ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIAT
ION
Handbook 2022–2023
Rule
Requirements
AHSAA
Contracts
child
Bona Fide
Aid
Star
Member
Restrictions
Restitution
District
video
recruiting
coaches
Reports
Leaving
Legal
Play
Proposals
Dependent
Championship
Legislative
concussion
custody
ContestCamps
Policy
Home
Age
Bench
Year
Audit
Contest
Board
Conduct
Practice
Limitations
Central
schools
levels
outside
Accountability
Principal’s
Move
Failure
competition
regulations
Guardianship
Handbook
Complete
Financial Altering School
Unsportsmanlike
enrollment
Transfer
Summer
Amateur
athlete
Participation
Coaching
AHSAA Athletic Districts
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Jun 20 Juneteenth (obs.) Dec 26 Christmas Day (obs.) Ju ecnednepednI4 luJyaD samtsirhC52 ceDhtneetenuJ91 n Day
Jul 4 Independence Day Jul 4 Independence Day
© Calendarpedia® www.calendarpedia.com
Data provided 'as is' without warranty
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AHSAA Athletic Districts
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2022–23
HANDBOOK
AHSAA MISSION STATEMENT
The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) serves member
schools through interscholastic competition by enhancing student learning,
sportsmanship, safety and lifelong values. With integrity as its foundation,
the AHSAA consistently governs the rules created by member schools.
AHSAA Strategic Plan
• Expand and strengthen recognition programs for student-athletes,
coaches, administrators, ofcials, and community partners.
• To remain on the forefront of all media platforms while delivering high
quality content in an effective way.
• Enhance and expand communication and collaboration opportunities
for all member schools.
• Enhance the health and safety of all participants.
• Maintain nancial stability for the organization (AHSAA).
A member of the
National Federation of State High School Associations
2
Alabama High School Athletic Association
P.O. Box 242367, 7325 Halcyon Summit Dr.
Montgomery, AL 36124-2367
Phone: (334) 263-6994
Fax: (334) 387-0075
www.ahsaa.com
Alabama High School Athletic Association
Printed in Montgomery, Alabama
by Walker360
July 2022
CONTENTS
Alabama High School Athletic Association Page
Central Board of Control ........................................................... 4
StateOceSta ....................................................................... 4
Legislative Council .................................................................... 5
Sports Committees ................................................................... 7
Calendar of Events .................................................................. 12
Testing Dates ............................................................................ 14
General Reminders ................................................................. 15
Publications .............................................................................. 16
National Federation ................................................................. 16
Title IX Policy Statement ......................................................... 17
Constitution ................................................................................. 18
Bylaws ..................................................................................... 25
Rule I – Eligibility ................................................................. 25
Rule II – Reports ................................................................. 42
Rule III – Contests ................................................................ 44
RuleIV–GameOcials ..................................................... 60
Rule V – Coaches ............................................................... 61
Rule VI—Administration ....................................................... 64
Junior High/Middle School .......................................................... 73
Bylaws ..................................................................................... 76
AHSAA Sports Medicine and Safety .............................................77
Questions & Answers .................................................................. 79
Sanctioned Sports ........................................................................ 88
Championship Sports ................................................................... 89
Sports Under Jurisdiction Plan ................................................... 91
SchoolClassication ................................................................... 93
AHSAA Mission, Function & Organization .................................... 98
Special Program: Hall of Fame ................................................... 100
Editorial: Association Promotes Athletics ................................. 100
Original Merger Plan .................................................................. 101
Index ........................................................................................... 107
4 Central Board, Staff
ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
CENTRAL BOARD OF CONTROL
Terry Curtis, Mobile ................................................................................. District 1
Trinnia Smith, Jackson ............................................................................ District 1
Dodd Hawthorne, Crenshaw Co. BOE ..................................................... District 2
JeTorrence,Dothan ...........................................................................Bi-District 2
Luke Hallmark, Marengo Co. BOE .......................................................... District 3
Pam Holloway, Dadeville .....................................................................Bi-District 4
Farrell Seymore, Opelika ......................................................................... District 4
Kim Kiel, Pelham ..................................................................................... District 5
Mike Welsh, Cherokee Co. BOE (President) ............................................. District 6
Quentin Lee, Talladega BOE ................................................................Bi-District 6
Jamie Chapman, Pickens Co. BOE (Vice-President) ............................... District 7
Holly Sutherland, Haleyville BOE ............................................................. District 7
Brian Jett, Ft. Payne BOE ........................................................................ District 8
Demond Garth, Austin ......................................................................... Bi-District 8
Terry Roller, Montgomery ............................................... State Dept. of Education
STATE OFFICE STAFF
Alvin Briggs .............................................................................. Executive Director
Kim Vickers ............................ Associate Executive Director, Eligibility Coordinator
Brandon Dean ....................................................................... Director, AHSADCA
Ron Ingram ....................................................................Communications Director
Marvin Chou ............................................................................. Assistant Director
JeSegars ................................................................................. Assistant Director
Ken Washington ....................................................................... DirectorofOcials
Devin Booth ................................................................................ Assistant Director
David Holtsford ..............................Coordinator Digital Media (AHSAA/AHSADCA)
Amy Gulledge .................................................................... ChiefFinancialOcer
LisaRu ..........................................................Executive Administrative Assistant
Angela Jackson ............................................. Administrative Assistant (Eligibility)
Alaine Davis ..................................................... Administrative Assistant (Finance)
Rodney Mills ...................................................................Part-Time IT Coordinator
Vanda Peppers .............................. Administrative Assistant (AHSAA/AHSADCA)
Alan Mitchell ........................................................ Part-Time Website Coordinator
Bruce Forte ........................................................................... AHSAASupportSta
5Legislative Council
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
(Years remaining in term are indicated.)
DISTRICT 1
MEMBERS: Chip Menton, Theodore – Pres. (2); Terry Curtis, UMS-Wright-
Secretary-Treasurer (4); Jerome Woods, Blount (3); Deric Scott, Foley (1); Trinnia
Smith, Jackson (3). COUNTIES: Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia,
Mobile, Monroe, Washington.
DISTRICT 2
MEMBERS: Dodd Hawthorne, Crenshaw Co. Schools-Pres. (1); Trent Trawick,
Secretary-Treasurer,Enterprise(2);RayWilson,Andalusia(4);JeTorrence,
Dothan(3).COUNTIES:Barbour,Butler,Coee,Covington,Crenshaw,Dale,
Geneva, Henry, Houston, Pike.
DISTRICT 3
MEMBERS: Jimmy Perry, Saint James (1); Luke Hallmark, Marengo County
Schools-Secretary-Treasurer (4); Matt Geohagen, Bibb County (2); Rosalyn
Dixon, Chilton Co. (3). COUNTIES: Autauga, Bibb, Chilton, Dallas, Greene, Hale,
Lowndes, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Sumter, Wilcox.
DISTRICT 4
MEMBERS: Brad Cook, Pres. (2); Damian Sinclair, Sanford MS (4); Farrell
Seymore, Opelika-Secretary-Treasurer (1); Pamela Holloway, Dadeville
(3). COUNTIES: Bullock, Chambers, Coosa, Elmore, Lee, Macon, Russell,
Tallapoosa.
DISTRICT 5
MEMBERS: Lance Walker, Hewitt (2); Patrick Kellogg, Spain Park (1); Kim Kiel,
Pelham(4);MichaelTurner,PinsonValley(3).COUNTIES:Jeerson,Shelby,
Tuscaloosa, Walker.
DISTRICT 6
MEMBERS: Chad Young, Cleburne Co. 4); Mike Welsh, Cherokee Co.-Secretary-
Treasurer (2); Larry Davidson, Oxford (1); Quentin Lee, Talladega (3). COUNTIES:
Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Randolph, St. Clair, Talladega.
DISTRICT 7
MEMBERS: Jamie Chapman, Pres., Pickens Co. (2); Micah Smothers,
Secretary-Treasurer, Addison (4); Holly Sutherland, Haleyville (3); Todd Tittle,
Lynn (1); Roderick Sheppard, Florence (3). COUNTIES: Colbert, Fayette, Franklin,
Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion, Pickens, Winston.
DISTRICT 8
MEMBERS: Jeremy Lowery, Madison County-Secretary-Treasurer (2);
John Ingram, Arab (1); Brian Jett, Fort Payne (4); Demond Garth, Austin (3).
COUNTIES: Blount, Cullman, DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall,
Morgan.
6 Sports Committees
FOOTBALL:
District Name School email
1 Eric Collier Theodore wcollier@mcpss.com
2-Bi-District Eddie Brundidge Houston Academy sbrundidge@yahoo.com
3 Matthew Leonard Isabella mtleonard@opelikaschools.org
4 Erik Speakman Opelika erik.speakman@opelikaschools.org
6-Bi-District Chris Mahand Talladega Co. Central cmahand@tcboe.org
7 John Ritter Russellville john.ritter@rcs.k12.al.us
8 Bob Godsey Madison Academy bgodsey@macademy.org
8-Bi-District Laron White Sparkman
VOLLEYBALL:
1 Ann Schilling Bayside Academy aschilling@baysideacademy.org
2 Bill Oldeld Providence Christian boldeld@prov-cs.net
2-Bi-District
3 Julie Gordon Montgomery Academy julie_sinclair@montgomeryacademy.org
4-Bi-District N/A
5 Perry Robinson Pelham Pelhamwrobinson@pelhamcityschools.org
6-Bi-District N/A
7 Ryan Roberson Brooks ryan.roberson@lcschools.org
8-Bi-District N/A
BOYS BASKETBALL
1 Edwin Burks BC Rain eaburke@mcpss.com
3 Tommy Tisdale, Jr. Keith tommy_tisdale@yahoo.com
4 Stephen Davis Smiths Station davis.steven@lee.k12.us
4-Bi-District N/A
5 Chris Laatsch Spain Park wlaatsch@hoover.k12.al.us
6 Joel Van Meter Oxford
6-Bi-District Torrey Brown Anniston
7 Pervis Key Shefeld pkey@scs.k12.al.us
8-Bi-District Greg Brown Lee-Huntsville
7Sports Committees
GIRLS BASKETBALL
District Name School email
2-Bi-District N/A
3 Paul Dubose Chilton County psdubose@chiltonboe.com
4 Devin Booth Opelika devinn.booth@opelikaschools.org
4-Bi-District N/A
5 Tonya Hunter Hewitt Trussville tonya.hunter@trussvillecityschools.com
6-Bi-District Scottie Patillo Woodland
7 Brant Llewellyn Lauderdale County brant.llewellyn@lcschools.org
8-Bi-District George Gurley Madison County
BASEBALL
2 Mike Mordecai Northside Methodist mmordecai@northsideknights.net
2-Bi-District Andre Parks Brantley taparks@crenshaw-schools.org
4 Michael Dismukes Wetumpka michael.dismukes@elmoreco.com
4-Bi-District N/A
6 Scott Brackett Gadsden City sbrackett@gadsdencityschools.org
6-Bi-District N/A
7 Johnathan Pate Gordo patej@pickens.k12.al.us
8 Brandon Moore Oneonta
8-Bi-District N/A
SOFTBALL
1 TBD
2 Cindy Hawthorne Brantley chawthorne@crenshaw-schools.org
2-Bi-District Khadija Neeley Charles Henderson neely.khadija@troysholls.net
4 Scott Meadows Beauregard meadows.scott@lee.k12.al.us
4-Bi-District N/A
6 TBD
6-Bi-District
8 Brett Nave East Limestone
8-Bi-District Al Rauls Buckhorn
8 Sports Committees
TRACK
District Name School email
1 Brandon Oliver Murphy boliver@mcpss.com
2 Tony Wilson Pleasant Home tony.wilson@cov.k12.al.us
2-Bi-District
3 Ethan McBride Montgomery Academy ethan_mcbride@montgomeryacademy.org
4-Bi-District Warren Brown Wetumpka warren.brown@elmoreco.com
6 Chase Brisendine Alexandria cbrisend.am@ccboe.us
7 Steve Reaves Wineld sreaves@wineld.k12.al.us
8 Luke Robinson Scottsboro lrobinson@scottsboroschools.net
TENNIS
2-Bi-District N/A
3 David Bethea Montgomery Academy ethan_mcbride@montgomeryacademy.org
4 Matt Hooper Auburn mehooper@auburnschools.rg
4-Bi-District N/A
5 Brad Armstrong Hillcrest barmstrong@tcss.net
6-Bi-District N/A
8 Sue Marshall Randolph
8-Bi-District
CHEERLEADING
1 Kim Windham Vigor kwindham@mcpss.com
2 Lorrie Harrison Opp lharrison@oppboe.com
2-Bi-District N/A
3 Anteidra Martin Jeff Davis anteidra@martin@mps.k12.al.us
4 Felicia Jackson Tallassee felicia.jackson@tcschools.com
4-Bi-District N/A
6-Bi-District Jessica Veazey Childersburg jessica.veazey@tcboe.org
7 Sandra Seals Wineld sseals@wineld.k12.al.us
8 Tiffany Roder Boaz
8-Bi-District Clarice Pippin Lee
9Sports Committees
GOLF
District Name School email
1 Zac Lambrecht St. Paul’s zlambrecht@stpaulsmobile.net
2-Bi-District N/A
3 Tim Bethea Trinity Presbyterian tbethea@trinitywildcats.com
4 Alex Davis Smiths Station
4-Bi-District N/A
6 Joel Sims Glencoe joel_sims@ecboe.org
6-Bi-District N/A
7 Chad Willis Muscle Shoals cwillis@mscs.k12.al.us
8 Emily Stapler Arab
8-Bi-District N/A
WRESTLING
1 Greg Jefcoat Daphne jjefcoat@bcbe.org
2-Bi-District N/A
4 Jim Davis Opelika jimmy.davis@opelikaschools.org
4-Bi-District N/A
5 Shawn Weltzin Thompson shawn.weltzin@acsboe.org
6 Frank Hartzog Alexandria fhartzog.ae@ccboe.us
6-Bi-District N/A
8 Kyle Routon Arab krouton@arabcityschools.org
8-Bi-District Kevin Lockhart Decatur Kevin.Lockhart@dcs.k12.al.us
N/A
SWIMMING
1 Cathy Hudson Fairhope chudson@bcbe.org
2 Trent Trawick Enterprise ttrawick@enterpriseschools.net
2-Bi-District N/A
3 Mary Skipper Prattville mary.skipper@acboe.net
4 Jeff Dillinger Auburn fmdellinger@auburnschools.org
4-Bi-District N/A
6 Trent Phillips Oxford
6-Bi-District N/A
7 Rachel Graves Florence rlgraves@orencek12.org
8 Wade Thaxton Bob Jones
8-Bi-District N/A
10
SOCCER
District Name School email
1 Dustin Higgins Alma Bryant dchiggins@mcpss.com
2 Bruce Ladner Enterprise bladner@enterpriseschools.net
2-Bi-District N/A
3 Analyn Coker Trinity Presbyterian acoker@trinitywildcats.com
4 Johanna Angelo Stanhope Elmore johanna.angelo@elmoreco.com
4-Bi-District N/A
6 Tiffany Cargill Southside tiffany_cargill@ecboe.org
6-Bi-District Cody Wilkerson Springville
7 Trey Stanford Russellville trey.stanford@rcs.k12.al.us
8 Michael Farmer Fort Payne
8-Bi-District Brandon Broughton Madison County
CROSS COUNTRY
1 John Brigham St. Paul’s jbrigham@stpaulsmobile.net
2 Christina Rodgers Enterprise crodgers@enterpriseschools.net
2-Bi-District N/A
4 Ron Peters Smiths Station peters.ron@lee.k12.al.us
4-Bi-District Tony Benitez Auburn abenitez@auburnschools.org
6-Bi-District N/A
8 Trent Dean Cullman
8-Bi-District N/A
BOWLING
1 Danny Daigle Baker ddaigle@mcpss.com
2-Bi-District N/A
3 James Strickland Prattville james.strickland@acboe.net
4 Shane Lake Beauregard lake.shane@lee.k12.al.us
4-Bi-District N/A
6 Zack Blume Southside zack_blume@ecboe.org
6-Bi-District N/A
8 Lisa Ivey Sparkman
8-Bi-District N/A
Sports Committees
11Sports Committees
PRINCIPALS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
District Name School email
1 Danny Daigle Baker ddaigle@mcpss.com
2 Darryl Brooks Abbeville dbrooks@henryschools.org
2-Bi-District N/A
4 Shane Lake Smiths Station cook.brad@lee.k12.al.us
4-Bi-District
6 Tim Ward Ranburne tward@cleburneschools.net
6-Bi-District Greg Moore Springville
7 Todd Tittle Lynn ttittle@wcsclass.com
8 Willie Moore Athens
8-Bi-District N/A
JR. HIGH-MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1 Lev Holly Assistant Curriculum Specialist lholly@mcpss.com
2 Perry Dillard South Dale Middle School pdillard@dalecountyboe.org
2-Bi-District N/A
3 Gary Gibson Demopolis Middle School
4 Keith York Opelika Middle School keith.york@opelikaschools.org
4-Bi-District
6-Bi-District Tim Young Drew (Lincoln) timyoung@tcboe.org
7 Trey Lane Florence Middle School jalane@orencek12.org
8 Doug Haynes Section
AHSADCA ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1 Eric Collier Theodore wcollier@mcpss.com
2 Adrian Daniels Highland Home adrian.daniels@crenshaw-schools.org
2-Bi-District N/A
3 Robert Johnson Montgomery Academy robert_johnson@montgomeryacademy.org
4-Bi-District
5 Tom Causey Pelham tcausey@pelhamcityschools.org
6 Clint Smith Jacksonville clintsmith@jcsboe.org
6-Bi-District Johnny Johnson Childersburg jjohnson@tcboe.org
7 Byron Graham Florence bgraham@orencek12.org
8 Patrick Williams Boaz
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
2 Doug Bailey Crenshaw County dbailey@crenshaw-schools.org
2-Bi-District N/A
3 Pete McCoy Trinity Presbyterian pmccoy@trinitywildcats.com
4 Stacy Royster Opelika stacy.royster@opelikaschools.org
4-Bi-District
5
6 Lori Carlisle Wadley lcarlisle@randolphboe.org
6-Bi-District Quentin Lee
7 Rod Sheppard Florence rsheppard@orencek12.org
8 John Drake Cullman
12 Calendar of Events
AUGUST
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JULY
2022–23 Calendar of Events
AUGUST
1 First practice date for football, volleyball, cross country, swimming & diving
(July 27
th
if no spring evaluations)
18,19 Kick-Off Classic (Montgomery)
18 First contest date for varsity football (rst JV/Fr may play Aug. 22. JH/MS
contest is Aug. 25)
18 First contest date for volleyball, cross country, swimming & diving
OCTOBER
17 First practice for basketball; Bowling Oct. 3; Wrestling Oct. 24; Indoor Track-
Nov. 7)
12-15 Area Volleyball Tournaments (1A,3A,5A,7A 12
th:
/ 2A,4A, 6A-13
th
Default dates
Oct. 14
th
and 15
th
)
19-21 Super Regional Volleyball Tournaments (Montgomery, Huntsville)
25-27 State Volleyball Tournament (Birmingham)
28--29 Section Cross Country Meets
NOVEMBER
31,3,8* Regional Cheerleading (Huntsville [1], Mobile [3], Birmingham [8])
4,11,18,25 State Football Playoffs (Rounds 1-4)
5 State Cross Country Meet (Moulton)
18-19 Section Swimming & Diving (Mobile, Birmingham, Huntsville)
19-20 Section Swimming & Diving (Mobile, Birmingham, Huntsville)
DECEMBER
Nov. 30--Dec. 2 Super 7 Football Championships (Auburn)
Dec. 2-3 State Swimming & Diving Meet (Auburn)
Dec. 5-6 State Cheerleading (Birmingham)
Dec. 10 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Game (Alabama)
JANUARY
19-20 Regional Bowling Tournaments (TBD)
26-27 State Bowling Tournament (Gadsden)
13,14,17 Wrestling Duals Tournament rst rounds
20 Wrestling Duals Tournament Finals (Birmingham)
FEBRUARY
3-4 State Indoor Track & Field Meet (Birmingham)
4-10 Girls Area Basketball Tournaments (default dates Feb.6,8,10)
4-11 Boys Area Basketball Tournaments (default dates Feb. 7,9,11)
10-11 Super Section Wrestling Tournaments (Montgomery, Birmingham)
16-18 State Wrestling Tournament (Huntsville)
13 Girls Sub-Regional Basketball Games
14 Boys Sub-Regional Basketball Games
13Calendar of Events
2022–23 Calendar of Events
16-23 Regional Basketball Tournaments (Garrett Coliseum, Alabama State, Jackson-
ville State, Wallace-Hanceville)
MARCH
Feb. 27-Mar. 4 State Basketball Championships (Birmingham)
7-8 Student Leadership Conference
10 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Basketball Games (Mississippi)
20* Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame Induction (Montgomery)
APRIL
4-5* Principals’ and Athletic Directors’ Conference (Montgomery)
10 Bryant-Jordan Student Athlete Awards Banquet (Birmingham)
17-20 Section Tennis Tournaments
21-22, 28-29 State Baseball Playoffs (Rounds 1-2)
17-22 State Tennis Tournaments (Mobile)
28-29 Section Track & Field Meets
28-May 4 Area Softball Tournaments
27, 28, 29 Sub-State Soccer Matches Round 1 (6A)
26,30 Sub-State Soccer Matches (all classes) Round 1 (1A-3A & 7A)
Round 2 (4A-5A & 6A)
25-26 Section Golf Tournaments
MAY
1-2 Sub-State Soccer Matches (all classes) Round 1 (1A-3A, 4A, 5A & 7A) Round
2 (6A)
1-2 Section Golf Tournaments
8-9 Sub-State Golf tournaments
4-6 Sub-State Soccer Matches (all classes) Round 2 (1A-3A,4A, 5A & 7A) Round
3 (6A)
4-6 State Track & Field Meets (Gulf Shores: May 4-6 (Cullman: May 5-6)
5-6, 12-13 State Baseball Playoffs (Rounds 3-4)
9-12 Regional Softball Qualiers (Gulf Shores, Montgomery, Albertville, Florence)
11-13 State Soccer Tournament (Huntsville)
15-16 State Girls and Boys Golf Tournament (Grand National-Opelika)
15-16 Heptathlon, Decathlon (Birmingham)
15-20 State Baseball Finals (Oxford and Jacksonville State University)
15-19 State Softball Tournament (Oxford)
JULY
17-21* Summer Conference & All-Star Sports Week (Montgomery) DEAD WEEK
(weight training/conditioning only on sport specic days.)
* Subject to change depending on contracts and/or available dates.
14 Testing Dates
TESTING DATES
The dates of a few AHSAA events coincide with some state and national
testing dates for the 2022–23 school year. The following chart may be
usedtoassistcoachesandstudentsinschedulingaroundanyconicts.
ACT Assessment Test
TEST DATES AHSAA EVENTS
Sept. 10, 2022 ............................................................................. None
Oct. 22, 2022 ............................................................Super-Regional VB
Dec. 10, 2022 ........................ State Swimming, Ala.-Miss. All-Star FB
Feb. 11, 2023 ..................Super-Section Wrestling, State Indoor Track
April 1, 2023 ....................................................StateBaseballPlayos
June 10, 2023 ............................................................................... None
SAT Test
Aug. 27, 2022 ................................................................................ None
Oct. 1, 2022 .................................................................................. None
Nov. 5, 2022 .......................................................................... State CC
Dec. 3, 2022 ................................................................................ None
March 11, 2023 ........................................................................... None
May 6, 2023 ............. Baseball,Softball&SoccerPlayos,StateTrack
June 3, 2023 ................................................................................. None
ACT Assessment Test (by ALSDE)
March 8-10, 13-17, 20, 2023 .................SoccerPlayos,SectionGolf
March 8-10, 2023 (make-up date) ........... Heptath./Decath., State Golf
Advancement Placement (AP) Exams
May 2–5, 2023 ......................................... Baseball&SoftballPlayos,
Sub-State Golf & Soccer
May 9–13, 2023 ................State Baseball & Softball, Heptath./Decath.,
State Golf
15General Reminders
GENERAL REMINDERS
1. All information relating to school membership, membership in the
Athletic Directors & Coaches Association, and student eligibility must
be submitted online via DragonFly.
2. All other necessary forms will be found on the AHSAA website as
on-lineformsorasPDFlesthatcanbeprinted,completedandthen
submitted to the AHSAA via mail or email.
3. School registration data must be submitted online by Aug. 1.
4. Catastrophic insurance premiums must be submitted to the AHSAA
StateOcebySept.1.
5. Athletic Directors & Coaches Association membership registration
mustbesubmittedinDragonybyAug.1.Membershipfeesmust
be submitted by regular or express mail to the AHSAA before cards
willbeissued.Vericationofthecerticationforeachcoachthathas
been certied from 2001-02 to the present (course requirements)
plus verication of CPR certication, with AED Training and STAR
Sportsmanship, or NFHS Sportsmanship for all new coaches,
Concussion, Heat Acclimatization, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Mental
Illness,courserequirementsforallcoachesmustbekeptonlein
theprincipal’soce.
6. Eligibility data must be submitted online before any student
participates in a contest of current eligible students.
7. Students submitted online for eligibility and principal certied are
eligible 48 hrs. after they have been submitted online to the AHSAA.
8. Copies of students’ certied birth certicates, Pre-participation
Concussion Information, Student Release Consent Forms must be
keptonleintheprincipal’socewherethestudentisenrolled.(No
birthcerticatesshouldbesubmittedtotheAHSAA.)
9. Aphysicalexamwillsatisfytherequirementsforonecalendaryearto
the end of month from the exam date.
10. Schoolyearisdened–thedayfallpracticebeginstothelastday
of summer before fall practice.
11. Sport Declarations must be completed online by May 1, 2023 for fall
sports and June 1, 2023 for winter and spring sports.
12. AllinterscholasticcontestsmustuseAHSAA-registeredocialsand
should be scheduled with game contracts.
13. Ocialrulingsmustberequestedinwritingbytheprincipaltothe
AHSAA Executive Director.
16 Publications, National Federation
PUBLICATIONS
The AHSAA Handbook is published annually and copies are provid- ed
to superintendents, member schools and the news media. The Handbook
includes the constitution, bylaws and regulations of the AHSAA as well as
a calendar for the current school year.
The Director’s Update newsletter is posted monthly on the AHSAA
website, www.ahsaa.com.
The AHSAA Sports Book is published annually on a very limited basis
tooutlinethechampionshipsportsconductedduringeachquarter.These
booksarepostedonlineastheocialcontrolleddocuments.
The AHSAA Ocial Records, the ocial collection of facts detail-
ing years of outstanding athletic achievements by high school students,
coaches and teams in Alabama are kept updated on the AHSAA website,
www.ahsaa.com.
THE NATIONAL FEDERATION
The National Federation of State High School Associations, of which
the AHSAA has been a member since 1924, had its beginning in 1920 and
now consists of 51 individual state high school athletic and/or activities
associationsandtheassociationoftheDistrictofColumbia.Alsoafliated
are eight interscholastic organizations from Canadian provinces.
Robert Gardner is executive director of the National Federation.
The purpose of the National Federation is to coordinate the efforts of its
member state institutions toward the ultimate objectives of interscholastic
athletics. It provides a means for state associations to cooperate in order
to enhance and protect their interscholastic programs.
Member state associations’ programs are administered in accordance
with the following basic beliefs:
(a) Interscholastic athletics shall be an integral part of the
total secondary school educational program.
(b) Interschool athletics shall be primarily for the benet of
the high school students who participate directly in them.
(c) Any athletic competition to determine a so-called champion
shall provide opportunities for schools to demonstrate and
to evaluate the best taught in their programs with the best
taught in other schools from other areas of the state.
(d) Participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege
to be granted to those students who meet the minimum
standards of eligibility adopted by the schools through
their state association.
17National Federation, Title IX
TITLE IX POLICY STATEMENT
ItistheocialpolicyoftheAlabamaHighSchoolAthleticAssociation
that no person, on the basis of gender, be excluded from participation
in,bedeniedthebenetsof,orbesubjectedtodiscriminationunderany
programoeredbytheAHSAA.
18 Constitution
CONSTITUTION
Article I
This Association shall be known as
the Alabama High School Athletic
Association.
Article II
Object
The object of this Association shall be to promote pure amateur athletic
competition in the high schools of Alabama.
Article III
Membership
A high school of Alabama which has been placed on accredited
relations above junior grades by the State Department of Education and/or
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools may become a member
of the Association, provided it is accepted by the Central Board of Control,
the principal files an application for membership (application form may
be found in DragonFly, pays the annual dues and signs an agreement
to be governed by the Constitution, Bylaws, and rulings of the
Association and sendsinregularlysuchreportsasarerequired.
Non-public schools applying for membership must meet the following
criteria:
1. HaveSACSaccreditationortheequivalent.
2. Register with the State Department of Education.
3. FileaSchoolProlewiththeAHSAA.
4. Haveatleast70percentofitsfacultyasCertiedTeachers.
5. Conductbackgroundchecksofitsfacultyandsta.
6. Oeratleastvegirlsandveboysvarsitysports.
Note: School must provide a letter from school board
approving membership application.
Schoolsapplyingformembershipforthersttimemustbeapproved
by the Central Board of Control. Only an accredited school may be a
member.
Note: If a school is accredited by the State Department of Education and/
ortheSouthernAssociationofCollegesandSchoolsorequivalent
at the time it is accepted for membership, the school shall retain its
membership status with the AHSAA for the entire school year even
if its accreditation status changes.
The Central Board shall have the right to determine a graduated
membership fee based on enrollment, but the maximum fee is not to
exceed two hundred dollars. If the annual membership fee is not
19Constitution
paidbeforeSeptember1ofeachyear,thedelinquentschoolshallloseits
membership. A school losing its membership may be reinstated for the
current year by the payment of an additional fee of $5.00.
The annual membership dues shall be collected by the State Executive
Director.
Annual dues per class are as follows:
Class 7A .................................. $200 per school
Class 6A .................................. $200 per school
Class 5A .................................. $175 per school
Class 4A .................................. $175 per school
Class 3A .................................. $150 per school
Class 2A .................................. $150 per school
Class 1A .................................. $125 per school
Junior High/Middle .................. $50 per school
The Alabama Institute for Deaf shall be permitted to hold
membership in the Association when it meets requirements
and standards outlined by the Sixth District Board and the
Central Board of Control.
Article IV
Management
(a) ThemanagementoftheaairsoftheAssociationshallbevested
in a Legislative Council and a Central Board of Control. The Executive
Director may act for the Board when it is not in session.
(b) The membership of the local district boards shall constitute the
Legislative Council of the Alabama High School Athletic Association. All
changes in the Constitution and Bylaws shall be made by this body. They
shall meet annually and at such times as may be deemed necessary by the
President of the Central Board of Control/Executive Director.
(c) Each District Board shall consist of four members, exclusive of
the two districts that appoint females on a rotating basis (by years 2020,
2024, 2028, etc. Board members must be superintendents, assistant
superintendents, principals, assistant principals or teachers in the high
schools of the district and shall have no more than two members from the
same school system. No person shall be discriminated against based on
gender, race, or religion. Members of the District Board shall be elected by
representativesofthedistrictschools,rstforfouryears,thenfortermsof
three years, two years and one year, respectively. Thereafter, one member
shall be elected annually to serve a four-year term beginning July 1. One
member shall represent the AHSAA and one member shall represent the
former Alabama Interscholastic Athletic Association (AIAA) which merged
20 Constitution
with the AHSAA in 1968. Two members shall represent either association.
Note: Any person who is elected as a District Board member while serving
in any of the above positions may continue to serve as long as that
personisretainedasafull-timecertiedemployeeofanyschool
or school system of the district and continues to be elected by
member schools of the district.
AnyvacancyorvacanciesoccurringinaDistrictBoardshallbelled
by appointment by the President of the Central Board of Control with the
approval of the remaining members or member of said District Board, but
such appointment is only to hold until the vacancy or vacancies can be
lledbyelectionattherstmeetingofthememberschoolsoftheDistrict.
(d) TheCentralBoardofControlshallbecomposedoffteenmembers:
one member from each of the eight districts, one member from each of
the four bi-districts, two at-large females (not representative of the same
association) from Bi-districts on a rotating basis from the eight districts,
and one member from the Alabama State Department of Education,
appointed by the State Superintendent of Education. The four Bi-District
members shall be elected from and by the District Board of two districts
combined [1-Districts 1 and 2; Districts 3 and 4; 3- Districts 5 and 6; 4-
Districts 7 and 8]. The Bi-District member must be a representative of the
opposite Association of the other member representing that District on the
Central Board.
(e) The Executive Director shall be selected and appointed by the
CentralBoardofControl.TheAssociateExecutiveDirectorshallbelled
by appointment of the Executive Director. No person shall be discriminated
against based on gender, race, or religion. Each position will be served by
a person representing the opposite Association (AHSAA and AIAA) of the
other in said position.
Article V
Districts
The Central Board of Control shall divide the state into eight districts
to be known as Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Article VI
Annual Meeting
There shall be an annual meeting (2nd Tuesday in April) of the members
of the Association of each District for the election of members of the
District Board and to transact such other business as may be necessary
at such meetings to be held at the call of the Presidents of the respective
District Boards. Each school should have a representative present at the
annual meeting.
21Constitution
Article VII
Central Board of Control
(a) Shall meet at such times and places as it may determine. A majority
of its members may call a meeting at any time.
(b) Shall be responsible for deciding the time and place for holding
the annual meeting of the AHSAA.
(c) At the annual meeting, the Central Board shall elect one of its
members to serve as President of the Alabama High School Athletic
Association for a period of one year. The Vice-President shall be elected
in the same manner and neither the President nor the Vice-President shall
serve for more than two years consecutively.
(d) The President and the Vice-President shall represent their respective
Districts on the Central Board.
(e) The Vice-President shall attend all meetings and shall perform the
dutiesofthePresidentinhisocialabsence.
(f) Money shall be paid out by the Secretary-Treasurer only as directed
by the Board and upon an order signed by the President.
(g) The accounts of the Secretary-Treasurer shall be audited annually
byaCertiedPublicAccountant,approvedbytheCentralBoard.
(h) The Secretary-Treasurer shall submit to the Board an annual report.
(i) The Central Board of Control shall have full authority to adopt rules
and regulations which shall be uniformly eective and binding upon all
mem
bers of the Association.
Note: Thisincludestheplacingofmonetaryneswhendeemed
necessary.
AscheduleofnesandpenaltiesasadoptedbytheCentralBoardis
as follows:
1. Foraviolationofrules,includingagrant,unsportsmanlikecon-
duct other than physical abuse: rst oense $150-$300 ne,
depending on the severity of the case. Severity of the case in-
cludes who reported the violation, whether there was intent to
hide or conceal information, and whether there were attempts
to falsify records.
The penalty will also carry probation which is a warning to the
school that any further violations will jeopardize its membership
in the AHSAA.
2. For physical abuse, which includes physical attacks made
on ocials, coaches, and/or players by anyone: minimum
ne of$500,nomaximum.Physicalviolencebyaplayeronan
ocialorcoachmayalsoincludethesuspensionoftheplayerfor
aspecicperiodoftimeorpermanentsuspension,dependingon
22 Constitution
the severity of the act(s) and the incidents which lead to the
altercation(s).
Subsequentpenaltiesonthesameschoolwillresultinaddi-
tional,highermonetarynesandextensionoftheprobationary
period(s) which may or may not be restrictive. For physical violence
or abuse, a school may be placed on restrictive probation for a
part or all of its athletic programs or may be suspended from the
Association.
Restrictive probation limits the school’s participation to regular
season games and prohibits the school from participating in any
interscholastic contest involving more than two schools, including
championships, for the duration of the restrictive probation.
3. Forintentionalagrant violationsoftherules,aschoolmaybe
placed on restrictive probation and assessed a minimum monetary
neof$500.Intentionalagrantviolationsincludebeingadvised
that a rule(s) has been violated and the school continues with the
sameviolation.Minimummonetaryne(s)forjuniorhigh/middle
schools is $50.
4. Gameocialsmaybereprimanded,nedand/orsuspended
foragrant,unsportsmanlikeconduct,whichincludesprofanity,
vulgarity, obscenities, striking a player, coach, fan or spectator,
failing to fulll an assignment or being late for an assignment
without notifying the school as soon as possible or other conduct
unbecomingofagameocialregisteredwiththeAHSAA.
(j) The CentralBoardofControlshallhavecompleteandnal
jurisdictionoverallquestionsoftheConstitutionandBylaws
or other facts appealed to it by a member school.
(k) The Central Board of Control shall have the power, as far as
Associationnancespermit,toemployafulltimeExecutive
Director,locateandprovideexpensesforanAssociationoce.
(l) The Central Board shall have the power to classify member
schools into two or more divisions for the purpose of athletic
competition. No school’s classication shall be changed
during theclassicationperiodaftertheschoolshavebeen
classied.
(m) The Central Board shall have the power to reorganize
the administrative procedures with respect to Association
reports,annualduesandregistrationofocials.
(n.) The Central Board shall have authority over any matter
related to championship play.
23Constitution
Article VIII
District Board of Managers
(a) Shall meet at such times and places as it may determine. A meeting
may be called at any time by two members of the Board or by the
President. A copy of the proceedings of every District board meeting
shall be sent to all member schools of the District by the Secretary.
(b) Note: The District Board shall not rule on a case unless it is in session.
A copy of all proceedings of the District Board meeting will be mailed
totheStateOce.
(c) The District Board shall have power to organize at its discretion.
(d) Money shall be paid out by the Secretary-Treasurer of the District Board
of the Association and only upon the written order of the President of
the District Board. The Secretary-Treasurer shall prepare and furnish
each member school in the District an annual, detailed accounting of
all monies handled.
(e) The District Board shall have general supervision over all athletic
contests held in its district and jurisdiction over questions arising
wherefrom. It shall hear all complaints, decide all protests and
enforce the Constitution and Bylaws and rules and regulations of the
Association. These duties may be handled by the Executive Director.
(f) The President may suspend from membership a school believed
to be guilty of violating the rules of the Association. Such suspension
continues until a meeting of the District Board can be held to pass
onthecase.Whichthemeetingmustbeheldwithinvedaysofeach
suspension, except that a suspended school may request further
time,nottoexceedveadditionaldays.Theabovemaybehandled
by the Executive Director.
(g) TheDistrictBoardmaysuspendschoolswhichpersistentlyfailtole
requiredlistsorreports.
(h) When a school is placed on probation it may, along with other penalties,
be prohibited from participating in a tournament or other events that
involve more than two schools.
Article IX
Annual Contests
A District Board may conduct annual athletic contests and provide
medals or prizes for individuals and teams. The Board of Control may
conduct state contests under the same conditions.
24 Bylaws – Eligibility
Article X
Complaints
A school may be charged with violating the laws of the Association or
with unsportsmanlike conduct. The District Board, after sending a copy of
thechargestotheschoolconcerned(verbalnoticationissucientunless
awrittenreportisrequestedinwriting)andgivingduenoticeofthetime
and place of meeting, shall consider the charges promptly and may expel
a school from the Association or suspend it for a period not exceeding one
year. If it expels or suspends a school, it shall at once notify all members
of the Association. If a member of the Board represents a school directly
involved in a controversy referred to the Board, the other members shall
elect a replacement to act on the matter.
Note:
The District Board may refer any type of case to the Central Board.
The Central Board may appoint a committee to handle any case
up for review, but the Executive Director has the authority to act on
any case which needs immediate action.
To receive an ocial ruling on any case, the principal of a
memberschoolmustrequestarulinginwritingtotheExecutive
Director or Eligibility Coordinator. A verbal opinion or statement
oremailisnotanocialruling.
The AHSAA may take action in a case without receiving a formal
complaint.
Article XI
Appeals
AnocialrulingmadebytheExecutiveDirectormaybeappealedto
the school’s District Board. A District Board’s ruling may be appealed to
the Central Board of Control.
If the Executive Director’s decision is changed by the District Board,
it is automatically appealed to the Central Board of Control. The Central
BoardofControlhastheauthoritytomakethenaldecisiononanycase
appealed to it.
Article XII
Amending the Constitution
The Constitution and eligibility rules may be amended at any regular
meeting of the Legislative Council, a two-thirds vote being necessary.
However, no amendment or change shall be considered at any meeting
of the Association unless submitted in writing to the Executive Director
at least 30 days before the meeting at which it is to have attention.
Bylaws – Eligibility
25Bylaws – Eligibility
BYLAWS
The following rules shall apply to all interscholastic athletics of any
member school. (Approved rulings under Notes.)
Rule I - Eligibility
SECTION 1. UNDERGRADUATES RULE. Graduates of accredited high
schoolsorequalgradesarenoteligible.
Note: A student enrolled in a high school who (1) has completed less than
24unitsofhighschoolcredit,or(2)hasyettocompletearequired
high school course for which no exceptions are made, and has not
beengrantedadiplomaofgraduationoracerticateofattendance
from high school is eligible as far as this section is concerned.
SECTION 2. ENROLLMENT RULE. In order to be eligible, a student
(traditional or non-traditional) must be enrolled within the rst 20 days
of the semester as a regular student in the school that serves the area
where parents reside and where the student will participate. The 20-
dayrequirementmaybewaivedunderextenuatingcircumstances.
Note: The student becomes eligible immediately at the member school
that serves the area in which the student’s parents reside if all other
requirementsaremet.
Note: Studentsenteringtheseventhgradeforthersttimeareeligible
where they enroll.
Note: Astudentthathasalreadybeenenrolledinaschoolisnotaected
by this rule.
Note: A regular student is one who is enrolled at the school and is taking six
new units of work. A student must be withdrawn from previous
school and enrolled at a new school in order to participate in
practice, tryouts or interscholastic contests.
Note: In order to practice or tryout, student must be listed on a tryout
roster in DragonFly to be covered by catastrophic insurance.
Note: HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS must be enrolled at the member
public school that serves the area in which the student’s parents
resideandmustbewithintherst20daysofthesemesterinthe
public school they are zoned to attend.
(a) The AHSAA recognizes a homeschool student as one
who has reported as such with the local county/city board of
education (superintendent) and as one who is earning academic
credit in compliance with Alabama law through one of the approved
26 Bylaws – Eligibility
home school options (2014 Ala Code 16-28-1).
In accordance with Alabama’s Compulsory Attendance Act,
(b) The homeschool program/school must report enrollment
and attendance to local school system.
Note: In compliance with Alabama Law, a homeschool student must be
reported as such with the local county/city board of education
(superintendent). Parents must complete the homeschool form
(found on the AHSAA website) and submit to member school.
Note: CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS must be enrolled in the public
charter school that serves the area in which the student’s parents
resideandmustbewithintherst20daysofthesemesterinthe
charter school they are zoned to attend.
Note: VIRTUAL SCHOOL STUDENTS must be enrolled in a virtual
program/school at the member public school that serves
the area in which the student’s parents reside and must follow all
ALSDE policies. A virtual school student must be taking six new
units of work through the school’s virtual program.
Note: A student cannot be enrolled in two schools at the same time.
Note: A Dual-enrollment student is one who is enrolled at the school and
is taking six new units of work through a combination of college
courses and/or school courses.
SECTION 3. AGE RULE. A student is ineligible to participate in high
school interscholastic athletics if he/she reaches his/her 19th birthday
prior to August 1 of the current school year. If he/she reaches his/her 19th
birthday on or after August 1, he/she shall be eligible for the entire school
year as far as the Age Rule is concerned.
A student is ineligible to participate in junior high interscholastic ath-
letics if he/she reaches his/her 16th birthday prior to August 1 of the cur-
rent school year, and in middle school interscholastic athletics if he/she
reaches his/her 15th birthday prior to August 1 of the current school year.
A student is ineligible to participate on a team, or in a game, composed
only of seventh grade students if he/she reaches his/her 14th birthday pri-
or to August 1 of the current school year.
SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. Submitting
eligibility information online andprincipalcerticationatleast48hours/2
days before participation is mandatory for all students. The rst timea
schoolsubmitsoneofitsstudentsonline,acopyofthestudent’scertied
birthcerticateshallbeledintheprincipal’soceorinDragonFly.Also,
27Bylaws – Eligibility
aSTARSportsmanshipcerticateorNFHSSportsmanshipcerticate,a
concussion form, and consent form must be kept on
le. The AHSAA
highly recommends all students complete the Bullying, Hazing, and
Inappropriate Behaviors course available at NFHSlearn.com.
Note: AcertiedbirthcerticateisoneissuedbytheStateBureauofVital
Statistics in the state where the student was born. In Alabama,
these may be obtained at each county health department.
Note: For students born in a foreign country, a passport may be used to
verify age for eligibility purposes.
Note: Theprincipalofaschoolmayrequestanocialeligibilityrulingin
writing.Arequestmadebyemail,text,orphoneisNOTanocial
request
SECTION 5. PARTICIPATION LIMITATIONS.
(a) EIGHT SEMESTER RULE. A student may be eligible only eight
consecutive semesters after entering the ninth grade. School attendance
of 15 days or more of any semester is counted as a semester.
(b) INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION RULE. No student may participate in
any one sport for more than six years (seasons) after entering the seventh
grade or more than three years (seasons) after entering the 10th grade. A
studentwhoociallyparticipatesinonecontestofasportiscreditedwith
one year of participation in that sport.
Note: Non-traditional students may only participate on interscholastic
teams with AHSAA member schools.
SECTION 6. OUTSIDE PARTICIPATION RULE. A student who is a
member of any school athletic team (grades 7-12) may not participate
(includes practice) on a non-school team in the same sport during the
school season of that sport. A student who is a member of any member
school athletic team may not participate on a non-school team’s activity.
Note: In soccer, during the school’s soccer season, one outside activity
(showcase, Collegiate ID camp, college tryout, Olympic Develop
Program [ODP]) per month per student is permitted with coach
and principal approval. (Outside participation, including practice or
tryouts, with a club team is not an approved outside activity.)
Note: Private instruction is not considered an outside sports activity.
Note: Members of any school team may receive private instruction in a
group setting ONLY with members of their school team.
The rst time a student violates this rule, ne and restitution will be
assessed. Any student who violates this rule a second time is ineligible
tojointhatschoolteamfortheremainderofthatseasonandnesand
28 Bylaws – Eligibility
forfeitures will be assessed.
A team’s season begins the day of that team’s rst contest and
ends when that team’s season has been completed. An ineligible student
cannot participate with an outside team after the school team’s season
starts and then join the school team upon becoming eligible.
(A) INDEPENDENT RULE: A student who is a member of any school
track, cross country or wrestling team may participate as an independent
in two outside activities during the season of a sport with the permission
of the school principal. The schedule of the school team, including its
championship play, takes precedent over any outside participation of an
individual. (Members of tennis, golf, bowling and swimming teams are not
limited to the number of outside events.)
Note: An outside event is one that is not sanctioned by the AHSAA and
is detached from the school.
SECTION 7. HIGHER LEVEL PARTICIPATION. A high school student
who enrolls or registers in an institution of higher rank than high school
and plays or practices on an athletic team of such an institution shall
not be eligible to represent any high school in the state in athletics until
reinstated by the Central Board of Control.
With the approval of a student’s principal, enrollment in special classes
for an accelerated or enrichment program is not a violation of the rules.
However, a student who enrolls at another school in order to take
special courses is not eligible at the new high school until the student
has been enrolled for one full year.
Note: College tryouts are only allowed outside the high school sport
season or during the sport season with coach and principal
approval.
SECTION 8. AMATEUR RULE. Only amateurs are eligible. An amateur
is one who does not use his/her knowledge of athletics or athletic skill
for gain. Amateur standing shall be further determined by the following
standards:
(a) A student is ineligible if he/she has received money as a prize, or
has sold a prize received in a contest, or has bet on a contest in which he/
she is a participant.
(b)Professionalismisdenedasacceptingremuneration,directly
or indirectly, for playing on athletic teams and in sports activities or for
playing under an assumed name.
(c) Astudentwhoacceptsmaterialornancialinducementfromany
source is ineligible.
29Bylaws – Eligibility
(d) No student shall receive more than actual expenses involved in
travel to and from a contest or camp and necessary meals and lodging
in the meantime. A student shall not at any time receive any portion of a
livelihood for participation in athletics, other than actual expenses for any
specicgameorcamp.
1. A student cannot accept payment for loss of time or wages while
participating in athletics as part of expenses.
2. Reasonable meals, lodging and transportation may be accepted if
such are accepted in service rather than money or some material
form.
3. Studentsplayingonanon-home teamwhichrequiresboarding
away from home by the week, etc., will be looked upon as violating
the professional rule if board is not paid by his family.
4. A team which plans to divide among its members any surplus either
during or at close of season shall be considered a professional
team.
(e) No award of any kind having a monetary value of more than 250
dollars—other than medals, trophies, plaques or AHSAA championship
rings—shall be made to students. Violation of this rule on the part of school
ocialsshallsubjecttheschooltosuspensionforoneyear.Acceptance
of awards exceeding these limitations shall disqualify a student. Cash
awards or gift cards for athletic performances or participation may not be
given or received.
(f) A student who has lost his/her amateur standing may be reinstated
after the lapse of one high school season, or until reinstated by the Central
Board of Control, for the sport in which he/she has become professional
provided he/she has not persisted in breaking the amateur rule.
SECTION 9. ACADEMIC RULE.
Requirements
(a) Students entering the 10th and 11th and 12th grades must have
passed during the last two semesters in attendance and summer
school, if applicable, at least six new Carnegie units with a minimum
composite numerical average of 70 in those six units.
(1) Four core curriculum courses must be included in those
units passed and averaged. (English, mathematics,
science and social studies are core curriculum courses.
Any combination of these courses is accepted.)
(2) Any student that accumulates more than four units of core
coursesperyearmayearnlessthantherequiredfourcore
courses during the next school year and be eligible as long
as the student remains on track for graduation with his/her
class.
30 Bylaws – Eligibility
(b) Students entering the 8th and 9th grades must have passed
during the last two semesters in attendance and summer school,
ifapplicable,atleastvenewsubjectswithaminimumcomposite
numericalaverageof70inthosevesubjectsandmusthavebeen
promoted to the next grade.
Note: A new unit is one that has not been previously passed. A semester
ishalfofaschoolyearasdenedbythelocalschoolsystem.
(c)Studentsenteringthe7thgradeforthersttimeareeligible.
(d) Students in high school must complete a NFHS Sportsmanship
online interactive course one time during their member high school
careers (7-12). A certicate of completion must be kept on le in
the school’s DragonFly account along with other eligibility items.
Cheerleaders must also complete the course one time during their
member high school career.
Guidelines
1. Eligibility may be determined before the start of each new school
year or at the beginning of the second semester. A student that is
academically eligible at the beginning of the school year remains
eligible for the remainder of that school year so far as grades
are concerned. A student that regains eligibility at the beginning
of the second semester remains eligible for the remainder of the
second semester so far as grades are concerned.
2. Students declared ineligible at the beginning of a school year may
regaintheireligibilityattheendoftherstsemester(ortrimester)as
soon as 1st semester grades are posted to transcripts, uploaded
in DragonFly and principal certied by meeting the academic
requirementslistedaboveduringtheirlasttwosemesters(three
trimesters or 2 trimesters and one semester) in attendance and
summer school, if applicable. The regained eligibility of any student
maybedeterminedanytimeaftertheendoftherstsemester
(ortrimester),butallcourserequirementsusedtodeterminethe
eligibilitymustbecompletedno laterthanthe fthdayofthe
second semester (or second trimester).
Astudentthatregainseligibilityattheendofthersttrimestermay
not participate in interscholastic athletics until mid point by days
of the school year have been completed.
3. Only one unit (or subject) of physical education per year may be
counted.
4. Any number of units (or subjects) earned in an approved summer
school may be counted in accordance with local board policy.
If a unit (or subject) is repeated in summer school, the higher
numerical grade for that unit (or subject) may be used to compute
31Bylaws — Rule I — Eligibility
the composite grade average.
5. All summer school credit recovery, correspondence courses and
dual enrollment must be approved by the local system and must
be completed and posted to the student’s transcript prior to the
rstfallcontestdate.
6. Units earned through Credit Recovery may also be among the
summer units counted and must be completed before the rst
fall contest date. If Credit Recovery is used to make up Carnegie
units, those units can only be accepted if they are earned through
a State Department of Education-approved program.
7. For eligibility purposes, special recitation, extra work, make-up
work, tests, review, etc., may not be given for the purpose of
making a student eligible.
8. To be eligible, all students (including repeaters and hold-backs)
must be enrolled in a specied number of new units at the school they
represent.
(a) 9th, 10th and 11th graders must be carrying at least six
new units (three per semester on a 4x4 block schedule).
(b)
12th
graders that are on track for graduation with
morethantherequirednumberofunitsearnedmustbe
carrying at least four new units for the school year (two
units per semester on a 4x4 block schedule).
(c) 7th and 8th graders must be carrying at least ve
new subjects.
9. The eligibility of a student that has aended another school during the
preceding year must be established by a transcript from that school
before the student is permied to parcipate at the new school.
Home School Students:
ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY
Non-traditional students will adhere to all AHSAA rules applicable to
academicaccountability(RuleI,Section9:AcademicRule,Requirements).
HomeSchoolStudentswillberequiredtosubmitfourcorecourse
grades from their home school program to the school at the end of the
school year for academic eligibility beginning with grade 7 through the
endoftherstsemesteringrade12.
Note: All electives must be taken through the school.
•Only core courses may be accepted from the home school
program.
Note: Home school students may opt to take core courses through
the school’s virtual program or college course credit if accepted
by the local school.
Bylaws — Rule I — Eligibility
32 Bylaws — Eligibility
Bylaws — Eligibility
Home School Students (9-12) must:
Enroll and attend two electives through the school.
• The AHSAA recommends taking physical education class or
athletic PE on campus for safety reasons. Only one unit (subject) in
physical education may be counted toward eligibility.
• If the school requires an athlete to take a PE to participate in
athletics,thehomeschoolstudentwillberequiredaswell.
•IftheschooldoesnotrequireathleticPEtoparticipateinathletics,
home school students may take PE through the school’s virtual program.
Take one elective class on campus and one through the school’s virtual
program or both elective classes through the school’s virtual program.
Home School Students (7-8) must:
Enroll in one elective through the school.
•TheAHSAAhighlyrecommendstakingphysicaleducationclassor
athletic PE on campus for safety reason.
•IftheschoolrequiresanathletetotakeaPEtoparticipateinathletics,
thehomeschoolstudentwillberequiredaswell.
•IftheschooldoesnotrequireathleticPEtoparticipateinathletics,
the home school students may take another elective on campus or through
the school’s virtual program.
Virtual School Student
ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY
The AHSAA recommends taking a physical education class or athletic
PE
on campus for safety reasons.
If the school requires an athlete or other students to take a PE to
participate in athletics, the virtual school student will be required as well.
SECTION 10. OUT-OF-STATE TRANSFER. A student that transfers
from an out-of-state school must have been eligible academically at that
school in order to be declared eligible at an AHSAA member school for
the remainder of the school year.
SECTION 11. ATTENDANCE INTERRUPTION. A student who has
withdrawn from a school without completing six units of work with a
minimum composite grade average of 70 before dropping out shall not
be eligible for interscholastic athletics until he/she has received credits
for attendance and six units of work with a minimum composite grade
average of 70 during a succeeding year.
Adoctor’scerticate,whichstatesthesicknessofastudentwasofsuch
nature and length that it was impossible for the student to receive credit for
therequiredwork,mustbepresentedtotheExecutiveDirectorforanocial
33Bylaws — Rule I — Eligibility
Bylaws — Rule I — Eligibility
ruling, which may be appealed by the school to the District Board.
Note: A student may be eligible only eight consecutive semesters after
entering the ninth grade.
SECTION 12. TRANSFER RULE. A student that enrolls in one school
and later transfers to, or enrolls in, another school shall not be eligible
immediately to represent the latter school in any varsity athletic contest.
Note: For eligibility purposes a student is normally considered enrolled
when the student has attended school and class on the third day.
Note: A student that transfers to or enrolls in another school may practice
and compete at the sub-varsity level (MS, Jr. High, JV) if all other
requirementsaremet.
Note: A student is not eligible to compete at varsity level until all transfer
rulesandotherrequirementsaremet.
Note: A student is allowed only one (1) transfer per school year under
these circumstances. This transfer option is available one time per
year at the beginning of any semester. Any additional transfer must
meet all applicable transfer rules. To compete at the varsity level,
alleligibilityrequirements,includingtransferrules,mustbemet.
A student that transfers from any non-member school to a member
school he/she is zoned to attend shall be eligible at the beginning of the
nextsemester(rstorsecond)iftheymeetallotherrequirements.
A member school is one that has been accepted by the Central Board
asamemberoftheAHSAA.Anewmemberschool’socialdateofen-
tryintotheAHSAAisJune1precedingitsrstschoolyearasamember
school.Eectivethatday,newmembersmustcomplywiththeConstitu-
tion, Bylaws and rulings of the AHSAA.
Note: If a Board of Education policy allows a student completing the
eighth grade in a gifted program to transfer within its system
to an International Baccalaureate program (IB), that student
wouldhaveimmediateeligibilityifallotherrequirementsaremet.
A student placed out-of-zone within a school system based on a
Special Education Individual Education Plan (IEP) would also have
immediateeligibilityifallotherrequirementsaremet.
HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS
Transfers
A home school student who decides to enroll in a traditional school
fulltimeiseligibletoparticipateifallothereligibilityrequirementsaremet.
34 Bylaws — Eligibility
Note: A traditional student who decides to be homeschooled because
he/she did not meet AHSAA academic requirements is deemed
ineligible to participate in athletics for a period of one year. (If in
good standing academically at the time of withdrawal, the student
remains eligible.)
Exception 1. Completion of Highest Grade Taught. Any student, upon
completion of the highest grade taught in any public or private school that
oerslessthanthenumberofyearsrequiredforhighschoolgraduation,
becomes eligible immediately at the member school that serves the area
inwhichthestudent’sparentsresideifallotherrequirementsaremet.
Note: A student transferring under Exception 1 circumstances will become
eligible immediately only at the member school within the same
school system that serves the area in which the student’s parents
resideifallotherrequirementsaremet.
Example: A student who lives in the Human High School
attendance zone tests into Ramsay High School as a ninth
grader is eligible. However, if the same student later decides to
transferbacktoHumanHighSchool,thestudentisineligibleto
participateforoneyearfromthedateofenrollment.HumanHigh
School and Ramsay High School (Magnet schools) are both part
of the Birmingham City School District (BCSD). The RHS school
attendance zone covers the entire area served by BCSD, and both
schoolsoerinterscholasticathletics.
If a student, before completion of the highest grade taught in a member
school, transfers to another member school that serves the same area
where the student’s parents reside, that student is ineligible for one year
at the new school according to regulations for overlapping school zones.
(See Overlapping School Zones, page 35.)
Exception 2. Non-Resident Attendance Requirement. Any student,
after completing one year’s attendance (one year from date of enrollment)
inaschoolandfulllingallotherrequirements,becomeseligibleinthat
school and the high school that it feeds in the same system. (This does
not apply to foreign exchange students who participate in varsity athletics
duringtheirrstyearofattendance.)
Exception 2a. Dependent children of a full-time classroom teacher or
administrator (principal, superintendent, athletic director, counselor) who
accepts a position in another school attendance zone or school may
transfer to the new school and be immediately eligible to participate at the
newschoolifallotherrequirementsaremet.
Bylaws — Eligibility
35Bylaws — Rule I — Eligibility
Note: Within the rst calendar year of employee’s hire, if the student
attends the old school after the parents’ move occurred, the
student will not become immediately eligible at the parent’s school
unless the transfer is made at the beginning of a new semester. If
the transfer is made after the school year begins, the student will
not become eligible until the beginning of the next semester as
longasthetransferismadewithintherstyearofemployment.
Exception 3. Bona Fide Move. A student whose parents make a bona
demovecompletelyoutofoneschoolzoneintoanothermaytransferall
his/ her rights and privileges to the member school that serves the area
where his/her parents reside.
Ifthechangeofschoolprecedesthebonademoveonthepartofthe
parents,thestudentisineligibleuntiltheparentsmakeabonademove.
Determining a Bona Fide Move – Sometimes it is very dicult to
determinewhatconstitutesabonademove.Familyandhomeconditions
dierandmustbeconsidered.Thefollowingfactorsarebasicguidelines
fordeterminingabonademove:
a. The household furniture of the family must be vacated into an
unoccupied house or apartment.
b. All principal members of the family must reside in the new place
of residence.
c. The original residence should be closed, rented or disposed of,
unlivable and not used by the family.
d.Ninemonthsatthenewresidencewillberequiredtomakeamove
bonade.
Note: The Change of Residence Form may be found at http://www.ahsaa.
com/Resources-Publications-Forms/AHSAA/Information/Forms-
Publications-Order-Form
If a family moves into a new school zone and remains there for less than
ninemonths,themovewillnotbeconsideredbonadeandthefamily’s
child who is enrolled in the new school zone becomes ineligible there the
day the family leaves the new school zone. (Member school is responsible
for checking.)
The student remains ineligible for a full calendar year from the date
the family moved out of the new zone. However, if the student did not
participate in athletics, the period of ineligibility will be 12 months from the
date of the student’s initial enrollment.
Under unusual circumstances the Executive Director may decide a
move to be valid even if all the above conditions have not been met. Each
questionablecasewillbedecidedonitsindividualmerits.
Note: Studentsenteringtheseventhgradeforthersttimeareeligible
where they enroll.
Bylaws — Rule I — Eligibility
36 Bylaws — Eligibility
Just as in all other cases, the decision of the Executive Director may
be appealed to the District Board and a District Board’s decision may be
appealedtotheCentralBoardofControl.Inthenalanalysis,whethera
moveisbonadeornotwillbedeterminedbytheCentralBoard.
Change In Residence: In order for a student to establish residence
with a new family, that student must reside in the home for one year.
A foreign exchange student attending a member school located in the
school zone where the host family resides is eligible to receive a waiver
of the Transfer Rule for a period of one year provided this is the student’s
rstyearasaforeignexchangestudent.Thestudentmustbeassigned
by a program on the current Advisory List of International Educational
Travel and Exchange Programs published by the Council on Standards for
International Educational Travel (CSIET).
This waiver is granted under the stipulation that the foreign exchange
studentmeetsallothereligibilityrequirementsoftheAHSAAandhasnot
receivedahighschooldiplomaoritsequivalent.
Note: A Foreign Exchange Student Registration Form No. 4 (found on
theAHSAAwebsite)mustbecompletedandledwiththeAHSAA
before eligibility can be determined on any foreign exchange
student. After approval, the student must be submitted to the
AHSAA via online reporting.
When a student is forced into a new home due to an emergency caused
by a disaster, the District Board or the Executive Director may reduce the
requiredtimeforestablishingtheresidencewiththenewfamily.
Divorce: The eligibility of a student whose parents are divorced or
never married is determined by the following:
(a) If there has been a divorce or a legal separation in a family and sole
or physical custody has been awarded by the court granting the custody to
one of the parents, the athletic eligibility of the student will be established
at the school that serves the area where that parent resides.
Note: If joint custody has been awarded and a transfer is involved, the
student must attend the new school for one year before becoming
eligible.
(b) If it becomes necessary at a later date for the student to reside with
theotherparent,themovewillbeacceptedasa bonade moveif the
court that granted the divorce changes the custody to this parent. This
type of move will be accepted for immediate athletic eligibility purposes
onlyonetime.Therefore,ifastudentsubsequentlydecidestoreturnand
residewiththerstparentinadierentschoolzone,thestudentwillbe
ineligible for a period of one year.
Bylaws — Eligibility
37Bylaws — Rule I — Eligibility
(c) For parents who were never married, the one-time custody
exemption may be granted as long as both parents are listed on a state
issuedbirthcerticateandallothereligibilityrequirementsaremet.
Note: Only nal orders of the court, signed by the applicable judge,
shall be considered by the AHSAA. Petitions, temporary orders,
pendentelite,etc.,donotconstituteanalcourtorder.
Custody and Legal Guardianship: Custody or legal guardianship
assigned to anyone (including relatives) will not establish immediate
athletic eligibility.
Note: (1) If a student transfers to another school zone to live with an
appointed guardian without a bona de move into thatschool
zone by the parents, that student would be ineligible under the
Transfer Rule.
(2) If a student has been declared a “dependent of the state” and
placed by the Department of Human Resources (DHR), that student would
meettheTransferRulerequirementintheschoolzonewherethestudent
has been placed.
Exception 4. Home Rule. If a student attends a member school that
does not serve the area where the student’s parents reside, the student
may return to his/her home school and be eligible following the last day
oftheschoolyearorrstdayofschoolifallotherrequirementsaremet.
If the change of schools is made after the school year has started, the
student will not be eligible until the beginning of the next school year. (This
does not change the existing rule concerning transfers within overlapping
school zones in which both schools serve the area where the student’s
parents reside.)
If a student attends a non-member school, that student may return to
his/herhomeschoolandbeeligibleatthebeginningoftherstorsecond
semesterifallotherrequirementsaremet.
A student who attends a magnet school that does not oer
interscholastic athletics may participate in athletics at the student’s home
schoolwithinthesameschoolsystemifalleligibilityrequirementsaremet.
The home school is based on the parents’ residence. If magnet school has
athletics, the overlapping school rules apply.
Even though parents may move to an address that does not serve
the school where a student is attending, the student may remain eligible
at that school. However, if the student attends longer than the end of
the school year in which the parents’ move occurred, the student will
not become eligible immediately at the school serving the parents’ new
address unless the transfer is made in the summer or at the beginning of
the new school year. If the transfer is made after the school year begins,
Bylaws — Rule I — Eligibility
38 Bylaws — Eligibility
the student will not become eligible until the beginning of the next school
year if the transfer is from a member school.
Note: Determination Of Undened School Zones. School bus routes
within county and city school systems establish the school zones
used to determine athletic eligibility. When bus routes cross county
or city boundary lines, these routes will establish the school zones
used in determining eligibility if there is an agreement between the
school systems involved.
Private and/or parochial school zone lines for eligibility purposes
are limited to the municipality in which the school is located. If the
school is not located within a municipality, the school zone lines
are the county system where it is located.
For eligibility purposes, a start-up public charter school will adopt
the attendance zone of the municipality in which the school
is located. If the school is not located within a municipality, the
school zone lines are the same as the county school system where
it is located. A conversion public charter school will assume the
same attendance zone of its former traditional public school unless
the local education agency (LEA) changes the attendance zone
for the charter school. If the former attendance zone changes, for
eligibility purposes, the school lines are limited to the municipality
in which the school is located. If the school is not located within a
municipality, the charter school zone lines are the county system in
which it is located.
Overlapping School Zones. A student whose parents reside in an area
served by more than one school lives in the school zone of each school,
thus in overlapping school zones. A student who changes schools within
these overlapping school zones is ineligible in varsity competition for one
year at the new school.
Note: A student who changes schools within an overlapping school zone
is ineligible for varsity competition for one year from the date of
enrollment at the new school. However, after serving one year of
ineligibility at the varsity level, if the student transfers to any other
school that serves the attendance zone where the family resides
within the overlap, the student would be eligible to participate at
the varsity level if the transfer is the next consecutive year and if all
othereligibilityrequirementsaremet.
Note: This rule applies to IB students as well as Magnet school students.
Examples of the Transfer Rule are as follows:
Bylaws — Eligibility
39Bylaws — Rule I — Eligibility
If a student transfers from Montgomery Academy (a private school
in Montgomery) to Sidney Lanier High School (Montgomery), the student
must attend the new school one year before establishing eligibility.
If a student transfers from Murphy High School to Davidson High
School (both in Mobile), the student will be eligible two days after being
submittedtothe StateOcevia online reporting if theparents actually
move from the Murphy zone to the Davidson zone. If the parents do not
move, the student must attend Davidson one year before establishing
eligibility.
If a student transfers from Gadsden High School to the Alabama
School of Math and Science and a year later returns to Gadsden High
without a change of residence by the student’s parents, the student will
become eligible at the beginning of the school year two days after being
submitted to the school’s online eligibility roster.
If a student who is eligible at Francis Marion High School withdraws
after attending four weeks and moves with his/her parents to Selma, the
student will become eligible at Selma High School two days after being
enteredontheschool’sonlineeligibilitylistandprincipalcertied.
SECTION 13. FALSE IDENTITY. Any student giving a ctitious age or
entering a contest under an assumed name shall be ruled permanently
ineligible to participate in high school athletics.
SECTION 14. PHYSICAL EXAMS. In order for a student to be eligible for
interscholasticathletics,theremustbeonleintheprincipal’sofce(or
on DragonFly) a current physician’s statement (hard copy or digital copy)
certifying that the student has passed a physical exam, and that in the
opinion of the examining physician (M.D. or D.O.) the student is fully able
to participate in interscholastic athletics (grades 7-12). The AHSAA current
approved Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form (Form 5) must be
used.
Note: A signed physical (student, parent signature and M.D. or D.O.)
is required to participate in tryouts and/or practice. The M.D.or
D.O. must sign/stamp all physicals even if CRNP completed the
physical.
Note: A physical exam signed and dated by a M.D. or D.O. will satisfy
therequirementforone calendaryearas longasthe physicalis
completed within the same calendar month each year from the
date of the exam. Example: Physicals given any day in the month
of May 2021 will satisfy the requirement through the last day of
May 2022.
Bylaws — Rule I — Eligibility
40 Bylaws — Eligibility
SECTION 15. ILLEGAL PRACTICE. Any student participating in an illegal
practice in any sport may become ineligible for the next season in that sport.
Note: Practice time and start dates for a non-traditional student must
be equivalent to and not exceed or vary from that of a traditional
student during a traditional school day.
SECTION 16. SUSPENSIONS. Any student who is under temporary
suspensionorwhosecharacterorconductissuchastoreectdiscredit
upon the school is not eligible. A student’s attendance, attitude and
classroom efforts must be acceptable to the school in which the student
is enrolled. A transfer student must be in good standing with the student’s
previous schools. A period of discipline in effect from any previous school
must be served prior to the student regaining athletic eligibility.
Note: The period of discipline includes any schools attended within the
last calendar year.
SECTION 17. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT. A student or coach who
has been found guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct in an interscholastic
contest, or who has been penalized for a serious offense or rule violation
by expulsion from a contest because of unsportsmanlike conduct, may be
suspended by the Executive Director from participating for the remainder
of the season in that sport.
A student or coach found guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct may be
disqualiedfortheremainderoftheseason.
Note: It is the expectation of the AHSAA that all athletes and coaches
display excellent character and sportsmanship during awards
presentations. Failure to respond accordingly will result in a
monetaryneandpossibleprobationand/orsuspension.
Note: Destruction of any host facility or part of a host facility
during an AHSAA contest or event shall be considered agrant
unsportsmanlike conduct.
SECTION 18. CONDUCT RULE/EJECTION PENALTIES. Penalties for
coaches and players ejected from one or more contests are as follows:
First Ejection: A $300 ne (An athlete’s ne can be reduced to
$100 if the athlete being ejected takes the online
NFHS Captain’s
Course and payment is made within
10 days of the date of the ejection.)
(NFHS Captain’s Course can only be taken one time per sport in a
student’s athletic career.) If the ejection is due to NFHS contest rules
and does not result in unsportsmanlike conduct, only the ejection will
beassessed.Theejectionisnotaneableoenceiftheejectionwas
Bylaws — Eligibility
41Bylaws — Rule I — Eligibility
basedonNFHSplayingrulesrelatedtocontactthatwasnotagrant.
Anejectionforunsportsmanlikebehaviorwillresultinane.
Second Ejection: Aone-gamesuspensionanda$500ne
Third Ejection: Minimum penalty of a suspension for the remainder of
theseasonplusa$750ne
Note: If any of the ejections or suspensions occur during the last contest
oftheseason,amonetarynewillbeplacedontheschool.
Note: Allnesareduewithin30days.Finesnotpaidwithinrequiredtime
are subject to late fees.
Leaving The Bench Ejection: Ifplayerscomeothebenchontothe
courtoreldandareejectedunderNationalFederationrules,theywillalso
be suspended for 20 percent of the team’s total number of regular season
contests. IfaplayerisejectedbythecontestocialsorbytheAHSAAfor
unsportsmanlike conduct that causes other players to leave the bench or
team box, the player(s) who initiated or took part in the altercation will be
charged with the same penalty as those who left the bench under National
Federation rules and will also be suspended for 20 percent of the team’s
total number of regular season contests. Only the individuals from the
schoolwhoseplayerscameothebenchareaectedbythisrule.
Note: In sports where tournament games count toward the maximum
number of games allowed [basketball, baseball, football, etc.], each
game played counts toward the 20%. In sports where the maximum
number of games allowed does not include tournaments, [softball,
volleyball, soccer, wrestling, etc.], a tournament would count as
one contest except in championship play where the suspension
wouldbeineectcontestbycontest.)
Note: If unpaid nes/fees are not received by the close of the school
year, the school’s access to the eligibility software program will be
suspended until payment is received.
Online Sportsmanship Requirement: Students in high school (7-12)
must complete a NFHS Sportsmanship online interactive course one time
duringtheirhighschoolcareers.Acerticateofcompletionmustbekept
onleintheschool’sonlineeligibilitysoftwarealongwith othereligibility
items. Cheerleaders must also complete the course one time during their
high school years.
SECTION 19. ELIGIBILITY RULE APPLICATION. The eligibility rules of
the Association shall apply to all students of member schools participating
in interscholastic athletic contests with schools inside or outside of
Alabama.
Note: The Alabama Accountability Act of 2013 (Act 2013-265) shall not
aect or change the athletic eligibility rules of student-athletes
Bylaws — Rule I — Eligibility
42 Bylaws — Reports
governed by the Alabama High School Athletic Association (Section
3, page 26). Approved transfers for athletic eligibility should
be completed in accordance with the Alabama Accountability Act
guidelines
SECTION 20. ELIGIBLE STUDENT PARTICIPATION. Any student who
is eligible for participation under the rules of the AHSAA shall be eligible
to represent the school in any interscholastic contest. (This applies to
athletics only and does not supersede local rules that are stricter.)
SECTION 21. UNDEFINED VIOLATIONS. The Executive Director and the
Central Board of Control shall determine the penalty for a violation if the
penalty is not prescribed in a particular section of Rule I.
SECTION 22. STUDENT RESTITUTION. If a student participates while
ineligible, the usual penalty for the student will be a period of ineligibility
equaltothetimethatthestudentparticipatedwhileineligible.Thisperiod
may be determined to suit the nature of the case.
Note: A student’s period of ineligibility must extend over consecutive
semesters until eligibility is regained.
RULE II - Reports
SECTION 1. RULES COMPLIANCE. A superintendent or principal
shall,whenrequested,furnishtotheBoardssuchinformationastheymay
desire bearing upon the eligibility of contestants from his/her school,
or the school’s compliance with the AHSAA constitution, bylaws, and
rules. A failure to comply within a reasonable time shall forfeit a school’s
membership in the Association.
SECTION 2. SUBMITTING STUDENT DATA. At least two days before
a student can participate in a contest of any athletic year, that student’s
name must have been posted online to DragonFly and certied by the
school principal. ONLINE DATA REQUIREMENTS: A member school shall
timely submit academic eligibility information on each student using the
prescribed reporting procedure found on the AHSAA online eligibility
website,DragonFly.com.Astudentmustmeetalltheeligibilityrequirements
under the rules of the AHSAA in order to be an eligible athlete regardless of
the status displayed by the online software eligibility calculator.
If the name of a student does not appear online on a school’s list of
eligiblestudents,thatstudent’sdatamustbeenteredandprincipalcertied
at least two days before the student can participate in a contest. During
the school year the data of additional students may be submitted online,
Bylaws — Reports
43Bylaws — Rule II — Reports
butitmustbeenteredandprincipalcertiedatleasttwodaysbeforethe
students can participate in a contest.
Students participating in cheerleading or other non-sanctioned AHSAA
sports, including those who do not participate on other interscholastic
athletic teams, must be entered on the school’s online eligibility list and
must be listed on a cheerleading team roster.
Online submission of students for the following school year will not be
processed until after June 1 and should not be submitted before that date.
The penalty for the failure of a school to submit eligibility data online
shall be suspension from the AHSAA and/or the assessment of a monetary
ne.
Rosters may be checked at championship events. Failure to have a
completeeligibilityrostermayresultinamonetaryne.
Note: To be covered by catastrophic insurance, students must be
listed on roster.
SECTION 3. REQUIRED FORMS AND REPORTS. A member school
shall also timely submit accurate information on ve other student
eligibil- ity requirements-birth certicate, Physical Evaluation Form,
AHSAA Concussion History form, Student Release Form, and NFHS
Sportsmanship. Failure to timely submit this information will result in a
monetary ne. Subsequent violations regarding the same student will
resultinaforfeitureofacontest(s)andadditionalnes.
All other necessary forms will be found in the Vault within DragonFly
as PDF les that can be completed and thensubmittedto the AHSAA
online directly.
Note: Catastrophic insurance payments must be submitted by Sept. 1,
2022.
The list of forms below (with applicable deadlines) is available online.
Administrative Forms
No.
Student in Good Standing Form
4 Foreign Exchange Student Registration Form
5 Pre-Participation Physical (signed by M.D. or D.O.)
7 Contract for Athletic Contests Between Schools
9 Application for Sanction of Interstate Athletic Event (Due in AHSAA
Oce30daysbeforeevent)
17 Basketball Tournament Financial Report
20 Order Form (Rule books, all sports)
Change of Residence Form
Bylaws — Rule II — Reports
44 Bylaws — Contests
MISCELLANEOUS FORMS
Nomination Forms
30
Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame
31 Bryant-Jordan Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award
32 Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Achievement Award
33 North-South All-Star Contests (Volleyball, Baseball, Softball and
Soccer)
34 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Game
34A North-South All-Star Football Game
35 All-Star Basketball Games
Championship Program Forms
42 Volleyball Area Tournament Bracket Form
43A Basketball Area Tournament Bracket Form (Girls & Boys)
48 Golf Section Tournament Entry Form
48A Golf Section Director’s Report
48B Golf Section Director’s Evaluation Form
49 Tennis Section/State Tournament Entry Form
49A Tennis Section Director’s Report
54 Decath
lon & Heptathlon State Meet Entry Form
RULE III - Contests
SECTION 1. CONTEST RESTRICTIONS. An AHSAA member school may
not play a contest (includes scrimmages) against a non-member school
or against a school under suspension. Violations of these rules shall be
sufcientgroundsforsuspension.
Note: Any out-of-state opponent must be a member of its state high
school athletic association and the National Federation of State
High School Associations (NFHS).
Note: Area and regional championship games take precedent over regular
season games.
A high school may not engage in contests with junior high
and middle schools.
Bylaws — Contests
45Bylaws – Rule III – Contests
Note: Practice or contests between schools are not permitted at any time
duringtheschoolyear,whichbeginswiththerstfallpracticedate.
SECTION 2. SUNDAY PLAY. No interscholastic contest may be scheduled
on Sunday without prior approval of the Central Board of Control. This
includes summer play.
SECTION 3. SANCTIONING REQUIREMENTS. Only tournaments that
determine a champion must be sanctioned. A sanctioned tournament is
denedasanorganizedeventinasportwhen3ormoreteamsparticipate,
and an overall champion is determined through multiple contests. A round
robin with three or more teams must be counted as a tournament but
if a champion is not determined, the round robin is not sanctioned. All
other applicable AHSAA rules apply. Schools are responsible for verifying
tournament play is in accordance with AHSAA bylaws (including, but not
limited to, No Sunday play, competition against non-member schools is
prohibited, etc.).Tri-matchesorquad-matchesdonotcountastournament
play.
Sanctionrequestprocedures:(SeeAHSAAwebsiteforprocedures.)
(1) Event with only Alabama Schools—Request online
(AHSAA member section)
(2) Event with schools from bordering states: Complete Form 9,
foundinDragonFlyandsubmittotheAHSAAoceatleast30
days prior to the date of the event.
(3) Event with schools from non-bordering states that needs
NFHS approval: Requestonlineatwww.nfhs.org underSports,
then Sanctioning.
A team or individual cannot participate in any tournament or
contest that is not sanctioned by the AHSAA.
SECTION 4. AHSAA MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS. All rules and reg-
ulations of the Association apply to all middle, junior high and high school
contests which include, but are not limited to, junior varsity, B-team and
varsity teams as well as to all jamborees and spring games.
Also,allrules and regulations outlined forthedierent sports inthe
AHSAA Sports Books apply.
Eligibility rules or playing rules may not be set aside for any athletic
contest at any level.
SECTION 5. SUBMITTING ELIGIBILITY ROSTERS. At least two days
before an athletic contest, the principal of each school involved must have
veriedandsubmittedaneligibilityrosteronlineinDragonFly.Failureto
postrostersonlinemayresultinamonetaryne.
SubmittingtheGameEligibilityListcertiesthat eachstudent listed
haspassedtherequirednumberofunitsofworktheprecedingyearwith
Bylaws – Rule III – Contests
46 Bylaws — Contests
a minimum composite grade average of 70, is now carrying the minimum
requiredunitsofworkandhasexhibitedacceptableattendance,attitude,
andclassroomeorts.Nospecialrecitation,make-upworkortestsmay
be given for the purpose of making a student eligible.
SECTION 6. GIRLS AND BOYS PARTICIPATION. In sports where cham-
pionship play is sponsored for both girls and boys, it is recommended
thatschoolseldaboysteamandagirlsteaminthosesports.Ifagirls
team is provided in a sport, girls may not participate on the boys team in
that sport. Boys are not permitted to participate on a girls’ team under any
circumstances.
Note: Participation is dened as playing in a contest.
Note: A student participates as the gender identied on the certied
birth certicate.
SECTION 7. DRESSING OUT RULE. Only eligible students may be
dressed in school game uniforms for a contest.
Note: Dressingoutwhileineligiblewillresultinane.Participationwhile
ineligible will be a forfeiture.
SECTION 8. INELIGIBLE STUDENT PARTICIPATION. If an ineligible
student participates in a contest, or if a student enters a contest under an
assumedname,thatstudent’sschoolwillberequiredtoforfeitthatcontest
if it was won by the school. If a student participates under an assumed
name, the school’s membership in the AHSAA will also be jeopardized.
If an ineligible student participates in a contest composed of individual
events (track meet, tennis match, etc.), that school will be required to
forfeit the entire contest, including all points and awards (medals, trophies,
etc.) earned by other members of the team.
Schools that allow participation of an ineligible student-athlete must
return all playo shares/revenue to the AHSAA for the Revenue Share
Program.
SECTION 9. CONTEST COMPLAINTS. When a complaint is made
against any member of a team or for other reasons immediately before
or during the progress of a contest, the contest shall be completed as
scheduled according to NFHS Rules and the complaint led with the
Executive Director for settlement later.
SECTION 10. FAILURE TO COMPLETE CONTESTS. A school that
takesitsteamofftheeldorcourtduringaregularseasonortournament
contest may not expect to collect its expenses or guarantees. Such an act
willbeconsideredagrant,unsportsmanlikeconduct.
Bylaws — Contests
47Bylaws — Contests
KEYS & EXPLANATION *=Includes only regular season contests per school. **Throwing conditioning (gloves & balls only)
+=Not counted as playing dates. ++=Must be held with no loss of school time; N/A=Not applicable ^ Third soccer tour-
nament allowed (no loss of school time) with each match counting as a regular season match. NOTE: In all sports, a team’s
season ends when the team is eliminated in the state championship program. A team’s season begins the day of its first
contest in that sport. > Games played during the schools spring break do not count in the total games allowed. (See Baseball
section in 2019-20 Sports Book)
2022–23 Sports Calendar
Sports First
Practice
First
Contest
End of Regular
Season
Contests
Allowed*
Tournaments
Allowed
FALL
Volleyball
Varsity/JV
Jr. High/Middle
Aug. 1*
Aug. 1
Aug. 18
Aug. 18
Oct. 28
Oct. 9
15 dates
12 dates
Weekends only ++
Weekends only++
Football
Varsity/JV
Jr. High/Middle
Aug. 1*
Aug. 2
Aug. 18/22
Aug. 25
Oct. 28
Oct. 28
10
8
N/A
N/A
Cross Country
Varsity/JV
Jr. High/Middle
Aug. 1*
Aug. 1
Aug. 18
Aug. 18
Nov. 6
Oct. 16
10
8
N/A
N/A
Swimming Aug. 1* Aug. 18 Dec. 4 8 N/A
*July 27
th
if no spring evaluations WINTER
Basketball
Boys/Girls Varsity/JV
Jr. High/ Middle
Oct. 17
Sept. 19
Nov. 3
Oct. 6
Feb. 4
Jan. 28
30
24
(counted in total
games allowed)+=
Bowling
Boys/Girls Varsity/JV
Jr. High/ Middle
Oct. 3
Oct. 3
Oct. 20
Oct. 20
Jan. 28
Jan. 7
18 dates
12 dates
5
2
Wrestling
Varsity/JV
Jr. High/ Middle
Oct. 24
Oct. 17
Nov. 10
Nov. 3
Feb. 9
Feb. 5
14 dates
8 dates
Weekends/Holi-
days++
Weekends/Holidays
++
Indoor Track
Varsity/JV
Jr. High/Middle
Nov. 7
Nov. 7
Nov. 24
Nov. 24
Feb. 2
Jan. 22
5
3
N/A
SPRING
Spring sports have the option to begin practices on 3rd Monday of January.
Tennis
Girls Varsity/JV
Boys Varsity/JV
Jr. High/Middle
Jan. 9
Jan. 9
Jan. 9
Jan. 26
Jan. 26
Jan. 26
April 16
April 16
April 8
18 dates
18 dates
10 dates
3
3
2
Soccer
Varsity/JV
Jr. High/Middle
Jan. 16
Jan. 16
Feb. 2
Feb. 2
May 1
April 22
18 (4A-5A, 6A)
20
(1A-3A,7A)
14
2^
2^
Softball (throwing 1/9**)
Varsity/JV
Jr. High/Middle
Jan. 16/31
Jan. 16/31
Feb. 16
Feb. 16
May 5
April 26
18 games
14 games
7++
5++
Baseball (throwing 1/9**)
1A-6A Varsity/JV
1A-6A Jr. High/ Middle
7A Varsity/JV
7A Jr. High/ Middle
Jan. 16/31
Jan. 16/31
Feb. 16
Feb. 16
April 19
April 19
28 games >
24 games>
32 games>
26 games>
(counted in total
games allowed)
Golf
Girls Varsity/JV
Boys Varsity/JV
Jr. High/Middle
Jan. 16/23
Jan. 16/23
Jan. 16/23
Feb. 16
Feb. 16
Feb. 16
May 10
May 10
April 16
14 dates
14 dates
8 dates
Only weekend
tourneys included in
playing dates.
Outdoor Track
Varsity/JV
Jr. High/Middle
Feb. 6
Feb. 6
Feb. 23
Feb. 23
April 27
April 22
10
8
n/a
n/a
2022-23 Sports Calendar
48 Bylaws — Contests
After a contest begins, each school waives all rights as far as objections
totheocialsareconcerned.
Note: A contest ending as a result of an unsportsmanlike incident
involving one or both participating teams is subject to the Failure
To Complete Contests rule above.
SECTION 11. POST-SEASON CONTESTS. Post-season contests are
prohibited unless sponsored by the AHSAA. A team’s season ends in all
sports when the team is eliminated in the state championship program.
Practice or contests between schools are not permitted at any time
duringtheschoolyear,whichbeginswiththerstfallpracticedate.
Note: Regularseasoncontestsarenotpermittedafterthestateplayos
begin, which include Area, Section, Regionals, etc.
Exceptions. (a) When a school is invited to an ocials’ workshop
sponsoredbyanocials’associationthatservesthatschool,theschool
may participate against member schools under the workshop guidelines
set forth by the AHSAA. Workshop guidelines must be submitted by the
ocials association for approval by the AHSAA. An association shall
conduct only one workshop per year.
Note: An AHSAA member school may participate at any time during the
yearinonelocalocialsworkshoporoneAHSAADistrictOcials
Camp and one AHSAA State Ocials Camp. AHSAA District or
State Ocials Camps may occur during the summer months or
during the school year after the rst practice date for a certain
sport and before the regular season in that sport begins.
(b) Jamborees and spring games are permitted only for football
according to the established guidelines in Rule III, Section 17 of this
Handbook. Jamborees or spring games must be part of the team’s
schedule and submitted in DragonFly.
SECTION 12. NFHS RULES COMPLIANCE. OfcialrulesoftheNational
Federation of State High School Associations have been adopted for all
interscholastic contests of the AHSAA.
The interpretation and application of the rules and procedures for all
AHSAA championship programs are vested in the Executive Director and
the Central Board of Control of the AHSAA and cannot be appealed.
Note: Protests are not allowed under National Federation and AHSAA
rules.
SECTION 13. CONTEST/TOURNAMENT LIMITATIONS. Limitations are
established for the number of contests and tournaments a school may
playineachsport,andtherstpracticeandcontestdatesaresetforeach
49Bylaws — Contests
sport. (See Sports Calendar on page 47.)
A student may participate in the number of contests his/her team
is permitted to play in that sport. If a student participates on more than
one level of competition in the same sport during the same season, the
maximum number of contests that the student may participate in is the
number of contests his/her highest-level team is permitted to play. (Ex.:
A student playing a combination of junior varsity and varsity basketball
games may participate in a maximum of 30 games, the number a varsity
high school team can play.) The only exception is in football where a
student may play a total of 18 games.
Note: A student shall not participate in two levels of competition in one
sport during the same event or on the same day. This includes the
same activity or sport for such events as county and conference
tournaments, meets, etc., even though these events may be played
ondierentdays.
Note: Playogamesdonotcounttowardmaximumnumberofgames
allowed.
Note: Participationisdenedasplaying in a contest.
Note: The scheduling of all practices is left up to the discretion of the
local school administration. A student may participate only at a
member school where he/she is enrolled and eligible.
SECTION 14. TEAM PRACTICE RESTRICTIONS. No team or student(s)
shall engage in any interscholastic competition before they have had at
least 13 days of practice during the current season.
Note: A student changing directly from participation in another sport may
have less than 13 days of practice before beginning competition.
During the school year, only during the allowable periods, school
gymnasiums and other facilities may be used after school for practice
or individual skills development as outlined by the rules and balls or
equipmentofthegamemaybeusedtodevelopskills.
Weight training and conditioning programs are exempt from these
restrictions.
CoachesmaycoachtheirteamsduringathleticPEasdenedunder
Section15.Coachesmaynotuseequipmentoutsidetheseasonexcept
for skills development.
SECTION 15. COACHING OUTSIDE SCHOOL YEAR. No administrator,
coach or non-faculty coach from a school’s sta may hold organized
practice (except during allowable period) or competition for its school or
its feeder school students (grades 7-12) outside the sports season during
Bylaws — Contests
50 Bylaws — Contests
theschoolyear.Membersofaschoolcoachingstaarenotallowedto
coach girls or boys students from his/her school sports teams during
theo-seasonduringtheschoolyearexceptfortheallowableperiodas
described below.
Any coach that coaches a student from another school in practice
or competition rendersthat student or oendingcoach ineligibleat the
coach’s school in the sport in which the violation occurred for the next
school season.
Note: Any coach that coaches a student (grades 7-12) from his/her school
in practice or competition outside an allowable period renders that
studentortheoendingcoachineligibleinthesportinwhichthe
violation occurred for that school season.
AHSAAcertiedcoachesfromtheschool’sstamayholdorganized
instruction outside of the sports season during the school year in groups
for a maximum of 2 hours per week per sport.
Note: AHSAA coaches from the school’s sta may hold organized
instructions outside of the sports season during the school year
amaximumof10weeksoftheo-seasonwithamaximumof2
hoursperweekpersport.Anytimeacoachworkssportsspecic
skills with an athlete, that time counts toward the 2-hour team total
for that sport that week.
Note: A coach can work with an in-season athlete for an out-of- season
sport if both coaches agree. If coaches cannot agree, the local
administration makes the decision or the in-season sport takes
precedent.
Note: A coach cannot work with any student during the DEAD PERIOD
Thersttwo(2)weeksoftheschoolyearand/orfallpracticearea
dead period. (At the end of each sport season, if a student is not
beginning another sport, a student must have a two week period
of rest (DEAD PERIOD) before a coach can work with him/her.)
Ex. The two weeks following the last contest in football is
a dead period. A coach may not work an athlete for two
weeks for another sport. This does not include transitioning
to next sport such as basketball.
SECTION 16. EVALUATION PERIOD. Each school is permitted one
Evaluation Period per sport during the off-season. All sports except
footballmayhaveamaximumvedaysinaconsecutive10-school-day
calendar period. Football is permitted a maximum 10 days in a consecutive
20-school day calendar period. The evaluations for spring sports can be
held(exceptduringrsttwoweeksoffallpractice)duringtherstsemester
Bylaws — Contests
51Bylaws — Contests
or anytime from the end of the season to the end of the school year and the
evaluations for all other sports during the second semester. All students
may participate in the evaluations.
Fall sports (football, volleyball, cross country, swimming) have the
optionofconductingaspringevaluationperiodorstartingocialpractice
ontheMondaybeforetherstallowablestartingdateinAugust.Aschool’s
football team cannot have both a spring evaluation then start fall practice
a week early.
If a school does not have spring evaluations, the football team may
start fall practice one week early and participate in one pre-season
scrimmagethatweekpriortotheteam’srstvarsitycontestregardlessof
whether a team’s regular season begins week 0 or week 1.
Note: A school may participate in one preseason scrimmage game on
Aug. 11/12 or Aug. 18/19 if week 0 is open.
Note: All heat acclimatization guidelines must be followed (see pg. 93
AHSAA Sports Book).
Note: Tryoutsforanysportmustbeconductedonlyduringano-season
Evaluation Period during the school year or after the rst practice
date for that sport.
SECTION 17. SPRING EVALUATION PERIODS. Spring Evaluation
Periods are permitted for football, basketball and volleyball (or spring
sports as explained in Section 16). Football is permitted spring practice
for a maximum 10 days in a consecutive 20-school day calendar period
while basketball and volleyball practice is permitted for ve days in a
consecutive 10-school day calendar period. Days during a spring break
will not be counted as calendar days for schools that do not use these
days during a practice period.
Schools that have declared a 9th grade football team may conduct
a separate 9th grade 10 day evaluation period either during the middle
school 20 days or during the high school 20 days. Each athlete will still
only be allowed to have 10 days of evaluations. Athletes would not be
allowed to have 10 days with 9th grade team and then 10 days with varsity.
Note: Spring practice is any organized or supervised group practice with
orwithoutprotectiveequipment.Individualsorsmallgroupswho
are not organized or supervised may participate in activities such
as passing, punting, shooting, dribbling, etc. Touch football in a
physical education class is not a violation.
Prior to the start of a 10-day spring football evaluation period, three
days of heat conditioning in helmets are required. No other equipment
(balls, pads, etc.) may be used and no coaching is permitted. Anything
Bylaws — Contests
52 Bylaws — Contests
thatsimulatespracticewillmarktherstdayofaschool’sallotted10days
of practice.
Note: Thethreedaysofheatconditioninginhelmetsarenotrequiredfor
students involved in a spring sport.
Football and basketball practices may be held any time during the
second semester while volleyball practice must be conducted any time
between the conclusion of a school’s basketball season and the end of
school.
Spring practices shall be open to incoming students from feeder
schools.Ifthefeederschoolstudentsmeeteligibilityrequirements,they
may participate in a football jamboree or regulation game. Students must
be enrolled in the school system in order to participate in practice,
workouts or any athletic functions of the school.
Students must be enrolled in the school or feeder school in order
to practice and be covered by insurance.
A student may participate in only one spring practice period per
sport per school year.
Sixth graders from a feeder school may participate in spring practice,
but are not eligible to participate in a game or jamboree. These students
and other students that are ineligible but allowed to practice must be
on the school’s tryout roster in DragonFly to be covered by catastrophic
insurance.
A jamboree or regulation game is permitted only for football. A jamboree
(with modied rules) may be played after 10 days of practice, but one
schoolmaynotparticipateinmorethanfour12-minutequarters.(Ex.Ifa
school plays in a regulation game or jamboree in the fall, then the school
may also play in either of the events in the spring of the same school year.)
Each 7-12 school is permitted to have separate 10-day spring football
practice periods for its high school and junior high/middle school team,
and each team may have a jamboree or regulation game. A student may
participate in only one jamboree or regulation game (high school or junior
high/middle school). A ninth-grade team is considered a junior high team.
A jamboree must include three or more teams with no one school playing
morethanfour12-minutequarters.Alljamboreesmustbescheduledand
posted in DragonFly.
SECTION 18. FALL FOOTBALL PRACTICE REGULATIONS. Only shorts
andhelmetsareallowedthersttwodaysoffallfootballpractice.Shoulder
pads and helmets are allowed on the third practice day for a period not
to exceed 90 minutes of total practice time and not exceed 120 (2 hours)
minutes on the fourth day.
Onthefthpracticeday,onefull-speedcontactpractice,infullgear,
is allowed not to exceed 90 minutes. The earliest date full pads may be
worn is August 7.
Bylaws — Contests
53Bylaws — Contests
The student may practice in full pads on his/her fth practice day.
No matter when a student begins fall football practice, that student must
practice for two days in shorts. Shoulder pads are allowed for one practice
on that student’s third practice day (1.5-hour practice).
In all sports, two-a-day practices may not be conducted on consecutive
days. When two-a-day practices are conducted, a four (4) hour break
isrequiredbetweentheendoftherstpracticeandthebeginningofthe
second practice. In football, only one practice per day may be in full pads.
The other practice that day can be only in helmets and shoulder pads.
Between the close of the football season and the end of that
school year, any football practice is prohibited except during the
allowable spring practice period. A student who participates in an
illegal practice may be declared ineligible for interscholastic football.
Note: NO football equipment may be worn from the last day of the
regular season until the allowable spring practice period. Helmets
are allowed during the summer.
AHSAA Regulations: During the regular season, including championship
play, and the allowed 10-day spring evaluation period, AHSAA member
schools must restrict the amount of full-speed contact practice. These
guidelines are intended to limit the amount of full-speed contact football
practice. These guidelines are intended to limit the amount of full-speed
contact and not to limit the number of practices in full pads.
Week 1 - In accordance with the AHSAA Fall Football Practice Rule
(Rule III, Section 18, Page 52 of the 2022-23 Handbook), only shorts and
helmetsareallowedthersttwodaysoffallfootballpractice.Shoulder
pads and helmets are allowed on the third practice day for a period not
to exceed 90 minutes of total practice time and not exceed 120 (2 hours)
minutes on the fourth day.
Onthefthpracticeday,onefull-speedcontactpractice,infullgear,is
allowed not to exceed 90 minutes.
Week 2 - Alternating days of full-speed contact practice, not to exceed
a combined total of 120 minutes of full-speed contact is allowed. In
addition,oneintra-squadscrimmageisallowedinweek2.
Week 3 - Alternating days of full-speed contact practice, not to
exceed a combined total of 120 minutes of full contact is allowed. One
interscholastic scrimmage or contest is allowed in week 3
Week 4 through End of Season - A total of 90 minutes of full-speed
contact practice per week is allowed.
Spring Evaluation - Alternating days of full-speed contact practice, not
to exceed a combined total of 120 minutes of full-speed contact per week
is allowed during the 10 allowable days for evaluation. One interscholastic
scrimmage contest is allowed during the spring evaluation and counts as
one of the 10 allowable days.
Bylaws — Contests
54 Bylaws — Contests
The following denitions describe the dierent levels of contact in
football practice:
Actions that require contact limitations:
Live Actions - Contact at game speed in which players execute
full blocking and tackling at the competitive pace, taking players to
the ground.
Full-speed contact - Any simulations in which live action occurs.
Thud - Any live action or full-speed contact with no pre-determined
winner or without taking a player to the ground.
Actions that do not require contact limitations:
Air - Players should run unopposed without bags or any opposition
Bags - Activity is executed against a bag, shield or pad to allow for a
soft-contact surface, with or without the resistance of a teammate or
coach standing behind the bag.
SECTION 19. LEVELS OF COMPETITION. No student shall be allowed
to participate in two levels of competition (varsity, junior varsity, B-team,
junior high or middle school) in one sport during the same event or on the
same day. In football, a student may not participate in games at different
levels (or the same level) on consecutive days.
Note: This includes the same activity or sport for such events as county
and conference tournaments and meets, section meets, etc., even
thoughtheseeventsmaybeplayedatdierentsitesoverseveral
days.
A student may participate in a sport only one time per school year. If
a student transfers from any school, including out-of-state, after a season
in a certain sport is completed, that student is ineligible to participate in
the same sport at the new member school during the same school year. If
a student transfers from a member school before the season in a certain
sport is completed, that student would be eligible to participate in the same
sport at the new school provided its season had not been completed.
Two teams from the same school may not participate in the same
division of an event (tournament, meet, match, etc.) in any sport.
An ineligible student is not allowed to participate in any
interscholastic contest on any level, including summer contests.
SECTION 20. ALL-STAR REGULATIONS. Participation, directly or
indirectly, in the ofciating, management, supervision, player selection,
coaching or promotion of all-star high school teams, high school
championship teams or similar teams in contests in any sport, unless
under the supervision and sanction of the AHSAA, by member schools,
Bylaws — Contests
55Bylaws — Contests
theirofcialsortheirteachers,shallbeconsideredaviolationofthespirit
and purpose, if not the actual wording, of these rules and regulations.
A member school shall not organize, administrate, or permit the use of
itsequipmentorfacilitiesforanall-starcontestthatisnotsanctionedby
the AHSAA. Any school violating the spirit, purpose or wording of these
rules and regulations shall cause its school to be suspended from the
AHSAA for such length of time as the Central Board deems advisable.
Registeredocialsshallbesuspendedforpromotingorociatingsuch
contests.
SECTION 21. SUMMER PRACTICE RULES. Coaches are allowed to
practice and hold camps with their zoned students (K-12) during the
summer months (from the end of school until the starting practice
date for fall sports) and use drills to teach skills. Sports-specic
mandatory practices are prohibited until the starting practice date for fall
sports. No football equipment except helmets and hand-held blocking
pads may be used until the starting date for fall practice. Sleds are not
permissible.
Weight training and conditioning programs are not restricted. It is the
responsibility of each school to see that the Summer Practice Rule is not
violated.
During the All-Star Sports Week/Summer Conference (July 17-21) is
DEAD WEEK:
•Weighttrainingandconditioningprogramsarepermissible.
•Teamcamps,practiceandcompetitionarenotallowed.
Summer Practice Competition.
Only eligible students may participate in summer competition and/or
camps under the jurisdiction of a member school.
1. A school may participate in unlimited competition and/or
camps for winter and spring sports during 3 of the 4 following
weeks (Summer 2023): May 29, June 5, and June 12, June 19.
Also, unlimited competition and/or camps are allowed for fall
sports during 3 of the 4 following weeks: June 26, July 3, July
10, and July 24.
2. Outside the allowable three weeks, a school team may
choose to participate two days (TOTAL) at a college or
university camp. If a school chooses to use these two days,
it will lose two days from one of their allowable 3 weeks.
Ex. A school’s football team has chosen the weeks June
26, July 3 and July 10 to participate in summer camps/
competition. If they decide to participate in a college
camp for two days during the week of June 12, they
must give up two days from one of the allowable weeks
they have chosen to play.
56 Bylaws — Contests
Note: a. Any day(s) used during an assigned week (Sunday thru
Saturday) count(s) as one of the three allowable weeks.
Weeks cannot be broken-up.
Note: b. The week of July 17-21 will be dead week for competition
and team camps due to AHSAA All-Star Sports Week/
Summer Conference, but schools may hold sessions of
conditioning and weights.
SECTION 22. CAMPS/SUMMER CAMPS. Schools may not participate
in a camp outside the dates of the allowable three weeks for that
sport.
Students are allowed to attend camps as individuals outside the
allowable three week period.
Students may attend camps provided they do so individually at their
own expense.
Note: Schools may not attend team camps during the school year.
Outside the allowable three week period, if a member school’s
facilities are used by any outside entity for an event, including but
not limited to, camps, showcases, combines, practices, or individual
skills development, a coach, whose players (grades 7-12) are
participating in the event, may NOT work the event.
Outside the allowable three week period, players and coaches
who attend camps as individuals on a college or university campus
are exempt from this rule.
During any DEAD WEEK, a member school’s campus may NOT be
used to host an event, including but not limited to, camps, showcases,
combine, or individual skills development.
Note: During the sports season, no outside activity is allowed in the same
sport, including but not limited to camps, showcases, practices,
regardless of who sponsors/conducts the event (please refer to
Outside Participation Rule).
Note: Camps, combines, showcases, etc. involving students NOT
enrolled in school hosting the camp or school’s feeder pattern can
ONLY be held during the allowable period.
Note: College tryouts are permissible during the sports season if pre-
approved by the principal and head coach and no contest is
missed.
During the school year students may attend camps as individuals
.
Note: The week of July 18 will be dead week for competition due to
AHSAA All-Star Sports Week, but schools may hold sessions of
57Bylaws — Contests
conditioning and weights.
Note: Weeks cannot be broken up. Any day(s) used during an assigned
week counts as one of the three allowable weeks.
Note: Schools may not participate in a camp outside the dates of the
three weeks for that sport.
Note: If a coach conducts more than the allowable 3 weeks of practice
competition, or violates allowable three weeks period, he/she could
be restricted from coaching that team the following school season.
1. Coaches may coach their own school players in practice
competition. Coaches may coach their own children in more than
three weeks of allowable competition if none of the coach’s other
players are on the child’s team. A school coach of any sport may
not coach an outside team if any student (7-12) other than the
coach’s child is on that team.
2. Each day of practice competition in organized events (team camps,
skill camps, Sports Festival, etc.) will count toward the allowable
three weeks. One day used in a week counts as one of the three
allowable weeks.
3. All practice competition and team camps sponsored by AHSAA-
member schools must include only AHSAA-member schools or
schoolsfromotherNFHS-aliatedstateassociations.(AllTeam
camps hosted by colleges are excluded.)
Note: Practice competition against non-member schools is
prohibited except in team camps hosted by colleges and
universities. Member schools may not participate in practice
competition or scrimmages at any time against non-school
teams (travel, club, etc.)
4. Practicecompetitionsbetweenschoolsaredeemedtobemodied
or practice contests under the jurisdiction of participating schools,
thereforeAHSAA-registeredocialsarenotrequiredandNational
Federation rules may not apply.
5. Each school should analyze the liability issues of its practice
competition and act accordingly.
6. Admission may be charged to any practice competition under the
direction of the school principal.
7. Practice competition involving coaches and players in grades
7-12 (including team camps) is not allowed during All-Star Sports
Week, a “dead week”.
8. Helmets and hand-held blocking pads are the only types of
protectiveequipmentthatmaybeusedinany footballpractice
Bylaws — Contests
58 Bylaws — Contests
competition (includes team and individual camps).
SECTION 23. VIDEO RESTRICTIONS. A school or anyone representing
theschoolmaynotvideotape,record,internetstream,norlmanycontest
in which it is not involved unless it has received permission from both
participating schools. No outside group or individual may video tape or
lmanycontestwithoutpermissionfromallparticipatingschools.
The use of “Drones” may at anytime be prohibited by the contest
ocialsifthecontestocialsdeterminethatthe“Drones”wouldcause
an unreasonable risk or distraction.
SECTION 24. COACHES’ FIELD EQUIPMENT. Communication devices
including but not limited to audio recorders, Local Area Network (LAN)
phones and/or Internet depictions, shall not be used to communicate with
a player except during a conference outside the 9-yard mark.
Communication devices including but not limited to audio recorders,
Local Area Network (LAN) phones and/or headsets, mobile phones, still
photograph(s), lm, analog or digital video(s) and/or Internet depictions
may be used by coaches and non-players.
Note: Any electronic communication device between coach and players
is prohibited.
SECTION 25. CHAMPIONSHIP PARTICIPATION RULE. A school that
sponsors a team or an individual in any sport competition must participate
in the championship program of that sport unless the school is not eligible
for the championship program at that time.
Note: Once a member school certies or declares participation in a
sport,failuretoparticipateisaviolationandamonetarynewillbe
assessed.
Note: Failure to declare a sport before participating in a contest will result
inamonetaryne.
Note: Middle schools are required to declare teams, create rosters,
and schedules, but will notbe assessed a monetary neif they
undeclareatalaterdateordonoteldateam.
SECTION 26. CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY INTERRUPTION POLICY. This
policy, adopted by the AHSAA Central Board of Control, will be followed
when championship play is interrupted or threatened by public health/
safety concerns, acts of God or other uncontrollable and unforeseen
circumstances. Necessary decisions concerning any circumstances that
are not covered by this policy will be left to the discretion of the AHSAA
administrative staff and the Central Board of Control.
This policy shall be observed for all AHSAA-sponsored championship
playoevents.
59Bylaws — Contests
1. In the event of school closings within two calendar days of scheduled
playo contests, the AHSAA administrative sta, in collaboration with
the Central Board and playo event personnel, will attempt to delay
or reschedule the playo contests without adversely aecting the next
roundoftheplayoschedule.Anypartofarevisedschedulemayneed
modication.
Note: For purposes of this policy, “closure,” “closed” or “school closing”
shall mean that the local authorities of the interruption cause or
Board of Education/Governing Board has canceled all high school
classes and school-sponsored extracurricular activities for a
minimumofonecalendardayduetoaspecicconcern.
2. Two-team contests: Postponed contests must be re-scheduled
on the next day unlessthenextroundoftheplayoisadverselyaected
or if the next day is a Sunday. The failure of a team to participate would
result in a forfeit.
3. Multi-team events: Ifarevisedscheduleadverselyaectsthenext
round, the event may be played according to the original schedule. The
failure of a team or individuals to participate would result in a forfeit.
4. In the event that schools remain open, participants and teams shall
be expected to play the contests on the scheduled dates.
5. InformationonanychangesregardingAHSAAplayoschedulingwill
be posted on the home page of the AHSAA website (www.ahsaa.com).
SECTION 27. INTRAVENOUS FLUID USE POLICY. Anathleterequiring
intravenousuidtreatment(hydration/rehydration)willnotbeallowedto
participate in any athletic activity until cleared by a medical doctor and
approved by the parents or guardian. A direct verbal or written order from
amedicaldoctorisrequired.
Note: Ifanyhealthcareprofessionalwhoiscertiedtodosoadministers
an IV, the athlete must be cleared by a medical doctor and approved
by parent before returning to play.
SECTION 28. CONCUSSION POLICY. Any student-athlete who exhibits
signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion shall be
removed from the contest and shall not return that day. Following the
day the concussion symptoms occur, the student-athlete may return
to practice or play only after a medical release has been issued by a
medical doctor.
Any health careprofessional or AHSAAcertiedcoachmay identify
concussive signs, symptoms or behaviors of a student athlete during
any type of athletic activity. Once concussive signs are identied, only
a medical doctor can clear the athlete to return to play. Any school in
violation of the AHSAA policy application of National Federation rule will
be subject to sanctions.
60 Bylaws — Contests
An online NFHS Concussion Course is required for all certied
coaches (faculty and non-faculty). The free educational course will aid in
identifying symptoms of a concussion and the procedure to follow when
these symptoms are recognized. The course is available at www.nfhs.org.
A Concussion Information Form signed by each student and his/her
parentmustbekeptonleonlinewherethestudentisenrolled.(Theform
willsatisfytherequirementforoneschoolyear.)
(NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of a Concussion are
found in the Appendix in the back of each NFHS Rules Book and on the
AHSAA website under the Sports Medicine and Safety tab.)
RULE IV - Game Ocials
SECTION 1. OFFICIALS’. School principals shall be responsible for the
contractingofofcialsforanycontest.
Onlyqualifyingocialsareusedforchampionshipplay.
SECTION 2. REGISTERED OFFICIALS’ CONTEST REQUIREMENTS.
OnlyofcialswhoareregisteredwiththeAHSAAmaybeusedbymember
schools as ofcials in football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball,
wrestlingandsoccer.Someregisteredofcialsarerequiredintrackand
eld.Violationofthisruleshallsubjecttheschoolorschoolstoane.
AllmemberschoolsoftheAHSAAarerequiredtousein-stateocials
associations when they are available. Private dressing rooms with hot and
coldshowersmustbeprovidedforallocials.
Note: Thehostschoolisresponsibleforthesecurityofcontestocials
before, during and after the contest, including but not limited to providing
asafeareaforcontestocialstoparktheirvehicles.
Electric Clock Operators must be registered by the AHSAA through
memberschoolsorlocalocials’associationsinordertoserveasclock
operators for interscholastic contests. For varsity football games, electric
clockoperatorswillbeassignedfromtheocials’associationsworking
the games.
AdditionalguidelinesgoverningtheAHSAAOciatingprogramcanbe
foundonlineatwww.ahsaa.comundertheOcials’Section.
SECTION 3. OFFICIALS’ RESTRICTIONS. Anofcialwhoisanemployee
ofagivenschoolmaynotofciateinanycontestifhis/herschoolcom-
peteswitheitherschoolparticipatinginthecontesthe/sheofciates.An
employeeofaparticipatingschoolmaynotofciateinanyinterscholastic
contest in which his/her school is involved.
Note: Swimmingandtrackocialsareexcludedfromtherestriction.
61Bylaws — Contests
SECTION 4. OFFICIALS’ ASSOCIATION RESTRICTIONS. A varsity
coachwhoisamemberofanofcialsassociationwhichregistersofcials
with the AHSAA may not use an ofcial from that association in that
coach’s varsity game. This applies to all sanctioned AHSAA sports except
for track.
SECTION 5: DRONE POLICY. The use of “Drones” for any athletic purpose
insidetheconnesofabuildingisstrictlyprohibitedatalltimes.
The use of a “Drone” at an outdoor interscholastic contest may be
usedbutmustremainoutsidetheeldofplayatalltimes.Italsocannotbe
ownoveranareawherespectators(people)aregatheringorsittingprior
to or during an interscholastic contest.
The host school of any interscholastic contest between member
schools has the authority to prohibit the use of “Drones”.
The use of “Drones” may at anytime be prohibited by the contest
ocialsifthecontestocialsdeterminethatthe“Drones”wouldcause
an unreasonable risk or distraction.
RULE V - Coaches
SECTION 1. COACHING REQUIREMENTS. A coach or persons
responsible for the immediate training of athletes or athletic teams must
beemployedorapprovedbytheBoardofEducationasacertiedteacher
under the supervision of the school principal.
Note: “Coach” refers to any person who is given direct responsibility
by the school and/or the Board of Education for the training or
instruction of any athletes or athletic team. A school team
may not participate in an interscholastic contest unless the team is
accompaniedbyacertiedteacher(facultymember).
Note: All head coaches of high school teams and head coaches of
the highest level of junior high/middle school teams, including unit
schools grades 7-12, are required toattend a rules clinic at All-
Star Sports Week or complete and pass a rules test online with a
minimumscoreof100orapredeterminedscorebytherequired
date, and labeled as head coach in DragonFly. Coaches failing to
complywillbenedasfollows:
$300 for high school coaches and $150 for junior high/middle
school coaches.
Note: AllcoachesmustbecertiedandlistedonDragonFly.
Note: It is the responsibility of all coaches to be knowledgeable of
AHSAA bylaws.
62 Bylaws — Contests
Note: Completion of the online NFHS Sportsmanship and NFHS Con-
cussion,Heat Acclimatization, Mental Illness, and Sudden Cardiac
Arrest courses are mandatory for all coaches (faculty and non-
faculty).
Note: Coaches may coach their own children during the school year
and summer if none of the coach’s other players are on the child’s
team.)
Non-Faculty Coach: Schools may use a non-faculty coach in any
sport when that person is serving directly under the supervision of a
coach (faculty member) employed by the Board of Education and is also
employed by the school and/or the Board of Education.
Note: A non-faculty coach is a person with any coaching responsibility at
amemberschoolandiscertiedinaccordancewithallCoaches’
Education Program course requirements as stated in Rule V,
Coaches, Section 2, Coaches’ Education Program.
Non-faculty coaches may be disqualied and discontinued by the
Executive Director or Central Board at any time it appears that their
instruction is not in the best interests of the statewide athletic program.
A school that uses a non-faculty coach that is not employed or approved
by the school and/or the Board of Education is subject to penalty from the
AHSAA.
A non-faculty coach must be accompanied at all contests by a faculty
member or full-time employee of the school.
AllCoachesmustbecertiedandlistedonDragonFly.
SECTION 2 : COACHES’ EDUCATION PROGRAM. Prior to working with
any student-athlete (practice or competition), coaches in the AHSAA must
meetallrequirementsoftheCoaches’EducationProgram:
• CoachingPrinciples(NFHSorASEP)
• SportsFirstAidHealth&SafetyforCoaches(ASEPor
PREPARE)
• NFHSSportsmanship)
• NFHSConcussioncourse
• NFHSHeatAcclimatizationcourse
• MusthaveanactiveCPRcerticationwithAEDTraining
(All American Heart Association courses are accepted as long as
the course has a “hands-on” component and taught in person.)
• NFHSSuddenCardiacArrest
• NFHS Mental Health and Illness Course
Oncetheserequirementshavebeensuccessfullycompleted,coaches
are eligible to join the AHSADCA and receive a coaches’ card. The courses
63Bylaws — Contests
may also be taken for Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Note: EachmemberschoolmustkeeponleinDragonFlyaverication
foreachcoachthathasbeencertiedfrom2001-02tothepresent
(courserequirements)andaverication(hardcopy)thatallcoaches’
education requirements have been successfully completed.
Coaches at member schools prior to 2001-02 are exempt from the
CoachingPrinciplesandSportsFirstAidcourserequirements.A
coach’scerticationmaybecheckedatallchampionshipevents.
SECTION 3. COACHES’ CONDUCT. A coach or non-faculty coach found
guiltyofimmoralorunsportsmanlikeconductmaybedisqualiedbythe
CentralBoardofControl.Anyschoolusingadisqualiedcoachornon-
faculty coach shall be subjected to suspension from the AHSAA.
SECTION 4. ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTORS &
COACHES ASSOCIATION. All coaches and administrators that meet
theAHSAACoaches’EducationProgramrequirementsandareassigned
athletic coaching responsibilities are eligible for membership in this
organization, established in 1948 under the auspices of the AHSAA. There
is a service fee of $40 each per membership year.
Administrators (principals and assistant principals) are eligible for
membership with a $50 annual fee per administrator. In order to be covered
bytheliabilityinsurance,thecoachmustbecertiedandingoodstanding.
The membership card entitles the member to voting power in the
Coaches Association and serves as a pass for the “holder and one” to all
events sponsored by the Athletic Directors and Coaches Association as
wellastothechampionshipplayoeventssponsoredbytheAHSAA.
The service fee also entitles the member to $1 million personal liability
insurance coverage, which includes the classroom.
The current activities and projects of the Athletic Directors and Coaches
Association include the All-Star Sports Week, rules clinics, Lunch & Learns,
thecoaches’awardsbanquet,thepublicationofthecoaches’directory,
Heads-UpFootballCertication,andtheco-sponsorshipoftheAlabama
High School Sports Hall of Fame program along with the AHSAA.
SECTION 5. 25-YEAR SPECIAL PASS. Any member of the AHSADCA
who has completed 25 years as a member of the organization, regardless
of positions held at a member school, may apply for a Special Pass to all
interscholastic athletic events sponsored by the AHSAA. This includes
assistant coaches, head coaches, principals, assistant principals or athletic
directors.Therequired25yearsofservicecanincludeanycombinationof
service years in the aforementioned positions.
64 Bylaws — Contests
RULE VI - Administration
SECTION 1. AHSAA YEAR. TheAthleticAssociation(scal)yearbegins
July 1 and ends the following June 30 of each calendar year.
SECTION 2. PRINCIPALS’ ACCOUNTABILITY. The principal of a
school shall be held ultimately responsible in all matters that concern
interscholastic athletics at his/her school.
Note: The Principal is responsible for the conduct of spectators and fans
at all athletic contests, keeping current Emergency Action Plans
(EAP)forallsportfacilitiesandallrequireddocumentsforeligible
athletesandcertiedcoachesonleinDragonFly.
Note: A principal may request an ocial ruling in writing on school
letterhead.Anemail,phonecallortextisnotanocialrequestor
documentation.
AHSAA Audit Checklist
Therequireddocumentslistedbelowshouldbeonleintheschoolprincipal’s
oceandmustbereadilyaccessibletoAHSAAauditors.
Note: During the Audit process—any student-athlete or coach found to
nothavealleligibilityrequirementsonleisprohibitedfrompartic-
ipating in any practice or contest until all documents are compliant
with AHSAA rules.
The following should be completed and on le prior to a student-ath-
lete participating in any practice:
• StudentBirthCerticate.
• StudentPre-ParticipationPhysicalForm(Goodforonecalendar
year). Must be dated and signed by an M.D. or D.O.).
• StudentConcussionHistoryForm*(Goodforcurrentschoolyear)
must be signed by the student and parent/guardian).
• Student Release Form* (Good for current school year).
All AHSAA Forms are available at ahsaa.com
*As recommended by the AHSAA Medical Advisory Board and Legal Counsel,
these forms will be available each year in May on the Monday following the last
date of spring championship events. Forms signed in May or during the summer
are good for the following school year.
The following should be completed and a certicate of completion
on le prior to a student-athlete participating in any athletic contest:
•
NFHS Sportsmanship (one time).
65Bylaws — Contests
The following should be completed and on le prior to a coach (facul-
ty or non-faculty) participating in any practice:
• Coach Certication documentation (for head coaches, assistant
coaches, non-faculty coaches). This includes proof of completion
of:
• PrinciplesofCoachingand(NFHSLearn.com).
• FirstAidCourses(NFHSLearn.com)
• CoachCPRcerticationwithAEDtraining(mustbeactive).
• Onlyin-personhandsoninstructedcoursesareacceptable
beginning Aug. 1, 2022.
• NFHSCoachConcussionCoursecompletiondocumentation
(one time).
• NFHS Coach Heat Illness Prevention Course completion
documentation (one time).
• NFHS Coach Sudden Cardiac Arrest Course completion
documentation (one time).
• NFHSMentalIllnessCoursecompletiondocumentation(one
time).
The following should be completed and on le prior to a coach (facul-
ty or non-faculty) participating in any athletic contest:
• NFHSSportsmanship(onetime).
• The AHSAA highly recommends all student athletes
and coaches complete the NFHS Bullying, Hazing, and
Inappropriate Behavior courses available at nfhslearn.com
SECTION 3. JUNIOR HIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOL PARTICIPATION.
Students at a junior high/middle school may participate at all levels of
competition (varsity, junior varsity, B-team, etc.) at the high school where
theyarezonedtoattendifallotherrequirementsaremet.
SECTION 4. CONTEST CONTRACTS. The superintendent or principal
shall electronically sign all contracts in DragonFly to engage in
interscholastic contests. When contracting for a contest, provision must
be made for a forfeiture fee to be paid by the school that fails to carry
out the arrangement made. There shall be no cancellation of a contract
once entered into, except by mutual agreement, unless the forfeiture fee
provided by the contract is paid. An incomplete contract is non-binding.
Note: If a school has a contract for a game and breaks it (by paying
the forfeiture fee) without mutual agreement of the other school
involved,thismaycountasoneoftheoendedschool’sallowed
gamesandwillbeociallyaforfeitedgame.Ifthegameisreplaced
by the oended school, no forfeit will be granted. The school
66 Bylaws — Contests
breaking the contract will not be allowed to replace the forfeited
game.
The Central Board recommends that: (1) member schools play
interscholastic athletic contests on only one night preceding a school day
in any given week and, (2) contracts be used for contests in all sports.
Note: A contest starting at 5 p.m. or after is considered a night contest.
SECTION 5. CONTRACTING CONTEST OFFICIALS. It is the responsi-
bilityofeachschooltocontractwithlocalofcials’associationstoassign
registeredofcialsforeachofitsregularseasoncontestsinallsports.
Note: Aschoolthattakesitsteamotheeldorcourtduringacontest
may not expect to collect its expenses or guarantees. Such an act
willbeconsideredagrant,unsportsmanlikeconduct.
After a contest begins, each school waives all rights as far as
objectionstotheocialsareconcerned.
SECTION 6. ALTERING AHSAA RULES. Mutual agreements to violate or
knowingly violatingtherulesoftheAHSAAmayresultinnes,restrictive
probation or the suspension of any or all schools involved.
Note: Any school violating or falsifying the spirit, purpose, or wording
of these rules may be suspended from the AHSAA.
Note: Failure to self-report a violation may result in an increased ne
amount.
SECTION 7. FINANCIAL AID. A student that transfers to a member school
andreceivesanynancialaidshallremainineligibleatthatschoolforone
y e a r.
Note: First time 7th grader that transfers to a new school is not subject
to this rule. A 7th grader who transfers after the start of the
school year is subject to this rule.
Note: This rule does not apply to dependent children of full-time,
active duty military families who have Permanent Change of
Station (PCS) orders to relocate into a new school attendance
zone.
SECTION 8. PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT ENTICEMENTS. Any school
ofcial(superintendent,principalorcoach)whoencouragesor collabo-
rates in negotiations leading to the signing of a high school student to a
professional contract shall be guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct and may
bedisqualiedandtheschoolmaybesuspendedfromtheAssociation.
67Bylaws — Contests
SECTION 9. SCHOOL OFFICIAL REQUIRED. Acertiedadministrator
orcertiedteacherauthorizedbytheprincipalorsuperintendentmustac-
company school teams and individuals to all contests in which the school
participates.
Note: Home team must haveacertiedadministratorpresentatallhome
events.
SECTION 10. SCHOOL RESTITUTION RULE. If a school that has been
disqualiedorastudentwhohasbeendeclaredineligibleisallowedto
participate in interscholastic competition because of a court restraining
order and/or injunction against the school or the AHSAA, and if such
restraining order and/or injunction is subsequently vacated, stayed,
reversedoranaljudicialdeterminationismadethatinjunctivereliefwas
notjustied,thenallcontestsinwhichsuchineligiblestudentparticipated
shall be forfeited as well as any honors, points or awards received by
theschoolortheineligiblestudent.Inaddition,theschoolmaybened
or placed on probation in the interest of restitution and fairness to other
member schools.
Note: A suit led against the AHSAA for any reason, must be led in
Montgomery County, Alabama.
SECTION 11. UNSCHEDULED CENTRAL BOARD MEETING. If a school
requeststheCentralBoardtoconveneonadateotherthanitsfourannual
meetingdates,therequestingschoolwillbeassessed theexpensesof
the meeting.
Note: Iftherequestedmeetinginvolvesanappeal,therequestingschool(s)
will be assessed the expenses of the meeting if the appeal is denied.
SECTION 12. RECRUITING. No person connected in any way with a
school may contact a student or prospective student, or his/her parents
or guardian who resides outside of the school district to inquire or
encourage them to transfer or enroll in their school for the chief purpose
of participating in interscholastic athletics.
Note: This rule includes and applies to any impermissible contact with
third party “go-between” individuals connected to a school in
any way. Third parties include, but not limited to, trainers, private
instructors, outside coaches, boosters, etc.
Note: Any contact/communication with a student, a student’s
parents, or any other family member (including elementary
students) enrolled in another school, regardless of school
zone, including, but not limited to, phone calls, emails, texts,
social media, etc. is prohibited.
68 Bylaws — Contests
It is permissible for a coach, or anyone else connected with a school,
to talk or speak with a student(s) or parent(s) who, on their own, visit their
schoolforanyspecicpurposeotherthanathletics.
Anyoneconnectedinanyocialcapacitywithanyhighschoolwho
oersmaterial or nancial inducement or enticement to any student to
come to that school for the purpose of engaging in athletics shall subject
that school to suspension from the AHSAA.
A violation of this rule renders the contacted student permanently
ineligible at the school where the violation occurs. A coach in violation
of this rule shall be barred from coaching at any AHSAA member school
for one year. A school in violation of this rule may be placed on restrictive
probation for a period of one year in the sport in which the violation
occurredandassessedamonetaryne.Repeatedviolationsofthisrule
will cause a school to be suspended from the AHSAA.
SECTION 13. RECRUITING OUTSIDE DISTRICT. Athletic recruiting
outside of one’s own school district, zone, etc. is illegal. Also, athletic
recruiting within overlapping school zones is illegal.
SECTION 14. CHEERLEADERS. Acheerleadingsquadisrecognizedas
a support group for all interscholastic teams within its school, therefore
cheerleaders do not fall under the eligibility rules that govern interscholastic
athletics. In order to be covered under the catastrophic insurance
program, students participating in cheerleading, including those who do
not participate on other interscholastic athletic teams, must be entered
on the school’s online eligibility list and must be listed on a cheerleading
team roster.
The National Federation guidelines outlined in the Spirit Rules book
have been adopted as minimum standards for cheerleading programs at
member schools.
Note: Cheerleaders will not be allowed to stand along the sidelines or
end lines during a basketball game while the ball is in play or during
free throws. Cheerleaders should be seated in front of their student
sectionsbutwillbeallowedontheoororsidelinesduring1minute
time-outsandbetweenthequartersofagame.Cheerleadersmay
use the sideline or end line areas before games as long as they do
not interfere with pre-game warm-ups.
SECTION 15. PARTICIPATION PRIVILEGE. Participation in interscholastic
athletics is a privilege granted to students that meet the minimum standards
of eligibility adopted by the member schools of the AHSAA.
Note: If a player participates in more than one sport, and if an event
conicts with an event with the other sport, the student must
choose between sports.
69Bylaws — Contests
SECTION 16. STARTING DATE CHANGES. Major changes in sports
startingdatesmustbeapprovedbyavoteofmemberschoolsandratied
by the Central Board.
SECTION 17. LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS. Legislative Proposals may be
submitted online by member schools and must include a rationale and be
signed by the principal by Jan. 31 or date recommended by the Central Board.
ProposalswillberatiedataregularscheduledmeetinginApril.
SECTION 18. MEDIA/AUDIO-VISUAL POLICY FOR CHAMPIONSHIP
EVENTS. This policy regulates all photography, video (lm), internet
streaming and audio at all championship events. Championship events
include all contests that have a bearing on championship play.
Note: Each member school shall have the sole discretion to determine
what media organization or media organizations are permitted to
cover or broadcast a regular season sporting event involving that
school.
(a) Media: Members of the media are authorized, without paying a fee,
to cover AHSAA championship events, to take still photographs and take
shortlm,internetstreaming,videoandaudioclipsofAHSAAeventsfor
print and electronic news coverage.
(b) Credentials: To cover AHSAA championship events, media are
requiredtodisplayavisiblecredentialissuedbytheAHSAAatalltimes.All
mediacredentialsmustberequestedonlineatwww.ahsaa.comatleast
one week prior to the event.
Media can request permanent (year-long) AHSAA credentials online
at the media link at www.ahsaa.com, lling out the request and then
transmitting a photo of the applicant via email to [email protected].
All applications will then be reviewed and approved or denied based on
theAHSAAmediapolicyrequirements.These credentialswilladmitthe
holder to any AHSAA championship or special event for one school year.
However, the holder is asked to notify the AHSAA by email of their intent to
coversucheventsbysendinganoticationto[email protected]before
eachevent’sdeadline.Thosewhodonotrequestpermanentcredentials
must make application for credentials for each event via the media link at
www.ahsaa.com.
(c) Photography, Video, Film, Internet Streaming and Audio: The
AHSAA is the owner of the rights to and the copyright holder of
all AHSAA audiovisual work, which includes all still photographs
taken of AHSAA events, all lm, internet streaming, videotape
and audiotape of AHSAA events and the live audio and visual
broadcastsofAHSAAevents.Stillphotography,lming,internet
70 Bylaws — Contests
streaming, including, but not limited to Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter, etc., videotaping and audio recording is prohibited at
AHSAAevents,except as expresslyand specically authorized
by the AHSAA.
All video, broadcast, title and broadcast rights for AHSAA events
are the exclusive property of the AHSAA. The AHSAA events
cannot be reproduced, rebroadcast or used for any other purposes
without the express written consent of the AHSAA.
Under no circumstance may still photographs, lms, videos
or audio tapes, in full or in part, be used for any commercial
purpose, unless authorized by, and a rights fee has been paid
to, the AHSAA. No live streaming or video TV/Internet clips of
championship events is permitted without authorization from the
AHSAA.
VideotapeorlmorinternetstreamingtakenatanyAHSAAevent
shall be used for the sole purpose of showing excerpts thereof as
a part of a regularly scheduled sports or news program and for no
other reason.
The station will not lend, give away or sell the lm or internet
streaming or videotape, in whole or in part, except only for the
purposeshereinabovespecicallysetforthand/orinsuchcases
astheAHSAArequestsforusebytheAssociation.
Individual Spectators are authorized to personally take still
photographs at events, for strictly personal use. Individual
spectatorsareauthorizedtopersonallylm,videotapeandaudio
tape portions of AHSAA events for strictly personal use.
Under no circumstance may still photographs, lms, internet
streaming, including, but not limited to Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter, etc., videos or audio tapes, in full or in part, be used for
any commercial purpose, unless authorized by, and a rights fee
has been paid to, the AHSAA.
Anystillphotography,lming, internet streaming,including,but
not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., videotaping and
audio taping shall be conducted from the seating area, or, if space
is available, from a designated area.
(d) Participating Schools: Representatives of participating schools
are authorized to take still photographs of AHSAA events.
Representatives of participating schools are authorized to lm,
internet stream, video tape and audio tape AHSAA events, only
if the principals of the participating schools receive advanced
Bylaws — Contests
71Junior High / Middle School Membership
Junior High / Middle School Membership
permission from the host school principal at any event.
Stillphotographs,lms,internetstreaming,videosoraudiotapes
maynotbeusedtoreviewdecisionsofgameocialsatanycontest.
Principalscanrequestmediacredentialsforschoolphotographers/
reporters (maximum one each) for AHSAA championship events by
applying online at the media link at www.ahsaa.com before each
event’s deadline. Under no circumstance may still photographs,
lms,internetstreaming,videosoraudiotapes,infullorinpart,
be used for any commercial purpose, unless authorized by, and a
rights fee has been paid to, the AHSAA.
e) Purchase:
1. The selling of photographs by any means (through websites,
freelance photographers, etc.) is strictly prohibited by the
AHSAA without written consent of the AHSAA.
2. “The selling or redistribution of images (still or video) from the
AHSAA state championship events for personal or commercial
gain is prohibited without the expressed written permission of
the AHSAA. Discovery of unauthorized distribution of images
from the AHSAA state championship events will result in the
revocation of credentials for the AHSAA event(s). Further, the
AHSAA may seek damages for the unauthorized distribution
of images (still or video) to the fullest extent permitted by law,
including civil damages and injunctive relief.”
SECTION 19. ADMINISTRATORS’ 25-YEAR SPECIAL PASS. Administrators
who have 25 years service in AHSAA member schools may apply for a Special
Pass to all interscholastic athletic contests sponsored by the AHSAA and
AHSADCA. Principals who have a combined 25 years of service as a principal
and/or coach in AHSAA member schools may also apply.
SECTION 20. LEGAL EXPENSES AND VENUE. If any member school,
oranyofitsemployees,ocers,directors,agents,orrepresentatives,les
a lawsuit against the AHSAA, or any of its employees, ocers, directors,
agents, or representatives, for any reason in any court, state or federal, or is
involved in a lawsuit against the AHSAA, and the lawsuit is dismissed, with
or without prejudice, by stipulation, voluntarily, or upon motion by a party or
the Court, or the case concludes without judgment being entered in favor of
themember schoolor anyof itsemployees,ocers,directors,agents,or
representatives, then the member school shall reimburse the AHSAA for all
attorney fees and other expenses arising out of the lawsuit. If the member
schoolrefusesto reimbursethe AHSAA and the AHSAA les a lawsuitor
motion to collect monies owed, then the member school shall also reimburse
72 Bylaws — Contests
the AHSAA for all attorney fees and expenses arising out of the lawsuit or
motionledtocollectmoniesowed.Further,ifanymemberschooloranyof
itsemployees,ocers,directors,agents,orrepresentatives,lesalawsuit
againsttheAHSAAforanyreason,thelawsuitshallbeledinMontgomery
County, Alabama.
73Junior High / Middle School Combination Programs
JUNIOR HIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOL
All rules in this Handbook shall apply to junior high and middle schools
(grades 7-8-9) except as given in this section.
MEMBERSHIP
A junior high school or middle school may hold membership in the
Junior High Division of the AHSAA provided the school principal makes
application for membership, signs the agreement to be governed by the
Constitution,BylawsandrulingsoftheAHSAA,andsendsinallrequired
reports and forms.
The membership application and annual dues must be submitted to
theStateOce.Ifgrades7-8-9areincludedinthesameschoolasthe
seniorhigh,onlyonemembershipisrequired.
Note: Any junior high or middle school operating under a separate
administration from the high school must hold membership in the
AHSAA in order to participate against member schools.
Anewmemberschool’sofcialdateofentryintotheAHSAAistherst
dayfollowingthelastdayoftheschoolyearorJune1precedingitsrst
school year as a member school. Effective that day, new members must
comply with the Constitution, Bylaws and rulings of the AHSAA.
Denitions:
(a) Junior
high school –
a school with students enrolled in
grades seven through nine, eight and nine, or nine only.
(b) Middle school – a school with students enrolled in
grades seven and/or eight.
Dening a
School:
The academic structure or organization of a school
determines how it is dened, not the structure of the athletic program.
TheschoolsdenedabovemayalsohavestudentsingradesK-6.
Since students below the seventh grade are not eligible to participate in
interscholasticathletics,thesegradeswerenotincludedinthedenitions.
Member junior high/middle schools may participate only in
interscholastic contests with junior high/middle schools that are members
of the AHSAA or an out-of-state athletic association. A junior high or middle
school team, whether comprised of seventh graders only, eighth graders
only or seventh and eighth graders together, may play any other junior high
or middle school team comprised of seventh graders only, eighth graders
only, ninth graders only or any combination of seventh, eighth and ninth
graders together.
Note:
Individual student-athletes can only participate in the maximum
number of contests allowed at the highest level of that sport.
74 Junior High / Middle School Bylaws
Each district will have one representative on the junior high-middle
school committee.
MANAGEMENT
Section 1. Schools in conference, county, or city organizations may
agree on special rules that are more restrictive than the state rules but may
not agree to set aside any state rule.
Section 2. The rules of AHSAA will apply to junior high and middle
schools unless there is a special rule to cover the situation.
Section 3. The Central Board and the junior high-middle school com-
mittee will interpret the rules as they apply to middle school and junior
highathletics.Thoseruleswillbeappliedtotsituationsuntilsuchtime
that special rules are made to cover all junior high and middle school sit-
uations.
In junior high and middle schools, special rules may be amended by
a committee of eight members who will be duly elected by each of the
eight athletic districts. The president of the Central Board may appoint a
junior high-middle school person to represent the district in which there is
a vacancy.
The Constitution can only be amended at a regular meeting which is
properly advertised for said purpose. However, no amendment or change
will be considered at any meeting of the AHSAA unless it is submitted in
writing to the Executive Director at least 30 days before the meeting at
which it is to receive attention.
COMBINATION PROGRAMS
Participation is permitted under the following programs if there is an
agreement between the principals of the middle/junior high and the high
schools involved:
1. Junior High: Three types of combination programs are available to
combine junior high/middle school grades and students with the ninth
grade and students of a high school to form a combination junior high
athletic program in any sport. This is permitted if (1) both the junior high/
middle school and the high school are located in the same school zone;
(2) both schools are members of the AHSAA; and (3) the students are
zoned for that high school by virtue of their parents’ residence.
These three types cannot be used to compete in varsity or B-team
(junior varsity) athletics.
Each of these programs operates under the jurisdiction of the high
school principal, but each school involved is responsible for submitting
its own eligibility reports online. It is permissible to have one part of an
Junior High / Middle School Bylaws
75Junior High / Middle School Bylaws
athletic program operate under the junior high/middle school and another
part under the high school.
The three types of junior high combination programs are:
(a) Middle School Grades With Ninth Grade—A middle school
(grades 7-8) may combine with the ninth grade of the high school
it feeds to form a junior high school athletic program (grades 7-9).
(b) Middle School Students With Ninth Grade—Middle school
students (grades 7-8) may participate in the ninth grade athletic
program only at the high school their middle school feeds. If a middle
school feeds more than one high school, its students may participate
only at the high school where they are zoned by virtue of their
parents’ residence.
(c) Junior High Grades With Ninth Grade—A junior high school
(grades 7-9) may combine with the ninth grade at the high school to
form a junior high athletic program provided those students are zoned
only for that high school by virtue of their parents’ residence.
2. Middle School Grades: Grades of two or more middle schools may
combine for a middle school program in any sport if all schools are in the
same school system. Each school involved is responsible for submitting
its own eligibility reports online.
3. Seventh, Eighth And Ninth Graders With High School: Seventh, eighth
and ninth graders at a junior high (grades 7-9) or middle school (grades 7-8)
may participate in any level of competition (varsity, junior varsity, etc.) at the
highschoolforwhichtheyarezonedifallotherrequirementsaremet.
Note: An eighth grader that is “ineligible by age” to participate in middle
school athletics may participate in any level of athletic competition
(varsity, junior varsity, etc.) at the high school for which he/she is
zoned. This should be indicated in DragonFly.
APPEALS
Appeals will be handled in the same manner as prescribed for senior
high member schools (Article XI).
DUES
The dues shall be $50 per school and each school seeking membership
in the AHSAA must make application and pay its dues directly to the
AHSAAOce.
76 AHSAA Sports Medicine and Safety
JUNIOR HIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOL BYLAWS
RULE I -
ELIGIBILITY
SECTION 1. Graduatesofajuniorhighormiddleschoolwhohavenished
the highest grade taught in the school are not eligible. Schools with grades
K-8 or 7-8 are considered middle schools under these eligibility rules.
SECTION 2. A student is ineligible to participate in ninth grade
interscholastic athletics if he/she reaches his/her 16th birthday prior to
August 1 of the current school year, and in eighth grade interscholastic
athletics if he/she reaches his/her 15
th
birthday prior to August 1 of the
current school year. A student is ineligible to participate on a team, or in a
game, composed only of seventh grade students if he/she reaches his/her
14th birthday prior to August 1 of the current school year.
SECTION 3. When a junior high school student has participated three
years in a sport after reaching the ninth grade, he/she shall be ineligible for
further participation in that sport.
SECTION 4. Astudentmusthavepassedaminimumofvesubjectswith
aminimumcompositenumericalaverageof70inthosevesubjectsand
must have been promoted to the next grade during the last year in
attendance in order to be eligible during the current school year.
Studentsenteringtheseventhgradeforthersttimeareeligible.
SECTION 5. Astudentmustbetakingatleastvenewjuniorhighsubjects
(subjects not previously passed) in order to be eligible.
SECTION 6. Students below grade seven are not eligible to participate in
interscholastic athletics.
RULE II -
REPOR
TS
The pr
i
ncipalshallfurnishanyreportsasrequiredbytheAHSAA.
RULE III -
CONTESTS
No contest shall be played with any junior high/middle school that
is under suspension by the Association. Violations of this rule shall be
sucient grounds for suspension. Member schools shall only compete
with member schools.
RULE IV - THE GAME OFFICIALS
Registeredocialsshallbeusedforallfootball,volleyball,basketball,
wrestling, baseball, softball and soccer contests. The ocials must be
agreeable to both schools (the schools’ agreement may be by a scratch
listfurnishedbytheocialsassociationassigningocialstothecontest.)
AHSAA Sports Medicine and Safety
77Junior High/middle School Bylaws
RULE V –
COACHES
A coach must be a faculty member employed by the Board of Education,
workunderthesupervisionoftheschoolprincipal,andbecertiedunder
theAHSAACoaches’EducationProgramrequirements.
Non-facultycoachesmaybeusedbutmustbecertiedinaccordance
withallAHSAArequirements.
Administrators, coaches and non-faculty coaches that meet all
Coaches’ Education Program requirements and are assigned athletic
coaching responsibilities are eligible for membership in the Alabama High
School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association. The membership card
entitles the “coach and one” to all events sponsored by the Coaches’
Association as well as championship events sponsored by the AHSAA.
Allheadcoachesofhighestlevelteamsarerequiredtoattendarules
clinic at All-Star Sports Week or online. Failure to complete a rules clinic or
testwillresultinamonetaryne.
AHSAA Sports Medicine and Safety
• Emergency Action Plans
o EveryschoolisrequiredtohaveanAthleticEmergencyAction
Plan (AEAP) for each venue for athletic contests. A copy of each
AEAPmustbeplacedintheschool’seligibilityleforAuditrevue
and a copy should be available at each venue. A template for an
AEAP can be found at www.ahsaa.com
• Contest Ending Procedures
o AHSAA procedures for championship play interruption and
suspension of play for each sport may be found on the AHSAA
website under the “Sports Medicine & Safety” tab.
• AED Policies
o The AHSAA follows the recommendations of the Korey Stringer
Institute for AED Policies. AED policies may be found on the AH-
SAA website under the “Sports Medicine & Safety” tab.
• Football Practice Guidelines
o See page 51-52 Rule III. Contests. Section 18. Fall Football
Practice Regulations regarding AHSAA Guidelines for Full-Speed
Contact during Football Practices.
• Concussion Policy
o Any student athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors
78 Junior High/middle School Bylaws
consistent with a concussion shall be removed from the contest
and shall not return to play until a medical release is issued by a
medical doctor.
o AnyhealthcareprofessionalorAHSAAcertiedcoachmayiden-
tify concussive signs, symptoms or behaviors of a student athlete
during any type of athletic activity. Once concussive signs are
identied,onlyamedicaldoctorcancleartheathletetoreturnto
play. Any school in violation of the AHSAA policy application of
National Federation rule will be subject to sanctions.
o AnonlineNFHSConcussionCourseisrequiredforallcertied
coaches (faculty and non-faculty). The free educational course
will aid in identifying symptoms of a concussion and the proce-
dure to follow when these symptoms are recognized. The course
is available at www.nfhs.org.
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest
o The AHSAA follows the recommendations of the Korey Stringer
Institute for Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). Information, including
prevention and symptoms, for SCD may be found on the AHSAA
website under the “Sports Medicine & Safety” tab.
• Heat Acclimatization
o The AHSAA follows the recommendations of the Korey Stringer
Institute for Heat Acclimatization (HA). Guidelines for HA may be
found on the AHSAA website under the “Sports Medicine & Safe-
ty” tab.
• NFHS Lightning Policy
o Guidelines for Lightning Safety may be found on the AHSAA web-
site under the “Sports Medicine & Safety” tab.
• Hydration Prevention
o The AHSAA follows the recommendations of the Korey Stringer
Institute for monitoring Hydration. Information and graphics may
be found on the AHSAA website under the “Sports Medicine &
Safety” tab.
• Intravenous Fluid Policy
o According to the recommendation of the AHSAA Medical Adviso-
ryBoard,theuseofintravenousuidhydration/rehydration(IVs)
may be used in athletes only in the case of medical necessity.
79Questions And Answers
o Under AHSAA policy (Rule III. Contests. Section 27) , an athlete
requiringintravenousuidtherapywillnotbeallowedtopartici-
pate in any athletic activity until cleared by a medical doctor and
approved by the parents or guardian. A direct verbal or written
orderfromamedicaldoctorisrequired.
• AHSAA Medical Advisory Board Members
o Co-Chairmen James B. Robinson, M.D.; District 1 Stacy Harrel-
son, ATC; District 2 Marshall Smith, ATC; District 3 Ken Taylor,
M.D.; District 4 Mike Goodlett, M.D.; Win Lyle, M.D.; District
5 JeDugas,M.D.;DrewFerguson,ATC;District 6 Mike Welsh;
District 7 A.E. Joiner, M.D.; District 8 John Greco, M.D. At Large
Stephanie Robinson, Principal, Fultondale High School.
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Regarding
AHSAA
Rules and
Regulations
Administration
1. Who makes up the legislative body of AHSAA?
The members of the eight district boards.
2. Who is eligible to be a District Board member?
Superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals and teachers in
the member schools of the respective district.
3. When a vacancy occurs in the District Board, how is it lled
temporarily?
Appointment by the President of the Central Board of Control, with the approval of the
remaining members of said Board.
4. How long does a temporary appointment to the District Board last?
Until the vacancy can be filled by election at the first meeting of the member schools of
the district.
5. How are funds of the
AHSAA
safeguarded?
The Executive Director and assistants are under a surety bond and the accounts are audited
annually by a certified public accountant approved by the Central Board.
6. Where is the nal authority of the
AHSAA
vested?
The Central Board of Control has final authority in all matters concerning the Association.
7. How can the Constitution and Bylaws of the
Association
be
amended?
Any principal of a member high school may submit a legislative proposal to the Executive
Director in writing. This must be done in January before the annual meeting. A two-thirds
vote of the members of the Legislative Council is necessary for a proposal to pass.
80 Questions And Answers
8
. Does the Alabama
Accountability
Act of 2013 impact AHSAA
transfer
eligibility
rules?
No. The Alabama Accountability Act of 2013 specifically states that the Act shall not affect
or change the athletic eligibility rules of student-athletes governed by the Alabama High
School Athletic Association regarding transfers. However, if a student transfers and
accepts financial assistance from the AAA, then it does. A student may transfer from
a failing school to a non-failing school within the same school system if LEA allows.
9. Who is held responsible for a member school’s observance of
the
Association
Rules and Bylaws?
The principal.
10. Who is the proper person to sign reports, contracts, etc.?
The principal.
11. Who is responsible for the conduct of the spectators at
athletic
contests?
The principal
12. When must a new
AHSAA
member school begin compliance
with
the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association?
A new member school’s official date of entry into the AHSAA is July 1 preceding its first
school year as a member school.
13. When must names for
eligibility
be submitted to the State
Of
fice?
Not later than two days before the first contest in which the submitted students
will participate.
14. What are the requirements for member school coaches
to
become certified under the
AHSAA
Coaches Certification
Program?Prior to working with any student-athlete (practice or competition), member
school coaches must meet all requirements of the Coaches’ Education Program –
Coaching Principles (NFHS or ASEP), Sports First Aid (ASEP or PREPARE ), NFHS
Sportsmanship or STAR Sportsmanship, NFHS Concussion course, NFHS Sudden
Cardiac Arrest course, NFHS Heat Acclimatization course, NFHS Mental Illness course,
and must have an active CPR with AED certification each year. Once these requirements
have been successfully completed, coaches are eligible to join the AHSADCA and receive
a coaches’ card. Coaches at member schools prior to 2001-02 are exempt from the
Coaching Principles and Sports First Aid course requirements.
15. When should physical examinations be made?
Before practice starts. The completed pre-participation physical exam form (signed by an
M.D. or D.O.) should be kept in the school principal’s office. Students cannot practice
without a physical.
16. What restrictions are in effect for football teams at the beginning
of fall practice?
The first two days of fall football practice must be in shorts in order for coaches to
determine if the students are conditioned physically for football practice. On the third day,
shoulder pads and helmets are allowed for one practice with the length of this practice no
more than 1.5 hours. During the first three days of practice, teams are allowed to use
hand-held blocking pads and wear helmets. Full pads may be used on the fifth practice
day.
81Questions And Answers
17. Can football teams conduct more than one practice on
the
same day?
Yes. Teams can hold two-a-day practices but not on consecutive days. When two-a-days are
held, only one of the practices may be in pads and there must be a four-hour break between
the end of the first practice and the beginning of the second.
18. May football coaches use communication devices as teaching
aids during a game?
Yes. Communication devices including but not limited to audio recorders, Local Area
Network (LAN) phones and/or headsets, mobile phones, still photograph(s), film, analog
or digital video(s) and/or Internet depictions, may be used to communicate with a player
only during a conference outside the 9-yard mark. The same devices may be used by
coaches with non-players.
19. Who is eligible to receive a 25-Year Special Pass?
Any member of the AHSADCA who has completed 25 years as a member of the
organization, regardless of positions held at a member school, may apply for a Special
Pass to all interscholastic athletic events sponsored by the AHSAA. This includes
assistant coaches, head coaches, principals, assistant principals or athletic directors.
The required 25 years of service can include any combination of service years in the
aforementioned positions. Principals who have 25 years or more service in AHSAA member
schools may also apply. A principal must have had 25 years of combined service as a
principal and/or coach in AHSAA member schools.
Eligibility
20. When does a student become too old to participate in
interscholastic athletics?
A student becomes ineligible for the current school year if he/she reaches his/her 19
th
birthday prior to August 1.
21. What is accepted evidence in proving a student’s date of birth?
A certified birth certificate issued by the State Bureau of Vital Statistics or a passport for
foreign exchange students. (In Alabama, certified birth certificates may be obtained at each
county health department.)
22. How many semesters can a student attend high school and
remain eligible for participation in athletics?
Eight consecutive semesters beginning when the student enters the ninth grade for the
first time.
23. How many subjects must a student have passed during
the
previous two semesters in attendance in order to be eligible?
Students entering the 10
th
, 11
th
and 12
th
grades must have passed six units (including
four core courses) with a minimum composite numerical average of 70 in those six units.
Students entering the 8
th
and 9
th
grades must have passed five subjects with a minimum
composite numerical average of 70 in those five subjects.
82 Questions And Answers
24. Is a student who becomes ineligible due to
academic
d
e
c
i
e
n
c
i
e
s
at the end of a year ineligible for the entire following year?
Yes, unless the student regains eligibility in summer school or by the end of the first
semester.
Any number of courses taken in the summer may be used for eligibility purposes if
completed and posted to transcript prior to first fall contest date.
25. Is work that a student repeats and passes counted toward
the
required credit for eligibility?
Yes. Any new credit (one not previously passed) in a major subject is counted. The term
“new units of work” has reference to work for which a student has not previously received
credit.
26. Will a student that is eligible at the beginning of a school year
remain eligible all year long?
Yes. A student declared eligible at the beginning of a school year is eligible for the entire
school year.
27. If a student is ineligible at the beginning of a school year, when
can the student regain his/her eligibility?
A student may regain his/her eligibility at the end of the first semester by passing six
units, including four core courses, with a minimum composite numerical average of 70
in those six units during the last two semesters in attendance and summer school, if
applicable.
28. Can a transfer student participate in sports at a school that
was
found to have violated the
AHSAA
recruiting rule
involving
that
student?
No. A student is ruled permanently ineligible at a school that has been ruled in violation of
the AHSAA Recruiting Rule involving that student.
29. What is the penalty for a member school found to have violated
the
AHSAA
Recruiting Rule?
The school may be placed on restrictive probation – banned from championship play – for
one year in the sport in which the violation occurred.
30. What is the penalty for a coach of a member school found
to
have violated the
AHSAA
Recruiting Rule?
The coach will be banned from coaching at any AHSAA member school for one year.
31. May a student change school zones to live with an appointed
guardian and be eligible at the school serving the area where
the
guardian lives?
No, not at the varsity level. The student’s parents would have to make a bona fide move
into the new school zone in order for the student to be immediately eligible for varsity
competition at the new school.
83Questions And Answers
32. In the above example, how long would a student have to
attend
the second school to become eligible for varsity?
One year from date of enrollment.
33. May a student whose parents move to another school zone
remain at the school and participate in athletics?
Yes. However, if the student stays longer than the end of the semester currently attending
at the time the parents move, the student will not be eligible at the second school
immediately. He/she may become eligible upon a transfer to the school where his/her
parents reside at the beginning of the fall semester. If the transfer is made in the school
year and during a new semester after the move, the student will not be eligible until after
June 1.
34. May a student establish
eligibility
by attendance in a school
where his parents do not reside?
Yes. After one year’s attendance the student may become eligible for varsity competition.
35. If a student transfers from a school in an overlapping school
zone to a non-member school or to a school outside that school
zone, may the student go back to a school within the overlapping
school zones after a semester and be eligible immediately?
No. The student must have been away from the original school for one year to participate
at the varsity level.
36. Can a transfer student under a disciplinary action from
his/her
previous school be eligible to participate in athletics at the
new
school?
No. A transfer student must be in good standing with his/her previous schools. A period
of discipline will be in effect from any previous school and must be served prior to the
student regaining athletic eligibility (includes any schools attended within the last calendar
year).
37. Can a student participate on an outside team and be eligible
to participate in the same sport on the school team during
the
same season?
No, except for the Independent Rule governing bowling, tennis, golf, swimming, track,
wrestling and cross country.
38. How many players from the same school can play on the
same
non-school team and then play on the same school team in
the
following season?
Any number of players necessary to play a contest in that sport may play together on an
outside team as long as no one from the school coaches the outside team.
39. May a student accept an award without breaking the
amateur
rule?
Yes. With the approval of the principal he/she may accept an award that costs $250.00 or
less.
84 Questions And Answers
40. If a student attends a member school in a school district
wher
e
his/her parents do not reside, may he/she return to the school
serving the area where the parents reside and be immediately
eligible?
Yes, if the student returns at the beginning of the school year or by June 1 and all other
requirements are met.
41. When is a student eligible after transferring from a
non-member
school to a member school?
The student becomes eligible for varsity at the member school at the beginning of the
next semester (first or second) or by June 1 if all other requirements are met.
42. How much practice must a team or player have before playing
a game?
A minimum of 13 days.
43. Who determines if a move
involving
a transfer is bona de?
The Executive Director.
44. May a school hold a practice or scrimmage game with another
school during spring training or at any other time during
the
school year?
No, in all sports except football. Any contest of this type would have to be counted in the
number of scheduled contests permitted each school. In football, each school may play in
a jamboree or regulation game in the fall and also in one of the events during the allowed
spring training period.
45. May a player participate in a varsity game and JV game on
the
same day?
No.
46. May a player be changed from the varsity to the JV squad or vice
versa?
Yes. However, the restriction in question 45 applies.
47. Can a team composed of seventh and eighth graders
compete
against a team whose roster includes ninth graders?
Yes. A middle school team, whether comprised of seventh graders only, eighth graders
only or seventh and eighth graders together, may play any other junior high or middle
school team comprised of seventh graders only, eighth graders only, ninth graders only or
any combination of seventh, eighth and ninth graders together.
48. Do
eligibility
rules apply to
B-teams?
Yes.
49. What is the proper action to take when agrant unsportsmanlike
conduct occurs at or during a contest?
The principal should report the incident to the Executive Director in writing.
50. How can unpleasantness be avoided at an athletic contest?
Set up a good sportsmanship program in the school. Provide adequate police protection,
taking all pre-game precautions possible.
85Questions And Answers
51. How can a principal, coach, or ocial get an ocial interpretation
on an
eligibility
or sports rule?
Send a letter, on school letterhead, signed by the principal, to the Executive Director.
52. What are the penalties that the
AHSAA
can impose?
(a) Place a monetary fine or penalty on a school for violation of the rules and regulations
of the Association.
(b) Forfeit the game.
(c) Suspend school from the Association. (d) Place school on probation.
(e) Disqualify a coach for unsportsmanlike conduct or conduct unbecoming for a coach.
(This penalty can be imposed only by the Central Board of Control.)
(f) Cancel an official’s rating or registration with the Association.
(g) Suspend players from athletics (permanently or temporarily) for unsportsmanlike
conduct or conduct unbecoming an athlete.
(h) Prohibit contests of a school when the attendance of an individual or fans is
considered a threat to the administration of the contest in a safe and sportsmanlike
manner.
53. May the rules of the
Association
be set aside by mutual
agr
eement?
No.
54. How often is a pre-participation physical examination required?
One calendar year as long as the physical exam is completed within the same calendar
month each year from the date of the exam. (Ex., Physicals given any day in the month of
May in 2020 will satisfy the requirement through the last day of May of 2022.
55. What are summer “Play Dates”?
Unlimited dates of summer practice competition per sport allowed for each school during
the summer during the allowable three week period. The competition must be against
other AHSAA member schools or schools from other NFHS state associations.
56. Who can participate in these “Play Dates”?
Only eligible students can participate in summer practice competition.
57. What activities are allowed during “Dead Week”?
During the week in which the AHSAA Summer Conference and All- Star Sports Week is
held, member schools may conduct weight training and conditioning programs. Practice
and competition (team camps, play dates, etc.) are not allowed.
58. What is the penalty if a student leaves the bench area,
comes
onto the court or playing eld and is ejected from the contest as
a result?
The school is fined for the player ejection and the student is suspended for 20 percent of
the team’s total number of allowed regular season games.
59. May a student showing signs, symptoms or behavior consistent
with a concussion participate in a contest?
Such a student shall be removed from the contest and shall
not
r
etur
n that day. Following
the day the concussion symptoms
occu
r, the student-athlete may return to practice or
play only after a
medical
release has been issued by a medical
docto
r.
86 Questions And Answers
60. May a student
requiring
intravenous
fluid treatment during
a
contest or event return to play that day?
No, not until being cleared by a medical doctor and approved by the parents or guardian. A
direct verbal or written order from a medical doctor is required.
61. Are any member school athletic teams allowed to receive private
instruction in a group setting during the season?
Yes. Member school teams may receive private individual instruction in a group setting
ONLY with members of their school team. Private instruction must be off campus.
62. Can a high school coach work with his/her students during
the
school year outside the sport’s season?
Yes, a coach for that sport may work with a team up to 2 hours per week.
Game Ofcials
63. Do all game ocials have to be registered with the Association?
Yes.
64. What is the penalty for using non-registered ocials?
A school may be fined and placed on probation.
65. How can a principal or coach know whether an ocial is
registered with the Association?
Officials are issued registration cards signed by the Executive Director designating the
sport and the classification of the official. Officials are required to wear the official AHSAA
patch on their shirts.
66. Who is responsible for securing ocials for a contest?
The home school is responsible for securing the officials except in state championship
contests.
67. What is the usual procedure used in selecting ocials?
The home team principal contracts with an Officials association to work its home games.
68. How are contest ocials selected for
AHSAA
state playos?
The AHSAA selects and assigns contest officials for all state playoff contests based on
merit. Contest officials in all sports are evaluated during the regular season and only
those officials rated in the top 50 percent of their sport are eligible for state playoff
assignments. Evaluations continue during each playoff round up through the finals with
the higher-rated officials earning assignments.
69. Do school ocials have a right to object to the game ocials
being used after a contest has started?
No.
70. Are schools governed by the same rules for interscholastic
competition in non-sanctioned sports as they are in competition
in sanctioned sports.?
Yes. All AHSAA rules apply.
87Questions And Answers
Sports Medicine and Safety
71. What is the penalty for an assault on an ocial?
Under state law, it is a crime to assault sporting event officials in the State of Alabama.
Legislation passed in December 2001 makes it a specific crime to harass, menace or
assault a sports official in the first, second and third degree if the crime is committed
against a sports official that is performing official duties at a sports event. The definition
of sports officials in this legislation includes administrators, coaches and officials in youth
leagues, high schools and colleges. Under AHSAA rules, each case is judged on its own
merits, but the usual penalty is a monetary fine plus probation, restrictive probation or
suspension for the school. The school may be prohibited from playing contests when the
individual (or individuals) responsible for the assault is present.
Non-Traditional Students Eligibility
72. Can home school students participate in athletics at a private
member school?
No. Home school students are only allowed to participate at the member public school
that serves the area in which the student’s parents reside.
73. Can college courses be used for academic accountability in
place of taking the AHSAA
Eligibility
assessments at the end of
each semester?
Yes, if the local BOE accepts college credit.
74. Who is responsible for reporting data and
eligibility
of home
school students?
The principal of the member public school that the home school
student is enrolled in.
75. Can a student enroll in a virtual program in another school
system and participate in athletics?
No. A student cannot enroll in two schools at the same time.
76. Can a home school student count elective credits taken through
home school program toward academic eligibility?
No. Only electives taken through the public school can be counted. Only one PE credit/unit
per year may be counted.
88 Sanctioned Sports
SANCTIONED SPORTS
Listed below are the sports in which state championship programs
are
sanctioned and sponsored by the AHSAA.
Note: A “sanctioned” sport is one in which a championship program is
sponsored by the AHSAA. Ten percent of the AHSAA member high
schoolsisrequiredinordertosanctionanewchampionshipsport.
Championship Division
Programs Boys Girls
Football X
Volleyball X
Cross Country X X
Swimming & Diving X X
Basketball X X
Wrestling X
Indoor Track X X
Bowling X X
Tennis X X
Golf X X
Track & Field X X
Baseball X
Softball X
Soccer X X
Decathlon X
Heptathlon X
Schoolscompetebyclassicationinthesamearea in most sports.
However, in some sports it will be necessary to combine areas and
classications in order to have adequate competition. Schools in each
classicationhavebeengeographicallygrouped,asnearlyaspossible,in
areas that will minimize travel and boost local competition.
State cheerleading competition is an activity sanctioned by the AHSAA.
89Championship Sports
CHAMPIONSHIP SPORTS
Football
No post-season games are permitted except the state
championship playo games. There are seven divisions (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A,
5A, 6A and 7A) of competition in the football championship program. Each
participatingteaminallclassicationsmustplayeveryotherteaminits
regiontoqualifyforthestatechampionshipprogram.Therstfourplaces
in each region will be determined by won-loss percentage in region play.
For all schools not participating in the state championship playos,
football season ends the weekend before the playos start. See the
AHSAA website (www.ahsaa.com) for details of the program.
V
olleyball
There are seven divisions (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and 7A) in the volleyball
championship program for girls. Area tournament winners and runners-
up advance to a super regional tournament with the top four nishers
advancing to the state tournament. See the AHSAA website (www.ahsaa.
com) for details of the program.
Swimming &
Diving
The swimming & diving championship program consists of four
divisions—two for girls and two for boys—with three sectional meets
and a state meet for each. See the AHSAA website (www.ahsaa.com) for
details of the program.
Basketball
There are seven divisions (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and 7A) of competition
in the basketball championship program for girls and boys. Each team
playseveryotherteaminitsareatwicetoqualifyfortheareatournament.
The area tournament winner and runner-up advance to a sub-regional
round (except in 7A) with the winners advancing to a regional tournament.
Regionalchampionsadvancetothestatenalstournament.
Invitational, county, league and conference tournaments must be
completed any time prior to the week of the area tournaments. See the
AHSAA website (www.ahsaa.com) for details of the program.
Wrestling
The wrestling championship program has competition in four divisions
(1A-4A,5A,6Aand7A)forboys.Supersection(NorthandSouth)qualifying
meets and state meets are held in each division. See the AHSAA website
(www.ahsaa.com) for details of the program.
90 Championship Sports
T
ennis
The tennis championship program has competition in four divisions
(1A-3A,4A-5A,6A and 7A)forgirlsand boys. Sectionqualifyingmeets
and state meets are held in each division. See the AHSAA website (www.
ahsaa.com) for details of the program.
Golf
The golf championship program consists of four divisions for girls (1A-
3A, 4A-5A, 6A and 7A) and six divisions for boys (1A-2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A
and 7A). The program has section qualifying meets, one round of sub-
state play, and a state meet. See the AHSAA website (www.ahsaa.com) for
details of the program.
Track &
Field
There are eight divisions (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A and Wheelchair) in
theoutdoortrackandeldchampionshipprogramforbothboysandgirls.
Section and state meets are held in each class. See the Spring Sports
book for details of the program.
The divisions for the indoor track championship program are 1A-4A,
5A, 6A and 7A for boys and girls. See the Winter Sports book for details
of the program.
The decathlon for boys includes 10 events of competition held on
two consecutive days. The heptathlon for girls includes seven events of
competition held on two consecutive days. See the AHSAA website (www.
ahsaa.com) for details of the program.
Cross
County
The divisions for the cross country championship program are 1A-2A,
3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and 7A for both boys and girls. See the AHSAA website
(www.ahsaa.com) for details of the program.
Baseball
There are seven divisions (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and 7A) in the baseball
championship program. Round-robin area play determines area winners
andrunners-up,whichadvancetothestateplayoineachclass.
Playogamesshallbeonaplay-at-homebasisfortherstfourrounds.
See the AHSAA website (www.ahsaa.com) for details of the program.
Softball
The softball championship program provides competition for girls in
seven divisions (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and 7A). Area tournament winners
andrunners-up advanceto aregionalqualier.Twoqualiersfrom each
regional advance to the state tournament.
See the AHSAA website (www.ahsaa.com) for details of the program.
91
Soccer
The soccer championship program has competition in four divisions
(1A-3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and 7A) for girls and boys. Area winners and runners-
up in 1A-3A, 4A-5A, and 6A and the section winners and runners-up in
7A advance to the rst round of sub-state play. Final sub-state round
winners advance to the state tournament. See the AHSAA website (www.
ahsaa.com) for details of the program.
Bowling
There are two classications for bowling. Regional tournament will
consist of top 4 teams for each region. The top 8 teams from each region
will advance to state. 16 girls’ teams and 16 boys’ teams.
AHSAA
Sports Under
Jurisdiction Plan
Sports Under Jurisdiction was established in 2010-11 to permit
member school teams to engage in interscholastic competition in non-
championship sports. Team members on emerging sports teams must
meetallAHSAAeligibilityrequirements,thesportsarerequiredtofollow
NFHSrulesandregulations,andAHSAA-registeredocialsmustbeused
where applicable, when available.
Currently,memberschoolsarepermittedtoeldteamsonlyinNFHS-
sanctioned sports in which a championship program is sanctioned and
sponsored by the AHSAA.
Steps for Fielding Emerging Sports T
eams
With the Central Board’s approval of participation in non-championship
sports, these guidelines have been developed to establish such a sport.
The steps for a school to follow:
• DeclarethesportontheonlinesportDeclarationForm(itwillbe
re-designed to
include emerging sports). Deadline for submitting
the online form is May 1.
• Follow all AHSAA eligibility rules and regulations and provide
facilities for practice and games. Submit participating students
to the school’s online eligibility list and require each student
to take the NFHS Sportsmanship program online. All summer
regulations and the Outside Participation Rule would also apply.
• CoachesmustbecertifiedinaccordancewithallAHSAACoaches
EducationProgramrequirements(RuleV,Coaches)
• Memberschoolisresponsibletofullyfundthesport.
92
• SportmustbesanctionedbytheNFHS.
• ConductthesportunderNFHSrules.Ifrulesofasporthavenot
been established by the NFHS, the rules of that sport’s national
governing body will be adopted by the AHSAA.
• UseAHSAA-registeredocialsforthatsportwhenavailable.(The
AHSAAwilldevelopaplantoregisterocialswhenapplicable.)
• Follow the sport season dates established by the AHSAA for
2022-23.
Championship Sport Consideration
When10percentofthememberschoolseldteamsinaSport
Under Jurisdiction, that sport may be considered for sanctioning as a
championship sport by the Central Board. Once a championship program
is sanctioned, the AHSAA would establish its season, competition format
andplayingrules.Creationofadditionalclassicationswithinasanctioned
sportrequiresparticipationby10percentofthememberschools.
AHSAA Sports Under Jurisdiction Plan
93School Classication
SCHOOL CLASSIFICATION
Highschoolsaredividedintosevenclassications(1A,2A,3A,4A,5A,
6A and 7A) for competition in championship programs.
Classication is based on Average Daily Membership (ADM) gures
furnished by the State Department of Education for the 9-11 grades plus
eighth grade students that are retained in the ninth grade.
Anindexof1.35isusedtodeterminetheenrollmentgureforclassifying
each private school member. Each private school student counts 1.35 for
classicationpurposes.
Alignments are made for each sport in a class, based on the number
of schools participating in a sport. Some programs may include two or
more classes in a division. Some schools may be classiedindierent
classicationforspecicsportbasedonthecompetitivebalancefactor.
The alignments for each sport in a class are published in the Fall,
Winter and Spring sports books.
CLASS 7A
Auburn High School ............................. 2,131.70
Hoover High School ............................. 2,046.00
Baker High School ............................... 1,910.90
Sparkman High School ........................ 1,851.05
Thompson High School ........................ 1,656.75
Enterprise High School ........................ 1,647.55
James Clemens High School ............... 1,594.00
Vestavia Hills High School .................... 1,587.10
Grissom High School ........................... 1,563.60
Central High School, Phenix City .......... 1,550.75
Mary G. Montgomery High School ........ 1,521.55
Prattville High School .......................... 1,451.00
Dothan High School ............................. 1,438.25
Bob Jones High School ........................ 1,434.30
Huntsville High School ......................... 1,403.10
Jeff Davis High School ......................... 1,402.75
Smiths Station High School ................. 1,356.90
Alma Bryant High School ..................... 1,355.60
Tuscaloosa County High School ........... 1,306.50
Albertville High School ......................... 1,281.40
Daphne High School ............................ 1,262.85
Hewitt-Trussville High School .............. 1,209.10
Davidson High School .......................... 1,207.00
Spain Park High School ....................... 1,189.65
Fairhope High School ........................... 1,175.15
Foley High School ................................ 1,145.95
Oak Mountain High School................... 1,137.75
Opelika High School ............................ 1,129.65
R.E. Lee High School ........................... 1,106.10
Chelsea High School ............................ 1,101.70
Austin High School .............................. 1,086.32
Florence High School ........................... 1,085.25
CLASS 6A
Helena High School ............................. 1,063.30
Clay-Chalkville High School ................. 1,061.95
Robertsdale High School ...................... 1,056.95
Gadsden City High School .................... 1,022.90
Murphy High School ............................ 1,011.75
Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa ......... 1007.45
Buckhorn High School ......................... 1000.70
Hazel Green High School ..................... 984.20
Oxford High School .............................. 981.50
Homewood High School ....................... 963.00
Mountain Brook High School ................ 962.50
Theodore High School ......................... 957.90
Mattie T. Blount High School ................ 923.15
Spanish Fort High School ..................... 921.80
Pell City High School ............................ 917.50
Hueytown High School ......................... 915.30
Shades Valley High School ................... 912.75
Wetumpka High School ....................... 909.00
Huffman High School ........................... 896.85
Athens High School ............................. 870.80
McAdory High School .......................... 869.05
Stanhope Elmore High School .............. 860.30
94 Ahsaa Sports Under Jurisdiction Plan
McGill-Toolen Catholic School.............. 855.29
Northridge High School ........................ 853.45
Pelham High School ............................ 832.40
Pinson Valley High School .................... 803.80
Paul Bryant High School ...................... 801.10
Decatur High School ............................ 799.75
Fort Payne High School ........................ 798.05
Saraland High School .......................... 794.55
Gardendale High School ...................... 783.80
Hartselle High School .......................... 778.15
Calera High School .............................. 778.15
Brookwood High School ....................... 772.00
Columbia High School ......................... 771.95
Baldwin County High School ................ 770.75
Russell County High School ................. 765.80
Carver Senior High School ................... 760.60
Cullman High School ........................... 759.85
Sidney Lanier High School ................... 747.55
Park Crossing High School ................... 721.25
Minor High School ............................... 708.55
Mae Jemison High School ................... 699.60
Muscle Shoals High School .................. 675.45
Mortimer Jordan High School .............. 637.70
Bessemer City High School .................. 627.20
Pike Road High School......................... 625.30
Central High School, Tuscaloosa .......... 623.00
Woodlawn High School ........................ 622.63
Lee High School .................................. 616.20
A.H. Parker High School ....................... 614.06
P.D. Jackson-Olin High School ............. 613.74
Benjamin Russell High School ............. 606.15
Chilton County High School .................. 603.45
Briarwood Christian School .................. 600.75
Center Point High School ..................... 593.60
CLASS 5A
Elberta High School ............................. 583.40
Rehobeth High School ......................... 581.35
Citronelle High School ......................... 579.60
Southside High School, Gadsden ......... 577.85
Wenonah High School .......................... 576.96
Jasper High School.............................. 576.85
Springville High School ........................ 576.50
Arab High School ................................. 574.20
Scottsboro High School ....................... 565.55
Faith Academy ..................................... 557.28
Russellville High School ....................... 556.15
East Limestone High School ................ 554. 00
Eufaula High School ............................ 547.55
Boaz High School ................................ 544.90
Gulf Shores High School ...................... 542.60
A.P. Brewer High School ...................... 535.85
Valley High School ............................... 532.25
Greenville High School ......................... 517.90
Jemison High School ........................... 517.65
Carroll High School .............................. 509.00
John Carroll Catholic School ................ 504.83
Douglas High School ........................... 504.50
Ramsay High School ............................ 499.84
Moody High School .............................. 495.90
Hayden High School ............................ 491.05
Sylacauga High School ........................ 488.70
Demopolis High School ........................ 485.65
Saint Clair County High School ............ 482.45
Leeds High School ............................... 479.50
Crossville High School ......................... 469.45
Guntersville High School ...................... 464.25
Lawrence County High School ............. 463.90
Leflore Magnet School ......................... 459.45
Selma High School .............................. 451.10
Marbury High School ........................... 445.90
Ardmore High School ........................... 441.80
St. Paul’s Episcopal School .................. 441.45
Sardis High School .............................. 437.05
Shelby County High School .................. 430.55
B.C. Rain High School .......................... 430.05
G.W. Carver High School ...................... 428.16
Brewbaker Tech. Magnet High School . 426.55
Headland High School ......................... 418.85
Lincoln High School ............................. 417.20
Alexandria High School ........................ 413.75
Fairview High School ........................... 413.25
Beauregard High School ...................... 413.05
West Point High School ........................ 411.70
Williamson High School ....................... 411.10
Central High School of Clay County ...... 410.30
Fairfield High Preparatory School ......... 409.85
Holtville High School ............................ 408.00
Vigor High School ................................ 406.65
Charles Henderson High School ........... 404.35
Elmore County High School.................. 401.85
Tallassee High School .......................... 401.15
Pleasant Grove High School ................. 400.50
Associate Member School
School Name Enrollment
Alabama School of Math and Science – x 133.4
Government Street Christian School - x 48.0
95Ahsaa Sports Under Jurisdiction Plan
CLASS 4A
Satsuma High School .......................... 397.00
Corner High School .............................. 395.10
Cordova High School ........................... 393.15
Priceville High School .......................... 387.30
UMS-Wright Preparatory School .......... 384.89
Brooks High School ............................. 383.75
Northside High School ......................... 382.85
Jacksonville High School ..................... 382.10
Andalusia High School ......................... 380.60
Bibb County High School ..................... 378.85
Etowah High School ............................ 375.75
Madison County High School ............... 375.25
LAMP High School ............................... 373.30
Hamilton High School .......................... 372.35
Haleyville High School ......................... 371.00
Sipsey Valley High School .................... 368.25
Handley High School............................ 367.80
Talladega High School ......................... 367.30
Cherokee County High School .............. 360.55
St. Michael Catholic High School ......... 360.32
Booker T. Washington High School ....... 354.65
Montevallo High School ....................... 352.90
Wilson High School .............................. 351.15
Good Hope High School ....................... 345.55
St. John Paul II Catholic School ............ 345.06
Randolph School ................................. 344.52
Dora High School ................................. 341.95
Oneonta High School ........................... 341.25
Anniston High School........................... 340.65
Cleburne County High School............... 338.30
West Morgan High School .................... 337.35
Holt High School .................................. 337.15
North Jackson High School .................. 333.60
Oak Grove High School ........................ 333.20
Munford High School ........................... 330.10
East Lawrence High School ................. 325.20
Fultondale High School ........................ 323.40
Jackson High School ........................... 320.75
Wilcox Central High School .................. 320.35
Bullock County High School ................. 320.00
Deshler High School ............................ 319.90
Dale County High School ..................... 317.20
Curry High School ................................ 310.70
American Christian Academy ............... 309.15
West Limestone High School ............... 308.40
West Blocton High School .................... 307.15
Kate D. Smith DAR High School ........... 306.30
Montgomery Catholic School ............... 305.10
T.R. Miller High School ......................... 304.25
Rogers High School ............................. 302.95
Orange Beach Middle/High School ....... 300.75
White Plains High School ..................... 299.65
Hanceville High School ........................ 299.55
Booker T. Washington Magnet .............
High School
294.55
Westminster Christian Academy .......... 294.30
Hale County High School ..................... 293.75
Ashville High School ............................ 292.70
Dallas County High School ................... 291.70
Escambia County High School ............. 291.00
Bayside Academy ................................ 290.99
Geneva High School ............................ 290.30
Slocomb High School........................... 288.70
Central High School, Florence .............. 288.50
New Hope High School ........................ 286.50
CLASS 3A
Hokes Bluff High School ...................... 285.60
Ashford High School ............................ 285.25
Straughn High School .......................... 285.10
Asbury High School ............................. 284.05
Danville High School ............................ 282.80
Pike County High School ...................... 282.20
ACCEL Academy Mobile ....................... 282.00
Opp High School .................................. 281.90
W.S. Neal High School ......................... 281.85
Indian Springs School .......................... 280.87
Flomaton High School .......................... 280.50
Fayette County High School ................. 279.25
Beulah High School ............................. 279.15
Mobile Christian .................................. 276.35
Childersburg High School .................... 275.65
Gordo High School ............................... 272.95
Plainview School ................................. 271.70
Piedmont High School ......................... 270.50
New Brockton High School .................. 270.45
Geraldine School ................................. 267.25
Lauderdale County High School ........... 264.05
Cottage Hill Christian Academy ............ 263.59
Weaver High School ............................ 263.35
Saint James ........................................ 263.25
Brindlee Mountain High School ............ 262.65
Elkmont High School ........................... 262.00
Houston Academy ................................ 261.90
96 Ahsaa Sports Under Jurisdiction Plan
Susan Moore High School .................... 261.65
Trinity Presbyterian School .................. 260.55
Phil Campbell High School ................... 260.40
Carbon Hill High School ....................... 259.90
Walter Wellborn High School ................ 259.35
Madison Academy ............................... 258.66
Vinemont High School ......................... 257.25
Tarrant High School ............................. 255.95
Providence Christian School ................ 253.73
The Montgomery Academy .................. 252.45
Prattville Christian Academy ................ 251.03
Monroe County High School ................. 248.10
J.B. Pennington High School ................ 247.30
Glencoe High School............................ 247.05
Excel High School ................................ 246.00
Sylvania High School ........................... 245.95
Sumter Central High School ................. 245.80
Winfield High School............................ 245.15
Midfield High School ............................ 244.20
Northside Methodist Academy ............. 240.30
Dadeville High School .......................... 237.05
Thomasville High School...................... 236.65
Randolph County High School .............. 235.90
Oakman High School ........................... 235.90
Southside High School, Selma ............. 235.40
Ohatchee High School ......................... 233.15
Colbert Heights High School ................ 231.90
Greensboro High School ...................... 231.40
Clements High School ......................... 230.75
Colbert County High School ................. 228.80
Daleville High School ........................... 227.95
Westbrook Christian School ................. 227.75
Alabama Christian Academy ................ 225.45
Saks High School ................................ 224.50
Hillcrest High School, Evergreen .......... 220.35
CLASS 2A
Southeastern School ........................... 218.30
Sheffield High School .......................... 217.15
The Altamont School - x ...................... 214.65
Pleasant Valley High School ................. 214.55
Collinsville High School ........................ 214.00
Vincent Middle High School ................. 213.25
Chickasaw City High School ................ 210.85
Wicksburg High School ........................ 209.75
Holly Pond High School ........................ 209.70
Reeltown High School .......................... 207.75
Ariton School ....................................... 205.85
Hatton High School .............................. 205.55
Locust Fork High School ...................... 205.00
North Sand Mountain School ............... 203.25
Greene County High School ................. 202.90
Section High School ............................ 201.35
Winston County High School ................ 200.65
Clarke County High School .................. 200.00
Fyffe High School ................................ 197.70
Central High School, Coosa .................. 197.40
Ranburne High School ......................... 196.05
Lamar County High School .................. 192.30
J.U. Blacksher School .......................... 191.30
Holy Family Catholic School ................ 191.16
Tharptown High School ....................... 186.90
B.B. Comer High School ....................... 186.75
Sulligent School .................................. 186.60
Cottonwood High School ...................... 186.20
Pisgah High School .............................. 185.55
St. Luke’s Episcopal School ................. 184.88
Lexington School ................................. 184.20
Cleveland High School ......................... 183.75
West End High School.......................... 182.95
Goshen High School ............................ 182.15
Luverne High School............................ 181.35
Mars Hill Bible School .......................... 180.50
G.W. Long High School......................... 179.95
Falkville High School ........................... 179.95
Cold Springs High School .................... 179.45
Isabella High School ............................ 178.00
Washington County High School .......... 177.20
Horseshoe Bend High School ............... 176.75
Gaston High School ............................. 175.25
Lanett High School .............................. 175.10
Red Bay High School ........................... 174.55
Highland Home School ........................ 173.05
Zion Chapel High School ...................... 171.85
Abbeville High School .......................... 171.20
Geneva County High School ................. 165.15
Sand Rock High School ....................... 163.35
Ider School .......................................... 163.30
Tanner High School ............................. 163.25
Tuscaloosa Academy ........................... 162.00
Aliceville High School .......................... 161.00
Cornerstone Schools of Alabama ......... 160.65
Lafayette High School
Pike Liberal Arts School .......................
159.25
157.95
Westminster School - Oak Mountain ... 157.34
Fayetteville High School ....................... 157.30
Thorsby High School ............................ 156.65
97Ahsaa Sports Under Jurisdiction Plan
Alabama School of Cyber Technology ..
and Engineering
156.00
Francis Marion School ......................... 154.60
Whitesburg Christian Academy ............ 152.28
Samson High School ........................... 151.85
Barbour County High School ................ 151.75
Woodland High School ......................... 150.55
Lindsay Lane Christian Academy ......... 149.85
CLASS 1A
Calhoun High School ........................... 148.40
Central High School, Hayneville ........... 141.15
Addison High School ............................ 140.05
Millry High School ............................... 140.00
Victory Christian School ....................... 139.05
Appalachian School ............................. 132.40
Houston County High School ................ 132.35
Sumiton Christian School..................... 132.30
Choctaw County High School ............... 131.45
Bayshore Christian School .................. 129.74
Elba High School ................................. 129.50
Skyline High School ............................ 128.85
Phillips High School ............................. 127.90
Marion County High School .................. 126.30
Kinston School .................................... 125.60
Southern Choctaw High School ............ 125.10
Leroy High School ............................... 124.80
Pleasant Home School ......................... 124.65
Florala High School.............................. 124.45
Cedar Bluff High School ....................... 124.40
Holy Spirit Catholic School ................... 124.07
Cherokee High School ......................... 123.70
Winterboro High School ....................... 123.55
Billingsley High School ........................ 123.25
Spring Garden High School .................. 122.20
Meek High School ............................... 121.70
Verbena High School ........................... 120.50
Brantley High School ........................... 120.05
Belgreen High School ......................... 118.20
Maplesville High School ....................... 117.65
Red Level School ................................. 113.60
Valley Head High School ...................... 113.55
The Donoho School ............................. 112.12
South Lamar School ............................ 110.35
Loachapoka High School ..................... 110.25
Sweet Water High School .................... 109.40
Decatur Heritage Christian Academy .... 109.35
Berry High School ................................ 107.00
Linden High School.............................. 106.85
Gaylesville High School ........................ 106.00
Keith Middle-High School .................... 104.75
Hackleburg High School ...................... 102.00
Wadley High School ............................. 101.00
St. Bernard Preparatory School ............ 99.50
McKenzie High School ......................... 98.00
University Charter School .................... 98.00
Pickens County High School ................ 96.75
Woodville High School ......................... 94.70
R.C. Hatch High School ........................ 93.70
Ragland High School ........................... 93.00
Waterloo High School .......................... 91.90
Oakwood Adventist Academy ............... 91.80
Fruitdale High School........................... 89.70
Georgiana School ................................ 88.25
Athens Bible School ............................ 87.75
Coosa Christian School ........................ 87.75
Hubbertville School.............................. 86.85
Lynn High School ................................. 86.50
Faith Christian School ......................... 83.70
Alabama School for the Deaf .............. 79.00
R.A. Hubbard High School .................... 76.50
Shoals Christian School ....................... 72.63
McIntosh High School .......................... 71.20
Brilliant School .................................... 67.55
Covenant Christian School ..................
(Tuscumbia)
67.50
Vina High School ................................. 66.70
Notasulga High School......................... 64.25
Jefferson Christian Academy .............. 62.10
Talladega County Central High School .. 60.45
Marengo High School .......................... 56.10
J.F. Shields High School ....................... 56.00
Autaugaville School ............................. 50.00
A.L. Johnson High School .................... 45.00
Jacksonville Christian Academy .......... 41.85
Alabama School for the Blind .............. 38.00
Ellwood Christian Academy ................. 36.45
Associate Member
Alabama School of Math and Science 123.60
Magic City Acceptance Academy ........ 91.40
Alabama Aerospace and Aviation
Charter
Breakthrough Charter
98 Mission, Function And Organization
MISSION, FUNCTION and ORGANIZ
A
TION
of
the
ALABAMA
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC
ASSOCIA
TION
Mission
The Alabama High School Athletic Association, founded in 1921, is a
private agency organized by its member schools to control and promote
their athletic programs.
The purpose of the AHSAA is to regulate, coordinate and promote
the interscholastic athletic programs among its member schools, which
include public, private and parochial institutions. Currently there are 414
senior high members and 333 junior high and middle school members
with more than 150,000 students participating in the program.
Major aims of the AHSAA are to serve the needs of its member schools
in conducting their interscholastic athletic programs and to assist member
schools in reaching the educational objectives as established by their
school systems.
Function
The AHSAA, providing a vehicle through which member schools may
write their own rules and regulations, determines that schools are abiding
by those standards in such areas as student eligibility, contests and
championship programs.
Another basic function of the AHSAA is the registration, training and
regulation of ocials. Only ocials registered with the Association are
used for contests involving member schools.
Organization
The rules-making body of the AHSAA is the Legislative Council,
composed of eight district boards made up of four members each elected
by member schools in each district. The 32-member Council has the
authority to make changes in the Constitution and Bylaws.
The executive board with the nal authority in AHSAA matters is
the Central Board of Control, consisting of one member of each district
board, one member from each of the four bi-districts, two at-large female
members, and one representative from the State Department of Education.
The operation of the AHSAA is the responsibility of Steve Savarese
andhissta.Savaresebecameonlythefourthfull-timeexecutivedirector
August 1, 2007, after the retirement of Dan Washburn, who had served
since1991.ThelateCliHarperbecametherstAHSAAheadin 1948
withtheestablishmentofaStateOceinMontgomeryandwasfollowed
by Herman L. (Bubba) Scott in 1966. Prior to 1948, Sellers Stough of
Birmingham served as director on a part-time basis.
99History
History
The AHSAA joined the National Federation of State High School
Associations in 1924. The National Federation, both a service and
regulatory organization controlling interstate athletic events, helps the
50stateassociationmemberssecurethebenetsofcooperativeaction
through the pooling and coordinating of ideas of all who are engaged in
the administration of high school athletics.
The AHSAA merged with the Alabama Interscholastic Athletic
Association in 1968, forming one high school athletic association for the
State of Alabama in accordance with a court order relating to athletics.
The AHSAA sponsors state championships programs in 12 boys and
12
girls sports.
Important Dates:
1921 — AHSAA organized
1924 — Joined National Federation on Feb. 28
1925 — First state basketball tournament
1925—Firsttrack&eldchampionships
1945 — First tennis championships
1948—StateofceestablishedinMontgomery
1948—CliHarperbecamerstfull-timeexecutivesecretaryonJuly1
1948 — Expanded to two classes for competition
1949 — First golf and soccer championships
1956 — First wrestling championship
1963 — First swimming championships
1964 — Expanded to four classes for competition
1966 — Herman L. (Bubba) Scott became executive director on July 1
1966—Firststatefootballplayo
1968 — Merger with AIAA on July 1
1973 — First cross-country state championships
1974 — Start of area and region play
1980—MovedtonewstateofcebuildinginJune
1985 — Expanded to six classes for competition
1986 — First slow pitch softball championships
1991 — Dan Washburn became executive director on January 1
1991 — First Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame induction
on March 23.
1994—Firstbasketballstatenals
1995 — First fast pitch softball championship
1996—FirstSuper6footballstatenals
2001—Firstbaseballstatenals
2006—StateOfcemovestonewfacilityinEastMontgomeryonJuly1
2007 — Steve Savarese became executive director on August 1
2013–ExpandedtoSevenClassications
2016 — First bowling championships
2021 — Alvin Briggs, became executive director on July 1
100 Special Program
SPECIAL PROGRAM
Sports Hall of
Fame
The Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame is dedicated to
preserving the rich tradition of high school athletics in Alabama. The
purpose is to recognize individuals who make outstanding contributions
toAHSAAmemberschoolsthroughtheirextraordinaryeortsascoaches,
administrators, ocials and news media personnel. Their excellence
stands out as shining examples for others to emulate.
The Hall of Fame is co-sponsored by the Alabama High School Athletic
Directors and Coaches Association along with the AHSAA.
Candidates are judged on character, leadership, citizenship, service
and achievement and contributions to member schools.
Hall of Fame nomination forms outlining the nominating procedure may
beobtainedfromtheAHSAAoce.Thoseselectedeachyeararehonored
attheannualInductionCeremonyandBanqueteachMarch.
Completed nomination forms, due in the AHSAA by October 15, must
be endorsed by a member high school of the AHSAA. Nominations remain
active for three years, after which they must be resubmitted. The Hall of
Fame Committee usually meets in January.
AN
EDITORIAL:
Association
Promotes
Athletics*
“The State and National Federation of High School Athletic Associations
are agents of the high schools. They are devoted to the interests of high
school boys and girls and promote these interests through providing the
meansforunitedeortbythemenandwomenwhoadministertheathletic
activity of the school – principals, athletic directors, coaches, contest
managersandthemenandwomenwhoociategames.
…“The athletic associations are sports direction agencies, primarily
concerned with proper controls and strict regulations of athletic activities.
Because of this, it is sometimes necessary to advocate limits which are
not always popular with the press or with that portion of the public which
does not always understand underlying principles and which centers its
attention on the exceptional performer and on exhibitionism rather than on
the more prosaic welfare of the many.
“Thereisadierencebetweensportspromotionandsportsdirection.
Promotion is based primarily on returns to the promoter. Direction is
concernedprimarilywithbenetstoalltheparticipantsandtospreading
thesebenetstoconstantlyincreasingnumbers…
“The welfare of the schools demands a united front in sports direction
policies and the high school associations provide opportunity for this unity.
They must be kept strong.”
*ByH.V.Porter,SecretaryEmeritus,NationalFoundationofStateHigh
School Athletic Associations, Chicago.
107Index
INDEX
AHSAA Year (Rule VI, Section 1) ........................................................................ 64
AHSAASta ......................................................................................................... 4
AHSADCA (Coaches Association) .................................................................... 63
AHSADCA Advisory Committee ........................................................................... 9
Academic Rule (Rule I, Section 9) ...................................................................... 29
Academic Home School ..................................................................................... 31
Academic Virtual School .................................................................................... 32
Administration (Rule VI) ...................................................................................... 64
Administration (Questions and Answers) ........................................................... 79
Age Rule (Rule I, Section 3) ................................................................................ 26
Age Rule (Junior High, Rule I, Section 2) ........................................................... 76
Alabama Accountability Act of 2013 .................................................................. 42
All-Star Regulations (Rule III, Section 20) ......................................................... 54
Altering AHSAA Rules (Rule VI, Section 6) ......................................................... 66
Amateur Rule (Rule I, Section 8) ....................................................................... 28
Amending Constitution Bylaws (Article XII, Constitution) ................................. 24
Appeals (Article XI, Constitution) ........................................................................ 24
Athletic Directors/Coaches Association (Rule V, Section 4) ............................... 64
Athletic District Map .................................................................. Inside Front Cover
Attendance Interruption (Rule I, Section 11) ...................................................... 32
Audio-Visual Policy (Rule VI, Section 18) ........................................................... 70
Audit Checklist ....................................................................................................64
Baseball.............................................................................................................. 89
Basketball........................................................................................................... 88
BirthCerticates(RuleI,Section4) ................................................................... 26
Bona Fide Move (Rule I, Section 12) .................................................................. 35
Bylaws ................................................................................................................ 24
Bylaws (Junior High/Middle Schools) ............................................................... 76
Calendar of Events ............................................................................................. 10
Calendars .................................................................................. Inside Back Cover
Camps (Rule III, Section 22) ............................................................................... 56
Catastrophic Insurance, Spring Practice (Rule III, Section 17) .......................... 51
Central Board (Members) ..................................................................................... 4
Central Board (Article VII, Constitution) ............................................................. 20
Championship Participation Rule (Rule III, Section 25) ...................................... 58
Championship Play Interruption Policy (Rule III, Section 26) ............................. 58
Championship Sports ......................................................................................... 88
Change In Residence (Rule I, Section 12) .......................................................... 36
Cheerleaders (Rule VI, Section 14) ................................................................... 68
Cheerleading Competition ................................................................................. 68
Classication(ofSchools) .................................................................................. 93
Coaches (Rule V) ................................................................................................ 62
Coaches’ 25-Year Special Pass ......................................................................... 63
Coaches, Junior High/Middle School (Rule V) ................................................... 61
Coaches Association (Rule V, Section 4) ........................................................... 64
Coaches’ Committees .......................................................................................... 7
Coaches Conduct ...............................................................................................63
108 Index
Coaches Education Program (Rule V, Section 2) ............................................... 62
Coaches’FieldEquipment ................................................................................. 58
CoachingRequirements(RuleV,Section1) ....................................................... 61
Coaching Outside School Year (Rule III, Section 15) ......................................... 49
Coaching Summer Practice Competition (Rule III, Section 21) ........................ 56
Combination Programs ...................................................................................... 74
Committees, Sports ............................................................................................. 7
Complaints (Article X, Constitution) ................................................................... 23
Completion Highest Grade .................................................................................. 35
Concussion Policy (Rule III, Section 28) ........................................................... 59
Concussion Information Form ............................................................................ 13
Conduct Rule/Ejection Penalties (Rule I, Section 18) ....................................... 40
Conduct, Coaches (Rule V, Section 3) ............................................................... 63
Constitution (Association) .................................................................................. 18
Constitution and Bylaws Amending (Article XII) ................................................. 22
Contests (Rule III) ............................................................................................... 44
Contests Allowed (Sports Calendar) .................................................................. 47
Contest Complaints (Rule IIl, Section 9) ........................................................... 46
Contest Contracts (Rule VI, Section 4) ............................................................. 65
Contest Restrictions (Rule III, Section 1) .......................................................... 44
Contest/Tournament Limitations (Rule III, Section 13) ....................................... 48
ContractingContestOcials(RuleVI,Section5) ............................................ 66
Core Courses (Rule I, Section 9) ........................................................................ 30
Correspondence Course (Rule I, Section 9) ....................................................... 31
Credentials (Media) ............................................................................................ 69
Credentials (School photographers/reporters) ................................................... 69
Credit Recovery .................................................................................................. 28
Cross Country .................................................................................................... 90
Custody (Rule I, Section 12) ............................................................................... 37
Decathlon ........................................................................................................... 89
Dependent Children ............................................................................................34
District Boards (Members) ................................................................................... 5
District Board (Vacancy) ..................................................................................... 22
District Board (Membership) .............................................................................. 22
District Boards’ Organization (Articles IV, V, VI and VIII) ................................. 20-22
District Boards (Questions and Answers) ......................................................... 81
Divorce (Rule I, Section 12) ................................................................................ 36
Dressing Out Rule (Rule III, Section 7) ............................................................... 46
Drone Policy ........................................................................................................61
Dues ............................................................................................................. 17, 75
Editorial: Association Promotes Athletics ........................................................ 101
Ejection Penalties (Rule I, Section 18) ................................................................ 40
Eight Semester Rule (Rule I, Section 5) ............................................................ 27
Electric Clock Operators (Rule IV, Section 2) ..................................................... 61
Eligibility (Rule I) ................................................................................................. 24
Eligibility Rule Application (Rule I, Section 19) ................................................... 42
Eligibility (Regained) (Rule I, Section 9) .............................................................. 27
Eligibility (Questions and Answers) .................................................................... 82
EligibilityVericationRequirements(RuleI,Section4) ...................................... 26
Eligibility Reports (Rule II, Section 2) ................................................................ 41
109Index
Eligibility Rules (Junior High/Middle School) ...................................................... 76
Eligibility Enrollment Rule (Rule I, Section 2) ...................................................... 23
Eligible Student Participation (Rule I, Section 20) .............................................. 42
End of Team Season (Rule III, Section 11) ......................................................... 49
Enrollment Rule (Rule I, Section 2) ..................................................................... 25
Evaluation Period (Rule III, Section 16) .............................................................. 50
Executive Director (Article IV, a) ......................................................................... 19
Executive Director (Article VII, k) ........................................................................ 22
Failure To Complete Contests (Rule III, Section 10) ........................................... 46
False Identity (Rule I, Section 13) ....................................................................... 39
Fall Football Practice Regulations (Rule III, Section 18) ................................... 52
Financial Aid (Rule VI, Section 7) ...................................................................... 66
Financial Inducements (Rule VI, Section 12) ...................................................... 68
Filming and Videotaping (Rule VI, Section 18) ................................................... 70
Fines ................................................................................................................... 21
Football............................................................................................................... 90
Foreign Exchange Student (Rule I, Section 12) ................................................ 37
FormsandReportsRequired(RuleII,Section3) ............................................... 43
Forms, Adminstrative (Rule II,Section 3) ............................................................ 43
Forms, Championship Programs (Rule II, Section 3) ......................................... 44
Forms, Miscellaneous (Rule II,Section 3) ........................................................... 45
Forfeiture of Contests (Rule III, Section 8) ......................................................... 48
Function of AHSAA ............................................................................................ 99
General Reminders............................................................................................. 13
Girls and Boys Participation ................................................................................46
Golf ..................................................................................................................... 90
Grades (Rule I, Section 9, 10) ...................................................................... 27,31
Guardianship (Rule I, Section 12) ....................................................................... 35
Hall Of Fame ..................................................................................................... 100
Heptathlon .......................................................................................................... 89
Higher Level Participation (Rule I, Section 7) ..................................................... 28
History of AHSAA ............................................................................................... 99
Home Rule (Rule I, Section 12) ......................................................................... 37
Illegal Practice (Rule I, Section 15) ..................................................................... 40
Independent Rule (Rule I, Section 6-A) .............................................................. 28
Indoor Track ....................................................................................................... 89
Ineligible Student Participation (Rule III, Section 8) ........................................... 46
International Baccalaureate Program (Rule I, Section 12) ........................... 32, 40
Intravenous Fluid Use Policy .............................................................................. 59
Jamboree (Rule III, Section 17) .......................................................................... 53
Junior High/Middle School Rules ....................................................................... 73
Junior High/Middle School Bylaws .................................................................... 76
Junior High/Middle School Committee ................................................................ 9
Junior High/Middle School Participation (Rule VI, Section 3) ............................ 65
Leaving the Bench ...............................................................................................41
Legal Expenses ...................................................................................................71
Legal Guardianship (Rule I, Section 12) ............................................................. 38
Legal Separation (Rule I, Section 12) ................................................................. 37
Legislative Council (Membership) ........................................................................ 5
Legislative Council (Article IV) ............................................................................ 19
110 Index
Legislative Proposals (Rule VI, Section 17) ........................................................ 69
Levels of Competition (Rule III, Section 19) ....................................................... 54
Magnet School, Home Rule (Rule I, Section 12) ................................................ 35
Management (Article IV, Constitution) ................................................................ 19
Management (Junior High/Middle Schools) ....................................................... 74
Media Credentials (Rule VI, Section 18) ............................................................. 69
Media Policy (Rule VI, Section 18) ..................................................................... 69
Member School (Rule I, Section 12) ................................................................. 34
Membership, Association (Article III, Constitution) ............................................ 18
Membership Dues .............................................................................................. 19
MembershipRequirements(RuleIII,Section4) ................................................. 45
Membership (Junior High/Middle Schools) ........................................................ 73
Merger Plan (Original) ....................................................................................... 101
Mission of AHSAA .............................................................................................. 98
National Federation (History, Purpose) .............................................................. 14
NFHS Rules Compliance (Rule III, Section 12) ................................................. 48
Nomination Forms (Rule II, Section 3) .............................................................. 44
Non-Faculty Coach (Rule V, Section 1) .............................................................. 62
Non-Resident Attendance ................................................................................... 34
Object of AHSAA (Article II) ................................................................................ 18
Ocials,Game(RuleIV) ................................................................................... 60
OcialsAssociationRestrictions(RuleIV,Section4) ........................................ 61
Ocials’Lists(RuleIV,Section1) ...................................................................... 61
Ocials(QuestionsandAnswers) .................................................................... 87
Ocials’Registration(RuleIV,Section2) .......................................................... 60
Ocials’Restrictions(RuleIV,Section3) .......................................................... 60
Ocials’Workshops(RuleIII,Section11) ......................................................... 49
Olympic Development Programs (Rule I, Section 6) .......................................... 24
Online Sportsmanship .........................................................................................41
Organization of AHSAA ...................................................................................... 99
Out-of-State Transfer (Rule I, Section 10) .......................................................... 32
Outside Participation Rule (Rule I, Section 6) .................................................... 27
Overlapping School Zones (Rule I, Section 12) ................................................. 38
Participation, Girls and Boys (Rule III, Section 6) ............................................... 46
Participation Limitations (Rule I, Section 5) ...................................................... 27
Participation(Denition)(RuleIII,Section6) ...................................................... 48
Participation Privilege (Rule VI, Section 15) ....................................................... 68
Participation Rule, Championship (Rule III, Section 25) ..................................... 59
Participation Rule, Individual (Rule I, Section 5) ............................................... 24
Penalties (Schools) ............................................................................................. 21
Penalties(Question62)(Non-RegisteredOcials) ............................................ 87
Permanent Media Credentials ............................................................................ 67
Physical Examination (Rule I, Section 14) .......................................................... 39
Physician’s Statement (Rule I, Section 14) ......................................................... 39
Post-Season Contests (Rule III, Section 11) ...................................................... 48
Practice Contests (Rule III, Section 11) .............................................................. 49
Practice Dates (Sports Calendar) ........................................................................48
Pre-Competition Practice (Rule III, Section 14) .................................................. 50
Principals’ 25-Year Special Pass ........................................................................ 72
Principals’ Accountability (Rule VI, Section 2) .................................................. 64
111Index
Principals’ Advisory Committee ........................................................................... 9
Private Instruction (Rule I, Section 6) ................................................................. 24
Professional Contract Enticements (Rule VI, Section 8) .................................... 66
Professionalism (Rule I, Section 8) ..................................................................... 28
Proposals (Rule VI, Section 17) .......................................................................... 70
Publications ........................................................................................................ 14
Questions and Answers ..................................................................................... 79
Recruiting (Rule VI, Section 12) ......................................................................... 67
Recruiting Outside District (Rule VI, Section 13) ................................................ 68
RegisteredOcialsContestRequirements(RuleIV,Section2) ........................ 60
Reports (Rule II) .................................................................................................. 43
Residence Change (Rule I, Section 12) .............................................................. 37
Ruling,Ocial(ArticleX,Note) .......................................................................... 22
RulesClinicRequirement(HeadCoaches) ........................................................ 62
Rules Compliance (Rule II, Section 1) ................................................................ 42
SanctioningRequirements(RuleIII,Section3) .................................................. 45
Sanctioned Sports.............................................................................................. 88
Schedules, Limitations (Rule III, Section 13) ...................................................... 49
Scheduling Practices (Rule III, Section 13) ........................................................ 50
School Alignment ............................................................................................... 93
SchoolClassication.......................................................................................... 93
School Facilities, Restrictions (Rule III, Section 14) ........................................... 50
SchoolOcialRequired(RuleVI,Section9) ..................................................... 66
School Restitution Rule (Rule VI, Section 10) .................................................... 67
School Zone Lines, Determination of (Rule I, Section 12) .................................. 38
Second Semester Eligibility (Rule I, Section 9) .................................................. 31
Semester Attendance Rule (Rule I, Section 5) ................................................... 24
Sickness, Student (Rule I, Section 11) ............................................................... 33
Soccer ................................................................................................................ 91
Softball ............................................................................................................... 91
Special Courses (Rule I, Section 9) .................................................................... 29
Sports Calendar (starting dates, Rule III, Section 13) ........................................ 47
Sports Committees of Coaches ........................................................................... 7
Sports Hall of Fame .......................................................................................... 101
Sports Seasons Participation (Rule I, Section 5) ........................................ 26, 47
Sports Under Jurisdiction Plan .......................................................................... 90
Spring Evaluation Periods (Rule III, Section 17) ................................................. 51
SportsmanshipRequirements ..................................................................... 42, 63
Starting Dates (Sports Calendar, Rule III, Section 13) ....................................... 47
Starting Date Changes (Rule VI, Section 16) .................................................... 69
StateOceSta .................................................................................................. 4
Student Restitution (Rule I, Section 22) ............................................................. 42
Student’s Good Standing (Rule I, Section 16) ................................................... 41
Submitting Eligibility Rosters (Rule III, Section 5) .............................................. 45
Submitting Student Data (Rule II, Section 2) .................................................... 42
Suits Against AHSAA (Rule VI, Section 10) .................................................. 68, 72
Summer Coaching (Rule III, Section 22) ............................................................ 57
Summer Practice Competition (Rule III, Section 21) .......................................... 55
Summer Practice Rule (Rule III, Section 21) ...................................................... 55
Summer School (Rule I, Section 9) ................................................................... 30
112 Index
Sunday Play (Rule III, Section 2) ........................................................................ 45
Suspensions (Rule I, Section 16) ...................................................................... 40
Swimming & Diving ............................................................................................ 88
Taping and Filming Restrictions (Rule III, Section 23) ........................................ 58
Team Camps (Rule III, Section 21) ..................................................................... 56
Team Practice Restrictions (Rule III, Section 14) ............................................... 49
Team Season (Rule I, Section 6) ........................................................................ 24
Tennis ................................................................................................................. 88
Testing Dates (State and National) ..................................................................... 12
Title IX Policy Statement .................................................................................... 15
Tournaments, Sports Calendar (Rule III, Section 13) ..........................................47
Track & Field ....................................................................................................... 89
Transfer Rule (Rule I, Section 12) ....................................................................... 33
Transfer Student, Out-of-State School (Rule I, Section 10) ............................... 33
Transfer Student, Non-Member School (Rule I, Section 12) .............................. 38
Transfer Student’s Standing (Rule I, Section 16) ................................................ 41
Tryouts ................................................................................................................ 52
Two-Day Regulation (Rule I, Section 4) .............................................................. 25
UndenedSchoolZones ..................................................................................... 38
UndenedViolations(RuleI,Section21) ........................................................... 42
Undergraduates Rule ......................................................................................... 25
Unscheduled Central Board Meeting ..................................................................67
Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Coach (Rule V, Section 3) ....................................... 63
Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Student and Coach (Rule I, Section 17) ................. 40
Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Schools (Rule V, Section 3) .................................... 63
Video Restrictions (Rule III, Section 23) ............................................................. 58
Virtual School, Academic ................................................................................... 34
Volleyball ............................................................................................................ 89
Wrestling ............................................................................................................. 89
113
NOTES
114
NOTES
AHSAA Athletic Districts
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
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Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
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Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
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Sa Su
Mo
Tu
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Sa
1
1
2
3
4
5 1 2
3
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5
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7
1
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4 1
2
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6
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8 6
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12 8
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14 5
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11 7
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13 4
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19 15 16
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21 12
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18 14 15
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20 11
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16 17
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22 20 21
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26 22
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28 19 20
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25 21
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27 18 19
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29 27
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31
26
27
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31
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Su
Mo
Tu
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Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
1
2
3
4 1
1
2
1
2
3
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12 3
4
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9 5
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11 2
3
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8 3
4
5
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9 7
8
9
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19 10
11
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16 12
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18 9
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15 10
11
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16 14
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21
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26 17
18
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23 19
20
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25 16
17
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22 17
18
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23 21
22
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31
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30 26
27
28
29
30
31
23
24
25
26
27
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29 24
25
26
27
28
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30 28
29
30
30 31
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
1
2
3
4 1
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 5
6
7
8
9
10
11 7
8
9
10
11
12
13 4
5
6
7
8
9
10 5
6
7
8
9
10
11 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 12
13
14
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18 14
15
16
17
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20 11
12
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17 12
13
14
15
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17
18 9
10
11
12
13
14
15
22
23
24
25
26
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28 19 20
21
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25 21
22
23
24
25
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27 18 19
20
21
22
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24 19
20
21
22
23
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25 16
17
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19
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29 30
31
26
27
28
29
30
28 29
30
31
25
26
27
28
29
30
26 27
28
29
30
31
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
6 1
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
3 4
5
6
7
8
9 7
8
9
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11
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13 2
3
4
5
6
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8 6
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9
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12 7
8
9
10
11
12
13 4
5
6
7
8
9
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13
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16 14
15
16
17
18
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20 9
10
11
12
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15 13
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19 14
15
16
17
18
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20 11
12
13
14
15
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23 21
22
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25
26
27 16
17
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22 20
21
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24
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26 21
22
23
24
25
26
27 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 28
29
30
31
23
24
25
26
27
28
29 27
28
29
30
31
28
29
30
31
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
31 30
31
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3 1
1
2 1
2
3
4
5
6
7 1 2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
4 5
6
7
8
9
10 2
3
4
5
6
7
8 3 4
5
6
7
8
9 8 9
10
11
12
13
14 8
9
10
11
12
13
14 6
7
8
9
10
11
12
11
12
13
14
15
16
17 9 10
11
12
13
14
15 10
11
12
13
14
15
16 15
16
17
18
19
20
21 15
16
17
18
19
20
21 13 14
15
16
17
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18
19
20
21
22
23
24 16
17
18
19
20
21
22 17
18
19
20
21
22
23 22
23
24
25
26
27
28 22
23
24
25
26
27
28 20
21
22
23
24
25
26
25
26
27
28
29
30
23
24
25
26
27
28
29 24
25
26
27
28
29
30 29
30
31
29
30
27
28
29
30
31
30
31
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
1
2
3
4
1
2
1
2 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
6
7
8
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10
11 12 4
5
6
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8
9
10 5
6
7
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10 11 3
4
5
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9 3
4
5
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9 8
9
10
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15
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19 11
12
13
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17 12
13
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18 10
11
12
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16 10 11
12
13
14
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16 15
16
17
18
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21
22
23
24
25
26 18
19
20
21
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24 19
20
21
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25 17
18
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23 17
18
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23 22
23
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30
25 26
27
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31 26
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24 25
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30 24
25
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30 29
30
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31
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Jul 4 Independence Day Jul 4 Independence Day
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ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIAT
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