WELCOME 2016-17 DIAA NFHS Rules Clinic
DIAA STAFF Thomas E. Neubauer, CMAA Executive Director Terre Taylor Coordinator of Interscholastic Athletics Tina M. Bates Secretary Main Number: 302-857-3365
DIAA PURPOSE to preserve and promote the educational significance of interscholastic athletics; to ensure that interscholastic sports remain compatible with the educational mission of the member schools; to provide for fair competition between member schools; to promote sportsmanship and ethical behavior; to establish and enforce standards of conduct for athletes, coaches, administrators, officials and spectators; to protect the physical well-being of athletes; and to promote healthy adolescent lifestyles.
DIAA http://www.doe.k12.de.us/diaa Starting point for ALL DIAA information and related links
NFHS Mission: The National Federation of State High School Associations serves its members, related professional organizations and students by providing leadership for the administration of education-based interscholastic activities, which support academic achievement, good citizenship and equitable opportunity.
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS NFHS (located in Indianapolis, IN Est. 1920): National leadership organization for high school sports and fine arts activities; National authority on interscholastic activity programs. Conducts national meetings; Sanctions interstate events; Produces national publication for high school administrators; National source for interscholastic coach training and national information center. www.nfhs.org
NFHS.org playing rules, uniforms, diagrams, articles
NFHS RULES BOOK AS E-BOOKS E-books features: Searchable Highlight areas of interest Make notes Desktop laptop availability Easy navigation Adjustable viewing size Immediate availability www.nfhs.org
WWW.NFHSLEARN.COM Register on NFHSLearn.com and receive the following great benefits: Immediate access to all 18 NFHS free courses Opportunity to receive email updates on your sport, upcoming courses and much more Access coursework 24/7/365 Access completion certificates 24/7/365 www.nfhslearn.com
THE NFHS LEARNING CENTER Mission: Provide ongoing professional development for Coaches, Administrators, Students, Parents and Officials on the role they play within interscholastic athletics and activities.
NFHS FREE COURSES Concussion in Sports REQUIRED Coaching Pole Vault NCAA Eligibility Positive Sport Parenting Sportsmanship Sports Nutrition Heat Illness Prevention Introduction to Music Adjudication Introduction to Pitch Smart Concussion in Sports for Students Social Media for Students Coaching Unified Sports Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment Engaging Effectively with Parents Sudden Cardiac Arrest Captains Course Interscholastic Officiating National Coach Certification Program www.nfhslearn.com
COACHING BASEBALL
Arbiter Sports https://www.arbitersports.com Officials Information and Testing
NFHS Officials Association Contains: Sport information Rules information Rules library Central Hub https://nfhs-softball.arbitersports.com/front/105414/site Searchable rules book Video content on officiating sport, competition situations and interpretations www.nfhs.or
Websites4Sports Your School Site WebSites4Sports.com Coaches and A.D.s Updated and accurate information: schedules, rosters, scores, pictures
Sports Medicine PPE Medical Card (page 4) Coaches MUST carry every athletes Medical Card with you at ALL times. PRACTICES & GAMES This is page 4 from their Physical Forms [DIAA PPE]
DIAA Concussion Protocol Parents and Athletes must read and sign PPE Concussion information sheet ALL Coaches and Officials must take the NFHS Concussion Education Course
DIAA Concussion Protocol Shows Signs or Symptoms a. Remove from play - Official or Coach b. Evaluated by a Qualified Healthcare Professional Qualified Healthcare Professional (QHCP) is a MD, DO, School Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician s Assistant or Athletic Trainer [ATC] IF CLEARED at that time by the QHCP, athlete may return to play that day.
DIAA Concussion Protocol If NOT CLEARED by QHCP at that time, athlete CANNOT return to play that day. At this point, athlete must have Written Clearance from a QUALIFIED PHYSICIAN to return to practice or play. Failure to comply = INELIGIBLE athlete
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Another Free Course from NFHS Learn SCA is the leading cause of death for high school athletes
School Responsibility for SCA The Gracie Firestone Act recognizes the threat SCA poses to high school athletes. What do you & your school need to do? Please ensure that All students must have annual PPE & answer the 12 AHA approved heart history questions. All students must sign the SCA Fact Sheet on PPE form
DIAA Responsibility for SCA What is DIAA doing? DIAA provides annual SCA awareness for Coaches. DIAA has SCA information on our website. ALL Coaches must hold valid CPR certification.
Emergency Action Plan [EAP] Coaches/A.D: Create an ACTION PLAN and PRACTICE it 1. Call 911 2. Start chest compressions [CPR] 3. Get an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) 4. Turn it on and follow the voice prompts Sample Plan on DIAA website Books were distributed to ALL member schools
Practice Policies DIAA Regulation 1008/1009-4.2 ALL practice days (school and non-school day): One day of no activity per seven day period A minimum of 21 calendar days of practice prior to the first competition date [3-22-17] Student must practice at least 7 calendar days prior to participating in a contest School day practices limited to two [2] hours
Practice Policies DIAA Regulation 1008/1009-4.2 These are in effect for NON-SCHOOL days A limit of no more than 2 practices with physical activity No practice can be longer than three (3) hours in length A grand total of five (5) hours of physical activity daily When having 2 practice session in a day; there MUST be a one hour minimum cooling period between the two practice sessions
NFHS-DIAA Relationship DIAA is a 100% compliant member of the: National Federation of High School Associations [NFHS]
DIAA Rules Adoptions/Modifications of NFHS Rules DIAA website Sports DIAA Approved Polices
DIAA POLICIES & PROCEDURES GAME EJECTION PROCEDURE Incident Report Form found on either Website MUST be sent to Incident Chair by next morning If you eject someone, the DIAA Office/Incident Chair must be notified by noon of the next day so the school A.D. can be notified too.
DIAA POLICIES & PROCEDURES When sending Ejection Reports by email, please use abbreviations or punctuations marks for profane words. Most firewalls [especially the state s] will block emails containing spelled out profanity. E.G S$%T, F#$K etc.
DIAA POLICIES & PROCEDURES APPEAL OF GAME EJECTION for NON-SPORTSMANSHIP related removals or disqualifications only to be used when TECHNICAL violations occur (not many of these)
DIAA POLICIES & PROCEDURES BENCH PERSONNEL RULE Players DO NOT leave the bench (or playing area) to enter playing area to get involved in a confrontation. Only the HEAD COACH may enter unsolicited to break up an altercation.
DIAA POLICIES & PROCEDURES Cumulative Unsportsmanlike Conduct Rule A coach who is guilty of repeated acts of unsportsmanlike conduct during a season shall be ineligible for the next contest. Baseball & Softball: three (3) bench confinements Soccer & Girls Lacrosse: three (3) yellow cards Boys Lacrosse: three (3) unsportsmanlike conduct fouls or any combo of 5 conduct and unsportsmanlike conduct foul
DIAA POLICIES & PROCEDURES Thunder and/or Lightning Policy The site management or the contest officials, if they have assumed control of the game, will stop the game at the first sound of thunder, or observation of cloud to ground lightning. The playing area will be cleared and all participants and spectators will be advised to seek shelter. The contest will not be resumed until 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder was heard or flash of lightning was seen.
DIAA POLICIES & PROCEDURES PROHIBITION AGAINST USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS Very Simple: DON T SMOKE*, DON T CHEW, DON T DIP *E-cigarettes included NFHS Marked VARSITY Game Balls Must have NFHS branded logo State Tournament: Baseball: Wilson A1010 Softball: Dudley SB12L Girls Soccer: Nike Catalyst
DIAA POLICIES & PROCEDURES Special Accommodations Requests Medical, Religious, Other Each state association may, in keeping with applicable laws, authorize exceptions to NFHS playing rules to provide reasonable accommodations to individual participants with disabilities and/or special needs, as well as those individuals with unique and extenuating circumstances. The accommodations should not fundamentally alter the sport, heighten risk to the athlete/others or place opponents at a disadvantage.
GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOLS AND STATE ASSOCIATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION OF ACCOMMODATIONS
DIAA POLICIES & MOUTH GUARD RULE PROCEDURES must be worn by ALL who have METAL braces. must cover top brace and separate biting surfaces. must extend to shield lower braces. can be white or clear if NOT prohibited.
DIAA POLICIES & PROCEDURES Recommended Contest Assignment Guidelines Read the Code of Ethics Read and follow the Hand Out Guidelines Do NOT put yourself in a situation where your integrity, ethics and character are questioned Follow appropriate lines of communication.
www.nfhsnetwork.com
NFHS Network Live Web streaming Of DIAA Events $9.95 per month
NFHS Campaign Use the hashtag: #MyReasonWhy NFHS.org/myreasonwhy #MyReasonWhy Campaign to celebrate all the reasons why students participate Invite students to share their personal reasons and parents, coaches, officials Began in October; national campaign in 2017 Push on your school social media channels and website
Social Media Profile Facebook Page: Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association Link: www.facebook.com/delawareinterscholasticathleticassociation Twitter Page: DIAA Handle: @DIAA_Delaware Instagram Handle: DIAA_Delaware
NFHS Social Media NFHS and Coaches Education @NFHS_Org @NFHSNetwork
QUESTIONS? Please Support our Officiating Sponsor: Kevin Hawkins 19 Crown Circle Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone (302)588-4877 SOUINC@Comcast.net
THANK YOU AND Thank you for your support of HAVE A GREAT www.nfhs.org Interscholastic Athletics! SEASON!
2017 NFHS SOFTBALL RULES CHANGES
Rule Change BATS RULE 1-5-2c c. Taper. The taper is the transition area which connects the narrower handle to the wider barrel portion of the bat. The taper shall have a solid surface and shall have a conical shape. Its length and material may vary. www.nfhs.org
Rule Change BATS RULE 1-5-2c The rule has been changed and no longer requires the taper to have a solid surface. www.nfhs.org
Rule Change UNIFORMS, PLAYER EQUIPMENT RULE 3-2-1 ART. 1... Uniforms of all team members shall be of the same color and style. State associations may, on an individual basis, permit a player to participate while wearing a different style uniform for religious reasons, inclement weather, etc. www.nfhs.org
Rule Change UNIFORMS, PLAYER EQUIPMENT RULE 3-2-1 Associations can make exceptions relative to inclement weather, religion and other circumstances. www.nfhs.org
Rule Change UNIFORMS, PLAYER EQUIPMENT RULE 3-2-7 Exposed undergarments, if worn, are considered part of the official uniform. All exposed undergarments shall be a solid single color: black, white, gray or a school color. a. For individual players, exposed upper-body undergarments do not have to be the same color as exposed lower-body undergarments. b. For all team members, exposed upper-body undergarments shall be the same solid single color, and all exposed lower-body undergarments shall be the same solid single color. www.nfhs.org
Rule Change UNIFORMS, PLAYER EQUIPMENT RULE 3-2-7 c. Garments other than team uniforms such as arm sleeves, leg sleeves, and tights are permissible. Anything worn on the arm or leg is a sleeve, except a brace, and shall meet the color restrictions. www.nfhs.org
Rule Change UNIFORMS, PLAYER EQUIPMENT RULE 3-2-7 Undergarments shall be the same solid single color: black, white, gray or a solid school color. www.nfhs.org
Rule Change UNIFORMS, PLAYER EQUIPMENT RULE 3-2-15 NEW ART 15... All equipment shall be inspected by the umpire, and is to be placed outside the dugout/bench prior to the start of the game. www.nfhs.org
Rule Change UNIFORMS, PLAYER EQUIPMENT RULE 3-2-15 NEW Teams are required to have equipment lined up against dugout/bench area for umpires to check prior to the start of the game. www.nfhs.org
Rule Change BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT RULE 3-6-7 PENALTY ART. 7... Players and substitutes shall not enter the contest unreported. PENALTY: Players and substitutes shall not enter the contest unreported. The umpire shall issue a team warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be restricted to the dugout/bench for the remainder of the game. The head coach is also restricted to the dugout/bench for the remainder of the game for a second violation. www.nfhs.org
Rule Change BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT RULE 3-6-7 PENALTY Language has been added to the substitution rule to make it clear when a coach is also restricted to the dugout/bench area for a second unreported substitution violation. www.nfhs.org
NFHS SOFTBALL MAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES
Editorial Change INFRACTIONS BY PITCHER (F.P) RULE 6-2-2 ART. 2...The pitcher shall not at any time during the game be allowed to use tape or any other substance on the ball or contact points of the pitching hand or fingers; nor shall any other player apply a foreign substance to the ball. A pitcher who licks her fingers shall wipe them off before bringing them in contact with the ball. Under the supervision and control of the umpire, powdered resin or any comparable drying agent may be used to dry the hand. It is not necessary to wipe off the drying agent before making contact with the ball. The pitcher shall not wear any item on the pitching hand, wrist, arm or thighs which the umpire judges to be distracting to the batter. www.nfhs.org
Editorial Change INFRACTIONS BY PITCHER (F.P) RULE 6-2-2 A pitcher does not have to wipe off the drying agent before making contact with the ball. www.nfhs.org
Editorial Change BATTER IS OUT RULE 7-4-8 NOTE ART. 8...The batter hits the ball fair or foul while either foot is touching the ground completely outside the lines of the batter's box or while touching the plate. The note instructing the umpire to ignore the batter s follow through was removed. This note did not clarify the rule, and often created confusion in the administration of the rule. www.nfhs.org
Editorial Change THE BATTER BECOMES A BATTER- RUNNER RULE 8-1-2 PENALTY c.(f.p.) a pitched ball (not entirely in the batter s box) not swung at nor called a strike touches any part of the batter s person or clothing. It does not matter if the ball strikes the ground before hitting the batter. The batter s hands are not to be considered part of the bat. www.nfhs.org
Editorial Change THE BATTER BECOMES A BATTER- RUNNER RULE 8-1-2 PENALTY Language regarding a hit batter that was originally inserted in the rules book in 2013 was inadvertently omitted. www.nfhs.org
Editorial Change BATTER-RUNNER IS OUT RULE 8-2-4 EXCEPTION The batter-runner shall be called out when: ART. 4... The batter-runner fails to advance to first base and enters the dugout/bench area after a batted fair ball, a base on balls, a hit batter (F.P.), a dropped third strike (F.P.), or catcher obstruction. EXCEPTION: The ball is dead on a base on balls (S.P.), or on a hit batter who is injured (F.P.), the ball is dead, the batter-runner is not out and runners cannot advance unless forced. www.nfhs.org
Editorial Change BATTER-RUNNER IS OUT RULE 8-2-4 EXCEPTION If a hit batter leaves the game because of an injury, she is not out if she doesn t go to first base. www.nfhs.org
NFHS SOFTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS
PITCHING POSITION There has been a noticeable increase in the use of wristbands to communicate pitching signals in the last few years. Many coaches are verbally or visually communicating a series of numbers which the players lookup on a wristband. Typically the pitcher is behind and not in contact with the pitcher s plate when this occurs. This practice is legal as long as the pitcher still complies with Rule 6-1-1. www.nfhs.org
PITCHING POSITION RULE 6-1-1 a. Prior to pitching, the pitcher must take a position with shoulders in line with first and third base with the ball in the glove or pitching hand, and with the hands separated. b. While in this position, the pitcher shall take (or simulate taking) a signal from the catcher. Even if they took the actual signal behind and not in contact with the pitcher s plate they must comply to this section of the rule by simulating taking the signal from the catcher once they are on the pitcher s plate with their hands still separated. www.nfhs.org
PITCHING POSITION RULE 6-1-1 c. After completing "b" in the previous slide, the pitcher shall bring the hands together in front of the body for not less than one second and not more than 10 seconds before releasing the ball. The hands may be motionless or moving. www.nfhs.org
PITCHING POSITION NFHS Softball s pitching rule supports a wide range of pitching styles by allowing a pitcher to start with both feet on the pitcher s plate, one foot on and one foot behind or to step backward as a part of their pitching motion. Rule 6-1-1 states that the pitcher shall take a position with the pivot foot on or partially on the top surface of the pitcher's plate and the non-pivot foot in contact with or behind the pitcher's plate. Both feet must be on the ground within or partially within the 24-inch length of the pitcher's plate. www.nfhs.org
PITCHING POSITION Rule 6-1-2b states that once the hands are brought together and are in motion, the pitcher shall not take more than one step which must be forward, toward the batter and simultaneous with the delivery. Any step backward shall begin before the hands come together. The step backward may end before or after the hands come together. www.nfhs.org
PITCHING POSITION SUMMARY 1. Must step on the pitcher s plate with hands separated. Pivot foot must be on or partially on top of the pitcher s plate, non-pivot foot must be in contact with or behind the pitcher s plate, both feet must start and remain within or partially within the 24 length of the pitcher s plate. 2. Must take or simulate taking a signal from the catcher with the hands separated. www.nfhs.org
PITCHING POSITION SUMMARY 3. Must start to step backward prior to the hands coming together. Hands can be moving toward each other but may not be together prior to starting the backward step. The backward step may end before or after the hands come together. 4. Following the step backward all other aspect of Rule 6-1 and 6-2 must be followed to remain a legal pitch. www.nfhs.org
Points of Emphasis REFLECTIVE MATERIALS, ADORNMENTS A uniform shall not have any reflective adornments. Reflective materials on ribbons, bows, and headbands, including glitter and rhinestones, are considered illegal and should not be permitted. www.nfhs.org
Points of Emphasis HEADBANDS Teams are reminded that a headband that is designed to be tied in the back, is not considered a bandanna, and is legal if it meets the color and manufacturer s logo restrictions. www.nfhs.org
Points of Emphasis DP/FLEX REMINDERS The DP can never play defense only. The FLEX can never be on offense only. The FLEX and DP can NEVER play offense at the same time. The FLEX and DP positons are linked by the DP/FLEX rule. If the FLEX is going to play offense they have to do it in the original DP s positon, therefore only one of them can play offense at a time. www.nfhs.org
NFHS OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL HUB
Points of Emphasis DP/FLEX REMINDERS The FLEX and DP can play defense at the same time. The DP can play defense for any player other than the FLEX and no one has left the game. The starting DP and FLEX players have one re-entry just as all players do. Once the game is started with the DP/FLEX positions in the lineup those positions are available for the entire game. Even if the starting DP or starting FLEX has left the game a second time, the positons are still available and an eligible substitute can enter the game as the FLEX or DP. So even though the starting player(s) left the game twice and cannot re-enter, their positons is still active as long as the team has eligible substitutes. www.nfhs.org
Points of Emphasis DP/FLEX REMINDERS REMINDERS: 1) The DP can never be on DEFENSE ONLY. 2) The FLEX player can never be on OFFENSE ONLY. 3) The DP and FLEX player can never be on offense at the same time. 4) The STARTER and the SUBSTITUTE cannot be in the game at the same time. 5) The starting DP and FLEX player have one re-entry just as any other player. 6) Once the game is started with the DP/FLEX positions in the lineup, those positions are available for the entire game. 7) The penalty for illegal re-entry of the DP or FLEX player is always restriction to the bench/dugout. 8) If the player is on offense, she is called out. If the player is on defense, the team on offense may have the choice of taking the result of the play or accepting the penalty. www.nfhs.org
NFHS OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL HUB https://nfhs-softball.arbitersports.com/front/105414/site Contains: Sport information Rules information Rules library Searchable rules book Video content on officiating sport, competition situations and interpretations www.nfhs.org
Online Test for Clinic Credit Answer the following ten questions. Email your responses to: reply2diaa@gmail.com In the email subject line write: Softball Clinic In the email body write: Name and School Name (or Association) List Answers #1-10 Ex. 1 A, 2 B, 3 D, etc You must get at least 8 out of 10 correct for credit.
Test Question 1 #1. Which website would you use to find the best information regarding playing rules, uniform information and field or court diagrams? A. DIAA.org B. NFHSNetwork.com C. NFHSLearn.org D. NFHS.org
Test Question 2 #2. Which website would you use to find the all of the free online courses from the National Federation? A. DIAA.org B. NFHS.org C. NFHSLearn.com D. NFHSNetwork.com
Test Question 3 #3. What brand new course has the Federation (NFHS) introduced designed especially for student-athletes? A. Cardiac Arrest for Students B. Concussions for Students C. EAPs for Students D. Learning Enrichment for Students
Test Question 4 #4. Which athletes have to wear a mouth piece that covers all of the upper teeth and shield the lower teeth? A. Pitchers and catchers B. Those with a prescription C. Infielders D. Players with metal braces
Test Question 5 #5. Who is allowed to go onto the field during a fight, without being beckoned by the official? A. The Head Coaches B. Student Managers C. The Team Captains D. Students who passed the Concussion Education class
Test Question 6 #6. Exposed undergarments are considered part of the official uniform and shall be black, white, gray or a solid school color. A. True B. False
Test Question 7 #7. Provided it is under the supervision and control of the umpire, which of the following is legal for a pitcher to use on the pitching hand: A. Tape on the contact points. B. Saliva. C. Powdered resin or any comparable drying agent. D. Any item on the pitching hand, wrist, arm, or thigh which the umpire judges to be distracting to the batter. E. All of the above.
Test Question 8 #8. It is an illegal pitch if: A. F1 is behind the pitcher's plate, takes her signal, steps on the pitcher's plate immediately and brings her hands together. B. F1 is on the pitcher's plate, looks to the coach for a signal and then looks to F2 and simulates taking a signal before bringing her hands together. C. F1 stands behind the pitcher's plate, takes a signal from the coach, steps on the pitcher's plate and simulates taking a signal from F2 before bringing her hands together. D. F1's shoulders are in line with first and third base, the ball is in her glove or hand and the hands are separated.
Test Question 9 #9. Regarding the taper of a softball bat, which statement is not in compliance with the current rules? A. The taper connects the narrower handle to the wider portion of the bat. B. The taper of a bat is defined as having a solid surface. C. The taper shall have a conical shape since it connects the narrower handle to the wider portion of the bat. D. All are correct statements.
Test Question 10 #10. All of the following are true regarding the FLEX player, EXCEPT: A. The FLEX is listed in the 10th position in the lineup. B. The FLEX may be substituted for by the DP playing defense. C. The FLEX may bat anywhere in one of the nine positions of the batting order. D. The FLEX may be replaced by a legal substitute at any time. E. When the FLEX is substituted for by the DP, the team is down to nine players.
THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT SEASON! www.nfhs.org
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