2021-2022 GISA INTERSCHOLASTIC RULES & REGULATIONS Georgia Independent School Association, Inc. PO Box 1057 Thomaston, GA 30286 706-938-1400 www.gisaschools.org 8.11.21 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1: GOVERNANCE .................................................................................................... 7 A. Purpose of the Organization ............................................................................................. 7 B. Authority ....................................................................................................................... 7 C. Standing Committees ...................................................................................................... 8 D. Appeal Committee .......................................................................................................... 8 E. Region Officers ............................................................................................................. 10 F. Classifications .............................................................................................................. 10 G. Advisory Council ........................................................................................................... 11 H. Violation of Rules .......................................................................................................... 12 1. Unsportsmanlike Conduct ........................................................................................... 12 2. Forfeiture, Suspension, Probation ................................................................................. 14 I. Amending the Governing Rules ....................................................................................... 14 J. GISA’s Interscholastic Rules & Regulations ....................................................................... 14 SECTION 2: MEMBERSHIP ................................................................................................... 16 A. Annual Membership Dues .............................................................................................. 16 D. Member School requirements to be eligible to participate in interscholastic contests include the following ........................................................................................................................... 17 E. Commitment dates to participate in GISA Interscholastic competitions ............................... 18 SECTION 3: GENERAL GUIDELINES ...................................................................................... 22 A. Season Passes.............................................................................................................. 22 B. Lifetime Passes ............................................................................................................ 22 C. Filming ........................................................................................................................ 23 D. Sportsmanship Statement ............................................................................................. 23 E. Bleeding & Open Wounds ............................................................................................... 23 F. Comments to the Media ................................................................................................. 24 G. Artificial Noisemakers, etc. ............................................................................................. 24 1 SECTION 4: CROSS-OVER PLAY ........................................................................................... 27 SECTION 5: COACHES ........................................................................................................ 29 A. Clinic Attendance or Rules Tests .................................................................................... 29 B. Concussion Management and Return-to-Play Policy ........................................................... 29 SECTION 6: OFFICIALS ....................................................................................................... 33 SECTION 7: STUDENT ELIGIBILITY ...................................................................................... 36 A. Definitions ................................................................................................................... 36 B. Certification of Eligibility ................................................................................................ 36 C. Enrollment and Team Membership .................................................................................. 37 D. Age ............................................................................................................................. 38 E. Limits of Participation .................................................................................................... 38 F. ACADEMIC STANDING ................................................................................................... 40 G. TRANSFERS .................................................................................................................. 43 H. International Students ................................................................................................... 49 I. Physical Examination of Student-Athletes ........................................................................ 50 J. Scholarships ................................................................................................................ 51 K. Sports Academy’s ......................................................................................................... 51 L. Blaze Sports ................................................................................................................ 51 M. Violation of Eligibility Rules ............................................................................................ 52 SECTION 8: SUMMER POLICY & SPECIAL PROVISIONS ........................................................... 54 A. Required Guidelines for Implementation .......................................................................... 54 B. Severe Weather & Heat Index ........................................................................................ 55 C. Suspended or Postponed Games ..................................................................................... 57 D. SCRIMMAGES & PRACTICES ........................................................................................... 58 SECTION 9: TEAMS ............................................................................................................ 60 A. Elite Teams .................................................................................................................. 60 2 C. Game Contracts ........................................................................................................... 60 D. Rosters, Schedules & Scores on MaxPreps ....................................................................... 60 SECTION 10: TOURNAMENTS, PLAY-OFFS, POST-SEASON AND ALL-STARS ............................... 62 A. Official Balls ................................................................................................................. 62 B. All-Star Events ............................................................................................................. 62 C. Academic-Athlete Awards .............................................................................................. 63 SECTION 11: STATE COMPETITIONS .................................................................................... 65 SECTION 12: ATHLETICS .................................................................................................... 68 A. ARCHERY ..................................................................................................................... 69 B. BASEBALL .................................................................................................................... 69 3. Official Balls: Wilson Sporting Goods will provide the “Official Balls” for GISA. ..................... 70 C. BASKETBALL ................................................................................................................ 74 3. Official Ball: Wilson Sporting Goods will provide the “Official Balls” for GISA. ....................... 74 D. BASS FISHING ............................................................................................................. 81 E. CLAY TARGET SPORTS .................................................................................................. 89 F. COMPETITIVE CHEERLEADING ....................................................................................... 94 G. GAME DAY CHEER ......................................................................................................... 97 H. SIDELINE CHEER COACH GUIDELINES ............................................................................. 97 I. CROSS COUNTRY.......................................................................................................... 99 J. FOOTBALL ................................................................................................................. 100 5. Official Ball: Wilson Sporting Goods will provide the “Official Balls” for GISA....................... 100 32. 8-MAN FOOTBALL ...................................................................................................... 110 K. GOLF ........................................................................................................................ 110 L. SOCCER & FALL SOCCER ............................................................................................