In this section we have tried to include only items that apply to the Middle Level athlete/coach/team.  There may be rules/regulations that affect an athlete/coach/team that are not contained here.  You can view the entire WIAA Handbook online. Handbook

 

SPORT RULES AND REGULATIONS

17.0.0 GENERAL SPORT RULES

PHILOSOPHY OF GENERAL SPORT RULES: As with all of the rules and regulations of the Association the general rules and regulations for sports are adopted by the membership via their representation on the WIAA on the WIAA Representative Assembly. AFFIRMATION OF ASSOCIATION GOALS 2.2.1, 2.2.4 AND 2.2.8. THEREFORE:

17.1.0 SCHOOL YEAR - The school year is defined as being the first day of turnouts for fall sports until the final spring state tournament has been completed (high school) or until after the completion of the final sports season (middle level.)

17.2.0 IN SEASON - DEFINITION - In season will be the first day of turnouts for that sport and will conclude with the final day of the state event for that sport.

17.2.1 In the absence of a sport being offered by the middle level school, twelve consecutive (12) weeks within the high school season dates shall apply.

17.3.0 ALTERNATE SEASON - DEFINITION - An alternate season is a sports season other than the regular sports season designated by the WIAA Executive Board. The alternate season must not exceed the same number of weeks as the regular season in that sport.

17.3.1 If the established sports seasons do not meet local needs (e.g. because of climate, facilities, availability of coaches) a school or group of schools may petition the WIAA Executive Board for the establishment of an alternate sport season.

17.4.0 SPLIT SEASON - DEFINITION - A split season must be at least four weeks in the fall with the remaining weeks in the spring. The number of weeks of the two short seasons shall not exceed the total weeks of that specific sport season.

17.6.0 OUT-OF-SEASON - DEFINITION – Out-of-season is that time during which paid or volunteer coaches can not coach present or future squad members.

MIDDLE LEVEL – Out-of-season for all school sports shall be from August 1 until the first day of the specific sport turnouts and from the final day of the league competition for that sport until the conclusion of the final spring sport league competition.

17.6.1 For the purposes of the out-of-season regulations, the WIAA has determined that slow pitch and fast pitch softball shall be considered separate and distinct sports. In addition, high school interscholastic wrestling, freestyle wrestling, and Greco-Roman wrestling shall be considered separate and distinct sports.

17.6.2 School sponsorship or promotion of practice and/or participation in a given sport contest is restricted to the WIAA designated season for that sport.

PROMOTION - Definition - Promotion is defined as providing, posting or distributing information pertaining to a specific event or activity and/or encouraging student athletes to participate in the event or activity.

17.6.3 Practice shall be limited to each sports season as defined under each sport.

17.6.4 Use of school equipment, facilities and/or transportation is contingent upon local school district written policy.

A. School uniforms may be worn ONLY during the WIAA season for that sport except during Washington State Coaches Association feeder or all state contests.

NOTE: Uniforms are considered to be the school issued contest uniform (practice or shooting shirts are not classified as school uniforms) and are defined in the adopted rule book for each specific sport.

B. Coaches may not transport current and/or prospective athletes to an out-of-season event in their particular sport.

17.6.5 A coach of a school team (paid or volunteer) may conduct practice only during the WIAA sport season.

17.6.6 A practice is defined as any attempt by the coach of a school team (paid or volunteer) to teach any phase of a game or activity to their squad or have their squad or part of their squad engage in drills under the supervision of that coach, or from directions provided by that coach.

17.6.7 A coach may have one (1) meeting with the squad prior to the opening day of practice to issue equipment and to explain to the participants such issues as insurance, physical examinations, season's plans, training regulations and any other pertinent information deemed necessary by the coach. This restriction does not apply to fundraising activities unless the fundraising activities include skills that are specific to the sport being coached. Fundraising activities are subject to the approval and rules of the participating school districts and/or Association Student Body governments.

17.6.8 In the sport coached, a school coach may not sponsor, coach or direct activities which resemble out-of-season practices or contests to any of their squad members, past or future squad members (high schools and feeder schools in the school district) except during the designated season for that sport until after the final spring WIAA tournament is completed (high school) or until after the completion of the final spring sports season (middle level.) A feeder school may be either grades 7 and 8 or grades 7, 8 and 9.

17.6.8.A. A manager of a team is limited to preparing water/drinks and providing supplies to the coach and/or players. Managers are not allowed to participate in any warm-up or practice drills in the same role as the athletes.

17.6.9 SQUAD MEMBERS AS VOLUNTEER COACHES – High school players may serve as middle level assistant coaches/volunteers during the designated middle school season.

17.6.10 A member school may organize and supervise a year-around conditioning program to include weight training, running and exercising provided it is open to all students and does not include instruction in specific sport skills.

17.6.11 OPEN GYM - Schools may conduct open athletic facilities (gym, pools, field, and track) in the off season if all of the following conditions are met:

A. The program is part of the school district organized recreational or activity program; and

B. Activities are open and advertised to all members of the student body; and

C. Students have a choice of activities; and

D. No coaching or drilling of the athletes attending occurs; and

E. Supervision is provided by any individual approved by the school district.

17.7.0 SPECIALIZED SPORT CAMPS - Participants in a school-sponsored sport may attend camps or clinics at any time during the school year or during the summer. However, a fall participant in a school sponsored sport cannot attend any camps or clinics in that sport three (3) weeks prior to the first day of turnouts for that sport if the participant’s coach is a clinician/organizer of that camp or clinic.

PHILOSOPHY OF SUMMER ACTIVITIES: Students may be afforded the opportunity to participate in activities during the summer if they so choose. Students should also be provided with an opportunity to participate with their families during the summer or simply take a break from sports prior to the start of fall sports turnouts. Limiting participation during the month of August for fall sports athletes helps to ensure that all students begin the fall sports season on an equal basis. AFFIRMATION OF ASSOCIATION GOALS 2.2.2 AND 2.2.3. THEREFORE:

17.8.0 SUMMER ACTIVITIES - For middle level schools summer is defined as the first day following the final day of the spring sports schedules until three (3) weeks prior to the start of fall turnouts for fall sports coaches and as the first day following the final day of the spring sports schedules until the first day of the fall turnouts for winter and spring sports coaches.

17.8.1 Coaches may conduct activities during the summer on their own, as individuals.

17.8.2 School districts may authorize the use of school equipment, facilities, and/or transportation for individuals and/or teams during the summer if approved by the local school board.

This rule allows:

1. Schools to provide facilities, sport specific apparatus (such as batting cages, football sleds, nets, etc), school equipment (such as football helmets and shoulder pads, balls, etc) to be used during the summer if approved by the local school board.

2. Schools to authorize school district vehicles to be used to transport individuals and/or teams to summer camps or clinics if approved by the local school board.

3. School districts to provide liability insurance to cover summer programs.

4. This rule does not allow for the use of school uniform during the summer.

PHILOSOPHY OF PRACTICE REGULATIONS: The practice/turnout regulations are established to limit the involvement of the school and school coach to the WIAA designated season, thereby providing student athletes the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities during the school year and ensuring that each school has an equal opportunity to provide fair competition. AFFIRMATION OF ASSOCIATION GOALS 2.2.2 AND 2.2.4. THEREFORE:

17.9.0 PRACTICE REGULATIONS - School sponsorship or promotion of practice and/or participation in a given sport contest must be restricted to the WIAA designated season for that sport. Several practice regulations that apply to all sports during the school year are as follows.

17.9.1 For the purpose of meeting the pre-contest practice requirements, an athlete must participate in a majority of a designated practice time. Practice is defined as a regularly scheduled team physical activity designed for the preparation of athletes for the ensuing sports season and must be conducted under the supervision of the school coach. Participation in physical education classes does not constitute a practice. A practice is further defined as any attempt by the coach of a school team (paid or volunteer) to teach any phase of a game or activity to their squad or have their squad or part of their squad engage in drills under the supervision of that coach, or from directions provided by that coach. Also refer to "Non-School Participation."

17.9.2 Practice shall be limited to each sports season as defined under each sport. Practices in one (1) sport can not be transferred toward the number of practices required in another sport.

17.9.3 A coach of a school team (paid or volunteer) may conduct practice only during the WIAA sport season.

17.9.4 One (1) day is equal to one (1) practice for purposes of meeting the minimum practice requirements.

17.9.5 Practice days - Definition – Practice days are considered to be Monday through Friday.

17.9.5.A. Saturday is an allowable practice day.

17.9.5.B Sundays may not be counted toward meeting the minimum practice requirements.

17.9.5.C. A nationally recognized holiday is an allowable practice day.

17.9.6 Practice on a game day shall not allow an athlete to become eligible for competition on that day.

17.9.7 Participation in pre-contest warm -up exercises shall not count as a required practice.

17.9.8 Interruption of Pre-contest Practices - Individual practice requirements shall be met during regular team practice(s.) If an individual athlete's pre-contest practice is interrupted, the following procedure will be used to assure that an appropriate period of practice precedes interscholastic competition:

A. An interruption of up to three (3) consecutive school scheduled practice days, excluding Sunday, will have no effect on the value of previous practice days in determining compliance with precontest practice requirements. For example: If an athlete has completed seven (7) days of practice and then did not practice for three (3) consecutive school scheduled practice days, excluding Sunday, the previous seven (7) days would still count toward the minimum individual practices required before interscholastic competition.

B. Beginning with the fourth (4) consecutive school scheduled practice day without practice, the total number of days missed will be subtracted from the number of days previously practiced to determine compliance with pre-contest practice requirements. For example: If an athlete completed six (6) days of practice, and then did not practice for five (5) school scheduled practice days, only one (1) of the previous practice days could be counted toward meeting the minimum pre-contest requirement. If an athlete completed eight (8) days, and then missed five (5) days, only three (3) of the previous days could be counted toward meeting the minimum pre-contest practice requirements.

C. Once the pre-contest practice requirements have been met, 17.9.8 no longer applies for that sport although each school has the authority to establish minimum requirements regarding return to play.

17.9.9 Waiver of Individual Practice Requirements - An individual who participates in any level of WIAA sanctioned post season play-offs and who cannot meet the minimum practice requirements for the succeeding sport will be allowed to waive up to a maximum of one-half of the required individual practice days for that sport only if the available team practice days for each individual involved in the preceding play-offs are insufficient to meet the minimum requirement before a scheduled contest.

17.10.0 SQUAD - DEFINITION - A group of students playing together against another group of students is a squad. A student is considered a member of a squad when the student is included on a school’s eligibility list for that sport.

17.11.0 AUTHORIZED CONTESTS - MIDDLE LEVEL - Individuals or teams representing a member middle school in an interscholastic athletic contest may compete only against teams or individuals from (a) another WIAA member school; (b) Out-of-state schools which are members of state high school associations that belong to the National Federation.

17.11.1 Each contest must be credited to a definite squad.

PHILOSOPHY OF CONTEST LIMITATION: The limitation on the number of contests per sport per season is predicated on the length of each sports season including state playoffs and as an effort to support local school district desires to promote health and safety, minimize loss of school time, travel and expenses. AFFIRMATION OF ASSOCIATION GOALS 2.2.1 AND 2.2.4. THEREFORE:

17.12.0 WEEK – definition – A calendar week is 12:00 am Sunday through 11:59 pm Saturday.

17.12.1 CONTEST LIMITATION - Counting Contests - Any athletic practice or contest involving participants from at least two (2) different schools, any non-interscholastic teams, or any adult team is considered a game, meet, match, or scrimmage and must count as a contest toward the maximum number of allowable contests for the team and individual in that sport.

17.12.1.1 Each contest must be credited to a squad.

17.12.1.2 An overtime period is considered an extension of the final period of the contest.

17.12.3 MEMBER SCHOOLS INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENTS AND MEETS - Member schools may sponsor or participate in invitational tournament(s) or meet(s).

17.12.3.1 Each team is permitted to participate in invitational tournaments or jamborees as listed in that particular sport section.

17.12.3.2 Each contest in an invitational tournament must be counted as one (1) seasonal contest toward the team and individual contest limitation, unless otherwise indicated in the specific sport section.

17.12.3.3 The same rules governing the number of games per day and other playing rules will be followed.

17.12.3.4 Invitational tournaments shall be held on the premises of the sponsoring school or within the school district of the sponsoring school.

17.12.4 MIDDLE LEVEL TOURNAMENTS and PLAY-OFFS - A middle level school program shall not permit play-offs after the conclusion of the regular season (maximum number of events allowed.) Culminating events may be allowed provided participants or teams do not exceed the maximum number of events or contests allowed in that sport.

17.12.5 COMPETITION AGAINST NON-MEMBER SCHOOLS - Requests to play/practice a non-member school must be submitted in writing to the WIAA Executive Director and approved prior to the event.

17.12.6 CANCELED CONTEST - When a scheduled contest is canceled, neither team is declared a winner or loser. Both teams may schedule a substitute contest.

17.12.7 FORFEITED CONTEST - When a scheduled contest is forfeited, the team granted the forfeit is declared the winning team and the team that caused the forfeit is declared the losing team. Only the team granted the forfeit is allowed to schedule a substitute contest.

17.12.8 SUNDAY CONTESTS - Participation on Sunday in any athletic contest or other WIAA sanctioned event cannot be expected or required of any school without prior permission and approval of each participating school's local school board, nor can any penalty or forfeiture be imposed for not participating on Sunday.

17.12.9 WAIVER OF CONTEST LIMITATIONS FOR POSTPONEMENTS - The WIAA Executive Director shall have authority to develop criteria and procedures to grant a waiver of the number of contests per week or duration of time between contests provided written request of member schools includes the following:

17.12.9.1 Specifies rescheduled dates, locations, and opponents.

17.12.9.2 School board/Superintendent concurrence and approval of the request.

17.12.9.3 If approval of the request impacts opponents, those schools must have school board and Superintendent approval of any schedule change not complying with rule.

17.12.9.4 No other rule is waived for individual student or team.

17.12.9.5 Under no circumstance shall the limitations and/or time elements for individual players specified in the WIAA adopted sports rule books (e.g. pitcher limitations, number of events in track, time between events, number of quarters per day, etc.) be waived.

17.12.10 EXTRA QUARTERS, MIDDLE LEVEL - An additional recognized time period may be played following the regular contest for those players who were not starters and who played in less than one-half of the regular contest.

Examples: A 5th quarter is allowable for non-starters and players who played in two (2) quarters or less of the regular basketball game. Two additional volleyball games are allowable for non-starters and players who played in two (2) games or less of the regular match.

17.12.12 RULES GOVERNING ATHLETIC CONTESTS - INTERSTATE COMPETITION - The rules governing interscholastic athletics for each particular sport are listed in the section of this Handbook under that sport. Any exceptions to those rules appear in this Handbook under that sport.

17.12.12.1 In the event the NFHS rules conflict with any of the provisions of RCW Chapter 49.60, the affected student may file a notice of appeal pursuant to Article 19.

17.12.12.2 Rules Governing Interstate and International Competition - WIAA being a member in good standing of the NFHS, accepts the rules of that organization, as now or hereinafter amended for all interstate (including Canada, Mexico, and International) contests. Member school districts must observe the following rules:

17.12.12.3 Each participating school shall follow the contest rules of the State Association of which it is a member, or rules which have been approved by that State Association for interstate competition.

17.12.12.4 No school which is a member of a NFHS member state high school association shall compete in any contest in any other state if the contest involves conditions that would violate the regulations or established policies of that state high school association.

17.12.12.5 Request for Sanction – Only a member school of an NFHS member state association, or a school approved by such an association, or such an association itself, is eligible to request sanctioning through the NFHS Interstate Sanctioning Program.

17.12.12.6 Interstate Competition – Interstate competition occurs when either teams or individuals who represent their schools travel across state lines to participate in competitive sports events, including but not limited to such events as “shoot-outs,” “showcases,” “round-robin tournaments,” etc.

17.12.12.7 Co-Sponsorship Sanction Requirement – Any interstate competition involving two (2) or more schools which is co-sponsored by an organization outside the high school community (e.g. a university, a theme park, a shoe company), in addition to being sponsored by a member school, an approved school or a state association, shall require sanction of the NFHS office.

17.12.12.8 Non-bordering State Sanction Requirement: No sanction is required from the NFHS office if all competing schools, regardless of the number of competing schools, are from states which border the host state. Each state association shall sanction through the NFHS office interstate competition by a member school involving either:

A. Eight (8) or more schools, at least one (1) of which is from a state that does not border the host state; or

B. Five (5) or more states, at least one (1) of which does not border the host state.

NOTE: Alaska and Hawaii are considered to border Washington, in addition to Idaho and Oregon.

17.12.12.9 Financial Report – When NFHS sanction is required, the host school shall submit a financial report about the event to the NFHS on the NFHS form within ninety (90) calendar days of the completion of the event.

17.12.12.10 Equal Treatment – Schools participating in interstate competition, as well as the schools’ employees and agents, shall be treated equally. Examples of such shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

A. Reduction or waiver or entry fee for one school must result in reduction or waiver of entry fee for all schools;

B. Appearance fee paid to one school must result in equal amount of appearance fee paid to all participation schools;

C. Expense reimbursements, if any, must result in equivalent payments to all participating schools, subject to reasonable adjustments for differing distances traveled;

D. Share of proceeds/live gate paid to one school must result in equal share of proceeds/live gate paid to all participating schools.

17.12.12.11 Names and Addresses – All sanction requests submitted to the NFHS office must be accompanied by the names and addresses of all invited/participating schools.

17.12.12.12 Timelines/Fees – The application for sanction must be received by the state association of the host school at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the event, and must be accompanied by the host school’s processing fee of $50 per application made payable to the NFHS (must be school or appropriate agency check, or money order.)

17.12.13 RULES GOVERNING ATHLETIC CONTESTS - INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION - International competition must be approved by the Washington State Coaches Association, the WIAA, the National Federation, and the National Representative of the International Sports Federation involved. Application must be submitted to the WIAA office at least sixty (60) days in advance of the event.

17.12.13.1 An additional contest against an international touring team is allowed once during any three (3) year period. Contests against schools from Canada and Mexico must be within the allowable contest number, since Canada and Mexico are considered to be from bordering states.

17.13.0 UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS - Uniforms worn by an individual or team representing a member school must comply with the adopted rule book requirements for the activity.

17.13.1 WAIVER OF UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS - The member school principal may approve exceptions to wearing of the adopted school uniform upon written request from parents (and student) provided the request is based on:

A. The style of uniform is not in compliance with the student's religious beliefs,

B. Personal modesty and/or physical appearance.

17.13.2 For granting exception(s) to the school adopted uniform, the uniform must comply with the following:

A. Meet the WIAA adopted rulebook requirements of the sport.

B. Be of the same color(s) of school adopted uniform worn by other players.

C. An exception authorized for multiple participants shall be for the same style and color(s) for any given activity.

D. A copy of the notification should be given to the coach for informing game officials to avoid penalty.

17.13.3 PLACEMENT OF EMBLEM ON SCHOOL UNIFORM OR EQUIPMENT – Manufacturer's logos must meet NFHS specifications as outlined in the appropriate sport rule book. A sponsor’s name or logo is not permitted on any apparel or equipment approved by the school to be worn or used during the precontest warm-ups or during a contest.

PHILOSOPHY OF JAMBOREES: The purpose of a jamboree is to provide game-like conditions in a controlled setting so that special emphasis can be placed on safety and the preparation of every student athlete for regular season contests. Jamborees have also been developed to provide an opportunity for participants, coaches, and spectators to learn contest rules from officials.

17.14.0 JAMBOREE - DEFINITION - An abbreviated interscholastic contest.

17.14.1 No student may participate in a jamboree unless all eligibility rules, including all pre-contest practice requirements, have been met.

17.14.2 All jamborees are limited to one (1) day. Participating in the second day of a two (2) day jamboree would count as one (1) of the authorized contests.

17.14.3 Jamborees must be conducted within the first three (3) weeks of the season. NOTE: The season begins on the first scheduled school practice day.

17.14.4 Three (3) or more schools are involved and each school must play at least two (2) opponents.

17.14.5 Scores may be kept, but championship events are not allowed.

17.14.6 Each squad and each player is limited to schedule and to participate in only one (1) jamboree.

17.15.0 NUMBER OF MIDDLE LEVEL SQUADS - Each middle level school may field one or more A or B squads of seventh, eighth or ninth grade teams in each sport. The limitation of contests applies to each squad and to each player.

17.17.0 JOINING SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADERS WITH NINTH GRADE - A school district which operates with an organization pattern other than a 6-3-3 may join the seventh and eighth graders from member schools with high school ninth graders for middle level competition in any one or all sports seasons. If there is more than one high school operating within the school district, each high school will serve the students of their attendance area.

17.17.1 Eighth graders may practice with the high school if a sport is not offered by the middle school, as long as the number of weeks does not exceed the season limitation for middle level in that sport. The local school board must assume all responsibility for the middle level students practicing with high school students.

17.18.0 NINTH GRADE SQUAD - Ninth graders may be declared on the WIAA membership form EITHER in the middle level program OR the high school program, on a sport by sport basis, regardless of the building in which the ninth graders are actually located. An established ninth grade program can exist in only one building.

17.18.1 A high school that has a squad of players consisting solely of ninth grade students must conduct its competition either under middle level school playing rules or under high school playing rules, depending upon whether it is playing a middle level team or a high school team.

17.18.2 A squad that consists of students from several grades (9th, 10th, 11th and 12th) will compete under high school playing regulations.

17.18.5 Middle level teams may play ninth grade teams from 9-12 high schools, provided that (a) the principals of both schools agree to the contest(s); (b) the contest(s) is conducted according to middle level rules; (c) the high school squad consists solely of ninth graders.

17.18.6 When ninth grade is part of a middle level school program (6-3-3 organizational pattern), the ninth grade student shall not participate in any high school (10-12) athletic program if that sport is available in the middle level, except in the case of an overage student.

17.18.7 If, in a given sport at the middle level, no participation is available and both middle level school and senior high school principals agree, ninth grade students may participate in the senior high school program.

17.18.8 Once a ninth grade student has competed on the high school team, the student is ineligible for that school district's middle level school team in that sport during that school year.

17.19.0 REFUSING TO PLAY - Teams are obligated to participate in a contest or athletic event to its normal conclusion unless the contest is terminated by mutual consent of the school officials involved due to unusual weather or game conditions, or situations which could be hazardous to participants or spectators. Any coach is prohibited from unilaterally refusing to play.

17.20.0 SUPERVISION OF TEAM/CONTEST - During the sport season, all team/contestant activity (designated practice, turnouts, games, meets, play-offs) shall be under the supervision of a school district staff member.

17.21.0 CROWD CONTROL RESPONSIBILITY - Member schools are obligated to maintain proper crowd control at all interscholastic activities. The WIAA Executive Board shall have full authority to penalize any member school whose representatives or spectators may be adjudged, upon evidence presented, to have violated these obligations.

17.21.1 The Association shall have no responsibility for crowd control or for the actions of school representatives.

17.22.0 FILMING OR VIDEO TAPING - Schools may film or video tape any game(s) to be shown at a later time. Arrangements to film or videotape must be made through the site manager, and/or be in compliance with WIAA policy. Viewing of videotapes for coaching purposes is permitted during the season at any time except during a contest or any intermission during a contest.

17.22.1 Leagues may develop policies and procedures RESTRICTING the exchange of film or videotape within their league.

17.22.2 Film or videotape may NOT be used for any commercial purposes other than customary news reporting without prior permission from involved schools. If the event is a post season contest, permission may be obtained from the WIAA.

17.22.3 Computer printout data may be viewed at half time provided such tabulation is limited to statistics of the game being played and was generated by the team's coaching staff. Any other game statistics must be accessible to all competing teams coaching staff.

17.23.0 ALL STAR CONTESTS - The WIAA will not sanction all-star contests.

PHILOSOPHY OF RECRUITING: Students who demonstrate special skills and talent in any of the activities under the jurisdiction of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association should not be subjected to pressures to enroll or continue to be enrolled in a member school outside of their normal enrollment area. The rules do not prohibit legitimate school public relations, promotion or marketing. Rather, these rules prohibit capitalization upon a school’s athletic program and/or a student’s athletic interest, potential or proficiency as a factor in determining school attendance.

17.24.0 RECRUITING - Efforts to induce students to enroll or continue to be enrolled in a member school because of the students' special talent or skill is considered recruiting. Recruiting of students or attempted recruiting of students for athletic purposes is prohibited, regardless of their residence.

17.24.1 No student athlete may receive, or be offered, any remunerations of any kind, or to receive or be offered any special inducement of any kind which is not made available to all applicants who enroll or continue to be enrolled in the school or apply to the school.

A. Special inducement shall include, but not be limited to, the offer or acceptance of:

(1) Money or other valuable consideration such as free or reduced tuition during the regular year or summer school by anyone connected with the school.

(2) Room, board or clothing or financial allotment for clothing.

(3) Pay for work that is not performed or that is in excess of the amount regularly paid for such service.

(4) Free transportation by any school connected person.

(5) Residence with any school connected person.

(6) Any privilege not afforded to non-athletes.

(7) Free or reduced rent for parents.

(8) Payment of moving expenses of parents or assistance with the moving of parents.

(9) Employment of family unit in order to entice the family to move to a certain community if someone connected with the school makes the offer.

(10) Help in securing a college athletic scholarship.

B. Inducing or attempting to induce or encourage any prospective student to attend or continue to attend any member school for the purpose of participating in athletics, even when special remuneration or inducement is not given, is a violation. No member school and no one acting on behalf of any member school shall give any speech or give any slide, film or tape presentation or distribute any written material which states or implies that a member school’s athletic program is better than the athletic program of any other member school or that it would be more advantageous for any prospective student-athlete to participate in athletics at that member school as opposed to any other school.

C. Member schools shall be responsible for any violation committed by any person associated with the school, including principals, assistant principals, coaches, teachers, any other staff members or students, or any organization having any connection to the school. The member schools shall be responsible for any violation committed by any person acting at the direction of the school. This rule is not intended to prevent a member school from conducting academic recruitment programs or recruitment programs designed to attract students based upon the school’s overall educational and extracurricular programs of the school and not be used as a subterfuge for recruiting students for athletic purposes.

 

18.0.0 STUDENT STANDARDS FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC ELIGIBILITY

PHILOSOPHY OF STANDARDS OF ELIGIBILITY: In keeping with the belief that participation in activities is a privilege and not a right, certain standards of eligibility have been established. Standards on age, residence and seasons limitations promote the Association's goals of fairness and equality of opportunity for all participants. Standards on scholarship, attendance and amateur standing promote the Association's goals of educating youth and promoting activities as an integral part of the total educational process. AFFIRMATION OF ASSOCIATION GOALS 2.2.1, 2.2.4 AND 2.2.6. THEREFORE:

18.1.0 STUDENT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA - All contestants must be eligible under the rules of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to participate in an interscholastic contest.

18.1.1 This regulation does not restrict participation in practices or intra-squad scrimmages except for cheer and/or dance/drill participants. Cheer and/or dance/drill participants must meet and maintain the WIAA eligibility requirements in order to try out for the school team(s).

18.2.0 ELIGIBILITY LISTS - No student shall participate in an interscholastic contest unless he/she is properly certified on an eligibility list on file in the principal's office or the office of the principal's designee.

18.2.1 Upon mutual agreement of schools or leagues, eligibility lists may be exchanged.

18.3.0 PLAYERS ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION - Only players who are currently eligible to participate in an activity shall appear at the contest in the uniform of their school and/or occupy a position on the team bench.

18.4.0 AGE LIMITS - JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL - Students shall not have reached their 16th birthday prior to June 1 of the previous school year.

AGE LIMITS - MIDDLE SCHOOL - Student(s) shall not have reached their 15th birthday prior to June 1 of the previous school year. Middle school is defined as a school with at least seventh and eighth grade levels.

18.4.1 Overage Student - A student who is ineligible to compete in middle or junior high level school athletics due to the age rule may participate in all sports in the public senior high school of the public school district provided both middle or junior high level and senior high school principals of the public school district concerned approve the student's participation. The middle level/junior high school principal shall certify to the senior high principal the student's scholastic eligibility.

18.4.2 Provided any student is deemed ineligible under this rule, he or she may be declared eligible pursuant to Article 19 of this handbook.

18.5.0 STUDENT MEMBER OF A SCHOOL - Students must be regular members of the school they represent in order to participate in an interscholastic athletic activity. Students are a "regular member" of a school if they are enrolled half time or more, exclusive of interscholastic athletic activities.

18.5.1 In order for a student to participate in postseason and state tournament playoffs, the student must be a member of a WIAA member school squad and have been included on a school's team roster for at least 50% of the regular season for that sport.

18.5.2 A full-time student in a private school, alternative school or a certified educational clinic student may participate on the interscholastic teams of his/her resident public school if the student resides within the service area of that public school and if the interscholastic activity is unavailable to the student in the private school or certified educational clinic. Students in a private school, alternative school or certified educational clinic must meet the same team responsibilities as public school team members and are obligated by the same standards of behavior and performance as other members of the team.

18.5.3 A full-time high school student in a private school or public alternative school without athletics who qualifies under 18.5.2 above shall participate only at the resident public school that the student would normally attend. This section is intended to prevent a school district with more than one secondary school from allowing a student to apply for open enrollment and thus participate at a school outside of that student's attendance boundaries.

A. In a school district with multiple middle schools, a full-time seventh or eighth grade student in a private school who qualifies under 18.5.2 shall be able to participate at the seventh or eighth grade public school that is nearest that student’s current private school provided he/she resides in that school district.

18.5.4 Home based instruction students are categorized as regular members of a school. Therefore, to be eligible to participate in interscholastic contests/competitions, the student must:

A. Meet both WIAA and school district eligibility requirement standards of all students, including transfer student requirements.

B. Meet and adhere to the same team responsibilities and standards of behavior and performance of other members of the team/squad.

C. Participate as a member of the public school in which service area he/she resides with his/her family unit. After registering with the school district as a home school student, a student is subject to the transfer rules if he/she subsequently changes schools.

D. Provide the school administration acceptable documentation of any interscholastic eligibility standards required of all other student participants.

E. Comply with WIAA and local school regulations during the time of participation.

F. Comply with RCW 28A.225.010 (4).

G. Provide to school authorities all required forms and documentation.

PHILOSOPHY OF SCHOLARSHIP: While the WIAA is aware of the important role that interscholastic athletics play in the development of students, the WIAA member schools are also committed to the philosophy that the primary purpose of our secondary schools should be to academically prepare students to become productive citizens upon graduation. Scholastic incentives should be established and enforced for the educational and personal welfare of the students who participate. AFFIRMATION OF ASSOCIATION GOALS 2.2.1, 2.2.4 AND 2.2.9. THEREFORE:

18.6.0 SCHOLARSHIP - In order to maintain athletic eligibility during the current semester/trimester, the student shall maintain passing grades, or the minimum grade standards as determined by the school district if more restrictive, in a minimum of:

3 classes in a 4 period class schedule

3 classes in a 5 period class schedule

4 classes in a 6 period class schedule

5 classes in a 7 period class schedule

5 classes in an 8 period class schedule

RUNNING START COURSES EQUIVALENT

2 - 5 credit quarter courses 2 high school credits

2 - 3 credit semester courses 2 high school credits

18.6.1 Any class taken as part of the regular schedule of the student during the semester/trimester shall be considered to be a full time subject.

18.6.2 Schools shall establish a grade monitoring system to ascertain the student's passing status in the minimum of required classes. To monitor a student’s continued academic eligibility periodic grade checks within each three to six week period are required during the current semester/trimester beyond normal grading periods. Private school students participating at their public school of residence will be held to the grade standard of the school they academically attend.

18.6.3 A student shall have passed the minimum number of classes as listed in 18.6.0 in the immediately preceding semester/trimester in order to be eligible for competition during the succeeding semester/trimester. The record at the end of the semester/trimester shall be final, except for those credits earned in a regular, accredited summer school program and accepted by the school district.

18.6.4 Incompletes may be made up for credit during the first five (5) weeks of the subsequent semester/trimester. The student shall be ineligible for interscholastic competition until the incomplete(s) are cleared.

18.6.5 ACADEMIC PROBATIONARY PERIOD - A student who has been in regular attendance at least fifteen (15) weeks of the previous semester (10 weeks of the previous trimester), but who failed to make the grade requirements of 18.6.0, shall be placed on probation. The student shall be ineligible during the probationary period. If, at the end of the probation period, the student is passing in the minimum number of classes required above, the student may then be reinstated for interscholastic competition.

A. The probation period for high school students shall be from the end of the previous semester through the first five (5) weeks of the succeeding semester/trimester.

B. The probation period for middle level students shall be from the end of the previous semester through the first three (3) weeks of the succeeding semester/trimester.

C. Each student is eligible on Monday of the week following the end of the probation period. Three or more teaching days shall constitute a week.

18.7.0 PREVIOUS SEMESTER - The student shall have been in regular attendance as a full time student as defined in 18.6.0 and 18.6.3, in an elementary, intermediate, middle level, or high school during the semester/trimester immediately preceding the semester/trimester in which the contest is held.

18.7.1 Completion of a semester is determined by the local school district.

18.7.2 A student who fails to complete the previous semester/trimester shall be ineligible for athletic competition unless the student was in regular attendance a minimum of fifteen (15) weeks of the previous semester or ten (10) weeks of the previous trimester.

18.8.0 REGULAR ATTENDANCE - The student shall be enrolled and in regular attendance within the first fifteen (15) school days in a semester or ten (10) school days in a trimester at the start of the current semester/trimester in order to participate in interscholastic contests during the current semester/trimester.

18.8.1 A student must be in attendance 15 weeks during an 18-week semester (10 of 12 for a trimester.)

18.8.2 A ratio greater than one (1) unexcused absence to six (6) attendances constitutes irregular attendance.

PHILOSOPHY OF RESIDENCE RULE: The WIAA residence rule is intended to create an equitable environment in which its member schools can compete, and at the same time prevent those abuses that taint the goals of interscholastic athletics. Primarily, the residence rule is intended to prevent athletic recruiting, prevent students from choosing schools for athletic reasons, and to promote the varied family units as the best environment for students to live in while attending school. Deterring students from running away from or avoiding imposed discipline, protecting school programs by discouraging athletic transfers and protecting the opportunities for bona fide resident students to participate are also viable reasons for the residence rule. AFFIRMATION OF GOALS 2.2.6 AND 2.2.7 OF THE ASSOCIATION. THEREFORE:

18.9.0 DEFINITION of RESIDENCE and FAMILY UNIT

RESIDENCE - The place where the family unit has established its home and/or the place where the student is habitually present and to which, when departing, the student intends to return.

FAMILY UNIT - The adult(s) who has/have had legal custody of the student for a period of at least one (1) year and with whom the student resides.

18.9.1 In order to be eligible to participate and/or represent a member school in an interscholastic contest, the student of that school must be residing within the boundaries of that school district and designated attendance area of the school. In the event a school does not have a designated attendance area, the WIAA Executive Board shall have the authority to designate an attendance area for such school. The WIAA Executive Board shall consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to the natural or historical attendance area for such school, the geographical setting of the school in the municipality, and the nearby public school boundaries.

18.9.2 Unless otherwise provided, a student shall be eligible while attending a school in the school district in which that student resides with the family unit, and provided that the student has been continuously attending that member school, or a feeder school of that member school, for a period of one (1) year.

18.9.3 A student who cannot meet the Residence Rule requirements would be eligible for all interscholastic competition below the varsity level, subject to 18.22.3.

18.9.4 Residence Area for private schools shall be a fifty (50) mile radius from the school address.

NOTE: Refer to Article 3.1.1 for status of a private school district.

PHILOSOPHY OF TRANSFER - The Transfer Rule is preventative in nature and is devised to eliminate the incentive to transfer schools when the motivation is for athletic purposes and after a student has initially chosen the school of his/her choice while he/she has been living with the family unit. The Transfer Rule protects students who have previously participated in athletic competition at a member school from being replaced by students who transfer for athletic purposes and further protects students at other member schools from the effects of “school shopping” by students and “recruiting” by member schools and their agents. The Transfer Rule encourages fair play, discourages the excesses and abuses of promotion, and protects the integrity of interscholastic athletic programs for the member schools and their students. While recognizing the educational experiences that each member school provides, the WIAA member schools support the right of parents and students to attend a school of their choice. The WIAA member schools believe that once an educational choice has been made there must be a special set of circumstances as covered in the “hardship rule” to warrant athletic eligibility when a student transfer occurs without a commensurate move on the part of the family unit.

18.10.0 TRANSFERRING STUDENTS - After registering with and/or attending a middle level or high school, students changing enrollment to/from one school district to another shall be considered transferring students. In order to be eligible for varsity competition, transferring students must meet the normal residence requirements or the transferring student requirements of 18.10.1, 18.10.2, 18.10.3, or be granted a waiver under 18.12.0 and 18.22.0. This section shall also apply to those students receiving home based instruction. NOTE: Refer to Article 3.1.1 for the status of a private school district.

18.10.1 The following students who are attending a member school shall be deemed to meet the residence rule requirement and transferring student rule requirements:

A. A student whose transfer is based on a bona fide and immediate change of residence to a new school (district) due to an actual physical relocation of and with the entire family unit to a different  residence and preceded by termination of all occupancy of their previous residence.

B. A student attending public school outside of his/her residence district for one (1) calendar year or more is eligible thereafter in a school of that school district provided the enrollment/attendance is continuous.

C. A student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) reside at different abodes as the result of a divorce or court approved legal separation is allowed one (1) transfer between parents or guardians after entering the ninth grade without being restricted to sub-varsity competition for one (1) year. Any subsequent transfer shall be governed by the transferring student rules and procedures.

D. A student who is under commitment to the Department of Social and Health Services, a student who is on juvenile parole status and a student who has been adjudicated as a ward of a juvenile court where residence is the result of assignment by the government entity charged with his/her care.

E. A student whose release has been ordered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction on the basis of a special hardship or detrimental condition.

F. A student who has a residence change following the death or disability of the family unit in order to reside with a relative.

G. A seventh and/or eighth grade student who transfers to a school without a corresponding change of residence by his or her family unit and who meets all other conditions of eligibility shall be eligible at the new school when properly enrolled.

H. A student upon enrollment to the initial first level of a private school from a public school or a public school from a private school.

NOTE: If either the public or the private school declares its ninth graders as junior high athletes, the window of transfer is between the ninth and tenth grade years; if the school declares its ninth graders as high school athletes, the window of transfer is between the eighth and ninth grade years.

18.10.2 A student attending a member school district school for one (1) calendar year or more is eligible in the same school district during subsequent attendance, so long as the enrollment/attendance is continuous.

18.10.3 A student whose transfer is the result of participation in a one-year cultural or educational exchange experience with another country. Form 6 of the WIAA eligibility packet must be submitted to the WIAA District Eligibility Chairperson.

A. A student leaving this country for a one-year cultural/educational experience shall file a letter with his/her district eligibility committee prior to departure and will be eligible at his/her school of origin upon his/her return, provided all other rules of eligibility have been met.

B. A student coming to this country for a one-year cultural/educational experience is eligible at the varsity level for one (1) year only in the school in which he/she has been placed, provided all other rules of eligibility have been met and the student has not graduated from the high school equivalent in his/her home country. Graduated students can not compete interscholastically at any level (i.e., varsity or sub-varsity).

C. In no case will eligibility be extended beyond the four (4) consecutive years provided for in 18.14. There shall be no evidence that a significant reason for the transfer was to participate in athletics. Students must meet all other WIAA rules of eligibility.

18.11.0 SUB-VARSITY STATUS- Ineligibility pursuant to section 18.9.0 shall be effective for one (1) calendar year from the date of enrollment. This ineligible status only prohibits a student from competing at the varsity level.

18.12.0 RESIDENCE RULE WAIVER - Transferring students, unless eligible via 18.9 through 18.10, shall be deemed to have transferred at will and must apply to the WIAA District Eligibility Committee for a waiver of the Residence Rule. Such an application shall be processed under the appeal provisions contained in Article 19 of this Handbook. The procedure for evaluating a transferring student's application will be as follows:

18.12.1 The student must meet all other eligibility requirements of Article 18 of this Handbook.

18.12.2 The student must establish a hardship as defined under the provisions of Article 18.22.0 and as determined by the District Eligibility Committee.

18.12.3 There can be no evidence that either the student transferred for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics or transferred as a result of having been recruited for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics.

18.12.4 In addition to the above requirements, the District Eligibility Chairperson shall, as an added condition of eligibility, require that a transferring student submit a WIAA Previous School Statement. A copy of the signed form must be retained on file in the school office for the duration of the student's attendance at that school.

18.13.0 PHYSICAL EXAMINATION - Prior to the first practice for participation in interscholastic athletics a student shall undergo a thorough medical examination and be approved for middle level and/or high school interscholastic athletic competition by a medical authority licensed to perform a physical examination.

A. Documentation of a detailed review of the student’s medical history with special attention to presence or absence of cardiovascular/pulmonary risks and/or previous significant injury and rehabilitation there from.

B. Documentation of satisfactory examination of the cardiopulmonary system.

C. Documentation of satisfactory sport-specific orthopedic screening examination.

D. A written statement by the examiner as to the fitness of the student to undertake the proposed athletic participation, together with suggestion for activity modification if necessary.

18.13.1 Those licensed to perform physical examinations include a Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), Physician’s Assistant (PA), and Naturopathic Physician.

18.13.2 The school in which this student is enrolled must have on file a statement (or prepared form) from a medical authority licensed to give a physical examination, certifying that the participant's physical condition is adequate for the activity or activities in which the student wishes to participate.

18.13.3 To resume participation following an illness and/or injury serious enough to require medical care, a participating student must present to the school officials a written release from a physician licensed to perform physical examinations and/or a dentist as applicable.

18.13.4 The physical examination shall be valid for twenty-four (24) consecutive months to the date unless otherwise limited by local school district policy.

18.13.5 For each subsequent twenty-four month period the student shall furnish a statement or physical examination form signed by a medical authority licensed to perform a physical examination that provides clearance for continued athletic participation.

18.14.0 SEASON LIMITATIONS - After entering or being eligible to enter the seventh grade students shall have six (6) consecutive years of interscholastic eligibility. If the seventh or eighth grade is repeated, and such repetition is based upon documented academic reasons by the school principal, the repeated year shall not count against the student’s six (6) interscholastic competitive years. Home school students are required to provide documentation of academic deficiency to be verified by the school principal. After entering or being eligible to enter the ninth grade, a student shall have four (4) consecutive years of interscholastic eligibility. For the purpose of this rule, consecutive shall mean starting on a designated date and continuing without delay or interruption for four (4) consecutive years. For the purpose of interpreting this rule, interscholastic eligibility exists for a maximum of six (6) years after entering or being eligible to enter the seventh grade and four (4) consecutive academic years after entering or being eligible to enter the ninth grade, and as long as the total years of eligibility (grades 7-12) do not exceed six (6) years. Application of this rule shall not be determined by years of participation in individual sports or sport seasons.

18.14.1 Students who do not attend school or who fail to, or are deemed ineligible to participate shall forfeit their eligibility during that period and shall not be provided any additional period of eligibility except as may be provided through the appeal process in Article 19. If additional eligibility is granted as provided through Article 19, under no circumstances will eligibility be extended longer than one (1) additional year beyond the fourth consecutive year of high school (grades 9-12.)

18.14.2 Students repeating the eighth grade at the middle level or ninth grade at the junior high level may participate in the senior high school of the same school district provided the principals of both schools involved agree. In such case, the middle level school principal shall provide certification of the student's scholastic eligibility to the high school principal.

18.14.3 Additional eligibility shall not be granted if the student has had six (6) years of interscholastic eligibility after entering or being eligible to enter the seventh grade or four (4) consecutive years of interscholastic eligibility after entering or being eligible to enter the ninth grade.

18.15.0 EIGHTH GRADE PARTICIPATION - A high school with a total enrollment of 75 students or less in grades 9-12 as determined by the official P-223 classification count may use eighth grade students from a WIAA member middle school/junior high to salvage viable varsity high school teams or if no middle level program is offered in that sport during the same season. If the total enrollment of the high school is not over seventy-five (75) when the enrollment count is taken to determine the high school classification, the eighth grade students of the school may be permitted to participate on all high school varsity teams provided there is no middle level program. If the total enrollment of the high school is greater than seventy-five (75) when the enrollment count was taken, but drops below seventy-five (75) at the end of the first two (2) weeks of the school year for the fall sports season or at the end of the first two (2) weeks of the winter or spring sports season, the eighth grade students of the school may be permitted to participate on the high school varsity teams if no program is available at the middle level during that specific sports season

18.15.1 This participation does not count against the student's high school eligibility.

18.15.2 Once a student has competed on the middle level school team, the student is ineligible for that school district's high school team in that sport during that school year.

18.15.3 Once an eighth grade student has participated in one high school contest, he/she is no longer eligible for that sport at the middle school level except when the season schedule in basketball does not allow equal opportunities for boys and girls.

18.15.4 The high school season limitation rule applies to eighth graders playing on a high school team.

18.15.5 Eighth graders may practice with the high school teams during the time period that the seasons run concurrently.

18.16.0 SIXTH GRADE PARTICIPATION- If the total enrollment of the seventh and eighth grades in a middle school is not over sixty (60) when the enrollment count is taken to determine the high school classification, the sixth grade students of the school may be permitted to participate on all seventh and eighth grade teams except tackle football for the next two (2) years. If the total enrollment of seventh and eighth grade students in a middle school is greater than sixty (60) when the enrollment count was taken, but drops below sixty (60) during the first two (2) weeks of any sports season, the sixth grade students of the school may be permitted to participate on all seventh and eighth grade teams except tackle football during that specific sports season.

18.16.1 This participation does not count against the student's middle level eligibility.

18.16.2 When a sixth grade student has participated in one such contest, he/she is no longer eligible for that sport at the elementary school level.

18.17.0 FIFTH GRADE PARTICIPATION – If the total enrollment of the seventh and eighth grades in a middle school is not over forty (40) when the enrollment count is taken to determine the high school classification, the fifth grade students of the school may be permitted to participate on seventh and eighth grade volleyball, basketball and track teams for the next two (2) years. If the total enrollment of seventh and eighth grade students in a middle school is greater than forty (40) when the enrollment count was taken, but drops below forty (40) during the first two (2) weeks of any sports season, the fifth grade students of the school may be permitted to participate on seventh and eighth grade volleyball, basketball and track teams during that specific sports season.

18.17.1 This participation does not count against the student’s middle level eligibility.

18.17.2 When a fifth grade student has participated in one such contest he/she is no longer eligible for that sport at the elementary level.

18.18.0 CONCURRENT SPORTS LIMITATION - A student shall not compete concurrently in more than one  1) interscholastic sport per season.

18.18.1 The exception shall be for students participating in high schools of ‘B’ classification with local administrators and school board determining eligible participation in more than one (1) interscholastic sport per season.

18.18.2 The exception shall be for the student who competes during an alternate season, qualifies for the state tournament, and is required to practice prior to competing in the state tournament. (Example: A student represented his/her school in fall tennis and qualified for the state tournament in the spring. During the spring season this same student represented his/her school in track. Prior to the state tennis tournament, the student is required to have a minimum number of practices, during which time the student is also participating on the track team. In the event that the student also qualifies for the state track meet, state event schedules will NOT be restructured in order for the student to compete in both state events.)

18.18.3 This does not prohibit track and field days held after the close of baseball season or being a cheerleader while concurrently participating in another sport.

18.19.0 NON-SCHOOL PARTICIPATION - During any sport season after joining a school squad, students may not participate on professional teams in that sport and may not represent a college team in that sport. A high school student forfeits any remaining high school eligibility in that sport by participating on a professional or college team.

18.19.1 Students are allowed to try out and/or participate in a practice setting with a college team.

18.19.2 Schools may not give students special treatment or privileges on a regular basis to enable them to participate in non-school athletic activities, such as reduced practice times, special workouts, late arrivals, or early dismissals.

18.19.3 Students shall not compete in the uniform of the school at non-school events.

18.20.0 AMATEUR STANDING - A student who represents a school in an interscholastic sport must be an amateur in that sport. An amateur student-athlete is one who engages in athletics for the physical, mental, social and educational benefits, and to whom athletics is an avocation and not a source of financial reward.

18.20.1 In order to maintain amateur standing in those activities under WIAA jurisdiction, the student athlete may not:

A. Accept merchandise or in-kind gifts of more than $100 in fair market value during any one calendar year August 1 through July 31. Reduced membership fees or reduced user fees from an athletic club, recreation center, golf courses, etc. do not count toward this $100 limit.

B. Accept cash awards.

C. Enter competition under a false name.

D. Accept payment of expense allowances over the actual and necessary expenses for   the athletic trip (NOTE: Entry fees are not considered a reimbursable expense.)