Page 62 - 2025-26 By-Laws

Rule 9 - Contests

A. Yes, provided the team is from a school which meets the definition of Feeder School.
(rule 9-4, See Definition of “Feeder School”)
Playing rules
Q. 9-21 Can Two (2) teams decide to set aside National Federation playing rules during a
Season Contest?
A. No. All Season Contests and all Tournament Series Contests must be conducted
under the National Federation rules, or in golf, under the USGA rules, unless the
IHSAA has modified the rules, in which event the rules, as modified by the IHSAA,
control. (rules 1-5, 51-63)
Scrimmages and Jamborees
Q. 9-22 Is a Controlled Scrimmage considered to be a Practice or an Season Contest?
A. A Controlled Scrimmage is a special interscholastic practice whereby Two (2)
member Schools work out against one another under IHSAA guidelines and under
the direct supervision of their respective coaches. A Controlled Scrimmage does
count as a Practice toward meeting the minimum number of Practices required to
play in a Season Contest, but does not count as a Season Contest. (rules 50-6;
See, Definitions).
Q. 9-23 How many separate days of Practices must a student have prior to his/her
participation in a Jamboree?
A. Prior to the day of the Jamboree a student must have participated in Five (5)
separate days of Practice (in football it must be Five (5) days of unrestricted full
contact Practice). (rules 50-7)
Appeal of Contest Decision
Q. 9-24 Is there an appeal of an Official’s decision after a Contest?
A. No, in all Contests the decision of an Official is final, binding and not subject to a
waiver or an appeal. (rules 9-5, 16-2, 17-8.1)
Unsanctioned Activities
Q. 9-25 Can a School’s team play in a Controlled Scrimmage or in a Contest as a preliminary
to a Non-School event (e.g., a college contest, a professional contest, etc.?
A. No. (rule 9-7)
Filming and Use of Films
Q. 9-26 May films, pictures or videotapes be used for coaching purposes during a Contest?
A. Yes, mechanical visual aid equipment may be used by team members and by
coaches for coaching purposes during, but only in accordance the sport’s playing
rules. (rule 9-18)
Q. 9-27 May a person film or videotape, for scouting purposes, athletic teams in a Contest
in which the person’s School is not playing?
A. No, filming or videotaping for scouting purposes of any Contest by any person who
is not an official representative of One (1) of the participating Schools is prohibited.
(rules 9-18)
Q. 9-28 May a parent film or videotape an athletic Contest in which the parent’s child is
involved?
A. Yes, filming or photographing by a parent of a Contest is permitted, under the IHSAA
Photography Policy. It is only when the filming or photography is being done for
scouting purposes will there be a violation of the Contest Rule. (rule 9-18.3)
Use of Oxygen
Q. 9-29 May oxygen be used by athletes in any Contest?
A. No oxygen shall be administered to athletes in any Contest except in genuine
emergencies by persons qualified to administer such oxygen. (rule 9-12)
School Strike Situations
Q. 9-30 May a student attending a School, which is subject to a labor strike, attend a Practice
with a team from a School which is not subject to a labor strike?
A. No, and if a student attends a Practice with a student attending another School
during the Contest Season, that attendance is considered a Contest. (rule 9-14).
Q. 9-31 May a School that is on strike host an interschool athletic Contest?
A. Yes, while the athletic Contests must be conducted under the IHSAA rules, the

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