Off-Season Activity Among Rules Changes for 2011-12 School Year

Click to view image

OFF-SEASON ACTIVITY AMONG RULES CHANGES FOR 2011-12 SCHOOL YEAR

A host of changes have been implemented in time for the 2011-12 school year.

Perhaps the most dramatic change has occurred in regard to the interpretation of Bylaw 25, the rule that governs the limitation of seasons. The “off-season” for any sport is the period during the school year outside of the defined start and end dates. These restrictions are in place from the first day of school and end on either the last day of school or May 31, whichever occurs first. In the past, restrictions on how much off-season involvement coaches could have with their teams were determined by the Association through published interpretations of the bylaws. The revised Bylaw 25 interpretation now gives the local school principal autonomy to make those decisions.  This does not affect the wording or application of Bylaw 8, which restricts football and basketball players playing out of season between the start of school and the start of the season. 

According to Commissioner Julian Tackett, “Perhaps the bottom line was the realization that the rules we had were broken and hard to enforce, even becoming a bit antiquated compared with the needs of students and the desire of students and parents. Kids wanting to get extra help and individualized attention, instead of having to pay to go to a clinic or camp or outside group, can actually have the opportunity (provided it’s approved by the Principal) to get that help from their own high school coach. Instead of curtailing the high school coach and teacher and subsequently forcing kids to look to people that perhaps don't have the best interest of the individual student at heart, we should allow some opportunity for our coaches, the high school coaches, to have more time with the students who are looking to expand their skills.”

There is a list of allowable activities by the high school coaches, and some actions remain impermissible per state directive and interpretation. “The Board concurred with my recommendation to adjust these interpretations and that we should try to change the philosophy and drive our kids more toward the high school coach, not away,” Tackett said. “We will be monitoring this closely to see if further adjustments are necessary.”

   Another rule change involves sportsmanship violations. The KHSAA Board of Control voted to increase the mandatory suspension of coaches to three games and student-athletes to two games. The Board decision came following a detailed study of ejections from the past seven years, dating back to the 2004-2005 school year. A total of 4,500 competitors have been disqualified from KHSAA regular and post-season events during that time.

“It’s apparent the efforts to deter unsportsmanlike conduct in the past have not been successful,” said Tackett. “According to the research we have conducted it became obvious that our ejection numbers are much higher than any of the surrounding states. We need to give competitors and coaches who exhibit unsportsmanlike conduct something to consider, something that will act as a deterrent. At this level of sports, we cannot tolerate unsportsmanlike conduct.”

FOOTBALL SIDELINE ADVISORY TO MEDIA

    With the first regular season football games scheduled for Friday night, Aug. 19, this is a reminder to all media members who cover football games on the sidelines. Officials have been directed to enforce areas of the field that are off limits to working media due to potential safety hazards. At no time are media members allowed in the ‘team box’ area between the 25-yard lines. Media members who work on the field outside of this area must remain at least two yards (six feet) off the field. As always, be alert at all times to plays and action near the sidelines.  

DON’T FORGET TO REPORT SCORES

    Schedules for boys’ and girls’ soccer as well as volleyball and football have been posted on the Riherds/KHSAA Scoreboard. Coaches, athletic directors and media members are encouraged to call every contest result into the Scoreboard at 1-800-453-6882.

--KHSAA –

UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS

August 22          HYPE Student Leadership Conference, Lexington Center, Lexington

August 23          HYPE Student Leadership Conference, Bowling Green Convention Center, Bowling Green

September 15    KHSAA Board of Control Meeting, KHSAA Office, Lexington

September 22    Annual Meeting of Delegates, Lexington Center, Lexington