Kentucky High School Athletic Association

Just about three quick reminders after watching quite a bit of Week 0 video.

FB Experimental Rule

Remember we are experimenting with a rule on kickoffs. This experiment adds to the end of 6-1-3, “After the ball is marked ready for play and until it is kicked, no member of the kicking team with the exception of the kicker may be more than five yards behind the kicking team’s free kick line.” As we apply this experiment, remember it is only a foul if someone is touching beyond the goal line side of the five-yard mark. In other words, with a standard 40-yard line kickoff, if someone were touching the 35-yard line, but not beyond the goal-line side edge of that line, it is legal. Don’t over officiate this new rule. Something has to be touching beyond.

If the foul does occur, it’s a five yard encroachment foul, which kills the play before it begins. Remember, […]

08/30/13 – Heat Timeouts Mandated for Football Week 1, August 30 and 31

Obviously with today’s extreme temperatures and expected to go through the weekend, a quick reminder is in order.

YES, for this entire weekend and in all games regardless of temperature, we will mandate a heat timeout which shall not be charged to either team, during each quarter. The time-outs should be taken at the first change of possession following the six minute mark of each quarter.

Officials and coaches should also remember that the Heat Index Policy is in place for all games. If the heat index is 95 to 99, then a break is mandatory for at least 10 minutes in duration, every 30 minutes. If the heat index is above 99, no activity, including warmups, is permitted due to the requirements for safety equipment.

Best of luck to all involved.

– KHSAA –

KHSAA BLOG POSTS

The KHSAA staff routinely publishes blog posts to better communicate with its various constituencies and […]

08/30/13 – Reminder on “Off Season” during school year limitations

Softball Blog Updates

This is a reminder to all softball coaches and administrators with regard to limitations to “off season” during the school year activities (“Fall Ball”). We have received some reports of schools using school uniforms and other identifying apparel which is prohibited.

Please review and be mindful of the stipulations.

Case BL-23-14- What are the restrictions during the school year outside of the defined Limitation of Seasons (off-season) when the school’s team members are participants or school coaches are involved?

Coaching is defined as any activity by the coach at a time the athletes are participating in skills (either preparatory or specific to that sport) in a setting in which skills are taught, refined, or practiced. Coincidental participation by a coach and an athlete in a sport such as a golf outing, where the coach and athlete(s) are not entered as a entry or group, or in an activity such as distance running with many […]

08/28/13 – KHSAA and KHSADA Partner to Help Provide Title IX Book for Schools

The KHSAA is proud to partner with the Kentucky High School Athletic Directors to make available to our membership a copy of an extraordinary publication related to Title IX. Title IX and Interscholastic Athletics, How it All works – in Plain English is literally a how-to guide for the interscholastic (high and middle school) level.

For complete information about the manual, see the link at http://www.khsaa.org/titleix/flierforgoodsportsbook.pdf. We are proud to offer the $109 manual to the membership for only $40 through October 15 thanks to the cooperation of the KHSAA Board of Control and the Kentucky High School Athletic Directors Association. To order this manual, go to http://www.khsaa.org/payments/publications/.

“Title IX and Interscholastic Athletics: How It All Works – In Plain English,” a self evaluation manual and desk reference for high schools and middle schools, is the one-stop encyclopedia for Title IX’s application to interscholastic athletics programs. This 700 page Manual/Workbook-CD is a […]

08/27/13 – Reminder about Regional Meetings

The regional meeting schedule has been posted online for a number of weeks. Remember that these meetings are optional, provide a specified number of leadership hours and focus on KHSAA bylaws, the school data system, and the Title IX and Participation Reports. If you are coming to a future meeting, the complete agenda (all times local to the specific site) is located at http://khsaa.org/2013-14-optional-khsaa-administrators-workshop/. The schedule of meetings and the links to register for the meetings are located at http://khsaa.org/8213-regional-series-of-meetings-scheduled-again-for-2013-2014/ These meetings are not required, and should not be confused with the Annual Meeting (Delegate Assembly to be held on September 19), or the required online Principal’s meetings which will be available beginning in October.

– KHSAA –

KHSAA BLOG POSTS The KHSAA staff routinely publishes blog posts to better communicate with its various constituencies and the public. For a list of those blogs, go to http://khsaa.org/news-stats-pubs/sports-blogs/

08/27/13 – Heat Index Reminder

Soccer Blog Updates

With Temperatures reaching into the nineties for many areas across the Commonwealth this week, I would like to remind all of you of our Heat Index guidelines for Soccer:

In games where the heat index has been determined to be 95 or higher, play will stop at the 20 minute mark of each half of play to allow student-athletes and of?cials to take a mandatory 10-minute heat timeout and water break. Contest of?cials will get heat index information from game management before the start of the contest and will then implement the timeout procedures by notifying the coaches at the required pre-game meeting.

08/27/13 – Member School Menu Page Refinements

As you log into your KHSAA Member School account (effective Tuesday, August 27) you will notice a refinement of the grouping and arrangement of links with the most frequently used links in the left most column of the page.

The flow of the first three groups (Member School Database, Member School Personnel, and Student-Athlete Rosters) follow the training approach that I have explained in person at our workshops, on the phone, and in my typed (and video) instructions.

Additionally, there is a “Printed Publication” section in the right most column of the page where you can purchase a copy of the 2013-2014 Handbook or our 2013-2014 Memo Calendar as of its publication date.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you

Rob Catron

IT Director

08/26/13 – Reminder on “Off Season” during school year limitations

Baseball Blog Updates

This is a reminder to all baseball coaches and administrators with regard to limitations to “off season” during the school year activities (“Fall Ball”). We have received some reports of schools using school uniforms and other identifying apparel which is prohibited.

Please review and be mindful of the stipulations.

Coaching is defined as any activity by the coach at a time the athletes are participating in skills (either preparatory or specific to that sport) in a setting in which skills are taught, refined, or practiced. Coincident participation by a coach and an athlete in a sport such as a golf outing, where the coach and athlete(s) are not entered as a entry or group, or in an activity such as distance running with many […]

08/26/13 – Video Replay and Video Board Reminders for Schools

USE AND REVIEW OF VIDEO OF SCRIMMAGES AND CONTESTS, USE OF VIDEO BOARDS

REMINDER ABOUT TAPING WITHOUT PERMISSION (FROM BYLAW 15)
Sec. 2) Illegal Equipment/Videotaping
a) It shall also be considered a violation of this rule if any school or school representative(s) uses or allows the use of illegal equipment which gains a competitive advantage in the contest and which is expressly prohibited by the rules adopted for that sport.
b) This shall also include the on-site recording of past or future opponents in any electronic form without the expressed consent of all involved teams.
c) A violation of this provision may result in penalization by the Commissioner’s office in accordance with the provisions of this bylaw and in accordance with KHSAA Bylaw 27.
Case BL 15-14- Is it a violation for a school to videotape an opponent without permission or use otherwise illegal equipment such as cleats […]

08/27/13 – Did You Know? Head Coach Data Privileges Role

Catron's Kilobytes

Do you have a trusted Assistant Coach that you would like to have the same roster and/or schedule entry rights as your head coach? Perhaps your head coach delegates that role to a trusted Assistant coach.

Do you have a Head Varsity Coach that is responsible for maintaining all three roster levels (Varsity, JV and Freshman) – but does not necessarily coach the other two levels on the court or on the field?

Did you know that you can easily take care of both of these requirements in our updated 2013-2014 Member School Database using the new Assistant Coach “Head Coach Data Privileges” Role?

I think that we all realize that the roster and schedule system is restricted to users with AD level (or higher) or Head […]

08/23/13 – Heat Reminders and Time-Out Procedures Reiterated for Football games

With tonight being the first permissible night for football contests, this notice and directive is important to help ensure the health and safety of the competitors. Due to the extremely low temperatures that have existed throughout most of fall practice, it is possible that many athletes are not properly acclimatized to the wearing of gear in hot weather, in spite of meeting the required number of days. Out of an abundance of caution, and respect for the safety of the competitors, coaches and game officials, officials are directed to take the NFHS permissible heat time-outs during each quarter of each game played on August 23 and August 24 if the ambient temperature at the playing site is 80 degrees or higher. In most cases, we will not reach the normal levels of the heat index monitoring regulations, but safe is certainly better than sorry. The time-outs should be taken […]

08/23/13 – Soccer Sportsmanship

Soccer Blog Updates

The practice of good sportsmanship is integral to conducting an interscholastic athletic contest. After reviewing the Disqualification reports from the first three days of the season, we have 25 student/athletes or Coaches that have been removed from their games. Granted, a few of these are due to second cautions of reckless play, but far too many of these are for dissent, vulgar/profane language or fighting. After discussing this with the Commissioner, I want to remind you that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. The Board of Control has empowered the Commissioner to add additional fines to the school for repeated offences that show a lack of institutional control. I am fairly confident that those coaches who don’t have these issues arise in their programs are as tired as I am with listening to people say “that’s Soccer”. It is a great game and it doesn’t have to be played in an unsporting manner. […]

Soccer District Boys Seeding Plans

2009 District Football Standings

Football Working

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2010 District Football Standings

Football Working

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2013 Football District Standings

Football Working

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08/20/13 – Agenda for 2013-14 Optional KHSAA Administrators Workshop

Check in: 8:00 a.m., Workshop: 8:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Introduction of Presenters
Evaluation Form
KHSAA and its role with KDE and KBE
KHSAA Prime Date Requirement
Primer on KHSAA Bylaws
Cheerleading and its role within the School
KHSAA Current Events and Communication

(SHORT STRETCH BREAK)

Web Site Intro
The need for Security on the web site and establishing a Secure Account
Indicating Sports and Levels
Coach Management
Non-Coach Management
Roster Management
Title IX Online and Participation Reporting System

(BREAK)

Title IX History including the KHSAA education program
Gender Equity Review Committee
Annual Reporting Process
Permanent Title IX File
Audit Visit/Revisit Program
KBE Reporting Process
The Three-Part Test

(SHORT STRETCH BREAK)

Opportunities
Benefits
Reporting and Evaluation of Expenditures (T-35)
Development and Monitoring of an Improvement Plan

Soccer District Girls Seeding Plans

District Site Selection Plans

Past Soccer District, Region, Section, SubSection Financial Reports

Past Soccer District, Region, Section, SubSection Financial Reports

08/14/13 – KHSAA Online System Refinements and Revisions

Catron's Kilobytes

This is blog post is meant for KHSAA Member School Principals and Athletic Directors and is specifically intended only for Administrators who maintain their School’s Personnel accounts and Rosters online via the KHSAA Member School only system. If you have an assistant that performs these online data functions, please direct them towards this blog post.

This blog entry will (1) describe the “Four Step” process needed to allow coaches to edit rosters, (2) describe how to let trusted assistant coaches edit rosters and schedules with the same privileges as your head coach and (3) describe how to let non-KHSAA Sport/Sport Activity positions at your KHSAA Member school to be able to log in and watch the Sports Safety Course.

The Four Steps to ensuring your head coaches can edit rosters:

Watch my revised videos listed in the “Need Help” section of the login page. Though technically not a Step, I consider these videos […]

08/12/13 – Reminder about Football Running Clock Procedure

This notice effects all football games played in Kentucky involving KHSAA member schools at al levels of play.

The point differential to initiate the running clock has been changed from 45 points to 36 points. Though this was previously noticed to all football coaches, this reminder is necessary as the season is about the begin. As was stated in the earlier notice email, the Commissioner’s Football Advisory Committee, which is made up of coaches and athletic administrators throughout the state, felt strongly that having had ample time to evaluate the previous difference, and with a desire surrounding injury prevention and efficient conduct of the games, that the number should be changed.

For details of the procedure, see http://khsaa.org/running-clock-provisions-khsaa-football-all-high-school-levels-of-play/.

Best of luck to all as the season begins.

08/13/13 – Reminder about 2013 KHSAA Annual Meeting

http://khsaa.org/fastpitchsoftball/worthflyer.pdf

This is intended for all KHSAA member school Superintendents, Principals and Athletic Directors and the link can be forwarded as needed.

The 2013 Annual Meeting of the membership of the KHSAA is to be held on Thursday, September 19 in the Thorobred meeting rooms on the third floor at the Lexington Center (High Street level,adjacent to the concourse of Rupp Arena). A final agenda will be published in the coming weeks, but the meeting is expected to begin at approximately 8:00 a.m. ET. and conclude not later than 1:30 p.m.

This specific meeting has professional development opportunities in the morning, a discussion period regarding proposals for rules changes, and a meeting where delegates convene to approve or disapprove the proposed KHSAA Constitution and Bylaw changes.

The Hyatt Regency, adjacent to the center, has a small block of rooms available by contacting 859-253-1234 and when transferred to the reservations office, refer to the KHSAA block of […]

08/13/13 – New Softball Required for Postseason

Softball Blog Updates

Due to the merger of Rawlings and Worth, the Worth softball is now the official softball for the KHSAA. Worth is the ball that will be required for all post season competition including District and Regional Tournaments as well as the State Tournament beginning with the 2014 season. During the regular season there is no mandated ball other than any ball used must bear the NFHS authenticating mark. The State Championship title will also reflect the change and referenced Worth/KHSAA Fast Pitch Softball State Championship. The model number for the new softball is:

PX2RYL-KY

You can view the flyer for the new ball on the KHSAA website by clicking on the following link:

08/12/13 – HYPE Student Leadership Conferences; Three Fall Sports Begin Next Week

2013-2014 News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 12, 2013

HYPE Student Leadership Conferences Take Place Next Week

The 13th Annual HYPE KHSAA Student Leadership Conference will be conducted next week in Lexington and Bowling Green. The conference is a free service provided by the Association for student-athletes to learn teamwork exercises and sportsmanship initiatives, and discuss current issues.

The first conference will be held Monday, Aug. 19 at the Lexington Convention Center, followed immediately by the second session on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green. This year’s event marks the third since the HYPE Student Leadership Conference was split into two meetings to better accommodate students across the Commonwealth.

“We are one of about twenty-five states that conduct a similar student conference, but one of only a handful that provide the service free of charge,” said Associate Commissioner Butch Cope. “We try to […]

08/12/13 – Did You Know?

Catron's Kilobytes

Welcome KHSAA member school personnel! I bet everyone is super busy getting back into school this week (many, like my daughter’s school — in Franklin County — started last week!).

I would like to start out the 2013-2014 school year by starting a weekly “Did You Know?” series of blog posts — highlighting certain functions of our member school login page and its various functions that are important to you, as an Athletic Administrator. I may talk about Roster Editing one week, Personnel the next, and even some general computer tips and tricks that would aid you with our website and its function.

This week, I would like to put you on the fast-path of making certain that your online systems are setup properly and ready to go for your school year.

08/10/13 – NOCSAE Position Statement Revised Again Helmet Attachments, Clarification for Coaches and Officials

NOCSAE, National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, has again revised its position statement regarding Helmet Attachments. The complete position statement is located on their web site, and available CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST POSITION STATEMENT FROM NOCSAE.

Neither the KHSAA, not the NFHS tests football helmets. As such, we cannot make an evaluation concerning any claim made about a product that is added to the helmet or its usage.

However, the KHSAA does strictly adhere to the NFHS playing rules. NFHS playing rule 1-5-3(9) clearly states that any piece of equipment is illegal if not worn as intended by the manufacturer. It is the obligation of the helmet manufacturer to indicate to the member school IN WRITING that a specific helmet attachment is being worn as intended by the manufacturer if such equipment is worn. If such written verification is received, it should be presented to the officials during […]

08/10/13 – July Board of Control Meeting Review

The following is a review of the items discussed at the July KHSAA Board of Control Meeting and the status of those issues. The Board meets six times per year, and each time, the membership will be updated as far as actions by the Board. While many of them attempt to communicate with you on a regular basis, I also want the schools informed of a consistent summary. All documents related to this meeting can be found online at http://portal.ksba.org/public/Agency.aspx?PublicAgencyID=4374&AgencyTypeID=1&BeginDate=7-1-2013&EndDate=7-31-2013.

BOARD MEETING – July 22, 2013

Following the normal procedural issues convening the meeting, the Board recessed for the committees to meet.

The Individual Sports Committee met and had five items on its agenda that were approved and subsequently approved by the Board;

The enrollment figures for Thomas Nelson and Nelson County were reported, and rankings were adjusted on the Track and Field/Cross Country Draft Enrollment listing.
The recommended changes to the draft […]
More

08/28/13 – XC and TR Regional Host Form, Changes, and Information

http://khsaa.org/sports/sports-activities/competitive-cheer/

With the new alignment in Track and Cross Country came the opportunity to make adjustments to our postseason (regional) competitions. Managing 21 sites (3 classes and 7 regions) continued to have complications, including but not limited to, collection of identified host sites and the accuracy of those site plans, quality courses, facilities and equipment, supplying official to all sites, inspections of all courses and tracks, and year to year host schools cancellations and coaching (meet management) changes. Though not all of these issues plagued all regions, some of these issues caused problems in most regions. In an earlier post, we displayed a two year plan (draft). We were mostly concerned with this coming year. The 2013-2014 cross country sites only require one change at this time. This change will be made and posted as soon as confirmed. We ask that any other school that may be unable to host this season contact […]

8/7/13 – Competitive Cheer Score Sheets/Difficulty Grids/Tech Sheet Posted

Cheer Blog Updates

Coach and Judge information for the 2013-14 Competitive Cheer season has been updated and posted on the KHSAA website. Please use the link below to view the various documents.

Go to the Cheer Judges Information Link

08/05/13 XC and Track Regional Sites Selected

With the new track and field alignment comes additional changes. As schools know all postseason sites are set by the KHSAA for all sports. The new alignment gave the KHSAA an opportunity to coordinate the post season assignments differently than in the past for both Cross Country and Track and Field.

A concern for all schools has been the facilities and courses. Those concerns range from equipment such as pole vault and discuss venues, to timing equipment and appropriate amount of parking. Another important aspect of hosting is the experience of meet management and the ability to provide an adequate number of workers and volunteers to make a meet successful. Providing the top officials to ensure the absolute best experience possible for the student athletes in our communities is also a goal.

To address these issues, the KHSAA has designated the host schools for both Cross Country and Track and Field for the next two […]

08/05/13 – Reminder about Approved Football Experimental Playing Rule

For the 2013 playing season (and possibly beyond), the KHSAA is conducted an approved experiment with the NFHS playing rules dealing with the formation of the kicking team on a free kick (kick-off).

DESCRIPTION OF MODIFICATION: Add to end of 6-1-3. After the ball is marked ready for play and until it is kicked, no member of the kicking team with the exception of the kicker may be more than five yards behind the kicking team’s free kick line.

The intent of this change is to hopefully slow down the acceleration of the kicking team members and reduce some of the collision involved with the full-speed kicking team member collides with the somewhat stationary receiving team member in an attempt to reduce opportunity for injury and minimize risk. The penalty would remain encroachment (as 6-1-3 is now), and would be a dead ball foul, killing the kick immediately to prevent potentially hazardous contact.

Here are […]

08/05/13 – Reminder about Accurate Football Schedules

Many schools have not yet verified the accuracy of their football schedule. Please be sure your schedule online is accurate and complete. The following table shows game totals for this current season. Double check your school game count and login to http://schools.khsaa.org if you need to make any changes.

School

Games Playing

Adair County

Allen Central

Allen County-Scottsville

Anderson County

Apollo

Ashland Blazer

Atherton

Ballard

Ballard Memorial

Bardstown

Barren County

Bath County

Beechwood

Belfry

Bell County

Bellevue

Berea

Bethlehem

Betsy Layne

Bishop Brossart

Boone County

Bourbon County

Bowling Green

Boyd County

Boyle County

Bracken County

Breathitt County

Breckinridge County

Bryan Station

Bullitt Central

Bullitt East

Butler

Butler County

Caldwell County

Calloway County

Campbell County

Campbellsville

Carroll […]

08/02/13 – Regional Series of Meetings Scheduled Again for 2013-2014

This reminder is for all member school Superintendents, Principals and Athletic Directors within the KHSAA.

For the fall of 2013, the KHSAA is again scheduling an Athletic Administrator Workshop in eight areas of the state. The content for this non-mandatory workshop will include instructional sessions on managing the coaching and player data for your school, an update on the operations and projects around the KHSAA and many elements related to Title IX and those required reports and functions. These sessions will begin just after 8 a.m. and continue through 12:30 p.m. Based on evaluative feedback, we will continue through the morning and end around 12:30 to allow for the host school to easily accomodate the end of the school day, and the attendees to get on the road.

A final schedule will be sent to all registered attendees. This session would be invaluable for new ADs as well as those simply wanting to re-familiarize themselves with […]

08/02/13 – Rosters Open for Editing/Required for Competition

Welcome back for the 2013-2014 School Year!

In an effort to ensure that we start the school year with an accurate Overall Athletic Roster, we have implemented again an initial step that an administrator with Athletic Director level access must perform before rosters can be updated and subsequently, statistics entered. Keep in mind that the online roster data forms the basis of both your school’s Title IX report and annual participation lists that are due in April.

Athletic Directors and Principals: DO NOT give someone else access to your login credentials. If you need to create additional users, you may do that through secure system by logging in to schools.khsaa.org.

DO NOT allow individuals within your school or school system to share credentials. As an athletic director level user (just as your Principal, Superintendent and other district level administrators), you have privileges within the system that are unique to your level […]

08/02/13 – KHSAA Student Leadership Conference Information