Itistheresponsibilityofeachlocalschooldistricttoestablishpoliciesfortheuseofdronesduring

homeregularseasoncontests(includingpreviewsandscrimmages)andpractices.

SPORTS REGULATIONS

103

GENERAL SPORTS REGULATIONS 2019-2020

c. TheuseofdronesisprohibitedforanypurposebyanypersonsatOHSAAtournamentcontests

orpracticesbeforeorafteranOHSAAtournamentcontest.Attournamentcontests,management

shallremoveanyoneattemptingtouseadroneand/orconfiscatethedroneuntiltheeventhasbeen

completed.

Note:AnexceptiontothispolicymaybemadeinspecificcasesforOHSAAbroadcastpartners,

providedthemanagementofthetournamentfacilitypermitsthepresenceofdronesforbroadcast

purposesunderthecontroloftheOHSAA.

Videotaping and Photographing by Spectators

a. Spectators taking videos or photos at OHSAA tournament contests shall not interfere with the

viewofacontestbyotherspectators,norwillspectatorsortheirequipmenttakeadditionalspace

inseatsthathavebeenpurchased.Nospectatorsshallbeprovided“media”accesstovideotapeor

photographanevent,norwillspectatorsand/ortheirequipmentbepermittedinanyplayingarea.

Inaddition,nosourcesofpowerwillbeprovidedforspectators’videoorphotoequipment.

b. AllphotographsandvideostakenbyspectatorsatOHSAAtournamentcontestsareforpersonaluse

ONLY.Theuseofspectatorphotographsorvideosforcommercial purposesisstrictlyprohibited.

c. Thetournamentsiteacceptsnoliabilityfordamageortheftofspectatorequipmentorinjuryasa

resultofprivatelyownedequipment.

d. TheOHSAAreservestherighttoremoveviolatorsofthesepoliciesfromatournamentcontest,

invokeadditionalpenaltiesandseekmaximumlegalrecourse.

B. Coaches’ and Participants’ Comments to the News Media

OHSAABylaw8,Section2,readsinpart,“Greatcareshallbeexercisedintheselectionofofficials,

wellinadvanceofthecontestandagreeduponbyschoolsinvolved.Whenthecontestbeginseach

schoolwaivesallofitsrightssofarasobjectingtotheofficials.”Publiccriticismofofficialsisadirect

reflectionuponthosewhowereresponsibleforassigningtheofficialstothegame.

Officialsaretrainedandexpectedtomakenoderogatorypubliccommentsdirectlytothemediaor

throughtheuseofsocialmediaregardingotherofficials,the players, coaches or schools. Coaches

andparticipantsareexpectedtofollowthesameprocedureandmakenoderogatorypubliccomments

directlytothemediaorthroughtheuseofsocialmediaregardingnotonlytheofficials,butalsothe

players,coachesorschools.FailuretofollowthisrequestwillresultinpenaltiesasoutlinedinBylaw

11.

C. Use of the OHSAA Trade Names and Trademarks

TheOHSAAownscertaintradenamesandtrademarksthatareregisteredandprotectedunderstate

and federal law.Any unauthorized use of these trade names and trademarks is strictly prohibited.

Notwithstanding this prohibition, the OHSAA does issue certain non-exclusive, non-transferable

limitedlicensesfortheuseofitstradenamesandtrademarks.TheOHSAA’spoliciesregardingthese

licensescanbefoundontheOHSAAwebsite(www.ohsaa.org)under“NewsandMedia.”