2009-2010 JUNIOR HIGH SPORTS MANUAL

GRADES 7 & 8

The purpose of this Junior High Sports Manual is to clarify the rules and regulations for seventh and eighth grade girls’ athletics for the member schools of the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union. Information is provided regarding rules and regulations plus some answers and clarifications to some of the most frequently asked questions. Some minor areas of the Constitution and By-Laws (new booklet with pink cover) pertain to Junior High but not in great detail.

The purpose of the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union shall be: To promote, direct, protect, and regulate amateur interscholastic athletic relationship for junior high and secondary girls between member schools and to stimulate fair play, friendly rivalry, and good sportsmanship among contestants, schools, and communities throughout the state of Iowa.

Membership and Dues---All senior and junior high schools in the state desiring membership or associate membership in the IGHSAU may make application to the Board of Directors. Application for membership is subject to approval by the Board of Directors. The annual dues of the Union shall be $50 for member schools. Membership dues shall be paid in advance and shall be for the year July 1 to June 30. Membership expires at midnight of June 30 of each year.

Cooperative Sharing Agreements Between Member Junior high Schools---It is permissible for a junior high member school to enter into a cooperative sharing agreement with another junior high member school when the need exists. The schools involved in the agreement must share attendance boundaries unless schools who do share boundaries do not offer the program or refuse to enter into a sharing agreement. A school may have a cooperative sharing agreement with only one other school, unless all schools involved agree to separate sharing agreements. The procedure to be followed is that the Board of Education of each member junior high school must formally agree to the combining of teams. Each school should keep a copy of the agreement on file for reference. The schools are NOT REQUIRED to file these agreements with the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union.

BY-LAWS---ARTICLE V----JUNIOR HIGH

Section 1. For each junior high attendance center within a district where interschool competition is allowed, a membership must be maintained with the IGHSAU.

Section 2. All students participating on a team from a junior high attendance center must be enrolled in the same school.

Section 3. Any time there is more than one junior high attendance center in a school district, any game between those two attendance centers must count towards the team limitation.

Section 4. Competition may not start before 4:00 p.m. nor later than 5:30 p.m. on a school day (subject to the number of games/matches being played---ie…if A, B, and C games are played on the same night at the same site, a game may not get started by 5:30 p.m. That’s OK. If schools are close enough geographically so there is no loss of academic school time in traveling, competition may begin prior to 4:00 p.m.

Section 5. Ninth grade students (and older) will be ineligible to compete with seventh and eighth grade students or in another manner of speaking, on junior high teams. This applies to all competition teams in the Athletic Union administered events.

Eligibility---All students shall be eligible upon entering the seventh grade The Department of Education has no eligibility rules governing seventh and eighth grade students. Local school districts shall establish their own rules and guidelines regarding academic and good conduct rules for eligibility.Students in grades below 7th grade are not eligible to compete.

Physical/Medical Examination---Any student who desires to participate in interscholastic athletics must have a medical examination prior to participating. The certificate of medical examination is valid for one calendar year. A grace period not to exceed 30 days is allowed for an expired physical examination.

Administrative Regulations---“Males shall be excluded from female athletic teams”. This action by the IGHSAU Board of Directors, September 9, 1990. This includes practice and competition.

MEMBER JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS AND THEIR CONTESTANTS MUST OBSERVE THE REGULATIONS AND LIMITATIONS APPLICABLE TO MEMBER HIGH SCHOOLS AND THEIR CONTESTANTS UNLESS SPECIFIC JUNIOR HIGH RULES APPLY. THOSE EXCEPTIONS ARE LISTED HEREAFTER:

Uniforms---Allowances shall be made by officials regarding uniforms which do not totally conform to all requirements of the rule book. Many schools use hand-me-down uniforms or practice jerseys in an effort to allow all players an opportunity to participate. Latitude shall be given to teams whose uniforms are of the same basic color but may vary in other aspect (ie…style, trim, minor color variance, duplicate or illegal numbers, etc). However, junior high athletes are expected to conform to the rule book in regard to t-shirts and undergarments worn under the jersey or short, jewelry, hair devices, headbands, etc)

Season---Junior High season may be any time during the school year as long as school is in session, but it may not be longer in length than that of the high school season (exception—softball and soccer may be during the summer).

VOLLEYBALL

Playing Dates---9 Individual player limitations -- 6 matches per day

Scrimmages---3 per individual player

No jamborees are allowed

Tournaments are legal and count as one playing date

*MUST USE RALLY SCORING---Point requirements and/or time limits shall be determined prior to the start of each match

*NO SCORING CAP ALLOWED---must win by 2 points

*Line Judges are REQUIRED

Must have at least one registered official. If only one registered official is used, he/she shall serve as the referee and be positioned on the stand/platform. High school students may be licensed to officiate games involving 7-8 grade students.

BASKETBALL

Playing Dates---12 games per team and per individual player

Individual Participation Limit---6 Quarters per day

No jamborees are allowed.

Scrimmages---3 per individual player

A school may petition the State Office to play two games on a non-school day (Saturday). If granted, a student would be allowed to play in eight (8) quarters that day.

*3 Point Goal---Legal if both teams mutually agree prior to the start of the game

*6 Minute Quarters-----3 minute overtime period

*Intermediate sized ball shall be used

Must have at least two officials---one must be registered. High school students may be licensed to officiate games involving 7-8 grade students.

CROSS COUNTRY

Playing Dates----7

Length of race---2 miles

No scrimmages are allowed

May not start practice before the first day of school

May practice with but not against high school athletes from same school

Not permitted to run in races in which high school participants are competing---it is legal to start high school race and then several minutes later start the junior high race---both are running at the same time but not actually competing against each other.

*Uniform---school issued

*Rule 9-5-1-6 Can wear hat and gloves if inclement weather and if approved by host school and starter prior to the meet

A registered starter shall be used to start and judge all meets.

TRACK

Playing Dates---7

No scrimmages

Invitational meets are limited in number of teams to the number of lanes on the track

Individual Participation---four events per meet of which not more than three may be running events

Schools must run the standardized order of events.

*4 K Shot Put shall be used

*1 K Discus shall be used

All junior high hurdle races shall use 30-inch hurdles.

Shuttle Hurdle Relay---The distance from the starting line to the first hurdle and from the last hurdle to the finish line shall be 13 meters (42 feet, 7 3/4 inches) and the distance between hurdles set at 8.5 meters (27 feet 10 1/2 inches). There shall be 7 hurdles used in the race. Odd numbered lanes should be assigned to the 1st and 3rd runners and even numbered lanes assigned to the 2nd and 4th runners.

200 Meter Hurdle Race---The distance from the starting line to the first hurdle shall be 55 meters and the distance between the hurdles shall be set at 35 meters. The distance from the last hurdle to the finish line shall be 40 meters. There shall be a total of 4 hurdles used in the race.

A registered starter shall be used to start and judge the meet.

SOFTBALL

Eighth grade students are eligible to practice on May 10, 2010 and compete on May 24, 2010. Graduated eighth graders may compete on the junior high team, high school team, or both. If competing in junior high and high school---may only play in three games in one day! Their season limitation is 65 total games.

SOCCER

Playing Dates---13

No jamboree is allowed

One scrimmage per individual

*Each individual player may participate in three halves per day (six if in a tournament). The season match limitation is equal to that of the team. Any participation on a day constitutes participation in a match. If double dual, limit is four halves.

*Two of the 13 dates may be tournaments. When more than one match takes place in a day, it constitutes a tournament. Double duals are legal and count as two playing dates if not used as a tournament.

*No more than five matches may be played in one tournament, and no more than three matches in one day. Regularly scheduled regular season matches may not be part of a tournament.

*Eighth grade students are no longer allowed to practice or compete with the high school team.

GOLF

Playing Dates---12

No scrimmages or jamboree allowed

TENNIS

Playing Dates—12

No scrimmages or jamboree allowed

SWIMMING

Playing Dates---12

No scrimmages or jamboree allowed

SOFTBALL

Playing Dates---40 games

Individual participation limit---65 games.

May only play in three games on one day.

Scrimmages---3 per individual

*A team is permitted to play no more than three games in any single day.

*Tournaments may include no more than 16 teams. No more than four games may be played in any tournament.

*A team may play in only one tournament at a time and may play no more than three games on a calendar day.

*A student who has completed the sixth grade is eligible to play softball on the junior high team that summer. A student who has completed the eighth grade is eligible to play softball with the junior high and/or high school team---has a three games per day limit (total for JH and HS)

Metal cleats and metal toe plates are legal.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q--Can a 5th or 6th grade student play on the junior high team?

A—No. A student must be in the 7th or 8th grade in order to compete on a junior high team with the following exception---a student who has completed the 6th grade may play on the junior high soccer or softball team during competition that summer; however a 5th grade student would never be eligible to play on the junior high team. Sixth grade and younger students may never compete on the junior high team in any other sport.

Q—Do junior high coaches have to be certified?

A—Yes. Anyone whether under contract or voluntary who performs coaching duties must be properly licensed or certified.

Q—Our school has a large number of athletes and not enough coaches---can a parent volunteer to help during practice?

A—No. No one except properly licensed or certified coaches may perform coaching duties in practice or in game competition.

Q—Our school has an academic rule where students have to be passing all classes or are checked academically on a weekly basis. Can they do that?

A—Yes. Each local school shall establish their own rules governing academic eligibility. They may also establish their own timelines for becoming eligible again.

Q—Can a school have “good conduct” rules and consequences in junior high?

A—Absolutely. Each local school may establish their own set of “good conduct rules and consequences”.

Q—Is it legal for a school to hold practice on a Saturday, Sunday, or during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Spring vacation?

A—Yes. Each local school is in charge of determining their own practice schedules.

Q—Our coach has stated that if an athlete misses practice that the athlete will not get to play or might even be dismissed from the team. Can they do that?

A—Yes. Each local school shall establish their own rules for their team including consequences for missing practice or other disciplinary reasons.

Q—Our coach has stated or handed out expectations in writing that if the athlete does not attend off season camps or weight room workouts, then they will not be allowed to come out for the sport or simply won’t get to play. Can they do that?

A—No. Coaching personnel shall not be allowed to require students to participate in any activities outside the season of that coach’s sport as a condition of participation in the coach’s sport during its season.

Q—Can our high school coach work with our junior high athletes outside the season on an AAU or club team?

A—Yes. Junior high students and coaches are not governed by the camp/clinic rules.

Q—De we have to have licensed officials to officiate junior high games or matches?

A—Yes, at least one registered official must be used in all sports. It is obviously recommended that all officials be registered in volleyball, basketball, softball, soccer, etc. But it is permissible to conduct the game with one registered and others as non-registered. Remember, high school students may become licensed to officiate games involving seventh and eighth grade students.

Q—We witnessed a high school student officiating in a junior high game. Is that legal?

A—It is possible for a high school student to be licensed---they are only allowed to officiate games involving seventh and eighth grade students.

Q—We have a boy in our junior high who would prefer to play on the girls’ volleyball team instead of on the boys’ football team. Can he do that?

A—No. A boy is not permitted to participate (or practice) on a girls’ athletic team.

Q—Can a junior high girl participate on the junior high boys wrestling or football team?

A—Yes, subject to the policies of the Iowa High School Athletic Association and local school district. If there is a like sport program for girls within your school district, then the girl must participate on the girls’ team. If a like sport is not offered, then it is recommended the school district allow the girl to compete on the boys’ team. A meeting is recommended involving the principal, athletic director, coach, athlete, and the parents to discuss the expectations and risks involved.

Q--What happens if a junior high athlete or coach gets ejected from a game?

A—A report must be filed with the State Office from the official and from the school administration of the offender. Typically for a first offense, a one-date suspension will be issued. For a repeat offense, a multi-date suspension will be issued.

Q—Our volleyball or cross country coach wants to start practice the week before school starts. Can they legally do that?

A—No. They may not have practice until school has actually begun.

Q—A student is retained in junior high for a third year. Can she participate?

A—The Department of Education has no rules governing eligibility at the junior high level. However, it is recommended for each local school district to have a policy in place to govern the number of semesters a student may be eligible.

Q—A student is in the eighth grade but is 16 years of age? Is she still eligible to compete?

A—The Department of Education has no rules governing eligibility at the junior high level. However, it is recommended for each local school district to have a policy in place to govern the age limitations for a student to remain eligible at the junior high level.

Q—In basketball, our school plays an A, B, and C game for eighth grade basketball. Can a girl play in the A and B game on the same night?

A—Girls are allowed to play in six (6) quarters on a calendar day. It does not matter which games or levels those six (6) quarters come from. It is the coach’s responsibility to keep an accurate record of quarters played so that a player does not exceed the six (6) quarters in one day.

Q—In track, what is the penalty if an athlete exceeds the limit of four events in one day or exceeds the limit of running in three events?

A—The team shall forfeit all points scored by that individual in all events she was in during that meet.

Q—In volleyball, what happens if there are no line judges?

A—The officials shall simply not begin the match until line judges are selected and in place. It is the responsibility of home management to provide two line judges. It is not required for them to be adults—many times a player from each team who are playing in a different match are used. It is also permissible for parents or teachers to be used.

Q—Can girls shoot the three-pointer in junior high girls basketball games?

A—Yes, if both teams mutually agree prior to the start of the game.

Q—In volleyball, can junior high teams play two of three game matches or do they play three of five matches? And do they play to 15, 21, or 25 points?

A—In junior high, the number of games and point totals used are determined by the host school but usually mutually agreed upon by both teams or by a conference rule prior to the match. They cannot have a scoring cap—must win by two points. However they can play two games, six games, two of three, three of five, or just play for a specified amount of time (ie…1 hour. or one hour 15 minutes, etc.) and can play to 11, 15, 21, 25, points etc The important thing is that it is mutually agreed upon prior to starting and that the officials have been informed of the protocol, point totals, and time limits prior to starting.

Q—Is it legal for junior high softball players to wear metal cleats?

A—Yes, metal cleats and metal toe plates are legal.

Q — Is it permissible to use the libero player in junior high volleyball?

A — Yes, a team is not required to use the libero, but may if they wish. Effective in 2006, the libero is also allowed to serve in one rotation spot. If used, a tracker must assist the scorekeeper in keeping track of the libero and her replacements.

Q — Can junior high athletes wear jewelry while competing?

A — No, jewelry is not permitted (exception for religious or medical) -- same rule as high school.

Q.- Can our high school coach conduct a clinic for junior high or younger students during the school year?

A - Yes the contact rule does not apply to junior high age or younger students. High school athletics in that sport are allowed to assist one day each as clinicians with that clinic.

Q.- Our school has the same coach for junior high as high school cross country. Can both groups practice at the same time?

A.- Yes-both groups amy practice simultaneously. Typically the distances and workouts will be different anyway. Junior High and High School athletes should not be running against each other.

Q. - Can a boy participate in our Junior High volleyball practice in a spiking or blocking drill?

A. - No- boys are no longer allowed to practice or play against girls.

Q. - Can a high school coach allow an especially talented 8th grade girl to scrimmage against his High School team?

A. - No.

Q. - Our high school team had a very small squad-not enough to practice or scrimmage. Can our 8th grade team practice with the high school team given these circumstances?

A. - Yes - but the entire 8th grade team must do that - it cannot be just a select few. This would constitute the practice for that day for the 8th grade team. This is only permitted in cases when the high school numbers are low.