08/07/15 – Reminder about Bylaw 9 Allowances for Girls Basketball

August 7, 2015 2015-2016 News Releases

The delegates to the KHSAA Annual Meeting in 2014 passed revisions to Bylaw 9 to codify the previous exception to the prohibition on girls’ basketball players participating in outside competition once the school year begins if they have been enrolled in grade 9 AND then subsequently played for a high school level team at any level. While the final regulatory approval is still pending, the Association will operate this fall as though the proposal is given final approval.

This exception for girls allows for players who are subject to the rule, after the first day of school for the high school, to attend only nonscholastic women’s basketball events held during weekend of September 25-27, 2015.

Administrators and Coaches should remind all participants who have previously been both enrolled in grade 9 AND who have played for a high school of this important restriction.

CASE SITUATIONS FROM KHSAA HANDBOOK

Case BL-9-2- What specifically is permissible, and not permissible for basketball players to participate in after the first day of school other than specific permitted activities detail in the rule?
The following situations would be expressly prohibited:
(1) Any play involving more than two (2) people at a time where score is kept, either among the players, on a flip scoreboard, digital scoreboard, or using any other device;
(2) Any play involving a third party acting in the role of a contest official, whether or not the person is a licensed or approved official;
(3) Any type of play against other players where the teams are selected either prior to arrival or after arrival, by any other method than simple player selection by the players themselves;
(4) Any play at any event where school funds are expended for participation fees, travel or any other expense, including fees paid by booster organizations or any member of the coaching staff;
(5) Any play where future play is predicated by the outcome of other play at or preceding the event; and
(6) Any play at which players wear school team identifying apparel of any type.
The following situations would be permitted:
(1) Activity such as individual play or skill development or technique drills where neither score nor time are kept and future play is not predicated by results of other play;
(2) “Pick-up” type of action initiated solely by players, and with no coaches, event organizers, promoters or event sponsors having any involvement in the activity whatsoever; and
(3) Any individual instructional activity fully funded by the student participant at his/her own expense.

Case BL-9-3- For the purposes of Bylaw 9, when are the seasons for basketball and football?
For the interpretation of this rule, the basketball and football seasons are considered to start on the opening date of school. Student-athletes who have both been enrolled in grade nine, and participated in a contest at the high school level (freshman, JV or varsity) cannot participate in outside competition during this time.

Case BL-9-4- Does Bylaw 9 apply to participants in any sport other than basketball or football?
No. There are no restrictions on the student-athletes in sports other than football and basketball as it relates to outside competition during the season or prior to the season beginning.

Case BL-9-5– Does Bylaw 9 restrict a student who hasn’t yet played for the school in basketball from playing in an outside league or in any other organized competitive setting in basketball during the school year prior to the season?
No, not until he/she has been enrolled in grade nine and played for a team in a contest at any level (grades 9-12) within the school. The restriction, which also applies to outside competition in football by football players, does not apply to incoming freshmen or any other student who hasn’t yet represented the school.

Case BL-9-6- Are there any exceptions to the participation restrictions in Bylaw 9 for participation in Olympic Development Activities?
Yes, the Board of Control has authorized the Commissioner to consider, on a case by case basis, waivers to any restrictions contained in Bylaw 9 or Bylaw 23 that would allow participation by an enrolled student or employed coach in officially sanctioned U.S. Olympic Development activities. For Bylaw 9, USA Basketball can request, through the appropriate member school, that these restrictions be waived and participation allowed.