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Section 1200: Purposes of High School Athletics 119

Subchapter C. HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC PLAN NOTE: Rules that list the or to which they (3) Accept decisions of sports and school officials apply shall apply only to the sport(s) listed. without protest and without questioning their honesty or integrity, and extend protection Section 1200: PURPOSES OF HIGH SCHOOL ATH- and courtesy to sports officials from par- LETICS ticipants, school personnel and spectators remembering that officials are guests. The purposes of the athletic program for the member (4) Regard opponents as guests, putting clean schools are: and good sportsmanship above victory (a) to assist, advise and aid the member schools in at any cost. Win without boasting and lose organizing and conducting interschool athletics; without bitterness. Victory is important, but (b) to devise and prepare eligibility rules that will equal- the most important thing in sports is striving ize and stimulate wholesome between to excel and the positive feelings it fosters schools of similar size, and reinforce the curriculum; between those who play fair and have no (c) to regulate competition so that students, schools excuse when they lose. The development of and communities can secure the greatest educa- positive human relations should be stressed tional, social, recreational and aesthetic benefits in all competition. from the contests; (5) Remember that conduct that berates, intimi- (d) to reinforce the concept to all member schools that dates, or threatens competitors has no place athletics is an integral part of the educational pro- in interscholastic activities. gram; (6) Provide or evidence as soon as (e) to preserve the for the overall benefit of the possible regarding eligibility of any contes- contestant and not sacrifice the contestant to the tant or school to the local administration, game; then to the proper District Executive Com- (f) to promote the spirit of good sportsmanship and mittee. To withhold information is consid- fair play in all contests; ered dishonorable and contrary to good (g) to promote among the players, schools and com- sportsmanship. Schools guilty of violating munities a spirit of friendly and a respect this section may be subject to penalty as for the rules; described in Sections 27 and 29, including (h) to forward the concept of accepting decisions of disqualification from district honors in the sports officials without protest and treating offi- germane activity. Covered school district cials as co-partners in the educational process of personnel guilty of violating this section competition; and may be subject to the range of penalties as (i) to provide rules and regulations designed to promote described in Sections 27 and 29. and ensure the health and safety of all participants. (7) Not recruit or entice any student to attend and participate at your school. Any inquiries from students outside your school district or from Section 1201: ATHLETIC CODES another high school in a multiple-high school The Athletic Code and the Athletic Code for Coaches district should be directed to the school super- carry the force of rule. Member school districts, member intendent or high school principal. schools and/or covered school district personnel who vio- (b) THE ATHLETIC CODE FOR COACHES. The late any of the provisions of these codes will be subject to code for athletic sponsors includes the principles penalty. described in Subsection (a) and the purposes (a) THE ATHLETIC CODE. The general Athletic listed in Section 1200. Further, the coach’s code Code means to: includes: (1) Play the game in the spirit of fairness and (1) Being aware of, understanding and following sportsmanship, observing all rules, both in all rules governing the competition for which letter and intent. the coach is responsible. (2) Coach and sponsor the and individuals (2) Informing one’s immediate supervisor in without resorting to unethical tactics, trick- writing the next school day after a contest if ery which attempts to skirt the rules, or any ejected from that contest for unsportsmanlike unfair tactic which detracts from sound edu- actions, or, in , if given two 15-yard cational principles. unsportsmanlike penalties during one con- 120 Section 1201: Athletic Codes

test, knowing that such conduct requires (17) Emphasizing a chemical awareness program automatic penalty. that informs and educates students of the (3) Treating based on what is best for the damaging effects of anabolic steroids and , general welfare and health of the other illegal drugs. student. (18) Disclosing to opposing schools any known (4) Professional loyalty to other coaches. conflict of interest with an assigned sports (5) Not removing a from a contest as a pro- official prior to a contest. test. (6) Adhering to in and out of season prac- Section 1202: EMPLOYMENT OF COACHES tice regulations. (a) HIGH SCHOOL COACHES. (7) Adhering to policies which do not force ath- (1) Full-Time Employees. A school is not eligible for letes to specialize or restrict them from par- UIL competition in an athletic activity unless ticipation in other sports. the head coach and assistant high school (8) Allowing students to participate in one school coaches are full-time employees of the school sport without requiring, as a prerequisite, board of the school which the team repre- participation in another school sport. sents. (9) Abstaining from any practice which would (2) Full-Time Defined. Full-time means that the bring financial gain to the coach by using person is under contract to the school board a student’s participation in a camp, clinic, of the school which the athletic team rep- league or other non-school athletic event, resents for the whole scholastic or calendar such as a rebate for each player sent to a year, and the person has enough contractual particular camp or from each player using a duties to be considered a full-time employee particular product. by the Teacher Retirement System and state Coaches shall not charge a fee for private law. Refer to Official Interpretation 05-08-03, instruction to student-athletes during the Appendix I. school year. The restriction on charging fees (3) Exceptions. A retired teacher/administrator for private instruction applies only to those who has 20 or more years of experience students who are: may serve as an assistant coach in all ath- (A) in grades 9-12; letics and as a head coach for , , (B) from the coach’s attendance zone; and team tennis, cross-country, , (C) participating in the sport for which the and . (This rule shall coach is responsible. not affect the status of a coach on a leave (10) Abstaining from any practice that makes a of absence attending college.) Also, student student feel pressured to participate in non- teachers, while they are assigned to a mem- school activities. ber school district to fulfill their student (11) Avoiding any coaching practice which would teaching requirements, may volunteer to endanger the welfare or safety of any player. serve as an assistant coach in all athletics. (12) Emphasizing the academic of all Schools shall not pay student teachers for participants by a regular, documented check assisting athletic coaches. A full-time sub- of their academic standing, both in season and stitute who has coached during the school out of season. year may be permitted to continue coaching until the UIL competitive year has ended. (13) Scheduling and practices to avoid Example: state playoffs. unnecessary loss of study or class time. (b) SOURCE OF PAY. Schools shall not pay coaches (14) Utilizing the best and most current teach- out of gate receipts, or draw the contracts with ing, coaching and methods through coaches in such a way as to make it to the financial affiliation with professional associations and advantage of a coach to win games. Schools shall publications. not pay to coaches, and coaches shall not accept, (15) Abstaining from any practice that solicits funds gathered by a high school booster or teachers to modify a participant student’s other sources within the school district. Refer to grade for eligibility purposes. Official Interpretation 09-03-04, Appendix I. (16) Avoiding any actions that encourage, condone (c) SCHOOL AUTHORITY RESPONSIBLE. Respon- or tolerate the use of performance enhancing sibility for the proper administration, contracts, drugs by any student-. arrangements, control and scheduling of athletic Section 1202: Employment of Coaches 121

contests in all school systems shall be under the in season. A coach who is hired less than one supervision of the superintendent or a designated week prior to the start of the sport season or administrator. after the first day of school (whichever is ear- (d) SALARY: NO BONUS. A coach’s salary shall be lier) must complete the CCP within thirty (30) fixed at the beginning of the year, and shall include days of being hired. no provisions for bonus. It shall be a violation for a (2) The names of coaches who complete the UIL contract to be based upon a percentage of the gate Coaches Certification Program will be kept receipts. on file by the school. (e) REGULAR DISBURSEMENT. The salary of a (l) COACHES EDUCATION: All first-year coaches coach shall be paid from funds under the complete and any coach who is not a full-time employee of control of the school board and disbursed to the the school district Exception: Coaches who qualify coach in the regular way in which the other sala- for the exception under Section 1202 (a) (3) must ries are disbursed. A district may comply with the complete a UIL approved fundamentals of coach- Fair Labor Standards Act by paying a non-exempt ing course prior to their participation as a coach for employee overtime, provided the rate of pay is any UIL member school. prior to the school year and remains at that same rate throughout the school year. Section 1203: DUTIES OF ATHLETIC DISTRICT (f) NO FINANCIAL INTEREST IN GAME. Any con- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE tract which makes it to the financial interest of a coach to win a game will be in violation of the spirit (a) DISTRICT ORGANIZATION. Refer to Section 28 of the rule. for general responsibilities. (g) GIFTS. If a coach accepts money, products or ser- (b) PRINCIPLES. The District Executive Committee vices in recognition of his/her coaching, other than shall uphold the principle that high school athlet- the items stipulated within his/her employment ics, when properly controlled, are worthwhile and contract, those items come under Section 481, gift educational. awards rule. (c) RECRUITING. The District Executive Committee (h) PREVIOUS SUSPENSION. The State Executive shall investigate efforts on the part of any school Committee shall forfeit any contest won by an official or local to recruit players. Recruiting individual or school if it finds a school district is a violation and may subject the school at fault employee previously suspended under Section 27 to disqualification. Disqualification may be made participated on behalf of the individual or school by the committee after the school has been given in the contest plan while prohibited from doing so an opportunity to be heard. A school in violation under order of the State Executive Committee. shall remain disqualified for the period of time (i) COACH OR ADULT SUPERVISOR. No student specified. shall represent his or her school at any time in con- (d) SCHEDULING. The District Executive Commit- nection with interscholastic competition unless shall arrange a schedule to determine district accompanied by a coach or another appointed representatives prior to the deadline specified in member of the school faculty. Exception: A non- the Official Calendar. Non-district games shall not school employee may serve as the adult supervisor count on a team’s district win/loss percentage. of students when appointed by the administrator (e) CERTIFICATION OF DISTRICT REPRESENTA- in areas where no coaching/directing takes place. TIVES. The District Executive Committee shall These individuals may provide the transportation to and from the activity and be responsible for the certify in writing, eligible district representatives supervision of participants. in all athletic activities. The committee shall cer- (j) PROFESSIONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM. tify eligible representatives without any conditions All personnel coaching in grades 7-12 shall sign attached to this certification. In case of dispute, cer- a Professional Acknowledgment Form prior to tification to the UIL office shall be in the form of a the beginning of their tenure at a member school. written notice naming the eligible schools and shall These forms shall be on file in the superintendent’s be signed by the majority of the District Executive office. Committee members present. (k) UIL COACHES CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (f) DISTRICT DISQUALIFICATION. All teams in a (1) All coaches shall annually complete the UIL UIL district shall be disqualified in the playoffs if Coaches Certification Program prescribed by the District Executive Committee knowingly certi- the UIL prior to their sport season or prior fies a team which has used an ineligible player in to the first day of school if their sport is not any district game unless appropriate action has 122 Section 1203: Duties of Athletic District Executive Committee

been taken. Disqualification shall be by the State able seed. If the two teams split their Executive Committee only upon presentation of head to head district games, the two sufficient evidence. teams shall play one game or match (if (g) ZONES. Districts which subdivide into zones for rules permit). team sports shall determine in writing prior to the (B) Three Teams Tied In Percentage. season the procedure by which they will determine Teams play a district . A district representatives. draws bye; B plays C and C wins; C (h) TIES. The District Executive Committee shall plays A. If A wins, A is the highest determine in writing prior to the season the available seed, C is the next available method to determine the district representatives seed and B is the lowest available seed. in the event two or more schools are tied in win/ If C wins, C is the highest available loss percentages. If the District Executive Com- seed, A plays B to determine the other mittee has not provided a procedure prior to the available seeds. season, the following tie-breaker procedures shall (C) Four Teams Tied In Percentage. Teams apply: play a district tournament. Draw for (1) For Team Sports Playing A Single Round-Robin spots. A plays C; B plays D. Winners Format. of the first games play for the highest (A) Two Teams Tied In Percentage. The available seed; losers of the first games team that defeated the other in head- play for the other available seeds. to-head competition will be the highest (D) More Than Four Teams Tied In Percent- available seed. The other team will be age. Teams play a district tournament. the lower available seed. (3) consisting of more than one day (B) Three Teams Tied In Percentage. shall be on consecutive days at one site. The Step 1: If one of the teams defeated District Executive Committee may authorize the other two, that team is the highest preliminary round games to be played at available seed. The other teams flip to additional sites, either within the indepen- determine the other available seeds. dent school district where the championship Step 2: If none of the three defeated the game is to be held or at sites located in an other two, flip (odd coin is the highest independent school district which adjoins the available seed, the other two flip again to championship site. determine the other available seeds). (4) Any situation not covered in the above tie- (C) Four Teams Tied In Percentage. breaker criteria shall be determined by lot. Step 1: If one of the teams has defeated Unless the District Executive Committee the other three, that team is the highest specifies otherwise prior to the season, tie available seed. The other three teams games shall count as one-half game won and then flip (odd coin wins the highest one-half game lost. available seed; second flip determines (i) EXPENSES OF DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COM- the other available seeds). MITTEES IN ALL ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES. The Step 2: If none of the four has defeated District Executive Committee has authority to the other three, the four teams have a finance its expenses. It is recommended that the blind draw for the available seeds. district activity assessment for a sport for a school (D) For football, if the tie involves teams shall not exceed one-half of its regular UIL mem- that will advance into different playoff bership fee. brackets (i.e., Division I, Division II), (1) Delinquent Assessments. The failure of a school the teams shall be separated by division to pay its assessment promptly after having prior to implementing tie-breaking pro- been notified is a violation. cedures. (2) Disqualification. If a school refuses or fails to (2) For Team Sports Playing A Double Round-Robin pay its assessment, it may be disqualified from Format. participation the current and following year (A) Two Teams Tied In Percentage. If one until the amount is paid. team defeated the other team both (3) Statement. At the close of the season, the times in head to head district competi- District Executive Committee shall furnish tion, that team will be the highest avail- each participating school in the district a Section 1203: Duties of Athletic District Executive Committee 123

financial statement showing all receipts and lines for payment by UIL member schools to disbursements for the season. Refer to Sec- a sports official. tion 28 (n). (d) ADMINISTRATION OF REGISTRATION; FEES. (j) EDUCATION REQUIREMENT. Annually each UIL shall, consistent with this section, determine UIL District Executive Committee member, as and post on its website the process through which assigned for alignment, shall complete an official may annually register with UIL. UIL training designed by the UIL on the policies and may charge and collect a fee from sports offi- procedures outlined in the District Executive Com- cials who initiate UIL’s registration process in mittee Handbook. an amount that has been reasonably determined by UIL to be necessary to cover the cost of Section 1204: SPORTS OFFICIALS administering registration and/or the continuing (a) AGREEMENT. All officials must be satisfactory education program as set forth in subsection (p), to both parties and agreed upon in advance. How- below. This amount shall be determined annually ever, beginning a game with an official constitutes by UIL and shall be posted on UIL’s website and agreement. otherwise made available at other places as UIL (b) SPORTS OFFICIALS FOR UIL CONTESTS. UIL determines appropriate. member schools shall use only sports officials (e) NEUTRAL OFFICIALS. In all contests, schools registered with the UIL in all varsity contests should always attempt to secure neutral sports offi- including playoffs. cials. (1) If UIL registered sports officials are not (f) HOST RESPONSIBILITY. The responsibility to available for a varsity contest, the involved obtain satisfactory sports officials is upon the host member schools must receive prior written school which shall provide names of officials to the approval from the UIL Director of Athlet- visiting school at least 14 days prior to the contest. ics, or his or her designee, to use sports (g) NOTIFICATION. When names of officials are officials who are not currently registered received by the visiting school, the visiting school with UIL. shall immediately notify the host school if officials (2) In cross-country, golf, swimming and div- are not satisfactory. Failure of the visiting school ing, team tennis, tennis, track and field, and to solicit names of officials from the home school wrestling, member schools may select and use within four days of the contest constitutes agree- non-UIL registered (sports officials) ment. for contests. (h) FAILURE TO SHOW; CHAPTER RULES. (3) Unless mutually decided otherwise UIL mem- (1) If agreed upon officials fail to show, the visit- ber schools shall use UIL registered officials ing school shall not be in violation by refus- for non-varsity games. ing to play. However, earnest effort should be (c) REGISTRATION AND ELGIBILITY OF SPORTS expended to find officials so that the game may OFFICIALS. In order to officiate a UIL varsity be played without additional travel expenses for contest a sports official must: team and fans. A host school does not have to (1) be registered with the UIL in the sports being forfeit the contest unless the District Executive officiated, and annually provide the UIL with Committee rules that they have been negligent directory information and, as required by in contracting and securing officials. law, submit to a criminal background check; (2) A sports official’s failure to show after being (2) be a member in good standing of, and assigned a contest in a manner consistent assigned to the contest in a sport for which with the rules and/or policies of a recognized the official is registered by the local chapter or local chapter or association of sports officials association of sports officials registered with constitutes a violation of UIL rules. Schools and recognized by the UIL for that purpose; shall contact the UIL office and identify the (3) complete either an initial or a continuing officials who did not show for a contest. education program regarding UIL rules as (3) A recognized local chapter or association of prescribed and made available by UIL. Refer sports officials shall provide UIL with a copy to (p)(1) below; and of their most current governing documents, (4) agree to abide by UIL rules, including fee such as its constitutions, rules and by-laws. schedules and travel reimbursement guide- Such governing documents shall include, but 124 Section 1204: Sports Officials

are not limited to, rules and/or procedures Executive Committee does not have to assess a governing assignment of contests and disci- penalty. plinary procedures applicable to sports offi- (l) FEE APPROVAL/PAYMENT. Fees are to be paid cials who fail to honor a chapter assignment by the host school or by the game management or otherwise violate UIL rules. as approved by the school. Fees should be paid (i) SCRATCHES. promptly. Schools that do not pay within 45 days (1) After a school has accepted an official, and of the contest are subject to the range of penalties then scratches the official prior to a contest, the listed in Section 29. scratching must be in writing and approved (m) FLAT FEE SCHEDULE AND TRAVEL REIM- by the superintendent, principal, athletic BURSEMENT. director or other designated representative. (1) The flat fee schedule and mileage reimburse- Note: Officials shall not be scratched the ment, as approved by the Legislative Council, day of the game, except by mutual shall be posted on the UIL website. of both schools. A copy of the letter must (n) OTHER ALLOWABLE EXPENSES. be submitted to the other school and the (1) Lodging. By agreement of the officials and schools, schools may pay lodging. officiating chapter. (2) Ground Transportation. If prior agreement (2) When officials who have been previously exists, schools may pay taxi fare, etc., for offi- agreed upon by both teams are scratched, the cials. school scratching the officials shall pay them (o) LIMITATION. No other item shall be included in the fee they would have received had they payment of officials. worked the game minus any travel expenses (p) OFFICIALS RULES COMPLIANCE and shall also pay the additional travel costs in PROGRAMP(OCP). obtaining new officials. If scratched officials (1) Officials Required To Complete Online Rules obtain another game, they do not have to be Compliance Program. All officials in baseball, paid. basketball, football, soccer, , (3) UIL discourages indiscriminate scratching of and wrestling shall annually complete an entire chapters except in cases when poten- online Rules Compliance Program approved tial problems could result with fans and/or by UIL. The Officials Rules Compliance Pro- school employees. gram (OCP) is a condition of registration as (4) Officiating chapters should be fair in their prescribed by this section. game assignments, offering smaller schools (2) Registration List. UIL shall maintain, verify, the opportunity to use higher level officials and make available to member schools a list when possible. of all sports officials registered with UIL. (q) REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF REGIS- (5) When officials do not show, or when the pre- TRATION. viously agreed upon officials do not show and (1) UIL may revoke or suspend UIL registration the game has to be rescheduled, the chapter of a sports official determined by UIL to have shall be responsible for the rescheduled game violated the provisions of UIL Constitution fee, unless it is determined by the school that and Contest rules governing sports officials or an emergency arose beyond the control of the other UIL policy applicable to sports officials. officials. Except in cases arising from criminal back- (j) PENALTY. The penalty for failure to provide offi- ground checks, before UIL may take action to cials is forfeiture of the game or match. The District revoke or suspend a sports official’s registra- Executive Committee shall determine whether or tion, UIL shall: not forfeiture is applicable. (A) notify and consult with the local chap- (k) FEE VIOLATIONS. The fee listed shall be paid ter or association of sports officials of to officials working varsity and sub-varsity con- which the sports official is a member; tests. If a member school exceeds or pays less (B) allow the local chapter or association than the fee schedule for a contest, the District 15 days after the date notice is received Executive Committee shall meet as soon as pos- from the UIL to take action to adjudi- sible to decide if an emergency warranted the cate the alleged violation; and fee violation. If the school in question proves an (C) if after the 15th day following the date emergency caused the fee violation, the District notice is received from UIL the local Section 1204: Sports Officials 125

chapter or association has failed to and provide, or cause an appropriate take action against the sports official third party to provide, the results of or takes action UIL finds to be insuf- the criminal background check to the ficient, UIL may refer the matter to recognized sports officials’ association the UIL Sports Officials Committee to of which the sports official is a mem- consider action against the sports offi- ber. All criminal background checks cial through a process adopted by the must be conducted in a manner that is committee. The process adopted shall consistent with UT Austin and UT Sys- include provisions for providing notice tem rules and regulations. The Execu- to the sports official in question of the tive Director may enter into agreements allegations made and any relevant evi- with recognized sports officials associa- dence as well as an opportunity for the tions and other appropriate third par- sports official, either in writing or in ties to implement this section. person, to present his or her case to the (i) In cases where the criminal back- committee. ground check reveals informa- (D) UIL shall advise both the sports offi- tion that, if true, would require, cial and the local chapter or associa- based on the criteria below, the tion of sports officials in writing of further review of the sports offi- any decisions and any actions taken cial, the Sports Officials Associa- against the sports official by the UIL tion of which the sports official Sports Officials Committee, along with is a member, shall give the sports any supporting evidence relied upon in official notice of the informa- reaching a decision. UIL shall maintain tion revealed by the background copies of the decisions of the UIL Sports check and provide the sport offi- Officials Committee for purposes of cial a reasonable opportunity establishing precedent and guidance to to correct any factual errors in local chapters or associations in regard the criminal background check to actions and sanctions. results, such as mistaken identity (2) Revocation or Suspension of Registration or dates. (A) Criminal Background Checks. Criminal (ii) Information contained in gov- background checks as described below, ernment records or documents a sports official may be disqualified will be presumed to be factu- from officiating or otherwise work- ally correct absent clear and ing at a UIL game or event based on convincing evidence to the con- the information revealed by a crimi- trary. The mere assertion that nal background check or for failure to the information revealed by the report convictions as required under background check is in error or this section. A sports official who is dis- mistaken is, by itself, insufficient qualified under this process may, after to rebut this presumption. one year, resubmit to the UIL registra- (iii) A sports official who claims a tion, Official Rules Compliance Pro- factual error in the information gram and criminal background check produced by the criminal back- process. For purposes of criminal back- ground check bears the burden ground checks, the term “Sports Offi- of proof to show the error by cial” is defined under Section 33.085 (2), clear and convincing evidence. Texas Education Code. The factual error raised by a (B) Initial Processing; Errors In Results. As sports official must be material to part of the annual registration of sports the determination of the sports officials, the UIL shall itself, or through officials’ disqualification from an appropriate third party, conduct a officiating or otherwise working criminal background check on every UIL games or events. team sports official who engages in the (iv) All UIL recognized sports offi- registration process under this section cials’ chapters and associations 126 Section 1204: Sports Officials

shall adopt a fair and reasonable sexual abuse of a young process for receiving, consider- child, sexual assault, ing and deciding a challenge or aggravated sexual complaint by a member sports assault; or an offense official who has registered under the laws of with the UIL that the informa- another state or federal tion produced by the criminal law that is equivalent background check of the sports to an offense requiring official contains one or more registration. material factual errors or mis- In such cases, the takes. sports official shall be (v) Consideration of a claim by a reviewed by the sports sports official that the criminal officials chapter or background check produced association of which factually incorrect or mistaken the official is a member results does not require a hearing and shall be disquali- and may be done by written sub- fied from officiating or mission. However, each sports otherwise working UIL officials’ association shall pro- games or events unless vide written notice to its mem- a compelling justifica- bership of the process by which tion to waive this stan- such claims will be received, con- dard is articulated in sidered and decided. writing by the sports (vi) When, after receiving notice officials’ chapter or from the sports officials’ chap- association. The written ter or association regarding request for an exception the criminal background check to this standard must results and pending review, a be approved by the UIL sports official does not respond Sports Officials Com- in writing within five days after mittee and in accor- receipt of the notice with a claim dance with the rules or challenge to the factual accu- and policies of The Uni- racy of the background check’s versity of Texas at Aus- results, it is presumed that the tin, including UTS 124, results of the background check Criminal Background are factually correct. Checks. (C) Review Criteria and Process. http://policies.utexas. (i) Review Criteria. A sports official edu/policies/criminal- shall be subject to review when background-checks the results of a criminal back- (bb) The sports official has ground check show that: been convicted of a (aa) The sports official felony involving theft, has been convicted or bodily injury or threats placed on deferred adju- of bodily injury, weap- dication for an offense ons and destruction that would require the of property during the individual to register prior seven-year peri- as a sex offender under od. Chapter 62, Texas Code (cc) The sports official has of Criminal Procedure, been convicted of drug which includes but is or alcohol-related not limited to, such felony offenses in the offenses as continuous prior seven-year peri- Section 1204: Sports Officials 127

od. In such cases, the Except in cases involving review sports official shall be for convictions or deferred reviewed by the sports adjudication that would require officials’ chapter or registration as a sex offender association in which under chapter 62, Texas Code of the sports official is a Criminal Procedure and simi- member and may be lar offenses as set out above, a disqualified from offi- sports official who is the subject ciating or otherwise of review bears the burden of working at UIL games showing that the official does or events. not pose an unreasonable risk (ii) Process. Upon resolution of any of harm to the health, safety issues or complaints concerning or welfare of any participants, the factual accuracy of the results spectators or other persons of the criminal background involved with or attending a check, if the review criteria is UIL game or event or to any met, the sports officials’ chapter property or equipment that or association in which the offi- would be reasonably associated cial in question is a member shall with the game or event. A deter- review the information produced mination that a sports official is by the background check, along disqualified from officiating or with any other relevant informa- otherwise working a UIL game tion, and make a determination or event must be based on the as to whether the official should available, credible, evidence, be disqualified from officiating including but not limited to, the or otherwise working UIL games results of a criminal background or events. The sports officials check. chapter or association shall make (D) Self-Reporting Requirement. A sports this determination in a manner official who is registered with the UIL that is consistent with its estab- must promptly report to the sports offi- lished disciplinary process or cials chapter or association in which policy regarding criminal back- the official is a member any conviction ground history and shall provide that would make the official subject a clear process in its by-laws to review under this section. Any such or other governance documents; conviction will cause the sports official making sure to provide notice of to be reviewed as set forth in this sec- the process to all its members. tion. Failure to promptly report such Any sports official, whose back- convictions may cause the sports offi- ground check reveals informa- cial to be subject to discipline as set tion that causes that official to forth in this section. be subject to review and possible Refer to Official Interpretations 17-09-11, Appen- disqualification, must be given dix I any notice required by law and at (E) Appeal To The UIL. Any sports official a minimum given the results of who has been determined by a sports the background check along with officials chapter or association to be dis- any other relevant evidence and qualified from officiating or otherwise be provided an opportunity to working UIL games or events based on respond to the decision maker(s), the information revealed by the crimi- either in person or in writing, in nal background check may appeal to the a timely fashion prior to a deci- UIL Sports Officials Committee. The sion being made. All such reviews committee’s decision on an appeal is must be done on a case-by-case final and is not subject to further UIL basis. review. 128 Section 1204: Sports Officials

The committee shall adopt an appeals tion, and time is of the essence in resolving the dis- process for receiving, considering and pute, as determined by the UIL Executive Director deciding appeals made by sports offi- (or designee), the Executive Director, after consult- cials who have been disqualified from ing with the chair of the UIL Sports Officials Com- officiating or otherwise working UIL mittee, may take any reasonable, necessary action games or events. The appeals process not in contravention of the UIL Constitution and adopted by the committee must include Contest Rules to address the situation in the short provisions that give the appealing sports term and refer any such matter to the UIL Sports official reasonable notice of the date Officials Committee for any final resolution that and time of any hearings or other rel- may be necessary. evant deadlines as well as provisions In situations where time is not of the essence but for providing copies of any evidence the situation involving the assignment, scratch- relied on or submitted to a sports offi- ing, and/or pay of a sports official, a recognized cials chapter or association as part of its chapter or association is not addressed in the UIL review process. Constitution and Contest Rules, the Executive Direc- (F) Memberships In Sports Officials Chap- tor may refer the matter to the UIL Sports Officials ter Or Association. Any language in this Committee for resolution through the committee’s section notwithstanding, sports offi- hearing process. cials chapters and associations control their terms of membership. All deci- Section 1205: ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY sions regarding membership in a sports (a) INDIVIDUAL REPORT FORMS. It shall be the officials chapter or association are to be responsibility of each school to keep on file the fol- determined by the chapter or associa- lowing required annual forms for each student who tion. participates in any practice, scrimmage or game. (r) CONDUCT AND REPORT OF ALL MAJOR (1) Pre-participation Physical Examination. Upon INCIDENTS. Officials shall report all ejections entering the first and third years of high of coaches, players, or fans, or severe verbal and school, a physical examination signed by a physical abuse, and any major disruptions that physician, a physician assistant licensed by occur during a game. Officials shall: a State Board of Physician Assistant Exam- (1) hold themselves to the highest standard of iners, a registered nurse recognized as an conduct before, during, and after any contest advanced practice nurse by the Board of and shall not instigate any verbal or physical Nurse Examiners or a Doctor of Chiropractic confrontation; is required. Standardized Pre-Participation (2) attempt to inform the game administrator Physical Examination Forms, available from immediately following the contest of any the UIL office and authorized by the UIL major incident, and continue to make reason- Medical Advisory Committee, are required. able attempts to contact the administrator (2) Medical History Form. Each year prior to any until successful; and practice or participation, a UIL medical his- (3) submit a written report from each official tory form signed by both student and a par- involved to the UIL office within 48 hours of ent or guardian is required. A medical history the incident. form shall accompany each physical examina- (s) LIAISON TO CHAPTERS. It is recommended that tion and shall be signed by both student and a officials’ chapters secure a liaison school coach, parent or guardian. athletic director or administrator to serve as a non- (3) Parent or Guardian Permit. Annual participa- voting member of the board of directors of each tion permit signed by the student’s parent or chapter. guardian. (t) NO PROTESTS. A protest based on a game or con- (4) Rules Acknowledgment Form. Annual UIL Rules test official’s decision will not be considered. Acknowledgment Form signed by the stu- (u) DISPUTES RELATED TO ASSIGNMENT, dent and the student’s parent or guardian. SCRATCHES, AND/OR PAY OF SPORTS OFFI- (5) Parent/Student Illegal Steroid Use Form. The CIALS. In situations where there is a dispute parent/guardian of each high school athlete, regarding the assignment, scratching, and/or pay along with each high school athlete, shall of a sports official, a recognized chapter or associa- annually sign the UIL Illegal Steroid Use and Section 1205: Athletic Eligibility 129

Random Steroid Testing Parent and Student games or contests, only eligible students may Notification/Agreement Form. participate. Each school shall complete a var- (6) Concussion Acknowledgement Form. According sity eligibility list for each sport. to Section 38.155 of the Texas Education (3) Eligibility Forms. Schools shall submit compre- Code, “a student may not participate in an hensive eligibility forms for football, basket- interscholastic athletic activity for a school , volleyball, softball, baseball and soccer. year until both the student and the student For all other athletic activities general alpha- ’s parent or guardian or another person with betical listing of eligible athletes is required. legal authority to make medical decisions for One copy shall be sent to the District Execu- the student have signed a form for that school tive Committee Chair and one copy shall be year that acknowledges receiving and reading filed in the school’s office. written information that explains concussion (4) Certification. Completed eligibility forms are prevention, symptoms, treatment, and over- to be signed by the superintendent or a des- sight and that includes guidelines for safely ignated administrator and the coach. These resuming participation in an athletic activity forms are to be submitted before a contestant following a concussion …..” * This section is allowed to participate in a varsity contest. also applies to students participating in the (5) Suspension. Failure to furnish correct and program at the school. complete information may, upon request by (7) Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Form. Each the proper committee, constitute grounds for year prior to any practice or participation suspension. in athletics, a UIL Sudden Cardiac Arrest (c) PREVIOUS ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION FORM. Awareness form signed by both student and a The Previous Athletic Participation Form is parent or guardian is required. required if a new student in grades 9-12 practiced (8) Completion of Forms: Completion of forms or participated with his or her former school in as outlined in 1, 2 and 7 above satisfies the grades eight through twelve during any previous requirements contained in Section 33.096 of school year in any athletic activity. the Texas Education Code (TEC). (d) MINIMUM PENALTY. If an eligibility form or a (A) The UIL Medical Advisory Committee Previous Athletic Participation Form was not filed (MAC) has reviewed and updated the prior to competition, and it was an inadvertent required forms listed to ensure compli- error and the student is actually eligible under ance with TEC 33.096. Subchapter M of the Constitution, the District (B) If there is a reason why a school cannot Executive Committee is not required to demand comply with the above requirements, forfeiture or to rule the student ineligible. They that school’s administration should sub- may assess the minimum penalty of reprimand to mit a request for exemption from TEC the school. 33.096 to the UIL Executive Director or (e) SUB-VARSITY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. their designee. An individual is eligible to participate in UIL (C) An electrocardiogram (ECG) is not contests if that individual is a full-time student required. Should a parent/guardian of the member school the student represents, has choose the option of an ECG for his been in attendance and has passed the or her child, the parent/guardian is of courses required by state law and by rules responsible for having the ECG admin- of the State Board of Education, and is passing istered and read in compliance with the the number of courses required by state law and law. A school district may provide an by rules of the State Board of Education; or is a opportunity for this through an ECG non-enrolled (home schooled) student seeking par- program and may fund the program. A ticipation and is in compliance with all provisions school is not required to provide such a included in section 33.0832 of the Texas Education program. Code. (b) VARSITY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. Section 1206: SCHOOL PRACTICE AND GAME (1) Subchapter M. Only students satisfying all the RESTRICTIONS requirements in Subchapter M of the Constitu- tion are eligible for varsity competition. (a) NON-TRADITIONAL SCHOOL YEARS. (Refer to (2) Non-District Games. In non-district interschool Section 383). 130 Section 1206: School Practice and Game Restricitons

(b) SUNDAY PROHIBITION. A UIL member school ning with prior approval of the tournament direc- shall not participate in any athletic contest or con- tor and the participating schools and with prior duct any practice or teach any plays, formations or permission from the UIL Executive Director. skills on Sunday. (d) SCHOOL OFF-SEASON WORKOUTS, IN- (1) Violation. Any showing of films to or meetings SCHOOL DAY PERIOD. of athletes for the purpose of instruction or (1) Accelerated activities, cal- reviewing of plays, formations or skills in any isthenics, skills, strength training or condi- sport will be construed as a violation. tioning exercises may be conducted during (2) Coaches Sunday Meetings. This does not pre- the school year within the school day provid- vent coaches from meeting on Sunday or ed such activities do not exceed one regular from seeing films or planning an instructional classroom period, not to exceed 60 minutes program, provided no athletes are involved in when classes meet every day (300 minutes this meeting. per week for block schedules). This provision (3) Exceptions. applies to a non-enrolled (home schooled) (A) Golf. If the regional and/or state golf student participating in accordance with sec- tournaments are scheduled on a Mon- tion 33.0832 of the Texas Education Code. day, the one 18-hole practice round (2) The 7th, 8th or zero period for athletics is allowed at the regional and/or state considered part of the school day, provided tournament site may be played on the all students enrolled in the class are receiving Sunday afternoon preceding the meet state or local credit toward graduation and (no earlier than 12:00 noon) if permit- are not enrolled in any other physical educa- ted by the regional or state meet direc- tion class. The 7th, 8th or zero period may not tor. be longer than other class periods. This period (B) Tennis. If the regional and/or state may not exceed one 60-minute period. tennis tournaments are scheduled on (3) Schools may use non-traditional systems for a Monday, and if participants arrive length of classes provided: at the site on the preceding Sunday (A) the classes meet within the regular because of travel distance, it will not school day; be a violation of this rule if school dis- (B) classes are alternated throughout trict personnel accompany or transport the semester and meet on Monday- participants to a tennis court for the purpose of practicing on their own, if Wednesday-Friday one week and Tues- permitted by the regional or state meet day-Thursday the next week; and director. (C) the schedule is mandated at the begin- (C) Cross-country. If the regional and/or ning of the semester and is not changed state cross-country meets are scheduled to allow for more time during an abbre- on a Monday, and if participants arrive viated school week. at the site on the preceding Sunday (4) This period includes dressing, the actual because of travel distance, it will not off-season conditioning, redressing in street be a violation of this rule if school dis- clothes, etc. Passing and punting , trict personnel accompany or transport chalk talks and films are permitted. Full team participants to the course site for the drills are permitted in practices. purpose of practicing on their own, if (e) ATHLETIC/PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES. permitted by the regional or state direc- Student-athletes shall not be enrolled in more tor. than one physical education and/or athletic class (c) REGIONAL AND STATE COMPETITION AND whether or not they are receiving credit. Excep- PRACTICES ON SUNDAY. The UIL Executive tions: (with local school approval) PE Class: Director, or designee, may grant exceptions to Sec- adventure/outdoor education; PE substitutes: tion 1206 (b) on a case-by-case basis for team sports Partners PE, JROTC, cheerleading, drill team, and practices related to regional or marching band. state events when conditions exist that warrant (f) OFF-SEASON SCHOOL TEAM PRACTICES such an exception. Regional or state tournament PROHIBITED. School teams shall not practice directors may reschedule postponed or weather outside the specific allowable practice dates delayed tournaments on Sunday afternoon or eve- except during the one in-school day practice peri- Section 1206: School Practice and Game Restricitons 131

od. Off-season activities before or after the school try out for or participate in any UIL sport. day or during the lunch periods are specifically Attendance records shall be kept, however prohibited. This does not prevent students from students shall not be required or allowed to using school-issued shoes and/or clothing before make up missed days. Students may work or after school; however, participation before or out on their own, without direction of the after school shall be strictly voluntary and not school coach. required, and coaches shall not instruct students (6) Fees, if any, shall be established and approved in any manner. For additional restrictions, see the by the superintendent and collected by the Football Plan. school. The Texas Education Code requires (g) SCHOOL PRACTICE PROHIBITED. school districts to adopt procedures for waiv- Any specific grouping of high school baseball, ing fees charged for participation if a student softball, basketball, football, soccer or volleyball is unable to pay the fee, and the procedures participants during the summer months for the should be made known to the public. Fees for purpose of conditioning and/or organized athletic all other students shall be paid by the students team instruction is prohibited except as specifically and/or their parents. provided for within the plans for these activities (7) Any payment for conducting strength and and in (h) below. conditioning sessions to school coaches who (h) SUMMER STRENGTH/CONDITIONING PRO- instruct students from their attendance zone GRAMS & SPORT SPECIFIC SKILL INSTRUC- shall be from the school and no other source. TION. Summer strength and conditioning (i) OFF-SEASON SCHOOL FACILITY USE. Athletes programs and sport specific skill instruction may may attend open gyms, facilities and weight rooms. be conducted by school coaches for students in grades 7-12 from that coach’s attendance zone only School personnel shall make every effort to see that under the following conditions. students understand that participation is strictly (1) Sessions may be conducted by school coach- voluntary and never required. Participation shall es starting on Monday of the first week not be a prerequisite for trying out for a school school is not in session and ending on a team. Attendance records may not be kept. Coaches date set forth by the UIL Calendar. Sessions may be present to supervise the facilities and school may be conducted only on Monday through equipment, if permitted. Coaches shall not provide Friday. specific instruction in sport skills. Weight lifting (A) A student may attend no more than instruction is permitted and progress charts may one two-hour strength and condition- be kept. Facilities may be made available to athletes ing session conducted by a school coach under the following conditions: or coaches, per day. Schools shall take (1) Recreational opportunities receive advance administrative care to prohibit an approval by the local school board and athlete from working with one school administration. coach for two hours and a separate (2) The dates and times of operation shall be school coach for another two hours. announced, posted or publicized so that every (B) A student may attend no more than student attending that school is aware of the two hours per week of sport specific opportunity. skill instruction, conducted by a school (3) Each activity is based on a first come, first coach or coaches, with a one hour maxi- served basis. mum in any one given day. (4) School coaches are responsible for notifying (2) Sessions conducted by school coaches shall student athletes in their sport that their include only students who are incoming sev- participation is strictly voluntary, never enth graders or above. required, and is in no way a prerequisite for (3) Sessions shall include only strength and con- making the team or getting more playing ditioning instruction, exercises, and sport time. specific skill instruction. Football contact/ (5) No instruction may be given on a Sunday or restricted equipment is prohibited. during the off-season of a team sport. (4) School shirts, shorts and shoes may be (6) Someone other than a coach should be provided by the school. appointed to supervise facilities. (5) Attendance shall be voluntary. Coaches shall (7) Coaches should not participate with their not require athletes to attend in order to athletes in the athletes’ sport. Such actions 132 Section 1206: School Practice and Game Restrictions

place the responsibility on the coach and ticipate in power lifting outside the school school to prove they are not violating Sunday day unless weight training is also provided and off-season regulations. during the in-school day off-season period. (8) Use of facilities may be restricted to that (3) Power lifting teams may not, in any way, be school’s student body. Note: If only members construed as part of a student’s off-season of an athletic team are participating in conditioning responsibilities. their sport in an open recreational facility, (4) Power lifting teams shall not be limited to it could be deemed a violation of off-season athletes from a particular sport or to athletes regulations. specifically. Refer to sport specific manuals for further details. (n) PRE-SEASON PRACTICE REGULATIONS FOR (j) DAY OF GAME RESTRICTION. Participation in SPORTS WHICH BEGIN PRACTICE PRIOR TO an off-season program shall not be required for THE SCHOOL YEAR. varsity athletes on the day of an in-season varsity (1) Student-athletes shall not engage in more competition, or for non-varsity athletes on the day than three hours of practice activities on those of an in-season non-varsity competition. days during which one practice is conducted. (k) ROOM AND BOARD RESTRICTIONS. Workout (2) Student-athletes shall not engage in more sessions which involve meals and/or overnight than five hours of practice activities on those lodgings are prohibited. days during which more than one practice is (l) HOLIDAY RESTRICTION. A school shall not con- conducted. duct contests or practices, use school facilities, per- (3) The maximum length of any single practice sonnel or equipment during five consecutive days of session shall be three hours. December. Any organized or required practice will (4) On days when more than one practice is be a violation of this regulation. Schools may choose conducted, there shall be, at a minimum, two any five consecutive days which include December hours of rest/recovery time between the end 24, 25 and 26, with the following exceptions. of one practice and the beginning of the next (1) When December 26 falls on a Thursday, practice. schools may participate in a tournament (5) Schools shall not schedule more than one game on December 26. practice on consecutive days and student- (2) When December 26 falls on a Thursday, athletes shall not participate in multiple schools shall still follow a five-consecutive day practices on consecutive days. Exception: restriction, including December 24 and 25. Volleyball. (3) No practice shall be permitted on any of the five consecutive days. Section 1207: RULES, VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES (4) Travel is not permitted on December 25. (5) Travel is permitted on the 26th if a tourna- (a) RULE VIOLATIONS. Students who violate the ment game is scheduled on December 27; rules in the specific athletic plans shall be subject however, no practice shall be permitted on the to the penalty in the specific athletic plan, or sub- 26th. ject to the range of penalties applicable to student (6) A team that has a game on December 23 representatives in Sections 27 and 29. The regula- could travel home on December 24 and still tions in the athletic plans govern all varsity and be in compliance with this section. sub-varsity teams and contestants. Ninth grade (7) A school may request an exception to these (whether in junior high, on a separate campus travel restrictions when safety concerns exist or with other high school grades) and other sub- relative to travel. The UIL Executive Director, varsity teams and contestants are restricted to the or his or her designee, may grant the excep- same game limitations, season, etc. as the varsity tion only when the school has clearly pro- team. vided evidence of the travel safety concerns (1) An individual who commits an offense under and determines the school cannot reasonably section 22.01 C 2 of the Texas Penal Code be expected to comply with these restrictions. (assault of a sports participant) while partici- (m) POWER LIFTING TEAM RESTRICTIONS. pating in UIL contests will subject themselves (1) Power lifting teams shall be authorized by and any school with which they are affiliated the superintendent or local board of trustees to the full range of penalties in sections 27 prior to their inception. and 29 of the constitution, up to and includ- (2) If there is an in-school day athletic period, it ing disqualification and suspension. is a violation for off-season athletes to par- (2) Schools shall develop policies for preventing Section 1207: Rules, Violations and Penalties 133

any spectator who commits an offense under ing his/her high school participation, or section 22.01 C 2 of the Texas Penal Code upon a refusal to submit to testing after (assault of a sports participant) from attending random selection of a student-athlete who future events in activities sanctioned by the has previously been subjected to the first and league. The policy shall provide for the school second positive test penalties, a student-ath- to consider all circumstances of each incident lete shall be suspended from all UIL athletic when determining the length of suspension contests for the remainder of his/her high from future events in activities sanctioned by school career at any UIL member school. the league. (4) Responsibility for Cost of Tests. The UIL will (b) ELIGIBILITY RULES. In addition to rules in indi- cover the cost for the first exit test for purpos- vidual sports plans, each and athlete es of eligibility restoration for the penalties shall observe all rules contained in Subchapter M outlined in (1) and (2) above. Any subsequent of the Constitution. exit test(s) for purposes of eligibility resto- (c) MINIMUM PENALTY FOR USING INELIGIBLE ration are conducted at the expense of the PLAYER. In the event an ineligible contestant is school, student-athlete or the family of the used in any UIL game or contest, knowingly or student-athlete. Only anabolic steroid tests unknowingly, the minimum penalty shall be forfei- conducted by the UIL approved contractor ture of the game, contest or event. Refer to Section will be considered for the purposes of this 27 (c)(3). testing program. (d) UNATTACHED PARTICIPATION. In any UIL member school sponsored athletic contest, meet or Section 1208: ATHLETIC REGULATIONS tournament, UIL member high school students shall Schools shall abide by rules in the Constitution, by rules in not be permitted to enter unattached. The penalty the Contest Rules, by rules in the “Official Notices” column of for violation of this rule shall be assessed against the Leaguer, by regulations issued from the UIL office in the the member school(s) in violation. This provision sports specific manuals, and other official notices from the applies to a non-enrolled (home schooled) student UIL office. Where any term or section of the Contest Rules or participating in accordance with section 33.0832 of the sports specific manuals is found to be inconsistent with the Texas Education Code. the , the shall prevail and apply, and (e) POSITIVE ANABOLIC STEROID TEST. Constitution Constitution the remaining terms and sections of the and/or (1) First Positive Anabolic Steroid Test. Upon a Contest Rules report of confirmation of a first positive the sports specific manuals shall continue in effect. specimen ‘B’ anabolic steroid test result dur- (a) ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS. A school shall not participate ing his/her high school participation, or upon in a sports activity unless its varsity acceptance a refusal to submit to testing after random for that sport, signed by the superintendent or selection, a student-athlete shall be suspended designated administrator, is on file in the UIL for thirty (30) school days of competition in office by January 15 of the preceding school year all UIL athletic activities. Prior to eligibility (September 1 for football). If a school wants to restoration, a student-athlete shall undergo register for a sport after the filing deadline, it may an exit anabolic steroid test and receive a do so if approved by a majority of the District negative result. Executive Committee. (2) Second Positive Anabolic Steroid Test. Upon a (1) A school which does not participate in foot- report of confirmation of a second positive ball the first year of a new alignment may specimen ‘B’ anabolic steroid test result during not participate the second year except by his/her high school participation, or upon a unanimous consent of the District Executive refusal to submit to testing after random selec- Committee. tion of a student-athlete who has previously (2) Only schools in Conferences 4A, 5A and been subjected to the first positive test penalty, 6A are eligible to participate in UIL soccer. a student-athlete shall be suspended from all Exception: 3A schools who sign up as noted UIL athletic contests for one (1) calendar year. above for participation in soccer will be Prior to eligibility restoration, a student-athlete placed in a 4A district for competition. shall undergo an exit anabolic steroid test and (3) Only schools in Conferences 4A, 5A and 6A receive a negative result. are eligible to participate in UIL team tennis. (3) Third Positive Anabolic Steroid Test. Upon a Exception: 3A schools who sign up as noted report of confirmation of a third positive above for participation in team tennis will be specimen ‘B’ anabolic steroid test result dur- placed in a 4A district for competition. 134 Section 1208: Athletic Regulations

(b) DISTRICTS AND CONFERENCES. teams. Admission may be charged. Officials may (1) Conferences. Schools are placed in conferences be paid in accordance with the schedule in Section according to enrollment figures. 1204 and may, by prior agreement with the school, (2) District Assignments. Schools will be assigned be reimbursed for mileage and meals. Refer to Sec- to districts by the UIL office. District assign- tion 1204 (n) and (o). A school shall not play in a ments and a list of tentative chairs will be scrimmage after its first interschool game or match provided to member schools prior to the sea- in that sport. Refer to individual sports sections for son. The district shall select a permanent other limitations. chair and notify the UIL office. However, the (f) PLAYING RULES. The National Federation play- superintendent, principal or coach in each ing rules govern UIL sports. Exceptions: NCAA school competing under this plan, is - rules shall govern football; USTA rules shall govern ly responsible for ascertaining the name of the tennis; USGA rules shall govern golf. Any modi- district chair, time of meeting, etc. If the chair fication of or exception to a playing rule shall be moves from the district each school in the noted in the manual for that sport. district has a responsibility to see that a new (g) GAME ADMINISTRATOR. In all UIL varsity ath- chair is elected and to notify the UIL office. letic team contests, a game administrator shall be (c) FAILURE TO COMPLETE SEASON. appointed by the home school. That person shall be a (1) Regular Season. A school that does not par- coach (other than the game coach), teacher or admin- ticipate in a sport after signing the acceptance istrator. It is recommended that a game administrator form should notify the UIL office prior to the be designated by the home school for all non-varsity season. A school may be suspended by the athletic team contests. The responsibilities of the State Executive Committee in that activity for game administrator are as follows: a period of one year, unless sufficient justifi- (1) see that officials are directed to their dressing cation is shown for not participating. room; (2) Playoffs. Any school that qualifies for the (2) meet with the officials prior to game time playoffs in a sport and fails to participate (preferably on the playing field or court); or complete the official schedule of games/ (3) inform the officials where the game adminis- matches unless excused for valid reasons by trator will be seated; the State Executive Committee (and/or by (4) assist the officials if they need to discourage the UIL office in baseball) may be suspended unsportsmanlike conduct of a fan, player or from that activity for a period not to exceed coach (such as removal from the gym); one calendar year. (5) check with the officials after the game to see (d) BREAKING CONTRACTS; CANCELING DIS- if there is any misconduct that needs to be TRICT GAMES PROHIBITED. reported; (1) Schools shall not forfeit any district games in (6) offer to provide an escort for the officials to order to play non-district games. Schools in their cars; violation of this provision will be subject to (7) report incidents to the appropriate school the range of penalties. administrator; and (2) A game or match canceled after the contract (8) report severe verbal abuse or physical contact has been signed, unless both parties agree to of the official and any ejections of coaches the cancellation, shall be forfeited by the team and fans to the UIL office in writing within canceling the game or match. the next two working days. (3) In football, when two schools agree to play (h) UIL COACHES CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. on a two-year basis, and agree that the home (1) All coaches shall annually complete the UIL team shall keep 100% of the gate receipts, and Coaches Certification Program prescribed by the game is canceled the second year by the the UIL prior to their sport season or prior team that received 100% of the gate receipts to the first day of school if their sport is not the first year, the team that received no gate in season. A coach who is hired less than one the first year is entitled to 50% of the gate week prior to the start of the sport season or receipts from the first game unless mutually after the first day of school (whichever is ear- agreed otherwise. lier) must complete the CCP within thirty (30) (e) PRACTICE SCRIMMAGE. A scrimmage is a meet- days of being hired. ing of not more than four teams for practice pur- (2) The names of coaches who complete the UIL poses which does not count as a game for any of the Coaches Certification Program will be kept Section 1208: Athletic Regulations 135

on file by the school. rent point penalty structure for soc- (i) MINIMUM PENALTY FOR MISCONDUCT. cer player ejections, as required by (1) Automatic Minimum Penalty. Any coach who is National Federation of State High ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike School Associations soccer playing conduct, or any football coach who is given rules, that is outlined in the soccer two or more 15-yard unsportsmanlike pen- coaches’ manual. alties during a contest may accept an auto- (C) Appeals. The UIL Executive Director matic penalty for their ejection or appeal the may develop a process for appealing ejection. A coach who appeals their ejection student ejections. is required to appear before the State Execu- (j) GATE GUARANTEES. tive Committee. If the coach accepts their (1) Football. In district and non-district football automatic penalty or their ejection is not games, the visiting team shall be entitled overturned on appeal, the coach will be sub- to 50% of the gate receipts after payment ject to: of game officials unless otherwise mutually (A) an automatic penalty of public repri- agreed upon by both schools. mand (name will be published once in (2) Other Team Sports. In district and non-district the Leaguer) and one year’s probation in games/matches unless there is mutual agree- the applicable sport; ment or District Executive Committee ruling, (B) completing the National Federation of the home team is entitled to 100% of the gate State High School Associations Funda- receipts. mentals of Coaching Course; and (3) Playoff. In playoff games, the visiting team (C) completing the National Federation of shall have a sufficient guarantee to cover State High School Associations Teach- expenses and also 50% of the net gate receipts ing and Modeling Behavior Course. unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by (2) Automatic Greater Penalty. If a coach so penal- both schools. Unless mutually agreed upon ized has no proof of having completed the prior to the playoff game, the expenses as out- UIL Coaches Certification Program prior lined in this section shall not exceed the home to the sports season, that coach shall also be school’s net share of the gate. automatically suspended from the next game/ (4) Excessive Demand. A demand of a flat guar- contest. antee which is clearly in excess of expenses (3) Subsequent Violations. Any further ejection or shall, upon action of the District Executive accumulation of two 15-yard unsportsman- Committee or State Executive Committee, like penalties during a football game, while disqualify the offending team from further on probation, will require the coach to appear participation. A flat guarantee for a visiting before the State Executive Committee for team shall be in lieu of expenses and shall be consideration of penalty. calculated as expenses of the game, prior to (4) Notification. Schools shall notify the UIL with- division of the net gate receipts. in three school days if a coach has been (5) Expenses. Expenses of visiting team, officials, ejected from a game or received two 15-yard advertising, labor, services and printing in unsportsmanlike penalties. connection with the contest shall be con- (5) Player Ejection. Any player ejected from a con- sidered as expenses of the game. Number of test is subject to an automatic penalty. The persons allowed upon expense account shall automatic penalty for such an ejection is as be agreed upon by school administrators of follows: teams involved. Unless mutually agreeable (A) Football. Ejected player misses the rest otherwise, the home team shall furnish a play- of the game in which they were ejected ing field or court without cost to the visiting plus the first half of the following school. game. (k) BROADCASTS OF UIL EVENTS. Refer to Section (B) Other Team Sports. Ejected player 868. misses the rest of the game in which (l) VIDEOTAPING AND FILMING. they were ejected plus all of the fol- (1) All Athletic Contests. lowing game. Soccer Exception. (A) Videotaping/Filming/Recording by This Section does not alter the cur- Schools. 136 Section 1208: Athletic Regulations

(i) A non-competing school shall DEVICES, BALLOONS. Live animal mascots, not film, videotape or otherwise cannons, firearms, fireworks, etc. are prohibited at make a visual recording of an UIL athletic contests. Except in their normal course athletic contest without the prior of business, emergency shall not flash written consent of the schools lights or sound sirens during the course of a game. competing in the contest. Noisemakers are prohibited at UIL athletic events (ii) A school does not have to obtain held in field houses or gymnasiums. Releasing permission to film or tape, or balloons is prohibited at UIL athletic events held otherwise make a visual record- outdoors. ing of an athletic contest in (n) TOURNAMENT DEFINITION AND LIMITA- which it is competing. However, TIONS FOR BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, SOC- the film or videotape or other CER, SOFTBALL AND VOLLEYBALL. visual recording may only be (1) Number of Teams and Type of Play. A tourna- reviewed or otherwise utilized ment is defined as at least three teams assem- during the contest in accordance bled at one site for competition. with applicable contest rules. (2) Scheduling. Schools shall not schedule tourna- (iii) Films, videotapes and all other ments on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, kinds of visual recording of all unless school is not in session. (Refer to athletic contests in compliance each sport plan for exception to resolve ties with UIL rules are the property of for district representatives.) Schools may the school that made them unless schedule tournaments on Thursday, Friday their ownership, use or distri- and Saturday. A two-day tournament shall bution is governed by district not be scheduled on Thursday and Friday. A rule or if there is no agreement one-day tournament shall be scheduled on between the schools competing Saturday. in the contest. (3) Site. A tournament should be held at the ISD (B) Videotaping/Filming/Recording by of the host school or at an adjoining ISD. The Individuals and Organizations. Except host school may authorize additional sites for for persons or organizations act- preliminary round games. ing under subsections (1)(A)(i) and (ii) (4) Refer to individual contest plans for limita- above, no person or organization shall tions on games/matches per day. film, videotape or otherwise make a (o) SITES DEFINED FOR ALL TEAM SPORTS. visual recording of any athletic event or (1) Home Sites. When two schools flip for two activity without prior written consent separate sites other than their home field of the schools that are competing in the or court, the sites are considered home sites event. Any filming, videotaping or other unless both sites are near mid-point. recording of an athletic contest may not (2) Neutral Sites. A site mid-point or near mid- obstruct the view of other spectators of point, or a site agreed on by both schools as the contest. neutral, is a neutral site. Unless mutually agree- (C) Commercial Use of films, videotapes able, a site cannot be neutral if its distance or other visual recordings of regular from either school is more than two-thirds the season athletic contests for commercial total distance between the two schools. purposes shall be approved in writing (p) MID-POINT SITES. Unless mutually agreed oth- by all schools competing in the contest. erwise, post district contests in the team sports Any agreements between the compet- of baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, team ten- ing schools regarding the filming, vid- nis and volleyball shall be at a mid-point site for eotaping or other visual recording of schools located more than 100 miles apart. regular season athletic contests, includ- (q) STATE PLAYOFF INSTRUCTIONS. Playoff ing without limitation any commercial instructions for all applicable sports will be pro- uses, shall be consistent with the UIL’s vided to participating schools by the UIL office in Constitution and Contest Rules and any the sports specific manual. contracts made thereunder. (r) STATE TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS. The pair- (m) MASCOTS, FIREARMS, PYROTECHNIC ings for the state tournament will be made by the Section 1208: Athletic Regulations 137

UIL athletic staff, in front of witnesses, as soon superintendent approval, may use school indi- as regional champions have been determined and vidual player protective equipment in any all- reported to the UIL office, except in football. star game. Brackets for football post-season playoffs will be (2) School Personnel. No athletic director, coach, issued from the UIL office. teacher, school administrator or school (s) REBATE FROM STATE EVENTS. district shall at any time assist directly or (1) In baseball, soccer, softball and volleyball, indirectly with the coaching, management, sixteen percent of the state tournament gate direction, selection of players, promotion or receipts will be retained by the UIL Office. All officiating in any all-star game in which one funds collected from admissions at the state or more of the competing teams is composed tournaments in excess of the amount neces- of one or more players who have eligibility sary to defray the expenses of the tourna- remaining in that sport. ment, less UIL percentage, shall be prorated (3) School Facilities. School facilities may be used to the participating teams on the basis of a for all-star games only by prior written con- uniform rate per mile. sent of the superintendent. (2) In basketball, sixteen percent of the state (4) Penalties. Any member high school violating tournament gate receipts will be retained the provisions of this all-star contest rule shall by the UIL Office. All funds collected from be subject to penalty. admissions at the state tournament in (u) NON-UIL CONTESTS. excess of the amount necessary to defray the (1) Contests With Non-participating Schools. A expenses of the tournament, less UIL per- defeat by a non-participating Texas public centage, shall be prorated to the participat- high school shall eliminate a school so defeat- ing teams on the basis of a uniform rate per ed from the district race. mile. (2) Contests With Non-school Teams. A school team A) Balance To Schools. If after expenses, that competes against or participates in a tour- there is a balance in the fund received nament with a non-school team, composed of from gate receipts, this balance shall one or more UIL participant high school stu- be equally divided among the schools dents with remaining eligibility in that sport, participating in the tournament. The (whether or not academically eligible), shall not Legislative Council may stipulate a represent the district in that sport. maximum to be divided among schools. (3) Participating With Other Leagues. A UIL mem- (3) In football, twenty percent of the champi- ber school that participates in an athletic onship event gate receipts will be retained activity offered by the UIL in a non-UIL by the UIL Office. All funds collected from league under the auspices of any other sanc- admissions at the state championship event tioning organization is subject to the range in excess of the amount necessary to defray of penalties, up to and including suspension the expenses of the championship event, less from UIL athletic activities. This provision UIL percentage, shall be prorated to the par- applies to a non-enrolled (home schooled) ticipating teams on the basis of a uniform rate student participating in accordance with sec- per mile. tion 33.0832 of the Texas Education Code. A) Balance To Schools. If after expenses, (v) JUNIOR HIGH ATHLETICS. All athletic rules for there is a balance in the fund received seventh and eighth grades are listed in Sections from gate receipts, this balance shall be 1400, 1401 and 1478 of the Contest Rules. equally divided among the schools par- (w) JURISDICTION OF INTERDISTRICT DIS- ticipating in the championship event. The PUTES. The State Executive Committee shall have Legislative Council may stipulate a maxi- jurisdiction in all disputes arising between district mum to be divided among schools. winners that have been duly certified. (4) In all other state events, all funds collected (x) CHEERLEADERS; SPIRIT GROUPS. All cheer and from admissions at the state championship spirit performances at any UIL activity shall be in event shall be retained by the UIL Office. accordance with safety standards as prescribed (t) ALL-STAR GAMES. by the National Federation High School Spirit (1) School Equipment. Students who have complet- Handbook. Cheerleading sponsors are required ed eligibility in the involved sport, with school to complete a course regarding Safety/Risk - 138 Section 1208: Athletic Regulations

mization for Cheerleading and present proof of all students other than students who will be course completion to the school district. in their second, third or fourth year of high (y) CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL. school may attend two camps in each team At all UIL athletic activities (including practices sport, held within the boundaries of their and contests), including cheerleading, schools shall school district, in which instruction is given implement and follow a concussion management in that team sport, and in which a 7th-12th protocol as prescribed by Texas Education Code grade coach from their school district atten- Section 38 Subchapter D. dance zone works with them: (z) CONCUSSION INCIDENT REPORTING. For (2) Camps During The School Year. A member the 2019-2020 school year only (the UIL MAC school district is allowed to sponsor camps has extended this to include the 2021-22 school during the school year, outside the school year), UIL member schools in Conference 6A are day, for students in grades six and below. No required to report concussion incidents for all student is allowed to participate in more than sports to the Contex Data System. two school sponsored camps per sport/activ- (aa) AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR ity during the school year. (AED). Each high school campus shall have at least (3) Camps Described Above Shall Be Conducted Under one Automated External Defibrillator (AED) avail- The Following Conditions: able on the premises. Additionally, each high school (A) Number of Days. Attendance at each campus shall develop a plan for implementation, coordination and maintenance of its AED pro- type of sports camp is limited to no gram. more than six consecutive days. (bb) AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (B) Prohibited Activities. Students shall not (AED) USE REPORTING. UIL member schools shall attend football camps where contact file a report after an AED is used in conjunction with activities are permitted. any UIL event, practice and competition, utilizing the (C) Fees. The superintendent or a desig- online reporting form available on the UIL web site. nee shall approve the schedule of fees (cc) REPORTING. UIL prior to the announcement or release of member schools shall file reports of catastrophic any information about the camp. The injuries, as defined by the National Center for Texas Education Code requires school Catastrophic Sports Injury Research (NCCSIR), districts to adopt procedures for waiv- that occur during UIL practices and/or competi- ing fees charged for participation if a tions utilizing the online reporting form available student is unable to pay the fee, and the on the UIL web site. procedures should be made known to (dd) EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS. UIL member the public. Fees for all other students schools are required to develop and implement a shall be paid by the students and/or venue specific emergency action plan (EAP) for their parents. each venue utilized for UIL athletic practices and/ (D) School Equipment. Schools may furnish, or competitions. in accordance with local school district policies, school-owned equipment, with Section 1209: NON-SCHOOL PARTICIPATION the following restrictions. (a) REQUIRED PARTICIPATION PROHIBITED. (i) Schools may not furnish any indi- Students shall not be required to play on a non- vidual baseball, basketball, foot- school team in any sport as a prerequisite to play- ball, soccer, softball or volleyball ing on a school team. player equipment, including uni- (b) OFF-SEASON SCHOOL FACILITY USE. Refer to forms, shoes, caps, gloves, etc., Section 1206 (i). but may furnish balls and court (c) CAMPS. equipment including nets, stan- (1) Camps After The Last Day Of The School Year: dards, goals, etc., for volleyball, baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball and basketball and soccer camps. volleyball where school personnel work with their (ii) For football camps, schools may own students. After the last day of the school furnish hand dummies, stand- year in May, June, July and prior to the sec- up dummies, passing and kick- ond Monday in August, on non-school days, ing machines and footballs. Use Section 1209: Non-school Participation 139

of any other football equipment, presence of anabolic steroids in their bodies including contact equipment, is at multiple times throughout the school year; prohibited. (2) be administered, by random selection, at (iii) For baseball and softball camps, approximately 30 percent of UIL member schools may furnish balls, bats, high schools; bases, pitching and batting (3) randomly select a statistically significant machines, batting helmets and number of student-athletes in grades 9-12 catcher protective equipment. who participate in athletic competitions spon- Use of any other baseball and/ sored or sanctioned by the UIL; or softball equipment is prohib- (4) require that testing be performed only by ited. an anabolic steroid testing laboratory with (d) BONA FIDE SUMMER CAMPS. The provisions of a current certification from the Substance the summer camp rules do not apply to bona fide Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin- summer camps giving an overall activity program istration of the Department to the participants. of Health and Human Services, the World (e) CHANGE OF RESIDENCE FROM OUT OF Anti-Doping Agency, or another appropriate STATE. The provisions of the summer camp rules national or international certifying organiza- do not apply in the case of a person who attends an tion; athletic training camp which is allowed under the (5) provide a process for confirming any initial rules of the state in which the student then lives, positive test result through a subsequent test and then makes a bona fide change of residence to conducted as soon as practicable after the Texas, provided that there has been no deliberate initial test, using a sample that was obtained at attempt to circumvent the rule. the same time as the sample used for the initial (f) OFF-SEASON PARTICIPATION IN NON- test; and SCHOOL TEAM SPORTS. (6) be conducted in accordance with the UIL (1) School coaches shall not coach 7-12 grade Anabolic Steroid Testing Program Protocol. students from their own attendance zone on a non-school team or in a non-school camp Section 1220: BASEBALL PLAN or clinic, with the exception of their own (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSE, CODE, PLAN APPLICA- adopted or birth children. BLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 also apply to the (2) School equipment shall not be used for non- Baseball Plan. school teams/leagues. (b) NUMBER OF GAMES, TOURNAMENTS AND (g) COACHING RESTRICTIONS. For non-school SITES. competition school coaches shall not schedule (1) Violations/Penalties. The District Executive matched games for students in grades 7-12 from Committee shall determine the penalty for their attendance zone. School coaches may assist violations of the regulations below. in organizing, selecting players and coaches, and (2) Total Number of Games. No team or student may supervise school facilities for non-school shall compete in more than three invita- league play. School coaches shall not coach or tional tournaments plus 17 baseball games instruct students in grades 7-12 from their school in a season, including all games prior to the district attendance zone in the team sports of first playoff game. This shall include non- baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball or district and district games. If the district volleyball. School coaches shall not supervise champions have a bye for the first round of facilities for non-school activities on school time. the play-offs, those schools may schedule a Refer to Section 1201. warm-up game in addition to the game lim- its. This additional game shall be played on a Section 1210: ANABOLIC STEROID TESTING non-school night with no loss of school time. (a) As a result of the passage of Senate Bill 8 by the Three games may be substituted in place of a 80th Texas State Legislature, the UIL is required tournament. to implement an anabolic steroid testing program (3) Exception To Resolve District Ties. and adopt rules for its administration. The testing (A) Two Schools Tied. To resolve a two-way program will: tie, the District Executive Committee (1) test student-athletes in grades 9-12 for the may authorize a single elimination 140 Section 1220: Baseball Plan

game. The tie-breaking game may be eliminated from the playoffs. in addition to the allowed number of (2) Scrimmages. Schools shall not scrimmage prior games delineated above but may not to the date set forth by the UIL calendar, not be played as an exception to the school to exceed two scrimmages per calendar week, week limitation. Monday through Saturday. Scrimmages are (B) Three or More Schools Tied. If three subject to the one contest per school week or more schools are tied, the District limitation. Executive Committee may authorize (3) Games. Schools shall not play their first game a single elimination tournament in until the 16th Monday prior to the State Base- addition to the total number of games ball Tournament. and tournaments allowed for the sea- (4) School Equipment. It will be considered a school son. game if a team is wearing school uniforms (4) Invitational Tournament Restriction. and/or using school equipment following the (A) No team shall participate in an invi- close of the regular UIL season. tational baseball tournament held on a (5) Non-School Participation. Refer to Section 1209. Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, except (d) TIES IN DISTRICT AND NON-DISTRICT on school holidays. However, games in GAMES. Unless otherwise specified by district tournaments may be played after school minutes prior to the beginning of season, a regula- on the last day of the school week prior tion district or non-district game called with a tie to holidays. after five innings have been played (and a (B) Tournament Restriction. Baseball teams winner cannot be determined) shall be counted as shall play no more than six total games one-half game won and one-half game lost for each in a tournament and no more than team. The game shall not be replayed provided five three games in any one day. innings have been completed. If five innings have (5) Site of Game. The District Executive Commit- not been completed, the game shall be replayed tee in arranging a schedule within the district from the start. shall determine the place of games in case of (e) GAME CALLED BEFORE COMPLETION. If a disagreement between the two teams. district or non-district game is called before com- (6) Exception for Rescheduled Games. District pletion of the number of innings and conditions as varsity baseball games postponed by weather specified in National Federation Baseball Rules, the or public disaster (not including illness) shall umpire shall declare the contest “no game”. Unless be rescheduled on the next date, other than otherwise specified by district minutes prior to the Sunday, on which another district game season, the game will be replayed from the start. In is not scheduled. In the event weather or games beyond the district level, a game begun, then public disaster forces the makeup game to suspended, shall continue at a later time from the be rescheduled it shall be rescheduled on the point of suspension. next date as described earlier. These makeup (f) Post-season PLAYOFFS. games may be played as an exception to (1) Day of Playoff Game. Playoffs games shall not the school week limitation. District varsity be played before Wednesday of that week games that are postponed by weather unless by mutual consent. or public disaster, and not played on the (2) Playoffs. Playoffs may be single elimination or next available date, shall be rescheduled two-out-of-three from bi-district to state. If and played on a date determined by the neither method is mutually agreeable, a coin District Executive Committee, but may not flip shall determine play-off format. Excep- be made up as an exception to the school tion: In the first round of the playoffs only, week limitation. the district champion will have the choice of (c) PLAYING DATES. a single game or two-out-of-three series. (1) Practice Dates. There shall be no organized or (3) Two-out-of-Three Series. If schools play a two- formal school baseball practice for a contes- out-of-three elimination series, the first and tant or a team, before or after school, prior second games may be played prior to Friday. to the date set forth by the UIL calendar, and Game three shall not be played until Friday. If after the date for certifying district cham- one game is played and a second game cannot pions, except for teams that have not been be played because of weather, then the winner Section 1230: Basketball Plan 141

of the one game advances to the next round. If is permitted between Monday and the end of two games are played (and split) and the third the school day on Friday of any one school game cannot be played on Saturday because week. Teams are limited to a maximum of of weather conditions, the third and deciding two total scrimmages and may use them any game should be played on Monday of the next time before playing their first game. week. (3) Interschool Games. No interschool games in (4) State Tournament. All conferences will be single basketball shall be played until the 17th elimination at the state tournament. Friday prior to the Girls State Basketball Tour- (5) Disputes. In case there is a dispute regarding a nament. No interschool games in boys bas- neutral or home site or time of a game it shall ketball shall be played until the 17th Friday be settled by the flip of a coin. Refer to Section prior to the Boys State Basketball Tournament. 1208 (o). Schools may not play games during the five- (6) Playoff Games. In playoff games, a suspended day holiday restriction. Except for teams in the game shall be continued from the point of playoffs, schools may not play games after the suspension at a later time. last date for certifying district champions. (7) Gate Receipts From State Tournament. The UIL (4) District Games. District games may not be office retains an annually determined per- played prior to December 15, except by unan- imous consent of all district members. centage of gate receipts from the state base- (5) Basketball Season, Dates. Refer to Official Cal- ball tournament. endar and Basketball Manual. (6) Off-Season Workouts. Refer to Section 1206. Section 1230: BASKETBALL PLAN (c) NUMBER OF GAMES, TOURNAMENTS AND (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSE, CODES, PLAN APPLI- SITES. CABLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 also apply to (1) Violations/Penalties. The District Executive the Basketball Plan. Committee shall determine the penalty for (b) DATES FOR PRACTICES, GAMES AND CERTI- violations of the following regulations. FICATIONS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS, ALL CON- (2) Number of Games Per Day. No high school team FERENCES. or contestant shall participate in more than two (1) Practice Dates. interschool basketball games per day, includ- (A) Girls. There shall be no school basketball ing tournament games. Exception: Contestants practice for a student or a team in girls and teams may play three games in a one-day basketball, before or after school until tournament scheduled on a Saturday. the 20th Wednesday prior to the Girls (3) Total Number of Games. No team or student State Basketball Tournament or during shall compete in more than three invitational the five-day holiday restriction, or tournaments plus 21 basketball games in a after the last date for certifying district season, including all games prior to the first champions, except for teams who have playoff game. This shall include non-district not been eliminated in playoffs. and district games and games played in pre- (B) Boys. There shall be no school basket- scheduled district tournaments. If the district ball practice for a student or a team in champions have a bye for the first round of boys basketball, before or after school the play-offs, those schools may schedule a until the 20th Wednesday prior to the warm-up game in addition to the game limits. Boys State Basketball Tournament or This additional game shall be played on a during the five day holiday restriction, non-school night with no loss of school time. or after the last date for certifying dis- Two games may be substituted in place of a trict champions, except for teams who tournament. have not been eliminated in playoffs. (4) Exception To Resolve District Ties. (2) Scrimmages. Teams in girls basketball are (A) Two Schools Tied. To resolve a two- allowed to scrimmage beginning with the way tie, the District Executive Commit- 18th Saturday prior to the Girls State Basket- tee may authorize a single elimination ball Tournament. Teams in boys basketball game provided only one other matched are allowed to scrimmage beginning with game is played that calendar week. The the 18th Saturday prior to the Boys State tie-breaking game may be in addition Basketball Tournament. Only one scrimmage to the 21 allowed games, but not as an 142 Section 1230:Basketball Plan

exception to the school week limitation. (8) Exceptions During December/January Holidays. (B) Three or More Schools Tied. If three Following the five-day holiday restriction or more schools are tied, the District until school resumes in January, schools may Executive Committee may authorize a participate in no more than: tournament provided only two matched (A) two matched games during the calendar games have been played that week, week of an invitational tournament; using the procedure in Section 1203. (B) two matched games plus two matched These tournament games may be played games played in lieu of an invitational in addition to the total number of games tournament during a calendar week; and tournaments allowed for the sea- or son. (C) three matched games during a calen- (5) Invitational Tournament Restriction. No team dar week if they are not participating shall participate in an invitational bas- in an invitational tournament or play- ketball tournament held on a Monday, ing games in lieu of a tournament. Tuesday or Wednesday, except on school (9) Exception for Rescheduled Games. District holidays. (Note: This provision does not varsity basketball games postponed by apply to (c)(4)(B) above.) However, games weather or public disaster (not including in tournaments may be played after school illness) shall be rescheduled on the next on the last day of the school week prior to date, other than Sunday, on which another holidays. district game is not scheduled. In the (6) Number of Games Per Week. event weather or public disaster forces the (A) Matched Games Only. No high school makeup game to be rescheduled, it shall be team or contestant shall participate in rescheduled on the next date as described more than two matched games (as dis- earlier. These makeup games may be played tinguished from tournaments) per cal- as exceptions to the school week and endar week. Refer to Section 5. calendar week limitations. District varsity (B) Week of an Invitational Tournament. games that are postponed by weather or No team or contestant shall participate public disaster, and not played on the next in more than one matched game during available date, shall be rescheduled and the calendar week of an invitational played on a date determined by the District tournament. Executive Committee. (C) Week of a District Tournament. No (10) Site of Game. The District Executive Commit- team or contestant shall participate in tee in arranging a schedule within the district more than two matched games during shall determine the place of games in case the the calendar week of a district tourna- two teams disagree. ment, including a district tournament (11) Boys’, Girls’ Team Restrictions. No girls’ team authorized by the District Executive shall play in a game against a boys’ team and Committee to resolve a tie for dis- vice versa. trict championship. To be considered (d) POST-DISTRICT RECEIPTS. Sixteen percent of a district tournament, at least three the gate receipts, after fees for referees, scorer and teams shall be assembled at one site for timer are deducted, shall be paid to the UIL for an elimination contest on consecutive all post-district games except games played at the days. Refer to Section 1203. state tournaments. The UIL office retains an annu- (7) Exception When Games Are Substituted For Tour- ally determined percentage of gate receipts from naments. Students and teams may play in three the state basketball tournament. matched games per calendar week under the (e) OFF-SEASON PARTICIPATION. Refer to Section following conditions: 1209. (A) Two of the three games are being played instead of a tournament; and Section 1240: CROSS-COUNTRY PLAN (B) Two of the three games are on a Friday (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSES, CODES, PLAN APPLI- and a Saturday, or on a night prior to a CABLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 also apply to school holiday and a non-school day. Cross-country. Section 1240: Cross-Country Plan 143

(b) DIVISIONS. There shall be one division for boys 10 individuals entered. District cross-country and one for girls in the respective conferences. chairs shall be responsible for organizing the Boys’ teams may not compete on or against girls’ district cross-country meets. teams. (2) Qualifiers to Regional Meet. The three teams (c) DISTANCE. and the top 10 individuals shall qualify from (1) Girls, Boys. The distance for the cross-country district to the regional meet. An individual event will be approximately two miles for 1A, qualifier may also be a team member of one 2A, 3A and 4A girls (3200 meters) and three of the qualifying teams. miles for 1A-6A boys and 5A and 6A girls (3) Qualifiers to State. The top four teams and the (5000 meters). top 10 individuals (who are not already on the (2) Limitation. A race of six miles or longer shall advancing teams) shall qualify from regional not be considered a cross-country meet. to the state meet. (d) ENTRIES. (g) PRACTICE REGULATIONS OUTSIDE THE (1) Number. A minimum of five participants and SCHOOL YEAR. Any cross-country practice a maximum of seven participants shall con- conducted by a school outside the school year stitute a team. If a school enters fewer than shall be in accordance with the following regula- 5 students, it cannot compete for the team tions: title. (1) Student-athletes shall not engage in more (2) Team Score. The place of the first five finishers than three hours of practice activities on those on each team will count for the total team days during which one practice is conducted. score. (2) Student-athletes shall not engage in more than five hours of practice activities on those (3) Team Limit. A school may enter only one team days during which more than one practice is of boys and one team of girls in the district, conducted. regional and state meets. (3) The maximum length of any single practice (4) Fee. There is no entry fee for the state cross- session shall be three hours. country meet. (4) On days when more than one practice is (e) MEET LIMITATIONS. conducted, there shall be, at a minimum, two (1) Number of Meets. No student representing hours of rest/recovery time between the end a member school shall participate in more of one practice and the beginning of the next than eight meets during the school year, practice. excluding one district meet, the regional meet (5) Schools shall not schedule more than one and the state meet. Each meet a school team practice on consecutive days and student-ath- enters counts as one meet for each partici- letes shall not participate in multiple practices pating individual. Students are considered on consecutive days. to be representing their school if they are wearing and/or using school equipment or Section 1250: FOOTBALL PLAN being directed or transported by a school (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSES, CODES, PLAN APPLI- employee. Meets which are limited to three CABLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 also apply to or fewer schools, do not count as a meet the Football Plan. for participants, provided there is no loss of (b) DATES AND OFF-SEASON REGULATIONS. school time. (1) Spring Training. There shall be no school (2) School Week Limitation. No student represent- football practice or training for a contes- ing a member school shall participate in tant or team, and no football equipment more than one tournament/meet per school issued after the close of the regular season week (the first instructional day of the week schedule, except as incidental to the football through the last school day). Exceptions: the championship playoffs, and in Conferences regional and state tournaments, and district 5A and 6A only, 18 spring training practice varsity tournaments postponed by weather or days which may be conducted in a period public disaster, may also be scheduled during of 34 consecutive calendar days. Excep- the school week. tion: Conference 5A and 6A schools may (f) CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE. choose not to conduct the 18 days of spring (1) District Meets. District meets shall be held in training, replacing said training the next districts with more than three teams and/or school year by following the workout days 144 Section 1250: Football Plan

as specified for Conferences 4A, 3A, 2A and one practice is conducted. There 1A. shall be, at a minimum, two hours (A) The first two days of spring training of rest/recovery time between shall be conducted without any contact the end of one practice and the equipment except helmets. beginning of the walkthrough. (B) During spring training, a maximum of (iii) Student-athletes shall not engage 12 practices may contain full contact. in more than five hours of prac- Refer to the football manual for expla- tice activities on those days dur- nations of full contact. ing which more than one practice (C) During spring training, football players is conducted. are not allowed to participate in more (iv) The maximum length of any sin- than 90 minutes of full contact practice gle practice session shall be three per week. Refer to the football manual hours. for explanations of full contact. (v) On days when more than one (D) During spring training, a maximum of practice is conducted, there shall three practices per calendar week may be, at a minimum, two hours include full contact. of rest/recovery time between (2) Off-Season Workouts. Accelerated physical the end of one practice and the education activities, calisthenics, individual beginning of the next practice. football skills, strength training or condition- (vi) Schools shall not schedule more ing exercises may be conducted during the than one practice on consecutive school term within the school day provided days and student-athletes shall such activities do not exceed one regular not participate in multiple prac- classroom period, not to exceed 60 minutes tices on consecutive days. per day (or 300 minutes per week on a block (B) In Conferences 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A and schedule). Practice may include eleven-on- all 9th graders in 5A and 6A, practice eleven drills without contact activities or shall begin no earlier than the date set equipment. Activities before or after school forth by the UIL calendar. In Confer- or during the lunch period are specifically ences 5A and 6A, practice shall begin prohibited. Allowed equipment is limited to no earlier than the date set forth by the a football, cleated shoes, passing and punting UIL calendar. Exception: If Conference machines and physical education attire. Air 5A or 6A schools forego the 18 days of or padded blocking dummies or devices, and spring training, they may begin work- other similar devices are prohibited. Refer to out days on the date set forth by the UIL Section 1206 (d). calendar as delineated for Conferences (3) Summer Practice. Refer to Section 1206 (h). 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A and all 5A and 6A 9th (4) Summer Camps. For rules and applicable pen- graders. Interschool scrimmages shall alties refer to Section 1209. be allowed on the date set forth by the (5) Fall Practice, Beginning Dates. UIL calendar. (A) Practice Regulations Outside the School (C) Acclimatization Period. The first two Year. Any football practice conducted days of practice shall be conducted by a school outside the school year shall without any contact equipment except be in accordance with the following helmets. Other contact equipment may regulations: be fitted and placed in lockers. During (i) Student-athletes shall not the first two days, however, only shoes, engage in more than three hours of practice activities, with up to socks, T-shirts, shorts and helmets may a one hour break, on those days be worn. On the third and fourth days during which one practice is of practice, helmets, and conducted. The one hour break padded girdles (shells) may be worn, but is not included as a part of the no player to player contact is allowed. practice time limit. Total time On day five of the acclimatization peri- shall not exceed four hours. od, helmets, shoulder pads and pad- (ii) A one-hour walkthrough is ded girdles (shells) may be worn, and allowed on days during which player to player contact is permitted. Section 1250: Football Plan 145

During the five-day acclimatization (A) hold any preseason football practice in period, no full contact activities shall junior high school (eighth grade and be permitted. All student-athletes who below) or elementary school, individual arrive after the first day of practice are or team, prior to the opening day of required to undergo a five-day accli- school; or matization period. During the five-day (B) conduct any spring training either in acclimatization period and subject to elementary school or seventh and eighth the rules as noted in (A) (i-vi) above, if grade the preceding spring. This section more than one practice is conducted does not prevent students from par- on the same day, the second practice ticipating in summer camps, as allowed shall be a teaching period/walkthrough in Section 1209. Penalty for violations practice only with no conditioning or shall be assessed by the appropriate contact activities/equipment permit- executive committee. ted. At a minimum, there must be two (7) Spring Training For Ninth Graders Restricted. hours of rest/recovery time between Students in the ninth grade may participate the end of one practice and the begin- in spring training in Conference 5A and 6A ning of the walkthrough. schools provided: (D) Football equipment is interpreted to (A) that such participation is at the same mean football shoulder pads, hip pads, time as the high school squad practices; thigh pads, shoes, helmets, football pants and or any other equipment used primarily (B) that said high school is the one which in football. Football practice or training the ninth-grade students will attend is interpreted to mean any organized the following fall. Penalty for violations instruction in football plays, formations shall be assessed by the appropriate or team skills. executive committee. (E) Ninth grade football practice shall (c) 1A FOOTBALL. Schools may choose to partici- correspond with the high school dates pate in 1A football with an enrollment of 104.9 whether the ninth grade is in high or below. If enrollment in grades 9-12 is greater school, junior high or on a separate than 104.9, and the school is currently playing campus. Exception: 5A and 6A ninth 1A football, it may continue to participate if any graders may start on the date set forth one of these three conditions exist: Enrollment of by the UIL calendar as delineated for 104.9 or below in grades 7, 8, 9 and 10, or grades Conferences 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A. 8, 9, 10 and 11, or grades 9 and 10 doubled. The (F) Interschool Games. With the exception pertinent figures that total 104.9 or below shall of certain sub-varsity games as out- be submitted with reclassification and realign- lined in the Football Manual, no high ment figures. school (9-12) interschool games shall be (d) PLAYOFF ELIMINATIONS ALL CONFER- allowed until the date set forth by the ENCES. District representatives are bracketed for UIL calendar. However, schools that elimination play to the state championships on a play prior to the first Thursday in Sep- weekly schedule beginning the first weekend after tember shall omit a scrimmage and have the specified date for determining district repre- an open date during the season. Refer sentatives. State elimination games may not be to Section 1478 for 7th and 8th grade scheduled earlier than the first Thursday after the regulations. certification date for district representatives. (G) During the pre-season, regular season (e) NUMBER OF GAMES; TIME BETWEEN GAMES. and post-season, football players are (1) Maximum Number of Regular Season Games. No not allowed to participate in more than team or student shall participate in more than 90 minutes of full contact practice per 10 games during the 11-week regular season, week. Refer to the Football Manual for prior to bi-district play. Exception: See below explanations of full contact. for ten-team districts that zone. Some dis- (6) Preseason or Summer Practice for Seventh and tricts do not play bi-district games and have Eighth Grade or Elementary School Students Pro- 12 weeks to play 10 regular season games. hibited. Schools may not: (2) Exception For Ten-Team Districts That Zone. A 146 Section 1250: Football Plan

football district that contains 10 schools, by shall be allowed after a school has played its majority vote of the District Executive Com- first interschool game in football. mittee, may subdivide into zones for contest (g) EXPENSES. Expenses of visiting teams, officials, purposes. Districts that choose this option are advertising, labor, services and printing incident allowed to schedule and play one additional to the contest shall be considered as expenses of regular season game to determine an overall the game. These expenses shall be itemized with district champion. This additional game is supporting bills, properly receipted. Number of only allowed for the first and second place participants allowed upon expense account shall team in each zone. Districts choosing this be agreed upon by the school administration of the option are required to play their first game teams involved. Unless mutually agreeable other- during the first week games are allowed. wise, the home team will furnish a playing field Refer to Section 28 (k) for information on without cost to the visiting school. zones. (1) Seating. The visiting team has the right to (3) Minimum Time Between Regular Season Games. demand one-half of the stadium seats in Up to and including the final district game, relation to the 50-yard line in all UIL football no team or student in any conference shall be contests, whether district games, non-dis- permitted to take part in more than one game trict games or playoff games, unless mutu- within five calendar days. Example: A team ally agreed otherwise by the two schools playing Saturday night cannot play again involved. A visiting team can demand one until the following Thursday night. A team half of the reserved seats. A visiting team has playing Monday night could play any time on a right to split the stadium in relation to the Saturday. 50-yard line, subject to the situa- (4) Minimum Time Between Playoff Games. No team tion being equal, unless mutually agreeable or student in any conference shall be permit- otherwise. ted to take part in more than one playoff (2) Season Tickets. Proceeds from the sale of season game within six calendar days, unless mutu- tickets are considered a part of the receipts of ally agreeable to play within five calendar the game. days. This rule also applies to the first playoff (3) Radio, Television Proceeds. Proceeds from radio game. and television are considered a part of the (f) PRACTICE SCRIMMAGE. A practice scrimmage receipts of the game. is a meeting of up to four teams for practice pur- (4) Gate Receipts. Refer to Section 1208 (j). poses which does not count as a game for any of (h) TIED GAMES. the teams. Admission may be charged. Officials (1) Non-district Varsity, District Varsity and Post- may be paid in accordance with the schedule in District Games. The NCAA overtime system Section 1204 and may, by prior agreement with shall be used in all non-district varsity games, the school, be reimbursed for mileage and meals. district varsity games and post-district games Refer to Section 1204 (n) and (o). There shall be no tied at the end of regulation play. (Refer to kickoff. Football Manual.) (1) Scrimmages. No team or student shall (2) Other Games. The NCAA overtime system participate in more than one interschool shall not be used in any sub-varsity games or football scrimmage during any given period junior high games. of five calendar days, prior to the playing of (i) SITE AND DAY OF GAME. the first football game. (1) Non-District Games. Mutual agreement deter- (A) Example: A team scrimmaging on Sat- mines site and day of game. urday cannot scrimmage again until the (2) District Games. District schedules, unless following Thursday. unanimously agreeable otherwise, shall be (B) A team scrimmaging on Saturday made by a draw for a two-year period. Home may play a game or scrimmage the team may designate the day of the game. next Thursday. (Five calendar day rule Exception: When a school district has more applies.) than one home game per week and only one (C) No team or student may participate in stadium, the day of the game shall be deter- more than three scrimmages. mined by a draw unless mutually agreeable (2) Scrimmage Limits. No interschool scrimmages otherwise. Starting time shall be set by the Section 1250: Football Plan 147

District Executive Committee, unless mutu- or scrimmage with another high school after the ally agreeable otherwise. close of its season. The penalty for violation of (3) Playoff Games. Excluding state championship this rule shall be assessed by the State Executive games, unless mutually agreeable otherwise, Committee. the place for playing a playoff game shall be (l) POST-SEASON GAMES. No school may engage determined on a “home and home” basis for in any postseason game, other than in regular the past two football seasons. The team that interdistrict playoffs scheduled by the UIL. A post- was the visiting team the last time the two season football game in all conferences is one teams met on a home field in a post-district played between two schools after the deadline for playoff game may require the game be played certifying district representatives. The penalty for at its home field. In case of disagreement violation of this rule shall be assessed by the State between two teams who have not played a Executive Committee. post-district playoff game during the past two (m) TRAINING RESTRICTED TO LOCAL ISD. The football seasons, the game site shall be decided pre-season conditioning and fall training period by a coin toss. A school cannot be required to shall be conducted on the campus of the local flip for a playoff site that is not large enough school or on a site controlled by the school board to accommodate the fans from both schools. and lying within the boundaries of the school Exception: In 5A and 6A, for the first round district. On-campus workout sessions which of the playoffs only, the opponent with the involve meals and/or overnight lodging are pro- higher district finish will determine whether hibited. the game is played on its home field or mutu- (n) Refer to football manual for NCAA rules excep- ally agree to play the game at a neutral site. If tions. the opponents have the same district finish, (o) GAME VIDEOS. Playoff teams are required to the two teams will flip a coin or agree on a exchange all videos leading up to the playoff game neutral site. to include regular season and post-season games. (4) Home Sites. When two schools flip for two Upon mutual agreement, teams may agree on trad- separate sites other than their home field, the ing a specific number of games. sites are considered home sites unless both (1) All videos must be traded by noon on the day sites are near mid-point. following the last game played by the two (5) Neutral Sites. A site mid-point or near mid- teams involved. Example: Team (A) plays on point or a site agreed on by both schools as Friday and Team (B) plays on Saturday, all neutral, is a neutral site. Unless mutually videos must be traded by noon on Sunday. agreeable, a site cannot be neutral if it is more By mutual agreement games may be traded than two-thirds the total distance between earlier. the two schools. (6) Playoff Contract. Post-season contracts should Section 1260: GOLF PLAN show either home site, neutral site or mutually (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSES, CODES, PLAN APPLI- agreed-on site. CABLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 apply to the (7) Day of Game. The home team may designate the Golf Plan. day of the game for non-district games during (b) DIVISIONS. There shall be the following divisions the regular season only. Exception: If the visit- in girls’ and boys’ districts: (1) singles and (2) ing school has to miss class time to travel to the teams consisting of five (or a minimum of four) game, the game shall be played on a non-school entries from the same high school. The singles day unless mutually agreed otherwise. representatives may also be a member of the (j) SIXTEEN PERCENT POST-DISTRICT team. The medalist for each respective meet is RECEIPTS. Sixteen percent of the gross receipts singles champion, regardless of whether he/she is a of post-district games shall be paid to the UIL. The member of a team or a single entry. radio broadcast receipts and the telecast receipts (c) REPRESENTATION. are considered a part of the game receipts in all (1) Team Limit. At the district meet, each high post-district games. school may enter three singles and two teams (k) NO INTERSCHOOL SPRING SCRIMMAGE OR in each division. POST-SEASON FOOTBALL GAMES. No mem- (2) Qualifiers to Regional Meet. Each district may ber school shall play any football game, practice qualify the first and second place teams and 148 Section 1260: Golf Plan

the first and second place individuals to to the beginning of competition. regional competition. If one of the first two (e) INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENTS. individual finishers is on an advancing team, (1) Number of Meets. No student representing the next highest ranked individual who is a member school shall participate in more not on an advancing team shall advance. If than eight tournaments during the school both of the first two individual finishers are year, excluding one 36-hole maximum dis- on advancing teams, the next two highest trict tournament, the regional tournament ranked individuals who are not on advanc- and the state tournament. Each tournament ing teams shall advance. Meet director shall a school team enters counts as one tour- authorize play-offs to break ties. (Refer to nament for each participating individual. golf manual). Students are considered to be represent- (3) Qualifiers to State Meet. Each region may qual- ing their school if they are wearing and/or ify the first, second and third place teams and using school equipment or being directed or the first, second and third place individual fin- transported by a school employee. Tourna- ishers, to state competition. If one of the first ments which are limited to three or fewer three individual finishers is on an advancing schools do not count as a tournament for team, the next highest ranked individual who participants, provided there is no loss of is not on an advancing team shall advance. If school time. all three individual finishers are on advancing (2) School Week Limitation. No student represent- teams, the next three highest ranked indi- ing a member school shall participate in more viduals who are not on advancing teams shall than one tournament per school week (the advance. first instructional day of the week through the (4) Certification. Winners will be certified to the last school day of the week). Exceptions: The next higher meet by the meet director. regional and state tournament, and district (5) Team Member Changes. Teams qualifying to varsity tournaments postponed by weather or the next meet qualify as a school team, and public disaster, may also be scheduled during members can be changed before the next the school week. Schools shall not enter invi- qualifying meet begins. tational golf tournaments scheduled on more (6) Boys’, Girls’ Team Restrictions. No girls’ teams than one school day per any one tournament. shall compete against boys’ teams and vice (3) End of Season. Students and teams shall not versa. represent a member school in any golf tour- (7) Closing of Entries. Entries shall not be allowed nament after the date of the state golf tourna- for district meets unless submitted to the ment. director on or before the fifth day before the (4) Scoring. In invitational tournaments consist- first day of the tournament. Districts may ing of 36 holes or less (e.g., a 27-hole tourna- authorize a later meeting after the entries are ment), team honors shall be determined by due, to allow for substitutions. totaling the best four scores for all holes actu- (8) Disqualifications. A player disqualified (for ally played. other than an unsportsmanlike conduct (5) Cancellation or Continuation. A tournament is violation) shall have the disqualification considered a tournament when all contes- apply only to the 18-hole round in which the tants have played one half of the predeter- infraction occurred. mined length. It is recommended that in order (d) SUBSTITUTION. to prevent additional loss of school time, the (1) No Singles Substitution. There shall be no sub- tournament be called and a champion deter- stitution allowed in the singles. mined on less than the scheduled number of (2) Team Substitution. Once a meet has started no holes. However: substitution shall be allowed to the school (A) If the second half of the tournament has team composed of five players. Exception: not begun and the tournament cannot Injury or illness certified by a physician prior be continued, the remaining holes may to any 18-hole competition. be played at a later date without count- (3) District Tournament. In districts playing more ing as another tournament provided than 36 holes, District Executive Committees there is no additional loss of school shall authorize substitution standards prior time. Section 1260: Golf Plan 149

(B) If less than half of the tournament has more than one hour during the school day been played and the tournament can- for practice rounds. There shall be no more not be continued, the tournament may than one day loss of school time involved be canceled and does not have to count in practice or travel in relation to practice as one of the allowable 8 tournaments. preceding the tournament. Once a practice If there was a loss of school time, the round has been completed, neither teams nor tournament shall be counted. individuals are allowed to return to the site (6) Time and Order of Starting. The players shall on another day to chip and/or putt. Refer to start at the time and in the order arranged Section 1206. by the committee or director. The penalty for (8) Electronic Equipment. Range finders are the breach of this rule is disqualification. only electronic equipment allowed at the dis- (f) TIES. trict, regional and state tournaments. Range (1) Individual Ties. Individual (singles) ties shall finders that measure distance only may be be determined by playing additional hole or used during competitive rounds. The opera- holes until the tie is broken. tive word is “only”. Range finders that offer (2) Team Ties. Team ties shall be broken by the functions in addition to distance measure- five players with the best scores on the final ment are illegal, even if a player disables other 18 holes being involved in the playoff of addi- functions. A player using such a device in tional hole or holes until the tie is broken. competition rounds will be subject to the UIL (g) PLAYOFF STRUCTURE. penalty structure (1st offense-warning; 2nd (1) Individual Medalist. The individual with the offense-disqualification). lowest score will be the medalist. The medal- ist may be the representative in the singles Section 1270: SOCCER PLAN and/or may be a member of the team. The (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSES, CODES, PLAN APPLI- individual, regardless if team member or CABLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 also apply to singles qualifier, who has the lowest score the Soccer Plan. will win the medalist honors and be the (b) DIVISIONS. There shall be three divisions for high singles winner. school boys and three divisions for high school (2) Team Honors. Team honors shall be deter- girls, in Conferences 4A, 5A and 6A only. mined by adding the best four scores for each (c) DATES FOR PRACTICE AND GAMES. There 18-hole round of the five players who enter as shall be no school soccer practices for a contestant a team. or team before or after school from the first day of (3) Team Winners. The team with the lowest score school until the first Monday after Thanksgiving, will be the team winner. and after the date for certifying district represen- (4) Ties. In case of a tie, the five players with tatives, except for teams that have not been elimi- the best scores on the final 18 holes will be nated in the playoffs. Refer to Official Calendar involved in the playoff. for practice and playing dates, and certification (5) Monitors. In district, regional and state deadlines. competition, golf coaches or qualified (d) NUMBER OF GAMES, SCRIMMAGES AND volunteers should be assigned to foursomes TOURNAMENTS. for monitoring play. (1) Scrimmages. Schools shall not scrimmage prior (6) Regional, State Meets. All entries in the region- to the date set forth by the UIL calendar, al and state golf meets will play a total of not to exceed two scrimmages per week, 36 holes unless the tournament director Monday through Saturday. Scrimmages are determines it is necessary to play fewer subject to the one contest per school week than 36 holes (a minimum of 9 holes shall limitation. be played). (2) Number of Games Per Day. No high school team (7) Practice Round. Individuals and/or teams or contestant shall participate in more than qualifying for regional and/or state golf two interschool soccer games per day, includ- may be permitted one practice round of 18 ing tournament games. Exception: Contes- holes at the site of the regional and/or state tants and teams may play three games in a golf tournament if permitted by the regional one-day tournament scheduled on a Satur- and/or state director. Schools shall not use day. 150 Section 1270: Soccer Plan

(3) Total Number of Games. No team or student trict championship. To be considered shall compete in more than three invita- a district tournament, at least three tional tournaments plus 15 soccer games in teams shall be assembled at one site for a season, including all games prior to the first an elimination contest on consecutive playoff game. This shall include non-district days. Refer to Section 1203. and district games and games played in pre- (D) Invitational Tournament Restriction. scheduled district tournaments. If the district No team shall participate in an invi- champion has a bye for the first round of tational soccer tournament held on a the play-offs, that school may schedule a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, except warm-up game in addition to the game lim- on school holidays. However, games in its. This additional game shall be played on a tournaments may be played after school non-school night with no loss of school time. on the last day of the school week prior Two games may be substituted in place of a to holidays. tournament. (E) Exception for Rescheduled Games. Dis- (4) Exception To Resolve District Ties. trict varsity soccer games postponed by (A) Two Schools Tied. To resolve a two- weather or public disaster (not includ- way tie, the District Executive Commit- ing illness) shall be rescheduled on the tee may authorize a single elimination next date, other than Sunday, on which game. The tie-breaking game may be another district game is not scheduled. in addition to the 15 allowed games In the event weather or public disaster provided only one other matched game forces the makeup game to be resched- is played that calendar week. It may not uled, it shall be rescheduled on the next be played as an exception to the school date as described earlier. These makeup week limitation. games may be played as exceptions to (B) Three or More Schools Tied. If three the school week and calendar week or more schools are tied, the District limitations. District varsity games that Executive Committee may authorize a are postponed by weather or public tournament provided only two matched disaster, and not played on the next games have been played that week, available date, shall be rescheduled and using the procedure in Section 1203. played on a date determined by the Dis- These tournament games may be played trict Executive Committee. in addition to the total number of games (e) BOYS’, GIRLS’ TEAM RESTRICTIONS. No and tournaments allowed for the sea- girls’ team shall play in a game against a boys’ team son. and vice versa. (5) Number of Games Per Week; Tournament Restric- (f) SITE OF GAME. The District Executive Commit- tions. tee, in arranging a schedule within the district, shall (A) Matched Games Only. No high school determine the site of games in case of disagreement team or contestant shall participate in between the two teams. more than two matched games (as dis- (g) GATE RECEIPTS FROM STATE TOURNA- tinguished from tournaments) per cal- MENT. The UIL office retains an annually deter- endar week. mined percentage of gate receipts from the state (B) Week of an Invitational Tournament. soccer tournament. No team or contestant shall participate in more than one matched game during Section 1280: GIRLS’ SOFTBALL PLAN the calendar week of an invitational tournament. (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSES, CODES, PLAN APPLI- (C) Week of a District Tournament. No CABLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 also apply to team or contestant shall participate in the Girls’ Softball Plan. more than two matched games during (b) ELIGIBILITY. Only girls eligible under Subchapter the calendar week of a district tourna- M of the Constitution may try out for and partici- ment, including a district tournament pate under the high school Girls’ Softball Plan. authorized by the District Executive (c) NUMBER OF GAMES, TOURNAMENTS AND Committee to resolve a tie for dis- SITES. Section1280: Girls’ Softball Plan 151

(1) Violations/Penalties. The District Executive not scheduled. In the event weather or pub- Committee shall determine the penalty for lic disaster forces the makeup game to be violations of the following regulations. rescheduled, it shall be rescheduled on the (2) Total Number of Games. No team or student next date as described earlier. These makeup shall compete in more than three invita- games may be played as an exception to the tional tournaments plus 17 softball games in school week limitation. District varsity games a season, including all games prior to the first that are postponed by weather or public playoff game. This shall include non-district disaster, and not played on the next avail- and district games. If the district champions able date, shall be rescheduled and played on have a bye for the first round of the play-offs, a date determined by the District Executive those schools may schedule a warm-up game Committee. in addition to the game limits. This additional (d) PLAYING DATES. game shall be played on a non-school night (1) Practice Dates. There shall be no organized or with no loss of school time, but may not be formal school softball practice for a contes- played as an exception to the school week tant or a team, before or after school, prior limitation. Three games may be substituted in to the date set forth by the UIL calendar, place of a tournament. and after the date for certifying district (3) Exception to Resolve District Ties. champions, except for teams that have not (A) Two Schools Tied. To resolve a two- been eliminated in the playoffs. way tie, the District Executive Commit- (2) Scrimmages. Schools shall not scrimmage prior tee may authorize a single elimination to the date set forth by the UIL calendar, not game. The tie-breaking game may be to exceed two scrimmages per week, Monday in addition to the allowed number of through Saturday. Scrimmages are subject to games delineated above, but may not be played as an exception to the school the one contest per school week limitation. week limitation. (3) Games. Schools shall not play their first game (B) Three or More Schools Tied. If three until the 16th Monday prior to the State Soft- or more schools are tied, the District ball Tournament. Executive Committee may authorize a (4) School Equipment. It will be considered a school single elimination tournament in addi- game if a team is wearing school uniforms tion to the total number of games and and/or using school equipment following the tournaments allowed for the season. close of the regular UIL season. Refer to Section 1203. (5) Non-School Participation. Refer to Section 1209. (4) Invitational Tournament Restrictions. (e) TIES: DISTRICT AND NON-DISTRICT GAMES. (A) No team shall participate in an invi- Unless otherwise specified by District Executive tational softball tournament held on a Committee minutes prior to the beginning of the Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, except season, a regulation district or non-district game on school holidays. However, games in called with a tie score after five innings have been tournaments may be played after school played (and a winner cannot be determined) shall on the last day of the school week prior be counted as one-half game won and one-half to holidays. game lost for each team. The game shall not be (B) Tournament Restriction. Softball teams replayed provided five innings have been com- shall play no more than six total games pleted. If five innings have not been completed, the in a tournament and no more than game shall be replayed from the start. three games in any one day. (f) GAME CALLED BEFORE COMPLETION. If a dis- (5) Site of Game. The District Executive Committee trict or non-district game is called before comple- in arranging a schedule within the district tion of the number of innings and conditions as shall determine the place of games in case of specified in National Federation Softball Rules, the disagreement between the two teams. umpire shall declare the contest “no game”. Unless (6) Exception for Rescheduled Games. District var- otherwise specified by district minutes prior to the sity softball games postponed by weather or season, the game will be replayed from the start. In public disaster (not including illness) shall games beyond the district level, a game begun, then be rescheduled on the next date, other than suspended, shall continue at a later time from the Sunday, on which another district game is point of suspension. 152 Section1280: Girls’ Softball Plan

(g) POST-SEASON PLAYOFFS. have been authorized by the District Execu- (1) Day of Playoff Game. Playoff games shall not be tive Committee. played before Wednesday of that week unless (3) Regional Entry. It shall be the responsibility by mutual consent. of the district director to submit the district (2) Playoff. Playoffs may be single elimination or report to the regional director by midnight of two-out-of-three from bi-district to state. the final day of the district meet If neither method is mutually agreeable, a (4) State Entry. It shall be the responsibility of the coin flip shall determine play-off format. regional director to submit the regional report Exception: In the first round of the playoffs to the UIL office by midnight of the final day only, the district champion will have the of the regional meet. choice of a single game or two-out-of-three (5) Relay Events. In relay events, qualification is series. by school. Schools may change personnel on (3) Two-out-of-Three Series. If schools play a two- relay teams prior to the next UIL qualifying out-of-three elimination series, the first and meet according to National Federation regu- second games may be played prior to Friday. lations. Game (3) three shall not be played until Fri- (d) SUBSTITUTION IN INDIVIDUAL EVENTS. day. If one game is played and a second game After the entry deadline, there shall be no substi- cannot be played because of weather, then the tution allowed in the individual events according winner of the one game advances to the next to National Federation Rules. If the individual round. If two games are played (and split) and place winner cannot compete in the next higher the third game cannot be played on Saturday meet, the next place winner may be certified if because of weather conditions, the third and time allows. deciding game should be played on Monday (e) QUALIFICATIONS. of the next week. (1) Regional Meet Qualifications. It shall be the (4) State Tournament. All conferences will be single responsibility of the district director to submit elimination at the state tournament. the district report to the regional meet director (5) Disputes. In case there is a dispute regarding a by midnight of the day of the district meet. neutral or home site or time of a game, it shall The regional director may contact alternate be settled by the flip of a coin. Refer to Section qualifiers to replace individual school entries 1208 (o). who are scratched, if time permits. (6) Gate Receipts From State Tournament. The UIL (2) State Meet Qualifications. It shall be the office retains an annually determined per- responsibility of the regional meet director to centage of gate receipts from the state softball submit the regional report to the state meet tournament. director by midnight of the day of the regional (7) Playoff Games. In playoff games beyond dis- meet. The UIL office shall contact additional trict, a suspended game shall be continued qualifiers to the state meet after individual from the point of suspension at a later time. school entries are received. (f) NUMBER OF MEETS. Section 1290: SWIMMING PLAN (1) Number of Meets. No student representing (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSES, CODES, PLAN APPLI- a member school shall participate in more CABLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 also apply to than eight meets during the school year, the Swimming Plan. excluding one district meet, the regional (b) DIVISIONS. There shall be two divisions for high meet and the state meet. Each meet a school school boys and two divisions for high school girls, team enters counts as one meet for each Conferences 6A and 5A and below. participating individual. Students are con- (c) ENTRIES. sidered to be representing their school if they (1) Girls’, Boys’ Team Restrictions. No girls’ team are wearing and/or using school equipment shall compete against a boys’ team and vice or being directed or transported by a school versa. employee. Meets, which are limited to three (2) District Entry. Each school shall submit the or fewer schools, do not count as a meet for official entry files with qualifying times to the participants, provided there is no loss of meet director on or before the fifth day prior school time. to the district meet unless other arrangements (2) School Week Limitation. No student represent- Section 1290: Swimming Plan 153

ing a member school shall participate in shall compete against boys’ teams and vice more than one meet per school week (the versa. first instructional day of the week through (c) PARTICIPATION LIMITATIONS. In contests the last school day). Exceptions: The region- which count on UIL standing, an individual shall al and state meet and district varsity meets not be allowed to compete in both singles and postponed by weather or public disaster, doubles or mixed doubles, or in both doubles and may also be scheduled during the school mixed doubles. week. (d) CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE. (g) CONSOLATION FINALS. There shall be no con- (1) Closing District Entries. No entries shall be solation finals in district meets. Refer to Swimming allowed for district meets which are not sub- Manual for scoring. mitted to the director on or before the fifth (h) CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE. day before the first day of the meet unless (1) District Meets. District meets shall be held in other arrangements have been previously districts with more than six individuals or authorized by the District Executive Commit- relays in any event. tee. Districts may authorize a meeting after (2) Qualifiers to Regional. Top six individuals and the entry deadline to allow for substitutions. relays shall qualify from district to regional. (2) Regional Contests. The winners of first and (3) Qualifiers to State. The first place and second second places in district contests, singles and place in each of eight regional swimming doubles, boys and girls, and mixed doubles meets and the next eight swimmers with the are eligible to enter the regional contests. The best regional final times overall will advance UIL staff will provide tournament seeding to the state meet. recommendations. (4) . In diving, three divers will qualify at (3) State Contests. The first and second place con- each of eight regional meets. testants in the regional tournaments in all (5) Timing. Swimmers shall have been conferences qualify to enter the state tourna- electronically timed unless the UIL office ment. grants an exception. (4) Number of Matches and Sets. (6) Ties. If ties occur for positions to the state (A) Determining the Winners. In all match- competition, the times of the competitors es, the best two-out-of-three sets shall from the regional preliminary competition determine the winners. will be considered first with the competitor (B) Limit on Matches. No contestant or with the fastest preliminary time advancing team shall play more than three match- to the state meet. If a tie should still exist, then es per day. Note: Under the team tennis decision as to which qualifier will advance plan, different restrictions exist. There will be made by a coin toss. shall be a minimum of one hour’s rest for a team or player between the close of one match and the beginning of Section 1300: TENNIS PLAN (INDIVIDUALS AND another. This rule shall apply only to DOUBLES) district, regional and state competition. (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSES, CODES, PLAN APPLI- (5) Substitutions. CABLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 also apply to (A) District. In district meets, the District the Tennis Plan. Executive Committee shall set entry (b) DIVISIONS. deadlines. The District Executive (1) Boys’, Girls’ Divisions. There shall be the follow- Committee may set guidelines on sub- ing divisions in the respective conferences: stitutions prior to the start of the tour- (A) high school boys, singles and doubles; nament. (B) high school girls, singles and doubles; (B) Regional and State. In regional and and state meets, no substitutions in sin- (C) mixed doubles. gles will be allowed. A substitution (2) Entries. At the district meet, each school may for tennis doubles and mixed doubles enter two boys’ singles and two girls’ singles, will be permitted prior to the start of two boys’ doubles and two girls’ doubles, and the tournament if a player is injured, two mixed doubles teams. ill or academically ineligible. (3) Girls’, Boys’ Team Restrictions. No girls’ team (C) Limit on Substitution. After a tourna- 154 Section 1300: Tennis Plan (Individual and Doubles)

ment has begun, no substitution will be Monday or Tuesday of the next week) without its allowed. counting as another tournament, provided there is (e) INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENTS. no loss of school time. When all semi-final matches (1) Number of Tournaments. No student have not been completed, the tournament director representing a member school shall has three options: participate in more than eight tournaments (1) The tournament may be canceled and not (total for tennis and team tennis combined) count as a tournament for the individuals or during the school year, excluding one district the school. tennis tournament, the regional tournaments (2) The tournament may be continued, provided and the state tournament. (Note: The team there is no additional loss of school time. tennis district tournament counts as one of (3) The tournament may be continued with the eight allowable tournaments if school loss of school time and shall count as two time is lost.) Each tournament a school tournaments. team enters counts as one tournament for (g) PRACTICE REGULATIONS OUTSIDE THE each participating individual. Students are SCHOOL YEAR. Any tennis practice conducted by considered to be representing their school a school outside the school year shall be in accor- if they are wearing and/or using school dance with the following regulations: equipment or being directed or transported (1) Student-athletes shall not engage in more by a school employee. than three hours of practice activities on those (2) Exceptions: days during which one practice is conducted. (A) Triangular matches, which are limited (2) Student-athletes shall not engage in more to three or fewer schools, do not count than five hours of practice activities on those as a tournament for participants, pro- days during which more than one practice is vided there is no loss of school time. conducted. (B) If no more than four teams meet to (3) The maximum length of any single practice play predetermined opponent(s), it session shall be three hours. shall not be counted as one of the eight (4) On days when more than one practice is con- tournaments allowed the individual if ducted, there shall be, at a minimum, two hours no school time is lost and if no tourna- of rest/recovery time between the end of one ment draw is set to determine a cham- practice and the beginning of the next practice. pion. (5) Schools shall not schedule more than one (3) School Week Limitation. No student represent- practice on consecutive days, and student- ing a member school shall participate in athletes shall not participate in multiple prac- more than one contest (tournament, dual tices on consecutive days. or triangular match) per school week (the first instructional day of the week through Section 1310: TEAM TENNIS PLAN the last school day). Schools shall not enter (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSES, CODES, PLAN APPLI- invitational tennis tournaments scheduled CABLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 also apply to on more than one school day per any one the Team Tennis Plan. tournament. Exceptions: The regional and (b) DIVISIONS. There shall be the following divisions: state tournaments, and district varsity tour- Conference 6A, 5A and 4A. Conference 3A may naments postponed by weather or public compete for full honors in Conference 4A. disaster, may also be scheduled during the (c) REPRESENTATION AND TEAM COMPOSI- school week. TION. (4) End of Season. Students and teams shall not (1) Composition. At the district level each school represent a member school in any tennis may enter one team consisting of a minimum tournament after the date of the state tennis of six boys and six girls. tournament. (2) Boys’, Girls’ Team Restrictions. Girls may not (f) WEATHER CANCELLATION OR CONTINU- qualify for boys’ positions on the team and ATION. A tournament postponed or canceled by vice versa. weather is considered a tournament when all semi- (3) Matches. Each team match will consist of 19 final matches have been completed. The remaining matches: matches may be played at a later date (preferably (A) six boys’ singles; Section 1310: Team Tennis Plan 155

(B) six girls’ singles; equipment or being directed or transported (C) three boys’ doubles; by a school employee. (D) three girls’ doubles; and (2) Exceptions. (E) mixed doubles. (A) Tournaments, which are limited to (4) Singles, Doubles. Players may, but are not three or fewer schools, do not count as required to, play both singles and doubles or a tournament for teams or participants, mixed doubles. provided there is no loss of school time. (5) Singles Ladder Positions. In singles, each player (B) If no more than four teams meet to play is to play according to ladder position, mean- predetermined opponent(s), it shall not be ing the best player at #1, the next best at #2, counted as one of the eight tournaments and so on down the lineup to #6. allowed the team or the individual if no (6) Doubles Ladder Positions. In doubles, players school time is lost and if no tournament shall be placed on doubles teams according to a draw is set to determine a champion. ladder position, meaning the best two doubles (3) Exception for Rescheduled Matches. District players at #1 doubles, the next two doubles varsity team tennis matches postponed by players at #2 doubles and so on for #3 doubles. weather or public disaster (not including ill- (7) Mixed Doubles. Mixed doubles can consist of ness) shall be rescheduled on the next date, any boy or who is not participating in the other than Sunday, on which another district doubles competition. match is not scheduled. In the event weather (d) TEAM SCORING AND TIES. or public disaster forces the makeup match (1) Scoring. The scoring system will be No Advan- to be rescheduled, it shall be rescheduled tage-Scoring, best 2-out-of-3 set matches on the next date as described earlier. These with a 7-point tie breaker at six games all in makeup matches may be played as excep- the first two sets. If a third set is necessary, it tions to the school week and calendar week will be played as a ten-point match tiebreak. limitations. District varsity matches that (2) Point Count. Each match won will count one are postponed by weather or public disaster, point for the team. and not played on the next available date, (e) FORFEITS AND DEFAULTS. shall be rescheduled and played on a date (1) Forfeiture. If after an individual match determined by the District Executive Com- begins, a forfeit occurs due to illness, injury mittee. or penalty for misconduct, the games and (4) School Week Limitation. No student or team set won by the forfeiting team shall stand representing a member school shall partici- and count. pate in more than one invitational meet/tour- (2) Default. In all other matches, if a default nament, dual or triangular meet per school occurs before the individual match begins, week (the first instructional day of the week then the tournament director shall record the through the last school day). Exceptions: The score as 6-0, 6-0. regional and state tournaments, and district (f) NUMBER OF MATCHES AND TOURNA- varsity tournaments postponed by weather or MENTS. public disaster, may also be scheduled during (1) Number of Tournaments. No student or team the school week. representing a member school shall partici- (5) Match Limitation. Each player shall play in no pate in more than eight tournaments (total more than three dual matches per day. for tennis and team tennis combined) dur- (g) CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE. ing the school year, excluding one district (1) District Tournaments. tennis tournament, the regional tourna- (A) Format. The District Executive Com- ments and the state tournament. (Note: mittee will make arrangements and set The team tennis district tournament counts format to determine the district repre- as one of the eight allowable tournaments sentatives. if school time is lost.) Each tournament a (B) Entries. Each school shall enter the dis- school team enters counts as one tourna- trict meet by certifying entries to the ment for the team and one tournament for district director by the entry deadline each participating individual. Students are set by the District Executive Committee. considered to be representing their school If a round-robin format is utilized in if they are wearing and/or using school lieu of a district tournament, the Dis- 156 Section 1310: Team Tennis Plan

trict Executive Committee shall specify conducted, there shall be, at a minimum, two entry and team roster regulations prior hours of rest/recovery time between the end to the entry deadline. of one practice and the beginning of the next (2) Regional Tournaments. practice. (A) Regional qualifiers. Regional quarterfi- (5) Schools shall not schedule more than one nal winners will advance to a region- practice on consecutive days and student-ath- al tournament. Regional tournament letes shall not participate in multiple practices entries shall be certified by regional on consecutive days. quarterfinal winners to the regional director. Section 1320: TRACK AND FIELD PLAN. (B) State tournament entries shall be certi- (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSES, CODES, PLAN APPLI- fied by the regional meet director. CABLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 also apply to (3) State Tournament. the Track and Field Plan. (A) The first-place team from each region (b) DIVISIONS. There shall be a boys’ division and a will advance to the state tournament. girls’ division in the respective conferences. Girls’ (B) Pairings will be made based on season teams shall not compete against boys’ teams, and vice records. versa. (h) SUBSTITUTIONS IN REGIONAL AND STATE (c) REPRESENTATION. Each member school may TOURNAMENTS. enter one boys’ team and one girls’ team in the dis- (1) Lineup Changes. Between district and regional, trict meet, advancing to regional and state meets as or regional and state, the coach may change provided in the Track and Field Manual. the lineup to reflect proper ladder position (1) Number in Each Event. Each school shall be prior to the start of the tournament, following allowed a maximum of three contestants in the guidelines below. each individual event. Only one relay team (2) Singles Movement on Ladder. After the previous per school may be entered. qualifying tournament, the coach may move (2) Individual Events. In individual events a each player no more than one position up or school may enter in the next higher meet down in the singles lineup. only the same individuals and in the same (3) Doubles Movement on Ladder. After the previous events as they qualified for in the preceding qualifying tournament, the coach may move meet. each player no more than one position up or (3) Alternates. If a qualified contestant cannot down in the doubles lineup. enter the next higher meet, then the next place (4) Doubles Moves. After the previous qualifying winner in that event at the lower meet shall be tournament, the coach may change a player qualified to participate. from one doubles partner to another partner, (4) Relays. In the relay event, qualification is by but no player may move more than one posi- school and not individual. Individuals qualify- tion in the doubles lineup. ing only as a member on the relay team may (i) TAUNTING PENALTY. Refer to taunting penalty, not enter any individual event in the next exception to USTA rules in the Team Tennis Manual. higher meet. (j) PRACTICE REGULATIONS OUTSIDE THE (d) POINTS. The point system in scoring high school SCHOOL YEAR. Any team tennis practice con- track meets shall be the same in all meets which ducted by a school outside the school year shall be count on UIL standing. in accordance with the following regulations: (1) Points for Individual Events and Relays. Points (1) Student-athletes shall not engage in more shall be given in individual events as fol- than three hours of practice activities on those lows: First place 10 points, second place days during which one practice is conducted. 8 points, third place 6 points, fourth place (2) Student-athletes shall not engage in more 4 points, fifth place 2 points, sixth place than five hours of practice activities on those 1 point. Points for relays shall be as fol- days during which more than one practice is lows: first place 20 points, second place 16 conducted. points, third place 12 points, fourth place (3) The maximum length of any single practice 8 points, fifth place 4 points, sixth place 2 session shall be three hours. points. (4) On days when more than one practice is (2) Points to All Finishers. Points shall be awarded Section 1320: Track & Field Plan 157

to all finishers (first through sixth). (1) No entries shall be allowed for district meets (3) Individual Honors. In computing individual which are not submitted to the director on or honors, a contestant’s points on the relay team before the fifth day before the first day of the shall also be counted; i.e., each contestant on meet. the winning relay team shall receive five (2) Districts may authorize a scratch meeting points for individual honors. after the entries are submitted to allow for (e) EVENTS. substitutions. (1) Order of Events. The events and order in which (3) Schools should be permitted to scratch and they shall be held, are: add according to approved District Execu- (A) Events. tive Committee regulations. Those events (i) 3200-meter run: girls; boys that have been entered by the school on the (ii) 400-meter relay: girls; boys fifth-day-prior entry form may be subject to (iii) 800-meter run: girls; boys some changes under the following suggested (iv) Girls’ 100-meter hurdles (33”) guidelines: (v) Boys’ 110-meter hurdles (39”) (A) Students who are not eligible 5 days (vi) 100-meter dash: girls, boys prior to the meet, but may become (vii) 800-meter relay: girls; boys eligible at the time of the scheduled (viii) 400-meter dash: girls; boys district meet, may be listed on the entry (ix) Girls’ 300-meter hurdles (30”) form and assigned to events. They shall (x) Boys’ 300-meter hurdles (36”) be eligible at the time they actually (xi) 200-meter dash: girls; boys compete. (xii) 1600-meter run: girls; boys (B) Students entered, but who have lost (xiii) 1600-meter relay: girls; boys their eligibility because of the academic (B) . Girls’ Field Events regulations, should be permitted to be (i) 4-kilo shot put dropped or scratched. (ii) Discus (C) Other eligible participants should be (iii) High jump permitted to be added to the vacated (iv) places. These substitutes should be on (v) Triple jump an eligibility form turned into the dis- (vi) Pole vault trict chair prior to the contest. (C) Boys’ Field Events. (D) If a school which has not entered an (i) Pole vault event 5 days prior wishes to enter an (ii) High jump (iii) 12-pound shot put event at the time of the scratch meeting, (iv) Long jump it would be up to the District Executive (v) Discus Committee’s policy or authorized meet (vi) Triple jump director to determine if that school (2) Metric Distance Only. The 3200-meter run, the could enter. 100-meter dash and the 1600-meter run for (h) QUALIFICATION. The district director shall, sub- both boys and girls shall be run at the metric ject to exceptions provided in (h)(1) below, certify distances only. the first four winners to area competition, and (3) Feet/Yard Equivalents. In the 400, 800 and the first four winners at area will be certified to 1600 meter relays and the 200, 400 and 800 regional competition. The regional director shall meter dashes and runs, the equivalent yard certify first and second place winners for the state distances may be run. meet in accordance with the schedule provided in (f) EVENT LIMITATIONS. the Track and Field Manual. (1) Event Limitations. A contestant shall not be (1) All Conferences Except in cases where the allowed to compete in more than three run- options provided for in the Track and Field ning events, including the relays, and in not Manual concerning district and area meets over five events total. are adopted, four contestants qualify from (2) Field Events. Contestants may enter five field each district to area; four contestants qualify events provided they are not entered in any from each area to region, and two contestants running events. qualify from each region to state meet. Refer (g) ENTRIES FOR THE DISTRICT MEET. to #5 below. 158 Section 1320: Track and Field Plan

(2) Qualifications are to be made in accordance the finals will be allowed three additional trials, and with the National Federation Track and Field the contestants will be credited with their best per- Rules. formance whether it was made in the preliminaries (3) If a tie still exists after the application of these or in the finals. rules, then it will be decided by a coin toss and (m) INVITATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD MEETS. points split. (1) Number of Meets. No student representing a (4) Individual school entry forms and entry fees member school shall participate in more than are not required for the state meet. eight meets during the school year, excluding (5) After the regional meet directors have certi- one district meet, the area meet, the regional fied state qualifiers, the UIL staff will select meet, a regional qualifiers meet and the state one additional qualifier for each event to meet. Meets which are limited to three or compete in the state meet. This qualifier will fewer schools, do not count as a meet for par- be the individual and/or relay team with the ticipants, provided there is no loss of school best overall time, mark, or height from all time. Each meet a school enters counts as regional meets per classification that did not one meet for each participating individual. finish first or second. Ties will be broken as Students are considered to be representing noted above. their school if they are wearing and/or using (i) AREA, REGIONAL AND STATE MEET ALTER- school equipment or being directed or trans- NATES. ported by a school employee. (1) Alternates. In the event a qualified contestant (2) Cancelation. A track and field meet is con- is unable to compete, area, regional and state sidered a meet when one-half or more of meet directors may permit the next highest the field events and one-half or more of the place finisher to compete. Relays qualify by track events are completed. If less than one- schools. Relay team members may be changed half of the field events and less than one-half according to rule. of the track events are completed, and the (2) Restriction. An alternate on a relay cannot meet cannot be continued, the meet may be participate in any other event except the relay canceled and does not have to count as one unless the alternate qualified in another event. of the allowable eight meets, unless there This rule is applicable in all area, regional was loss of school time. A canceled meet meets and in the state meet. shall be counted if there was loss of school (3) Preliminaries. A contestant in an individual time. event shall compete in the preliminaries in (3) School Week Limitation. No student represent- order to compete in the finals. ing a member school shall participate in (j) AREA, REGIONAL AND/OR STATE QUALIFI- more than one meet per school week (the ERS MEETS. All area, regional and/or state quali- first instructional day of the week through the fiers, including alternates in individual events and last school day). Exceptions: The area meet, relays, shall be eligible to participate in any event at regional and state meets, and district varsity the applicable area, regional and/or state qualifiers meets postponed by weather or public disas- ter, may also be scheduled during the school meet(s). week. (k) REPORTING TO EVENT. The director of the meet (4) Day of Week and Starting Time. Students or shall see that the preliminaries and the finals start teams representing a member school are per- at the scheduled times. mitted to participate in an invitational track (1) No Excuse. No excuse shall be accepted for and field meet only as listed below: failure of a team or contestant to appear at (A) After 2:30 on Friday or the last day of the time announced for the event to start. the school week, or as early as the end (2) Forfeiture. Any contestant who fails for any of the academic school day for all par- reason to be on hand at the time of the pre- ticipating schools on a day preceding a liminaries shall forfeit the right to compete holiday or break. Exception: A student in the preliminaries and the finals, in that representing a member school may par- event. ticipate in a maximum of three meets (l) NO EXTRA TRIALS FOR RECORD. Winners in Thursday or Friday, or the last day of the the field events at the state meet will not be allowed school week with no restriction on start extra trials for a state record. Those who qualify for time. Section 1320: Track and Field Plan 159

(B) Or on Saturday or school holidays; practice is conducted. (C) Or on any school day other than the last (B) Student-athletes shall not engage day of the school week with the follow- in more than five hours of practice ing conditions: activities on those days during which (i) Events shall not begin until after more than one practice is conducted. the end of the academic school (C) The maximum length of any single prac- day for all schools involved. tice session shall be three hours. (ii) Schools utilizing this option are (D) On days when more than one practice limited to a one-day meet. is conducted, there shall be, at a mini- (iii) A school or student participating mum, two hours of rest/recovery time in this type of meet shall not enter between the end of one practice and the another track and field meet dur- beginning of the next practice. ing the same school week, Mon- (3) Scrimmage Dates. Schools shall not scrimmage day through Friday. until the first date allowed on the UIL calen- (iv) No event shall start after 10:00 dar. Teams and schools may participate in p.m. an unlimited number of scrimmages prior to (5) End of District. A member school shall not the first day of school. After the first match, enter a student or students in an invitational scrimmages are not permitted. track and field meet after the final date for (4) Matches. Schools shall not participate in a district certification of track and field rep- match until the first date allowed on the UIL resentatives except those students qualifying calendar or after the last date for certifying for further competition as a qualifier, relay district representatives, except for teams who alternate (maximum of two alternates on any have not been eliminated in playoffs. one relay team) or alternate (fourth place fin- (5) First Two Weeks of Season. During each of the isher at district) in the UIL regional or state first two calendar weeks allowed for matches meets. One regional qualifiers meet would not on the UIL Official Calendar, teams or stu- count in the allowable total of eight meets per dents shall participate in no more than three student per year. A state qualifiers meet would matches (or dual matches) plus one tourna- count in the allowable total of eight meets per ment. The second and third match of the cal- student per year. endar week shall be after the last instructional (6) End of Season. Students and teams shall not day of the school week if school is in session. represent a member school in any track and (6) Remainder of Season. After the first two cal- field meet after the date of the State Track endar weeks allowed for matches, teams or and Field Meet. students are limited to no more than two matches (or dual matches) during each calen- Section 1330: GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL PLAN. dar week, plus one tournament. The second (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSES, CODES, PLAN APPLI- match of the calendar week shall be after the CABLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 also apply to last instructional day of the school week. the Girls’ Volleyball Plan. (7) Beginning First Day of School. On and after (b) DATES FOR PRACTICES, MATCHES AND CER- the first day of school, teams are limited to no TIFICATIONS. more than one scrimmage, match or dual match during the school week. School week means the (1) Practice Dates. (A) There shall be no high school volleyball week beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the first instruc- practice for a contestant or a team tional day of a calendar week and ending at the until the first week in August as deter- close of instruction on the last instructional day mined by the UIL calendar. Refer to of the calendar week, excluding holidays. Section 1478 for seventh and eighth (c) NUMBER OF SCRIMMAGES, MATCHES, grade restrictions. TOURNAMENTS. (1) . The District Executive (2) School Practice Regulations Outside the School Violations/Penalties Committee shall determine the penalty for Year. (A) Student-athletes shall not engage in violations of the following regulations. more than three hours of practice activi- (2) Game-Matches Defined. A game shall be defined ties on those days during which one as when a team has scored 25 points and is at least two points ahead. A match shall be 160 Section 1330: Girls’ Volleyball Plan

defined as when a team has won three games makeup matches may be played as excep- out of five. tions to the school week and calendar week (3) Total Number of Games, Matches, Tournaments. limitations. District varsity games that are No team or student shall compete in more postponed by weather or public disaster, than three invitational tournaments plus 23 and not played on the next available date, matches in a season, including all matches shall be rescheduled and played on a date prior to the first playoff match. This shall determined by the District Executive Com- include non-district and district matches. If mittee. the district champions have a bye for the first (7) Invitational Tournament Restriction. No team round of the play-offs, those schools may shall participate in an invitational volleyball schedule a warm-up match in addition to the tournament held on a Monday, Tuesday or match limits. This additional match shall be Wednesday, except on school holidays. How- played on a non-school night with no loss of ever, matches or games in tournaments may school time. Two matches may be substituted be played after school on the last day of the in place of a tournament. school week prior to holidays. (4) Substituting Dual Matches for Regular Match- (8) Invitational Tournament Exception. Volleyball es. Dual matches consisting of two or more tournaments may be scheduled on non-con- teams may be played. A team may play two secutive days. A two-day tournament shall other teams or play the same team twice not be scheduled on Thursday and Friday. A at the same site. The second match shall be one-day tournament shall be scheduled on played as soon following the first match as Saturday. possibly can be scheduled. A dual match will (9) Number of Matches Per Day in Tournaments. count as one of the two contests allowed per No team or student shall compete in more calendar week (in addition to a tournament), than three matches per day in tournament and will count as two of the 23 total matches play. Exception: Contestants or teams allowed per season. may play in four matches per calendar day (5) Exception To Resolve District Ties. in a one-day tournament scheduled on a (A) Two Schools Tied. To resolve a two- Saturday, and contestants or teams may play way tie, the District Executive Commit- in four matches per day during a two-day tee may authorize a single elimination tournament. match, provided only one other match (d) SITE OF MATCH. The District Executive Commit- is played that calendar week. The tie- tee in arranging a schedule within the district shall breaking match may be in addition to determine the site of matches in case of disagree- the 23 allowed matches. It may not be ment between two teams. played as an exception to the school (e) BOYS PROHIBITED. Boys shall not compete on week limitation. girls’ teams. (B) Three or More Schools Tied. If three or (f) OFF SEASON PARTICIPATION. Refer to Section more schools are tied, the District Execu- 1209. tive Committee may authorize a tourna- (g) GATE RECEIPTS FROM STATE TOURNA- ment provided only two matches have MENT. The UIL office retains an annually deter- been played that week, using the proce- mined percentage of gate receipts from the state dure in Section 1203. These tournament volleyball tournament. matches may be played in addition to the total number of matches and tournaments Section 1340: WRESTLING PLAN. allowed for the season. (a) ATHLETIC PURPOSES, CODES, PLAN APPLI- (6) Exception for Rescheduled Matches. District var- CABLE. Rules in Sections 1200-1209 also apply to sity volleyball matches postponed by weath- the Wrestling Plan. er or public disaster (not including illness) (b) DIVISIONS. shall be rescheduled on the next date, other (1) There shall be two divisions for high school than Sunday, on which another district boys and two divisions for high school girls, in match is not scheduled. In the event weather conferences 5A and 6A only. Conference 4A, or public disaster forces the makeup match 3A, 2A, and 1A schools may compete for full to be rescheduled, it shall be rescheduled honors in conference 5A. on the next date as described earlier. These Section 1340: Wrestling Plan 161

(2) Boys’, Girls’ Restriction. No high school boy shall wrestle against a high school girl and vice versa. This prohibition is only applicable when the contest is held in Texas or in any other state that sponsors wrestling programs for both boys and girls. Refer to Official Inter- pretation #05-09-01, Appendix I. (c) DATES FOR COMPETITION. (1) Refer to Official Calendar. (2) No school or student-athlete representing a school shall participate in a tournament or dual meet until the first Monday following the football district certification deadline and after the date for certifying district represen- tatives. (d) MEETS AND TOURNAMENTS. (1) Number of Tournaments. No student representing a member school shall participate in more than eight tournaments during the school season excluding one district tournament and the regional and state tournaments. Each tournament the school team enters counts as one meet for each participating individual. Students are considered to be representing their school if they are wearing and/or using school equipment or being directed or transported by a school employee. (2) Exceptions. Dual, triangular and quadrangular meets do not count as a tournament for par- ticipants provided there is no loss of school time. (3) School Week Limitation. No student represent- ing a member school shall participate in more than one contest (tournament, dual, triangular or quadrangular) per school week (the first instructional day of the calendar week through the last school day). Exception: Regional and state competi- tion. (e) END OF SEASON. Students and teams shall not represent a member school in any wrestling meet or tournament after the date of the State Individual Championships. (f) RULES. All UIL tournaments will be conducted in accordance with National Federation Rules. (g) CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE. Refer to the Wrestling Coaches Manual for the championship structure. 162