KHSAA Middle School Rules Compared to High Rules

[doubledeuce]

In another thread I had a question about MS rules compared to HS under KHSAA. In looking at the rules for MS, it seems to me that the MS football teams must adhere to the limitations of scrimmages that are in place for the HS.

 

"(9) Require each school, school district, conference, or association of schools to develop rules and limitations regarding student participation at the middle school level to include:(a) A defined age limitation for participating students;

(b) A policy regarding the participation of students below grade six (6);

© A limitation on practice time prior to the season in any sport or sport activity which shall not exceed the practice time adopted for play at the high school level;

(d) A limitation on the number of school based scrimmages and regular season, school based contests in each sport or sport-activity, which shall not include post season contests and shall not exceed the allowable number of contests for that sport or sport-activity at the high school level; and

(e) A limitation on the length of the regular competitive season in each sport or sport-activity, not including any post season activities, which shall not exceed the length for that sport or sport-activity at the high school level;"

[doubledeuce]

In reading the rules schools can only compete against other "common schools," basically, saying that MS teams can only play other school teams.

"(11) Require that the common schools at the middle school level may only compete in contests against schools, including combined elementary or middle school teams, that adhere to these provisions; and

(12) Issue an annual report to the Kentucky Board of Education on the status of interscholastic athletics at the middle school level, including any recommendations for changes in statute, administrative regulation, or policy; and

(13) Nothing in this administrative regulation shall prohibit a school or school district from choosing to join a conference or association that has developed rules for any particular sport or sport-activity to satisfy the requirements of this administrative regulation."

 

Also, how does this effect basketball and volleyball that have tournaments during the off season?

[barrel]

MS teams are suppose to. Now one of the teams from the thread that brought up this question is a youth team. They've been having contact for weeks. I honestly think many MS teams follow the old rule of so many practices before contact. I'm not saying it's right. There are a lot of MS coaches who don't know the rule.

[sting7]

khsaa wants each school system or district or conferece to implement these rules and enforce them.

[plantmanky]

@doubleduece the answer to your question is sorta.

 

By that I mean the MS are not as specfic as the HS rules, and that is for several reasons. The primary reason is that everyone does things differently.

 

For Example, when schools play their sports. For some schools right now Volleyball is starting up, for others its girls basketball (because theses schools use their MS girls on the high school team during HS season)

 

So there is not a defined seasons rule. IE these sports play during these dates. Its all open to local school district, conference, association determination.

 

Also MS does not have a dead period, KHSAA has said as much repeatedly. Now most school districts follow the HS Dead Period, but there is not one for MS.

 

 

Any other specific questions let me know and I will be happy to answer.

[plantmanky]

khsaa wants each school system or district or conferece to implement these rules and enforce them.

 

Sorta yes.

[plantmanky]

In reading the rules schools can only compete against other "common schools," basically, saying that MS teams can only play other school teams.

"(11) Require that the common schools at the middle school level may only compete in contests against schools, including combined elementary or middle school teams, that adhere to these provisions; and

(12) Issue an annual report to the Kentucky Board of Education on the status of interscholastic athletics at the middle school level, including any recommendations for changes in statute, administrative regulation, or policy; and

(13) Nothing in this administrative regulation shall prohibit a school or school district from choosing to join a conference or association that has developed rules for any particular sport or sport-activity to satisfy the requirements of this administrative regulation."

 

Also, how does this effect basketball and volleyball that have tournaments during the off season?

 

See below, its part of an email that was sent on June 3 by the KHSAA. (Why its not upload to KHSAA website is beyond me. This clarrifies the "what constitutes as a middle school team" rule.

 

 

 

 

"""Kentucky Board of Education approved changes to the enabling regulation that help define a middle school team. We are hopeful that this will eliminate the confusion caused by some in the marketplace (including insurance companies, etc.) who have sought ways around the requirements due to concerns about opponents.

 

There were two key changes to the regulation affecting middle schools.

First, the definition for a middle school team was codified as follows:

(1) Require that these provisions apply to all middle school interscholastic athletics. The following indicates that a team is “representative” of a school and classified as middle school athletics:

(a) The contest, event or tournament is sponsored by a school (or combined group of schools);

(b) Competitors wear a school issued uniform;

© The contest, event or tournament is sponsored by an outside entity as a school entry event (advertised or promoted as a school event), whether or not an entry fee is required;

(d) A school entity pays an entry fee, for the student or team, including payment by booster organizations;

(e) A school representative(s) accompanies the student-athlete or transports the student-athlete to the contest, event or tournament;

(f) A member of a school coaching staff (designated/hired, whether paid or unpaid) is present and offering instruction, advise, evaluation or refinement of skills or exercising other duties defined as “coaching” within the sport rules;

(g) Transportation to or from the contest, event or tournament utilizes school provided or approved transportation;

(h) Competitors in the contest, event or tournament wear apparel identifying them by the name of the school (formal, informal or team nickname);

(i) Competitors in the contest, event or tournament are provided resources (promotional or otherwise) by the school including school media recognition, signage and items clearly indicative of school representation;

(j) Competition in a contest, event or tournament has, in any form, jurisdiction of the local school board or school based decision making body, including financial or other approval control; or

(k) Competition in a contest, event or tournament is covered by any school or school system provided or procured insurance policy;

This means that if any of these conditions exist, it is in fact a middle school team and therefore, the requirements for coaches and other health and safety restrictions are in place. While these may seem obvious, they had become necessary to clarify in some districts. None of this precludes combination teams, coop teams, etc., it simply creates a "when in doubt" listing to the extent that when in doubt, it is a middle school team for purposes of this regulation.

Secondly, the previous provision in the regulation that stated "(11) Require that the common schools at the middle school level may only compete in contests against schools, including combined elementary or middle school teams, that adhere to these provisions;" has been removed. It will now be totally a local decision as to who teams play. While we suspect that many districts will continue to prior restrictions (for liability reasons), it is no longer a part of the regulation."""