Page 128 - 2023-24 By-Laws

Rule 50 - Sports Seasons

50-1 Pre-Participation Practice
Prior to the date of a student’s participation in the student’s first Contest of the Season in a
sport, the student must attend and actively participate in Eight (8) Pre-participation Practice
sessions under the direct supervision of the high school coaching staff in that sport.
a. In girls golf, the Pre-participation Practice rule requires Two (2) Pre-participation Practice
sessions, and that rule can be waived under conditions established by the Commissioner.
b. In tennis, the Pre-participation Practice rule can be waived under conditions established
by the Commissioner. (Remove for 2024-25)
c. Only One (1) Pre-participation Practice session may be counted on any One (1) day.
d. Should a student, prior to completing the required Eight (8) days of Pre-participation
Practice, fail to attend and actively participate in more than Seven (7) consecutive calendar
days (exclusing Sunday), such student, upon returning from such absence, must participate
in, prior to participating in a Contest, the greater of (i) the number of Pre-participation
Practices session needed to meet the required Eight (8) days of Pre-participation Practices,
or (ii) Two (2) Pre-participation Practice sessions. For example, if a student in football/
volleyball is absent following the completion of the fourth Pre-participation Practice session,
then the student, upon returning from such absence, would need to attend and actively
participate in Four (4) more Pre-participation Practice sessions prior to participating in a
football/volleyball Contest, but if the same student is absent following completion of the
seventh Pre-participation Practice session, then the student, upon returning from such
absence, would need to attend and actively participate in Two (2) more Pre-participation
Practice sessions prior to participating in a football/volleyball Contest.
50-1.1 Season-to-Season Pre-Participation Practice
A student moving directly (within One (1) week) from One (1) sport season to the next sport
season is eligible to participate in a Contest in a sport during the next sports season after
completing, prior to the date of the student’s fi rst Contest of the next season, Five (5) Pre-
participation Practice sessions under the direct supervision of the high school coaching staff
in that sport.
50-1.2 Second Sport Pre-Participation Practice
A student, after completing Eight (8) Pre-participation Practice sessions in a sport, may try
out for a second sport during the same sport season and may be eligible to participate in
a Contest in that second sport after completing, prior to the date of the fi rst Contest of the
second sport, Five (5) Pre-participation Practice sessions under the direct supervision of the
high school coaching staff in that second sport. However, if the original sport was golf, this
rule does not apply and the student athlete must complete Eight (8) Pre-participation Practice
sessions in the second sport.
50-1.3 Pre-Participation Practice After Basic Training
A student, after successfully completing basic training with a branch of the United States
military during a Practice or Contest Season of a sport, is eligible to participate in a Contest
in that sport after completing, prior to the date of the student’s fi rst Contest of the Season,
Five (5) Pre-participation Practice sessions under the direct supervision of the high school
coaching staff in that sport.
50-2 Authorized Contest Season
Scheduling, timing, length and character of any Authorized Season Contest in a sport is
established by these Interschool Sports Rules and by the playing rules of that sport. Any
Authorized Season Contest in a sport must be completed during the Contest Season (prior
to the first day of the IHSAA Tournament Series) in that sport (See rule 50, NFHS rules and
the IHSAA Seasonal Bulletin).
50-2.1 Modification by the Commissioner
a. The Commissioner shall have authority to modify the scheduling, number, timing, length and
character of any Authorized Season Contest when there is a public health issue or when
there is some other unusual or compelling situation which necessitates such modification.
b. With respect to the required completion of an Authorized Season Contest in a sport during
the Contest Season in that sport, the Commissioner shall have authority, upon application,
to modify such completion date due to unavoidable circumstances occurring during the
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