Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA)

Sport Season During the School Year

Sport Season During the School Year

3.18.1 All Sports - Multi-Contest Event Regulations: Invitational tournaments and meets whether in-state or interstate sponsored by member schools or non-member entity must follow any applicable standards located in By-Law 1.1.5. 3.18.2 National Championship Events Not Sanctioned: MSHSAA and NFHS do not sanction participation in meets, tournaments, or other contests to qualify for and/or determine a national high school championship. Multi-Game Events Questions & Answers: Q1: Our school has been invited to participate in an event next season which is sponsored by an individual not associated with a member school of any state association. Schools from eight other states have been invited to this interscholastic athletic event. Can our school participate in this event? A1: No. MSHSAA By-Law 3.18 incorporates the requirements of the NFHS Interstate Sanctioning Procedures. All interstate athletic events must be sponsored or co-sponsored by a member school in addition to meeting all other applicable standards. Q2: Our school has been asked to participate in a basketball “shoot-out” being sponsored by a neighboring school and a soft drink bottler. Is this event to be handled any differently than a regular season game? A2: Yes. Please refer to By-Law 3.18.2 for all specific requirements.

3.3.1 Student Eligibility Requirements: All students participating in an interscholastic athletic activity representing a MSHSAA member school must meet the student essential by-laws in Section 2, the common athletic activity by-laws in Section 3, as well as all applicable activity-specific requirements.

3.7.1 Prior to each year of interscholastic athletic participation, a student shall furnish a statement, signed by the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian (see also By-Law 3.10.1.a), which grants permission for the student to participate in interscholastic athletics.

1.1.1 Allowable Competition for Members: No member school of this Association may compete in interscholastic activities with any other school, or against any other team, that is not one of the following: a. A member school of this Association [Art. III, Sections 1, 2] b. An out-of-state school which is a member of a state athletic or activities association which is a full or affiliate member of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) c. An out-of-state school which is approved for competition against the member schools of a state athletic or activities association which is a full or affiliate member of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) d. An Affiliate Registered School of this Association [Art. III, Section 6] e. A student team of a home-school association that meets the following criteria: 1. The home-school association is registered with the MSHSAA office for the applicable sport or activity. 2. All participants are students attending a home-school as defined in Section 167.031. 1 (1) & (2) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. 3. All participants have been home-schooled for at least the 365 consecutive days immediately preceding the competition. 4. Home-schooled students participating in any sport or activity as a resident participant student with a member school are not eligible to compete for a home-school association team in competitions against a MSHSAA member school. 5. All participants have been confirmed as eligible by the home-school association on an eligibility roster that includes full name, date of birth and home address of participants provided in advance of the contest to MSHSAA member school opponents. 6. All participants in athletics shall meet the age requirements of By-Law 3.5. 7. All participants in activities are of junior high or high school rank, corresponding to the MSHSAA membership level of MSHSAA member school opponents. (See By-Law 3.19) 8. No further adherence to the MSHSAA Constitution or By-Laws is required; however, a MSHSAA member school may impose additional stipulations prior to voluntary competition against such teams. 9. Home-school association teams are not eligible for participation in the MSHSAA district and state series. Editor’s Note: See alumni and school staff exceptions in By-Law 3.12. Diagram 1.1.1 Allowable Competition and Their Requirements This diagram outlines the types of competition that are allowed for member schools and shows the expectations for each category of schools. Competition against any school is voluntary. If your school is competing against THIS type of team... Here is what they must abide by: MSHSAA Full Member School Required to adhere to all MSHSAA by-laws and policies MSHSAA Affiliate Registered School These schools must only adhere to six rules: Age rule, Bona fide student rule, students repeating a grade, use of registered officials, use of NFHS sport rules, and non-school competition rules. Full Member School of another State Activities Association Required to adhere to their state association’s by-laws and requirements, which may differ somewhat from Missouri’s – may be more restrictive or less restrictive. Affiliate/Approved Schools in other states What they may be required to adhere to will vary widely ; their requirements will most likely be less restrictive. Home School Association Team Age rule, all must be bona fide home-schooled students and not participating in sports or activities as a resident participant student at a member school and have been home-schooled for at least a year, an eligibility roster is required. 1.1.2 Special Education Schools: A member school of this association which is a special education school organized and administered exclusively for the handicapped may compete with a team not specifically allowed in By-Law 1.1.1 by securing permission from the Board of Directors. 1.1.3 Suspended Members and Post-Secondary Schools: No member school may compete with a school that is suspended from the Association, or with a college/university team on which there are contestants above high school rank. 1.1.4 Board of Directors Action: The Board of Directors may take action to disallow participation against one or more specific out-of-state schools which otherwise meet (a), (b), (c) or (d) above if circumstances deem it advisable, and/or in order to protect MSHSAA member schools or the philosophy of interscholastic activities in Missouri. Page 30 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 1.1.5 Tournament, Meet, Multiple Contest Competitive/Evaluative Event Regulations : a. Definitions : 1. Host Site - The facility where the event takes place, which could be a member school or another designated venue. 2. Non-Member Entity - Any organization or institution that is not a member school of MSHSAA. Examples include but are not limited to colleges, universities, corporations, local businesses, and civic groups. 3. Member School Sponsor - A MSHSAA member school responsible for organizing and/or sponsoring an event. 4. Non-Member Entity Sponsor - A non-member entity that organizes and/or sponsors an event. 5. Event Organizer - The Member School Sponsor or Non-Member Entity Sponsor directly responsible for planning and managing the event, which could be either a member school or a non-member entity. b. Requirements for All Athletics and Activities: All interscholastic competitive or evaluative events sponsored by a member school and involving students from multiple schools, must be approved by the school administrator and shall comply with the following requirements: 1. Only schools meeting the provisions of By-Law 1.1.1 shall be invited. 2. Provisions contained in the MSHSAA By-Laws shall be adhered to by each school. (a) Sport specific standards located in Section 3 (b) Activity specific standards located in Section 4 c. Interstate Competitive/Evaluative Events Not Requiring a Sanction : All interstate interscholastic competitive or evaluative events involving students from multiple schools in which any member school participates and meet the descriptions below will not require the approval of the Board of Directors. All events shall appear on each member school's relevant sport or activity schedule for which they participate. 1. All such events held or hosted in Missouri: (a) Require sponsorship by a MSHSAA member school in good standing. (b) May have participating schools from bordering states with member schools in good standing. 2. All such events held or hosted in a bordering state: (a) May have any number of participating schools if all participating schools are from bordering states to Missouri . (b) May have schools participating that are from four or fewer non-bordering states to Missouri or seven or fewer schools total that include non-bordering states to Missouri. d. Interstate Competitive/Evaluative Events Requiring a Sanction : All interstate interscholastic competitive or evaluative events involving students from multiple schools in which any member school participates and meet any of the following conditions shall have the approval of the Board of Directors: 1. Any athletic event which has sanctioning requirements as set forth by the National Federation (See Appendix F for complete NFHS sanction requirements). 2. Any activity event which has schools participating from five or more non-bordering states to Missouri or which involves eight or more schools total from non-bordering states to Missouri. 3. Any event in a non-bordering state with three or more participating schools. 4. The member school sponsor shall insure the interstate multi-school competitive/evaluative event conducted in Missouri is approved at least 30 days in advance by MSHSAA when required. e. In-State Competitive/Evaluative Events Organized by or with a Non-Member Entity Requires a Sanction : All competitive or evaluative events involving students from multiple schools hosted in Missouri in which any member school participates and is directly organized by, or in the name of, or in collaboration with a non-member entity shall have the approval of the Board of Directors. The following provisions are required: 1. All such events must have a designated member school sponsor. 2. In all athletic events the designated member school sponsor shall be responsible for initiating any required contracts between schools for all contests, contracting all MSHSAA required contest officials and other administrative responsibilities (e.g. officials declarations, etc.). The member school sponsor shall file any required or requested financial summary of the event with the participating schools and the MSHSAA office. 3. In all athletic events, officials shall be approved by the participating schools, contracted directly by the designated member school sponsor, and registered with MSHSAA in accordance with By-Law 6.1. 4. All schools participating with MSHSAA member schools shall meet the provisions of By-Law 1.1.1. It is the responsibility of the MSHSAA member school sponsor to confirm this status of the opposing school(s). 5. Events that involve schools from other states may have state association requirements that are beyond those listed above. It is the responsibility of the designated MSHSAA member school sponsor and the non-member entity sponsor to ensure that these requirements and all those previously mentioned are met. 6. The non-member entity sponsor or the member school sponsor shall insure that the multi-school competitive/ evaluative event conducted in Missouri organized by, or in the name of, or in collaboration with a non-member entity is approved at least 60 days in advance by MSHSAA and the NFHS, when required. 7. A tournament or meet sponsored by a college or university involving only Missouri schools, must adhere to the above standards and shall have the approval of the Board of Directors prior to the first date of the event. Editor's Note : A contest is "in conjunction" with an intercollegiate contest if the college and the high school events are conducted in the same sessions, tickets are sold as a single event, and the playing facility is not vacated of spectators between the contests. 1.1.6 Penalty: The penalty for violation of By-Law 1.1 shall be the inability to participate in any interstate interscholastic competitive or evaluative event for 365 days in the sport or activity in which the violation occurred. Further violations shall result in the SECTION 1 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 31 inability to participate in any interscholastic competitive or evaluative event in the sport or activity in which the violation occurred for a period not to exceed 365 days. It shall further be considered a violation for member schools to participate in an interscholastic competitive or evaluative event with a suspended member school. Competition Questions & Answers: Q1: May our high school basketball team scrimmage against a) an area community college team or b) against a local city league team comprised of high school age players at any point during the academic year? A1: No in both cases. A school team may compete only against teams representing a MSHSAA member high school or teams from schools that are members of a like state association. The only exception to this would be an alumni game when conducted in accord with provisions of By-Law 3.12. This restriction applies to so-called scrimmages as well as to games. Q2: We have a student at our school who is an outstanding distance runner. The student is desiring to participate in some open events involving college age or older athletes at some of the invitational meets sponsored by colleges during the spring sport season. Would this be permissible if our school track and field team is participating in the high school portion of this meet? A2: No. A school team and the school’s individual athletes, while representing the school, may only compete with and against teams/students representing a MSHSAA member school or teams/students from schools that are members of a like state association. High school students representing their school may not compete against non-high school students except as provided in By-Laws 3.14 and 3.15. Q3: Our MMEA (Missouri Music Educators Association) District conducts auditions for a junior high honor band and choir. Is our school eligible to participate? A3: Yes, provided your junior high school is a MSHSAA member school, and has registered in the activity of music and has completed a music eligibility roster through the MSHSAA website. This would also apply to high school music programs as well. No member school may participate in competitive and/or evaluative events against a non-member school, or a member school that has not registered for the activity of music. Q4: A local home-school association has asked our school to schedule a basketball game against their team. Is this legal? What should we be aware of before scheduling such a game? A4: If this is a bona fide home-school association that has registered with MSHSAA, competition against one of its teams could be legal. The membership has passed an amendment to allow member schools to compete against a student team of a home-school association. There are several requirements for such teams, which are listed in By-Law 1.1.1.e. You should request an eligibility roster, which the team is required to provide under the by-law. Please contact the MSHSAA office to confirm the registration of the home-school association and review the requirements in the by-law before scheduling any games. Q5: A Missouri high school is hosting an in-state wrestling tournament that includes six MSHSAA member schools, two schools from Kansas, and nine schools from non-bordering states like T exas, Florida, and Colorado. Is a sanction required? A5: Yes, an NFHS sanction is required which will then be reviewed by MSHSAA for approval. Although the event is in-state and organized by a MSHSAA member school; the event involves schools from five or more non-bordering states, and the total number of schools from non-bordering states is more than eight. The host school must submit the NFHS sanction request first, then MSHSAA will provide approval once they receive notice from the NFHS. Q6: A school in Illinois (a bordering state) is hosting a music festival involving two Illinois schools, three Missouri MSHSAA member schools, and schools from two non-bordering states (Georgia, and Nevada). Is MSHSAA sanctioning required? A6: No, a sanction is not required in this case. The event is hosted in a bordering state (Illinois) by a school that is not a non-member entity. The event includes MSHSAA member schools and only two non-bordering states, which is fewer than five non-bordering states involved and the total number of schools from non-bordering states is fewer than eight. No sanction is required. However, if participation expands to include more non-bordering states or schools, the requirement could change. It is the attending MSHSAA member schools responsibility to monitor these changes and notify the office if a sanction is required and seek the required approval. Q7: A high school in California is hosting a basketball invitational that includes one MSHSAA member school and two other out-of-state schools. Is a sanction required? A7: Yes, a sanction is required. The event is held in a non-bordering state and involves four total schools, including a MSHSAA member school. For non-bordering state events, with three or more schools involved, a MSHSAA sanction is required. The participating MSHSAA member school will need to verify that approval has been granted and would need to contact the MSHSAA office if they cannot find the listed approval on the website. Q8: A commercial tournament organizer in Nevada is hosting a national cross-country meet that includes Missouri MSHSAA member schools and others from across the U.S. Does this require a sanction? A8: Yes, a sanction is required. The event is out-of-state and hosted by a non-member entity. Because it is an interstate athletic event involving two or more schools, it will require an NFHS sanction before Missouri will approve participation. The non-member entity must submit the NFHS sanction request (see appendix F for more details). Page 32 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Q9: An Arkansas high school is organizing a track and field meet that includes five MSHSAA member schools and 12 schools from Arkansas for a total of 17 participating schools. Is a sanction required? A9: No, a sanction is not required. The event is being held in a bordering state, is not organized by a non-member entity, and only includes schools from Missouri and a bordering state. Schools may participate as planned without any additional approval from MSHSAA.

1.3.1 Responsibility for Supervision: No individual student, team, or activities group shall be permitted to participate in interscholastic events without being accompanied and supervised by a member of the school faculty or administrative staff of the applicable member school. A school faculty member or administrator for the applicable member school must be present at all events and practices in which cheerleaders participate whose primary responsibility is to supervise the cheerleaders. It is not allowable for one faculty member from one school in a multiple high school/middle school district to supervise all students of all schools of the multiple high school/middle schools districts under this provision. Supervision Questions & Answers: Q1: We only had one athlete qualify for the state track and field meet. Our coach will be unable to accompany her to the state meet. May she participate if her parents take her to the meet without a school faculty member going with her? SECTION 1 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 33 A1: No. An individual student, team, or activities group shall not be permitted to participate in any interscholastic event without being accompanied and supervised by a member of the school faculty who meets the minimum requirements to be a head coach, or a member of the administrative staff. Q2: If a coach is ejected from a contest by a game official and there is no faculty member from the school present at the contest to assume his/her supervisory responsibilities on the bench, may the game continue? A2: No. MSHSAA By-Law 1.3.1 provides that no team or activities group shall be permitted to participate in interscholastic events without being accompanied and supervised by a member of the school faculty or administrative staff. If a coach is ejected from a contest and there is no faculty member present to take over his/her coaching supervisory responsibilities, the game shall be forfeited at that point.

SECTION 1 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 29

1.7.1 Heat Acclimatization Period: For the health and safety of participants, member schools shall follow the Heat Acclimatization Schedule as described below and as summarized in Diagram 1.7 for all fall sports. The Heat Acclimatization Schedule sets forth a progressive system of early practices along with periods of rest. The goal of the Heat Acclimatization Period is to increase exercise heat tolerance and enhance the ability to exercise safely and effectively in warm and hot conditions. This period shall begin on the first day of practice or conditioning. 1.7.2 Heat Acclimatization Definitions: Some definitions of terms used in the Heat Acclimatization system can be found in other sections of the MSHSAA Handbook, and are listed below: a. A “day” is defined as a calendar day (12:00 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.). b. Recovery Period: A recovery period is defined as the time between the end of one practice or walk-through and the beginning of the next practice or walk-through. During this time, students should rest in a cool environment, with no sport -related or conditioning-related activity permitted (e.g., speed or agility drills, strength training, conditioning, or walk- through). Treatment with the athletic trainer is permissible. c. Fall Sports: 1. A junior high sport with a first practice date prior to Monday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 11 shall be considered a fall sport for the purposes of heat acclimatization. 2. Definition of Practice: See By-Law 3.16.1 3. Definition of Conditioning Practice: See By-Law 3.16.2 4. Definition of Walk-Through: See By-Law 3.16.3 Page 38 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 1.7.3 Limits and Requirements within Heat Acclimatization Period : a. First Five Days: Only one practice may be held on each of the first five days of the Heat Acclimatization Period. Further, one walk-through may be held after a rest period of one or more hours. b. Practice Duration: Each individual practice shall last no more than three hours. Warm-up, stretching, and cool- down activities are included as part of the three-hour practice time. Regardless of ambient temperature conditions, all conditioning and weight-room activities must be considered part of practice. Note: Days on which athletes do not practice due to a scheduled rest day, injury, or illness do not count toward the heat-acclimatization period, nor do they count as a “conditioning practice.” c. Walk-through Limits: A walk-through is not part of the three-hour practice period, can last no more than one hou r per day, and does not include conditioning or weight-room activities. d. Double Practice Days: Two double practice days may not be held back-to-back; a double practice day must alternate with a single practice day or a rest day. On a double practice day, a single practice may not exceed three hours, and total hours of practice may not exceed five hours. A minimum of three hours of rest must be provided between the two practices. e. Required Rest Day: If practice occurs on six consecutive days, participants shall have one day of complete rest (no conditioning, no practice, and no walk-throughs). Therefore, sixteen dates are required to complete the fourteen-day Heat Acclimatization Period. Editor’s Note: for Diagram 1.7: 1. Baseball and Softball catchers may wear protective gear for their safety and by rule, but must be allowed extra rest and water breaks during the practice. 2. Field Hockey: On days 3-5 goalie can wear protective equipment with extended breaks. 3. Golf is excluded from the heat acclimatization schedule but must have 14 days of practice completed before competition. 4. The preseason scrimmage is a practice and the time spent for this scrimmage counts towards the total hours of practice in a day. Diagram 1.7 Day Heat Acclimatization Practice Plan Sports Equipment//Helmets/Pads

2.10.1 A student shall not have graduated from a four-year high school or its equivalent. Any student graduating during the final week of a semester shall be eligible to participate in any game or games played during said week, the final week terminating at midnight on Saturday. However, a student may play in a MSHSAA tournament series although the student may have graduated any time in May preceding the tournament. 2.11 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE MISSOURI SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND THE MISSOURI SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF 2.11.1 The essential requirements of eligibility in By-Laws 2.1 through 2.10.1 may be waived by the Board of Directors for the Missouri School for the Blind when in competition only with other schools for the blind provided such competition is governed by the standards adopted by the North Central Association of Schools for the Blind. The standards contained in By-Laws 2.1 through 2.10.1 shall be applied in all other competition. Except for the Age Standard, the MSHSAA Board of Directors is authorized to waive provisions of the By-Laws to accommodate programs of the Missouri School for the Deaf and the Missouri School for the Blind that are otherwise restricted because of the nature of the handicap of the students involved.

2.12.1 Pre-Participation Annual Documentation Requirements : The following subjects are addressed in the Pre-Participation Form(s) which must be completed with signatures of acknowledgement, and submitted by each student and student's parent(s) annually prior to being allowed to practice in a sport or activity: a. Interim Medical Update b. Emergency Contact Information c. Parent Permission and Healthcare Coverage Verification d. Student Agreement e. Concussion Education Acknowledgement f. Risk and Injury Disclosure [ Editor's Note : See also By-Laws 3.7, 3.8, and 4.1 ] 2.12.2 Pre-Participation Medical Eligibility Form : A Medical Eligibility Form that verifies completion of a physical examination of a student is required for students participating in all sports and various activities every other year , as explained in Section 3 (Athletics) and Section 4 (Activities). [ Editor's Note : See also By-Laws 3.8, 4.2.10, and 4.5.4 ] 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 55 SECTION 3 : ATHLETICS BY-LAWS Page 56 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK SECTION 3: ATHLETICS BY-LAWS:

SECTION 2 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 41

2.8.1 A student shall not participate under an assumed name. 2.8.2 The penalty for violation of By-Law 2.8 shall be ineligibility in the activity concerned for a period not to exceed 365 days from the date of violation. Page 54 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK

3.11.1 College/University-Conducted Events for Individual Students During the School Year: Students may participate in athletic recruiting or instruction events that are directly sponsored by a college or university, conducted by that college or university’s coaching staff for the sport concerned, and held on its campus, under the following provisions. a. Compliance with Governing Body: These events shall adhere to the rules and regulations for such offerings as outlined by the governing body of which the college or university is a member (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, etc.). b. College/University-Conducted Recruiting Events: Events in which one or more students participate in physical activity including individual or group drills and/or limited scrimmages (not complete games) for the purpose of revealing, demonstrating or displaying the student’s athletic abilities in a specific sport to the coaching staff of the organizing college/university for recruiting purposes. During the academic year, no school time may be missed to travel to or participate in the event, without the prior approval of a school administrator. (See By-Laws 3.13.4 and 3.14.4 in regard to Evaluation Events Conducted by Private Organizers.) c. College/University-Conducted Individual Instruction Events: Instructional clinic or group lesson events which involve individual instruction in a specific sport that is provided by college or university coaching staf f and include activities designed to improve overall skills and general knowledge in the respective sport. The primary emphasis shall be on teaching individual player skills, and there is no complete game competition other than limited scrimmage situations. During the academic year, no school time may be missed to travel to or participate in the event, without the prior approval of a school administrator. The student does not have to be accompanied by an approved school coach during the respective interscholastic sport season; for events conducted outside of the specific interscholastic sport season, no school coach may attend the event. (See 3.13.4 and 3.14.4 in regard to Individual Instruction Events that are not conducted by a college/university.) 3.11.2 College/University Conducted Team Competition Events throughout the Year: a. Team Camp-Type Events: Events that are mainly competitive in nature but focused on teams and not individuals (i.e. “team camps”) are covered by 3.13.2, Organized Non-School Competition, 3.14.2, Organized Non-School Competition, and 3.15, Sport Participation and Contact – During the Summer. b. Competitive Events: See By-Law 3.18.2 for coverage of interscholastic competition organized by a college or university . 3.11.3 Penalty: If the student does not receive prior approval of a school administrator to miss school time for travel to and participation in the college/university event, the school shall impose a penalty for the violation. The minimum penalty shall be ineligibility for one contest for each day of school time missed up to a maximum period of ineligibility not to exceed 365 days in the sport in which the violation occurred. College/University-Conducted Events Questions & Answers: Q1: We have a student that wants to participate in an instructional sports event that is being sponsored by a local University and will be held on their campus. The event takes place during our school season for the same sport. Can the student attend without jeopardizing her eligibility? A1: Under specific conditions outlined in By-Law 3.11, and with the approval of your school and her coach, it may be possible for the student to participate in the event. Factors affecting the allowance to participate include the specific structure of the event, whether or not the student will miss instructional time to participate, and school permission, among other factors listed in the by-law. Please review By-Law 3.11 closely before advising the student.

3.17.1 Member School to Initiate Play: All athletic contests and tournaments in which member schools participate must be initiated and promoted by administrative officials of the participating schools with all profits of games going only to participating schools. 3.17.2 Contracts: Arrangements for all contests between two schools shall be by contract except that for tournaments and invitational meets a written letter or statement will meet the requirements of this rule. A money guarantee shall be made for Page 90 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK each contest. In case of a broken contract the offending party shall pay the offended party the sum of the guarantee. However, neither party shall be held to the terms of the contract when broken because of reasons beyond the control of the offending party or upon mutual consent of both parties. 3.17.3 Contracts To Be Renegotiated: Contracts for a game which conflicts with the MSHSAA Football Playoffs shall be renegotiated.

3.19.1 All Participants: A student shall not have competed at any time as a member of a college/university team in a sport in which he/she desires to compete in high school. 3.19.2 5th Grade & Below: A student enrolled in the 5th grade or below shall not be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics with or against students enrolled in grades 6-8, except as provided for in By-Law 3.5. A violation of this rule shall subject the school to penalty in addition to affecting the eligibility of the player. 3.19.3 6th/7th/8th Grade: No 6th, 7th or 8th grade student is eligible for competition on or against a senior high school team (a team on which students in grade 9 or above may compete) except as provided for in By-Law 3.5 for overaged students. The penalty for violation of this rule shall be the start of the student’s eight semesters and/or four seasons of high school eligibility (as per By-Law 2.4) and shall subject the school to additional penalties. 3.19.4 9th Grade: A 9th grade student may compete on a team comprised of any combination of grades 9-12 only. 3.19.5 Tournament Participation: An individual participating on different levels (i.e. JV and varsity) may participate in two different tournaments within the same calendar week; however, an individual may not participate on two different teams (i.e. JV and varsity) within the same tournament. (See sports specific penalties - By-Laws 3.21-3.28) Limits on Competition Questions & Answers: Q1: May a 5th grade student participate as a member of a junior high school team? A1: No. A student enrolled below the 6th grade is not eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics with or against students enrolled in grades six, seven and/or eight except in cases where the student is over-age per By-Law 3.5. Q2: May an 8th grade student participate as a member of a senior high school team? A2: No, an 8th grade student may NOT participate with or against students in grade nine or above. There is one exception to this rule, where a student is overage to compete at the junior high level. In this situation the school is encouraged to allow the student to participate at the high school level to ensure the student has the opportunity for eight high school semesters of participation, as long as the student remains eligible in all other respects. For example, if a student attains the age of 15 prior to July 1 preceding the opening of school before his/her 8th grade year, he/she is overage for 8th grade sports and should be allowed to try-out for the high school teams. Q3: Our school’s JV baseball team has been invited to fill in as the 8th team in a varsity tournament due to a team dropping out. May one of our players who plays on both the JV and varsity teams play on both teams during this tournament? A3: No. You may place each of these players on either the JV roster or the varsity roster for the tournament but not both. A student may not participate on two different teams in the same tournament.

3.21.1 Basketball Multi-Game Regulations: No team shall participate in more than one game on a calendar date with the following exceptions: a. During an invitational tournament a school may play in no more than two games on a day when school is not in session. b. Two regular season contests against different opponents may be played on the same calendar date when school is not in session. (See By-Law 3.21.2 for individual player limitations.) 3.21.2 Individual Player Limits - High School: a. High School Daily Limit: No player may play in more than six quarters on a calendar date. Exception: On a day when school is not in session and the same, single team (e.g. the boys JV team) plays two games, the quarter limit shall be eight quarters for a player. An overtime period is considered an extension of a fourth quarter. (See also By-Law 3.29.3.b.) Editor's Note: In non-tournament, regular season contests a player may play on both a varsity and junior varsity team on the same day, but he/she is limited to a total of six quarters in the combined games that day. b. High School Season Limit: A player is eligible to play in no more than 130 quarters for the season. 3.21.3 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8. SENIOR HIGH SPORT-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS [3.21 through 3.29] Page 92 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 3.21.4 Terminal Date For Scheduling Games: No basketball game shall be scheduled for a team after it plays its first district tournament game, except postponed games may be played before the date of the last state tournament game. Basketball Questions & Answers: Q1: Our basketball opponent last night violated the six-quarter rule by allowing a player to participate in three quarters of the varsity game after participating in four quarters of the preliminary junior varsity game. We protested to the game officials but they refused to assess a technical foul. What recourse do we have? A1: It is not the responsibility of the game officials to enforce the six-quarter rule. The game officials have no authority to assess a penalty in this situation. This is an administrative regulation included in By-Law 3.21 which has been adopted by a vote of our member schools. Thus, it is the responsibility of the two coaches and the two school administrators to make sure the six-quarter rule is followed. Coaches and bench officials (scorers) should discuss the number of quarters each boy/girl may play in advance of the varsity contest and every effort should be made to prevent a violation from occurring. Using a player in a seventh quarter calls for automatic forfeiture of the contest in which the violation occurs. The school committing the violation is expected to report the violation to the MSHSAA office. Q2: Our school is participating in a junior varsity basketball tournament and a varsity basketball tournament (in different locations) during the same week later this season. We have a couple of players that play on both the JV and varsity teams. Can they participate in both tournaments on nights that are not in direct conflict? A2: Yes, but all games will count separately in regard to contest and individual limitations. Q3: Our school’s JV basketball team has been invited to fill in as the 8th team in a varsity tournament due to a team dropping out. May one of our players who plays on both the JV and varsity teams play on both teams during this tournament? A3: No. You may place each of these players on either the JV roster or the varsity roster for the tournament but not both. A student may not participate on two different teams in the same tournament. (3.19.5) Q4: Our school is hosting an invitational basketball tournament. Due to facility scheduling it is necessary to play two rounds of the tournament on Saturday. Is it possible for a team to play two games on that Saturday? A4: Yes. A school team may play two games in an invitational tournament on a day when school is not in session. Further, if a regular season contest is postponed due to severe inclement weather conditions, a team may play two regular season contests on the same calendar date when school is not in session. Q5: We have a junior varsity game and a varsity game against XYZ High School on Saturday. Since school is not in session, do players have 8 quarters they can use between the two games? A5 : No. Six quarters is the daily limit. The only time a player has 8 quarters to use in a day, is a when one team (such as the Varsity team) is playing two games against two different opponents on a day that school is not in session, such as in a shootout.

3.23.1 Individual Player Limits - High School: a. Daily: No player may play in more than four quarters on one calendar date. b. Weekly : No player may play in more than six quarters in a football week. Note: For the purposes of tracking player quarters, a football week is defined as beginning on a Thursday and ending on the following Wednesday . c. Season : No player may play in a total number of quarters for the season that exceeds six times the number of games played by the higher team on which the student plays. d. Kicking Downs : Participation in kicking downs only (downs in which one team initially lines up in either a scrimmage kick or a free kick formation as per NFHS Rules) during a game would count as a maximum of one quarter of participation. e. Other Downs : Participation in downs other than kicking downs would count as one quarter of participation for each quarter the player participates up to a maximum of four quarters per game and six quarters in a football week. f. Tracking : Each school shall be responsible for keeping a record of the participation of players of both teams utilizing the MSHSAA standardized “Football Player Participation Form.” SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 93 3.23.2 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8. 3.23.3 Spring Practice Prohibited: Spring football practice shall be prohibited in the high schools of Missouri. Editor’s Note : See allowance in By-Law 3.14.7. Football Questions & Answers: Q1: Does MSHSAA have a requirement for football coaches to document their practices? A1: At this time MSHSAA has no By-Law or Board Policy which requires coaches to document practices, but doing so is highly recommended for verifying preparedness, the training of proper techniques, and athlete acclimatization. Documentation should include but not limited to the following: date of equipment fitting and disbursement; the dates and allotted time of when proper tackling techniques are taught, player attendance, the 16-day acclimatization process for each athlete; and minutes of full contact activity in each practice.

3.26.1 Wrestling Multi-Match Regulations: a. There is no limit on the number of teams participating in a tournament provided no team will compete on more than one school day. Page 94 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK b. An individual student shall wrestle no more than the allowable matches on any one calendar day as permitted in the NFHS Wrestling Rules. 3.26.2 Individual Wrestler Limits: a. Prior to the district tournament, an individual wrestler shall represent his/her high school in a maximum of 50 matches (excluding forfeits), and in no more competition dates than the number of competition dates scheduled by the higher team on which he/she participates. b. A wrestling tournament is defined as any event in which awards are given and/or a champion is determined by any means or any format that involves five or more teams, at one site, on any given date. All other contests at one site, on any given date is considered a multi-school event. 3.26.3 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8.

3.29.1 NFHS / MSHSAA Standardized Calendar: The school year shall be divided into three distinct sports seasons -- fall, winter, and spring. Each sport shall have established beginning and ending dates for practice and interscholastic contests which will be based on a standardized calendar of numbered weeks so the length of each season will be consistent from year to year. Week number one of the Standardized Calendar shall begin with the twenty-first Sunday preceding Thanksgiving and succeeding weeks thereafter shall be numbered consecutively. A calendar week shall begin with Sunday and end the following Saturday. SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 95 3.29.2 Fall Sports Season - Standardized Dates: a. The beginning practice date shall be no earlier than the Monday of W eek Number Six of the Standardized Calendar. b. The first contest date for all fall sports shall be no earlier than the Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number Eight. c. The last practice or contest for each fall sport shall be no later than the Saturday of that particular sport’s State Championships, as set by the Board based on the standardized calendar . The last contest for fall boys baseball (non- state-series season) shall be played no later than the Saturday of Standardized Calendar W eek Number 20. 3.29.3 Winter Sports Season - Standardized Dates: a. WRESTLING: 1. Girls Wrestling : The beginning practice date shall be no earlier than the Monday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 18; the first interscholastic contest shall be no earlier than the Thursday of Week Number 20; and the last practice or contest shall be no later than the Saturday of the Girls State Wrestling Championships, as set by the Board based on the standardized calendar. 2. Boys Wrestling : The beginning practice date shall be no earlier than the Monday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 19; the first interscholastic contest shall be no earlier than the Thursday of Week Number 21; and the last practice or contest shall be no later than the Saturday of the Boys State Wrestling Championships, as set by the Board based on the standardized calendar. b. BASKETBALL: The beginning practice date shall be no earlier than the Monday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 18; the first interscholastic contest shall be no earlier than the Thursday of Week Number 20; and the last practice or contest shall be no later than the Saturday of the latest State Basketball Championships, as set by the Board based on the standardized calendar. c. SWIMMING/DIVING (GIRLS): The beginning practice date shall be no earlier than the Monday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 19; the first interscholastic contest shall be held no earlier than the Thursday of Week Number 21; and the last practice or contest shall be held no later than the Saturday of the State Girls Swimming/Diving Championships, as set by the Board based on the standardized calendar. 3.29.4 Spring Sports Season - Standardized Dates: The beginning practice date shall be no earlier than the Monday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 35; the first interscholastic contest shall be no earlier than the Thursday of Week Number 37; and the last contest for each spring sport shall be played no later than the Saturday of that particular sport’s State Championships, as set by the Board based on the standardized calendar . 3.29.5 Team and Individual Limits: The number of games and tournaments for each team and individual shall be scheduled in accord with the limitations contained within the Sports Seasons By-Laws, and the sport-specific by-laws. 3.29.6 Assignment of Senior High School Sports to Seasons and Team Contest Limitations: The following (Diagram 3.29.6) designates the official season and the number of contests allowed for each school team in each sport. 3.29.7 Optional Seasons: Provided other regulations are met, a school may choose to play another season instead of the official season, but it shall not be permitted to enter the MSHSAA Tournament Series in that sport. 3.29.8 Penalty for Violation of Daily, Weekly, or Season Limitations by Individuals or Teams - All Sports: Should an individual player or a school team exceed the allowable limitations listed in By-Laws 3.21 - 3.28, the player or team would be penalized as follows: a. Player exceeds the daily or weekly limit of quarters/sets/halves/etc., if applicable: Player becomes an ineligible athlete. Contests in which the player played beyond the limit are forfeited. Refer to By-Law 1.2.3 in regard to the team or player last defeated. Player shall be withheld from any further competition at the same level (complete contests) until the amount of excessive participation has been equaled or exceeded. b. Player exceeds the season limitation of quarters/sets/halves/etc. Player becomes an ineligible athlete. Contests in which the player played are forfeited, including postseason contests. Refer to By-Law 1.2.3 in regard to the team or player last defeated. If the player has eligibility remaining, player will be withheld from a like number of contests during the subsequent season in the same sport or in the following season of the current year if the player is a senior. c. Team exceeds the contest limitation for season: All contests beyond the limit are forfeited, including any postseason contests. Refer to By-Law 1.2.3 in regard to the team last defeated. No further contests may be played during the current season, and the team is ineligible for district and state series participation. The Board may require further penalties, including into the following school year, depending upon timing of the discovery and the circumstances and severity of the violation. d. Team exceeds the daily limit on competition, if applicable: All contests beyond the limit are forfeited, and count as contests. If the violation occurred within a tournament, refer to By-Law 1.2.3 in regard to the team last defeated. The Board may require further penalties, including the cancellation of scheduled contests, depending upon the circumstances and severity of the violation. Page 96 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK DIAGRAM 3.29.2: FALL SPORTS SEASON GOLF (GIRLS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest August 10 August 27 October 20 August 9 August 26 October 19 August 7 August 24 October 17 August 6 August 23 October 16 TENNIS (GIRLS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest August 10 August 27 October 24 August 9 August 26 October 23 August 7 August 24 October 21 August 6 August 23 October 20 SOFTBALL (GIRLS FALL) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest August 10 August 27 October 31 August 9 August 26 October 30 August 7 August 24 October 28 August 6 August 23 October 27 VOLLEYBALL (GIRLS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest August 10 August 27 November 7 August 9 August 26 November 6 August 7 August 24 November 4 August 6 August 23 November 3 CROSS COUNTRY (BOYS AND GIRLS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest August 10 August 27 November 7 August 9 August 26 November 6 August 7 August 24 November 4 August 6 August 23 November 3 SWIMMING (BOYS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest August 10 August 27 November 14 August 9 August 26 November 13 August 7 August 24 November 11 August 6 August 23 November 10 SOCCER (BOYS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest August 10 August 27 November 21 August 9 August 26 November 20 August 7 August 24 November 18 August 6 August 23 November 17 BASEBALL (FALL) (coed) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest August 10 August 27 November 21 August 9 August 26 November 20 August 7 August 24 November 18 August 6 August 23 November 17 FOOTBALL (coed) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest August 10 August 27 December 5 August 9 August 26 December 4 August 7 August 24 December 2 August 6 August 23 December 1 DIAGRAM 3.29.3: WINTER SPORTS SEASON SWIMMING (GIRLS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest November 9 November 26 February 20 November 8 November 25 February 19 November 6 November 23 February 17 November 5 November 22 February 16 WRESTLING (GIRLS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest November 2 November 19 February 27 November 1 November 18 February 26 October 30 November 16 February 24 October 29 November 15 February 23 WRESTLING (BOYS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest November 9 November 26 February 27 November 8 November 25 February 26 November 6 November 23 February 24 November 5 November 22 February 23 BASKETBALL (BOYS AND GIRLS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest November 2 November 19 March 20 November 1 November 18 March 18 October 30 November 16 March 17 October 29 November 15 March 16 SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 97 DIAGRAM 3.29.4: SPRING SPORTS SEASON GOLF (BOYS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest March 1 March 18 May 18 February 28 March 16 May 16 February 26 March 15 May 15 February 25 March 14 May 14 SOFTBALL (GIRLS SPRING) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest March 1 March 18 May 22 February 28 March 16 May 20 February 26 March 15 May 19 February 25 March 14 May 18 TRACK AND FIELD (BOYS AND GIRLS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest March 1 March 18 May 29 February 28 March 16 May 27 February 26 March 15 May 26 February 25 March 14 May 25 TENNIS (BOYS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest March 1 March 18 May 29 February 28 March 16 May 27 February 26 March 15 May 26 February 25 March 14 May 25 BASEBALL (SPRING) (coed) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest March 1 March 18 June 5 February 28 March 16 June 3 February 26 March 15 June 2 February 25 March 14 June 1 VOLLEYBALL (BOYS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest March 1 March 18 May 26 February 28 March 16 May 24 February 26 March 15 May 23 February 25 March 14 May 22 SOCCER (GIRLS) 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029 2029-2030 First Possible Practice First Possible Contest Last Possible Contest March 1 March 18 June 5 February 28 March 16 June 3 February 26 March 15 June 2 February 25 March 14 June 1 DIAGRAM 3.29.6: SEASONS FOR SPORTS AND CONTEST LIMITATIONS Sport: Contests Allowed: Minimum Requirement for Participation in Post-Season: a. FALL 1. Baseball (Fall) 36 contests Non-Championship 2. Cross Country (Boys/Girls) 10 meets 5 3. Football 10 contests 5 4. Golf - Girls 14 competition dates 5 5. Soccer - Boys 25 contests 8 6. Softball - Girls (Fall) 36 contests 8 7. Tennis - Girls 20 competition dates 5 8. Volleyball - Girls 36 contests 18 9. Swimming/Diving - Boys 16 meets 8 b. WINTER 1. Basketball (Boys/Girls) 26 contests 13 2. Swimming/Diving - Girls 16 meets 8 3. Wrestling (Boys/Girls) 20 competition dates 8 Page 98 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK c. SPRING 1. Baseball (Spring) 36 contests 8 2. Golf - Boys 14 competition dates 5 3. Softball - Girls (Spring) 36 contests 8 4. Soccer - Girls 25 contests 8 5. Tennis - Boys 20 competition dates 5 6. Track and Field (Boys/Girls) 13 meets 5 7. Volleyball - Boys 36 contests 18 NOTE: The contest limitations listed are exclusive of any MSHSAA sponsored tournament series.

3.30 Junior High School Sports Regulations, Sport Seasons and Contest Limitations SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 57

3.6.1 Amateur Status : A student who represents a school in an interscholastic sport shall be an amateur in that sport. An amateur athlete is one who engages in athletic competition solely for the physical, mental, social, and pleasure benefits derived from participation. Amateurism is sport-specific, except in the case of scholarships/concessions on tuition. Amateurism must be maintained throughout the year, including summer, and is not dependent on the type of participation (i.e. interscholastic, non- school competition, recreational, etc.). 3.6.2 Definitions: a. Athletic Service : Utilizing athletic skills and/or playing a sport, performing in an athletic contest or demonstration, possibly in exchange for a benefit. b. Non-Athletic Service : Performance of a task, job, or duty that does not involve utilizing athletic skills and/or playing a sport, performing in an athletic contest or demonstration, possibly in exchange for a benefit. Athletic equipment may be present or shown. c. Benefit : A benefit is any recompense received in exchange for some form of service. Examples of benefits include, but are not limited to, money, compensation, awards, rewards, merchandise, stipends, in kind payments, entry fees paid, etc. d. Merchandise : An item with utility or use, that would normally have to be bought. Page 62 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK e. Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Activity : Use of self-publicity (your name, your image, your likeness) to receive a benefit through appearances, licensing, social media, endorsements, the use of branding, etc. f. NIL Collective : A group that seeks to provide benefits to student-athletes in exchange for on-demand promotion, a service, or a sport-specific service. g. Nominal, standard fee : A fee that would equate to the Federal minimum wage per hour, based on the time provided. h. Representing a School : Depicting any affiliation with a member school. Examples include but are not limited to: member school name, nickname(s), mascot(s), logo(s), uniforms, traditions, related achievements (including MSHSAA tournament outcomes and awards), etc., and/or tagging, connecting or referring to a member school. 3.6.3 Prohibited Benefits for Both Amateurism and NIL Activities: a. Junior High/High School Athletic Scholarship : Benefits in the form of junior high or high school scholarships or concessions on tuition because of athletic ability shall cause the student to become ineligible for all future competition in all interscholastic sports. A compliance report that includes a description of financial assistance, scholarships, and/or tuition concessions available to students shall be filed by all schools annually as a part of MSHSAA registration process. b. Benefit Deemed as Post-Secondary Scholarship : Any monetary benefit that is intended as a post-secondary scholarship shall not be accepted by a student directly, nor prior to the exhaustion of interscholastic eligibility. In order to legitimately be accepted without jeopardizing interscholastic eligibility , funds must be held by the awarding entity until after high school graduation, and then submitted directly to the college/university in which the student enrolls to be utilized as scholarship funds. c. Benefits and Undue Influence : Any benefit offered to entice a student to attend a school for athletic purposes is a violation of By-Law 2.6, Undue Influence. If such a benefit is accepted by the student, eligibility is jeopardized under both By-Law 3.6, Amateurism and Benefits and 2.6, Undue Influence. 3.6.4 Representation of a School : a. Allowable Representation of a School : Representation that is directly connected to the student’s participation with his/her school’s interscholastic athletic program (e.g. an interscholastic contest, contest action photos, participation of the team in a parade, etc.) is allowable under the following conditions: 1. Representation is directed by the school as a part of the interscholastic program 2. The participant is a bona fide student of the school 3. No benefit or an allowable benefit is received. b. Disallowed Representation of a School : Any promotional or endorsement activity, with or without a benefit, that represents a member school and is not directly connected to the student’s participation with that school’s interscholastic athletic program is prohibited . 3.6.5 Interscholastic Amateurism: a. Prohib ited Activities for Amateurism : In order to protect amateur status and retain interscholastic eligibility in a particular sport, the following activities are prohibited: 1. Pay for Play : An amateur athlete may not accept benefits beyond what is allowable for an athletic service or based on the outcome of a contest. b. Prohibited Benefits for Amateurism : In order to protect amateur status and retain interscholastic eligibility in a particular sport, the following benefits may not be received for an athletic service: 1. Cash and Cash Equivalents (i.e. free service, gift certificate, gift card, etc.): A student may not accept ANY monetary compensation, cash, or any type of cash equivalent in connection with a Prohibited Activity for Amateurism (see By-Law 3.6.5.a). 2. Beyond Limits : Any benefit beyond the limits listed in Allowable Benefits that is received in connection to a Prohibited Activity would constitute a violation of this standard. c. Allowable Activities for Amateurism : In order to protect amateur status and retain interscholastic eligibility in a particular sport, the following activities are allowable: 1. Letter of Intent : This standard shall not prevent a student from signing an agreement which binds him or her to play only for a particular team or an athletic letter-of-intent with a university or college. 2. Teaching, Coaching, Officiating : Accepting a nominal, standard fee or salary for teaching or coaching sport skills or techniques or officiating shall not jeopardize amateur status. d. Allowable Benefits for Amateurism : The following are allowable benefits that may be received, including for an athletic service, and would not jeopardize amateur status for participation in the interscholastic program: 1. Symbolic : A student may receive a symbolic benefit presented for recognition purposes only and which has little use or utility, such as an unattached school letter or emblem, a medal, a ribbon, a trophy, a plaque, a signature game ball, an award certificate, etc. 2. Value-Limited Merchandise : Once per month, a student may receive an item of merchandise (one or more) which together shall not exceed a total value of $250. The total value of all items shall be calculated using the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for each item. 3. Commemorative Jewelry : A student may receive an award of commemorative jewelry of a value greater than the merchandise award limit in recognition of achievements in the school athletic program only if purchased and awarded by the school. If not awarded by the school, the jewelry would need to be purchased by the student/ student's parent(s). 4. Banquet or Ceremony : A school may sponsor a banquet or ceremony to honor students. If sponsored by other than the school or a school group, approval of a school administrator is required in order for enrolled students to attend. SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 63 5. USOC Benefits : Under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee, a student who wins only an Olympic medal and receives specified funds only from the National Governing Body for the sport for the Olympic placement in competition, may continue or return to interscholastic sports without jeopardizing his/her secondary school eligibility . 6. Necessary Expenses : It is permissible for a student to accept necessary meals, lodging, and transportation in connection with playing a contest, or participating in an otherwise allowable activity with the school team. 7. Benefits to All Students : If a benefit is provided to all enrolled students at the school rather than to a particular student or to members of a particular sports team only, then amateur status has not been compromised and the benefit limits are not applicable. 3.6.6 Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Activities : a. NIL Prohibited Activities : In order to protect amateur status and retain interscholastic eligibility in a particular sport, the following NIL activities are prohibited: 1. Disallowed Representation of a School : Described in By-Law 3.6.4.b above. 2. Athletic service : Defined in By-Law 3.6.2.a above. 3. Undue Influence : NIL activities that violate By-Law 2.6, Undue Influence, are prohibited. 4. NIL Collectives : Such groups working on behalf of, in conjunction with, or for the benefit of a junior high or high school are prohibited. Such activity will jeopardize both the interscholastic eligibility of athletes and the school’ s membership status with MSHSAA. b. NIL Prohibited Benefits : In order to protect amateur status and retain interscholastic eligibility in a particular sport, the following NIL benefits may not be received: 1. Scholarships : See By-Law 3.6.3 regarding benefits that are always prohibited, or must be handled a certain way , for interscholastic amateurism. 2. Undue Influence : Any benefit offered to entice a student to attend a school for athletic purposes is a violation of By- Law 2.6, Undue Influence. c. NIL Allowable Activities : In order to protect amateur status and retain interscholastic eligibility in a particular sport, the following activities are allowable: 1. NIL Activity : A student may participate in an NIL activity that provides an allowable benefit if NOT representing a school and NOT performing an athletic service. Editor's Note: Students participating in allowable NIL Activities should be aware of, and abide by, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines (clearly disclosing sponsor relationships, not making false or questionable statements about the sponsor's product, etc.). Further consideration should be given to the tax implications of NIL income, and its impacts on need-based school, state, or federal financial aid or Pell Grants. d. NIL Allowable Benefits : A student may receive any benefit for an NIL Activity and not jeopardize amateur status for participation in the interscholastic program, as long as all of the following are true: 1. the student is NOT representing the school 2. the student is NOT performing an athletic service 3. the benefit is not a prohibited benefit as per By-Law 3.6.3 4. By-Law 2.6, Undue Influence, is not violated 3.6.7 Penalty : The penalty for violation of this standard shall be ineligibility for a period not to exceed 365 days from the date of the latest violation in the sport concerned. For violation of By-Law 3.6.3, a student shall become ineligible for all sports. 3.6.8 Reinstatement : Application for reinstatement of eligibility may be filed with the Board of Directors after 365 days from the date of violation. However, the Board of Directors shall not reinstate eligibility to a student who has received a scholarship, concession on tuition, or direct or indirect financial aid because of his or her athletic ability . Editor's Note : Schools shall inform athletes who participate in non-school and summer sports that competing for prohibited benefits will make an athlete ineligible in the sport concerned. Amateurism Questions & Answers: Q1 : We have a high school golfer who has been afforded the opportunity to participate in a junior amateur golf tournament this summer. An organization(s) has expressed interest in giving financial assistance to this student to assist with covering the expenses for participating in this competition. Is this permissible? A1 : As p e r By-Law 3.6.5.d.6, it is permissible for a student athlete to accept reimbursement for expenses (meals, lodging, transportation) directly connected to participating in a contest. A student athlete may not accept a stipend to “put towards” expenses. The student/parents are obligated to document expenses for reimbursement, or payment should be made by the sponsor directly to the service provider to cover the expense. Q2 : We have a high school golfer who has been afforded the opportunity to participate in a junior amateur golf tournament this summer. If the student were to win this tournament, the tournament sponsor is awarding a $1000 scholarship: a) to pay entry fees for future junior amateur golf tournaments, or b) for college tuition following graduation from high school. Is this permissible? A2: In a) accepting those funds or having event fees paid would not be permissible. This would be a cash/cash equivalent award, and tournament/event entry fees are not within the definition of event “expenses” to be reimbursed. In b) students may accept funds that will be held for them and paid to a college/university of their choice following graduation from high school. The organization could issue that scholarship money to the high school the student attends, which would retain the scholarship funds until the student graduates from high school. The funds should then be sent directly Page 64 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK to the post-secondary institution. Any such funds received by the student directly would jeopardize amateur standing in that sport. Q3: May a student who participates in a non-school sponsored two-man scramble golf tournament where cash and merchandise awards are offered designate his partner or another individual to receive these awards as a result of the team winning first place in the event? A3: No. A student may participate in non-school sponsored golf tournaments where cash or merchandise awards are offered without affecting his/her amateur status provided he/she does not accept any cash or cash-equivalent prizes (e.g. gift certificates). Any merchandise award may not exceed a manufacturer’s suggested retail value of $250.00. Designation of a merchandise award above the $250.00 limit won by a student in competition to his/her partner in a two-man scramble or to another individual or organization is viewed to be acceptance of the award by the student and would constitute a violation of the provisions of the MSHSAA Amateur Rules. Such awards should be kept by the event management. Q4: A restaurant owner in our community would like to pick a “player of the week” and give that person a free hamburger. Is this legal? A4: Yes. There would be nothing in the MSHSAA regulations that would prohibit a restaurant owner, newspaper, etc., from selecting a “player of the week,” and awarding a prize that meets the restrictions listed in By-Law 3.6. A hamburger, as a defined prize, would meet these restrictions (a gift certificate or gift card would not be acceptable because these are cash equivalents). Q5: If a student loses his/her amateur standing in one sport, does that student become ineligible for all sports? A5: No. The student is ineligible only in the sport in which he/she violates the amateur/awards standard. Q6: We have a group of students who wish to participate on a softball team during the summer months. The team will include high school graduates. The players will be required to pay a portion of the entry fee for their league and/or for invitational tournaments in which they will be entered. Most of the tournaments in which the team will participate will present trophies to the winners but some of the tournaments will give the winning team a cash prize. Should a cash prize be won, the money will be totally retained by the team and used for team expenses and equipment. No player on the team will personally receive any money. Will participation in this program affect their eligibility? A6: No. As described, participation in this type of program would not be in violation of the MSHSAA Amateur and Awards Standard. The rule prohibits a player from receiving cash. However, in this situation since the student does not receive cash personally, there is no violation of the Amateur and Awards Standard. Actual expenses incurred for food, travel and lodging while the team is playing away from home are not considered as compensation. The team manager should pay directly those who furnish such services. He or she should not give money to the high school student to be used in paying such expenses. Q7: We have a student who has been offered to receive pitching lessons under these circumstances: a) a person in our community wants to pay for the lessons, b) on a complimentary basis only for this student, or c) paid for by the student’s parents. Is this permissible? A7: Parts a) and b) This would jeopardize eligibility for softball. As per By-Law 3.6.5, a student may not receive services (which in this case is a lesson with monetary value) based upon athletic accomplishments. In this scenario, the receipt of the service which has a monetary value would make the student ineligible. Part c) Yes. Q8: A high school baseball player has signed up to take an advance placement (AP) exam and it is later discovered that the exam conflicts with a district baseball contest. The exam can be rescheduled but there is a $50.00 charge to do so. May the school pay the fee to reschedule the exam? A8: No. The MSHSAA Amateur and Awards Standard is interpreted to indicate that athletes cannot capitalize on their position as an athlete in the school and must be treated the same as any other student in the school. Thus, payment of this fee (By-Law 3.6.5.d.7) must be paid by the student or the student’s parents. Payment by any other party would be considered as treating athletes differently than other students in the school and interpreted as the student capitalizing on their position as an athlete in the school. Q9: I have a question about a fundraiser our student council is planning. We are going to have a basketball shooting contest that students will pay $1 to enter and they will attempt to make a half court shot. The winners will be receiving a) a certificate for a hamburger, small fries, and a drink, b) a $10 gift card, c) $20 cash. May we allow student athletes and/or basketball players to participate in the contest? A9: The amateurism rules (By-Law 3.6) are sport specific; therefore, only students interested in maintaining their amateur status in basketball need to be concerned about what prizes they accept. Prize a) could be accepted by anyone without jeopardizing amateur status. Prizes b) and c) would both constitute violations of amateur status for the sport of basketball and, therefore, should either not be offered or basketball players (and hopefuls) should not be allowed to participate. If prizes are to be offered which affect eligibility, that information needs to be clearly stated in contest promotions, literature, and on tickets being sold. Q10: How would student eligibility be affected under the athletic amateurism restrictions if a student received a lottery ticket with the purchase price of $5 as a prize for athletic competition outside of school? SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 65 A10: Technically, a lottery ticket would be viewed as a merchandise award rather than a cash equivalent, because odds are the ticket has no value. As long as the purchase price (manufacturer’s suggested retail value) is less than the limit within the by-law, a student could accept it as a prize. In this case, the $5 purchase price is allowable. Cash equivalents, such as gift cards or gift certificates, have a guaranteed value that can be used like cash, and are not allowable under the amateur standards. A lottery ticket has no guaranteed value, and chances are it has no value whatsoever. Despite this interpretation, it is suggested that schools and/or coaches avoid awarding lottery tickets as awards or prizes for athletic participation or competition as it is illegal for individuals under the age of 18 to purchase a lottery ticket. Q11: We have an athlete that participated in a non-school basketball showcase event during the summer and she received several prizes, including a pair of shoes (MSRP $100), a travel bag (MSRP $100) and a ball cap (MSRP $25). Is it acceptable for her to keep all of these prizes and remain an amateur or may she only accept one prize in connection with playing a contest? A11: As per By-Law 3.6, Amateur and Award Requirements, she may accept all of the listed prizes since the total value of all prizes is less than $250, based on the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for each item. To remain an amateur under this standard, merchandise awards shall not exceed a combined total value of $250, based on the MSRP for each item. Q12: Our daughter is traveling a) with the school basketball team to a game where she will represent the school or b) to a softball clinic where she will receive softball skill instruction. Who needs to pay the fee? Who can provide transportation? Can her expenses (lodging, meals, airfare) be paid by anyone other than us as parents? A12: For a) the school can pay the fee for the event and all expenses, and provide transportation for participants without any amateurism issues. For b) parents must pay the fee. Expenses (lodging, meals and transportation) may be paid by the organizer of the clinic, but should be reimbursed to the participant afterward, once the actual expenses are known. No stipends should be provided as any excess over final expenses would be a cash award (improper benefit). Schools may not pay for or subsidize a student to participate in sport-specific instruction outside of the season or from a private organizer, or to participate in non-school competition at any time. Q13: We have an athlete who has been invited to participate in an all-star game after the conclusion of their sport season. The athlete and their family have set up a GoFundMe account to allow people to donate to assist with costs associated with participation in the all-star game. Is this a permissible method of paying for these expenses? A13: No, By-law 3.6.6 prohibits an athlete from accepting benefits beyond the allowable limits for playing in a contest and it is never acceptable to receive cash or cash equivalents. It is the responsibility of the athlete or their parents to pay for such expenses unless the contest organizers are covering the expenses or making direct reimbursements for items such as lodging and transportation.

3.8.1 Physical Exam: The school shall require of each student participating in athletics a Pre-Participation Medical Eligibility Form signed and authorized by a physician, advanced nurse practitioner in written collaborative practice with a physician, or a certified physician’s assistant in collaboration with a sponsoring physician stating that the individual is physically able to participate in athletic practices and contests of his/her school. A student shall not be permitted to practice or compete for a school until a signed medical eligibility form is on file at the school. The medical eligibility form is valid for two years (730 days) from the date of issue for the purpose of this rule. 3.8.2 Healthcare Coverage: A student shall not be permitted to practice or compete for a school until it has verification that he/ she has healthcare insurance coverage or a healthcare expense payment plan. Physical Exams and Healthcare Questions & Answers: Q1: May a physical exam for athletic or activity participation be administered and signed by a) a physician’ s assistant or b) a registered nurse? A1: Both a) and b) No. In order for a nurse or physician’s assistant to be allowed to certify a medical eligibility form he/ she must be either an advanced nurse practitioner in a written collaborative practice with a physician or a physician’s assistant in a written collaborative practice with a physician. Q2: Many of our students will be receiving their physical exam by a certified physician’ s assistant in a written collaborative practice with a physician. The physician’s assistant will have his/her signature on the medical eligibility form. Is it necessary for the physician to also have signed the medical eligibility form? A2: No. The physician is not required to sign each form. However, it is required that the physician’s name be listed in some manner on the medical eligibility form in order to be valid. This confirms the existence of the written collaborative practice of the physician and the certified physician’s assistant. This same procedure is required for an advanced nurse practitioner in a similar collaborative practice. Page 66 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Q3: A junior in our school was issued a medical eligibility form on January 22 of this school year. Will this medical eligibility form still be valid for the spring sports season of her senior year? A3: Yes, a medical eligibility form issued on January 22 of this year will be considered valid as per the by-law until January 22 two years later, unless otherwise noted by a physician or due to health changes. Students with injuries, health changes or medical concerns during the interim period may need to be referred back to a doctor for clearance; such a decision should include the student, parents, and the school’s athletic trainer or medical professional. The student’s health and safety must be paramount. Q4: The by-laws require that a student has healthcare insurance coverage or a healthcare expense payment plan before participating in interscholastic sports. What type of coverage meets this requirement? A4: A student who can verify they have health insurance, accident insurance that covers competitive and/or contact sports, or supplemental insurance/healthcare expense payment plan would be considered to meet the by-law. Q5: We have students with a physical form on file which is not the MSHSAA medical eligibility form; rather it is one used or created by the physician’s office/clinic. These forms specifically state that the physical exam approval is valid for one year only. a) Is it acceptable to allow a physical form other than the MSHSAA medical eligibility form? b) Is the physician’s physical form that specifically references being valid one year still valid for a two year period under MSHSAA bylaw 3.8.1. A5: a) The MSHSAA medical eligibility form is the recommended form to be used, but local schools may decide to allow other physical forms to be turned in, or may create their own as a required form, without violating By-Law 3.8.1. Please note that the MSHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee reviews the MSHSAA medical eligibility form annually and makes updates based on current standards of practice in this area to insure that applicable areas for review are included. b) If a physician’s physical form specifically states that it is only valid for one year...OR if a physician specifically notes on the MSHSAA medical eligibility form that the physical is only valid for one year then the student should be asked to renew the medical eligibility form when it expires per that notation. A physician indicating that they are only clearing a student for participation for one year supersedes the MSHSAA Bylaw allowing a physical to be valid for two years. You may need to contact, or have the family contact, the physician for clarity. Q6: We have several students with a medical eligibility form (physical) currently on file; however, it is the old MSHSAA PPE form rather than the most recent MSHSAA medical eligibility form. Do we need to have all students get a new physical using the "new" MSHSAA medical eligibility form in order for a physical to be valid for the two years (730 days)? A6: No. All physical forms that your school currently has on file are valid for two years (730 days) from the date that the physical was issued. It is not necessary to have your students secure a new physical because of the new MSHSAA medical eligibility form. The only exception to this would be if a physician has noted on a student’s physical form that the physical is good for one year OR your school is aware of a medical condition that a student has experienced resulting in what you believe is a necessity for the student to have a new physical completed. Any new physicals need to use the new MSHSAA medical eligibility form, and only the last page with the approving signature should be on file. Q7: Many of our students will not need a new physical for the upcoming school year because we already have physicals on file for them that are valid for two years (730 days). We also have all the other Pre-participation Documentation requirements on file for these students. Is it necessary that our school secure new Pre-participation Documentation? A7: YES, the MSHSAA Pre-participation Documentation-Annual Requirements must be updated and completed every year . It is recommended that schools secure the Pre-participation Documentation prior to the start of each school year; however, at a minimum the Pre-participation Documentation must be secured from each student athlete prior to them being permitted to participate in their first sport or activity season for each school year . Pre-participation Documentation includes the items listed in By-Law 2.12.1: Interim Medical Update, Emergency Contact Information, Parent Permission and Healthcare Coverage Verification, Student Agreement, Concussion Education Acknowledgement, and Risk and Injury Disclosure. These requirements must be secured from the student and student’s parent(s) annually.

3.9.1 Each team must have 14 days of conditioning practice and each individual must have participated in 14 school conditioning practices on 14 different days with a school approved coach prior to the date of the first interscholastic contest in all sports. This requirement shall be met if a student has been a member of another school sports team immediately preceding the sport season, has been actively practicing with the sport team, has had 14 days of physical conditioning and begins physical conditioning practice with the new sport team with no more than seven calendar days having passed between the two sports before beginning practice. Conditioning Questions & Answers: Q1: MSHSAA By-Law 3.9 provides that each individual player must have participated in 14 school practices on 14 different days prior to the first game in which a student participates in an interscholastic athletic contest, except when a student has been a member of another school sports team immediately preceding and has had the 14 days conditioning. What is meant by the term “immediately preceding?” A1: The Board of Directors has interpreted the term “immediately preceding” in this particular provision to mean that no more than seven days elapse since a student last participated in a practice and/or contest as a member of another SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 67 school sports team. Thus, if a student plays in his school’s last football game on November 13, he would have until November 21 to begin practicing with the basketball team and be eligible immediately to participate interscholastically in the sport of basketball. If he waits until after November 21 to go out for the basketball team, then he would have to meet the conditioning standards by participating in at least 14 school practices on 14 different days prior to being eligible to participate in an interscholastic basketball contest. Q2: Does cheer or dance conditioning practice count toward the 14 days of practice required under By-Law 3.9? A2: Ye s . Cheer and dance conditioning practices does count toward the conditioning requirements for sports. Q3: A player on our basketball team completed his 14 days of conditioning practice for the winter season and played in a few games before he was injured. He has now been out due to his injuries for over a month. His doctor indicates he will be released to practice soon. Will the student have to start his 14 days of conditioning over before he can play in a game? A3: The student has met the provisions of the conditioning standard for the winter season and so, technically, he will not need to complete an additional 14 days of conditioning to be in compliance with the by-law. However, the school, in consultation with your athletic trainer and the student’s physician, will need to determine the timeline for the student’s return to competition. Most likely, the student should not return to competition immediately. However, the specific circumstances must be taken into consideration before the timeline can be set (student’ s general fitness level before injury, what if any conditioning was done during the injured period, type of injury, etc.) The health and safety of the student is of utmost importance and his return must be determined on a case by case basis. Q4: Can any of the 14 days of conditioning practice be done with a) club team or b) a private instructor or c) a parent? A4: For a), b), and c), No. All of the 14 days of conditioning practice must be done with a school approved coach.

4.1.1 General Requirements for Activity Directors and Coaches: a. School Requirement to Contract: For each activity in which a school registers with MSHSAA, a school must contract at least one head director/coach who meets the requirements for the head director/coach level, and the school must have the director/coach approved by MSHSAA. This requirement must be met prior to any interscholastic competition or evaluative event in that activity. This By-Law shall apply to both junior high and high schools. b. Definition of Director/Coach: An activity director/coach is an individual who provides any type of instruction specific to an interscholastic activity, and/or has activity-related contact with enrolled students of the school. An individual who is unpaid, but provides instruction as described above, is a director/coach and must meet the same requirements as a director/coach that is compensated, and be approved, prior to contact with students. [For the purposes of the by-laws (contact with students, etc.), a director/coach is considered to be a school director/coach for the entire academic school year, despite the duration specified in the directing and coaching contract.] c. Approval: All coaches and directors must be “approved” by the MSHSAA office prior to instructing students in the respective interscholastic activity. An egregious or intentional violation of the MSHSAA By-Laws or the rules/regulations of the activity may cause the Board of Directors to withhold “approved” status. Editor's Note: The MSHSAA approval process takes place on the membership side of the MSHSAA website. When completed, approval status for each coach or director will appear on the school's "Coaches and Directors" page. 4.1.2 Activity Director/Coach Minimum Requirements: As per By-Law 4.1.1.a, each interscholastic activity team/group must have a director/coach who meets the following requirements and who, then, may fill the duties and obligations of a director/ coach for the activity team/group, both under the by-laws and per the activity rules. a. An individual with a Professional Teacher's Certificate (includes all certifications recognized as professional by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) must: 1. Board of Education or Board of Governance approval prior to activity related contact. 2. Background Check including Sex-Offender’s Registry Clearance prior to activity related contact. 3. Successful completion of the MSHSAA Activity-Specific Online Rules Review and Test prior to approval. 4. Successful completion of a Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention training prior to approval and renewed every two years. 5. Successful completion of a Concussion Course, and review of current concussion information yearly. 6. Successful completion of a First Aid/CPR/AED course prior to coaching and renewed every two years. (See options in Appendix E ) Editor’s Note: The free NFHSLearn.com training may be used or schools may select their own. 7. Music: i. Regularly employed and paid by the Board of Education or Board of Governance of the school as a teacher. ii. Directors of Marching Band and Auxiliary Groups Only: Successful completion of a course in Heat Illness Prevention/Recognition, which must be renewed every two years. 8. Spirit (Sideline Cheer and Dance Teams): i. Successful completion of a course in Heat Illness Prevention/Recognition, which must be renewed every two years. [See also By-Law 4.2.10] b. All other individuals must complete one-time or biennial requirements prior to coaching as outlined below: 1. Board of Education or Board of Governance approval prior to activity related contact. 2. Background Check including Sex-Offender’s Registry Clearance prior to activity related contact. 3. Successful completion of the MSHSAA Activity-Specific Online Rules Review and Test prior to approval. 4. Successful completion of a Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention training prior to approval and renewed every two years. 5. Successful completion of a Concussion Course, and review of current concussion information yearly. 6. Successful completion of a First Aid/CPR/AED course prior to coaching and renewed every two years. (See options in Appendix E) Editor’s Note: The free NFHSLearn.com training may be used or schools may select their own. 7. Prior to the first year's season of coaching/directing, the following must be completed: i. NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course ii. NFHS Coaching "Activity" Course for any activity for which an individual will be coaching or approved substitute (a) Music - NFHS Introduction to Interscholastic Music (b) Speech and Debate - NFHS Coaching Speech and Debate (c) Theatre - NFHS Directing Plays (d) Scholar Bowl (none available) (e) Spirit - Coaching Cheer and Dance iii. Assignment of a Mentor Director/Coach (three years of experience or more) (a) Preseason meetings which include, but are not limited to, specific discussion of school policies, equipment responsibility, behavior expectations, procedures to follow in case of an emergency, etc. is satisfactorily completed. (b) In-season meetings to discuss student or parent interactions (c) Post season meetings to evaluate experiences Page 102 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 8. Prior to the second year of coaching/directing, the following must be completed: i. NFHS Bullying, Hazing and Inappropriate Behavior Course ii. NFHS Engaging Effectively with Parents Course 9. Prior to the third year of coaching/directing, the following must be completed: i. NFHS Protecting Students from Abuse ii. NFHS Teaching and Modeling Behavior 10. Prior to the fourth year of coaching/directing, the following must be completed: i. NFHS Understanding Copyright and Compliance ii. NFHS Coaching Mental Wellness 11. Prior to the fifth year of coaching/directing, the following must be completed: i. NFHS Student Leadership ii. NFHS Sportsmanship Editor's Note 1 : Please reference Appendix E for approved courses and avenues for completion. Editor's Note 2 : Specific course requirements are subject to change due to availability or new course development . 4.1.3 Rules Review Requirement: Each school shall be responsible for requiring all activity coaches and directors to complete a MSHSAA Rules Review. When a coach does not complete the rules review, the school shall justify the deficiency in writing to the MSHSAA office. 4.1.4 Student Eligibility Requirements: All students participating in an activity (competitive or evaluative) must meet the student essential by-laws in Section 2 as well as all applicable activity-specific requirements. 4.1.5 Parental Permission : Prior to each year of interscholastic activity participation, a student shall furnish a statement, signed by the student's parent(s) or legal guardian (see By-Law 3.10.1.a), which grants permission for the student to participate in interscholastic activities. [ Editor's Note: See also By-Laws 2.12.1 and 3.7 ] 4.1.6 Healthcare Coverage : A student shall not be permitted to practice or compete for a school until it has verification that he/ she has healthcare insurance coverage or a healthcare expense payment plan. [ Editor's Note: See also By-Laws 2.12.1 and 3.8 ] 4.1.7 Limits on Competition/Participation: a. 5th Grade & Below: A student enrolled in the 5th grade or below shall not be eligible to participate in interscholastic activities with or against students enrolled in grades six through eight. A violation of this rule shall subject the school to penalty in addition to affecting the eligibility of the student. b. 6th/7th/8th Grade: No 6th, 7th or 8th grade student is eligible for participation/competition on or against a senior high school team, a team on which students in grade nine or above may compete except as provided for in By-Law 4.2.3.a (music) and 4.5.6 (spirit). The penalty for violation of this rule shall be the start of the student’s eight semesters and/or four years of high school eligibility (as per By-Law 2.4) and shall subject the school to additional penalties. c. 9th Grade: A 9th grade student may participate/compete on an activity team/squad/school group comprised of any combination of grades nine through 12 only. (See b above for allowances for combined membership options in music and cheer only.) 4.1.8 Certification of Eligibility on the MSHSAA Online Membership System: a. Each student, prior to participating in an interscholastic contest or event, must be certified as eligible through the MSHSAA Online Membership System by an administrator of the junior high or high school the student attends. Changes in eligibility at the beginning of second semester shall be made on the system by an administrator. b. New additions shall be certified as eligible as described above prior to allowing the student to participate in an interscholastic contest. c. If a participant is omitted from the eligibility certification process in error and is certified in writing by the principal to have been eligible at the time of the participation, the Board of Directors shall have discretionary authority to determine whether a penalty is appropriate and the nature and duration of such penalty. The principal shall submit a report to the executive director explaining the circumstances of the omission error. 4.1.9 Representing the School: Participants shall not represent the school (appearing in school uniform, school-named clothing, at school facilities, or with mascot/school colors) to endorse or promote a product/service, commercial venture, political venture, etc. without prior, written consent by a school administrator. 4.1.10 Awards and Amateurism: When representing a school in a performance or a competitive/evaluative event, the following awards are allowable: a. A student may receive the following symbolic awards: unattached school letters or emblems, medals, ribbons, trophies, certificates, etc. b. A student shall not have accepted or competed for the following types of awards: services, cash or gift certificates. c. A student may receive an award of merchandise items (one or more) which together do not exceed a total value of $250.00. The total value of all items shall be calculated using the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for each item. d. This standard does not prohibit a school from accepting prizes, trophies, cash awards for placement or finish, or expenses for transportation, meals for students, and other similar expenses or awards. SECTION 4 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 103 4.1.11 Missing School Time for Unapproved Event: Any student who misses school time because of participating in an unapproved interscholastic event, or because of any travel involved, shall be ineligible to represent the school in the interscholastic activity for a period not to exceed 365 days from the date of violation unless the absence is approved in advance by the school administrator. 4.1.12 School Eligibility to Enter Events: Any high school in Missouri which is a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association is automatically eligible to register for and enter contests and events in the applicable activity. 4.1.13 Advisory Committee: There shall be an Advisory Committee appointed by the Board of Directors with this committee to be responsible to the Board of Directors. a. Music - Appointed by the Board of Directors with the advice and counsel of the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA). b. Speech/Debate/Theatre - Appointed by Board with the advice and counsel of the Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri (STAM). 4.1.14 Board of Directors Responsibility: The Board of Directors, with the advice and counsel of the Activity’s Advisory Committee, shall set-up such contests and events as it deems advisable, formulate policies and regulations for administering these events, determine the districts and sites for the contests, select local directors, and determine school classification based on By-Law 5.1, and set entry fees. 4.1.15 Penalty for Violation of Standards: A student that violates any of these standards (By-Laws, etc.) shall be ineligible from participation in any interscholastic event in the specified activity for a period not to exceed 365 days. It shall further be considered a violation for member schools to participate in an interscholastic event with a member school so suspended.

4.3.1 Individual Limits on Participation: a. Students enrolled in grades 9-12 or students in grades 9-12 who are resident participant students shall participate in no more than 11 interscholastic speech/debate meets, festivals, and/or tournaments during the school year, inclusive of the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) District Tournament and exclusive of the MSHSAA district and state tournaments. Students in the 6th, 7th and/or 8th grade shall participate in no more than FIVE interscholastic speech and/ or debate meets, festivals, and/or tournaments during the school year. b. A student shall give the same individual speech/selection in no more than 11 tournaments, meets, or festivals during a school year exclusive of NSDA and MSHSAA District and State events. An individual speech/selection shall not be repeated by a student who gave that speech/selection in an interscholastic speech event in a previous school year (grades 9-12). This restriction applies to district and state events, as well as to the regular season. 4.3.2 Season Limits - High School: No senior high school interscholastic speech/debate events shall be held before the Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 14 or later than April 1, other than the allowances listed below: a. The MSHSAA state tournament. b. A school may participate in two interscholastic event s after April 1 and prior to the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Such an event shall count as one of the school’s allowable regular season events as per By-Law 4.3.1 (Limits on Participation). c. Teams or individuals representing a school may participate in interstate, interscholastic events which may begin no earlier than the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, only if the school has advanced from a qualifying event that takes place during the aforementioned season or if the event’s selection procedure has been approved by the MSHSAA Board of Directors. 4.3.3 Season Limits - Junior High School: A junior high school may participate in a maximum of TEN junior high interscholastic speech/debate meets, festivals, and/or tournaments in a school year. These events may be held at any time during the school year. No 6th, 7th or 8th grade student is eligible for competition on or against a senior high school team consisting of ninth graders or above. 4.3.4 Speech/Debate Event Regulations: Any interscholastic competitive/evaluative speech/debate event or other interscholastic competitive/evaluative function involving speech/debate abilities in which member school speech/debate organizations or individual students participate during the school year (from the opening day of classes to the official closing day at the end of the academic year) shall meet the following standards: a. See By-Law 4.1.10 for definitions of allowable awards. b. Shall be in accord with all other provisions contained in the Speech and Debate By-Laws. c. See By-Law 1.1.5 for all competitive/evaluative event regulations and sanctioning requirements. 4.3.5 Eligibility for Speech and Debate District Tournament: To be eligible to enter a team or individual into the District tournament, a school must have competed in at least one competition during the regular season and each individual student must have represented his or her school in at least one interscholastic contest during the season. Speech/Debate Questions & Answers: Q1: Students at our school plan to compete in American Legion Oratorical Contest, the VFW Voice of America Contest and the Optimist International oratorical Contest. Would any of these contests count against the eleven allowable speech tournaments for a given student? A1: No. Students are not representing the school speech team in these contests. SECTION 4 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 107 Q2: Our team plans to participate in the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament over Memorial Day weekend. Is it permissible for us to travel and/or compete on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend even if it would require class time to be missed? A2: Yes. MSHSAA defines the end of the school year as the end of the school day on the Thursday preceding Memorial Day. Q3: Our duet acting team presented a cutting from a play in several interscholastic tournaments last year. May they present a different cutting from the same play this year or may one of the students present the same cutting in the dramatic interpretation event? A3: No. A student shall not give the same selection in any tournament, meet, or festival he or she gave in any previous year of high school competition. A selection is defined as the entire work from which a cutting is taken, including plays. Q4: I am the coach of a junior high school debate team. Our school is looking to grow student participation, and we want to maximize our ability to compete in various JH speech and debate events and tournaments this year . Can you clarify the maximum number of events/meets/tournaments our team can enter , and what are any restrictions on individual student participation? A4: According to by-laws 4.3.1 and 4.3.3, which address season limits and student participation for junior high school speech and debate, your junior high school team can participate in a maximum of ten interscholastic speech and debate events/meets/tournaments during the school year. These events can be scheduled at any time throughout the school year. However, an individual student (a 6th, 7th, or 8th grader) can only participate in a maximum of five events throughout the school year, regardless of whether the team has scheduled the maximum of allowed events for the team. Students who have competed in five of any events may not participate in any additional events for that school year.

4.6.1 Individual Limits on Participation : Students enrolled or resident participant students in grades 9-12 shall participate in no more than 11 interscholastic theatre meets, festivals, and/or tournaments during the school year, exclusive of the MSHSAA district and state tournament. Students in the 6th, 7th and/or 8th grade shall participate in no more than FIVE theatre meets, festivals, and/or tournaments during the school year. 4.6.2 Season Limits - High School : No senior high school interscholastic theatre events shall be held before the Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 14 nor later than April 1, other than the allowances listed below: a. The MSHSAA state tournament. b. A school may participate in one interscholastic event after April 1 and prior to the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Such an event shall count as one of the school’s allowable regular season events as per By-Law 4.6.1 (Limits on Participation). c. Teams or individuals representing a school may participate in interstate, interscholastic events which may begin no earlier than the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, only if the school has advanced from a qualifying event that takes place during the aforementioned season or if the event’s selection procedure has been approved by the MSHSAA Board of Directors. 4.6.3 Season Limits - Junior High School : A junior high school may participate in a maximum of TEN junior high interscholastic festivals, and/or tournaments in a school year. These events may be held at any time during the school year. No 6th, 7th or 8th grade student is eligible for competition on or against a senior high school team consisting of ninth graders or above. Page 110 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 4.6.4 Theatre Event Regulations : Any interscholastic competitive/evaluative theatrical event or other interscholastic competitive/ evaluative function involving theatrical abilities in which member school theatrical organizations or individual students participate during the school year (from the opening day of classes to the official closing day at the end of the academic year) shall meet the following standards: a. See By-Law 4.1.10 for definitions of allowable awards. b. No interscholastic theatre event shall start before 4:00 p.m. on a school day, except that events may start as early as 2:00 p.m. on Friday. The MSHSAA District and State Tournaments shall be exempted from this regulation and a school may participate in one regular season contest per school year that begins as early as 8:00 a.m. on a school day. c. Shall be in accord with all other provisions contained in the Theatre By-Laws. d. See By-Law 1.1.5 for all competitive/evaluative event regulations and sanctioning requirements. 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 111 SECTION 5 : PROCEDURAL BY-LAWS

SECTION 4 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 101

Central Missouri High School HSA Columbia Classical Christian Acad. High School HSA Springfield Frassati Academy High School HSA Plattsburg Hannibal Area Home Educators High School HSA New London Lighthouse Christian Acad. Sr. H. HSA Nixa Mineral Area Senior High HSA Farmington Missouri Warriors Basketball HS Home Sch. Assn. Ozark North Missouri Knights High School HSA Kirksville Rolla Sr. High Home School Athletic Assn Rolla SEMO Homeschool Sports High School HSA Morley Southern Missouri RUSH Sr. High Home School Assn. Nixa St. Louis Blue Knights Sr. High Sch. Assn. Wentzville St. Louis Christian (Leslie) Sr. High Sch. Assn. Florissant St. Louis Ignite Sr. High Home School Association Chesterfield St. Louis Lightning Sports HS HSA St. Charles St. Louis Patriots Sr. High Home School Association St. Charles St. Louis United HS HSA Cottleville ARS Junior High Schools, Continued Winona Junior High Schoo Winona Zalma Junior High School Zalma Zion Lutheran (Bunceton) Junior High School Bunceton Zion Lutheran (Rockville) Junior High School Rockville APPENDICES 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 159 APPENDIX D 2026-27 ADVISORY LIST OF CSIET APPROVED EXCHANGE PROGRAMS Academic Year Programs: The following programs have each been evaluated as academic year programs. Some, however, may also offer short term or other type programs. Each school administrator must be certain that the program is the academic year program before certifying a student eligible to participate in interscholastic activities under the jurisdiction of the MSHSAA. Please check the program’s website listing to verify if the program’s status is full, provisional or conditional. ABC Education Group Academic Foundation for Intnl. Cultural Exchange (AFICE) Academic Year in America/AIFS Foundation AFS-USA, Inc. American Councils for International Education American Cultural Exchange Service (ACES) American Home Life International (AHLI) AnB Education (dba Summa Global Education) Apex International Education Partners, LLC ARISE Aspect Foundation ASSE and World Heritage International Student Exchange Programs ASSIST, Inc. Association for Teen-Age Diplomats (ATAD) Ayusa International Best Educational Solutions Today Borderless Friends Forever Foundation, Inc. C & T Education USA Cambridge Network Central Regional High School Children Around the World Children of All Nations Council for Educational Travel USA (CETUSA) Council on Intnl. Educational Exchange (CIEE) Cultural Academic Student Exchange (CASE) Cultural Homestay International (CHI) DMD Private High School Program Easy Plus Education Edu-Inno Inc Education Travel and Culture, Inc. Educational Resource Development Trust/Share! (ERDT Share!) Educatius EEL Student Exchange EF High School Exchange Year Exchange Service International ExchangeMate International Education Face The World Foundation Foreign Links Around the Globe (FLAG) Forte International Exchange Association (FIEA) Foundation for Academic Cultural Exchange (FACE German American Partnership Program (GAPP) Global Cultural Exchanges dba High School in the USA Global Horizons USA LLC Global Insights Greenheart Exchange Heritage Student Foundation iGoGo International, Inc. Institute of Higher Education and Collaboration International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES) International Experience USA (iE-USA) International Fellowship International School of Minnesota International Student Exchange Iowa Resource for International Service (IRIS) IPERC Academy Ivy Edge Ivy International Group Lartin Brothers, LLC Nacel Open Door Newcomb Central School District NorthWest Student Exchange (NWSE) NW Services, Inc. Peace Program Organization for Cultural Exchange Among Nations (OCEAN) Oversea Youth Association Pan Atlantic Foundation PAX-Program of Academic Exchange and The Laurasian Institution PSE - Public & Private School F-1 Exchange (PSE) Reflections International, Inc. Rotary International Rotary - Central States Youth Exchange Programs (CSRYE) Rotary - Eastern States Student Exchange (ESSEX) Rotary - Empire State Youth Exchange, Inc. Rotary - North Star Youth Exchange Rotary - Ohio-Erie Youth Exch. Prog. Inc. Rotary - RYE Southeast Rotary - South Central Youth Exchange (SCRYE) Rotary - Western States Student Exchange (WESSEX) Rotary - Yes/SCANEX School District of Janesville States 4-H International Exchange Programs STS Foundation Student American International StudentRoomStay Terra Lingua USA United Cultural Exchange USA (UCEUS) United Studies Venture International Academy World Link Inc. Youth for Understanding USA Page 160 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK APPENDIX E APPROVED COACHES/DIRECTORS COURSES Requirement Provider Website Fundamentals of Coaching Coaching Essentials Coaching Principles 1. NFHSLearn 2. Coaches' Tool Chest 3. Human Kinetics 1. www.nfhslearn.com 2. www.coachestoolchest.com 3. https://us.humankinetics/com/ Teaching Sport Skills 1. NFHSLearn 1. www.nfhslearn.com Bullying, Hazing and Inappropriate Behavior 1. District Annual Required Module 2. NFHSLearn 1. MSBA/MUSIC Training Modules 2. www.nfhslearn.com Teaching and Modeling Behavior 1. NFHSLearn 1. www.nfhslearn.com Protecting Students from Abuse 1. District Annual Required Module 2. NFHSLearn 1. MSBA/MUSIC Training Modules 2. www.nfhslearn.com Engaging Effectively with Parents 1. NFHSLearn 1. www.nfhslearn.com Coaching Mental Wellness 1. NFHSLearn 1. www.nfhslearn.com Adolescent Development: Centering Athlete Needs 1. NFHSLearn 1. www.nfhslearn.com Developing Youth Through Sport 1. NFHSLearn 1. www.nfhslearn.com Understanding Copyright Compliance 1. NFHSLearn 1. www.nfhslearn.com Student Leadership 1. NFHSLearn 1. www.nfhslearn.com Sportsmanship 1. NFHSLearn 1. www.nfhslearn.com For the below health & safety requirements, a member school (district) may arrange group trainings by securing a qualified individual in each particular requirement area. Sports First Aid Training* 1. NFHSLearn 2. American Heart Association 3. American Red Cross 4. ProTrainings 5. Coaches' Tool Chest 1. www.nfhslearn.com 2. www.heart.org 3. www.redcross.org 4. www.protrainings.com 5. www.coachestoolchest.com CPR/AED Training* 1. NFHSLearn 2. American Heart Association 3. American Red Cross 4. ProTrainings 5. Coaches' Tool Chest 1. www.nfhslearn 2. www.heart.org 3. www.redcross.org 4. www.protrainings.com 5. www.coachestoolchest.com Concussions in Sports 1. NFHSLearn 2. Coaches' Tool Chest 1. www.nfhslearn.com 2. www.coachestoolchest.com Heat Illness Prevention/ Recognition Training 1. NFHSLearn 2. Coaches' Tool Chest 1. www.nfhslearn.com 2. www.coachestoolchest.com Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training 1. District Annual Required Module 2. NFHSLearn 3. Coaches' Tool Chest 1. MSBA/MUSIC Training Modules 2. www.nfhslearn.com 3. www.coachestoolchest.com *Contact MSHSAA staff to review potential course offerings for approval. Please reference the Coach/Director Education & Approval link under the About Menu of www.mshsaa.org for direct course links to most courses. APPENDICES 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 161 APPENDIX F NFHS APPLICATION FOR SANCTION OF INTERSTATE AND INTERNATIONAL ATHLETIC EVENTS NOTE: The interscholastic community urges event sponsors to schedule interstate competition in a manner that minimizes the amount of time student participants will be absent from the regular school day. SANCTIONING PROCEDURES 1. Events that Require NFHS Sanctioning: a) Any interstate event involving two (2) or more schools which is co-sponsored by or titled in the name of an organization outside the high school community (e.g., a university, a theme park, an athletic shoe/apparel company).^ b) Non-bordering events if five (5) or more states are involved. c) Non-bordering events if eight (8) or more schools are involved. (Effective 8/1/02) d) Any event involving two (2) or more schools that involves a team from a foreign country. The host school should complete the international sanction request via the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. (The exceptions to this rule are Canada and Mexico which are considered “bordering states.”) * 2. Request for Sanction: Only a member school of an NFHS member state association, or a school approved by such an association, or such an association itself, is eligible to request sanctioning through the NFHS Interstate Sanctioning Program. Any event seeking NFHS sanction must be sponsored by a member high school, approved high school or state association. 3. Interstate Competition: Interstate competition occurs when either teams or individuals who represent their schools travel across state lines to participate in competitive sports events, including but not limited to such events as “shoot-outs,” “showcases,” “round-robin tournaments,” etc. Subject to Paragraph 3, no sanction is required from the NFHS office if all competing schools, regardless of the number of competing schools, are from states that border the host state unless the event is co-sponsored by or titled in the name of an organization outside the high school community. 4. Timelines/Fees: The event sponsor school should submit the application for sanction online via the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org sixty (60) calendar days or more before the event. Directions on submitting a sanction request can be found on the NFHS website by selecting the “Sanctioning” link. a) Events sponsored by state association member school: The host school must submit an application and pay a processing fee of $150 (electronic check or credit card), per application, via the website to the NFHS if the application is received sixty (60) days or more prior to the event. (Do not send cash.) Applications received between 15-59 days before the event will pay $300 . Any application received less than 15 days before the event will pay $500 . If the NFHS does not receive the sanction application within five (5) calendar days prior to the event, the event will not be sanctioned. b) Events co-sponsored or titled by a non-school organization: The event sponsor must apply and pay a processing fee of $300 (electronic check or credit card), per application, via the website to the NFHS if the application is received sixty (60) days or more before the event. (Do not send cash.) Applications received 15-59 days before the event will pay $600 . Any application received less than 15 days before the event will pay $800. If the NFHS does not receive the sanction application within five (5) calendar days before the event, the event will not be sanctioned. 5. Names and Addresses of Invited/Participating Schools: All sanction requests submitted to the NFHS website must be accompanied by the names and addresses of all invited/participating schools. In the case of cross country , golf and track and field events, the host school will complete the sanction application online 60 days or more prior to the event. The final list of actual entries will be due to the NFHS website twenty (20) days prior to the event. If the list is not received five (5) days prior to the event, the application for sanction will be disapproved, and the meet director will be notified that they are running a non-sanctioned event. 6. Equal Treatment: Schools participating in interstate competition, as well as the schools’ employees and agents, shall be treated equally. Examples of such shall include, but not limited to, the following: a) reduction or waiver of entry fee for one school must result in reduction or waiver of entry fee for all schools: b) appearance fee paid to one school must result in equal amount of appearance fee paid to all participating schools; c) expense reimbursements, if any, must result in equivalent payments to all participating schools, subject to reasonable adjustments for differing distances traveled; d) share of proceeds/live gate paid to one school must result in equal share of proceeds/live gate paid to all participating schools. 7. NFHS Website: Information regarding the status of an event that has requested NFHS Sanctioning will be posted at www.nfhs.org. If you have any questions regarding the status of your event, please contact the NFHS Sanctioning Department at 317-972-6900 Monday-Friday , 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. 8. Financial Report: A financial report about an event will be provided to the NFHS upon request by the NFHS. NFHS Financial Report Form found at www.nfhs.org. ^ Competition involving border states, and all other configurations of interstate competition not requiring the sanction of the NFHS office, shall be sanctioned by the state associations involved according to their own procedures. * NFHS Bylaw 17 provided that each member state association shall approve and receive NFHS approval for competition by a member school against a school from a foreign country, except for two (2) school and three (3) school competition with a school or schools from Canada or Mexico which necessitates a round trip of less than 600 miles. Page 162 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK PROJECTED CALENDAR, Page 1 Day Week 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 No. Labor Day Mon. Sept. 7 Sept. 6 Sept. 4 Sept. 3 GIRLS GOLF Districts ...................................................... Wed.-Fri./Mon. 14-15 Oct. 7-9/12 Oct 6-8/11 Oct. 4-6/9 Oct. 3-5/8 State Championships ................................ Mon.-Tues. 16 Oct. 19-20 Oct. 18-19 Oct. 16-17 Oct. 15-16 GIRLS TENNIS Individual Districts ..................................... Sat. 14 Oct. 10 Oct. 9 Oct. 7 Oct. 6 Team Districts ............................................ Mon.-Thurs. 15 Oct. 12-15 Oct. 11-14 Oct. 9-12 Oct. 8-11 Team Sectionals ........................................ Mon.-Tues. 16 Oct. 19-20 Oct. 18-19 Oct. 16-17 Oct. 15-16 State Individual Championships ............... Thurs.-Sat. 16 Oct. 22-24 Oct. 21-23 Oct. 19-21 Oct. 18-20 State Team Championships ..................... Thurs.-Fri. 17 Oct. 29-30 Oct. 28-29 Oct. 26-27 Oct. 25-26 SOFTBALL - FALL District (Class 1) ........................................ Tues.-Tues. 15-16 Oct. 13-20 Oct. 12-19 Oct. 10-17 Oct. 9-16 Districts (Classes 2-5) ............................... Wed.-Wed. 15-16 Oct. 14-21 Oct. 13-20 Oct. 11-18 Oct. 10-17 Sectionals (Class 1) .................................. Thurs. 16 Oct. 22 Oct. 21 Oct. 19 Oct. 18 Quarterfinals (All Classes) ......................... Sat. 16 Oct. 24 Oct. 23 Oct. 21 Oct. 20 State Championships ................................ Thurs.-Sat. 17 Oct. 29-31 Oct. 28-30 Oct. 26-28 Oct. 25-27 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Districts ...................................................... Tues.-Tues. 16-17 Oct. 20-27 Oct. 19-26 Oct. 17-24 Oct. 16-23 Sectionals .................................................. Thurs. 17 Oct. 29 Oct. 28 Oct. 26 Oct. 25 Quarterfinals .............................................. Sat. 17 Oct. 31 Oct. 30 Oct. 28 Oct. 27 State Championships ................................ Wed.-Sat. 18 Nov. 4-7 Nov. 3-6 Nov. 1-4 Oct. 31-Nov. 3 CROSS COUNTRY Districts ...................................................... Sat. 17 Oct. 31 Oct. 30 Oct. 28 Oct. 27 State Championships ................................ Fri.-Sat. 18 Nov. 6-7 Nov. 5-6 Nov. 3-4 Nov. 2-3 BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING Diving Districts ........................................... Fri.-Sat. 18 Nov. 6-7 Nov. 5-6 Nov. 3-4 Nov. 2-3 State Championships ................................ Thurs.-Sat. 19 Nov. 12-14 Nov. 11-13 Nov. 9-11 Nov. 8-10 BOYS SOCCER Districts ...................................................... Sat.-Tues. 17-19 Oct. 31-Nov. 10 Oct. 30-Nov. 9 Oct. 28-Nov. 7 Oct. 27-Nov. 6 Quarterfinals .............................................. Sat. 19 Nov. 14 Nov. 13 Nov. 11 Nov. 10 State Championships ................................ Fri.-Sat. 20 Nov. 20-21 Nov. 19-20 Nov. 17-18 Nov. 16-17 Thanksgiving ................................................... Thurs. 21 Nov. 26 Nov. 25 Nov. 23 Nov. 22 FOOTBALL Districts - First Round (All Classes) ........... Fri.-Sat. 17 Oct. 30-31 Oct. 29-30 Oct. 27-28 Oct. 26-27 Districts - Second Round (All Classes) ..... Fri.-Sat. 18 Nov. 6-7 Nov. 5-6 Nov. 3-4 Nov. 2-3 District Championships (All Classes) ........ Fri.-Sat. 19 Nov. 13-14 Nov. 12-13 Nov. 10-11 Nov. 9-10 Quarterfinals (All Classes) ......................... Fri.-Sat. 20 Nov. 20-21 Nov. 19-20 Nov. 17-18 Nov. 16-17 Semifinals (All Classes) ............................. Fri.-Sat. 21 Nov. 27-28 Nov. 26-27 Nov. 24-25 Nov. 23-24 Show-Me Bowl (All Classes) ..................... Thurs.-Sat. 22 Dec. 3-5 Dec. 2-4 Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Nov. 29-Dec. 1 GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING Diving Districts ........................................... Fri.-Sat. 32 Feb. 12-13 Feb. 11-12 Feb. 9-10 Feb. 8-9 State Championships ................................ Thurs.-Sat. 33 Feb. 18-20 Feb. 17-19 Feb. 15-17 Feb. 14-16 WRESTLING Districts - Girls ........................................... Fri.-Sat. 31 Feb. 5-6 Feb. 4-5 Feb. 2-3 Feb. 1-2 Districts - Boys .......................................... Fri.-Sat. 32 Feb. 12-13 Feb. 11-12 Feb. 9-10 Feb. 8-9 State Championships - Girls ...................... Thurs.-Sat. 33 Feb. 18-20 Feb. 17-19 Feb. 15-17 Feb. 14-16 State Championships - Boys ..................... Thurs.-Sat. 34 Feb. 25-27 Feb. 24-26 Feb. 22-24 Feb. 21-23 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 163 PROJECTED CALENDAR, Page 2 Day Week 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 No. BASKETBALL Districts (Classes 1-3) ............................... Mon.-Sat. 34 Feb. 22-27 Feb. 21-26 Feb. 19-24 Feb. 18-23 Sectionals-Boys (Classes 1-3) .................. Mon. 35 March 1 Feb. 28 Feb. 26 Feb. 25 Sectionals-Girls (Classes 1-3) ................... Tues. 35 March 2 Feb. 29 Feb. 27 Feb. 26 Quarterfinals-Boys (Classes 1-3) .............. Fri. 35 March 5 March 3 March 2 March 1 Quarterfinals-Girls (Classes 1-3) ............... Sat. 35 March 6 March 4 March 3 March 2 Show-Me Showdown I (Classes 1-3) ........ Wed.-Sat. 36 March 10-13 March 8-11 March 7-10 March 6-9 Districts (Class 4-6) ................................... Mon.-Sat. 35 March 1-6 Feb. 28-Mar. 4 Feb. 26-Mar. 3 Feb. 25-Mar. 2 Sectionals-Boys (Class 4) ......................... Mon. 36 March 8 March 6 March 5 March 4 Sectionals-Girls (Class 4) .......................... Tues. 36 March 9 March 7 March 6 March 5 Quarterfinals-Boys (Classes 4-6) .............. Fri. 36 March 12 March 10 March 9 March 8 Quarterfinals-Girls (Classes 4-6) ............... Sat. 36 March 13 March 11 March 10 March 9 Show-Me Showdown II (Classes 4-6) ....... Wed.-Sat. 37 March 17-20 March 15-18 March 14-17 March 13-16 THEATRE Close of District Meets .............................. Fri.-Sat. 37 March 19-20 March 17-18 March 16-17 March 15-16 State Championships ................................ Wed.-Thurs. 42 April 21-22 April 19-20 April 18-19 April 17-18 SPEECH / DEBATE Close of District Meets .............................. Fri.-Sat. 37 March 19-20 March 17-18 March 16-17 March 15-16 State Championships ................................ Fri.-Sat. 42 April 23-24 April 21-22 April 20-21 April 19-20 MUSIC Close of District Festivals .......................... Fri.-Sat. 38 March 26-27 March 24-25 March 23-24 March 22-23 State Festival ............................................. Thurs.-Sat. 43 April 29-May 1 April 27-29 April 26-28 April 25-27 SCHOLAR BOWL Districts ...................................................... Sat. 41 April 17 *April 8 *April 7 *April 6 Quarterfinals .............................................. Tues. 43 April 27 *April 18 *April 17 *April 16 State Championships (Classes 1-3) ......... Fri. 44 May 7 May 5 May 4 May 3 State Championships (Classes 4-6) .......... Sat. 44 May 8 May 6 May 5 May 4 BOYS GOLF Districts ...................................................... Wed.-Fri./Mon. 44-45 May 5-7/10 May 3-5/8 May 2-4/7 May 1-3/6 State Championships ................................ Mon.-Tues. 46 May 17-18 May 15-16 May 14-15 May 13-14 BOYS TENNIS Individual Districts ..................................... Sat. 43 May 1 April 29 April 28 April 27 Team Districts ............................................ Mon.-Thurs. 44 May 3-6 May 1-4 April 30-May 3 April 29-May 2 Team Sectionals ........................................ Mon.-Tues. 45 May 10-11 May 8-9 May 7-8 May 6-7 State Individual Championships ................ Thurs.-Sat. 45 May 13-15 May 11-13 May 10-12 May 9-11 State Team Championships ...................... Thurs.-Fri. 46 May 20-21 May 18-19 May 17-18 May 16-17 SOFTBALL - SPRING Districts ...................................................... Thurs.-Thurs. 44-45 May 6-13 May 4-11 May 3-10 May 2-9 Quarterfinals (Class 1-2) ........................... Tues. 46 May 18 May 16 May 15 May 14 State Championships ................................ Mon.-Tues. 47 May 24-25 May 22-23 May 21-22 May 20-21 BOYS VOLLEYBALL Districts ...................................................... Fri.-Fri. 44-45 May 7-14 May 5-12 May 4-11 May 3-10 Quarterfinals .............................................. Thurs. 46 May 20 May 18 May 17 May 16 State Championships ................................ Tues.-Wed. 47 May 25-26 May 23-24 May 22-23 May 21-22 TRACK AND FIELD Districts (Classes 1-3) ............................... Sat. 44 May 8 May 6 May 5 May 4 Districts (Classes 4-5) ............................... Sat. 45 May 15 May 13 May 12 May 11 Sectionals (Classes 1-3) ........................... Sat. 45 May 15 May 13 May 12 May 11 State Championships (Classes 1-3) .......... Fri.-Sat. 46 May 21-22 May 19-20 May 18-19 May 17-18 Sectionals (Classes 4-5) ........................... Sat. 46 May 22 May 20 May 19 May 18 State Championships (Classes 4-5) .......... Fri.-Sat. 47 May 28-29 May 26-27 May 25-26 May 24-25 *Not held on regular standardized calendar week. Page 164 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK PROJECTED CALENDAR, Page 3 Day Week 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 No. BASEBALL Districts (Classes 1-4) ............................... Wed.-Sat. 45-46 May 12-22 May 10-20 May 9-19 May 8-18 Districts (Classes 5-6) ............................... Mon.-Sat. 46 May 17-22 May 15-20 May 14-19 May 13-18 Sectionals (Classes 1-2) ........................... Mon. 47 May 24 May 22 May 21 May 20 Sectionals (Classes 3-4) ........................... Tues. 47 May 25 May 23 May 22 May 21 Quarterfinals (Classes 1-2) ....................... Wed. 47 May 26 May 24 May 23 May 22 Quarterfinals (Classes 3-4) ....................... Thurs. 47 May 27 May 25 May 24 May 23 Quarterfinals (Classes 5-6) ....................... Fri.-Sat. 47 May 28-29 May 26-27 May 25-26 May 24-25 State Championships (Classes 1-2) .......... Mon.-Tues. 48 May 31-June 1 May 29-30 May 28-29 May 27-28 State Championships (Classes 3-4) .......... Wed.-Thurs. 48 June 2-3 May 31-June 1 May 30-31 May 29-30 State Championships (Classes 5-6) .......... Fri.-Sat. 48 June 4-5 June 2-3 June 1-2 May 31-June 1 GIRLS SOCCER Districts ...................................................... Sat.-Tues. 45-47 May 15-25 May 13-23 May 12-22 May 11-21 Quarterfinals .............................................. Sat. 47 May 29 May 27 May 26 May 25 State Championships ................................ Fri.-Sat. 48 June 4-5 June 2-3 June 1-2 May 31-June 1 Memorial Day ................................................... Mon. May 31 May 29 May 28 May 27 CHEER CLINICS One-Day Cheer Clinics .............................. Wed.-Fri. 50 June 9-11 TBD TBD TBD ACT AND SAT TEST DATES: ACT TESTS 2026-27 SAT TESTS 2026-27 September 19 August 22 October 17 September 12 December 12 October 3 February 27 November 7 April 10 December 5 June 12 March 6 July 10 May 1 June 5 MSHSAA APPEALS COMMITTEE MEETING DATES August Meeting ......................................... Wed. 8 Aug. 26 Aug. 25 Aug. 23 Aug. 22 September Meeting ................................... Wed.-Thurs. 10 Sept. 9-10 Sept. 8-9 Sept. 6-7 Sept. 5-6 November Meeting .................................... Wed.-Thurs. 20 Nov. 18-19 Nov. 17-18 Nov. 15-16 Nov. 14-15 January Meeting..................................... ... Wed. 29 Jan. 20 Jan. 19 Jan. 17 Jan. 16 March Meeting ........................................... Tues.-Wed. 37 March 16-17 March 14-15 March 13-14 March 12-13 May Meeting .............................................. Tues. 45 May 11 May 9 May 8 May 7 MSHSAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING DATES September Meeting ................................... Wed.-Thurs. 11 Sept. 16-17 Sept. 15-16 Sept. 13-14 Sept. 12-13 December Meeting .................................... Wed.-Thurs. 22 Dec. 2-3 Dec. 1-2 Nov. 29-30 Nov. 28-29 January Meeting ........................................ Wed. 28 Jan. 13 Jan. 12 Jan. 10 Jan. 9 February Meeting ...................................... Wed.-Thurs. 32 Feb. 10-11 Feb. 9-10 Feb. 7-8 Feb. 6-7 March Meeting ........................................... Fri. 36 March 12 March 10 March 9 March 8 April Meeting ............................................. Fri.-Sat. 39 April 2-3 *April 7-8 *April 6-7 *April 5-6 June Meeting ............................................. Tues.-Wed. 50 June 15-16 June 13-14 June 12-13 June 11-12 NEW MEMBER SCHOOL TRAINING .............. Mon.-Fri. 49-51 TBD TBD TBD TBD *Not held on regular standardized calendar week. MSHSAA promotes the value of participation, MSHSAA promotes the value of participation, sportsmanship, team play and personal excellence to sportsmanship, team play and personal excellence to develop citizens who make positive contributions to develop citizens who make positive contributions to their community and support the democratic principles their community and support the democratic principles of our state and nation. of our state and nation.

5.1.1 Member Schools: All district and state events sponsored by MSHSAA shall be for member senior high schools only, or those member schools planned for and evolving as senior high schools which include the tenth grade or higher grades in their enrollments. 5.1.2 Eligibility for District and State Tournament: To be eligible to enter a team or individual in any preliminary or state event, a school must have competed in a minimum number of contests in the sport or activity during the regular season as listed below. This provision does not apply to music or scholar bowl. a. Teams: 1. Sports: See Diagram 3.29.6 for team requirements. 2. Speech/Debate: See By-Law 4.3.5 for team requirements. b. Individuals: No individual student shall be entered who has not represented his or her school in an interscholastic contest or competition in the applicable sport or activity during the season. 5.1.3 Other Regulations: Regulations contained in the activity manuals shall be considered official under this By-Law . 5.1.4 Classifications: Member high schools, as defined in Article III, Section 1, shall be divided into classes for competition in district and state tournaments or meets based on the number of schools registered for districts in the activity and the use of a maximum enrollment differential of 2.0 for all classes in the competitive sport or activity except Class 1. Non-competitive activities will not utilize this classification system and classes will be set by the Board of Directors. Affiliate Registered Schools are not eligible for districts or the state series. In order for a district and state series to be sponsored by MSHSAA, a minimum of 50 schools in three Board Districts must be registered for the sport/activity for a period of two consecutive years. (See also By-Law 5.2, Emerging Activities.) If, after a second consecutive year of growth or decline, the number of schools registered in a sport or activity and the enrollment differential(s) support either additional or fewer classes, respectively, the Board will consider such action. The procedure for grouping schools into classes for each sport/activity shall be established by the Board of Directors . Editor's Note : See Board Policy on Enrollment, Classification, and Districts. 5.1.5 Coed Enrollments: High schools shall be classified on the basis of their coed enrollments in grades 9-1 1 and the number of resident participant students participating. The enrollment and the number of resident participant students participating for a single gender school shall be doubled. Editor's Note: The enrollment of a single gender school will not be doubled for activities due to activities being co-educational. 5.1.6 No Alterations of Official Enrollment : Except in case of annexation, reorganization, consolidation, or discontinuance of a high school, the enrollment count submitted to MSHSAA on an official enrollment report listing all students by name, shall be utilized for the enrollment adjustment calculation and activity classification. If further verification is needed, the school shall be required to furnish such proof. In case of annexation, reorganization, consolidation, or discontinuance of a high school, classification shall be determined by the combined or separated enrollments, as applicable. The classification for high schools in all sports and activities will be published by MSHSAA on its website. 5.1.7 Championship Factor: Any member school that has the ability to limit its enrollment through selectivity and is exempt from the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) guidelines shall be subject to a Championship Factor for classification in sports and competitive activities. The Championship Factor Procedures re-classify schools that achieve specified points based on advancement in the district and state series over the six years prior to the current school year. Editor's Note: See Board Policy on Enrollment, Classification, and Districts. District and State Tournament Questions & Answers: Q1: Our school may drop boys’ cross country next year because of financial problems. We have one boy coming back who participated in the State Meet last year. We’d like to see him compete again next year. Will he be able to do so even though our school no longer will be sponsoring cross country? A1: No. In order for a team or individual to participate in the MSHSAA sponsored tournament program, the school must have an official program, coach and schedule. A school must have competed in at least half of the number of contests permitted under the By-Law pertaining to that particular sport. In cross country the school must participate in a minimum of five meets. Q2: Our school participates in both boys and girls cross country. Are the classes for boys cross country determined separately from those of the girls, thereby making it possible for our school’s girls program to be placed into a different class than our boys program? A2: No. MSHSAA By-Law 5.1.7 addresses this to insure that a school’s boys program and girls program will be assigned to the same class unless the championship factor causes a separation. The classes in cross country are based on the enrollment of the gender with the larger number of schools participating in the cross country district and state series. Q3: We have a tennis player who qualified for State Tennis due to her finish at Sectionals. Unfortunately, due to a family emergency she is not going to be able to come and play at state. May we forfeit her spot, and contact the school whose player she beat at Sectionals and allow that player to come to state in this spot? SECTION 5 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 113 A3: No. The qualifying procedure in each sport is very specific. She qualified for state by legally earning that spot through sectional play, and beating another player. That is her spot at the State Tournament. She can either play at state (preferred) or she can forfeit (not desired) to the state player that she scheduled against in the first round at State. The player she beat at Sectionals is not a legal qualifier , and may not take her place at state. When submitting entries for districts, it is important to only enter players that are able to complete the entire tournament. In this emergency scenario, not being able to complete the tournament was not foreseen.

5.4.1 Appeal for Lesser Penalty to Board of Directors: A school may appeal to the Board of Directors to assess a lesser penalty than any provided for in the Constitution or By-Laws when the violation was inadvertent. 5.4.2 Appeals Committee: The Board of Directors shall appoint an Appeals Committee to hear and render decisions on appeals of alleged violations of the Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of the Missouri State High School Activities Association. Decisions of the Appeals Committee are subject to review by the MSHSAA Board of Directors. 5.4.3 Appeals Committee Membership: The Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and shall consist of ten members, one from each Association membership district and one appointed by each of the two At-Large Board Members. Each of the two individuals appointed by the At-Large Board Members shall represent either the under-represented gender of the current Committee, or an under-represented ethnicity. To be eligible for service on the Appeals Committee, a person must be actively serving a member school in the capacity of a board of education member, superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, athletic/activities director, or an approved coach or director (coach, music director, speech director, or spirit sponsor). No member of the Board of Directors may be appointed. a. Members of the Appeals Committee shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms of four years each. Any part of an unexpired term shall not be considered as one of the two consecutive four-year terms permitted. b. In case of death, resignation, removal from the district or withdrawal from a qualifying position, the Board of Directors shall declare a vacancy and shall appoint a qualified person from the membership district to fill the unexpired term. c. The Appeals Committee shall elect from its membership a chairperson and vice-chairperson to serve one year. The vice- chairperson shall be vested with authority of the chairperson in the absence or unavailability of the chairperson. The election shall take place at the March meeting. 5.4.4 Appeals Committee Action: a. No member of the Appeals Committee shall participate in the hearing of any appeal which involves or will affect any school with which such member is associated by reason of employment or the holding of the position of board of education member. b. Except action taken by an emergency panel designated by the chairperson under By-Law 5.4.10, a quorum of six members of the Appeals Committee shall be required for the purpose of considering any appeal and a majority vote of the members present shall be required for any action of the committee. 5.4.5 Appeals Committee Meetings: The Appeals Committee shall schedule regular meetings during the school year to consider appeals. The dates of the Appeals Committee meetings will be published in the MSHSAA Official Handbook. 5.4.6 Appeal Procedure - Local School: All disputes or controversies relating to student eligibility, member schools, event officials or other matters arising under the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules or Regulations of the Missouri State High School Activities Association shall on request by a member school be reviewed by the Executive Director, provided, however, the initial rulings on student eligibility arising under the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules or Regulations of the Missouri State High School Activities Association shall be made by the local school authorities in accord with appeal procedures established by the Board of Education or governing board of the school. Each request for review shall contain full information including charges, all evidence available, and in the case of student eligibility, the school’s ruling. The Executive Director shall issue an opinion on the dispute or controversy within seven days after receiving the request, and shall inform the school or other interested party thereof. In the case of student eligibility, the student shall be notified through his or her school administrator. SECTION 5 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 117 The Official Handbook of the Missouri State High School Activities Association is the instrument for informing schools of the regulations they have adopted and are committed to uphold. In a case of a school violation, the opinion of the Executive Director shall be advisory only. 5.4.7 Appeal Procedure - Executive Director: The Executive Director is authorized to take immediate action on sportsmanship cases as provided under MSHSAA By-Law 5.5.1.a and to rule on disputes involving the application of game rules or disputes involving the provisions established by the Board of Directors to administer district and state tournaments or festivals sponsored by the Association. 5.4.8 Appeal Procedure - Appeals Committee: If any interested party is aggrieved by an opinion or decision of the Executive Director, then such party may appeal through the Executive Director in writing for a review by or a hearing before the Appeals Committee. The request for such a review or hearing shall be submitted within ten days following the Executive Director’s opinion or decision. a. The Appeals Committee will schedule a review or hearing as requested, no later than its first regularly scheduled meeting after receiving the written appeal. b. In the event of a hearing, any interested party will be given the opportunity to testify and present evidence, and the school(s) shall be represented by an administrative officer. c. The Appeals Committee shall render a written decision not later than seven days after the receipt of all requested information and closure of the hearing or review, setting forth the reasons for the decision. 5.4.9 Appeal Procedure - Board of Directors: An appeal may be made by any interested party to the Board of Directors of any decision rendered by the Appeals Committee. A written request for an appeal must be filed through the Executive Director with the Board of Directors within ten days following the ruling by the Appeals Committee. a. The Board of Directors will schedule a hearing no later than its first regularly scheduled meeting after receiving the written request. b. Any interested party will be given the opportunity to testify and present evidence, and the school shall be represented by an administrative officer. c. The Board of Directors shall render a written decision not later than seven days after the receipt of all requested information and closure of the hearing or review, setting forth the reasons for the decision. 5.4.10 Emergency Appeal Procedure: In emergency cases which are appealed to either the Appeals Committee or the Board of Directors the following definition and procedure shall apply: a. Emergency cases shall be those in which the time and circumstances do not reasonably allow for the convening of a quorum of the Appeals Committee or the Board of Directors as determined in the sole discretion of the chairperson of the Appeals Committee or President of the Board of Directors respectively. b. In such cases, the chairperson or President may appoint a panel of at least three members of the Committee or Board, respectively, to hear and rule on appeals. c. A majority vote of the members participating shall be required for any action of the respective panels. A decision of such panel shall be considered a decision of the Appeals Committee or of the Board of Directors, respectively.

Page 112 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK

6.1.1 Contracting Procedures: Officials shall be agreed upon by both schools at least 30 days before each contest. The home school shall engage the officials by a contract offered by the principal, superintendent, or athletic director delegated such authority by the principal. Such contracts shall be binding upon both parties and in case of broken contract, the amount of the guarantee shall be paid by the offending party to the offended party, except when a contract is broken because of reasons beyond the control of either party or by mutual consent of both parties. Officials assigned through an officials’ association shall not be permitted to officiate unless approved by both schools in accord with this By-Law . The Board will not hear a case involving a broken agreement between an official and a school or between schools if no completed contract is involved. A contract may be on the form provided by the MSHSAA office or in the form of a letter. The final responsibility of making certain that game officials are registered (in the applicable sport) rests with the host school. This responsibility cannot be delegated to an officials association. Contracts shall be with the individual official and not between the school and an officials’ organization. 6.1.2 Requirements for Use of Registered Officials: Schools shall be governed in contracting officials by the following regulations: a. MSHSAA registered officials shall be used for ALL interscholastic contests within the boundaries of Missouri and/or hosted by a member school. b. The number of officials required by the applicable NFHS sport rule code shall be used for all high school (9-12) interscholastic contests within the boundaries of Missouri and/or hosted by a member school, except in those specific contests listed below: 1. In the sport of volleyball, one official may be used for sub-varsity contests. 6.1.3 Emergency Official: In an emergency when a contracted official fails to officiate a scheduled game and the school has insufficient opportunity to engage a registered official, the school may use as an official a person not registered with MSHSAA provided the school remits to MSHSAA the required registration fee (plus any penalty the official may owe if registered the previous year) together with the name and address of the person and a request that he or she be sent the necessary test and forms for registration. The person shall not be permitted to officiate again until he or she has completed the registration process. The school will be subject to a penalty for continuing to use a person who has not completed registration. 6.1.4 Officials' Authority and Post-Contest Ejections: When a student or coach commits an offense worthy of ejection and disqualification against an official following the conclusion of the contest, but before the officials have left the facility and/or grounds, an official may disqualify the student or coach as though it had occurred during the contest. A coach or student who receives a post-contest disqualification shall be withheld from competition according to the policies of MSHSAA Handbook Board Policy on Unsportsmanlike Conduct. This does not apply to a situation when an official from an earlier contest remains at the facility as a spectator and encounters an offense by a student or coach at that later time. (See also By-Law 5.5.5)

SECTION 6 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 121

3.28.1 Definition of Tennis Tournament: A tennis tournament is defined as any event in which awards are given and/or a champion is determined by any means or any format, on a given date. All other contests at one site, on any given date will count as a dual match or multiple dual matches. 3.28.2 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8. Tennis Questions & Answers: Q1: Our tennis team has been invited to participate in a tennis event that will consist of four teams (our school and three others). Each team will play two dual matches at the same site on one calendar date. Based on the results after the playing of the dual matches, a team champion will be determined and team awards will be given (based on win-loss records and a tie-breaking procedure). I’ve talked to the other schools participating, and two of these schools wish to count this on their schedule and for their contest limitations as two duals; the third school is going to count this as a tournament. We are not sure how to count it. Can different schools list the event differently, and if not, which is correct? A1: This contest meets the definition of a tennis tournament, since an overall winner will be determined and awards will be given. The event must be listed by all schools involved as a tournament. Your school’s tennis schedule would need to reflect this contest as a tournament, not as multiple dual matches. Q2: Our tennis team has been invited to participate in a tennis contest where we will be matched up against two other schools for dual matches at the same site on a Saturday. No overall winner will be named and no awards will be given. May we count this as a tournament on our schedule and toward our contest limitations since we are at one site and we are playing multiple schools? A2: No, this structure would not meet the definition of a tennis tournament and may not be counted on your schedule or toward your contest limitations as such. Since there is no team award being given and there will be no overall champion determined, this structure must count as two separate dual matches on one calendar date. Your school’s tennis schedule would need to reflect two dual matches - one against each school you played on this calendar date.

3.24.1 Soccer Multi-Game Regulations: No more than three games shall be played on a calendar date. 3.24.2 Individual Player Limits - High School: a. Daily Limit: No player may play in more than three halves of soccer per day in a varsity/junior varsity doubleheader against the same school. If a school schedules two/three varsity or two/three junior varsity soccer games against different schools on the same calendar date, a player could play no more than four/six halves on that date, respectively. b. Season Limit: A player is eligible to play in no more than 66 halves for the season. 3.24.3 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8.

2.9.1 Any member school shall have the authority to set any additional eligibility requirements, which are more restrictive, that it deems advisable. Local School Requirements Questions & Answers: Q1: May a school set any additional eligibility requirements which are more restrictive than the MSHSAA eligibility standards? A1: Yes. MSHSAA standards are adopted by a vote of member schools and are considered to be minimum standards. A member school may establish more restrictive eligibility requirements. Q2: Does MSHSAA allow for Sunday practices? A2: This is a local school decision. The by-laws do not prohibit Sunday practices or contests.

3.2.1 Rule books and interpretations in all sports shall be those recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations, except when a change is adopted through the Board of Directors. Regulations adopted by the Board of Directors and contained in sports manuals are official.

in a cool environment FB-Helmet only; SB and BB catchers equipment allowed (Editor’s Note 1)

1.6.1 New Athletic/Activities Director Training: An athletic/activities director who is in his/her first or second year in the position of A.D. in the state of Missouri shall be required by his/her school to attend a MSHSAA A.D.’s Training Session at the earliest opportunity after being hired.

in a cool environment FB-Helmet only; SB and BB catchers equipment allowed (Editor’s Note 1)

2.7.1 A student shall not violate any of the rules contained in the By-Laws of this Association pertaining to the activity area concerned.

in a cool environment FB-Half-Shell* / blocking sleds / tackling dummies only

3.21 Senior High School Sports Regulations (through 3.28)

3.22.1 Baseball and Softball Multi-Game Regulations: No more than five games shall be played on a calendar date. 3.22.2 Individual Softball Player Limits - High School: a. High School Season Limit: A player is eligible to play in no more than 288 innings for the season. 3.22.3 Individual Baseball Player Limits - High School: a. High School Season Limit: A player is eligible to play in no more than 288 innings for the season. 3.22.4 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8.

3.25.1 Volleyball Multi-Match Regulations - High School: a. Abbreviated play may be utilized in pool play. An abbreviated pool play match does count as a match toward the team contest limitations. b. Varsity Double Duals or Triple Duals may utilize either the 3-out-of-5-Set Match or 2-out-of-3-Set Match format. 3.25.2 Individual Player Limits - High School: a. Except in tournament play, a team may participate in a maximum of three matches against three different schools (triple dual) on one calendar date. b. Daily Set Limitations for Dual Competition: 1. High School Varsity Level: Plays 3-out-of-5-Set Matches. 2. High School Junior Varsity Level: Plays 2-out-of-3-Set Matches. 3. Any high school player may participate in a maximum of six sets on one calendar date against the same school in regular season dual competition. c. No team or individual player may participate in more than one volleyball tournament on a calendar day. d. Season Limits: High School Level - A player is eligible to play in no more than 180 sets for the season. 3.25.3 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8. Volleyball Questions & Answers: Q1 : Our Parks Department has started a beach volleyball league during the fall while our high school girls volleyball season is underway. a) Can the players on our high school team participate (practice and compete) in this league during their high school season? b) Can our girls volleyball coach be a coach for the beach volleyball league during the fall high school volleyball season when they already have instructional access to our volleyball players? c) Can our volleyball coach be a coach for the spring beach volleyball league and coach any enrolled student from our school? A1 : Beach volleyball is considered a different sport than hard-court volleyball, so for the players in a) this scenario would fall under By-Law 3.13.2.b, as the beach volleyball league would be non-school competition. There are certain restrictions that must be followed when a student is playing one high school sport at the same time as a different non- school sport. Players should also seek permission to do so from their coach. Refer to the three items under By-Law 3.13.2.b for more information. In both b) and c) the answer is no, the coach cannot coach enrolled students in non- school competition in any sport during the school year. Further, by defining beach volleyball as a different sport than hard-court volleyball (at the request of the Volleyball Advisory Committee), the instructional access to the high school girls volleyball players does not extend to non-school competition, nor to other sports, during the school year. (See also By-Law 3.13)

3.27.1 Individual Entry and Daily Limits: A swimmer/diver may not exceed the individual entry limitations outlined in the National Federation of State High School Associations Swimming and Diving Rules Book on one calendar day, and may not duplicate events. 3.27.2 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8. Swimming Questions & Answers: Q1: If a swimmer is participating in a junior varsity meet and a varsity meet on the same day, a) can she swim the 100 butterfly in both meets? b) How many total events (both meets combined) can she participate in on that day? A1: a) No, she may not duplicate any events. b) NFHS rules allow for participation in four events; that is the DAILY limit. Q2: May a varsity team participte in two meets on one day? A2: This would be difficult to accomplish given the restrictions on individual participant limits (4 events) and no duplication of events by participants during a day.

in a cool environment FB-Half-Shell* / blocking sleds / tackling dummies only

4.5 Spirit [Sideline Cheer and Dance Teams]

5.3 Investigative Committee and Peer Review Committee Procedures

1.2.1 Institutional Responsibility: The member school has the responsibility to educate students, coaches, directors and other appropriate persons of the state association requirements delineated within the Constitution, By-Laws and Board Policies, as adopted by the member schools, which could affect them. Further, the member school shall monitor its compliance with all requirements contained within the Constitution, By-Laws and Policies and enforce the same in regard to the school staff, students and other appropriate persons. The principal and/or superintendent of the school shall be responsible for the enforcement of the Constitution and By-Laws of this Association and shall be the official representatives of the school. 1.2.2 School Responsibilities: The administration of the school shall be responsible for the eligibility of its students. a. The principal and athletic/activities director at each member school shall be required to attend an annual rules meeting (Annual Membership Update) regarding MSHSAA By-Laws, policies, and rationale for the rules. b. When representative(s) of the school do not attend, the school shall give reason in writing to the executive director for the representative(s) being unable to attend. 1.2.3 Minimum Penalties - Ineligible Student: The minimum penalty for using an ineligible student during the regular season and in MSHSAA District/State Series is as follows: a. Team sports (baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, and volleyball) or activities (Scholar Bowl). The school must: 1. Forfeit all contests involved. 2. Adjust its place in conference standings and/or relinquish its place in tournament standings. 3. Return team and individual awards. b. Individual sports (cross country, golf, swimming, tennis, track & field and wrestling) or activities (Speech, Debate, Theatre and Music). The school must: 1. Forfeit all events in which student(s) were involved. 2. Reduce team points (score) and adjust its place in conference standings, and/or its place in tournament standings. 3. Return awards of individual(s) and, if appropriate, after adjusting standings, team awards. c. Tournaments (including MSHSAA tournaments): In a tournament, all contests in which the ineligible player has participated shall be forfeited, but only the team or student most recently defeated shall be advanced on the bracket to continue tournament play and for the remainder of the series. d. The penalty of forfeiture may be waived in cases involving a student who transfers schools and evidence is provided that the student, although ineligible, is permitted to participate as a result of false information being provided by his previous school upon which the student was certified to have been eligible. Likewise, the Board of Directors shall have discretionary authority to determine whether a penalty is appropriate and the nature and duration of such penalty in cases where a student is determined to be ineligible under the Transfer of Enrollment Standards because of school officials failing to follow established procedures for certifying his/her eligibility and the student is later determined to be eligible in all respects except for the administrative oversights. e. In situations involving ineligibility under By-Law 2.2, Citizenship Requirements, the Board of Directors will review a school’s compliance with By-Law 2.2.3.f. If the Board determines that the school meets the provisions of this section of the Citizenship Requirements, the Board may consider rendering a penalty less than forfeiture of the contests in which the ineligible student participated prior to discovery. Further, the student shall be penalized as described in By-Law 2.2.5. 1.2.4 Restitution Rule: If a student who has been declared ineligible is permitted to participate in interscholastic competition because of a court restraining order and/or injunction against the school or MSHSAA and if such restraining order and/or injunction subsequently is voluntarily vacated, stayed, reversed or finally determined by the courts not to justify injunctive relief, one or more of the penalties outlined in By-Law 1.2.3 above may be taken in the interest of restitution and fairness to other member schools.

1.4.1 High School Cooperative Sponsorships: With the approval of the MSHSAA Board of Directors, students from two or three member high schools may be combined to cooperatively sponsor interscholastic activities provided such is necessary to either have a sufficient number of students to support a program or will result in increased opportunities for students to participate. The following terms and conditions govern all high school cooperative sponsorships: a. Establishment of a cooperative program may be approved by the MSHSAA Board of Directors provided both schools can show need to the Board of Directors. Examples that may constitute need are: 1) insufficient numbers; 2) lack of staff; 3) lack of a program; and 4) lack of facilities. Sport or activity classification shall be based on the combined official enrollments of all schools involved in the co-op. b. Sport-specific and activity-specific enrollment maximums will be set annually by the MSHSAA Board of Directors. If the combined enrollments of the schools applying exceed the maximum for the sport or activity, the application will be denied. c. Number of schools that may form a cooperative sponsorship (co-op) when other terms and conditions within the by-law are met: 1. For Team Sports that require a standard line-up of 8 or more players: No more than three member high schools may be combined to form a co-op. 2. For Team Sports that require a standard line-up of 7 or fewer players, as well as all Individual Sports and all Activities: No more than two member high schools may be combined to form a co-op. d. At the time of the application to form common participating group is made, one of the participating schools shall be designated to administer the program. e. The districts of the two schools must be contiguous or the two schools must be in the same public school district. The borders of the entire public school district in which a non-public school is located will be used to determine contiguity for purposes of a cooperative sponsorship that includes that non-public school (see item i also). Non-contiguous districts that are isolated from a specific activity may request approval from the Board of Directors to form a cooperative program if it will increase the opportunities for students to participate. f. The cooperative sponsorship agreement must be for a minimum of one year. The cooperative agreement may be voided at any time by mutual agreement of all co-oping schools with the approval of the Board of Directors. No other cooperative agreement in the same activity may be entered into with another school until the original one-year period elapses. g. In the event a cooperative agreement is voided prior to the seasonal deadline, each school may sponsor their own team and shall be eligible for post season play in all sports/activities except football due to the nature of scheduling and district assignments. h. The cooperative agreement will be for a specific sport or activity. A school may have a cooperative agreement with one school in a particular activity or sport and with another school in a different activity or sport. i. In multi-school districts, the central administration must designate the school(s) that may request permission to cooperatively sponsor programs in a particular sport or activity. j. If a school (a contiguous public school or a non-public school located within the boundaries of a multi-school district) wishes to co-op with a school in a multi-school district the superintendent of that multi-school district will determine which of his/her schools will form the co-op with the non-district school. When co-oping in this manner, all sports and activities must be cooperatively sponsored with the same school. k. Applications for cooperative sponsorship must be made jointly by the boards of education of the involved schools and submitted to MSHSAA no later than 14 days prior to the release of classifications/district assignments for the applicable sport or activity. (See Dates to Remember and/or Board Policy) High School Cooperative Sponsorship Questions & Answers: Q1: My high school wants to form a cooperative sponsorship with High School A in football and a second cooperative sponsorship with High School B in speech and debate. Is this possible? A1: Yes, a school can form a cooperative sponsorship with another school in one activity and form a different cooperative sponsorship with a different school in a different activity as long as the enrollment numbers for the two schools added together does not exceed the maximum and provided they meet the other criteria. Q2: Can our high school form a cooperative sponsorship with a school district that is not contiguous to our district boundaries? A2: Only if you have made requests to form a co-op with all contiguous school districts and have been turned down, can you make a request to the MSHSAA Board of Directors for permission to co-op with a non-contiguous district. Page 34 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Q3: Our school co-ops in basketball with a neighboring school. Both schools are more restrictive than the minimum MSHSAA standards for academics, but our policies differ. Because of the differences, a student could be eligible by our school standards and ineligible by the other school’s standards. Whose academic policy should we follow? How should we determine academic eligibility for the students that play on this co-op team? A3: Theoretically, all students that play on this co-op team should be under the same policies. Since these students are competing with and against each other for positions on the team, the terms and conditions for participation and eligibility should be standardized if at all possible. While each school has the right to set its own policies for its own students, when it comes to a cooperative sponsorship, it may seem unfair to a student that has to sit out due to his school’s policies when a teammate under the same scenario gets to play because he’s enrolled at the other school. It is suggested that such policies be thoroughly discussed and clearly outlined when the co-op is agreed upon by the two schools. Compromising on one standard policy for the co-op team(s) may eliminate team inequities and hard feelings. If policies differ, you should notate in the co-op agreement how eligibility will be determined: a) the policy of the school in which the student is enrolled will be used, or 2) students playing on the co-op team must meet whichever school’s policy is the most restrictive. Q4: Our school wishes to form a cooperative sponsorship with another school for girls softball, and we plan to play fall softball and enter the championship series. a) May we also play spring softball? b) May we play spring softball as two separate schools? A4: a) Teams (individual teams or co-op teams) that play fall championship softball can play spring softball but may NOT participate in the spring championship series. b) No, the rationale for co-op approval is that the two schools would not be able to support a team without co-oping; therefore, if two schools co-op for softball in the fall, the co-op would be the only option for spring competition. The two schools could not play spring softball as separate teams. Q5: Our school wishes to form a cooperative sponsorship with another school for girls softball, and we plan to play spring softball and enter the championship series. May either school play fall softball? A5: No, schools registering for the spring championship series may NOT participate in the fall regular season or fall championship series. Neither school, nor the co-op, could participate in fall softball in this scenario. Further, the rationale for co-op approval is that the two schools would not be able to support a team without co-oping; therefore, approval would not be granted for schools that are co-oping in one season of softball to play separately in the same sport during the opposite season. Q6: We cooperatively sponsor volleyball with our neighboring school. Sally attended the neighboring school last year and played on the co-op team. This year Sally is transferring her enrollment to our school. How will her eligibility be affected by the transfer since she will be playing on the same team as she did last year? A6: As a transfer student, she will initially have no eligibility and you will need to file a Transfer of Enrollment form to request some level of eligibility. Through that process you will receive a ruling regarding her eligibility for every sport, including volleyball. There are no allowances or exemptions for eligibility on a cooperative sponsorship team following a transfer because there has been a break in enrollment and a resulting change of schools, which triggers the transfer restrictions outlined in By-Law 3.10. Q7: We are co-oping basketball with a neighboring school next year. Our co-op application was approved in May. What summer activities are the students of both schools able and unable to participate in together this summer? A7: Enrolled students of either or both co-oping schools may participate in activities which fall under the definition of a “contact day”; these may be either school-sponsored or non-school sponsored. Any such contact between a coach for the upcoming school year (sport and gender specific) and an enrolled student at either school will count as a day of contact toward the limit. Students may participate in conditioning and weight training activities only at their school of enrollment. These activities do not count as contact and are restricted by residency (3.15.1.c). 1.4.2 Junior High School Cooperative Sponsorships: With the approval of the MSHSAA Board of Directors, students from two or more junior high schools may be combined to cooperatively sponsor interscholastic activities provided such is necessary to either have a sufficient number of students to support a program or will result in increased opportunities for students to participate. a. Establishment of a cooperative program may be approved by the MSHSAA Board of Directors provided all schools can show need to the Board of Directors. Examples that may constitute need are: 1) insufficient numbers; 2) lack of staff; 3) lack of a program; and 4) lack of facilities. b. At the time of the application to form common participating group is made, one of the participating schools shall be designated to administer the program. c. Cooperative sponsorships may be entered into by Affiliate Registered Schools (ARS) and member schools; however, at least one of the cooperating schools must be a member school. If a cooperative sponsorship includes an ARS, the ARS must abide by all by-laws and regulations in the conduct of that sport or activity, and the ARS may not sponsor any other separate team in that sport/gender. d. At least one of the cooperating schools must be contiguous to all other schools participating in the cooperative agreement, or the schools must be in the same public school district. The borders of the public school district in which a non-public school is located will be used to determine contiguity for purposes of a cooperative sponsorship that includes that non-public school. Non-contiguous districts that are isolated from a specific activity may request approval from the Board of Directors to form a cooperative program with the nearest district if it will increase the opportunities for students to participate. SECTION 1 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 35 e. The cooperative sponsorship agreement must be for a minimum of one year. The cooperative agreement may be voided at any time by mutual agreement of all schools with the approval of the Board of Directors. No other cooperative agreement in the same activity may be entered into with another school until the original one-year period elapses. f. In the event a cooperative agreement is voided prior to any combined practices of the participating schools, each school may sponsor its own team/activity. g. The cooperative agreement will be for a specific sport or activity. A school may have a cooperative agreement with one or more schools in a particular activity or sport and with other schools in a different activity or sport. h. In multiple-school districts, the central administration must designate the school(s) that may request permission to cooperatively sponsor programs in a particular sport or activity. i. If a school in one district wishes to join with a school in a multiple-school district in a cooperatively sponsored sport or activity, the school must join with the nearest school in the multiple-school district that offers the activity. j. Applications for cooperative sponsorship must be made jointly by the boards of education of the involved schools and may be submitted to MSHSAA as needed. However, students may only practice or participate as a co-op after approval. Editor's Note: When a cooperative sponsorship is to include at least one Affiliate Registered School, a member school must be the host and administer the program .

1.5.1 Summertime Dead Period: All member schools shall establish a summertime dead period for all MSHSAA-sponsored activities which meets the requirements listed below. 1.5.2 Definition of the Summertime Dead Period: A period of defined length in which no contact takes place between school coaches/directors of MSHSAA-sponsored activities and students enrolled in the member school, students who will be enrolled in the member school during the next school year, and students who meet the residency requirements to be resident participant students with the member school either in the current year or the next year. Further, during the dead period school facilities are not utilized by enrolled students or students who meet the residency requirements to be resident participant students in connection with any sport or activity governed by MSHSAA. The dead period is a “no school activities time”; no open gyms, competitions, practices, conditioning, weight training; no activity-related functions or fund raisers, camps or clinics at school facilities or sponsored elsewhere by the school; no coaches/directors or students may have planned contact other than casual, normal community, non-activity contact. While there may be sports activities during this time, they must not involve the school coach, the school or school facilities. 1.5.3 Duration: The dead period shall be nine consecutive days in length, and must begin on a Saturday and last through the second following Sunday. 1.5.4 Summer Placement: Each school is responsible for setting a dead period for its athletics program and one for its activities program. These dead periods may be concurrent or separate. The earliest possible dead period may be set to start no earlier than the Saturday following the school’s last day of classes or the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, whichever is later. The latest possible dead period would end on the Sunday prior to the first allowable high school fall practice (Sunday of Standardized Calendar Week Number Six). This last possible dead period closes at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday of Standardized Calendar Week Number Six to allow for a Fall Sport/Activity Parent Meeting to take place after 5:00 p.m. if desired by the school. 1.5.5 Reporting: Each school shall report the dates of its summertime dead period to the MSHSAA office no later than April 1 each year. 1.5.6 School Facilities: Bona fide credit-bearing summer school courses taught by certified teachers in their curricular areas shall be exempt from the ‘use of school facilities’ restriction if held during the dead period; however, no sport-specific classes (e.g. Fundamentals of Basketball) may be held during the dead period. Summertime Dead Period Questions & Answers: Q1: We had originally set our Summertime Dead Period to start the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend; however, we have now qualified for State Baseball. Can we still hold our Dead Period during this week? A1: No. If a school qualifies for the state finals in a spring sport that ends on or after the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (track and field, tennis, baseball, girls soccer), and their dead period was scheduled during this week, the school will need to adjust their dead period to a different week by contacting the MSHSAA office and publicizing the change to its coaches, students and parents. Q2: Our coaches are asking questions about what they can and cannot do during the summer dead period. How should I advise them? A2: You should first direct them to By-Law 1.5 and ask them to review the wording for themselves. The by-law basics are self-explanatory. Another way to advise them is based on the “triangle approach.” If you think of three things (school personnel, school facilities and school students) as the three vertices of a triangle, and cover up each vertex that is involved in the activity they are asking about, this will assist them in determining if the activity is legal during the dead period. If only one vertex is covered up (or involved), the activity would be legal. If more than one vertex is covered up (or involved), the activity would constitute a violation of the dead period by-law. For example, students participating in a basketball game where no school coaches are involved and which does not take place at any school facility would be Page 36 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK allowable. But taking a school team with school coaches to the Show-Me State Games would not be legal during the school’s dead period. Q3: Our local youth baseball teams, under the auspices of the Parks Department, use our school’s baseball field for their practices and games during the summer. These youngsters are elementary school age (not of the age covered by our MSHSAA membership). May we allow the Parks Department to continue to use the field during our school’s “summertime dead period” or do we need to close the field altogether during that period? A3: Because these youth participants are not covered by your MSHSAA membership (too young) and because the school is not conducting this athletic event (the Parks Department is under a rental agreement), the field may continue to be used for this purpose during the dead period. Please note that during the “summertime dead period” member school facilities are not to be utilized by students who are enrolled or will be enrolled in the member school during the next school year in connection with any sport or activity governed by MSHSAA. Q4: We rent our school facilities to the local Legion Baseball program for practices and games for high school-aged players. May this facility use continue during our “summertime dead period” or will we need to prohibit use during that week? A4: Teams that include students enrolled at your school or who will be enrolled at your school next year may not use the field for practice or competition during your dead period due to the outlined restrictions for this period. Other Legion teams that do not include your current or upcoming students may continue to use your facilities during your dead period should you choose to allow it. Q5: Our summer school program begins the first week in June and concludes the second week of July . We have a conditioning and weight training class. The class is open to all students, most of whom are our athletes. The class is taught by our football coach. May we hold this class during our summertime dead period? A5: Yes, if this is a bona fide credit-bearing summer school course and the coach is a certified teacher and teaching in his curricular area. Since this course is not sport-specific, it would be allowable under the “school facilities” section above. Q6: We hold a “Fundamentals of Basketball” class during our summer school P.E. program and our basketball coach teaches this class. May this class take place, without modification, during our “summertime dead period”? A6: No. Sport-specific classes are not allowable under the restrictions of the dead period because they involve school facilities and enrolled students, and in many cases, school coaches as well. During the days of the school’s summertime dead period, other non-sport-specific topics could be taught, such as health/nutrition and/or weight-training, conditioning, etc. Q7: Our town holds a Fourth of July parade and the marching band of several area schools participate in the parade. Our school has set our “summertime dead period” overlapping the Fourth of July holiday and this event. a) Can our band perform? b) Can the band director be present? A7: Answer a) During the dead period, students could not be directed to attend or participate and no school equipment or uniforms can be used, including musical instruments. Answer b) No, the band instructor could not have instructional contact with enrolled students during the dead period. Q8: During the summer, a local community group comprised of school alumni, families, and current band students take a tour of a foreign country. This group is not affiliated with the school and participants pay their own way. During the trip, the group goes to musical concerts and takes historical tours, but does not perform at all. Can our band director attend this trip if it includes enrolled students and occurs during the school’s “dead period”? A8: Yes. This is a social event and casual contact may take place. If a similar trip was being planned and the participants were going to receive instruction or perform, the band director could not attend during the dead period. Q9: Each summer our music director serves as the director for the musical for our local community theater. Rehearsals usually begin in June and end with a performance in mid-July. The cast is made up of all ages and includes a few of our high school students. If the “dead period” occurs within this time frame may our music director direct this performance? A9: Your musical director may direct the performance; however, during the school’s nine-day summertime dead period he/ she could not provide any instruction to students who are enrolled or will be enrolled in your school next year. Q10: Our high school sideline cheerleaders are also our competitive cheer team. Our cheerleading coach is also our “club team” competitive coach. a) Can our competitive team still use our gym during the “dead period”? and b) Can our coach still be active with the competitive team? A10: Answer a) No. Since the two teams overlap and skills of both sideline and competitive cheer also overlap, neither team could utilize school facilities during the summertime dead period. Answer b). No. Again, because of the overlapping teams and overlapping skills of sideline and competitive cheer, the coach cannot instruct the students in either during the school’s summertime dead period. Q11: Our school has scheduled its dead period for the last possible week of the summer and it runs up to the first day of fall practice. a) Can the coaches work on the football field and prepare it for the season? b) Can students assist in getting the fields ready? A11: Answer a) Yes, the coaches may prepare the field and facilities during this period. Answer b) No, the students may not assist in the preparations. SECTION 1 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 37 Q12: May a school coach hold a youth camp during the summertime dead period for a high school? A12: Yes, however, the youth camp would have to be held at a non-school facility and no students who are enrolled or will be enrolled at that school could participate or assist with the camp. Further, no school game equipment or school-owned personal player equipment or could be used. Q13: If we hold our school dead period during the week before fall practice starts, may we hold a “lock-in” at school for our football athletes where we eat pizza and watch movies (no football discussions)? A13: Anything you schedule for athletes during your dead period defeats the purpose of the dead period. The dead period concept was adopted by the membership in order to allow families a free week with no school activities so they might be able to take a family vacation during this period, or simply have a break from the normal summer sports and activity routine. While many activities that could be scheduled for Sunday night might be positive or worthwhile, most if not all would be a violation of the dead period by-law, either by rule or by the spirit of the rule. Consider the legality of activities in this manner: If the activity would be allowable on Wednesday night during your dead period, it would be allowable on Sunday night. If it would not be allowable on Wednesday, it is not allowable on Sunday. The dead period ends at midnight on Sunday night (other than in Week Six). Q14: A local radio station is hosting a banquet this summer to recognize area citizens in a variety of areas. One of the award categories is the “High School Athlete of the Year.” One male and one female will be selected for their accomplishments during the prior school year and will receive an award, symbolic in nature. The banquet is scheduled to take place during the summer, but hits on the dead week for our high school. If an athlete from our school wins this award and is invited to attend the banquet, can he or she attend during the dead week? Could a school coach attend the banquet? A14: As per the Amateur Standards (By-Law 3.6.5.d.4) such an event would need to first be approved by the school administration, and the type of award to be received should be reviewed. If the awards are allowable and such approval is given, the athlete could attend the event during the dead period. Although the award being given is connected to the interscholastic program, the ceremony is not directly activity-related and it is not sponsored by or located at the school. The goal of the dead period is to allow students and coaches to have a chance to have a family vacation or a week off of activities. Obviously the banquet is optional, and is honoring past accomplishments rather than preparing athletes or teams for an upcoming season. The athlete’s coaches could attend as well, and this would be considered “casual, normal community, non-activity contact” as described in By-Law 1.5.2, Summertime Dead Period. Q15: We set our dead period for the week after school was scheduled to be released. Now with snow days we will be in school part of that week. Can we keep this as our dead period? A15: No. Per the by-law, the earliest possible dead period may be set no earlier than the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend or the Saturday following the school’s last day of classes, whichever is later. If you are in school that week, you will have to push your dead period back to a different week. There is ample time to make this adjustment and notify everyone. The April 1 due date for submitting dead periods takes such weather-related changes into account.

2.1.1 Bona Fide Student: Any student who represents his/her school in interscholastic activities, as defined below, shall be a bona fide student enrolled as an undergraduate student of the school and shall meet all of the general standards of eligibility outlined in Section 2, and referenced in By-Laws 3.3 and 4.1. For the purposes of interscholastic participation, a student shall be considered bona fide at only one school at any point in time and may not represent any other school in an interscholastic sport or activity, other than specified herein. a. Bona Fide Student Defined : A bona fide student is one who meets one of the following definitions: 1. Full-Time Attendance : A student who is enrolled in and regularly attending classes at the member school and who meets the minimum academic requirements in By-Law 2.3.2 through full-time attendance at the school as per By- Law 2.3.4.a. 2. Alternate Campus : A student who has established residency at the member school and whose official records and primary academic transcript is housed and maintained at the member school, and who is accumulating credits toward receiving a diploma from that member school, and meets the minimum academic requirements in By-Law 2.3, but is attending classes at a non-member technical high school run by the member school’s school district or accredited by DESE or a non-member alternative high school run or contracted by the member school’s school district or accredited by DESE. Such students must meet all essential eligibility standards for participation. 3. Non-Traditional Options 1 and 2 in By-Law 2.3 : A student who is enrolled at the school, and confirmed to be meeting the minimum academic requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.2 through a non-traditional enrollment option as outlined in By-Law 2.3.4.b and 2.3.4.c. 4. Non-Traditional Option 3 in By-Law 2.3 - Resident Participant Students: In accordance with Section 167.790 RSMo, a full-time student who attends a home school or a family paced education (FPE) school or a student full-time in a virtual school may participate with their public school or charter school of residence . Resident participant students must meet the minimum academic requirements in By-Law 2.3.2 as per Section 167.031.1(1) & (2) RSMo. b. Allowances : A bona fide student of one member school may represent a separate member school under the following conditions only: 1. Overage 8th Grader (By-Law 3.5.3) : A bona fide 8th grade student enrolled at a junior high school and who is overage per By-Law 3.5 may participate at the high school for which he/she would be eligible as a 9th grader if approved by the high school. 2. Special Learning Center Enrollment (By-Law 3.10.3.a) : A student who is a bona fide student in a MSHSAA member special learning center may be eligible to represent the public school serving the district or attendance area of the parents’ residency in any sport not sponsored by the school he/she attends. 2.1.2 Change in Bona Fide Student Status : A change in the bona fide status of a student from one school to another must be confirmed through the completion of a Transfer of Eligibility form and the approval process. See By-Law 3.10. 2.1.3 Participation of a Bona Fide Student: Eligibility to represent a school in interscholastic activities is a privilege to be attained by meeting the standards of eligibility cooperatively set by the member schools through this Association and any additional standards set by a member school for its own students. 2.1.4 Interscholastic Activity Defined: An interscholastic activity shall be defined as any extra-class activity involving two or more schools in which two or more students participate who are identified with their schools. 2.1.5 Penalty : The penalty for violation of By-Law 2.1 shall be ineligibility in all sports and activities for a period not to exceed 365 days from the last date of violation. 2.1.6 Student: As used in MSHSAA Constitution, By-Laws, Board Policies, and sports and activities manuals, the term "student" includes all bona fide students, unless otherwise noted. Essential By-Laws Questions & Answers: Q1: We have a student that is enrolled full-time this fall and is playing volleyball. Her parents indicate that she will be exclusively home schooled for the spring semester, and our school is not going to approve credit as a Non-Traditional Option 1 student for her during the spring. She wants to re-enroll full-time next fall and play volleyball. W ill she be eligible? A1: Not initially. She will not be a bona fide student at your school during the spring (By-Laws 2.1 and 2.3.4); therefore, she becomes a “transfer student” if she re-enrolls in the fall. As a result, her transfer eligibility will have to be addressed before any eligibility can be determined. Further, she may not be academically eligible unless the school can accept credit from the home schooling onto the transcript for the spring semester. Q2: One of our students will be a senior next year. She is planning to enroll full-time at a junior college in the area, and wants to represent a different high school as a “Non-Traditional Option 1 student” and play sports. The other school has agreed to place her junior college credits on their transcript so she can be a bona fide student. Will she be eligible to play sports for that school? A2: Not initially and possibly not at all. Eligibility under all of the essential eligibility standards will have to be confirmed first. The student is a transfer student, so a Transfer of Eligibility request will have to be submitted to MSHSAA for a ruling, Page 42 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK and your school will have a chance to reply to it. Further, academic eligibility must be confirmed (80% requirement for prior semester credits from your school and the same for the fall semester). It is probable that the student will either be ineligible or have an eligibility restriction after making this change. Q3: We have a number of students that are attending one or more of their classes on an alternate campus (i.e. a junior college, our vo-tech school, our alternative school) but who are our students; meaning, our school holds their student records and they will ultimately graduate and receive their diploma from our school. Are such students considered bona fide students and able to represent us in interscholastic activities? A3: Yes. As long as you hold their records and transcript, and they are meeting all essential eligibility standards, they would be considered a bona fide student at your school. For the purposes of interscholastic participation, a student shall be considered bona fide at only one school at any point in time and may not represent any other school in an interscholastic sport or activity, other than specified in By-Law 2.1. Q4: We are a MSIP-exempt (private or charter) member school, and a few of our students take one or more classes at the local public school (i.e. music, higher level math, etc.). We carry their student records and assume they will ultimately graduate and receive their diploma from our school, but the public school also considers them enrolled and holds a transcript for them. Where are they considered bona fide students and what school may they represent in interscholastic activities? A4: You will need to consider each student’s history first of all. When the student was first promoted into the 6th grade (first year of interscholastic opportunity), most likely he/she was enrolled in only one school. That created bona fide status at that school for interscholastics. As long as he/she remains enrolled at that school, and then progresses through the feeder system, he/she would remain a bona fide student there. For the purposes of interscholastic participation, a student shall be considered bona fide at only one school at any point in time and may not represent any other school in an interscholastic sport or activity. If in your example of the part-time schedule at two member schools, a student asks to drop their bona fide status with your school and move it to the other school for interscholastic participation, this would constitute a transfer of enrollment, and the student’s eligibility would be affected. If assistance is needed in determining bona fide status of a student, please contact the MSHSAA office. Q5: We are an MSIP-exempt (private or charter) member school and do not offer wrestling but the public school of residence for all of our students does offer wrestling. Can our full-time students participate at the public school in wrestling: a) as a bona fide student for our membership; b) as a Non-Traditional student; or c) as part of a cooperative sponsorship we have entered into with the public school. A5: A student is a “bona fide student” at one school at a time and may only represent the school for which they are a bona fide student. As full-time students at your school, these students could not participate for the public school in scenarios a and b. Scenario c is possible if all other eligibility standards have been met and the cooperative sponsorship application is submitted and approved.

2.2.1 Citizenship: Students who represent a school in interscholastic activities must be creditable citizens and judged so by the proper authority. Those students whose character or conduct is such as to reflect discredit upon themselves or their schools are not considered “creditable citizens.” Conduct shall be satisfactory in accord with the standards of good discipline. 2.2.2 Law Enforcement: a. A student who commits an act for which charges may be or have been filed by law enforcement authorities under any municipal ordinance, misdemeanor or felony statute shall not be eligible until all proceedings with the legal system have been concluded and any penalty (i.e. jail time, fine, court costs, etc.) or special condition of probation (i.e. restitution, community service, counseling, etc.) has been satisfied. If law enforcement authorities determine that charges will not be filed, eligibility will be contingent upon local school policies. b. After a student has completed all court appearances and penalties, and has satisfied all special conditions of probation and remains under general probation only, local school authorities shall determine eligibility. c. Moving traffic offenses shall not affect eligibility, unless they involve drugs, alcohol, or injuries to others. ( Editor’s Note: If a traffic offense is accompanied by an act covered in letter a above, such as property damage, bench warrant, etc., eligibility will be delayed per letter a.) 2.2.3 Local Member School: a. A student who violates a local school policy is ineligible until completion of the prescribed school penalties. b. The eligibility of a student who is serving detention or in-school suspension shall be determined by local school authorities. c. A student shall not be considered eligible while serving an out-of-school suspension. d. If a student misses class(es) without being excused by the principal, the student shall not be considered eligible on that date. Further, the student cannot be certified eligible to participate on any subsequent date until the student attends a full day of classes. e. Each individual school has the authority to set more restrictive citizenship standards and shall have the authority and responsibility to judge its students under those standards. SECTION 2 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 43 f. Each school shall diligently and completely investigate any issue that could affect student eligibility. 2.2.4 Local Home School, FPE School, or Full-Time Virtual School: a. Resident participant students must be considered a credible citizen in their educational setting. It is the responsibility of the parent to report eligibility concerns to the local member school where participating. b. A student who withdraws from a member school while ineligible or likely to be ineligible by academic or citizenship standards and begins attending a home school, FPE school, or full-time virtual school shall be ineligible to participate as a resident participant student for 365 days from the date of withdrawal. 2.2.5 Expulsion: A student who is expelled from school because of disciplinary measures shall not be considered eligible for 365 days from the date of expulsion. An expulsion is prompt removal of a student from school following the conduct for which the student is under discipline, whereby the student is not allowed to return to school until either an appeals process reinstates the student or the duration is fulfilled. However, this period of ineligibility shall not apply to any student expulsion for conduct otherwise protected by law which does not materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of a school. 2.2.6 Student Responsibility: Each student is responsible to notify the school of any and all situations that would affect his/her eligibility under the above standards. If the student does not notify the school of the situation prior to the school’s discovery, then the student shall be ineligible for up to 365 days from discovery, pending review by the Board of Directors. Editor’s Note: See also By-Law 3.10.5, Eligible at Time of Transfer. Citizenship Questions & Answers: Q1: We have a student who was recently found guilty in our local court of driving while intoxicated. He was fined and sentenced to ten days in jail to be served on the weekends over a period of five weeks. He has paid the fine and has six days of the jail sentence yet to be served over the next three weekends. What is his eligibility status? A1: In accord with By-Law 2.2, a student who is found guilty of a law violation shall not be considered a creditable citizen until he/she has satisfied his/her fine and/or penalty. Thus, this student would not be eligible until he has served the six days remaining on his jail sentence. Once he has served the remaining sentence, it would be up to your local school administration to determine whether or not he has met all local requirements for citizenship eligibility . Q2: We have two students who were involved in criminal activity. One student has been charged but a court date has not been set. The other student is waiting for a charging decision by the prosecutor. School officials have received credible information that both students were involved. However, each student is going to plead “not guilty” until the matter is resolved. Should we allow them to play? A2: No. It is important for local school officials to diligently check with law enforcement officials in such situations. Access to credible information or student admission of involvement confirms the student does not meet the standards that are necessary, and you should not allow the students to participate. Neither student should be considered eligible until all matters have been concluded within the legal system and your school. Q3: One of our students was found guilty of shoplifting. After paying restitution, the student was placed on probation with special conditions . Is the student eligible for any activities while on probation with conditions pending? A3: No. If the student is under a deferred prosecution, or on probation under a suspended execution or suspended imposition of a sentence (SIS) , the student must fulfill all special conditions of the probation such as jail time, payment of a fine, restitution, community service, counseling, etc. before eligibility can be restored. After receiving evidence that the student has fulfilled the special conditions of probation, but remains under general conditions of probation, the local school authorities shall determine the eligibility for that student. Q4: We have a student who was found guilty of an alcohol-related traffic offense. He has paid his fine and completed his community service; however, as a condition of his probation, he is required to take part in the Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP). Will the student be eligible before completing this program? A4: No. Any special conditions of probation must be completed before eligibility may be reinstated. After the student has fulfilled the special conditions of probation, but remains under general conditions of probation, the local school authorities shall determine the eligibility for that student. Q5: We have a student who was found guilty of a crime in juvenile court and assigned 30 hours of community service. Will the student be eligible before completing the community service? A5: No. Community service is the equivalent of an assigned sentence and must be completed before eligibility may be reinstated. Q6: A student at our school skipped classes on Friday for an unapproved “senior skip day.” This resulted in an unexcused absence. May this student participate in our conference track and field meet scheduled on Saturday? A6: No. By-Law 2.2 provides that a student having an unexcused absence may not be eligible to participate in a contest until the student has once again attended a full day of classes. In this situation, the student must attend all classes on Monday to re-establish eligibility. Q7: We have a student who participates in wrestling. He has been suspended for three days from classes (out-of-school) which fall on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. He is scheduled to wrestle on Thursday at the state meet. Is he eligible? Page 44 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK A7: No. Days of out-of-school suspension are considered unexcused absences and the student must attend all classes on Thursday to re-establish eligibility. Q8: Our school has chosen not to re-enroll a student for next year due to ongoing behavioral and discipline issues. However, we have allowed the student to finish the year and take finals at our school. Will the student have a period of ineligibility at his new school for being asked to leave? A8: Possibly. If the student was already ineligible for activities at your school due to citizenship and that period of ineligibility had not been completed prior to the transfer, the period of ineligibility would need to be completed at the receiving school. You will need to communicate these issues on your part of the Transfer of Eligibility Form that the receiving school should submit if the student requests to play sports at the new school. If the student only participates in activities, you should contact the receiving school and apprise them of the citizenship penalties. If the student was considered eligible as per the citizenship requirements at your school, By-Law 2.2 eligibility would continue at the receiving school. However, if a “Hardship Transfer” is requested by the receiving school, you should consider indicating that the transfer was not a hardship due to the situation being within the student’s control (i.e. if the student had exhibited better behavior, he would still be a student at your school). A receiving school always has the option to set citizenship eligibility in a more restrictive manner based on their policies if they have knowledge of the violations. A sending school (your school) should be open and honest regarding violations of the citizenship standard. Being a creditable school citizen is an essential eligibility requirement. Neither school should give a student an expectation of confidentiality in regard to transgressions if the student desires the privilege of participation in interscholastic activities. Q9: Our school has very strict academic standards. We will not be re-enrolling a student due to the student not meeting the school’s academic expectations. Will this be viewed as an expulsion? A9: No, this situation does not meet the definition of an expulsion and the student would not be subject to citizenship penalties for an academic-only issue. The student would, however, still be subject to the provisions of the residence and transfer requirements in By-Law 3.10. Q10: A student at our school violated one of our school’s citizenship policies for eligibility in activities. Before his disciplinary penalties were completed, which included a period of ineligibility for sports, he transferred to another school. Will he be eligible there? A10: Not initially. As per By-Law 3.10.5, a transfer student must be eligible in all respects at the school from which he transferred to be eligible at the new school. When a student transfers with the status of ineligible for disciplinary reasons, the student retains that status at the new school for the same period as decreed by the former school. Therefore, the student would, first, have to complete that period of eligibility which you will need to communicate to the new school. In addition, a transfer student must be deemed eligible by the MSHSAA office after a Transfer of Eligibility request is filed by the receiving school and responded to by the sending school (in most cases). Q11: A student in our school was expelled for wearing a wristband protesting U.S. war involvement and refusing to remove it when requested. There was no disruption of any class or work at the school. There were no threats or acts of violence on school premises associated with the wearing of this wristband. Would expulsion of this student make the student ineligible for 365 days under By-Law 2.2.3? A11: No. Such conduct would appear to be constitutionally protected expression which did not materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of a school. Q12: One of our students was ticketed in a moving traffic offense but neither drugs nor alcohol was involved and no injuries were incurred. However, the student’s vehicle caused property damage in the accident. Is he eligible to participate in activities before he pays for the damage and meets any other obligations that resulted? A12: No, he is not eligible until all obligations are met. Property damage goes beyond a simple “moving traffic of fense” and the student will remain ineligible until all proceedings are concluded and any penalties or conditions of probation have been satisfied as per By-Law 2.2.2.a. Q13: One of our students received a speeding ticket. No drugs, alcohol or injuries were involved. However, the student failed to pay the fine or appear in court, and a bench warrant has been issued. Is he still eligible to participate in activities? A13: No, he is not eligible. What started out as a moving traffic offense with no effect on eligibility has now grown into a legal obligation and immediate ineligibility until all proceedings are concluded and any penalties or conditions of probation have been satisfied as per By-Law 2.2.2.a. Q14: One of our athletes recently received a ticket for “Failure to Yield” at a stop sign. No one was hurt, no property was damaged, and no drugs/alcohol were involved. How does this offense affect his eligibility for school activities? A14: As explained in By-Law 2.2.2, this offense would not cause any period of ineligibility for the student unless your school has a more restrictive policy on such offenses than those listed in By-Law 2.2 Had drugs, alcohol, or injuries to others been involved, the student’s eligibility would have been affected by the incident. Q15: One of our students was charged with property damage. The case was transferred from state court to municipal court. The city prosecutor has indicated that he will dismiss the charge before court adjudication if the student will make SECTION 2 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 45 restitution and perform community service hours. Will the student be eligible before paying restitution and completing all community service? A15: No. If dismissing a charge or not filing a charge hinges upon the student paying restitution and/or completing other sanctions such as community service, these requirements are the equivalent of an assigned sentence by a court and must be completed before eligibility may be reinstated. Q16: We recently were notified that one of our students was arrested and charged for criminal activity that occurred several months ago. The student has been representing the school in basketball in the meantime and has played in several games. Shouldn’t the student have reported this to us? Now what do we do? A16: Yes, the student should have notified the school of the situation, and due to the lack of self-reporting, the student is ineligible for up to 365 days from discovery (rather than the date of the offense). Any penalties the student receives after all proceedings with the legal system have been concluded must be served first. Schools should discuss this requirement with students at preseason meetings and encourage them to be forthcoming for their sake and the sake of teams, which are required to forfeit contests in which the ineligible student participated. Q17: My son has a doctor's appointment on the day of a scheduled football game and will miss most of the school day. Will he still be eligible to play in the game that evening? A17: Yes, as long as the school administration has approved the absence, your son remains eligible to participate in the game. Students with excused absences are eligible to participate. Q18: A student transfers to our school, and the sending school reports that the student has an unpaid tuition balance, unpaid activity fees, unreturned equipment fines, textbook fines, or other unpaid financial obligations. The sending school considers the student not to be in good standing until those obligations are satisfied. Does this affect the student's eligibility? A18: Yes, provided the sending school's policy is applied consistently to all students. A student who has not satisfied financial obligations, e.g. fines, restitution requirements, tuition, etc, imposed by the sending school may be considered not to have met that school's citizenship standards under By-Law 2.2. However , a sending school may not selectively impose or enforce such a restriction on a particular student because of a transfer.

2.3.1 Statement of Philosophy -- Participation in high school activities is a valuable educational experience and should not be looked upon as a reward for academic success. Students with low academic ability need the educational development provided through participation in activities as much as students with average or above average ability. Activity participation should be for all enrolled students making appropriate progress toward graduation and otherwise in good standing. Each local board of education is encouraged to establish criteria to ensure that students who are participating in MSHSAA activities are satisfactorily progressing toward meeting the local graduation requirements. 2.3.2 Grades 9-12 Requirements: A student in Grades 9-12 must meet the following requirements in order to be academically eligible to participate in interscholastic activities: a. Semester Prior to Participation: The student shall have earned, the preceding semester of attendance, a minimum of 3.0 units of credit or have earned credit in 80% of the maximum allowable classes in which a student can be enrolled in the semester, whichever is greater , or a student must have made standard progress for his or her level the preceding semester in a special education program for the handicapped approved by the Missouri State Department of Education which, though un-graded, enrolls pupils of equivalent age. b. Semester of Participation: The student shall currently be enrolled in and regularly attending courses that offer 3.0 units of credit or 80% of the maximum allowable credits which may be earned, whichever is greater ; or a student must be enrolled in a full course at his or her level in a special education program for the handicapped approved by the Missouri State Department of Education which, though un-graded, enrolls pupils of equivalent age. c. 80% Credit Requirement: 1. Member Schools and Full-Time Virtual Schools: The calculation of the credit requirement described in a-1 and a-2 above for all enrolled students at the member school shall be based on the maximum allowable classes in which a student can be enrolled at the member school during the normal school day due to the academic system that the member school has selected (7-hour day, block schedule, etc.) Credits earned in school-sponsored “extra” classes taken beyond the normal school day may be used toward academic eligibility. Internet classes offered by and at the member school and which are completed no later than the close of the semester with credit placed on the student’s transcript can be counted toward academic eligibility. (See also By-Law 2.3.4 regarding other courses that may be utilized.) 2. Home Schools and FPE Schools: To maintain academic eligibility, resident participant students should be enrolled in, or its equivalent, and successfully completing, per semester, a minimum of 1/8 of the total curricular expectation for a full 9th through 12th grade experience. Except for the fall semester of grade 9, verification of academic eligibility must be made to the public member school of residence at the beginning of each semester or trimester, whichever system is used by the public member school of residence. By-Laws 2.3.1, 2.3.2, and 2.3.3 should be used as a guide for the parent to determine the academic eligibility of the student. For fall semester eligibility, By-Law 2.3.5 can be applied to the equivalent experience. Page 46 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK d. Entry into 9th Grade: A beginning 9th grade student shall have been promoted from the 8th grade to the 9th grade for first semester eligibility. e. A student must be making satisfactory progress towards graduation as determined by local school policies. DIAGRAM 2.3 (a): SAMPLE HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC SCHEDULES Academic Schedules Credits Earned must equal 3.0 or 80%, whichever is GREATER Six-period day (.5 each) Must pass 6 of 6 (3.0) Seven-period day (.5 each) Must pass 6 of 7 (3.0) Eight-Block schedule (.5 each) Must pass 7 of 8 (3.5) Four-Block schedule (1.0 each) Must pass 4 of 4 (4.0) Ten-Block schedule (.5 each) Must pass 8 of 10 (4.0) DIAGRAM 2.3 (b): COLLEGE COURSE HOUR EQUIVALENCIES College Course Hours High School Units of Credit Three Hour Course .5 Unit of Credit Five Hour Course 1.0 Unit of Credit 2.3.3 Grades 9-12 Trimester System: A student attending a school on a trimester schedule must earn the following credits in order to earn and maintain his/her academic eligibility. The student must be enrolled in and regularly attending classes during each trimester which will allow 2 units of credit or 80% of the maximum allowable credits to be earned, whichever is greater . This same academic requirement must be met during the trimester preceding participation. Like students on a semester system, a student on a trimester system shall be eligible or ineligible based upon both achievement in the preceding trimester and enrollment/attendance during the current trimester. An incoming freshman need only be promoted from the 8th grade to the 9th grade for eligibility in his/her first trimester of the 9th grade. 2.3.4 Grades 9-12 Enrollment Options for Academic Eligibility: The following options are available to students in order to meet the requirements of By-Law 2.3.2.a and b above. In each option, all classes/assignments must be completed by the high school's close of the semester, as per By-Law 2.3.11, in order for those classes/credits to be considered toward activity eligibility. a. Traditional Option: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.2 through being enrolled and attending classes full-time at the high school. b. Non-Traditional Option 1 – Transcripted Credits: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.2 through meeting ALL of the following: 1. The student is an enrolled student of the high school, but all or some of the courses/credits are not taken at the local high school (virtual, post-secondary, work study, etc.), 2. All credits attempted/earned are placed on the high school transcript, c. Non-Traditional Option 2 (Public Schools Only) – Seat-Time + Non-Transcripted Credits: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.2 through meeting ALL of the following: 1. The student is an enrolled student of the public high school of residence, as defined in By-Law 3.10, and is taking a minimum of two credit-bearing, seat-time classes for a minimum of 1.0 units of credit at the high school, and 2. The remainder of the student's full-time coursework is completed through enrollment at a non-member school, which is not a home school, FPE school, or virtual school. d. Non-Traditional Option 3 (Public Schools Only) - Home School, FPE School, or Full-Time Virtual School: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.2 through attending a home school or FPE school or is a full- time student at a virtual school. The student is a resident participant student and is eligible to participate at the public or charter school of residence. e. Transfer of Enrollment based on Changes in Bona Fide Student and Academic Status: Any student whose enrollment status changes from being a non -bona fide student (not meeting By-Law 2.1 and one of the 9-12 Enrollment Options) to being a bona fide student (meeting By-Law 2.1 and one of the 9-12 Enrollment Options) would be considered a transfer student (see By-Law 3.10.4), and ineligible to represent a member school until a transfer of eligibility form is filed and an eligibility ruling is rendered. 2.3.5 Grades 9-12 Summer School: Secondary school-sponsored summer courses may count toward maintaining senior high academic eligibility for the FALL semester provided the following requirements are met: a. The counting of secondary school-sponsored summer school credits must first be approved by the local school administration. b. Credit earned for the summer school course is placed on the student’s school transcript and counts towards graduation. c. The course must be a class identified by the local school board/governing body as required for graduation/promotion requirements. d. Only electives that are taken in one of the four core content areas (language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies) may be counted toward this requirement of academic eligibility. e. Secondary-school sponsored summer online courses that meet the specifications of By-Law 2.3.4.b (placed on the SECTION 2 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 47 transcript) may be counted if they are completed and passed before July 31. f. No more than one credit earned in summer school shall count toward maintaining academic eligibility. 2.3.6 Grades 6, 7 and 8 Requirements: A student in Grades 6, 7 or 8 must meet the following requirements in order to be academically eligible to participate in interscholastic activities: a. Grading Period Prior: A “grading period” is a period no less than six weeks and no greater than nine weeks where progress is determined and is reported to students/parents. A student must have been promoted to a higher grade or a higher level in special education at the close of the previous year. However, any such student who failed more than one scheduled subject, or failed to make standard progress in special education, shall be ineligible the following grading period regardless of promotion to the higher grade. (However, see also item c below). b. Grading Period of Participation: The student shall be currently enrolled in and regularly attending the normal course of study and number of courses for that grade or must have enrolled in a full course at his or her level in any public school special education program approved by the Missouri State Department of Education which, though ungraded, enrolls pupils of equivalent chronological age. c. Entry into 6th and 7th Grade: Part a above shall not apply to a student promoted for the first time into the 6th or 7th grade prior to the first day of classes for eligibility in the first grading period of the year. d. For resident participant students, the parent must verify to the school with which the student is participating has met the requirements of this by-law at every grading period established by the member public or charter school. By-Law 2.3.8 can be met for equivalent experiences to determine eligibility for first grading period of 8th grade. 2.3.7 Grades 6, 7 and 8 Enrollment Options for Academic Eligibility: The following options are available to students in order to meet the requirements of By-Laws 2.3.6.a and b above. In each option, all classes/assignments must be completed by the high school's grading period, as per By-Law 2.3.11, in order for those classes/credits to be considered toward activity eligibility. a. Traditional Option: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.6 through being enrolled and attending classes full-time at the junior high school. b. Non-Traditional Option 1: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.6 through meeting ALL of the following: 1. The student is an enrolled student of the junior high school, but all or some of the classes are not taken at the school (virtual classes, online classes, work study, etc.), and 2. All classes attempted are graded and placed on the student's junior high transcript/school records, and a grade card is issued by the school the student intends to represent in one or more activities. c. Non-Traditional Option 2 (Public Schools Only) - Seat-Time + Confirmation of Classes: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.6 through meeting ALL of the following: 1. The student is an enrolled student of the public junior high school of residence , as defined in By-Law 3.10, and is taking a minimum of two traditional seat-time courses, and 2. The remainder of the student's full-time coursework is completed through enrollment at a non-member school, which is not a home school, FPE school, or virtual school. d. Non-Traditional Option 3 (Public and Charter Schools Only) - Home School, FPE School, or Full-Time Virtual School: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.6 through attending a home school, FPE school, or full-time virtual school. The student is a resident participant student and is eligible to participate at the public or charter school of residence. e. Transfer of Enrollment based on Changes in Bona Fide Student and Academic Status: Any student whose enrollment status changes from being a non-bona fide student (not meeting By-Law 2.1 and one of the grades 6, 7 and 8 Enrollment Options) to being a bona fide student (meeting By-Law 2.1 and one of the grades 6, 7 and 8 Enrollment Options) would be considered a transfer student (see By-Law 3.10.4), and ineligible to represent a member school until a transfer of eligibility form is filed and an eligibility ruling is rendered. 2.3.8 Junior High/Middle School Summer School: A local school district may reinstate the FIRST grading period eligibility of a student being promoted to the 8th grade who has failed more than one class but no more than three classes if the student passes the appropriate number of core classes through secondary school-sponsored summer school, as described below, and provided the following requirements are met: a. Only core classes (science, math, social studies and communication arts) may count toward reinstatement of first grading period eligibility. b. The counting of summer school classes (seated or online/virtual) must first be approved by the local school administration. c. The grade earned for the summer school course is placed on the student’s school transcript or records. d. A student who has failed two scheduled subjects must pass at least one core class through secondary school-sponsored summer school; a student who has failed three scheduled subjects must pass at least two core classes through secondary school-sponsored summer school. 2.3.9 Fifth Day Requirement - Gaining Eligibility: A student who was academically ineligible the preceding semester (high school) or grading period (junior high) but meets the academic standard at the close of that semester (high school) or grading period (junior high) becomes eligible the fifth day classes are attended in the succeeding semester (high school) or grading period (junior high). Exception: If an interscholastic contest is played before the formal opening of school and a student has become academically eligible for the fall semester/grading period and is eligible in all other respects he/she may be eligible to participate under this provision provided the student is properly enrolled in school. Page 48 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 2.3.10 Fifth Day Requirement - Losing Eligibility: A student who becomes academically ineligible shall lose the privilege to represent the school the fifth day classes are attended in the succeeding semester (high school) or grading period (junior high). Exception: If a student becomes academically ineligible for the fall semester (high school) or first grading period (junior high) he/she is ineligible for all activities beginning with the first event. 2.3.11 Incomplete at Close of Semester: Credit earned or completed after the close of the school’s semester shall not count as having been earned that semester, except in case of illness verified by a physician. This rule is automatically waived in case a student fails to complete the required units of credit in a given semester because of his being drafted or being called to service in the National Guard or military service. 2.3.12 Alternative Schedules: The Board of Directors shall have the authority to determine the academic standards students shall meet in a school which does not have a traditional two-semester school year. Any changes approved shall be equitable for all students. Academic Requirement Questions & Answers: Q1: Sally did not complete the required academic work in her science class to achieve a passing grade at the close of first semester. However, due to circumstances involved (other than illness) she was given an “incomplete” and allowed to complete additional work late. She has now completed this required work, and we have changed her grade and granted credit for the class. May we now consider her academically eligible for second semester, starting with the date the grade was changed? A1: No. The academic standard requires that all credit earned or completed after the close of the semester shall NOT count as having been earned that semester, except in case of illness verified by a physician. The student had not earned or completed the credit at the close of the semester, so this change in grade will not change her eligibility status for second semester; she will remain ineligible. Q2: Our school has an attendance policy where students’ grades are lowered at the conclusion of the semester if they have been excessively absent. John would have received credit in all of his classes and met the Academic Standard at the end of first semester, had it not been for his poor attendance record. Based on excessive absences, his grades were lowered. His grade was low enough in math that he received a failing grade after the application of the attendance policy. Based on our six hour a day schedule, John did not receive the required number of credits to maintain his academic eligibility for second semester. John appealed through our standard procedure and was ultimately granted a passing grade in math and this credit appears on his transcript. Since this credit was not received “at the close of the semester” as is required in the Academic Standard, is he eligible or ineligible for activities second semester? A2: Once such credit is granted , the student would be academically eligible for second semester. Unlike a situation where a student has failed to do the appropriate academic work during first semester and is given an “incomplete” and an option to complete further work in order to gain credit (see ruling outlined in prior question ), this student has met the academic requirements of the class to receive credit and a non-academic school policy has prevented credit. If the school, based on further information or through an appeals process, etc. determines that credit shall be granted, such credit can be granted retroactively, and the student would be considered academically eligible once credit is placed on the transcript. If the grade reduction is not reversed (no appeal or alteration), the student would remain academically ineligible for the duration of second semester due to not meeting the minimum academic standard. Q3: Why do we need to identify our “normal school day”? A3: You must identify your normal school day in order to initially calculate the 80% required to determine academic eligibility for activity participants. The 80% rule is based on your normal school day. Please review Diagram 2.3 to assist you in recognizing the credits required of your students as per the 80% rule for your academic system. Q4: How should our high school determine our “normal school day”? A4: Your normal school day is based on the maximum number of credit-bearing classes that a student can take during a semester during your publicized school day. Your academic system (regular day, block system, alternating block system, etc.) along with the ‘names’ of your periods (1 st hour through 7 th hour or 1 st block through 4 th block, etc.) will allow you to identify your normal school day. A ‘zero’ hour is not a part of your normal school day; rather, it is an option for students to either earn extra credit within a semester or replace a class within the normal school day. Q5: Our school has an eight-period day, and students may take credit-bearing classes in each of the eight periods. Therefore, in order to meet the academic standard, our students must pass seven classes out of eight (3.5 units of credit). One of our athletes took A-Plus for one period, for which we do not offer credit. He failed another class, so he only received 3.0 units of credit. Is this student ineligible, or may we calculate this student’s eligibility based on a seven-period day because the 8th period class does not offer a chance for credit? A5: The student is ineligible under the academic standard. Your school’s calculation of 80% is a standard calculation for ALL students based on your normal school day. Your normal school day is eight periods for credit and all students must earn 3.5 units of credit out of the maximum possible of 4.0 to be academically eligible. Q6: Our school is on an eight-block schedule. The majority of our students take eight classes for 4.0 units of credit per semester. However, we have two scenarios where students are prevented from taking eight classes: a) some students have to travel to a vocational campus for classes and the travel time involved prevents them from having a full schedule SECTION 2 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 49 of eight classes, and b) students who are receiving special services have a tutoring period for no credit that they are required to attend. How will we need to address academic eligibility for these students? A6: For these specific and defined circumstances, you will calculate the 80%/3.0 requirement separately for only these students that are specifically prevented from taking the full course of classes due to programs in which they are officially enrolled by the school. Such students must attempt/earn 80% of the maximum number of credits they have available due to their program (seven classes/3.5 units of credit) (minimum requirement of 3.0), which would require passing six of seven classes and earning 3.0 units of credit out of 3.5, at a minimum. Scenarios or programs other than the two specifically listed here should be reviewed by the MSHSAA staff for an interpretation prior to making such a change in your school’s calculation of 80%. Please note: The minimum requirement is 80% of maximum allowable or 3.0 units of credit, whichever is GREATER. Therefore if a student is ever prevented from taking/passing at least six classes, he/ she will NOT be eligible under this by-law. Q7: Our school is on a four-block schedule, but our students have an opportunity to take a class on an alternating basis with a study hall that would allow them to earn a ½ unit of credit. How many credits must a student in our academic schedule earn to meet the 80% requirement rule? A7: If the maximum number of credits your students can earn in a semester is 4.0 credits, they must earn 80% or more. In a typical four-block system all classes are worth one full unit of credit, which would require students to earn credit in four out of four (since earning credit in three out of four would only equate to 75%). If there is an opportunity for a student to earn ¼ unit of credit or a ½ unit of credit rather than taking classes that are worth one full unit of credit, as long as they meet or exceed 80%, they would meet the academic standard. [Examples: 3.25 = 81.25% and 3.5 = 87.5%] Q8: A student recently transferred to our school from a neighboring school district. The student was academically ineligible at his/her previous school, which is on a ten-block schedule as the student earned only 3.0 units of credit. Our school is on a seven-period day and, as a result, the student would be considered academically eligible with the 3.0 units of credit. Is the student presently academically eligible at our school? A8: No. The MSHSAA academic standard requires that a student must earn 3.0 units of credit or 80% of the maximum possible credits whichever is higher for the school of attendance . Even though the student did earn 3.0 units of credit, which is all that is required at the receiving school, the student would not be eligible as he/she did not earn 80% of the maximum credit possible for the student at the time . Thus, the student would not be academically eligible. Q9: In an effort to comply with provisions of Public Law 94-142 for inclusion we have “mainstreamed” several students who have learning disabilities. In some classes, they are not able to meet the same academic standards as their classmates. How is their eligibility determined? A9: In order for these students to be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics and activities they must receive passing grades in courses offering a minimum of 3.0 units of credit or 80% of the maximum allowable credit whichever is greater for the semester. Each school is responsible for establishing academic requirements and grading policies to effectively accommodate students who have been identified with having a disability in accordance with provisions of P.L. 94-142. The school district has two options with respect to grading policies. First, the IEP committee may determine that the student will be required to meet the same academic requirements and grading policies as any other student in the class. When such a determination has been made, no modifications to grading will be made, and the student will be expected to maintain academic eligibility for interscholastic athletics and activities. The second option is for the IEP committee to determine that a modification of the academic requirements or grading policies is necessary to reflect the needs of the student and his/her disability. In this situation, the modifications may include alterations in the type of assessments to be given the student, the number of such assessments given a student, the number of items upon assessments given a student, the amount of time the student will be allowed to take the assessment, etc. The IEP committee may also determine that grades will be determined on the basis of the student’s progress towards achieving specific goals and objectives from the IEP rather than standard assessments given other students. If this type of modification is made, the IEP committee is responsible to specify the amount of progress which will be necessary to document that standard progress is being made by the student. Note: Inclusion of activities on the IEP as an educational service is not appropriate. Q10: We have a student who is academically ineligible the first semester. Our first semester ends on January 19 and the second semester begins on January 22. We have a basketball game scheduled for Saturday, January 20. When may the student begin competing in interscholastic basketball contests? A10: In accord with MSHSAA By-Law 2.3.9, if this student meets the academic requirement at the close of the first semester, the student becomes eligible the fifth day classes are attended the second semester. In this specific case, the student would become eligible to participate in interscholastic contests as of Friday, January 26. Conversely, a student who is eligible the first semester but who fails to pass courses offering 3.0 units of credit or 80% of the maximum allowable credit whichever is greater that semester may compete until the fifth day of classes of the second semester. Using the semester dates above, a student in this situation would become ineligible as of Friday, January 26. (This school may not allow an ineligible player to compete after January 26 even if grades are posted later.) Q11: We have an 8th grader who was promoted to the 9th grade. However, the student failed three (3) courses second semester of the 8th grade. Will this student be eligible first semester of his/her 9th grade year? Page 50 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK A11: Yes unless the school chooses to be more restrictive. The Academic Standards require the student to have been promoted from 8th grade to 9th grade with no further prerequisite academic requirements. For the student’s second semester all eligibility standards apply. Thus, the student must earn 3.0 units of credit or 80% of the maximum allowable credit whichever is greater during the first semester of the student’s freshman year. Q12: We have a student at our school that took Algebra 2 last year in the spring and earned credit with a C letter grade. He would like to re-take the class this fall for a better grade. If we allow this, will this re-take class count toward academic eligibility for sports and activities? A12: No. He has already earned credit in the class and earning a better grade will not expand the total number of credits on his transcript. Therefore, that class cannot count as any credit in the calculation of the 80% requirement for the current semester. If he retakes the class, he will need to be in an extra class or two to insure he is enrolled in classes that can earn him the sufficient number of new credits that meet the school’s 80% in the current semester. Q13: Our school offers the Missouri Option (formerly GED Option) Program. If a student is participating in this program is he/ she eligible to participate in interscholastic activities under the jurisdiction of MSHSAA? A13: Whether a student participating in the Missouri Options Program is eligible under By-Law 2.3 depends on the way the individual school sets up their program. The student must be enrolled in a combination of school classes, outside classes, and/or MO Options credit-bearing course work and/or credit-bearing work study which meets the provisions and minimums listed in By-Law 2.3.4. The student will most likely be classified as a Non-Traditional Option 1 or Option 2 student, depending upon local school decisions and policies. Please follow the guidance regarding those options and the requirements for each. All students (all three options) must meet the 80% requirement. Q14: We have a student that is transferring in this fall and wants to play volleyball. Besides the transfer form prerequisite we must complete, we are trying to determine her academic eligibility for the fall season. In the fall, she is going to be a: a) full-time enrolled student, b) a Non-Traditional Option 1 student, c) a Non-Traditional Option 2 student. How do we review and confirm her prior semester’s credits for academic eligibility this fall? A14: All three academic enrollment options require that the student is enrolled at your school and has a school transcript. Therefore, you must review her prior classes/credits and determine if you can accept transfer credit. The review of prior semester credits (By-Law 2.3.2.a) must be able to confirm that the minimum of 3.0 units of credit, or 80% of what was attempted, whichever is greater, has been achieved and that amount of credit must appear on the transcript. Only with scenario letter “c” will the semester review of classes/credits change after she’s been your student for a semester . If the student is accepted at your school as a non-traditional option 2 student, you may not be placing all credits that are achieved during her first semester at your school on her school transcript. However, all classes/credits must still be approved and validated under local school policy to confirm that she meets the 80% requirement each and every semester. Q15: Would a student that is enrolled for 4 hours in junior high school and home schooled the rest be eligible for cheer try- outs in the spring? The student will be fully enrolled next year during cheer season. The school does not have a “ non- traditional education policy ” in place and she is not seen under 2.3 as a bona fide student currently, but she is “enrolled”. A15: Yes, try-outs are considered practice, and students must be “enrolled”, but not necessarily “eligible”. Q16: We have a student at our junior high who is meeting the academic standard through the MoCAP option and his work in several classes is self-paced. If he finishes all requirements for a certain course during first quarter and does not have a replacement course second quarter, is he academically eligible for sports during second quarter? A16: If the student will be given grades for both first and second quarters for that class, the student would be academically eligible. If the student will receive no grade for second quarter, the class opening could leave the student academically ineligible due to being short classes, and this would then also effect third quarter eligibility. Q17: At our junior high, we are set up only for semester grades only. How should we handle the determination of academic eligibility since the junior high academic standards do not utilize a semester grading system for eligibility? A17: The academic standard for the junior high level is based on grading periods, that can be no less than six weeks in length, and no more than nine weeks in length. So in order to confirm academic eligibility for your student participants in activities, you must set up a system to gather grades for a period of time that fits within those parameters. Most schools in this situation create a procedure to gather a progress report of grades from teachers at the nine-week mark. Q18: One of our students is going to be attending junior college next semester , and we are going to be placing credit for these classes on the student's high school transcript. Do we need to follow the "College Course Hour Equivalencies" chart shown in By-Law 2.3 in assigning credit for each class? A18: As long as you are approving the student's academic eligibility as a Non-Traditional Option 1 student, and you are placing all credit received on the high school transcript, you may determine the amount of credit you are going to place on the transcript for each junior college class. However, if the student is taking two or more high school classes, and you are not placing the junior college credits on the high school transcript (Non-Traditional Option 2) you MUST use the equivalency chart to calculate credit attempted for the semester for academic eligibility purposes. Only if the high school is evaluating the college classes and granting appropriate credit on the transcript, may you stray from the chart for academic eligibility. SECTION 2 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 51 Q19: We recently had a local home schooled student request to become a bona fide student at our school this upcoming year through Non-Traditional Option 2 in the Academic Requirements, in order to play a sport with us. This is the first time this has been requested at our school. What do we need to have in place to consider it, and/or allow it? A19: You should prepare a School Board Policy (or use a sample provided by MSBA, etc.) to address this area, and include the guidelines and timeline that will govern the allowance at the local level. There are a number of things to consider when putting your policy in place, and those should be clearly outlined in the final policy , which then needs to be approved by your school board before accepting Non-Traditional (1 or 2) Students. Here is a link to a resource document that will assist you in putting your policy together.

2.4.1 Semesters - Grades 9-12: A student shall not participate in more than four seasons in grades 9-12 in any interscholastic activity. A student shall have only eight consecutive semesters (four consecutive years) of eligibility in high school, in which he/she may participate in one season per year in an activity, and these eight consecutive semesters shall begin on the twentieth (20 th ) day of the first semester a student enters the 9th grade or the first interscholastic contest in which the student participates, whichever occurs first. A student who participates in any part of an interscholastic event or contest shall count such as a season of participation. A student who applies for, is granted, and leaves school any time after the junior year to take advantage of an early release program shall no longer be eligible for interscholastic competition even though he or she later returns to school. Editor’s Note: Exception - Baseball and softball have two seasons per year in which a student may participate as listed in By-Law 3.29.6. 2.4.2 Semesters - Grades 6, 7 and 8: A student is eligible for only TWO SEMESTERS in each grade of junior high, (6th, 7th and 8th grade), beginning with the first semester of entrance in each grade. A student who is repeating a grade is not eligible. Junior High students are limited to one season per year per sport/activity. Semesters Questions & Answers: Q1: We just had a girl transfer to our school from a state which sponsors girls swimming during the school fall sport season. Our school sponsors girls swimming in the winter. May this girl compete with our swimming team making it her second swimming season during the same school year? A1: No. MSHSAA By-Law 2.4 places a limit on the number of seasons in which a student may participate during a single school year and during the first eight consecutive semesters of high school. A student shall have only one season of eligibility per sport per year. Therefore, the new student may not compete with the school swimming team but may practice if approved in advance by the school administration. Q2: How are semesters of participation determined in the following situations? a) Last year one of our students participated in an out-bound foreign exchange program during what would have been the student’ s senior year of high school. The student has returned this year to complete the required coursework to graduate; b) A student dropped out of school at the end of the fall semester of the student’s 9th grade year and returned to school at the beginning of the fall semester the next school year; we still consider the student a 9th grader . c) A student has returned to school after withdrawing from school for one year (during his/her senior year) due to medical reasons? A2: A student shall have only eight consecutive semesters of high school eligibility. It is important to note that this is a ‘running clock’ and shall begin upon the student’s first entry into the 9th grade and is not suspended while the student is not enrolled in school. a) The student has no semesters of eligibility remaining as the student’s last two semesters of eligibility expired while the student attended school abroad. b) This student has six semesters of eligibility remaining upon returning in the fall (including the fall semester) provided the student has met all other MSHSAA eligibility requirements. c) The student has no semesters of eligibility remaining as the student’s last two semesters of eligibility expired while the student was withdrawn for medical reasons. Q3: We have a student that has met all of the graduation requirements at the semester break. She would like to take advantage of the “early release program” cited in By-Law 2.4 and withdraw from school to enroll in a local university and start on her collegiate softball career. She will return and graduate with her class in May. Is she eligible to run track and field with our high school team this spring? A3: No. A student must be a bona fide student at the high school that they represent and must meet all eligibility requirements and be enrolled in and regularly attending classes, at the member school, which meet the minimum academic requirements in By-Law 2.3. The “early release program” mentioned in By-Law 2.4 refers to students who are still enrolled at a member school but are let out early each day to work at a job for which they receive high school credit. Q4: May a junior high school student who is repeating 6th, 7th or 8th grade participate in interscholastic activities? A4: No. A student is eligible for only two semesters in each of the 6th, 7th and 8th grades beginning with the first semester of entrance in each grade. Assuming the student does not fail more than one subject during the second semester of the year he/she is repeating and is promoted at the end of that year, he/she would be eligible the following semester. Q5: Our school plays in the championship season of softball held in the spring (so we are not allowed to play softball in the fall at all). We are receiving a transfer student over holiday break who played softball for a school that has their championship season in the fall. If her transfer request is approved and she is ruled eligible, can she play spring softball for us? A5: Since she has completed a championship season in softball, she would be ineligible to participate with your school in Page 52 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK districts or the state series; however, she would be eligible to play with your school’s team during the regular season in the spring. Had she stayed at the sending school, she could have played spring regular season softball, but could not have participated in post-season.

2.5.1 Entering School: “Entering school” for the purpose of eligibility consists of regular enrollment and registration for classes and attendance in classes. 2.5.2 First Eleven Days: A student must have ENTERED SCHOOL WITHIN THE FIRST ELEVEN SCHOOL DAYS of the semester in which he/she is competing. This rule is automatically waived in case a student is prevented from entering high school within the required time limit because of service with the National Guard, United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, provided that the student enrolls in school within thirty calendar days after he/she receives his/her discharge. A student transferring from a school district which has a school year beginning in September to a district which starts in August becomes eligible upon the change of residence and enrollment in a school in that district, provided he/she meets all other requirements. 2.5.3 Withdrawal: In case of withdrawal, if withdrawal occurs on or after the twentieth school day of the preceding semester, a student is ineligible for one complete semester; if withdrawal occurs before the first twenty school days of the semester have elapsed, that student will not be considered as having been in attendance that semester provided he or she has not participated in interscholastic activities during this period. Editor’s Note: This applies only to those students who drop out of school altogether before the twentieth school day of a semester. It does not apply to students who transfer to another school during a semester and continue their attendance, including nontraditional education. Entering and Withdrawing Questions & Answers: Q1: We have a girl who moved with her parents to our district in September. She enrolled at our school on the fifteenth day of the semester. Can she be eligible to represent our school in interscholastic activities during the first semester she is in attendance here since she did not enroll here within the first eleven days of the semester? A1: Yes, provided she attended school in the district from which she is moving within the first eleven days of the semester. If the student was not attending the previous school within their first eleven days, she is not eligible first semester.

2.6.1 Undue Influence: To maintain a proper relationship between the academic purposes of schools and their interscholastic activities programs, all members of the Missouri State High School Activities Association must refrain from recruitment, inducement or other forms of persuasion and undue influence which would encourage a student to enroll in a school or a resident participant student to move to the attendance area of a member school primarily for interscholastic activities purposes. 2.6.2 Description of Undue Influence: What constitutes undue influence shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. Undue influence may, if primarily used to encourage or facilitate participation in interscholastic activities, include but not be limited to: a. The offer or acceptance of money, room, board, clothing or other valuable considerations to a student, or a student’s parent or guardian, including but not limited to: 1. transportation to and/or from school by any school official; 2. provision for free or reduced rent for a parent or guardian; 3. offer or payment of the moving expenses of a parent or guardian. 4. compensation related to name, image, or likeness (NIL) by any persons or group connected directly or indirectly with a member school (including but not limited to alumni associations, booster groups, similar organizations, collectives, etc.). b. Waiving or reducing tuition for any student to be certified as eligible for interscholastic activities, without establishing and following a plan submitted by the school and approved by the MSHSAA Board of Directors which includes, but is not limited to, the following: 1. statement of philosophy and policy concerning the reduction or waiver of tuition; 2. procedures used to determine the qualifications for tuition waiver or reduction; and 3. description of how the waiving or reducing of tuition is equally available and applied to students in similar circumstances. c. The payment of tuition by someone other than a student’s immediate family or a financial aid program not approved by the MSHSAA Board of Directors. Immediate family includes: 1. Parents of the student as defined in By-Law 3.10.1.a. 2. Direct relatives of the student, by blood or marriage, verifiable by public records. d. The offer or acceptance of remuneration for work in excess of the amount regularly paid for such service. e. The offer or acceptance of school privileges or considerations not normally granted to other students. f. Any inducement to get a parent, guardian or student to change residence for interscholastic activities purposes. g. The contacting of a student(s) in another school by any person or group connected, directly or indirectly, with a member school (including but not limited to alumni associations, booster groups or similar organizations), and attempting to SECTION 2 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 53 persuade or induce that student(s), primarily for interscholastic activities purposes, to attend the inducer’s school. 1. Exception: Persuasion or encouragement for a student to attend a particular junior high or high school by a school administrator or an approved interscholastic coach at that school is not undue influence if that student lives within the residence boundaries (3.10.1.d) of that junior high or high school and is enrolled and attending the lower school (elementary or middle/junior) managed and funded by that junior high or high school’s district or system and which feeds directly to that junior high or high school. 2.6.3 Penalty for Student(s) and/or School(s) Involved: a. School Offense: The attempt to unduly influence a student to enroll in a school or transfer from one school to another by any person or group connected, directly or indirectly with a member school (including but not limited to faculty, staff, students, coaches, parents of students, graduates, alumni associations, booster groups and similar organizations, etc.), may require the school concerned to forfeit participation in the district and state tournament(s) for the ensuing series competition. Further, the offending school’s membership status in the Association shall be jeopardized and shall result in other such action under the Board Policy on Administrative Penalties for Rule Violations as the Board of Directors deems appropriate. b. Student Offense: The enrollment of a student in a school, or the transfer of a student from one school to another, because of undue influence shall cause the student to forfeit eligibility at the school concerned for a period not to exceed the remainder of his/her high school career and not to exceed 365 days at the member school from which the student transferred or, for an incoming freshman, the school(s) the student was eligible to attend under the Promotion Standard in MSHSAA By-Law 3.10.4.b. Undue Influence Questions & Answers: Q1: Can our coaches go to our feeder Middle School and hand out camp brochures? Can they talk to the 8th graders (9th graders in the fall) during those visits about summer contact days? A1: Yes, your coaches can go to your direct feeder schools within the school district and talk about camps and contact days. They can also send fliers to schools about camps being offered and the schools can put information in their announcements and interested people can come pick up the information at your school. Remember that your camps (for 9th graders to be) are only for enrolled students; therefore, the coaches could put together an information package for the counselors to distribute when students enroll and register for high school. Q2: There is a student that attends the middle school in our school district, which directly feeds our high school, who is a very gifted athlete. He has told us that during his summer sports events the last couple of years, a) parents of students that attend other high schools, b) coaches connected to other high schools, c) students that attend other high schools, approached him and asked where he was going to high school and told him he should consider coming to (their) high school. d) He also said that a number of coaches wearing apparel labeled with High School names and mascots would come up to him and shake his hand in between games and tell him how well he was playing. Would this be considered acceptable behavior since he will be an incoming freshman and has the choice to attend any high school under the Promotion exception within the transfer rules, or would this be considered “undue influence” or recruiting? A2: In all four examples, this would be a violation of the undue influence by-law and should be reported as an official complaint. No student should be encouraged to attend a school for athletic or activity purposes. The only exception to this is outlined in By-Law 2.6.2.g.1 – administrators or approved coaches at the high school the student is already on track to attend may encourage a student to “stay.” Even though the contact described in the examples may be flattering, it is inappropriate in the educational environment of interscholastic sports and activities. School coaches wearing school apparel who hang around non-school sports venues should refrain from communicating with athletes. Even if such contact was innocent, it gives all onlookers an impression of recruitment. Q3: This spring, our school is hiring a football coach for next fall. This particular coach currently coaches a youth non-school football team. Some of the students on this team are 8th graders this year and will be attending our school next year . Will this cause any type of violation? A3: Yes, if he does not discontinue that coaching contact immediately. As per By-Law 3.1.2 and 3.1.3, he must discontinue coaching when he and the school agree that he will be their coach next year (even if a contract is not of fered or finalized until later). Even doing so may not prevent an allegation of undue influence by another school or individual. Such a scenario puts a school in a vulnerable position to try to defend against a claim of undue influence.

3.1.1 School Requirement to Contract an Athletics Coach: For each sport in which a school registers with MSHSAA, a school must contract at least one head coach who meets the requirements to be an approved coach, and the school must have the coach approved by MSHSAA. This requirement must be met prior to any interscholastic competition in that sport. This By- Law shall apply to both junior high and high schools. 3.1.2 Definition of Athletics Coach: An athletics coach is an individual who provides any type of instruction specific to a sport, and/or has instructional sports contact with enrolled students and/or resident participant students of the school. An individual who is unpaid, but provides sports instruction as described above, is an athletic coach and must meet the same requirements as a coach that is compensated, and be approved, prior to contact with students. For the purposes of the by-laws (coaching contact, etc.), an athletic coach is considered to be a school coach for the entire academic school year, despite the duration specified in the contract. Editor’s Note 1: A coach for a cooperative sponsorship is a “coach” for all schools in the co-op, and is restricted from contact with all students outside of the season during the school year. Editor’s Note 2: See Q/A to follow regarding when contact restrictions would begin, in relation to selection of a coach. 3.1.3 School Coaches Instructional Contact Restrictions: a. During the designated school sport season: Instructional and conditioning contact with enrolled students and/or resident participant students is allowed and expected; however, coaching of non-school competitions in which enrolled students and/or resident participant students are allowed to participate during the season (individual sports: By-Law 3.13.2.a.2 and 3) is not allowed during the school sport season. b. During the school year, but outside of a designated school season for which the coach is contracted and approved to coach: No instructional sport contact is allowed in any sport with any student who currently attends or will attend the member school the following year, nor any resident participant student or a student who meets the requirements to be a resident participant student the following year , other than contact specifically allowed elsewhere in the by-laws. Coaches’ restrictions are based on the level for which the coach is contracted and approved, high school or junior high school. c. Summer: See By-Law 3.15 for description/number of contact days allowed per sport the coach is contracted to coach. 3.1.4 Coach - Requirements and Approval: Prior to coaching, any athletic coach must meet the requirements, be contracted by the school for the role, and must be approved by the MSHSAA office. Editor’s Note : The MSHSAA approval process takes place on the membership side of the MSHSAA website. When completed, approval status for each athletic coach will appear on the school’s “Coaches and Directors” page. 3.1.5 Coaching Minimum Requirements: As per By-Law 3.1.1, each interscholastic team must have a coach who meets the following requirements and who, then, may fill the duties and obligations of a coach for the team, both under the sport rule code and in regard to the by-laws. a. An individual with a Professional Teacher's Certificate (includes all certifications recognized as professional by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) must : 1. Background Check including Sex-Offender’s Registry Clearance prior to coaching. 2. Board of Education or Board of Governance Approval prior to coaching. 3. Successful completion of a Concussion in Sports Course, and review of current concussion information yearly. 4. Successful completion of the MSHSAA Sport-Specific Online Rules Review and Test each season. 5. Successful completion of a Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention training prior to approval and renewed every two years. 6. Successful completion of a course in Heat Illness Prevention/Recognition, which must be renewed every two years. Editor’s Note: The free NFHSLearn.com training may be used or schools may select their own. 7. Successful completion of a Sports First Aid/CPR/AED training course prior to coaching and renewed every two years. (See options in Appendix E ) b. All other individuals must complete one-time or biennial requirements prior to coaching as outlined below: 1. Background Check including Sex-Offender's Registry Clearance prior to coaching. 2. Board of Education or Board of Governance Approval prior to coaching. 3. Successful completion of a Concussion in Sports Course, and review of current concussion information yearly. 4. Successful completion of the MSHSAA Sport-Specific Online Rules Review and Test each season. 5. Successful completion of a Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention training prior to approval and renewed every two years. 6. Successful completion of a course in Heat Illness Prevention/Recognition, which must be renewed every two years. SENIOR & JUNIOR HIGH By-Laws 3.1 through 3.20 apply to both Senior High Schools and Junior High Schools By-Laws 3.21 through 3.29 apply only to Senior High Schools By-Law 3.30 applies only to Junior High Schools Page 58 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Editor's Note : The free NFHSLearn.com training may be used or schools may select their own. 7. Successful completion of a Sports First Aid/CPR/AED training course prior to coaching and renewed every two years. 8. Assignment of a Mentor Coach/Administrator (three years of experience or more) for a period of three years. i. Preseason meetings which include, but are not limited to, specific discussion of school policies, equipment responsibility, behavior expectations, procedures to follow in case of an emergency, etc. is satisfactorily completed. ii. In-season meetings to discuss athlete or parent interactions. iii. Post season meetings to evaluate coaching experience. 9. Prior to the first year's season of coaching, the following must be completed: i. NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course ii. NFHS Coaching "Sport" Course for any sport for which an individual will be coaching, if available 10. Prior to the second year of coaching, the following must be completed: i. NFHS Teaching Sports Skills Course ii. NFHS Bullying, Hazing and Inappropriate Behavior Course 11. Prior to the third year of coaching, the following must be completed: i. NFHS Teaching and Modeling Behavior ii. NFHS Protecting Students from Abuse 12. Prior to the fourth year of coaching, the following must be completed: i. NFHS Engaging Effectively with Parents Course ii. NFHS Coaching Mental Wellness 13. Prior to the fifth year of coaching, the following must be completed: i. NFHS Adolescent Development: Centering Athlete Needs ii. NFHS Developing Youth Through Sport Editor's Note 1 : Please reference Appendix E for approved courses and avenues for completion. Editor's Note 2 : Specific course requirements are subject to change due to availability or new course development . 3.1.6 Sport-Specific Online Rules Review Requirement: Each school shall be responsible for requiring all athletic coaches to complete a MSHSAA Online Rules Review in their respective sport. A coach who has not completed the applicable online rules review is not eligible to coach in the state series. When a coach fails to complete the online rules review, the school shall justify the deficiency in writing to the MSHSAA office. 3.1.7 Concussion Course Requirement: State law requires that all coaches review the concussion information yearly. Editor’s Note: This information can be found on the MSHSAA website under the Sports Medicine Tab, and the NFHS offers a free course (Concussions in Sports—What You Need To Know) through their website (see Appendix E ). 3.1.8 Football Equipment Training : Each member school registered in football is responsible for training at least one football coach for each level of registration (i.e. high school and junior high school) in the proper fitting of football equipment. Editor’s Note: Training shall be completed prior to issuing football equipment for half-shell or full contact activities. 3.1.9 Violations: An egregious or intentional violation of the MSHSAA By-Laws or the rules/regulations of the sport may cause the Board of Directors to withhold approved status. Coaching Questions & Answers: Q1: We have an individual who is not an approved coach under MSHSAA By-Law 3.1.5. May this individual perform any of the following tasks for our school teams in the various sports during the school sports season? a) Wear a head-set in the press box during a football game and confer with coaches and/or players; b) Pitch batting practice, hit grounders and fly balls during practice, or serve as a first base coach during games (baseball or softball); c) run with the cross country or track and field team during practice; d) Video tape during a contest; e) Keep the school scorebook on the team bench, in the dugout, or at the scorer’s table. A1: In a; b; and c; the answer is no . This individual is prohibited from providing instruction, giving counsel, or physically working with the school team or school coaches in the strategy or skill development of the sport. In d and e, the answer is yes, provided the individual performs only those tasks in the keeping of information regarding the contest. Q2: We have a teacher in our building teaching with a Provisional or Temporary Authorization Certificate. May this person serve as a coach for our tennis team? A2: Yes. By-Law 3.1.5.a. allows an individual with a certification recognized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for teaching to serve as a coach. Q3 : If I arrange for my school nurse, an athletic trainer and paramedic to provide training to coaches/directors in the areas of First Aid, Concussion & Heat Illness Prevention and AED/CPR, would this meet the by-law requirements for these trainings? A3 : Yes, if the professionals providing the training are willing to confirm that the training provides the necessary information and hands-on experience for your coaches and directors. Q4 : Every employee of our school district is required to complete pre-service training which includes a module on student mental health and suicide prevention. Do I still need to have my coaches take the NFHSLearn course to fulfill the by- SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 59 law requirement? A4 : No, the preservice training meets the by-laws requirement; therefore, there would be no need to complete the NFHSLearn course. Other preservice training may meet other requirements, but schools should request MSHSAA staff evaluation. Q5: We have a vo-tech teacher who holds a vocational teaching certificate (CTAC, ICEC or CCEC) from DESE. Would this person qualify to serve our athletic program as a coach? A5: Yes. This teacher would qualify to serve as a coach because they have a teaching certificate recognized as professional by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Q6: Our school has an individual who would like to assist with our school football team during the school sports season as a volunteer (no pay) coach. May this individual serve in this capacity? A6: This “volunteer” may serve in this capacity only if he/she is hired by the local school Board of Education or governing board as a coach, contracted to serve in that capacity (with or without compensation), and satisfies all provisions of MSHSAA By-Law 3.1.5. Any person providing instruction to students is “a coach” and must meet the coaching requirements. Serving in this capacity without compensation does not negate the coaching requirements that have been put in place by the membership to regulate the individuals that have instructional contact with students. Q7: Our school has recently (March) offered an interscholastic coaching opportunity for next year verbally to an individual that is now coaching several of our students in club volleyball. The coach won’t sign the coaching contract until summertime. When does the coach need to stop coaching the club volleyball team that includes our students? A7: The coach needs to stop coaching immediately (March). Once the two parties (school and coach) agree regarding a school coaching assignment for the next year, the individual may not have any instructional contact with students at that school until summertime. This is the case even if an agreement has not been signed. This is the same restriction a continuing interscholastic coach has during the spring. (By-Law 3.1.2 and 3.1.3) Q8: East High School and South High School are in a cooperative sponsorship for the sport of basketball. We have three coaches for the team. One is a teacher at East, one is a teacher at South, and one is an approved non-faculty coach. a) This cooperative sponsorship was in place last year and will be in place next year . b) This cooperative sponsorship was in place last year but won’t be in place next year. c) This cooperative sponsorship was not in place last year but will be in place next year. With which students may our three coaches have contact during the summer, and with which students may our coaches have contact in the fall before the basketball season starts and in the spring after the season concludes? A8: Coaches of co-op teams are “coaches” for all schools involved, and any student in any of the co-oping schools are considered “enrolled students” and coaches are restricted from having any contact outside of the season during the school year. Outside Season During the School Year: In situations a and b, none of the coaches could have any sports contact with any enrolled student in either school before or after the basketball season other than what is permitted in the by-laws (3.14.6, 3.14.7 and Open Facilities) . In situation c, the coaches know they are coaching next year for the new co-op so they are under the same restriction before the season and after the season. Summer: In situations a and c, any sport contact between any co-op coach and any student at either school counts as a day of contact (3.15) toward the limit. In b, it depends on if either school will have its own team and who the coaches will be – go by the normal summer contact rules. Q9: Can an approved coach in one sport, coach a contest in another sport in an emergency situation even though they are not approved or listed as a coach in that sport? A9: Upon request of the school, an administrator listed on the MSHSAA website or an already listed and approved coach/ director of another sport/activity may for one contest/event, or practice, serve as coach. Any further coaching would require the individual to be listed for the given sport and meet all requirements to be approved for the assigned level of coach/director. This exception does not exist for postseason contests. Q10: Our junior high school offers an intramural program. Several of our high school sport coaches have been contracted by our school district to supervise this program. Is this a violation since our 8th graders may be coached by the coaches next year? A10: A school district sponsored intramural program would not be viewed as “organized non-school competition” and such contracted duties would not constitute a violation of these by-laws for these coaches. Please note that intramural programs are free-play activities that offer no instruction or “practice.” (See also 3.13 and 3.14) Q11: We have individuals who do not possess professional teacher's certificates who met the previous minimum coaching requirements during the 2025-2026 school year to be able to be approved as a head coach for the 2026-2027 school year. Will they now be required to complete the new requirements in By-Law 3.1.5.b to be approved to be a head coach? A11: Those individuals who do not possess a professional teacher's certificate but met all of the requirements to be approved as a head coach prior to the start of the 2026-2027 school year will be "grandfathered" into the approval process under By-Law 3.1.5.a. Q12: We have a coach who has completed a portion of the previous requirements as a provisional coach. Will these completions transfer over to the new requirements? Page 60 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK A12: Yes. Any previously completed coursework will apply to the new approval process and requirements. It will be important for ADs to evaluate how many years an individual has coached for a MSHSAA member school to determine what courses remain to be completed. Q13: We have just hired an individual who coached at another member school. The individual will be in their first year of coaching at our school but third year overall. Does this individual have to start with the course requirements in By-Law 3.1.5.b.12 or will they start with the requirements in 3.1.5.b.14? A13: The requirements listed in By-Law 3.1.5.b.12 - 16 are all one-time requirements which will transfer from one school to the next. As a third-year coach, the individual will need to complete the requirements in By-Law 3.1.5.b.14 prior to coaching. It is also important for any new employer to confirm previous requirements have been completed. Q14: We have a coach who recently received their professional teacher's certificate. They have been completing the requirements in By-Law 3.1.5.b for the past two years. Do they have to continue to complete the requirements in 3.1.5.b, or are they now evaluated under the requirements in 3.1.5.a? A14: Since the individual now has a professional teacher's certificate, their approval will be based upon the requirements in By-Law 3.1.5.a after their profile on the website has been updated to reflect the change in qualifications.

3.10.1 Residence and Transfer Definitions: For the purpose of determining residency and the appropriate transfer exception, the following definitions are provided: a. Parent - The term parent shall mean the student’s: 1) natural parent; 2) adoptive parent; 3) foster parent, designated by court order; or 4) legal guardian designated by court order. b. Residence - Residence shall be defined as the place where the student and his/her parents have established their permanent home. This means that the family regularly eats and sleeps in a specific place of lodging. It is a place where the student and his/her parents are habitually present and to which when departing, they intend to return. The permanent home of a student with parents who are divorced or separated shall be the dwelling where a student has resided with one of his/her parents for a majority of the overnight periods during the 365 consecutive days immediately prior to enrollment or the date participation begins as a resident participant student. c. Change of Residence - A change of residence under this rule shall consist of the moving of all household properties to the new address and the parents and student actually living there; a second family residence shall not meet the requirements of this standard. d. District - All member schools, both public and non-public, shall establish defined geographical attendance districts for athletic eligibility purposes. The boundary for a non-public school attendance district shall be established by the school’s governing board and shall include an area not to exceed a twenty-five mile radius measured from the school principal’ s office. A current map showing the non-public school’s attendance district boundary shall be on file in the MSHSAA office. Any subsequent change in the non-public school’s attendance boundary must be reported to the MSHSAA office no later than February 1 preceding the school year the change is to become effective since any change will be used in determining the eligibility of transfer students. The boundary for a Charter School attendance district is set by state law, but may be reduced at the school’s discretion for athletic eligibility purposes only. If thus reduced, a current map showing the Charter School’s attendance boundary shall be on file in the MSHSAA office and changes must be reported no later than February 1 preceding the school year the change is to become effective. The Missouri School for the Blind and the Missouri School of the Deaf shall be exempt from establishing a defined geographic attendance district for athletic eligibility purposes. e. Restricted Eligibility - A transfer student who is granted restricted eligibility may participate in designated sports only at the subvarsity level of competition until the student has been in continuous attendance at or resident student participating with the new school for 365 days from the date of enrollment. 3.10.2 Residence Requirements: A junior high or high school student may be eligible at the public or non-public school located in the district in which the student’s parents (as defined in By-Law 3.10.1.a) reside. In the case of a public multiple school district, a student may be eligible at the school designated for the student to attend by the board of education. 3.10.3 Residence Exceptions: A student may also meet eligibility Residence Standards under the following provisions: a. A student who is enrolled full-time in a special learning center may be eligible to represent the public school serving the district or attendance area of the parents’ residency in any sport not sponsored by the school he/she attends. A special learning center is defined as a member school that offers only specialized courses or curricula, or serves a very specialized student population. Member schools must apply to the Board of Directors by May 1 to be recognized as a Special Learning Center the following year. The Board may remove a school from this category if the school no longer meets the definition. The following categories of schools are special learning centers: Page 68 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 1. Magnet Schools 2. Schools serving only students with Individualized Education Plans (I.E.P’ s) 3. Vocational/Technical Schools Editor’s Note: The following schools have applied and been confirmed as Special Learning Centers: Central (Springfield) Middle School, Central Visual & Performing Arts High School, Collegiate School of Med/Bio Science High School, Frederick Douglass High School, Gateway High School, Lincoln College Prep, McKinley Classical Leadership Academy, Metro High School, Paseo Academy High School, Soldan International Studies High School, Special School District of St. Louis County (Hiram Neuwoehner High School, Northview High School, and Southview High School), and STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley. b. The residence standards shall be waived 365 days from the date a student enrolls in a member school provided enrollment in that member school has been continuous. 3.10.4 Transfer of Enrollment Requirements: Students who transfer schools or do not meet the requirements of residency upon enrollment at the school as outlined above are ineligible for 365 days unless their cases meet the standards under the exceptions that follow : TRANSFERS INVOLVING ATHLETIC REASONS OR UNDUE INFLUENCE SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANY EXCEPTION UNDER THIS BY-LAW. a. Exception 1 - Transfer at Promotion: Provided the transfer does not involve undue influence and is not for athletic reasons, a student may be eligible immediately at the school of his/her choice upon first entering when: 1. The student is promoted from the 5th grade to the 6th grade. 2. The student is promoted from the 6th grade to the 7th grade. 3. The student is promoted from the 8th grade to the 9th grade, provided the student is eligible in all other respects. 4. The student completes the highest grade in an elementary school that is not a part of a system supporting a high school (K-8), provided the student is eligible in all other respects. b. Exception 2 - Corresponding Full-Family (Household) Change of Residence: If there is a corresponding change in which the student's entire household relocates from the attendance district of the school where a student has been enrolled or has been a resident participant student to the new district, the student may be eligible as soon as the transfer of eligibility is approved by the MSHSAA office. For the purpose of this provision, if the districts served by the two schools overlap, the term “new district” shall mean a district in which the original residence was not located. The purpose of this section shall be to avoid any loss of eligibility when an entire household relocates to a different residence in a new district . 1. This change of residence must be simultaneous with the transfer of enrollment except when for educational reasons and awaiting occupancy of a new residence, a request is made to the MSHSAA office to permit the student to enroll at a new school at the beginning of a new year or semester and to become eligible as of the date the actual move takes place, such request shall be granted. 2. If the entire household moves to a new district, the student, to retain eligibility without establishing a 365 days period of attendance, must transfer his/her enrollment simultaneously with the change of residence of the entire household , or no later than the beginning of the next school year. 3. If a student has lived with an individual other than a parent for 365 or more consecutive days, and then a change of residence as defined in By-Law 3.10.1.c takes place that necessitates a transfer of eligibility , this exception may be used to request eligibility. 4. In the case of a student whose parents are divorced or legally separated, this exception may only be used if the student has resided with the re-locating parent only for a consecutive majority of the overnight periods during the 365 consecutive days immediately prior to enrollment. c. Exception 3 - Waiver : Even though a student transfers schools under circumstances which do not meet the terms of the Transfer of Enrollment Standards, he/she still may be granted eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics as hereinafter restricted if the student qualifies under the following terms and conditions: 1. A student whose name has been included on a school eligibility roster at any level (varsity, junior varsity, freshmen, junior high, etc.) for a given sport during the 12 calendar months preceding the date of such transfer can be eligible only for sub-varsity competition in that sport(s) for 365 days from the date of transfer. A student may have unrestricted eligibility in all other sports in which his/her name has not appeared on a school eligibility roster (at any level). Editor's Note: The term "sub-varsity" refers to any level below varsity. 2. A student who has attended a school system that does not sponsor interscholastic athletics but who has participated in organized non-school competition, as defined in By-Law 3.13.2, during the 12 calendar months preceding the date of such transfer can be eligible only for sub-varsity competition in that sport(s) for 365 days from the date of transfer. A student may have unrestricted eligibility in all other sports in which he/she did not participate. 3. Eligibility can be granted as described in number one above provided the athletic eligibility is approved by the principals of both the sending and receiving schools and the Board of Directors and further provided there is no athletic purpose involved in the transfer. The student shall be ineligible for all sports for 365 days from the date of transfer in the event that either or both principals or the Board of Directors decline to approve athletic eligibility. Editor’s Note: A student transferring under the Waiver in grades 7-8 shall have restricted eligibility from the highest team in the junior high/middle school i.e. “A” Team restricted to “B” Team. d. Exception 4 - Hardship: The Board of Directors may grant eligibility to a transfer student who does not meet the Transfer Standards when sufficient evidence is provided to show that it was necessary for the student to transfer because of unforeseen, unavoidable, or unusual circumstances. 1. Hardship Transfer requests for students in junior high school (6th, 7th and 8th grades) will be granted if the Principals SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 69 of both the sending and receiving schools approve the request and indicate that they do not believe that the transfer was made for athletic reasons or due to undue influence. 2. A student who is granted eligibility under this provision shall be eligible upon notification by the Executive Director. e. Exception 5 - Foreign Exchange: 1. Foreign Exchange Students (a) A foreign exchange student is an international student who attends high school in the U.S. To be eligible for interscholastic athletics in a MSHSAA member school, such student must be under the auspices of and be placed with a Missouri host family by an international student exchange program ( Appendix D ) that has been accepted for listing by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) and be recognized by the U.S. Department of State. The foreign exchange program must assign students to host families by a method that ensures that no student, or his/her parents, school or other interested party may influence the assignment for athletic or other purposes. The foreign exchange student may not be selected or placed on any basis related to his/her athletic interests or abilities. (b) A foreign exchange student is considered to be placed with a host family when written notice of placement is provided by the exchange organization to the student and his/her parents, and to the host family . i. Neither the school the student attends nor any person associated with the school shall have input into the selection of the student. ii. If a member of the school’s coaching staff, paid or voluntary, serves as the host family, the foreign exchange student shall not be eligible to participate at any level in the sport(s) (by gender) for which the coach coaches. (c) A senior foreign exchange student, in his/her 7th and 8th semesters, attending a member school may be considered eligible with no restrictions to participate in interscholastic athletics during his/her 7th and 8th semesters only, provided the following conditions are met. Editor's Note: The 7th and 8th semesters represent a student's culminating year of high school education. i. The foreign exchange student must comply with all other eligibility requirements. ii. The student has not previously attended any other American high school. iii. The foreign exchange student is eligible at the public or non-public school(s) located in the district in which the foreign exchange student’s host family resides, as defined in By-Law 3.10.1.b. (d) Non-Senior Foreign Exchange Students: Any foreign exchange student in his/her first through sixth semester of school attendance (as defined in By-Law 2.4) will have eligibility considered only under By-Laws 3.10.4.c and 3.10.4.e.1.b.2. 2. Transfer Back - Approved Foreign Exchange Program : A student who transfers for the first time from a foreign exchange program that is listed on the Advisory List of International Educational Travel and Exchange Programs (Appendix D ) published by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel shall have unrestricted eligibility under the following conditions. (a) The transfer shall occur at the semester. (b) The student shall return to the previous high school attended prior to participation in the exchange program. (c) The student must meet the residence requirement in By-Law 3.10.2. (d) The student shall meet all essential eligibility requirements. f. Exception 6 - Special Transfers: 1. Transfer Between Divorced Parents : A student who has established residence with one parent only, for 365 days or more, following the divorce of his/her parents may transfer schools one time without loss of eligibility to move to the residence of the other parent unless both parent residences are within the defined geographical attendance district of the receiving school. A copy of the custody agreement shall be submitted for review of the school’s transfer request. The following situations shall not be reviewed under this exception: (a) Transfers of enrollment due to subsequent changes of residency between the divorced parents after the first exchange, unless no prior exchange has been made since the student was promoted into the 6th grade. (b) Transfers of enrollment where joint physical custody has been legally provided to both parents and the student lives part time with each parent. (c) Situations where the residency of the receiving parent was established in the receiving school district less than 365 days prior to the transfer of schools. The student may be eligible as soon as the transfer of eligibility is approved by the MSHSAA office. 2. Resident Participant Student Entrance and Exit : A student will have full eligibility the first time the student participates as a resident participant student with a member public or charter school, unless the student has attended any member school within the last 365 days, provided the student is eligible in all other respects. 3. Non-Resident Parent Employee: A student shall be granted full eligibility upon transfer to a member school when the student's parent accepts employment with the school district in which the student enrolls, provided the student does not reside within the district boundaries. (a) For purposes of this provision, the parent must qualify as a regular employee of the school district as defined in Section 167.151, RSMo--an individual who devotes at least twenty (20) paid hours per week fulfilling employment requirements or providing services for the benefit of a school district and whose position is covered by a retirement system created under Chapter 169 or a comparable retirement system applicable to the employing school. (b) To qualify for this exception, the student must transfer at the same time the parent, with whom they have established residence with the previous 365 days, begins employment with the district, or at the beginning of Page 70 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK the next academic semester if the parent's employment begins during the school year. (c) In school districts with multiple high schools, this exception shall not apply to transfers between schools within the same district. The provision applies only to transfers associated with employment in a different school district. 4. Military Exceptions: (a) (Originally under Hardship Exception) A military officer who is deemed by the Department of Defense as “mission essential” and who is further required to live within the boundaries of the military base, may upon arrival enroll his/her child(ren) in a school district that is contiguous to the school of residency (as defined in By-Law 3.10.2) and such child(ren) shall be considered eligible under this exception. Once the child attends a school, he/she would then be eligible only at that school. (b) A student who is a child of an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces who transfers due to a parent's Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders may be granted an exception to the transfer process. The receiving school will complete the transfer form and the following documentation : i. PCS orders for the parent or guardian ii. Transcript from the sending school iii. Proof of residence within the receiving school district 5. Refugee/Political Asylum Student: A student will have full eligibility when the transfer is due to verified humanitarian relocation from a foreign country, and the student has a Federal I-94 record indicating refugee or asylee status. A copy of the Federal I-94 shall be submitted for review of the school's transfer request. 6. State or District Directed : Any transfer within any school system ordered by the board of education or governing body of a non-public school system shall be considered as meeting the residence requirements. (a) An assignment by the Commissioner of Education in accord with provisions contained in RSMo 167.121 shall meet this requirement. Editor’s Note : This item is not referring to a situation in which a family makes a request to the school board for re-assignment which is granted, but rather a transfer that is mandated by the district due to special services, etc. (b) In case of reorganization, consolidation, or annexation of school districts, a student may be considered eligible at the designated school of the enlarged district immediately. 7. School Closure : If a school is discontinued or closed to any group of students for reasons other than number two above, its students may be eligible immediately in the school of their choice provided the standards of residence are met. 8. Transfer from an In-State Non-Member School: A student is eligible upon his/her first transfer from a Missouri non- member or an Affiliate Registered School, as long as the student has been enrolled there for at least two consecutive semesters, to a MSHSAA member school where he/she meets the Residence Standards contained in By-Law 3.10.2. Students transferring to a member school from an out-of-state school or an international school may not utilize this transfer exception. 9. Transfer From an Unaccredited Public School: A student may be eligible upon his or her first transfer from an unaccredited public school to an accredited public school where the student’s tuition is required by state law to be paid by the home district. Likewise, a student may be eligible upon his/her first transfer back to his/her home school if the school regains accreditation provided the student transfers within 365 days of accreditation being regained. 10. Boarding Schools: A student who transfers for the first time to a boarding school*, provided the school is not a specialized athletic/academy boarding school, and lives in the dormitory of the school may be eligible as soon as certified in accord with By-Law 3.4. Likewise, a student who has been attending a boarding school for 365 days, provided it is not a specialized athletic/academy boarding school, and living in its dormitory under this provision may be eligible upon the student’s first transfer to a school at which he/she meets the residence standards contained under By-Law 3.10.2. *For purposes of this standard, a boarding school is defined as a school which provides a residential community setting for students in which a full range of boarding services are provided (dormitory counselors, 24 hours a day supervision, a social program, 3 meals a day, etc). 3.10.5 Eligible at Time of Transfer: A transfer student must be eligible in all respects at the school from which he or she is transferring to be eligible at the school to which he or she is transferring. If a student transfers schools with the status of ineligible for disciplinary reasons, the student shall retain such status at the new school for the same period as decreed by the former school. In all other cases, if the student is eligible in all respects under the receiving school’s standards or MSHSAA standards, whichever is more restrictive, the student shall be considered eligible at the new school. A student transferring and meeting the Academic Standard at the receiving school, which has a less restrictive standard than the sending school, shall be considered to be academically eligible at the new school provided the minimum standards of By-Law 2.3 (3.0/80%, whichever is greater) are met. Interscholastic competition against another school before participating students are certified as eligible shall be considered a violation. 3.10.6 Transfer of Eligibility Request Required: A transfer request shall be expedited for any transfer student (one who was not enrolled in the school district or system the previous year) before a student may be considered eligible without establishing a 365 days period of attendance from the date of enrollment. The student shall not be permitted to compete until the principal receives the information from the school from which he or she transferred, verifying that the student meets the standards of eligibility to compete. 3.10.7 Enrollment and Attendance: a. Prior to the First Day of School: A student must be enrolled at the school, or, for resident participant students, live SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 71 within the member school's attendance boundaries, in order to participate in school-based summer opportunities and fall sports practices prior to the start of school. If an interscholastic contest is played before the formal opening of school of the fall semester, a transfer student with an eligibility determination through the transfer of eligibility process and who is eligible in all other respects may be eligible to participate under this provision provided the student is properly enrolled in the school. b. After the First Day of School: A transfer student with an eligibility determination through the transfer of eligibility process and who is eligible in all other respects may participate on the first day of attendance, or , for resident participant students, the first day of residency. Participation in practice prior to the first day of attendance is allowed if properly enrolled in the school and if the student is no longer attending another school. 3.10.8 Transfer After Start of District & State Tournament Series: A student who participates in a MSHSAA district or state tournament contest shall not be eligible during the state tournament series in the same sport in the same season at a second school, even if the student completes an otherwise legal transfer to the second school. Transfer and Residency Questions & Answers: Q1: We have a student who will be transferring to our school at the beginning of his junior year without a corresponding change of residence of his parents. He is transferring from a four-year public high school. When will he be eligible to a) practice as a member of a team and b) participate in interscholastic competition? A1: a) Once fully enrolled, the student may practice as a member of a team provided proof of healthcare coverage and a physical form are on file with the school. b) The student is not eligible to participate in interscholastic competition until the receiving school has completed the transfer process by utilizing one of the ten transfer exceptions. Any student who transfers his/her enrollment is initially ineligible, and may request eligibility through the online transfer process. Q2: A student moves from her parents’ home to live with her grandparents. The change of residence results in a transfer of schools. If the grandparents are designated as the legal guardians of this student will the student be eligible to participate in athletics? A2: Due to the transfer, the student is initially ineligible following the transfer, but the receiving school may file a transfer of eligibility request for the student. Depending on the reasons for the move/transfer, the waiver or hardship transfer exceptions may be applicable. The student would become eligible as soon as the online transfer of eligibility request has been approved by MSHSAA, provided all other general essential eligibility requirements have been met. The receiving school should discuss the specifics of the move with the student, the parents, and the grandparents before filing a request with the MSHSAA office. Q3: We have a student who moved to our district with her parents in August. She has attended our school for two months and now her parents are moving to a neighboring school district. May she continue to represent our school in athletics with no restrictions now if she remains in our district and lives with her uncle? A3: No. In this situation the student would become ineligible at your school on the date her parents move from your district. She could subsequently become eligible at your school after she has attended there continuously for a 365-day period (By-Law 3.10.3.b). The school may apply for a Transfer Waiver exception in this situation (By-Law 3.10.4.i). If she moves with her parents, she would become eligible at the school in the district in which her parents take up residence provided she transfers her enrollment simultaneously with the transfer of residence of her parents, and a transfer request is approved by the MSHSAA office. Q4: A student resides in a community that has three public high schools and two non-public high schools. The boundaries of the attendance districts for the two non-public schools (A and B) are the city limits. The attendance districts for the three public schools (1, 2 and 3) encompass three separate defined geographical segments of the city . The family residence was located in public school 2’s attendance district when, upon entering the 9th grade, the student enrolled at non-public school A. Between his sophomore and junior years of school the family moves to a home in public school 3’s attendance district. The student wishes to transfer to non-public school B to start his junior year. Will he be eligible under the Transfer of Enrollment Standards at non-public school B? A4: No. Both the original family residence (in public school 2’s attendance district) and the new family residence (in public school 3’s attendance district) are in non-public school B’s attendance district. Thus, the change of residence in this case would not meet the criteria contained in By-Law 3.10.4.a since the family did not move from one non-public school attendance district into a different non-public school attendance district. In this case the student could continue to attend non-public school A or transfer to public school 3 and be eligible on an unrestricted basis at either school. It should be noted that in any case where a transfer student is not eligible under the Transfer Standards, eligibility may be requested under the Transfer Waiver provision. Q5: A student enrolled in our school today who became 18 years of age in July preceding the opening of the school year. He previously lived with his parents in their family home located in a neighboring district and attended school there. However, he is now living in an apartment in our district. Based on the fact he is residing in our school district, the law requires us to accept him as a student. Is he eligible to represent our school in interscholastic athletics? A5: Not initially. MSHSAA By-Law 3.10.4.a (Transfer of Enrollment Standards) stipulates that in order for a transfer student to be eligible, there must be a corresponding change of residence of the student’s parents from the district where the student has been in attendance to the new district. The By-Law includes no exception to this requirement for an emancipated minor. Further, By-Law 3.7 requires parental permission for participation in athletics. The school may file a transfer form to request some eligibility. Page 72 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Q6: As a result of a tax levy defeat, the Board of Education of our neighboring school district has determined they will eliminate all interscholastic athletics for junior high and high school students next year . We have received inquiries from several parents about the possibility of their children transferring to our school either: a) as tuition students who would commute daily from their home; or b) as resident students who would live with a court appointed guardian in our district. Would these students be eligible to participate in our interscholastic athletic program? A6: No in both a) and b). Students transferring under such circumstances would not be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics at your school for a 365 day period since their parents will not have completed a permanent change of residence to your district as is required in By-Law 3.10.4.a. A transfer of eligibility request may be filed with the MSHSAA office to seek some level of eligibility. MSHSAA By-Laws do not recognize differences in academic or extracurricular offerings between schools. Each school district is responsible for providing both academic and nonacademic programs to satisfy the needs of its students. Q7: Our school has hired a full-time teacher who lives in a neighboring school district and who previously taught at the school which serves the district in which his residence is located. He has a son who will be a junior next year and has been playing on the neighboring school’s basketball team. According to state law, a child attending a school in a district other than the district of residence, when the child’s parent teaches in that non-residence district, if accepted as a non-tuition student, shall be counted in the average daily attendance as a resident pupil. Therefore, could this teacher’s son transfer to our school and be eligible to participate on our varsity basketball team next year if the family does not move into our district? A7: Yes. Under the Non-Resident Parent Employee special transfer exception, the student would be eligible as long as the proper transfer form has been completed, and the student meets all other eligibility requirements. Q8: One of our basketball players was removed from our team for the remainder of the season due to violating several team rules. He has transferred to another school. Will he be eligible for athletics at the new school? A8: No. Discipline from the sending school moves forward. Therefore, he is not eligible at any level until the basketball season is completed. Then his eligibility must be considered under one of the transfer provisions. If for example, a student at School A lost eligibility for 60 days due to disciplinary infractions and transferred to School B, the disciplinary ineligibility would continue at School B until the 60-day suspension had been completed. This applies to both athletics and activities. Q9: We have a female student whose parents moved to our school district because of a job change. All members of the family have moved and she has met all of the transfer standards. She is a basketball player and was a member of her previous school’s varsity team that was defeated last week in district play. We are competing in the quarterfinals of the state tournament this Saturday. Will she be eligible to compete on our team after she has been in attendance at our school for five days? A9: No. By-Law 3.10.8 provides that a student who has participated in a MSHSAA district or state tournament contest at a sending school shall not be eligible during the state tournament series in the same sport during the same school year at a receiving school, even if the student completes an otherwise legal transfer to the receiving school. In addition, to be eligible for MSHSAA district or state competition at a given school, a student must compete in at least one regular season contest in that sport at that school. Q10: We have a foreign student enrolled in our school who is living with family friends in our district. He is not involved in a foreign student exchange program. Is he eligible to participate in our interscholastic athletic program? A10: The student is ineligible until the athletic director submits a transfer of enrollment request via the MSHSAA website to determine the eligibility level of the student. Eligibility must be determined under By-Law 3.10.4, Transfer of Enrollment Requirements. If the student meets one of the ten exceptions listed, he may have some level of eligibility granted for athletics. This student does not meet exception 10 as he is not here on through an approved CSIET program. Q11 : What is a "dual residence" as referred to in the transfer and residency restrictions, and the Full Family Move exception? A11 : If a transferring student's parents have ownership and/or control (through a lease or other means) of both the former residence connected with enrollment at the former school, and another residence that is going to be connected with enrollment at a new school, the student has a dual residence. The Full Family Move transfer exception may not be utilized under these circumstances. When an owned home has been publicly marketed for sale at a reasonable price, utilities are shut off, all furniture and belongings have been moved to the second residence, and all family members are living in the second residence, all of which take place PRIOR to a transfer of enrollment to a new school, a determination shall be made by the MSHSAA staff as to whether there is a single or dual residence for transfer purposes. Leasing or renting an owned property to a third party is still a dual residence. Q12 : A student's parent is hired by a school district solely as a coach and receives a stipend for coaching duties. Does the student qualify for the Non-Resident Parent Employee exception? A12 : No. To qualify for the Non-Resident Parent Employee exception, the parent must be a regular employee of the school district as defined in Section 167.151. RSMo. The employee must devote at least twenty (20) paid hours per week fulfilling employment requirements or providing services for the benefit of the district and must be covered by a retirement system created under Chapter 169 or a comparable retirement system applicable to the employing school. A parent whose only connection to the district is a coaching assignment would not meet the requirements of this exception. SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 73

3.12.1 Alumni Games: Alumni games may be played if they involve only former students playing against the school team, are held within the established season limits stated in the By-Laws, and are counted as one of the school’s allowable number of contests in the activity concerned. 3.12.2 Student versus School Staff Contests: Student versus School Staff contests may be played under the following conditions: a. Such contests may NOT take place within the school sport season. b. Such contests may be co-educational (coed) or gender-specific. c. One contest per sport per year is allowed. No such contest is allowable in the sport of football. d. The contest shall take place at the school, unless appropriate facilities are not owned by the school. e. Participation in such contests shall not jeopardize the eligibility of students for the applicable interscholastic sport. 3.12.3 Intramurals: High school students, including athletes, may assist with elementary (K-5) intramural programs that are sponsored by the school district in which they are enrolled. Sport-specific contact that takes place outside of the school sport season between a high school athlete and his/her sport coach(es) as a result of assisting with a bona fide district- sponsored K-5 intramural program shall not constitute a violation of the restrictions outlined in By-Laws 3.13, 3.14 or 3.15. 3.12.4 Youth-Aged Instructional Events (Camps): A school may sponsor a youth-aged sports camp under the following conditions: a. High School Sponsored - During the School Year (Restricted by Residence/Enrollment): A youth-aged sports camp may be offered to students in grades K-7 who live within the residence boundaries of the high school which is Page 74 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK sponsoring the camp and who are either enrolled and attending or meet the requirements to be a resident participant student at the elementary school or junior high school managed and funded by that high school’s district or system and which feeds directly to that high school. [Sixth and seventh grade students participating in interscholastic sports shall adhere to the restrictions in By-Law 3.13 during their sports season.] b. Junior High School Sponsored - During the School Year (Restricted by Residence/Enrollment): A youth-aged sports camp may be offered to students in grades K-5 who live within the residence boundaries of the junior high school which is sponsoring the camp and who are either enrolled and attending or meet the requirements to be a resident participant student at the elementary school managed and funded by that high school’s district or system and which feeds directly to that junior high school. c. During the Summer (Open): A high school may sponsor a youth-aged sports camp open to any students to attend up to and including the summer preceding entry into the 8th grade. A junior high school may sponsor a youth-aged sports camp open to any students to attend up to and including the summer preceding entry into the 6th grade. d. Student Assistants: High school students, including athletes, may assist with youth-aged sports camps that are sponsored by the high school in which they are enrolled. Junior high school students, including athletes, may assist with youth-aged sports camps that are sponsored by the junior high school in which they are enrolled. Sport-specific contact that takes place outside of the school sport season between a high school or junior high school athlete and his/ her sport coach(es) as a result of assisting with a bona fide youth-aged sports camp shall not constitute a violation of the restrictions outlined in By-Laws 3.13, 3.14 or 3.15, nor shall count as a contact day. ( Editor's Note: Such assistance may not take place during a no-contact or dead period .) Youth Camps Questions & Answers: Q1: Our high school would like to sponsor a youth-aged sports camp. May we do so: a) in the summer? b) during the school year? c) during a no-contact period or summertime dead period? A1: a) Yes. A high school may sponsor a youth-aged sports camp during the summer and may open it up to any student to attend. Students going INTO the 8th grade and younger may attend. b) Yes, however, participants are restricted to those students who live within the residence boundaries of that high school and who are enrolled in and attending that high school’s direct feeder junior high school, within the same school district. c) No. Youth camps may not be held during a no-contact period or summertime dead period. 3.13 SPORT PARTICIPATION AND CONTACT – WHILE PARTICIPATING IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT SEASON DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR 3.13.1 Restrictions While Participating Interscholastically: During the sport season in which a student represents his/her school by competing in an interscholastic athletic contest, the following guidelines and restrictions shall apply. A student who joins a school sports team for the first time must have abided by these restrictions beginning with the first day of the current season of the sport concerned. a. Definition of the School Year: For the purposes of By-Laws 3.13, 3.14, and 3.15, the school year is defined as the period beginning with the first allowable practice date for the fall (Monday of Standardized Calendar W eek Number Five) and ending the last day of school or the Thursday preceding Memorial Day, whichever is earlier. However, if a school team is still competing in district or state tournament series contests, the “in season” restrictions would continue to apply to those varsity athletes. b. Definition of School Sports Season: A school sports season shall be defined as the period beginning with the date of the school’s first practice with any part of a sports team held on or after the first allowable practice date for the MSHSAA sport season and ending with the school’s last contest, including district and state tournament contests, in that sport. c. Winter and Spring Sport No-Contact Period: The seven days prior to the first allowable practice date for the season shall be a seasonal no-contact period in which no “contact” as defined in By-Law 3.15 takes place between school coaches/directors of MSHSAA sponsored winter or spring activities, respectively, and students enrolled in the member school, or who will be enrolled in the member school during the upcoming school year. (See By-Law 3.15 for Fall Sport No-Contact Period) 3.13.2 Organized Non-School Competition: Athletic competition shall be considered “ organized ” if any of the following conditions exist: Competition is scheduled and publicized in advance, official score is kept, individual or team standings are maintained, official timer or game officials are used, admission is charged, teams are regularly formed or team rosters are predetermined, team members are dressed in team uniforms or a team is privately or commercially-sponsored. Further, competition which is either directly or indirectly sponsored, promoted or administered by an individual, organization, or any other agency shall be considered organized. a. Same Season/Same Sport: A student shall neither practice nor compete as a member of a non-school team or as an individual participant in organized non-school competition in that same sport, except as provided for specifically below . In order to be eligible for the school team, the student must join the team at the start of the season and attend all scheduled school practices and contests. Participation in a non-school sport event that is specifically allowed in Section 3 must be approved in advance by a school administrator. Absences not related to non-school competition will be handled locally. 1. Non-School Competition Exception: For all sports, students may continue in non-school competition and practice through the day before the first allowable contest with prior approval by a school administrator . 2. Swimming/Diving: During the school sport season of swimming and diving, a student may , after fulfilling all requirements, practices and competitions of the school swimming and diving team, practice and/or compete as a member of a non-school team or as an individual participant in an organized non-school swimming and diving SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 75 practice or competition under the conditions listed below. (a) Priority shall be given to all school team practices and competition. Should a non-school practice/competition be in direct conflict with the school scheduled practice/competition the school practice/competition shall take priority. Prior approval by the school administrator may grant an exception to a student to participate in a non- school swimming or diving competition ( not practice) if in direct conflict with the school program. (b) No school time shall be missed to compete, practice or travel to the site of such non-school swimming and diving competition unless the absence is approved in advance by the school administrator. (c) A school shall not replace its swimming or diving program with any non-school swimming or diving program. (d) In order to remain eligible under this exception to the non-school competition rule, the student must join the team at the start of the season and attend all scheduled school practices and contests, unless attending a non-school competition with prior approval by a school administrator. Absences not related to non-school competition will be handled locally. (e) After the first allowable practice date, no school swimming coach may provide any coaching or instruction to any student while that student is participating in a non-school competition during the school sport season. Editor’s Note: Outside of the school sport season, coaching contact restrictions apply. 3. Cross-Country, Golf, Tennis, Track and Field, and Wrestling: During the school sport season, a student may, after fulfilling all requirements, practices and competitions of the school team, compete as an individual participant in two (2) organized non-school competitions under the conditions listed below . (a) Priority shall be given to all school team practices and competition. Should a non-school competition be in direct conflict with the school scheduled practice/competition the school practice/competition shall take priority . Prior approval by the school administrator may grant an exception to a student to participate in the non-school competition if in direct conflict with the school program. (b) No school time shall be missed to compete, practice or travel to the site of such non-school competition unless the absence is approved in advance by the school administrator. (c) The student shall not miss any MSHSAA sponsored postseason event that involves either the student or his/her school team to participate in such non-school competition. (d) In order to remain eligible under this exception to the non-school competition rule, the student must join the team at the start of the season and attend all scheduled school practices and contests, unless attending a non-school competition with prior approval by a school administrator. Absences not related to non-school competition will be handled locally. (e) After the first allowable practice date, no school coach of the applicable sport in season may provide any coaching or instruction to any student while that student is participating in a non-school competition during the school sport season. Editor’s Note: Outside of the school sport season, coaching contact restrictions apply. 4. Non-School Team Tryout: With prior approval by a school administrator, a student may participate in a one-day, one-time non-school team tryout provided the tryouts are held on a day the students do not practice or play for the school team and provided the tryout is exclusively an experience in which a student is tested and screened for ability and placement on a roster and does not include any instruction, coaching, practice, workout, etc. Students may not participate in any game competition or scrimmages for the non-school team until after the school team has completed its season by playing its last contest. Any non-school team tryout is limited to one day. b. Same Season/Different Sport: A student may practice or compete as a member of a non-school team or as an individual participant in organized non-school competition in a different sport than the school sport in season under the following specific conditions. In order to be eligible for the school team, the student must join the team at the start of the season and attend all scheduled school practices and contests. Participation in a non-school sport event that is specifically allowed in Section 3 must be approved in advance by a school administrator . Absences not related to non- school competition will be handled locally. 1. No school time is missed to compete, practice for, or travel to the site of such non-school competition unless the absence is approved in advance by the school administrator. 2. The student shall not practice for or compete in the non-school competition on the same date the school team practices or competes, without approval of the school administrator. 3. School Coaches : If held during the school year but outside the designated school season for the sport: (a) A high school coach of any sport may not provide any coaching or instruction to any student who currently attends or will attend the member high school (grades 9-12) the following year, nor any resident participant student or a student who meets the requirements to be a resident participant student the following year. (b) A junior high school coach of any sport may not provide any coaching or instruction to any student who currently attends or will attend the member junior high school (grades 6-8) the following year, nor any resident participant student or a student who meets the requirements to be a resident participant student the following year. (c) No coach may play on a non-school team on which members of his/her school team will be participating nor may he/she be directly involved in the actual administration of such games, including officiating. 4. Not Representing the School : The student shall not represent the school and shall not use school uniforms or equipment. 5. Voluntary : Participation in non-school competition must be voluntary on the part of the student and not required directly or indirectly for membership on a school team. 6. Transportation : Students must provide their own transportation to participate in non-school competition; schools shall not provide or arrange for transportation for students to participate in non-school competition. Page 76 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 3.13.3 National Governing Body Olympic-Path/U.S. National Team: The Board of Directors may make an exception to the provisions of By-Law 3.13.2 or 3.13.6 to permit a student to participate as an individual (not representing his/her school) in either a competition or a specialized camp, clinic or other similar program involving coaching and instruction during the school sport season of the sport concerned or in a different sport than the school sport in season without loss of interscholastic eligibility, under the following terms and conditions: a. As a member of a U.S. National Team (and the actual, direct tryouts therefore), which is defined as one selected by the national governing body of the sport on a national qualification basis either through a defined selective process or actual tryouts for the purpose of international competition which requires the entries to officially represent their respective nations, although it is not necessary there be team scoring by nation; or b. As a participant at an elite level of a National Governing Body's (NGB) Olympic-path development program, which is defined by MSHSAA to be an elite training program or competition: 1. Conducted or sponsored by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC); or 2. Directly funded and conducted by the USOC member national governing body (NGB) on a national level (e.g. NGB national championship competition and the direct qualifications therefore, or NGB training camp in Colorado Springs); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, participation as described in a. and b. above may be an exception to the other provisions of By-Law 3.13 only if: (a) The participation is approved by the student’s school principal, and MSHSAA is notified in writing by the principal at least 30 days prior to the start of the program; and (b) The student makes prior arrangements to complete missed academic lessons, assignments and tests before the last day of classes of the credit grading period in which the student’s absence occurs; and (c) The student misses no MSHSAA sponsored postseason athletic event involving a team in that sport; and (d) It is confirmed that there are no other such opportunities outside the school sport season; and (e) A list of all invited participants by state is publicly available or made available for review. 3.13.4 Evaluation Events Conducted by Private Organizers (See By-Law 3.11.1.b for College/University-Conducted Recruiting Events): Participation in Evaluation Events not directly sponsored by a college or university and not conducted by that college or university’s coaching staff for the sport, in which one or more students participate in physical activity including individual or group drills and/or limited scrimmages (not complete games) for the purpose of revealing, demonstrating or displaying the student’s athletic abilities in a specific sport to the coaching staff of one or more colleges/universities for recruiting purposes, may be permitted as described below. a. Same Season/Same Sport: An athlete shall not participate in an evaluation event, as described above, during the school sports season for the sport concerned under any circumstances. b. Same Season/Different Sport: The student may participate in an evaluation event, as described above, during a season in which he/she is competing in a different school sport, provided no school time is missed to travel to or participate in the sport-specific instruction, without the prior approval of a school administrator . 3.13.5 Sport-Specific Instruction by Private Organizers or Schools (See By-Law 3.11.1.c for College/University-Conducted Individual Instruction Events): a. Definition of Sport-Specific Instruction: Instructional clinic or group lesson events which involve individual instruction in a specific sport that include activities designed to improve overall skills and general knowledge in the respective sport. The primary emphasis shall be on teaching individual player skills, and there is no complete game competition other than limited scrimmage situations. (See By-Law 3.13.2 for Organized Non-School Competition in regard to events that include full games, such as “team camps” and see By-Law 3.12.4 for Youth-Aged Instructional Events.) b. General Requirements: 1. Private, one-on-one instruction provided by a person not affiliated with the school a student attends or will attend the following year, or any resident participant student or a student who meets the requirements to be a resident participant student the following year may be received at any time. Such instruction shall not interfere with the practice schedule of the school team nor serve as a substitute for the school team’s practice sessions. 2. No school coach or other school representative may directly or by implication direct a student to attend specialized sports instruction as a condition for team membership. 3. Any instruction fee, charge or tuition shall be paid by the student or the student’s parents. School transportation may be provided at no cost to the students, at the discretion of the school. 4. No school-owned uniforms or player equipment shall be used in any instructional event other than as outlined in By- Law 3.15, Summer. Member schools may not rent, sell, lease, or loan their uniforms or player equipment for use in non-school sponsored instructional events, other than outlined in By-Law 3.15, Summer. c. Same Season/Same Sport: During the school year and within the school sport season for the sport concerned, a student may attend school organized or privately organized specialized sports instruction under the following conditions, in addition to those outlined in letter b, General Requirements, above: 1. A student may attend only one sport-specific instructional event conducted by Private Organizers which meets all of the above requirements. 2. Prior approval from the school administrator and a school coach for the school sport in season is required. 3. The primary emphasis shall be on teaching individual player skills and there is no competition other than limited scrimmage situations; 4. During the academic year, no school time may be missed to travel to or participate in the sport-specific instruction, without the prior approval of a school administrator. 5. If school or school-district sponsored, only students enrolled in the sponsoring school or school district, respectively, SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 77 or resident participant students may attend. d. Same Season/Different Sport: During the school year and within a season a student is participating in an interscholastic sport, the student may attend privately organized specialized sports instruction for a dif ferent sport under the following conditions, in addition to those outlined in letter b, General Requirements, above: 1. No member school or member of the coaching staff of the school the student is attending or will be attending the following year, nor any resident participant student or a student who meets the requirements to be a resident participant student the following year is involved in any way in the organization, sponsorship, or administration of the sport-specific instruction. 2. Prior approval from the school administrator and a school coach for the school sport in season is required. 3. During the academic year, no school time may be missed to travel to or participate in the sport-specific instruction, without the prior approval of a school administrator. 3.13.6 Penalty: The penalty for violation of By-Law 3.13 shall be ineligibility for a period not to exceed 365 days in the sport in which the violation occurred. Student Athlete Restrictions During Season Questions and Answers: Q1: May Johnny participate in a non-school sponsored free throw contest during a season he is representing his school in the sport of basketball or in pass, punt and kick contests during a season he is representing his school in the sport of football? A1: Yes. The MSHSAA Board of Directors interprets By-Law 3.13 as not restricting participation in non-school sponsored contests involving individual skills of a team sport such as free throw contests or pass, punt, and kick contests. This interpretation is based on the fact these activities involve only individual skills of a team sport and, as such, would not in themselves constitute a sport per se by normal definition. It is suggested that Johnny discuss this opportunity with his coach and A.D. Contest awards should be reviewed with By-Law 3.6. Q2: Our school sponsors a boys swimming and diving team, but our school does not own its own pool. We rent practice time in a public facility, and hold school practices on Monday through Friday afternoons for two hours. On Saturday mornings, this facility sponsors an open swimming time. Usually the majority of our team, as well as our coach, attends and swims; however, it is made clear to the team members that this is not a school practice and attendance is completely optional. Some of our team members are members of a non-school club team, and attend club practices at a different facility on Saturday mornings. Our A.D., in consultation with our swimming coach, has determined this is not a requirement of the school program and is not a replacement. Thus, we believe the students may attend. Is this correct? A2: Yes. The swimmers are not replacing school swimming practice with club practice because the school does not offer mandatory Saturday swimming practices. The principal shall have the final opinion on the practices. Q3: One of our swimmers has approached our principal requesting to miss this upcoming Friday school swimming practice to travel to Oklahoma for a non-school swimming meet on Saturday. Our team has practice on Friday and does not compete again until Tuesday. Would it be acceptable for our principal and coach to approve this request? A3: This is considered a “case by case” request as permitted in the by-law to be addressed by the local school administration. This decision rests with the school administrator. However, a school administrator may NOT provide permission for a student to miss a school practice or meet to attend a club practice . Q4: Our local American Legion baseball coach wishes to hold a tryout for his team prior to the completion of our high school baseball season. May members of our high school baseball team participate in this tryout? A4: Yes, with school approval and provided the tryouts are held on a day the students do not practice or play for the school baseball team and provided the tryout is exclusively an experience in which a student is tested and screened for ability and placement on a roster and does not include any instruction, coaching, practice, workout, etc. They may not participate in any game competition or scrimmages for the Legion team until after the high school baseball team has completed its season by playing its last game. Any non-school team tryout held during the school season is limited to one day. Q5: Our school sponsors a fast-pitch softball team. During the school softball season, may a member of the team participate in a non-school sponsored slow-pitch softball program? A5: No. Slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball are considered as the same sport -- softball. Thus, the restrictions contained in MSHSAA By-Law 3.13 would prohibit a member of a school’s fast-pitch softball team from playing in slow-pitch softball during the school softball season. The same would be true of indoor and outdoor soccer. Indoor soccer is interpreted to be the same as outdoor soccer as far as this regulation is concerned. Q6: We have a track and field athlete who is a member of a local non-school track and field club. Her parents want the club coach to work with her during our school track and field season. What restrictions must be observed if we permit this? A6: MSHSAA By-Law 3.13 permits a student to receive private one-on-one instruction in the skills of a sport from a person not affiliated with the school the student attends or will attend the following year . However, this instruction shall not take place at an interscholastic practice or event nor shall it interfere with the practice or competition schedule of the school nor serve as a substitute for the school team’s practice sessions. It is suggested that she discuss this opportunity with her coach and A.D. Page 78 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Q7: My daughter participates on the high school tennis team and we are currently in season. May she participate in a USTA tennis tournament during the high school tennis season? Does it matter whether the tournament is held in one day, or on two consecutive days? A7: Tennis players are allowed to participate in two non-school competitions from the first eligible contest date through the end of the school tennis season as per an exception to the non-school competition rules for individual sports. Therefore, this USTA tennis tournament will count as one of the allowable two non-school competitions during the season. A tournament will count as one competition even if it is held on multiple (but consecutive) days. The school coach may not coach the student in the non-school tournament. Q8: My son participates on the high school tennis team and we are currently in season. May he participate in a weekly tennis league at his tennis club over a course of several calendar dates during the high school tennis season? A8: Tennis players are allowed to participate in two non-school competitions from the first eligible contest date through the end of the school tennis season as per an exception to the non-school competition rules for individual sports. Therefore, he may participate in the tennis league; however, each calendar date that a tennis league match is played will count as one of the allowable two non-school competitions during the season. So, the student will only be able to play league matches on a total of two calendar dates. Q9: Our school has a few fall sport athletes that, in addition to high school practices, are still competing on non-school teams during the month of August with our permission. We are concerned about their participation in night games with their summer sport teams after completing two-a-day practices with us under the heat acclimatization schedule and requirements. How should we handle this situation? A9: It is important for you to discuss the heat acclimatization schedule, along with the health and welfare reasons for it with all of your athletes and their parents so they are able to make informed decisions for themselves on what is safe and appropriate beyond school practices during the heat of summer. You will not be aware of everything your athletes are doing beyond your practices during the first 16+ days of the season and the students and parents need to understand the risks of heat exhaustion, heat stroke in the time period before they have increased their exercise heat tolerance. Excess sport practices and exertion, beyond the high school sport heat acclimatization schedule, should be discouraged until the acclimatization schedule is completed, and communication should continue regarding suggested (or mandated) limits after that and until non-school competition ends for fall season athletes the day before the first allowable contest. Q10: Our school has a girls soccer player that is finishing up competition on a select team and her season runs into the high school girls soccer season. She will be playing off and on for the first two weeks of the high school season. a) Is that allowable? b) Can she finish up with her select team and then join our high school team later? A10: a) Athletes can, if approved by their school administration, continue to compete in non-school competition until the day before the first allowable contest, however: they must join the school team at the start of the season. b) No, she must join the team when school practices start. She could be released by school administration for specific non-school games that are in conflict with practice (at the school’s discretion), but she is expected to be at practice on days she is not competing. If she fails to come to practice and drops in for the school season after her select team is done competing she will be ineligible. Coaches and students must communicate regarding the start of school practice and the expectations of the high school team. Q11 : Our Parks Department has started a beach volleyball league during the fall while our high school girls volleyball season is underway. Can the players on our high school team participate (practice and compete) in this league during their high school season? A11 : Beach volleyball is considered a different sport than hard-court volleyball, so for the players in this scenario would fall under By-Law 3.13.2.b, as the beach volleyball league would be non-school competition. There are certain restrictions that must be followed when a student is playing one high school sport at the same time as a different non-school sport. Players should also seek permission to do so from their coach. Refer to the three items under By-Law 3.13.2.b for more information. Q12 : A high school softball player is interested in receiving private pitching instruction. Would this be permitted under the following scenarios: a) One-on-one pitching lessons with a private instructor during the softball season? b) One-on-one pitching lessons with a private instructor during the softball season, with one of her teammates serving as the catcher? c) One-on-one pitching lessons with a private instructor outside of the softball season? A12 : a) Yes, one-on-one pitching instruction with a private instructor during the season is permitted, provided all conditions outlined in By-Laws 3.13.5(b) and 3.13.5(c) are fully met. b) No, this scenario is not permitted. Including a teammate as a catcher during private instruction may be interpreted as team-related activity, which is not allowed under By-Law 3.13.5(c). c) Yes, private pitching instruction outside of the softball season is allowed, provided all requirements in By- Laws 3.13.5(b) and 3.13.5(d) are followed. Q13 : Can a fall school team sport athlete continue to compete in non-school competitions after the school season begins? A13 : Fall school team sport athletes may, if approved by their school administration, continue to compete in non-school competitions until the day before the first allowable contest. However, they must join the school team at the start of the season. Coaches and students must communicate regarding the start of school practice and the expectations of the high school team. SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 79 Q14 : Can winter or spring team sport athletes participate in non-school practices or competitions once school practices begin? A14 : Ye s . Winter and spring team sport athletes may, if approved by their school administration, continue to compete in non- school competitions until the day before the first allowable contest. 3.14 SPORT PARTICIPATION AND CONTACT – WHEN NOT PARTICIPATING IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT SEASON DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR 3.14.1 Restrictions When NOT Participating Interscholastically: During any sport season within the school year (defined in 3.13.1) that a student is not a member of a school sport team, the following guidelines and restrictions regarding other sport participation and contact with school personnel apply. 3.14.2 Organized Non-School Competition: (Defined in By-Law 3.13.2) An athlete may participate in non-school sponsored competition in a sport in which MSHSAA member schools compete interscholastically during this period provided: a. Non-School: Athletic competition shall be considered “ non-school ” only if the competition is sponsored by a non- school entity (civic organization, service organization, parks and recreation department, etc.). Member schools, school booster clubs, and other school clubs and organizations are prohibited from sponsoring any sports competition in sports in which their school participates interscholastically and which includes students from any member school as participants, other than provided for in By-Laws 3.29 and 3.30 (Sport Season Provisions). If member school facilities are used, arrangements for use of the facilities must be made by the sponsoring organization in accord with lease or rental policies adopted by the Board of Education to apply to general use of school facilities by non-school groups. Further, if member school facilities are used, it is strongly recommended that medical and liability insurance coverage be provided by the sponsoring organization. b. Missing School: If held during the school year, no school time is missed to compete, practice for, or travel to the site of the non-school competition unless the absence is approved in advance by the school administrator. c. School Coaches: If held during the school year but outside the designated school season for the sport: 1. A high school coach of any sport may no t provide any coaching or instruction to any student who currently attends or will attend the member high school (grades 9-12) the following year, nor any resident participant student or a student who meets the requirements to be a resident participant student the following year. 2. A junior high school coach of any sport may not provide any coaching or instruction to any student who currently attends or will attend the member junior high school the following year, nor any resident participant student or a student who meets the requirements to be a resident participant student of the member school or will the following year. 3. No coach may play on a non-school team on which members of his/her school team will be participating nor may he/she be directly involved in the actual administration of such games, including officiating. d. Not Representing the School: The student shall not represent the school and shall not use school uniforms or equipment. e. Voluntary: Participation in non-school competition must be voluntary on the part of the student and not required directly or indirectly for membership on a school team. f. Transportation: Students must provide their own transportation to participate in non-school competition; schools shall not provide or arrange for transportation for students to participate in non-school competition. 3.14.3 Olympic Development/U.S. National Team: An athlete may participate in a competition or a specialized camp, clinic or other similar program involving coaching and instruction, as defined in By-Law 3.13.3, during this period provided the student makes prior arrangements to complete missed academic lessons, assignments and tests before the last day of classes of the credit grading period in which the student’s absence occurs. 3.14.4 Evaluation Events Conducted by Private Organizers: (Defined in By-Law 3.13.4) (See By-Law 3.11.1.b for College/ University Conducted Recruiting Events): A student may participate in an evaluation event, as described in By-Law 3.13.4, during a period when the student is not participating in an interscholastic sport season, provided no school time is missed to travel to or participate in the event unless the absence is approved in advance by the school administrator. 3.14.5 Sport-Specific Instruction by Private Organizers (See By-Law 3.11.1.c for College/University-Conducted Individual Instruction Events): During a period the student is not a member of a school sport team , he/she may participate in non- school sponsored specialized sports instruction under the following conditions: a. Private, one-on-one instruction provided by a person not affiliated with the school a student attends or will attend the following year, or any resident participant student or a student who meets the requirements to be a resident participant student the following year, may be received at any time. b. During the academic year, no school time may be missed to travel to or participate in the sport-specific instruction, without the prior approval of a school administrator. c. No member school or member of the coaching staff of the school the student is attending or will be attending the following year is involved in any way in the organization, sponsorship, or administration of the sport-specific instruction. d. No school coach or other school representative may directly or by implication direct a student to attend specialized sports instruction as a condition for team membership. e. Any instruction fee, charge or tuition shall be paid by the student or the student’s parents. f. No school-owned uniforms or player equipment shall be used in any instructional event other than as outlined in By-Law Page 80 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 3.15, Summer. Member schools may not rent, sell, lease, or loan their uniforms or player equipment for use in non-school sponsored instructional events, other than outlined in By-Law 3.15, Summer. 3.14.6 Out-of-Season Sports Conditioning: During a period the student is not a member of a school sport team, he/she may participate in an out-of-season sports conditioning program administered by a member school, under the following conditions: a. Allowable Participants – High School Programs: Only students who meet one of the following categories may participate in a high school’s out-of-season sports conditioning program: 1. Students who are fully enrolled or resident participant students in the school administering the program. 2. Students who are fully enrolled or resident participant students of an approved cooperative sponsorship. 3. Eighth grade students who live within the residence boundaries of the high school which is administering the program and who are enrolled and attending the junior high school managed and funded by that high school’s district or system and which feeds directly to that high school. 4. Eighth grade students who live within the residence boundaries of the public or charter high school which is administering the program and who would qualify as resident participant students the following year. 5. Eighth graders enrolled in a junior high school that is participating in a cooperative sponsorship (By-Law. 1.4) may participate in the out-of-season sports conditioning program at any high school to which any junior high in the co- op directly feeds, with the permission of the principal of the high school to which his/her junior high directly feeds. ( Editor's Note: K-8 districts do not directly feed any one high school, and therefore, students may not participate in high school OOSSC programs. Students who would qualify as resident participant students who live in a K-8 district may not participate in high school OOSSC programs for the same reason. However, eighth graders enrolled in K-8 districts who coop with a non K-8 district have the same access as the non K-8 district students.) b. Allowable Participants – Junior High School Programs: Students who are fully enrolled in the junior high school or are resident participant students at the junior high school administering an out-of-season sports conditioning program may participate. Students who are fully enrolled or resident participant students of an approved cooperative sponsorship may participate. c. Participation in the program must be open to all students enrolled in the school or resident participant students. d. Participation is voluntary and is not required directly or indirectly for membership on a school team. e. Participants will furnish their own clothing (sweat suits, shorts, shoes, etc.). f. Activities shall be limited to running, weight training, and calisthenics. Agility drills that do not involve specific skills of a given sport are also permitted. g. Specific equipment pertaining to a given sport may not be used. This includes, but is not limited to, such items as footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, wrestling mats, hurdles, shot put, discus, high jump or pole vault standards or landing pits, batting cages, blocking or tackling dummies, charging sleds, and other similar equipment. h. In those cases where schools schedule all athletes into a “last hour” athletics class during the school day in which no physical education credit is offered, the guidelines outlined in items c, d, and e above shall apply. If this class is a part of the school physical education program and credit is given, those athletes whose sport is not in season may receive instruction in a given sport as long as the different periods in the daily schedule include the same instruction. The teaching units in the physical education program in such situations shall be scheduled so sports that are in season or sports not included in the school’s interscholastic program are taught. It is strongly recommended that “last hour” athletics class not be used as a substitute for the regular physical education requirement. 3.14.7 Out-of-Season Sport-Specific Practice Periods (High School Only): Students may have instructional interaction with approved school coaches under the following conditions: a. Out-of-Season Practice periods are seven weeks in length, and the interaction time may not exceed three hours per week (Sunday to Saturday). See Diagram 3.14.7 for specifics. Any interaction time, on a given day, will count as at least one hour of the three allowable hours. Interaction time, on a specific day , may not exceed 90 minutes. b. Such practices may be sport and gender specific, and non-school facilities may be used. Group and individual player skill development, drills, and instruction, are allowable. Competition (interscholastic or non-school) is not allowable. c. The opportunity to participate is open to enrolled students at the high school or resident participant students for that school only (no 8th graders). Students who are fully enrolled or resident participant students of an approved cooperative sponsorship may participate. d. Use of these practice periods is optional and will be determined by local school administration. e. Times other than the periods specified in Diagram 3.14.7 are dead periods and no contact with school coaches is allowable other than what is allowed in 3.14.6. The seven-day "No-Contact Periods" prior to each season remain in effect (3.13.1.c, 3.14.8 and 3.15.1.b). f. Football Restrictions During Out-of-Season Practice Period: The use of football protective equipment (helmets/shoulder pads), which promotes full pad contact, CANNOT be used during the practice period. Full pad contact with the use of protective equipment may only occur during the season and for a limited number of days during the defined summer for safety reasons. g. Open Facilities for enrolled students may not be held during the sport's Out-of-Season Practice Period even if the period is not utilized. Refer also to the Board Policy on Open Facilities for allowances and restrictions. SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 81 Diagram 3.14.7 (1): Out-of-Season Sport-Specific Practice Periods (High School Only) Periods Open Close Sport Season Duration Period 1 Monday - Week #10 Friday - Week #16 Fall: Winter Sports Contact 7 weeks Period 2 Monday - Week #27 Friday - Week #33 Winter: Spring Sports Contact 7 weeks Period 3 Monday - Week #39 Friday - Week #45 Spring: Fall Sports Contact 7 weeks Diagram 3.14.7 (2): Annual Fall Winter Spring Summer Fall Sports Interscholastic season Open Facility (Period 2) Practice Period (Period 3) 20 contact days Winter Sports Practice Period (Period 1) Interscholastic season Open Facility (Period 3) 20 contact days Spring Sports Open Facility (Period 1) Practice Period (Period 2) Interscholastic season 20 contact days 3.14.8 Winter and Spring Sport No-Contact Period: The seven days prior to the first allowable practice date for the season shall be a seasonal no-contact period in which no “contact” as defined in By-Law 3.15.1.c takes place between school coaches of MSHSAA sponsored winter or spring activities, respectively, and students enrolled in the member school, or who will be enrolled in the member school during the upcoming school year, resident participant students, or students of an approved cooperative sponsorship. 3.14.9 Penalty: The penalty for violation of By-Law 3.14 shall be ineligibility for a period not to exceed 365 days in the sport in which the violation occurred. Student Athlete Restrictions When Not Participating Interscholastically Questions and Answers: Q1: May a high school coach work with school team members in non-school sponsored athletic events (practice or competition) during the school year? A1: No. Definite sport seasons have been established during the school year in which school coaches may work with members of school sports teams. It is NOT permissible for a high school coach to coach school team members in non-school competitive programs held inside OR outside of the school sport season during the school year. It should also be understood that participation in a non-school program shall be voluntary on the part of the individual student. Athletes may not be required to participate in non-school programs by their coaches. Q2: I am the high school volleyball coach and my daughter is a student at my school and she plays volleyball. Can I coach my daughter in non-school competition (USAV) in the spring (a) if she is the only student from my school on the non- school team, or (b) if her USAV team includes other students that attend or will attend my school next year? A2: In situation (a), yes you may coach her team in non-school competition. The no-contact rule is not in place for sons/ daughters of school coaches. However, in situation (b) you could not coach that team. Even though you are allowed to coach your daughter, you may have no instructional contact with other enrolled students at your school or students that will be enrolled next year, outside of the school sports season, during the school year. The exception for your son/ daughter does not extend to other students at the school. Q3: Our Booster Club would like to sponsor a three-on-three basketball competition for high school students in April to raise money for new basketball warm-ups. Is it permissible for our Booster Club to conduct this event? A3: No. A Booster Club may not sponsor the three-on-three competition because the club is a sub-group of the school, and schools may not sponsor non-school competition for kids in grades seven through twelve. It is acceptable for an outside group, such as a civic group, to sponsor such an event and any students from your school may participate. Q4: May a booster club defray the expenses for a member school’s boys and girls basketball teams to attend any basketball camp? A4: No. The cost of attending a specialized sports camp must be paid by the student or parents/guardian of the student. Expenses of the camp include all fees/tuition, travel, lodging, meals and wearing apparel. Q5: I have a female student that would like to be a manager for the a) boys tennis team, or b) the wrestling team. Is this a problem? A5: The role of a manager first needs to be reviewed. A manager who is performing only non-skill activities, such as providing water for the team, keeping statistics, retrieving wayward balls, assisting with uniform inventory or cleaning, etc. may be affected by the by-laws differently than a manager who may be involved in skill activities such as volleying with team members in tennis or volleyball, performing in drills as an extra player, etc. In both a) and b) students who wish to have any eligibility in the applicable sport (even if it is in a separate season) should not serve as managers. Instruction provided to team members but heard by others, including managers, counts as coaching and contact. Sport instruction (tennis) received outside of the season (girls tennis) would be a violation for a female manager who also plays girls tennis. If the student has no desire or expectation to participate in the applicable sport, the violation and the resulting ineligibility in that sport (for 365 days) would be irrelevant. If you are concerned about a specific scenario, please contact the MSHSAA office for an interpretation. Note: Schools should review their liability coverage as it relates to managers periodically as well. Page 82 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Q6: We have an 8th grade student who is currently participating in track. The high school football coach wants the student to participate in out-of-season conditioning at the high school. Our track coach doesn’t want to lose him during track practice. Is this even allowable? A6: Out-of-season Conditioning is not sport-specific. The first phrase in the by-law governing out-of-season conditioning is “During a period the student is not a member of a school sport team...” so the student may not participate in the conditioning program at the high school. An interscholastic sport in season takes precedence over conditioning programs. Q7: Our high school is considering offering an intramural program. What are the differences between intramurals and interscholastic activities, and what aspects of setting up a program should we be careful about? A7: Intramurals are activity programs for enrolled students of a school and competition is between those students only, rather than with students of other schools. Intramural programs are free-play activities that offer no instruction or “practice.” Interscholastic activities are those that bring the students of more than one school together for participation, evaluation and/or competition with instruction, practice, season limits, etc. It is a local school decision whether or not to allow students that participate in interscholastic athletics to participate in intramurals. Whether or not to require physicals prior to participating in the intramural program is also a local school decision. The MSHSAA by- laws govern interscholastic activities for member schools and affiliate registered schools. High school interscholastic sport coaches may supervise and officiate intramural programs, but may not instruct participants (unless the intramural program is held within the school sport season). The intramural program should not be viewed as an avenue for sport practice outside of the season. Q8: Our school is an independent high school that includes only grades nine through twelve. We administer no lower school and join MSHSAA as a separate high school member. What 8th grade students may we invite to participate in our out-of-season sports conditioning program? A8: The conditioning program allowance was requested by high schools who wanted to have more access the “their” 8th graders – those students who are already enrolled and attending that high school’s direct feeder junior high school, and where both of these schools are within the same school district, overseen by a common superintendent. Since your school is not connected to any junior high school, no group of 8th graders would be able to participate in your out-of- season conditioning program. Q9: Junior High School A is a direct feeder school to High School A. For the sport of basketball, Junior High School A co- ops with neighboring Junior High School B, which is a direct feeder school to High School B. The 8th graders at Junior High School A would like to participate in the out-of-season conditioning program at High School B. Would this be allowable if: a) High School A doesn’t offer an out-of-season conditioning program, b) High School A and High School B co-op for high school basketball or c) High School A doesn’t mind? A9: Because of the junior high school co-op already in place, it would be allowable for 8th graders at Junior High School A to participate in High School B’s out-of-season conditioning program for any of the three reasons listed, as long as the principal of High School A approves their participation. (By-Law 3.14.7.c) Q10: Can an 8th grade student who is enrolled in a K-8 school participate in the out-of-season conditioning program at one of the high schools he can choose to attend next year? A10: No. K-8 schools are not only separate schools, they are separate school districts. Students attending K-8’s have the choice of attending several different high schools in different school districts. The conditioning program allowance was requested by high schools who wanted to have more access the “their” 8th graders – those students who are enrolled and attending that high school’s direct feeder junior high school, and where both of these schools are within the same school district, overseen by one superintendent. Students in K-8 schools may participate in a conditioning program administered by their own school or may condition on their own, but may not participate with any high school’s out-of- season conditioning program. Q11: Our daughter is traveling a) with the school basketball team to a game where she will represent the school or b) to a softball clinic where she will receive softball skill instruction. Who needs to pay the fee? Who can provide transportation? A11: For a) the school can pay the fee for the event and all expenses, and provide transportation for participants without any amateurism issues. For b) parents must pay the fee. Q12 : We have a large number of students participating in our Baseball Out-of-Season Practices. My coach has proposed the following schedules, are they permissible? a) Schedule 1: Juniors and seniors practice Monday , Wednesday and Friday from 6 to 7 a.m. and freshmen and sophomores practice Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 8 a.m. b) Schedule 2: The only practice days are Tuesday and Thursday; juniors and seniors practice for 45 minutes those two days in the morning and freshmen and sophomores practice for 45 minutes in the evening. A12 : a) Schedule 1 is impermissible. Although the daily amount of time is only an hour, the total amount of time for the program is five hours which exceeds the weekly maximum of three hours. Separating the players due to team size does not change the weekly limit for the baseball program as a whole. b) Schedule 2 is permissible. The total time for the week does not exceed three hours and although the sessions are split into two sessions of 45 minutes, because they are on the same day, it is considered one 90-minute session, which meets the daily limit. SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 83 3.15 SPORT PARTICIPATION AND CONTACT – DURING THE SUMMER 3.15.1 Definitions: The following definitions are provided: a. Definition of Summer - High School: Summer is defined as the period beginning with the day following the last day of school or the Friday preceding Memorial Day, whichever is earlier and ending Sunday of Standardized Calendar Week Number Five for all fall-season sports (See By-Law 3.29.6) and ending Sunday of Standardized Calendar Week Number Six for all other sports. Editor’s Note: See By-Law 3.30.1 for junior high seasons. DIAGRAM 3.15.1 SUMMER OF 2027 - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS Summer Begins: Last Day of School or May 21, whichever is earlier Summer Ends for Fall Sports: Sunday, August 1, 2027 Fall Sport No-Contact Period: Monday, August 2, 2027 through Sunday, August 8, 2027 Summer Ends for Sports other than Fall Sports: Sunday, August 8, 2027 First Allowable Practice Date - Fall Season: Monday, August 9, 2027 First Allowable Contest Date - Fall Season: Friday, August 27, 2027 SUMMER OF 2027 - JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS Last Possible Spring Junior High Game Last Day of School Summer Begins: Last Day of School or May 30, whichever is earlier Summer Ends for Fall Sports: Sunday, August 8, 2027 Fall Sport No-Contact Period: Monday, August 9 through Sunday, August 15 or later (the seven days immediately preceding your sport's first fall practice) Summer Ends for Sports other than Fall Sports: Sunday, August 15, 2027 First Allowable Practice Date - Fall Season: Monday, August 16, 2027 First Allowable Contest Date - Fall Season: No earlier than Wednesday, September 1 and must have had 14 separate practice days (See also Heat Acclimatization) b. Fall Sport No-Contact Period: The seven days prior to the first allowable practice date for the fall season shall be a seasonal no-contact period in which no “contact” as defined in By-Law 3.15.1.c takes place between school coaches of MSHSAA sponsored fall sports and students enrolled in the member school, any student who meets the requirements as a resident participant student at the member school, students who will be enrolled in the member school during the upcoming school year, or students who will meet the requirements for a resident participant student at the member school during the upcoming school year. c. Definition of Contact Day: A day of contact is defined as any date on which any coaching or instruction in the skills and techniques of any sport takes place, regardless of whether activity-specific equipment is used. Any of the following would count as a day of contact – school competition, non-school competition, practice, review or chalkboard sessions, open facility, camp/clinic, evaluation events, group lessons, private lessons. Conditioning/Strength activities will not count as a contact day, as long as the activity adheres to the provisions outlined in By-Law 3.14.6.a - h. Simply being at a school facility will not count as a day of contact unless both coach and student are there and the sport (as defined above) is taking place. Editor’s Note: A coach for a cooperative sponsorship is a “coach” for all schools in the co-op, and contact days count for all students of co-oping schools. 3.15.2 During the summer , students may participate in sports activity, as long as such activity meets the provisions contained in other applicable MSHSAA By-Laws, and under the following conditions. 3.15.3 Limits on Contact – High School: For High Schools (Grades 9-12), a limit of 20 contact days is allowed per sport, per gender during the summer (as defined in By-Law 3.15.1.a). Sports contact, as defined above, between any coach for a particular sport and gender and any student enrolled at the member school, any student who meets the requirements as a resident participant student at the member school, any student or resident participant student of an approved cooperative sponsorship , any student who will be enrolled in and attending the member school that fall, any student who will meet the requirements as a resident participant student at the member school that fall , or any student or resident participant student of an approved cooperative sponsorship that fall will count as one day of contact toward the limit of 20 days for that sport. Summer contact days shall be documented and available upon request to other member schools and/or the MSHSAA office. By-Laws 3.13 (fall sports) and 3.14 (winter and spring sports) shall govern contact taking place after “summer” has concluded. (See also By-Law 3.15.7 for enrollment requirement, and By-Law 3.1, Coaching Requirements.) Page 84 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 3.15.4 Limits on Contact – Junior High: A maximum of 20 contact days are allowed per sport, per gender during the summer (as defined in By-Law 3.15.1.a). Sports contact, as defined above, between any coach for a particular sport and gender and any student enrolled at the member school, any student who meets the requirements as a resident participant student at the member school, any student or resident participant student of an approved cooperative sponsorship, any student who will be enrolled in and attending the member school that fall, any student who will meet the requirements as a resident participant student at the member school that fall , or any student or resident participant student of an approved cooperative sponsorship that fall will count as one day of contact toward the limit of 20 days for that sport. Summer contact days shall be documented and available upon request to other member schools and/or the MSHSAA office. By-Laws 3.13 (fall sports) and 3.14 (winter and spring sports) shall govern contact taking place after “summer” has concluded. 3.15.5 General Requirements: a. Summertime Dead Period: See By-Law 1.5 regarding the required Summertime Dead Period. b. Voluntary Participation: All participation of students during the summer shall be voluntary and cannot be required directly or indirectly for team membership. c. Amateur Standards: Students must adhere to the Amateur Standards outlined in By-Law 3.6. d. Any camp fee (tuition) shall be provided by the student or the student’s parents. Any use of school equipment and/or facilities must be approved by school administration. e. Non-School Sponsored Summer Activities & Events: No school owned personal player uniforms or equipment shall be used in summer activities that are not school-sponsored, other than as outlined in By-Law 3.15.6.b. Member schools may not rent, sell, lease, or loan their uniforms or player equipment for use in non-school sponsored camps or clinics or contests, other than outlined in By-Law 3.15.6.b. f. School-owned personal player uniforms and equipment may be used during the summer for school-sponsored summer activities at the school’s discretion. Editor’s Note 1: Private, one-on-one instruction: By-Law 3.13.5.b.1 is in place 365 days a year. Editor’s Note 2: Students participating in any school-sponsored summer activities must be enrolled in the school prior to participation. (See also By-Law 3.15.7.) 3.15.6 Football Activities: The following requirements are in place for the sport of football. a. Definitions: 1. Half-Shell: Participants may wear football equipment consisting of helmets, shoulder pads, and jerseys only. Contact is permitted with blocking sleds, dummies, and hand-to-chest contact is allowed for training on hand placement and displacement of opponents only, and participants may not take other participants to the ground. 2. Full-Pad Tackle: Participants may wear equipment beyond what is defined as “half-shell” and contact beyond what is outlined in “half-shell” is allowed. 3. Acclimatization Requirement: Full-pad tackle football is only allowed after a period of five days of heat and equipment acclimatization including two days in helmets only and three days in helmets/shoulder pads. These days will count as days of summer contact toward the football limit. 4. Full-Pad Tackle Football Team Camp: For the purposes of this section, a full-pad tackle football team camp shall be no fewer than three consecutive days and no more than six consecutive days. If such a team camp is attended for FEWER than three consecutive days, it will still count as three summer contact days toward the limit of 20 and will count as three full-pad tackle days toward the limit of nine. b. Full-Pad Tackle Restrictions: A maximum of nine summer contact days may be used for full-pad tackle football under the following options. All remaining summer contact days shall be conducted in no more than half-shell . 1. Non-School Sponsored Football Team Camps: Schools may allow personal player uniforms and equipment (helmets, pads , jerseys, etc.), to be utilized when the school is attending a non-school sponsored team football camp, where the school coach will be accompanying and coaching the players. Full-pad tackle football is allowed at such a camp after the acclimation requirement is met, and under the duration limits in a-4 above. 2. School Sponsored Football Activity: Any activity (competitive or instructional) sponsored by one school is restricted to students enrolled at that school or students who meet the requirement to be a resident participant student at that school. Full-pad tackle football is allowed in such activities after the acclimatization requirement is met. Editor’s Note: No MSHSAA catastrophic insurance coverage is in place during the summer. Schools are encouraged to review the MSHSAA Sports Medicine Manual regarding applicable topics, such as heat acclimation and proper hydration. 3.15.7 School Sponsored Summer Sports Instruction/Camps: A member school may sponsor its own summer sport(s) camp(s) (team and/or individual camp) during the summer provided the following criteria are met: a. Only students enrolled to enter the 6th grade (Junior High membership or 6-12 membership) or the 9 th grade (9-12 membership) who will attend the school, or students who meet the requirement to be a resident participant student entering the 6th or 9th grade (depending on the school's membership) and currently enrolled students in the sponsoring member school, or students who meet the requirement to be a resident participant student at that school may attend the school-sponsored camp. A school district may offer a summer camp to students enrolled in the school district for the upcoming year in grades 6-12. (See By-Law 3.12.4 for youth camps which do not include 9-12 graders.) b. For a school-sponsored team camp (i.e. various high schools bringing a full team for a team camp), each school team participating in the camp shall be coached and supervised at all times by a member of that school’s coaching staff. c. Late Release: Schools that release for summer following the defined start of summer may hold summer camps prior to school release for summer as long as students do not miss any instructional time. Further, these days shall be counted SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 85 as summer contact days as defined in this section. Football is included in this allowance as well. Editor’s Note: See By-Law 3.12.4 for coverage of youth camps. 3.15.8 Non-School Sponsored Summer Sports Camps: There is no restriction on the number of non-school sponsored special- ized sports camps an individual athlete may attend during the summer provided all of the standards in this By-Law are met. Editor’s Note: No MSHSAA catastrophic insurance coverage is in place during the summer. Summertime Questions & Answers: Q1: Our school would like to transport a group of enrolled students on a school bus during the summer to a) a summer basketball league game, or b) a summer basketball team camp. Is this permissible in the summer? A1: In both, providing transportation to students for summertime events is at the discretion of the local school administration. If your school prefers to transport your enrolled students on a school bus to an event (competition or instructional) where the students are representing the school and school coaches are supervising the students, this is allowable (summer only) and the transportation expenses do not need to be charged back to the students. (Please note that there are different restrictions in place during the academic year as per By-Laws 3.13.5.b.3 and 3.14.2 and 5). Q2: May a high school host a football team camp if it is not a full-contact camp (i.e. half-shell camps)? A2: Yes, a school could hold a half-shell team camp. All teams must be accompanied by their school coach(es) and these days would count as days of contact. A school may NOT host a full-pad tackle team camp. Two or more schools can come together for Air, Bag and Control but they cannot engage in Thud or Live contact. Q3: Our summer school program begins the first week in June and concludes the second week of July . We have a conditioning and weight training class. The class is open to all students, most of whom are our athletes. The class is taught by our football coach. Will this count as contact days? A3: If the coach teaches a unit on football these days will be considered contact days and must be counted against the school’s 20 days of football contact. If the class does not include sport specific instruction and is limited to generic conditioning and weight-training, the summer school days will not count toward football contact days. Q4: Our football coaches have worked out a schedule for the summer and have divided up the duties to allow each some time off to be home with their families. The head coach is going to work with the team on Mondays and Wednesdays and play seven-on-seven on Saturdays. Our assistant coaches are going to open up the weight room on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We would also like to host our own camp the fourth week in July for four days. a) Do we have to count all of these days as contact days? b) Can our assistant coaches go to the games on Saturdays? A4: a) The days that any coach from that sport is giving instruction will be counted as contact days (Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and the four days of camp). If the assistant coaches’ contact is in regard to weight training only, those days would not count as contact. However, if sport specific instruction takes place on those days, they count as contact days. Example: Weight training concludes and the kickers go and get a couple of balls and practice kicking out on the field. Contact has now occurred. b) Your assistants can attend any function. The school must keep track of sport specific contact. Any football contact, with instruction is considered one day of contact. You can have three coaches with three different sets of students from the same school doing different things at different times on the same day and that is one day of contact. Q5: Our school’s tennis coach also has a full-time position with our local parks and recreation department. During the summertime the parks department employs several of our high school students to help with youth instruction. Tennis is one of our activities that is taught during the summer. a) Will these days count as contact days? b) Will the students have to stop working during the “dead period”? A5: a) Yes, the days that the school tennis coach is providing instruction in tennis to enrolled students are contact days. b) During the dead period the school tennis coach cannot instruct students who are enrolled or will be enrolled in your school next year. The enrolled students may not assist the tennis coach with instructions during the dead period. Q6: Our YMCA sponsors a summertime volleyball league which they run in their facility. Enrolled students at our school play on various teams that participate in this league during the summer. This summer several of our coaches, including our volleyball coaches, are playing together on a team that is participating in this league. During the summer, a) Is it permissible for one of the student teams to play against a faculty team? b) Does this count as contact? c) What if both teams are playing, but not each other? A6: None of these scenarios are permissible during your school's dead period. Other than that, a and b) It is permissible for the teams to compete against one another and such activity will not count as contact unless the school coaches instruct the enrolled students. c) The teams may play on the same night on different courts and this will not count as a contact day, unless sport specific instruction is given. Q7: Our school is going to attend a non-school football full-pad tackle camp in the southern part of the state. We will have to travel for one day to get to the camp. Do the two days to drive there and back count as contact days? A7: No, as long as these are purely travel days, they would not count as contact days. However, if you stop along the way and practice, or if coaches are instructing during the trip down or back, these would become contact days. Q8: I am a coach at a school and my daughter is a student at my school, and she participates in the sport that I coach. I am coaching a summer league team that she plays on, but she is the only student from my school that plays on this team. Page 86 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK All other players are from other area schools. Will my days of instructing this team count as contact days? A8: No. The only exemption to the contact rules is the coaching of a son/daughter, as long as there are no other students on the team that are enrolled at the same school. Q9: Is it allowable for students who just finished the 7th grade and will be 8th graders in the fall to play on a summer school basketball team with students in grades 9-12? A9: This depends on membership type and the team itself. If the basketball team is representing the school (i.e. school coaches assisting, school uniforms worn, playing under school name, counting as contact days, etc.) then it would be allowable for such a student to participate on the summer team with high school students only if the school’s membership is a combined membership (6-12). If the school’s membership is 9-12, this would not be allowable because the student is not an enrolled student at the member school. If the team is not representing the school, participation is not restricted, but no school transportation may be provided, school uniforms may not be worn, etc. Q10: Our high school coaches each want the school to sponsor a youth-aged sport camp this summer for incoming grades 4-8. We have two middle schools and several non-public parish schools going to grade 8. Are there restrictions on the students who may attend? A10: Yes, summer youth camps are “open” and any student may attend the camp who pays his or her own fees. However the age range is restricted. Students entering the 8th grade in the fall, and younger students may attend. During the summer a student is viewed as being in the grade they will enter in the fall. Students going into the 9th grade may only attend a high school camp at the high school in which they are enrolled. Q11: The local Lions Club is sponsoring a basketball camp this summer and would like to use our high school gym. Can we allow them to hold a camp in our facilities, and who may attend the camp? A11: Your local school district policies would determine whether or not the Lions Club could use your facilities; however, the Lions Club must follow the same guidelines for rental, use, proof of liability insurance, etc. that any other outside group would be required to follow under your school district’s policies. Under such camp sponsorship (non-school entity), no restrictions as to school enrollment of the participants would be in place. However, the sponsors should be careful not to represent the camp as a school camp (using school mascot, colors, etc. in flyers, on t-shirts, etc.) Q12: Our team was scheduled to attend a team basketball camp during the first week of summer vacation, which was supposed to be a week before Memorial Day. Due to severe weather this winter and the resulting snow days, school will still be in session that week. Due to our long-established plans to attend this camp, can our school receive an exception due to the late change in our school release date and attend the team camp? A12: No. While the Board of Directors has granted relief under similar circumstances for school-sponsored individual skills camps, team camps before Memorial Day weekend have not been granted an exception. Unlike a school-sponsored individual skills camp where only one school is affected, team camps involve various schools with varying release dates. Granting one school an exception could place another school in a quandary. Q13: When are High School a) Girls Volleyball Coaches and b) Baseball Coaches allowed to begin working with their summer teams and how does this relate to contact days? A13: Since girls volleyball is a fall sport and baseball is a spring sport which may continue to play after school is out, the timing, allowances and restrictions are different. “Summer” is defined as beginning the day following the last day of school or the Friday preceding Memorial Day, whichever is earlier. A coach may begin instructing a summer team when: 1) his/her school season has concluded, and 2) summer has begun, by definition, for his/her school. So in a) the girls volleyball coach can begin to work with students on the day after school is out, or the Friday prior to Memorial Day, whichever comes first, and everything counts as contact toward that limit. In b) however, the transition to summer also depends on how far the team goes in the baseball season, in conjunction with the same two factors above (end of school and Friday prior to Memorial Day). If the school is still competing in the district or state tournament series in baseball AFTER school is out, the “in season” restrictions would continue to apply to the varsity athletes in that sport. Example: The last day of school is May 10 for School A; however, the baseball team is still participating in the spring school season and is preparing for districts. On May 11, students may begin summer activities in the sport of girls volleyball (and other sports not in season or spring sports which have concluded) and must count all as contact days toward the limit. The baseball team is still “in season” and varsity athletes continuing into districts may not begin summer baseball activities, and contact days are not started until the day following their last postseason game. Due to contact days being “sport-specific,” school baseball coaches should consider refraining from any summer activities for junior varsity players (not continuing into districts) until the school season concludes, because any such contact will chip away at their bank of 20 contact days for the sport of baseball (the limit is not by level). Q14: Public school A is hosting a summer volleyball camp, grades 9-12, for district students during July. There are residents within the school district who are attending a non-public school. Since they live within the school district, may they attend school A’s volleyball camp? A14: By-Law 3.15.7 provides that except for a team camp , only students enrolled in the sponsoring school or school district may attend. Students living in a particular school district but who do not attend the public school serving that district are not eligible to attend the public school’s sponsored individual camp. Students may only attend school sponsored camps at the school in which they are officially enrolled, other than team camps. SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 87 Q15: I am a high school coach and plan to take a group to a team summer sports camp. How can or should I determine the “team” that I take? (Hand-pick, promote it and take the first ten that turn in their information and payment, take all that want to go, etc.) What if 40 kids want to go? I obviously can’t take that many. Since my team is not yet set, I want to be fair but I have to be realistic as well. What would be permissible? A15: You are correct that since you are outside of the interscholastic season, your team is not “set.” Therefore, it is not appropriate to hand-pick the group that you take. It would be acceptable to distribute camp information to the underclass players from the past season’s school team, given they have already shown an interest in the sport. The information should also be made publicly available to the students at school at the same time it is distributed to the players, prior to the release of school for the summer. You may set a due date for the information and payment to be turned in, and/or a maximum number that you plan to take (due to camp restrictions or logistics, etc.) with a first-come first-served approach to reach your maximum. If you have more interest than space available for one team, you could break the group into two teams and take all interested students (this may change the price per player since most team camps charge by the team) and they would likely get more playing time at the camp. It would not be appropriate to hold try-outs for selection of a team to attend the camp. Q16: When may we allow our athletes to use our school-owned sports uniforms in the summer? A16: During the summer, the use of schooled-owned player equipment is allowable if the event is “school-sponsored” - meaning that school coaches are involved and players are participating under the name of the school, rather than the town or a non-school team. School-sponsored summer activities allow for the use of school-owned player equipment and school transportation but restrict participation to ONLY enrolled students at the member school and counts as contact days. Students or groups of students participating in non-school activities or on non-school teams may NOT use school-owned player equipment and school transportation may NOT be provided. Q17: What can take place in regard to a) fall sports or b) winter or spring sports during the week BEFORE the first allowable week of fall practice? A17: By-Law 1.5 allows schools to set their summertime dead period for that week, so if that is your school’s dead period you will need to follow all restrictions in By-Law 1.5.2. If your school has selected an earlier week for its dead period, the athletic activities that may take place during that week are governed by two different by-laws. During that week, fall sports are governed by By-Law 3.15.1.b, Fall Sport No-Contact Period, and no “contact” may take place. During that week, winter and spring sports are still defined to be within the “summer” as per 3.15.1 (Definition of Summer) and therefore, those sports must continue to follow the “contact day” requirements and count any contact toward their 20 days. Q18: Can summer contact days be mandated? If a student chooses not to participate in our contact days over the summer, can we take that into account when selecting our team for the sport season next year? A18: No, summer contact days may not be mandated and lack of participation should not be taken into consideration for try-outs and team membership. Everything outside of the school sport season is voluntary and cannot be required directly or indirectly for team membership, including summer contact. The references to that language are located in By-Laws 3.14, 3.15 and Bd Policy on Open Facilities. The most direct reference is the one in 3.15, Sport Participation and Contact, because that covers the summer and relates directly to the contact days. Typically it’s true that if a student doesn’t participate in summer activities, he may not advance in skills and ability to the level of those who do participate. Skill can and should be taken into consideration for team selection. If skill is on par or ahead of other players, non- participation in summer contact should not affect the selection decision negatively. Attitude, also, can and should be taken into consideration during tryouts, along with effort and “coachability” and how kids get along with the other players, etc. That gives coaches more avenues to differentiate between players during tryouts than just skill. It is important for AD’s and coaches to place an emphasis on the tracking and measuring of sport skills, and any other factors that can be used to differentiate players, so decisions can be more easily justified if/when they are questioned. Q19: Our sports teams are involved in summer activities (camps and leagues) and several parents have raised the issue of the school paying for these costs. What can the school or the Booster Club actually pay for? A19: Summer activities generally fall into two categories (competition and instructional), and then two types of oversight (school-sponsored and non-school). Since you’ve asked specifically about payments and what the school can pay for , I’ll stick to the first two categories, since that dictates who must pay . Events that are clearly and exclusively competitive (leagues, shoot-outs, tournaments) generally have a team fee and those can be paid for by the school. Anything that is instructional in nature (a camp, clinic or group sport lesson, including team camps) require that the student/student’s parents pay for the fee themselves. The school and booster club are prohibited for paying those fees for the kids, and doing so would constitute a violation of the by-laws governing athletics and would affect student eligibility. Additionally, students involved in any “non-school” summer events must pay all associated fees themselves and provide their own transportation. Q20: During the summer, in what grade are students considered to be? In other words, is a student who just finished 7th grade considered a 7th grader during the summer or an 8th grader? How might this “label” affect coaching restrictions and contact days? A20: For 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders, as long as the student is being promoted to the next grade (not being held back to repeat) they should generally be considered as the grade they are going into. The same holds true for 9-12th graders, but “promotion” is not pertinent. Contact in the summer is restricted primarily by “contact days” with the coaches of Page 88 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK the grade or level a student is going into. One grade level to focus on are those students who will be 8th graders in the fall. High School coaches have significant contact restrictions with 8th graders, but that restriction is paramount during the school year of the student’s 8th grade year. High school coaches may have instructional contact (camp, lesson, or non-school sport setting) with students during the summer after their 7th grade year (viewed as 8th graders) but all such contact must end prior to the first day of school in the fall.

3.16.1 Practice: Any attempt of a coach at a given school to provide instruction in any phase of a game or athletic activity to any team or part of a team at that school or to have any team or part of a team engage in drills under the supervision of a coach, or from directions provided by the coach, involving what has already been taught. Try-outs, so-called “skull sessions,” “chalk talks,” “walk throughs,” etc., are considered practices but do not qualify as “conditioning practices” (See 3.16.2). “General Informational Meetings” where no attempt is made to teach any phase of a game or activity are permitted before the first allowable practice date of the specific sport season. Except as provided for in By-Laws 3.5.3, 3.10.3, 1.4.1, and 1.4.2, a junior high or high school student shall be permitted to participate in school practices only with teams of the school where he/she is properly enrolled. 3.16.2 Conditioning Practice: Any attempt by the coach to engage the student in specific physical activity, drills, and/or instruction involving physical activity designed to elevate the student’s level of physical condition for a specific sport. (See also By-Law 3.9, Conditioning Requirements) 3.16.3 Walk-through: A walk-through is defined as a teaching opportunity with the athletes not wearing protective equipment (e.g., helmets, shoulder pads, catcher’s gear, shin guards) or using other sport-related equipment (e.g., footballs, blocking sleds, pitching machines, soccer balls). 3.16.4 Scrimmage: Practice of two groups of the same school team under partial game conditions. 3.16.5 Contest: A contest (which also may be referred to as a game, meet, match, etc.) is any organized play between teams not of the same school. Whether or not officials are hired, admissions charged, etc., are not factors in determining whether the play constitutes a contest. So-called “scrimmage games” (not In-Season Jamborees) cannot be played before the date of the first allowable contest, must be counted as a contest on the school’ s schedule, and only if the school has not scheduled the maximum number of contests allowed. (See Officials Requirements - By-Law 6.1.2) 3.16.6 Definition of Tournament: A tournament is defined as a series of contests between a number of competitors or teams who compete for an overall award and/or a champion is determined. Tournament formats and/or durations may differ by sport. 3.16.7 Preseason Jamboree: An optional practice event in the team sports of baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, team tennis, and volleyball may be conducted as per conditions outlined below. Play occurs only under partial game conditions as defined by each sport (see Board Policy on Preseason Jamboree - Team Sports) The following conditions are in place for all Preseason Jamboree events: a. Only senior high schools may participate in the preseason jamboree. Editor’s Note: The event is not specified as either junior varsity or varsity; a school may play in only one preseason jamboree per sport season. b. The preseason jamboree shall consist of play against no less than two other schools and no more than three other schools. c. The preseason jamboree must be under contract with participating schools. d. The preseason jamboree shall be officiated by MSHSAA registered officials. e. A jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your first contest. Each participant shall have at least nine individual days of school physical conditioning practice prior to participating in the preseason jamboree. The 9th day of conditioning practice must occur on a day preceding the day of the event. f. All game rules shall apply with the exception that coaches may be on the court/field to provide instruction. g. The admission charge shall be determined by the host school. h. Sport-specific procedures can be found in the Board Policy section and in the respective sports manuals. 3.16.8 In-Season Jamboree: An event in which each school competes for an abbreviated period (i.e. quarter, set, half, etc.) against each opponent, to total no more than one complete game/match/contest. This shall be counted as a contest on the school’s schedule. Although this is an abbreviated event versus each opponent, it includes all aspects of the game/match. Registered officials shall be used. 3.16.9 All-Star Contests: An “all-star” contest is defined as any contest involving players from two or more junior highs or high schools who are selected on the basis of their individual athletic accomplishments or reputations gained while competing in interscholastic competition. Such competitive events are defined as “non-school competition” and participation is restricted as outlined in By-Laws 3.13.2, 3.14.2, and 3.15.5. Editor’s Note: No MSHSAA catastrophic insurance coverage is in place for such contests. Athletics Definitions Questions & Answers: Q1: Our school will have an open gym on Saturday afternoon following our boys basketball team practice. Our coach has advised our players they can stay and scrimmage against people in our community. Is this acceptable? SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 89 A1: No. During the school sport season a team may only practice with the school’s teams. Q2: I have some questions regarding the Preseason Jamboree in Football. a) Is this event considered a “game” or a “practice”? b) If a student or coach was ejected from the last game of the previous season, should we withhold the student or coach from the preseason jamboree or from the first interscholastic game? c) If a transfer student’ s transfer request has not been approved, is he able to play in the preseason jamboree? d) If we have a student or coach ejected from the preseason jamboree, will he need to sit out of an interscholastic game? e) If a student is academically ineligible for the fall semester, can he play in the preseason jamboree? A2: a) The definition indicates the preseason jamboree is a football practice event; however, since it is interscholastic rather than intra-squad, it falls in both categories. b) Athletes or coaches ejected from the last game of last season must be withheld from the first interscholastic regular season game of this season. It is a local school decision as to whether the athlete/coach should be withheld from the preseason jamboree as well. c) Because the preseason jamboree is interscholastic, transfer students are not eligible to participate unless they have been ruled eligible by the MSHSAA office via the online transfer request procedure. Since the jamboree is not deemed specifically varsity or JV , students with sub-varsity eligibility under a Transfer Waiver could participate. d) Yes, since the event is interscholastic and registered officials are required, and the NFHS football rules are, for the most part, being used, an ejection from the preseason jamboree would carry with it the normal penalty of being withheld from one contest. (By-Law 5.5.1 as well) e) No. Because the preseason jamboree is interscholastic, the essential eligibility requirements must be met and the student may not play. Q3: Our school would like to host a preseason jamboree in volleyball. May we host one varsity jamboree (four teams) and one JV jamboree (four teams)? A3: No. A school may participate in only one preseason jamboree per sport. It would not be permissible for a school’s junior varsity team to participate in one scrimmage while the varsity team participates in a different scrimmage. Q4: Our school holds a Grades 6-12 Combined MSHSAA membership. We do not register for junior high volleyball, but we have a few junior high players that are interested in volleyball. May these players practice with our high school team during the fall? A4: Under those circumstances, no, the junior high students could not practice with the high school team. However, if you register for volleyball at the junior high level, these enrolled students could practice with the high school team for a maximum of twelve consecutive weeks (the limit for a junior high season), concurrent with the high school season, and would be covered by the catastrophic insurance as well. It is not required that you schedule a competitive schedule for the junior high players. Q5: We are hosting a preseason jamboree this year. May we invite more than three other teams as long as no participating school competes against more than three other schools? A5: Yes, it is allowable to have more teams on site, but each school must compete against at least two other schools and may not compete against more than three other schools during the jamboree. Q6: The membership removed the restrictions associated with participation in an “All-Star contest.” If one of our students is invited to play in an all-star game this year, how should we advise him or her? A6: All-Star contests will now be considered no differently than “non-school competition” and they will be restricted as per the non-school competition sections in By-Laws 3.13 and 3.14. Therefore, you should refer to those sections in order to advise your students. Further, coaches who are invited to coach in an all-star contest must adhere to those same sections, which means that outside of the school sport season but during the school year, you may not coach any of your enrolled students in non-school competition (including all-star games). For a team sport, that means you may not coach a team which includes any enrolled student. For an individual sport, you may only coach individual athletes that are not enrolled in your school, and will not be enrolled next year. There are no special allowances for seniors who have exhausted their eligibility in a sport – school coaches may not coach seniors prior to summertime; coaching contact is restricted during the off-season. Q7: May we invite an out-of-state school to participate in our basketball (or any other sport) jamboree? A7: Yes, if the other state is in-season with the sport and the state allows the team to participate in a multi-team event under Missouri’s terms, conditions and procedures. Q8: May our school’s junior high boys basketball team scrimmage in practice against our school’s senior high girls basketball team during the senior high basketball sports season? A8: Yes, if the school has a 6th grade through 12th grade MSHSAA combined school membership (MSHSAA Constitution Article III, Section 2) and if the junior high boys team is currently within the school sport season (MSHSAA By-Law 3.29.1). If the junior high is under a separate membership from the high school, such practice would be in violation of By-Laws 3.19 and 3.16.

3.20.1 Sex-Separated, Competitive Interscholastic Athletics shall be governed by the following: a. Girls may not participate on a boys interscholastic athletic team in a sport if the school sponsors a girls team in that sport. SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 91 b. Girls may participate on a boys interscholastic athletic team in a non-contact sport if the school does not sponsor a girls interscholastic athletic team in that sport. It shall be the responsibility of the local board of education to determine whether to allow girls to participate on boys teams in sports defined as contact sports in the Federal Title IX Regulations. c. Boys may not participate on a girls interscholastic athletic team if the school’s over-all boys athletic program equals or exceeds the over-all girls athletic program. If the boys over-all athletic program is not comparable in scope to the girls over- all athletic program, the principal may request an evaluation of his/her athletic program in order to assure equitable athletic programs for both boys and girls. d. Coed teams may compete against other coed teams or against boys teams but may not compete against girls teams. e. Schools must register for girls wrestling if any girls are participating. At the junior high level only, girls wrestlers are allowed to compete against both boys and girls wrestlers during the regular season to insure sufficient competition opportunities for junior high girls wrestling. Girls and Boys Programs Questions & Answers: Q1: Our school sponsors both a boys and girls golf team. The girls play during the fall sports season and the boys during the spring. We have a girl who wishes to tryout for the boys team rather than play on the girls team. Is this permissible? A1: No. Whenever a school offers both a boys and girls interscholastic program in a sport, girls may participate only on the girls team. Q2: Because of finances, it has become necessary for our school to combine its girls and boys tennis teams. Is it permissible to play coed tennis? A2: Yes. Coed teams may compete during the boys season against other coed teams or against boys teams but not against girls teams. Coed teams (in any sport) are eligible to enter ONLY the MSHSAA Boys State Tournament Series. Schools should be aware of maintaining a balance between boys and girls programs in relationship to Title IX. Q3: Our school has a transgender student that is interested in participating in interscholastic activities. For which teams should we allow the student to try-out? A3: All MSHSAA non-athletic activities (Music, Speech/Debate/Theatre, Scholar Bowl, Spirit) as well as football and baseball are co-educational, and therefore there would be no restrictions in regard to participation of any student other than general eligibility requirements. In sex-separated competitive sports, participation is limited to students whose biological sex matches that of the team. This is based on mandates within Missouri State Statute RSMo 163.048. Q4: I have some questions about a girl at our school who would like to play baseball. a) Can she play our fall championship season of softball and still play baseball this spring? b) If we move to the spring championship season, could she play softball and baseball at the same time? A4: Yes on both. Softball and baseball are two separate sports. Softball is girls only; baseball is coed. Girls may play on both teams at the school's discretion, and she should be allowed to try-out for both teams. It is a local school decision whether students are allowed to try-out and/or play two interscholastic sports during the same season (such as football/ boys soccer, girls tennis/girls golf, track & field/girls soccer). Doing so would be allowable under the by-laws. However, please note that as per By-Law 3.20, boys are not allowed to participate in girls sports.

3.30.1 Junior High Season: Junior high school sports seasons (Grades 6, 7 and 8) shall be twelve consecutive calendar weeks in length beginning with the first organized practice with any part of a sports team and ending with the last interscholastic contest in the sport concerned. The sports season may be extended to a maximum of fourteen consecutive calendar weeks in length whenever the Winter Holiday period falls within the sports season. a. The sports season for the 6th, 7th and 8th grade teams shall begin no earlier than the Monday of Standardized Calendar Week Number Seven. b. The sports season for 6th, 7th and 8th grade teams shall end with the last day of school in the spring. Editor’s Note: See By-Law 1.7.2.c.1 regarding heat acclimatization for junior high sports in the fall. 3.30.2 Team and Individual Limits: The number of games and tournaments for each team and individual shall be scheduled in accord with the limitations contained within the Contest Limits By-Laws, and the sport-specific by-laws. 3.30.3 Junior High Team Contest Limits: The number of contests permitted for each school team in each sport is shown below. Sport: Contests Allowed: Individual Season Limits a. Baseball 18 contests 126 innings b. Basketball 18 contests 90 quarters c. Cross Country 8 meets 8 meets d. Football 6 games (see By-Law 3.30.7.b) e. Golf 18 contests 18 contests f. Soccer 18 contests 45 halves g. Softball 18 contests 126 innings h. Swimming 10 meets 10 meets i. Tennis 18 contests 18 contests j. Track and Field 10 meets 10 meets k. Volleyball 20 contests 60 sets l. Wrestling - Boys 12 competition dates 12 competition dates m. Wrestling - Girls 12 competition dates 12 competition dates 3.30.4 For junior high school interscholastic sports not listed above, the following game limit shall apply: 18 games (meets). 3.30.5 Basketball (See also By-Law 3.21): a. Tie Junior High Games: Basketball games involving only junior high school students (students in grades 6, 7 and/or 8 only) that end in a tie score shall be continued for one or more extra periods two minutes in length. Otherwise National Federation Basketball Rule 5-7 will be applied. b. Length of Quarters For Junior High School: The length of the quarters in a junior high school basketball game shall not exceed six minutes. 3.30.6 Football (See also By-Law 3.23): a. Length of Quarters For Junior High School : The length of the quarters in a junior high school football game shall not exceed eight minutes. b. Daily: No player may play in more than four quarters on one calendar date. c. Weekly : No player may play in more than six quarters in a football week. Note: For the purposes of tracking player quarters, a football week is defined as: beginning on a Thursday and ending on the following Wednesday . d. Season : No player may play in a total number of quarters for the season that exceeds six times the number of games played by the higher team on which the student plays. e. Kicking Downs : Participation in kicking downs only (downs in which one team initially lines up in either a scrimmage kick or a free kick formation as per NFHS Rules) during a game would count as a maximum of one quarter of participation. SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 99 f. Other Downs : Participation in downs other than kicking downs would count as one quarter of participation for each quarter the player participates up to a maximum of four quarters per game and six quarters in a football week. g. Tracking : Each school shall be responsible for keeping a record of the participation of players on multiple teams (A/B) utilizing the MSHSAA standardized “Football Player Participation Form.” 3.30.7 Volleyball (See also By-Law 3.25.2): a. Except in tournament play, a team may participate in a maximum of three matches against three different schools (triple dual) on one calendar date. b. Daily Set Limitations for Dual Competition - Junior High - Play 2-out-of-3-Set Matches: During regular season dual competition, a player may participate in a maximum of four sets on one calendar date against the same school. c. No team or individual player may participate in more than one volleyball tournament on a calendar day. d. Season Limits - Junior High Level - Play 2-out-of-3-Set Matches: A player is eligible to play in no more than 60 sets for the season. 3.30.8 Penalty for Violations: Should a school team exceed to allowable game limitations, the team would, at a minimum, be ineligible to compete in the maximum number of games the following year; the reduction will equal the number of contests involved in the violation. Junior High Questions & Answers: Q1: Our school holds a fourteen week junior high basketball season which ends January 21. May select members of the junior high team subsequently be moved up to practice with the high school team until the end of the high school season? A1: No. Junior high students may participate in junior high school basketball (practice and games) for a maximum of 14 calendar weeks (12 weeks when the Christmas Holiday period does not fall within the sports season) beginning with his/her first practice with the school team. Since these students have used their 14 weeks, they are not not eligible to practice with the high school team. Q2: Now that freshmen are considered high school students, are we allowed to have a combined 8th and 9th grade team? A2: No, this is no longer allowable. Page 100 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK SECTION 4 : ACTIVITIES BY-LAWS

3.4.1 Certification on the MSHSAA Online Membership System: a. Each student, prior to participating in an interscholastic athletics contest, must be certified as eligible through the MSHSAA Online Membership System by an administrator of the junior high or high school the student attends or is a resident participant student with, for each sport in which the student participates. Changes in eligibility at the beginning of second semester shall be made on the system by an administrator. b. The schedule for the required submittal of this information will be set by the Board of Directors and appear in the Board of Director’s Policy Section of the MSHSAA Official Handbook and will be accessible on the website. c. New additions to teams shall be certified as eligible as described above prior to allowing the student to participate in an interscholastic contest. d. Any student who is certified as eligible as described above and is designated for a specific sport will be considered as having competed in that sport during that season, unless his/her name is removed upon the request and proper verification by the school administrator before the twentieth day of the season and before the player enters a game. e. If a participant is omitted from the eligibility certification process in error and is certified in writing by the principal to have been eligible at the time of the contest, the Board of Directors shall have discretionary authority to determine whether a penalty is appropriate and the nature and duration of such penalty. The principal shall submit a report to the executive director explaining the circumstances of the omission error. 3.4.2 Competing against another school before participating students are certified as eligible as described above, shall be considered a violation.

3.5.1 Age - Senior High: A student shall not have reached the age of 19 prior to July 1 preceding the opening of school. If a student reaches the age of 19 on or following July 1, the student may be considered eligible for the upcoming school year. DIAGRAM 3.5.1: HIGH SCHOOL BIRTHDATES FOR 2026-27 Over-Age for High School Born on or before June 30, 2007 Fall 2008 or Spring 2009 birthdates are typical for seniors in 2026-27 Over-Age for 8th Grade Born on or before June 30, 2011 Fall 2012 or Spring 2013 birthdates are typical for 8th graders in 2026-27 3.5.2 Age - Junior High: To be eligible for junior high school competition against teams all in a particular grade classification, the student shall not have reached the following ages prior to July 1 preceding the opening of school: Grade Six -- 13, Grade Seven -- 14, or Grade Eight -- 15. If a student does not meet the age standard for a particular grade classification, SECTION 3 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 61 that student may compete on a school team of a higher grade classification, within that school or school district where the residence requirement is met. Students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade shall not compete with or against students in grade s five and below or nine and above except in cases where they attain the age of 15 prior to July 1 preceding the opening of school. DIAGRAM 3.5.2: JUNIOR HIGH BIRTHDATES FOR 2026-27 Over-Age for 8th Grade Born on or before June 30, 2011 Fall 2012 or Spring 2013 birthdates are typical for 8th graders in 2026-27 Over-Age for 7th Grade Born on or before June 30, 2012 Fall 2013 or Spring 2014 birthdates are typical for 7th graders in 2026-27 Over-Age for 6th Grade Born on or before June 30, 2013 Fall 2014 or Spring 2015 birthdates are typical for 6th graders in 2026-27 Over-Age for 5th Grade Born on or before June 30, 2014 Fall 2015 or Spring 2016 birthdates are typical for 5th graders in 2026-27 3.5.3 School Culminating with 8th Grade: An overage 8th grader attending a school that culminates with the 8th grade may participate at the high school for which he/she would be eligible as a 9th grader with no restrictions, during the 8th grade year, if participation is approved by the high school. If, however, upon promotion to the 9th grade the student enters a high school other than the high school he/she represented the prior year without moving and meeting the residence requirement, he/she shall have restricted eligibility in all sports for one year. Age Requirement Questions & Answers: Q1: Our school has a student who turned 19 prior to July 1 of the current school year that wants to participate on the school’s cross country team. The administration knows that the over-aged student can practice with the school cross country team, but can the student participate in school-sponsored cross country meets as an individual/extra runner and not be recorded in the meet results? A1: No, an over-aged cross country athlete is ineligible to participate in any way against students who are eligible for cross country at MSHSAA member schools during the school cross country season. This interpretation applies to all “extra” sanctioned cross country meets/races that include eligible high school and junior high school cross country runners but does not apply to “open” cross country meets/races that include only post-high school runners, individuals who are not eligible to compete for their school cross country team, and those in grades below the 6th grade. Q2: May an 8th grade student participate as a member of a senior high school team? A2: If the student is age-appropriate for the 8th grade, then the student may not participate with any high school team. If the student is over-aged as per By-Law 3.5, it the responsibility of the school district to identify the situation and provide the opportunity for the student to “play up” on a level for which his/her age is appropriate, provided the student is eligible in all other respects. Q3: Our school is a K-8 district. I have a student in 8th grade who exceeds the age requirement for grade 8. The student knows what high school he will attend next year as a 9th grader. May our school work with that high school to give the student the opportunity to play up this year so he gets 4 years of high school eligibility? A3: Yes. By-Law 3.5 permits students who exceed the age requirement and attend a school going only through the 8th grade an opportunity to play up at the high school he/she will attend. Please note that in this situation, if the student selects a different high school upon actually entering the 9th grade, he/she shall have restricted eligibility in all sports for one year.

4.2.1 Music Defined: Music activities as used in this Section shall include those interscholastic music activities that are outgrowths of the member schools’ regular music programs and are included in the Music Manual [to include but is not limited to the following: band, marching band, jazz band, choir, show choir, orchestra, winter drumline, etc.]. The term “evaluative festival” shall mean that the performance of an individual and/or group shall be rated according to achievement standards. 4.2.2 Music Event Regulations: Any interscholastic competitive/evaluative music event or other interscholastic competitive/ evaluative function involving music abilities in which member school music organizations or individual students participate during the school year (from the opening day of classes to the official closing day at the end of the academic year) shall meet the following standards: a. See By-Law 4.1.10 for definition of allowable awards. b. Events involving music organizations or individual music students from more than two schools approved for commercial or promotional purposes and which cause a loss of class time shall not be approved for schools outside their respective local communities. c. This section shall not be interpreted to prohibit a local board of education from adopting any higher standards than it considers appropriate for its school community. d. See By-Law 1.1.5 for all competitive/evaluative event regulations and sanctioning requirements. 4.2.3 Student Eligibility for Ensemble and Solo Events in Music: a. Students enrolled or resident participant students in grades 6 through 12 are eligible for participation in ensemble events, provided they are enrolled in a member high school (grades 9-12), a 6-12 combined member school or are a resident participant in the grades served by the school with which they are participating. If the junior high school in which students are enrolled or have resident participant students is either not a member of MSHSAA, or a separate junior high member, such students shall not be eligible to represent the senior high school in interscholastic music activities. b. A soloist must be a member of a school music performing organization except in the case of any instrument listed under those accepted for solos in the MSHSAA Music Manual that is not represented in the school’s musical organizations, such student may be entered when certified by the school administration. 4.2.4 Student Entry Requirements for Music District and State Festivals: A student must be entered by a senior high school. Students enrolled in or are resident participant students of member junior high schools may be entered in music festivals by senior high schools as provided in the Music Manual, but may not be entered in such events by member junior high schools. All district and state events sponsored by MSHSAA are for senior high schools only. 4.2.5 District and State Music Festivals: The state music festival shall consist of only those solos and small ensemble entries of not more than eight students qualified at a MSHSAA District Music Festival: however, there shall be a terminating state festival held in each district for large choral and instrumental ensembles. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to determine the music festival centers and the schools to be assigned to these festivals. a. District music festivals evaluate the events from each participating school. b. The state music festival evaluates events that have been awarded an exemplary rating at the district festival and provides the opportunity for an even higher level of performance expectation and adjudicator evaluation. Page 104 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 4.2.6 School Entry Regulations for District and State Music Festivals: Only those member schools that meet the requirements of this Section and pay the necessary fees are eligible for district and state evaluative festivals. Only those schools qualifying at a district festival shall be eligible to enter students in the state festival. a. Individual schools shall carefully screen entries for the district festivals. b. No school may participate in more than one district festival, which shall be the festival held at the center set for its district, to qualify for the state festival. c. No school which received the highest division rating in a district shall be compelled to enter the state festival. d. Only soloists and small ensembles earning a highest rating in one of the district evaluative festivals may be entered in the state evaluative festival. e. All entries must be certified by the principal or superintendent of the school they represent. Entries submitted by a private teacher will not be accepted. 4.2.7 Music Entry Fees: The Board of Directors shall set the entry fees to meet the needs of the district and state evaluative festivals. District and state festival directors shall submit a report to the MSHSAA office for each festival at the conclusion of the festival. 4.2.8 Administration of Music Festivals: The administration of the district and state evaluative festivals shall be governed by the policies and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors upon the advice and recommendations of the Music Advisory Committee and published in the music manual. a. Recording of large group performances by outside recording agencies shall be coordinated by MSHSAA. 4.2.9 Music Adjudicators: The Board of Directors shall approve judges for the district and state festivals. The judges shall be selected from the MSHSAA approved list and reported to the Executive Director as soon as contracted. The Board of Directors, by its own action or upon the recommendation of the Music Advisory Committee, may remove any judge’s name from the approved list for what it may consider “just cause.” a. Fees: The Board of Directors shall set fees for judges of all MSHSAA festivals. 4.2.10 Marching Band and Auxiliary Groups - Pre-Participation Medical Eligibility (Physical) Form: The school shall require of each student participating in marching band activities (i.e. flag corps, color guard, twirlers, etc.) a medical eligibility form signed and authorized by a physician, advanced nurse practitioner in a written collaborative practice with a physician or a certified physician's assistant in collaboration with a sponsoring physician stating that the individual is physically able to participate in marching band activities at his/her school or the school he/she meets the requirements with which to participate as a resident participant student. A student shall not be permitted to practice or represent a school until a complete, signed medical eligibility form is on file at the school. The medical eligibility form is valid for two years (730 days) from the date of issue for the purpose of this rule. Music Questions & Answers: Q1: Do students participating in interscholastic competitive/evaluative music and speech activities have to meet the MSHSAA minimum essential student eligibility requirements? A1: Yes. Some have assumed that since these activities are generally a direct outgrowth of curricular programs the academic eligibility standards would not apply. As long as a student is limited to participating in a class setting during the regularly scheduled school day, that assumption is correct. However, music and speech activities that are conducted outside the regularly scheduled school day are considered to be extra-curricular in nature. Any extra- curricular competitive/evaluative music or speech event that involves students from two or more schools is considered to be an interscholastic event. Students participating in competitive/evaluative music or speech events must meet the MSHSAA minimum essential student eligibility requirements. This would not apply to events that are not competitive or evaluative, such as a parade that is not judged. Q2: Can our school’s band attend: a) A marching band competition in Florida? b) An evaluative band festival in Texas? c) A parade in California that is not adjudicated (a performance only)? A2: a) and b) Yes, provided the event meets the specifications indicated in By-Law 4.2.4 and approval is granted by the MSHSAA Board of Directors. c) Yes. MSHSAA music sanction By-Laws apply only to competitive or evaluative events. Q3: Our marching band is going to march in a competitive parade but our band is marching in exhibition only (no ranking rating or comments will be provided and the band will not be judged in any way). We have a student who is academically ineligible. Can that student march with the band at the parade? A3: Yes. Since your band is not participating in the competition and no evaluation will be done (no ranking, rating or comments) the ineligible student could participate. Since the event is neither competitive or evaluative for your band, eligibility standards would not apply. Q4: Our school is hosting a junior high music festival this year. We have been contacted by a few schools who are not members of MSHSAA expressing an interest in entering some students in the festival. In addition, some of the member schools have elected to not include 6th grade as part of their membership. They have asked if they could enter some 6th grade students. Is there a way that we can organize the festival to allow this? SECTION 4 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 105 A4: Yes. It would be possible to organize the event so that there are really two separate events occurring simultaneously. All 6th grade participants not part of the member school's registration and all students of non-member schools must be scheduled into rooms separate from the member school students and would participate in a separate festival from the member school festival. In this situation, students below the 6th grade and students of non-member schools cannot participate with or against students of member schools, this is the only way this would be possible. Q5: Can our school’s band compete in: a) a jazz band competition in Oklahoma? b) a marching band competition in Iowa? c) a competitive bowl game parade? A5: a) b) and c) Yes, provided the event meets the specification indicated in By-Law 4.2.4 and approval is granted by the MSHSAA Board of Directors and/or the MSHSAA office. Q6: Our school is hosting a jazz band competition and inviting Missouri schools only to participate do we need to complete a sanction application? A6: No. MSHSAA By-Law 4.2.4.b states that an interscholastic music event sponsored by a member school must have the approval of the high school administrator and, for interstate events approval of the MSHSAA Board of Directors and/or the MSHSAA office. It is the local school administrator’s responsibility to ensure that all MSHSAA By-Laws are being upheld. Q7: We have a student who plays the piano and wishes to enter a piano solo in the district music festival. She has been in the school band in past years. However, due to scheduling conflicts she is unable to participate in band this year. She has refused to serve as an accompanist or to participate in any extra curricular school music groups. Is she eligible to enter a piano solo in the district music festival? A7: No. Since she is not a member of a school music performing organization, she would not be eligible to participate in the district music festival. Q8: Our high school music director would like to use a few of our advanced junior high students (grades 6, 7 and 8) to perform with the high school choir at the district music festival. Our school has a separate membership registration status with MSHSAA for our junior high school. Can the junior high students participate with the high school choir? A8: No. As your school has a separate membership registration for the junior high school those students are not eligible to represent the high school in interscholastic music events as the junior high school is viewed as a separate member. Q9: A local business is sponsoring a Thanksgiving Day Marching Band Parade with the top 3 schools in each class being awarded a trophy and a cash prize of $1000, $500 and $250. May our school’s marching band entered this parade and accept the cash prize if they are one of the top 3 schools in their division? A9: Yes, provided the event meets the specifications indicated in By-Law 4.2.4 and approval is granted by the MSHSAA Board of Directors. Cash awards may be accepted and awarded to the school music program; however individual student(s) shall not compete for or accept cash awards if the individual(s) are representing the school. Q10: We have a group of students who have formed a band and play at various events on the weekend and throughout the summer for money. The students are also members of the music program at our school. Can they accept money and still be eligible to represent our school in interscholastic music events throughout the year? A10: Yes, provided the students are not representing the school when they are playing at these events. Individual students may accept cash awards and not jeopardize their school eligibility as long as they are not representing their school during these performances. In other words, they cannot be John, Susie, Tim and Bob from Bedrock HS, but could be John, Susie, Tim and Bob from Musicville, USA. Q11: A local radio station is conducting a contest for school choir programs to enter and the top three groups selected will be showcased as the opening act for Pentatonix, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. The top three winning ensembles will also receive $500 dollars cash award for their school music program. Can our school choir enter the contest and accept the cash award? A11: Yes, provided the event meets the specifications indicated in By-Law 4.2.4 and approval is granted by the MSHSAA Board of Directors. Cash awards may be accepted and awarded to the school music program; however individual student(s) shall not compete for or accept cash awards if the individual(s) are representing the school. Q12: Our school does not have a marching band, however, we do have a concert band, concert choir and a show choir. Are these students required to have a physical on file prior to participation? A12: No. T his requirement is only for members of the marching band program. Q13: Do flag corp, color guard, twirlers, etc., that are part of the marching band required to have a physical in order to participate? A13: Yes. These members are also part of the marching band and will be practicing/performing with the band during the summer and school year. Q14: Now that physical exams are required for marching band; will our band directors need to complete a course in Heat Illness Prevention/Recognition every two years? A14: Yes. Any sport or activity requiring a physical exam for participation will require the coaches/directors of those sports/ Page 106 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK activities to complete a Heat Illness Prevention/Recognition course every two years. There are multiple options for this training (i.e. NFHSLearn Course, or by a local ATC, etc.). Q15: Our band only participates in a couple of parades each year in which they do not compete. Additionally, they do perform at our home football games. Do our band members have to have a physical? A15: Yes. These students are participating in marching band and are therefore required to have a physical on file prior to their first practice/rehearsal. Q16. By-law 4.1.5 (Parental Permission) and 4.1.6 (Healthcare Coverage) require collection and verification of information for all participating students prior to any interscholastic activity. The first day of practice for my music ensemble, which will participate in competitive and evaluative music events, coincides with the first day of school. While I send some information before our first class meeting, most of my students will need time to receive and complete the necessary documentation with their parents and guardians. Most students will not have this information on the first day of class, which is our first day of practice, will this prevent me from working with my students on the first day of class? A16. No, this will not prevent any student from participating and practicing during the first day of class. Still, all students must complete the Pre-Participation Documentation-Annual Requirements, which includes the permission to participate and verifies healthcare coverage. The required documentation must be collected before any extra- curricular (outside of class time) practices and before student participation in any competitive or evaluative events. For students participating in marching band, the pre-participation documentation with a pre-participation physical exam (medical eligibility form) must be collected and verified before the student may practice.

4.4.1 Scholar Bowl Defined: Scholar Bowl shall be defined as competition between two or more schools which involves the answering of questions by team members “quiz bowl” style. The questions involved shall be eclectic in scope, involving all of the primary academic disciplines (math, science, literature, fine arts, social studies, etc.). 4.4.2 Limits on Participation in Scholar Bowl: The options for contests permitted for each school team and each individual participant are shown below. a. High School Contest Limitations: Maximum of 20 Competition Dates b. Junior High School Contest Limitations: Maximum of 12 Competition Dates 4.4.3 Season Limits for Scholar Bowl: No senior high school or junior high school shall participate in an interscholastic scholar bowl event before the Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 14 nor later than the date of the MSHSAA District Competition, exclusive of the MSHSAA state competition, other than the following allowances: a. A school may participate in one interstate, interscholastic scholar bowl event which may begin no earlier than the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, only if the school has advanced from a qualifying event that takes place during the aforementioned season. b. A school may participate in one interscholastic event following districts and prior to the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Such an event shall count as one of the school’s allowable regular season events as per By-Law 4.4.2 (Limits on Participation). 4.4.4 Scholar Bowl Event Regulations: Any interscholastic competitive scholar bowl event or other interscholastic competitive function involving scholar bowl abilities in which member school scholar bowl organizations or individual students participate during the school year (from the opening day of classes to the official closing day at the end of the academic year) shall meet the following standards: a. See By-Law 4.1.10 for definition of allowable awards. b. All interscholastic scholar bowl events shall be in accord with all other provisions contained in the Scholar Bowl By-Law 4.4. c. See By-Law 1.1.5 for all competitive/evaluative event regulations and sanctioning requirements. 4.5 SPIRIT [SIDELINE CHEER AND DANCE TEAMS] 4.5.1 Definition of Sideline Cheer: A sideline cheer team is responsible for boosting school spirit, promoting good sportsmanship, developing positive crowd involvement and will help their school achieve the most worthwhile educational objectives in its interscholastic program. 4.5.2 Definition of Dance Teams: Dance teams shall be defined as dance groups, pom pon teams and any other school performing group that primarily involves dance. 4.5.3 Spirit Safety Regulations: The following safety regulations shall govern the activities of all spirit teams throughout the calendar year. a. All pyramids (mounts) or partner stunts shall be limited to no more than two persons high. All individuals in a pyramid Page 108 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK or partner stunt who are not in contact with the floor or ground shall be supported by one or more individuals who are in direct contact with the floor or ground. b. The use of mini-tramps, spring boards or similar height increasing apparatus shall not be permitted. c. The safety regulations contained in the National Federation Spirit Rules Book and the MSHSAA Spirit Manual shall be followed. 4.5.4 Pre-Participation Medical Eligibility (Physical) Form and Healthcare Coverage - Spirit: a. The school shall require of each student participating in spirit activities a medical eligibility form signed and authorized by a physician, advanced nurse practitioner in a written collaborative practice with a physician or a certified physician’ s assistant in collaboration with a sponsoring physician stating that the individual is physically able to participate in spirit activities at her/his school. A student shall not be permitted to practice or represent a school until a complete, signed medical eligibility form is on file at the school. The medical eligibility form is valid for two years (730 days) from the date of issue for the purpose of this rule. b. Healthcare Coverage: See By-Law 4.1.6 4.5.5 Spirit Conditioning Requirements: Each team must have a minimum of 14 days of conditioning practice and each individual must have participated in a minimum of 14 school conditioning practices on 14 different days during the three consecutive weeks immediately preceding the first calendar date on which the first spirit activity is scheduled. 4.5.6 Spirit Limits on Participation: Students enrolled or resident participant students in grades 6 through 12 are eligible for participation in spirit events, provided they are enrolled in a 6-12 combined member school or is a resident participant student with the school. If the junior high school in which students are enrolled or have resident participant students is either not a member of MSHSAA or a separate junior high member, such students shall not be eligible to represent the senior high school in spirit activities. 4.5.7 Spirit - Representing the School: One or more school sideline cheerleaders or dancers may represent the school: a. At an event sponsored by a member school, b. At an event in which another group from the respective school is participating, and c. In a maximum of three non-competitive cheer events (e.g. Collegiate sporting event half-time performance, Run for the Cure event) excluding commercial and/or promotional ventures and endorsement events. Such events shall not cause a loss of class time. 4.5.8 Spirit - Season: A school season is defined as the period beginning with the date the student is selected as a school sideline cheerleader or dancer and shall end as of the: a. Sideline Cheer: last contest of the last sports season for which the cheerleader’s team is assigned to cheer. b. Dance: last contest date for which the dance team is representing the school. 4.5.9 Spirit - School Insignia: A sideline cheerleader or dancer shall not wear the school uniform or insignia except for: a. School-sponsored events, b. Camps when accompanied by a member of the school coaching staff, c. Events allowed under By-Law 4.5.7, Representing the School. 4.5.10 Dance Team - Contests: Dance teams shall be allowed a maximum of seven in-state or out-of-state contests (competitive events) during the school year (from the opening day of school to the official closing day at the end of the academic year). These activities shall meet the following standards: a. The safety regulations contained in MSHSAA By-Law 4.5.3 or any which are more restrictive that are established by the event sponsor shall be followed. b. Events involving students from more than two schools approved for commercial or promotional purposes and which cause a loss of class time shall not be approved for schools outside their respective local communities. c. This section shall not be interpreted to prohibit a local board of education from adopting any higher standards that it considers appropriate for its school community. d. See By-Law 4.1.10 for definition of allowable awards. e. See By-Law 1.1.5 for all competitive/evaluative event regulations and sanctioning requirements. Spirit Questions & Answers: Q1: A local business has invited our high school cheer team to attend and participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new supermarket. Would their presence be allowable under MSHSAA By-Laws? A1: Participants shall not represent the school (appearing in school uniform, school-named clothing, at school facilities, or with mascot/school colors) to endorse or promote a product/service, commercial venture, political venture, etc. without prior, written consent by a school administrator. Q2: Does sideline cheer conditioning practice count toward the 14 days of practice required under By-Law 3.9? A2: Yes. Spirit conditioning practices (including sideline cheer and dance/pom) will count toward the athletic conditioning requirement. Please refer to the definition of conditioning practice in By-Laws 3.9 and 3.16.2. Q3: Is a student who is participating on an athletic team required to meet the conditioning standard again if the student will SECTION 4 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 109 be participating in spirit (sideline cheer and dance/pom) the next sports season? A3: No. Athletic conditioning practices will count toward the spirit conditioning requirement, as long as no more than seven days have elapsed between the last game or athletic practice and the first spirit practice. Q4: Do the sideline cheerleaders have to have their 14 conditioning practices completed prior to the preseason football interschool scrimmage? A4: No, each member of the sideline cheer team must have completed a minimum of nine school conditioning practices prior to cheering at the preseason interschool scrimmage. This applies to all team sports that may conduct a preseason interschool scrimmage. However, if another spirit activity is scheduled earlier than the scrimmage, all 14 practices would have to have been completed. Q5: Our school would like to sponsor a competitive cheer team to participate in various competitive events throughout the school year. There are members of our sideline cheer team who would like to participate on the competitive cheer team as well. Is this allowed? A5: MSHSAA has no jurisdiction over competitive cheer. Therefore it would be considered a “club activity” (much like ice hockey) with oversight of this activity administered through the local school administration. However, please be advised that participants are covered under the MSHSAA catastrophic insurance for sideline cheer only. Any injuries sustained while involved with competitive cheer are not covered under the MSHSAA insurance policy. Q6: Our school has recently added competitive cheer as a club activity. Is it allowable for the competitive cheer team to wear the school cheer uniform when participating in competitive cheer events? A6: MSHSAA has no jurisdiction over competitive cheer. If a school sponsors a club competitive cheer team, the use of the school cheer uniforms and equipment is up to local administration. Q7: What groups are included as dance teams in the MSHSAA Spirit Manual and how are these groups defined? A7: Dance teams shall be defined as dance groups, pom pon teams, and any other school performing group that primarily involves dance. Pom pons is a group which performs to choreographed music with or without the use of props. Dance teams are the same as pom pons but on a larger scale. Q8: We have a person who has been involved in cheer for many years but has never attended a college/university. Can this person serve as our head cheer coach? A8: Yes, provided the individual meets the requirements outlined in By-Law 4.1.2, prior to approval to serve as a head coach. Q9: Do students have to have a current physical to participate in cheer or dance try-outs? A9: Yes, a try-out is considered a practice and a current physical is needed before a student may practice in preparation for and including try-outs for sideline cheer or dance. NOTE: Only students who are currently enrolled at the member school may participate in spring try-outs. Students who may be transferring from another school district into your district for the fall semester are not eligible to participate in spring try-outs. Q10 : Our sideline cheer team is sponsoring a youth clinic in the afternoon prior to one of our home football games. Could the clinic attendees: a) cheer at the game on the sidelines with the high school cheerleaders; b) perform with the cheerleaders during the halftime show? A10 : It is permissible for the sideline cheer team to sponsor the youth clinic. Cheering with your cheerleaders for the game in a) is not permissible, but performing at halftime in b) is allowable.

in a cool environment FB-Half-Shell* / blocking sleds / tackling dummies only *Please refer to By-Law 3.15.6.a for equipment definitions. 6-16 • Alternate a double practice day with a single practice day or a rest day • Double Practice Day: 3 hour max per practice; 5 hour max total with 3 hour minimum rest between the two • Single Practice Day: 3 hour max; 1 hour walkthrough after 1 hour rest • Rest Day: During the preseason heat acclimatization period, if practice occurs on six consecutive days, participants should have one day of complete rest (no conditioning, walk-throughs, practices, etc.) Therefore, 16 days are needed to complete the 14-practice requirement • On-Site Athletic Trainer: Arrange for the heat acclimatization period (days 1-16) if possible, but not required. FB-All equipment / full contact Heat Acclimatization Questions & Answers: Q1: During the first five days of the acclimatization period may a school split up its one three hour practice into two 1½ hour practices with an hour or more of rest between them, then take the required one hour rest period before having a one hour walk-through? A1: No. During days one through five, a school may only conduct a single practice not to exceed three hours including stretching and warm-ups. If a team practices for an hour and takes a half hour rest and water break they only have an hour and a half left before the practice session must be concluded. Athletes are typically pushed harder during shorter exercise sessions, causing a greater amount of total work load and exertion over two shorter practice sessions than would be expected over one session. Intensity of exercise increases body temperature faster and higher, putting athletes at risk for heat stroke. Exception: a golfer may exceed the time limit for a practice as it is not considered to be an exertional sport. SECTION 1 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 39 Q2: On the second day of practice our full-back twisted his ankle and was seen by the trainer. On days 3-5 he came to practice and watched from the sidelines. Do these 3 days count towards his conditioning requirements? A2: No. In order for the days to be counted, athletes must be healthy and participating in the conditioning activities. Simply being present at practice would not meet the requirement for conditioning. Further, in the fall, each athlete must meet the 14 days of acclimatization before they may compete in a contest. If an athlete is unable to participate in acclimatization with the rest of the team, the acclimatization limits and requirements would be in place for that particular athlete until he is able to complete the acclimatization period. Q3: Two of our soccer players moved into our school district late this fall and did not start practicing with the team until the fifth day of practice, nor were they involved in any practices with their former school. a) May they begin two-a-days with the rest of the team on team practice day six? b) Would they be eligible to participate in the preseason interschool scrimmage on Saturday? A3: a) No. Each player must follow the heat acclimatization schedule. These players may only participate in a single practice on each of their first five practice days. b) No. Each participant in the scrimmage shall have at least nine individual days of conditioning practice prior to participating in the preseason inter-school scrimmage. Due to when these players started practicing and the required rest day after six practice dates it is not possible for them to have completed nine conditioning practices before the scrimmage. Q4: During the 16-day acclimatization period we started a practice and at some point during the practice our athletic trainer and administration deemed the weather conditions too severe to continue practicing outdoors. a) Can we move our practice indoors? b) If we cancel the practice completely at this point will it count towards the conditioning requirements? A4: a) Yes, you may move the practice indoors. The time that has already been spent at practice will count towards the total time allowed. The travel time to a new location will not be counted towards the time allowed. While indoors you must include specific activities, drills and/or instruction involving physical activity designed to elevate the student’ s level of physical condition for the specific sport. b) It can only count towards the conditioning requirements if you are satisfied that you have met the requirement to engage the student in specific activities, drills and/or instruction involving physical activity designed to elevate the student’s level of physical condition for the specific sport. Q5: We have several students who have missed practices during the first allowable week of fall practices and will not be able to reach the 14-day conditioning practice requirement prior to the first contest if we do not provide make-up practices. Is it permissible for coaches to hold additional practices over the weekends to allow these students to make up the practices toward the conditioning requirements? A5: Yes, as long as all aspects of the 16-day heat acclimatization guidelines are met. Each athlete must have a rest day after 6 consecutive days of conditioning practice but this does not prevent the coaches from holding practices on more than six consecutive days. Careful tracking of all individual students would be necessary. Page 40 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK SECTION 2 : STUDENT ESSENTIAL BY-LAWS

5.2.1 Definitions: a. Emerging Sports/Activities: Emerging sports/activities are those that have been approved by the membership for inclusion within the by-laws and are in their first year or do not have 50 schools registered representing at least three of the eight Board Districts. b. Provisionally Interscholastic Sport/Activity: Upon the registration of 50 or more schools representing at least three Board Districts during a given year, the sport/activity will be considered “provisionally interscholastic” the following year and would be moved from By-Law 5.2.6 into 5.2.7. c. MSHSAA Interscholastic Sport/Activity: Upon registration of 50 or more schools representing at least three Board Districts for a second consecutive year and upon passage of the necessary by-laws to fully integrate the sport/activity into the interscholastic offerings by the membership, the sport/activity would be considered a “MSHSAA interscholastic sport/ activity” the following year and would fall under By-Law 5.1 for sponsorship of a MSHSAA District and State Series. 5.2.2 Request to Become An Emerging Sport/Activity: Requests for sports/activities to be listed in this section shall be made to the Board of Directors no later than December 15, and must be approved by the membership on the Annual Ballot. If approved by the membership, the sport/activity would be listed as an emerging sport/activity in the following year’s Handbook, and registration in the sport/activity would be offered. 5.2.3 Limited Services: Emerging and provisionally interscholastic sports/activities will be limited in the services they receive until they become “MSHSAA interscholastic” sports/activities as defined above. The following MSHSAA administrative services will not be offered to emerging sports/activities or provisionally interscholastic sports/activities: a. Rules meetings or online rules reviews and tests b. Assigned rules interpreters c. Activity area provided on the MSHSAA website d. District and State Series administered by MSHSAA e. MSHSAA Activity Manual published f. MSHSAA Advisory Committee 5.2.4 By-Law Requirements: Emerging sports/activities and provisionally interscholastic sports/activities must abide by the requirements listed and referenced in this section only. a. Catastrophic Insurance Fees, as per Article V, Section 1 b. Coach/Director Requirements, as per By-Laws 3.1.1 - 3.1.9 or 4.1.1 - 4.1.3 c. Use of registered officials (when applicable), as per By-Law 6.1 d. Student Essential Eligibility Requirements outlined in By-Laws 2.1 to 2.12 e. Essential Age Requirement, as per By-Law 3.5 for sports f. Pre-Participation Medical Eligibility (Physical) and Healthcare Coverage, as per By-Law 3.8 for sports and per By-Law 4.1.6 for activities g. Conditioning Requirements, as per By-Law 3.9 for sports h. National Federation of State High School Association game rules or game rule codes specified by MSHSAA for member school competition shall be utilized. i. Schools that meet the requirements listed in By-Laws 1.4.1 or 1.4.2 may form cooperative sponsorships. j. Contest limitations, individual player limitations and the applicable season of participation will be determined by mutual consent and specified in the game contract. Adherence to by-laws other than those listed in this section are optional and/ or to be determined in the game contract. k. Provisions for Girls and Boys Programs, as per By-Law 3.20 for sports. 5.2.5 Registration: If no schools register for a sport/activity in a given year, it will be removed from this section and/or any other applicable sections of the by-laws. 5.2.6 Current High School Emerging Sports/Activities: To follow are the sports and activities that currently fall within this definition. a. Sports: 1. Girls Field Hockey (32 schools/2 Board districts) (2025-26) (Sport) 2. Girls Lacrosse (37 schools/3 Board districts) (2025-26) (Sport) 3. Boys Water Polo (23 schools/1 Board district) (2025-26) (Sport) 4. Girls Water Polo (17 schools/1 Board district) (2025-26) (Sport) 5. Girls Stunt (14 schools/5 Board districts) (2025-26) (Sport) 6. Unified Track and Field (11 schools/5 Board districts) (2025-26) (Sport) Page 114 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK b. Activities: 1. Bass Fishing (20 schools/6 Board districts) (2025-26) (Activity) 2. Bowling (9 schools/3 Board districts) (2025-26) (Activity) 3. Chess (19 schools/4 Board districts) (2025-26) (Activity) 4. Target Shooting (36 schools/6 Board districts) (2025-26) (Activity) 5.2.7 Current Provisionally Interscholastic Sports/Activities: a. Esports (114 schools/8 Board districts) (2025-26) (Activity) b. Girls Flag Football (52 schools/5 Board districts) (2025-26) (Sport) Emerging Activities Questions & Answers: Q1: Does our school need to register our bass fishing team with MSHSAA? A1: Yes, schools should register for all sports/activities – both interscholastic and emerging. First, this is the only way you will be able to 1) complete an eligibility roster for the activity, 2) register and approve your coaches, and 3) be covered with catastrophic insurance. Further, registration is the way the MSHSAA office will track the growth of emerging sports. If schools do not register and the numbers decrease, the activity would be eliminated from MSHSAA jurisdiction. Q2: Do eligibility rosters need to be entered into the MSHSAA website for emerging sports/activities? A2: Yes, eligibility rosters must be entered on the MSHSAA website. The roster numbers are used for calculating the catastrophic insurance coverage, among other things. By placing a student on the eligibility roster the school is stating that he/she meets the essential eligibility requirements. Q3: Are emerging sport/activity participants affected by the transfer rules? A3: Possibly, in that an athlete may elect to play an interscholastic sport other than an emerging sport; therefore, he/ she should be listed on the master student list and treated as a transfer student if transferring schools. However, no transfer restrictions would be in place for the emerging sport(s) and activities. Q4: Do the coaches of emerging sports/activities have to be listed and approved on the MSHSAA website? A4: Yes, head and assistant coaches for emerging activities will need to be entered on the MSHSAA website’s coaches roster, and approved as per the coaching standards. The coaching standards, which require a background check, help to insure proper personnel are working with our young people and that the school administration is aware of the necessary credentialing for coaches. Q5: Do the emerging sports/activities revert to club status if they do not achieve the 50 school requirement within 5 years? A5: No. Once the membership votes a sport or activity into By-Law 5.2, it may 1) grow and become an interscholastic activity at some point, or it may 2) continue to be an emerging activity indefinitely , or 3) the membership may decide to vote to eliminate the activity from the by-laws. Q6: Are emerging activities classified into a certain season? A6: No, the schools participating in an emerging activity will mutually determine the season, contest limitations, and many other aspects of the activity. Q7: If our school registers for an emerging sport, such as water polo, may our team compete against any of the following? a) a club water polo team in Missouri comprised of high school-aged individuals from various schools, b) an interscholastic water polo team from a member school in another state, c) MSHSAA member school team that is registered in water polo? A7: a) Yes, b) Yes, but that school should check with that state association to confirm the legality of the contest., and c) Yes. As an emerging sport (low participation and geographically isolated), there is a great deal of flexibility for competition under By-Law 5.2. When and if the sport grows to the level to become provisionally interscholastic or interscholastic, the sport would have to adhere to different and more restrictive guidelines. Q8: One of our field hockey players has been given an opportunity to participate on a traveling team that receives items and money beyond what is allowed in the MSHSAA amateurism rules. Does field hockey’s status as an “emerging sport” make any difference? A8: Yes, as an emerging sport, field hockey has fewer restrictions and more flexibility under the by-laws. The amateurism rule is not in place for field hockey at the current time and therefore, the player would not jeopardize her eligibility for high school field hockey by playing on this traveling team and receiving these items as long as she is meeting all other requirements as listed in By-Law 5.2. The school may decide to be more restrictive. Q9: Our school is one of several high schools in the same public school district. Our high school is registered for the emerging sport of field hockey. May we allow students from the other high schools in our district to play on our field hockey team since this is an emerging sport? A9: No, combined teams would not be allowable due to the requirement for participants to be bona fide students at the member school they represent. Further, schools of your size would probably not be eligible to co-op (By-Law 1.4) your SECTION 5 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 115 programs. Therefore, other high schools in the district would need to register for the activity if they want their students to be able to participate in the sport of field hockey. (By-Law 5.2) Q10: We have registered for the new emerging activity of chess. What should we do now? A10: As an emerging activity, there are few requirements or restrictions. Please refer to By-Law 5.2 for more information. You will need to select a coach. There is no defined season or contest limitation; therefore, you should contact other schools in your area and schedule competitions as you desire. MSHSAA staff sends an informational letter to schools registered in one or more of the emerging activities each school year. Q11: We have had a club bowling team for several years. Now that Bowling is an emerging activity under MSHSAA, do we have to register for it and abide by the regulations listed in By-Law 5.2, or could we continue to compete as a club bowling team which is mainly funded and organized by parents? A11: You are not required to register and you may continue to compete as a club bowling team currently. However, doing so detracts from this activity growing into an interscholastic MSHSAA activity with a State Series offered to the membership. Further, when or if the activity becomes interscholastic in the future and a State Series is offered schools would then be required to register for the activity and could no longer offer a school-based club team. Q12: May our school cooperatively sponsor a team in a sport or activity that is currently classified as “emerging”? A12: Yes, as long as your school meets the eligibility requirements to form a cooperative sponsorship. The requirements for co-ops are listed in By-Law 1.4. There are school size limitations on co-oping that must be met, which are based on total enrollment of the schools co-oping as listed in Board Policy. If your school does not meet the requirements to co-op, you may not co-op in an emerging activity. Q13: What events are included in the “target shooting” category? A13: Currently, that is a local school decision. As an emerging activity the options are open to you to allow participation in any target shooting event you choose (archery, air rifle, trap, skeet, biathlon, etc.) This allows the category to grow. At the point the statewide registration numbers near the requirement for transitioning into an interscholastic activity, the specific categories of membership interest would be determined and of fered on the Annual Ballot. Q14: The Annual Ballot proposal to move Esports from Provisionally Interscholastic to fully interscholastic failed. If we register with MSHSAA to participate in Esports as provisionally interscholastic, what do we have to abide by, and what is in our decision-making power as a district? A14: Whether you register for Esports with MSHSAA is up to you. You may participate in Esports and not register, but if you register, there are a number of by-laws that are required to be met by schools/students. The list of the by-laws you must abide by appears in By-Law 5.2.4, and includes the coaching requirements, all student eligibility by-laws (including using only bona fide students, good citizenship, academics, semesters, certificates of eligibility , etc.) Options within your control include the game titles you choose to compete in, the season(s) in which you play, the number of contests you schedule, the amount/distance you travel, etc. Q15: What does the future hold for Esports and MSHSAA? Will going fully interscholastic be voted on again in the future? A15: When and if another proposal is presented to the membership for a vote for Esports to become fully interscholastic will be up to the MSHSAA Board of Directors, and there is no set timeline. Their future decisions will depend on feedback from the member schools (i.e. direct comments, requests, or via surveys).

5.3.1 Investigative Committee: The MSHSAA member schools shall elect district investigative committees to investigate reported alleged violations of MSHSAA By-Laws regarding transfers of students that involve undue influence and reported alleged violations that involve financial assistance awarded to students for athletic reasons. These committees shall investigate such officially reported alleged violations and report their findings to the MSHSAA staff along with recommendations for further investigation. 5.3.2 Investigative Committee Membership: There shall be eight investigative committees, one from each of the eight Board Districts, and each committee shall consist of three elected members, and up to two part-time investigators appointed by the Board of Directors. The member schools in each of the eight Board Districts shall elect one public school administrator, one non-public school administrator and one at large member each to serve a three year term. To be eligible for service on an investigative committee a person must be actively serving a member school as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, or athletic director/activities director. a. Elected members of the investigative committees shall be eligible to serve no more than two consecutive three year terms each. Any part of an unexpired term shall not be considered as one of the two consecutive three year terms permitted. b. The committee shall be nominated and elected by ballot. Final ballots shall be received at the MSHSAA office no later than May 1. Each newly elected member shall take office on the next succeeding July 1. c. In case a committee member resigns or is no longer eligible to serve for any reason, the Board of Directors shall appoint a replacement to serve for the remainder of that school year, if necessary, and a new committee member shall be elected to serve the remainder of that term at the time of the next election. Page 116 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK d. Any investigators appointed by the Board of Directors will work in conjunction with the elected members of the committee to assist in the investigation and advise the committee on proper procedures, timeline, the compilation and structure of the final report, etc. 5.3.3 Peer Review Committee and Membership: The Board of Directors is authorized to form a Peer Review Committee to assist in a situation where an official complaint has been received by a member school and evidence supports that a school violation has taken place. Such a committee may intervene, investigate and/or assist in corrective action with the offending school, as directed by the Board of Directors. Membership of the Peer Review Committee would include seven individuals: a. The Investigative Committee for the applicable Board District (three individuals), b. An administrator from a member school within the conference (if applicable) of the member school filing the complaint, to be assigned by the Board of Directors, c. An administrator from a member school within the conference (if applicable) of the offending school, to be assigned by the Board of Directors, and d. Two additional school administrators from member schools in the applicable Board District, to be assigned by the Board of Directors. 5.3.4 Non-School Investigator: The MSHSAA Executive Director, with authority granted by the Board of Directors, may hire a non-school investigator for the purpose of assisting MSHSAA in the investigation of reported violations of transfers of students involving undue influence and reported violations involving financial assistance awarded to students for athletic reasons. The non-school investigator shall be used as necessary at the discretion of the MSHSAA Board of Directors.

5.5.1 Unsportsmanlike Conduct: The Board of Directors is vested with the power to suspend schools from membership for the unsportsmanlike conduct of teams, coaches, students or fans. Each school is responsible for the conduct of its teams, coaches, students and fans at games both at home and away. a. The Board may delegate to the Executive Director power to take immediate action when a situation demands such. The party or parties concerned shall have the privilege of requesting a hearing before the Board of Directors at its next regularly scheduled meeting for a review of the case and the action taken by the MSHSAA office. b. The Board of Directors may, at its discretion, substitute a fine for each offense in lieu of suspension from the Association or to take any action that it deems advisable that does not exceed the maximum penalty of 365 days suspension from the association. c. Ejected Player: A player who is ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct shall at a minimum be prohibited from playing in any interscholastic contest for that sport or activity at any level until the one-contest suspension at the level at which the ejection occurred has been served. d. Ejected Coach: A coach who is ejected during a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct shall at a minimum be prohibited from coaching and attending any interscholastic contest for that sport or activity at any level until the one-contest suspension at the level at which the ejection occurred has been served. Additionally, the coach must satisfactorily complete an approved online sportsmanship training course, prior to being reinstated. e. Ejections must be appealed at the contest site except in situations described in f below. All appeals must be made at the time of occurrence by using MSHSAA Board Policy for On-Site Protests, and the decision made at the contest site is final. (See full procedures for protests in the Board Policies in the back of the Handbook.) f. Appeals can be made to the MSHSAA office after the contest of ejections for kicks, strikes, fights, or when a substitute leaves the bench area during an altercation event. The specific appeals procedure is outlined in Board Policy. 5.5.2 Removal of Team From Game: Any school whose coach removes a team from play in protest may be required to appear before the Board at its next meeting to show reason why the school shall not be suspended. Page 118 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 5.5.3 Filing Charges: Any school shall have the right to file charges against any other school to be taken up at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. However, such school shall file its charges in writing and shall appear before the Board of Directors to press the charges. 5.5.4 Officials' Authority and Post-Contest Ejections: When a student or coach commits an offense worthy of ejection and disqualification against an official following the conclusion of the contest, but before the officials have left the facility and/or grounds, an official may disqualify the student or coach as though it had occurred during the contest. A coach or student who receives a post-contest disqualification shall be withheld from competition according to the policies of MSHSAA Handbook Board Policy on Unsportsmanlike Conduct. This does not apply to a situation when an official from an earlier contest remains at the facility as a spectator and encounters an offense by a student or coach at that later time. Conduct Questions & Answers Q1: One of our wrestlers was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct in our first of two scheduled matches last night and we have a tournament scheduled as our next event. What must we do to be in compliance with MSHSAA By-Law 5.5.1 ? A1: Wrestling contests are scheduled as events. When you are ejected from an event, you are ineligible for the remainder of that event and the next scheduled event. The wrestler was ineligible to compete the rest of last night’s event and must be withheld from the next scheduled event, which in this situation is the entire upcoming tournament. Q2: In last night’s volleyball match we had a player ejected during the first set for using profanity. She was withheld from further play in that match. Is it necessary for her to be withheld from the next match? A2: Yes. By-Law 5.5.1 requires that an athlete who has been ejected shall be required to be withheld from the next contest at that same level. In the sport of volleyball the entire match is considered as “the contest.” The athlete in this situation is not eligible for the next contest. Q3: One of our basketball players fouled out in last night’s contest. Is he required to sit out the next game as listed in By- Law 5.5.1 ? A3: No. By-Law 5.5.1 applies only if a player is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. This player was disqualified and not ejected. Q4: Our school had a boys basketball player ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct in our final game of the season (a loss in the district tournament). This player is a) a senior that plays no other sports in the spring, b) a senior who runs track in the spring, or c) an underclassman who will play basketball next year and may or may not participate in a spring sport. Under By-Law 5.5.1 , what is the school’s responsibility in regards to withholding this individual from future interscholastic contests? A4: In situation (a), the school would be required to take other punitive action as this senior would not be participating in further interscholastic contests. In situation (b), By-Law 5.5.1 would prohibit him from participating in the first interscholastic track and field meet of the spring season. In situation (c), By-Law 5.5.1 would prohibit him from participating in the first interscholastic basketball contest next year at the level he will be participating. A coach ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct in the final game of the season would be prohibited from coaching and attending the first contest for that team the following year. Q5: I have some questions regarding the Preseason Jamboree. a) If a student or coach was ejected from the last game of the previous season, should we withhold the student or coach from the preseason jamboree or from the first interscholastic game? b) If we have a student or coach ejected from the jamboree, will he need to sit out of an interscholastic game? A5: a)Athletes or coaches ejected from the last game of last season must be withheld from the first interscholastic regular season game of this season. It is a local school decision as to whether the athlete/coach should be withheld from the preseason jamboree as well. b) Yes, since the event is interscholastic and registered officials are required, and the NFHS football rules are, for the most part, being used, an ejection from the preseason jamboree would carry with it the normal penalty of being withheld from one contest. Q6: Last night in our football game, we had a player ejected. However, I believe the ejection was based on a misapplication of the game rules. Early in the game, Player A was called for a personal foul for clipping. Later in the game, the same player was called for a second personal foul for a block in the back. Neither foul involved unsportsmanlike conduct nor a flagrant act, as confirmed by the officials. However, the player was subsequently ejected. We believe Player A’s ejection was erroneous due to a misapplication of the game rules. Can this ejection be appealed or protested? What should our coach have done at the point of ejection during the game? A6: An appeal or protest of a player ejection must occur at the site of the contest as noted in By-Law 5.5.1 and MSHSAA Board Policy unless the situation meets the specific exceptions detailed in By-Law 5.5.1.f. What you have described is a misapplication of the game rules of football. Unless there is unsportsmanlike conduct or a flagrant act by a player , two personal fouls should not have resulted in the ejection of the player . Upon notification of the ejection, the head coach should have requested a review of the ejection by the referee. If, after the review is complete, the coach still believes there has been a misapplication of a rule by the officials, the coach may then file a verbal protest with the game officials, as described in the Board Policy for Protests. This is the process, the time, and location that allows such a situation to be corrected, and the review/protest must be presented immediately after the point of concern. This situation may not be corrected after the contest, nor may the misapplication or ejection be appealed later (as per By- SECTION 5 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 119 Law 5.5). Only misapplications of game rules may be protested; judgment calls may not be protested. Coaches need to be ready to handle situations of concern such as this, and must be very knowledgeable regarding the MSHSAA By- Laws, Board Policy and game rules in order to state their case to the officials. Q7: Our school had a game contract with another school. Prior to the game, due to scheduling conflicts, the contract was dissolved though a) mutual consent or b) buy-out. Will this count as a forfeit on our schedule or for seeding purposes for districts? A7: Neither a nor b would count as a forfeit. If a school refuses to play a willing, contracted opponent and does not meet the provisions of the buy-out clause in the contract, then a forfeit would be the result. Q8 : We had a a) player or b) coach ejected from the junior varsity contest, which precedes the varsity contest tonight. Is he eligible to a) play or b) coach in the varsity contest tonight before he has to sit out the next junior varsity game? A8 : By-Law 5.5 indicates that players and coaches must, after an ejection, sit out the next game at the same level; therefore, that is the next junior varsity game. However, while the by-law does not mandate a school to withhold the student or coach from the varsity game between the two JV games, it would be expected for the school to withhold the student and coach from additional games on the same day as the ejection, and most likely from any games until he fulfills the penalty by sitting out of the next JV game. The same procedures should be followed for ejections from a varsity contest that precedes the junior varsity contest (such as in baseball). Q9 : A a) player or b) coach was ejected from the junior varsity contest that takes place before the varsity contest tonight. Is the individual allowed to participate in the varsity game before serving their one-game suspension in the next JV contest? A9 : No, according to By-Law 5.5, any player or coach who is ejected from a game must serve a one-game suspension at the level where the ejection occurred. This suspension must be completed before the individual is eligible to participate in any further interscholastic contests in that sport or activity. Therefore, the player or coach is not eligible to particiapte in tonight's varsity contest until the suspension has been served in the next junior varsity game. In addition, a coach who is ejected must complete an approved online sportsmanship training course before returning to coaching duties. Q10 : A student-athlete is ejected from a contest for either a) kicking an opponent or b) using profane language toward an official. The coach believes the ejection was not justified. Can the school appeal the ejection to the MSHSAA office? A10 : a) Yes, the school may submit an appeal if there is clear video evidence demonstrating that the kick did not occur. The appeal process must follow the guidelines outlined in the Board Policy on Protests. b) No, judgment calls made by officials are not subject to protest, unless the situation meets the specific exceptions detailed in By-Law 5.5.1.f. Page 120 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK SECTION 6 : REGISTERED OFFICIALS

6.2.1 Athletic Officials Requirements: Eligibility to register as an athletic official with MSHSAA and to officiate interscholastic athletic contests is a privilege to be attained by meeting the standards cooperatively set by member schools through this Association and the policies adopted by the Board of Directors. 6.2.2 Eligibility to Officiate: Persons must meet the following standards to be eligible to register and/or maintain their registration with the MSHSAA office to officiate interscholastic athletic contests: a. An official shall be a creditable citizen. The official’s conduct on and off the field shall be of such manner as to be a worthy example for the participants. b. An official shall comply with all standards and regulations pertaining to officials in the MSHSAA By-Laws and the policies adopted by the Board of Directors. 6.2.3 Registration Requirements: Officials shall be required to register annually. The registration year shall be from July 1 to June 30. Completed registration is acknowledged by a registration card issued by the MSHSAA office. 6.2.4 Renewal Deadlines: The deadlines for renewal of an official’s registration shall be published in the Officials Manual each year. Officials renewing their registration after the deadline date shall pay a late penalty as established by the Board of Directors. A person applying for registration for the first time may do so without paying the late registration penalty. Except as is provided for in By-Law 6.1.3, officials shall not be allowed to register after dates published in the Officials Manual each year. 6.2.5 Failure to Renew Registration: Any person previously registered who officiates a contest in violation of By-Laws 6.2.3 and 6.2.4 by not being currently registered may be barred from officiating for the rest of that year and the following year . However, the Board of Directors is authorized to substitute a fine when a violation is considered inadvertent. If a person officiates a contest in violation of this rule, he or she shall be permitted to register under the emergency policy in By-Law 6.1.3. If such person does not complete his or her registration, he or she shall be barred for one complete year . Each official shall give the contest manager or host school the number on his or her official’ s card before the beginning of the contest he or she is to officiate. Page 122 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 6.2.6 High School Student Official: High school students may register with MSHSAA to officiate junior high school contests but may not officiate senior high school games. 6.2.7 College Officiating Courses: Persons successfully completing a MSHSAA approved college sports officiating course may be issued a student official permit (in the sport or sports included in the course) by the course instructor . The student official may officiate interscholastic contests in the sport(s) concerned below the senior high school first team level for the remainder of that school year provided: (1) he/she works with a registered official and (2) compensation received as a student official shall be limited to expenses only. 6.2.8 Authority of Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall have the authority to suspend or to bar an official who has violated any standard of MSHSAA. 6.2.9 Appeal Procedures for Officials: If reports are received by the MSHSAA office that an official or prospective official who is applying for registration has violated one of these standards, he or she will be informed of this in writing by the MSHSAA office. The official will be given the opportunity to present facts to the Executive Director in writing in response to the charges or will be granted a hearing if requested. Based on the information received, the Executive Director may then give an opinion whether or not the official shall be permitted to register or continue as a registered official. The official may appeal the Executive Director’s opinion to the Board of Directors at a hearing and review of his or her case at the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. (See also Board Policy on Officials Eligibility .) Officials Questions & Answers Q1: Our school’s head baseball coach was attempting to complete the required information regarding our officials after last night’s game and the name and number of the official are not showing up on the MSHSAA website. What should we do? A1: The Athletic Director should first check to see if the official is registered, using the “find an official” feature on the MSHSAA website. If the official is not registered then you should contact the MSHSAA office immediately. MSHSAA By-Law 6.1.2 states that MSHSAA registered officials shall be used for all interscholastic contests hosted by a member school (6-12). If the official appears to be registered for the current school year , make sure the official’s ID is correct and the name is spelled correctly on the submission page. If you believe you are having a technical issue, please contact the MSHSAA office. Q2: We are traveling out of state to play a contest. What should our expectations be in regard to the use of registered sports officials? Do we have any requirements under the MSHSAA by-laws? A2: The MSHSAA by-laws require registered MSHSAA officials for contests held within the borders of Missouri or contests hosted by a MSHSAA member. When you travel out of state, you should complete a game contract with the host school and any expectations you have for registered and knowledgeable officials should be discussed and ultimately included in the game. If the sport is an “emerging” sport in Missouri, it may have a status of “club”, “emerging” or “fully interscholastic” in the host state and this may affect the availability of officials registered by that state’s high school activities association. You may contact the host state’s high school activities association to find out more; contact information for all state associations may be found on the NFHS’s website (www.nfhs.org). 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 123 BOARD OF DIRECTORS POLICIES Administrative Penalties for Rule Violations Officials Eligibility Advisory Committees Officials Memorial Insignia Alcohol and Tobacco Usage Around Interscholastic Activities Open Facilities Basketball Performing Groups Preseason Jamborees - Team Sports Broadcasting for Regular Season Professional Teacher's Certificate Charity/Awareness Events Protests Communication - Electronic and Hard-Copy Public Criticism - Sports and Activities Cooperative Sponsorship Enrollment Maximums Record Retention Delinquent Submissions of Required Data Reported Violations Drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and Unmanned Spectators at Events Aircraft Systems (UAS) Sport Camp Fees Enrollment, Classification, Championship Factor, and Districts Sports Medicine Topics Halftime Shootouts and Sport Skill Contests Ties in Football Contests Hazing and Harassment Transfers Heat Acclimatization Guidelines - Marching Band Unclaimed Checks Heat Acclimatization Guidelines - Spirit Activities Unsportsmanlike Conduct Inclusion and Accommodations Internet Message Boards / Social Media Posts MSHSAA TV Watch Parties National Anthem at MSHSAA Sponsored Events Page 124 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK BOARD OF DIRECTORS POLICIES BOARD POLICY ON ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES FOR RULE VIOLATIONS Article IV, Section 6-h of the MSHSAA Constitution authorizes the Board of Directors to assess penalties for violations of any of the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws. It provides that the maximum penalty for any one offense shall not exceed one year’s suspension from the Association. In order to provide consistency in the administration of penalties and to provide a clear definition of the penalties , the following guidelines have been adopted by the Board of Directors. 1. Reprimand or Censure: Usually directed toward an individual who has been negligent in carrying out responsibilities expected of him or her. A reprimand places the individual(s) on notice the shortcoming is expected to be corrected. 2. Forfeiture: To forfeit is to give up something because of error, mistake or rule violation through intent, neglect or oversight. Forfeiture always takes away a win and denotes a loss as a forfeiture. Forfeiture may be used in conjunction with other penalties. 3. Fine: This is a monetary dollar amount assessed the school for a by-law or policy violation. 4. Warning : A warning is notification in advance that a member school is in danger of additional penalties. Action of a warning will: (a) Become a matter of record and is published in the Association Journal. (b) Indicates that a like or similar violation within a school year could be basis for probation and/or withholding of playoff privileges. This places a school on notice. 5. Probation: Probation is a testing or trial period for a school or team. Probation is tantamount to a larger penalty should the conditions of the probation not be carried out in good faith and with due respect to all concerned. (a) The action becomes a matter of record and is published in the Association Journal. (b) This condition may carry one or more requirements for action and reports. (c) This condition may be used in conjunction with other penalties including, but not limited to: (1) Prohibition from hosting one or more MSHSAA tournaments for one or more years. (2) Prohibition from MSHSAA tournament revenue sharing, if any, for one or more years. (3) Prohibition from reimbursement of expenses for participation in one or more MSHSAA tournaments for one or more years. (4) Prohibition from participation in one or more MSHSAA tournaments for one or more years. 6. Suspension: Suspension from the Association not to exceed 365 calendar days. A school or school team may be suspended from all interscholastic participation as well as district or state activity in one or more activities. This action bans or stops a school program for good reason, i.e., a serious flagrant violation of the by-laws. (Article IV) BOARD POLICY ON ADVISORY COMMITTEES 1. Coaches Association: The president of the statewide coaches/directors association (if one exists) shall be an ex-officio, non- voting member of each corresponding advisory committee provided that person is an active high school coach/director. If the president is not an active high school coach/director, an active high school coach/director shall be appointed to serve in this capacity by the president of the association. 2. Term: Advisory committee members shall be eligible to serve only one four-year term which shall coincide with the MSHSAA Board of Directors four-year term for each district. Should an advisory committee appointment be vacated prior to the completion of the four-year term, that vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of that term and that same person may be appointed for the next four-year term. No committee member can serve two consecutive terms on an advisory committee but could be appointed to serve alternating terms (4 years on, 4 years off, 4 years on, etc.). After having completed a term on an advisory committee, an individual shall not be eligible to serve again on that specific committee until four years have passed. At the Board's discretion, an individual may serve on up to two different MSHSAA committees concurrently. (Revised 2024) BOARD POLICY ON ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO USAGE AROUND INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES Administrators, Coaches and Officials: It is important that all adults involved in the interscholastic activities program set the proper example for our participants with regards to the use of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. We cannot let actions teach a philosophy of double-standards. Therefore, the Board of Directors has adopted the following policy statement to apply to all interscholastic sports and activities. Administrators, coaches, directors, sponsors, and contest officials are prohibited from using tobacco products or alcoholic beverages while directly involved in interscholastic activities. Involvement is defined in this policy as being in public view and when students are actually participating under the jurisdiction of the administrator, coach, director, and official. Proper enforcement is expected. Violations shall be reported to the school’s administration and the MSHSAA. Participants: Use of any tobacco, alcohol, or controlled substance (other than prescription) by any participant while at a MSHSAA event on any event building/grounds is prohibited. Violation shall result in disqualification from the event. (Revised 2024) BOARD POLICY ON BASKETBALL PERFORMING GROUPS At the discretion of the district tournament committee, pep bands, dance teams, etc. from participating schools may be invited to perform for district basketball tournaments. Should the manager choose to do so, the following procedure shall be followed. 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 125 BOARD POLICIES Bands-- The district manager may invite, through the school principal, bands to perform for specific evenings of the tournament. The band will perform at specified times which may include time-outs (except injury time-outs), half-time, and before and after each game of the session. Bands may not come to perform only for the games in which their team plays. The participating band for the evening must remain neutral for their performance. The purpose of their performance is to provide entertainment and not to provide a competitive advantage for any team. Dance Teams, etc.-- The district manager may also invite, through the school principal, school performing groups to perform at half-time of each game. If so, groups will be invited to perform for the half-time of the game in which their school is participating. If both schools involved in the game have a group performing, each group will be allowed a maximum of 3 minutes (including entrance to and exit from the floor) performance time. If only one school accepts the invitation to perform, that group will be allowed up to 6 minutes performance time (including entry to and exit from the floor). Admission: Admission for bands and performing groups shall be free for actual participants and directors/sponsors for the evenings that they perform as supplied on a written list submitted by the school principal to the event manager. If the district manager does not invite performing groups and bands, schools may not contact the manager and request permission to bring a performing group and/or band. If the manager does not invite all schools involved in the tournament, there shall be no performing groups and/or bands at the tournament (including groups from the host site). Due to the fact that many of the regional, sectional and quarterfinal games are played at college or university facilities, bands and other performing groups will not be allowed to perform at these games. The logistical problems involved would preclude this from being a possibility. Performing groups and bands will perform at the final site (semi-finals and finals) and these groups will be selected by the MSHSAA staff. The groups at the final site will be neutral (not from a school whose team is participating in their assigned game[s]). BOARD POLICY ON BROADCASTING FOR REGULAR SEASON For regular season competitions, the content of the contest belongs to both schools involved. In all regular season high school competitions involving MSHSAA member schools the visiting team shall have the same broadcast rights to provide a radio broadcast, a video broadcast and/or provide telegraphic play-by-play accounts as the home team as long as the visiting team has either 1) a valid agreement between a media organization and the visiting school's board of education to provide an audio or video broadcast and/or provide telegraphic play-by-play accounts of the contest or 2) the visiting team has a curricular program for students that typically provides streaming for the team's games. The host school may establish a per game video rights fee for any home or visiting outlet wishing to provide a video broadcast of a contest the school is hosting. If charged, the fee should be the same amount for all entities. (2022) BOARD POLICY ON CHARITY/AWARENESS EVENTS The MSHSAA Board of Directors has adopted the following policy regarding events that support a charity or raise awareness of a particular cause. Each school may host only one such event per sport, per season. This does not prohibit a school from participating in more than one such event per season. There are many different types of charity or awareness events schools have requested to host. For example, cancer, autism, asthma, blood or organ donor, etc. Listed below, by sport, are the ONLY rule modifications allowed when hosting or participating in such an event. Contest Officials • May use the appropriate colored whistle and lanyard used to represent the charity or cause if all officials working the contest have this color of whistles and lanyard, otherwise all officials must follow the sport specific NFHS rules regarding official uniform and equipment. Basketball • Player uniforms must meet specifications outlined in rule 3-4 of the NFHS Basketball Rules Book. • No deviation in the color of the basketballs or nets may be used. NFHS Basketball Rules 1-12 Arts. 1-a ball must be an orange shade or natural color including the NFHS Authenticating Mark. • Headbands, wristbands and shoe laces may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause but must follow NFHS Basketball Rules 3-5 Art. 4 specifications. Baseball • The ball must be white. • The uniforms, socks, shoelaces, undershirts and caps may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause and must meet the specifications of rule 1-4 of the NFHS Baseball Rules Book. Cross Country • Competitor’s uniform must meet specifications outlined in rule 4-3 of the NFHS Track and Field and Cross Country Rule Book. • Socks and shoe laces may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause. Page 126 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Football • A sticker may be placed on the helmet used to symbolize a particular charity or cause. • Colored socks, shoe laces and mouth pieces symbolizing a particular charity or cause may be worn. A wristband symbolizing a particular charity or cause may be worn if it meets the specifications outlined in rule 1-5 of the NFHS Football Rules Book. • Jersey’s shall be approved by the MSHSAA office and shall meet the specifications outlined in rule 1-5 of the NFHS Football Rules Book. • No deviation in the color of the footballs is allowed and must follow rule 1-3-1 of the NFHS Football Rules Book. Golf • There are no restrictions on uniforms. • Golf balls may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause, but must be on the USGA Conforming Golf Ball List. Soccer • Player uniforms and socks may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause but must meet specifications outlined in rule 4-1 of the NFHS Soccer Rule Book. • A colored soccer ball representing a particular charity or cause may be used. The game ball must meet the criteria stated in rule 2-2 of the NFHS Soccer Rule Book. • Headbands, wristbands and shoe laces may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause but must follow NFHS Soccer Rules 4-3 Art. 3 specifications. Softball • The game ball must be Optic Yellow as stated in rule 1-3-1 of the NFHS Softball Rules Book. • Player uniforms may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause but must meet the specifications outlined in rule 3-2 of the NFHS Softball Rules Book. • Socks, shoe laces, headwear (caps, visors, headbands, ribbons, etc.) may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause but must meet the restrictions in rule 3-2 of the NFHS Softball Rules Book. Swimming and Diving • Facilities and equipment must meet the requirements in Rules 2 and 9 of the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Book, and neither may be altered unless alteration is allowed within the applicable rule(s). • Uniforms must meet the specifications outlined in Rule 3-3 of the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Book. Track and Field • Competitor’s uniform must meet specifications outlined in rule 4-3 of the NFHS Track and Field Rule Book. • Colored socks and shoe laces used to represent a particular charity or cause may be used. Tennis • Player uniforms must meet specifications as outlined in Section 1-G of the MSHSAA Tennis Manual. • The game ball must meet the criteria as stated in Part 3 of the USTA Regulations (I.-F). Volleyball • Player uniforms must meet specifications outlined in rule 4-2 of the NFHS V olleyball Rules Book including the libero player if one is being used. • The game ball must meet the criteria stated in rule 3-2 of the NFHS Volleyball Rules Book; including the NFHS Authenticating Mark. • Team members and players as defined in rule 6-1 and 6-2 of the NFHS Volleyball Rules Book may sit in the team bench area. Wrestling • Player uniforms must meet the specifications as outlined in rule 4-1-2 of the NFHS Rule Book. Parts of the uniform would include singlet, headgear and wrestling shoes. (Revised June 2020) BOARD POLICY ON COMMUNICATION - ELECTRONIC AND HARD-COPY The Board of Directors has approved the following policy regarding communication with the membership. The Annual Questionnaire and the Annual Ballot will be available for completion by schools on the MSHSAA Online Membership System in an electronic format. The Annual Ballot Proposal Background Information will be provided to member school principals and superintendents and will also be available on the MSHSAA Online Membership System. All surveys (both electronic and hard-copy), unless otherwise specified, shall be forwarded to the school principal/superintendent. Rule book mailings for the fall, winter and spring shall be shipped UPS to the athletic administrator. Various email communications may be forwarded to either the athletic administrator, the principal/superintendent or in some cases, sport coaches/activity directors, depending upon the topic. Please advise your staff of this MSHSAA policy . (Revised June 2023) 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 127 BOARD POLICIES BOARD POLICY ON COOPERATIVE SPONSORSHIP ENROLLMENT MAXIMUMS This policy connects with By-Law 1.4, High School Cooperative Sponsorships, and serves to state the enrollment maximums adopted annually by the Board of Directors for cooperative sponsorships. Sport/activity classification shall be based on the combined official enrollments, which includes the number of resident participant students, of all schools involved in the co-op. If the combined enrollments of the schools applying exceed the maximum for the sport or activity, the application will be denied. The two-school co- op enrollment maximum for all sports other than 8-man football (which has a single-school enrollment maximum of 150) represents eighty percent of the enrollment of the largest member school during the year prior. Editor's Note: This policy applies only when the cooperative sponsorship has registered, or will register, for postseason competition . Sport/Activity Combined Enrollment Maximum 8-man Football: 150 ANY cooperative sponsorship involving THREE schools: Note: Only the following sports may utilize three schools for co-ops: Football, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey 150 Two schools co-oping in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Music, Scholar Bowl, Soccer, Softball, Speech/Debate/Theatre, Spirit, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Wrestling 1471 Two schools co-oping in Emerging Sports and Emerging Activities No cap BOARD POLICY ON DELINQUENT SUBMISSION OF REQUIRED DATA C oaches and Directors Roster on MSHSAA Website: The school administrator shall submit the required information on all staff members associated with each sport/activity on the MSHSAA Website (www.mshsaa.org) no later than the day prior to the first permissible contest for that sport/activity. This submission includes athletic and activities coaches, directors, and sponsors, and includes head coaches, assistant coaches, provisional coaches, and student teacher coaches. Besides sports, this policy is applicable to music, scholar bowl, spirit, and speech, debate, and theatre. Failure of a school to submit information on coaches/ directors/sponsors by the established deadline shall result in a fine established by the Board of Directors. MSHSAA Publications and Championship Programs and Team Cards: MSHSAA strives to publish errorless Championship materials for all of its events. Since a majority of the information contained in Championship publications is submitted by coaches of qualifying schools, it is imperative that the MSHSAA office receive correctly-spelled names, accurate grade levels and complete records, results and statistics of participants and teams from the coaches. The MSHSAA Board of Directors has approved a fine process for all late, incomplete or illegible submissions for MSHSAA Championship publications. Schools that do not submit their information to MSHSAA in a timely, legible, complete and accurate manner will be fined $25 per offense. In activities that require the electronic submission of publication information, faxed or mailed copies will not be accepted. Data must be submitted by the appropriate due date in the format and style detailed in the instructions. Coaches should contact MSHSAA with any questions. Music Adjudicator Evaluations: Each school music director submitting entries to MSHSAA Music Festivals shall submit the required adjudicators’ evaluations by May 15. Each school music director(s) that fail to submit the required adjudicator evaluation(s) by the established deadline shall be issued a $25.00 late penalty fee (per musical area) and sent a reminder email to the principal and AD, giving the school until May 30. Each school music director(s) that fail to submit the required adjudicators' evaluations by the extended deadline shall be assessed an additional penalty fee (per musical area) of $100.00 If a school music director(s) does not submit the required adjudicator evaluations for a second consecutive year by the established deadline of May 15, MSHSAA shall send a reminder email to the principal and AD indicating that the school has been assessed a $25.00 late penalty fee (per musical area) and the school has until the extended deadline of May 30 to complete the evaluations. If MSHSAA does not receive the required adjudicator evaluations by the extended deadline, the school shall be assessed an additional penalty of $200.00 (per musical area) by the MSHSAA Board of Directors. Future consecutive violations could result in the MSHSAA Board of Directors suspending the school from participation in MSHSAA Music Festivals. Athletic and Activity Eligibility Rosters: By-Law 3.4 establishes a Board Policy to determine the submission dates for athletic and activity eligibility rosters. The window for submitting an eligibility roster for all activities and junior high athletics will open with the first allowable fall practice date and will remain open throughout the year. The junior high athletics eligibility rosters are due one day before the first contest for the team. High school athletic eligibility rosters will be due one day prior to the first allowable contest for that sport. The windows will be open to allow submission to coincide with the first allowable day of practice. Winter sports will have to recertify by the fourth day of the second semester that all students are eligible to participate. The chart to follow provides the dates for submissions: Page 128 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITY SUBMISSION OPENS ROSTERS DUE RE-CERTIFY FALL SPORTS: Baseball August 10, 2026 August 27, 2026 Not Applicable Cross Country August 10, 2026 August 27, 2026 Not Applicable Football August 10, 2026 August 27, 2026 Not Applicable Golf (Girls) August 10, 2026 August 27, 2026 Not Applicable Soccer (Boys) August 10, 2026 August 27, 2026 Not Applicable Softball (Girls) August 10, 2026 August 27, 2026 Not Applicable Swimming/Diving (Boys) August 10, 2026 August 27, 2026 Not Applicable Tennis (Girls) August 10, 2026 August 27, 2026 Not Applicable Volleyball (Girls) August 10, 2026 August 27, 2026 Not Applicable WINTER SPORTS: Basketball November 2, 2026 November 19, 2026 Fourth day of second semester Swimming/Diving (Girls) November 9, 2026 November 21, 2026 Fourth day of second semester Wrestling November 2, 2026 November 19, 2026 Fourth day of second semester SPRING SPORTS: Baseball March 1, 2027 March 18, 2027 Not Applicable Golf (Boys) March 1, 2027 March 18, 2027 Not Applicable Soccer (Girls) March 1, 2027 March 18, 2027 Not Applicable Softball (Girls) March 1, 2027 March 18, 2027 Not Applicable Tennis (Boys) March 1, 2027 March 18, 2027 Not Applicable Track and Field March 1, 2027 March 18, 2027 Not Applicable ACTIVITIES: Music July 18, 2026 Prior to 1st Event Fourth day of second semester Speech/Debate/Theatre July 18, 2026 Prior to 1st Event Fourth day of second semester Scholar Bowl July 18, 2026 Prior to 1st Event Fourth day of second semester Spirit (Cheer/Dance Teams) July 18, 2026 Prior to 1st Event Fourth day of second semester (By-Law 3.4) (Revised 2023) BOARD POLICY ON DRONES, UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES, AND UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, is prohibited at any MSHSAA postseason contest site and/or venue. This prohibition applies to all fields of play, courts, arenas, mats, pools, etc. and includes a ban on the entire facility being used as part of a MSHSAA postseason contest and/or event. For purposes of this policy, a UAV or UAS is any aircraft without a human pilot aboard the device. The acting management of any postseason contests and/ or events on behalf of the MSHSAA shall refuse admission or entry to anyone in possession of or attempting to use a UAV or UAS. If necessary, tournament management shall remove anyone attempting to use a UAV/UAS and/or confiscate the UAV/UAS until the event has concluded. For regular season contests, it is highly recommended that local school administration develop school policy in regards to the use of UAV’s or UAS’s at your school’s facilities. When developing these policies, schools are to be advised that there are a number of NFHS Sport Rules that have restrictions in place on the use of electronic devices, permitted location(s) of electronic devices and prohibited areas for electronic devices, fans, spectators, media, etc. A request for an exception to this policy, in writing, may be made in specific cases for MSHSAA broadcast partners provided that the contest site/venue/facility permits the presence of UAV’s/UAS’s for broadcast purposes under the direction of the MSHSAA Communications Department. Any exceptions to this policy approved or granted by the MSHSAA Communications Department must also meet current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules, policy guidance stipulations and/or classifications. (2017) Use of Drone Questions & Answers: Q1: Our school has an individual in our community who owns and operates a drone that is capable of capturing aerial video footage. This individual has met with our head football coach and offered to videotape our home football games using the drone. Is it permissible to use a drone for videotaping athletic contests? 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 129 BOARD POLICIES A1: The use of drones is prohibited at any MSHSAA postseason contest site and/or venue. Drones may be permitted during the regular season, but only under the conditions described below and only if allow by NFHS rules for the sport. For the sport of football, NFHS Football rules state that there is a two yard restricted area surrounding the entire playing field. This restricted area boundary is interpreted to extend vertically; therefore, a drone could not be used within the restricted area or over the playing field. It would be a local school level decision as to whether the drone could be used “outside” of this restricted area during a football game. It is recommended that the local school develop a policy regarding the use of drones (a.k.a. UAV’s or UAS’s) which takes the NFHS sport rules regarding the use of electronic devices and the permitted location(s) into consideration. Please contact the MSHSAA executive responsible for the particular sport for assistance. BOARD POLICY ON ENROLLMENT, CLASSIFICATION, CHAMPIONSHIP FACTOR, AND DISTRICTS (Supplement to By-Law 5.1) ENROLLMENT Enrollment Declaration: Member school enrollment declaration takes place annually. As per By-Laws 5.1.6, member schools will submit an electronic report of all students who are enrolled and all students who participated as a resident participant student in the current school year on the last Wednesday in March in grades 9-11 by name. Information regarding the process and requirements will be sent to the membership in advance, and is available on the MSHSAA website. The window to submit the report on the MSHSAA website is from April 1 to April 15. The report is DUE April 15. Official Enrollment of a New High School: The enrollment number for a new high school includes the number of district students (not including grade 12) whose parents’ residences are located within the planned geographical attendance district for the new high school and who will be attending the high school the year it opens or have participated as a resident participant student in the year prior along with any non-resident students enrolled and approved to attend. The enrollment number will correspond to the number of grades the school will have under its membership the year the school opens but will not include grade 12. The enrollment number(s) for any previously existing high school(s) within the district that is (are) governed by the same local Board of Education shall be reduced by the number of students reassigned to the new school in its first year . This total reduction in enrollment shall equal the enrollment of the new school in its first year. For schools of choice (private, charter, magnet, etc.) no corresponding enrollment reduction shall be made. Expanding High Schools: The official enrollment for schools that have joined MSHSAA with fewer than four high school grades and are expanding will be addressed as follows. Enrollment declaration normally captures enrollment and resident participant students for grades 9, 10 and 11 in the spring, and then those enrollments are used the following year for classification (when those students are in grades 10, 11 and 12). If a school does not have those grade levels at the time of enrollment declaration, but will have an additional grade level the following year, enrollment will be expanded upward to accurately represent the school’s enrollment for classification purposes. The average enrollment and resident participant students of the grades the school has in year one will be added as an additional grade in year two. Example: Public School A has 300 ninth graders and 310 tenth graders in year one. For year two, they will have students in grades 9, 10 and 1 1. The classification enrollment of School A will be 300+310+305 (average of grade 9 and 10) =915 to represent the three grades the school has participating in year two. This procedure is also used for non-standard high schools, such as those that only have grades 10, 11 and 12 and therefore, only two classes of enrollment data. Official Enrollments for Co-Educational Activities: The enrollments and number of resident participant students of single- gender schools are not doubled for co-educational activities (music, speech/debate/theatre, and scholar bowl). As per 5.1.5, the enrollments and number of resident participant students of single-gender schools are doubled for sex-separated sports. CLASSIFICATION Classification: District and State Tournament procedures are covered in By-Law 5.1, including the collection of enrollment data and the general procedures for classification. This information serves to further describe the procedures for classification breaks and district assignment release. Annual Schedule for Schools Reclassification: MSHSAA member schools are classified annually based on updated school enrollment and resident participant student figures. The schools in each classification, or class, will compete against one another in MSHSAA-sponsored district and/or state competition. The District and State Music Festivals are evaluative only. MSHSAA does not sponsor state championships in “emerging sports/activities” (see By-Law 5.2) and there are no classifications. Determination of Classification Breaks Between Classes: The activities sponsored by MSHSAA are broken into classes based on school enrollment and number of resident participant students. Once classes are established based on the classification procedures, the classification breaks are defined. Classification breaks are the numerical enrollment and number of resident participant student lines which describe the enrollment and number of resident participant student span of a particular class, and are based on the largest school’s enrollment and number of resident participant students in that class. Page 130 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Classification Procedures: 1. Official Enrollments Finalized and Registrations Reviewed: Enrollments and number of resident participant students declared and finalized; enrollments and number of resident participant students are combined for the schools in Cooperative Sponsorships (sport/activity specific). For the sports of cross country and track & field, determine which gender has more registrations, and begin Step 2 with that gender. (See By-Law 5.1) 2. Break into Last Year’s Classes: In enrollment and number of resident participant students order, place the current year’s registered schools a) into the same number of classes as the prior year, and b) into the same numbers per class as the prior year. 3. 2.0 Differential Review: Calculate the enrollment and number of resident participant students differential for each class by dividing the largest school’s enrollment and number of resident participant students by the smallest school’s enrollment and number of resident participant students. Determine if the differential for each class, other than Class 1, is 2.0 or below (differentials from 2.01 to 2.04 will be rounded down to 2.0). If all classes above Class 1 have a differential of 2.0 or less, the number of classes are final (end of procedure, see Step 7) . If any class’s differential (other than Class 1) is greater than 2.0, the number of schools in the upper classes should be adjusted to see if, by moving schools down from a larger class into a smaller class, all differentials can be made to meet the 2.0 limit. Moving up from Class 1, the class counts should either be equal to the number in Class 1 or the count should decrease as the class number increases (preserving an equal or waterfall approach) AND all differentials, other than Class 1, should be at 2.0 or below. If this is successful, the procedure ends; see Step 7. 4. Efforts to Stay Consistent: Attempts will be made to adjust the class lines and the numbers in the classes while maintaining the 2.0 differential BEFORE adding a class. (See Classification Note 8.) If this is not possible, move to Step 5. 5. Add a Class: Increase the number of classes by one and place up to the applicable percentage of the total schools in the sport/activity into Class 1. (See also Notes 1 and 2). Number of Classes after adding a class Now 2 classes Now 3 classes Now 4 classes Now 5 classes Now 6 classes Max percentage of total to place in Class 1 70% 50% 30% 25% 20% 6. Percentage in Class 1 and Equally Divide the Rest: Equally distribute the remaining percentage of schools into the rest of the classes above Class 1. Return to Step 3 and review the differentials. Repeat as needed until the number of classes is finalized. 7. Ties: Enrollment ties across a class break will be ignored until after the Championship Factor has reclassified schools, due to those changes solving most ties. 8. Championship Factor Review and Adjustments: Move to Championship Factor section below for this second step of the classification process. Classification Notes: 1. The maximum number of schools in a class for football is 64. 2. The maximum number of schools in a class for team sports is 128, and the minimum number of schools in a class for team sports is 32. 3. 8-Man football: The total enrollment and number of resident participant students of participating schools or co-ops must be 150 or less (grades 9,10,11). 4. Music Classification: Music is evaluative rather than competitive and classifications are set by the Board of Directors. The activity of music places the largest 80 schools registered for districts in music in Class 5, the next largest 80 schools in Class 4, then places the smallest 128 schools in Class 1 and the next smallest 128 schools in Class 2. The remaining schools comprise Class 3. If there is an enrollment and number of resident participant students tie across a classification break, tied schools would be moved down into the lower class. 5. Girls Softball: MSHSAA shall sponsor two girls softball championship series, one to be held in the fall season and one to be held in the spring season. Individual member schools may register for one championship series, not both. Schools registering for fall regular season softball and the fall championship series may participate in the spring regular season for softball but may not participate in the spring championship series. Schools registering for spring regular season softball and the spring championship series may not participate in the fall regular season nor the fall championship series. 6. In regard to Step 3, if schools can be adjusted into classes in a way that all differentials above Class 1 are 2.0 or below, but the number of schools per class represents a heartbeat (i.e. an upper class has more schools than the number in the class below it) the board will consider delaying the addition of a class. 7. The Board of Directors will monitor the number of schools in each sport/activity as described in By-Law 5.1 and consider additional or fewer classes as needed and as possible. While there are differences among sports/activities, an effort will be made to keep similar numbers of schools in a similar number of classes. Maintaining registration of at least 96 schools in an activity for a second year is required to expand beyond one class. Due to state facility contracts, dates needed for additional competition, and other planning requirements, the Board will determine the timeline for class expansion or reductions; such changes may not take place immediately. 8. The sport/activity Advisory Committees will have an opportunity to review the annual classifications at their annual meetings and provide feedback to the Board of Directors. 9. Basketball: Boys basketball and girls basketball are classified separately . 10. The sports of Girls and Boys Cross Country and Girls and Boys Track & Field are classified together (genders will be linked). The defining gender for the classification breaks will be the gender with the highest number of registered schools as of 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 131 BOARD POLICIES Thursday of Week #6 for Cross Country and as of Thursday of Week #35 for Track & Field. Registration changes after those dates will not alter the defining gender for classification. CHAMPIONSHIP FACTOR Championship Factor: As outlined in By-Law 5.1.7, after classification is completed in a certain sport, MSIP-exempt schools that achieve specified points based on advancement in the district and state series over the six years prior to the current school year in the applicable (gender-specific) sport or competitive activity will be re-classified upward. 1. Post-season points ( A school will receive only points for the highest finish in a given year ): Year State Championship Runner-Up Final Four District Championship 1 10 7 4 3 2 7 5 3 2 3 5 4 2 1 4 4 3 1 0 5 3 1 0 0 6 1 0 0 0 2. Point Totals for Re-Classification: a. 0 – 4 points: remain classified based on raw enrollment b. 5 – 10 points: re-classified one class above where classified on raw enrollment c. 11 - 17 points: re-classified two classes above where classified on raw enrollment d. 18 - 22 points: re-classified three classes above where classified by raw enrollment e. 23 - 26 points: re-classified four classes above where classified by raw enrollment f. 27+ points: re-classified five classes above where classified by raw enrollment 3. Reclassification Points of Emphasis and Procedures: a. Post-season Points are Sport-Specific and Gender-Specific: In all sex-separated sports offered to both genders the post-season points of girls and boys teams of the same coed school (MSIP-exempt) will be calculated separately and teams would be reclassified separately , as per the points achieved. b. Equal Numbers Up and Down: For each MSIP-exempt school that is reclassified upward due to points achieved, a school at the bottom of that class will drop down to the lower class to keep the numbers of schools in the class consistent, to the extent possible (ties may affect this). (See also letters c-ii and d below) c. Cross Country and Track & Field (Linked Genders): As per By-Law 5.1.7, in the sports of cross country and track & field, the girls and boys teams of coed schools are classified together initially. i. Reclassification Upward - Genders not linked: Coed MSIP-exempt schools that are reclassified upward due to points achieved will move up singularly - without the team of the other gender moving up with them. As a result, the girls and boys teams of a MSIP-exempt school that is reclassified in only one gender would compete in dif ferent classes in that sport. ii. Schools Dropping Down – Genders Linked: Coed schools (of any type) with boys and girls both registered in cross country and track & field will drop down together if one gender is in a position to drop and as long as the other gender is not in a position to be reclassified upward based on points (MSIP-Exempt). For example, if School A’s boys cross country team drops down due to an MSIP-exempt school being reclassified upward, School A’s girls team will drop down as well, even if no MSIP-exempt school is reclassified on the girls side, and even if they are not the smallest school in their originally assigned class. In these two sports, this drop procedure will be connected to the gender with more registrations, as confirmed in step 1 of the Championship Procedures, and drops will not be repeated for the gender with fewer registrations (see also Classification Note 2). iii. Order of Championship Factor Procedures in Linked-Gender Sports: • First, MSIP-exempt Schools for the gender with more registrations are reclassified upward. • Second, MSIP-exempt Schools for the gender with fewer registrations are reclassified upward. • Third, a number of schools equal to the number that was reclassified upward in the first step are dropped down for the gender with more registrations, and the opposite-gender-team of any coed school that is moved down will be linked and move down as well (see d-ii above). This required process may nullify an original enrollment break, the number of schools originally assigned to a class, and/or the "waterfall" look of the classes in a sport/activity. d. Enrollment Ties: After MSIP-exempt schools are reclassified upward based on points, and schools are moved down to refill class totals, ties will be detected. Any ties across enrollment breaks will be moved down (except in the sport of football: ties will be broken using prior year’s enrollments if a class is full at 64). Ultimately, ties may spoil the “waterfall” look of the classes. e. Cooperative Sponsorships: Any co-op that includes an MSIP-exempt school is subject to the championship factor and the accumulation of points for post-season advancement. As a co-op, the points for each school are held together, and the co-op may move up or down in classification based on total points, as described above. MSIP-exempt schools carry their own points into a new co-op. Each school within a coop (including a public school) will carry a percentage of the points Page 132 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK earned during the co-op when the co-op disbands (50% each for a two-school co-op; 33% each for a three-school co-op). For new co-ops of only MSIP-exempt schools, prior points (like enrollments) will be added together to determine points for the co-op. Forming or disbanding a coop will not eliminate points or protect from re-classification based on earned points. DISTRICTS Criteria for District Assignments: The criteria utilized for the assignment of schools to districts are 1) geographic proximity and 2) approximate numerical balance. If a school perceives that a mistake has been made in its district assignment (the school’s location has been inaccurately located on the map for the activity) and reports it to the MSHSAA office within seven days of the district assignment release date, the MSHSAA staff shall consider the reported information and make changes to district assignments as it deems appropriate. After the seven-day period, only the MSHSAA Board of Directors shall consider and make changes in district assignments. The protection of district competition (having at least two schools in each district) is prioritized over geographic proximity. Number of Districts: For team sports, the number of districts allotted shall be determined by the total number of schools assigned into a classification upon release. The following numbers will be used as benchmarks: For any classification with 40 or fewer schools, four districts will be used to distribute participating schools. For any classification with 41 to 80 schools, eight districts will be used to distribute participating schools. For any classification with 81 or more schools, 16 districts may be used to distribute participating schools. For individual sports, the number of districts will be determined by the Board of Directors. District Assignment Release: Barring unusual circumstances, the MSHSAA office strives to release district assignments on standardized release dates. These release dates have been established to balance two factors: 1) accuracy and 2) a desire for the information by schools and the public. Schools want this information as early as possible, as it assists in scheduling contests against district opponents and/or schools in the same class during the season. However , the earlier the classifications and district assignments are set and released, the less accurate they are due to schools registering for the activity and/or dropping the activity after the information is released. Schools may not know if they have enough interested students to field a team until after practice begins. If they do not have enough interest, they drop the sport or activity . Because all of the classification systems are based on the total number of schools registered for the activity, any changes in those numbers that occur after classes are set make the classes imperfect. The later the classifications and district assignments are released (allowing more drops and adds to take place in advance ), the more accurate they are. District Registration and Drop Deadlines: Registration for a district assignment in a sport or activity (individual schools and cooperative sponsorships) must be completed and finalized prior to the following deadlines in order to be placed into the classification and district assignment process. Further, schools that have registered for a district assignment shall evaluate teams to determine if participation numbers are adequate to continue to field each team. Schools must notify the MSHSAA office in writing to drop a district assignment prior to the following deadlines so classifications and districts can be completed and released accurately . Schools missing these deadlines and failing to notify the MSHSAA office to be removed from postseason will be subject to a fine. See DATES TO REMEMBER on page 10 for the calendar dates of release: Season or Activity: Deadline for Registration or Drop: District Assignment Release Date: Fall Sports (except XC) Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 7 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 8 Cross Country Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 9 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 10 Speech & Debate, Theatre and Music Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 13 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 14 Basketball and Girls Wrestling Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 19 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 20 Girls Swimming & Diving and Boys Wrestling Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 20 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 21 Scholar Bowl Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 27 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 28 Spring Sports Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 36 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 37 (Revised 2026 ) BOARD POLICY ON HALFTIME SHOOTOUTS AND SPORT SKILL CONTESTS When a student is selected by chance to participate in a ‘carnival type’ contest involving a skill of a sport, he or she may receive cash or merchandise awards as a result of that participation without jeopardizing his or her eligibility under the MSHSAA Amateur and Awards Standards. An example of this would be where a student is selected to participate in a halftime promotion at a University basketball game on the basis of a chance drawing of a number on a program which he/she purchased at the game. In cases where such activities are scheduled and a student is required to enter for the purpose of competing for a cash or merchandise award, such activity would come under the restrictions of the amateur and awards standard and a student would jeopardize his/her eligibility in the sport concerned by competing for or accepting such awards. (By-Law 3.6) 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 133 BOARD POLICIES BOARD POLICY ON HAZING AND HARASSMENT It is the policy of the MSHSAA Board of Directors that hazing and harassment have no place in school-sponsored activity programs and pose a significant risk to the physical and mental welfare of students. Coaches, directors, sponsors and administrators must take an active role in the prevention of all forms of hazing and harassment. Students directly or indirectly involved in hazing incidents, on or off school grounds, could be considered ineligible by the school administration under the MSHSAA citizenship standard, By-Law 2.2. Hazing: Willful conduct directed at a student that is intended to physically or emotionally intimidate, punish, embarrass, humiliate, ridicule, or place any student in a disconcerting position for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, inclusion or membership in any team or organization. Harassment: Unwelcome conduct by a person that is sufficiently serious, persistent or pervasive, so that it af fects another person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the school program or activity by creating an intimidating, threatening or abusive environment. BOARD POLICY ON HEAT ACCLIMATIZATION GUIDELINES – MARCHING BAND Heat Acclimatization Period: For the health and safety of participants in marching band practices, it is recommended that member schools develop and implement a Heat Acclimatization Schedule for marching band camps, practices and/or rehearsals that take place during the summer months when school is not in session or when your band program conducts its marching band camp in preparation for the upcoming school year. The goal of the Heat Acclimatization Period is to increase exercise heat tolerance and enhance the ability to practice/rehearse safely and effectively in warm and hot conditions. It is recommended this period begin with the first day of marching band practice or rehearsal. Heat Acclimatization Definitions: Some definitions of terms which may be helpful when developing a Heat Acclimatization system are listed below. a) A ‘ day ’ is defined as a calendar day (12:00 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.) b) Rest Period: A rest period is defined as the time between the end of one practice/rehearsal to the beginning of the next practice/rehearsal, which should last no less than one hour. During this time, students should rest in a cool environment, with no physically related marching band or conditioning-related activity permitted (e.g. outdoor rehearsals, or indoor rehearsals in a non-air conditioned facility, with or without instruments). Examples of approved activities would include, but not limited to; reviewing your band handbook, video, drill charts, etc. c) Marching Band Practice: For purposes of Heat Acclimatization Guidelines a marching band practice/rehearsal is defined as: Any attempt of a director at a given school to provide instruction in any phase of marching band to any member of the marching band at that school or to have any part of the marching band engage in drills under the supervision of a director or under the approval or direction of the director or marching band staf f (paid or voluntary). Drills for field shows, street/parade marching, sectional rehearsals (with or without instruments/equipment), etc. should be considered practice and addressed in the heat acclimatization schedule. Auxiliary groups to the marching band (twirlers, poms, flag corps/guard, etc.) should be considered members of the marching band. Suggested Limits within the Heat Acclimatization Period: a) Practice Duration: Each outdoor or non-air conditioned practice/rehearsal should last no more than three hours. Warm- up, stretching, and cool-down activities are included as part of the three-hour practice/rehearsal time. Regardless of ambient temperature conditions, all conditioning and/or practice activities must be considered part of practice. b) First Five Days: Only one practice should be held on each of the first five days of the Heat Acclimatization Period. Further, one indoor practice/rehearsal could be held after a rest period of one or more hours. c) Following Five Days: A maximum of two three hour practices/rehearsals with a minimum of one hour of rest should be provided between the two practices/rehearsals. d) Rest Day: If practice/rehearsal occurs on six consecutive days, participants should be provided one day of complete rest (no conditioning, practices or rehearsals). (2015) BOARD POLICY ON HEAT ACCLIMATIZATION GUIDELINES – SPIRIT ACTIVITIES Heat Acclimatization Period: For the health and safety of participants in sideline cheer and dance team practices, it is recommended that member schools develop and implement a Heat Acclimatization Schedule for camps, and/or practices that take place during the summer months when school is not in session or when your spirit programs conducts its camps and/or practices in preparation for the upcoming school year. The goal of the Heat Acclimatization Period is to increase exercise heat tolerance and enhance the ability to practice safely and effectively in warm and hot conditions. It is recommended this period begin with the first day of your spirit team(s) practice. Heat Acclimatization Definitions: Some definitions of terms which may be helpful when developing a Heat Acclimatization system are listed below. Page 134 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK a) A ‘day’ is defined as a calendar day (12:00 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.) b) Rest Period: A rest period is defined as the time between the end of one practice to the beginning of the next practice, which should last no less than one hour. During this time, students should rest in a cool environment, with no physical or conditioning-related activity permitted (e.g. outdoor or indoor practices in a non-air conditioned facility). Examples of approved activities would include, but not limited to; reviewing your spirit handbook, videos, planning spirit activities, etc. c) Spirit Practice: For purposes of Heat Acclimatization Guidelines a spirit practice is defined as: Any attempt of a coach at a given school to provide instruction in any phase of sideline cheer or dance to any member of the sideline cheer and/or dance team at that school or to have any part of the spirit team(s) engage in practices under the supervision of a coach or under the approval or direction of the coach or spirit coaching staff (paid or voluntary). Suggested Limits within the Heat Acclimatization Period: a) Practice Duration: Each outdoor or non-air conditioned practice should last no more than three hours. Warm-up, stretching, and cool-down activities are included as part of the three-hour practice time. Regardless of ambient temperature conditions, all conditioning and/or practice activities must be considered part of the practice. b) First Five Days: Only one practice should be held on each of the first five days of the Heat Acclimatization Period. Further, one indoor practice could be held after a rest period of one or more hours. c) Rest Day: If practice occurs on six consecutive days, participants should be provided one day of complete rest (no conditioning or practices). (2016) BOARD POLICY ON INCLUSION AND ACCOMMODATIONS MSHSAA does not discriminate in its student programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability. MSHSAA will make reasonable modifications to its student programs or activities to accommodate students with disabilities covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act or Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, unless requested modifications or accommodations would be unreasonable as defined by law . BOARD POLICY ON INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS / SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS The Missouri State High School Activities Association strongly encourages its coaches, administrators and officials to take an active role in the prevention of unsportsmanlike materials on internet message boards and posted through social media. School administrators should discourage student participants and coaches from posting objectionable or unsportsmanlike material on internet websites; however communication of a positive nature is always encouraged. (2002; Revised 2013) BOARD POLICY ON MSHSAA TV WATCH PARTY School Watch Party Guidelines -- Member schools may host watch parties under the following conditions: 1. During the School Day : Watch parties hosted for student consumption during school hours at school are permitted, free of charge. 2. Community or After-School Use : Member schools may host community or after-school watch parties free of charge, as long as the event is student-centered and held on school premises. Schools should contact MSHSAA for authorization if external promotion or significant non-student attendance is expected. Broadcast Policy for Commercial Establishments -- Commercial establishments wishing to broadcast MSHSAA postseason games via MSHSAA TV must obtain prior authorization. Pricing is structured based on the assumption that a typical consumer in a commercial venue represents 50% of the standard home-viewing audience cost. The pricing tiers are as follows: • Postseason Games (Non-Championship Site) : $5.00 per seating capacity. • Postseason Games (Championship Site) : $7.50 per seating capacity. Note : "Seating capacity" is defined as the maximum number of patrons the establishment is licensed to accommodate, based on fire code or occupancy permits. Establishments may include restaurants, bars and other venues, but MSHSAA reserves the right to exclude venues that are primarily alcohol-focused (e.g., nightclubs or bars without significant food service) to align with the family- oriented nature of MSHSAA programming. To obtain authorization, establishments must contact MSHSAA at least 24 hours prior to the desired broadcast. Enforcement and Compliance -- Any unauthorized broadcast of MSHSAA postseason games by commercial establishments is strictly prohibited and will result in penalties, including potential fines or suspension of future broadcast privileges. For inquiries, pricing clarification, or authorization requests, please contact MSHSAA at communications@mshsaa.org . (Adopted June 2025) 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 135 BOARD POLICIES BOARD POLICY THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AT MSHSAA SPONSORED EVENTS The MSHSAA Board of Directors adopted, at its March 20, 1997 meeting, the following policy regarding the playing of the National Anthem at MSHSAA sponsored events (district and state series): “The National Anthem shall be played before the first MSHSAA contest of the day and/or session at each site. If it is not possible to have the National Anthem played before the first contest the Anthem should not be performed later in the session.” (1997) BOARD POLICY ON OFFICIALS ELIGIBILITY Persons who apply to become a registered sports official with MSHSAA, may not have engaged in any action which would violate the credible citizen standard, which within the discretion of the MSHSAA Board of Directors, or their representative, gives rise to a concern over the safety of minors or others involved in MSHSAA sponsored programs; indicates that the applicant cannot objectively perform an official’s duties; or otherwise is inconsistent with MSHSAA’s responsibilities to its member schools, the student participants, or the parents of participants. All officials who apply to become a registered MSHSAA official must submit to a background check. Background checks will be conducted on all officials prior to their completed registration and annually on all new officials. This background check will verify the applicant’s social security number and address history, and screen their criminal conviction history. 1. Under the provisions of MSHSAA By-Law 6.2.2.a., no person shall be eligible to register or maintain a registration to officiate interscholastic athletic contests who has pled guilty to or been found guilty of the following criminal offenses, whether or not sentence was imposed: (1) Any class A felony offense; (2) Any dangerous felony as that term is defined in Section 556.061 RSMo; (3) Any act of violence against a minor; (4) Any offense that requires registration as a sex offender; (5) Any felony offense where death is an element of the offense; (6) Any felony offense of assault; or felony offense of domestic assault; (7) Any felony offense of operating a motor vehicle or boat while intoxicated when (a) another person was injured or killed, or (b) would define the individual as a “Chronic” or “Habitual” offender as described in Section 577.001 RSMo; (8) Any felony or other criminal offense for which a Missouri Certificate to teach would be withheld or revoked as described in Section 168.071.6 RSMo, paras. (1)-(4); 2. Any offenses described above shall result in the denial of registration, subject to the applicant’s right to appeal under MSHSAA By-Law 6.2.9 for an opinion whether or not the applicant meets the eligibility requirements of MSHSAA By-Law 6.2.2.a. and may be permitted to register or continue as a registered official. 3. Any other person seeking to register or maintain a registration to officiate interscholastic athletic contests who has pled guilty to or been found guilty of any other criminal offense, whether or not sentence was imposed, for which registration has been withheld or denied may appeal to the Executive Director in writing under the provisions of MSHSAA By-Law 6.2.9 for an opinion whether or not the applicant meets the eligibility requirements of MSHSAA By-Law 6.2.2.a. and may be permitted to register or continue as a registered official. 4. Through the appeals procedures outlined above, and as per Article IV, Section 6-l of the MSHSAA Constitution, the Board of Directors is authorized to determine the final eligibility status of an individual seeking to become a registered official with MSHSAA. (Revised June 2023) BOARD POLICY ON OFFICIALS MEMORIAL INSIGNIA An optional designed memorial patch is allowed on the official’s shirt to honor a deceased official under the following conditions: 1. Must be requested in writing to the MSHSAA office for approval with the design of the patch included, 2. The request shall list the sports to be included, 3. The patch, if worn, shall be placed on the right sleeve of the shirt below any other optional patches (American Flag) worn there, 4. The patch shall be sewn or attached by Velcro to the sleeve, 5. The patch may be worn for one school year during the regular season only in the sports approved, and 6. The size of the patch shall not exceed one and one-half inches in any dimension (diameter , width, or length). The National Federation has confirmed that the placing of a memorial patch on the official’ s shirt would not violate any officials’ uniform regulations. (2003) Page 136 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK BOARD POLICY ON OPEN FACILITIES School administrators may open the school's gymnasiums or other facilities designated for free play recreational activities without being in violation of MSHSAA By-Laws pertaining to school sport seasons and non-school competition when conducted under the following conditions. Criteria for all open facilities : 1. A school may only “open” a facility that is owned by the school. Facilities that are non-owned, but rented by the school for the interscholastic sport season, do not meet this criterion. Typically, students may access such facilities on their own without school involvement (recreation facilities, parks, membership locations, etc.). 2. All “open facility” activities shall be posted or announced publicly, for example in the daily bulletin, school newspaper, etc. at least two days prior to the activity. The “open facility” will be supervised from beginning to end by the school personnel who has scheduled the activity with advanced approval from the appropriate school administrator. 3. A facility may be open for a single sport and be gender specific (i.e. girls volleyball). Schools should provide equal open facility opportunities if being specific by gender to ensure comparable opportunities for both genders. 4. Attendance at an open facility shall not be mandatory for any student. All attendance must be voluntary. Attendance at an open facility may not be related to team membership. Any effort either directly or indirectly to require a student to attend the open facility is a school violation. 5. Only “free play” activity may take place. Organized scrimmages are not considered free play . No instruction, coaching or corrections are allowed. Drills and organized plays or sets do not constitute free-play and are not allowed during an open facility. 6. Supervision: Any member of the school staff, including a coach, may supervise an open facility; however, no instruction, coaching or corrections are allowed. 7. The individual school administration assumes the responsibilities of making certain that there is full compliance to this policy . The local school administrator(s) shall determine the appropriate activities for recreational free play and the school equipment to be made available and their location. It is the responsibility of the school administration to be certain the activities and equipment are safe and appropriate for the facility and for any student to participate in and use without special supervision and/ or training. Open for Enrolled and Resident Participant Students : 1. HIGH SCHOOL: This information connects with By-Law 3.14.7, Out-of-Season Sport-Specific Practice Periods. During the academic year, school facilities may be opened (as per criteria above) for enrolled and resident participant students ONLY during the 7-week period notated as "Open Facility" on Diagrams 3.14.7 (1 and 2) for the sport(s) of the season notated. Enrolled and resident participant students may not participate in open facilities during the weeks in between these periods (which are dead/no-contact periods as per By-Law 3.14.7.e). H.S. SPORT: OPEN FACILITY PERIOD (AFTER THE SEASON): 7-WEEK PERIOD: Fall Sports During the Winter (Period 2) Mon. of Wk. 27 to Fri. of Wk. 33 Winter Sports During the Spring (Period 3) Mon. of Wk. 39 to Fri. of Wk. 45 Spring Sports During the Fall (Period 1) Mon. of Wk. 10 to Fri. of Wk. 16 All Sports Summer Counts in 20 contact days 2. COMBINED MEMBER SCHOOLS (6-12): Only during the 7-week period allowed for the high school open facility may junior and senior high enrolled and resident participant students participate (free play) together in an open facility. 3. JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL: Facilities may be opened for enrolled and resident participant students at the local school's discretion during the academic year during periods that do not conflict with the interscholastic sport season or pre-scheduled use by the school. Summertime open facilities are allowable, but shall count in a sport's contact days. Open for Community : Facilities may be opened for NON-enrolled and non-resident participant students at the local school's discretion during the academic year or the summer during periods that do not conflict with the interscholastic sport season or pre- scheduled use by the school. (Revised 2022) BOARD POLICY ON PRESEASON JAMBOREES - TEAM SPORTS The following sport-specific terms and conditions are provided to complement By-Law 3.16.7, Preseason Jamborees – Team Sports. By-Law 3.16.7 outlines the requirements for ALL preseason jamborees. Listed below are the sport-specific conditions. ( Note: See By-Law 3.16.7 regarding the number of teams that may be present at one jamboree site.) Baseball : a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply. b. Additional game rule exceptions: 1. Free substituting. 2. Each half inning will end after three outs or eight runs, whichever comes first. 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 137 BOARD POLICIES 3. Players are limited to two innings as a pitcher during the event. c. Three or Four-Team Format Only: When three schools participate, a maximum of four innings against each team with a maximum of eight innings per school for the event will be allowed. When four schools participate, then a maximum of three innings against each team and a maximum of nine innings for each school for the event will be allowed. d. The fall preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your first contest.The spring preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your first contest. e. See Baseball Manual for further information or recommendations. Basketball : a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply. b. Additional game rule exceptions: 1. Personal fouls will not be tallied. c. Three or Four-Team Format Only: When three schools participate, each school will play three quarters of eight minutes each against each of the two other teams, for a maximum of six quarters and 48 total minutes. When four schools participate, each school will play two quarters of eight minutes each against each of the three other teams, for a maximum of six quarters and 48 total minutes. d. A preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your first contest. e. See Basketball Manual for further information or recommendations. Football : a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply. b. Additional game rule exceptions: 1. No kicking game shall be permitted. c. Three or Four-Team Format Only: When three schools participate, a maximum of two quarters per team with a maximum of eighteen (18) offensive plays per quarter shall be allowed. When four schools participate, a maximum of three quarters per team with a maximum of twelve (12) offensive plays per quarter shall be allowed. d. A preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your first contest. e. See Football Manual for further information or recommendations. Soccer : a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply. b. Additional game rule exceptions: None. c. Three or Four-Team Format Only: When three schools participate, each school will play one period of 35 minutes each against each of the two other teams, for a maximum of two periods and 70 total minutes. When four schools participate, each school will play one period of 25 minutes each against each of the three other teams, for a maximum of three periods and 75 total minutes. d. A fall preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your first contest. A spring preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your first contest. e. See Soccer Manual for further information or recommendations. Softball : a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply. b. Additional game rule exceptions: 1. Free substituting. 2. Each half inning will end after three outs or five runs, whichever comes first. c. Three or Four-Team Format Only: When three schools participate, a maximum of four innings against each team with a maximum of eight innings per school for the event will be allowed. When four schools participate, then a maximum of three innings against each team and a maximum of nine innings for each school for the event will be allowed. d. A fall preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your first contest. A spring preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your first contest. e. See Softball Manual for further information or recommendations. Team Tennis : a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply. b. Additional game rule exceptions: 1. Coaching during play shall be permitted. 2. No team score or team winner shall be kept. c. Three- or Four-Team Format Only: • When three schools participate, each school may play a maximum of six matches against each of the other two schools, for a maximum of 12 matches. • When four schools participate, each school may play a maximum of four matches against each of the other three schools, Page 138 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK for a maximum of 12 matches. d. Individual matches shall be limited to one 8 game pro set - no Ad-scoring with regular tiebreaker in an 8-8 tie or 45 minutes. e. A preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your first contest. Volleyball : a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply. b. Additional game rule exceptions: None. c. Three or Four-Team Format Only: When there are three schools participating, a maximum of six sets (three against each team to 21 points) shall be allowed. When there are four schools participating, a maximum of nine sets (three against each team to 15 points) shall be allowed. Point caps are at the host's school discretion. d. A fall preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your first contest. e. See Volleyball Manual for further information or recommendations. BOARD POLICY ON PROFESSIONAL TEACHER’S CERTIFICATE A person who is issued a Lifetime or renewable Professional Teacher’s Certificate shall be considered as meeting the requirements contained in By-Laws 3.1 and 4.1 for that person to be approved to serve as a coach or director . A professional certificate shall continue to be considered valid under the terms of this By-Law even though it might subsequently expire due to the failure of the person to meet the teaching experience or continuing education requirements of DESE or other State Departments of Education. A person whose Teacher’s Certificate is revoked shall not be considered as holding a valid certificate and thus will not be eligible to be approved to serve as a coach at a MSHSAA member school. (By-Laws 3.1 and 4.1) BOARD POLICY FOR PROTESTS ON-SITE PROTESTS The Board of Directors adopted the following Policy in 1997 to address protests in athletic contests. It was later expanded to cover the activities of Speech/Debate/Theatre (2000) and Scholar Bowl (2017). The Board acknowledges that mistakes are made by officials, judges, and adjudicators (hereafter referred to generically as officials) in judgment and sometimes, in application of contest rules. However, the decisions rendered by officials at the contest site are to be final and any further process other than the one outlined below would not truly serve a useful purpose in the overall scope of high school activities. 1. Within the procedures established within each individual rule code (i.e. NFHS, MSHSAA, USTA, USGA, etc.), the head coach/ director must request a review of an official’s application of a rule through appropriate channels. 2. If, after the review is complete, the head coach still believes there has been a misapplication of a rule by a contest official(s), the coach shall then file a formal verbal protest with the contest officials who will then notify the opposing head coach/director immediately of the protest. No coach/director shall protest a decision of judgment. 3. Following this notification of protest, the head coach shall be allowed approximately ten minutes to use his/her Sport Rules Book or Case Book, Scholar Bowl Rulebook, MSHSAA Rules Review Announcements and/or MSHSAA Sport or Activity Manual to locate and show the official(s) the appropriate rule reference which clarifies a misapplication of the rule. If the head coach does not have personal copies of the above mentioned materials at the contest site or the specific rule reference(s) or case book play(s) cannot be located within the maximum allowable ten minutes, the protest shall automatically be disallowed and the contest shall continue from the point of interruption. If a rule reference(s) or case book play(s) is found that indicates a misapplication of a rule has occurred, the official’s decision shall be corrected at that time before any further action occurs, and the contest shall be resumed from the point of interruption after the correction as provided in the contest rules. When appropriate, the officials may assist the head coach in locating appropriate rule and case book references. 4. All protests shall be resolved at the contest site before any further contest action occurs with the exception of appeals of ejections for kicks, strikes, fights, or when a substitute leaves the bench area during an altercation event as outlined in Board Policy. [Scholar Bowl: the contest may continue while the protest is being reviewed; see game rules.] [Speech/Debate/Theatre: the jury of appeals will hear the appeal; events other than the one affected by the protest may continue during the review.] 5. Protests that are not filed in a timely manner as specified in that rule code or activity manual shall be automatically disallowed. 6. The MSHSAA Board of Directors and/or Staff shall not review contest protests with the exception of appeals of ejections for kicks, strikes, fights, or when a substitute leaves the bench area during an altercation event as outlined in Board Policy . 7. Videotape/film shall not be used for the purpose of protesting a contest with the exception of appeals of ejections for kicks, strikes, fights, or when a substitute leaves the bench area during an altercation event as outlined in Board Policy . APPLICATION OF ON-SITE PROTEST PROCEDURE 1. Introduction : Protests rarely occur and the protest policy is not intended to increase the frequency of protests. The policy is intended to resolve the protest on site. For this to occur the following must take place: a. Coaches and Officials must be professional with each other. This should be a non-confrontational conference. b. As stated above, protests involve the application of rules only -- not judgment calls. (Examples of items which could be protested: Football -- penalizing 5 yards instead of 15 yards; W restling -- allowing 1 minute for injury time instead of 2 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 139 BOARD POLICIES minutes; Softball -- allowing only two charged defensive conferences instead of three.) (Examples of items that could not be protested: Football -- pass interference; Wrestling -- stalling; Softball -- out or safe calls.) c. GET IT RIGHT! If the official has made a mistake; admit it, correct it and move on. Contest officials and the head coach filing the official protest shall notify the MSHSAA office in writing of any contest in which an official protest has occurred and the resolution of that protest. The MSHSAA Special Report online process shall be used for this purpose. 2. Process . a. Once a head coach has filed a formal verbal protest with the officials, they shall then notify the opposing head coach of the protest and the playing field, court, mat, classroom, etc. shall be cleared of all participants and they shall report to their respective team bench or seating areas. b. The head coach shall then be allowed approximately ten minutes to locate specific rule references from the materials and resources listed above to substantiate the claim that a misapplication of a contest rule has occurred. The officials shall also confer among themselves during the period to address the claim of the coach as to the potential rule misapplication. c. If the head coach is able to produce rule evidence from the above mentioned sources to support the claim of a misapplication of a rule, the officials shall correct the error as provided in the contest rules and the contest shall proceed from the point of interruption. If the head coach cannot produce the evidence, the protest shall be disallowed and the contest shall continue from the point of interruption. The previously mentioned materials must be immediately available for review at the playing field sideline, court-side, mat-side etc. (T ime shall not be provided to go to a locker room, team bus, coach’s office, etc.) d. Once the final decision regarding the protest has been rendered, the officials shall provide the participants sufficient opportunity to warm-up before the contest is resumed. EJECTION PROTEST PROTOCOL When a school administrator (athletic director, principal or superintendent) submits a review request for the ejection of a player, the first determination will be whether the situation falls within the categories outlined in the by-laws. The reviewable categories include: 1. Ejection for Kicks; 2. Ejection for Strikes; 3. Ejection for Fights; 4. Ejection of a Substitute Leaving the Bench Area During an Altercation. The following protocol shall be used when an ejection falls within the reviewable categories: 1. The member school administrator (either the athletic director, principal or superintendent) must submit the school's review request to ejectionreview@mshsaa.org. This email request must include the following information, only (no additional information, argument, or rationale will be accepted): a. Sport, level, location, and date the ejection occurred b. Date of the next day of competition suspension, at the same level as that of the ejection, for the ejected player c. Name(s) of the official(s) involved in the contest d. The reviewable category must be 1) kicks; 2) strikes; 3) fights; 4) a substitute leaving the bench area during an altercation e. The ejected player's name and uniform number (if applicable). Note that no other information about the ejected player will be accepted such as grades, character, previous (or lack of) ejections/discipline, family background, skill level, and playing ability. No written argument, rationale or documents of support will be accepted. Providing any of this extraneous information will result in the review process being terminated and will only be reopened if the review request is submitted correctly. f. The video of the incident is to be submitted with the request for review. The video must be an unedited clip showing all action leading up to, during and following the incident. Video that is slowed down, zoomed in or out, highlighted, spot- shadowed or only shows the immediate incident will not be accepted and will terminate the review process. Videos must be from a school operated camera. No cell phone video will be accepted. If the video file is too large to email, include in the request the method by which the video will be shared with MSHSAA staff. 2. MSHSAA staff will review the request and determine if all elements from item #1 have been provided. All valid requests for review will be completed by MSHSAA staff in a timely manner with a written determination being provided to the requesting school. Note that if the review is not resolved before the date of suspension, the player must still be withheld from competition . 3. All determinations by MSHSAA staff under the categories of review are final and not subject to further review, appeal or waiver by MSHSAA staff or Board of Directors. 4. School administration must submit their review requests within 72 hours of the ejection. Requests received outside of the 72 hours will not be reviewed by MSHSAA staff. BOARD POLICY ON PUBLIC CRITICISM - SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES Statement of Philosophy - The Missouri State High School Activities Association has established policies and standards which will cultivate the ideals of good sportsmanship, professionalism and conduct. It shall be the responsibility of each member school to ensure that all individuals directly associated with the interscholastic program conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike and professional manner. The coach or director is a representative of the school at interscholastic activity events. It is the responsibility of all coaches and Page 140 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK directors to serve as role models for students and the public. All coaches, directors, administrators and student participants are to refrain from negative criticism of MSHSAA member institutions, officials, adjudicators, judges, etc. in public statements at or after interscholastic events. The appropriate public response to media questions at all venues regarding officiating/judging is “per MSHSAA policy, I am unable to comment.” Any other response is a violation of this board policy and is subject to penalty. Code of Ethics - A violation of the standards of professional conduct established by MSHSAA could include, but are not limited to: a. Making degrading and/or critical remarks about officials or adjudicators or the officiating or judging before, during or after an event either on or off site, or through any public means. b. Detaining the officials/adjudicators/judges during or following the event to request a ruling or explanation of actions or evaluation by the official(s)/adjudicator(s)/judges. c. Entering the officials dressing area following the contest. Actions and Response - Negative actions by an individual directly associated with the program shall be reported to the MSHSAA office by the school and/or by the head contest official, adjudicator , judge, or manager. The school shall document the results of their investigation and actions taken, where necessary and appropriate. The MSHSAA Board of Directors will determine the appropriate penalties for violation of this board policy. Commentary - It is within each individual’s ability to treat others with dignity and respect. MSHSAA and its member schools expect each individual to be responsible for their actions and statements. BOARD POLICY ON RECORD RETENTION The MSHSAA shall maintain accurate records of Association business. Official records shall be maintained in the MSHSAA office with the Executive Director to serve as the Custodian of Records according to the schedule set forth by the Board of Directors. (2005) BOARD POLICY ON REPORTED VIOLATIONS Self-Reported Violations versus a Report of an Alleged Violation: 1. Self-Reports : MSHSAA functions primarily through self-policing by the member schools of the association. Self-Reports are a very normal practice and should be a regular procedure for our members. Schools that discover a violation of the MSHSAA Rules/Policy (to include Constitution, By-Laws, Board Policies, Sport/Activity Manuals, Sport/Activity Rule Codes) shall self- report the violation to the Executive Director, through the portal on the website. Four parts are to be included: a) description of violation(s) with references to location of rule/policy, b) the circumstances that led to the violation, c) a description of the disciplinary action taken by the member school and how future violations will be prevented through internal policies/procedures, and d) identification of the proposed appropriate penalties for the identified violations and lack of institutional control, consistent with MSHSAA policies and procedures. 2. Report of an Alleged Violation : If it is believed that a violation of the MSHSAA Rules/Policy has taken place and has not been or will not be self-reported, an individual may report an alleged violation using the procedures outlined below. Who may report an alleged violation of the MSHSAA Constitution, By-Laws or Board Policies? 1. Authorized personnel on behalf of a member school may report a violation in writing to the MSHSAA office pursuant to MSHSAA By-Law 5.5.3. 2. Any individual may report a violation to the MSHSAA office. How reported violations are handled is dependent upon the way the information is presented. How must a report of an alleged violation be submitted? 1. Anonymous Calls to Report an Alleged Violation: The MSHSAA staff has no authority to act upon anonymous calls. 2. Anonymous Report of Alleged Violation in Writing: Anonymous letters and e-mails sent to MSHSAA documenting specific violations of the MSHSAA Rules/Policy along with any evidence as proof shall be forwarded to the school administrator of the school in question to review and consider. At that time, no further action will be taken by MSHSAA staff. 3. Signed Report of Alleged Violation - Utilize Report Form: The complaint must be submitted in writing, on paper or via email, utilizing the report form within this policy, including the individual or school's name sufficiently identified so that it may be verified by the MSHSAA office. The report form must be submitted legibly, entirely, and must include supporting evidence or proof of each alleged violation. How are Signed Reports of Alleged violations handled? Such reports are reviewed by the MSHSAA staff, as delegated by the Board, to determine if there is sufficient evidence of a possible violation of the MSHSAA Rules/Policy . If the reported violation appears to be supported by sufficiently credible information, the staff will forward the report to the school that is allegedly in violation with specific requests and a timeline, and apprise the Board of Directors. After review of feedback and action from the school in question, the Board may ultimately authorize further in-person investigation of the reported violation pursuant to Article IV, Section 6-f of the MSHSAA Constitution, as necessary. 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 141 BOARD POLICIES Will the school know who reported the Signed Reported Violation? Yes. The school will be notified and provided a copy of the reported violation if it is determined the allegation is credible and supported by evidence. This notification would include the identity of the individual or school reporting the violation. Will the school be allowed to conduct its own investigation? Yes, the school should conduct its own investigation. However, the school’s investigation will not supersede nor delay any authorized investigation by MSHSAA. The school will be given an opportunity to provide information concerning the alleged violation. When will the school receive the opinion of the Executive Director on the report of violations? If appropriate, the school will be the first to investigate. After submitting the school's investigation, the Executive Director will determine if additional information is necessary, and will request that information from the school and/or direct an additional investigation by the MSHSAA staff. The school will have sufficient opportunity to present information. If other violations are discovered during the investigative process, the school will be made aware of those violations and given an opportunity to respond. After considering all the information, the Executive Director will issue an opinion on any violations. What can the school do once the opinion of the Executive Director has been rendered? If any interested party is aggrieved by an opinion of the Executive Director, then such party may appeal through the appeal procedure established in By-Law 5.4 to the MSHSAA Appeal’s Committee. If any such party is aggrieved by a decision of the Appeal’s Committee, then such party may appeal through the appeal procedure established in By-Law 5.4 to the MSHSAA Board of Directors. (June 2024) [REPORT FORM ON THE NEXT PAGE] Page 142 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK MSHSAA Board Policy on Reported Violations REPORT FORM This form serves as an addendum to the Board Policy on Reported V iolations located in the MSHSAA Official Handbook. Any Individual may report a violation in writing to the MSHSAA office. Such reports must first be reviewed by the Board of Directors. If the reported violation appears to be supported by sufficiently credible information, the Board of Directors will authorize an official investigation of the reported violation pursuant to Article IV, Section 6-f of the MSHSAA Constitution. For Board consideration, all information must be complete and accurate. Please type or print clearly. Individual reporting the violation: Name: Address: City, State, Zip code: Telephone number: Email Address: Briefly explain your relationship with the school on which you are reporting : School believed to be in violation : Jr. High High School Describe, in as much detail and clarity as possible, the specific violation(s) you believe have taken place, and by whom. For each violation, you must list the reference to the MSHSAA Rule/Policy (Constitution, By-Law, Board Policy, Sport/Activity Manual, Sport Activity Rule Code). Please include dates, times, names, locations, etc. to explain the circumstances clearly. If there is evidence that supports the allegations, please attach a copy. If there are witnesses or other individuals that can corroborate the information that is being presented, please include written statements from those individuals. Include additional pages as necessary. Signature of Individual Filing Report Date 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 143 BOARD POLICIES BOARD POLICY ON SPECTATORS AT EVENTS Spectators/Fans Gathering at Sidelines: There have been instances where fans have been permitted to gather and stand along the sidelines or end lines of playing fields and courts during athletic contests, and a number of instances have been reported in which fans have approached the sidelines near the end of the game. Generally , this is for the purpose of rushing onto the field or court to express jubilation over winning. In other instances, fans have cast disparaging remarks toward opposing players and officials. In either case, it creates a situation conducive to crowd control problems. Under these conditions, the Board of Directors has adopted a policy authorizing and urging game officials to stop the game when this occurs, send the teams to the benches, and request the host school administration (or tournament manager) to have the fans return to their seats or leave the gymnasium or field before play is continued. The game shall not continue until the fans comply. The primary responsibility for compliance with the game officials request falls on the host school, or tournament manager , but the visiting school (both schools in a tournament) is also responsible for seeing that their fans remain in their seats. All schools should take steps to educate their students and fans to refrain from moving onto the court or playing field following games. The practice of entering these areas following games does not contribute anything toward the most worthwhile objectives of interscholastics and can contribute toward misconduct. In a related note, tournament managers should suspend the sale of tickets and close the doors when necessary to prevent overcrowding of gymnasiums. Spectator/Fan Support Items and Restrictions: In the chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/ spectator support items at all MSHSAA District and State Series Championships. Schools are encouraged to follow these guidelines during the regular season. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The items indicated on this page are for use by all fans/spectators. LEGEND: BA-Baseball BK-Basketball CC-Cross Country FB-Football GO-Golf SO-Soccer SB-Softball SW-Swimming & Diving TN-Tennis TR-Track & Field VB-Volleyball WR-Wrestling NA-Not Apply SPORT BA BK CC FB GO SO SB SW TN TR VB WR Balloons Ye s No Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s No Ye s Ye s No No Banners on wall Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s No Confetti/shredded paper/powder No No No No No No No No No No No No Hand held signs (no obstruction of view during play) Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Laser light/pointer/flashing objects No No No No No No No No No No No No Megaphones (Exception: Sideline Cheerleaders only) No No No No No No No No No No No No Artificial noisemakers, (including but not limited to horns, cow bells, bells, buzzers, shakers, clickers, thunder sticks, rattles, instruments not part of a band) Ye s No Ye s Ye s No Ye s Ye s No No Ye s No No Compressed air horns/sirens No No No No No No No No No No No No Whistles No No No No No No No No No No No No Drones/UAV/UAS No No No No No No No No No No No No Team introduction run-throughs or break away banners (fans) No No No No No No No No No No No No Team introduction run-throughs or break away banners (team personnel & sideline cheerleaders) Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Poms, spirit/rally towels Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Cannons/muskets/guns/fireworks No No No No No No No No No No No No Carried school flags (running/taunting prohibited) Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Animals/Pets (other than service animals) No No No No No No No No Ye s 1 No No No Appropriate dress required (host determines) Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s 1 state only (Revised 2019) Page 144 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK BOARD POLICY ON SPORT CAMP FEES The Board of Directors resolved at its November 1, 1995 meeting that provisions contained in the MSHSAA By-Laws which stipulate that fees (tuition) for summer athletic camps shall be provided by the student or the student’s parents precludes a school from being involved in any group projects to raise money to pay these fees. This restriction applies to a booster club as well as to school coaches. As far as the restriction on athletes are concerned, it would be permissible for several members of a school team to assemble themselves for the purpose of collectively undertaking work projects such as a car wash, a bake sale or other similar type of activities to earn money which could be applied toward camp fees. Under such circumstances all money earned shall go directly to the student to be used at his or her discretion. If students are working collectively , they cannot be organized to do so through coordination of the school, booster club, or coach. (By-Laws 3.13 and 3.14) BOARD POLICY ON SPORTS MEDICINE Please refer to the Sports Medicine tab of the MSHSAA website (www.mshsaa.org) for all NFHS and MSHSAA sports medicine, health and safety related guidelines, policies and position statements. NFHS/MSHSAA Position Statements and Guidelines: The NFHS/MSHSAA regularly distributes position statements and guidelines to promote public awareness of certain health and safety-related issues. Such information is neither exhaustive nor necessarily applicable to all circumstances or individuals, and is no substitute for consultation with appropriate health-care professionals. Statutes, codes or environmental conditions may be relevant. NFHS/MSHSAA position statements or guidelines should be considered in conjunction with other pertinent materials when taking action or planning care. The NFHS/MSHSAA position and guidelines can be found on the MSHSAA website under the Sports Medicine tab. The NFHS/MSHSAA reserves the right to rescind or modify any such document at any time. (2013) BOARD POLICY ON TIES IN FOOTBALL CONTESTS TIE GAMES: For ALL varsity high school games (regular and play off contests) which end in a tie at the end of regulation play shall follow a “25-yard Overtime Procedure” to determine a winner. The procedure, as outlined in the National Federation Football Rules Book, will be followed with the following exceptions: 1. The ball will be placed on the 25-yard line instead of the 10-yard line. 2. First and tens may be obtained to maintain possession. Once the line-to-gain has not been achieved the ball will be turned over to the defense. Lower Level Contests: Games contested below the senior high school varsity level (Junior Varsity, Freshmen) that end in a tie at the end of regulation play, may utilize one (1) overtime period to break the tie. If a tie remains at the end of the “25 yard” overtime period, the contest shall remain a tie. Combined 8th and 9th grade contests which end in a tie shall remain a tie. NOTE: The tie breaking procedure for the lower level contests is optional and shall be mutually agreed upon by both schools in advance of the contest. BOARD POLICY ON TRANSFERS TRANSFER FORM RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS AND FAILURE TO RESPOND The Board of Directors recognizes that timely processing of student transfer requests is essential to the fair administration of MSHSAA eligibility standards. Member schools have an obligation to cooperate in providing information necessary for the determination of a student's eligibility under the Transfer Rule and related exceptions. Required Response Timeline 1. Upon receipt of a transfer form, the member school shall complete and return the requested information within ten days. 2. The ten-day period shall begin on the first day following receipt of the request. Failure to Respond 1. If a member school fails to respond within ten days, the receiving school may request review to the MSHSAA office. 2. The Executive Director or designee shall notify the non-responding member school and provide an additional five days to respond. 3. If no response is received within the additional five days, the Executive Director or designee may proceed with a determination based upon the information available. 4. A school's failure to respond shall not, by itself, create student eligibility, establish the validity of a transfer exception, or constitute proof of any fact asserted by the receiving school. 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 145 BOARD POLICIES Administrative Review 1. When a sending member school fails to respond after the additional notice period, the Executive Director may: a. Consider available school records and submitted documentation; b. Request additional information from either school; c. Render a preliminary eligibility determination subject to appeal procedures contained in the MSHSAA Handbook. 2. The Executive Director may require the sending member school to explain the failure to comply with the response requirement. Penalties for Non-Compliance Failure to respond to transfer requests in a timely manner constitutes a violation of member school responsibilities. 1. First Occurrence: Written warning to the athletic director, principal, and superintendent. 2. Second Occurrence: Official Letter of Non-Compliance placed in the school's MSHSAA file. 3. Subsequent Occurrences or Egregious Conduct a. Appearance before the Board of Directors; b. Additional sanctions authorized under the Constitution, By-Laws, or Board Policies of MSHSAA, including administrative fine not to exceed $500 per occurrence. Intentional Obstruction If the Executive Director determines that a member school intentionally withheld information, refused to cooperate, or otherwise attempted to delay or obstruct the eligibility review process, the matter may be referred directly to the Board of Directors for disciplinary action regardless of prior violations. Appeals Any penalty imposed under this policy may be appealed in accordance with established MSHSAA appeal procedures. MENTAL HEALTH AND BULLYING HARDSHIP TRANSFER REQUESTS A request for a hardship transfer based upon allegations of bullying, harassment, intimidation, mental health concerns, or other student wellness issues must be supported by objective, documented evidence demonstrating that the circumstances substantially affect the student's educational experience, safety, or well-being. The Board recognizes that mental health and bullying concerns may not always be reflected in school documentation. Therefore, the Board may consider a variety of documentation from qualified professionals, school officials, and other sources when evaluating whether a hardship exists. Acceptable documentation may include, but is not limited to: • Reports, findings, or records from school administrators, counselors, or other school personnel; • Law enforcement reports or other governmental agency records; • Medical, psychological, or counseling documentation from a licensed healthcare or mental health professional; • Documentation of formal complaints, investigations, disciplinary actions, or intervention plans from the sending school. The existence of a hardship shall not be established solely by the student's or parent's statement, unsupported allegations, or generalized concerns. The burden of providing sufficient documentation rests with the receiving member school. The Board may require additional information and may independently verify submitted documentation before granting a hardship exception. MAGNET SCHOOLS AND ST. LOUIS VICC Discipline - Eligible at Time of Transfer: As per By-Law 3.10.5, a transfer student must be eligible in all respects at the school from which he or she is transferring to be eligible at the school to which he or she is transferring. If a student transfers schools with the status of ineligible for disciplinary reasons, the student shall retain such status at the new school for the same period as decreed by the former school. Discipline/Expulsion: As per By-Law 2.2.4, a student who is expelled from school (or dis-enrolled, and/or barred from re-enrolling) because of disciplinary measures shall not be considered eligible for 365 days from the date of expulsion (or exile). An expulsion is prompt removal of a student from school following the conduct for which the student is under discipline, whereby the student is not allowed to return to school until either an appeals process reinstates the student or the duration is fulfilled. However , this period of ineligibility shall not apply to any student expulsion for conduct otherwise protected by law which does not materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of a school. Student Transfers involving Magnet Schools: The following Board Policy outlines the circumstances whereby a public school district resident student may have transfer eligibility outside the auspices of the Residence and Transfer Requirements in By-Law 3.10. A resident student of the school district (as per By-Law 3.10) transferring for the first time to a Magnet School in his/her school district or transferring from a Magnet School back to his/her school of residency (neighborhood school) will be eligible without restrictions provided: 1. The student transfers at the beginning of a semester. 2. The student is eligible in all other respects. 3. A student’s high school enrollment history (grades 9 through 12) has been documented and reviewed by the receiving school prior to any confirmation of eligibility under these provisions. 4. The online transfer process is completed (initiated by the receiving school and completed by the sending school) prior to placement of a student on the receiving school’s eligibility roster. Page 146 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK St. Louis VICC Transfers: The following Board Policy outlines the circumstances whereby a St. Louis student participating under the overall operations of the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation program may have eligibility or restrictions under the Residence and Transfer Requirements in By-Law 3.10. 1. The following are the transfers where a VICC Program student would be eligible without restrictions (as per By-Law 3.10.1.e) provided the student transfers at the beginning of a semester and the student is eligible in all other respects. A student’s high school enrollment history (grades 9 through 12) must be documented and reviewed by the receiving school prior to any confirmation of eligibility under these provisions. The online transfer process shall be initiated by the receiving school and completed by the sending school prior to placement of a student on the receiving school’s eligibility roster. a. African-American City Residents: Transferring from a city school (neighborhood or magnet) to a county school that is paired with that student’s home address and VICC “area” one time, and any subsequent transfer back to the original city school or the student’s neighborhood school of residency. For definition of areas see included map on the next page. b. Non-African-American County Resident: Transferring from a county school that is participating in the VICC program to a city magnet school one time, and any subsequent transfer back to the county school of residency. 2. All other St. Louis transfers would be held to the Residence and Transfer Requirements in By-Law 3.10. St. Louis neighborhood schools, schools of choice, vo-tech schools and charter schools are subject to the provisions of By-Law 3.10. (Revised 2019) 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 147 BOARD POLICIES BOARD POLICY ON UNCLAIMED CHECKS The MSHSAA shall, for any issued check of $50.00 or greater which remains uncashed, exercise due diligence in locating the payee, canceling the original check and issuing a replacement payment to the payee. For payees which cannot be reasonably located and for all other stale checks or other liabilities, the MSHSAA shall report such liabilities to the Office of the State Treasurer as required by the Missouri Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act, Chapter 447, RSMo. BOARD POLICY ON UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT MSHSAA By-Law 5.5 provides that each school is responsible for the conduct of its teams, coaches, students, and fans at games both at home and away. (A fan is considered a non-school student or follower of the school team.) These by-laws further make it clear that the Board of Directors has the responsibility to take action when the school does not, or cannot, adequately control the conduct of its players, coaches, students and fans. The game rules for each sport contain the standards of sportsmanship to be enforced by athletic game officials. Unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct of an athlete, coach, student, or fan, whether before, during, or after a contest is of concern to the Board of Directors if the incident can be directly related to an athletic event under the jurisdiction of the MSHSAA. After reviewing recommendations regarding procedures to be applied by a school, the Board of Directors at its June 26, 1992, meeting adopted the following policies to guide member schools and the MSHSAA office in coping with acts of unsportsmanlike conduct. (See also MSHSAA manual entitled, “Improving the Educational Values of Interscholastic Athletics by Providing for Better Sportsmanship and Conduct”.) PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING --It shall be the responsibility of the game officials, as well as school administrators and other staf f members present when such unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct occurs to file reports as follows: 1. Game officials shall be required to file a special report with the high school principal and the superintendent with a copy to the MSHSAA office no later than 48 hours after penalties have been assessed for such conduct observed before, during, or following an athletic game. Action shall be taken against officials who fail to file a report. 2. Incidents noted by representatives of either of the participating schools, but not observed by the game officials, shall be reported by the observer to the principal(s) of the school(s) involved with a copy to the MSHSAA office. 3. Local managers of MSHSAA sponsored events shall be required to file reports immediately by telephone to the MSHSAA office followed immediately by a letter to the MSHSAA office with copies to the school(s) involved. DUTY OF SCHOOL --When unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct occurs, the school shall immediately take appropriate action to correct or resolve the matter. Such action shall be communicated in writing to the MSHSAA office within ten days. (The school need not communicate to the MSHSAA office such inadvertent actions as failure to report to the scorer when substituting, wearing a wrong number and other technical infractions which do not involve flagrant, abusive, or unsportsmanlike conduct.) BOARD OF DIRECTORS POLICIES --The following policies are established to serve as guidelines for action to be taken by the school: 1. PLAYERS --When a player is assessed a penalty by a game official for unsportsmanlike conduct, the coach should remove the player from the game. If there are extenuating circumstances making the athlete’s conduct more serious, the penalty imposed by the school shall be more severe. For player ejection refer to By-Law 5.5. 2. COACHES --Cases involving unsportsmanlike conduct of a coach shall result in action commensurate with the act committed. It may range from a reprimand by the high school administration to conditions set by the board of education that the coach must meet. For ejection of a coach refer to By-Law 5.5. 3. STUDENTS/FANS --Action regarding the misconduct of a student or fan shall range from a warning to being required to appear before the board of education to show reason why that person should not be prohibited from attending future games. Violent acts shall result in charges being brought against the individual or information being provided the prosecuting attorney, who may bring charges under Missouri law. 4. Action regarding all other acts of poor sportsmanship/misconduct should be appropriate to the offense committed. AUTHORITY DELEGATED TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR --The Board of Directors has delegated to and instructed the MSHSAA Executive Director to assume the following authority: 1. Certain incidents constituting unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct require immediate action because of the seriousness of the circumstances, the timeliness of the imposition of a penalty, and/or other circumstances. If such an incident takes place in the judgment of the Executive Director, he/she is authorized to take immediate action under the provisions of By-Law 5.5.1.a. In his/ her discretion and if time permits, the Executive Director may require the school administrator(s) and the offender(s) to appear before him/her. 2. The Executive Director shall issue a warning to a school under the following circumstances: a. When action taken by a school in response to an incident of unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct is not considered satisfactory; b. When a school fails to inform the MSHSAA office in writing of the action taken by the school within ten days of the receipt by the MSHSAA of a report of unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct. The warning will be dissolved as of the date the MSHSAA office receives a reply unless the action taken is not considered satisfactory. 3. If a school receives a report during the same sport season of unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct after having received a Page 148 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK warning, the high school administrator and the offender (if applicable) shall be required to appear before the Executive Director to show cause why action should not be taken under provisions of By-Law 5.5.1.a. 4. These guidelines shall not be interpreted to limit the action of the Executive Director in any case in which, in his/her opinion, immediate or additional action is necessary. 5. A school shall have the right to appeal any action taken by the Executive Director to the Appeals Committee. SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES -- 1. In any situation in which a player becomes involved in a fight or in which a substitute leaves the bench to go onto the floor/ field when a fight breaks out among players, the MSHSAA Board expects as a minimum penalty that the coach suspend the individual for the remainder of that contest and for the next contest in which the team plays. 2. If members of a team engage in a fight during an interscholastic contest and this is later repeated in a subsequent game during the season, the Executive Director shall be instructed to take firm action in accord with provisions contained in By-Law 5.5.1.a including the possible exclusion of the team from the state tournament series in the sport concerned. RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS --It is strongly recommended that all coaches and students be thoroughly informed of these policies adopted by the Board of Directors. It should be made clear that the primary purpose of these policies is to improve the educational and recreational values which interscholastic athletic games can have for our high school youth. If these values are lost, interscholastic competition can no longer be justified in the school program. (By-Law 5.5) APPENDICES 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 149 APPENDICES A: MSHSAA Participation Summary - Schools and Students B: Listing of MSHSAA Member Schools by District C: Affiliate Registered Schools (ARS) and Home School Associations (HSA) D: CSIET Advisory List E: Approved Coaches/Directors Courses F: NFHS Sanctioning Procedures Page 150 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK S O U T H E A S T S O U T H W E S T N O R T H E A S T N O R T H W E S T C E N T R A L S O U T H C E N T R A L S T L O U I S K A N S A S C I T Y J R H I G H T O T A L S O U T H E A S T S O U T H W E S T N O R T H E A S T N O R T H W E S T C E N T R A L S O U T H C E N T R A L S T L O U i S K A N S A S C I T Y S R H I G H T O T A L G R A N D T O T A L Member Schools 19* 33* 17* 8* 11* 7* 0* 33* 128 86 106 76 64 72 31 100 60 595 723 Baseball 25 54 0 0 7 3 0 2 91 80 91 73 56 67 29 72 49 517 608 Basketball (Boys) 47 89 79 64 65 30 5 53 432 86 105 73 62 71 31 83 58 569 1001 Basketball (Girls) 47 87 79 65 66 30 5 53 432 71 101 72 62 72 31 84 56 549 981 Cross Country (Boys) 39 79 62 33 40 27 5 50 335 67 93 60 42 49 27 81 52 471 806 Cross Country (Girls) 37 77 58 33 40 27 5 51 328 59 88 52 38 45 26 81 53 442 770 Dance/Pom Pon 4 2 2 0 1 1 4 4 18 22 26 19 17 15 11 53 38 201 2 Football (11-Man) 32 65 45 23 33 14 0 52 264 39 56 39 22 33 15 73 46 323 587 Football (8-Man) 0 7 11 35 15 0 0 0 68 0 7 9 34 19 0 0 1 70 138 Golf (Boys) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 47 76 56 35 39 24 51 36 364 365 Golf (Girls) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 13 51 43 33 26 12 48 36 262 263 Music 40 74 68 46 46 16 2 43 335 67 95 72 52 61 27 79 49 502 837 Scholar Bowl 10 49 57 57 19 9 0 30 231 50 81 69 61 52 20 34 35 402 633 Sideline Cheer 43 74 73 54 50 20 5 39 358 80 98 70 59 70 28 82 51 538 896 Soccer (Boys) 0 0 1 0 6 0 0 11 18 22 31 20 7 23 14 74 50 241 259 Soccer (Girls) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 11 19 31 18 9 21 16 76 50 240 251 Softball - Fall (Girls) 16 64 54 40 11 2 0 1 188 30 26 71 51 33 25 56 35 337 525 Softball - Spring (Girls) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 52 64 0 1 31 5 0 1 154 157 Speech & Debate 0 22 4 0 3 0 0 26 55 21 47 18 6 26 13 36 40 207 262 Swimming (Boys) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 15 6 21 8 3 5 4 48 29 124 139 Swimming (Girls) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 15 7 24 9 2 5 4 60 35 146 161 Tennis (Boys) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 37 12 10 14 4 59 34 184 184 Tennis (Girls) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 34 12 10 15 4 63 35 192 192 Theatre 0 1 3 0 2 0 0 1 7 9 24 8 4 12 4 7 21 89 96 Track and Field (Boys) 35 87 80 66 65 30 4 54 421 57 96 73 63 70 31 85 56 531 952 Track and Field (Girls) 35 87 79 66 65 31 4 54 421 56 96 74 63 70 31 87 56 533 954 Volleyball (Boys) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 6 1 6 2 0 1 57 30 103 104 Volleyball (Girls) 44 86 24 33 54 25 0 53 319 79 96 22 31 60 23 85 59 455 774 Wrestling (Boys) 15 43 19 30 31 12 0 42 192 25 33 25 27 30 14 70 44 268 460 Wrestling (Girls) 15 42 17 30 29 12 0 42 187 23 31 22 27 29 14 57 41 244 431 APPENDIX A (1) 2025-26 MSHSAA SCHOOL PARTICIPATION SUMMARY BY DISTRICT (Figures as of June 22, 2026) JUNIOR HIGHS SENIOR HIGHS *These figures indicate the total number of junior high schools holding separate memberships. The junior high school participation figures include all junior high schools holding separate memberships plus all junior high schools holding combined memberships with the senior high school from the district. NOTE: The totals in the “SR High Total” column include schools that do not register for districts/state series. Further, each cooperative sponsorship counts as one participating school, not two. APPENDICES 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 151 APPENDIX A (2) 2025-26 MSHSAA PARTICIPATION SUMMARY - SCHOOLS & STUDENTS (Figures as of May 18, 2026) Number Schools Jr. High Number Schools Sr. High Number Schools Total Number Participants Jr. High Number Participants Sr. High Number Participants Total Baseball (Fall) 0 108 108 0 1656 1656 Baseball (Spring) 158 531 689 1529 12488 14017 Basketball (Boys) 581 605 1186 8010 13213 21223 Basketball (Girls) 565 572 1137 6551 8014 14565 Cross Country (Boys) 478 490 968 3222 5821 9043 Cross Country (Girls) 462 460 922 2683 4068 6751 Dance Team/Pom Pon 21 202 232 149 2547 2696 Football (11-Man) 335 325 660 10575 20739 31314 Football (8-Man) 80 71 151 692 1080 1772 Golf (Boys) 1 368 369 3 4976 4979 Golf (Girls) 1 265 266 1 2549 2550 Music (Schools) 398 505 903 -- -- -- Music (Instrumental) -- -- -- 10600 27957 38557 Music (Vocal) -- -- -- 5756 18063 23819 Scholar Bowl 273 407 680 2167 4940 7107 Sideline Cheer 436 543 979 4451 9577 14028 Soccer (Boys) 28 257 285 406 9105 9511 Soccer (Girls) 17 250 267 244 7783 8027 Softball (Girls - Fall) 252 340 592 2706 6050 8756 Softball (Girls - Spring) 0 155 155 0 2190 2190 Speech & Debate 63 213 276 1081 6715 7796 Swimming (Boys) 15 125 140 88 1686 1774 Swimming (Girls) 15 147 162 146 2465 2611 Tennis (Boys) 3 186 189 0 3440 3440 Tennis (Girls) 3 194 197 0 5130 5130 Theatre 8 90 98 185 2891 3076 Track (Boys) 568 549 1117 10830 17644 28474 Track (Girls) 569 552 1121 10226 13331 23557 Volleyball (Boys) 5 109 114 15 2355 2370 Volleyball (Girls) 429 479 908 6894 10828 17722 Wrestling (Boys) 236 269 505 3905 7970 11875 Wrestling (Girls) 229 245 474 1567 3133 4700 Member Schools *129 593 722 94682 240404 335086 *These figures indicate the total number of junior high schools holding separate memberships. The junior high school participation figures include all junior high schools holding separate memberships plus all junior high schools holding combined memberships with the senior high school from the district. Page 152 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK CENTRAL DISTRICT MEMBER SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS (72) Adrian* Appleton City* Archie* Ballard Blair Oaks* Boonville Bunceton* Butler* California* Calvary Lutheran Capital City Chilhowee Clinton* Cole Camp* Concordia* Crest Ridge* Dadeville Drexel* Eldon* Eugene* Fair Play* Green Ridge* Harrisonville Helias Catholic Hermitage Holden* Hume Iberia* Jamestown* Jefferson City Kingsville* Knob Noster* La Monte* Lafayette County Lakeland* Leeton* Lexington* Lincoln* Malta Bend Marshall* Miami (Amoret)* Midway* Montrose* Northwest (Hughesville)* Odessa* Osage* Osceola* Otterville* Pilot Grove* Pleasant Hill* Prairie Home* Rich Hill* Russellville* Sacred Heart* Santa Fe* Sherwood* Skyline Slater* Smith-Cotton* Smithton* St. Paul Lutheran (Concordia) Stover* Sweet Springs* Tipton* Tuscumbia* Versailles* Warrensburg* Warsaw* Weaubleau Wellington-Napoleon* Wheatland Windsor* JUNIOR HIGHS (11) Calhoun East Lynne Harrisonville Hudson Lafayette County Laura Speed Elliott Lewis and Clark McCartan Memorial Roscoe Shawnee Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson City) KANSAS CITY DISTRICT MEMBER SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS (60) Academie Lafayette Charter* Barstow Belton Blue Springs Blue Springs South Center Central (Kansas City) Cristo Rey Crossroads Prep Charter DeLaSalle Charter East (Kansas City) Ewing Marion Kauffman Charter* Excelsior Springs* Faith Christian Academy Fort Osage* Frontier School of Excellence Charter* Frontier STEM Charter* Grain Valley* Grandview* Guadalupe Centers Charter Hogan Prep Charter* Kearney* KIPP KC Legacy Charter Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit North Lee’s Summit West Liberty Liberty North Lincoln College Prep Lone Jack* Lutheran (Kansas City) North Kansas City* Northeast (Kansas City) Northland Christian Notre Dame de Sion Oak Grove Oak Park* Park Hill Park Hill South Paseo Academy* Pembroke Hill* Platte County* Raymore-Peculiar Raytown Raytown South Rockhurst Ruskin Smithville* Southeast St. Michael the Archangel Catholic St. Pius X (Kansas City) St. Teresa’s Academy Staley* Summit Christian Academy Truman* University Academy Charter* Van Horn* West Platte* William Chrisman* Winnetonka* JUNIOR HIGHS (33) AC Preparatory Belton Bernard C. Campbell Brittany Hill Center Central (Kansas City) Congress Delta Woods Discovery East Trails Foreign Language Academy Grain Valley North Heritage Hickman Mills Lakeview Liberty Lincoln College Prep Martin City Moreland Ridge Northeast (Kansas City) Oak Grove Paul Kinder Platte Purchase Plaza Pleasant Lee Raymore-Peculiar East Raymore-Peculiar South Raytown APPENDIX B 2025-2026 LISTING OF MEMBER SCHOOLS BY DISTRICTS * Indicates a junior high membership is included with high school # Indicates a school who offers no programs on its own (SLC or co-op visitor only) APPENDICES 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 153 Raytown Central Raytown South South Valley Summit Lakes Walden NORTHEAST DISTRICT MEMBER SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS (76) Atlanta* Battle Bevier* Bowling Green* Brashear* Brookfield* Brunswick* Bucklin* Canton* Centralia* Christian Fellowship* Clark County* Clopton Columbia Independent Community* Elsberry* Faith Walk Academy* # Father Tolton Regional Catholic Fayette* Frederick Douglass Fulton* Glasgow* Green City* Hallsville* Hannibal* Harrisburg* Hickman Higbee* Highland* Keytesville* Kirksville* Knox County* La Plata* Linn County* Louisiana* Macon* Macon County* Madison* Marceline* Marion County* Mark Twain* Meadville* Mexico Milan* Missouri Military Academy* Missouri School for the Deaf Moberly Monroe City* Montgomery County* New Bloomfield* New Franklin* Newtown-Harris* North Callaway* North Shelby* Northeast (Cairo)* Northwestern (Mendon)* Novinger* Palmyra* Paris* Putnam County* Rock Bridge Salisbury* Schuyler County* Scotland County* Silex* South Callaway* South Shelby* Southern Boone* Sturgeon* Troy Buchanan Van-Far Warrenton* Wellsville-Middletown* Westran* Winfield* Wright City* JUNIOR HIGHS (17) Boncl Gentry Holliday Holy Family (Hannibal) Holy Rosary (Monroe City) Immaculate Conception (Macon) Jefferson (Columbia) John B. Lange John Warner Mexico Moberly Oakland Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish Smithton (Columbia) St. Alphonsus St. Mary’s (Glasgow) West (Columbia) NORTHWEST DISTRICT MEMBER SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS (64) Albany* Benton Bishop LeBlond Bosworth* Braymer* Breckenridge* Cainsville* Cameron* Carrollton* Central (St. Joseph) Chillicothe* Craig* DeKalb* East Buchanan* Fairfax* Gallatin* Gilman City* Grundy County* Hale* Hardin-Central* Jefferson (Conception Jct.)* King City* Lafayette (St. Joseph) Lathrop* Lawson* Maryville Maysville* Mercer* Mid-Buchanan* Mound City* Nodaway-Holt* Norborne* North Andrew* North Daviess* North Harrison* North Nodaway* North Platte* Northeast Nodaway* Orrick* Osborn* Pattonsburg* Penney* Plattsburg* Polo* Princeton* Richmond* Ridgeway* Rock Port* Savannah* South Harrison* South Holt* South Nodaway* Southwest (Livingston Co.)* St. Joseph Christian* Stanberry* Stewartsville* Tarkio* Tina-Avalon* Trenton* Tri-County* Union Star* West Nodaway* Winston* Worth County* JUNIOR HIGHS (8) Avenue City Bode Livingston County Maryville Robidoux Spring Garden St. Joseph Catholic Academy Truman ST. LOUIS DISTRICT MEMBER SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS (100) Affton Bayless Believe Academy Charter Bishop DuBourg Brentwood Cardinal Ritter Central Visual & Perf. Arts Chaminade College Preparatory Christian Brothers College Clayton Collegiate School of Med/Bio Science Confluence Prep Academy Charter Cor Jesu Academy Crossroads College Preparatory De Smet Jesuit Duchesne Eureka Francis Howell Francis Howell Central Francis Howell North Ft. Zumwalt East Ft. Zumwalt North Ft. Zumwalt South Ft. Zumwalt West Gateway Gateway Science Academy Charter Grand Center Arts Academy Charter Page 154 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Hancock Hazelwood Central Hazelwood East Hazelwood West Hiram Neuwoehner # Holt* Incarnate Word Academy Jennings John Burroughs Kairos Charter KIPP St. Louis Charter Kirkwood Ladue Horton Watkins Lafayette (Wildwood) Liberty (Wentzville)* Lift for Life Academy Charter Lindbergh Lutheran North Lutheran South Lutheran St. Charles Maplewood-Richmond Heights Marquette McCluer McCluer North McKinley Classical Leadership Mehlville Metro MICDS Miller Career Academy Miriam Missouri School for the Blind Nerinx Hall Normandy Collaborative North Point* Northview # Notre Dame (St. Louis) Oakville Orchard Farm* Parkway Central Parkway North Parkway South Parkway West Pattonville Principia Priory Ritenour Riverview Gardens Rockwood Summit Roosevelt Rosati-Kain Academy Soldan International Studies Southview # St. Charles St. Charles West St. Dominic St. Joseph’s Academy St. Louis University High St. Mary’s South Side Catholic STEAM Academy at McCluer-South Berkeley Sumner The Fulton School Timberland* University City Ursuline Academy Valley Park Vashon Veritas Christian Academy Vianney Villa Duchesne* Visitation Academy Webster Groves Westminster Christian Academy Whitfield JUNIOR HIGHS (0) None SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT MEMBER SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS (31) Belle Bourbon* Camdenton* Chamois* Climax Springs Crocker* Cuba* Dixon* Fatima* Hermann* Laquey* Linn* Macks Creek* New Haven* Newburg Owensville* Pacific* Richland Rolla* Salem* St. Clair* St. Elizabeth* St. Francis Borgia St. James* Steelville* Stoutland Sullivan* Union* Vienna* Washington* Waynesville* JUNIOR HIGHS (7) Bland Dent-Phelps Green Forest North Wood Oak Hill Phelps County Richland SOUTHEAST DISTRICT MEMBER SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS (86) Advance* Arcadia Valley Bell City Bernie Bismarck Bloomfield Bunker Campbell* Caruthersville Central (Cape Girardeau)* Central (New Madrid County) Central (Park Hills)* Chaffee* Charleston* Clarkton Clearwater Cooter Crystal City* Delta (Deering) Delta DeSoto* Dexter Doniphan* East Carter East Prairie* Ellington Eminence Farmington* Festus* Fox Fredericktown* Gideon Grandview (Hillsboro)* Greenville Hayti* Herculaneum* Hillsboro* Holcomb Jackson Jefferson (Festus) Kelly* Kennett Kingston Leopold Lesterville Malden* Marquand-Zion Meadow Heights Naylor Neelyville North County North Pemiscot Northwest (Cedar Hill) Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau) Oak Ridge* Oran Perryville* Poplar Bluff Portageville* Potosi* Puxico* Richland (Essex) Risco Saxony Lutheran Scott City* Scott County Central* Seckman Senath-Hornersville* Sikeston* South Iron South Pemiscot* Southland St. Paul Lutheran (Farmington) St. Pius X (Festus) St. Vincent Ste. Genevieve* Twin Rivers Valle Catholic Valley* Van Buren Viburnum West County Windsor (Imperial)* Winona Woodland* Zalma JUNIOR HIGHS (18) Antonia Belleview APPENDICES 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 155 Caruthersville Central (New Madrid County) Danby-Rush Tower Fisk Fox Hawkins Immaculate Conception (Jackson) Kennett North County Northwest Valley Oran Poplar Bluff Qulin Ridgewood Seckman T.S. Hill (Dexter) Woodridge SOUTHWEST DISTRICT MEMBER SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS (106) Alton Ash Grove* Aurora* Ava* Bakersfield Billings* Blue Eye* Bolivar* Bradleyville Branson Bronaugh* Buffalo* Cabool Carl Junction Carthage Cassville* Central (Springfield) Chadwick Clever* Conway* Couch Crane* Diamond* Dora East Newton El Dorado Springs* Everton Exeter* Fair Grove* Fordland Forsyth* Gainesville* Galena* Glendale Gloria Deo Academy Golden City* Greenfield* Greenwood Halfway Hartville Hillcrest Hollister* Houston* Humansville Hurley* Jasper* Joplin Kickapoo Koshkonong Lamar* Lebanon* Liberal* Liberty (Mountain View)* Licking* Lockwood* Logan-Rogersville* Lutie Mansfield* Marion C. Early Marionville* Marshfield* McAuley Catholic McDonald County Miller* Monett* Mountain Grove* Mt. Vernon* Neosho* Neosho Christian* Nevada New Covenant Academy* New Heights Christian Niangua Nixa* Northeast Vernon County* Norwood Ozark* Parkview Pierce City* Plato* Pleasant Hope* Purdy* Reeds Spring Republic Sarcoxie* School of the Ozarks Seneca Seymour Sheldon Southwest (Washburn)* Sparta* Spokane* Springfield Catholic* Stockton* Strafford* Summersville Thayer* The Summit Preparatory* Thomas Jefferson Independent Day Verona Walnut Grove Webb City West Plains Wheaton Willard* Willow Springs* JUNIOR HIGHS (38) Branson Cabool Carthage Carver Central (Springfield) Cherokee East (Joplin) Granby Hickory Hills Immanuel Lutheran (Lockwood) Jarrett McDonald County Nevada Noel North (Joplin) Pershing Pineville Pipkin Pleasant View (Springfield) Reed Reeds Spring Republic Rocky Comfort Seneca South (Joplin) Southwest City St. Mary’s (Pierce City) Triway Webb City West Plains Westport White Rock Wilson's Creek 2025-26 MEMBER SUMMARY HIGH SCHOOLS - 271 JUNIOR HIGHS - 129 COMBINED - 324 NEW MEMBER SCHOOLS FOR 2026-27 1. Columbia Academy for Learning and Enrichment (CALE)* SCHOOLS DROPPING MEMBERSHIP FOR 2026-27 1. Faith Walk Academy* Page 156 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK APPENDIX C 2025-26 Affiliate Registered Schools and Home School Associations The following schools were registered as Affiliate Registered Schools or Home School Association Teams during the prior school year. Please check the MSHSAA website for confirmation of current membership status or ARS status before finalizing a contract for competition. ARS High Schools (30) Al-Salam College Preparatory High School Ballwin Cameron Christian Academy High School Cameron Chesterton Academy of St. Philip Neri High School Kansas City Chesterton Academy-St. Louis High School St. Louis Christian Academy of Greater St. Louis High School St. Louis Clinton Christian Academy High School Clinton Crosspoint Christian High School Pacific Eagle Ridge Christian High School Cape Girardeau El Dorado Christian High School El Dorado Springs Eminence Christian High School Eminence Farm School KC High School Kansas City Gateway Legacy Christian Academy High School Florissant Heartland Christian (Belton) Academy High School Belton Heartland Christian (Bethel) High School Bethel Libertas Christian Academy High School Farmington Liberty Christian Academy High School Wright City Lighthouse Preparatory Academy High School Jefferson City Link Academy High School Branson Logos High School St. Louis Maranatha Baptist Academy High School St. Robert New Hope Christian Academy High School Silva North County Christian High School Florissant Plaza Heights Christian Academy High School Blue Springs Polk County Christian High School Bolivar Providence Academy High School St. Louis St. Vincent de Paul Academy High School Kansas City Sunnydale Adventist Academy High School Centralia The Daniel Academy High School Kansas City Thomas Jefferson (Sunset Hills) High School Sunset Hills Westwood Baptist Academy High School Poplar Bluff ARS Junior High Schools (217) Al-Salam Day Junior HIgh School Ballwin Alton Junior High School Alton Arcadia Valley Middle School Ironton Avilla Junior High School Avilla Ballard Junior High School Butler Barstow Junior High School Kansas City Bell City Junior High School Bell City Bernie Junior High School Bernie Bishop Hogan Memorial Junior High School Chillicothe Bismarck Junior High School Bismarck Bloomfield Junior High School Bloomfield Bradleyville Junior High School Bradleyville Brookside Charter Junior High School Kansas City ARS Junior High Schools, Continued Bunker Junior High School Bunker Callao Junior High School Callao Chadwick Junior High School Chadwick Chilhowee Junior High School Chilhowee Christian Chapel Academy Junior High School Columbia City Garden Middle School Columbia Clarksburg Middle School Clarksburg Clearwater Junior High School Piedmont Climax Springs Junior High School Climax Springs Clinton Christian Academy Junior High School Clinton Clopton Junior High School Clarksville Columbia Independent Junior High School Columbia Cooter Junior High School Cooter Cowgill Junior High School Cowgill Dadeville Junior High School Dadeville Davis R-12 Elementary Clinton Dayspring Christian (Springfield) Junior High School Springfield De Smet Jesuit Junior High School Creve Couer Delta Junior High School Delta Delta (Deering) Junior High School Deering Dora Junior High School Dora East Carter Junior High School Ellsinore El Dorado Christian Junior High School El Dorado Springs Ellington Junior High School Ellington Eminence Christian Junior High School Eminence Eminence Junior High School Eminence Everton Junior High School Everton Fairview Junior High School West Plains Faith Christian Academy Junior High School Kansas City Faith Lutheran Junior High School Kirksville Fordland Junior High School Fordland Franklin County R-II Junior High School New Haven Gasconade Junior High School Falcon Gideon Junior High School Gideon Gilliam Junior High School Gilliam Glenwood Junior High School West Plains Gloria Deo Academy Junior High School Springfield Greenville Junior High School Greenville Greenwood Junior High School Springfield Guardian Angel Junior High School Oran Halfway Junior High School Halfway Hardeman R-10 Junior High School Marshall Hartville Middle School Hartville Heartland Christian (Bethel) Acad. Junior High School Bethel Hermitage Middle School Hermitage APPENDICES 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 157 ARS Junior High Schools, Continued High Point Junior High School California Holcomb Junior High School Holcomb Holy Rosary (Clinton) Junior High School Clinton Holy Rosary (Warrenton) Junior HIgh School Warrenton Howell Valley Junior High School West Plains Humansville Middle School Humansville Hume Junior High School Hume Immaculate Conception (Jeff City) Junior High School Jefferson City Immaculate Conception (Loose Creek) Jr. High School Loose Creek Immaculate Conception (Montgomery City) Jr. H. Sch. Montgomery City Immaculate Conception (Old Monroe) Jr. High School Old Monroe Immaculate Conception (Union) Junior High School Union Immanuel Lutheran (Higginsville) Junior High School Higginsville Joel E. Barber Middle School Lebanon Junction Hill Junior High School West Plains Kansas City Girls Prep Academy Junior High Kansas City KC International Academy Charter Jr. High Kansas City Kelso Junior High School Benton Kingston Junior High School Kingston Kingston (Cadet) Junior High School Cadet KIPP Endeavor Junior High School Kansas City Kirbyville Middle School Kirbyville Koshkonong Junior High School Koshkonong Laredo Junior High School Laredo Latham Junior High School Latham Leesville Junior High School Clinton Legacy Academy Junior High School Branson Leopold Junior High School Leopold Lesterville Junior High School Lesterville Libertas Christian Academy Junior High School Farmington Lonedell Junior High School Lonedell Lutheran School (Cole Camp) Association Jr. H. School Cole Camp Malta Bend Junior High School Malta Bend Marion C. Early Junior High School Morrisville Mark Twain (Rueter) Junior High School Rueter Marquand-Zion Junior High School Marquand Mary Immaculate Junior High School Kirksville Meadow Heights Junior High School Patton Miami Junior High School Miami Middle Grove Junior High School Madison Mighty Kingdom Academy Junior High School Hermann Mirabile K-8 School Polo Missouri School for the Deaf Junior High School Fulton Naylor Junior High School Naylor Neelyville Junior High School Neelyville Nell Holcomb Junior High School Cape Girardeau New Heights Christian Junior High School Joplin New York Junior High School Hamilton Newburg Junior High School Newburg Niangua Junior High School Niangua North Pemiscot Junior High School Wardell Northland Christian Junior High School Kansas City ARS Junior High Schools, Continued Norwood Junior High School Norwood Oakwood Academy Junior High School Aurora Orearville Junior High School Slater Pemiscot Co. R-III Junior High School Caruthersville Pettis County R-XII (Dresden) Junior High School Sedalia Plainview R-8 Elementary School Ava Pleasant View R-VI (Trenton) Junior High School Trenton Polk County Christian Junior High School Bolivar Prairie Song Academy Junior High School Kirksville Priory Junior High School St. Louis Providence Academy Junior High School St. Louis Raymondville Elementary School Raymondville Renick Junior HIgh School Renick Richards Junior High School West Plains Richland (Essex) Junior High School Essex Richwoods Junior High School Richwoods Risco Junior High School Risco River Oak Christian Academy Junior High School Jefferson City Round Grove Christian Academy Junior High School Miller Saint Therese Junior High School Kansas City Saints Peter and Paul Middle School Boonville School of the Ozarks Junior High School Point Lookout Seymour Junior High School Seymour Sheldon Junior High School Sheldon Shell Knob Junior High School Shell Knob Skyline (Norwood) Junior High School Norwood Skyline (Urbana) Junior High School Urbana South Iron Junior High School Annapolis Spring Bluff Junior High School Sullivan Springfield Lutheran Junior High School Springfield St. Ambrose Catholic Junior High School Chaffee St. Andrew Junior High School Tipton St. Anthony Catholic Junior High School Sullivan St. Augustine Junior High School Kelso St. Brendan Junior High School Mexico St. Bridget of Kildare Junior High School Pacific St. Clement Junior High School Bowling Green St. Denis Junior High School Benton St. Eustachius Junior High School Portageville St. Francis Xavier (Sikeston) Junior High School Sikeston St. George Catholic (Hermann) Junior High School Hermann St. George Catholic (Linn) Junior High School Linn St. Gregory Barbarigo Junior High School Maryville St. Henry Junior High School Charleston St. John's Lutheran (Hannibal) Junior High School Hannibal St. Joseph (Farmington) Junior High School Farmington St. Joseph (Martinsburg) School Martinsburg St. Joseph (Pilot Grove) Junior High School Pilot Grove St. Joseph (Salisbury) Junior High School Salisbury St. Joseph (Scott City) Junior High School Scott City St. Joseph Cathedral Junior High School Jefferson City St. Joseph Catholic (Westphalia) Junior High School Westphalia Page 158 2026-27 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK ARS Junior High Schools, Continued St. Martin Junior High School Jefferson City St. Mary (Frankenstein) Junior High School Bonnots Mill St. Mary Cathedral Junior High School Cape Girardeau St. Mary's (Montrose) Junior High School Montrose St. Patrick Catholic (Rolla) Junior High School Rolla St. Paul Lutheran (Concordia) Junior HIgh School Concordia St. Paul Lutheran (Farmington) Junior High School Farmington St. Paul Lutheran (Jackson) Junior High School Jackson St. Paul Lutheran (St. Joseph) Junior High School St. Joseph St. Paul Lutheran (Stover) Junior High School Stover St. Peter (Jefferson City) Junior High School Jefferson City St. Peter (Marshall) Junior High School Marshall St. Peter Catholic Junior High School Fulton St. Peter's (Joplin) Middle School Joplin St. Pius X (Moberly) Junior High School Moberly St. Stanislaus Junior High School Jefferson City St. Teresa Junior High School Campbell St. Vincent de Paul Junior High School Cape Girardeau St. Vincent Junior High School Perryville Stoutland Junior High School Stoutland Strain-Japan Junior High School Sullivan Strasburg Middle School Strasburg Success Junior High School Success Summersville Junior High School Summersville Summit Christian Academy Junior High School Lee's Summit Sunrise Middle School Desoto Swedeborg Junior High School Richland Taneyville Junior High School Taneyville The Kings Academy Junior High School Lake Ozark Thomas Jefferson Independent Day Junior High School Joplin Tri-County Christian Junior HIgh School Macon Trinity Lutheran (Alma) Junior High School Alma Trinity Lutheran (Cape Girardeau) Junior High School Cape Girardeau Trinity Lutheran (Freistatt) Junior High School Freistatt Trinity Lutheran (Jefferson City) Junior High School Jefferson City Troy Middle School Troy Troy South Middle School Moscow Mills United in Christ Lutheran Junior High School Frohna Van Buren Junior High School Van Buren Van-Far Junior High School Vandalia Veritas Christian Academy Middle School O'Fallon Verona Junior High School Verona Viburnum Junior High School Viburnum Visitation Inter-Parish Junior High School Vienna Walnut Grove Junior High School Walnut Grove Warrensburg Christian Junior High School Warrensburg Weaubleau Junior High School Weaubleau West St. Francois County Junior High School Park Hills Westview Junior High School Neosho Wheatland Junior High School Wheatland Wheaton Junior High School Wheaton Junior High Home School Association Teams (10) Central Missouri JH HSA Columbia Hannibal Area Home Educators Junior High HSA New London Lighthouse Christian Academy Junior High HSA Nixa Mineral Area Junior High Home School Association Farmington Missouri Warriors Basketball JH HSA Ozark SEMO Homeschool Sports Junior High HSA Morley Southern Missouri RUSH Jr. High Home School Assn Nixa St. Louis Blue Knights Jr. High Home School Assn. Wentzville St. Louis Christian (Leslie) Jr. High Home Sch. Assn. Florissant St. Louis Lightning Sports Junior High HSA St. Charles Senior High Home School Association Teams (18)