Virginia High School League (VHSL)

Section 126-136 Academic Activities

Section 110-116 Speech Activities

Section 120-122 Literary Activities

-170- Dramatic Activities SECTION 100: INTRODUCTION. 100-1-1 Sponsored Activity -The League sponsors a competitive interscholastic pro- gram within groups leading to sectional, super-regional and state recognition in one form of dramatic activity: Theatre Festival. 100-2-1 Purpose and School Participation -The general purpose of this program is to stimulate interest and participation in dramatic art as a means of furthering the cultural and educational development of students in Virginia high schools. This purpose is best served when a large number of schools engage in the program on school sectional levels. The theatre festival program is intended to motivate the development of a broad school drama program in which many students participate as well as to provide a means of evaluating and improving standards of school dramatic performance. Notes: (1) Virtually all schools include in their o ff ering some form of dramatic activity, usu- ally of the co-curricular type, such as class plays, club skits and the like. Few are able to provide opportunities for participation in dramatic art for all who might enjoy or pro fi t from this experience. The theatre festival serves as a means of stimulating school interest in a type of vehicle which can be produced in a comparatively short time at little expense, so that a number of plays, rather than a few, may be included in the school's drama calendar. A bill of three short plays, produced by the players of the same school or of neighboring schools, has proved to be a popular means of increasing the number of participants in the drama program as well as an e ff ective means of providing general school and community entertainment. (2) The principal should formulate plans for his/her school’s participation in the theatre festival early in the school year and he/she should select the teacher or sponsor who will be in charge of the program well in advance of the dates for the sectional/super-regional festivals. As a general rule, four to six weeks are required for preparation and preliminary presentations before school and community audiences. The principal should also allow stu- dents and faculty who are participating in sectional, super-regional and state festivals the time and opportunity to participate in the total festival as audience and observers or critiques. 100-3-1 Program -The League’s dramatic art program consists of a series of theatre festivals conducted on optional sectional, regional, required super-regional and state levels within groups. Each participating school selects a play, in accordance with the regulations and suggestions given in Sections 100 and 101, and enters it in the appropriate sectional festival, if available, or in the appropriate regional or super-regional festival. Schools receiving fi rst and second place awards in sectionals opting to hold a sectional festival and all interested schools in sectionals not opting to hold a sectional festival are eligible for participation in the regional or super-regional festivals; schools opting to be rated for possible advancement to the state festival and receiving fi rst place in the regional festival or fi rst and second place awards in the super-regional festivals are eligible for participation in the state festival. A school may not change plays between rounds of competition. If a fi rst or second-place school is unable to advance to the regional, super-regional or state competition, the second or third-place school in the appropriate sectional, regional or super-regional festival may compete at the next level. No replacements beyond third-place schools shall be permitted. -171- 100-3-2 Schools in sectionals which do not hold a festival must make known their desire to participate. 100-4-1 Aids to Coaches and Sponsors -Whenever circumstances make it possible, the League sponsors clinics on dramatic and speech activities in various sections of the state. SECTION 101: THEATRE FESTIVALS. 101-1-1 Selection -Any script, including musical theatre, children's theatre and mime, may be selected and used in theatre festivals provided it meets the following quali fi cations: (1) An entry may not exceed 45 minutes, inclusive of set, playing time, and strike. No grace period will be granted for productions that exceed 45 minutes at any sectional, regional, super-regional or state festival. (a) Timing begins with the festival director's instruction to begin set. Timing stops when the strike is complete, meaning all production items are back in the school space designated by the festival director. (2) An entry may not have been presented at a VHSL regional or state festival by the same producing school during the last two years. (3) The school must have secured the necessary permission to perform a published selection, including payment of royalty if any, from the author or publisher. (4) The school submitting a play -- published or unpublished -- for theatre competi- tion must fully credit the author(s). If unpublished, the following guidelines shall apply: (a) An original play must either be conceived in full by the director and/or cast, or receive necessary veri fi cation from the author that the work is unpublished and original, and that the school has permission from the author to perform the work. (b) An adaptation, in full or in part, must cite the written or oral source(s) of the story in the program. The dramatic/theatrical realization of adapted sources must be conceived by the director and/or cast; otherwise, images and moments seen from another production must have permission for creative use. Any part of the play taken from another original play, protected published work or work existing in manuscript form only must have permission from the source or author(s) and be acknowledged in the program. (c) In entering original work, the director must sign o ff on these guidelines on the festival entry form. Appropriate sources/references must be given in the festival program. If the competing school is found to be in violation of these guidelines (i.e. theatrical plagiarism as opposed to copyright infringement for published works) the school shall be disquali fi ed from the festival. (5) Proof of required permission to perform a published play or an unpublished ad- aptation from another source must be presented to the festival director prior to performance. (6) If a school uses a cutting from a full-length script, it may not be a scene from a full-length production the school has performed during the current school year. DRAMATIC ACTIVITIES -172- 101-1-2 The choice of the script is important. The principal's signature on the entry form shall indicate approval of material to be performed. Competition directors will not disqualify a selection approved by the principal unless editing or performance decisions signi fi cantly alter the selection after approval has been given. Note : It is important that coaches review questionable content, language, use of fi rearms or other weapons or use of tobacco or other drug with the principal prior to perfor- mance. 101-1-3 Any editing of published work must be honest to the original text. No changes or deletions in the text, lyrics, music, title or gender of the characters shall be made for the purpose of production unless permission is granted by author or author's representative. This includes changes or updating the time and place/setting of the play. 101-1-4 Each school participating in a sectional, regional, super-regional, or state festival must bring a copy of its script to the festival site. 101-1-5 If a challenge of material, performance, royalty, or publication is made, and the competition director deems the challenge is legitimate, a school representative must provide the script on the spot. If the script is not made available immediately, the school will be disquali fi ed. Note : If a school is producing a cutting from a full-length play, both the original, full-length script and the cutting must be brought to the festival site. 101-1-6 All challenges involving material, performance, royalty or publication status will be settled at the sectional, regional, super-regional or state level where the challenge was made. 101-2-1 Rules and Regulations -In all theatre festivals both individual representatives and member schools are required to observe and comply with all League rules and regula- tions set forth in Sections 26 through 33 of this Handbook , with the exception of those that make speci fi c reference to athletics, as well as with those rules and regulations which govern the theatre festival program as set forth in Sections 100 and 101. All members of the cast and crew, as well as any person providing live music as part of the performance, must meet eligibility requirements. Violations of any of these rules render the o ff ender liable to such disciplinary action as the appropriate sectional, regional or state committee may impose. 101-2-2 Adult directors' participation at VHSL festivals must cease when the set is complete and may resume after the play time ends. Adult directors may take part in pre- performance production meetings, set and strike. Adult directors must not assist backstage or in the sound/light booth during the performance, as such tasks are considered work of crew. 101-2-3 Four critic judges shall be used at all League theatre festivals; however, if a festival director cannot secure four critic judges, or a secured judge cancels at the last minute, he/she may go ahead with the festival with three judges with the noti fi cation of all participating schools. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -173- DRAMATIC ACTIVITIES 101-2-4 Each critic judge shall rank and score each production without consulting with the other judges. The tournament director or designee shall then compile the results, drop- ping the low rank/score combination for each production (rank/score is not dropped if fewer than four judges are used). The production with the lowest total of three ranks shall be declared the winner and the school with the second lowest total the runner-up. In the event of a tie in total rank, the decision will be given to the tied production with the highest total of the three scores. In the event there is still a tie, the dropped ranks will be added for the tied productions, and if there is still a tie, the dropped scores will be added. If there is still a tie, all judges will consult in making a decision. 101-2-5 Each judge shall also rate each production as superior, excellent or good, and the three highest ratings will be averaged to determine an overall rating for each play. 101-3-1 Festivals -Each school is limited to one entry in a state advancing competi- tion. Each entry will have at least two opportunities to participate prior to the culminating state event. Each Region Council determines their regions format. Festival regulations and procedures are given in this section. The speci fi c time, place and date for the festival is determined by the festival director, who is approved by the Region Council. The names of the festival director and critic judges must be reported to the League O ffi ce at least two weeks in advance of the festival. Approval or disapproval of the critic judges selected if not on the list of recommended critic judges sent to the festival director will be sent within 48 hours if the backgrounds of the persons selected are given. The director is responsible for the conduct of the festival in accordance with League regulations. He/she is supplied by the League O ffi ce with a festival kit, containing all necessary instructions, critic judges’ rating forms and supplies, well in advance of the deadline date for the festival. Note: The format for festivals may include sectionalizing at the region level or conducting a super-regional at the post-region level. A super-region consists of two regions. Groups choosing the super-region option must, prior to the beginning of the season, determine the rotation of region pairings and hosting responsibility. 101-4-2 Schools whose productions receive fi rst and second place awards in section- als opting to hold a festival and up to two schools in sectionals opting not to hold a festival are eligible to participate in regional or super-regional festivals. However, a Region Council may, prior to the beginning of the season, approve more than two schools advancing from sectionals which do not hold festivals. If a sectional does not hold a festival and the region or super-region does not opt prior to the beginning of the season to permit more than two schools to advance, it is up to the sectional to determine by some other system which schools will advance. A qualifying school may not change plays between rounds. (See 100-4-1.) 101-5-1 State Festival -A state theatre festival for all classes shall be held annually on dates speci fi ed on the VHSL Activities Calendar. Only those schools opting to be rated for possible advancement to the state competition and whose productions receive fi rst-place awards in region and fi rst and second-place awards in the super-regional festival shall be eligible to perform those plays in the state festival. (See 100-4-1.) Regions shall not advance more than one school and super-regions shall not advance more than two schools to the state festival; therefore, they must resolve ties or disputes in accordance with policies in the VHSL Theatre Resource Guide since only one school may qualify from region and two schools may qualify from each super-region to state. -174- 101-5-2 Each school participating in the state festival should carefully adapt its production for presentation on the festival stage. Because of the tight scheduling involved in the state festival, schools are reminded that there will be no time for rehearsal at the festival stage. Each producing group will set up immediately before it performs. 101-6-1 Festival Regulations and Procedures -Only entries submitted on the o ffi cial entry form, properly certi fi ed by the school principal, and received by the deadline date for entry, shall be accepted. 101-6-2 A production shall be eligible for entry only if (1) it does not exceed 45 minutes in total time, inclusive of set, playing time, and strike and (2) it has not been presented at a VHSL sectional, regional, super-regional or state festival by the same producing school during the last two years. 101-6-3 The order of presentation shall be determined by the festival director. 101-6-4 Speci fi cations of the festival stage will be sent to all entering schools. All produc- tions shall, if possible, be presented before a curtain backdrop. 101-6-5 Use of microphones are prohibited for actors on stage, backstage and from the booth, as well as for special e ff ects requiring ampli fi cation. Special e ff ects may be pre- recorded and played from backstage, from the booth or produced live without the use of a microphone. Use of a non-live microphone as a prop only is permitted. 101-6-6 Use of Weapons -Any school using weapons in its performance must use simu- lated or dummy weapons, and follow established safety regulations for the use of same. State and federal laws must be honored at all times. Selected state laws pertaining to fi rearms may be accessed at https://www.vsp.virginia.gov/Firearms_StateLaws.shtm. 101-6-7 Participating schools shall provide their own costumes, make-up and all stage and hand properties. All items must be self-supporting. The festival director shall provide a trained stage crew to assist the group’s technical sta ff . 101-6-8 All expenses of travel, board, lodging and royalties shall be defrayed by partici- pating schools or their participants. Note: The foregoing regulations and procedures shall govern sectional, regional, super-regional and state festivals. 101-7-1 Bases for Critic Judges’ Evaluations -The criteria for evaluation shall include, but not be limited to: execution of direction, acting and ensemble e ff ect. 101-7-2 Execution of direction shall include: casting, blocking, interpretation of dramatic values and realization of the playwright’s intent. 101-7-3 Acting shall include: characterization, interpretation, focus, concentration, ar- ticulation and movement. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -175- DRAMATIC ACTIVITIES 101-7-4 The focus of the critic judges’ evaluation shall be on the above criteria rather than on such incidental elements as costumes, sets, properties and lighting. An oral critique of each production shall be given after all schools have completed their performances. 101-8-1 Penalties -Any production that exceeds the maximum of 45 minutes, inclusive of set, playing time, and strike, at any sectional, regional, super-regional or state festival shall not be eligible to advance to the next level of competition, or receive a fi rst or second place ranking. Any school that does not secure permission from the publisher to produce the competition play and pay applicable royalties will be disquali fi ed from competition. 101-9-1 Awards -Each Regional Council shall adopt a program of awards for its theatre festival competition. The Virginia High School League shall present trophies to fi rst and second place productions at the state festival, and medals shall be presented to individuals whose number shall not exceed four selected by the judges for their outstanding performances. -176- Speech Activities SECTION 110: INTRODUCTION. 110-1-1 Contests -The League sponsors a competitive interschool program within groups, leading to regional, super-regional and state championships in 10 speech contests of two types, grouped for competitive purposes, and four debate formats, as follows: (1) Speaking: Extemporaneous Speaking on Foreign and Domestic A ff airs, Original Oratory and Impromptu Speaking. (2) Oral Interpretation: Storytelling, Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, Seri- ous Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Dramatic Interpretation, Serious Duo Interpretation of Literature and Humorous Duo Interpretation of Literature. (3) Debate: Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, Student Congress and Public Forum. 110-2-1 Purpose -The general purpose of these contests is to motivate participation in and to improve the level of speech and debate activities among Virginia high school students. This purpose may be served e ff ectively only when a large number of students participate on the school level. 110-3-1 School Participation -Speech contests are closely related to curricular o ff erings and should be deeply rooted in the instructional program of the school. Principals are urged to plan a school speech program and to encourage student participation. It is recommended that the principal: 110-3-2 Discuss and review plans for school participation in speech and debate activi- ties at a meeting of the faculty held early in the school year and present these plans to a subsequent student assembly. 110-3-3 Appoint a teacher to sponsor and develop the school program and to coach participants therein. It is recommended that this sponsor be appointed early in the school year and that he/she be encouraged to attend conferences conducted for speech sponsors and coaches. 110-3-5 Request all teachers, especially those instructing in English, speech and drama, to cooperate in the selection of promising students in their classes for participation in pre- liminary and school speech and debate meets. 110-4-1 Aid to Coaches and Sponsors -To assist individual coaches and sponsors of speech activities in preparing their students for participation in the several contests, the League conducts conferences and clinics when practicable. These are usually held in the fall in cooperation with interested colleges and universities throughout the state. The date, time, place and program for these conferences are announced on the VHSL website. Specialists in the fi eld of speech lead discussions of problems common to speech and debate coaches and sponsors and suggest ways and means by which the program may be made more ef- fective in the school. -177- 110-5-1 Kits -A kit of materials and instructions containing the essential administrative items required in the conduct of a speech or debate meet is supplied by the League O ffi ce to directors of regional and super-regional meets. 110-6-1 Rules and Regulations -In all speech and debate contests, both individual representatives and member schools shall observe and comply with League rules and regulations set forth in Sections 26 through 33 of this Handbook , except those that apply exclusively to athletes, as well as with those rules which govern each speci fi c contest as set forth in Section 110 through 119. Violations of any of these rules render the o ff ender liable to such disciplinary action as the appropriate Regional Committee may impose. 110-6-2 In regional, super-regional and state contests, the judges shall determine at least fi rst-, second-and third-place winners in speech, fi rst- and second-place in policy debate, fi rst- and second-place in Public Forum, and fi rst-, second-, third- and fourth-place winners in Lincoln-Douglas debate; and fi rst, second, third and fourth place winners in Student Congress. No ties shall be declared for any awards or alternates in regional, super-regional or state contests. Each region shall be responsible for resolving disputes in accordance with policies in the VHSL Speech and Debate Resource Guides so that no more than three individual entries per event in speech, three in policy debate, three in Public Forum, four in Lincoln-Douglas debate and twelve in Student Congress advance to state. SECTION 111: SPEECH MEETS. 111-1-1 Program -The League program in speech activities consists of a series of meets conducted on school, regional, super-regional and state levels. The program for individual events (speaking and oral interpretation) culminates with the state meets held annually. Note : A super-region consists of two regions. Each level (region or state) must determine the rotation of region pairings and hosting responsibility prior to the beginning of the season. 111-1-2 The program originates within each member school desiring to participate. Each school may enter two students or duo teams per category, not to exceed seventeen total entries in the regional meet. 111-1-3 Tournament Format -First, second and third place regional winners are eligible to compete in the super-regional contests. If a fi rst, second or third place team or individual is unable to advance to the super-regional tournament, the fourth alternate team or individual in the appropriate regional tournament may compete at the next level and will be inserted in the schematic pairings in the vacated spot without regard to protection. If the fourth alternate team or individual is unable to advance to the super-regional tournament, the fi rth alternate team or individual in the appropriate regional tournament may compete at the next level and will be inserted in the schematic pairings in the vacated spot without regard to protection. No replacements beyond fi fth place teams or individuals shall be permitted. First, second and third place super-regional winners are eligible to compete in the state championship meet held annually on the dates speci fi ed in the VHSL Activities Calendar. If a fi rst, second or third place team or individual is unable to advance to the state tournament, the fourth place team or individual in the appropriate super-regional tournament may compete at the next level and will be inserted in the schematic pairings in the vacated spot without regard to protection. No replacements beyond fourth place teams or individuals shall be permitted. SPEECH ACTIVITIES -178- (a) Speech competitors advancing from the regional to the super-regional meet and from the super-regional to the state meet are expected to participate at the next level except in emergency situations. A discretionary drop, as opposed to an emergency drop, must be completed at least one week prior to the super-regional or state tournament, or it will be considered a sportsmanship violation and is to be addressed under Handbook rules 27-13-11 and 27-13-12 (7). (b) Schools are not permitted to make substitutions for competitors who are unable to advance, excxept for one-half of a duo interpretation team when that participant's withdrawal could not have been anticipated. (c) Such circumstances as illness or an unexpected family commitment may justify a substitution. A substitution will not be allowed for a duo team member who is aware of another commitment on the dates of the super-regional or state tournament at the time of entry into the regional tournament. (d) If a substitution for one member of a duo team is necessary, the principal may contact the League o ffi ce in writing and explain the circumstances, giving the name of the student unable to attend the tournament and the name of that student's replacement. The decision on the substitution will be based on the information given. (e) If a fi rst-, second- or third-place team or individual is unable to advance to the super-regional or state tournament, the fourth-place alternate in the appropriate regional or super-regional tournament may compete at the next level and will be inserted in the schematic pairings in the vacated spot provided that the alternate placement is made given four days advanced notice (or Tuesday at 12 noon for tournaments held on Saturday). No replace- ments beyond fourth-place teams or individuals shall be permitted. 111-2-1 Meet Regulations and Procedures -A meet shall consist of ten separate con- tests, as follows: extemporaneous speaking on foreign and domestic a ff airs, original oratory, impromptu speaking, storytelling, prose interpretation, poetry interpretation, serious dramatic interpretation, humorous dramatic interpretation, serious duo interpretation of literature and humorous duo interpretation of literature. 111-3-1 Regional Meets -Regional speech meets shall be held not later than the deadline date speci fi ed in the VHSL Activities Calendar to determine regional championships in each of the contests comprising the meet and to qualify winners for participation in the super-regional meet. Failure of a region to conduct a meet on or before this deadline date shall disqualify regional winners from participation in the super-regional meets. Note : Subject to region council approval, a tournament director may establish a drop-dead deadline and refuse to accept additional entries. To impose the drop-dead deadline, the director must inform the school principal or speech coach by telephone, fax or email at least 24 hours in advance of the deadline that additional entries will not be permitted after the deadline. 111-4-1 Director Attendance (9-95) -Every regional and super-regional speech director shall attend one of the speech rules clinics. If a director is unable to attend, the region or super-region should consider replacing him/her. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -179- SPEECH ACTIVITIES 111-4-2 Each school is limited to a maximum of two entries in each of the contests comprising the regional meet, with each school limited to no more than seventeen entries total. No student shall represent his/her school in more than one contest. 111-4-3 Tournament directors may wish to appoint a rules committee of three diverse, knowledgeable coaches, plus alternates, in the event there is a con fl ict of interest, to assist in the review of any dispute over rules violations (other than tabulations and time violations) prior to distribution of awards. 111-4-4 Regional meets shall be structured following one of four options: (1) Option A: Regional speech meets shall consist of three preliminary rounds of competition followed by a fi nal championship round. Multiple sections of no more than six competitors per event per round shall be used. At the conclusion of the three preliminary rounds, the six fi nalists will be announced in each event. The fi nal round will immediately follow the posting. One judge shall be used for each preliminary round and three judges shall be used for each fi nal championship round. Judges shall not see the same event more than once per tournament. (2) Option B: Regional speech meets shall consist of three rounds of competition. This could be three consecutive rounds of competition or two preliminary rounds followed by a fi nal round of six competitors. Multiple sections of no more than six competitors per event per round shall be used. If there are three consecutive rounds, two judges shall be used for each round. If there are two preliminary rounds followed by a fi nal round, two judges shall be used in the preliminaries and three judges shall be used in the fi nal round. One judge shall not see the same event more than once per tournament. (3) Option C: A two-round speech tournament shall be used at the regional level. Multiple sections of no more than six competitors per event per round shall be used. At least two judges should evaluate each round with no judge judging the same event more than once in a tournament. (4) Option D: If fewer than eight competitors participate in each event of the re- gional speech tournament, a one-round tournament may be used at the regional level. If a one-round format is used, three judges shall be used. When eight or more contestants are scheduled to compete in any event, tourna- ment directors are encouraged to conduct a three-round tournament. Likewise, if an event has eighteen or more competitors, tournament directors are encouraged to schedule a fi nal round made up of the top six competitors from the initial three rounds of competition. Three judges should be used for any fi nal round. 111-5-1 Super-Regional Meets -Super-regional speech meets shall be held not later than the deadline date speci fi ed in the VHSL Activities Calendar to determine super-regional championships in each of the contests comprising the meet and to qualify winners for par- ticipation in the state meet. Failure of a super-region to conduct a meet on or before the deadline date shall disqualify regional winners from participation in the state meets. Note: A super-region consists of two regions. Groups must, prior to the beginning of the season, determine the rotation of region pairings and hosting responsibility. -180- PM 111-4-1, 111-5-1 SPEECH/Director Attendance (9-95) -Every regional and super- region speech director shall attend one of the speech rules clinics. If a director is unable to attend, the region or super-region should consider replacing him/her. 111-5-2 First, second and third place winners in each regional meet are eligible to com- pete in the super-regional meet. 111-5-3 Meet regulations and procedures are given hereafter in this section. The speci fi c date, time and place of the meet is determined by the appropriate Regional Council, which likewise designated the meet director. The director is responsible for the conduct of the meet in accordance with League regulations. He/she is supplied by the League o ffi ce with a meet kit well in advance of the deadline date for the meet. 111-5-4 Procedures for super-regional meets parallel in general those followed in regional meets. Super-regions may choose any one of the four options listed in Section 111-4-4 for conducting the regional speech tournament. Super-regions are encouraged to have at least a two-round tournament to determine super-regional championships and to qualify winners for participation in the state meet. 111-6-1 Honorarium and Travel Expense -Experience has shown that Region Councils which pay judges an honorarium plus travel expense fi nd the judging situation to be much improved. 111-7-1 State Meets -State meets for all groups shall be held not later than the deadline dates speci fi ed in the VHSL Activities Calendar to determine state championships in each of the contests comprising the meet. Entrants shall be the fi rst, second and third place winners of super-regional contests. In addition to declaring fi rst, second and third place individual champions in each event by group classi fi cation, a team champion and runner-up shall be determined. 111-8-1 General Judging and Scoring Procedures -The following procedure for judging and scoring are in place for all speech competitions. (1) Independently and without conferring, judges shall rank each individual performer 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., assigning Rank 1 to the best overall performer, Rank 2 to the next best per- former, and so on, being careful to avoid any ties in ranking. (2) Judges shall also assign each performer a numerical score from 70-100. If there is a violation of the time limit, there is no scoring penalty, but no judge may rank or score that performer fi rst in the round. (3) The tournament director will tabulate the results and prepare a cumulative score sheet. If a fi nal-round format is used, ranks/scores for the fi nal round should be added to ranks/scores for preliminary rounds to determine fi nal placement. (4) The fi rst criterion for determining the order of fi nish is each performer's cumula- tive ranking. The performer with the lowest overall ranking is the fi rst-place fi nisher, the next lowest ranking is second, etc. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -181- SPEECH ACTIVITIES (5) In the event of a tie in total ranking, the cumulative numerical scores of the tied performers will be compared, with the greatest score being the highest fi nisher and so on. If the tied performers' numerical scores are also identical, the tie should be broken fi rst by reinserting any dropped ranks, second by reinserting any dropped scores, and then by counting the number of fi rst place ranks each performer received, the number of second place ranks, etc. until the tie is broken. (6) When an odd number of entries or last-minute drops prevent balanced sections of an event, the Tab Room needs to adjust ranks to avoid penalizing lower fi nishers in the larger section. No competitor in either section should be ranked lower than the lowest rank in the smaller section (for example, four competitors in one section would be ranked 1, 2, 3, 4 and six competitors in the other section ranked 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4). No adjustment would be made in the scores. Note : The following scoring system may be used by regions and super-regions if they so desire. It is particularly appropriate when multiple rounds/judges are employed. (7) To eliminate extreme disparities, the worst of the six rankings in preliminary rounds will be dropped and reinstated only when necessary to break a tie. This means ranks/ scores are only dropped in a three round plus fi nal tournament. The fi ve remaining judges' ranking of each entry are totaled for a cumulative rank. For example, a student receives three fi rst-place ranks, one second-place rank, one third-place rank and one sixth-place rank from the judges; the Tab Room drops the lowest (the sixth-place), totals the remaining ranks, and assigns an overall rank of 8. The six entries earning the highest rankings would advance to the fi nals. If there is a tie for the last spot, the fi ve numerical scores (excluding the score given by the judge who gave the lowest ranking) would be added for each of the entries involved in the tie, and the entry with the highest score would advance. (8) Following the fi nal round, the three additional ranks will be added to the fi ve best preliminary ranks to determine the fi nal overall rank for each entry, with the lowest rank total place fi rst, second lowest placing second, etc. In the event of a tie, the three numeri- cal scores earned in the fi nals would be added to the fi ve preliminary scores (excluding the score given by the judge who gave the lowest ranking) for those students tied to determine their fi nal placing, with the higher numerical total placing ahead of a lower total. If both total rank and total numerical scores are tied, then the lowest ranks are reinstate; if still tied, the lowest numerical scores are reinstated; if still tied, a progressive comparision of the total number of fi rst-place ranks is made, then second, third, etc. (9) Because of potential tabulation errors following preliminary rounds when a fi nal-round format is used, an audit to ensure that all students who qualify for the fi nals are permitted to participate shall be conducted. A comparison of computer tabulations and hand tabulations (if both systems are used) will be considered an audit. Otherwise, the following system will be used: (a) An audit of preliminary results is required after the fi nal round begins by a team of coaches not involved in the original tabulations. Students who did not advance are not to leave until the audit con fi rms the posted results. If a mistake is found, the entry incorrectly eliminated is to be taken immediately to the fi nal round. That will result in seven fi nalists, with the top six medaling at the state level. -182- (b) At the state level, the audit will be done by asking each Tab Room sta ff to audit the results from a di ff erent Tab Room. For example, the Class 1 Tab Room sta ff might audit Class 2, Class 2 audit Class 3 and Class 3 audit Class 1. At regional or super-regional competition, where there is only one Tab Room, the director will appoint a team of auditors who are not part of the Tab Room sta ff . (c) If a student who should have quali fi ed leaves the tournament before the audit fi nds the error, he/she forfeits the right to advance. If the audit does not uncover the error, the results stand, but the student unfairly eliminated will share last place among the fi nalists. Note : This is not an issue in those sections, regions and super-regions that do not use the preliminary/ fi nal round format. (10) At the state meet, six rankings (two from each round of competition) will be totaled to determine the overall cumulative rank for each entry. The lowest rank will place fi rst, the second lowest will place second, continuing in this manner for all six contestants. If there is a tie in cumulative rank, the six scores will be totaled and the contestant with the highest cumulative score will place ahead of the lower score. If there is a tie in cumulative rank and score, the highest number of fi rst places will prevail, followed by number of second places and so on as needed. 111-8-2 The choice of the selection, with reference to its intrinsic merit and its suitability to the contestant, constitutes one of the bases of evaluation. Schools should select material which is honest in its fundamental concept, which is suited to the emotional development of the contestant and which is handled with taste and restraint. Content should be appropriate to the audience for which it is performed and in support of contemporary community stan- dards. Any editing of published work must be honest to the original text. It is important that coaches review questionable content or language with the principal prior to performance. The principal's signature on the entry form will indicate approval of material to be performed. Competition directors will not disqualify a selection approved by the principal unless editing or performance decisions signi fi cantly alter the selection after approval has been given. 111-8-3 Forfeits -Once the tournament is underway, the discretionary decision by any student or duo team not to participate in any round of scheduled competition constitutes a sportsmanship violation, a forfeit and immediate elimination of that student or duo team from competition. 111-8-4 As a means of standardizing competition conditions, students should not be permitted to use a lectern or podium even if it is available in the competition room. 111-8-5 A student may be disquali fi ed by the tournament director for a violation of a Handbook rule. (a) A violation of the 30-second grace period following the time limit for an event means that a student may not be ranked fi rst or scored highest for that round. (b) To earn disquali fi cation, the violation must be clear and absolute (e.g., a student using the same selection as was used in last year's competition). VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -183- SPEECH ACTIVITIES (c) If a judge questions whether or not a rules violation took place, he/she should evaluate the presentation without prejudice, and share his/her concern with the tournament director, who shall make a ruling on whether or not a disquali fi cation is in order based on the evidence presented. The judge is the arbiter of the presentation and what did or what did not happen in the room. The tournament director makes the fi nal call on disquali fi cations. 111-8-6 No student shall represent his/her school in more than one contest. 111-8-7 Only entries which are submitted on the o ffi cial entry form, properly certi fi ed by the school principal and received by the deadline date for entry, shall be accepted. 111-8-8 State speech meets shall consist of three consecutive rounds of competition. One section of no more than six competitors per event per round shall be used. Two judges shall be used for each round. Judges should not see the same event in the same tourna- ment more than once. 111-8-9 All expenses of travel, board and lodging shall be defrayed by the competing schools or their contestants. 111-8-10 Each school participating at the state meet must provide at least one quali fi ed judge to evaluate competition in a group other than the one represented by the school. The coach may serve as the school's required judge. Penalty for violation is as stated in 30-5-1. 111-9-1 Awards -Each Region Council shall adopt a program of awards for its speech competition. The Virginia High School League shall present trophies to fi rst and second place teams (sweepstakes) at the state level, and medals shall be presented to the top four fi nishers in each category. 111-9-2 Team scoring and awards are based on a 7-5-3-1 format for fi nalists in each event when there is a fi nal round. A fi rst place individual earns 7 points, a second place individual earns 5 points, a third place individual earns 3 points, and all other individuals in the fi nals receive 1 point. Note : If the format selected for all events does not include a fi nal round and all entrants compete in each round, scoring in all events should be based on 5 points for fi rst, 3 points for second and 1 point for third, with no points given to other contestants. 111-9-3 The sum of all its individuals' points represents a school's team score. If there is a tie for either fi rst or second place in the school sweepstakes, the tie should be broken by counting the number of fi rsts, the number of seconds, etc. earned by each school until the tie is broken. A sweepstakes tie below second place will not be broken. Note : Scoring at sectional, regional and super-regional levels should follow the same cumulative methods for both individuals and team standings. The number of evalu- ations and scores may be di ff erent for individuals at the regional and super-regional levels depending upon the option that best suits the size of your local tournament. -184- SECTION 112: EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING. 112-1-1 Introduction -The League sponsors a program in extemporaneous speaking leading to championships in each group. These contests are held as part of the school, regional, super-regional and state speech meets. 112-2-1 Purpose -The purpose of the extemporaneous speaking event is to encourage students to combine clear thinking, good extempore, conversational speaking and interesting presentation in establishing a de fi nite thought with respect to current fact and opinion on a designated topic as presented by contemporary sources. 112-3-1 Contest Regulations -Topics for extemporaneous speaking shall be chosen from articles appearing in the issues of national newsmagazines such as Newsweek , Time and U. S. News and World Report or from mainstream newspapers with national circulations. Topics will be selected from these periodicals, may relate to either domestic or foreign a ff airs and will be released at least 30 days before each tournament. 112-3-2 Questions pertaining to topics will be provided and are not to be made known to the contestants before the event. 112-3-3 The speech shall not exceed seven minutes in length. There is no minimum time requirement as long as the topic is adequately covered; however, the contestant is encouraged to speak at least four minutes. 112-4-1 Preparation -Speeches should have as their purpose either to stimulate, to convince, to persuade or to in fl uence action. 112-4-2 In preparing his/her speech, the contestant should concentrate on originality of his/her theme, relevance of his/her content to his/her topic, depth and logic of thought in his/ her content, fresh and challenging approach, clarity of organization and adequate evidence. When delivering his/her speech, the contestant should keep in mind the conversational style of delivery, earnestness and concerned delivery (sincerity plus ardor), simplicity, accurate- ness and vividness of language and manner, pleasing and varied vocal qualities, posture and bodily movement that are neither sti ff nor slovenly, and gestures that are felt as necessary. Above all, he/she should concentrate more on quality of content than on quality of delivery even though the latter is important in the process of communication. 112-5-1 Contest Procedures -The order in which contestants speak is determined by lot on the schematic pairings. 112-5-2 Contestants shall report to an assigned area where they will, in order, draw three questions each. From these, each contestant is to choose one and return the other two. All students in each section will draw from the same list of questions. After the fi rst speaker has chosen his/her question, the second speaker will draw his/her question ten minutes later, and so on, in ten-minute intervals for each speaker. A di ff erent topic area will be used for each round. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -185- SPEECH ACTIVITIES 112-5-3 Each contestant shall have 30 minutes to prepare before he/she is to speak. Timing begins immediately after the three questions are drawn. The speaker shall withdraw to the speci fi ed area and prepare himself/herself to speak. During this preparation period, he/she must not consult with anyone or make use of previously prepared notes. Reference books, newspapers and magazines shall be permitted. The use of a laptop computer during preparation is allowed under the provisions below. 112-5-4 Extemporaneous Source Materials -Any student who opts to use a laptop dur- ing preparation must provide his or her own laptop and is not allowed connectivity to other computers, persons or the internet. The penalty for students found using connectivity will be immediate disquali fi cation from the tournament and forfeiture of all rounds. Use is limited to retrieval of sources that the student has researched previously and stored on the laptop in PDF, JPG, or another static, uneditable format. Students are also responsible for their own battery and power; tournaments are not responsible for providing outlets. Note : Students may take a simple bibliography with them to the preparation room. It must NOT be an annotated bibliography. It may contain authors, titles, publications and dates. It may be arranged in broad, general categories (all articles on the Middle East, for example, may be listed together). Students may also have their own resource fi le containing articles or clippings, but prepared and annotated notes are not allowed. This includes notes and markings (other than one color highlighting) in the publications themselves. Students may have acquired background information via the Internet and included it in their fi les and they may use computers as speci fi ed in the VHSL Handbook . All stored documents must be in static format and may not have notes or markings, consistent with the restrictions above. Internet connectivity is strictly prohibited. 112-5-5 The speaker shall be allowed to use both sides of one note card not exceeding 4" x 6" in size and provided by the tournament. 112-5-6 At the end of the 30-minute preparation period, it shall be the responsibility of the student to report immediately to the speaking area. Students must not leave the prep room with any materials other than their question strip and optional note card. 112-5-7 Either before beginning the speech or as part of the introduction, the contestant is to read his/her question in the exact words or phrasing as it appears on the paper he/she selected. 112-5-8 Visual aids and/or props used while speaking are prohibited. 112-5-9 A judge or person appointed by the judge will use a stopwatch to time each speech, indicating progress with hand signals. There is NO minimum time requirement but the contestant must cover the subject adequately. The timekeeper will indicate time elapsed at the beginning of the fourth minute of the speech, show the progression of minutes at fi ve and six, 6:30 and at the end of the seventh minute indicate that time has expired. The speaker must conclude the speech at the end of the seven minutes. The timekeeper will note for the speaker and judges the time for each speech. Extemp students have a seven-minute time limit plus a 30-second grace period. -186- 112-6-1 Bases for Judges’ Decisions -Criteria followed by judges in determining winners are relevance of theme to topic, thought content, logic, freshness, depth, clarity of organization, sincerity of speaker, adequacy and concreteness of supporting details, use of language (vividness, simplicity and comprehension), voice and diction (variety, acceptable pronunciation, clear enunciation), and control and use of body. Judges’ rating forms are supplied by the League O ffi ce. All contestants are ranked and scored. Judges shall write a criticism for each speaker. Judges may not question a speaker at the conclusion of his/her speech. 112-7-1 Penalties -In each contest, the contestant shall be given a 30-second grace period beyond the time limit for that event. Any student going over the grace period may not rank fi rst in the round. No other penalty for a time violation shall be assessed. Any contes- tant at any regional, super-regional or state contest who violates any other regulation in this section shall be disquali fi ed. SECTION 113: ORIGINAL ORATORY. 113-1-1 Introduction -The League sponsors a program in original oratory leading to championships on all levels within each group. These contests are held as part of the re- gional, super-regional and state speech meets. 113-2-1 Purpose -The purpose of the original oratory contest is to train and encourage students to present speeches intelligently and truthfully (in an interesting and original man- ner, direct and conversational in delivery, clear in arrangement and presentation, and with some pro fi t to an audience) on any worthwhile topic suitable for a public speech. 113-3-1 Contest Regulations -A speaker may not use a speech he/she has delivered in any previous year’s contest. 113-3-2 Each contestant shall deliver his or her own original speech not to exceed ten minutes in delivery. Contestant must present the same speech in each round of a given tour- nament. Adjudicator will not provide time signals, and there is no minimum time requirement. 113-3-3 The oration shall not contain in excess of 150 words of directly quoted material, nor shall the oration be a paraphrase taken completely from one source. The speaker shall clearly acknowledge the sources of any quotations used. 113-3-4 Speeches shall have been thoroughly prepared. The speaker shall be allowed to use both sides of two note cards each of which may not exceed 4" x 6" in size. Visual aids used while speaking are not permitted. 113-3-5 Each speaker shall prepare a manuscript of his/her speech for competition. At registration, each speaker shall submit a copy of his/her manuscript upon check-in for submission to the tournament director. Scripts must also be uploaded on Tabroom.com by the deadline date established for registration. 113-4-1 Preparation -The original oration should have as its purpose to persuade. Therefore, one might wish to speak in order to convince, to stimulate or to inspire. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -187- SPEECH ACTIVITIES 113-4-2 Any idea might become a subject for an oration, provided it “bothers” a speaker and interests the audience. 113-4-3 In preparing his/her speech, the contestant should concentrate on originality and worthwhileness of content and theme, soundness of thinking, excellence of organiza- tion, adequacy and concreteness of developmental or supporting details and illustrations and vividness of style. In rehearsing his/her speech, the contestant should keep in mind the conversational style of delivery, earnestness and concerned delivery (sincerity plus ardor), simplicity, accurateness and vividness of language and manner, pleasing and varied vo- cal qualities, posture and bodily movement that are neither sti ff nor slovenly, gestures that are felt as necessary, and general e ff ectiveness as a persuasive, convincing, stimulating or inspirational speaker whose speaking gives prominence to imaginative and emotional elements. (“Soundness of thinking and weight of content are supplemented by a degree of eloquence in delivery by a speaker who is stirred, aroused, and challenged by his/her sub- ject and audience.”) Above all, the speaker should predominately concentrate on quality of content rather than on quality of delivery even though the latter is important in the process of communication. 113-5-1 Contest Procedures -The order in which contestants speak is determined by lot on the schematic pairings. 113-6-1 Bases for Judges’ Decisions -Criteria followed by judges in determining win- ners are originality and worthwhileness of subject, thought content (logic, freshness, depth), clarity of organization, sincerity of speaker, voice and diction (variety, acceptable pronuncia- tion, clear enunciation), and control and use of body. Judges rating forms are supplied by the League O ffi ce. All contestants are ranked and scored. Judges shall write a criticism for each speaker. Judges may not question a speaker at the conclusion of his/her speech. 113-7-1 Penalties -In each contest, the contestant shall be given a 30-second grace period beyond the time limit for that event. Any student going over the grace period may not rank fi rst in the round. No other penalty for a time violation shall be assessed. A viola- tion of any other rule in this section, if discovered and reported to the tournament director before the end of the competition will result in disquali fi cation and a redistribution of awards as necessary. SECTION 114: IMPROMPTU SPEAKING. 114-1-1 Introduction -The League sponsors a program in impromptu speaking leading to regional, super-regional and state championships. 114-2-1 Topics -Impromptu topics will include ordinary objects, events, quotations and famous people. All students, in each section, will draw from the same list of topics. A di ff er- ent subject area will be used for each round. Enough topics will be provided so that each student will have at least three topics to choose from. Each student will deliver a speech on their own topic each round. No topics will be repeated. 114-2-2 Drawing -Students will be assigned to a room with an adjudicator present. All students will report to the assigned room and remain in the room for all the speeches. When the student is asked to speak, he/she will draw three topics from the envelope and will choose -188- one. The other two topics will be returned to the envelope so that other students have the opportunity to draw from them. All students will have the opportunity to select from at least three topics. 114-2-3 Preparation -The contestant shall prepare a speech without consultation and without reference to prepared notes or research materials. The student may make limited notes on both sides of one note card not exceeding 4" X 6" in size and provided by the ad- judicator. 114-2-4 Time -Timing begins immediately after the three topics are drawn. There is NO minimum time requirement, but the contestant must cover the subject adequately. The maximum time for preparation and speaking is seven minutes. The student may divide this time in any way he/she see fi t. Visual aids and/or props are prohibited. The adjudicator is expected to provide the student with oral time signals, indicating the amount of time elapsed at one minute, two minutes, etc. until the student begins speaking. The adjudicator should then provide the student with hand signals, showing the progression of each minute, again at 6:30 and at the end of the seventh minute, indicate that time has expired. The speaker must conclude the speech at the end of the seven minutes. Impromptu students have a seven-minute time limit plus a 30-second grade period. 114-2-5 Recuse -A student may not leave the impromptu round until all students have fi nished speaking. 114-3-1 Bases for Judges' Decisions -Criteria followed by judges in determining winners are relevance of theme to topic, thought content, freshness, depth, clarity of organization, sincerity of speaker, adequacy of support and development, use of language, voice and diction and control and use of body. Judges' rating forms are supplied by the League o ffi ce. All contestants are ranked and scored. Judges shall write a criticism for each speaker. 114-4-1 Penalties -In each contest, the contestant shall be given a 30-second grace period beyond the time limit for that event. Any student going over the grace period may not rank fi rst in the round. No other penalty for a time violation shall be assessed. A viola- tion of any other rule in this section, if discovered and reported to the tournament director before the end of the competition will result in disquali fi cation and a redistribution of awards as necessary. SECTION 115: ORAL INTERPRETATION. 115-1-1 Introduction -The League sponsors a program in oral interpretation leading to championships on all levels within each group. Championships are determined in storytelling, prose interpretation, poetry interpretation, serious dramatic interpretation, humorous dramatic interpretation, serious duo interpretation and humorous duo interpretation. These contests are held as part of regional, super-regional and state speech meets. 115-2-1 Purpose -The purpose of these contests is to encourage appreciation of the full meaning of the printed page and the oral communication of that meaning to others with ap- parent spontaneity, directness, simplicity and sincerity, without distracting the hearer through faulty pronunciation or indistinct enunciation. A speaker may not use a selection he/she has written or a selection written about his/her own experiences. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -189- SPEECH ACTIVITIES 115-3-1 Oral Interpretation Regulations -Oral interpretation events require the use of published work. Selections used shall be cuttings from published, printed material, the ap- proved list of online sources, the approved list of apps, or e-books that also exist in published printed format. Recorded material not printed and published is prohibited. If a selection is challenged, a school representative must be able to identify the printed source or e-book on the spot and will be asked to produce an original or copy of an original to verify publication. For online sources, a school representative must provide a printed copy of the complete, original text with cuts denoted, in addition to a digital copy loaded from the original source link. For apps, a school representative must be able to identify the published material by accessing it on the spot via the app. If publication cannot be veri fi ed to the satisfaction of the tournament director, the student will be disquali fi ed. All disputes will be settled at the regional, super-regional or state level where the challenge was made. 115-4-1 Storytelling Contest Regulations -A contestant will present a published children's story, not exceeding ten minutes in length including an introduction. Contestant must present the same selection in each round of a given tournament. Adjudicator will not provide time signals. The use of a manuscript or notes is prohibited and a contestant may not use a story he/she has presented in any previous year's contest. Each contestant is to work alone without costume or props since he/she will be judged only on storytelling ability. Gestures are encouraged; however, movement must be restricted to movement in place, no walking. The contestant should assume that the audience consists of a group of children. The contestant may di ff erentiate characters by the use of di ff erent voices, focal points and body postures. 115-5-1 Prose Interpretation Contest Regulations -Each contestant shall read one prepared published prose selection of his/her own choice with a total reading time of not more than ten minutes. The contestant should preface his/her reading with an introductory statement which will give the audience a better understanding of the selection read, provided this total time does not exceed ten minutes. Contestant must present the same selection in each round of a given tournament. Adjudicator will not provide time signals. The use of a manuscript is required. No reader may use a prepared prose selection, adaptation or cutting that he/she has read in a regional, super-regional or state contest in a previous year. 115-6-1 Poetry Interpretation Contest Regulations -Each contestant shall read one prepared published poem or poetic group of his/her own choice with a total reading time of not more than ten minutes. The contestant should preface his/her reading with an introductory statement which will give the audience a better understanding of the selection read, provided this total time does not exceed ten minutes. Contestant must present the same selection in each round of a given tournament. Adjudicator will not provide time signals. The use of a manuscript is required. No reader may use a prepared poetry selection, adaptation or cutting that he/she has read in a regional, super-regional or state contest in a previous year. 115-7-1 Serious Dramatic Interpretation Regulations -Each contestant shall present one selection of a serious nature chosen from published material. Contestant must present the same selection in each round of a given tournament. The selection should emphasize character development through consistent use of distinct voices, focal points and postures. Adaptations may be for the purpose of continuity only. The contestant should preface the selection with an introductory statement that will give the audience a better understanding of the selection, provided the total time does not exceed ten minutes. Adjudicator will not provide time signals. The use of a manuscript is prohibited. No contestant may use a selec- -190- tion, adaptation or cutting that he/she has used in a regional, super-regional or state contest in a previous year. Properties or costumes are not permitted. Movement is allowed, but such movement should be restricted to bending (knees and/or waist); leaning, twisting or swiveling; and no walking. Use of body (gestures, appropriate audience/eye contact, etc.) to suggest character is permitted. 115-8-1 Humorous Dramatic Interpretation Regulations -Each contestant shall present one selection of a humorous nature chosen from published material. Contestant must present the same selection in each round of a given tournament. The selection should emphasize character development through consistent use of distinct voices, focal points and postures. Adaptations may be for the purpose of continuity only. The contestant should preface the selection with an introductory statement that will give the audience a better understanding of the selection, provided the total time does not exceed ten minutes. Adjudicator will not provide time signals. The use of a manuscript is prohibited. No contestant may use a selec- tion, adaptation or cutting that he/she has used in a regional, super-regional or state contest in a previous year. Properties or costumes are not permitted. Movement is allowed, but such movement should be restricted to bending (knees and/or waist); leaning, twisting or swiveling; and no walking. Use of body (gestures, appropriate audience/eye contact, etc.) to suggest character is permitted. 115-9-1 Serious Duo Interpretation of Literature -Each duo team must present one selection of a serious nature chosen from a single published work. Though the material may contain humorous tones, the climax and resolution must be a serious dramatic nature. Con- testant must present the same selection in each round of a given tournament. Each interpreter may present one or more characters and either or both may present narration. A selection must maintain the author's intent, characters and words as written, except for minor use of transitions, unless written permission is granted by the author or publisher for modi fi cation and/or adaptation of the published work. No contestant may use a selection, adaptation or cutting that either member of the duo team has used in a regional, super-regional or state contest in a previous year. The contestants should preface the selection with an introductory statement that will give the audience a better understanding of the selection. The use of a manuscript is prohibited. The performers may not have eye or physical contact with each other except during the introduction and should focus o ff stage. The performers must begin their presentation from center stage and restrict their physical blocking to movement around one another, switching positions, pivoting from side to side or turning around completely. No properties or costumes are permitted. The timing for this event shall be a maximum of ten minutes, with no minimum time requirement. Adjudicator will not provide time signals. 115-10-1 Humorous Duo Interpretation of Literature -Each duo team must present one selection of a humorous nature chosen from a single published work. Though the material may contain serious tones, the climax and resolution must be of a humorous nature. Contes- tant must present the same selection in each round of a given tournament. Each interpreter may present one or more characters and either or both may present narration. A selection must maintain the author's intent, characters and words as written, except for minor use of transitions, unless written permission is granted by the author or publisher for modi fi cation and/or adaptation of the published work. No contestant may use a selection, adaptation or cutting that either member of the duo team has used in a regional, super-regional or state contest in a previous year. The contestants should preface the selection with an introductory statement that will give the audience a better understanding of the selection. The use of a VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -191- SPEECH ACTIVITIES manuscript is prohibited. The performers may not have eye or physical contact with each other except during the introduction and should focus o ff stage. The performers must begin their presentation from center stage and restrict their physical blocking to movement around one another, switching positions, pivoting from side to side or turning around completely. No properties or costumes are permitted. The timing for this event shall be a maximum of ten minutes, with no minimum time requirement. Adjudicator will not provide time signals. 115-11-1 Preparation -In preparing for the contests, the following de fi nition of good oral interpretation should be carefully considered: The prime requisite of oral interpretation is intel- ligibility, and to that end the contestant must have an intelligent comprehension of what he/ she interprets and a due appreciation of its values, as well as the ability to communicate them to his/her audience. A pleasant voice, an acceptable accent and clear enunciation are fi rst of all desirable. Monotony of tone or of pace and overemphasis or acting are to be avoided. Through modulation, proper stress and timing not only must the meaning of the passage be brought out, but also its mood -whether of humor, pathos, earnestness, excitement, satire or whatever. The audience must be given an opportunity to hear , to understand , and to feel what the author is striving to convey . 115-12-1 Contest Procedures -The order in which contestants read is determined by lot on the schematic pairings. 115-13-1 Bases for Judges’ Decisions -Criteria followed by judges in determining win- ners are choice of selection, interpretation, pronunciation, timing, enunciation, eye contact, posture, gestures, voice, poise, appearance, energy level, coherence of story cutting, vocal expression, facial expression, characterization, appeal to children and impact of message and performance. All contestants are ranked and scored. Judges shall write a criticism for each speaker. Note : Appeal to children only applies to storytelling. 115-14-1 Penalty -In each contest, the contestant shall be given a 30-second grace period beyond the time limit for that event. Any student going over the grace period may not rank fi rst in the round. No other penalty for a time violation shall be assessed. A violation of any other rule in this section, if discovered and reported to the tournament director before the end of the competition will result in disquali fi cation and a redistribution of awards as necessary. SECTION 116: DEBATE. 116-1-1 Introduction -The League sponsors four forms of debate: Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, Student Congress and Public Forum. The League will o ff er state-level championships for each form of debate based on level of participation. In cases of low participation, groups may be combined to facilitate competition. Team championships will be based on sweepstakes points earned in each of the four debate events. Note : A super-region consists of two regions. Each level (region or state) must determine the rotation of region pairings and hosting responsibility prior to the beginning of the season. 116-2-1 Purposes -The purposes of the debate program include training in research, analysis, sound argument, quick thinking and e ff ective extemporaneous speaking. -192- 116-3-1 Preparation -Schools planning to participate in the debate program are urged to make preparations well in advance of the date for regional tournaments. Organization of a debate club early in the fall session and a series of intramural club debates are recom- mended. A schedule of interscholastic debates prior to the regional tournament is suggested. PM 116-3-1 DEBATE/Source Materials (3-06) -Any student who opts to use a laptop in debate competition must provide his or her own laptop and is not allowed connectivity to other computers, persons, or the Internet. The penalty for students found using connectivity will be immediate disquali fi cation from the tournament and forfeiture of all rounds. Use is limited to the taking of notes and for the retrieval of evidence that the student has pre-written and stored on the laptop. Students are also responsible for their own battery and power; tournaments are not responsible for providing outlets. 116-3-2 Coaches and sponsors of debate are encouraged to charge participating stu- dents with full responsibility for the collection of facts and materials in preparation for debates. Students should make maximum use of their school and community libraries as well as other sources available to them. All evidence used in a debate must be printed matter in general circulation. 116-4-1 Policy Debate Contest Rules and Regulations -Each school entering Policy debate on the regional level may enter in each event a maximum of two two-speaker debate teams, each of which is prepared to debate both sides of the resolution. 116-4-2 Tournament Format -Each region entering the super-regional meet may certify fi rst, second and third place teams in each event to the super-regional meet. Each super-region entering the state meet may certify fi rst, second and third place teams in each event to the state meet. If one of the fi rst three Policy teams is unable to advance to the super-regional or state tournament, the fourth place Policy team in the appropriate region or super-regional tournament may replace the Policy team unable to attend. No replacements beyond fourth place shall be permitted. Each super-region shall be responsible for resolving ties or disputes in accordance with policies in the VHSL Handbook so that it advances no more than three teams to state. (1) Substitutions -Debate teams advancing from the regional to the super-regional tournaments and from the super-regional to the state tournament are expected to remain intact. However, under unusual circumstances a school may substitute one member of a team advancing to the next tournament. Such circumstances as illness or an unexpected family commitment may justify a substitution. A substitution may not be allowed for a debater who is aware of another commitment on the dates of the super-regional or state tournament at the time of entry into the regional tournament. A discretionary drop, as opposed to an emergency drop, must be completed at least one week prior to the super-regional or state tournament, or it will be considered a sportsmanship violation and is to be addressed under Handbook rules 27-13-1 and 27-13-12 (7). (2) If a substitution for one member of a debate team is necessary, the principal may call the League o ffi ce and explain the circumstances giving the name of the student unable to attend the tournament and the name of that stu dent’s replacement. The decision on the substitution will be based on the information given. If a fi rst- or sec ond-place team is unable to advance to the super-regional or state tournament, the third-place team in the regional or super-regional tournament may replace the team unable to attend. No replacements be- VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -193- SPEECH ACTIVITIES yond third-place teams will be al lowed. If a team member is replaced for the super-regional tournament, he may not rejoin the team for the state tourna ment. 116-4-3 Pairings shall be determined by the tournament director to provide the most equitable schedule possible depending on the number of participants in each group. A direc- tor may choose either a round-robin format, with each team assigned a debate against each of the other teams, or fi ve or six preliminary rounds utilizing power pairings as published in the VHSL Debate Resource Guide, followed by a single elimination tournament pairing the top four or eight quali fi ers. 116-4-4 Policy debate teams will alternate between the a ffi rmative and negative sides, with a draw for sides in the fi nal round. An adaptation of the Oregon Plan is used in Policy debate. The procedure is as follows: (a) First a ffi rmative speaker: eight minutes. (b) Second negative speaker questions fi rst a ffi rmative speaker: three minutes. (c) First negative speaker: eight minutes. (d) First a ffi rmative speaker questions the fi rst negative speaker: three minutes. (e) Second a ffi rmative speaker: eight minutes. (f) First negative speaker questions the second a ffi rmative speaker: three minutes. (g) Second negative speaker: eight minutes. (h) Second a ffi rmative speaker questions the second negative speaker: three minutes. (i) First negative speaker presents rebuttal speech: fi ve minutes. (j) First a ffi rmative speaker presents rebuttal speech: fi ve minutes. (k) Second negative speaker presents rebuttal speech: fi ve minutes. (l) Second a ffi rmative speaker presents rebuttal speech: fi ve minutes. (m) Each team shall have a total of eight minutes preparation time to use during the debate. (1) Cross-examination will be a closed format, whereby the individual whose turn it is to ask questions, will be the only one to ask questions and the individual whose turn it is to answer will be the only one to answer questions. (2) All requests for evidence or other materials count against either the questioning time or the preparation time (or both of the requesting team). 116-4-5 The critic judge (or set of three judges at the discretion of the meet director) decides the better team in each debate and ranks each individual debater. After each debate, the judge(s) will rank each debater in order of excellence ( fi rst for best, second for next best, etc.) and pick a winning team. After each debate, the judge will also provide a numerical score for each team and comment brie fl y on the required critique form. If three judges are used, each judge makes his/her decision independent of the other two. Each judge’s ballot is counted as a win or a loss in determining the winner of the meet. 116-4-6 Total wins of each team are computed to determine the teams winning the tour- nament or advancing to elimination rounds. In case of ties in number of wins, the decision in head-to-head competition ( fi rst if it is a clean decision), total speaker points (second) and total speaker ranking (third) are employed to determine a winner. -194- 116-4-7 A judge may serve throughout a meet, but it is preferable that he/she not judge the same team twice. 116-4-8 Judging Requirements -Each school participating in Policy debate at the state meet must provide at least one quali fi ed judge to evaluate Policy competition in a group other than the one represented by the school, unless judge is provided by host. The coach may serve as the school's required judge. Penalty for violation is a fi ne as stated in 30-5-1. 116-4-9 Bases for Judges’ Decisions -Criteria used by judges in determining winners include all aspects of general e ff ectiveness in debate. Most important of these criteria are analysis of issues, extension of major and minor arguments, adequacy and accuracy of evidence, primary qualities of the a ffi rmative case, clarity of organization and refutation and persuasiveness of over-all argumentation by both teams. 116-4-10 Suggestions -Competing teams should strive to clash on the issues. Teams should strive to show essential di ff erences in regard to policy with reasons for the di ff erences. Penetrating analysis, clear exposition of terms and arguments and a de fi nite evaluation and summary should be sought throughout. In general, it is better to develop one or two crucial issues rather than to mention many without developing any. 116-4-11 The role of the questioner or cross-examiner is very important. He/she should frame in advance a great many questions, but should use in any given debate only those which are relevant and those which manifestly tend to reveal the weakness of the opponent's case or to emphasize and amplify the strong points of his/her own case. The questioner should show an awareness of the a ffi rmative position and should adapt his/her questions to the a ffi rmative arguments. The a ffi rmative should in turn shift in point of view to take account of and satisfy the negative objections. The purpose of cross-examination is to bring to light weaknesses or inconsistencies in the opponent's case, preparatory to refutation in rebuttal. Such weaknesses or inconsistencies as are uncovered should be exploited. Questioners should avoid the use of trick queries and of farfetched and elaborate traps, and should not become legalistic, nor resort to hair-splitting. 116-4-12 In Policy, emphasis should be placed on teamwork and on the function of each speaker as a part of the team. Every e ff ort should be made by the coach to stimulate fl exibility and independence of thought. Judges look for direct and forthright speaking, informality, and ease and good humor in delivery. Speakers should be prepared to establish all authorities quoted and to relate quotations to the point at issue. The validity of each quotation should be established individually. In general, fewer and more e ff ective quotations are recommended. 116-5-1 Lincoln-Douglas Contest Rules and Regulations - Each school entering Lincoln-Douglas debating on the regional level will be a ff orded the option of entering a maxi- mum of three Lincoln-Douglas debaters, each of whom is prepared to debate both sides of the resolution. 116-5-2 Each region entering the regional meet shall qualify a maximum of four debaters to the regional meet. Each region entering the state meet shall qualify a maximum of four debaters to the state tournament. If one of the fi rst four debaters is unable to advance to the regional or state tournament, the fi fth place debater in the appropriate regional or super- regional tournament may replace the debater unable to attend. No replacements beyond fi fth VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -195- SPEECH ACTIVITIES place shall be permitted, and each region shall be responsible for resolving ties or disputes in accordance with policies in the VHSL Debate Resource Guide so that it advances no more than four Lincoln-Douglas debaters to state. 116-5-3 Pairings shall be determined by the tournament director to provide the most eq- uitable schedule possible depending on the number of participants in each group. A director may choose either a round-robin format, with each team assigned a debate against each of the other teams, or fi ve or six preliminary rounds utilizing power pairings as published in the Debate Resource Guide, followed by a single elimination tournament pairing the top four or eight quali fi ers. 116-5-4 The following format is used in Lincoln-Douglas debates: (a) A ffi rmative speaker presents constructive speech: six minutes. (b) Negative speaker questions the a ffi rmative speaker: three minutes. (c) Negative speaker presents constructive speech: seven minutes. (d) A ffi rmative speaker questions the negative speaker: three minutes. (e) A ffi rmative speaker presents fi rst rebuttal speech: four minutes. (f) Negative speaker presents rebuttal speech: six minutes. (g) A ffi rmative speaker presents second rebuttal speech: three minutes. (h) Each speaker shall have a total of three minutes preparation time to use during the debate. 116-5-5 The critic judge (or set of three judges at the discretion of the meet director) decides the better speaker in each debate. If three judges are used, each judge makes his/ her decision independent of the other two. Each judge’s ballot is counted as a win or loss in determining the winner of the meet. In case of ties in number of wins, decision in head-to- head competition ( fi rst if it is a clean decision) and total speaker points (second) are employed to determine a winner. 116-5-6 A judge may serve throughout a meet, but it is preferable that he/she not judge the same contestant twice. 116-5-7 Judging Requirements -Each school participating in Lincoln-Douglas debate at the state meet must provide at least one quali fi ed judge to evaluate Lincoln-Douglas com- petition in a group other than the one represented by the school, unless judge is provided by host. The coach may serve as the school's required judge. Penalty for violation is a fi ne as stated in 30-5-1. 116-5-8 Bases For Judges’ Decision -Criteria used by judges in determining winners include all aspects of general e ff ectiveness in debate. Most important of these criteria are clear and persuasive speaking, analysis of issues, persuasiveness of over-all argumentation, clarity and organization of arguments, adequacy and accuracy of evidence and consistent defense of a core value. If a judge determines that a contestant speeds, spreads, uses technical jargon, or otherwise employs Policy tactics in a manner that makes his/her argu- ment unable to be understood by an intelligent high school student or well-informed citizen, that judge must vote against the o ff ending contestant. -196- 116-6-1 Student Congress Rules and Regulations -Each school entering Student Congress may send up to six representatives to the regional tournament and each region may send up to twelve representatives to the super regional tournament. Each super region may send up to twelve senators to the state tournament. A list of topic areas will be published by the VHSL Clerk of Congress at least 30 days before each tournament; students should be able to speak on all topic areas. Each participating student must write either a bill or a resolution to be discussed. This legislation should be labeled "A." Participants may write one additional bill or resolution, labeled "B," which may be considered only after fi rst bills/ resolutions "A" from all participants in the chamber have been brought forward. (1) Bills/resolutions must be electronically submitted at least one week in advance of the regional and/or state tournament(s) via the Student Congress website. (2) The Clerk of Congress will choose two domestic topics, two international topics, two economic topics and two statewide topics that provide a breadth and depth of topic areas without presenting an overwhelming research burden. To provide debate on a wide variety of subjects, schools are encouraged to have no more than one bill or resolution per topic area. A tournament o ffi cial may scan all legislation prior to the posting deadline to eliminate duplicate legislation, nontopical legislation or inappropriate material. The tournament of- fi cial will notify students and coaches of any problems or concerns, but will not edit or revise student-produced legislation. Once the legislation has been approved, it is up to the students to determine the order of the docket at the beginning of the tournament. Legislation must alternate (domestic, international, economic and statewide) among the topic areas. (a) The Clerk's interpretation of the docket of legislation must follow the DIEV format for the entirety of docket A legislation. After a chamber has set the docket of legisla- tion and has started debate procedures, the chamber must follow the DIEV format for one complete DIEV cycle. After this cycle is completed, the chamber may modify the legislative order using standard procedures for altering the docket. The Super Session must also follow the DIEV format for a minimum of one cycle. 116-6-2 Each school may enter a maximum of six students to the region; each region may qualify a maximum of twelve representatives to the super regional tournament; each super regional may qualify a maximum of twelve senators to the state fi nal. Up to three call-ups from the regional to the super regional tournament are permitted. At the regional and super regional levels, student competitors shall be called "representatives," and at the state tournament they shall be called "senators." There will be no di ff erence in the rules of procedure. Regional, super regional, and state tournaments in Student Congress may be held in conjunction with the regional, super regional, and state tournaments in debate. (1) In order for a call-up from the regional or super-regional tournaments to be able to compete at the next level, he or she must have submitted legislation prior to the deadline for the tournament for which he or she is being called up to compete in. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -197- SPEECH ACTIVITIES 116-6-3 The number of representatives or senators participating determines whether the meet is divided into multiple chambers. In general, 24 representatives or senators per chamber is ideal, with chambers ranging in size from 15 to 30 members. If there is to be more than one chamber, schools and regions should be split equally between or among chambers. At the regional and super regional tournaments, each chamber should meet between two and four sessions, as determined by the Clerk of Congress. At state, each chamber will meet in four sessions, with a fi fth Super Session set for any group split between two chambers. The Super Session will include all students placing in the top half of the two split chambers. Each school qualifying for the state tournament in a group with split chambers will provide one bill or resolution to be considered for the Super Session docket, and that bill or resolution must be submitted electronically on the Student Congress website at least one week in advance of the state tournament. At the regional and super regional tournaments, the time of each legislative session will be determined by the Clerk of Congress. At state, each session will last 90 minutes. 116-6-4 A parliamentarian will be chosen by the Clerk of Congress to preside over all sessions and will fi ll out an evaluation of each student. In preliminary sessions, two judges will evaluate each speaker using ballots provided by the League. In Super Sessions, three judges will be used. The judges will change for each legislative session, with no judge being used more than twice. Students will elect presiding o ffi cers for each session. An individual may not serve as Parliamentarian and judge speeches in the same chamber. The two judges will evaluate each speaker and the presiding o ffi cer using ballots provided. Three judges may be used if needed at the region and super region levels. 116-6-5 The following format is used for Student Congress: (a) An elected o ffi cial or appointed student presiding o ffi cer will call the chamber to order followed by a call for a main motion. (b) Call for a three-minute authorship speech followed by two minutes of question- ing. (c) Call for a three-minute negative speech; time not used by the speaker may be used for questioning. The speaker has the right to refuse to answer questions. (d) Repeat b and c until an appropriate motion is made (motion to table or to call the previous question, etc.). (e) Exact precedence for speaking order and approximate precedence questioning order will be kept by the parliamentarian and the presiding o ffi cer. In the event of a con fl ict, the parliamentarian's tally is fi nal. (f) Once action has been taken on a bill or resolution, the next legislative item on the docket will be considered. (g) Each session may last between one and three hours, as determined in advance by the tournament director and the participating schools. 116-6-6 Speeches- All speeches shall have been written by the competing student dur- ing the school year in which the contest is conducted and not contain an excess of directly quoted material, nor shall the speech be a mere paraphrase taken completely from one source. The student shall acknowledge the sources of any quotations used. Penalty for a plagiarized speech is disquali fi cation. -198- 116-6-7 Speaker's Precedence -The presiding o ffi cer and parliamentarian will number student speeches, with the presiding o ffi cer's opening comments considered the fi rst speech of the session. Speaker order will be determined by precedence, meaning the presiding o ffi cer will select fi rst the representatives/senators (R/S) who have given no speeches, then R/S's who have given one speech and so on. In the event that two or more R/S's who have the same number of speeches wish to speak, the presiding o ffi cer will recognize the one who spoke least recently. Numbering speeches will facilitate determining who has precedence to speak. In the event of a discrepancy between the parliamentarian and the presiding o ffi cer, the parliamentarian's tally will control. 116-6-8 Judging Requirements and Bases for Judges' Decision -Each school par- ticipating in Student Congress debate at the state meet must provide at least one quali fi ed judge to evaluate Student Congress competition in a group other than the one represented by the school, unless judges are provided by host. The coach may serve as the school's required judge. Penalty for violation is a fi ne as stated in 30-5-1. Criteria used by judges will include all aspects of general e ff ectiveness in debate. Most important will be clear and persuasive speaking, documentation of sources, clarity, organization and responding to previous arguments. 116-6-9 Determining Winners -Each representative or senator may speak up to six times. His or her best two speeches will be added to the parliamentarian's score. The high- est score will place fi rst, the next highest second and so on. In the case of a tie, drop the parliamentarian's score. If scores are still tied, refer to the third best speech and continue until ties are broken. If there is a Super Session, the representative or senator's best Super Session speech score is added to the parliamentarian's score. This score is then added to the preliminary score. Thus, the Super Session fi nal score will be the sum of three scores: (1) the representative or senator's best speech score, (2) the Super Session parliamentar- ian's score, and (3) the preliminary score. In the case of a tie, drop the Super Session parliamentarian score. If scores are still tied, drop the preliminary parliamentarian score. 116-7-1 Public Forum Debate Contest Rules and Regulations -Each school entering Public Forum debate on the regional level may enter a maximum of two, two-speaker debate teams, each of which is prepared to debate both sides of the resolution. 116-7-2 Each region entering the super-regional meet may certify fi rst, second and third place teams in each event to the regional meet. Each region entering the state meet may certify fi rst, second and third place teams in each event to the state meet. If one of the fi rst three Public Forum teams is unable to advance to the regional or state tournament, the fourth place Public Forum team in the appropriate region or super-regional tournament may replace the Public Forum team unable to attend. No replacements beyond fourth place shall be permitted. Each region shall be responsible for resolving ties or disputes in accordance with policies in the VHSL Debate Resource Guide so that it advances no more than three teams to state. 116-7-3 Pairings shall be determined by the tournament director to provide the most equitable schedule possible depending on the number of participants in each group. A direc- tor may choose either a round-robin format, with each team assigned a debate against each of the other teams, or fi ve or six preliminary rounds utilizing power pairings as published in the debate resource guide, followed by a single elimination tournament pairing the top four VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -199- SPEECH ACTIVITIES or eight quali fi ers. In Public Forum debate, pro or con positions are decided by coin toss every round. The team winning the toss may choose to either go fi rst or select a position. The opponent then has the opportunity to choose the remaining option. For example, Team A wins the coin toss and decides to go second. Team B would then have a choice of going pro or con. 116-7-4 The following format is used for Public Forum debate: (a) Speaker 1 (Team A, 1st speaker presents Constructive): four minutes. (b) Speaker 2 (Team B, 1st speaker presents Constructive): four minutes. (c) Cross fi re (between speakers 1 & 2): Speaker 1 asks the fi rst question; thereafter, either speaker may ask questions: three minutes. (d) Speaker 3 (Team A, 2nd speaker): four minutes. (e) Speaker 4 (Team B, 2nd speaker): four minutes. (f) Cross fi re (between speakers 3 & 4): Speaker 3 asks the fi rst question; thereafter, either speaker may ask questions: three minutes. (g) Speaker 1 (Team A) Summary: three minutes. (h) Speaker 2 (Team B) Summary: three minutes. (i) Grand Cross fi re (all speakers): one member from Team A asks the fi rst question; thereafter, any speaker may ask questions: three minutes. (j) Speaker 3 Final Focus: two minutes. (k) Speaker 4 Final Focus: two minutes. Each team may use up to three minutes of prep time. 116-7-5 The critic judge (or set of three judges at the discretion of the meet director) decides the better team in each debate. Note : If three judges are used, each judge makes his/her decision independent of the other two. Each judge’s ballot is counted as a win or a loss in determining the winner of the meet. 116-7-6 Total wins of each team are computed to determine the teams winning the tour- nament or advancing to elimination rounds. In case of ties in number of wins, the decision in head-to-head competition ( fi rst if it is a clean decision), total speaker points (second) and total speaker ranking (third) are employed to determine a winner. 116-7-7 A judge may serve throughout a meet, but it is preferable that he/she not judge the same team twice. 116-7-8 Judging Requirements -Each school participating in Public Forum debate at the state meet must provide at least one quali fi ed judge to evaluate Public Forum competition in a group other than the one represented by the school, unless judge is provided by host. Quali fi cations for judging Public Forum debate are guided by the notion that the activity be geared for a “person on the street” and that decisions be based upon that person’s impres- sion, not be prescribed burdens like those in Policy debate. The coach may serve as the school’s required judge. Penalty for violation is a fi ne as stated in 30-5-1. 116-7-9 Bases for Judges’ Decisions -Criteria used by judges in determining winners include all aspects of general e ff ectiveness in debate. Most important of these criteria are clash of ideas in a persuasive manner; support of assertions through logical thinking and -200- evidence when needed; adequate and accurate use of evidence; strong and solid argumenta- tion; clarity of speech, organization and refutation; fairness; courtesy; professionalism, and persuasiveness of overall argumentation by both teams. Judges look for a professional and serious debate, as well as direct and forthright speaking. If a judge determines that a contestant speeds, spreads, uses technical jargon, or otherwise employs Policy tactics in a manner that makes his/her argument unable to be understood by an intelligent high school student or well-informed citizen, that judge must vote against the o ff ending team. 116-7-10 Competing teams should strive to clash on the issues in a persuasive man- ner. In Public Forum debate contests, teams should strive to advocate or reject a position posed by the resolution. Penetrating analysis, clear exposition of terms and arguments and a de fi nite evaluation and summary should be sought throughout. In general, it is better to develop two or three crucial issues rather than to mention many without developing any. Good Public Forum debaters should display logic and analysis. They should use evidence when needed with the understanding that evidence is not limited to traditional cards often associated with Policy Debate, but rather, any information that helps a judge understand a position and may include analogies, examples, anecdotes or stories. They should win their case and refute that of their opponents. They should communicate e ff ectively, using the fundamentals of good speaking. There are no burdens on either side. 116-7-11 The role of the questioner or cross-examiner is very important. He/she should frame in advance a great many questions, but should use in any given debate only those which are relevant and those which manifestly tend to reveal the weakness of the opponents’ case or to emphasize and amplify the strong points of his/her own case. The questioner should show an awareness of the pro position and should adapt his/her questions to the pro arguments. The pro should in turn shift its point of view to take account of and satisfy the con objections. The purpose of cross-examination is to bring to light weaknesses or incon- sistencies in the opponents’ case, preparatory to refutation in rebuttal. Such weaknesses or inconsistencies as are uncovered should be exploited. Questioners should avoid the use of trick queries and of farfetched and elaborate traps, and should not become legalistic, nor resort to hair-splitting. 116-7-12 In Public Forum, emphasis should be placed on teamwork and on the function of each speaker as a part of the team. Every e ff ort should be made by the coach to stimulate fl exibility and independence of thought. Judges look for a professional and serious debate, as well as direct and forthright speaking, informality and ease and good humor in delivery. Speakers should be prepared to establish all authorities quoted and to relate quotations to the point at issue. It is recommended that quotes are e ff ective, but few in number. 116-8-1 Tie-Breaking -As no fi rst-, second- or third-place ties shall exist in VHSL competition, the following tie-breaking procedures shall be used at sectional, region and super-region competitions. Regions and super-regions are expected to establish additional tie-breaking methods to be employed if a tie still exists even after the procedures below are followed. Such additional methods could include, but are not limited to: (1) a coach's ballot, (2) restage head-to-head competition and (3) coin fl ip or draw. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -201- SPEECH ACTIVITIES Ties in win-loss record will be broken on the basis of: (a) Decision if the teams have debated and if in the event of ties involving multiple debaters there is a clear decision (b) Total speaker points (c) Total speaker rankings (d) Median speaker points (drop highest and lowest) Ties in speaker awards total points will be broken on the basis of: (a) Total ranks (b) Median points (drop highest and lowest) 116-9-1 Debate Tournaments -Regional, super-regional and state tournaments in Policy debate, Lincoln-Douglas debate, Student Congress and Public Forum shall be held not later than the dates speci fi ed in the VHSL Activities Calendar. 116-9-2 A student may participate in Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, Student Congress and/or Public Forum debate but may participate in only one form of debate at the regional, super- regional and state tournaments. 116-9-3 Forfeits -Once the tournament is underway, the discretionary decision by any student or team not to participate in any round of scheduled competition constitutes a sportsmanship violation, a forfeit and immediate elimination of that student or team from the competition. 116-9-4 Penalty -Unless prescribed otherwise, a violation of any rule in this section, if discovered and reported, will result in disquali fi cation. 116-10-1 Tournament Limitations -No individual or team may participate in more than 16 tournaments during the school year, excluding VHSL regional, super-regional and state tournaments. A student who registers at and participates in a debate tournament under a name other than his/her own or under a name other than his/her bona fi de school name shall be disquali fi ed from participating in the regional, super-regional and state debate tournaments. Note : Limitations (2-89) -This section was interpreted to address individual and two- person team limits rather than the total number of debate tournaments a school may enter. -202- Literary Activities SECTION 120: INTRODUCTION. 120-1-1 Contests -The League sponsors a competitive interscholastic program in two fi elds of literary activity, as follows: (1) Creative Writing: School Folder Contest, Short Story Contest, Essay Contest, Poetry Contest. (2) Publications: Newspaper Evaluation, Yearbook Evaluation, Magazine Evaluation, Newsmagazine Evaluation, Online News Evaluation, Broadcast Evaluation. 120-2-1 State Area School Media Meetings Attendance -In order to assist school broadcasting, magazine, newspaper/newsmagazine, yearbook and online news advisers to better understand the role for and obligations of student media, the League shall conduct regular area meetings to clarify the responsibilities of advisers and review VHSL support programs. Every adviser shall be required to attend a meeting annually. SECTION 121: CREATIVE WRITING CONTESTS. 121-1-1 Purpose -The purpose of the Creative Writing Contests is to encourage and stimulate the development of creative writing ability among the high school students of the state. While the emphasis is upon the general quality of the school’s product rather than upon the work of the individual student, the contests provide for recognition of both school and individual. 121-2-1 School Participation -Principals should request their teachers of English to an- nounce the contests in their classes early in the school year. The teachers should select the best examples of each type submitted (short story, poem and creative non- fi ction) for inclu- sion in the school’s folder entry. All schools are urged to submit entries, since each individual contribution is rated and the ratings and criticisms are helpful in improving the standards of the school’s work in this fi eld. Complete entries only are accepted; no individual short story, creative non- fi ction or poem will be considered unless it is included in the school entry. PM 121-2-1 CREATIVE WRITING/Eligibility (9-93) -Creative writing students are exempt from the eligibility rules. 121-3-1 Program -The League program in creative writing consists of separate contests in each of four divisions: school folder (the cumulative e ff ort of the six original compositions submitted; see 121-5-1 and 121-5-2), short story, creative non- fi ction and poetry. Each member school desiring to participate submits its entry for judgment in accordance with the following rules and regulations. 121-4-1 Aids to Sponsors -To stimulate interest in creative writing and to enable spon- sors and students to evaluate the quality of writing submitted in the contest, the League publishes annually a booklet containing the winning selections in each category from the previous year. This booklet will be sent to member schools without charge upon request to the League O ffi ce. -203- 121-5-1 Rules and Regulations -Each school entering the contest shall submit an entry containing six original compositions: two creative non- fi ctions, two poems and two short stories. 121-5-2 Only one selection by any one student shall be included in the folder. 121-5-3 All selections shall have been written by students during the school year in which the contest is conducted. A violation, if discovered and reported to the executive or assistant director prior to or within three weeks after the date results are distributed, will result in disquali fi cation of both the individual entry and the school folder and a redistribution of awards as necessary. 121-5-4 Creative Non-Fiction -Entries should use story-telling styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives. Creative non- fi ction uses the creativity of storytelling but has to be true. Entries must be based on real events, people, and experiences. If the entry is history- or fact-based but includes fi ctional characters or occurrences, submit in the short story category. Creative non- fi ction is a great place to explore personal interpretation of research, interviews, or other factual material, but is not the same thing as a book report or newspaper article. It is the di ff erence between writing about your fi rst day of high school and including all the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings, versus interviewing the school principal about their plans for the year. 121-5-5 Short Story -Entries in this category should be a work of fi ctional prose that tells a complete narrative with a beginning, middle, and end. Short stories may be based on true events, memories, or personal experiences, but to be accepted in this category, it cannot be 100% factual. The story should be self-contained (not part of a larger work) and should feature fully developed characters and a coherent plot structure. A short story that is written in poem-form (a story in verse), should submit in the poetry category. 121-5-6 Poem -Entries in this category should use carefully selected and arranged language to evoke emotion, imagery, or ideas. Poems may be written in free verse or follow speci fi c formal structures (sonnets, villanelle, etc). Poems may rhyme but do not have to. 121-5-7 Creative non- fi ction entries shall be limited to not more than 3,000 words and short stories to not more than 5,000 words. Poems may be between one and ten pages in length. 121-5-8 Entries shall be uploaded by March 15. 121-5-9 Entries shall be uploaded to the website noted on the creative writing entry guidelines. Each entry must be named according to the guidelines for entry and uploaded to the website. 121-5-10 Frequent errors in copy reading, spelling or punctuation shall disqualify entry. 121-5-11 No illustrations shall be used in the selections themselves. LITERARY ACTIVITIES -204- 121-5-12 Each school entering the contest shall make every e ff ort to determine that all compositions included in the school entry are the original work of the student author named. 121-6-1 Judgments -Creative writing contest judges are selected from college and university faculty members or professional writers. The judges rate each school entry as a whole and each individual composition within each entry. PM 121-6-1 CREATIVE WRITING/J ඝඌඏඕඍඖගඛ (1-90) -Creative writing competition judges rate the top eight schools. 121-7-1 Evaluations -A general summary of the contest entries by groups, with a critical evaluation of the standard of excellence attained by both schools and individuals, is prepared by the judges and distributed with the announcement of winners and individual school rat- ings to all competing schools. Outstanding creative non- fi ctions, poems and short stories are collected in a booklet available to interested schools without charge if requested. 121-8-1 Guidelines for Appropriate Content -Although the League has no desire or intention to act as a censoring agency, it does recognize a responsibility to maintain reason- able standards for written expression. The League recommends that each school adopt and publish policy guidelines on how students may deal with questionable or controversial content and that the principal or his/her designated agent ensures that entries approved for submission in the League's creative writing competition conform to those guidelines. No entry containing plagiarized or libelous material will be rated nor will it receive an award. SECTION 122: PUBLICATIONS EVALUATION SERVICES. 122-1-1 Purpose -The six publications evaluation services (Newspaper, Yearbook, Magazine, Newsmagazine, Online News, Broadcasting) are intended to encourage schools to produce student publications as a part of their activities programs and to assist the advis- ers and editorial sta ff s of school publications in improving the quality of their products. 122-2-1 Program -The League program in the fi eld of student publications consists of separate evaluation services for each group of schools in each of four divisions: newspapers, yearbooks, magazines, newsmagazines, online news and broadcasting. Each member school desiring to participate submits its publications for evaluation in accordance with the following regulations and instructions. 122-2-2 In order that all interested schools may receive the bene fi ts of additional training as well as the comments and criticisms of the evaluators for all publications, League-sponsored workshops will be o ff ered each fall on the dates speci fi ed on the Activities Calendar (inside front cover of Handbook ). Information regarding the content and the general organization of the workshops will be mailed to every member school well in advance of each activity. 122-3-1 School Participation -Every school producing a publication, no matter how infrequently or in what form, is encouraged to participate in the appropriate publication evalu- ation service in order that its advisers and sta ff s may bene fi t from the criticisms, suggestions and comments of the evaluators. Each entry receives an individual evaluation. Each school will be evaluated on the criteria provided in the evaluation booklet and has an equal chance of receiving top awards. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -205- LITERARY ACTIVITIES PM 122-3-1 PUBLICATIONS/Eligibility (9-93) -Publication sta ff s are exempt from the VHSL eligibility rules. Rules and Regulations: 122-4-1 Entry Deadline -Only publications which are uploaded to the VHSL portal and the appropriate entry form and payment is received in the League O ffi ce on or before the deadline date for entry speci fi ed on the Activities Calendar will be accepted for the evaluation services. 122-4-2 A school may enter any or all of the evaluation services. 122-4-3 Only entries which are uploaded and submitted with the o ffi cial entry form and appropriate fees, complete and properly certi fi ed by the school principal, and received not later than the deadline date for entry will be accepted. 122-5-1 Evaluation Procedures -Each evaluator prepares an evaluation of each entry. This consists of a written report on the appropriate evaluative criteria booklet and annotated comments written on the publications which have been submitted. 122-6-1 Levels of Evaluation -For the purpose of assigning publications to levels of evaluation within each group classi fi cation, all schools entering publications shall be listed by order of their membership as recorded in their evaluative criteria booklets. (1) Newspaper, Newsmagazine and Yearbook entries shall be listed in order from the largest school membership being served to the smallest and each publication shall then be subdivided into ranking levels, each with a separate evaluator. (2) Magazine entries shall be listed in the same order and shall be subdivided into rank- ing levels as necessary, each with a separate evaluator. (3) Online News and Broadcast shall be listed in the same order and shall be subdivided into ranking levels as necessary, each with a separate evaluator. 122-7-1 Awards -The ratings of Trophy Class, First Class, Second Class and Third Class will be awarded within each level of evaluation. No maximum or minimum number of awards, within the four award classi fi cations, are allotted to any rating level. 122-7-2 All rankings and awards given will be announced at the Media Championship and a listing of all publications ranked shall be distributed to all member schools. 122-8-1 Evaluative Criteria -The Evaluative Criteria Booklets are designed to provide general guidelines for the incorporation of sound journalistic practices and will be sent to evaluators along with the registration form which assists the evaluator by permitting the sta ff to alert him/her to special problems in fi nance, production, personnel and/or possibly such complications as peer expectations and traditions. The more that an evaluator knows about a publication, the more capable he/she is in rendering a realistic reaction to the work accomplished and in suggesting methods for improvement. -206- 122-8-2 Any member school may propose changes in the evaluating criteria by mailing suggestions to the League o ffi ce, by presenting these suggestions, in writing, to the assistant director at a Publications Workshop or by sending the suggestions to the chairman of the Scholastic Publications Advisory Committee. 122-8-3 Proposed changes shall be discussed at the regular meetings of the Scholastic Publications Advisory Committee. Proposals which the committee adopts would become ef- fective the following school year and would be printed and distributed to all member schools immediately after acceptance. 122-9-1 Publications Evaluators -Evaluators used to evaluate publications submitted to the Publications Evaluation Services shall be selected by the assistant director depending on their knowledge of the particular type of publication and their prior experience with evaluating publications. The assistant director may select both Virginia and non-Virginia evaluators for original evaluations and/or re-evaluations. 122-10-1 Guidelines For Responsible Journalism -Although the League has no desire or intention to act as a censoring agency, it does recognize a responsibility to maintain reasonable standards of responsible journalism. The League believes that the publication of slanderous and/or libelous statements, obscenities or nudity should not be a part of a secondary school publication. Experience has disclosed that while such violations are indeed rare, problems occasionally arise in areas such as letters to the editor, poems and sta ff attempts to produce “cute” captions, copy and/or headlines. The League recommends that each school adopt and publish a Code of Journalistic Standards which can serve as a guide for the various sta ff s and potential contributors and will spell out what will and will not be acceptable material for publication. Furthermore, no publication will be rated nor will it receive an award if it uses obscene graphics or language (whether obvious, coded or disguised). No publication that violates copyright or contains plagiarized or libelous material will be rated nor will it receive an award. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -207- Academic Activities SECTION 126: SCHOLASTIC BOWL. 126-1-1 Sponsored Activity -The Virginia High School League sponsors the activity called Scholastic Bowl, which is an academic competition held at local/district, region (and/ or super-region), and the state levels, leading to recognition at each level. 126-2-1 Purpose -To stimulate interest and recognize student achievement in the academic program which is the foundation of a school's mission, the League encourages competition emphasizing knowledge of English, mathematics, science and social studies. 126-3-1 School Participation -The League program is designed to supplement, not replace any existing local or regional academic competition. Note : The VHSL places no restriction on participation in independent tournaments or on travel out of state. However, individual regions may elect to place restrictions on teams in that region. 126-4-1 Program -The League's Scholastic Bowl competition begins at the regional level with optional regular season and/or district tournament competition designed to determine two schools that will advance to a regional tournament. Each region participating will hold a tournament to select fi rst place and second place teams to advance to a super-region tourna- ment. Each super-region will hold a tournament to select fi rst place and second place teams to advance to a state tournament. If a region elects to hold only a region competition prior to state, the fi rst place team only will advance. If a fi rst or second place school is unable to advance to the super-regional or state competition, the third place school in the appropriate regional or super-regional tournament may compete at the next level. No replacements be- yond third-place schools shall be permitted. Deadline dates for regional and super-regional tournaments and the date of the state tournament are published in the annual o ffi cial VHSL Calendar. Note : A super-region consists of two regions. Each level (region or super-region) must determine the rotation of region pairings and hosting responsibility prior to the begin- ning of the season. 126-4-2 Regional Quali fi cation -Regions determine the number of teams that can qualify to a regional tournament through regular season and/or district tournament competi- tion as determined by the Regional Council. If no more than two schools in a region want to participate, the region may designate the school(s) as the region's representative(s) in a regional tournament. Any disputes about which school should represent the region at the state tournament level must be resolved within VHSL rules and regulations at the regional level. Note : The format for Scholastic Bowl may include sectionalizing at the region level or conducting a super-regional at the post-region level. A super-region consists of two regions. Groups choosing the super-region option must, prior to the beginning of the season, determine the rotation of region pairings and hosting responsibility. -208- 126-4-3 The speci fi c time, place and date for the regional tournament is determined by the tournament director, who is approved by the Regional Council. The name of the tourna- ment director must be reported to the League o ffi ce at least one month before the regional tournament. The director is responsible for the conduct of the tournament in accordance with League regulations. If a region opts to use questions provided by the state commissioner, the tournament director must meet all deadlines and requirements established by the com- missioner. The League o ffi ce will supply tournament directors with a festival kit, containing all necessary instructions, well in advance of the deadline date for the tournament. 126-5-1 Rules and Regulations -In all League sponsored academic competitions, both individual representatives and member schools are required to observe and comply with all League rules and regulations set forth in Section 26 through 33 of this Handbook , with the exception of those that make speci fi c reference to athletics, as well as those rules that govern each speci fi c contest as set forth in Section 126. All VHSL rules governing eligibility and sportsmanship shall apply. Violations of any of these rules render the o ff ender liable to such disciplinary action as the appropriate district, regional or state committee may impose. 126-5-2 Certi fi cation -Only entries submitted on the o ffi cial entry form properly certi fi ed by the school principal and received by the deadline date for entry shall be accepted. 126-6-1 Competition Format -Regions and super-regions holding qualifying tournaments must follow state guidelines governing the tournament format. The state guidelines are not mandatory for regular season competition or for tournaments independent of the VHSL series. 126-6-2 Tournament Format -Each team advancing to the state competition will compete in a round-robin tournament within its own classi fi cation group (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). The team with the best win-loss record shall be declared the state champion, and the team with the second best win-loss record shall be runner-up. Regions and super-regions may use either a double-elimination or a round-robin format. Extenuating circumstances are determined by the tournament director. At the beginning of each match, each student's paper must be blank. Players may start making notes on their paper when the quizmaster starts testing the electronic equipment, but substitutes, when they come in, must have a blank sheet of paper. Any poster or props, such as a list of Presidents or a periodic table, in the room should be covered or removed. 126-7-1 Participation -Each team must start each tournament with four players. If there are extenuating circumstances such as illness, a team may fi nish the tournament with fewer than four players. While an o ffi cial team consists of four players, by agreement of a majority of the competing coaches and/or the permission of the tournament director, a team may begin with fewer than four, due to extenuating circumstances such as illness. Each school shall provide one person to serve as scorekeeper. Scratch pads and pencils will be provided by the host institution and available to teams during the competition. All other materials must be removed from the contestant's tables prior to the beginning of each round. 126-8-1 Questions -Questions will be drawn from the following areas--mathematics, science/health, social studies, English and miscellany. Miscellany questions will include current events, fi ne arts, music, entertainment and sports. The questions will be randomly selected from among the categories within a particular game. There will be no guarantee that questions will be evenly distributed among the categories, although a balance will be sought. Questions will be read once except math questions, which will be read twice. The VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -209- questions used for competition are to be kept secure and con fi dential at all times by o ffi cial sta ff members. Coaches are not permitted access to questions until formally released by the commissioner at the end of the Scholastic Bowl season. Exception: coaches may be permitted to view a speci fi c question(s) at end of match, but only for the purpose of resolv- ing disputes or appeals. Seeking access to or sharing content of competition questions or answers before formal release - whether intentional or unintentional, in casual conversation, writing, or electronic means - is a VHSL sportsmanship violation. 126-9-1 Games -Each game consists of two toss-up rounds and one directed team round (which is played between the two toss-up rounds). Each toss-up round has 15 questions, and the directed team round has 20 total questions, 10 directed to each team. 126-9-2 Toss-up Rounds -Fifteen questions will be asked in each toss-up round for a total of 30 toss-up questions within each game. Any of the four team members from either team may respond by activating the electronic equipment and waiting to be recognized. Once the quizmaster fi nishes reading the question, a team member must activate the equipment within the designated time. Otherwise, time will be called, and the quizmaster will give the correct answer and proceed to the next question. Once a contestant has been recognized, he/she must immediately give the correct answer. ("Immediately" shall be de fi ned as three seconds after the team member is recognized, at which time the timekeeper should call "Time.") Teammates may not confer during the toss-up round. If the game o ffi cials rule that conferring has occurred, that will be treated as if that team answered incorrectly, with a fi ve-point penalty for interrupting with an incorrect answer if appropriate. The quizmaster will accept only the fi rst answer given. Each correct answer is worth 10 points. There will be no penalty for an incorrect answer on an uninterrupted question. The opposing team shall have the remainder of the original designated response time for one person to buzz in and respond after the original answer has been ruled incorrect. If time is up, the other team must give an immediate answer. The default reponse time for all questions, unless otherwise noted, is 10 seconds. 126-9-3 Procedures for toss-up rounds: (1) If there is a tie between the tone indicating time has expired or the timekeeper calling time and the player buzzing in during toss-up rounds (or the beginning of an answer during directed rounds) the tie will go to the player and he/she will have a chance to answer the question. (2) When the timepiece marking the remaining time is not visible to participating players, the timekeeper shall count down verbally the fi nal three seconds of remaining time. For example, "Three, two, one, TIME." (3) If the quizmaster is unsure of a player's answer, the quizmaster may ask the player to repeat her/his answer - the player may not change his/her answer. If the quizmas- ter believes the player has changed his/her answer, the quizmaster will then determine the answer was wrong. (4) The quizmaster and judges will determine whether conferring has occurred. Conferring is de fi ned as: ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES -210- (a) Any verbal or written communication during a toss-up between players or between players and audience members (including coaches and players not in the game). Players may, of course, make notes on their own scratch paper, but looking at a teammate's scratch paper, even if that teammate is unaware, is conferring. Coaches are permitted to whisper or write notes to other audience members to see (including other coaches and play- ers not in the game), provided they cannot be seen or heard by players in the game. (b) Any gestures players make which communicate information about an answer, or gestures made by audience members (including coaches and players not in the game) for players to see. Players are permitted to look at their teammates (provided they don't look at their teammates' scratch paper), hold their buzzers forward and/or extend their arm to indicate they know the answer, or to make appropriate "thinking" gestures. (5) If the quizmaster has determined that a team is conferring, then that team forfeits the opportunity to answer that question. (6) Players and coaches are allowed to communicate between rounds. Between questions, communication must be limited to brief words of encouragement or deciding whether or not to appeal a particular question. (7) At any time, players, coaches or audience members may alert the o ffi cials to unsafe or unacceptable conditions, either in the room or with a player/o ffi cial/audience member. This is not conferring. (8) If a player discovers his lockout system is not working during a toss-up, that player may signal by saying, "Buzz," or something equivalent. This is not conferring. If the lockout system malfunctions and two or more players say "Buzz" simultaneously or the quizmaster cannot easily determine who "buzzes" fi rst, then that question may be thrown out and replaced. (9) If a player stalls during the giving of an answer, this will be considered incor- rect. Stalling is de fi ned as a cumulative pause of three or more seconds after an answer has begun. Likewise, if a player precedes his answer with an interjection such as "Oh no!" the quizmaster will not consider that as the answer. However, it should not be counted as starting an answer. (10) If a player in the game stutters or has another physical condition that might reasonably prevent him/her from speaking quickly, this must be made known to the tourna- ment director and game o ffi cials before the match. The quizmaster should be reasonable in accepting answers from those players; a handicap is not the same thing as intentional stalling. (11) If a participant provides two intricately related pieces of information (e.g. author/ book, character/work, composer/opus, creator/creation, person/title, etc.) this will be treated as one answer, provided the relationship is correct and the answer to the question must be contained in the two pieces of information. If three or more related pieces of information are given (e.g. a character in a book by an author), only the fi rst two are to be considered. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -211- ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES Note : Only the fi rst answer to a question may be accepted. If a participant gives an answer with two or more parts in an attempt to "hit upon" the correct answer, the quizmaster, with the assistance of the judges, should determine that part of the response that constitutes the fi rst answer. The remainder of the response may not be considered. 126-9-4 Interruptions (on toss-up questions only) -If the question is interrupted, the quizmaster will stop reading the question at the point of an interruption. If an incorrect answer is given, a 5-point penalty will be assessed and the question will be reread for the opposing team from the beginning of the sentence in which the interruption occurred. One person from the opposing team may then buzz in to give an answer, with no consultation with team members. If the question is interrupted upon reading the question to the opposing team, no penalty is assessed in the event that they give an incorrect answer. No points are awarded unless they are correct, and the quizmaster moves on to the next question. 126-9-5 Special Procedures for Mathematics Questions -Mathematics questions are read twice. (1) Unless a mathematics question explicitly asks for the answer to be given in low- est terms or in a certain format (e.g. degrees, radians, simpli fi ed radicals), an answer that is mathematically equivalent, can be shown as such in a reasonable amount of time and demonstrates knowledge of the process needed to obtain the answer, will be accepted. If a player buzzes in before the explicit request is made in the question (e.g. buzzes in with 90 degrees before the question asks "in radians") this will also be acceptable. (2) In questions involving units of measurement (square feet, yards, etc.), unless the question mentions the unit of measurement (e.g. "How many square yards is..."), the player is expected to give the unit of measurement. If the player provides the correct number, but does not provide the unit of measurement, then the quizmaster will prompt the player (e.g. "Please provide the unit of measurement"). If the player provides an incorrect unit of measurement, then the quizmaster will rule the answer incorrect. 126-9-6 Answering Before Being Recognized -If a team member begins his/her answer after buzzing, but before being recognized, one warning will be issued per team. If the answer is correct when the warning is fi rst given, the team will receive the full 10 points. A fi ve-point penalty will be assessed after the warning for each improper response from the warned team -- a correct response will be awarded 10 points with a 5-point penalty; an incorrect response will receive a 5-point penalty only. 126-9-7 Wrong Person Answers -If the wrong person answers the question, but the proper person was identi fi ed, the quizmaster will turn to the fi rst person from the other team to buzz in. If that response is incorrect, the question dies. Note : If an improper person is identi fi ed by the judges and that person initiates a response (right or wrong), then a mistake in question presentation has occurred and the question must be replaced (Section 126-9-10). 126-9-8 Questions Directed to Teams -Each team will have the opportunity to answer 10 directed questions. At the end of the fi rst toss-up round, the team that has the lower score may choose to answer directed questions "A" or "B." If they select "A," they will have ques- -212- tions directed to them fi rst, and if they choose "B," they will go second. (If there is a tie at the end of the fi rst round, the quizmaster will fl ip a coin with the team who is fi rst alphabetically calling the loss. The winner of the coin toss will then select the order of questions.) During this part of the competition, team members may confer and all answers will be given by the team captain unless he/she explicitly designates another team member to answer a speci fi c question. The team captain shall wait until the entire question has been read to respond. If a team fails to answer a directed question within the designated time, or answer incorrectly, the question will go to the opposing team. Ten points will be awarded to the team with the correct answer. Questions will be alternated between teams, with the fi rst question given to team A and the second question given to team B, etc. If a team fails to answer a directed question within the designated time, or answers incorrectly, the opposing team will be asked by the quizmaster to give an answer within the remainder of the designated time or immediately if the buzzer has already sounded without having the question reread. 126-9-9 Procedures for directed round: (1) During directed questions, the captain or his/her designee must begin an answer before the designated amount of time expires. The designee cannot designate someone else. Designating a teammate does not count as starting an answer. If time expires while an answer is being given, the person answering must fi nish the answer without stalling. Stalling is de fi ned as a cumulative pause of three or more seconds after an answer has begun. (2) No penalty will be assessed during directed questions if the captain and his/ her designee interrupts the reading of the questions and then gives an incorrect answer. However, the other team will have the opportunity to hear the question in its entirety and have ten seconds in which to confer. For computation questions, the other team will have the chance to hear the question in its entirety twice and have the designated time in which to confer. (3) If the team to whom the question was directed answers incorrectly, the opposing team must begin its answer within the remainder of the designated time or immediately if the buzzer has already sounded. (4) There are 20- and 30-second computation questions in the directed round. When questions have a longer response time, that question will have a written-in lead to clarify, for example: "This is a 30-second calculation question." Math toss-ups and directed conceptual questions will be 10 seconds. Note : Players may choose to get up from their seats, or move their seats around, for the directed question round. 126-9-10 Mistake in Question Presentation -If the quizmaster misreads a question or presents in a way contrary to existing rules, the judges will confer with the quizmaster and rule whether a mistake in presenting the question has occurred. The judges' decision will be fi nal. If it is ruled that a mistake in presenting the question has occurred, the judges will void the question and substitute a new question for both teams, if the mistake occurs in the VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -213- ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES toss-up rounds. If a mistake is made by a quizmaster in a directed question (such as giving a correct answer before the second team has had an opportunity to answer), a replacement question will be directed only to the second team. Notes : (1) Replacement questions shall correspond to the round in which the mistake oc- curs (for example, the replacement question for a mistake made in the toss-up round must come from the longer, pyramidal questions, included for end of match tie-breakers. If the mistake occurs in the directed session, the replacement question must be one of the shorter questions (or computation question), included at the very end of the match tie-breakers. (2) Toss-up questions refer to those in rounds one and three only. Directed ques- tions are those in round two. Presentation refers to actions of all o ffi cials at discretion of quizmaster. 126-9-11 Answers Involving a Person's Name -If the answer to a question involves a person's name, the answer will be considered correct if only the last name is given, unless the question speci fi cally calls for the fi rst and last name or if a fi rst name is required to properly identify a speci fi c person. If an incorrect fi rst or middle name is given, in either case, the answer will be considered incorrect, even if the proper last name is given. 126-9-12 Contesting -A team coach or designated assistant coach must contest or ap- peal a decision of the quizmaster or judges and note the reason for his/her protest at the time he/she believes there has been an error and not more than two questions later. However, the protest will be resolved only at the end of the match. The judges will consult both head coaches before reaching a decision. The judges' decisions are fi nal. 126-9-13 Procedures for Resolution: (1) If questions are raised about the correctness of an answer a player gives and there is easy agreement of players, coaches and/or judges on the appropriate response, the issue may be resolved immediately and the score adjusted as appropriate. This resolution may include throwing out the question, but only if both coaches agree. (2) If agreement is not easy or immediate (10-15 seconds), the game o ffi cials will make a decision. A coach may then make a formal protest. A player may ask their coach to make a formal protest, but the fi nal decision to protest lies in the hands of that team's coach(es). (3) If points are a factor in tie-breakers (for example, in a round robin format), then all protests must be resolved. If points are not a factor in tie-breakers (for example, in head- to-head or double elimination format), then the protest will only be resolved if it could change the outcome of the match. (4) If the judges or their designee(s) cannot provide a resolution to a formal protest after fi fteen minutes of research, the initial decision of the game o ffi cials will stand, and the answer(s) printed on the question sheet will be regarded as correct. The tournament direc- tor will then contact the question provider with this protest, so he/she can make necessary adjustments. -214- 126-10-1 Declaring the Winner -The team with the highest number of combined points in the toss-up and team rounds will be declared the winner of that game. If a tie exists at the conclusion of the fi nal toss-up round, toss-up questions will be asked one at a time until the score changes, either because one team gets a correct answer or is penalized, thus break- ing the tie. All rules applying to toss-up questions will also apply to tie breakers. The team with the best win-loss record shall be declared the state champion, and the team with the second best win-loss record shall be runner-up, and so on. In the event of a tie in win-loss record, the tie breaker shall be determined by head-to-head whereby the winner is selected based on which team won when the two played each other. If a head-to-head tie exists, the second tie breaker shall be total points scored in the tournament. One of the score sheets will be considered the o ffi cial score sheet. Each team's coach must sign the score sheet at the conclusion of the match to indicate his/her acceptance of the fi nal score and to forfeit the right to make further appeals. 126-10-2 Procedures for Declaring the Winner: (1) If a team, which has previously been warned or penalized for answering before being recognized, buzzes in during tie-break and correctly answers the question but does so before being properly recognized, that team will earn ten points, minus a fi ve point penalty, for a net gain of fi ve points, and that team will be declared the winner. (2) The third tie-breaker shall be a 15-question toss-up with a "sudden death" tie- breaker question if necessary. In the event of a three-way tie (on third tie-breaker), one school of the three shall be drawn from a "hat" and that school will get a fi rst round bye for the toss-up round. The other two schools play, then the bye team plays the winner of the two other schools in a second round. (3) A coach's refusal to sign the score sheet does not guarantee the right to further appeals. 126-11-1 Substitution -Substitutions are recommended but not required. Substitutions may be made only at the end of the fi rst toss-up round, or after both teams have answered directed questions. If the captain is replaced by a substitute before the directed questions round, a new captain must be designated. Note : If there are extenuating circumstances such as illness, a team may substi- tute in the middle of a round. Extenuating circumstances are determined by the tournament director (or quizmaster if the tournament director is not available). 126-12-1 Scoring -Ten points will be awarded for each correct answer. Five-point penal- ties will be assessed for interrupting a toss-up question with an incorrect answer and/or for answering without being recognized as outlined in 126-9-4 and 126-9-6. A double penalty will not be assessed against a single team on any one question. The quizmaster, with the help of the judges, must inform all o ffi cials, players, coaches and audience members when a fi ve-point penalty is given. Note : Score checks should be made after each round, and at the request of either coach. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -215- ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES 126-13-1 O ffi cials -Each quiz room shall be sta ff ed with the following personnel: a quiz- master; at least one judge, who will also keep score; and a timekeeper. Each participating team will provide a scorekeeper, who will con fi rm results with the judge(s). The quizmaster and judge(s) and timekeeper must be adults. The decision of the judges is fi nal. Notes : (1) Adults are de fi ned as anyone who is out of high school and over the age of eighteen. (2) Ideally, the room should be set up with quizmaster and sta ff positioned centrally or equidistant between both teams, and both players and o ffi cials facing the audience, forming three sides of a square and the audience forming the fourth side. If the quiz room contains a stage, both players and o ffi cials should be on the stage. See diagrams for acceptable playing room con fi gurations in the Scholastic Bowl Resource Guide. (3) Separate copies of instruction sheets for game o ffi cials should be provided. Legitimate copies of those sheets shall have the same weight and force as information contained in this document. 126-14-1 Awards -Each Regional Council shall adopt a program of awards for its Scho- lastic Bowl competition. The Virginia High School League shall present trophies to the teams placing fi rst and second in the championship game in each group. Medals, not to exceed 12 per team, will be awarded to the individual team members of the fi rst and second place teams in each group. SECTION 128: FILM FESTIVAL. 128-1-1 Sponsored Activity and Purpose -The League sponsors academic fi lm festival competition. The League believes that participating in fi lm production supports education in visual storytelling through conceptualizing, researching, writing, casting, directing, acting, cinematography, and editing. 128-2-1 Program -The League's fi lm festival competition is an “all-in” state event whereby all schools are invited to submit and compete in an open format without regard to classi fi ca- tion. Submission deadline is March 15. 128-3-1 School Participation -The League program is designed to supplement any existing program and encourages schools to submit to multiple fi lm festivals. 128-4-1 Expenses -All production, travel, board and lodging expenses shall be defrayed by the competing schools or their contestants. 128-5-1 Rules and Regulations -Member schools are required to observe and comply with all League rules and regulations set forth in Sections 26 through 33 of the Handbook , with the exception of those that make speci fi c reference to athletics, as well as with those rules and regulations which govern the Film Festival program as set forth in Sections 128-137. All members of fi lm crews including but not limited to writer, director, lead cast, cinematographer, editor, musicians, sound and lighting must meet eligibility requirements. A violation of any -216- rule in this section, if discovered and reported before the end of the competition, will result in disquali fi cation and redistribution of awards as necessary. PM 128-5-1 Eligibility -Film Festival participants are subject to all eligibility rules except the Scholarship Rule. 128-5-2 An entry must be produced by a crew in the current school year in which it is entered in competition. 128-5-3 Films must be the original work of the entrants. Films may not be based, in whole or in part, on any other fi ction or non- fi ction material, published or unpublished, produced or unproduced that is not already in public domain. Note : Works cannot be word for word from any other fi ction or non- fi ction material. Spoofs or editorials are acceptable based on existing copyright laws. (1) An entry must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity. If an entry contains any material or elements that are not owned by the entrant, and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submitting such entry, any and all written releases and consents necessary to permit the use and exhibition of the entry by the VHSL, including, without limitation, name and likeness permissions from any person who appears in or is identi fi able in the entry, music licenses and location releases. (2) Proof of any permissions granted shall accompany an entry. 128-5-4 The school submitting a fi lm must fully credit all participants on MEL and in credits. 128-5-5 Neither a soundtrack nor music is required. Use of public domain or royalty free music is permitted. If copyright protected music is used, the use must be with permission, and such permission shall be submitted in writing with the entry form. Music used may also be the original work of the entrants and credited as such. 128-5-6 Films not in English must be subtitled in English unless dialogue is minimal and not necessary for the comprehension of the fi lm. 128-6-1 Entries -Each submission requires an entry form. Incomplete entry form, failure to include payment or submitting materials that are unable to be viewed will disqualify your entry without refund. Only entries submitted on the o ffi cial entry form properly certi fi ed by the school principal and received not later than the deadline date for entry shall be accepted. The League is not responsible for materials that are lost, stolen or damaged in transit. Materials received after the received by deadline will be discarded without refund. Entry materials will not be returned. 128-6-2 Each school may enter two fi lms in each category not to exceed 12 entries total: narrative, documentary, animation, experimental and commercial and public service announcement. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -217- ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES 128-7-1 Format -All fi lms must be submitted according to the instructions on the entry form. The League is not responsible for materials that are lost, stolen, damaged or unable to be viewed. 128-8-1 Film Crews -A fi lm crew may consist of writer, director, lead cast, cinematogra- pher, editor, musicians, sound and lighting personnel. 128-9-1 Content -The content and choice of the topics for fi lms is important. Schools must create work which is honest in its fundamental concept, which is suited to the emotional development of the students, and which is handled with taste and restraint. Content must be appropriate to the audience for which it is presented and in support of contemporary com- munity standards. It is important that advisers review questionable content, language, use of fi rearms or other weapons or use of tobacco or other drug with the principal prior to recording. The principal's signature on the entry form will indicate approval of fi nal fi lm. Competition directors will not disqualify a fi lm approved by the principal based on content, though it may receive a lower ranking/rating/score. 128-10-1 Non-exclusive Rights -Entry into the VHSL Film Festival constitutes fi lmmak- ers’ irrevocable permission and consent, without compensation, for the VHSL to showcase submission at the VHSL Film Festival or any other VHSL event in as many screenings as the VHSL deems appropriate. 128-11-1 Promotion, Publicity and Marketing -Entrants permit the VHSL to use their name and/or likeness, contact information provided, title of work submitted, its logline and their results for promotional purposes. All fi lms selected for screening may be edited, modi- fi ed or excerpted for publicity purposes. The VHSL reserves the right to promote any fi lm to print, broadcast or internet media as required to market the Festival or the VHSL. SECTION 129: NARRATIVE. 129-1-1 De fi nition -The League de fi nes narrative as “a fi lm that depicts a fi ctional or fi ctionalized story or event.” 129-2-1 Length -Narratives must be no shorter than fi ve minutes and no longer than eight minutes in length. Timing includes opening titles and closing credits. 129-3-1 Bases for Evaluation -The criteria for evaluation shall include, but not be limited to: technical elements, storyline, acting/performance. SECTION 130: DOCUMENTARY. 130-1-1 De fi nition -The League de fi nes documentary as “a non- fi ctional fi lm intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instructing, informing or maintaining a historical record.” 130-2-1 Length -Documentaries must be no shorter than fi ve minutes and no longer than eight minutes in length. Timing includes opening titles and closing credits. 130-3-1 Bases for Evaluation -The criteria for evaluation shall include, but not be limited to: subject matter and technical elements. -218- SECTION 131: ANIMATION. 131-1-1 De fi nition -The League de fi nes animation as “a fi lm that creates continuous motion by means of rapid display of a sequence of static images that minimally di ff er from each other.” Animations may be created from graphics, clay, puppets, stop motion, etc. 131-2-1 Length -Animated fi lms must be no shorter than two minutes and no longer than eight minutes in length. Timing includes opening titles and closing credits. 131-3-1 Bases for Evaluation -The criteria for evaluation shall include, but not be limited to: technical elements, storyline, and acting/performance. SECTION 132: EXPERIMENTAL. 132-1-1 De fi nition -The League de fi nes experimental fi lm “an artistic fi lmmaking practice that focuses on sensory aesthetics and is often characterized by the use of various abstract techniques (out-of-focus, rapid cuts, etc.), the absence of linear narrative, and often has the goal of placing a viewer in a thoughtful space.” 132-2-1 Length -Experimental fi lms must be no shorter than three minutes and no longer than eight minutes in length. Timing includes opening titles and closing credits. 132-3-1 Bases for Evaluation -The criteria for evaluation shall include, but not be limited to: creativity, artistic merit, sensory appeal, and technical elements. SECTION 133: COMMERCIAL. 133-1-1 De fi nition -The League de fi nes commercial as “announcements intended for television or the Internet that aim to persuade or sell a product.” 133-2-1 Length -Commercials must be thirty or sixty seconds exactly in length. Timing includes opening titles and closing credits, if any. 133-3-1 Bases for Evaluation -The criteria for evaluation shall include, but not be limited to: persuasive merit, technical elements, and creativity. SECTION 134: PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT. 134-1-1 De fi nition -The League de fi nes public service announcement as "announcements intended for television or the Internet that aim to in fl uence the public towards a particular course of action. Political ads are not part of the PSA genre. 134-2-1 Length -Public service announcements may be up to 60 seconds in length. Timing includes opening titles and closing credits, if any. 134-3-1 Bases for Evaluation -The criteria for evaluation shall include, but not be limited to: persuasive merit, technical elements, and creativity. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -219- ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES SECTION 135: PREVIEW AND OFFICIAL SELECTION PROCESS. 135-1-1 Jury -Members of the Jury ( fi lmmakers, fi lm educators, critics and fi lm enthusi- asts) will, independently and without consultation, review each submission in its entirety. All fi lms will be evaluated in writing and ranked. 135-1-2 O ffi cial Selection -The festival director or designee shall compile the results, and the eight best fi lms in each category will become O ffi cial Selections. In the event of a tie, jurors will consult to make a decision. Should a fi lm be removed, disquali fi ed or otherwise withdrawn from the Festival after the O ffi cial Selection announcement has been made, the next highest scoring fi lm (First Alternate) will take its place. No alternates beyond fi rst shall be permitted as an O ffi cial Selection. O ffi cial Selections will be screened at the VHSL Film Festival and the fi lm with the best ranking in each category will be designated Best Film. 135-1-3 First Refusal -Once fi lms are announced as O ffi cial Selections to the VHSL Film Festival, fi lms may not be publicly screened or viewable online until after screening at the VHSL Film Festival. SECTION 136: STATE FILM FESTIVAL. 136-1-1 State Film Festival -A state Film Festival shall be held annually on dates speci- fi ed on the Activities Calendar. 136-1-2 A festival shall consist of six separate categories as follows: Narrative, Docu- mentary, Animation, Experimental, Commercial and Public Service Announcement. 136-1-3 The order of screening shall be determined by the festival director. 136-2-3 All schools will receive a complete report of jurors’ written evaluations and rank- ings. Entrants must accept without reservation the decisions rendered by the jurors. 136-2-4 Clerical or tabulation errors may be corrected within 60 minutes of the announced results. A school that leaves the festival site before the review period is complete forfeits the right to appeal or correct results. SECTION 137: AWARDS. 137-1-1 Best Film -The production with the lowest total of three ranks shall be declared the Best Film in its respective category (Best Narrative, Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best Experimental, Best Commercial, Best Public Service Announcement). A trophy will be presented to each Best Film winner, and individual members of each winning fi lm crew will receive medals. 137-2-1 Audience Choice - The production with the highest number of audience votes at the VHSL Film Festival live screening shall be declared the winner of the Audience Choice Award in its respective category (Audience Choice Narrative, Audience Choice Documentary, Audience Choice Animation, Audience Choice Experimental, Audience Choice Commercial, Audience Choice Public Service Announcement). A trophy will be presented to each Audi- ence Choice winner, and individual members of each winning fi lm crew will receive medals. -220- SECTION 138: ROBOTICS . Note : This is an emerging activity beginning with the 2025-26 school year. 138-1-1 Purpose -The program is intended to encourage schools to participate in robot- ics as a part of their activities programs, to stimulate interest and exploration in the areas of STEM, and to assist the advisers and administration of their school in improving the quality of their student’s experiences. 138-2-1 Program -The League program in the fi eld of robotics consists of separate evaluation for each school relative to established evaluation criteria. Each member school desiring to participate submits its completed application for evaluation in accordance with the following regulations and instructions. 138-2-2 In order that all interested schools may receive the bene fi ts of additional training as well as the comments and criticisms of program evaluators, League-sponsored workshops will be o ff ered each fall on the dates speci fi ed in Weekly Update or the VHSL website. Infor- mation regarding the content and the general organization of the workshops will be provided to every member school well in advance of each activity. 138-3-1 School Participation -Every school sponsoring robotics, no matter how developed the program or in what form, is encouraged to participate in the League program in order that its advisers and students may bene fi t from the feedback, suggestions and comments of the evaluators. Each entry receives an individual evaluation. All schools have an equal chance of receiving top awards in comparison to all others as each will be considered on its merits within established criteria. In modern high school settings, STEM should be deeply rooted in the instructional program of the school. Principals are urged to plan a school robotics program and to encourage student participation. It is recommended that the principal: (1) Discuss and review plans for school participation in robotics at a meeting of the faculty held early in the school year and present these plans to a subsequent student assembly. (2) Appoint a teacher and administrator or other support sta ff to sponsor and develop the school program and to coach participants therein. It is recommended that this sponsor be appointed early in the school year and that he/she be encouraged to attend conferences conducted for robotics sponsors and coaches. (3) Request all teachers cooperate in the identi fi cation of promising students in their classes for participation in the robotics program. 138-4-1 Rules and Regulations -In robotics, both individual representatives and member schools shall observe and comply with League rules and regulations set forth in Sections 26 through 33 of this Handbook , except those that apply exclusively to athletes as well as those rules and regulations which govern the robotics program as set forth in Section 137. A violation of any rule in these sections will result in disquali fi cation from consideration. 138-4-2 Entry Deadline -Only those robotics applications which are received in the League O ffi ce by the deadline date published on the VHSL website will be accepted for evaluation. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -221- ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES 138-4-3 Only entries which are submitted with the o ffi cial entry form, complete and properly certi fi ed by the school principal, appropriate fees, and received not later than the deadline date for entry will be accepted. 138-5-1 Evaluation Procedures -Each evaluator prepares an evaluation of each entry. This consists of a written report on the appropriate evaluative criteria booklet and annotated comments written on the supplemental application materials which have been submitted. 138-6-1 Levels of Evaluation -For the purpose of assigning programs to levels of evalu- ation within each group classi fi cation, all schools entering robotics shall be listed by order of their membership as recorded in their evaluative criteria booklets. 138-7-1 Evaluative Criteria -The Evaluative Criteria Booklet is designed to provide general guidelines for the incorporation of sound robotics practices and will be sent to evalu- ators along with the application form and supplemental application materials which assist the evaluator by permitting the team to alert him/her to special circumstances in fi nance, production, personnel and/or peer expectations, and traditions. The more that an evaluator knows about a program, the more capable he/she is of rendering a realistic reaction to the work accomplished and in suggesting methods for improvement. 138-7-2 Any member school may propose changes in the evaluating criteria by mailing suggestions to the League o ffi ce, by presenting these suggestions, in writing, to the assistant director at a robotics event or by sending the suggestions to the Robotics Advisory Commit- tee. 138-7-3 Proposed changes shall be discussed at the regular meetings of the Robotics Advisory Committee. Proposals which the committee adopts would become e ff ective the fol- lowing school year and would be printed and distributed to all member schools immediately after acceptance. 138-8-1 Robotics Evaluators -Evaluators used to evaluate robotics program applications submitted to the League o ffi ce shall be selected by the assistant director depending on their knowledge of robotics and their prior experience with evaluating robotics programs. The as- sistant director may select both Virginia and non-Virginia evaluators for original evaluations and/or re-evaluations. 138-9-1 Awards -The ratings of Trophy Class, First Class, and Second Class will be awarded within each level of evaluation, and determined by the evaluator’s judgement of applications. Judgements of evaluators will be considered fi nal. No maximum or minimum number of awards are allotted to any rating level. 138-9-2 All rankings and awards given will be announced at the Robotics Championship and a listing of all programs ranked shall be distributed to all member schools. SECTION 139: ESPORTS. 139-1-1 Purpose -The program is intended to encourage schools to participate in esports as a part of their activities programs to stimulate interest and exploration in the areas of STEM and the commercial entertainment industry; and to assist the advisers and administration of their school in improving the quality of their student’s experiences. -222- 139-1-2 Program -The League program in the fi eld of esports is delivered by the platform provider. The platform provider will register, schedule, track and manage all participating schools’ online activity during the season. Any technical issues experienced by a school must be brought to the attention of the platform provider immediately to expedite an e ff ective resolution. 139-2-1 Rules and Regulations -In all League sponsored esports competitions, both individual representatives and member schools are required to observe and comply with all League rules and regulations set forth in Section 26 through 33 of this Handbook, with the exception of those that make speci fi c reference to athletics, as well as those rules that govern each speci fi c contest as set forth in Section 139. All VHSL rules governing eligibility and sportsmanship shall apply. Violations of any of these rules render the o ff ender liable to such disciplinary action as the appropriate district, regional or state committee may impose. NOTE: VHSL competition is also subject to the playing rules of the platform provider. Violations of the playing rules, as set forth in materials published by the platform provider, are subject to penalties established by the platform provider. 139-3-1 Equipment -The platform provider will publish a “Minimum Required Equipment and Speci fi cations” list to participating schools annually. 139-4-1 Schedules -Each school shall make its own tryout, practice schedule, and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. Access to available games will be granted by the platform provider according to published dates of availability. 139-4-2 Minimum Practice Requirement -There is no minimum practice requirement for esports. 139-4-3 Regular Season -The platform provider will group participating schools ac- cording to the prevailing practices approved by the Executive Committee for regular season competition. 139-4-4 Each school team, and each individual player shall be limited to eight matches per game-title per season and two invitational tournaments per season, exclusive of district, regional and state tournament matches. 139-4-5 Invitational tournaments shall be conducted as a single-day event. Teams may participate in an unlimited number of dual matches in the tournament. Tournament results will not factor into regular season standings. 139-5-1 Suspended/Interrupted Matches-Matches which are suspended or interrupted prior to completion due to technical issues not in the control of a competing school, shall be restarted immediately upon resolution of the technical issue, or at a later date unless both schools agree to accept the score at the time of interruption as fi nal. 139-6-1 Regional and State Championships-following the regular season, the platform provider will provide for a state championship according to the prevailing practices approved by the Executive Committee for post season competition. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -223- ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES 139-6-2 Post Season Eligibility-Enrolled teams must regularly attend and complete their matches throughout the regular season to be eligible for playo ff s. Teams that forfeit three or more regular season matches will not be seeded into their league’s playo ff bracket. These teams may still compete through the rest of the regular season but will not be seeded into the playo ff s bracket. 139-6-3 State Championships -Playo ff bracket sizes are established based on prede- termined breakpoints set by the platform provider (PlayVS). These breakpoints are set to provide a competitive experience while allowing more teams to participate based on total playo ff -eligible teams. When the number of eligible teams meets or exceeds the designated “Team Breakpoint (X),” the bracket size may also change. The following table illustrates the breakpoints with the number of playo ff -eligible teams on the right and the corresponding row indicates the size of the bracket on the left. Bracket Breakpoints are as follows: Bracket Size Team Breakpoint (X) Top 4 4 Top 8 12 Top 16 24 Top 32 48 Top 64 96 For example: A league with 43 playo ff -eligible teams will have a bracket size of 16. Playo ff bracket sizes will be determined based on the number of playo ff -eligible teams at the end of Regular Season Week 4. 139-6-4 Championship Game Titles -The League will o ff er a fall season with champion- ships in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate & League of Legends, while o ff ering a spring season with championships in Rocket League & Mario Cart. NOTE: Teams and individuals permitted to play approved regional titles o ff ered on the PlayVS platform outside of the titles o ff ered as championships in the respective seasons 139-6-5 Team Restrictions -Each school may enter only one (1) team per game-title in the playo ff s. -224- SECTION BREAK The following pages include information on awards, agreement with professional baseball and competition with non-member non-public secondary schools. The following sections are included: Section 140-145 Awards

Appendix A Agreement with Professional Baseball Appendix B Requirements for competition with non-member non-public secondary schools -225- Awards SECTION 140: RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVEMENT. 140-1-1 Purpose -League awards are intended as recognition of the achievements of both schools and individuals rather than as rewards for participation. It is hoped that this recognition will stimulate interest and participation in the League program, but the emphasis is upon the values in achievement rather than upon the values of the awards themselves. 140-2-1 Types of Awards -The League shall present the following types of awards: (1) School Awards -For presentation to those schools whose teams or individual contestants win championships and for schools whose teams win second place in events in which second place is selected. (2) Individual Awards -For presentation to individual contestants who win speci fi ed places in state competition and to members of teams in speci fi ed activities whose schools receive trophies for fi rst or second place in state competition. (3) Academic Excellence Awards -The League has established a VHSL Academic Excellence Awards program in order to recognize individual participants in Virginia High School League activities who excel in the classroom. (4) Special Recognition -For recognition of outstanding service to the League by individuals and institutions. SECTION 141: SCHOOL AWARDS. 141-1-1 State Competition: (1) A gold trophy will be awarded to each school whose team wins fi rst place in state competition and, where such runner-up and third place positions are selected, to each school whose team wins second place or third place in such competition. (2) A gold trophy will be awarded to each school whose entry wins fi rst place in state competition among Creative Writing Folders. (3) A gold trophy will be presented to each school awarded fi rst or second place at the State Theatre Festival. -226- (4) A mounted, engraved certi fi cate will be awarded for Trophy Class magazines, newsmagazines, newspapers, online newspapers, yearbooks and broadcasts. (5) Certi fi cates for First, Second and Third Class magazines, newsmagazines, newspapers, online newspapers, yearbooks and broadcasts. SECTION 142: INDIVIDUAL AWARDS. 142-1-1 Types of Individual Awards -The following types of awards will be given to individual contestants: (1) Medals will be awarded to individual winners of speci fi ed places in the follow- ing state competitions: Cross Country, Debate, Golf, Gymnastics, Tennis, Track, Wrestling, Essay, Poetry, Short Story and Speech Activities. (2) Medals will be awarded to members of teams whose schools receive trophies for fi rst and second place in such state competitions as Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Debate, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Theatre Festival and Volleyball. (3) Principals having special reasons for awarding more than the allowed number of medals to team members may request of the Executive Director additional medals. Schools will be asked to provide the number of medals needed and enclose a check, payable to the League, for the current price of the requested medals. (4) Schools whose students receive such medals shall be responsible for whatever special engraving is desired. SECTION 143: ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS. 143-1-1 Nomination and Selection -Students would be eligible for a VHSL Academic Excellence Award by meeting the following criteria: (1) Students must comply with all VHSL eligibility standards during the period of the award (i.e., the sports or activities season). (2) For athletic activities, including cheerleading, the student must be a varsity letter winner in a VHSL sponsored sport. (3) For League programs of debate, drama, speech, creative writing and publica- tions, candidates must be varsity letter winners or meet an equivalent degree of participation in their respective activity as determined by their adviser and principal. (4) Students must achieve a minimum composite grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale based on results from a grading period as determined by the school principal. 143-1-2 Certi fi cates of Recognition -Upon request of a member school principal, the League would make available VHSL Academic Excellence Award certi fi cates suitable for presentation to students qualifying for this honor. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -227- SECTION 144: SPECIAL RECOGNITION. PM Section 134 SPECIAL RECOGNITION (10-94) -VHSL recognition will be given when criteria is met and not necessarily when the recipient retires. (1-96) – Recognition will be determined by a special selection committee. 144-1-1 Executive Committee Desk Piece -May be presented to any individual who has served on the VHSL Executive Committee. 144-1-2 VHSL Regional Award of Merit -Each region may nominate one administrator, including athletic/activity directors; one coach of any VHSL sport; and one contributor (of- fi cials, academic activity advisers or directors, media and others) for a total of three people who have positively impacted high school activity programs at the district, regional or state level that year. All regional nominees will receive VHSL recognition. 144-1-3 VHSL Lifetime Achievement Award -Individuals will be recognized for long- standing service of at least 15 years and exceptional dedication to the Virginia High School League or its programs as administrators (including athletic/activity directors), athletic coaches or contributors (o ffi cials, academic activity advisers or directors, media and others). 144-1-4 VHSL Torch of Honor -The League's highest honor recognizes service above and beyond the call of duty. In evaluating nominees, consideration will be given to outstanding service to VHSL at the regional and/or state level beyond that mandated by regular employ- ment, service to other professional organizations, innovation in developing new programs or expansion of existing programs, and other evidence of exceptional service to high school activity programs over a period of at least fi ve years. 144-1-5 Nomination and Selection -Nominations for the VHSL Regional Award of Merit will be forwarded to the Executive Committee by each region. Anyone may submit to the Executive Committee a nomination for a person to receive either the Lifetime Achievement Award or the Torch of Honor. Each nomination must be accompanied by a statement giving full details supporting the nominee's quali fi cations as relating to the criteria for recognition. The Recognition Committee will review all nominations and make recommendations to the Executive Committee for Lifetime Achievement and Torch of Honor. The Executive Commit- tee will recognize all regional nominees for the Award of Merit and all approved recipients of Lifetime Achievement and Torch of Honor at the annual fall membership meeting. Outgoing members of the Executive Committee will be recognized at their fi nal o ffi cial Executive Com- mittee meeting. PM 144-1-6 Larry Johnson SMAC Award (9-03) -This award may be presented annu- ally for signi fi cant contributions to the health and safety of VHSL participants. PM 144-1-7 Wells Fargo-VHSL Stay In The Game Awards (7-98) -This award is pre- sented annually to schools who receive no player or coach ejections for the current school year. PM 144-1-8 Claudia Dodson VHSL SEI Award (12-04) -The Claudia Dodson VHSL Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award was revised to a self-assessment format. AWARDS -228- PM 144-1-9 National Guard Cup Points -Winners of the National Guard Cup are deter- mined by a point system based on performance in VHSL state competitions. Schools can earn points for outstanding participation in athletic competitions as well as the fi ve academic activities involving team champions — scholastic bowl, creative writing, debate, theatre and speech. Points are awarded on the following basis: fi rst place, 50; second place, 45; third place, 40; fourth place, 35; fi fth place, 30; sixth place, 25; seventh place, 20; and eighth place, 15. Points (5th through 8th place) will be awarded to teams reaching regional fi nals, in lieu of state quarter fi nals, in football and tennis (9-08). In fi lm festival, schools placing both entries in the top eight places will earn points only on the highest scoring entry in that category (9-24). Scoring for school publications is based on the ranking earned in the League’s evaluation service: Trophy Class, 35; First Class, 20; Second Class, 5. Schools entering more than one publication in a single category will earn points based on their highest evaluation (9-24). SECTION 145: DISTRICT AND REGIONAL AWARDS. 145-1-1 Program of Awards -Each District and Regional Council shall adopt a program of awards for winners of district and regional competition. If trophies are awarded in such programs, they shall be in conformity with the League’s program at the state level. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -229- APPENDIX A Agreement with Professional Baseball The Virginia High School League, Inc., is a party to an agreement reached by the National Federation of State High School Associations and the Association of Professional Baseball Leagues of America to ensure a friendly working relationship between the two groups and to stimulate a healthy interest in high school baseball. The agreement sets forth, among other things, the rule governing the signing of high school boys to professional baseball contracts. That rule, applicable to major and minor baseball league, appears below: Major-Minor League Rule 3 (h) (h) High School Players (1) No student of a high school shall be signed to a contract by a major or minor league club during the period the student is eligible for participation in high school athletics. In any instance where such eligibility has expired prior to the student’s graduation from high school (a) because of the student’s age, or (b) because he/she has completed the maximum num- ber of semesters of attendance, he/she may thereafter be signed to a contract which does not obligate him/her to report for service prior to graduation of the class with which he/she originally entered high school, i.e., until eight semesters after his/her original entry into the ninth grade. (2) A student who drops out of high school prior to expiration of his/her athletic eligibility and continues to remain out for at least one year may thereafter be signed to a contract for immediate service provided his/her withdrawal from high school was not suggested, procured or otherwise in fl uenced by the club contracting with him/her, or by any o ffi cial or employee of such club or of any of its a ffi liates. (3) Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting any major or minor league club, its o ffi cers, agents or employees from talking to any high school student at any time concern- ing a career in professional baseball and discussing the merits of his/her contracting, when eligible therefore, with any particular club. (4) Tryouts to which students may be invited may be conducted during the school year, provided that (1) no student shall be permitted to participate in any such tryout unless the principal of his/her high school, if not employed by major or minor league club, shall have approved such participation in writing, and (2) provided further that any such tryout must be limited to not more than fi ve high school students per school. (5) Any contract made in violation of this rule shall be declared null and void and the o ff ending club (and any club owned by or a ffi liated with such club) shall be prohibited from signing such player for a period of three years from date of declaration of voidance of such contract. In addition, such club shall be fi ned $500, by the commissioner in the case of a major league club, or by the president of the National Association in the case of minor league club, and the o ffi cial, scout or employee of the o ff ending club who participated in the violation shall be subject to such penalty as the commissioner or the president of the National Association, as the case may be, shall impose. -230- (6) This rule shall apply to all high school students in the 50 states of the United States of America and shall not apply to high school students attending high schools outside the said 50 states of the United States of America. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -231- APPENDIX B Upon being informed as to whether a Virginia non-member non-public secondary school (private, preparatory, parochial, etc.) agrees to abide by the special regulations governing non-public schools, League member schools may decide whether or not to compete with that non-member school. To be eligible to represent the school in any athletic contest with a Virginia High School League, Inc., member school, a student of a non-public school shall meet the following requirements: 1. Bona Fide Student Rule - The student shall be a regular bona fi de student in good standing of the school which he/she represents. See Section 28-1-1. 2. Grade Rule - The student shall be enrolled in the last four years of high school. See Section 28-2-1 and 28-2-2. 3. Enrollment Rule - The student shall have been regularly enrolled in the non-member non-public school which he/she represents not later than the fi fteenth school day of the semester. See Section 28-3-1. Exception: Any student enrolling in a non-member non-public school more than 15 days after the matriculation date of that school, either by normal enrollment or by transfer from any other school, shall be eligible for participation in contests with League member high schools only after a period of 90 days from the date of his/her enrollment in the non-public school. 4. Age Rule - The student shall not have reached the age of 19 on or before the fi rst day of August of the school year in which he/she wishes to compete. See Section 28-5-1. 5. Semester Rule - The student shall not have been enrolled in the last four years of high school for a period of more than eight consecutive semesters, beginning with the semester in which he/she was enrolled for the fi rst time in the ninth grade. The eight consecutive se- mesters shall be counted continuously from that point, regardless of whether or not he/she remains continuously enrolled in school. See sections 28-7-1 and 28-7-2. 6. Amateur Rule - 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 bene fi ts derived therefrom. See Section 28-8-1. 7. Independent Team Rule - See Section 28-11-1. To be eligible to represent the school in any nonathletic activity with a Virginia High School League, Inc., member school, a student of a non-public school shall meet all of the above listed regulations except the Amateur Rule and the Independent Team Rule with the further provision that an 8th grader may participate in any nonathletic activity. -232- Non-public schools shall observe the following school regulations in all athletic contests and competitions with Virginia High School League, Inc., member schools: 1. Headmaster’s Responsibility - Final authority and ultimate responsibility in all matters pertaining to the athletic activities of the school shall be vested in the headmaster. 2. O ffi cials Rule - O ffi cials shall be mutually agreed upon by the faculty representatives of all schools concerned. See Section 27-6-1. 3. Eligibility Certi fi cate -At least 10 days before an athletic contest between a non-public school and a League member school the headmaster or principal of the non-public school shall send to the principal of the League member school a complete squad list to which is appended the signed statement of the headmaster that all those listed meet the eligibility requirements to which the non-public school has subscribed for such contests as set forth above. 4. Proselytizing Rule -No non-public school or group of individuals representing the non- public school shall subject a student from a member school to undue in fl uence by encourag- ing that student to transfer from a member school to a non-public school for interscholastic activities. See Section 27-10-1. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -233- scrimmage, 54-6-1-4 soccer, Sec. 78 softball, Sec. 79 standards, 50-3-1-2 state, Sec. 55 swimming, Sec. 80 tennis, Sec. 82 track, Sec. 84 volleyball, Sec. 86 wrestling, Sec. 88 Athletic forms League, 4-3-2 National Federation, 4-3-3 Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/ Physical Examination Rule, 28-9-1-2 Athletic Program, Sec. 54 Bene fi t Game, 54-6-1 broadcasts and telecasts for state tournaments, Sec. 55 combined school teams, 54-2-2 contest limitations, 54-5-1 dual season limitation, 54-2-5 introduction, 54-1-1 jamborees, 54-4-1 mandatory compliance with all rules, 54-12-1 participation by 7th graders, 54-2-3 participation by 8th graders, 54-2-4 participation limitation, 54-2-1 provision for sectional tournaments, 54-9-1 (c) scrimmages, 54-3-1 Awards, Sec. 140-145 Academic Excellence Award, Sec. 143 certi fi cate, of Academic Excellence, 143-1-2 for publications, 141-1-1 (5) of recognition, 144-1-1 district, Sec. 145 program, 145-1-1 individual, 140-2-1 (2), Sec. 142 purpose, 140-1-1 regional, 144-1-2, Sec. 145 program, 145-1-1 school, 140-2-1, Sec. 141 regional, 144-1-2 state competition, 141-1-1 special, 140-2-1 (4), Sec. 144 types, 140-2-1 Claudia Dodson VHSL SEI Award, 144-1-8 Larry Johnson SMAC, 144-1-6 Lifetime Achievement, 144-1-3 Torch of Honor, 144-1-4 Index A Adoption of State Tournaments, 55-1-1 Age rule, 28A-1-1 All-Star Game rule, 27-1-1 All-Star Participation rule, 28B-1-1 Alternates Executive Committee, 12-2-1 Amateur rule, 28B-2-1 Amendments, Sec. 21 e ff ective date, 21-5-1 emergency, 21-4-1 process, 21-3-1 proposing, 21-2-1 review, 21-6-1 Appeals, Sec. 33 appellant’s premeeting procedures, 33-2-1 board of, 33-5-1 appellant’s premeeting procedures, 33-5-2 authority, 33-5-4 membership, 33-5-3 deadlines, 33-2-1, 33-4-1, 33-5-2 decision, executive committee, 33-4-2 executive committee review, 33-4-1 executive director review, 33-3-1 expenses, 33-6-2 hearing notice, 33-6-1 hearing policies, 33-7-1 Independent Hearing O ffi cer, 33-5-1 when permissible, 33-1-1 Assistant Directors, Sec. 16 appointment, 16-1-1 duties, 16-2-1 Athletes, rules for, Sec. 28B Athletic activities, Sec. 50-88 baseball, Sec. 56 basketball, Sec. 58 control, 50-2-1 cross-country, Sec. 64 fi eld hockey, Sec. 66 football, Sec. 68 general, Sec. 54 golf, Sec. 70 guiding principles, 26-4-1 gymnastics, winter, Sec. 74 indoor track, Sec. 76 introduction, Sec. 50 rules, mandatory compliance with, 54-9-1 -234- penalty for failure to attend rules clinic, 30-9-1 rule, 27-2-1-4 Code for Interscholastic Athletics, 27-11-8 College Participation rule, 28B-5-1 College Team rule, 27-3-1 Combination Districts, 10-1-1, 18-4-1, 19-1-1 Combined Schools, 8-1-2, 54-2-2 Committees, Sec. 12, 13, 20, 33 Appeals, Sec. 33 District, Sec. 20 duties, 20-3-1 Executive, Sec. 12 Group, 17-7-1 Interdistrict, authority, 12-3-4, 32-1-1 (2) membership, 20-2-1 o ffi cers, 20-2-1 purpose, 20-1-1 Sportsmanship, Sec. 13 Compliance with rules and regulations mandatory, 54-12-1 required of schools and individual contestants, 26-4-1, 54-12-1 Contest entry fees, 9-3-1 Contest Limitation rule, 27-4-1 Contest Limitations, 54-5-1 Contracts failure to ful fi ll, 27-1-5 (2) for interscholastic athletic contests, 4-4-2, 4-4-3, 27-1-5 (2) for interstate games or meets, 4-4-3, 27-5-1 League forms recommended, 27-105 (2) non-league forms, not to be considered by district committee in any protest, 27-1-5 (2) Councils, Sec. 18, 19 duties, 19-3-1-5 chairman, 19-5-2 o ffi cers, 19-4-1 secretary, 19-5-4 treasurer, 19-5-5 vice-chairman, 19-5-3 eligibility for competitive honors, 19-9-1 fi nances, 19-8-1 meetings, 19-6-1 membership, 19-2-1 o ffi cers, 19-4-1 purpose, 19-1-1 quorum, 19-7-1 VHSL Stay in the Game, 144-1-7 Wells Fargo Cup points, 144-1-9 Awards rule, 28-10-1-3 B Baseball, Sec. 56 championships, conference, Sec. 54 regional, Sec. 54 state, Sec. 55 pitching regulations, 56-4-2 playing rules, Sec. 54, Table schedules, 56-1-1 speed-up rules, 56-4-3 suspended game rule, 56-3-1 Basketball, Sec. 58 championships, conference, Sec. 54 regional, Sec. 54 state, Sec. 55 coaching box, 58-4-2 jamboree, 54-4-1 kit, tournament director, 4-3-8 o ffi cials, tournaments, Sec. 54, 55 rules, playing, Sec. 54, Table rules, special, 58-4-1 schedules, 58-4-1 Bene fi t Games, 54-3-4 Board of Appeals, 33-5-1 appellant’s premeeting procedures, 33-5-2 authority, 33-5-4 meeting expenses, 33-6-2 hearing notice, 33-6-1 hearing policies, 33-7-1 membership, 33-5-3 Bona Fide student rule, 28A-2-1 Boys teams, girls on, 54-2-1 Broadcasts and Telecasts, Sec. 55 Budget, 9-1-1, 12-3-1 By-Laws, Secs. 5-21 amendments to, 21-1-1 C Calendar activities, page 2, 3 football weekends, inside back cover Cheerleadering, Sec. 62 Classi fi cation, Sec. 10 Coaches attendance at rules clinics, 27-3-1 VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -235- INDEX purpose, 100-2-1 school participation, 100-3-1 sponsored activity, 100-1-1 theatre festivals, Sec. 101 awards, 101-9-1 bases for critics’ evaluation, 101-7-1-4 district, 101-3-1-2 kit, 4-3-8 penalty, 101-8-1 regional, 101-4-1-2 regulations and procedures, state, 101-6-1-7 rules and regulations, 101-2-1-3 selection, 101-1-1-2 state, 101-5-1-2 Due Process rule, 28C-1-1 E Eligibility lists, 27-8-6 Eligibility regulations, individual, Sec. 28 age rule, 28A-1-1 all-star participation rule, 28B-1-1 amateur rule, 28B-2-1 athletes only, Sec. 28B athletic participation/parental consent/physical examination rule, 28B-3-1 awards rule, 28B-4-1 bona fi de student rule, 28B-2-1 enrollment rule, 28A-3-1 grade rule, 28A-4-1 hardship rule, 28C-1-1 independent team rule, 28B-6-1 scholarship rule, 28A-5-1 semester rule, 28A-6-1 transfer rule, 28A-7-1 Emergency Action Plan, 27-10-1 Energy Drinks, 27-10-1 Enrollment rule, 28A-3-1 Essay, See Creative Writing Executive Committee, Sec. 12 alternates, 12-2-1 appeals, 12-3-3, Sec. 33 appointment of special committees, 12-3-4 chairman, 12-1-2 duties, 12-3-2 expenses, travel, 12-8-1 meetings, 12-5-1 membership, 12-1-1 quorum, 12-6-1 responsibility for enforcing rules and regulations, 12-4-2 regional, Sec. 18 voting, 19-7-1 Creative Writing aids to sponsors, 121-4-1 appropriate content, 121-8-1 contest, Sec. 121 essay, 121-2-1, 121-3-1, 121-5-1-9 evaluations, 121-7-1 judgments, 121-6-1 poetry, 121-6-1, 121-3-1, 121-5-1-9 program, 121-3-1 purpose, 121-1-1 rules, 121-5-1-9 school folder, 121-3-1, 121-5-1-9 school participation, 121-2-1 short story, 121-3-1, 121-5-1-9 winning contest selections, 4-3-7, 121-4-1 Cross-Country, Sec. 64 championship, 64-4-2 meet regulations, 64-4-3 rules, Sec. 54, Table schedules, 64-1-1 D Debate, Sec. 117 classic four-person, 117-7-1-8 contemporary switch-side, 117-8-1-7 forms, 117-5-1 introduction, 117-1-1 kits, 4-3-5, 117-3-1 Lincoln-Douglas, 117-5-1, 117-9-1-9 preparation, 117-4-1-2 procedure, 117-5-1 purposes, 117-2-1 source materials, 117-3-1 suggestions, 117-6-1-3 tournaments, 117-10-1-2 tournament limitations, 117-11-1 Directors, Board of, Sec. 7 Directory, League, 4-2-4 Districts, 10-1-1 awards, Sec. 135 changes in, 10-3-1 contest funds, 9-3-1 eligibility for competitive honors, 19-9-1 Division of Continuing Education, Preface Dramatic activities, Sec. 100-101 aids to coaches and sponsors, 100-5-1-2 introduction, Sec. 100 program, 100-4-1 -2 -236- Football, Sec. 68 championships, 68-4-4 regional, 68-4-8 state, 68-4-10 combined teams, 8-1-2 jamboree, 54-4-1 maximum number of games, 68-1-1 (4) play-o ff system, 68-4-5 postponed or suspended games, 68-3-1 practice, 68-2-1 rating scale, 68-4-6 play-o ff representation, 68-4-9 rules playing, Sec. 54, Table schedules, 68-1-1 tie games, 68-4-8 Football weekends, inside back cover Foreign exchange students, 28A-3-2 (3), 28A-7-1 (6) Forensic Meets, Sec. 111 contests, 111-2-1 district, 111-4-1-3 program, 111-1-1 regional, 111-5-1-3 regulations and procedures, 111-8-1-5 school, 111-3-1-2 state, 111-7-1-2 structure, 111-4-4, 111-5-4, 111-8-6 travel expenses for judges, 111-6-1 Forms athletic, league, 4-3-2 athletic, National Federation, 4-3-3 entry, 4-3-2 report, 4-3-2 G Girls teams, boys on, 54-2-1 Golf, Sec .70 district, 70-4-4 conference and regional, 70-4-5 state, 70-4-6 etiquette, 70-4-3 rules, playing, Sec. 54, Table special, 70-4-1 schedules, 70-1-1 Grade rule, 28A-1-4 Group Boards, 1-1-1, Sec. 17 alternates, 17-2-1 duties, 17-4-1 group committee, 17-7-1 membership, 17-2-1 meetings, 17-5-1 chairman-elect, 12-3-5 voting, 12-7-1 Executive Director, 2-1-1, Sec. 15 appointment, 15-1-1 duties, 15-2-1-3 member of Executive Committee, 12-1-1 member of group boards, 15-2-1 (7), 17-2-1 penalties, 15-2-3 (5), Sec. 30 rules interpretations, 15-2-3, Sec. 31 “Exhibition” contests, 54-7-1 Expenses, travel appeals committee, 33-6-2 board of appeals, 33-6-2 district chairman at appeals hearing, 33-6-2 executive committee members, 12-8-1 judges at forensic meets, 111-6-1 judges at theatre festivals, 101-2-2 principal of appellee school at appeals hearing, 33-6-2 Extemporaneous speaking, Sec. 112 bases for judges’ decisions, 112-6-1 contest procedures, 112-5-1-8 contest regulations, 112-3-1-3 introduction, 112-1-1 penalties, 112-7-1 preparation, 112-4-1-2 purpose, 112-2-1 F Fall Practice Guidelines, 27-10-4 Fees contest entry, 9-3-1 service, 9-2-1 -2 Festivals theatre, Sec. 101 Field Hockey, Sec. 66 rules, Sec. 54, Table Film Festival, Sec. 128 Finances, Sec. 9, 27-8-3 bank accounts, 9-1-1 - 9-4-1 budget, 9-1-1 conference councils, 19-8-1 contest funds, 9-4-1 district councils, 19-8-1 entry fees, 9-3-1 interscholastic activities, 27-8-3 jamborees, 54-4-1 regional councils, 18-6-1 revenue, 9-1-1-3 VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -237- INDEX rules, playing, Sec. 54, Table schedules, 76-1-1 Ineligible students, 30-2-1, 30-3-1, 32-3-1 Infectious Disease Policy, 27-10-1 Injured student, 27-8-8 Insurance, 27-10-1 Interdistrict Committee, authority, 32-1-1 (2) Interpretations, Sec. 31 authority, 31-1-1 oral, 31-3-1 requests by principal, 31-2-1 written, 31-4-1 Interscholastic athletics, code, 27-11-8 Interstate and International Competition rule, 27- 5-1 Introduction athletic activities, Sec. 50 control, 50-2-1 standards, 50-3-1-2 dramatic activities, Sec. 100 aids to coaches and sponsors, 100-5-1-2 program, 100-4-1 -2 purpose, 100-2-1 school participation, 100--3-1 sponsored activity, 100-1-1 literary activities, Sec. 120 contests, 120-1-1 creative writing, 120-1-1 (1) publications, 120-1-1 (2) rules and regulations, Sec. 26 content, 26-3-1 guiding principle, 26-4-1 policy, 26-2-1 purpose, 26-1-1 speech activities, Sec. 110 aid to coaches and sponsors, 110-4-1 contests, 110-1-1 kits, 110-5-1 purpose, 110-2-1 rules and regulations, 110-6-1 school participation, 110-3-1 J Jamborees, 54-4-1 Je ff erson Society, Preface Judges creative writing, 121-6-1, 121-7-1 debate, four-person, 117-7-4-5, 117-7-8 debate, Lincoln-Douglas, 117-9-5-7 debate, switch-side, 117-8-4-6 o ffi cers, 17-3-1-4 quorum, 17-6-1 voting, 17-6-1 Groups classi fi cation into by enrollment, 10-1-1 classi fi cation, changes in, 10-1-1 Gymnastics, winter, Sec. 74 championships, district, 74-3-1 regional, 74-3-1 state, 74-4-1 expenses, Sec. 55 open competition, 74-4-3 rules, Sec. 54, Table schedule, 74-1-1 state meet entries, 74-4-2 team, 74-4-2 H Handbook, 4-2-2 amendments, Sec. 21 e ff ective date, 21-5-1 emergency, 21-4-1 process, 21-3-1 proposing, 21-2-1 review, 21-6-1 parliamentary authority for, 14-1-1 responsibility of Executive Director for, 15-2-1 (3) supersedes previous editions, 26-2-1 Hate Speech, Ethnically or Racially Insensitive Expressions, 27-16-1 History, League, Preface Honorarium for judges at forensic meets, 111-6-1 for judges at theatre festivals, 101-2-2 Honors, eligibility for competitive district, 19-9-1 I Impromptu Speaking, Sec. 114 bases for judges decision, 114-3-1 drawing, 114-2-2 penalties, 114-4-1 preparation, 114-2-3 time, 114-2-4 topics, 114-2-1 Independent Team rule, 28B-6-1 Individual eligibility regulations See Eligibility regulations, individual Indoor Track, Sec. 76 championship, 76-4-3 meet regulations and entries, 76-4-4 -238- contests, Sec. 121 essay, 121-2-1, 121-3-1, 121-5-1-9 evaluations, 121-7-1 introduction, Sec. 120 judgments, 121-6-1 poetry, 121-2-1, 121-3-1, 121-5-1-9 program, 121-3-1 purpose, 121-1-1 rules and regulations, 121-5-1-9 school folder, 121-3-1, 121-5-1-9 school participation, 121-2-1 short story, 121-3-1, 121-5-1-9 publications, evaluation services, Sec. 122 awards, 122-7-1-2 deadline entry, 122-4-1 evaluation procedures, 122-5-1 evaluative criteria, 122-8-1-4 evaluators, 122-9-1 guidelines for responsible journalism, 122-10-1 levels of evaluations, 122-6-1 magazines, 120-1-1, 122-6-1 (2) newsmagazines, 120-1-1, 122-6-1 (1) newspapers, 120-1-1, 122-6-1 (l) program, 122-2-1-2 purpose, 122-1-1 rules and regulations, 122-4-1-4 school participation, 122-3-1 yearbooks, 120-1-1, 122-6-1 (1) Local rules, 27-1-10 M Magazine, See Publications Evaluation Services Master Eligibility List, 27-8-6, 27-8-7 McKinney Vento Homless Education Act, 28A-7-1 (15) Membership, VHSL, Sec. 8 application, 8-3-1 classi fi cation, Sec. 10 eligibility, de fi ned, 8-1-1 fees, 9-2-1-2 meetings, 11-1-1 renewal fees, payment of, 9-2-2 Mission, 6-1-1 Multiple Season Limitation, 54-2-5 N National Federation of State High School Associations, Sec. 52 extemporaneous speaking, 112-6-1 original oratory, 113-6-1 reading, 114-10-1 theatre festivals, 101-2-2-3, 101-7-1-4 K Kits meet, 4-3-8, 110-5-1 L Lacrosse, Sec. 77 League administration, Sec. 1-3 athletic forms, 4-3-2 bank account, 9-1-1 chairman, 12-1-2 classi fi cation, Sec. 10 director, Sec. 15 directors, board of, Sec. 7 fi nances, Sec. 9 history, Preface membership, Sec. 8 admission, 8-4-1 application, 8-3-1 classi fi cation, Sec. 10 changes in, 10-3-1 eligibility, de fi ned, 8-1-1 fees, 9-2-1-2 mission, Sec. 6 name, 5-1-1 o ffi cers, Sec. 1 o ffi ce, Sec. 3 hours, 3-1-2 internet, 3-1-5 location, 3-1-1 mailing address, 3-1-4 personnel, 2-1-1 telephone, 3-1-3 organization, Sec. 5-9 publications, 4-2-1-6 services, 4-4-1 fi eld, 4-4-3 special, 4-4-2 sta ff , Sec. 2 structure, 8-2-1 supplies, activities, 4-3-1-8 Leaguer, The, 4-2-3 Limitations contest, 54-5-1 rule, 27-4-1 Literary activities, Sec. 120-122 creative writing, 60-1-1, Sec. 121 aids to sponsors, 121-4-1 VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -239- INDEX Physical examination, 28B-3-1 Play Festivals, theatre See Theatre Festivals Playing rules, o ffi cial baseball, Sec. 54, Table basketball, Sec. 54, Table cross country, Sec. 54, Table fi eld hockey, Sec. 54, Table football, Sec. 54, Table golf, Sec. 54, Table gymnastics, winter, Sec. 54, Table indoor track, Sec. 54, Table soccer, Sec. 54, Table softball, Sec. 54, Table swimming, Sec. 54, Table tennis, Sec. 54, Table track, Sec. 54, Table volleyball, Sec. 54, Table wrestling, Sec. 54, Table Poetry, See Creative Writing Poetry Interpretation, 110-1-1, Sec. 115 contest, 115-4-1 judging, 115-10-1 kits, 4-3-8 rules, 115-4-1 Preface, p. 4 Preparatory schools, See Nonpublic Schools Principal de fi ned, 27-8-12 (2) responsibility for accompanying teams, 27-8-9 contests, 27-8-4 contracts, 27-8-5 control, 27-8-2 eligibility lists, 27-8-6, 27-8-7 fi nances, 27-8-3 injured students, 27-8-8 local rules, 27-8-10 reporting information, 27-8-2 (3) Principal’s Responsibility rule, 27-8-1 accompanying teams, 27-8-9 contests, 27-8-4 contracts, 27-8-5 control, 27-8-2 eligibility list, 27-8-6, 27-8-7 excluding injured students, 27-8-8 fi nances, 27-8-3 local rules, 27-8-10 Private schools, See Nonmember Schools Programs Supervisors, 2-1-1 Prose Interpretation, 110-1-1, Sec. 115 contests, 115-3-1 judging, 115-10-1 athletic forms, 4-3-3 constitution and by-laws, 52-2-1 membership, 52-1-1 services, 52-3-1 Newspaper, See Publications Evaluation Services Nonmember schools, 27-13-1 (3), Appendix B O O ffi ce, League, Sec. 3 O ffi cers, Sec. 1 Assistant Directors, Sec. 16 Executive Committee, 1-1-1, 12-1-2-3 Executive Director, 2-1-1, Sec. 15 Group Boards, 17-3-1 Regional Councils, Sec. 18 O ffi cial playing rules See Playing rules, o ffi cial O ffi cials rule, 27-6-1-2 Oral Interpretation, Sec. 116 bases for judges’ decisions, 116-10-1 contest procedures, 116-9-1 introduction, 116-1-1 humorous dramatic regulations, 116-6-1 penalty, 116-11-1 poetry contest regulations, 116-4-1 preparation, 116-8-1 prose contest regulations, 116-3-1 purpose, 116-2-1 serious dramatic regulations, 116-5-1 Oratory, Original, Sec. 113 bases for judges’ decisions, 113-6-1 contest procedures, 113-5-1 contest regulations, 113-3-1-5 introduction, 113-1-1 penalties, 113-7-1 preparation, 113-4-1-3 purpose, 113-2-1 Out-of-Season Practice rule, 27-7-1 P Parliamentary Authority, Sec. 14 Participation limitation, 54-2-1 Penalties, Sec. 30 appeals, 30-1-1 imposition, 30-2-1 participation of ineligible student, 30-2-1, 30-3-1, 30-5-1 speci fi c, 30-5-1 types of, 30-6-1 -240- Regulations governing nonpublic schools when engaging in contests with VHSL schools, Appendix B Rules books, o ffi cial, 4-3-4 Rules, athletes only, Sec. 28B Rules, o ffi cial playing, See Playing rules, o ffi cial Rules interpretations, Sec. 31 appeals, 31-4-1 (1) by executive director, 15-2-3, 31-1-1 Rules and Regulations, Sec. 26-33 Appeals, Sec. 33 Individual Eligibility Regulations, Sec. 28 General Rules Applicable to All Students, Sec. 28A Regulations Governing Athletes Only, Sec. 28B Special Rules Applicable to All Students, Sec. 28C Introduction, Sec. 26 Penalties, Sec. 30 Protests, Sec. 32 Reporting Violations, Sec. 29 Rules Interpretations, Sec. 31 School Regulations, Sec. 27 S Safety, 27-10-1 Sanctioning events, 27-14-2 Scholastic Bowl, Sec. 126 answering before being recognized, 126-9-5 answers involving a person's name, 126-9-9 awards, 126-14-1 certi fi cation, 126-5-2 competition format, 126-6-1 contesting, 126-9-10 declaring the winner, 126-10-1 directed questions, 126-9-7 district quali fi cations, 126-4-2 games, 126-9-1 interruptions, 126-9-3 mistake in question presentation, 126-9-8 o ffi cials, 126-13-1 participation, 126-7-1 program, 126-4-1 purpose, 126-2-1 questions, 126-8-1 regional tournaments, 126-4-4 rules and regulations, 126-5-1 school participation, 126-3-1 kits, 4-3-8 rules, 115-3-1 Proselytizing rule, 27-9-1, 27-9-2, 27-9-3 Protests, Sec. 32 deadline, 32-2-1 (1) fi ling, 32-1-1 ineligible student, 32-3-1 procedure, 32-2-1 protested student, use of, 32-4-1 Publications Evaluation Services, Sec. 122 award, 122-7-1-2 deadline entry, 122-4-1 evaluation procedures, 122-5-1 evaluative criteria, 122-8-1-3 evaluators, 122-9-1 guidelines for responsible journalism, 122-10-1 levels of evaluations, 122-6-1 magazines, 120-1-1, 122-6-1 (2) newsmagazines, 120-1-1, 122-6-1 (1) newspapers, 120-1-1, 122-6-1 (1) program, 122-2-1-2 purpose, 122-1-1 rules and regulations, 122-4-1-3 school participation, 122-3-1 yearbooks, 120-1-1, 122-6-1 (1) Publications, League, 4-2-1 Directory, 4-2-4 Handbook, 4-2-2 The Leaguer, 4-2-3 Q Quorum Executive Committee, 12-7-1 Group Boards, 17-6-1 Membership, 11-1-3 Regional Councils, 18-2-2 R Radio Broadcasts, Sec. 55 Rating Scale, 68-4-6 Redistricting, 10-1-1 Regional contest funds, 9-4-1 Regional councils, Sec. 18 awards, Sec. 135 duties, 18-4-1 fi nances, 18-6-1 meetings, 18-5-1 membership, 18-2-1-2 o ffi cers, 18-3-1-4 purpose, 18-1-1 voting, 18-2-2 VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -241- INDEX contemporary switch-side, rules and regulations, 117-8-1-6 introduction, 117-1-1 kits, 4-3-8, 117-3-1 Lincoln-Douglas, 117-9-1-7 preparation, 117-4-1-2 procedure, 117-5-1 purpose, 117-2-1 source materials, 117-3-1, 117-4-2 suggestions, 117-6-1-3 tournaments, 117-10-1-2 impromptu speaking, Sec. 114 bases for judges decision, 114-3-1 drawing, 114-2-2 penalties, 114-4-1 preparation, 114-2-3 time, 114-2-4 topics, 114-2-1 extemporaneous speaking, Sec. 112 bases for judges’ decisions, 112-6-1 contest procedures, 112-5-1-9 contest regulations, 112-3-1-3 introduction, 112-1-1 penalties, 112-7-1 preparation, 112-4-1 -2 purpose, 112-2-1 introduction, Sec. 110 aid to coaches and sponsors, 110-4-1 contests, 110-1-1 kits, 110-5-1 purpose, 110-2-1 rules and regulations, 110-6-1 school participation, 110-3-1 oral interpretation, Sec. 116 bases for judges’ decision, 116-10-1 contest procedures, 116-9-1 duo interpretation, 116-7-1 introduction, 116-1-1 humorous dramatic regulations, 116-6-1 penalty, 116-11-1 poetry contest regulations, 116-4-1 preparation, 116-8-1 prose contest regulations, 116-3-1 purpose, 116-2-1 serious dramatic regulations, 116-5-1 original oratory, Sec. 113 bases for judges’ decisions, 113-6-1 contest procedures, 113-5-1-2 contest regulations, 113-3-1-5 introduction, 113-1-1 penalties, 113-7-1 scoring, 126-12-1 special procedures for mathematics questions, 126-9-4 substitution, 126-11-1 toss-up rounds, 126-9-2 tournament format, 126-6-2 wrong person answers, 126-9-6 Scholarship rule, 28A-5-1 School folder, 121-5-1-9 School regulations, Sec. 27 all-star game rule, 27-1-1 coaches rule, 27-2-1 college team rule, 27-3-1 contest limitation rule, 27-4-1 interstate and international competition rule, 27-5-1 o ffi cials rule, 27-6-1 out-of-season practice rule, 27-7-1 principal’s responsibility rule, 27-8-1 proselyting rule, 27-9-1 sports season rule, 27-12-1 sportsmanship rule, 27-11-1 state competition rule, 27-13-1 state sanction rule, 27-14-1 Sunday rule, 27-15-1 Scrimmages, 54-4-1 Secondary school regulations, nonmember, See nonpublic school regulations Sectional contest funds, 9-4-1 Sectional tournaments, provision for, 54-9-1 (c) Semester rule, 28A-6-1 Services fi eld, 4-4-3 special, 4-4-2 Short Story, See Creative writing Soccer, Sec. 78 jamboree, 54-4-1 rules, Sec. 54, Table Softball, Sec. 79 resolving ties during ending regular season game, 79-4-5 “ten run” rule, 79-4-3 light failure, 79-3-1 playing rules, Sec. 54, Table schedules, 79-1-1 Speaking, See Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory Speech activities, Sec. 110-117 debate, Sec. 117 form, 117-5-1 classic four-person, rules and regulations, 117-7-1-8 -242- preparation, 113-4-1-3 purpose, 113-2-1 storytelling, Sec. 115 bases for judges’ decisions, 115-3-1 contest regulations, 115-2-1 introduction, 115-1-1 penalties, 115-4-1 Sports, See speci fi c listings Sports rules, See Playing rules, o ffi cial Sports Season rule, 27-12-1 Sportsmanship Committees, Sec. 13 appeals, 13-4-1, Sec. 33 costs of hearings, 13-3-1 duties, 13-2-1 membership, 13-1-1 Sportsmanship rule, 27-11-1 Sta ff , League, Sec. 2 State competition rule, 27-13-1 State contest funds, 9-4-1 State sanction rule, 27-14-1 State Tournaments adoption of, 55-1-1 broadcasts and telecasts, Sec. 55 postponement policies, Sec. 55 Steroids, 27-10-1 Storytelling, Sec. 115 bases for judges’ decisions, 115-3-1 contest regulations, 115-2-1 introduction, 115-1-1 penalties, 115-4-1 Structure, League, 8-2-1 Sunday rule, 27-15-1 Supervisors, of Programs, 2-1-1 Supplies and Services, Sec. 4 Swimming, Sec. 80 rules, Sec. 54, Table T Telecasts, Sec. 55 Tennis, Sec. 82 apparel, 82-4-10 championships, conference, 82-5-12 regional, 82-5-12 state, 82-6-1 etiquette, 82-4-9 expenses, Sec. 55 match restriction, 82-1-3 percentage method, 82-5-11 playing rules, 82-4-1, Sec. 54, Table schedule, 82-1-1 state tournament, entries, 82-5-14 team, 82-4-6 team match, 82-4-6 Termination of State Tournaments, 55-1-1 Theatre festival, Sec. 101 awards, 101-9-1 bases for critics’ evaluation, 101-7-1-4 district, 101-3-1-2 festival director, 101-3-2 evaluation, 101-7-1 kit, 4-3-8 penalty, 101-8-1 regional, 101-4-1-2 regulations and procedures, state 101-6-1-7 rules and regulations, 101-2-1-3 selection, 101-1-1-2 state, 101-5-1-2 Tobacco Use, 27-10-1 Tournaments, adoption of state, 55-1-1 Track, Sec. 84 championships, conference, 84-4-5 regional, 84-4-5 state, 84-4-6 meet entries, 84-6-2 meet regulations, 84-4-7 introduction, 84-4-2 kit, meet director, 4-3-8 limits on participation, individual, 84-4-3 limits on participation, school, 84-4-4 rules, Sec. 54, Table schedules, 84-1-1 See also Indoor Track Transfer evidence of, on fi le in school o ffi ce, 27-8-6 McKinney Vento, 28A-7-1 (15) rule, 28A-7-1 Travel expenses, See expenses, travel U University of Virginia, Preface V Violations of rules penalties for, Sec. 30 reporting, 29-1-1, 30-2-1 Note See also Penalties Virginia High School League, See League Virginia High School Literary and Athletic League, Preface VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -243- INDEX Volleyball, Sec. 86 rules, Sec. 54, Table W Washington Society, Preface Workbook, principal’s, See Principal’s workbook Wrestling, Sec. 88 championships, 88-4-4 pairings, 88-4-5 jamboree, 54-4-1 kit, tournament director, 4-3-8 rules, playing, Sec. 54, Table schedule, 88-1-1 weight classes, 88-4-2, 88-4-3 Writing, See Creative Writing Y Yearbook, See Publications Evaluation Services V එකඏඑඖඑඉ H එඏඐ S උඐ඗඗ඔ L ඍඉඏඝඍ , I ඖඋ . P ඗ඔඑඋඡ M ඉඖඝඉඔ 2026-27 P ඝඊඔඑඛඐඍඌ ඊඡ V එකඏඑඖඑඉ H එඏඐ S උඐ඗඗ඔ L ඍඉඏඝඍ , I ඖඋ . C ඐඉකඔ඗ගගඍඛඞඑඔඔඍ V එකඏඑඖඑඉ J ඝඔඡ 2026 -245- 2026-27 VHSL ATHLETIC/ACTIVITY POLICY MANUAL GENERAL CONTENTS Preface ................................................................................ 224 Philosophy and Mission Statement ..................................... 225 Section 210: Legal .................................................................................... 226 Section 220: Regional Events ................................................................... 227 Section 300: State Events ........................................................................ 228 Appendices 1 Eighth Grade Interpretations ................................................ 229 -246- PREFACE This manual is designed to assist in the orientation of Executive Committee members and member school principals as well as providing pertinent information related to the general operation of the VHSL. The policies as found in this policy manual are adopted by the Executive Committee of the Vir- ginia High School League with due regard for the VHSL By-Laws and all policies prescribed in the VHSL HANDBOOK. All new policies and procedures or any change in established policies and procedures within the VHSL must be authorized by the Executive Committee for inclusion in the policy manual. No new policies and procedures, nor any changes in existing policies and procedures, may be e ff ected by letter, memorandum, or telephone, except as authorized by the Executive Committee or Membership. The Executive Director of the League is the policy link to the League’s administrative sta ff , clerical sta ff , and the League’s member schools. Acting within the guidelines of League and Executive Committee policy, the Executive Director makes internal policy. The policies and procedures contained in this manual supersede all policies and procedures otherwise or previously issued. Any member school principal or member of the League sta ff who wishes to establish new policies and proce dures, or make a change in existing policies and procedures will submit a proposal to the Executive Director in writing for reference to the Executive Committee or Membership. Any action or communication based upon an interpretation of either VHSL HANDBOOK policy or this policy manual will be cleared with the Executive Director, and in some instances an assistant director, in advance. Oral interpretations by the Executive Director and the assistant directors shall not be regarded as binding, but merely advisory, and shall not be considered o ffi cial. If later committed to writing, however, such interpretations shall have the same force and e ff ect as other written interpretations. Written interpretations by the Executive Director, or assistant director in his/her area of respon- sibility, shall be o ffi cial and binding on member schools unless and until they are challenged by written request for a hearing by the Executive Committee or an Appeals Committee, as authorized in Section 15-2-3 (4) and Section 33 of the VHSL Handbook. The overall basis for interpretations and included policies rises from the philosophy and mission statement that follows. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -247- POLICY MANUAL PHILOSOPHY The VHSL, composed of member schools in the state of Virginia, believes:  That it is the function of the VHSL to attempt to provide programs which best fi t the needs of eligible students.  That competition is desirable in a democratic society and is best conducted under the spirit and letter of the rules provided to govern each activity.  That the opportunity to participate should be available in individual and team events allowing for the unique di ff erences in talents and abilities of students served.  That good sportsmanship, fair play, honesty, and respect for others shall be evident in all participants at all levels of competition.  That governance of all activities shall be through the democratic process with equal voice and vote for all member schools and equal right of appeal through due process.  That activities shall be supervised, directed and o ffi ciated by individuals trained in their respective fi elds of service.  That communities served shall be informed as to the function, operations, and management of this organization.  That the scope of sponsored activities educate our youth to the need for trained minds and healthy bodies. Furthermore, the VHSL believes in:  providing educational opportunities for students beyond the classroom.  ensuring fairness and equity through safe competitions.  paving the way for personal growth.  o ff ering opportunities for students to develop teamwork and leadership skills.  promoting sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.  building better citizens through student activities.  providing the means whereby all coaches in VHSL schools are trained in fundamental coaching competencies (9-02). MISSION STATEMENT “The Virginia High School League is an alliance of Virginia's public and approved non-boarding, non- public high schools that promotes education, leadership, sportsmanship, character and citizenship for students by establishing and maintaining high standards for school activities and competitions.” -248- 2026-27 VHSL ATHLETIC/ACTIVITY POLICY MANUAL (Items in parentheses represent the date of the Executive Committee meeting at which the policy was adopted.) SECTION 200: CORPORATE SPONSORS. 200-4-1 Income Subsidization (5-83) -The sta ff is encouraged to seek subsidies for VHSL programs. 200-5-1 Team Uniform Logo (10-95) -Schools may obtain uniforms from corporate sponsors and may display logos on uniforms as long as they conform to National Federation rules. 200-5-1 Team Uniform Logo (9-05) -Approved the Jamestown 2007 Commemorative Patch for use by schools. SECTION 210: LEGAL. 210-1-1 Freedom of Information Act (9-73) -The Attorney General’s o ffi ce ruled that for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act, a VHSL member school could be treated as an employee and those portions of the Act permitting executive or closed meetings as they relate to employees could be exceptions applicable to the League. 210-2-1 Lobbying (9-81) -In response to a question as to whether elected representatives of the League or the Executive Director need to register as a lobbyist, the VHSL attorney has advised that: “Neither the Virginia High School League, its employees, elected o ffi cers or counsel need to be registered as a lobbyist pursuant to Section 30.28.01 et. seq. of the Code of Virginia. My rationale is that no employee, o ffi cer or counsel is employed or retained for compensation to lobby and none of these persons has any duties which include lobbying. Furthermore, none of these individuals receives compensation or substance speci fi cally for lobby duty. None of these individuals will expend in excess of $100.00 for lobby purposes as de fi ned by the Code.” 210-2-3 Non-discrimination Policy (12-01) -An alliance of member public high schools, the Virginia High School League serves a diverse population and respects that diversity in all League activities. The Virginia High School League encourages equity awareness and supports compliance with Title IX among its member schools. SECTION 220: REGIONAL EVENTS. 220-1-1 Awards Procurement (1-81) -Regions may secure their own or procure their awards from the VHSL state supplier. 220-2-2 Broadcast/Telecast Fees -Any fees for regional broadcasts or telecast of any event will be set by the appropriate regional council. -249- 220-2-3 Crowd Control (5-72) -For regional events, the appropriate regional council has the same respon sibility for crowd control as a school hosting a game during the regular season. 220-4-1 Expense Limitations -The following expenses may not exceed the state limitations unless the excess is paid from the region’s 65% share of the net income. (1) Facility Rental -Field or court facility rental may not exceed the regular season game rental for high school facilities. Use of municipal facilities must be authorized by the Execu- tive Director. (2) Personnel Fees -Tournament personnel fees may not exceed the customary and normal fees of a regular season contest. (3) Other Costs -Costs for such items as lights, fi eld maintenance and clean-up may not exceed the customary costs of a regular season contest. (4) Film/Scouting Costs -All expenses for fi lms and/or scouting must be paid from the re- gion’s 65% share of the net income. (5) Team Travel Reimbursement -See VHSL Handbook 55-5-1 “VHSL State Team Travel Reimbursement Chart.” Regional team travel reimbursement may not exceed the state schedule, unless the excess is paid from the region’s 65% share of the net income. (6) Hospitality Costs (5-88) -Hospitality food and hostess costs may not exceed $100 per session for the sports of basketball and wrestling and $75 per session for gymnastics and volleyball unless the excess is paid from the region’s 65% share of the net income. Hospi- tality costs for all other sports must be paid from the region’s 65% share of the net income. 220-5-1 Financial Reports -Any tournament charging an admission fee must submit a tour- nament report (even if a de fi cit) to the League o ffi ce. 220-5-2 Filing Deadline (12-03) -Each regional fi nancial report, with appropriate check if one is due VHSL, must be submitted to the VHSL o ffi ce within three calendar weeks after the event has ended; a three-week grace period may be permitted by the Executive Director upon request. A $100 fi ne may be imposed on the region that has not submitted its reports and tournament proceeds within the grace period. 220-5-3 Team Travel Shares from Region (2-78) -Those regions paying money to teams advancing to the state level must take those funds from the region’s 65% and not from the region’s total event expenses. 220-6-1 Regional Postponement Policy -In case of extreme weather conditions which imperil travelers attempting to reach the regional event site, the regional director has permission to postpone the regional event, and therefore the state event entry form deadline, one day at a time, excluding Sundays, until the day preceding the state event. If the regional event is delayed beyond the adopted regional deadline, the regional director is required to advise the Executive Director of the postponement and required to call in, deliver or fax the regional results to the state event director as soon as the regional event is completed. In addition, the regional director is required to mail, email, deliver or fax the results to the VHSL o ffi ce. REGIONAL/STATE EVENTS -250- In the event that the regional event director cannot meet the “day preceding the state event” deadline, he/she shall call the Executive Director to request a delay in the state event so that the regional quali fi ers will be eligible for the state event. If at all possible the Executive Director and the state event director through con sultation with the Group Board Chairman and VHSL Chairman shall reschedule the state event. 220-7-1 Tournament Entry Certi fi cation -Principals are required to certify entries for region level activities, but athletic directors or coaches may certify entries from the region level to the state level. 220-8-1 State Event Responsibility (5-93) -Regions failing to identify coordinators for regional activities are responsible for obtaining all materials from VHSL o ffi ce in person. 220-9-1 V ideotaping (3-02) -Filming or videotaping of games/contests for scouting purposes is limited to the schools that are participating in the event. Schools not competing in the event may not fi lm or tape the event. SECTION 300: STATE EVENTS. 300-1-1 Authority Designation (3-78) -Each group board will establish its own date and site for each individual state championship that is not set by the Executive Committee; the Execu- tive Committee has the authority to set dates and sites for multiple group championships, to set sites and dates in emergency situations, to set sites for state soccer and wrestling championships and beginning 9-94 has authority to set pairings. If the situation involves only one board, the board o ffi cers have authority to set the site and date. 300-2-1 Cheerleaders (5-93) -Cheerleaders shall cheer from an area designated by the director. 300-3-1 Pairings (9-94) -The Executive Committee has the authority to set playo ff pairings for all sports. For those playo ff s where teams from the same region might face each other in the semi fi nals and are scheduled to play at one school’s home fi eld, the regional champion will host the game. 300-4-1 Videotape Sales For Football Games (5-92) -Commission to VHSL per video sold – $5.00. Company must pay non-refundable $500 telecast fee which is then deducted from the VHSL commission on total sales. If company uses video as a delayed telecast and sells videos, then company must pay $500 telecast fee, plus $5.00 video commission. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -251- APPENDIX APPENDIX 1 EIGHTH GRADE INSURANCE/ELIGIBILITY INTERPRETATIONS STAFF INTERPRETATIONS 1. Q: Our eighth grade is housed at a separate building, in the middle school; but our school division has determined that the more talented eighth grade athletes may “play up” with ninth graders on the high school’s “freshman” football team. Is this legal? ANSWER: Yes. Those designated individuals may represent a VHSL school, must be certi fi ed on a VHSL MEL, and are covered by the League’s catastrophic insurance for that sport. (Note: The school must count those eighth graders when computing insurance premiums.) 2. Q: What if John Smith, an eighth grader in the above situation, plays “freshman” football for the high school, but plays on the middle school basketball team. What is his status? ANSWER : He plays by VHSL rules in football and is covered by catastrophic insurance in that sport. He plays by local (middle) school rules in basketball and is not covered by VHSL insurance in basketball; however, the school division may purchase optional insurance for its middle school athletes. 3. Q: May the “freshman” football team above play games against (a) a high school sub-varsity team with students above grade nine, (b) a middle school team with all eighth graders, and (c) a middle school team with seventh and eighth graders” ANSWER: Yes, in situations (a) and (b) unless local rules prohibit such competition. No, in situation (c) because no student below the eighth grade may participate in any VHSL contest. 4. Q: After the “freshman” team above fi nishes its regulation game, may players who did not see action be allowed to participate in a “ fi fth” quarter? ANSWER: No. Contests may not be extended for such purposes. (See section 54-3-2 above.) -252- NOTES

-109- Athletic Activities SECTION 50: INTRODUCTION. 50-1-1 -The League seeks to foster a broad general program of desirable sports and related activities which are suited to the individual needs and capacities of high school students. It is interested in those sports which are individual as well as in those which are team and in sports which are primarily intramural in character as well as in those which are interscholastic. 50-1-2 Student Participation -Signi fi cant is the League’s desire to stimulate student participation in these sports which may be enjoyed in adult recreational life. However, while considering the development of a program in this fi eld in the future, the League is not un- mindful of its current responsibilities in the important fi eld of interscholastic athletics. 50-1-3 Competition -Competitive team sports are regarded by the League as an im- portant part of the general school program of physical and health education. It is felt that interscholastic athletics, which should stem from a well-rounded program of intramural sports and recreational activities, serve a de fi nite educational purpose when properly conducted and controlled. 50-2-1 Control -To exercise control, and to ensure that competitive athletics in the high schools of Virginia are so conducted as to provide maximum opportunities for the educational growth of participants, the League has adopted rules and regulations governing interscho- lastic athletic competitions. These are set forth in Sections 26 through 33 of this Handbook and are in addition to rules and regulations which govern all interscholastic competitions. 50-3-1 Standards -The League’s interest in interscholastic athletics is not limited to mere regulation and control, however. It seeks to encourage schools to provide opportunities for each individual to develop to the limit of his/her capacity those skills, appreciations and health concepts which engender personal satisfaction and are a part of a good foundation for civic usefulness. The League has therefore followed certain basic concepts relating to the place of athletics in the school program. It has developed a Code for Interscholastic Athletics, with implications for the administrator, the spectator, the coach, the athlete and the o ffi cial, and it will seek by further means to assist member schools in the development and maintenance of an educationally sound athletic program. (The code is an integral part of the Sportsmanship Rule located in Section 27 of this Handbook. ) 50-3-2 School Programs -The League feels that a school athletic program, to be of maximum e ff ectiveness, should: (1) Be closely coordinated and articulated with the general instructional and activity program of the school. (2) Provide for the participation of a su ffi cient number of students to justify the funds used for its support. (3) Be so organized that the time and attention given to the acquisition of such funds is not so great as to interfere with the e ffi ciency of any other part of the school program. -110- (4) Be limited to those competitions which are sponsored and supervised by the proper school authorities. (5) Provide opportunities for many individuals to explore a wide variety of sports. (6) Include educational exercises for nonparticipating students and community sup- porters to ensure a proper understanding and appreciation of athletic skills and the need for adherence to recognized principles of good sportsmanship. (7) Be so controlled as to avoid the elements of professionalism and commercialism frequently associated with widely publicized “bowl” games, “barnstorming” trips, “all-star” games and interstate or intersectional contests requiring excessive travel, expense or loss of school time. (8) Encourage a balanced program of intramural activity in grades below the high school level, rather than contests of a championship nature. (9) Engender respect for the rules and policies under which the school conducts its program. (10) Provide that a doctor be on call for all contests and a person quali fi ed in fi rst aid procedure be in attendance at all contests and practices. (11) Provide that all athletes be covered by accident insurance that protects them during athletic participation. (12) Provide a healthful, safe and sanitary environment for all participants. SECTION 52: NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS. 52-1-1 Membership -The League’s Legislative Council voted in March, 1947, to make application for membership in the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), in which organization 50 state associations hold membership. The application was accepted at the annual meeting of the Federation in January 1948. PM 52-1-1 ATHLETIC PROGRAM/Authenticating Mark (12-98) -VHSL will comply with the National Federation Authenticating Mark Program. (3-00) Violations will result in a $25 fi ne to the host school. 52-2-1 Constitution and Bylaws -The Federation Constitution and Bylaws appear in the Federation Handbook , a copy of which is supplied upon request to any member school. Provisions thereof are binding upon the League and all member schools. 52-3-1 Services -The Federation makes available to schools of member state associa- tions, through their state association o ffi ce, publications in the fi eld of sports, including rule books, interpretation lea fl ets, player handbooks, manuals of administration and the like. It supervises the production of motion pictures dealing with the rules in football, basketball, baseball, track and wrestling and provides machinery for the conduct of competitions be- VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -111- tween schools in di ff erent states, provides for representation on rules committees, serves as a clearing house for the exchange of ideas and developments in the scholastic sports fi eld and generally provides administrative assistance to member state associations. SECTION 53: REGIONAL EVENTS. 53-1-1 Awards Procurement (1-81) -Regions may secure their own or procure their awards from the VHSL state supplier. 53-2-2 Broadcast/Telecast Fees -Any fees for regional broadcasts or telecast of any event will be set by the appropriate regional council. 53-2-3 Crowd Control (5-72) -For regional events, the appropriate regional council has the same respon sibility for crowd control as a school hosting a game during the regular season. 53-4-1 Expense Limitations -The following expenses may not exceed the state limita- tions unless the excess is paid from the region’s 65% share of the net income. (1) Facility Rental -Field or court facility rental may not exceed the regular season game rental for high school facilities. Use of municipal facilities must be authorized by the Executive Director. (2) Personnel Fees -Tournament personnel fees may not exceed the customary and normal fees of a regular season contest. (3) Other Costs -Costs for such items as lights, fi eld maintenance and clean-up may not exceed the customary costs of a regular season contest. (4) Film/Scouting Costs -All expenses for fi lms and/or scouting must be paid from the region’s 65% share of the net income. (5) Team Travel Reimbursement -See VHSL Handbook 55-5-1 “VHSL State Team Travel Reimbursement Chart.” Regional team travel reimbursement may not exceed the state schedule, unless the excess is paid from the region’s 65% share of the net income. (6) Hospitality Costs (5-88) -Hospitality food and hostess costs may not exceed $100 per session for the sports of basketball and wrestling and $75 per session for gymnas- tics and volleyball unless the excess is paid from the region’s 65% share of the net income. Hospitality costs for all other sports must be paid from the region’s 65% share of the net income. 53-5-1 Financial Reports -Any tournament charging an admission fee must submit a tournament report (even if a de fi cit) to the League o ffi ce. 53-5-2 Filing Deadline (12-03) -Each regional fi nancial report, with appropriate check if one is due VHSL, must be submitted to the VHSL o ffi ce within three calendar weeks after the event has ended; a three-week grace period may be permitted by the Executive Director upon request. A $100 fi ne may be imposed on the region that has not submitted its reports and tournament proceeds within the grace period. ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES -112- 53-5-3 Team T ravel Shares from Region (2-78) -Those regions paying money to teams advancing to the state level must take those funds from the region’s 65% and not from the region’s total event expenses. 53-6-1 Regional Postponement Policy -In case of extreme weather conditions which imperil travelers attempting to reach the regional event site, the regional director has permis- sion to postpone the regional event, and therefore the state event entry form deadline, one day at a time, excluding Sundays, until the day preceding the state event. If the regional event is delayed beyond the adopted regional deadline, the regional director is required to advise the Executive Director of the postponement and required to call in, deliver or fax the regional results to the state event director as soon as the regional event is completed. In addition, the regional director is required to mail, email, deliver or fax the results to the VHSL o ffi ce. In the event that the regional event director cannot meet the “day preceding the state event” deadline, he/she shall call the Executive Director to request a delay in the state event so that the regional quali fi ers will be eligible for the state event. If at all possible the Executive Director and the state event director through con sultation with the Group Board Chairman and VHSL Chairman shall reschedule the state event. 53-7-1 Tournament Entry Certi fi cation -Principals are required to certify entries for region level activities, but athletic directors or coaches may certify entries from the region level to the state level. 53-8-1 State Event Responsibility (5-93) -Regions failing to identify coordinators for regional activities are responsible for obtaining all materials from VHSL o ffi ce in person. 53-9-1 V ideotaping (3-02) -Filming or videotaping of games/contests for scouting purposes is limited to the schools that are participating in the event. Schools not competing in the event may not fi lm or tape the event. SECTION 54: ATHLETIC PROGRAM. 54-1-1 Introduction -The League sponsors competitive interscholastic athletic programs leading to regional or sectional, and state championships in those activities as indicated in the following sections. Because all students should have the bene fi t of participation, the League strives to ensure that competitive athletics in Virginia high schools are conducted to provide maximum opportunities for the educational growth of all participants. The athletic game playing rules as set forth in the current National Federation of State High School As- sociations publications shall govern all League athletic events unless other game rules have been speci fi ed to govern a particular sport or where the adopted National Federation rules are in con fl ict with special rules set forth under a speci fi c sport section of the Handbook , in which case the special rules take precedence. The Executive Committee may authorize those exceptions to National Federation playing rules which are permitted by the “State Association Adoption” clause. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -113- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES PM 54-1-1 (1) Emerging Activity/Sport Procedure -Schools can petition to request that speci fi c sports or activities be added to the VHSL membership application, subject to Executive Committee approval, and with the understanding that the sport/activity has three years to meet the existing state criteria to be a recognized VHSL state event. When fi ling such a petition with the VHSL o ffi ce, the school must provide the following information: a. Names of schools and genders presently o ff ering the sports/activity b. Number of students at each school participating in the sport/activity c. Historically identi fi ed participation sustainability of the activity/sport d. Letters of support from appropriate groups such as: the superintendent, school board and VHSL region and classi fi cation e. Season of participation (fall, winter, spring) f. Proposed contest limit g. Acknowledgment that VHSL eligibility requirements will apply h. Playing rules that govern the sport/activity (NFHS or other to be speci fi ed) i. Facility availability for both practice and o ffi cial competition j. Adequate coaching and o ffi ciating pools available to sustain the sport k. Financial impact associated with sport/activity at the local, region and state level which may include but are not limited to: the ability to charge admission, o ffi cial's cost, basic event expenses, coaching supplements, facility rental, catastrophic insurance 54-2-1 Combined Schools/Teams -Subject to District, Region, Group Board and Execu- tive Committee approval, Group 1 schools with limited enrollment may sponsor combined teams under the following conditions: (1) The two schools involved must be in the same school division with a combined enrollment (ADM) (grades 9-12) not to exceed 300 students; (2) The schools must have the written consent of their school board, and (3) The “combined team” must be approved by a majority vote of the Group 1 Board for a two-year period only. Application for a combined team must be submitted to the League o ffi ce prior to September 1 in an even-numbered year. 54-3-1 Contest Limitations -No member school may permit its athletes or teams to compete in more than the total number of regular season interscholastic contests, meets or tournaments speci fi ed below for each sport either on the varsity or sub-varsity level. Note : When a region sponsors both a postseason junior varsity and postseason varsity competition/tournament, a player shall be limited to participating in only one of these competi- tions/tournaments. Baseball - 21 Basketball - 23 Competition Cheer - 7 Cross Country - 10 Field Hockey - 17 Football - 10 Golf - 12 Gymnastics - 10 Indoor Track - 10 -114- Lacrosse - 15 Soccer - 17 Softball - 21 Swimming - 10 Tennis - 16 Tennis players are limited to three "traditional" matches per day, or four 8- or 10-game "pro-set" matches per day. Track - 10 Volleyball - 20 dual matches; or 18 duals and 1 invitational tournament; or 16 duals and 2 invitationals. Invitational tournaments may be conducted over no more than two consecutive days. Teams participating in invitational tournaments may play a maximum of 15 sets per tournament. Wrestling - 12 contest dates, 8 of which could be tournaments (events of more than 4 teams are de fi ned as a tournament). Wrestlers are limited to 6 matches per individual per day or 10 over no more than two days. Each individual is limited to 50 mat appearances prior to the culminating region tournament (or the published VHSL calendar region deadline if no region tournament is held). Sport Contests 20% 20% 30% 30% 50% 50% rounded rounded rounded Baseball 21 4.2 4 6.3 6 10.5 11 Basketball 23 4.6 5 6.9 7 11.5 12 Competition Cheer 7 1.4 1 2.1 2 3.5 4 Cross Country 10 2 2 3 3 5 5 Field Hockey 17 3.4 3 5.1 5 8.5 9 Football 10 2 2 3 3 5 5 Golf 12 2.4 2 3.6 4 6 6 Gymnastics 10 2 2 3 3 5 5 Indoor Track 10 2 2 3 3 5 5 Lacrosse 15 3 3 4.5 5 7.5 8 Soccer 17 3.4 3 5.1 5 8.5 9 Softball 21 4.2 4 6.3 6 10.5 11 Swimming 10 2 2 3 3 5 5 Tennis 16 3.2 3 4.8 5 8 8 Outdoor Track 10 2 2 3 3 5 5 Volleyball 20 4 4 6 6 10 10 Wrestling 12 2.4 2 3.6 4 6 6 PM 54-3-1 CONTEST LIMITATIONS (5-95) -Any school that schedules a contest and then cancels or forfeits it cannot add another contest to its schedule. 54-3-1 Exception: (1) Female golfers may participate in no more than fi ve VHSL-sanctioned all-girls invitational tournaments in addition to the contests permitted in 54-3-1. 54-3-1 Interpretations: (1) In creating schedules within the Contest Limitation Rule, schools must count the maximum number of games possible in any invitational, whether or not they ultimately play those games, and they may not later add games to replace those not played. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -115- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES 54-3-2 Lengthening of Contests -Contests may not be lengthened to accommodate team members who have not competed or for any other reason. For the sports of wrestling, swim and dive, indoor and outdoor track, cross country, golf, gymnastics, and tennis, excep- tions to this limitation may be made. If the principals or designees of the two or more schools involved in the scheduled contest agree prior to the contest to allow exhibition (preliminary or post event or extra) matches or heats in these sports, they may be allowed, as long as all other VHSL rules and contest limitations per athlete are not violated. Schools or school divisions may organize teams as they see fi t below the varsity level. These teams must be recognized by the schools or school divisions. 54-3-3 Bene fi t Game -These games are optional, one or more per revenue sport, and may not extend the season. They do not count against the season limitation in that sport, will not count on a school's record and will not be used as part of the football ratings system. Bene fi t Games must be revenue producing. After expenses, the competing schools will each receive one-third of the net income and the remaining one-third share will be sent to the VHSL. A Bene fi t Game may be played anytime prior to the end of the regular season but after players have met minimum practice requirements for that sport (example: 15 practices for football) and must be in lieu of an authorized scrimmage or counted against contest limits. Schools have the option of extending play beyond the normal length; the extension shall not exceed one-half the length of a game and shall be conducted under scrimmage (not game) conditions as noted in 54-4-1 through 54-4-4. In football, the game may be played including or not including the kicking game based on agreement between the two competing schools. Bene fi t Games must be approved in advance by the VHSL. 54-3-4 “Exhibition” Contests -No member school may permit its athletes to compete in more than the total number of regular season interscholastic contests, meets or tournaments speci fi ed for each sport either on the varsity or sub-varsity level. (See 27-11-1, 27-11-2 and 54-8-1.) The VHSL does not recognize “exhibition” or “novice” competition. Any competition that matches athletes from other schools must be counted as either scrimmages or contests. To be counted as scrimmages they must meet the requirements set in 54-4-1 through 54-4-4 of the Virginia High School League Handbook . 54-4-1 Scrimmages -A scrimmage is a practice session between two or among three organized teams, or between groups of players representing their respective teams, or between one organized team and a group of players from another organized team which is representing its team in play. A scrimmage in wrestling may involve a maximum of four teams. 54-4-2 Scrimmage Limitations -Member schools are prohibited from participating in, or allowing their teams or players representing the teams to participate in, more than two scrimmages in any sport. 54-4-3 Special Scrimmage Provisions : (1) Football -A football team may participate in two scrimmages if it has scheduled a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 20 regular daily practices of training and conditioning; otherwise, the football team is limited to one scrimmage. -116- Note : Eighteen or twenty regular daily practices means 18 or 20 calendar days, not counting Sundays, and has no reference to the actual number of times the squad of players appears and reappears for practice sessions. (2) Wrestling -A wrestling team whose membership has been depleted by elimina- tion of its team members in the regional meet can seek workout arrangements with other teams without being held in violation of Section 54, but may not continue practice beyond the conclusion of the state wrestling tournaments. 54-4-4 Scrimmage Purpose -Scrimmages are teaching situations at which coaches are expected to interrupt the practice session to provide instruction from time to time. Prior to any scrimmage the coach should outline the basic purposes and aims of the particular scrimmage so that the players may receive the maximum training and practice from the scrimmage. Principals or their designees responsible for a scrimmage shall observe the following guidelines, except as permitted in 54-4-3: (1) No public announcement of the scrimmage should be made and coverage by the news media should be discouraged; (2) No admission price shall be charged anyone for attendance at a scrimmage; (3) O ffi cials may be paid travel fees if applicable, but not game fees; (4) Each school in a scrimmage shall be limited to no more than 1 1/2 times the normal length of the contest (ex. football and basketball, 6 quarters; baseball, 10 1/2 innings); (5) Except for those rules which have been modi fi ed by the provisions of this para- graph, all League rules shall apply to scrimmages. 54-5-1 Jamborees -A member school may participate in a baseball, basketball, com- petitive cheer, fi eld hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball or wrestling jamboree if the following conditions are met. (1) General Conditions: (a) The jamboree must be sanctioned by the VHSL, Inc., and must be spon- sored by a member school; or, in the case of an out-of-state or other non-member school jamboree, must be sponsored by a school in good standing with its association; (b) Member schools may participate in two jamborees in each sport allowed with each jamboree being in lieu of a permitted scrimmage(s) or Bene fi t Game; (c) A jamboree shall be played under game conditions including the wearing of game uniforms, use of registered o ffi cials and charging of admissions; (d) Only those expenses as outlined by the Executive Committee and printed on the Jamboree Sanction Form may be included in computing the net proceeds; and (e) Eighty (80) percent of the net proceeds will be shared by the competing member schools and twenty (20) percent of the net proceeds will be deposited into the League's treasury. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -117- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES (2) Each team's participation in a jamboree is limited to the following: a. Baseball - 10 innings - pitching regulations apply b. Basketball - 6 quarters c. Competition Cheer - 2 routine performances d. Field Hockey - 3 halves e. Football - 6 quarters f. Lacrosse (Boys) - 6 quarters g. Lacrosse (Girls) - 3 halves h. Soccer - 3 halves i. Softball - 10 innings j. Tennis - 35 games per individual k. Volleyball - 8 sets l. Wrestling - 28 matches per team; 2 matches per individual PM 54-5-1 (1) JAMBOREES/Fee (12-99) -Any VHSL school participating in an out-of- state or non-member school jamboree is required to pay $100 processing fee, but VHSL will not collect 20% of net income. PM 54-5-1 (2) JAMBOREES/Exceptions (5-80) -The Executive Director may grant speci fi c exceptions to the playing rules when he/she sanctions jamborees. The Executive Director may also make appropriate exceptions in reference to out-of-state schools when sanctioning jamborees. PM 54-5-1 (3) JAMBOREES/Fees (5-95) -E ff ective with the 1995-96 school year schools requesting jamborees must submit a fee of $100 with their request. If the League’s share is more than $100, the $100 fee will be applied to the amount owed the VHSL; otherwise, the fee will be a part of the jamboree expenses. 54-6-1 Participation Limitation -If a school maintains separate teams in the same sport for girls and boys during the school year, regardless of sports season, girls may not compete on boys teams and boys may not compete on girls teams. If a school maintains only a boys team in a sport, girls may compete on the boys team. Boys may not participate on a girls team in any sport other than cheerleading unless the Executive Committee determines that boys' opportunities for participation in athletics have been limited in the past. PM 54-6-1 (1) PARTICIPATION LIMITATIONS/Girls on Boys Teams (2-95) -If a school o ff ers a team for girls but not at the comparable level (sub-varsity or varsity) which would permit girls to participate, girls are permitted to play for the comparable boys team. PM 54-6-1 (2) PARTICIPATION LIMITATION/Baseball vs. Softball (3-91) -The O ffi ce of Civil Rights has ruled that softball and baseball are not “comparable” sports under Title IX. Therefore, if a school sponsors both softball and baseball, a girl must be allowed to tryout and, if judged to have the ability, be allowed to be a member of the school’s boys baseball team. -118- PM 54-6-1 (3) PARTICIPATION LIMITATION/Girls on Boys Cross Country Teams (9-75) -A girl who is a member of the boys cross country team may not compete in an invi- tational tournament designated for girls only. A separate division for girls at a cross country invitation meet is appropriate for schools that have both a separate boys team and a separate girls team. When a member of a boys team, a girl may still compete in an individual girls invitational tournament but not a team girls invitational tournament. PM 54-6-1 (4) PARTICIPATION LIMITATION/Boys Participation on Girls Teams (2-25) -Presidential Executive Order Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports prohibits male competitive participation in female sports. This is to include transgender females. Therefore, males and students identifying as transgender females may not participate on a girls sports team other than cheerleading. 54-6-2 Participation by Seventh Graders -Seventh graders may not represent a Virginia High School League school at any level. This does not prohibit a school from organizing seventh and/or eighth graders to compete on the junior high or middle school level. 54-6-3 Participation by Eighth Graders- Eighth graders may represent a Virginia school at the sub-varsity level only and may not compete in any manner in a varsity contest. This does not prohibit a school from organizing seventh and/or eighth graders to compete on the junior high or middle school level. All athletes competing in VHSL athletic programs must be eligible students in all regards. They must meet requirements set by the VHSL, their schools, school division, district or region. Contest rules established by the National Federation shall be followed except where modi fi ed by the VHSL Handbook . 54-6-4 Multiple Season Limitation -A student who participates on a varsity, junior varsity or ninth grade team in one season shall not be eligible to participate in that sport in a di ff erent season at a VHSL member school during the same school year unless there is a corresponding move which complies with VHSL’s Transfer Rule (28A-7-1, Handbook ) by the student’s parent(s) from the attendance zone of the previous school to the attendance zone of the VHSL member school at which the student wishes to participate. However, such student may not participate during any one school year in more than the total number of contests permitted for each sport by VHSL’s Contest Limitations (54-8-1, Handbook ). Such student shall also be limited to participation in only one post season per sport during any one school year. 54-7-1 Forfeits -A forfeiture shall be counted as a game won by the school receiving the forfeit and as a lost game by the team forfeiting. A double forfeiture counts as a loss for both teams. 54-8-1 "Point Rules" -Point rules (often referred to as "mercy rules") exist in the sports of Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, and Softball. For specif- ics, please refer to the appropriate sport section in the VHSL Handbook . Point rules, where they exist, will be in place for all regular season and district events unless a district "opts out" prior to the start of that sport's season. 54-8-1 Exception -Districts may not opt out of the Football Point Rule. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -119- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES 54-9-1 Interrupted or Suspended Games/Events -Unless otherwise speci fi ed in this Handbook , games that are suspended/interrupted for reasons such as darkness, arti fi cial light failure, rain, malfunction of irrigation systems, or any other cause that interferes with play such that the game is stopped by o ffi cials prior to having reached "complete game" status (as de fi ned by each sport's rule book) shall be resumed from the point of interruption unless both schools agree to accept the score at the time of the interruption as fi nal. See the appropriate sport-speci fi c section of this Handbook for detailed procedures for that sport. 54-9-1 Exception -Prior to the start of each sport's season, district may "opt out" of the interrupted/suspended game rule. Opting out will result in following the rules as prescribed in each sport's rule book. 54-9-2 Light Failure -Any regular season or tournament game terminated by arti fi cial light failure shall be considered a suspended game and shall be continued from the point of suspension at a later time, unless the two teams involved mutually agree otherwise. 54-9-3 Rescheduling of Postponed or Suspended Games -Postponed or suspended games must be rescheduled for the same evening or the afternoon of the next calendar date, except for Sundays and except for extenuating circumstances approved by the district chairman if both schools involved are within the same district or by the three (3) Executive Committee representatives and the two (2) region AD's that will provide section information if the section is involved; if it is not a district or sectional contest, the VHSL Executive Director will rule on the extenuating circumstances. Friday games would be rescheduled for Saturday; Saturday for Monday and Monday for Tuesday. 54-11-1 Regional Tournaments -Each region shall conduct a region tournament to deter- mine its state tournament representatives on or before the region deadline date published on the VHSL Activities Calendar. Unless otherwise speci fi ed or the Region Council determines another method prior to the season, the regional tournament shall be an eight-team, single elimination tournament. Failure of a region to determine its representatives by the deadline will disqualify that region from participation. 54-11-2 O ffi cials for Regional Tournaments -Only o ffi cials classi fi ed as "Certi fi ed" shall be eligible to work regional tournament games. 54-12-1 Provision for Sectional Tournaments -If a Regional Council does not establish a Regional Tournament in a speci fi c sport for a speci fi c season by October 31, the Execu- tive Committee may provide a sectional tournament or authorize the region to designate its representative(s) for the state championships. 54-13-1 Insurance -The League's insurance program covers all in-season practices and competitions that are in compliance with VHSL rules. -120- 54-14-1 General Sport Information : Sport National Mercy Rules Option State Travel Minimum Rules Rule that must be Reimbursement Practice Body considered Days annually Baseball NFHS 10 runs Mercy Rule; Yes; Refer to N/A after 5 Suspended Reimb. Table innings Game Rule Basketball NFHS N/A N/A Yes; Refer to N/A Reimb. Table Cheerleading NFHS N/A N/A Yes; Refer to 20 days each Reimb. Table participant - stunt or compete Cross Country NFHS N/A N/A Yes; Refer to 20 days Reimb. Table Field Hockey NFHS 6 goals Mercy Rule Yes; Refer to 14 days after mid- Reimb. Table point of 2nd half Football NFHS 35 points Mercy Rule Yes; Refer to Min. 15 days, after halftime Reimb. Table Max. 20 days, fi rst 3 days each participant shorts, helmets and shoes, next 2 days shorts, helmets, shoes and shoulder pads Golf USGA N/A N/A N/A N/A Gymnastics NFHS N/A N/A N/A N/A Indoor Track NFHS N/A N/A N/A 14 days Boys Lacrosse NFHS N/A N/A Yes; Refer to N/A Reimb. Table Girls Lacrosse US Lacrosse N/A N/A Yes; Refer to N/A Reimb. Table Outdoor Track NFHS N/A N/A N/A 14 days Soccer NFHS 8 goals Mercy Rule Yes; Refer to N/A after mid- Reimb. Table point of 2nd half Softball NFHS 10 runs Mercy Rule; Yes; Refer to N/A after 5 Suspended Reimb. Table innings Game Rule Swim/Dive NFHS N/A N/A N/A N/A Tennis USTA N/A N/A N/A N/A Volleyball NFHS N/A N/A Yes; Refer to 14 days Reimb. Table Wrestling NFHS N/A N/A N/A N/A VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -121- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES 54-15-1 Mandatory Compliance With All Rules -In all interscholastic athletic competi- tions, individual contestants and member schools shall observe and comply with all appropri- ate VHSL recognized rules and with all League rules and regulations set forth in Sections 26 through 33 and with the rules governing speci fi c sports set forth in Sections 50 through 99. These rules and regulations are binding upon all member schools and may not be waived except as authorized in speci fi c sections of this Handbook . Violations are punishable by such penalties as the appropriate body may impose. 54-16-1 District Scheduling -Every school in a district must play all other schools within a three classi fi cation spread in regular season play in all sports. Schools are not required but may choose to play above the three-classi fi cation spread within their district. 54-16-2 Deviation from District Scheduling Requirement -By unanimous vote of all members, a district may request of the Executive Committee, annually, to deviate from the requirement in a district to play all other schools within a three classi fi cation spread in regular season play in all sports. 54-17-1 Team Uniform Logo (10-95) -Schools may obtain uniforms from corporate sponsors and may display logos on uniforms as long as they conform to the speci fi c sports rules of the NFHS. 54-18-1 Bands -Participating schools' bands/pep bands are not allowed to play during live ball situations at any VHSL event. Any deviation from this policy will constitute a VHSL Sportsmanship Violation under Section 30 (Penalties/Fines) and may be de fi ned as exces- sive unsportsmanlike conduct ($300 fi ne). Note : For the purpose of this rule in football, live ball situations begin with the of- fense breaking the huddle or for no huddle o ff enses when the o ff ense begins getting into a formation. 54-19-1 Arti fi cially and/or Ampli fi ed Noisemakers -The use of arti fi cially and/or am- pli fi ed noisemakers (examples of this include, but are not limited to, train or diesel horns, ampli fi ed guitar note or ri ff ) are not allowed during live ball situations at any VHSL event. Any deviation from this policy will constitute a VHSL Sportsmanship Violation (Excessive Unsportsmanlike Conduct - $300 Fine). Note : For the purpose of this rule in football, live ball situations begin with the ball being handled by the snapper. SECTION 55: STATE EVENTS. 55-1-1 Adoption and Termination of State Tournaments -Each group board may adopt a state championship in a sport when fi fty percent plus one of the schools within the same group sponsor that sport in the same season. The adoption must be made by June 30 of the preceding year. The Executive Committee is empowered to provide state level events for those activities which do not meet the criteria previously stated. Any sport that does not meet the criteria above will be evaluated annually to determine if it will be continued. -122- PM 55-1-1 (1) Authority Designation (3-78) -Each group board will establish its own date and site for each individual state championship and may determine format with regard to entrants and tournament pairings that are not set by the Executive Committee. The Execu- tive Committee also has the authority to set sites and dates in emergency situations. If the situation involves only one group board, the group board o ffi cers have authority to set the site and date. Group Boards may not eliminate events within a speci fi c tournament. State Tournaments shall be completed on or before the dates published on the VHSL Activities Calendar. (2) Unless otherwise speci fi ced by the Executive Committee, state tournaments in all team sports shall be eight-team, single-elimination tournaments, with each Region advancing two representatives, except in football where each Region advances one representative. (3) In sports where individuals can qualify, unless otherwise speci fi ed by the Execu- tive Committee, each Region shall advance representatives that have met the quali fi cation criteria for that championship. PM 55-1-1 (2) TOURNAMENT REPLACEMENT POLICY -In cases where teams/indi- viduals in bracketed tournaments are found to be ineligible for competition or are unable to attend a state event due to factors beyond their control (i.e., weather, car accident, etc.), and a designated mechanism is not already accepted, those teams/individuals may be replaced by that participating region. The following criteria will be used when considering whether to replace a team or declare a forfeit/bye for that bracket: a. Region and VHSL approval of the substitution. b. The replacing team or individual, League o ffi ce and host site be noti fi ed in a time frame that includes 24 hours plus travel time to the site from the geographic center of the region with the exception of football. c. For football the same procedures would apply except that 72 hours plus travel time would be required. 55-1-2 Combined Tournaments -When a group/classi fi cation sponsors a sport but does not meet the 50 percent plus one threshold, that group/classi fi cation will combine with the next highest classi fi cation which sponsors a state championship. VHSL sta ff will determine the tournament format for these events. The format will be approved by the Executive Com- mittee. 55-2-2 Changes in State Tournament Format -Each Group Board may request changes in its state tournament format - such as number of teams or number of participants - or may drop a championship if the following provisions are met. (1) For items which are not designated in this Handbook , the Group Board must take action by June 30 of the preceding year, or VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -123- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES (2) For items which are designated in this Handbook , the Executive Committee must take action by June 30 of the preceding year or pass emergency legislation to change the Handbook . 55-2-3 Pairings for State Events -Pairings for bracketed tournaments will be posted on the VHSL website. PM 55-2-3 Pairings (9-94)- The Executive Committee has the authority to set playo ff pairings for all sports. For those playo ff s where teams from the same region might face each other in the semi fi nals and are scheduled to play one school's home fi eld, the regional champion will host the game. 55-3-1 Tournament Dates -All tournaments shall be held no later than the dates published on the VHSL Activities Calendar. Only the Executive Director can authorize postponement of state semi fi nal or fi nal games beyond the speci fi ed dates. 55-3-2 Postponement of State Events : (1) In the event of unusual conditions, and when the VHSL Executive Director deter- mines that the state tournament cannot expediently be postponed, the state tournament can be played if a majority of teams are at the state tournament site. (2) In the event unusual conditions prevent a majority of teams or individuals in non- team events from arriving at the state tournament site on time, the state tournament director, with approval from the VHSL Executive Director, has the authority to rearrange the original schedule to allow the late arriving team(s) the latest possible scheduled participation time. 55-3-3 Scheduling/Rescheduling of Games -All games will be held on the dates scheduled with the exception of postponement due to weather conditions, scheduled gradu- ation at either of the competing schools, or if postponement of regional contests (and/or state semi fi nal contests) causes the team to travel the next day in excess of 250 one-way miles to the next game site. With the exception of graduation, no game will be postponed because of con fl icts with exams, proms and other school functions. Changes will be made for gradua- tions only when doing so will not unduly disrupt the tournament/event or put another school at a signi fi cant disadvantage. PM 55-3-3 Game Time (9-99) -Boys and girls basketball and soccer state tournament game times shall be rotated so each group is given opportunity to play "prime time" games. 55-4-1 Tournament O ffi cials -O ffi cials for all state tournament contests shall be as- signed by VHSL sta ff . Only o ffi cials who have been classi fi ed as "certi fi ed" will be eligible to work. 55-4-2 O ffi cials Game Fees – O ffi cials' game fees are as published in the most recent VHSL Financial Policies Manual. This manual is viewable on the VHSL website. -124- PM 55-5-1 (1) Team Travel Reimbursements (5-94) (9-08) -When the Executive Committee has authority relative to the travel reimbursement process, consistent with VHSL policy, schools will receive team travel reimbursement for state events only when they submit a properly completed form. Each competing school must pay its expenses, including any charges for food and lodging at the game site, unless special instructions are received stat- ing otherwise. After paying all tournament expenses and VHSL expenses, team reimburse- ments in baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, fi eld hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball, theatre and scholastic bowl will be reimbursed at 50% of travel expenses following each sport season. If the VHSL has su ffi cient funding after Spring sports all team reimbursement for the year will be paid at 100% . If VHSL does not have su ffi cient income to reimburse all teams in full, reimbursements will be pro-rated. PM 55-5-1 (2) Mileage Rates (5-92) -The mileage rate for football is $5.00 per mile and for all other authorized sports is $2.00 per mile for teams more than 75 miles from the game site. Mileage shall be determined by the most direct and through highways. Actual deadhead mileage that commercial vehicles charge shall be an allowable expense as well as actual highway tolls paid by a school. PM 55-5-1 (3) Housing Expenses (10-95) -The motel expense reimbursement shall be limited to the “o ffi cial team party” of players, managers, certi fi ed athletic trainer (ATC), bus driver and coaches (and not cheerleaders, cheerleader sponsors, coaches’ relatives, principals or other personnel). For purposes of reimbursement, the number of authorized hotel rooms is shown in the Team Travel Reimbursement Chart found in this section and games scheduled from noon through 5:00 p.m. shall be considered "afternoon games". If the League o ffi ce provides a hotel room block rate, the amount reimbursed may not exceed the published hotel room block rate. 55-6-1 Broadcasts and Telecasts for State Tournaments -Charges for radio broadcasts and telecasts of state level contests shall be set by the League's Executive Committee. No advertising for tobacco, alcoholic beverages or patent medicines may be associated with the broadcasts. A check made payable to VHSL, Inc. shall be presented to the site Tourna- ment Director prior to the broadcast, telecast, taping or fi lming. Telecast fees not shown below shall be set and approved by the Executive Director (9-79). The Executive Director, in consultation with the director of an event, may authorize arrangements to televise on a live or delayed basis a VHSL state or sectional event. Fees for district and regional events are to be set by the appropriate district or regional council. PM 55-7-1 Other State Event Related Policy Manual References (listed alphabeti- cally): (1) Admission Prices -Please see the VHSL website for a listing of approved fees. (a) Children Age 6 and Under -For general admission seats, children age 6 and under may be admitted free if accompa nied by a paying adult. (b) Senior Citizens (3-82) -No discounts are provided for senior citizens. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -125- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES  55 Ͳ 5 Ͳ 1  Team  Travel  Reimbursement  Chart Ͳ 9/17 Sport/Activity Basketball  /  Volleyball Baseball  /Cheer  /  Field  Hockey  /  Lacrosse  /  Soccer  /  Softball Football Cross  Country Scholastic  Bowl/  Theatre Mileage  Reimbursement $2.00  per  mile $2.00  per  mile $5.00  per  mile $2.00  per  mile $2.00  per  mile Authorized  Rooms  71020N/A5 Travel  75  miles  or  less Ͳ one  way No  reimbursement No  reimbursement No  reimbursement No  reimbursement No  reimbursement Morning,  afternoon  or  evening  game  and  travel  76  –  150  miles  –  one  way Mileage  Only Mileage  Only Mileage  Only Mileage  Only Mileage  Only Morning  or  evening  game  (scheduled  to  end  after  9  pm)  and  travel  151  miles  or  more  –  one  way  Mileage  plus  authorized  rooms Mileage  plus  authorized  rooms Mileage  plus  authorized  rooms Mileage  plus  authorized  rooms Mileage  plus  authorized  rooms Afternoon  game Ͳ scheduled  to  start  after  2  pm  and  evening  game  ending  prior  to  8  pm  and  travel  151 Ͳ 200  miles Ͳ one  wa y Mileage  Only Mileage  Only Mileage  Only Mileage  Only Mileage  Only Game  scheduled  to  start  after  6  pm  and  travel  is  more  than  200  miles Ͳ one  wa y Mileage  plus  authorized  rooms Mileage  plus  authorized  rooms Mileage  plus  authorized  rooms Mileage  plus  authorized  rooms Mileage  plus  authorized  rooms VHSL  Handbook Team  Travel  Information 1.  Trip  mileage  is  determined  from  the  high  school  to  the  event  site. 2.  Verification  of  trip  distance  using  Google  maps,  MapQuest  etc.  will  be  required. 3.  In  order  to  receive  100%  allowable  reimbursement  a  request  must  be  received  in  the  VHSL  office  within 3  calendar  weeks  following  the  event. 4.  The  following  criteria  are  in  place  for  team  travel  requests  that  are  submitted  after  the  three  calendar  week window: a.  All  late  team  travel  requests  must  be  submitted  by  the  principal, otherwise  the  request  will  not  be  considered. b.  If  the  request  is  received  after  three  calendar  weeks,  but  before  six  calendar  weeks  have  elapsed, reimbursement  will  be  pro Ͳ rated  to  75%  of  the  allowed  amount. c.  If  a  request  is  received  after  six  calendar  weeks,  but  before  nine  calendar  weeks  have  elapsed reimbursement  will  be  pro  rated  to  50%  of  the  allowed  amount. d.  Any  request  received  after  nine  calendar  weeks  of  the  event  will  not  be  reimbursed. -126- (2) Awards (5-88) -The VHSL sta ff will select or approve all persons who present awards at VHSL state championship events. (1-76) Only o ffi cial VHSL awards or VHSL sanctioned awards will be presented at any VHSL state athletic event. (2-94) – Awards for most valuable wrestler(s) and those given by non-school groups are not allowed. (3) Bands -Participating schools’ bands/ pep bands are allowed at state tournaments with the limitations of not playing during live ball situations. Any deviation from this policy will constitute a VHSL Sportsmanship Violation under Section 30 (Penalties/Fines) and will be de fi ned as excessive unsportsmanlike conduct ($300 fi ne). (4) Banners and Signs (5-83) -Stationary signs are permissible if they are in good taste as determined by the state event director and provided they do not block spectators’ views. (5) Basketball Nets (1-76) -The state basketball tournament director must inform all involved teams that the League will not permit team members to cut down basketball nets, but that basketball nets will be awarded to the victorious teams following the tournament games, if requested. (6) Other State Event Related Policy Maual References - (a) Fee Schedule for Radio Broadcast /Live Stream Audio -Per Game Per Station Outlet – $ 100 (5-19) (b) Fee Schedule for Telecast -Please see the VHSL website for a listing of ap- proved fees. Fees can be found in the VHSL Financial Policies and Procedures Manual, listed under Financial Forms. (c) Telecasts on Public Access Television Channels -A request by an individual, station or company that seeks the right to record and telecast a state playo ff contest on a delayed basis only on a cable channel restricted for public, educational or governmental use (“PEG”) shall be governed by this section. The fee charged for telecasting on a PEG channel on a delayed basis shall be the same fee as charged for a radio broadcast. In addition, the broadcaster must sign an agreement that restricts the use of the taped material to be aired on a delayed basis only on a PEG channel and provides that a minimum of three VHSL- approved promotional spots shall air at no charge to VHSL in conjunction with the telecasting of the contest with at least one airing immediately preceding the start of the telecast of the game. (d) Webcasting/Live Stream Audio -There shall be a $100 fee for any electronic broadcasting (webcasting) of any VHSL state event. (7) Athletic Trainers’ Fees (4-01) -Please see the VHSL website for a listing of approved fees. (8) Cheerleader Admissions -The number of cheerleaders and coaches permitted to represent each team in a state event shall be no more than the number placed on the event entry list. Actual playing area restrictions may further limit the ability of all cheerleaders to be on the fl oor or fi eld during an event. The site or tournament director will have fi nal authority over an appropriate number accessing the actual event area. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -127- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES (9) Contract With Host School (5-91) -Schools hosting VHSL state events shall be required to enter into a contractual agreement with the VHSL in which VHSL requirements and expectations of current merchan disers and/or corporate sponsors are de fi ned. Failure of a host school to ful fi ll the requirements of the contract will subject the school to review by the Executive Committee. In cases of review, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to impose fi nancial penalties on the host school commensurate with the damages to the VHSL. The host school contract, which is to be signed by the principal, should include a note that the principal will review the contract with the event director. (10) Directors’ Fees (5-96) -Directors of state events will not be paid their fees until all required reports are submitted and reconciled at the VHSL o ffi ce. Please see the VHSL website for a listing of approved fees. (11) Facilities Requirements -No teams playing at a neutral (home area) designated site are allowed to practice at that site prior to a contest. For all other facility requirements refer to the VHSL website. (12) Game Balls -The o ffi cial game balls are as follows. Baseball – Wilson A1010 HS1 Soccer – NCAA VIVIDO Basketball Boys – Wilson EVO NXT Softball – Wilson A9011 Basketball Girls – Wilson EVO NXT Tennis – US Open Extra Duty (WRT106200) Football – Wilson GST 1003 Volleyball – Wilson K1 Gold (13) Hospitality Costs (5-13) -Hospitality costs are authorized for multi-day events and events where four (4) or more contests are scheduled consecutively at the same site. The costs to the League may not exceed $500.00 per day, unless otherwise approved by the appropriate assistant director. (14) Merchandising Program (1-77) -The sale of any VHSL items with either the VHSL seal, name or event on them is prohibited unless speci fi cally approved by the Executive Committee. (5-82) The Executive Director may approve the sale of souvenir items at VHSL events as long as approval is reported to the Executive Committee. (15) Recognized Passes -The current year’s membership card of ACTIVE members as follows, when presented with a valid photo ID, each card will be recognized for one admis- sion. The VHSL Honored Guest Card will be recognized for two admissions. (a) VHSL Card-Superintendents, Member School Principals and Athletic/Activities Directors (assistant superintendents, member school assistant principals and assistant ath- letic/activities director by request) (5-16) (b)VHSL Honored Guest Card - Special Guests (c) VHSL State Event Pass (purchased through member school or o ffi cials association) (9-01) - (also may be sold to middle school administrators and local city council members) (d) VHSL Coaches Pass (12-10) - Available to all current VHSL head and assistant coaches. Good for admission to all VHSL regular and post-season events (bearer only) and includes liability insurance in the purchase price. Cost: $25.00. (e) VHSL State Event Pass - State Clinicians - complimentary (9-00) -128- (f) VHSL State Event Pass - Commissioner of O ffi cials Association (compli- mentary) (9-02) (g) VHSCA Card - High School Coaches who are active VHSCA members (h) VHSCA Life Member Card - Special Guest (i) VIAAA Card - Athletic Directors and Asst. Athletic Directors who are ac- tive VIAAA members (j) VIAAA Life Member Card - Athletic Directors and Asst. Athletic Directors (k) N ATA Card ( National Athletic Trainers Association) - Trainers (5-96) (l) VSBA Card - School Board Members (5-96) and, by superintendent request, non- VSBA school board members (9-01) Cards not recognized include any stamped “Allied” or “Associate” from the above listing as well as college coaches, VASSP, professional teams' scouts, middle school principals, SDE regional personnel (5-92), faculty, district and/or regional cards. Membership cards are not transferable (5-96). (16) Photography and Recording of State Events – The following photography and recording proce dures have been set for directors of all VHSL state tournaments. (a) Photographers shall: (1) Obtain proper credentials as required by each site director. (2) Follow directives by the site director as to the location limits for working the contest. (3) Not display conspicuous partisan support during the contest. (4) Avoid contact with players and coaches and inappropriate involvement with the crowd during the contest. (5) Not interfere with the action of the contest. (6) Not take fl ash pictures of players during the progress of the contest, except when using electronic fl ash/strobe cameras. (7) Observe special limitations for the sports of gymnastics. (b) Recording by Competing Schools -A competing school desiring to record an athletic event in which that school competes must receive permission in advance from the tournament director. Under no conditions may the recording be used for scouting purposes by schools other than those involved in the event recorded. Schools not competing in the event may not record the event. The recording is not to be used to second guess decisions made by game/meet o ffi cials. The recording may not be sold, rented, or loaned for com- mercial purposes. (c) Recording by Media -The recording of VHSL events must be cleared through the Virginia High School League. Members of the media may, without paying a fee, arrange with the local tournament manager to take clips of VHSL events for public showing. Under no conditions may an entire athletic event be recorded for showing without advance clear- ance through the VHSL and the local tournament director. (d) Recording by Spectators- Spectators must receive permission from the tourna- ment director for any live action taken of athletic events other than snapshots. If permission is granted for spectators to record the entire event or take clips, it is to be with the understanding the recording may not be sold, leased, borrowed, or rented for commercial purposes. The VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -129- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES tournament manager shall not permit spectators to interfere with the view of other spectators or news media personnel covering the activity, and if there is any question as to the purposes of recording, the request should be denied by the local tournament management. (e) Live Streaming -Host sites must o ff er an option(s) for live streaming services of state events. If live streaming services are not available at the host site, participating teams will be noti fi ed and can have the option to set up their own live streaming services. Live streaming services must o ff er equal opportunity for all sports and genders and should not have an imbalance of coverage between gender. (17) Practice at Game Site (5-94) -When events are hosted at "neutral" sites, teams may not practice at those sites, unless the opposing team(s) can be accommodated. (18) Prayer (10-92 and 5-15) -There is to be no publicly-sponsored prayer or publicly- sponsored invocation at VHSL state events. Privately-sponsored prayer, whether the speech of students or private schools, is not prohibited at VHSL state events. The Committee’s action was in response to a Supreme Court decision and recommendations by the League attorney. (19) Ra ffl es (5-92) -Ra ffl es are allowed if the following criteria are met. (1) proper local permit is obtained; (2) seller not be allowed near entrance gate; (3) signs clearly identify that VHSL is not sponsor; (4) signs clearly identify the ra ffl e’s sponsor; and (5) the state event is hosted at a VHSL school. (20) Reentry Policy (12-03) -Because of the di ff ering nature of team and individual tournament formats, uniqueness of facilities, and local security policies, a general re- entry policy is not feasible. A re-entry policy that would permit spectators to re-enter an event without paying a new admission fee will be decided on a case-by-case basis. The policy on whether or not re-entry will be permitted would be communicated in the tournament format and posted at the tournament entrance for each event. If re-entry is not permitted, spectators who leave the premises and subsequently return will be required to purchase a new ticket. (21) Refunds (Tickets) (9-93) -No refund is allowed for rain outs; ticket stubs will be recognized for admission for continued game. (22) Sportsmanship Responsibility (3-73)- Regardless of the site of the event, each school participating in a state tournament event is host of that event and therefore respon- sible for sportsmanship during the tournament games or events. Further, as each school is host, it can report a violation of the sportsmanship rules. As state sponsor, the VHSL has key responsibilities in enforcing the sportsmanship rule. (23) Vendors Authorization (5-92) -The Executive Committee shall approve all vendors for state events. -130- SECTION 56: BASEBALL. 56-1-1 Schedules -Each member school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 56-1-2 Each team shall be limited to a maximum of 21 games, excluding district, regional and state tournament games. 56-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirement -There is no minimum practice requirement for baseball. 56-3-1 Suspended/Interrupted Games -A game called for any reason where a winner cannot be determined (less than 4 1/2 or 5 innings have been completed or the game is tied) or anytime for mechanical failure (i.e., arti fi cial lights, irrigation systems, etc) will be treated as a suspended game. The game will be continued from the point of interruption with the line-up and batting order of each team exactly the same as the line-up and batting order at the moment of interruption subject to the rules of the game. 56-3-1 Exception -Prior to the beginning of the season an appropriate council may opt to not use this rule. 56-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions PM 56-4-1 BASEBALL/Pregame Equipment Inspection (2-11) -It is the responsibil- ity of member schools to verify that any equipment used by a player meets the quality and technical inspection standards dictated by NFHS and VHSL rule. The burden for compliance rests with the member school. Students/athletes who participate using illegal equipment are subject to ejection from that game and a further suspension for the next two games. 56-4-2 Pitching Regulations -For the purposes of this rule, the pitch count is based on pitches thrown to the batters during their time at bat. Warm up pitches allowed before each inning or warm up pitches allowed by the umpire in case of injury or game delay do not count. All NFHS substitution and pitching rules must be followed. A dead ball pitch will not be considered as a pitch for the purposes of pitch count (e.g., a pitch thrown when time is called, a balk or illegal pitch, etc.) A pitcher at the Varsity or Sub-varsity level who reaches the maximum pitch count limita- tion allowed per day during an inning will be a ff orded the opportunity to fi nish pitching to the current batter at bat. The following provisions apply to regular season as well as post season play. Speci fi c rest periods are in place when a pitcher reaches a high threshold of pitches delivered in a day. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -131- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES MAXIMUM PITCHES ALLOWED PER DAY Varsity and Sub-Varsity 110 The rest periods required during regular season and post season tournament play are listed below: *If a pitcher throws 101 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed. *If a pitcher throws 76-100 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. *If a pitcher throws 51-75 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed. *If a pitcher throws 26-50 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed. *If a pitcher throws 1-25 pitches in a day no calendar day of rest is required before pitch- ing again. If a pitcher throws 51 or more pitches over two consecutive days, at least one calendar day of rest must be observed. The days of rest required are determined by the number of pitches thrown on day two of consecutive days. If a third consecutive day of pitching occurs, the pitcher is limited to a maximum of 25 pitches on that third consecutive day of pitching. At least one day of rest must be observed after three consecutive days of pitching. A calendar day refers to a time period beginning at midnight on one calendar day and ending at 11:59 p.m. on that same day. A calendar day of rest begins with the day following the fi rst day a pitch is thrown. A calendar day means that if a pitcher throws 76 pitches on Tuesday that player may not pitch again until Saturday. If a pitcher throws 25 pitches on Tuesday, that pitcher may pitch again on the next day which is Wednesday. The starting time of the game does not matter in the calculation of when a pitcher is eligible to pitch again. Schools shall document each player’s pitch count using the preferred Pitch Count and Scoring partner(s) of the VHSL for tracking purposes. The home score book and pitch count accounting are o ffi cial. Because the home pitch count record is o ffi cial, the home team shall provide a responsible adult to record pitch count totals in the preferred Pitch Count and Scor- ing partner(s) of the VHSL. The home and visiting teams shall compare pitch count totals each inning for accuracy. Umpires will not be a part of the process. 56-4-2 Penalty -Violation of this rule constitutes use of an ineligible and forfeiture of any games in which such violation occurs and carries a $100 fi ne for the o ff ending school. Additionally, the fi rst time a team violates the VHSL pitch count rule, the designated head coach must take the "Introduction to Pitch Smart" course o ff ered through the NFHS on the NFHSLearn website prior to being allowed to return to coaching. Any subsequent violations, by a team of this designated head coach, will result in the suspension of that coach for two games for "Excessive Unsportsmanlike Conduct". 56-4-3 Speed-Up Rules -The suggested speed-up rules as listed in the NFHS Baseball Rule Book shall be used in all VHSL baseball contests. PM 56-4-3 BASEBALL/Doubleheaders (5-00) -By mutual agreement of the competing schools, doubleheaders may consist of only fi ve (5) innings per game. -132- 56-4-4 The Ten-Run Rule -The Ten-Run Rule is in e ff ect for all VHSL games. 56-4-4 Exception -Prior to the start of the season, any Council may elect not to use the Ten-Run Rule for its VHSL games. 56-4-5 Resolving Ties During the Regular Season -If a group opts not to use the Sus- pended/Interrupted Game Rule, and a regulation called game ends in a tie score, the game shall be counted as one-half (1/2) game won and one-half (1/2) game lost (NFHS Baseball Rules Book). Tie games shall not be completed (or made up) by mutual agreement. 56-5-1 Other Baseball-Related Policy Manual References PM 56-5-2 BASEBALL/Rescheduling of State Semi fi nal (12-01) -If the fi rst game of the state semi fi nals has been played and the second semi fi nal is postponed, the State Director may reschedule the second game no later than 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and play the championship game at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. SECTION 58: BASKETBALL. 58-1-1 Schedules- Each school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 58-1-2 The number of basketball games in any one season shall be limited to 23 regular season games, exclusive of district, regional and state tournament games. 58-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirement -There is no minimum requirement for basket- ball. 58-3-1 Suspended/Interrupted Games -Games which are suspended or interrupted prior to completion shall be resumed from the point of interruption unless both schools agree to accept the score at the time of interruption as fi nal. 58-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions 58-4-2 Thirty (30)-Point Rule -The 30-Point Rule will be in e ff ect for all games. The 30-Point Rule provides that if at any time during the fourth quarter one team is ahead by 30 or more points, the clock shall continue to run except during free throws, time-outs, injuries, and the administration of technical fouls. (1) By mutual agreement of both coaches, the 30-Point Rule may be used at any time during the second half. (2) If at any time after the 30-Point Rule has been implemented a team's lead be- comes less than 30 points, the clock will be run normally. 58-4-3 Exception -Prior to the start of the season, any Council may elect not to use the 30-Point Rule for its VHSL contests. 58-4-4 Coaching Box Rule -Provisions as listed in the National Federation Basketball Rules Book dealing with the Coaching Box Rule (10-5-1) shall be used in all VHSL basketball contests. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -133- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES SECTION 62: CHEERLEADING. 62-1-1 Schedules -Each school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 62-1-2 The number of cheer competitions in any one season shall be limited to 7 regular season competitions, exclusive of district, regional and state competitions. A multiple school competition shall count as one contest. 62-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirement -Prior to either the fi rst performance by a sideline cheer squad involving stunting or tumbling, or the fi rst competition by a competition cheer squad, each participant shall practice a minimum of 20 days. Each practice shall consist of stunting and tumbling time to count toward the 20 day requirement. The 20 daily practice sessions applies to each student and means 20 calendar days, not counting Sundays, and has no reference to the actual number of times the team appears and reappears for practice sessions. Competition teams may not start learning choreography until the o ffi cial fi rst day of tryouts/practice. 66-2-2 Fall Practice Guidelines -Schools must adhere to the VHSL Fall Practice Guidelines as provided in this Handbook , or with those guidelines submitted to the Executive Director and accepted for use by the member school. 62-3-1 Suspended/Interrupted Competitions -In the event a competition must be suspended because of conditions which make it impossible to continue, the competition, if/when resumed, shall be resumed from the point of interruption unless all participating schools agree to accept the scores at the time of interruption as fi nal. If the interruption occurs while a team is performing, that team will be given the option of starting their routine over or resuming their routine from the point of interruption. 62-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions 62-4-2 All cheerleading practices and performances, whether by sideline or competition squads, must be conducted under proper adult supervision and must comply with the NFHS Spirit Rules Book. 62-4-3 Sideline Cheer -Sideline cheerleaders may serve as an auxiliary group for any sports team sponsored by a member school. Students selected to be cheerleaders for a school’s sports team shall comply with Parts A and C of Section 28 and the Athletic Partici- pation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Rule (28B-3-1). The Athletic Participation/ Parental Consent/Physical Examination form is also required of all students trying out for or practicing for the cheerleading squad as speci fi ed in the Notes under Section 28B-3-1. MEL’s are required to be fi led for sideline cheerleaders. A school that sponsors cheerleaders for its school’s sports teams shall comply with the following regulations in Section 27: Prin- cipal’s Responsibility Rule - 27-8-1, Coaches Rule - 27-2-1, Sports Season Rule - 27-12-1, Out-of-Season Practice Rule - 27-7-1, Proselytizing Rule - 27-9-1, Sunday Rule - 27-15-1, and Sportsmanship Rule - 27-11-1. Their "season" is from the fi rst fall practice date until the last contest by any school team they support as a cheer squad or the last day of school, whichever is later. -134- 62-4-4 Competitive Cheer -Students selected to be cheerleaders for a school's com- petition squad shall comply with Parts A, B and C of Section 28. MELs must be fi led for competition cheer squad members. A school that sponsors competition squad cheerleaders shall comply with all regulations in Section 27. 62-4-5 Score Clari fi cation Process -Head coaches or designee will highlight a rubric with the ranges for stunts, pyramids or jumps that correlate with their routine performance on the day of competition. The head coach or designee will highlight the tumbling skills that will be performed in their routine on the day of competition. The rubric will be given to the meet referee/head judge for purposes of clari fi cation. Immediately upon receiving the ranges, the head coach or designee noti fi es the meet referee/head judge if there are questions about their team’s range. The meet referee/head judge will obtain scoring clari fi cation(s), if deemed appropriate and the judges’ panel will provide clarity. (1) Coaches will be permitted to review their score sheets shortly after competing. The scoring range clari fi cation process will be in e ff ect, as detailed above. Speci fi c scores will not be debated, if the score is in the appropriate range. Schools will receive a copy of their score sheet prior to leaving the competition arena. Score sheets that are not picked up at the competition will be destroyed. Score sheets will NOT be mailed to competing schools. (2) Competition Cheer Technical Score Sheet Signature-The head coach or des- ignee must sign the technical scoresheet immediately following the verbal explanation of deductions assessed to their team. (3) VHSL does not recognize protests based on the real or alleged failure of contest o ffi cials to apply competition rules. If clerical or mathematical errors occur, they must be recognized and corrected prior to the competition's conclusion. SECTION 64: CROSS COUNTRY. 64-1-1 Schedules -Each school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 64-1-2 Each school team shall be limited to 10 meets per season, exclusive of district, regional and state meets. A multiple school meet shall count as one meet. 64-1-3 Each individual team member may compete in four other sanctioned meets and each competition shall count as one of the team contests as permitted in this Handbook for that individual, but shall not count for the team. 64-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirements -Twenty days is the minimum number of practice days required prior to the fi rst contest. The 20 daily practice sessions means 20 calendar days, not counting Sundays, and has no reference to the actual number of times the team appears and reappears for practice sessions. 64-2-2 Fall Practice Guidelines -Schools must adhere to the VHSL Fall Practice Guidelines as provided in this Handbook , or with those guidelines submitted to the Executive Director and accepted for use by the member school. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -135- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES 64-3-1 Suspended/Interrupted Meet -There is no suspended/interrupted meet rule for cross country. 64-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions 64-4-2 State Meet Qualifying Criteria/Standards -Participation at the state meets shall be limited to the top three (3) teams from a regional meet and the fi rst fi ve (5) individual fi nishers not in the top three teams from each regional meet. 64-4-3 State Meet Regulations: (1) Only entries that are submitted on the o ffi cial entry form and received by the Meet Director not later than the deadline date for entry will be accepted. (2) The meet shall be conducted over a course approximately 3 miles in length. (3) No additions to, or changes in, the o ffi cial list of entries (other than scratches) shall be permitted after the entry form has been received by the Meet Director. (4) Teams shall consist of a minimum of fi ve members and a maximum of seven members. SECTION 66: FIELD HOCKEY. 66-1-1 Schedules -Each school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 66-1-2 Each school team shall be limited to 17 games, per season, exclusive of district, regional and state championship games. 66-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirement -Fourteen days is the minimum number of practice days required prior to the fi rst contest. The 14 daily practice sessions means 14 calendar days, not counting Sundays, and has no reference to the actual number of times the team appears and reappears for practice sessions. 66-2-2 Fall Practice Guidelines -Schools must adhere to the VHSL Fall Practice Guidelines as provided in this Handbook , or with those guidelines submitted to the Executive Director and accepted for use by the member school. 66-3-1 Suspended/Interrupted Games -Games interrupted or suspended because of circumstances beyond the control of the responsible o ffi ce/game administrator (i.e., weather, darkness, natural disaster, sportsmanship issue, etc.) shall: (a) be resumed at the point of interruption if play is stopped prior to completion of the second quarter; (b) be a complete game if play is stopped after the completion of the second quarter and one team is ahead. 66-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions -136- 66-4-2 Breaking Ties, Regular and Post-Season Play -If a tie exists during post-season play, the tie shall be broken by administering the Post Season Tie-Breaking Procedures published on the League's website. PM 66-4-2 FIELD HOCKEY REGULAR AND POST SEASON TIE-BREAKER (OT-OT- OO-OO-OOSV) 10-minute, reduced-player, sudden victory overtime (6 fi eld players and goalkeeper): - 5-minute intermission - Visiting captain calls coin toss – winner chooses side or ball - All “eligible” players may participate - Suspensions (green and yellow cards) and ejections (red cards) in regulation ARE carried over If still tied after the fi rst 10-minute OT period, a second 10-minute OT period is played: - 2 minute intermission - Teams change ends; Alternate center pass If the game is still tied after the second 10-minute OT, teams will participate in a 1-on-1 tiebreaker: - 5-minute intermission - Visiting captain calls coin toss, winner chooses to attack or defend fi rst - 5 players from each team take a 1-on-1 alternately against the GK of the other team making a total of 10 1-on-1’s - Non-participating team members may be on the fi eld no closer than the 50-yard line - Suspensions (green and yellow cards) from overtime DO NOT carry over; ejections (red card) DO carry over If still tied, teams will participate in a Sudden Victory 1-on-1’s: - 2 minute intermission - The same fi ve players from each team will participate and the order may change - Team that defended in the previous 1-on-1 series will attack fi rst - When one team has scored or been awarded one more goal than the opposing team after each team has taken the same number of 1-on-1s, not necessary being all fi ve 1-on-1s, that team is the winner If still tied, teams will participate in a Sudden Victory 1-on-1’s: - The sequence in which the attackers take the 1-on-1s need not be the same in any subsequent series - The team which starts each 1-on-1s series alternates for each series 1-on1 Procedure: - Attack player begins behind the 25-yard line with the ball is centered on the 25- yard line - GK position on or behind the goal line within the goal cage - Procedure begins and ends with the o ffi cial’s whistle - Attack player has 8 seconds to score - Follow-up shots are permitted 1-on-1 ends when: - 8 seconds have elapsed - The attacker scores a goal - The attacker commits an o ff ense VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -137- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES - The GK commits an unintentional o ff ence (the shoot-out is re-taken by the same player) - The GK commits an intentional o ff ence (a penalty stroke is awarded and taken) - The ball goes out of play over the back-line (this includes the GK intentionally playing the ball over the back-line as this is not a foul) or side line - If a penalty stroke is awarded, any eligible player on the roster may take the penalty stroke. The penalty stroke will take place before the next available shoot-out takes place. A player may be suspended by a yellow or red card but not by a green card during the 1-on- 1 procedure. If during the 1-on-1 procedure, a player is suspended by a yellow or red card: - The player takes no further part in the 1-on-1 procedure. Any goals scored before being suspended count as a goal - If the GK, a fully kitted GK shall be allowed reasonable time to put on protective equipment If during a 1-on-1 procedure: - A defending GK or player is incapacitated, they may be replaced by another eligible player from the roster - An attacker is incapacitated, that attack player may be replaced by another player on the roster - Any replaced player (defender or attacker) takes no further part in the 1-on-1. 66-4-3 Six-Goal Rule -The Six-Goal Rule shall be in e ff ect for all VHSL games. The Six-Goal Rule provides that if, at any time after the third quarter is complete and one team leads by six (6) or more goals, the game shall be terminated. When schools play games outside their district, the six goal rule will apply. 66-4-4 Exception- Prior to the start of the season, a Council may elect not to use the Six-Goal Rule for its VHSL games. SECTION 68: FOOTBALL. 68-1-1 Schedules -Each member school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 68-1-2 Schedules -All schedules (in-state, out-of-state and non-public Virginia schools) for the next school year shall be submitted to the League O ffi ce by May 1 of the current school year. Failure of a school to comply with this provision shall result in that school being fi ned $100. 68-1-3 Additional games may be scheduled after May 1 provided they are reported in writing to the Executive Director on or before September 15. PM 68-1-1 (1) FOOTBALL/Schedule Waiver (9-90) -The requirement that schools must report scheduled games prior to September 15 may be waived if schedule changes are necessary because opponents discontinue fi elding a team. -138- PM 68-1-1 (2) FOOTBALL/Schedule Change Responsibility (1-73) -In reference to schools adding to or changing their football schedules after those schedules have been submitted to the League o ffi ce, it is the responsibility of both schools concerned to report to the League o ffi ce additions to or changes in their football schedules. 68-1-4 No member school shall play more than 10 football games during any one season, exclusive of play-o ff games authorized by a group board, nor more than an average of one game per week by the same team. By group board adoption, schools in that classi fi cation may permit football players to compete in no more than 40 quarters. Additionally, by group board adoption, a classi fi cation may permit junior varsity players, when participating on both varsity and junior varsity teams, to compete in no more than 48 quarters. When member schools have been reclassi fi ed, the present rule shall apply until the new group's member- ship can reconsider the 40-quarter or 48-quarter rule option. 68-1-5 Dates 1 through the 11th football playing weekend shall be regular season dates, the 12th, 13th and 14th football playing weekends are regional play dates, and the 15th and 16th football playing weekends are state semi fi nals and championships respectively. 68-1-6 The fi rst o ffi cial play date shall be Week 8 of the NFHS calendar and after all preseason requirements have been met. 68-1-6 Exception- If a district or region designates a district/region fi rst contest date later than the fi rst o ffi cial contest date as published in the VHSL calendar, those football teams shall have had a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 regular daily sessions of training and practice prior to that designated district/region fi rst contest date. All other provisions of 68- 2-1, 68-2-2 and 68-2-3 shall apply. 68-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirements -Prior to the fi rst contest date, the football team of a member school shall have had a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 regular daily ses- sions of training and practice, the fi rst 3 days of which players’ protective equipment shall be limited to helmets and shoes, and the next two days shall be limited to helmets, shoes and shoulder pads. Each individual player, regardless of when he/she reports for practice, must undergo the fi rst three days wearing protective equipment limited to helmets and shoes, and the next two days shall be limited to helmets, shoes and shoulder pads. 68-2-2 Fifteen or twenty daily practice sessions means 15 or 20 calendar days, not counting Sundays, and has no reference to the actual number of times the squad of players appears and reappears for practice sessions. 68-2-3 Schools must adhere to the VHSL Fall Practice Guidelines as provided in this Handbook , or with those guidelines submitted to the Executive Director and accepted for use by the member school. 68-2-4 Football players are limited to a maximum of ninety (90) minutes of full contact practice per week. For the purposes of this rule, "full contact" is de fi ned as game situation; tackling to the ground; playing football. 68-2-5 Football players are restricted from any post game padded contact practice. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -139- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES 68-3-1 Postponed or Suspended/Interrupted Games -Postponed or suspended games must be rescheduled for the same evening or the afternoon of the next calendar date, except for Sundays and except for extenuating circumstances approved by the district chairman if both schools involved are within the same district. If it is not a district contest, the VHSL Executive Director will rule on the extenuating circumstances. Friday games would be re- scheduled for Saturday; Saturday for Monday; and Monday for Tuesday. (1) Schools, who have reported such incidents prior to the o ffi cial release of the brackets for that classi fi cation, will receive the allowable bonus/rider points when a game involving a non-VHSL member school is not played and a forfeit has not been awarded as part of the result of that game. (2) Schools who experience an opponent canceling a game have the options of receiving a forfeit for that game, scheduling another opponent, or declaring a nine-game schedule. After the o ffi cial release of the initial power ratings, schools who experience an opponent canceling a game will only have the options of receiving a forfeit for that game or scheduling another opponent. 68-3-2 All make-up games must be concluded by Tuesday preceding the fi rst regional play-o ff date. Games not concluded by that day will be counted as a loss for both teams. If two schools cannot agree on a make-up date, the VHSL Executive Director shall set the date. A school may choose to forfeit only if approved by the VHSL Executive Director. 68-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions PM 68-4-1 (1) FOOTBALL POINT RULE -When a thirty- fi ve (35) point di ff erential is reached at half-time or at any point during the second half, the game clock will continue to run anytime there is an incomplete pass, the runner goes out of bounds or the o ff ensive team obtains a fi rst down. Additionally, when the mercy rule is in e ff ect and there is a: - Change of possession the clock will stop for substitutions and setting the chains and then start on the "ready for play" signal. - Score, the clock will stop for the extra point. The clock will run by rule during the sub- sequent free kick, then after setting the chains, started on the "ready for play" signal. - Charged timeout, the clock will stop and then start on the "ready for play" signal fol- lowing the timeout. Should the point di ff erential subsequently be reduced to less than thirty- fi ve points, game o ffi cials will discontinue the use of this timing adjustment. This adoption will be utilized dur- ing regular season and playo ff games and at all levels of play (varsity and sub-varsity). This adjustment may not be utilized when Rule 3-1-3 is in e ff ect. PM 68-4-1 (2) FOOTBALL/O ffi cials Associations (3-98) -Associations shall meet with every football team prior to the team’s fi rst game to discuss safety, sportsmanship and rules. PM 68-4-1 (3) FOOTBALL/Film Exchange -Schools advancing to state semi fi nal or state fi nal games will exchange a minimum of two (most recent) game fi lms with the opponent no later than noon Sunday preceding the next postseason game. -140- 68-4-2 Recommendation -The League recommends that no member school which has less than 25 students physically fi t and eligible for participation engage in varsity football. 68-4-3 Non-Varsity Games- Ten-minute quarters shall be used for sub-varsity games. For games involving only 8th graders, eight-minute quarters shall be used. 68-4-4 Determining Championships -The League declares football champions in each classi fi cation at the district level and has provisions for single division champions at the re- gional and state levels. District champions are determined on the basis of their won-and-lost records, as prescribed in this Handbook and by each school’s compliance with all provisions in this section. 68-4-6 Rating Scale- To fi nd the rating of a team, total the number of points it has earned in accordance with the following table and divide that total number by the number of games played. Note : The VHSL shall apply a 2.0 multiplier, for classi fi cation purposes, to any Virginia non-public school that serves students of one gender (e.g., an all-boys high school). Other multipliers are de fi ned in 10-1-4 (a), (b) and (c). 6 5 4 3 2 1 For winning from 26 24 22 20 18 16 For losing from 14 12 10 8 6 4 *Two (2) bonus points per classi fi cation For each game won by a defeated opponent** in ANY classi fi cation 2 2 2 2 2 2 For each game won by a non-defeated 1 1 1 1 1 1 opponent** in ANY classi fi cation *Bonus points award to higher classi fi cation teams playing lower classi fi cation teams **VHSL rating scale recognized opponents 68-4-6 (1) To calculate ties in football games with out-of-state teams (when the games are played out-of-state) and rider points for out-of-state games ending in a tie. 6 5 4 3 2 1 For tying 20 18 16 14 12 10 For each game won by the 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 tied opponent For each game lost by the 1 1 1 1 1 1 tied opponent VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -141- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES 68-4-6 (2) When the Rating Scale is used to designate teams for championship playo ff s, only games between members of the Virginia High School League, other public schools and non-public Virginia schools, as well as non-public member schools of other National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) state associations shall be counted. The following provision applies: (1) It is the VHSL member school's responsibility to inform the VHSL o ffi ce by May 1 of the following: (a) Non-VHSL opponent's schedule. (b) VHSL enrollment standards for classi fi cation will be applied so as to deter- mine the awarding of bonus rating points to the VHSL member school. 68-4-6 (3) Penalty -Failure to comply with 68-4-6 (2) (1) and (2) shall result in the school being fi ned as stated in 30-5-1. PM 68-4-6 (3) FOOTBALL/Out-of-State Football Schedules (9-05) -For counting out- of-state school's 10 games of an 11-game schedule, use the following criteria: (a) if a game occurs before the fi rst contest date set by the VHSL, it is not counted; (b) if no game is played before the fi rst contest date set by VHSL, do not count the 11th and subsequent games. Note : Any state in which a VHSL member school plays that allows Endowment Games, those schools may exchange a win in accordance with that state's rules which will be rec- ognized in the VHSL football ratings, unless that out-of-state school should subsequently exchange a loss with a VHSL member school for a win with another opponent, the VHSL Rating Scale will recognize that out-of-state game exchanged for VHSL rating purposes and not count the fi rst game of the season for the out-of-state opponent since that game traditionally is outside of the VHSL playing dates. 68-4-6 (4) Only those games originally scheduled to be played on or before the 11th football playing weekend (inside back cover, Handbook ), with all games scheduled by or before September 15, shall be used in determining a school’s rating. 68-4-6 (4) Penalty: Competing schools that fail to comply with 68-4-6 (4) shall be fi ned as stated in 30-5-1; neither school shall receive rating points for the unreported game. Their opponents will receive appropriate rating points. 68-4-6 (5) A forfeiture shall be counted as a game won by the team receiving the forfeit, and as a game lost by the team forfeiting. 68-4-6 (6) Any school that has scheduled a game to be played after the 11th football playing weekend (inside back cover, Handbook ) shall not be eligible to compete in the cham- pionship football play-o ff series. 68-4-7 Playo ff Sites -142- PM 68-4-7 (1) FOOTBALL/State Semi fi nal Sites (9-09) -For state football semi fi nal games, each region would determine at least three sites for the region to use as alternate sites in the event of inclement weather or poor fi eld conditions and submit their sites to the VHSL o ffi ce by October 1. All sites must meet the minimum criteria for hosting a state football semi fi nal or have been pre-approved as an appropriate site by the VHSL sta ff . A Region Independent Inspection Study Team would determine the best site. PM 68-4-7 (2) FOOTBALL/Independent Inspection Study Team (9-09) -Each region will determine an inspection team to be a neutral decision making authority on suitability of semi fi nal sites in cases of inclement weather or poor fi eld conditions. This team must be made up of a minimum of three members. Other suggestions for the committee include: (a) Teams should have a coach, principal and athletic administrator represented (retired representatives could be used for institutional knowledge as well as neutral association). (b) Some regions may need to select more than three sites based on geography. (c) Reporting of fi ndings should be made to both the host director as well as VHSL sta ff . 68-4-8 Regional Playo ff Representation -There shall be four regions for each clas- si fi cation consisting of no more than 8 playo ff teams in each region. (1) District champions will not automatically advance to the regional playo ff s. All ties, including seeding ties, between or among any teams eligible to participate in the regional play-o ff series shall be resolved by applying the following provisions in the order listed: (a) The Rating Scale-Considering all regular season games played against public and non-public Virginia schools and scheduled in accordance with the provisions of 68-4-6. (b) The winner of any games between the two tied teams if only the tied teams are involved. If more than two teams tied, and one of the tied teams beat all other tied teams, that team shall advance. (c) The team with the better record against all common opponents. (d) A team that played an opponent with an e ff ective nine (9) game schedule (non-recognized opponent, i.e., home school or out-of-state non-public school, or inability to schedule/play a 10th game) shall be seeded ahead of a school whose opponents play 10 game schedules. (e) Schools that played an opponent with nine-game schedules shall be seeded ahead of opponents who played 10-game schedules. (f) The team with the highest winning percentage against rating scale- recognized opponents. (g) The team with the higher average rating of all of each team's opponents. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -143- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES (h) The team with the higher average rating of all of each team's VHSL public and VHSL non-public school opponents. (i) The regional chairman, or his/her alternate if his/her school is involved, shall draw by lot to determine the playo ff representative. (j) The group chairman or vice chairman if the chairman's school is involved, shall draw by lot to determine the playo ff representative. Should both the group chair and vice chair be involved in the tie the group secretary would oversee the process. (2) The rating scale will be used to determine the regional representation. (3) Seeding for the regional playo ff would be based solely upon the fi nal power ratings. (4) A region may opt to bracket its football championship in two four-team sections. 68-4-9 Regional Championships -Regions using the described football format shall determine their state football semi fi nalists in four regions through playo ff games held no later than the date published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. The arrangements for conducting regional games shall be described by the classi fi cation. (1) Within each region playo ff , teams will be seeded from one to a maximum of eight based on their VHSL power rating. Ties shall be resolved by the procedures outlined in Section 68-4-8. (2) The regional playo ff shall be conducted as a bracketed playo ff and the seeded matchups shall be as follows: 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5. This pairing format may be changed by group board adoption. (3) If any regional game should end in a tie, the tie shall be resolved by the proce- dures outlined in the NFHS Football Rules Book. 58-4-10 State Semi fi nal and Championship Seeding Ties -All ties between state semi fi nal and championship teams shall be resolved by applying the following provisions in the order listed: (a) The Rating Scale-Considering all regular season games played against public and non-public Virginia schools and scheduled in accordance with the provisions of 68-4-6. (b) The winner of any games between the two tied teams if only the tied teams are involved. If more than two teams tied, and one of the tied teams beat all other tied teams, that team shall host. (c) The team with the better record against all common opponents. (d) A team that played an opponent with an e ff ective nine (9) game schedule (non- recognized opponent, i.e., home school or out-of-state non-public school, or inability to schedule/play a 10th game) shall be seeded ahead of a school whose opponents play 10 game schedules. -144- (e) Schools that played an opponent with nine-game schedules shall be seeded ahead of opponents who played 10-game schedules. (f) The team with the highest winning percentage against rating scale recognized opponents. (g) The team with the higher average rating of all of each team's opponents. (h) The team with the higher average rating of all of each team's VHSL public and VHSL non-public school opponents. (i) The team with the higher seed. (j) The team at the top of the bracket as posted on the VHSL website. 68-4-11 State Championships -Each classi fi cation shall determine a state football cham- pion by single elimination play-o ff games which shall be held no later than the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. Regional champions shall be matched in the semi fi nal games and the winners of these two games shall play for the state championship. If a semi fi nal or fi nal game ends in a tie, the tie shall be resolved by the procedures outlined in the NFHS Football Rules Book. SECTION 70: GOLF. 70-1-1 Schedules- Each school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 70-1-2 Each school team shall be limited to 12 matches per season, exclusive of district, regional and state tournament matches. A multiple school match shall count as one match. 70-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirements -There is no minimum practice requirement for golf. 70-3-1 Suspended/Interrupted Matches/Rounds -Matches/rounds which are suspended or interrupted prior to completion and cannot be completed which are contested from: (1) The same tee and scheduled for 9 holes will consist of three three-hole stipulated rounds and will follow USGA calculation of scores. (2) The same tee and scheduled for 18 holes will consist of three six-hole stipulated rounds and will follow USGA calculation of scores. (3) Multiple tees and scheduled for 9 holes will consist of three three-hole stipulated rounds and will count only scores for holes completed by every individual. The Committee must determine the stipulated rounds and make that information available to the competitors prior to the start of the contest. (4) Multiple tees and scheduled for 18 holes will consist of three six-hole stipulated rounds and will count only scores for holes completed by every individual. The Committee must determine the stipulated rounds and make that information available to the competitors prior to the start of the contest. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -145- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES (5) For the purpose of satisfying this rule, a District Council is determined to be "The Committee" for district play, a Regional Council is determined to be "The Committee" for regional play, and the Executive Committee is determined to be "The Committee" for state play. Note : If a district or region desires to be more restrictive by requiring more than three holes per stipulated round for a scheduled 9-hole contest or more than six holes per stipulated round of a scheduled 18-hole contest, the district or region must declare that intent prior to the start of a regular season competition. 70-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions PM 70-4-1 GOLF/Carts (12-14) -Players may use a push cart or pull cart provided that the cart is not motorized or in any other manner self-propelled. The use of push carts or pull carts is subject to course discretion. The Executive Director can approve use of riding golf carts for players with a signi fi cant and permanent disability if proper medical documentation for the need for the riding cart as a reasonable and necessary accommodation is provided. Use of a riding cart is not permitted to accommodate a sports injury or other similar temporary condition. 70-4-2 Course Distance -Girls competing on boys teams, where there is no separate girls team, will play 85 percent of the distance from the men's tees. The course manager or pro will determine which holes and which tees are necessary to accomplish the 85 percent (or as close to as reasonably possible). It is the home team coach's responsibility to provide this information to opposing teams prior to the start of the match. If the course pro cannot determine the 85 percent factor, girls may play from the designated forward tees. 70-4-3 Playing Etiquette - (1) A player will not be permitted to throw or abuse any piece of equipment during the match. Penalty-Such action constitutes a sportsmanship violation and must be reported to the League. (2) A player shall not use profanity during the match. Penalty-Such action constitutes a sportsmanship violation and must be reported to the League. (3) A player shall not use tobacco or tobacco-like products during the match. Penalty-Disquali fi cation from match. 70-4-4 Playing Procedures -A team shall consist of a minimum of four players and a maximum of six players. 70-4-5 Determining Regional Championships -A team shall consist of a minimum of four players and a maximum of six players. Each entrant shall play either 18 or 36 holes of stroke play (determined in advance by individual Councils). The four-person team with the -146- lowest aggregate score for the tournament shall be declared the champion. The individual with the lowest aggregate score shall be declared the individual champion. 70-4-6 Determining State Championships: (1) All groups shall determine state team and individual championships on the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. All championship matches on the state level shall be determined by stroke play. (2) For the state tournament each region may qualify two teams that will provide an eight team state tournament. Alternates for individual quali fi ers will be determined by the results of regional tournaments. The tournament director must be noti fi ed by the regional director regarding substitutions by noon of the day before the state tournament begins. Each region may further qualify 3 individual golfers determined by the 3 lowest regional scores attained by golfers who are not members of qualifying teams. A team shall consist of a minimum of four players and a maximum of six players. (3) Each entrant should play 18 holes of stroke play. The team score for 18 holes will be the total of the four lowest scores for the individual team members for those 18 holes. The team score for the tournament will be the total of each team’s 18 hole round as determined above. The team with the lowest score for the tournament will be declared the state team champion. The individual with the lowest 18 hole aggregate shall be declared the individual champion. (4) The tournament director will assign competitors on the basis of schools repre- sented and scores reported on the entry form. a. Pair Region A/Region B champion and Region C/Region D champion together, Region A/Region B runner-up and Region C/Region D runner-up together with No. 1 through No. 6 players respectively in each foursome, and one from each team in each foursome. b. Pair the fi rst through the third individuals from each region in the same manner. c. Players from the same classi fi cation will tee o ff from the same tee, with the best scores teeing o ff fi rst to promote faster play. Tee times will be based on entries. d. Individuals will tee o ff fi rst followed by teams. e. Alternates listed on the team entry form may be inserted on either day of the tournament until the scheduled tee time for the individual being replaced. (5) In addition to provisions of USGA Rule 8, each team may appoint only one person, either its head or assistant coach as identi fi ed to the tournament director before the start of the competition each day, to give advice or ask for advice from members of that team. The designated coach may not be given advice or ask for advice from another team's players or coaches or from any other representative of his/her own team. Advice may be given anytime on the course except on the green, where coaches will not be permitted. Swing demonstra- tion and shot alignment will also be prohibited by the coach. Coaches whose players fall out of position when competing in an event in which the VSGA Pace of Play fl ag system is VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -147- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES in e ff ect will only be allowed to give advice from green to tee, and only when all balls of all players in the group are no longer in play. Once players are back in position as noted by the fl ag system, coaches will regain their full advice privileges. Advice is to be given in a private manner that does not unduly delay play. The penalty for breach of conditions by a player is a two-stroke penalty, by a coach is two strokes added to his/her team's score. (6) Local rules of the host club shall be observed implicitly, and the authorized faculty sponsor for each competing school shall be responsible for such compliance by members of his/her group. As noted under Rule 6-3 of the USGA rules, if the player arrives ready to play within fi ve minutes after his/her starting time, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes to be added to the fi rst hole score. No caddies or carts shall be used by participants. The tournament director may share his/her responsibility to rule on technical questions arising from play to some other person and/or committee, appointed by the director. The decisions of the committee are fi nal. 70-4-7 Committees -The USGA rules stipulate that "The Committee may make a local rule allowing players to use devices that measure or gauge distance only." For the purposes of satisfying this rule a District Council is determined to be "The Committee" for district play, a Regional Council is determined to be "The Committee" for regional play, and the Executive Committee is determined to be "The Committee" for state play. 70-4-8 Play Stoppage -In case the state tournament cannot be completed in its entirety (inclement weather, darkness or otherwise), the following rules shall apply: (1) All rounds in which participants begin on the same tee will consist of three, six- hole stipulated rounds and will follow USGA rules in calculation of scores. (2) All rounds in which a six-hole stipulated round cannot be completed will be canceled. (3) If all stipulated rounds are not completed, all ties will be broken using the last stipulated round (6 holes) completed by all players. If ties remain unbroken, the last three holes of the last stipulated round will be used, then the last hole of the last stipulated round. In the case of ties involving teams, the four lowest individual scores for that day will be used to break ties in all calculations. Exception: If the fi rst day is entirely rained out or otherwise canceled, the second day of play will consist of six three-hole stipulated rounds. 70-4-9 Breaking Team Ties -Team ties for regional and state champions and quali fi ers for the next level of play, and for place fi nishers at the state tournament will be resolved in the following manner: (1) The playo ff holes for state golf events will be chosen based upon availability and the format of the fi nal round. The appropriate representative with input from the VSGA and/ or course manager will determine the appropriate playo ff option. Competitors involved will be informed of the intended rotation prior to teeing o ff in the playo ff . All playo ff s are stroke play therefore NO concessions can be made and all shots of the winner necessary to fi nish play must be completed. -148- (2) Each coach will select 4 players to represent the school in the playo ff . (3) The playo ff will start on a hole designated by the tournament director. (4) A sudden victory format will be used. The aggregate total, after each hole, of the four-member teams, will count. (5) Each coach must rank his/her players 1 through 4. (6) In a two team playo ff , the third and fourth ranked player from each team will be paired together in a foursome. In a three or four way tie, one player from each team will be paired with equally ranked members of each team. (7) Play should be continuous. When the fi rst group fi nishes the fi rst hole, they should move directly to the second hole and continue play. (8) Play will continue until all ties are broken. (9) In the event a playo ff cannot be completed, all ties will be broken using the ac- ceptable method of matching cards as prescribed in Appendix I of the USGA Rules of Golf. 70-4-10 Breaking Individual Ties: (1) In the event of a tie in a stroke play competition for medalist, a hole-by-hole playo ff will be used to determine placement. The playo ff holes for state golf events will be chosen based upon availability and the format of the fi nal round. The appropriate representative with input from the VSGA and/or course manager will determine the appropriate playo ff op- tion. Competitors involved will be informed of the intended rotation prior to teeing o ff in the playo ff . All playo ff s are stroke play therefore NO concessions can be made and all shots of the winner necessary to fi nish play must be completed. (2) In the event a playo ff cannot be completed, all ties will be broken using the ac- ceptable method of matching cards as prescribed in Appendix I of the USGA Rules of Golf. 70-4-11 Practice Round on Sunday -When the regional or state championship is scheduled to open on Monday, schools have permission to have a practice round at the site on the Sunday preceding the championship unless the region denies permission for a Sunday practice preceding its own championship. It is recommended that only courses that can provide adequate practice time be considered for a state championship. 70-5-1 Additional Golf-Related Policy Manual References PM 70-5-1 (1) GIRLS GOLF (12-05)- Approved the following guidelines to establish a stand-alone girls golf program: 1. 18-hole (three 6-hole or two 9-hole stipulated rounds) zone quali fi ers will be used to determine entrants into the VHSL State Girls Open. 2. Qualifying will remain on an individual basis, with the possibility of team competition and/or championships at the zone level within zones where an adequate number of golfers from the same schools participate. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -149- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES 3. Suggested "zones" are based on the Department of Education Superintendent Zones and are identi fi ed as follows: a. Zone 1 (Central Virginia) - comprised of member schools in the counties of Charles City, Chester fi eld, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George, Surry, Sussex, as well as the cities/towns of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, and Richmond. b. Zone 2 (Tidewater) - comprised of member schools in the counties of Accomack, Isle of Wight, James City (Williamsburg), Northampton, Southampton, York, as well as the cities/towns of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Su ff olk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg (James City County). c. Zone 3 (Northern Neck) - comprised of member schools in the counties of Caroline, Essex, Gloucester, King George, King William, King & Queen, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northumberland, Richmond, Spotsylvania, Sta ff ord, Westmoreland, as well as the cities/towns of Colonial Beach, Fredericksburg, and West Point. d. Zone 4(A) (Northern Virginia “A”) - comprised of member schools in the counties of Arlington and Fairfax as well as the cities/towns of Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park. e. Zone 4(B) (Northern Virginia “B”) - comprised of member schools in the counties of Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, Page, Prince William, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, and Warren, as well as the city of Winchester. f. Zone 5 (Valley) – comprised of member schools in the counties of Albemarle, Amherst, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Campbell, Fluvanna, Greene, Highland, Louisa, Nelson, Rockbridge, and Rockingham, as well as the cities/towns of Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. g. Zone 6 (Western Virginia) – comprised of member schools in the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittsylvania, and Roanoke, as well as the cities/towns of Covington, Danville, Martinsville, Roanoke, and Salem. h. Zone 7 (Southwest) – comprised of member schools in the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe, as well as the cities/towns of Bristol, Galax, Norton, and Radford. i. Zone 8 (Southside) – comprised of member schools in the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, and Prince Edward. 4. All players must qualify through participating in a Zone Quali fi er. The girls zone quali fi ers will be conducted on the Monday or Tuesday in between the VHSL State Tournament and the VHSL State Girls Open. 5. Players that wish to play out of zone may do so with written permission from the League o ffi ce. 6. The number of golfers advancing to the State VHSL Girls Open will be 15% from each of the zone quali fi ers. Any partial number achieved when calculating the 15% will be rounded up to the next whole number and those ties which fall into the 15% calculation will advance. (1-18) 7. The expense of the Zone quali fi ers will be borne by the member school(s). 8. Girls will be permitted to play on their boys golf teams until such time as a viable stand-alone program for girls exists. Girls who qualify as individuals from regional competition to state competition must choose whether they intend to participate in the individual portion of the Boys State Championship event or in the Girls Open Championship. (12-10) -150- 9. The girls open championship will be conducted as an 18-hole scheduled event. SECTION 74: GYMNASTICS. 74-1-1 Schedules -Each school shall make its own competition schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 74-1-2 Each school team shall be limited to 10 meets per season, exclusive of district, regional and state championship meets. A multiple-school meet shall count as one meet. 74-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirement -There is no minimum practice requirement for gymnastics. 74-3-1 Interrupted/Suspended Meets -In the event a meet must be suspended by the Meet Referee because of conditions which make it impossible to continue competition on that day, if all teams have completed at least two "common" events (the same two events), the meet will be considered o ffi cial and the results fi nal based on scores in the completed common events. If all teams have NOT completed at least two common events, the meet, if rescheduled, shall be resumed from the point of interruption. 74-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions 74-4-2 State Meet Entries, Team Championships -Each region may qualify one team to compete for each classi fi cation's team championship. (1) Each team shall be limited to a maximum of fi ve entries per event, and if fi ve gymnasts are entered, one entry must be all-around. If no all-around is entered, a team is limited to four entries per event. Alternate(s) for team competition are permitted. (2) Only entries which are properly submitted to the state director by the deadline date will be accepted. No additions in the o ffi cial list of entries shall be permitted after the entry form has been received by the state director, except as noted in (2) below. 74-4-3 State Meet Entries, Open Individual/All-Around Championships -Each region may qualify the top four fi nalists per event (inclusive of all-around), the top two all-around fi nalists, any individual not placing who scores a state qualifying individual score by event, and any all-around gymnast not placing who scores a state qualifying all-around score in the regional meet. (1) State qualifying scores shall be published by VHSL each year. (2) Alternates are permitted for events in team competition, and for events in indi- vidual competition. If a gymnast quali fi es to the state meet in an individual event and then withdraws from competition, her place may be taken by the next placing contestant for that event in the regional meet. Known scratches shall be reported to the State Gymnastics Meet director by noon, the Wednesday before the State Open Meet with the name and school of the quali fi ed replacement. No alternates for individual competition will be allowed after noon, the Wednesday before the State Open Meet. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -151- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES SECTION 77: LACROSSE. 77-1-1 Schedules -Each school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 77-1-2 Each school team shall be limited to 15 games, exclusive of district, regional and state championship games. 77-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirements -There are no minimum practice requirements for lacrosse. 77-3-1 Interrupted/Suspended Games (1) Suspended/Interrupted Boys Games -In the event a game must be suspended by the referee because of conditions which make it impossible to continue play, the game shall: (a) Be declared an o ffi cial game if three periods or more of the game has been played and one team is ahead; (b) After completion of three periods or more of the game and the game is tied, resume the game from the point of interruption; (c) If less than three periods have been played, resume the game from the point of interruption. 77-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions PM 77-4-1 GIRLS LACROSSE/Eyewear (3-04) -The use of eyewear is required in prac- tices as well as in games. SECTION 78: SOCCER. 78-1-1 Schedules -Each school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 78-1-2 Each school team shall be limited to 17 games, per season, exclusive of district, regional and state championship games. 78-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirement -There is no minimum practice requirement for soccer. 78-3-1 Suspended/Interrupted Matches -In the event a match must be suspended by the o ffi cials because of conditions which make it impossible to continue play, the o ffi cials/ tournament director shall: (a) Declare it an o ffi cial match if one complete half or more of the match has been played and one team is ahead; -152- (b) At any point after completion of the fi rst half if the score is tied, resume the match from the point of interruption unless both teams agree to the tie; (c) If less than one complete half has been played, resume the match from the point of interruption. 78-3-2 Exception -Prior to the beginning of the season an appropriate council may opt to not use this rule. 78-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions 78-4-2 Breaking Ties, Regular Season Play -If a tie exists in regular season play, the teams shall play two fi ve-minute overtime periods. At the end of the fi rst overtime period, teams shall change ends of the fi eld. If a tie still exists, the game shall be recorded as a tie. 78-4-3 Breaking Ties, Post-Season Play -If a tie exists during post-season play, the tie shall be broken by the Tie-Game Procedure posted on the VHSL website. 78-4-4 Eight-Goal Rule -The Eight-Goal Rule shall be in e ff ect for all VHSL matches. The Eight-Goal Rule provides that if, at anytime after the mid-point of the second half of play, one team leads by eight (8) or more goals, the match shall be terminated. When schools play outside their district, the eight-goal policy applies. 78-4-4 Exception -Prior to the start of the season, any Council may elect not to use the Eight-Goal Rule for its VHSL matches. SECTION 79: SOFTBALL. 79-1-1 Schedules -Each member school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 79-1-2 Each team shall be limited to a maximum of 21 games, excluding district, regional and state tournament games. 79-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirements -There is no minimum practice requirement for softball. 79-3-1 Suspended/Interrupted Games -A game called for any reason where a winner cannot be determined (less than 4 1/2 or 5 innings have been completed or the game is tied) or any time for mechanical failure (i.e., arti fi cial lights, irrigation systems, etc) will be treated as a suspended game. The game will be continued from the point of interruption with the line-up and batting order of each team exactly the same as the line-up and batting order at the moment of interruption subject to the rules of the game. 79-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions PM 79-4-1 (1) SOFTBALL/Pregame Equipment Inspection (2-11) -It is the respon- sibility of member schools to verify that any equipment used by a player meets the quality and technical inspection standards dictated by NFHS and VHSL rule. While umpires may VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -153- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES be requested to check equipment before the game the burden for compliance rests with the member school. Students/athletes who participate using illegal equipment are subject to ejection from that game and a further suspension for the next two games. PM 79-4-1 (2) SOFTBALL/Double fi rst base (9-99) -Schools may use a double fi rst base. PM 79-4-1 (3) SOFTBALL/Doubleheaders (5-00) -By mutual agreement of the compet- ing schools, doubleheaders may consist of only fi ve (5) innings per game. PM 79-4-1 (4) SOFTBALL/Pitching Machines (2-91) -Pitching machines are prohibited in the state playo ff games. 79-4-2 Ten-Run Rule -The Ten-Run Rule is in e ff ect for all VHSL games. 79-4-2 Exception -Prior to the start of the season, any Council may elect not to use the Ten-Run Rule for its VHSL contests. 79-4-3 Courtesy Runner Rule -The suggested courtesy runner rules as listed in the NFHS Softball Rule Book shall be allowed in all VHSL softball contests. 79-4-4 Resolving Ties During the Regular Season -If an appropriate council has opted not to use the Suspended/Interrupted Game Rule and a regulation called game ends in a tie score, the game shall be counted as one-half (1/2) game won and one-half (1/2) game lost (NFHS Softball Rules Book). Tie games shall not be completed (or made up) by mutual agreement. PM 79-4-4 Softball Tie-Breaking Procedure: (1) The VHSL Softball Tie-Breaking Procedure is to be used beginning in the 9th inning of any regular season contest. The tie-breaking procedure (often referred to as the "International" or "Olympic" tie-breaker) shall use the following procedure: (a) Each half-inning shall begin by placing a runner on second base. (b) That runner is the player in the batting order who precedes the lead-o ff batter in that inning and this procedure is maintained until a winner is determined in that inning or subsequent innings. (2) Prior to the beginning of the season, District Councils may opt to not use this tie- breaking procedure. (3) This procedure may NOT be used in region or state tournament play. (4) Local commissioner of o ffi cials shall be contacted so their association may be pre- pared to implement this rule. (5) If opponents are in con fl ict over implementation of this rule, the home team's policy will prevail for that contest. -154- SECTION 80: SWIMMING AND DIVING. 80-1-1 Schedule- Each school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 80-1-2 Each school team shall be limited to 10 meets per season, exclusive of district, regional and state championship meets. A multiple school meet shall count as one meet. 80-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirement -There is no minimum practice requirement for swimming and diving. 80-3-1 Suspended/interrupted Meets -Suspended/interrupted meets shall be resumed from the point of the last completed heat, unless all competing schools agree to accept, as fi nal, the results at the point of interruption. 80-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions 80-4-2 Relay Teams -As allowed by State Association adoption, schools may enter their relay teams without individual names. It shall not count as an entry unless the competitor actually competes in the event. Any individual on the team may swim in the preliminaries, swim-o ff s and/or fi nals provided he/she does not exceed the permitted entries for the meet. 80-4-3 Qualifying Standards -VHSL state qualifying standards will be produced annu- ally in accordance with the NFHS rules. Regions shall set swimming and diving standards for qualifying into their respective championship meets in accordance with NFHS rules. If a region fails to set such standards, the default for those championships will be the VHSL state qualifying standards. 80-4-4 State Meet Entries -Eligibility of individual contestants shall be governed by the following provisions: (1) Only entries which are properly submitted using the Hy-Tek Meet Manager fi le, provided by the State Meet Director, and received by the State Meet Director not later than the deadline date for entry, will be accepted. (2) The entry list must show those relay teams that place fi rst, second, third and fourth and those individuals that place fi rst, second, third, fourth and fi fth in individual events in a regional championship or who were certi fi ed by the regional meet director as having met the qualifying performance times and/or scores for the state meet during the regional championship meet or in a regular meet as de fi ned by the NFHS rules book. (3) No additions to, or changes in, the o ffi cial list of entries (other than scratches) shall be permitted after the entry form has been received by the meet director. (4) Relay events are considered as school team events. Any student included on a school's Master Eligibility List may be included on the state meet entry form as an alternate. (5) Each school's relay team must place fi rst, second, third, or fourth in a regional champinship meet or must have met the state qualifying standards in the regional champion- ship meet or a regular meet, as de fi ned by the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Book. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -155- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES 80-4-5 Other Swimming and Diving Related Policy Manual References PM 80-4-5 (1) SWIMMING AND DIVING/Whistle Start (9-05) -It is required by all member schools sponsoring swim/dive teams to use the NFHS whistle starting protocol at all dual, district, regional and state championship meets. PM 80-4-5 (2) SWIMMING AND DIVING/Use of Hy-Tek (9-05) -The use of Hy-Tek Software by teams submitting entries in the VHSL state swim and dive meets is mandatory. PM 80-4-5 (3) SWIMMING AND DIVING/State Championships (9-03) -Four relay teams and fi ve individuals qualify from each region to the state championship. SECTION 82: TENNIS. 82-1-1 Schedules -Each school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 82-1-2 Schedule -Each school team shall be limited to 16 matches, per season, exclusive of district, regional and state championship matches. 82-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirement -There is no minimum practice requirement for tennis. 82-3-1 Suspended/Interrupted Matches -Matches which are suspended or interrupted prior to completion shall be resumed from the point of interruption unless both schools agree to accept the score at the time of interruption as fi nal. When resuming from the point of inter- ruption, the line-ups and game/set/match scores shall be the same as when the suspension occurred. 82-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions 82-4-2 Team Match -A team match shall consist of nine matches–six singles and three doubles. One team point shall be scored for each singles or doubles match won. 82-4-3 Regular Season Match Format -Districts may adopt one of two match formats for regular season play: (1) Singles playing fi rst using the best of three tie-break sets with regular scoring. Any set reaching a score of 6 games each will play a seven-point tie-breaker to determine the set. If sets are split, a 10-point tie-breaker will be played to determine the match; or (2) Eight- or ten-game "pro set" matches with a seven-point tie-breaker at eight or ten games all. Note: If a team has scored 5 points, then doubles can be played using an eight game pro set with no ad scoring. Substitutions can be made to allow lower seeded players the opportunity to play. 82-4-4 Post Season Match Format -All post-season play will be best of three sets using "traditional" (advantage) scoring with seven-point tie-breaker played if a set score reaches six games all and if a third set is necessary, a ten-point tie-breaker will be played to determine the winner. The same format will be used for doubles. -156- 82-4-5 Exception -Prior to the start of season, District or Region Councils may elect to substitute the best of three sets "traditional" (advantage) scoring with seven-point tie-breaker with the eight- or ten-game "pro set format" for any district and region post season tourna- ment matches. 82-4-5 Player Limitations -Individuals are limited to three "traditional" matches per day, or four eight- or ten-game "pro set" matches per day. 82-4-6 Team Composition and Line-up -Each team shall consist of six singles play- ers and three doubles teams. Singles players may be members of a doubles team. The six singles players on a school team shall be seeded according to their ranking and ability when compared to other players on that school team. Accordingly, the team’s best player shall play in the Number 1 division, the second best player shall play in the Number 2 division, and so forth, with the weakest player in the Number 6 division. The doubles teams shall also be seeded according to their ranking and ability when compared to other doubles teams on that school team. The school’s best doubles team shall play in the Number 1 division, the second best team shall play in the Number 2 division, and the weakest doubles team shall play in the Number 3 division. 82-4-6 (1) Individual Competition Line-up -Each single and doubles team entered in an indiidual state advancing event shall be based on ranking and ability compared to other players representing that school team. 82-4-7 Team Line-up Substitution -Substitutions shall be made by the following provi- sions or the match at the vacated division shall be forfeited. (1) Substitute alternate in the vacated position; or (2) In singles, substitute alternate in the 6th singles division and move all other players up one division until all divisions are fi lled; or (3) In doubles, substitute alternate in the 3rd doubles division and move all other players up one division until all divisions are fi lled. 82-4-7 (1) Individual Doubles Substitution -Once the state advancing process has begun substitutions in doubles play will only be allowed using the following criteria: (1) The sum of the ordinals of competing team may not be lower than the original entry. Example: School X enters its #2 and #3 players as their best double team (ordinal sum is 5). The school designated #1 player would not be eligible to replace either #2 or #3 in competition (reason - the sum ordinal would be lowered to either 3 or 4 depending on the substitution.) (2) A player who defaults in an earlier match would not be eligible to return the same day to play in any individual competition. (3) With principal or their designee veri fi cation, a substitution will be allowed in cases of injury, sickness, family emergency or when a match is delayed due to weather creating a school-related scheduling con fl ict. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -157- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES 82-4-8 Exchange of Line-ups -Prior to the start of a team match, coaches shall ex- change singles and doubles line-ups. Each team's line-up should be in compliance with 82-4-6. Unless there has been a successful challenge in practice, the team's line-up/ladder shall be the same as that used in the most recent preceding match. If a coach elects to play a substitute(s), the coach shall draw a line through the name(s) of the player(s) for whom he/she is substituting and write the name(s) of the substitute(s) on the same corresponding line(s). Substitution for doubles play may be made until the fi rst doubles match begins. All substitutions must comply with the substitution rules prescribed in this section. Note : Coaches should be prepared to show proof of any challenge matches. 82-4-9 Playing Etiquette -A player shall not display unsportsmanlike conduct such as, but not limited to, throwing/abusing equipment; hitting a ball in the direction of an opponent, o ffi cial or spectator; using profane or obscene language in any way that may be heard by other persons; using obscene gestures; or threatening bodily injury. 82-4-9 (1) Penalty- Apply the penalty designated by the current USTA Rule Book. 82-4-10 Use of Tobacco -A player shall not use tobacco or tobacco-like products during the match. 82-4-10 Penalty : First O ff ense - Loss of game; Second O ff ense - Loss of match 82-4-11 Tennis Apparel -All contestants are required to wear appropriate tennis apparel. Any major lettering or pictures on clothing must pertain to the school name or emblem and must be approved by the school’s principal or their designee and appropriate tournament or match director. 82-4-12 Forfeits -For purpose in ranking, a forfeiture shall count as a match won by the school receiving the forfeit and as a match lost by the school forfeiting. In determining singles or doubles champions and runners-up, a singles player or doubles team shall play more than one-half of the matches in the team's fi rst division. 82-4-13 Determining Regional Championships -Quali fi cations for regional tournaments shall be set by the appropriate Regional Council, except that the o ffi cial line-up for team tennis listed on the o ffi cial Regional Tournament Entry Forms shall be the same line-up, including alternates, as used for the last regular season district contest. Subsequent substitution of an alternate listed on the o ffi cial Regional Tournament Entry Forms is permissible if it conforms to the regulations listed in Section 82 of this Handbook . Note : Once the district/regular season has ended and the state advancing process begins (regional play) bracket challenges are suspended for the duration of that competitive season. 82-4-14 Determining State Championships -Each classi fi cation shall determine the state team, singles and doubles team champions for girls and boys on the date speci fi ed on the VHSL Activities Calendar. 82-4-15 State Tournament Entries -Eligibility of teams and contestants shall be governed by the following provisions: -158- (1) Regional team champions and runners-up, singles champions, and doubles champions will play in the state tournament. In the event a team, singles or doubles quali fi er(s) cannot participate, the next-place team, singles or doubles winner may participate. Scratches of the regional team, singles or doubles team quali fi ers must be announced, through the principal or their designee, to the state tournament director at least 24 hours prior to the beginning of the state tournament or a forfeit will result. (2) Only entries which are submitted on the o ffi cial state advancing entry form (available on the website) received not later than the deadline date will be accepted. (3) No changes in the o ffi cial list of entries shall be permitted after the entry form has been received by the tournament director, unless the substitution of alternates conforms with substitution regulations. (4) Substitutions shall be made by the provisions in Section 82. SECTION 84: TRACK AND FIELD. 84-1-1 Schedules -Each school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 84-1-2 Each school's team shall be limited to 10 schedule meets per season, exclusive of district, regional and state championship meets. 84-1-3 Each individual team member may compete in four other sanctioned meets and each competition shall count as one of the ten contests as permitted in 54-8-1 of this Hand- book for that individual, but shall not count for the team. 84-1-4 A multiple school meet shall count as one meet. 84-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirements -Fourteen (14) days is the minimum number of practice days required prior to the fi rst contest. The 14 daily practice sessions means 14 calendar days, not counting Sundays, and has no reference to the actual number of times the team appears and reappears for practice sessions. 84-3-1 Suspended/Interrupted Meets -Suspended/interrupted meets shall be resumed from the point of the last completed heat, unless all schools agree to accept the results at the time of interruption as fi nal. 84-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions PM 84-4-1 (1) Track and Field (5-78) -No team championship shall be designated if the state track meet is terminated by weather conditions unless a clear-cut champion can be determined based on the events that are completed. Individual medals will be presented to those athletes whose events have been completed. 84-4-2 Separate Programs for Boys and Girls -The League sponsors separate state track and fi eld programs for boys and girls and recommends that districts and regions o ff er separate programs. If a school sponsors separate teams for boys and girls, the boys team shall follow the VHSL boys standards and NFHS boys rules at all levels of participation and VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -159- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES the girls team shall follow the VHSL girls standards and NFHS girls rules at all levels of par- ticipation. If a school sponsors one team composed of members of both sexes, the principal or their designee shall designate the team as a boys team on the eligibility form. The principal or their designee shall make only one such designation each school year. The team shall follow the VHSL boys standards and NFHS boys rules at all levels of participation. 84-4-3 A contestant may compete in up to six events in a Track and Field meet with the stipulations below. A contestant may participate in these di ff erent scenarios: 3 individual running events and No relays allowed 3 fi eld events 2 individual running events and 1 relay allowed 3 fi eld events *may be listed in any number of relays but may compete in only 1 1 individual running event and 2 relays allowed 3 fi eld events *may be listed in any number of relays but may compete in only 2 0 individiaul running events and 3 relays allowed 3 fi eld events *may be listed in any number of relays but may compete in only 3 Declaration Rule -All individuals declared for participation at the deadline set by the state meet director in consultation with the VHSL o ffi ce will have those events count toward their participation limit as speci fi ed in this rule whether they compete in them or not. If an athlete is declared in more than the allowable number, the meet director has the authority to remove the athlete from the last event declared according to the meet schedule. If an athlete at the district, region or state meet is excused from an event by a certi fi ed athletic trainer or a physician appointed by the games committee, that athlete will be eligible for any and all other events entered unless the certi fi ed athletic trainer or physician determines that the athlete's health would be in danger with any further participation. 84-4-3 Interpretation: A 1600 meter qualifying race and the 1600 meter run are con- sidered two events, as are a 3200 meter qualifying race and the 3200 meter run. 84-4-4 School Participation -A school may enter as many athletes in any individual event of a district, regional or state track meet as have met the qualifying standards for that meet. In state events of 200 meters or less, including hurdles, hand held qualifying times will be converted for seeding purposes. 84-4-5 Determining Regional Quali fi ers -A region may determine the number of en- tries per event that each school may qualify for the regional meet. A school's entry list must show only those participants certi fi ed by the regional director as having met regional meet standards or who are certi fi ed by the regional director as having met regional standards in a regular season meet. -160- 84-4-6 State Meet Entries -Eligibility of individual contestants shall be governed by the following provisions: INDOOR (1) Only entries which are properly submitted on the o ffi cial entry form, available from each regional track meet director, and received by the State Director not later than the deadline date for entry, will be accepted. (2) The entry list must show those participants who place fi rst, second or third in a regional championship meet or who were certi fi ed by the regional meet director as having met the qualifying times, heights and distances for the state meet during the regional cham- pionship meet or in a regular meet of 3 or more teams (if fully automated timing is utilized). (3) No additions to, or changes in, the o ffi cial list of entries (other than scratches) shall be permitted after the entry form has been received by the meet director. (4) Relay events are considered as school team events. Any student included on a school's Master Eligibility List may be included on the state meet entry form as an alternate. (5) Each school's relay team must place fi rst, second or third in a regional cham- pionship meet or must have met the state standards in the regional championship meet or a regular season meet involving 3 or more teams, contingent on veri fi cation by the meet director. OUTDOOR (1) Only entries which are properly submitted on the o ffi cial entry form, available from each regional track meet director, and received by the State Meet Director no later than the deadline date for entry, will be accepted. (2) The entry list must show those participants who place fi rst, second, third or fourth in a regional meet or who were certi fi ed by the regional meet director as having met the qualifying times, heights and distances for the state meet during the regional meet or a sanctioned meet involving 10 or more teams (5 or more teams if fully automated timing is utilized) which is veri fi ed by the meet director. (3) No additions to, or changes in, the o ffi cial list of entries (other than scratches) shall be permitted after the entry form has been received by the meet director. (4) Relay events are considered as school team events. Any student included on a school’s Master Eligibility List may be included on the state meet entry form as an alternate. (5) Each school’s relay team must place fi rst, second, third or fourth in a regional championship meet or must have met the state standards in the regional championship meet or a sanctioned meet involving 10 or more teams (5 or more teams if fully automated timing is utilized), contingent on veri fi cation by the meet director. (6) For the state track and fi eld meet a school may enter a contestant who meets the state qualifying standards in a regional championship meet as posted on the VHSL website. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -161- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES 84-4-7 State Meet Regulations -The following regulations, along with those speci fi ed under Section 84 above, shall apply to state meets, and, where applicable or practicable, to regional meets also: (1) Scoring -Points are scored 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1. (2) Order of Events -The order of events for state meets shall be that published by the NFHS with all authorized preliminaries in the 100, 200 and hurdles being run immediately before the regular order of events. (3) Seeding -Seeding for running events shall be conducted with the following provi- sions: INDOOR A contestant qualifying for the State Indoor Championship by placing among the top three fi nishers in his/her regional championship meet, may use for seeding purposes in the State Meet his/her best performance of the season as long as that performance has been made in a meet that serves as a state qualifying meet and has been veri fi ed by the Regional Meet Director. OUTDOOR Seeding shall be done on the basis of times attained in the regional championship meet or times attained in meeting the state qualifying standard at a sanctioned meet involv- ing 10 or more teams (5 or more teams if fully automated timing is utilized) which is veri fi ed by the meet director. (4) Lane Assignments -Lane assignments will be made in advance for preliminary events. (5) 1600 and 3200 Meter Run -These events may be run in one or more sections. (6) 800 Meter Run -This event may be run in heats or sections. (7) Special Arrangements -Provided the host school can arrange it, the 1600 meter run and 800 meter run may be staggered with a break on the back stretch. (8) 400 Meter Run -This event is run in lanes with the number of participants in each section being determined by the number of lanes available at the host school’s track. (9) Relays -These events may be run in lanes (through the fi rst hando ff for the 1600 meter relay). Sections are to be set up on the basis of times with the top seeded competitors running in the last section. If it is found necessary to run relay events in sections because of the number of entries, winners shall be selected on the basis of comparative times. (10) Reporting for Events -Each contestant in a running event shall report to the clerk of the course by the third call. Failure to report by the third call will result in a scratch. All individuals declared for participation at the deadline set by the state meet director in con- -162- sultation with the VHSL o ffi ce will have those events count toward their participation limit as speci fi ed in rule 84-4-3 whether they compete in them or not. When a contestant who has quali fi ed in a preliminary withdraws from competition, no substitute may replace him/her. No event in the meet is to be held up because a participant is engaged in another event. If a contestant is entered in a fi eld event which con fl icts in the time schedule with a track event in which he/she is entered, he/she shall make advance arrangements with the o ffi cial in charge of the fi eld event to postpone his/her trials until after the track event has been run. No track event will be held up to accommodate a contestant likewise competing in a fi eld event. (11) High Jump and Pole Vault -The starting heights for the boys and girls high jump and the boys and girls pole vault shall be set by the Games Committee and announced at the coaches’ meeting. The starting height should not be higher than one increment below the qualifying standard. The Games Committee is authorized to change announced heights and to determine successive elevations depending on the number of entries and the weather conditions. (12) Shot and Discus -Shots, discuses and pole vault poles shall be certi fi ed. (13) Disquali fi cation -A competitor shall be disquali fi ed from an event if the coach, manager, attendant or anyone associated with the competitor’s team is in a restricted area as designated by the Games Committee. (14) Events -Meet events for the boys and girls state track and fi eld meet shall be as follows: INDOOR 55 meter hurdles (boys-39"; girls-33"), 55 meter dash, 800 meter relay, 1600 meter run, 500 meter run, 1000 meter run, 300 meter dash, 3200 meter run, 1600 meter relay, 3200 meter relay, shot put (boys-5.443 kg; girls-4.0 kg), long jump, pole vault, triple jump and high jump. OUTDOOR Boys state track and fi eld meet shall be as follows: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 meter runs, 400 meter relay, 1600 meter relay, 3200 meter relay, 110 meter high (39") hurdles, 300 meter intermediate (36") hurdles, long jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put (5.443 kg.), discus (1.6 kg.). and triple jump. Girls state track and fi eld meet shall be as follows: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 meter runs, 400 meter relay, 1600 meter relay, 3200 meter relay, 100 meter high (33") hurdles, 300 meter low (30”) hurdles, long jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put (4.0 kg.), discus (1 kg.) and triple jump. (15) Equipment -Competing schools shall furnish their own equipment, such as shot, discus, vaulting pole and starting blocks. Meet management reserves the right to require teams to use equipment with the exception of the vaulting pole provided by meet manage- ment. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -163- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES (16) Dress -Participants shall be required to wear school uniforms and adhere to NFHS Track & Field Rules Book regulations. 84-5-1 Registration -Schools will use the VHSL designated registration partner for all sanctioned track and fi eld activities. SECTION 86: VOLLEYBALL. 86-1-1 Schedules -Each school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 86-1-2 Each school team shall be limited to 20 dual matches; or 18 duals and 1 invita- tional tournament; or 16 duals and 2 invitational tournaments per season, exclusive of district, regional and state tournament matches. 86-1-3 Invitational tournaments shall be conducted over no more than two consecutive days. 86-1-4 Teams participating in invitational tournaments may play a maximum of 15 sets per tournament. 86-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirement -Fourteen days is the minimum number of practice days required prior to the fi rst contest. The 14 daily practice sessions means 14 calendar days, not counting Sundays, and has no reference to the actual number of times the team appears and reappears for practice sessions. 86-2-2 Fall Practice Guidelines -Schools must adhere to the VHSL Fall Practice Guidelines as provided in this Handbook , or with those guidelines submitted to the Executive Director and accepted for use by the member school. 86-3-1 Suspended/Interrupted Matches -Matches which are suspended or interrupted prior to completion shall be resumed from the point of interruption unless both schools agree to accept the score at the time of interruption as fi nal. 86-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions PM 86-4-1 (1) VOLLEYBALL/Length of Matches (12-04) -Districts are allowed to ap- prove two-out-of-three game matches in regular season play. PM 86-4-1 (2) VOLLEYBALL/Match Scoring (9-03) -Prior to the start of the season, a district council may adopt a modi fi ed match format for series other than dual-varsity matches; the match format for non-district, non-dual varsity matches (including invitation tournaments) shall be set by the host school. Match format in volleyball would include the number of points that constitute a game and the number of games that constitute a match, but would not include the manner in which points are scored. Districts could opt, for example, to play non-varsity matches in a best two-out-of-three games format, with each game played to 21 points (rally scoring). Districts cannot, however, modify the manner in which points are scored. All games, varsity and non-varsity, must be scored using rally scoring. Traditional (side-out) scoring is not an option. -164- PM 86-4 -1 (3) VOLLEYBALL/O ffi cials (5-98)- Four certi fi ed volleyball o ffi cials are required for all regional and state playo ff matches. PM 86-4-1 (4) VOLLEYBALL/Volunteers -Student and/or adult volunteers may be used as line judges for regular season matches under the following provisions: a. The student must be at least 16 years of age. b. The student/adult volunteer must complete the VHSL registration process for volleyball o ffi cials. There will be no registration fee. c. The student/adult volunteer must attend a training session for line judges if one is o ff ered by the local volleyball o ffi cials association. SECTION 88: WRESTLING. 88-1-1 Schedules -Each school shall make its own playing schedule and allow practice within the dates published on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. 88-1-2 Each member school shall be limited to participation in 12 interscholastic meets. 88-1-3 Each individual team member may compete in three other sanctioned meets and each competition shall count as one of the 12 contests as permitted in 54-8-1 of this Handbook for that individual, but shall not count for the team. PM 88-1-3 WRESTLING/Match Limitations (3-83) -Wrestling teams may participate in tournaments as long as they do not exceed 6 matches per individual per day or 10 over no more than two days. 88-2-1 Minimum Practice Requirement -There is no minimum practice requirement for wrestling. 88-3-1 Suspended/Interrupted Match -Matches which are suspended or interrupted prior to completion shall be resumed from the point of interruption unless schools agree to accept the results at the time of the interruption as fi nal. 88-4-1 Special Rules/State Association Adoptions (1) All wrestlers must wear a legal uniform as described in NFHS Rule 4-1-1 when competing. The VHSL shall not require undergarments as described in NFHS Rules 4-1-1 and 4-5-7 be worn during weigh-ins. Undergarments may be worn per NFHS Rules 4-1-1 and 4-5-7. If requested female wrestlers shall be allowed to weigh in with a female o ffi cial/ trainer in a separate area. 88-4-2 Weight Classes -Weight classes shall be 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 157, 165, 175, 190, 215, 285. 88-4-2 (1) Weight Classes for Girls -Weight classes shall be 100, 107, 114, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 165, 185 and 235. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -165- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES 88-4-3 Weight Requirements: (1) Wrestlers will follow all provisions of the VHSL Weight Control Program (WCP). All coaches are cautioned that rapid reduction and exaggerated fl uctuations in weight can endanger the health of a wrestler. (2) All wrestlers will establish a minimum weight using the procedures established under the VHSL WCP. This minimum weight must be established in a time period beginning one week prior to the VHSL practice start date and ending two weeks after the VHSL practice start date for a total of a three week period. Wrestlers weighing in at the o ffi cial weigh in at a weight lower than permitted based on the allowable weight loss per week including bu ff er will be ineligible for that date event. Wrestlers competing in a weight class lower than their proper weight class as established by the VHSL WCP shall be considered an unsportsmanlike violation, shall be ineligible participants subject to the prescribed penalty of match forfeiture(s) and school fi ne for use of an ineligible. There will be no appeals in cases of VHSL WCP violations. (3) All wrestlers will receive a one-pound growth allowance on December 24 when WCP testing is completed on or before December 8 with the exception of wrestlers participat- ing in fall season playo ff s as outlined in Section 88. All wrestlers will receive an additional one-pound growth allowance on January 24 when WCP testing is completed on or before January 8 for a two-pound total allowance. (4) A wrestler's minimum weight class will be determined by the initial measurements of the VHSL WCP. The minimum weight class is not impacted by any proposed growth al- lowance. (5) Wrestlers must have at least one o ffi cial competition weigh-in at scratch weight for a weight class and participate that day at that event at that weight class or one weight class above to be eligible for regional tournament participation at the weight class they weighed in at. The wrestler cannot use the bu ff er to get to a weight class earlier than the WCP allows in order to wrestle that weight class in the post season. (6) A wrestler eligible for competition in a weight class who makes that weight as the result of the 2% bu ff er may be eligible to wrestle at that lower weight class that day. The wrestler cannot use the bu ff er to get to a weight class earlier than the WCP allows in order to wrestle that weight in the post season. (7) Forms for reporting original wrestling weights and for necessary supplements to the original list are available upon request to all schools participating in wrestling. If a wrestler fails to make his/her weight, or fails to have his/her exact weight shown on the scales when wrestling one weight above his/her certi fi ed weight, he/she shall be reclassi fi ed and placed in the proper weight classi fi cation. The wrestler’s weight classi fi cation for state competition shall be that classi fi cation in which he/she entered the region tournament. (8) A wrestler may wrestle one weight class above his/her current weight at weigh-in for that particular competition. -166- (a) If the wrestler desires to return to his/her certi fi ed weight after wrestling up a weight class, he/she may do so at any time during the season pending compliance with the allowable weight loss per week as indicated by the VHSL WCP. At no time may a wrestler compete in a weight class lower than his/her lowest allowable weight class as indicated by the VHSL WCP. (b) The coach must provide proof of actual weight for all weigh-ins for each entry in the region tournament. VHSL weight form with required signatures will be used for veri fi cation. (c) The regional tournament director will be responsible for checking veri fi ca- tion of each region entry prior to the region tournament. (9) Principal or designee shall verify each wrestler's compliance with the VHSL WCP through veri fi cation comparing MELs with WCP Coach O ffi cial Team Reports and match weight sheets one time during the season, during the second week of January. (10) Athletes participating in fall sport playo ff s occurring after Dec. 1 are provided the option of being tested in the VHSL WCP within 8 days of participation in the athlete's last playo ff contest and still be eligible for the fi rst allowable growth allowance pound and appeals process. The eligibility for the growth allowance pound will not impact the athlete's eligibility to reach a lower weight class based on current testing results. If the athlete who competes in fall sport playo ff s is not tested with 8 days of their last participation in a playo ff contest, they may be tested within one week of the athlete's fi rst wrestling practice date, and are not eligible for the growth allowance pound if the test is completed after Dec. 15. (11) Coaches are required to complete the W-1 form for all dual meets providing allowable weight loss per week and veri fi cation the weight class entered is permitted based on the WCP Coach O ffi cial Team Report for each athlete. The date and actual weight of the most recent weigh-in is also required on the W-1 form which must be reviewed for accuracy and compliance and signed by the principal or their designee (not a coach) within 24 hours from the time of weigh-in. The host school is responsible to con fi rm accuracy and compli- ance of both team W-1 forms. (12) Coaches are required to provide WCP Coach O ffi cial Team Report and all W-1 forms (to date) to opposing coaches for review, if requested, within 24 hours of a match or tournament. Coaches are to report any problems to match/tournament o ffi cial. (13) Athletes should weigh prior to each practice and record the weight on a weight chart providing a tracking system that can be reviewed daily by coaches to monitor and discourage unhealthy weight bouncing. (14) In tournaments or matches conducted in a non-dual, multiple school open format, schools may enter more than one wrestler from the same weight class into the event. PM 88-4-3 (1) WRESTLING/Weights Requirements (7-11) -VHSL member schools will use the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) on-line Weight Loss Calculator. Use of this program will require: VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -167- ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES (1) School administrators to load wrestling schedules in the NWCA program by Nov. 1 each year. (2) Event weights to be loaded within 24 hours of each weigh-in. In order to determine ineligibility prior to a match this process must occur at the time of the weigh-in. (3) School administrators to access a program switch, when permission is received by the League o ffi ce, to allow 1 pound allowances for inclement weather. (4) School administrators to access a program switch to allow consecutive-day- match pound allowances as allowed by rule. (5) The WCP program allows for one pound of weight allowance to be removed from the system, when multiple pounds are granted for an event, at the time a wrestler's data is entered for that event. PM 88-4-3 (2) WRESTLING/Weights Requirements (7-11) -Using the NWCA program weight loss and weight loss allowance will be determined on a daily basis. 88-4-4 Determining Regional and State Championships: (1) Procedures for regional tournaments will be set by the appropriate Regional Council. Required regional and state tournaments shall be held no later than the deadline date speci fi ed on the current year's VHSL Activities Calendar. Where sectional tournaments are held, a wrestler must participate and qualify through the meet to be eligible to partici- pate in the regional tournament. A school must enter a regional meet to be eligible to enter the state tournament. Regions shall designate wrestlers placing 5th and 6th. Team points shall be scored for these places. Entering a wrestler in the regional tournament requires the wrestler who subsequently quali fi es for the state tournament to compete. In the event a quali fi ed wrestler cannot compete, his/her place shall be taken by the next placing contes- tant. Known scratches shall be reported to the State Wrestling Tournament meet director no later than the Thursday coaches meeting before the State Tournament with the name and school of the quali fi ed replacement. The contestants who qualify in each weight class from the regional tournaments, four from each region, for the state tournament shall be bracketed for competition as designated under Section 88-5-2. In the event a region or school fails to have its quali fi ed wrestler contest his/her assigned match, the match shall be automatically forfeited. (2) Girls will be permitted to participate on their boys wrestling teams until such time as a viable stand-alone program for girls exists. Girls will need to choose if they intend to participate in boys or girls regional and state competitions prior to the region tournament start date. (3) The girls tournament will be conducted as an 16-person bracketed event as participation allows. Girls Wrestling Number of Championships: Two team championships (Class 5-6, Class 1-4) Format: Bracket tournament as determined by the region Class 1-4 Regions: Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4 (schools in regions are posted on the VHSL Wrestling page) Class 5-6 Regions: Region 1 (6C, 6D), Region 2 (6A, 5C), Region 3 (5A, 5B), Region 4 (6B, 5D) -168- (4) No additions to, or changes in, the o ffi cial list of entries (other than scratches and another school’s replacement for scratches) shall be permitted after the entry form has been received by the meet director; however, it is mandatory that known scratches be reported to the director no later than the Thursday coaches meeting before the meet. Attention to this item will facilitate meet organization and permit all weight classes to be completely contested. When a competitor enters and subsequently withdraws from competition, no substitute may replace him/her. 88-4-5 Pairings -State wrestling pairings are drawn from one of three possible bracket options. The League o ffi ce shall randomly select one of the three available brackets. This is a random draw and the same bracket may be used successive years. The release of this selection will take place after the conclusion of the last Region tournament and will be made available to the League schools immediately thereafter. When two regions from a classi fi cation make up the state championship bracket, the lowest seed/place fi nisher from one region will be paired against the highest seed/place fi nisher from the other region (W4 vs. E1), the next lowest remaining seed/place fi nisher from one region will be paired against the next highest remaining seed/place fi nisher from the other region (W3 vs. E2) and so on until bracketing is completed. 88-4-6 Penalty for Unsportsmanlike Forfeiture -Any competitor in an advancing bracket of district or regional tournament who fails to compete without a medical reason or extenuat- ing emergency circumstances will forfeit their placement in that tournament and subsequent advancement to the next level of competition. 88-5-1 Other Wrestling Related Policy Manual References PM 88-5-1 (1) WRESTLING/Videotaping (1-82) -Wrestling teams may videotape regular season wrestling matches as permitted by the National Federation Wrestling Rules book. VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HANDBOOK -169- SECTION BREAK The following pages include information on dramatic, speech, literary and academic activities. The following sections are included: Section 100-101 Dramatic Activities