Football
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

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 […]
11/10/15 – High School Playoff Contests Asked to Honor Veterans
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.
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 […]
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
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, 2015The 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.
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 team in question did not update its statistics through the KHSAA’s online system prior to the deadline.
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 […]
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
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 […]
2011-2014 Football Alignment
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association shall sponsor postseason competition in football provided that there is sufficient interest of the membership to participate in said competition. Member schools desiring to participate in KHSAA sponsored postseason competition shall notify the Association office prior to September 1. The Commissioner shall divide the state into geographic sections within six (6) enrollment based classes with the approval of the Board of Control. In the interim, newly added or deleted programs will be handled on a case by case basis by the Commissioner’s office.
For the 2011 through 2014 playing seasons, the alignment for football is as follows:
CLASS 1A
District 1 – Fulton City, Fulton County, Mayfield, Russellville
District 2 – Beth Haven, Bethlehem, Caverna, Evangel Christian, Holy Cross (Louisville), Kentucky Country Day
District 3 – Bracken County, Eminence, Frankfort, Paris
District 4 – Beechwood, Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow
[…]
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.
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 team in question did not update its statistics through the KHSAA’s online system 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:
Boys’ Basketball
More
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
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 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, 2014Fall 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

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 […]
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
More
09/02/14 – NFHS Football Rules Interpretations/Clarification/Corrections 2014
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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
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 […]
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, […]
Correspondence Submitted Regarding 2015-2018 Football Realignment
Football Realignment Correspondence04/16/14 – 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:
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
[…]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
KHSAA Partners With First String Media, PrepSpin.com For Enhanced Web Streaming Network
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 3, 2013
Through a new venture launched prior to the start of the 2013-14 season, the KHSAA has transitioned its online video broadcast network (KHSAA.tv) to an internal operation through a new partnership with First String Media and PrepSpin.com. After outsourcing its championship webcasts in previous seasons, this year’s championship events will feature live video streaming and highlight packages produced internally through the new partnership. Live video streaming, archived broadcasts and highlight packages will remain free of charge through the Association’s website.
KHSAA.org will remain the exclusive home for live video streaming of KHSAA Championship events, with live championship coverage of 11 events, and post-event highlight packages provided for six other sports and sport-activities. Live video streaming will be available for a total of 41 games during the 2013-14 season through […]
11/22/13 – On-Demand Printing For KHSAA Championship Programs
Updated commemorative copies of each completed KHSAA fall championship event are now available for on-demand printing through TheBookPatch.com. Full color and black-and-white versions of this year’s championship programs (Golf, Cross Country, Soccer and Volleyball) are all available for purchase.
Commemorative editions of each championship program from the 2012-13 season are also available through TheBookPatch.com, along with the 2013-14 KHSAA Events Calendar and 2013-14 Handbook.
A complete list of KHSAA programs available for sale can be found at:
http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreResults.aspx?search=KHSAA&ddl=authors
11/01/13 – Fairview High School Receives Sanctions From KHSAA; Football Team Removed From Postseason Play
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOVEMBER 1, 2013
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has handed down sanctions to Fairview High School for violation of Bylaw 3 (Maximum Number of Years) and Bylaw 4 (Enrollment Requirements), penalties which include the forfeiture of 19 football games over the last two seasons, including having its 2012 Class 1A State Runner-Up finish vacated, and the suspension and removal of the Fairview HS football team from the 2013 state playoffs.
“For 55 years, Fairview Schools have had an outstanding relationship with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Today’s ruling will not change that relationship as this incident with the ineligible player was handled with the utmost professionalism by the Commissioner and his staff,” said Fairview Independent Schools Superintendent Bill Musick. “We as a staff at Fairview Schools accept the responsibility for what has transpired. Neither the Fairview Schools nor Fairview High School has […]
10/29/13 – 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 […]
10/22/13 – Information On Ordering Tickets to State Football Finals
Seems like the years continue to go faster, as it is again time for us to take orders for advance tickets to this year’s 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 6 and Saturday, December 7 at Feix Field, Houchens Industries – L.T. Smith Stadium at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green;
- Game times will be 11:00 (1A), 3:00 (3A) and 7:00 (6A) on Friday, and will be 11:00 (2A), 3:00 (4A) and 7:00 (5A) on Saturday. All times are Central Time;
- The KFCA will be conducting an important continuous improvement session in conjunction with the finals. Contact Jimmie Reed with the KFCA for details;
- Both the club level and VIP […]
10/17/13 – 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 grant the bearer, and only the bearer, access to KHSAA championship events, and are non-transferable. 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 […]10/09/13 – Commissioner Issues Clarification about Postgame Activity, Corrections to Erroneous Media and Social Media Reports
First, for those who may choose to read no further, there has never been a ban or prohibition on postgame handshakes or other types of good sporting behavior by the KHSAA, its Commissioner or its Board of Control. Nor has such a ban been proposed. There is no ban or prohibition on such activity today or contemplated for the future.
This message has been composed entirely by the Commissioner of the KHSAA. I do not want any room for misinterpretation or anyone else being accused of being involved. As the Commissioner, I take very seriously my role to ensure clear, concise and accurate communication regarding the expectations for our membership, participants, coaches, officials and all involved.
However, yesterday (10/8), at best a poorly worded and at worst, an incomplete, notice was sent from me to the member schools regarding postgame activity. Regardless of the number of people who had written […]
10/08/13 – Commissioner’s Directive on Postgame Activity
For those that may choose to read only the first few lines, it is worth reiteration. THERE IS NO BAN OR PROHIBITION ON POSTGAME HANDSHAKES. Has not been considered, contemplated or reviewed as an option.
Several sports have “traditions” regarding postgame handshakes, etc. by team members (both en masse and as individuals), but none of them have such action dictated by playing rules. While it is an obvious sign of sportsmanship and civility, many incidents have occurred both in Kentucky (more than two dozen in the last three years in Kentucky alone) and throughout the country, where fights and physical conflicts have broken out during these postgame handshakes. And this is not restricted to specific sports. In our state alone, incidents in soccer, football and volleyball have occurred this fall.
Unfortunately, the adrenaline and effort required to participate in the sport sometimes seems to deplete the supply of judgement available to participants. And this can […]
09/30/13 – Golf Regionals Underway; KHSAA To Honor Past Championship Teams
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Golf Regionals Monday and Tuesday; Leachman/KHSAA State Golf Championship Next Week
Golfers from around the state will vie for a spot in the first state championship event of the 2013-14 season as regionals are held Monday (boys) and Tuesday (girls) throughout the Commonwealth. The 2013 Leachman Buick-GMC-Cadillac/KHSAA State Golf Championships will take place next week at the Bowling Green Country Club. The boys’ championship will be held Oct. 7-9, followed by the girls’ event Oct. 10-12.
Results from the regionals will be posted to the golf home page at KHSAA.org as soon as they become available. Pairings and tee times will also be available online, with live scoring for the events available through GolfStat.com.
KHSAA To Honor Silver, Golden Anniversary Teams At Fall Championships
08/30/13 – Additional Information Received – Riddell Helmets with Helmet Add-ons
As the coaches are aware, we have sent out several bits of communication regarding helmets and helmet add-ons. Today, we received the information below that was sent out by Riddell regarding the use of add-on devices to their helmets. This notice reiterates the stance we have consistently held, that unless you receive written approval from a helmet company that they consider their helmet to be NOCSAE certified with any add-on (cap, glue on pad, or any other add-on to the shell of the helmet), then these attachments cannot be worn in practice or competition.
August 30, 2013 – Riddell Response to Address Aftermarket Accessories and NOCSAE Certification
Football helmets and face masks worn by professional, collegiate, high school and most youth football players are required to meet National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) performance standards. NOCSAE certification involves rigorous internal product testing, independent laboratory testing and a sound quality assurance program. Each […]
08/30/13 – Quick FB 0 Week Wrap Up
Just about three quick reminders after watching quite a bit of Week 0 video.
FB Experimental Rule
Remember we are experimenting with a rule on kickoffs. This experiment adds to the end of 6-1-3, “After the ball is marked ready for play and until it is kicked, no member of the kicking team with the exception of the kicker may be more than five yards behind the kicking team’s free kick line.” As we apply this experiment, remember it is only a foul if someone is touching beyond the goal line side of the five-yard mark. In other words, with a standard 40-yard line kickoff, if someone were touching the 35-yard line, but not beyond the goal-line side edge of that line, it is legal. Don’t over officiate this new rule. Something has to be touching beyond.
If the foul does occur, it’s a five yard encroachment foul, which kills the play before it begins. Remember, […]
08/30/13 – Heat Timeouts Mandated for Football Week 1, August 30 and 31
Obviously with today’s extreme temperatures and expected to go through the weekend, a quick reminder is in order.
YES, for this entire weekend and in all games regardless of temperature, we will mandate a heat timeout which shall not be charged to either team, during each quarter. The time-outs should be taken at the first change of possession following the six minute mark of each quarter.
Officials and coaches should also remember that the Heat Index Policy is in place for all games. If the heat index is 95 to 99, then a break is mandatory for at least 10 minutes in duration, every 30 minutes. If the heat index is above 99, no activity, including warmups, is permitted due to the requirements for safety equipment.
Best of luck to all involved.
– KHSAA –
KHSAA BLOG POSTSThe KHSAA staff routinely publishes blog posts to better communicate with its various constituencies and […]
08/26/13 – Video Replay and Video Board Reminders for Schools
USE AND REVIEW OF VIDEO OF SCRIMMAGES AND CONTESTS, USE OF VIDEO BOARDS
REMINDER ABOUT TAPING WITHOUT PERMISSION (FROM BYLAW 15)
Sec. 2) Illegal Equipment/Videotaping
a) It shall also be considered a violation of this rule if any school or school representative(s) uses or allows the use of illegal equipment which gains a competitive advantage in the contest and which is expressly prohibited by the rules adopted for that sport.
b) This shall also include the on-site recording of past or future opponents in any electronic form without the expressed consent of all involved teams.
c) A violation of this provision may result in penalization by the Commissioner’s office in accordance with the provisions of this bylaw and in accordance with KHSAA Bylaw 27.
Case BL 15-14- Is it a violation for a school to videotape an opponent without permission or use otherwise illegal equipment such as cleats […]
08/23/13 – Heat Reminders and Time-Out Procedures Reiterated for Football games
With tonight being the first permissible night for football contests, this notice and directive is important to help ensure the health and safety of the competitors. Due to the extremely low temperatures that have existed throughout most of fall practice, it is possible that many athletes are not properly acclimatized to the wearing of gear in hot weather, in spite of meeting the required number of days. Out of an abundance of caution, and respect for the safety of the competitors, coaches and game officials, officials are directed to take the NFHS permissible heat time-outs during each quarter of each game played on August 23 and August 24 if the ambient temperature at the playing site is 80 degrees or higher. In most cases, we will not reach the normal levels of the heat index monitoring regulations, but safe is certainly better than sorry. The time-outs should be taken […]08/12/13 – Reminder about Football Running Clock Procedure
This notice effects all football games played in Kentucky involving KHSAA member schools at al levels of play.
The point differential to initiate the running clock has been changed from 45 points to 36 points. Though this was previously noticed to all football coaches, this reminder is necessary as the season is about the begin. As was stated in the earlier notice email, the Commissioner’s Football Advisory Committee, which is made up of coaches and athletic administrators throughout the state, felt strongly that having had ample time to evaluate the previous difference, and with a desire surrounding injury prevention and efficient conduct of the games, that the number should be changed.
For details of the procedure, see http://khsaa.org/running-clock-provisions-khsaa-football-all-high-school-levels-of-play/.
Best of luck to all as the season begins.
08/10/13 – NOCSAE Position Statement Revised Again Helmet Attachments, Clarification for Coaches and Officials
NOCSAE, National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, has again revised its position statement regarding Helmet Attachments. The complete position statement is located on their web site, and available CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST POSITION STATEMENT FROM NOCSAE.
Neither the KHSAA, not the NFHS tests football helmets. As such, we cannot make an evaluation concerning any claim made about a product that is added to the helmet or its usage.
However, the KHSAA does strictly adhere to the NFHS playing rules. NFHS playing rule 1-5-3(9) clearly states that any piece of equipment is illegal if not worn as intended by the manufacturer. It is the obligation of the helmet manufacturer to indicate to the member school IN WRITING that a specific helmet attachment is being worn as intended by the manufacturer if such equipment is worn. If such written verification is received, it should be presented to the officials during […]
08/05/13 – Reminder about Approved Football Experimental Playing Rule
For the 2013 playing season (and possibly beyond), the KHSAA is conducted an approved experiment with the NFHS playing rules dealing with the formation of the kicking team on a free kick (kick-off).
DESCRIPTION OF MODIFICATION: Add to end of 6-1-3. After the ball is marked ready for play and until it is kicked, no member of the kicking team with the exception of the kicker may be more than five yards behind the kicking team’s free kick line.
The intent of this change is to hopefully slow down the acceleration of the kicking team members and reduce some of the collision involved with the full-speed kicking team member collides with the somewhat stationary receiving team member in an attempt to reduce opportunity for injury and minimize risk. The penalty would remain encroachment (as 6-1-3 is now), and would be a dead ball foul, killing the kick immediately to prevent potentially hazardous contact.
Here are […]

















