Kentucky High School Athletic Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2016

The 1A Championship will open the 2016 Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl on Friday night at 7 p.m. (CT) when Beechwood (13-1) takes on Hazard (12-2) at Houchens Industries/L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green. The action resumes Saturday afternoon when Central (9-5) faces Belfry (13-1) in the 3A Championship at 5 p.m., followed by Trinity (Louisville) (14-0) and Lafayette (13-1) in the 6A Championship at 8 p.m.

Sunday’s slate features three contests on the campus of Western Kentucky University, with Christian Academy-Louisville (13-1) taking on Danville (12-2) in the 2A Championship at 12:30 p.m. Franklin-Simpson (14-0) will square off against Johnson Central (13-1) at 3:45 p.m. in the 4A Championship, with Bowling Green (14-0) and Pulaski County (12-2) closing out the weekend with the 5A Championship at 7 p.m.

Each game of the Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl will be webcast live at KHSAA.tv for subscribers to the NFHS Network (More

11/26/16 – Revised and Updated Schedule, 2016 Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl State Football Finals

With Western Kentucky University’s win tonight at Marshall University combined with Southern Mississippi’s upset win over Louisiana Tech on Friday, WKU has qualified to again host the Conference USA championship game in Bowling Green. The game will be played on Saturday morning, December 3rd at 11 a.m. CT. This will necessitate a change in the KHSAA game schedule for the state finals, which will wrap around the Conference USA championship game.

The Class 1A game will be played on December 2nd with a kickoff slated for 7 p.m. CT.

“Conference USA championship rules have large mandatory blocks of time that must be made available at the playing facility, not only for team preparation but for stadium and network television preparation, and this was the only alternative other than playing a game very early on Friday morning,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “Last year’s Thursday night game was problematic for both schools with the travel necessary both on Thursday […]

11/18/16- Single Game Tickets for Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl State Football Championships

Single Game Tickets (all game dates and times tentative, all times CT)

All ticket prices will increase the week of the games. Advance seats priced at $18 (club level, West Side, $13 reserved chairback (West Side Only), $10 General Admission)

Enter desired number of seats, options will be displayed for purchase.

Class 1A-Beechwood vs. Hazard, 7:00 p.m., Fri, 12/2 – Click Here

Class 3A-Central vs. Belfry, 5:00 p.m., Sat, 12/3 – Click Here

Class 6A-Trinity (Louisville) vs. Lafayette, 8:00 p.m., Sat, 12/3 – Click Here

Class 2A-Christian Academy-Louisville vs. Danville, 12:30 p.m., Sun, 12/4 – Click Here

Class 4A-Franklin-Simpson vs. Johnson Central, 3:45 p.m., Sun, 12/4 – Click Here

Class 5A-Bowling Green vs. Pulaski County, 7:00 p.m., Sun, 12/4 – Click Here

11/10/16- High School Playoff Games Again Asked to Honor Veterans at Week 2 Games

Through the efforts of a veteran and concerned individual by the name of Robert Williams of Menlo Park, California, there is now a national movement to have every high school and college in the United States honor all veterans and active duty military at events near Veteran’s Day. This is a great way to recognize our veterans and active duty military and hopefully reinforce to all the importance of their sacrifices and the meaning of Veteran’s Day. The KHSAA is grateful to be able to participate again during 2016.

For the second round of the football playoffs at home sites November 11, each home school is asked to request all veterans and active duty military in attendance to stand and be recognized for their contributions.

The KHSAA is certainly proud to be a part of this recognition and hopeful that this simple acknowledgment will convey a powerful message of thanks on the part of the school and […]

11/07/16 – Information On Ordering Tickets to 2016 Russell Athletic/KHSAA State Football Finals

Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl

It is again time for us to take orders for advance tickets to the 2016 Russell Athletic/KHSAA State Football Finals. Here are some notes about this year’s finals.

The games will be played at Feix Field, Houchens Industries – L.T. Smith Stadium at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green;
The tentative schedule for this year’s event has games scheduled as follows (All times Central):
- Friday, December 2nd – 1A – 1 PM, 4A – 5 PM
- Saturday, December 3rd – 3A – 1 PM, 6A – 5 PM
- Sunday, December 4th – 2A – 1 PM, 5A – 5 PM
Club level seats (200 level, $90 for all six games) are available and will have access to the indoor area between and during the games, but seating is limited. Ticketing in the club level sells out quickly most years;
The VIP chairback seats (100 level, $60 for all six games) are available and […]
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WORKING DRAFT- Football Brackets 2016 (UNOFFICIAL)

Official Brackets To Be Released Following Last Regular Season Night of Play

N/A Slots are To Be Determined Due to TieBreakers on October 29/30

SchoolClassDistrictPosBracket1A-1-1Russellville1A1111A-2-4Caverna1A2421A-2-2Campbellsville1A2231A-1-3Fulton City1A1341A-1-2Crittenden County1A1251A-2-3Fort Knox1A2361A-2-1Bethlehem1A2171A-1-4BYE1A1481A-3-1Kentucky Country Day1A3191A-4-4Dayton1A44101A-4-2Bellevue1A42111A-3-3Frankfort1A33121A-3-2Holy Cross (Louisville)1A32131A-4-3Ludlow1A43141A-4-1Beechwood1A41151A-3-4Eminence1A34161A-5-1#N/A1A51171A-6-4BYE1A64181A-6-2Raceland1A62191A-5-3#N/A1A53201A-5-2#N/A1A52211A-6-3Fairview1A63221A-6-1Paintsville1A61231A-5-4Paris1A54241A-7-1Williamsburg1A71251A-8-4South Floyd1A84261A-8-2Hazard1A82271A-7-3Harlan1A73281A-7-2Pineville1A72291A-8-3Jenkins1A83301A-8-1Pikeville1A81311A-7-4Lynn Camp1A74322A-1-1Mayfield2A1112A-2-4Hancock County2A2422A-2-2Butler County2A2232A-1-3Ballard Memorial2A1342A-1-2Murray2A1252A-2-3McLean County2A2362A-2-1Owensboro Catholic2A2172A-1-4Webster County2A1482A-3-1Glasgow2A3192A-4-4Shawnee2A44102A-4-2DeSales2A42112A-3-3Monroe County2A33122A-3-2Metcalfe County2A32132A-4-3Washington County2A43142A-4-1Christian Academy-Louisville2A41152A-3-4Green County2A34162A-5-1Walton-Verona2A51172A-6-4Newport2A64182A-6-2Holy Cross (Covington)2A62192A-5-3Owen County2A53202A-5-2Gallatin County2A52212A-6-3Lloyd Memorial2A63222A-6-1Newport Central Catholic2A61232A-5-4Carroll County2A54242A-7-1Lexington Christian2A71252A-8-4Shelby Valley2A84262A-8-2Prestonsburg2A82272A-7-3Somerset2A73282A-7-2Danville2A72292A-8-3Allen Central2A83302A-8-1Leslie County2A81312A-7-4Middlesboro2A74323A-1-1Caldwell County3A1113A-2-4Hart County3A2423A-2-2Adair County3A2233A-1-3#N/A3A1343A-1-2Paducah Tilghman3A1253A-2-3LaRue County3A2363A-2-1Elizabethtown3A2173A-1-4#N/A3A1483A-3-1Central3A3193A-4-4Garrard County3A44103A-4-2Boyle County3A42113A-3-3Moore3A33123A-3-2Bardstown3A32133A-4-3Western Hills3A43143A-4-1Lexington Catholic3A41153A-3-4Waggener3A34163A-5-1Russell3A51173A-6-4BYE3A64183A-6-2Pike County Central3A62193A-5-3West Carter3A53203A-5-2Fleming County3A52213A-6-3Lawrence County3A63223A-6-1Belfry3A61233A-5-4Bath County3A54243A-7-1Estill County3A71253A-8-4Jackson County3A84263A-8-2Casey County3A82273A-7-3Powell County3A73283A-7-2Breathitt County3A72293A-8-3Bell County3A83303A-8-1Corbin3A81313A-7-4Knott County Central3A74324A-1-1Hopkinsville4A1114A-2-4Warren East4A2424A-2-2South Warren4A2234A-1-3Madisonville-North Hopkins4A1344A-1-2Calloway County4A1254A-2-3Allen County-Scottsville4A2364A-2-1Franklin-Simpson4A2174A-1-4Hopkins County Central4A1484A-3-1John Hardin4A3194A-4-4#N/A4A44104A-4-2#N/A4A42114A-3-3Valley4A33124A-3-2Western4A32134A-4-3#N/A4A43144A-4-1Shelby County4A41154A-3-4Breckinridge County4A34164A-5-1East Jessamine4A51174A-6-4Russell County4A64184A-6-2Wayne County4A62194A-5-3Taylor County4A53204A-5-2Mercer County4A52214A-6-3Knox Central4A63224A-6-1Rockcastle County4A61234A-5-4West Jessamine4A54244A-7-1Bourbon County4A71254A-8-4Rowan County4A84264A-8-2Ashland Blazer4A82274A-7-3Mason County4A73284A-7-2Harrison County4A72294A-8-3Greenup County4A83304A-8-1Johnson Central4A81314A-7-4Scott4A74325A-1-1Owensboro5A1115A-2-4Grayson County5A2425A-2-2Greenwood5A2235A-1-3Graves County5A1345A-1-2Christian County5A1255A-2-3Barren County5A2365A-2-1Bowling Green5A2175A-1-4Marshall County5A1485A-4-1Fern Creek5A4195A-5-4Grant County5A54105A-5-2Dixie Heights5A52115A-4-3Southern5A43125A-4-2Doss5A42135A-5-3Highlands5A53145A-5-1Covington Catholic5A51155A-4-4Fairdale5A44165A-3-1South Oldham5A31175A-6-4Woodford County5A64185A-6-2Anderson County5A62195A-3-3#N/A5A33205A-3-2#N/A5A32215A-6-3Montgomery County5A63225A-6-1Madison Southern5A61235A-3-4#N/A5A34245A-7-1Southwestern5A71255A-8-4Letcher County Central5A84265A-8-2North Laurel5A82275A-7-3South Laurel5A73285A-7-2Pulaski County5A72295A-8-3Harlan County5A83305A-8-1Whitley County5A81315A-7-4Lincoln County5A74326A-1-1McCracken County6A1116A-3-4Pleasure Ridge Park6A3426A-3-2Male6A3236A-1-3Daviess County6A1346A-1-2Henderson County6A1256A-3-3DuPont Manual6A3366A-3-1St. Xavier6A3176A-1-4Muhlenberg County6A1486A-2-1Central Hardin6A2196A-4-4Seneca6A44106A-4-2Ballard6A42116A-2-3Meade County6A23126A-2-2North Hardin6A22136A-4-3Eastern6A43146A-4-1Trinity (Louisville)6A41156A-2-4Ohio County6A24166A-5-1Ryle6A51176A-7-4#N/A6A74186A-7-2#N/A6A72196A-5-3Cooper6A53206A-5-2Conner6A52216A-7-3#N/A6A73226A-7-1Scott County6A71236A-5-4Jeffersontown6A54246A-6-1Simon Kenton6A61256A-8-4George Rogers Clark6A84266A-8-2Madison Central6A82276A-6-3Campbell County6A63286A-6-2Boone County6A62296A-8-3Tates Creek6A83306A-8-1Lafayette6A81316A-6-4Butler6A6432

09/20/16 – KHSAA Issues Rulings on Unsporting Acts and Shortened Games in Football

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 20, 2016

The KHSAA today issued sanctions regarding Bylaw 15 (Practice of Sportsmanship) violations from a pair of football contests, as well as final rulings concerning Bylaw 22 (Contests, Sanctions, Rules, Forfeitures) incidents from last weekend.

Per the KHSAA Competition Rules, when a contracted football game is interrupted by events beyond the control of all parties, three choices exist:
a) Terminate game with score as it exists;
b) Resume game at point of interruption at a mutually agreed date and time. This decision shall be finalized at the site prior to team departure.
c) Resume the game on the following calendar day, unless published Board policies prohibit such play, in which case it shall be played the following day.

On Friday, Sept. 16, a football game between Scott County HS and Lafayette HS was interrupted with 11:04 remaining in the 3rd quarter, with Scott County leading 25-20. In […]

09/09/16 – KHSAA to Participate in “Team Up, Speak Up to Fight Concussions” on September 13

TeamUp

The Concussion Legacy Foundation has created the first ever national concussion education day, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13. On Team Up Day, millions of athletes will hear a speech from their coach, captain and medical team that encourages them to Team Up & Speak Up to Fight Concussions, with the specific message that a good teammate looks out for concussions in their teammates, and has a responsibility to speak up to a coach or other adult if they think their teammate has a concussion.

Organizations representing over 1 million athletes have already signed on to Team Up Day, and the goal is that all 44 million youth athletes hear this message this year. The growing list of participating organizations includes the National Federation of State High School Associations, USA Rugby, the American Hockey Coaches Association, California Interscholastic Federation, Idaho […]

08/25/16 – Initial Stat Leader Reports Released for Football, Soccer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2016

The first weekly statistical leader reports of the season for football and boys’ and girls’ soccer have been posted at KHSAA.org. Statistics are compiled weekly throughout the regular season and will be posted to the KHSAA website every Thursday.

Member schools failing to meet the requirements to enter and maintain rosters, schedules and statistics subject themselves to penalties by the Commissioner, including fines and other actions, within the constraints of Bylaw 27.

The statistical leader reports can be found through the links below:

FOOTBALL
Overall Stats Leaders
http://khsaa.org/football/2016/stats.htm

Class 1A Stats Leaders
http://khsaa.org/football/2016/stats1.htm

Class 2A Stats Leaders
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08/15/16 – Part 2 Football Test Reminder

The Part 2 Test will be available online from midnight Eastern Time on August 15 through midnight Eastern Time on August 29. The test will automatically close exactly at that time. Login at http://officials.khsaa.org/authorize/ to take the test. A minimum score of 80 on the exam is required to be considered for assignment to officiate postseason play.

Any official determined to have been involved in the improper administration of the exam, including taking it for another official or having it taken by another official, will have the score disregarded for the year and be subject to other penalties in compliance with the jurisdiction of the office through the Federal Court Decree.

Please also be mindful that the rules clinic remains free online through midnight Eastern Time September 19, however your assignments are subject to cancellation at any time for failure to complete the clinic. Certainly, no official should be officiating any contest at the high school […]

08/01/16 – 2016 Football Rules Clinic Now Available Online

The mandatory Online KHSAA Rules Clinic for the sport of Football is available beginning August 1. THOUGH THERE ARE MINIMAL RULE CHANGES, one is major to the way the game is coached and officiated and both groups should take the clinic as soon as possible. Remember, the clinic is required of all officials as well as all coaches, varsity, junior varsity and freshman, and whether or not the coach receives pay.

Below is additional information:

OFFICIALS

August 1 to September 19 (Officials) – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed at no charge during this period.
September 20 to October 16 (Officials) – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed for the makeup fee ($30) during this period.
October 17 to October 23 (Officials) – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed for the makeup fee ($60) per the Bylaw 27 schedule during this period. After this time, postseason […]
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07/28/16 – Board of Control Finalizes Championship Dates for Football, Field Hockey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2016

The Board of Control conducted its first meeting of the 2016-17 season on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Louisville Marriott Downtown. During the course of the two-day session, the board participated in a comprehensive orientation for all Board members and an extensive review of the due process procedure under KRS Chapter 13B. Among the action taken during Wednesday’s full meeting, the Board approved a final championship schedule for the 2016 Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl and set the dates and sites for the 2016 State Field Hockey Tournament.

The 2016 Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl will tentatively be held Dec. 2-4 at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium at Western Kentucky University. The format for this year’s football finals will have the Class 1A and 4A championship games on Friday, Dec. 2nd, followed by Class 3A and 6A on Saturday, Dec. 3rd, and Class 2A and 5A on Sunday, Dec. 4th. Game times […]

07/25/16 – Reminder about Heat Index Procedures – FB & FH

While the media coverage has been great about our schools and their compliance with the mandated heat index monitoring and activity adjustment protocols, it is important that our Football and Field Hockey programs be reminded of important subtleties within the procedures.

When no additional protective equipment is being worn (i.e Football has on helmet only or Field Hockey does not have the goalie in protective gear), the threshold of 104-degree heat index is the point at which all activity must stop. But it is important as we face the hottest week of the year thus far, that all be reminded that once football adds shoulder pads or the field hockey goalie puts on gear, that threshold drops to 99 degrees. No activity can continue above a 99-degree heat index if that additional gear is being worn. The same is true for any school-based activity in baseball and softball (due to catching gear) at other times of […]

07/11/16 – Important Reminders About the Start of Football Practice

These reminders are critically important as we transition to the start of football practice for the 2016 season. This notice and all provisions supersede any and all previous communication regarding practice rules and regulations.

The following provisions should be noted at all times:

The complete list of regulations including allowable activities can be found at http://khsaa.org/handbook/bylaws/20152016/bylaw23.pdf or at http://khsaa.org/bylaw-23-provisions-football-practice-regulations/ There are a few notes that all coaches and administrators should keep in mind:
The first five days must be Level 0 and Level 1 only during acclimation and acclimatization and are limited to one three-hour session per day.
Each player must have five days in helmets only before being able to add shoulder pads, and those pads cannot be added until July 22. Keep in mind this is a count for each player, not for the team, so players coming out late may be delayed in putting on shoulder pads (after July 21) or other gear (after July 31)
Beginning […]
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KHSAA Sports Contacts, 2016-2017 and beyond

Archery Blog Updates

Primary Event Contact Secondary Event Contact Primary Playing Rules Interpreter Secondary Playing Rules Interpreter Golf DB SB DB SB Field Hockey SB DB SB DB Volleyball BC DB BC DB Soccer MB CC CC MB Cross Country SB MB SB MB Football JT BC JT BC Competitive Cheer BC SB BC SB Bowling SB MB SB MB Swimming and Diving DB BC DB BC Wrestling MB SB MB SB Basketball JT BC JT BC Archery MB DB MB DB Bass Fishing DB SB DB SB Tennis MB BC MB BC Track and Field SB DB SB DB Softball DB MB DB MB Baseball BC SB BC SB Lacrosse MB DB N/A N/A Rifle Marksmanship DB MB N/A N/A Trap Shooting Study MB DB N/A N/A Dance BC SB BC SB

06/22/16 – Reminder about Equipment Issuance During Dead Period (USA Football)

The KHSAA offices have received several inquiries regarding participation by students in USA Football’s National Development Games. According to their verification letter, there are six different options to attend. We had asked at least two member schools to seek clarifications regarding equipment, but none responded, so today, staff contacted USA Football directly for clarification. Following that clarification, here are the provisions that have been determined. These provisions apply ONLY to 2016, as likely additional restrictions will be added to football rules to clarify (and likely restrict) this for the future years.

KHSAA member schools may not issue equipment to KHSAA member school students for the July 5 to July 9 camp dates. This is during the KHSAA mandated dead period and KHSAA member school equipment cannot be used for any reason. Athletes attending the camps have an option to rent equipment owned by USA Football during these periods (approximate cost is $60 for necessary gear). The […]
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2016-2017 Official Ball Adoptions

Reminder to school administrators about the primary points of the KHSAA and its ball adoption agreements.

In an effort to offset the services and events provided by the KHSAA and eliminate passing on a great deal of additional cost to the membership, the association has long entered into official ball adoption agreements. The provisions of these agreements are similar and official ball numbers are listed in the table below.

The following provisions are in place in each of the listed sports:

A brand specific requirement is in place. For example, the Select Sport soccer ball is required for all use in postseason play (all levels). However, the ball does NOT have to be the Royale model. Specific models are the choice of the member school, however, the administrators should be mindful that dealer price points will likely be in place to encourage the use of the specific model.
For all levels of postseason play, the brand specific requirement is in place.
- **Exception […]
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05/12/16 – Board of Control Names Spalding Official Ball Sponsor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2016

The KHSAA Board of Control conducted its final meeting of the 2015-16 academic year over a two-day session at the Association’s headquarters May 10-11. Among the various items discussed, the Board reviewed the results of a request for proposals distributed in March for a new official ball partnership, as its current agreement with Rawlings will expire at the end of the 2015-16 season. Following its review, the Board approved the Commissioner’s recommendation to accept the three-year proposal from Spalding (2016-17 through 2018-19), pending final signed contracts.

The Board completed a comprehensive review of eligibility rules and programs within the Association as required by existing state regulation, focusing on potential Constitution and Bylaw proposals to be voted on by the membership to address undue influence (recruiting) concerns and revisions to the transfer and enrollment rules. Final proposal determinations will be determined at the Board’s July meeting.

Also […]

04/22/16 – Reminder Bylaw 23 Limitation of Seasons

This is a reminder to all administrators and coaches concerning Bylaw 23, Limitation of Seasons. KHSAA staff members have received several inquiries about permitted activity, specifically concerning fall sports and practice/tryouts for the fall. The same principle and rule would apply to any “tryout” in any sport or sport-activity that is not held during the period defined by Bylaw 23.

The first official tryout/practice date for 2016 football is July 10. For the other fall sports/sport-activities (Soccer, Golf, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Cross Country, Competitive Cheer), the first official practice date is July 15. Only after these dates can anything mandatory be required of team members or potential team members.

Until the day following the last day of school or May 31 (whichever is earliest), coaches are permitted to provide instruction and be involved with team members (provided such is approved by the principal), but continue to be restricted in “competitive” situations with other schools unless they are […]

04/04/16 – Reminders About Spring Football Practice and Rest of School Year

With more than 80 percent of our football schools setting their practice window for the Monday following spring break, it seems timely to remind every about the rules on practice and equipment. There are no changes for 2016 as these changes were adopted prior to the 2015 season.

The published spring football dates are online as always, located at http://khsaa.org/football/2016/springpractice2016.pdf. There are no provisions to change submitted dates (only in an emergency request from school administration). Per the bylaw, the only change permitted is to start the three-week (19-day) window on the Monday following the ORIGINAL published spring break week. Remember, scheduling of spring practice is a calendar function NOT a coach function, it is possible that with coaching changes, spring practice may not be an option at a specific school.

Spring practice is the only option to utilize all of the football equipment for the players. Formal spring practice per the listed dates is […]

03/24/16 – Board of Control Approves Football Playoff Structure in 5A, 6A; Issuance of RFP for Official Ball

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2016

The Board of Control conducted its fifth regularly scheduled meeting of the school year at the Lexington Center on March 18th, during which time it finalized the playoff format for 5A and 6A, approved the issuance of an RFP to designate a new official ball, and elected its President-elect for 2016-17.

After an extensive review of potential playoff formats over several meetings that was finalized in January, the Board reviewed the proposed cross-bracketing table for Class 5A and 6A for 2016 through 2018. Following the review, the Board approved the cross-bracket table for 5A and 6A, and will continue review of playoff pairing discussions in 2A, 3A and 4A for 2017 and 2018 during its May meeting, following receipt of survey results. The adopted table of cross-bracket pairings is available at http://www.khsaa.org/football/playoffpairings.pdf.

With the Association’s current ball contract with Rawlings set to expire at the end of the school year, the […]

Board Approves Cross-Bracket Pairings for 2016-18 in Class 5A, 6A; Moratorium Lifted on Contracts

The Board of Control has finalized the cross-bracket pairings for Class 5A and 6A in the football playoffs for 2016, 2017 and 2018. The Board had determined in January, following months of dialogue and review, that some form of cross-bracketing was the desire of the membership (as opposed to playing the first two rounds of the playoffs within the district). In January, the Board then also approved rotating those regional pairings (cross-bracket pairings) in 5A and 6A for 2016 through 2018 with staff directed to bring back proposed options to the March 18th meeting. Those pairings were then finalized by the Board of Control at the March meeting and are listed at http://www.khsaa.org/football/playoffpairings.pdf. The Board also approved in January a provision that stipulates that if equal seeded teams meet in consecutive years in the third / fourth rounds, the game site from the prior year will be reversed so that the same team will […]

Bylaw 23 Provisions – Football Practice Regulations

This supersedes any previously published material.

Bylaw 23. Limitation of Seasons
Sec. 6) Sports Specific Limitations- FOOTBALL
a) Organized practice shall be structured in football as follows:
(1) Football drill work and practice activity shall be defined in the following five categories:
a. “Level 0” or “air” means that players run a drill unopposed and without contact;
b. “Level 1” or “bags” means that a drill is run against a bag or another soft contact surface;
c. “Level 2” or “control” means that a drill is run at the assigned speed until the moment of contact; one (1) player is predetermined the winner by the coach; contact remains above the waist; and players stay on their feet;
d. “Level 3” or “thud” means that a drill is run at the assigned speed through the moment of contact; there is not a predetermined winner; contact remains above the waist; players stay on their feet; and […]

01/29/16 – Board Approves Final Football Alignment Moves, Resolves Cross-Bracketing Review for 2016 through 2018

At its regular meeting on January 28, the Board of Control completed a review and discussion on a variety of football related issues. These issues had been on the Board agenda for a period of time and input had been gathered from the Administrators, Athletic Directors and Football Coaches that are members of the Football Advisory Committee, in addition to nearly constant general membership feedback. Data gathered (including travel mileage) and presented to both the Advisory Committee and the Board of Control is available through the Board agenda system at https://portal.ksba.org/public/Agency.aspx?PublicAgencyID=4374&AgencyTypeID=1&BeginDate=1-1-2016&EndDate=1-31-2016

Per the Competition Rules, the school enrollments were to be reviewed following receipt of the 2015-16 enrollments, and the current four-year average boys enrollment at each school was to be compared with the four-year average boys enrollment that placed the teams in classes for 2015-2018. Any school whose ranked enrollment would place them in a different class AND the percentage of enrollment change was […]

01/28/16 – Board of Control Addresses Football Alignment, Bracketing; Baseball Pitch Count; Swimming and Diving State Qualifiers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 28, 2016

The Board of Control addressed a lengthy agenda during its regularly scheduled meeting at the KHSAA Offices on Thursday, approving a slight “midcourse” adjustment to the football alignment as required by the competition rules and future football playoff bracket formats, finalizing a baseball pitch count, and settling on the number of regional qualifiers for the state swimming and diving meet for 2016.

Per the football competition rules, a “midcourse” adjustment is to be made in the second year of a four-year alignment. In order to be considered for adjustment, the four-year average enrollment (including 2015-16 data) would have to be within the boundaries of another class, and the school shall have had at least a 10 percent change in four-year average enrollment during the two-year period.

Upon review of the data, only two schools fit the criteria to be placed into a different class, and the Board unanimously approved the movement of […]

01/26/16 – Reminder About Moratorium on Signing 2017 Football Contracts (and beyond)

For some reason, we have received several reports of schools prematurely scheduling contests for 2017 and beyond in football. Please remember that until the alignment for 2017 is finalized, no contract may be signed. As has been the case for many years, the four year alignment has a two-year adjustment based on significant changes in enrollment.

Because of the ripple effect of any change in alignment, no school may sign a contract for 2017 until the Board of Control has finalized the 2017 adjustments. That is an agenda item this coming Thursday at the regular meeting of the Board of Control, and within three days afterwards, schools will be advised of the option to begin signing contracts. If any adjustments are finalized Thursday, the clearance will be given from the office. Otherwise, if there are any decisions deferred, it will be at least the March meeting of the Board before contracts can be signed.

Consider this as […]

12/03/15 – Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl Broadcast Schedule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2015

The 2015 Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl gets underway tonight as Pikeville takes on Beechwood in the 1A Championship game at Houchens Industries/L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green at 7 p.m. (CT). Each game of the championship will be webcast live at KHSAA.tv for subscribers to the NFHS Network. A free audio broadcast of each game can also be found at KHSAA.net.

All KHSAA.tv productions will be a part of the NFHS Network this season, which is a subscription based service. Subscription plans for the NFHS Network include a day pass ($9.95), a monthly pass ($14.95) and an annual pass ($119.95).

These passes, with the daily pass priced less than the cost of admission to state championship contests, not only entitle the users to Kentucky broadcasts, but all of the broadcasts from the more than 40 participating state associations. To subscribe to the NFHS Network, visit: http://www.nfhsnetwork.com/subscribe/retail

Direct links […]

11/27/15 – Schedule Set For 2015 Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 27, 2015

With its win over Marshall on Friday, Western Kentucky University secured its right to host the Conference USA Championship game on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. (CT). WKU hosting the C-USA Championship means the KHSAA will utilize the alternative schedule for the 2015 Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl approved by the Board of Control in October.

The revised order of games will be as follows:

Thursday, December 3
7:00 PM (1A) – Beechwood vs. Pikeville

Saturday, December 5
5:00 PM (6A) – Male vs. Lafayette
8:00 PM (5A) – Bowling Green vs. Pulaski County

Sunday, December 6
1:00 PM (2A) – Mayfield vs. Newport Central Catholic
4:00 PM (3A) – Lexington Catholic vs. Belfry
7:00 PM (4A) – South Warren vs. Johnson Central

*All Times Central

Fans can watch a live webcast of each game at KHSAA.tv, or listen to a free audio broadcast of each game at […]

11/19/15 – Board Approves Revised Schedule For State Baseball, Tennis Tournaments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2015

On Wednesday, the Board of Control approved a proposal from KHSAA staff to revise the schedule for the state baseball tournament during its regularly scheduled meeting at the Association’s headquarters. In an effort to alleviate competitive issues under the current format resulting from pitching limitations and roster depth, as outlined in the extensive research conducted by Lawrence County Athletic Director Travis Feltner and validated through staff review of the current format, the new format will provide a minimum of three days of rest between the quarterfinals and the semifinals. Beginning with this year’s state tournament, the revised format will allow teams the opportunity to use their pitchers at the top of the rotation in both the early rounds (first round/quarterfinals) and the later rounds (semifinals/championship).

“Pitching limitations are in place for the health and safety of our student-athletes,” KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett said. “In keeping with the overall desire of the […]

11/12/15 – Information On Ordering Tickets to 2015 Russell Athletic/KHSAA State Football Finals

Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl

It is again time for us to take orders for advance tickets to the Russell Athletic/KHSAA State Football Finals. We are obviously later than normal, but have tried to work out logistics for ticket pickup, etc. in the event that WKU hosts its conference final game. If you have not read the information about the scheduling conflict with the final games and WKU’s possible conference title game, please see http://khsaa.org/103015-update-on-schedule-for-2015-russell-athletickhsaa-commonwealth-gridiron-bowl/. We hope we can count on your continued support for the twelve teams that make it to the finals. Here are some notes about this year’s finals.

The games will be played at Feix Field, Houchens Industries – L.T. Smith Stadium at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green;
The KFCA will be conducting important continuous improvement sessions in conjunction with the finals. Contact Jimmie Reed with the KFCA for details as well as […]
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11/10/15 – High School Playoff Contests Asked to Honor Veterans

For the second round of the football playoffs at home sites November 13 and 14, each home school is asked to request all veterans and active duty military in attendance to stand and be recognized for their contributions.

The KHSAA is certainly proud to be a part of this recognition and hopeful that this simple acknowledgment will convey a powerful message of thanks on the part of the school and the […]

11/03/15 – NFL Releases New Study on Helmets

The NFHS recently shared with the KHSAA an item from the NFL. The NFL recently released the results from a joint study with the NFLPA that looked at what football helmets best reduced the severity of impact. The performance of the 17 football helmets in these laboratory tests was evaluated across all impact velocities and locations and compared with one another. A statistical test was used to group football helmets with similar performance scores.

It is important to emphasize that these results were based on testing intended to represent NFL impacts and thus, the conclusions on helmet performance cannot be extrapolated to collegiate, high school, or youth football.

The findings from this study that were offered this past July to NFL athletic trainers and equipment managers are posted on the KHSAA website at /football/2015nflfootballhelmettestingstudy.pdf.

For those interested in the poster, you can find it at http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/08/05/0ap3000000506659.pdf

Please use this information as you see fit.

10/31/15 – Final End of Season FB Tiebreaker Results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2015

The calculations for the three-way tie-breaker in football have been posted online at http://www.khsaa.org/football/2015/threewaytiebreakertodate.pdf.

Playoff pairings as well as the instructions and details about the games are available at http://www.khsaa.org/football and the final district standings are posted at http://khsaa.org/2015-football-district-standings/

There were five out of state records that factored into the tiebreakers

Portland, TN – 4
Ironton, OH – 6
Thomas Walker, VA – 3
Rye Cove, VA – 0
Cumberland Gap, TN – 0

There were five specific ties this season with the final calculations at http://www.khsaa.org/football/2015/threewaytiebreakertodate.pdf:

Class 1A, District 7- tie for 1st broken based on points through top four defeated opponents
Class 3A, District 3- tie for 2nd broken based on points through top four defeated opponents
Class 3A, District 5- tie for 1st broken based on points through top four defeated opponents and additional opponents until tie was broken.
Class 3A, District 7- tie for 4th broken based on points through top four defeated opponents, remaining tie with no […]
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10/30/15 – Update On Schedule For 2015 Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 30, 2015

The 2015 Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl State Football Finals are slated for Houchens Industries/L.T. Smith Stadium on the campus of Western Kentucky University the weekend of December 3-6. The tentative schedule for the event has the games scheduled as follows (All times Central):

Friday, Dec. 4th – 1A – 11 AM, 2A – 2:30 PM, 6A – 6 PM
Saturday, Dec. 5th – 3A – 11 AM, 4A – 2:30 PM, 5A – 6 PM

In the event that Western Kentucky University would earn the right to host the Conference USA Championship game the same weekend as the Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl, the schedule of games for the state football finals would have to be adjusted as follows:

*Thursday, Dec. 3rd – 1A – 7 PM
*Saturday, Dec. 5th – 6A – 5 PM, 5A – 8 PM
*Sunday, Dec. 6th – 2A – 1 PM, 3A – 4 PM, 4A […]

10/29/15 – Reminders about Football Playoffs and Final Regular Season Week

This is being distributed to ALL KHSAA football playing schools. If it doesn’t apply to you, please disregard.

As we prepare for 95 games to be played during week 1 of the playoffs, we ask for your cooperation as we try and pull final brackets together over this coming weekend. We have published what we have as of now, but need game times and sites confirmed so that officials assignments can be made.

A few reminders–

1) BRACKETS AND TIE BREAKERS – All information as we have it now is posted on the KHSAA website. You can find it at http://khsaa.org/sports/fall/football/ under the pull down for playoff Rounds 1-4,

2) PLEASE REMEMBER TO CALL YOUR SCORE TO THE SCOREBOARD as soon as the game is over this week EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT PLAYING IN THE PLAYOFFS. Many times, the three-way tiebreaker comes down to a single missing result from a non-playoff or out of state team, so all scores […]

10/26/15 – 2016 State Bass Fishing Site Announced, Upcoming KHSAA.tv Webcast and Audio Schedule, Lincoln County Sanctioned

Cross Country Blog Updates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 26, 2015

During its meeting at the KHSAA Offices on October 20th, the Board of Control reviewed site options for the 2016 KHSAA Bass Fishing Championships. After examining options across the state, the Board ultimately elected to keep this year’s event at the Kentucky Dam Marina in Gilbertsville due to success of the event in its first three years, and strong support from local organizers and sponsors. The Board also asked the Commissioner to seek proposals for an additional three years from both the area near Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, as well as the Lake Cumberland region.

“It is always good when multiple quality facilities and communities are interested in hosting our championships. The event has been wildly successful in terms of administration in its three years in the Kentucky Lake area and during that time of year, has offered our participants great opportunities for success in landing quality fish,” said Commissioner […]

10/11/15 – Reminder – Fall Postseason Eligibility Limited To Those On Postseason Roster

This reminder to all athletic directors, principals, and coaches at KHSAA member schools. Only those students who are indicated with a checkmark in the “postseason roster” column are eligible to compete in KHSAA sanctioned postseason competition. The following are quick reminders to take the steps necessary to complete this task, and will only work if you have administrator rights (principal/AD) or coach that has roster rights granted by an administrator:

On the school’s login menu (http://schools.khsaa.org/), click on the link that says maintain specific team roster.
Select the green box for the varsity team, and you will see the current roster of the varsity displayed.
At the top or bottom of that listing, click on assign/unassign players.
DO NOT ADD ATHLETES TO THE VARSITY COLUMN AT THIS POINT IN THE SEASON.
At the top of the roster column (under level) will be a link to initialize your postseason roster. Clicking on this link […]
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10/01/15 – Riherds.com to Sponsor Above and Beyond Awards at All State Championship Events

Riherds.com, a Kentucky-based company headquartered in Smiths Grove specializing in trophies, awards, name tags and signs, will provide the “Above and Beyond” award at each KHSAA state championship event for 2015-16. Riherds.com is proud to be the Official Supplier of Trophies and Awards to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.

The award is given to a participant at each KHSAA championship event and will be awarded from the pool of candidates nominated by participating school representatives. The award is based on five attributes: Citizenship, Leadership, Athletics, Sportsmanship and Scholarship.

Nominated students should exemplify these five attributes by:

Playing the game/competition by the rules.
Treating game officials, coaches and competitors with due respect as fellow human beings.
Taking victory and defeat without undue emotionalism.
Controlling of tempers at all times on and off the playing field.
Being positive with officials, coaches and competitors, without criticism for things that occur during the contest.
Cooperating with the coaches, officials and fellow players in trying to promote good sportsmanship.
Being […]
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09/30/15 – Fall Sports Championship Media Credentials

The KHSAA’s online media credentialing system for the Fall Sports Championships is now live. Media members can visit credentials.khsaa.org to apply for credentials online.

Credentials to each KHSAA state championship event are issued by the KHSAA to working members of the media that regularly cover high school athletics. Credentials must be requested prior to the established deadline for each sport through the online credentialing system (credentials.khsaa.org).

Credentials should be requested by the sports editor/director for all members of his/her organization needing to attend an event. Credentials for freelance photographers and stringers must be requested by the sports editor/director at the outlet the freelancer will be representing. No credentials will be issued outside of the online credentialing system. The KHSAA reserves the right to limit the quantity of credentials issued to media outlets when space is at a premium.

Failure to adhere to the KHSAA policies and guidelines, as well as unauthorized use of the media credential, […]

09/04/15 – Reminder about Heat Index/Drones at Competition

This notice is being sent to all member schools and specific licensed officials.

HEAT INDEX
While we have been blessed with a relatively cool summer, such is likely not to be the case this weekend and early next week. Keep in mind that the Heat Index regulations are always in place, with mandatory recording of temperatures and humidities to determine if any activity needs to change. The quick reference chart is located at http://khsaa.org/sportsmedicine/heat/heatindexchartcolor.pdf but schools as always are responsible for complete policy adherence, not just what is on the chart.

For Field Hockey, Soccer, Cross Country, Golf and even Volleyball (if played in a facility without air conditioning), all play must be suspended when the Heat Index reaches 104 degress. When the heat index is above 99, mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes for at least 10 minutes in duration are required, along with all other stipulations in the heat index guidelines.

For Football, the threshold temperature for […]

09/02/15 – KHSAA Sanctions Bell County, Taylor County For Bylaw 23 Violations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 2, 2015

The KHSAA has handed down sanctions to Bell County and Taylor County High Schools for violations of Bylaw 23 (Limitation of Seasons) resulting from attendance at a preseason football camp the weekend of August 7.

During the course of its investigation, the KHSAA found that both Bell County and Taylor County committed the following violations:
(1) Scrimmaged an opponent for longer than three hours or scrimmaged multiple opponents;
(2) Failed to provide the requisite rest following full gear practice;
(3) Exceeded the time limits for contact contained in the Bylaw;
(4) Exceeded the daily practice time allowable.

Subsequent to that weekend, Bell County, despite a reminder notice from the KHSAA concerning scrimmage limits, played an additional scrimmage the weekend of August 14. This constituted an additional violation due to the fact that Bell County had a contest scheduled the weekend of […]

08/29/15- Reminder about 8 Quarter Participation Limit for Football

With the season now in full swing, it is timely to remind all representatives of the football programs about the limit of eight quarters per week (Friday through the following Thursday) for high school football players. While this information has been distributed on multiple occasions to coaches at all levels (grades 9-12), it is again reiterated to prevent the use of ineligible players at any time.

Each player is limited to eight quarters per week in contests, from Friday through the following Thursday, starting with the Friday of Week 0.
Participation in one play during a quarter counts as that student having now participated.
If contests have quarters that are six minutes or less, each quarter played counts as one-half of a quarter toward the eight-quarter limit.
Any contest with periods longer than six minutes counts as a full quarter for each quarter played.
By rule, overtime is an extension of the 4th quarter […]
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08/26/15 – Board of Control Reviews Classification and Triennial Survey Results; Approves Several Championship Sites

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2015

The KHSAA Board of Control conducted its first meeting of the 2015-16 school year on Monday at the Owensboro Convention Center. Among the many agenda items discussed, the Board executed a lengthy review of its current classification and alignment system for postseason play, and the ramifications of possible expansion of classification to other team sports. This review was requested by the Board after receiving a proposal concerning the classification of baseball and the format of all rounds of the postseason baseball tournament from Lawrence County High School during the 2014-15 school year. Following the receipt of the requested changes from Lawrence County, the Board requested information for a broader review of the issues in classification in the other team sports, not simply a review of baseball.

During the discussion and review, six major points were concluded when reviewing the situations from other states when compared to the current setup of championships: […]

08/25/15 – Initial Football, Soccer Statistical Leader Reports Available

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2015

The weekly statistical leader reports for football and boys’ and girls’ soccer have been updated at KHSAA.org. Statistics are compiled weekly throughout the regular season and will be posted to the KHSAA website every Tuesday.

Beginning last season, as contained in Bylaw 27, the requirements to enter and maintain rosters, schedules and statistics was enforced more rigorously by the KHSAA. This enforcement subjects member schools to penalties by the Commissioner, including fines and other actions, within the constraints of Bylaw 27.

The statistical leader reports can be found through the links below:

FOOTBALL
Overall Stats Leaders
http://khsaa.org/football/2015/stats.htm

Class 1A Stats Leaders
http://khsaa.org/football/2015/stats1.htm

Class […]

08/21/15 – Reminder about Statistics Entry – Soccer and Football

STATISTICS REMINDER
Game by game statistical entry for teams and individuals is required in the sports of football, basketball and soccer, which will be used to compile a list of statewide leaders, and can also be sent to local media outlets (with only specific schools) upon request.

For soccer, individual goal scoring and assist categories are the only categories compiled at this time and, therefore, the only required categories for individuals.

Please note this compilation is a great service to the membership and its student-athletes and is routinely touted by college recruiters as a valued source of information when they contact our office.

At this time, the software and data infrastructure do not exist for volleyball and field hockey compilation, but this is under development for the 2016-17 season.

See the note at the end of this post regarding failure to maintain current contest-by-contest statistics.

PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE
Beginning last season, as contained in Bylaw 27, the requirements to enter […]

08/14//15 – Reminder about Football Scrimmage Limitations

This reminder to all school about the unique limit of football scrimmages. This is NOT a new provision, and nothing about this part of Bylaw 23 is new or changed.

IF you are playing a game week 0 (August 21/22 of this year), you only get ONE scrimmage once contact practice begins. We have had reports of many that scrimmaged weekend of August 7 and have scrimmages planned for weekend of August 14 as well.

If you do not begin play until week 1, the weekend of August 28, you can have two scrimmages.

Thanks and best of luck.

08/11/15 – Football Rules Clinic Now Available Online

The mandatory Online KHSAA Rules Clinic for the sport of Football is available beginning today, August 11. Below is additional information:

OFFICIALS

August 10 to August 31 (Officials) – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed at no charge during this period.
September 1 to October 19 (Officials) – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed for the makeup fee ($30) during this period.
October 20 to October 31 (Officials) – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed for the makeup fee ($60) per the Bylaw 27 schedule during this period. After this time, postseason penalties per Bylaw 27 will apply.

COACHES

August 10 to September 7 (Coaches) – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed at no charge during this period.
September 8 to October 5 (Coaches) – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed for the makeup fee ($100) during this period.
October […]
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07/31/15 – Reminder about Heat Index as Full Gear FB Practice Begins

With tomorrow being the first permissible day for full gear football practice, this notice is important to help minimize risk for the coaches and competitors. While all efforts have been made to ensure gradual phasing in of equipment to allow for proper acclimatization and acclimation, it remains possible that many athletes are not properly acclimatized to the wearing of full gear in hot weather, in spite of practicing the required number of days.

Out of an abundance of caution, and respect for the safety of the competitors and coaches, as well as game officials in scrimmage situations, schools are reminded that activity reduction or cessation is mandatory at certain levels of heat index at the local venue. Once scrimmages begin over the next couple of weeks, game officials will be encouraged to take the NFHS permissible heat time-outs during each quarter or at the minimum, every 30 minutes of action.

Football Coaches and Officials must remember that […]

07/23/15 – Football Officials Mechanics Change/Clarification; FBZ Clarification

For the 2015 football season, there is a major change in on-field mechanics for officials in four- and five-person coverage, and a reminder about the changes for 2014 kickoff change. At this time, these are the only known mechanics clarification and all officials are expected to otherwise apply only the mechanics in the NFHS Football Officials Manual.

FREE KICK MECHANICS

The Back Judge in a five-person crew (page 27, V, B, 6) is supposed to move to the center of the field after the kick goes downfield. This is important in order to get the Back Judge in his/her normal position as the return begins.

PAT/FG COVERAGE

There has been no change on the state five-person mechanics on PAT/FG (inside 15-yard line). The umpire goes under with the Back Judge, Wing officials remain in position.

LINESMAN/LINE JUDGE MECHANICS

Beginning with the 2015 season, the Linesman and Line Judge will be changing sides of the field at halftime for all games […]

07/10/15 – Reminders as Football Allowable Helmet Period Begins

THIS NOTICE HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY FURTHER NOTICES AND IS NOT VALID FOR THE 2016 SEASON AND BEYOND

With the dead period ending and most of football coaches starting into fall workouts at various times in the coming days, it is timely to remind each of you of the major changes made in football practice and competition rules.

FORMS TO MONITOR COMPLIANCE

From the post on May 18, the forms and their usage. Complete details at http://khsaa.org/051815-board-of-control-approves-compliance-forms-for-football-revisions/. FB135 monitors practice restrictions, FB136 monitors each contest (freshman, JV and varsity) to track the eight quarters per week restriction, and FB137 is a pre and postseason verification for school administrators to monitor the requirements.

QUARTER PARTICIPATION LIMITATION

Have had several questions regarding the new restriction on quarters played, which will be placed in the football competition rules in the Handbook. As a reminder, as part of the changes, there is now a limit the number of quarters played by each player […]

05/18/15 – Board of Control Approves Compliance Forms for Football Revisions

With the approval of the sweeping changes in football contact rules, the Board of Control has approved three forms which are to be used by schools to monitor practice limitations, participation limitations, etc. These forms are NOT to be submitted to the KHSAA at this time, but a random ten (10) percent of the membership will be audited for compliance and penalized under Bylaw 27 if unable to verify that the rules are being followed.

The new forms are:

FB137 – An optional form which may be used by schools and districts to ensure that coaches are aware of the new restrictions. The form allows for a preseason signature by the coaches (all coaches, head and assistant, paid or unpaid) verifying understanding of the USA Football definitions and contact restrictions. The form then also allows for a postseason signature indicated that the rules have been adhered to throughout the season. This form is located at http://www.khsaa.org/forms/fb137.docx […]

05/13/15 – Board of Control Adopts New Football Compliance Forms, Competitive Cheer Regional Rotation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2015

In an effort to assist its member schools in properly regulating new safety standards in football, the Board of Control adopted new compliance forms during a meeting at the KHSAA headquarters on Wednesday. The new forms will allow member schools to monitor compliance with new player safety restrictions on participation, while certifying awareness with the new measures passing during April’s Board of Control meeting in response to recommendations from the NFHS Task Force.

In order to ensure the availability of top flight judges at all regional competitive cheer competitions and minimize cross region concerns about competitive advantage, the Board approved a rotation plan for the scheduling of region competitions. The four-year rotation will alternate the order in which regional competitions are held, while ensuring that there are not an excessive number of competitions on any one weekend, and that the services provided to the students competing in competitive cheer are kept […]

04/22/15 – Board of Control Approves Recommended Safety Revisions and Future Championship Schedule for Football, Swimming Alignment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2015

The KHSAA Board of Control addressed the NFHS Task Force recommendations on contact restrictions in football during a meeting at the Association’s headquarters on Tuesday, while approving the future order of football championship games and a new swimming alignment beginning in 2015-16.

The Board approved the revised football contact restrictions to be implemented immediately due to health and safety concerns in response to the NFHS Task Force recommendations released in November. The detailed summary of the revisions is located at http://goo.gl/O0nchB. At its meeting Tuesday, the Board approved the draft restrictions that had been sent to the membership in March with one staff recommended revision permitting schools, with local school and school system approval, to utilize helmets from June 1 through June 24, provided all activity is on campus, does not involve other schools, is non-contact, and complies with the heat index restrictions.

The order of football championship games for […]

04/22/15-Final Changes Adopted for Football in Response to NFHS Task Force Recommendations

At its regular meeting on April 21, the KHSAA Board of Control adopted policy changes including emergency changes to the bylaws and policies of the KHSAA related to football practice. The draft of changes was released to the membership in March for comment, for final adoption at this meeting after consideration of member school final remarks. A compliance form is being finalized and once approved by the Board of Control in May, will be distributed to the membership to assist in education coaches and ensuring compliance by all schools.

After consideration and following considerable feedback from the membership, the Board approved the staff recommendation to make one change from the draft, and allow the wearing of helmets for on campus, non-competitive, non-contact work in June. Specifically, from June 1 through June 24, the following provisions will be in place (different from the original draft): a) Schools may not issue football equipment included in NFHS Rule 1-5 other […]

04/22/15-Football Equipment Timelines

Below is an interpretative listing of the various equipment periods. Any conflict with Bylaw 23, Section 6 (Football) will yield to the Bylaw 23 section for enforcement :

PRE-SEASON (POST DEAD PERIOD) ACCLIMATIZATION AND ACCLIMATION THROUGH THE END OF REGULAR SEASON

(1) Acclimatization and Acclimation Starting July 10

July 10, First date of OFFICIAL practice in helmet only. Only Level 0 – “Air” and Level 1 – “Bags” drills can be conducted. The catastrophic insurance is in place for these drills and practice sessions. Heat index monitoring guidelines must be complied with during any activity.

July 22, First date of practice in shells (shorts, helmets, shoulder pads) for each player who has had at least five days in helmets only. Only Level 0 – “Air”, Level 1 – “Bags” and Level 2 – “Control” drills can be conducted. The catastrophic insurance is in place for these drills and practice sessions. Heat index monitoring guidelines must be complied with during any activity.

August […]

04/22/15-Final Bylaw 23 Changes Necessary Due to Emergency Adoption of NFHS Task Force Recommendations

Below is the revised wording of Bylaw 23, Section 6 (Football), as a results of its emergency adoption due to the recommendations of the NFHS Trask Force:

Sec. 6) Sports Specific Limitations- Football
a) Organized practice shall be structured in football as follows:
(1) Football drill work and practice activity shall be defined in the following five categories:
Level 0-“Air”-Players run a drill unopposed without contact.
Level 1-“Bags” – Drill is run against a bag or another soft-contact surface.
Level 2-“Control” – Drill is run at assigned speed until the moment of contact; one player is pre-determined the ‘winner’ by the coach. Contact remains above the waist and players stay on their feet.
Level 3-“Thud” – Drill is run at assigned speed through the moment of contact; no pre-determined “winner.” Contact remains above the waist, players stay on their feet and a quick whistle ends the drill.
Level 4-“Live Action”-Drill is run in game-like conditions […]

03/30/15 – DRAFT Bylaw 23 Changes Necessary Due to Emergency Adoption of NFHS Task Force Recommendations (NOT FINAL, DRAFT ONLY)

Below is a comparison table of the changes to Bylaw 23, Section 6 (Football)

OLD VERSION (2014)

Sec. 6) Sports Specific Limitations- Football
a) Organized practice shall be structured in football as follows:
(1) From the end of the season through the day prior to the first day of spring practice; and from the day after spring practice through July 21, schools may not issue football equipment including helmets, with the exception of an all-star game or individual camp as detailed.
(2) From the end of the season through the day prior to the first day of spring practice; and from the day after spring practice through July 21, schools may not organize or participate in any football activities that involve “full contact” or allow players to be in full pads, even if “full contact” doesn’t occur. “Full contact” is defined as football drills or live game simulations where ‘live action’ occurs.
(3) During […]

03/30/15-DRAFT Information Regarding Emergency Policy Changes, Football Practice Limitation Changes Due to Concussion Recommendations from NFHS DRAFT NOT FINAL ADOPTED LANGUAGE

This is intended to update the membership about ongoing work by the Board of Control and the Commissioner’s office in response to the NFHS recommendations on football practice that were released to the KHSAA in November. It was important that the information be comprehensive, thorough and in somewhat final form in order to ensure consistent messaging and eliminate misinformation where possible, therefore it is only now in a final form for distribution.

Following the receipt of the report, the information was distributed to the KHSAA Board of Control members and placed on the agenda for its November, 2014 meeting for a brief discussion and background. At that meeting, staff was asked to review the information with various football constituent groups, including the Commissioner’s Advisory Committee on Football, and to try and determine best practices going forward. Clearly, the recommendations were a call for action in many areas and required immediate changes in the way Kentucky schools […]

01/28/15 – Board of Control Approves Revised Archery Competition Rules and Alignment for 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 28, 2015

The KHSAA Board of Control finalized competition rules and a new alignment for the sport-activity of Archery in a meeting at the Association’s headquarters on Wednesday morning. After extensive review, the newly approved competition rules for Archery, which include the elimination of charging competitors to compete at tournaments and the desire to conduct an autonomous state championship, will go into effect this season.

Updated competition rules and a revised alignment for Archery can be found at the following link:
http://khsaa.org/handbook/competitionrules/arcompetitionrules.pdf

The 2015 KHSAA Archery State Championship will be held Thursday, April 23rd at the Kentucky Basketball Academy in Lexington.

In other action taken on Wednesday, the Board of Control:

• Accepted a recommendation from staff to modify the field size requirements for hosting regional soccer tournaments. Following the Board’s acceptance, the minimum field width requirement to host a regional soccer tournament will be reduced to a range of […]

01/14/15 – First Basketball Statistical Leader Reports Released; NFHS Names Mueller, Bender National Coaches of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2015

First Weekly Basketball Statistical Leader Reports Now Available

The initial weekly statistical leader reports for boys’ and girls’ basketball have been posted to KHSAA.org. Statistics are compiled weekly throughout the regular season and will be posted to the KHSAA website every Wednesday.

Beginning with 2014-2015, as contained in Bylaw 27, the requirements to enter and maintain rosters, schedules and statistics will be enforced more rigorously by the KHSAA. This enforcement will subject the member schools to penalties by the Commissioner, including fines and other actions, within the constraints of Bylaw 27.

The statistical leader reports can be found through the links below:

Boys’ Basketball
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12/08/14 – KHSAA Sanctions Football Officials, Officials’ Association for Rule Misapplication

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 8, 2014

The KHSAA has assessed sanctions against a crew of five football officials and an adjustment to the schedule for future playoff assignments for the local association involved, following a misapplication of the playing rules in the semifinal round playoff game between DeSales and Murray on November 28. During the second quarter of the game, on a play when Murray scored a touchdown, the covering official called a foul against a coach from Murray when the covering official made contact with the coach in an area where coaches are not permitted during play. The officials then mis-administered the playing rules by assessing the penalty from the spot of the foul and not allowing the touchdown.

“The foul occurred as the covering official was making his way up the sideline covering the play and made contact with a coach in the two-yard restricted area where coaches are not permitted,” stated KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett, […]

11/18/14 – KHSAA Extends Football Championship Agreement With Russell Athletic, Western Kentucky University Through 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2014

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association officially extended its agreements with Russell Athletic and Western Kentucky University to partner and host the state football finals through 2018 in a press conference in Bowling Green on Tuesday. The KHSAA Board of Control previously approved an extension for WKU and Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium as the host site of the Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl, dependent at the time upon retaining Russell Athletic as the event’s title sponsor.

“We are very excited to continue our outstanding partnership with Western Kentucky University, which has only improved through the emergence of Russell Athletic as the event’s title sponsor,” said Julian Tackett, KHSAA Commissioner. “In feedback from our membership, WKU has an ideally-sized stadium for our event. We look forward to continuing a strong, long term relationship with both WKU and Russell Athletic, partners who have a strong relationship with our membership both in […]

11/03/14 – High School Playoff Contests Asked to Honor Veterans

KHSAA State High School Events Honoring Veterans At Events Closest To Veterans Day

Again this year, for the first round of the football playoffs at home sites November 7 and 8, each home school is asked to request all veterans and active duty military in attendance to stand and be recognized for their contributions.

For the KHSAA State Cross Country meet on Saturday morning, November 8, there will be an […]

11/01/14 – Final End of Season FB TieBreaker Results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2014

The calculations for the three-way tie-breaker in football have been posted online at http://www.khsaa.org/football/2014/threewaytiebreakertodate.pdf.

Playoff pairings as well as the instructions and details about the games, are available at http://www.khsaa.org/football and the final district standings are posted at http://khsaa.org/2014-football-district-standings/

There were four relevant out of state records for teams-

South Point, OH (2-8, counted 2 wins)
Providence, IN (7-4, counted the 7 wins, only counted first 10 played games)
Hurley, VA (6-3, counted 6 wins)
Grundy, VA (0-9, counted 9 wins)

There were nine specific ties this season with the final calculations at http://www.khsaa.org/football/2014/threewaytiebreakertodate.pdf:

Class 1A, District 2- tie for 1st broken based on points through top four defeated opponents including Providence, IN
Class 2A, District 2- tie for 4th broken based on points through top four defeated opponents
Class 2A, District 8- tie for 1st broken based on points through top four defeated opponents including Hurley, VA

10/31/14 – Reminders about Football Playoffs and Final Regular Season Week

This is going to ALL KHSAA football playing schools. If it doesn’t apply to you, please disregard.

As we prepare for potentially 95 games to be played during week 1 of the playoffs, we ask for your cooperation as we try and pull final brackets together over the weekend. We have published what we have as of now, but need game times and sites confirmed so that officials assignments can be made.

A few reminders–

1) BRACKETS AND TIE BREAKERS – All information as we have it now, is posted on the KHSAA web site. You can find it at http://khsaa.org/sports/fall/football/ under the pull down for playoff Rounds 1-4,

2) PLEASE REMEMBER TO CALL IN YOUR SCORE as soon as the game is over this week EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT PLAYING IN THE PLAYOFFS. Many times, the three-way tiebreaker comes down to a single missing results from a non-playoff team, so all scores are […]

10/29/14 – Tentative Football Tiebreaker Calculations Available

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2014

NOTE: THIS POST HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED WITH FINAL RESULTS ON THE FOOTBALL INFORMATION PAGE AT www.khsaa.org/football.

With the 2014 regular season coming to an end this week, tentative football three-way tiebreaker calculations are available at KHSAA.org (through games of October 24). The tentative projections can be viewed at http://www.khsaa.org/football/2014/threewaytiebreakertodateoctober252014.pdf.

Interested parties should keep in mind that the calculations are tentative, as most teams have a game remaining this weekend and tiebreakers cannot be finalized until all games are played. For teams playing out-of-state opponents from Indiana, only wins from the first 10 games of the opposing team’s schedule are counted for tiebreaking purposes, to keep those teams on par with Kentucky schools.

Playoff pairings for the 2014 season can be found at this link:
http://khsaa.org/football/playoffpairings20112014.pdf

For convenience, the tie-breaking procedure for football (from the KHSAA Handbook) is listed below:

b) TIE-BREAKER (more than two teams). Should three […]

10/27/14 – Fall Sports Postseason In Full Swing; Hopkinsville Penalized for Bylaw Violations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2014

Fall Sports Postseason In Full Swing

With the Leachman Buick•GMC•Cadillac/KHSAA Golf State Championships already in the books, the postseasons for the remaining KHSAA fall sports are in full swing. The inaugural KHSAA Field Hockey State Championship resumes tonight with semifinal action at Bellarmine University. Assumption takes on Sacred Heart at 5:30 p.m. followed by DuPont Manual against Mercy at 7 p.m. Live stats and a live webcast for each game will be available at KHSAA.org. The KHSAA Field Hockey State Championship game will be played Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.

The KHSAA Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer State Tournament begins tonight with girls’ semi-state games at campus sites, followed by the boy’s semi-state games tomorrow evening. The KHSAA Soccer State Tournament Quarterfinals will take place Saturday, Nov. 1 with the boys’ games at Henry Clay HS and the girls’ games at Lafayette HS in Lexington.

Volleyball Region Tournaments began […]

10/25/14-Interim Football TieBreaker Calculations Posted

The three-way tiebreaker calculations through play of October 24, 2014 have been posted on the KHSAA website.

Viewers should be mindful that:

The calculations are tentative and are not final until the final game is played;
Most teams likely have another game next week, allowing for a possible additional defeated opponent to be included.

The calculations are located at http://www.khsaa.org/football/2014/threewaytiebreakertodateOctober252014.pdf

10/22/14 – Information On Ordering Tickets to Russell Athletic/KHSAA State Football Finals

Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl

It is again time for us to take orders for advance tickets to the Russell Athletic/KHSAA State Football Finals. We hope we can count on your continued support for the twelve teams that make it to the finals. Here are some notes about this year’s finals.

The games will be played on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6 at Feix Field, Houchens Industries – L.T. Smith Stadium at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green;
Game times will be 11:00 (3A), 3:00 (2A) and 7:00 (5A) on Friday, and will be 11:00 (1A), 3:00 (4A) and 7:00 (6A) on Saturday. All times are Central Time;
The KFCA will be conducting important continuous improvement sessions in conjunction with the finals. Contact Jimmie Reed with the KFCA for details as well as details about the important benefits the organization provides for students;
The Club level and […]
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09/03/14 – First Football, Soccer Statistical Leader Reports Released

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 3, 2014

The initial weekly statistical leader reports for football and boys’ and girls’ soccer have been posted to KHSAA.org. Statistics are compiled weekly throughout the regular season and will be posted to the KHSAA website every Tuesday (Soccer) and Wednesday (Football).

As a reminder, member schools are solely responsible for submitting statistical information. If a school or individual is omitted, or information is not updated, that means the KHSAA did not receive a report prior to the deadline. Beginning with 2014-2015, as contained in Bylaw 27, the requirements to enter and maintain rosters, schedules and statistics will be enforced more rigorously by the KHSAA. This enforcement will subject the member schools to penalties by the Commissioner, including fines and other actions, within the constraints of Bylaw 27.

The statistical leader reports can be found through the links below:

FOOTBALL
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09/02/14 – NFHS Football Rules Interpretations/Clarification/Corrections 2014

Cross Country Blog Updates

The NFHS has released its annual early season updates to the rules and interpretations for football. For a complete listing, see the NFHS website at http://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/football-rules-interpretations-2014/ or for a printed copy, go to http://www.khsaa.org/football/2014/2014 football interps.pdf.

Please note that the information contains strike-through underline formatting to show what should be deleted (strike through) or added (underlined) to your rules notes and books, but may not represent any change that will be formally adopted in the future.

If you have questions, contact Julian Tackett, KHSAA rules interpreter for football, at jtackett@khsaa.org.

– KHSAA –

The KHSAA staff routinely publishes blog posts to better communicate with its various constituencies and the public. The blogs for specific sports and sport-activities are on that sport or sport activity main page, and there are general information blogs at http://khsaa.org/news-stats-pubs/sports-blogs/

08/29/14 – Part 2 Exam Ends Sunday; Free Clinic Ends Monday

We would like to remind all Football, Soccer, Field Hockey, Cross Country and Volleyball officials that the part 2 exam, which is a requirement to officiate a postseason contest in Football, Soccer, Field Hockey and Volleyball, is ending this Sunday, August 31st at midnight est.

Also, the free period for the required online rules clinic ends for all fall sports officials in Football, Soccer, Field Hockey, Cross Country and Volleyball on Monday, September 1. Beginning September 2 there will be a $100 charge to view the clinic. If you have started and not finished the clinic, this will serve as your final reminder.

08/23/14 – Reminder about Interrupted Football Games

In light of the large number of calls and texts on night 1 of high school football and in light of the vast amount of turnover in athletic administrators and coaches, a reminder about the Competition Rules is in order. Interrupted games are not new, usually it’s lightning, last night it was about every possible variation of bad weather. Just a couple of reminders, and probably the last sentence in the tournament rules is the main point to keep in mind, “All involved shall remember that this situation is caused by elements such as weather that are uncontrollable by anyone, and keep the discussions in that perspective.”

Per the playing rules, there is no such thing as a “no-contest”. Period. So if the contest begins, the interrupted games procedure is in place.
Once a contest begins, then the game counts against the allowable number of games. Only if the contest does not begin can the game be […]
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08/22/14 – Heat Index Reminder, All Sports but Particularly Football Contests Played 8/22 and 8/23

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, football officials are directed to take the NFHS permissible heat time-outs during each quarter of each game played on August 22 and August 23 if the ambient temperature at the playing site is 80 degrees or higher (temperature not heat index). The time-out should be implemented much like a media time-out, and it is recommended that it be taken at the first dead ball after the 7 min. mark on the […]

08/16/14 – Reminder about Carryover Ejections from 2013-2014

In several unfortunate situations each year, coaches or athletes with eligibility remaining are ejected near the end of the season, or near the end of the season for violations of Bylaw 15, Sportsmanships. Please note that when that happens, the penalty carries to the next year if the student-athlete remains enrolled, and to the new school if the coach changes jobs/schools.

Please note all rules related to player/coach ejections, including the provisions for varsity and non-varsity ejections, are listed at http://khsaa.org/dq-policy-on-reinstatement-of-disqualified-apolicy-on-reinstatement-of-disqualified-athletes-coaches/, and a complete list from 2013-2014 is listed on the KHSAA website at http://khsaa.org/dq_list_public/. You will need to review this listing to ensure that you properly require athletes and coaches to miss the required contests if in fact they were ejected.

Also note that being ineligible for scrimmages (sitting out) does NOT satisfy any penalty, such must be served at the varsity contest level.

If you have specific questions, please contact Michael Barren (mbarren@khsaa.org) […]

08/05/14 – Football Rules Clinic Now Online

The mandatory online KHSAA Rules Clinic for the sport of Football is now online for all coaches (head and assistant) and licensed officials.

HEAD AND ASSISTANT COACHES

August 4 to September 7 – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed at no charge during this period.
September 8 to October 5 – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed for the makeup fee ($100) during this period.
October 6 to November 6 – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed for the makeup fee ($300) per the Bylaw 27 schedule during this period.
After November 6, postseason penalties per Bylaw 27 will apply. For schools not entering the playoffs, additional administrative penalties will apply.

LICENSED OFFICIALS

August 4 to September 1 – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed at no charge during this period.

08/06/14 – Football Equipment Restrictions and Reminders

With the beginning of contact practice this week, it is important that all coaches be aware of what is legal, and when it is legal with respect to football equipment usage. For that reason, and in light of recent changes, the following summary is provided.

Reminders about Major Changes and Clarifications to Both InSeason/OffSeason Restrictions for Football Equipment Issuance and Usage
The entire calendar year is broken down below detailing what is permitted in terms of usage and issuance of football gear. This supersedes all previous interpretations and rulings that may have been issued, and is issued based on Bylaw 23 and Bylaw 24. Most information has been distributed earlier to schools and is capsulized here for easy reference.

Acclimatization and Acclimation Starting July 22
- July 22, First date of OFFICIAL practice. This is the day the catastrophic insurance is officially in place. Other activities prior to this date have no catastrophic insurance […]
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08/01/14-Football Overtime Procedures

KHSAA FOOTBALL OVERTIME PROCEDURES
VERBATIM – NFHS Recommended Procedure for Resolving Tied Games
Revised 2014 SEASON

An overtime period is untimed play after a regulation game has ended with the score tied. During an overtime period, each team has an opportunity for an offensive series of downs. However, an overtime period may include only one offensive series of downs if the defensive team scores a safety or touchdown.
3-1: When the score is tied at the end of the fourth period, the referee will instruct both teams to return to their respective team boxes. There will be a three-minute intermission during which both teams may confer with their coaches. All game officials will assemble at the 50-yard line, review the overtime procedure, and discuss how penalties, if any, including any carry-over penalties from the regulation contest will be assessed to start the overtime procedure. (See 8-3-5,6) At the end of […]

08/01/14 – Reminder about Video Standards and Exchange Rules for Football

This information is reprinted from the Competition Rules of the KHSAA related to football. Compliance by all schools is expected, and failure to comply leaves the school subject to penalty under Bylaw 27.

Football Videotaping Standard and Procedures and Video Exchange Policy:
1) All Visiting teams will be given the same area to record from as the home team.
2) All exchange video should be recorded digitally with a digital Camera.
3) All exchange video should be recorded in DVD format or Online
4) All exchange video shall be recorded using a Tripod.
5) All exchange video shall be recorded from the highest possible point in the stadium
6) All exchange video shall be recorded so that the teams numbers are visible
7) All exchange video shall be recorded from the huddle to a few seconds past the end of the play (5-10 seconds).
8) If the team is a no huddle team, […]

07/21/14 – Football Individual Minimum Practice Reminder

With the change back to August 1 for the first day of practice in pads (anything other than shoulder pads, following the minimum three days of helmets only and minimum of three days of helmets and shoulder pads), several coaches have inquired about the minimum number of days before playing against another school.

The rule states: “Each player, in order to be eligible to participate against another school and to become acclimatized and acclimated, shall have taken part in a minimum of three (3) practices over three (3) days in helmets only, three (3) practices in helmet and shoulder pads over three (3) days followed by five (5) contact practices over five days.”

Each player is required to have five days of practice in full pads (anything than shoulder pads and helmets) before going against another school. The rule continues to require the phase-in of these days as listed above.

07/15/14 – Board of Control Recommends Use of Protective Head Gear in Softball; Makes Football Alignment Adjustment

Board of Control Recommends Use of Protective Head Gear in Softball; Makes Football Alignment Adjustment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 15, 2014

The Board of Control conducted its first meeting of the 2014-15 academic year at the Bank of Kentucky Center in Northern Kentucky on Monday morning. Among the action taken during Monday’s meeting, the Board passed a proposal recommending the use of protective headgear for certain positions in fastpitch softball, finalized specific site selection for the 2014 state soccer tournament, and upheld an appeal by Hazard in regards to the 2015-18 football alignment.

With a growing concern to player safety in fastpitch softball, the Board addressed the issue of face/head protection. NFHS Rule 1-8-4 states that defensive players are permitted to wear face/head protection in the field. The Board of Control, based on a proposal from staff, a review of available injury data from the NFHS RIO […]

07/10/14 – Reminder about Changes in Football Preseason Practice Rules

The changes that were made by the delegates at the 2013 Annual Meeting of schools have been given final approval in the last few days, and are therefore in effect immediately for the 2014 football preseason.

The preseason has been restructured as follows:

During the period beginning from July 10 through July 31, member schools may participate in non-contact simulations (i.e. 7 on 7) and such participation does not count against scrimmage limitations provided that the first practice in full pads has not been conducted.
The school issued helmet may be used during these activities, but no other equipment included in NFHS Rule 1-5 may be issued prior to the dates detailed in subsection (a)(2) of this section. The KHSAA catastrophic insurance is not in effect for these simulations if other schools are involved;

Preseason and during season practice in football shall be as follows:

The first legal organized practice wearing a […]
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06/13/14 – Bluegrass State Games 7 on 7 for Football

Recently, we have had a couple of coaches request clarification regarding the Bluegrass Games and a proposed 7 on 7 competition. Management of the games have worked closely with KHSAA staff to ensure that all applicable rules are followed.

Provided that: the competition is held after the dead period and prior to the first legal date for shoulder pads (August 1 for all schools for 2014), no other equipment is worn, and the heat index guidelines are adhered to, there should be no issues with Kentucky teams participating and such participation does not count against scrimmage limitations.

The Bluegrass games, including football coordinator Ron Mack and BGSG Executive Director Terry Johnson are in constant communication with the association to keep our schools rules compliant and yet offer opportunities to be part of the games. If you have questions or doubts about any of the proposed activities, please feel free to contact the office.

06/03/14 – Important Memo From NOCSAE re:Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings

NOCSAE has released important information regarding the testing that is being done on helmets at Virginia Tech. While many may use test results, ratings and public relations materials to attempt to influence purchases and usage, the overarching concern is to remain compliant with NOCSAE standards in order to help constrain liability.

The complete information is located in the release at http://goo.gl/KE47SM

05/22/14 – 2014 NFHS Kickoff Coverage

2014 Five Person Free Kick Coverage

Five-Game Official Positions for Kickoff

I. KICKOFF

II. REFEREE

A. Before kick:

1. Position: R’s goal yard line on the head linesman’s side just outside hash marks.

2. Count R players.

3. Check positions of other game officials.

4. After ready signs have been received from other game officials, declare the ball ready for play and sound whistle and verify that at least four K players must be on each side of the kicker until the ball is kicked.

5. If short free kick is anticipated:

a. Take position near R’s 10-yard line.

b. Be alert to assist other game officials.

B. After kick:

1. Kick down the middle:

a. Signal clock to start (S #2) when kick is touched other than first touching by K.

b. Pick up runner […]

05/13/14 – Board of Control Approves Future Championship Sites, Football Alignment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2014

During Tuesday’s scheduled meeting at the KHSAA Office, the Board of Control awarded the girls’ basketball state tournament to the Bank of Kentucky Center and Northern Kentucky University for 2016 and 2017, while extending the stay of the Worth/KHSAA Softball State Tournament at Jack C. Fisher Park in Owensboro for four more years (2015-18). In addition, the Board approved a final draft of the football alignment for the 2015-18 seasons which can be found at this link: http://goo.gl/rZfNWC.

“It speaks volumes to the growth and progress of female athletics in this state that we received two very strong proposals for both championships, where in the past there might not have been much interest. It bodes very well for the future of female athletics in Kentucky,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “In terms of the girls’ basketball championship, the Board was of […]

05/13/14 – Board of Control Adopts Football Alignment for 2015-2018

This is being sent to all Principals, Superintendents and Athletic Directors of KHSAA Football Playing Schools. The Board of Control today adopted the final alignment of teams for the 2015-2018 playing seasons. That alignment is listed at http://goo.gl/rZfNWC. With this action, the moratorium on scheduling and contracts is lifted, and schools may engage and negotiate final agreements. In a related matter, the Board of Control established the pairings for 2015 ONLY for Class 6A to mirror the other classes, and will continue discussion and deliberation on postseason pairings at future meetings. Multiple member schools in Class 5A had made a request to begin playoff pairing rotation, but this issue will not be addressed until a further determination is made regarding Class 6A.

05/13/14 – Final Adopted Alignment for 2015 to 2018 Playing Seasons (revised 7/14/2014)

Class 1A
District 1 – Crittenden County, Fulton City, Fulton County, Russellville
District 2 –Bethlehem, Campbellsville, Caverna, Fort Knox
District 3 – Eminence, Frankfort, Holy Cross (Louisville), Kentucky Country Day
District 4 – Beechwood, Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow
District 5 – Berea, Bishop Brossart, Bracken County, Nicholas County, Paris
District 6 – Fairview, Paintsville, Raceland
District 7 – Harlan, Lynn Camp, Pineville, Williamsburg
District 8 – Hazard, Jenkins, Phelps, Pikeville, South Floyd
5th place team from District 8 as the 4th place in District 6 for playoff brackets
5th place team from District 5 will not advance to playoffs

Class 2A
District 1 – Ballard Memorial, Mayfield, Murray, Webster County
District 2 – Butler County, Hancock County, McLean County, Owensboro Catholic, Todd County Central
District 3 – Clinton County, Glasgow, Green County, Metcalfe County, Monroe County
District 4 – Christian Academy-Louisville, DeSales, […]

04/16/14 – Scheduling Grid for 2015-2018, Week 0

Because of the scheduling moratorium, the scheduling grid for 2015-2018 was not originally included in the material released yesterday. It is imperative that you remember that because changes could still be made to the alignment before it is adopted, that you not sign contracts for games to be played 2015 and beyond. These changes could result from the feedback requested of the membership and related responses considered by the Board of Control at its May meeting.

However, several schools have indicated a desire to conduct tentative scheduling meetings in the next few weeks. Therefore, the tentative scheduling grid for 2015-2018 has been posted on the page with the other realignment information. Go to www.khsaa.org, click on Sports/Activities, Football, Football Alignment, Realignment Information, 2015-2018 Alignment/Realignment Information, Football General Realignment 2015-2018.

Several have also questioned whether Week 0 will be available during the next realignment period. As of now, there has been no proposal passed by […]

04/15/14 – Board of Control Adds Field Hockey For 2014-15; Approves Football Alignment Draft for 2015-18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2014

During Tuesday’s meeting at the KHSAA Office, the Board of Control approved a motion to add field hockey as a team sport beginning with the 2014-15 season and approved a draft of the football alignment for the 2015-18 seasons to be distributed to the membership for feedback. The addition of field hockey as a female-only team sport, brings the Association’s total number of sports offered to 13 beginning in the fall of 2014, with four additional sport-activities. The Association will work in the coming months to select a site for the 2014 field hockey championship, and put the infrastructure in place for field hockey to be an officially-sponsored KHSAA sport.

The Board approved a draft of the football alignment for the 2015-18 seasons, which was configured after member schools were given the opportunity to declare their desire to “play up” in classification. The […]

04/15/14 – Football DRAFT Alignment of Teams, 2015-2018

DRAFT 2015-2018 KHSAA Football Alignment of Teams

Proposed Class 1A
District 1 – Crittenden County, Fulton City, Fulton County, Russellville
District 2 – Berea, Bethlehem, Campbellsville, Caverna, Fort Knox
District 3 – Eminence, Frankfort, Holy Cross (Louisville), Kentucky Country Day
District 4 – Beechwood, Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow
District 5 – Bishop Brossart, Bracken County, Nicholas County, Paris
District 6 – Fairview, Paintsville, Raceland
District 7 – Harlan, Lynn Camp, Pineville, Williamsburg
District 8 – Hazard, Jenkins, Phelps, Pikeville, South Floyd

5th place team from District 8 as the 4th place in District 6 for playoff brackets
5th place team from District 2 will not advance to playoffs

Proposed Class 2A
District 1 – Ballard Memorial, Mayfield, Murray, Webster County
District 2 – Butler County, Hancock County, McLean County, Owensboro Catholic, Todd County Central
District 3 – Clinton County, Glasgow, Green County, Metcalfe County, Monroe County
District 4 – Christian Academy-Louisville, DeSales, Shawnee, Washington County
District […]

04/15/14 – Football Draft Alignment Information and Feedback

Throughout this school year, the Board of Control Team Sports Committee has been conducting discussions and working with staff on finalizing a draft alignment of schools for the 2015 through 2018 playing seasons. The Board has authorized me to release a draft of schools divided into districts for play during the 2015 through 2018 seasons.

All of the information relative to the realignment is located at http://khsaa.org/football-alignmentrealignment-information/. Select the 2015-2018 alignment/realignment menu to review maps and other related data.The draft alignment is listed at http://khsaa.org/041514-football-draft-alignment-of-teams-2015-2018/

Let me give you a brief summary of the Board’s discussions and where things stand as of now:

Scheduling Moratorium: Contracts signed prior to May 12, 2014 for the 2015 playing season and beyond are not to be considered valid. Schools are to hold off scheduling until the final alignment is approved.

Board Next Steps: The alignment will be made final following a comment period by the schools, at the […]

03/28/14 – Football 8th Region Official Association Interest

TO ALL KHSAA FOOTBALL OFFICIALS –

The 8th Region policy board and a group of regional officials are in the early stages of the possible formation of an 8th Region Football Officials Association, and have communicate such interest to the KHSAA. Interested officials should email your contact information (name, phone, email address) to eighthregion@gmail.com. Submitting this information is not a commitment to join that association nor is it a decision to leave another association, but will gauge interest in creating this association before investing resources. Gathering numbers and contact information of interested officials will give us a better understanding of the viability of such an association.

If formed, the 8th Region Football Officials Association could possibly provide officials for the 8th Region schools listed below that have a football program, at one or more levels. As with all other associations, there would be no mandate for a school in the region to use a […]

03/20/14 – Board of Control Adopts Official Soccer and Volleyball, Approves Football Playing-up Report

The KHSAA Board of Control, at a special meeting on March 20, 2014, took action on several pending matters. At the meeting, the Board of Control:

Approved SELECT SPORT as the official ball for postseason play in Soccer beginning with the 2014-2015 school year;

Approved BADEN as the official ball for postseason play in Volleyball beginning with the 2014-2015 school year; and

Approved the requests by nine member schools to voluntarily play into a higher classification in the 2015-2018 football alignment, and nine member schools to move to a lower class compared to the original distributed school list. Detailed listings are available at http://khsaa.org/football/realignment/20152018/ListingbyClassbyEnrollmentwithEnrollments.pdf. At its April meeting, the Board of Control will review a draft alignment of teams in districts for football to begin with the 2015-2016 school year, with final approval set for the May Board of Control meeting.

The next Board of Control meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15 at […]

01/28/14 – Football Alignment Update and Opportunity to Play Into a Higher Class

January 28, 2014

TO: Superintendents, Principals, Athletic Directors and Coaches of Football Playing Schools

FR: Commissioner Julian Tackett

RE: Update on the Drafting of 2015 through 2018 Football Alignment, Opportunity to Play to a Higher Class

At its meeting January 27, the KHSAA Board of Control discussed and agreed on parameters surrounding an alignment of teams in football for the 2015 through 2018 playing season. While many issues constantly are discussed nearly every time the subject of football is brought up, it is timely that the alignment discussion become finalized. The following decisions have been finalized within the drafting of the alignment:

CHANGES AND NOTE SINCE DISTRIBUTION

The originally distributed enrollment listings have been amended to reflect the merger of Wayne County and Monticello High Schools. Wayne County would then be a 4A school, with Moore being in Class 3A. The revised documents will be posted on the website.

SCHEDULING MORATORIUM

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01/27/14 – Board of Control Discusses Football Realignment at January Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 27, 2014

During its January meeting at the KHSAA Office on Monday, the Board of Control discussed at length football realignment for the 2015-18 seasons. The Board examined several options for establishing future classifications before approving a measure to use four-year enrollment averages to determine the 2015-18 alignment.

The Board also approved a motion to allow teams to voluntarily play into a higher class, with the only restriction being that the school in question shall remain in the class for the entire four-year period. All requests must be made prior to the set deadline before district boundaries are established. If a team from one classification elects to play into a higher class, the lowest enrollment average school in the higher class will be given an option to move into the lower class, with every attempt being made to ensure a balance in the number of […]

12/09/13 – Boys Sweet 16® Press Conference Tuesday; Competitive Cheer Championships Saturday; Football Championship Review

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 9, 2013

Press Conference Called For Tuesday Regarding Boys’ Sweet 16®

The KHSAA will hold a press conference at the Association’s headquarters on Tuesday afternoon regarding the future of the Boys’ Sweet Sixteen®. The press conference will begin at 12:15 p.m. with remarks from the Association and iHigh.com. The press conference will be streamed live at KHSAA.org.

KHSAA Competitive Cheer Championships This Saturday At Alltech Arena

The second annual KHSAA Competitive Cheer Championships will take place this Saturday at Alltech Arena in Lexington. Doors open to the fans at 9 a.m., with the competition beginning at 10 a.m. with the All-Girls’ Small and All-Girls’ Medium divisions. The All-Girls’ Large and All-Girls’ Super-Large Divisions will begin at 2 p.m., with the day’s events concluding with the Coed Division at 6 p.m. An awards presentation will immediately follow each competition […]

12/06/13 – 10:30 am – Changes in Schedule, State Football Finals

After reviewing all of the available data/information and the most educated predictions, the KHSAA is making schedule adjustments for the rest of the weekend, and changes to a few of the event instructions to help with this weekend’s weather situation. Though there are dozens of factors that went into the schedule revisions, the first and foremost concerns have been competitor safety, and the travel needs of the entire school communities, especially the evenings when ice is highly anticipated. All 12 schools through their senior administration, have been involved in the lengthy discussions about options and individual situations considered, ranging from those three miles from the facility, to many hours away. In the end, the teams have committed at this time to being able to accommodate the schedule changes. Each person desiring to attend the games must make the most prudent decision for their own circumstances as far as coming to the games, all of which will be streamed live on www.khsaa.org […]

12/05/13 – 9:30 a.m. Current Status – KHSAA Football Finals – Weather Related Announcement

The KHSAA is closely monitoring the weather situation related to the football finals this weekend in Bowling Green, with both local weather information and public information from Kentucky Emergency Management.

12/5/2013 – 10:00 a.m.
At this point, the schedule remains the same, and the Class 1A (11 a.m.) and 3A (3 p.m.) games, scheduled for Friday, December 6 will be played as planned.
No later than 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, December 6, a final determination will be made for the Class 6A (7 p.m.) and subsequent games and announced through all available means. As of 9:30 a.m. on 12/5, the games WILL BE PLAYED AS SCHEDULED, but this is subject to change based on changing conditions.

The KHSAA and its member institutions as well as everyone involved in the hosting of these games urge all involved to make carefully considered decisions regarding attendance at the games and to exercise caution. Leaving earlier than […]

12/03/13 – KHSAA Partners With First String Media, PrepSpin.com For Enhanced Web Streaming Network