Page 59 - 2025-26 By-Laws

Rule 9 - Contests

violated rule 20 or has become a direct or indirect beneficiary of a rule 20 violation.
c. A School which withdraws from a Contest in violation of this section may jeopardize its
standing in the Association.
9-16.1 Withdrawal from Contests Because of Officials’ Conduct Prohibited
Removal of a School athletic team from an athletic Contest due to dissatisfaction with the
game officials will jeopardize the standing of the School in the Association.
9-17 Teams May Not Include Students Below Ninth Grade
Member Schools may not use students below the ninth grade on their athletic teams in
interschool Contests.
9-18 Use of Audio-Visual Equipment in Contests
a. Use of Audio Visual Equipment and Recordings During Contest.
The use of audio-visual equipment for coaching purposes during athletic Contests in
any sports which are under the jurisdiction of the IHSAA shall be in accordance with the
National Federation playing rules for that sport, or in accordance with any other playing
rule adopted by the IHSAA for playing that sport.
b. Use of Audio-Visual Equipment, Recordings, Films, Telecasts and Video Tape.
Using audio-visual equipment, recording, filming, telecasting or videotaping for scouting
purposes of any Season Contest by any party other than the Two (2) Schools participating
in the contest is prohibited.
9-19 Leasing of Facilities for Practices or Contests
Member Schools may lease facilities for use in Practices or Contests, subject to the following
conditions:
a. Upon request, the IHSAA will be provided with a copy of the lease agreement prior to using
the leased facility.
b. The lease agreement must clearly state that the facility is being leased for use by the
Member School’s team(s).
c. School teams and non-school teams may not be combined for any activities at the leased
facility.
d. The Member School’s coaching staff must exclusively provide all instruction and coaching
at the leased facility.
e. The lease agreement and all activities conducted at the leased facility must comply with
all other applicable IHSAA rules and policies.
f. The Member School principal must approve and oversee all aspects of the facility lease
and its use.
g. The Member School remains responsible for the safety, supervision and conduct of student-
athletes at the leased facility.
h. Leasing of facilities does not exempt the Member School or its teams from any Contest
limitations or other restrictions in IHSAA rules.
i. The IHSAA reserves the right to review and reject any facility lease agreement that it
determines does not comply with the letter or spirit of this rule.
Q & A
Contests - Generally
Q. 9-1 Does the IHSAA have a rule prohibiting the scheduling of Practices and interschool
games on holidays?
A. No, member School policies dictate scheduling procedures.
Senior Students on Sub-Varsity Teams
Q. 9-2 Is there an IHSAA rule prohibiting a senior from being on a junior varsity team?
A. No, the selection of a student for a team is a matter for each School to decide.
Participation Against Teams of Non-Members
Q. 9-3 Can a member School participate in a Contest in an IHSAA Recognized Sport
against a team which contains students below grade 9?
A. Yes. While a Contest in which a member School and its students participate is
subject to all playing rule, including the Contest Rule which prohibits a member
School from having below-ninth grade students on the School’s teams (rule 9-17),
that Contest Rule does not apply to non-member Schools. And while the Contest

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