Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association Manual

Transcription

1 Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association Manual Rules & Regulations Academic Year

2 Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 2

3 Table of Contents Section 1: General Information I. FICAA Mission, Philosophy, Purpose 5 II. Statements of Faith, Organizational Structure 6 III. Committees & Resolutions 7 IV. Membership Requirements, Forms, & Meetings 8 V. Fees & Dues 9 VI. Calendar & Dates 10 VII. Eligibility 11 VIII. Undue Influence 14 IX. General Procedures for Athletic Competitions 15 X. Tournaments, Playoffs, & Awards 18 XI. General Sports Information a. Sportsmanship & Ethics 22 b. Game Operations & Officials 24 Section 2: Sports Specific Information I. Baseball 27 II. Basketball 29 III. Cross Country 30 IV. Football 32 V. Golf 34 VI. Soccer 36 VII. Softball 38 VIII. Tennis 40 IX. Track & Field 45 X. Volleyball 47 Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 3

4 Section 1 General FICAA Information Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 4

5 I. General Information I. FICAA Mission Statement The mission of the FICAA is to promote the highest level of Godly competition and Christian community among Christian, Independent, and Non-Traditional schools in Florida. II. Philosophy of the FICAA The purpose for starting the FICAA is to promote high school and middle school athletics for students in Christian Schools, Independent Schools, as well as those individuals who may receive a non-traditional education. Although the FICAA will promote and encourage Christian values, the association will not have any direct affiliation with a particular school, church or any other organization. All schools and organizations will follow the same rules to ensure that each school or organization will have the same opportunities to reach their highest potential. The FICAA understands that its member schools, although they will be competing against each other, are all part of the same team, God s team. The FICAA desires to unite these Christ- Centered schools, which wish to impact and influence their students through athletics. The FICAA member schools will work together to create a competitive athletic environment that honors God at all levels. The FICAA and its members schools should strive to set a Godly example of excellence in everything they do. The primary goal of school athletics should be to teach life lessons and life skills that will equip and prepare our young men and women for the world beyond school athletics, as well as provide the very best opportunity for those who wish to play at the next level. Winning should be a goal, but bringing honor and glory to God in how we play should be considered far more important. Every school, athletic director, coach, and student should strive to do their very best because God is honored when we give our best to Him. Coaches hold an enormous amount of influence over their athletes. Therefore, member schools should choose their coaches carefully and prayerfully. Athletic competition can be and should be conducted in a way that brings honor and glory to God and draws people to Him. III. FICAA Three-Fold Purpose The FICAA exists to 1. Provide leadership and training for Christian School Athletic Programs, administrators, and coaches 2. Create an arena of equitable competition by providing quality statewide Championship Tournaments in all sports. 3. Develop opportunities of growth for deserving student-athletes through scholarships and partnerships with Christian Universities and Colleges. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 5

6 IV. FICAA Statements of Faith As a Christian organization, the Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association believes that: 1. There is only one God who eternally exist in three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is the creator and sustainer of all living things including every male and female all with a distinct purpose. 2. The Bible is the infallible and authoritative Word of God. It provides truths by which we base our beliefs and standards by which we base our behaviors. 3. Jesus is the one and only Son of God who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross to pay the penalty of sin for all of mankind, rose from the dead on the third day, and is coming back to earth to rule and reign throughout eternity. 4. Salvation is offered to anyone who puts their faith and trust in the atoning work of Jesus. They shall be saved from judgment and be rewarded with eternal life in heaven. 5. The church is made up of believers in the Lord Jesus. It exists with a three-fold purpose to worship God, learn and grow spiritually, and reach out to the world around it in order to share the truth of the gospel and meet the needs of its community. 6. The hope of the church is Jesus promise that He would come back again and take us to Heaven to be with Him forever. V. Organizational Structure The FICAA will have a Director, President, a Board of Directors and Regional Coordinators, whose sole purpose is to serve the member schools in the association. The FICAA will be responsible for: 1. Sanction of all rosters 2. Collection of all forms and documents of member schools and organizations 3. Setting Regional and State Tournaments 4. Answering all questions for member schools and organizations 5. Creating annual calendar of events VI. School Size and Student Classifications Schools will compete in one division until the association reaches 65 Varsity-level member schools. At that time it will be divided into two divisions based on enrollment figures. Once the association surpasses 100 Varsity-level member schools a third division will be considered. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 6

7 VII. FICAA Committees FICAA will have two distinct committees: Executive Committee and Four Regional Committees. 1. The Executive Committee will comprise of the FICAA Director, President, and the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee will handle all disputes. 2. The Regional Committees (4) will consist of the Regional Chairman (appointed by the Executive Committee) and representatives from each school within each Regional. VIII. Dispute Resolutions If any dispute arises within the association it is our hope that the Executive Committee will be able to resolve the situation with a fair and balanced solution. If by chance a solution cannot be found, grounds for dismissing a school or an organization from the FICAA will include: 1. Failing to adhere to the rules set out by the FICAA 2. Intentional disregard of the playing or safety rules as set out by NFHS regulation 3. Not paying association fees 4. Failing to show up at a scheduled Tournament 5. Attempting to influence the Executive Committee Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 7

8 II. Membership Requirements I. Membership Entrance Requirements Admittance into the FICAA will include filling out the registration and sending it to the FICAA office along with the registration fee. Each school will be placed in one of four Regionals dependent on the number of participants in their area in any given sport. II. Insurance and Liability All schools or organizations are responsible for insuring their own students. FICAA member schools must complete the Insurance/Liability Waiver found on the FICAA website ( on an annual basis. III. Forms Required forms will be available on the FICAA website ( Refer to the Calendar of Events for sport specific due dates. The following forms will be considered required for each sport: 1. Application for Membership 2. Insurance Liability Waiver 3. Statement of Cooperation 4. Extra Roster Addition Request 5. Playing Field/Venue Approval 6. Roster Forms 7. Player of the Week Nomination Forms 8. Concussion Acknowledgement Waivers IV. Association Meetings 1. All member schools are required to attend annual meetings. 2. An Administrator, Athletic Director or their representative must attend. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 8

9 III. Fees and Dues I. Membership Dues The annual membership fee is $ per school plus $ per sport registered. II. Gate Admission Fees All FICAA Regional, State, and Invitational events will charge a gate admission fee. Standard fee amounts are listed below: 1. Ages 5 and under are free for all events 2. FICAA passes given to coaches, school administrators, and sponsors are accepted. Sport/Season Regional Tournament State Playoffs All Middle School Tournaments Volleyball, Basketball, and Football All Other Tournaments Adults up to $5 max per day Students up to $3 max per day Adults up to $8 max per day Students up to $5 max per day Adults up to $8 max per day Students up to $5 max per day Adults $8 per day Students $4 per day Adults $10 per day Students $5 per day Adults $8 per day Students $4 per day Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 9

10 IV. Calendars I. Sports Calendar Refer to sports calendar for specific dates regarding: II. Practice Dates 1. Fee Due Dates 2. Roster Due Dates 3. Schedule Due Dates 4. Pass List Due Dates 5. Official Practice Start Dates 6. Official Opening Game Days 7. Last Regular Season Game Days 8. Regional and State Tournament Playoff Dates 9. Scheduled FICAA and Regional Association Meetings Legal practice dates are established for each sport and schools may not conduct or allow an illegal practice. Refer to the sports calendar on the FICAA website for sports specific dates. 1. Any team practice occurring after the beginning of the school year and before the FICAA official start date for the designated season is an illegal practice. 2. Any practice occurring after the end of the season for that team until the end of the school year for students in that school is an illegal practice. Teams that would like to participate in a national or additional post-season tournament other than the FICAA end-of-season tournament must submit a request to the FICAA office for approval. 3. Schools may have tryouts in the spring for fall sports. Tryouts can be any time after February of the preceding year and are limited to five days. III. Summer Policy Summer is defined as the calendar day following the last day of school attendance until fall sports practice begins as posted on the website. Refer to the sports calendar for sport specific dates. The FICAA does not sanction, sponsor, promote, approve or disapprove any individual school s summer activity. 1. Each FICAA school has the right and privilege of choosing the degree and nature of involvement for summer activities which the school takes sole responsibility. 2. Practices, camps, clinics, leagues, etc. may be held during the summer months. Football practices in pads are restricted to Fall starting dates published in the FICAA sports schedule. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 10

11 V. Eligibility I. Certification of Eligibility 1. Eligibility Reports i. All schools must file an eligibility report that lists all students in the 8th-12th grade with the FICAA every August with the number of subjects passed for the previous school year. The due date will be on the sports calendar. ii. The cutoff dates to add newly enrolled students are as follows: 1. Fall Sports Deadline - September Winter Sports Deadline - January 5 3. Spring Sports Deadline - March Birth Certificates i. Member schools are responsible for the certification of birth of their students participating in athletic competitions, and should be able to provide this certification if verification is necessary. ii. A student's gender is determined by the gender noted on his/her certificate at birth. 3. Limits of Participation i. A student has eight consecutive semesters or four consecutive years of eligibility from the date of entry into the 9th grade to be eligible to interscholastic completion. Eligibility in the 8th grade will be for one year only for varsity. In other words, an 8th grader who participates on the varsity level cannot repeat the 8th grade and play on the varsity level again in the same grade. ii. A student who turns 19 prior to May 1st preceding the school year of participation will not be eligible to play varsity sports the following school year. iii. A student cannot participate in any athletic contest as a professional under contract. 4. Academic Eligibility i. A student must be academically eligible in order to be eligible for any type of participation in sports related activity, which includes but is not limited to games, practices, and/or tryouts. ii. Students must be passing at least five classes at the end of the first semester to remain eligible. They must pass at least five classes for the second semester or for the year to be eligible for the following year. iii. A student must be taking the appropriate number of subjects each year to be on track to graduate in four years. iv. Summer school credits are limited to two credits. Cases with extreme circumstances can be appealed to the Executive Committee and this rule will not have any effect on units schools count toward graduation. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 11

12 5. Transfer Eligibility i. A student who transfers from one FICAA member school to another FICAA member school without a legitimate move is ineligible for interscholastic participation for one full school year. ii. Any move that is not legitimate and is made for the purpose of creating eligibility will be considered illegal. The student will be ineligible at any FICAA school for a period of one school year unless there are extenuating circumstances, in which case the Executive Committee would have to rule. iii. A legitimate move is defined as the following: The family of the student moves closer to the school to which they are transferring than they were to the school previously enrolled. iv. If a student does not change residence, the Executive Committee will automatically hear the case for transfer. v. No transfer after the cutoff dates makes any student eligible for that season. vi. The student would not be allowed to participate until the Executive Committee has approved his/her transfer. vii. If a parent is a full-time employee of a FICAA member school and changes schools as a coach or full-time employee, then the child of the employee can compete at the new school without losing eligibility. (Full-time employee is considered 20 or more work hours a week) II. Exchange & Foreign Students The FICAA recognizes all exchanges programs that are approved through the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). 1. Foreign exchange students registered with a CSIET approved program are eligible for FICAA participation if they arrive before September 15, Foreign exchange students registered with a CSIET approved program that arrive after September 15, 2016 must appear before the Executive Committee to be considered eligible. The student is then eligible for FICAA participation without further approval until another transfer of schools occurs. 3. Foreign students that live with family and arrive in this country legally are eligible. 4. Foreign students that arrive in this country legally and are not living with family and are not under an approved exchange program must appear before the Executive Committee to be considered eligible. The student is then eligible for FICAA participation without further approval until another transfer of schools occurs. 5. Please submit all foreign exchange students information in writing to the FICAA office along with the student s transcript. 6. If your school is not approved by CSIET and you develop your own Foreign Exchange Program or you have used a different program, you must file any and all paperwork with the FICAA by May 1 st of the preceding school year for approval. 7. All foreign exchange students must meet all eligibility requirements as noted in the Eligibility Section. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 12

13 III. Joint & Dual Enrollment Students who are jointly enrolled in a FICAA member school and a local college or university must meet the following criteria to be deemed eligible: 1. Student-Athlete must be a full-time student of the FICAA member school. 2. A portion of the student s class schedule must be taken at the FICAA School. 3. The FICAA member school and the college or university must award the student full graduation credits for jointly enrolled classes. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 13

14 VI. Undue Influence, Scholarships, and Non-Interscholastic Teams I. Undue Influence 1. Undue influence to persuade a student for athletic purposes offered in the FICAA is not permitted and will result in penalties to that member school. Student may have to forfeit eligibility for one year from the date of enrollment. 2. Undue influence is defined by the FICAA as personal contact by coaches and sponsors in an attempt to persuade transfer by gifts of money, jobs, supplies, clothing, free transportation, free admission to contests, invitations to attend practices and/or games, or free tuition. 3. Reports or accusations of this rule being violated by a school will be investigated and handled by the Executive Committee. II. Scholarships III. Travel Teams 1. No student will be allowed a scholarship purely for athletic purposes. 2. The Executive Committee will be responsible for determining if a scholarship and/or financial aid is being given for athletic purposes. 1. If a FICAA coach coaches a non-ficaa team in a competitive setting during the school year, then the non-ficaa team cannot consist of more than 50% of the roster of the coach s FICAA school team. 2. A student-athlete that plays for a coach in a non-ficaa competitive setting cannot transfer to play for that coach at any FICAA school. This action would result in the student-athlete being ineligible for up to one full calendar year. 3. Reports or accusations of this rule being violated by a school, coach, or studentathlete will be investigated and handled by the Executive Committee. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 14

15 VII. Policies and Procedures for Athletic Competitions I. School Directions Member schools are required to provide detailed directions to their home facility and/or field where they host games. For any changes in the host location, the member school is responsible for notifying the visiting team and must send updated information to the league office. Host field or facility must meet the requirements stated in the gaming rules and regulations for the respected sport being played. Location details will be available on the website. II. Rosters All rosters will be reviewed and sanctioned by the Executive Committee before the season begins. Rosters must be submitted by the sport specific due date. Refer to the sports calendar. Roster forms are located on the FICAA website. The 2 week roster deadline will be from the start of the first playoff game. III. Game Results All FICAA member schools should submit game results to the FICAA Office using the Game Results Form on the FICAA website ( Results must be submitted within two business days of the conclusion of each game. IV. Gaming Rules and Regulations All athletics will be played under the rules and regulations of the National Federation of High School Rules (NFHS) unless changes are adopted by the Executive Committee for a specific sport. Tennis will use the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Rule Book. Golf will use the United States Golf Association (USGA) Rules of Golf. V. Equipment Equipment allowed in sports will be based on the guidelines listed in the NFHS gaming rules or in the Sports Specific Information section of this manual, unless otherwise modified by the FICAA office. VI. Physicals FICAA requires that each member school maintain a current annual physical on file for each athlete. Schools are encouraged to carry copies of physicals to all games to expedite medical attention for an injured athlete. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 15

16 VII. Blood Policy Players who are bleeding must be removed from play as an injured player until the medical problem is corrected. Players with blood on their uniform must change or thoroughly disinfect and clean the uniform in order to re-enter the game. Official in charge must approve entrance to the game. Any blood on the playing surface must result in the official calling time out to have the soiled area thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before play can restart. VIII. Concussion Policy 1. FICAA member schools must abide by House Bill 284, known as the "Return to Play Act of This act was effective on January 1, Please refer to the FICAA website ( for all forms and information regarding the concussion policy. 2. All FICAA schools must provide parents or guardians of every student athlete an information sheet about concussions. A Concussion Acknowledgement Form is located in the Forms section of the FICAA website. The school and parent/guardian must keep a signed copy. 3. It is mandatory that every coach in each FICAA sport participate in a free, online course on concussion management available at at least every two years. Each school is responsible for maintaining the participation of its coaches in the concussion management course and must keep a record of those who participate. 4. Each school must be in compliance with the Florida law concerning concussions. Every FICAA school should meet with their coaching staff and review the concussion policy prior to the beginning of every season. 5. It is very important that every administrator, athletic director, coach, parent, official, athlete, and health care professional know the symptoms and steps to take when dealing with student athletes that display signs of a possible concussion. Concussions can be a serious health issue and should be treated as such. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 16

17 IX. Heat Policy All member schools are recommended to utilize a scientifically approved instrument that measures WBGT at each practice. The following WBGT readings the corresponding activity, hydration, and rest break guidelines should apply: 1. Under Normal activities. Provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour, each break consisting of a minimum duration of 3 minutes Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise. Watch at-risk students carefully. Provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour, each break consisting of a minimum of four minutes in duration Maximum outdoor Practice time is two hours. For football, students are restricted to helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts during Practice. All protective equipment must be removed for conditioning activities. For all sports, provide at least four separate rest breaks each hour, each break consisting of a minimum of four minutes Maximum outdoor Practice time is one hour. No protective equipment may be worn during outdoor Practice and there may be no outdoor conditioning activities. There must be twenty minutes of rest breaks provided during the hour of outdoor practice. 5. Over No outdoor activities or exercise. Delay outdoor Practice until a lower WBGT reading occurs. The following guidelines apply to hydration and rest breaks: 1. Rest time should involve both unlimited hydration (water or electrolyte drinks) and rest without any activity involved. 2. The site of the rest time should be a cooling zone not in direct sunlight, such as indoors, under a tent, or under a shade tree. 3. When the WBGT is over 86, ice towels and spay bottles filled with ice water should be available in the cooling zone and cold immersion tubs shall be available for a student showing signs of heat illness. A cold immersion tub may be anything, including a shower or wading pool that can be adapted to immerse a student in cold water and ice which is available within two minutes travel from an outdoor Practice facility. X. Severe Weather Policy Schools are encouraged to develop their own Severe Weather Policy. In the event of the threat of severe weather (observed lightning or thunder in the area, or weather bureau-announced tornado warnings or watch) during the course of an outdoor sporting event, the game administer, official and/or coaches of the competing teams, by agreement, have the authority to suspend the event until non-threatening conditions return. Schools are required to have weather detection devices that give warning if severe weather is in the area. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 17

18 VIII. Tournaments, Playoffs, & Awards I. Regional Tie-Breakers After Regional play is complete, team standings will be used for seeding for Regional Tournaments or State Playoffs. If there is a tie in any sports (except for football, which is listed in the Football Specific Section), the following tie-breaking procedures will be used in the order as listed below: 1. Head-to-Head Result 2. Head-to-Head Point/Run/Goal Differential with a Sport Specific Cap i. This cap will be the maximum total that will count against the opposing team. The cap is put in place so teams will not run up scores. ii. Example: If a basketball team wins by 35 points, then only 20 points will be credited toward the head-to-head point differential. iii. Sport Specific Caps are as follows: 1. Baseball/Softball 10 runs 2. Basketball - 20 points 3. Soccer 5 goals 4. Volleyball Head-to-Head (Total Number of Sets Won) 3. Common Opponents Results i. Each team must have played the common opponent an equal number of times for this tie-breaker to be considered. 4. Coin toss II. Regional Tournaments Regional Tournaments will be held after the end of the regular season or following the conclusion of Conference Championships in most sports. 1. Dates for Regional Tournaments will be on the sports calendar. 2. Refer to fees section for admission prices. 3. Officials will be provided by the host school and must be paid from the gate fees. 4. Regional Tournament host sites are decided annually by the Executive Committee. 5. Host team facility must meet requirements stated in the guidelines under gaming rules and regulations section for the respected sport. 6. The host facility must have the following adequate facilities to host: four dressing areas, concessions, hospitality room, adequate seating, and ample parking. 7. The host school must be able to provide the following personnel for all games: admission gate workers, official scorekeeper, clock operator, concession workers, game administrator, tournament administrator, proper maintenance personnel, and security. Others recommended are game announcer and medical trainer. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 18

19 III. State Playoffs, State Tournaments and State Championships 1. General Information i. The number of teams qualifying for the State Playoffs will be determined by the Executive Committee at the beginning of the season based on the total number of Regionals and teams. ii. Officials for the State Playoffs/Tournament/Championships will be assigned or approved by the Executive Committee. iii. Refer to Fees Section for gate admission amounts. iv. Teams qualifying for the State Tournament are required to compete. v. Member schools may be asked to provide volunteers for the State Playoffs. vi. Each host school must have a plan for weather if you play off-campus and have no dressing facilities or shelter, for players and fans to get out of weather. Also, you should make visiting team aware of dressing facilities plan the week before the game so team can make arrangements. If your school is close to the off-campus facility please help accommodate opposing team by letting them use your campus. 2. State Location i. Locations and dates can be found on the sports calendar. ii. State Championships will be held at a neutral site when possible. iii. State Playoff games will either be at the higher seed, a predetermined host member school, or a neutral site designated by the FICAA. The higher seed will be the home team. If two equally ranked seeds meet, then the bracket will determine who will be the home team. iv. Sites may be subject to change based on agreement from schools participating in the State Tournament, upon approval by the FICAA office. v. In the case of an urgent decision being necessary, the Executive Committee will choose the State Tournament location. vi. The facility or field must meet requirements stated in the guidelines under the gaming rules and regulations section for the respected sport. 3. State Playoffs Revenue and Expense Information i. The FICAA will keep all profits from gate and concessions when a State Tournament, State Playoff or State Championship is held at a neutral site. If a State Tournament is held at a member school, the host school will keep concessions and receive a hosting fee. The FICAA will retain the gate and pay officials expenses. ii. When a State Playoff contest is held at a member school and the contest is not part of the State Tournament or State Championship game then the member school will be permitted to keep concessions. The gate will be received by the member school from which 25% of the profits will be paid to the FICAA. In addition, the officials will be paid for by the host school. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 19

20 IV. Trophies, Awards, and Honors 1. Team Trophies i. Champion and Runner-Up trophies will be given at the Regional and State Championship Levels ii. Regional team trophies will be paid out of Regional Tournament proceeds. 2. Individual Awards i. Player of the Week Awards 1. Player of the Week Awards will be nominated by the coaches and athletic directors of FICAA member schools. 2. Forms for submitting Player of the Week Award nominees can be found on the FICAA website, and should be turned in to the FICAA office. 3. All Player of the Week Award winners will be selected by the FICAA Executive Committee based on the nominations submitted to the FICAA office. ii. All-Region Awards 1. Top performing varsity athletes from each region in most sports will be honored with All-Region recognition and placed on the All-Region Team. 2. The FICAA will establish the number of players for each All-Region Team for each sport based on the number of teams in each region. 3. A region will only qualify to have an All-Region team if there are at least four member schools within that region for that sport. 4. All-Region selections will either be a preset number for each region based on how each team finished or will be voted on by the Regional coaches at a meeting or on a conference call. 5. In individual sports (cross country, tennis, golf, track and field, etc.), individuals will be recognized as All-Region based on their finish in the Regional competition. 6. In team sports (football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, etc.) coaches will nominate players for the All-Region Team. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 20

21 iii. All-State Awards 1. Top performing varsity athletes from the entire state will be honored with All-State recognition and placed on the All-State Team. 2. In individual sports (cross country, tennis, golf, track and field, etc.), individuals will be recognized as All-State based on how they finish in the State Championship competition. 3. In team sports (football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, etc.) coaches will nominate players from the All-Region Teams for All-State selection. 4. An individual must have been selected by the coaches to be on the All-Region Team in order to be considered for the All-State Team. 5. The All-State Team will be voted on by the coaches at a meeting or on a conference call. iv. All-Star Games 1. If an All-Star game is played, the FICAA Executive Committee will establish and set guidelines for an All-Star game for each school year. 2. The FICAA Executive committee will determine which sports will have All-Star games and how the All-Star players and coaches will be selected. 3. The All-State team will make up All-Star game rosters with alternates being selected as necessary. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 21

22 IX. General Sports Information I. Sportsmanship The FICAA places a great emphasis on sportsmanship. Along with our member schools, we want to ensure that our student athletes play in an environment that allows them to experience the very best in athletic competition. In order to accomplish this objective, the league is governed in a manner that always puts the best interest of the student athlete first. The FICAA requires that all schools and players treat each other with proper respect. At no time should a member school humiliate or embarrass another member school by defeating them in a disrespectful manner such as running up the score. All schools can exemplify excellence and compete at the highest level while showing respect to their member schools. In a member-driven league every school has an essential investment in the FICAA and all should strive to treat each other with the utmost regard while playing their absolute best. We ask that all Athletic Directors, coaches, parents and players promote good sportsmanship and act in a manner that brings glory to God. School administration, Athletic Directors, and coaches should promote this culture within their schools and address any issues that may occur during the season. Our member schools should be proactive in order to prevent any issues that may arise. All game administrators should be aware of and enforce the FICAA standards for good sportsmanship. The FICAA is a competitive league, but our first responsibility will always be to the personal growth and development of the student athlete. II. FICAA Good Sportsmanship Statement This statement is to be read before every FICAA game: The FICAA and its member schools have made a commitment to promote good sportsmanship. This commitment should be demonstrated by its students, athletes, coaches, and spectators at all FICAA sanctioned events. Please represent your school with the highest regard. Any profanity, degrading comments or intimidating actions directed at officials, competitors, or other spectators are not tolerated and are grounds for automatic ejection from the event site. Spectators are not allowed to enter the competition area during warm-ups or while the contest is being conducted. Thank you for your cooperation in the promotion of good sportsmanship at today s FICAA event. III. General Code of Conduct Member schools are always encouraged to use Matthew 18:15-16 as the standing principal for any disputes that may arise, remembering we are one body in Christ with a goal of glorifying our Father in Heaven. If conflict arises between member schools, they must first attempt to work out the issues among themselves. If the issue is not resolved, the schools can ask the FICAA to act as a mediator between the schools to help come to a resolution. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 22

23 IV. NFHS Code of Ethics Code of Ethics: The function of a coach is to educate students through participation in interscholastic competition. An interscholastic program should be designed to enhance academic achievement and should never interfere with opportunities for academic success. Each student should be treated with the utmost respect and his or her welfare should be considered in decisions by the coach at all times. Accordingly, the following guidelines for coaches have been adopted by the NFHS Board of Directors. 1. The Coach shall be aware that he or she has as tremendous influence, for either good or ill, on the education of the student and thus shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest ideals of character. 2. The Coach shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession. In all personal contact with students, officials, athletic directors, school administrators, the state high school athletic association, the media and the public, the coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct. 3. The Coach shall take an active role in the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse. 4. The Coach shall avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco products when in contact with players. 5. The Coach shall promote the entire interscholastic program of the school and direct his or her program in harmony with the total school program. 6. The Coach shall master the contest rules and shall teach them to his or her team members. The coach shall not seek an advantage by circumvention of the spirit or letter of the rules. 7. The Coach shall exert his or her influence to enhance sportsmanship by spectators, both directly and by working closely with cheerleaders, pep club sponsors, booster clubs and administrators. 8. The Coach shall respect and support contest officials. The coach shall not indulge in conduct which would incite players or spectators against the officials. Public criticism of officials or players is unethical. 9. The Coach should meet and exchange cordial greetings with the opposing coach to set up the correct tone for the event before and after the contest. 10. The Coach shall not exert pressure on faculty members to give student special consideration. 11. The Coach shall not scout opponents by any means other than those adopted by the league and/or state high school athletic association. V. Coach Requirements 1. Coaches are required to attend all prescheduled Regional meetings. 2. All coaches must be dressed in a professional manner with proper school attire. 3. The FICAA suggests that every coach visit the NFHS website ( for rule updates and continued education. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 23

24 VI. Game Administrator All schools must assign a Game Administrator for all home games. The Game Administrator must make themselves known to the officials prior to the start of the game. It is recommended that this person be in administration from the host school. The Game Administrator cannot be involved in any coaching duties for the current contest or a parent to a child on either participating team. All game administrators should be aware of and enforce all FICAA standards for good sportsmanship. The Game Administrator should provide security escorts for officials at all contests. VII. Game Book and Clock Operations Game book and clock operations of varsity games, meets, matches and contests must be done by competent and responsible ADULTS only. They must remain at the scorekeepers table for the entire game. The FICAA recommends that schools abide with NFHS rules that require the official scorer to wear a black-and-white, vertically-striped shirt during basketball games. VIII. Officials 1. Registration of Officials i. All officials for varsity athletic contests will be members of an FICAA approved officials organization. ii. All officials must be approved and registered by the FICAA and wear proper officiating apparel. iii. Officials associations must have a plan for the certification of officials that includes the following: 1. Published procedures for registering officials and a system for evaluating performances of officials 2. Published guidelines for training officials which must include a rules clinic on all new rules for that year and at least two other rules meetings 3. A testing procedure 4. The head of the officials association must certify that these requirements are satisfied each year. 2. Number of Officials i. Minimum number of officials for Varsity Level Regional and State Tournament events are below. FICAA will select officials used in State Tournaments. Varsity Sport Minimum Officials Varsity Sport Minimum Officials Baseball 2 Soccer 3 Basketball 3 Softball 2 Football 5 Volleyball 2 Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 24

25 IX. Video Coaches or anyone associated with a school (parents, fans, etc.) are not allowed to film games in which their member school is not participating, and are expected to refrain from accepting films from unauthorized sources. Coaches are encouraged to trade films with opponents in a professional manner. X. Media Employees of member schools and/or fans are not to make comments to the media which are critical of officials. All publicity should be in a positive manner. Disciplinary action will be taken in these matters on a case-by-case basis following review by the Executive Committee. XI. Noisemakers All artificial noisemakers, including but not limited to air horns, whistles, and cow bells, will be banned at all sporting events. Music or band performances are allowed only when the ball is not in play. XII. Jewelry No jewelry of any kind will be worn by student-athletes during FICAA events (games, tournaments, etc.) unless medically necessary. In these cases all jewelry should be taped down or covered. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 25

26 Section 2 Sports Specific Information Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 26

27 A. Baseball I. General Information 1. All baseball coaches are responsible for understanding all policies listed in the FICAA manual, especially those pertaining to Schedules, Eligibility, Policies and Procedures, Sportsmanship, and Sports Specific Information. 2. Number of Games: FICAA baseball teams can play up to 25 regular season games. 3. FICAA teams must use NFHS stamped baseballs. Host team should provide game balls. 4. Coaches have the option of wearing a full uniform or baseball pants with school attire. 5. FICAA schools must notify the visiting team if they are using a portable mound. All portable mounds must meet all NFHS dimensions. 6. Courtesy runners are allowed. Participation as a courtesy runner does not constitute entry into the game and does not count as a game played. 7. An intentional walk does not require the pitching of four balls. 8. Only players, coaches, managers and scorekeepers are allowed in the dugout. 9. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: If a coach or player is ejected from a baseball game, that coach must sit out and cannot attend the next previously scheduled game. 10. Pitching Restrictions: i. Pitchers are limited to a maximum 7 innings on any one day. ii. Pitchers are limited to a maximum of 14 innings in four consecutive days. iii. Fractions of innings will count. iv. One pitch counts as a 1/3 of an inning. 1. If a pitcher gets one out (1/3 inning) and throws at least one more pitch, then it counts as 2/3 of an inning. 11. Run Rule: A game will end anytime that a team is ten or more runs behind and has completed five or more turns at bat. 12. Suspended Game Rule (due to weather or darkness): i. A game is deemed regulation or legal once 4.5 innings (5 innings if the home team needs to bat) has been played ii. If a game is not finished (for weather, darkness, etc.) the makeup game will start at the exact spot where the cancelled game ended (both teams will pick-up from that exact inning, batter, etc.). 1. Substitutions can be made before the game starts by both coaches. iii. In any terminated game, pitching innings will count. 13. Termination of a game due to weather, unplayable conditions, or mechanical failures: i. Umpires must wait at least 30 minutes before terminating a game for unplayable conditions. ii. Umpires may stop play for up to two hours when conditions warrant. 14. Team Score Reporting: Every team must report their team scores to the FICAA office within two (2) business days. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 27

28 II. Baseball State Playoffs 1. All baseball coaches are responsible for understanding all procedures listed in the FICAA Manual regarding tournaments, playoffs, and awards, including the areas of revenue and expense between schools and the FICAA. 2. The number of teams qualifying for the State Playoffs will be determined by the FICAA prior to the beginning of the season based on the total number of Regionals and teams. 3. There must be a minimum of two officials for all State Playoff games. Officials for the Final State Championship game series will be assigned or approved by the FICAA. 4. The State Playoff games will either be at the higher seed or a neutral site designated by the FICAA. The higher seed will be the home team. If two equally ranked seeds meet, then the bracket will determine who will be the home team. The host team will determine the time of the game, but it must be agreed upon by both teams. The FICAA will set the time if the two teams cannot agree. 5. The site host must provide a field with adequate seating. The field must be properly marked at all times. The field must have an outfield fence not less than 280 feet from home plate. 6. The run rule will apply during all playoff games except the final State Championship game. Seven innings will be required in the final State Championship game. 7. All playoff games must be played to conclusion either by run rule or culmination with a winner. If a playoff game is ended early due to weather conditions, etc., it will have to be finished before the next playoff round begins. 8. Pitching Restrictions in the State Playoffs: i. A pitcher will be permitted to throw 7 innings in any one day. ii. No pitcher, regardless of the circumstances, may pitch more than 14 innings in any four-day period. iii. Any violation of these restrictions will result in forfeiture of game. iv. Innings will not be added for days in which games were not scheduled (i.e. Sundays, Graduations, etc.) nor for rainouts prior to the series actually beginning. v. No portable mounds will be permitted in State Playoff games. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 28

29 B. Basketball I. Basketball General Information 1. All basketball coaches are responsible for understanding all policies listed in the FICAA manual, especially those pertaining to Schedules, Eligibility, Policies and Procedures, Sportsmanship, and Sports Specific Information. 2. Number of Games: FICAA basketball teams can play 30 regular season games including invitational tournaments. 3. Varsity games consist of four 8-minute quarters. Junior Varsity games consist of four 7- minute quarters. Middle School games consist of four 6-minute quarters. 4. Playing Time Limits: A basketball player cannot play more than 4 quarters in one day. A player can exceed the 4 quarter limit if overtime quarters are played. If a player enters the game for the 5th quarter (absent of overtime periods) in one day, then the player is ineligible and the team will be charged with a technical foul. 5. Any time a player enters during a quarter will count as a quarter of playing time. 6. During pregame warm-up, 2nd half warm-up period, and team introductions, the teams cannot run around or through the opposing team s half court. Midcourt circle area is off limits to both teams. Teams must take the shortest, most direct path from the locker room to the half-court warm-up area. 7. The FICAA recommends that schools abide with NFHS rules that require the official scorer to wear a black-and-white, vertically-striped shirt. 8. The host school should always provide water and warm-up balls for the visiting team. 9. Mercy Rule: A running clock will be envoked for the remainder of the game when a team is leading by at least 35 points. 10. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Two technical fouls in the same game results in an ejection. If a coach or player is ejected from a game, he/she must sit out and cannot attend the next previously scheduled game. 11. Team Score Reporting: Every team must report their team scores to the FICAA office within two (2) business days. All technical fouls, including any bench technical fouls, must be reported. II. Basketball State Playoffs 1. All basketball coaches are responsible for understanding all procedures listed in the FICAA Manual regarding tournaments, playoffs, and awards, including the areas of revenue and expense between schools and the FICAA. 2. All teams will be seeded for the Regional Tournament based on their Regional record. If there are any ties, then the seeding process will defer to the section of the manual about Regional Tiebreakers. 3. The number of teams qualifying for the State Playoffs will be determined by the FICAA prior to the beginning of the season based on the total number of regions and teams. The State Playoff games will be held at the higher seed, a host member school s gym, or a neutral site designated by the FICAA. If two equally ranked seeds meet, the bracket will determine who will be the home team. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 29

30 C. Cross Country I. Cross Country General Information 1. All cross country coaches are responsible for understanding all policies listed in the FICAA manual, especially those pertaining to Schedules, Eligibility, Policies and Procedures, Sportsmanship, and Sports Specific Information. 2. Number of Meets: FICAA teams can participate in up to 12 regular season meets. 3. Coaches are permitted at designated areas during a cross-country meet, usually at 1- mile, 2-mile, and 3-mile markers, as well as any other designated areas marked at the site (i.e. Last 500 yards before finish line). 4. Member schools are encouraged to host regular season meets, provided meets are conducted in accordance set forth in the FICAA manual. Host schools for regular season meets are responsible for all aspects of the meet, including but not limited to meet management and timekeeping, reporting scores to the FICAA, and purchasing and issuing awards. 5. FICAA will be responsible for the Regional and State Championship meets. 6. The distance will be 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) at the varsity level of competition. 7. A team will consist of a minimum of three runners. The first three finishers for each team will count for the total team score. Schools with less than three runners can compete as individuals. 8. The meets will be scored by how each runner finishes by placement and not by time. Team totals will also be scored in the same manner. 9. Musical devices of any kind are not allowed during competition. 10. No runner will be permitted to enter a meet if he/she is not accompanied by a faculty member or coach of the school the runner attends. 11. Computer Chip Timing System: i. Will be used at the FICAA Invitational, Regional Meet, State Meet, and other designated meets during the season, upon availability with the timing staff. ii. The school must pay $10.00 per runner for a timing chip during event registration or prior to receiving each team s packet. iii. Chips must be turned in at the end of the meet. iv. Lost or damaged timing chips will have a $25.00 replacement fee. 12. Team Score Reporting: The host school must report the scores from their meet to the FICAA office within two (2) business days of the meet s completion. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 30

31 II. Cross Country Regional and State Meets 1. All cross country coaches are responsible for understanding all procedures listed in the FICAA Manual regarding tournaments, playoffs, and awards, including the areas of revenue and expense between schools and the FICAA. 2. Each FICAA team will be limited to eight (8) varsity runners at Regional Meets and six (6) varsity runners at the State Championship Meet. Any individual qualifiers at the Regional level will only be scored as an individual at the State Championship level. 3. A qualifying team for the State Meet must consist of a minimum of three runners and a maximum of six runners. 4. The top three teams of each Regional Meet and any individual runners who finish in the top ten places at the Regional Meet who are not on a qualifying team will be invited to the State Meet. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 31

32 D. Football I. Football General Information 1. All football coaches are responsible for understanding all policies listed in the FICAA manual, especially those pertaining to Schedules, Eligibility, Policies and Procedures, Sportsmanship, and Sports Specific Information. 2. Number of Games: FICAA football teams can play 11 regular season games. The FICAA can allow a team to play 12 games if needed. Only one varsity game per week per team is allowed. 3. Each school must file its completed football schedule and signed contracts with the FICAA league office no later than April 30 of each scheduling year. Schedule must show day, date, time and place of game. Any school making a change in their football schedule after the schedule has been filed with the FICAA league office shall notify and receive approval of the FICAA. 4. Players are limited to 4 quarters of playing time per week, unless overtime periods are played. No player can play in a varsity and JV competition in the same week. The limitation begins with the varsity game on Friday and is counted through any JV game the following Thursday. A player can exceed the 4 quarter limit in overtime. If a player enters the game for the 5th quarter (excluding overtime) in one week, then the player is ineligible & the game he entered will be a forfeit. Any time a player enters the game during a quarter, it counts as a quarter of playing time. 5. NFHS Football Jersey Rule: The 2011 NFHS Football Jersey Rules will continue to be followed; however, schools are encouraged to comply with the new 2014 NFHS Football Jersey Rules when they order new uniforms. The NFHS Jersey numbering system will not be followed. 6. There will be a division of the field during warm-ups before the game and at halftime. Neither team can enter the other team s portion of the field. Each team will occupy the field from their own 45-yard line to the end line of their goal line. Neither team will occupy the area between the 45-yard lines except when kicking. Kicking teams can use the field on the same side of their bench and kick toward the end zone. 7. Football fans must be kept at least five yards behind the end zone lines. If this amount of space is not available, fans will not be allowed to stand behind the end zone lines. 8. Host school will appoint competent and responsible adults to work the down and distance chains or hire officials. 9. JV football games must have at least two officials unless both schools agree otherwise. 10. Number of Officials: Five referees and one clock operator (minimum) 11. All football games affected by severe weather will be handled as follows: i. Regional games must be played to completion either that night or at a later date. If not agreed upon, the FICAA league office will set the date. ii. Severe weather waiting period is one hours for all games. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 32

33 12. Overtime Procedures: i. A 12-minute overtime quarter will be played, with the team winning a coin toss deciding whether to kick or receive the kickoff, or which side of the field to defend. ii. The first touchdown scored during the 12-minute overtime ends the game immediately, with the team scoring the touchdown declared the winner. iii. If a team successfully completes a field goal the opposing team will be granted a single possession to score a touchdown. If unable to score during that single possession, the team completing the field goal will be declared the winner. 13. Mercy Rule: i. If a team is trailing by 30 or more points at halftime, the coach of the trailing team may choose to play the second half with a running clock. If the coach does not exercise the option, the entire third quarter will be played with regulation timing. ii. If a team is trailing by 30 or more points at the end of the third quarter, a running clock is mandated for the entire fourth quarter. A running clock means the clock will be stopped only after a score until the ball is kicked off, during deliberations or penalty administration, during charged or official s timeouts. 14. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: If a coach or player is ejected from a game, he must sit out and cannot attend the next previously scheduled game. 15. Team Score Reporting: Every team must report their team scores to the FICAA office within two (2) business days. II. Football State Playoffs 1. All football coaches are responsible for understanding all procedures listed in the FICAA Manual regarding tournaments, playoffs, and awards, including the areas of revenue and expense between schools and the FICAA. 2. Regional Tiebreakers will be resolved by coin flip unless all schools involved agree to particular seeds for tournament. 3. The number of teams qualifying for the State Playoffs will be determined by the FICAA prior to the beginning of the season based on the total number of Regionals and teams. The State Playoff games will be held at the higher seed or a neutral site approved or designated by the FICAA. If two equally ranked seeds meet, then the bracket will determine who will be the home team. 4. State Playoff games will be played on a lighted field with adequate seating. If the field of the home team does not meet this requirement, the home team has the option of arranging another site of their choice if they bear the expense of the other site, or playing on the field of the opponent. 5. State Champion and Runner-Up shall receive appropriate trophies. 6. Coaches will select the All-State Teams, subject to the approval of the FICAA. The number of players selected for the All-State Team will be determined by the FICAA at the beginning of the season based on the total number of teams. 7. Officials for the State Championship game will be assigned or approved by the FICAA. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 33

34 E. Golf I. Golf General Information 1. All golf coaches are responsible for understanding all policies listed in the FICAA manual, especially those pertaining to Schedules, Eligibility, Policies and Procedures, Sportsmanship, and Sports Specific Information. 2. United States Golf Association (USGA) Rules of Golf is the official guide of the FICAA. 3. Number of Matches: FICAA golf teams can play in 15 regular season matches. 4. During regular season play, a match can consist of 9 or 18 holes of play. 5. A boys or co-ed golf team can have a maximum of five (5) players participate in a match with the three (3) lowest scores counting. A school can submit seven names for the Regional and State Tournaments with one as an alternate. 6. A girls golf team can have a minimum of three players with a maximum of four players participate in a match with the two best scores counting. A school can submit up to five names for the Regional and State Tournaments with one as an alternate. There must be a minimum of six FICAA schools participating in girls golf for the sport to be sanctioned. 7. The FICAA recommends that boys use the white men's tee and girls use the red women's tee. Distance played by the girls shall be a minimum of 80% of the distance played by the boys. 8. Players must play in at least two regular season matches to qualify for the Regional and State Tournaments unless the player was injured. Injury exemptions for Regional and State Tournament matches must be approved by the FICAA office.\ 9. The FICAA recommends using the Double-Par Pick-up Rule for matches. The golfer must pick up his/her ball and move onto the next hole once the golfer has shot double par for that hole. On a Par 3 hole, a golfer would pick up his/her ball after the sixth stroke even if he/she has not holed-out. The score would be recorded as a circled 6. On a Par 4 hole, it would be the eighth stroke. The score would be recorded as a circled 8. On a Par 5 hole, it would be the tenth stroke. The score would be recorded as a circled Players must write their name and scores, legibly, on their golf card or be disqualified. 11. The use of caddies and carts is prohibited (unless prior approval is received for a valid health condition). Players may use push/pull carts. 12. Range Finders that compute distance only, as approved by the USGA, are legal. 13. A maximum of two school golf coaches may confer with their golfers between each green and the next tee box so long as there is no delay in play. Conversations with or suggestions from any other person is prohibited. 14. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Participants displaying flagrant, rude or unsportsmanlike conduct will be penalized. Penalty for the first offense will be two strokes. Penalty for the second offense in the same competition will be disqualification. Flagrant, rude or unsportsmanlike conduct is throwing clubs, use of profanity, etc. 15. Team Score Reporting: Every team must report their team scores to the FICAA office within two (2) business days. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 34

35 II. Golf Regional and State Tournaments 1. All golf coaches are responsible for understanding all procedures listed in the FICAA Manual regarding tournaments, playoffs, and awards, including the areas of revenue and expense between schools and the FICAA. 2. The Regional Tournament will be set up on a rotating basis among the schools within each Regional. The Regional can choose to use the same golf course, but rotate the schools who host the tournament. A school is not required to host. The host school will provide a tournament director who is responsible for the administration of the Regional golf tournament. The school selected to host the Regional tournament shall be charged with the responsibility of providing a golf course for a one-day tournament. 3. Regional and State Championship Tournaments shall be 18-hole events. 4. Each Regional shall use the Double-Par Pick-up Rule at the Regional Tournament. The FICAA Executive Committee will make that decision for the State Tournament. 5. All schools will be required to pay greens fees for the Regional and State Tournaments for their participants. 6. The top two teams from each Regional Tournament and individual golfers who finish in the top six places in the Regional Tournament who are not on a qualifying team will be invited to the State Tournament. 7. At the Regional and State Tournaments, players should not put the totals on the score cards. The tournament director will total the score. The golfers must sign the score card as well as an opponent in their group. 8. The FICAA will set a minimum state qualifying team and individual score prior to the Regional Tournaments. 9. If two teams tie, then co-champions and/or co-runner-up trophies will be awarded. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 35

36 F. Soccer I. Soccer General Information 1. All soccer coaches are responsible for understanding all policies listed in the FICAA manual, especially those pertaining to Schedules, Eligibility, Policies and Procedures, Sportsmanship, and Sports Specific Information. 2. Number of Games: FICAA soccer teams can play in 25 regular season games. 3. All varsity games consist of two 40-minute halves. 4. Suspended Game Rule (due to weather or mechanical issues): i. A game is deemed an official legal game once one complete half or more of the game has been played. ii. If less than one-half of the Regional game has been played, the game is considered no contest and play will be rescheduled from the start of the game. 5. Mercy Rule: i. If a team is seven or more goals behind at halftime, the second half will be restricted to twenty minutes. ii. When a team is ten or more goals behind in the second half, the game will be terminated. 6. Overtime Procedures: i. The overtime will consist of two 5-minute periods. ii. A coin toss shall take place to determine which team will put the ball in play for the first overtime period. iii. If the score remains tied following the overtime periods, a "shootout" of penalty kicks will determine the winner. 7. Penalty Kick Procedures: i. The teams will go into a penalty kick "shootout" immediately after the two fiveminute overtime procedures has taken place, if a tie score still exists. ii. The head referee shall choose the goal at which the penalty kicks will be taken. iii. Each coach will select any five eligible players to take the kicks. iv. A coin toss shall be held with the team winning the toss having the choice of kicking first or last. v. Teams will alternate kickers, and there is no follow-up on the kicks. vi. The defending team may change goalkeepers prior to each kick. vii. Following the five kicks from each team, the team with the greater number of successful kicks will be given one point and declared the winner. viii. If the same numbers of penalty kicks are successful for each team, each coach will select five different eligible players who will kick in a "sudden victory" situation. (Each team will have an opportunity to kick in each round of the "sudden victory" situation.) ix. If there is no "sudden victory" after the five kicks, keep repeating the process until a winner is determined. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 36

37 8. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Two yellow cards in any game equals a red card and constitute an ejection. If a coach or player is ejected from a game, he/she must sit out and not attend the next previously scheduled game. 9. Team Score Reporting: Every team must report their team scores to the FICAA office within two (2) business days. II. Soccer State Playoffs a. All soccer coaches are responsible for understanding all procedures listed in the FICAA Manual regarding tournaments, playoffs, and awards, including the areas of revenue and expense between schools and the FICAA. b. The number of teams qualifying for the State Playoffs will be determined by the FICAA prior to the beginning of the season based on the total number of Regionals and teams. The State Playoff games will be hosted at the higher seed or a neutral site designated by the FICAA. If two equally ranked seeds meet, then the bracket will determine who will be the home team. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 37

38 G. Softball I. Softball General Information 1. All softball coaches are responsible for understanding all policies listed in the FICAA manual, especially those pertaining to Schedules, Eligibility, Policies and Procedures, Sportsmanship, and Sports Specific Information. 2. Number of Games: FICAA softball teams can play in 25 regular season games. 3. The optic yellow cover, red stitch 12-inch ball with a COR of.47 or under shall be used in all games. Host team shall provide game balls. 4. If a designated player is used in the batting order, the player who is being batted for is listed in the number 10 spot in the order and does not bat. 5. Courtesy runners are allowed. Participation as a courtesy runner does not constitute entry into the game and does not count as a game played. 6. The FICAA recommends the use of the double base for safety issues. 7. The FICAA recommends the use of the on deck circle. When using the on deck circle, teams are required to use the on deck circle deemed safer for players, without regard for team dugout placement. 8. The distance between bases is 60-feet. The distance from the pitchers rubber to home plate is 43-feet for Varsity. Fence placement must comply with NFHS Regulations. 9. Catchers must wear a hockey style catcher s mask, throat protector, chest/body protector, and shin guards with protection to the kneecaps. 10. An intentional walk does not have to have the four balls pitched. 11. Only coaches, managers and scorekeepers are allowed in the dugout. 12. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: If a coach or player is ejected from a softball game he/she must leave the facility/complex and cannot attend the next previously scheduled game. 13. Mercy Rule: A game will end when a team has completed five or more turns at bat and is at least ten runs behind. 14. Suspended Game Rules (due to weather or darkness): i. A game is deemed regulation or legal once 5 innings has been completed ii. In a Softball game that is not finished (weather, darkness, etc.) then the make-up game will start at the exact spot where it ended (both teams will pick-up from that exact inning, batter, etc.). Also substitutions can be made before the game starts by both coaches. iii. When a Regional game is stopped before it is deemed regulation, it is considered no contest and any replay will begin from the first inning. iv. When a Regional or non-regional game is stopped after it becomes a legal game and a winner can be determined, then it is a completed game. v. When a Regional game is stopped after it becomes a legal game and a winner cannot be determined, any replay will begin from the point of interruption. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 38

39 15. Termination of a game due to weather, unplayable conditions, or mechanical failures: i. Umpires must wait at least 30 minutes before terminating a game for unplayable conditions. ii. Umpires may halt play for up to two hours when conditions do not allow play to continue. 16. Team Score Reporting: Every team must report their team scores to the FICAA office within two (2) business days. II. Softball State Playoffs 1. All softball coaches are responsible for understanding all procedures listed in the FICAA Manual regarding tournaments, playoffs, and awards, including the areas of revenue and expense between schools and the FICAA. 2. The number of teams qualifying for the State Playoffs will be determined by the FICAA prior to the beginning of the season based on the total number of regions and teams. 3. There must be a minimum of two officials for all State Playoff games. Officials for the Final State Championship game series will be assigned or approved by the FICAA. 4. The State Championship game will be at a neutral site designated by the FICAA. The higher seed will be the home team. 5. The run rule will apply during playoff games except for the final State Championship game. Seven innings will be required in the final State Championship game. 6. All playoff games must be played to conclusion either by run rule or culmination with a winner. If a playoff game is ended early due to weather conditions, etc., it will have to be finished before the next playoff round can start. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 39

40 H. Tennis I. Tennis General Information 1. All tennis coaches are responsible for understanding all policies listed in the FICAA manual, especially those pertaining to Schedules, Eligibility, Policies and Procedures, Sportsmanship, and Sports Specific Information. 2. United States Tennis Association (USTA) Rules is the official guide of the FICAA. 3. Number of Matches: FICAA tennis teams can play in 18 regular season matches. 4. State Team Tournament guidelines apply to regular season matches. A complete team for team tennis consists of five lines and seven players three singles players and two doubles teams. A team can compete with less team members, but a minimum number of four lines and five players is required to be eligible for the State Team Tournament. Read the State Team Tournament section for more details. 5. Coaches must use integrity in ranking players and cannot stack line-ups. It is not stacking to alternate players of relatively equal ability from match to match. It is not stacking if players alternate from singles to doubles and vice versa from match to match as long as players are ranked in order of ability. 6. All tennis coaches must keep a record of each singles and doubles team record during the season for Regional Tournament seeding. Coaches should attempt to position players to play the same line against Regional opponents as much as possible. A player/team can only count those Regional matches played at the position in which he/she is entered in the Regional Tournament. In ordered to be seeded, a player/team must have played two Regional matches at that line position. Read Regional Tennis Tournament Seeding for more details. 7. Team Score Reporting: Every team must report their team scores to the FICAA office within two (2) business days. The team score total should not total more than five points since there are five lines of team tennis. Two schools can play as many lines as they want at a regular season match, but they must designate the five lines (three singles and two doubles matches) that will count toward the team score. Do not report scores that total more than five points. If both schools have less than five lines, then the total can be less than five. II. Tennis Regional Tournament Guidelines 1. Regional Tournaments will be set up on a rotating basis among the schools within each Region. The region can choose to use the same tennis facility, but rotate the schools who host the tournament. A school is not required to host. The host school will provide a Tournament Director who is responsible for the administration of the Regional tennis tournament. The school selected to host the Regional tournament shall be charged with the responsibility of providing necessary facilities for a one-day tournament. 2. All Regional schools will be required to pay any fees required for the rental of the facility. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 40

41 3. Each school must furnish one new unopened can of tennis balls for each singles player and doubles team. The winner of the match will keep the unused can and carry it to the next match. The loser will keep the open can. 4. There will be separate boys and girls competitions to determine individual champions at the Regional Tournament. Each school may enter up to three singles players and two doubles teams for both boys and girls. 5. Individual champions are determined by the competition in the Regional Tournament. The Regional will send the top singles and doubles teams in both girls and boys to the State Individual Tournament. The number of players qualifying for the State Tournament will be determined by the FICAA at the beginning of the season based on the total number of Regionals and teams. Individual Regional awards will be given to the champions and runner-ups in singles and doubles for both girls and boys. 6. Regional Tournament Seeding (Singles): i. All Regional coaches can have input on seeding, but the final decisions are the responsibility of the Regional Tournament Director and the FICAA. ii. All tennis coaches must keep a record of each singles and doubles team record during the season in an organized manner. This information must be submitted to the FICAA and Tournament Director at least one week before the Regional tournament. iii. Seeding will be based on regional record only. iv. An individual/team may count only those matches that were played against Regional opponents and only those matches played at the position in which he or she is entering the Regional tournament. (i.e. a #1 girls singles can count only those Regional matches in which she played as the #1 singles.) v. In order to be seeded, an individual/team must have played two Regional matches as described above unless the Regional does not have enough full tennis teams to compete in at least two matches. 7. Tournament Scoring Point System: The following is a guideline for any Regional that chooses to use the point system to determine the Regional team champions: i. First-round winners receive one point ii. First-round byes that win in the second round receive three points iii. Second-round winners receive two points iv. Semifinal-round winners receive three points v. Final-round winners receive four points vi. No points will be given for consolation matches for seeding 3rd & 4th place. vii. The team with the highest total points will be declared the Regional Team Champions and the second highest will be the Regional Team Runner-ups. In the event of a two-way tie, the two teams will play head-to-head 8-game pro sets consisting of 3 singles and 2 doubles matches to determine the Regional team champions. In the event of a three-way tie, the three teams will have a coin toss. The odd man out gets a bye and plays the winner of the other two teams. 8. Regional Tournament scoring will be the best-of-three sets playing 6-game sets with a USTA 12-point tie breaker procedure at 6-all Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 41

42 III. Tennis State Tournament Guidelines 1. State Individual Tournament i. The State Individual Tournament is for players who qualified from their respective Regional Tournaments in singles and doubles for boys and girls. Only the players who qualified through the Regional Tournament may participate in the State Tournament. No substitutions can be used in the State Individual Tournament. Seeding will be based on how the players finished in the Regional Tournament. ii. The individual champions are determined by the competition in the State Tournament. Individual awards will be given to the champions and runner-ups in singles and doubles for both girls and boys. The individual champions and runner-ups will be the All-State selections. 2. State Team Tournament i. The number of teams competing in the State Tournament will be determined by the FICAA based on the total number of Regionals and teams. ii. The format for all rounds of the State Team Tennis Tournament will be three singles and two doubles matches. A team winning three matches (points) of the five possible (points) will be declared the winner. iii. In order to qualify for the State Team Tennis Tournament, a tennis team must have a minimum of four lines and five players three singles and one doubles team. A team can compete with four lines and six players two singles and two doubles teams. A team can only forfeit one line beginning with the lower positions. Exception: If a team began the State Team Tennis Tournament with the required amount, but lost a player due to sickness or injury, then the team can continue forfeiting two lines. iv. Coaches must honestly rank players in proper order of ability. Singles players and doubles teams must be ranked in order and listed in proper position. No stacking of line-ups is allowed. Coaches are not required to play singles and doubles as they played in the State Individual Tournament. Playing order will be finalized 15 minutes before each match. Both coaches must fill out an Official Line-up Sheet. v. The singles playing order will be #1 singles (best), #2 singles (next best), #3 singles (next best). The doubles playing order will be #1 doubles (best), and #2 doubles (next best). Coaches can make roster adjustments and insert different players into the playing order between rounds of the tournament as long as they are ranked in order. Line movement can occur if the other team has to forfeit a line. Alternates can be used during different rounds of the tournament as long as they are ranked properly and listed on the roster submitted to the FICAA. vi. The team champions are determined by the competition in the State Tournament. Team awards will be given to the champions and runner-ups for both girls and boys. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 42

43 IV. Tennis Regional and State Tournament General Information 1. All tennis coaches are responsible for understanding all procedures listed in the FICAA Manual regarding tournaments, playoffs, and awards, including the areas of revenue and expense between schools and the FICAA. 2. The FICAA will provide a Tournament Director who is responsible for the administration of the State Tennis Tournaments. The FICAA will provide the necessary facilities for the tournament. 3. All coaches are requested to be present at the Tennis Center at a designated time for a coaches meeting prior to the start of play. The Tournament Director will meet with all players after the coaches meeting. Following the meetings, players will report to their assigned courts. It is important that all schools be on time for the coaches meeting. Any team or individuals arriving late for the tournament will risk penalty or default. 4. All coaches will comprise a games committee and will assist the director in the overseeing of the tournament. 5. All State Tournament matches are best-of-three sets playing 6-game sets with a USTA 12- point tiebreaker procedure at 6-all. 6. The FICAA will furnish tennis balls for the State Tournament. 7. Substitution is not permitted once a match has officially begun. If an injury occurs during play that prevents a player from completing the match, that player defaults and the opponent is awarded the victory. 8. Each player(s) will have five minutes to answer the call for his/her match. Players are required to be on time, or be penalized or eventually forfeit their matches. Regional and State Tournament play is not on a set time schedule after matches begin, but is on a next match on first available court type schedule. There will be continuous play throughout the day. It is recommended that a player remain in the tennis center area. 9. A 5-minute warm-up period will be given before each match. The Tournament Director will determine if additional time is necessary. Players are to take all personal items (ice, drinks, towels, etc.) on the court, and they are not allowed to leave the court unless they split sets. They will be allowed five minutes off the court between sets. 10. Players should ask for assistance in administering tie-breakers. If a tie-breaking procedure is being used, a coach from a non-participating school may be used to help with the tie-breaking procedure if needed. If a coach from another school is not available, then both schools coaches involved in the match should be used to direct the tie-breaking procedure. 11. At the Regional Tournament and the State Tournament, both players/teams are required to report the results and the ending time to the Tournament Director at the scoring table within five minutes of the conclusion of the match. At the State Team Tournament, both players/teams are required to report the results and the ending time to their coaches who will record the results on the Official Line-up Sheet and give to the Tournament Director at the scoring table within five minutes of the conclusion of the team matches. The Tournament Director is to note the ending time of the match on the bracket in order to give the allotted amount of rest time between matches. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 43

44 12. All players will be allowed a 30 minute rest period between matches. The Tournament Director may allow for additional time up to 45 minutes if needed. 13. School coaches can only coach players after each odd-numbered game (90 seconds allowed). Players cannot leave the court during this time. Coaching is also allowed if players split sets (five minutes allowed). Coaching must not delay the match. Parents, fans, or personal non-school tennis coaches are not allowed to coach players at any time. 14. All players are expected to officiate the match fairly. Players may ask the tournament director to assign a neutral coach to officiate a match if they feel the match is being called unfairly by their opponent. 15. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Profanity, obscene language, or unsportsmanlike conduct (throwing a racket, hitting balls into the net or fence in an unsportsmanlike manner, yelling at oneself or an opponent) will not be allowed. First offense observed by tournament personnel or coaches will result in loss of game. Second offense will be disqualification. If a coach observes unsportsmanlike conduct, then he/she should stop the match. The coach must send for both schools coaches & the tournament director who together will determine the penalty. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 44

45 I. Track and Field I. Track and Field General Information 1. All track and field coaches are responsible for understanding all policies listed in the FICAA manual, especially those pertaining to Schedules, Eligibility, Policies and Procedures, Sportsmanship, and Sports Specific Information. 2. Number of Meets: FICAA teams can participate in up to 12 regular season meets. 3. Coaches are permitted in designated coaching areas as well as designated team areas. 4. Member schools are encouraged to host regular season meets, provided meets are conducted in accordance set forth in the FICAA manual. Host schools for regular season meets are responsible for all aspects of the meet, including but not limited to meet management and timekeeping, reporting scores to the FICAA, and purchasing and issuing awards. 5. FICAA will be responsible for the Regional and State Championship meets. 6. A school is permitted to enter up to three athletes per event, and is allowed up to two relay teams per event. 7. Musical devices of any kind are not allowed during competition. 8. No runner will be permitted to enter a meet if he/she is not accompanied by a faculty member or coach of the school the runner attends. 9. Team Score Reporting: The host school must report the scores from their meet to the FICAA office within two (2) business days of the meet s completion. I. Track and Field Regional and State Meets 1. All track and field coaches are responsible for understanding all procedures listed in the FICAA Manual regarding tournaments, playoffs, and awards, including the areas of revenue and expense between schools and the FICAA. 2. The number of individuals qualifying for the State Meet will be determined by the FICAA prior to the beginning of the season based on the total number of Regionals and teams. 3. The start time schedule and order of events will be distributed to each school participating in any Regional or State Meet prior to the start of the meet. 4. Each school may enter three contestants in each event. 5. An individual may enter in both relays and a maximum of four individual events with no more than three track events. An individual may be in three track events and one field event, two track events and two field events, OR one track event and three field events. 6. Relay teams should list four runner and two alternates. No replacements may be made of the runners and alternates that qualified at the Regional Meet. Any four of the six listed may run in the event. 7. Medals will be awarded to the top three places in each event. Ribbons will be given to fourth through eighth places in each event. 8. Trophies will be awarded to the teams that finish first and second in total points in the State Meet. The High Point Athlete of the State Meet Award is given to an individual of each gender who compiles the highest point total. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 45

46 9. Eight places will be scored in the State Meet. The following point amounts will be awarded based on individual finishes to calculate a team score: Place Points Awarded Place Points Awarded 1 st Place 10 Points 5 th Place 4 Points 2 nd Place 8 Points 6 th Place 3 Points 3 rd Place 6 Points 7 th Place 2 Points 4 th Place 5 Points 8 th Place 1 Point 10. There will be up to 16 track and field events for boys and girls during FICAA Regional and State Meets. The order of the track events will be determined prior to each meet and distributed to all qualifying schools. Boys & Girls Track Events Boys & Girls Field Events 100 Meter Hurdles Girls (33 ) Shot Put (Boys 12 lbs. Girls 8 lbs. 13 oz.) 110 Meter High Hurdles Boys (39 ) Discus (Boys 3 lbs oz. Girls 2 lbs oz.) 100 Meter Run Long Jump 1600 Meter Run Triple Jump 400 Meter Run High Jump 300 Meter Hurdles (Boys 36 Girls 30 ) Pole Vault 800 Meter Run Boys & Girls Relay Events 200 Meter Run 4x100 Meter Relay 3200 Meter Run 4x400 Meter Relay Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 46

47 J. Volleyball I. Volleyball General Information 1. All volleyball coaches are responsible for understanding all policies listed in the FICAA manual, especially those pertaining to Schedules, Eligibility, Policies and Procedures, Sportsmanship, and Sports Specific Information. 2. Number of Games: FICAA volleyball teams can participate in a maximum of 25 regular season games. 3. Varsity matches will play best 3-of-5 games; each game shall be to 25 points with the exception of the fifth game, if necessary, which shall be to 15 points. A game must be won by a two-point margin with no cap. 4. Middle school matches will play best 2-of-3 games; each game shall be to 25 points with the exception of the third game, if necessary, which shall be to 15 points. A game must be won by a two-point margin with no cap. 5. Team Score Reporting: Every team must report their team scores to the FICAA office within two (2) business days. II. Volleyball Regional and State Tournaments 1. Read the section in the FICAA Manual about Tournaments, Playoffs, and Awards. It details the Regional and State Tournament information as well as the financial split between schools and the FICAA. 2. All teams will be seeded for the Regional Tournament based on their regular season records. 3. The number of teams qualifying for the State Playoffs will be determined by the FICAA prior to the beginning of the season based on the total number of Regionals and teams. The State Playoff games will either be at a neutral site designated by the FICAA. 4. Schools may be asked to provide competent, responsible, trained adult scorekeepers and line judges for the Regional and State Tournaments. Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 47

48 Florida Independent Christian Athletic Association School Year Athletic Manual 48