feitures of all unplayed conference games. A contract should be in place for all non-conference games. The contract
should stipulate the remedy for any unplayed contest. Absent a signed contract, no forfeiture shall be awarded
without mutual agreement.
2.2.10 Weekly/Player Limits - Student-athletes must always stay within the daily, weekly and seasonal limita
tions of their prescribed sports.
(a)
Both teams and individual players are subject to the daily, weekly and seasonal limitations for each
sport.
(b)
See Section 4 for any sport-specific exceptions.
2.2.11 Season Limitations - All regular season contests and conference tournaments must be completed before
the playoff reporting date.
(a)
The season ends for all sports with the reporting deadline or when defeated in the state playoffs.
NOTE: A conference tournament, if held, may be held at any time during the regular season. It does not have
to be a culminating event for the regular season unless specified by conference by-laws. Exceptions for post-
poned contests which have a bearing on conference standings (for awards, Wells Fargo points, etc.) or
which are important money games for the schools in- volved may be requested through the NCHSAA.
(b)
The opening date for practice, the authorized date for the first game, and the number of regular sea-
son contests allowed for each sport are specified under individual sports headings.
2.2.12 Split Squads - A varsity team may not be divided or split for athletic purposes, with the exception of cross
country, indoor track and field, track and field, and wrestling.
(a)
There may be JV teams, ninth-grade teams, etc.
(b)
This rule does not prevent a junior varsity player from playing with the varsity and vice versa,
provided he or she does not exceed specified participation limitations.
2.2.13 Unattached and Unaffiliated Athletes
(a)
Unattached - An athlete is unattached if the athlete is not representing his/her high school team in
that competition. In order to be unattached by the technical definition of the term, the athlete must
be a member of a team, such as an outside club team, but for whatever reason is not representing
his/her high school team in the specific competition. Unattached athletes must assume all liability
and all expenses for themselves, including transportation, and cannot wear school uniforms in the
competition. The NCHSAA does not regulate unattached student-athletes; it is up to the discretion of
the meet director to decide whether to admit unattached student-athletes. Performances while
competing unattached cannot be used to qualify for NCHSAA regional or state meets.
(b)
Unaffiliated - A student-athlete is unaffiliated if he or she does not have a team or does not belong to
a governing body. This means that no one is currently monitoring his or her eligibility. Home-
schooled student-athletes who do not belong to an association of some kind (such as Forsyth Home
Educators) are considered unaffiliated, and are not recognized by the NCHSAA.
2.2.14 Sports Seasons - The sports season for a school is defined as that period of time which begins with the
opening date of practice (as called for by each individual school) and goes through the reporting deadline or a
team's final playoff game in a particular sport.
(a)
By defining the length of each sport’s season, an attempt has been made to provide balance to the
athletic calendar so that students have an opportunity to compete in a variety of sports throughout
the school year.
(b)
Any competition with outside teams in an Off-Season Skill Development Session is prohibited
during the academic school year calendar, inclusive of all weekends, holidays, work days, etc.
(c)
On a given day, a student-athlete is limited to 2 hours of skills development or weight training/
conditioning during the academic school year calendar, inclusive of all weekends, holidays, work
days, etc. Skill development sessions are not to exceed 2 hours in duration including flex time
(stretching), meetings, video review and breaks.
(d)
Skill Development Sessions are allowed, but shall not be held during any tryout period of an in-sea-
son sport.
(1)
Dead Periods - Sessions are not allowed during the following periods:
(i)
July 30 - August 19, 2025
(ii)
October 29 (October 22, Non-Football Schools) - November 18, 2025
(iii)
Last five (5) student days of the First Semester
(iv)
February 16 - March 8, 2026
(v)
Last ten (10) student days of the Second Semester
(vi)
June 29 – July 5, 2026
(vii)
July 20 - July 26, 2026
(2)
The weight room must also be closed during the last five student days of the first semester
and the last ten student days of second semester.
(3)
All skill development sessions must be voluntary and open to all students with a current and
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