GICAA, LLC Manual for Athletic Competition Division 1

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1 GICAA, LLC Manual for Athletic Competition Division 1 General Information The GICAA, LLC began its inaugural season in The purpose for starting the GICAA, LLC is to promote high school and middle school athletics for students in Christian Schools, Independent Schools, as well as giving opportunities for athletic competition to those athletes who may receive a non-traditional education. Although the GICAA, LLC will promote and encourage Christian values, the league will not have any direct affiliation with a particular school, church or any other organization. This will eliminate any conflict of interest problems. All divisions will have the schools and organizations within the division following the same rules. This will level the playing field to ensure that each school or organization will have the same opportunities to reach their highest potential. Nothing will be left vague or subject to interpretation by a third party. The Goal of the GICAA, LLC The goal of the GICAA, LLC is to create an environment where high school and middle school students can compete at their levels yet still be encouraged to grow in their faith. The GICAA, LLC understands that its member schools, although they will be competing against each other, are all part of the same team (God s team). The GICAA, LLC desires to unite Christ-Centered schools, Independent Schools and Learning Centers who wish to impact and influence their students through athletics. The GICAA, LLC member schools will work together to create a competitive athletic environment that honors God at all levels. The GICAA, LLC and its members schools should strive to set a Godly example of excellence. GICAA, LLC Core Faith Statements 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. Also our desire is to provide the very best opportunity for those who wish to play at the next level. Winning is important, but it is not the most important thing. Bringing honor and glory to God in how we play is more important than winning. It is possible to win a game yet lose our ability to shine light into a dark world. Every school, athletic director, coach, team and athlete should strive to do their very best because God is honored when we give our best to him. Athletic Directors, coaches, teams and athletes should understand that, because of their position, they carry a great deal of influence and should act accordingly. Coaches hold an enormous amount of influence with 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. If athletic competition is done properly, win or lose, it will promote mutual respect and encouragement from schools, teams and players. If athletic competition divides us and produces discord and strife, then it ceases to be God-honoring. Schools should have the opportunity to compete in a safe and Godly environment without unnecessary distractions. Although league parity is almost impossible, teams should have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field. 1

2 Government Infrastructure The GICAA, LLC will have a President, Executive Director, Director of Operations and a League Administrator whose sole purpose is to serve the member schools in the association. All forms will be submitted to the league office. The league office will be responsible for the following: Collection of all forms and documents of member schools and organizations Setting Regional and State Tournaments Answering all questions for member schools and organizations GICAA, LLC Committees GICAA, LLC will have three working committees within each division: a rules committee, a dispute committee and an executive committee. The rules committee will comprise of 1-3 members from schools within each region from each division. The purpose of the rules committee will be to discuss and/or amend current rules within the division. Each school or organization will be able to cast one vote for a proposed change. A majority decision is needed to change or amend a rule. The dispute committee will comprise of a three-member panel from each division. If a dispute arises within a division, the threemember dispute committee from the other division will hear the dispute and a majority decision will determine the verdict. This will avoid any conflict of interest within a division. The executive committee will comprise of headmasters and/or athletic directors who will look at the overall working of the league. Dispute Resolutions If any dispute arises within the league, it is our hope that the dispute 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 GICAA, LLC will include: Breaking the rules set out by the GICAA, LLC Breaking the playing or safety rules as set out by the National Federation of High Schools Being delinquent on paying league fees High frequency of teams from member school cancelling games without timely notice or none at all Membership Entrance Requirements Admittance in to the GICAA, LLC will include filling out an entrance application and sending it to the league office. There is no charge for applying for league membership. Once the application is received, the GICAA, LLC will send a representative to your school. If a school meets the requirements and is accepted into the GICAA, LLC, all other member schools and organizations within the division will be notified. No member school can begin a new calendar year as a league member if any fees are due. All past due fees must be current by the date in the Individual Sports Calendar. Insurance and Liability All schools must participate in the GICAA Catastrophic Athlete Insurance. GICAA, LLC member schools must complete the Insurance/Liability Waiver found on the website on a yearly basis. There will be a mandatory $6.00 catastrophic insurance fee per athlete due by July 1 st of each year. 2

3 School Contracts Scheduled games for any of the athletic competitions offered will be considered a game contract between those schools. Failure to uphold the contract without notice to a competing school will result in a penalty. Refer to the League Fees and Penalty section for more details. Forms Required forms will be available on the league website Please refer to the Calendar of Events for sport specific due dates. Associational Meetings All members are required to attend league meetings To participate in any of the available sports, member schools will meet at a given location for a schedule planning for the respected sports that they wish to participate in due season Dates for League Meetings-please refer to the ISC Season Passes Division 1 member schools will each be given a total of 30 season passes from the league. If any Division 1 school has a need for more than 30 passes, they can appeal to the league office and pay for extras. Appeals must be made by the school Administrator. Passes will let the cardholder plus one guest into any GICAA sanctioned event for free. 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. Individual Sports Calendar (ISC) Reference for member schools to refer to for proper practice dates for specific sports, league meetings, etc. Legal/Illegal Practice Dates Legal practice dates are established for each sport (please refer to the ISC for sports specific dates) and schools shall not conduct or allow an illegal practice. 1. At any given point in time, during the school year, only one (1) coach in a sport may work with up to three (3) athletes skill-building drills. Illegal practices are defined as practices involving four or more students participating in extracurricular activity in the presence of, or under the direct or indirect supervision of any coach of the school. 2. Any team practice occurring after the beginning of the school year and before the opening of the designated season is an illegal practice. 3. Any practice occurring after the end of the season for that team till 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 GICAA, LLC end-of-season tournament must submit a request to the GICAA, LLC office for approval. 3

4 Summer Policy Summer is defined from the last day of school until fall sports practice begins as posted on the website. Please refer to the ISC calendar for sport specific dates. The GICAA, LLC does not sanction, sponsor, promote, approve or disapprove any individual school s summer activity. 1. Each GICAA, LLC 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 GICAA, LLC manual. 3. There will be no mandatory practices out of season. 4. Dead Week must be observed during the week (Sunday through Saturday) in which the Fourth of July falls each year. Schools are prohibited from participating in voluntary workouts, camps and/or clinics, weight training or competitions during the week. Rosters All schools are to send in the names of all students in the 8 th -12 th grades by August 8 th of each school year with the number of subjects passed for the previous school year. The cutoff dates to add newly enrolled students are as follows: Fall-September 15 th, December 15 th -Swimming and any other sport ending in January, Winter-January 5 th, Spring-March 15 th. No new student entering the member school after these cutoff dates will be allowed to participate in that season s sport. For example: September 15 th is the cutoff for fall, therefore, any student entering the school on September 16 th or later will be not be allowed to participate in fall softball, cross country, football or one act play. Student Transfers A legitimate move is when the student s family changes residence closer to the school they are wanting to attend and further from the school in which they were previously enrolled. If the move is under 50 miles, from residence to residence, the appeals committee must hear the case for transfer. If the move is over 50 miles, from residence to residence, the GICAA league office will hear the case for transfer. If a student does not change residence, the appeals committee will automatically hear the case for transfer. No transfer after the cutoff dates make any student eligible for that season. The cutoff dates supersede any 30 day cutoff before region or state playoffs. The student would not be allowed to participate until the Appeals Committee has approved his/her transfer. Member to member school move will result in a 365 day sit out by that student unless there are extenuating circumstances in which case the Appeals Committee would have to rule on. Appeals Committee The appeals committee will be made up of Division II Athletic Directors. Any undue influence to the Appeals Committee will result in an automatic turn down of the appeal. 4

5 Game Contests 1. Games schedules must be turned in by the date in the ISC and will be considered an official contract game between those schools in the division. 2. Finalized schedules must be submitted to the league office by the sport specific due date found on the ISC. 3. Current standings of teams from respected competition will be posted on the GICAA, LLC website. 4. After the regular season is completed, regional tournament seeding will be based on the school s standing. 5. Varsity games for the sports stated in the league competition section must have the latest start times for games. This applies to basketball only. Game Results 1. Games Results must be updated on the GICAA, LLC website. 2. Results must be sent in within two days of that week or the team will be subject to penalty. Policies and Procedures League Rules for Athletic Competitions Gaming Rules and Regulations All athletics will be played under the rules and regulations of the National Federation of High School Rules (NFHS) for the specified sport unless changes are adopted by the rules committee. Swimming will use the United States Swimming (USS) Rules and Regulations book. Tennis will use the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Rule Book. Golf will use the United States Golf Association (USGA) Rules of Golf. Equipment Equipment allowed in sports will also be based from the guidelines listed in gaming rules and the regulation section for the respected sport. Varsity Players 8 th -12 Grades on all sports with the exception of football which will be 9 th -12 th. Undue Influence 1. Undue influence to persuade a student for athletic purposes offered in the GICAA, LLC 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 GICAA, LLC as personal contact by coaches and sponsors in an attempt to persuade transfer by gifts of money, jobs, supplies, clothing, free transportation, admission to contests, invitations to attend practices and/or games or free tuition or transfer from another school. 3. Reports or accusations of this rule being violated by a school will be investigated and handled by the dispute committee. 5

6 Scholarships 1. No student will be allowed a scholarship purely for athletic purposes. 2. The league office will determine whether or not a scholarship and/or financial aid are being given for athletic purposes. Travel Teams A GICAA, LLC coach may not coach a non-gicaa, LLC team in a competitive setting during the school year that includes any player(s) who participate in the sport he/she coaches at the member school. This would apply to the sport that he is coaching in the GICAA, LLC. EXCEPTION: In a situation in which the child or step-child of the coach is the ONLY player on a nonschool team from the coach s school, the coach would be exempted from this rule, however, must be approved by the appeals committee. A Member School shall have no more than one varsity team in any sport. This rule covers competition inside and outside of the GICAA. No interscholastic school is permitted to have an elite team in any activity. Make-up Games Schools must work cooperatively in case of a circumstance that does not allow gameplay for the teams involved and they should re-schedule a game within 48 hours. In case of teams not being able to do so within the time limit, the league office should be contacted. Regional Tournaments Regional Tournaments will be held after the end of the regular season. Hosting: 1. Dates for regional tournaments will be in the ISC. 2. Host team facility or field must meet requirements stated in the guidelines under gaming rules and regulations section for the respected sport. 3. The league office will set the admission prices. 4. Referees will be provided by the host school and must be paid from the host school profits. Each region must agree on the referees used in a region tournament. 5. Trophies and regional plaques will be paid for from the gate proceeds by the host school. 6. Host school will keep all profits from the gate and concession stands once officials and trophies are paid for. 7. Regions will draw numbers to decide who will host. Everyone will get a year to host. Standings After the regular season is completed, tournament seeding will be based on the school s standing. State Tournaments 1. State tournaments will be hosted at a neutral site. 2. Location and date can be found in the ISC. 3. Sites may be subject to change based on agreement from schools participating in the state tournament. 6

7 4. In the case of an urgent decision needed, the league office will choose state tournament location. 5. The league office will set admission prices. 6. Only varsity teams participate in the state tournament. 7. The facility or field must meet requirements stated in guidelines under gaming rules and regulations section for the respected sport. Referees will be provided by the league. 8. GICAA, LLC will keep all profits for gate and concessions. 9. Member schools may be asked to provide volunteers for State Championships. Teams qualifying for the state tournament are required to compete. If a team qualifies and does not attend, the following will apply: 1. First offense: the school will be subject to a $500 fine. 2. Second offense: the school will be subject to a $500 fine forfeiture of participation in the next season s play-offs. School Size and Student Classifications School sizes and student classifications will be based on the following criteria: Division 1: Schools that will use only their student body to fill rosters. There will be no AES athletes. Division 2: Schools that need to supplement rosters with a small number of AES athletes in order to have a sports team. Division 3: Open division for pure homeschool programs and schools that need to supplement with larger number of AES athletes than allowed for in Division 2. Each division can consist of a one (A), two (AA) and three (AAA) classification based on the size of the programs within the division. Certification of Eligibility 1. If a player reaches the age of 19 before May 1 st, of his/her junior year, they will not be eligible to participate in any of the athletic competitions the following year. Eligibility 1. Athletes must be passing five classes to remain eligible to play/stay on track to graduate. 2. If not passing five at the end the semester, they would become ineligible to play until the next semester. 3. League office will compare rosters from year to year to look for large increases in the student body. In large increase would be deemed a *red flag* and league office has the right to visit the school and investigate. 4. Once an athlete enters the 9 th grade, the 8 semester clock starts. 5. Eligibility in the 8 th grade will be for one year only on varsity. 6. The cutoff date to transfer from one member school to another will be June 1 st of each year. 7

8 Exchange & Foreign Students The GICAA, LLC 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 without appearing before the Appeal Board if they arrive before September Foreign exchange students registered with a CSIET approved program that arrive after September 15 must appear before the Rules Committee to be considered eligible. Once approved, as long as they stay in the same high school for consecutive years, they will not have to go before the appeals board again. 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 Rules Committee to be considered eligible. Once approved, as long as they stay in the same high school for consecutive years, they will not have to go before the appeals board again. 5. Please submit all foreign and exchange student s information in writing to the GICAA, LLC office and not online 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 GICAA, LLC by May 1 st of the preceding school year for acceptance or rejection. 7. All foreign exchange students will need to meet all other eligibility requirements as noted above. Joint Enrollment Students who are jointly enrolled in the GICAA, LLC and a local college must meet the following criteria to be deemed eligible: 1. Some of the classes taken by the student must be scheduled and taken at the GICAA, LLC school. 2. The GICAA, LLC school and the college must award the student full and graduation credits for jointly enrolled classes. 3. When a student is joint enrolled, they must be a full time student of the member school. League Fees *Refer to the ISC for Fee Due Date. JV & Varsity Girls count as one team and JV & Varsity Boys count as one team. Fall Sports Winter Sports Spring Sports Football Basketball Baseball Volleyball Competition Cheerleading Softball Cross Country Swimming Track & Field Soccer Shot Gun Sports Golf Softball Tennis Soccer Fall Sports Fees Winter Sports Fees Spring Sports Fees -1 Sport = $ Sport = $ Sport = $ Sports = $ Sports = $ Sports = $ or more =$ or more = $ or more = $ Literary Fees = $ for all three seasons. 8

9 Gate Admission Fees *Ages 5 and under are free for all events *Schools are allowed to charge a gate fee up to the max value stated in the regular season column. Regular & Region Season State Tournament Fall Sports except Football & Basketball Fall Sports except Football & Basketball Adults up to $5.00 max Adults $8.00 Students up to $5.00 max Students $5.00 Region Tournament Adults $7.00 Students $5.00 Football Football Adults up to $7.00 max Adults $10.00 Students up to $5.00 max Students $7.00 Basketball Basketball Adults up to $5.00 max Adults $8.00 Students up to $5.00 max Students $5.00 Spring Sports Spring Sports Adults up to $5.00 max Adults $5.00 Students up to $5.00 max Students $5.00 Penalty Policies A member school has seven days to pay a fine once they have received the official notification from the GICAA, LLC. After seven days the fine will double. After 14 days past due all games played will count as a forfeit until the fine is paid. All fines are to be paid in full before a team can participate in the region or state tournaments. Cancellations/No-Shows Cancelling School will pay cost of officials when games are cancelled that aren t weather related. The league office must approve changes to the schedules with at least a week s notice prior to the first game. School is responsible to pay all financial costs associated with the missed game up to $ No Fine: Seven days or more notice is given before date of the scheduled game and approved by the league office and the other team(s) involved. $ Fine: Seven days or less before date of the event. Cancellation of a game seven days or less before date of the event will be paid to the league and the other school involved. $ Fine: Second cancellation in the year will be paid to the league office and the other school involved. $ Fine: Third Cancellation of the year the school may face possible expulsion from the association for the remainder of the school year. 9

10 $ Fine: Cancellation 10 days or less of a football game must pay fine to league office and other school involved. Weather and Heat: $ $1, Fine: Member school violating the weather and heat provisions can be fined between the amounts stated above and could result in possible expulsion from the GICAA, LLC. Rules and Violations $50.00 Fine: Not updating game results to website within two business days Not sending in Technical Foul/Ejection Report after a written warning Late on paying league fees by due date Late on sending rosters to office by due date First offense fine when coach is ejected from game First offense fine when player is ejected from game Any fan asked to leave the premises, or acting in a manner subjecting an official to an undue threat by physical or verbal assault will be treated as an ejection and said fan will not be allowed to attend the next game played by their team. $75.00 Fine: Second offense fine when player is ejected from game $ Fine: Schools must pay league office a fine if they decide to remove a sport after the due date. All dates can be found in the ISC. $ Fine: Second offense fine when coach is ejected from game -If a player is ejected from a game, he /she must sit out the next game. (this is for all sports) 10

11 General Sports Information This section is designed to answer general questions for all sports. Please refer to the sport specific sections for specific sport rules. *The GICAA, LLC has adopted many of the principles found in The National Federation High School Handbook. The GICAA, LLC will follow the NFHS guidelines unless noted in sport specific area. Coaches Coaches are required to attend the regional meetings. Head coaches must be at least 21. No student coaches allowed. All coaches must be dressed in proper school attire. The GICAA, LLC suggest that every coach visit for rule updates and continued education. The following is The Code of Ethics adopted from The National Federation High School Handbook: 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 upmost 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. 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. 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. The Coach shall take an active role in the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse. The Coach shall avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco products when in contact with players. The Coach shall promote the entire interscholastic program of the school and direct his or her program in harmony with the total school program. 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. 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. 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. 11

12 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. The Coach shall not exert pressure on faculty members to give student special consideration. The Coach shall not scout opponents by any means other than those adopted by the league and/or state high school athletic association. 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. This person should be in Administration from the home school. Host Team Hospitality The Host Team should always provide water for the visiting team. Game Book and Clock Operations Game book and clock operations of varsity games, meets, matches and contests must be done by ADULTS only and remain at the scorekeepers table for the entire game. Individual Sports Calendar (ISC) Refer to ISC for specific dates for: Fee due date Roster due date Schedule due date Pass list due date Official practice start date Official opening game day Last regular season game Regional and State Tournaments Officials All officials for varsity athletic contests will be members of an approved official s organization or approved by the GICAA, LLC league office. Each official association must have a plan for the certification of athletic officials which includes the following: Published procedures for registration of officials, system for evaluating performances of officials Published guidelines for training officials which must include a rules clinic on all new rules for that year and at least two other (preferably more) rules meetings. A testing procedure The head of the officials association must certify that these requirements are satisfied each year. Members must submit a copy of their contract to the GICAA, LLC before games begin. The GICAA, LLC league office will verify the certification of all officials. 12

13 Number of officials required for each varsity level REGIONAL CONTEST shall be as follows: Varsity Volleyball-1 Varsity Basketball-3 Varsity Soccer-2 Varsity Baseball-2 Varsity Softball-2 Junior Varsity and non-region varsity basketball games may 2 officials. GICAA, LLC will select the officials used in state tournaments. Physicals GICAA, LLC strongly suggests that each member maintain a current physical on file for each athlete. Schools are encouraged to carry copies of physicals to all games to expedite medical attention for injured athlete. 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 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. Concussion Policy GICAA, LLC member schools must abide by House Bill 284, known as the "Return to Play Act of 2013". This act will be effective on January 1, Heat Policy All Member Schools shall utilize at each Practice a scientifically approved instrument that measures WBGT. The following WBGT readings the corresponding activity, hydration, and rest break guidelines apply: Under 82.0 Normal activities. Provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour of a minimum duration of 3 minutes each during Practice Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise. Watch at-risk students carefully. Provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour of a minimum of four minutes duration each during Practice 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 of a minimum of four minutes each during Practice 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. Over 92 No outdoor activities or exercise. Delay outdoor Practice until a lower WBGT reading occurs. 13

14 The following guidelines apply to hydration and rest breaks: Rest time should involve both unlimited hydration (water or electrolyte drinks) and rest without any activity involved. 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. 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. Severe Weather 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. Video Coaches or anyone associated with a school (parents, fans, friends, 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. Media Employees of member schools and or fans are not to make comments to the media which are critical of officials and their calls in a game. All publicity should be in a positive manner. Noise Makers All artificial noise makers including air horns, will be banned at all sporting events. Music or band performances are allowed only when ball is not in play. Jewelry No jewelry of any kind will be worn, by athletes, during games, tournaments, etc. Awards List of awards: State Champion and Runner-Up, Varsity Regional Champion and Runner-Up, Varsity Regional Champion and Runner-Up, Junior Varsity All State and All Region- each sport will be honored with All State and All Region based on the number of regions and number of teams in each region. The awards will be given based on nominations received from coaches and athletic directors. General Code of Conduct Member schools are always encouraged to use Matthew 18:15-17 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. League Sanctioning Additional Athletics The GICAA, LLC will sanction additional athletic competitions when a minimum of six schools show interest to compete and send in a request to the league office. 14

15 Tie Breakers Tie Breakers for Region Play, unless listed under individual sport, are as follows: 1. Head to head 2. Coin toss Baseball League Rules for Baseball The National Federation of High School (NFHS) Rules of Baseball is the official guide of the GICAA, LLC with the exceptions listed below: 1. The official GICAA, LLC baseball is the NFHS stamped ball. 2. If the baseball umpires desires to end a game early because of rain, thunder, lightning, darkness, etc. and 4 ½ innings have already been played, it will be deemed a regulation game if the home team doesn t need their ½ inning. However, if the game is not completed or has gone into extra innings, the game will need to be completed/rescheduled on a later date and will pick back up from the point of suspension. The State Playoff Championship games have to be a full seven innings. All Baseball Playoff Games will have to be played to conclusion. The run rule will apply during playoff games. If Playoff Game is ended early due to weather conditions, etc., it will have to be finished before the next Playoff game can start. 3. The GICAA, LLC will limit the number of innings pitched to 10 innings on any one day. The limit during a four day period shall be 14. One pitch will count as 1/3 of an inning and fractions of inning will count. For the safety of the player, the coach must self-police this rule. 4. A GICAA, LLC Baseball team can play in one tournament other than the GICAA, LLC Region and State playoffs plus 25 regular season games. 5. If a coach is ejected from a baseball game, there will be a $50.00 fine paid to the GICAA, LLC office by the member school. 6. State Baseball Play-Offs: a. All current overall GICAA, LLC Rules & Regulations and especially those pertaining to 7. baseball are incorporated into this plan or proposal. a. The normal and current GICAA, LLC play-off brackets will be used. Format will be best two out of three games in each round of the Play-Offs. b. At each level of the State Play-Offs, the site host must provide a field with adequate seating for not less than 100 paid fans or spectator admissions. The field must be properly marked at all times. The field must have an outfield fence not less than 280 feet from home plate. c. Three officials will be used in all play-off games. Four officials will be used in the Championship series. Seven innings will be required in the Final Championship game(s). GICAA, LLC will provide officials for state championship games and be paid for by the gate revenue of the home site. d. Any school hosting any level of the Play-Offs must assume any financial losses, should that occur. Any school not wishing to assume the responsibility may so inform the GICAA Office, and the next ranked team will be invited to host the competition. e. Site host will be the Region Champion and Runner-Up from each region in Round 1. Higher ranked teams will host in future rounds. When two teams in any bracket are equally ranked, then the bracket will indicate the site host. In all rounds, the home team and site host will be the home team in Game 1. The visiting team will be home in Game 2. And, if teams are of equal rank in Game 3, a coin toss will be used to determine which team will be home team. In other cases, higher seeded team is Home team. f. In the State Play-Offs (Round 1, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals), a pitcher will be permitted to throw in ten (10) innings in any one series. He may throw all ten (10) in one day, or the innings may be broken down over the remaining scheduled games of each series. However, if the series needs to be extended because of weather or other reasons approved in advance by the GICAA Executive Director, an additional two (2) innings may be added for 15

16 each one-day beyond the regularly scheduled format. No pitcher, regardless of the circumstances, may pitch more than fourteen (14) innings in any four-day period. Any violation of this rule will result in forfeiture of game. g. NOTE: 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 8. Baseball Coach to wear baseball pants with any school shirt/jacket. 9. Allowed to play in two tournaments per season. 10. Tie breaker during regular season games: a. In the event of a tie, at the beginning of the 10 th inning start tie breaker. A man will be put on 2 nd base with no outs. Each team gets a bat. Last batter in the 9 th inning is your runner, then follow line-up. 11. The Play-Offs will be played as follows: ROUND 1: Teams finishing 1 st and 2 nd from each region will host a double elimination tournament with pairings determined by bracket. If there are not enough teams in the region, then only one double elimination tournament will be held. The game schedule will be set by the two teams involved. If they cannot agree, the schedule will be set by the GICAA Office. The site host will serve as home team in Game 1 (and IF game) and the visitor in Game 2. Winners advance to the Quarter-Finals. QUARTER-FINALS: Each of the eight Round 1 winners (or numbers based on number of teams) will advance to the Quarter-Final level as per the GICAA, LLC brackets. Host will be the highest originally ranked Region team. These Quarter-Finals will be double elimination with the best two out of three games. The game schedule will be set by the two teams involved. If they cannot agree, the schedule will be set by the GISA Office. The site host will serve as home team in Game 1 (and IF game) and the visitor in Game 2. SEMI-FINALS: Each of the four division winners (or numbers based on number of teams) will advance to the Semi-Final level as per the GICCA, LLC brackets. Host will be the highest originally ranked Region team. If both teams in any bracket are equally ranked, the bracket showing home will prevail. These Semi-Finals will be double elimination with the best two out of three games. The site host will serve as home team in Game 1 and visitor in Game 2. And, if teams are of equal rank in Game 3, a coin toss will be used to determine which team will be home team. In other cases, higher seeded team is Home team. FINALS: The Finals will consist of the best two out of three games. Game 1 will commence at 4:00 pm on Friday. Game 2 will begin at 1:00 pm on Saturday, with Game 3, if needed, starting 15- minutes after the conclusion of Game 2. The site host will serve as home team in Game 1 and visitor in Game 2. And, if teams are of equal rank in Game 3, a coin toss will be used to determine which team will be home team. In other cases, higher seeded team is Home team. Game 2 and Game 3, if necessary, must go seven (7) innings or 6 ½ if the Home team is leading. 16

17 Basketball League Rules for Basketball The National Federation of High School (NFHS) Rules of Basketball is the official guide of the GICAA, LLC with the exceptions listed below: 1. Teams are limited to a maximum of 30 regular season games. 2. Varsity games shall consist four (4) eight (8) minute quarters. Junior Varsity games shall consist of four (4) seven (7) minutes quarters. Middle school will consist of four six (6) minute quarters. JV time can be limited if the opposing team arrives late. 3. Varsity girls to start at no later than 6:30pm. 4. School standings will be posted online. 5. After regional play is complete, school standings will be used for seeding for regional and state tournaments. 6. Playing time limits a. A student athlete must not play more than six quarters in one night not to exceed 44 minutes in regulation time. Athletes will be able to exceed this in overtime. 7. MERCY RULE: Mercy rule will apply if a team is trailing by 40 points or more at halftime, the coach of the trailing team may invoke the mercy rule, which would change the length of the quarters in the second half to 6-minute quarters for the entire half. If a team is trailing by 30 or more points at the end of the third quarter, the 6-minute quarter mercy rule will be invoked automatically. Normal timing/scoring rules would apply during both of the above. Cumulative Unsportsmanlike Conduct Technical Fouls for Basketball Coaches and Players (This is in addition to the current rule that states two technical fouls in same game results in an ejection.) a. Varsity Basketball Coaches may receive two (2) cumulative unsportsmanlike conduct technical fouls in a season without further increase in sanctions. The third (3rd) unsportsmanlike cumulative technical will require a $50 fine from the school and one game suspension. The fourth (4th) such technical mandates a $100 fine. The fifth (5 th ) technical foul will result the coach to sit out the rest of the season. b. Varsity Basketball Players may receive two cumulative unsportsmanlike conduct technical fouls in a season without further increase in sanctions. The third (3rd) cumulative unsportsmanlike technical will result in a one game suspension to be served the following game. The fourth (4th) technical will result in expulsion from that sport for the remainder of the season 17

18 Competition Cheerleading League Rules for Competition Cheerleading The National Federation of High School (NFHS) Rules of Competition Cheerleading is the official guide of the GICAA, LLC with the exceptions listed below: a. There will be NO glitter allowed at the State Tournament. b. Competitive Cheerleading squads do not have a set number, however, the maximum on any one squad will be limited to 16. c. There will be no non-competitors on the floor, acting as spotters, during the competitive routine. d. The length of a routine will be 2 ½ minutes. e. Certified judges will be used at the GICAA, LLC State Competition. The high and lower scores will be taken out and the remainder added to reach the final score. a. Tie Breakers are as follows: 1. Total of overall performance score 2. Squads that did not drop a stunt 3. Rankings Cross Country League Rules for Cross Country The National Federation of High School (NFHS) Rules of Cross Country is the official guide of the GICAA, LLC with the exceptions listed below: 1. The Cross Country course will be 3.1 miles in distance for boys and girls at the varsity level of competition. Junior Varsity course will be 1.6 miles in distance for boys and girls. 2. No contestant will be permitted to enter a meet if the contestant is not accompanied by a faculty member or coach of the school the contestant attends. 3. A team will consist of a minimum of five runners. 4. A Computer Chip Timing System will be used at the GICAA, LLC Invitational, Regional and State Cross Country Meet. Each runner must pay $10.00 per card for the season. Cards must be turned in at the end of the season. Lost or damaged timing card will have a $15.00 replacement fee. Each card will be assigned to a specific runner for the entire cross country season. It is the coach s responsibility to ensure the card is assigned to the correct runner after roster is submitted. 5. GICAA, LLC will be responsible for the following meets. Host schools are responsible for all other meets. GICAA, LLC Invitational GICAA, LLC Regional GICAA, LLC State Championship 6. The top three (3) teams of each region and any individual that finishes in the next best seven (7) times at the Region Meet will qualify for the State Meet. Seventh and Eighth graders that qualify may run in both the State Varsity Meet and the JV Regional Meet. 7. Member schools are encouraged to host regular season meets provided it is conducted in accordance set forth in the GICAA, LLC Cross County Handbook. Meets will be published on the GICAA, LLC website. 8. The meets will be scored by how each runner finishes by placement and not by time and team totals will also be scored in the same manner. 18

19 Football 1. The National Federation (NFHS) Rules of Football is the official guide with exceptions as may be found in this section. 2. Each school must file its completed football schedule and signed contracts with the GICAA league office no later than February 28 th 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 GICAA league office shall notify and receive approval of the GICAA Executive Director or such changes. 3. Only one varsity football game per week by the same team may be played. (May be waived by the GICAA Executive Director) 4. The maximum number of games for the regular season will be 11. The GICAA Executive Director has the authority to allow a team to play 12 games in order to help that member school fill a schedule. a. Players are limited to six quarters or 48 minutes of playing time per week in varsity and JV competitions. The limitation begins with the varsity game on Friday and is counted through any JV team competition the subsequent Thursday. 5. The GICAA league office shall set the regular season beginning and ending dates. a. With approval of the Head Administrator, schools are allowed to practice in full pads the first week. 6. Play-off games will be scheduled by the GICAA league office. 7. The tie breaking procedure for all Region and State Play-offs will be as follows: a. The winner of coin toss will have the option to be on offense or defense first. b. All play will take place on one end of the field as determined by the officials. c. The ball will be placed on the 25-yard line and each team will have a series of plays on offense and defense. Teams may make first downs and will retain possession of the ball until a score is made, the team loses the ball or the ball goes over on downs. If there is not a winner, the teams alternate choice of being on offense and defense first and each team has another series of downs from the 25-yard line. d. After each team has had two possessions and there is still not a winner, the ball will be placed on the 10 yard line and the teams will continue to alternate choice of offense or defense first. The playoff will continue this process from the 10-yard line until a winner is determined. 8. 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. 9. Pre-season football practice: Football teams may be allowed to practice together during the second week of organized practice with the knowledge and consent of the GICAA Executive Director. Host teams must file a form signed by the coach and/or Head Administrator listing the schools with which they may practice. These forms must be filed in advance of the start of fall football practice. 10. A pre-season football game may be played with another member school under the following guidelines: a. There will be only one pre-season scrimmage per schools per season. All pre-season scrimmages will operate during the third week of practice. b. The GICAA Executive Director will be in control of all scrimmages. He is to know which teams are playing, place date and time. c. Officials must be used. d. Coaches are on the field for teaching purposes at all times. e. There will be no kick-offs. f. There will be no punting. Ball is moved thirty yards down the field on the fourth down when normal punting situations occur. g. No twenty-five second clock between plays. h. First down chains are to be used. 19