SECTION 4: INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES
4.1
COMPETITION - This section is applicable to interscholastic athletic activities included in 4.2 – 4.14.
4.1.1
Mailings - Rule books will be mailed to athletic directors prior to the beginning of regular season practice
except for the sports of golf and tennis. All other information can be found in the athletic activities section of
the Handbook or on the NCHSAA website.
4.1.2
Classifications - 1A - 8A for all sports except:
(a)
Women’s Golf and Indoor Track classes are 1A and 2A (combined), 3A-8A.
(b)
Swimming and Diving - 1A through 3A(combined), 4A-8A
(c)
Lacrosse 1A through 6A (combined), 7A and 8A
(d)
Individual Wrestling: men's 1A and 2A (combined), 3A-8A; women's 1A through 4A(combined), 5A-8A.
4.1.3
Organizational Meeting - An organizational meeting for the purpose of discussing policies, academics, dis
tributing physical forms and the like, or equipment issue prior to the opening date of practice is allowed, but
no sports instruction would be permitted in that setting.
4.1.4
Preseason Certification (ELIGIBILITY SUMMARY FORM) - Each member school must submit its preseason
certification information (ELIGIBILITY SUMMARY FORM) on the NCHSAA website. Dates for submission to
NCHSAA are September 1 (fall), December 1 (winter), and March 15 (spring).
(a)
Certifies that all pre-season meetings have been conducted.
(b)
Certifies that student-athletes and their parents have signed the sportsmanship pledge, and also cer
tifies that their student-athletes are eligible in all respects.
(c)
Certifies coaches have signed the "Code of Conduct for Coaches" and viewed the Eligibility Video.
(d)
Certifies that each school has an updated Emergency Action Plan.
(e)
Certifies all coaches, student-athletes, and parents have viewed the "CrashCourse" Concussion Video
prior to participation.
(f)
Certifies athletic directors have completed their NFHS “After School Safety” course or completed the
NIAAA LTC 631 “ Emergency Management of Interscholastic Athletic Events”
4.1.5
Preseason Scrimmages - All sports at the high school are permitted two preseason varsity scrimmages, with
the exception of football, and this competition can be between two schools or with multiple schools. A “scrim
mage” means any kind of practice game, match, or contest where designated teams compete against one an
other in any way. Every such practice game, match, or contest is a scrimmage regardless of whether the score
is kept, officials are present, or the full number of players compete at any given time.
(a)
Cross country, golf, swimming, and tennis. No officials are required.
(b)
Football – Five (5) hours of preseason scrimmage time is allowed. Live kicking situations are allow
able only when officials are present. These scrimmages cannot occur until at least 8 separate days of
practice have been completed [See Rule 4.5.3(b)(5)]. NCHSAA-registered officials must be used for at
least two hours of the allotted total of five and is recommended for use for all five hours. Scrimmages
may be conducted between two (2) or multiple schools.
NOTE: Student-athletes must be given a minimum of 48 hours between scrimmages and 72 hours
are recommended.
(c)
Two scrimmages may be held in the same preseason week, and the preseason scrimmages must be
conducted as events open to the public (no closed scrimmages allowed).
(d)
Junior varsity scrimmages are allowed in conjunction with varsity scrimmages, at the same time and site.
(e)
Scrimmages must be played prior to the first regular season contest.
NOTE: A scrimmage with an outside team during the regular season is a violation and must
be counted as a regular contest and must not exceed daily, weekly, or seasonal limits.
(f)
For the sports of football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, wrestling, lacrosse, baseball and softball, offi
cials must be used in at least one of the school’s scrimmages so that there will be common exposure
to rules situations.
(g)
Officials are to be assigned to work a maximum of two hours per scrimmage.
(h)
Admission may be charged.
(i)
Only eligible student-athletes may participate
(j)
Non-school participants may assist the coaching staff in an instructional or demonstrational manner.
But any scrimmage-type competition or activity between non-school participants and high school
team members is regarded as a game, which is then subject to games-per-week, season limitations,
and use of NCHSAA-registered officials.
4.1.6
Eligibility Sheets - Eligibility sheets should be kept on file at the local school; must be made available to the
NCHSAA upon request and are required to be shared among conference members.
4.1.7
Ejection Reports - Officials must electronically file the required ejection report to the NCHSAA within 24
hours of the contest’s completion. The NCHSAA will electronically send copies of the ejection report to the
principal, athletic director and regional supervisor. Athletic directors are required to submit a confirmation
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