PLAYING RULES AND REGULATIONS

PLAYING RULES AND REGULATIONS Football National Collegiate Athletic Association and UIL rules will be observed with the following modifications: The games for seventh and eighth grade will have eight-minute quarters with a ten minute half-time. The home team will wear dark-colored jerseys. (Coaches should check with opponents to avoid conflict). The home team will furnish an adult timekeeper, chain crew, and a football. Eighth grade will play with regulation-size football. A designated intermediate-size football will be used in seventh grade only. There is no over-time provision for middle school football. Games that end in a tie will be recorded as such. (A tie equals ½ a loss and ½ a win towards a teams win/loss record). Football Participation Rule Football is a no-cut sport. All students who try out should be given the opportunity to participate. (12-11-08) The team with the best division win/loss record will be declared division champions. In case of a tie, all teams involved will be declared co-division champions. If there is a District Championship game, the division champion from each division will advance to the game. In case of a tie for Division Champion, we will use the following to decide which team will represent their division in the championship game. 1. Head to head competition. 2. If there are two teams who tie for the division champion and the teams tie in head- to- head competition, then the teams will flip a coin to determine who will go to the District championship game. The coin flip will be administered by an athletic director, the principals or designee and head coaches. 3. If there are more than two teams tied for the division champion and there is no clear head to head winner, the teams will flip a coin with the odd coin going to the District championship game. The coin flip will be administered by an athletic director or his/her designee, and head coaches. Volleyball National Federation volleyball rules will be observed with UIL modifications. The height of the net will be 7 4 1/8" for seventh and eighth grades. Eighth grade teams must serve overhand. Eighth grade teams may use the libero position. Home Team will provide game balls. The home team will be responsible for furnishing a scorekeeper and libero tracker. If the home team does not use a Libero the visiting team must provide the Libero tracker or neither team will use a Libero Each team provides one adult linesperson. Volleyball Game Scoring Rally scoring 2 out of 3 to 25 (capped at 30), if 3 rd game necessary also to 25 (capped at 30) Home team will provide an adult scorekeeper and clock keeper Home team is considered the official book

(7-29-15) The division standings will be used to determine Division champion and seeding for the District Division tournament. If any teams are tied for Division champions they will all be declared cochampions. If there is a tie in the division standings the following will be used as a tie-breaker for seeding the Division tournament: 1. head-to-head competition 2. coin flip done by athletic office Volleyball Participation Rule It is the responsibility of the team that does not meet all requirements to notify the athletic office the day preceding the contest. In both 7 th and 8 th grade games each team must carry a minimum of 13 athletes. Coaches are encouraged to keep as many team members as possible. If the minimum number of 13 athletes is not met, the match will be played out in its entirety. However, the team committing the violation will forfeit the match. If neither team meets the 13 minimum player requirement, both teams records will reflect forfeits (or losses). 7 th Grade Participation Rule: Coach will divide the team into two squads that are as equal as possible (minimum of 13). Squad 1 will play in the first game. Squad 2 will play in the second game. If a third game is needed, coach may play any combination of athletes. A libero may be used but the same libero may not be used in both games. All students in uniform must be placed on squad 1 or squad 2. 8 th Grade Participation Rule: Coaches may choose to or may choose to not use the libero at the 8 th grade level. Each player in uniform (minimum of 13) will play before the match is concluded. Coaches must play all athletes that are suited out (8 th graders must serve overhand). *Penalty for team not playing all students suited out will be forfeiture of match. *If a team uses a libero they must provide a tracker at the score table. EPISD/YISD/GISD/El Paso County Volleyball Tournament Participation Rules 7 th & 8 th Grade Participation Rule: Coach will divide the team into two squads that are as equal as possible. Squad 1 will play in the first game. Squad 2 will play in the second game. If a third game is needed, coach may play any combination of athletes. If a team does not have 12 players, the opposing coach will draw names from the first squad to fill the second squad. This is to be done prior to the start of the match. A SQUAD LINE-UP SHEET (PROVIDED) IS TO BE TURNED IN TO THE SCORE TABLE PRIOR TO THE START OF THE MATCH. THE SQUAD SHEET ONLY OUTLINES WHO WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR GAME 1 OR GAME 2. YOU MUST STILL TURN IN YOUE LINE-UP SHEET JUST AS YOU NORMALLY WOULD FOR THE SCORE BOOK. 8 th GRADE LIBERO ONLY 8 th Grade may use a libero and that libero may be used in both lineups. *If a team uses a libero they must provide a tracker at the score table. You must have a separate libero tracker than your regular scorekeeper.

*Penalty for any team not following these rules will result in forfeiture of the match, and the other team will be declared the winner Cross Country All participants will conform to UIL and National Federation rules and policies. The event distance will be 2 miles. There will be four divisions: 7 th Grade Girls, 8 th Grade Girls, 7 th Grade Boys and 8 th Grade Boys. Cross Country is a no cut sport for EPISD Middle School Programs. Coaches may enter as many athletes as they want, but all athletes entered into a meet must be able to run the entire distance (by the second meet) Soccer National Federation soccer rules will be observed with the following modifications: Home team wears white jersey and visitor wears dark jersey. The home team will furnish an adult scorekeeper and possibly sideline officials. The team with the best division win/loss record will be declared division champion. In case of a tie, teams involved will be declared co-champions. The soccer ball will be regulation size (5). Both teams will provide game balls and ball shagers Participation Rules (7-29-15) The game format will be two (2) 12.5 minute quarters, one (1) five minute half time; followed by the remaining 25 minute half. Soccer squads will be divided in half. The first quarter, one half of the team will play. The second quarter the remaining half of the team will play. After half-time, coaches may play athletes as desired, but are encouraged to make regular and frequent substitutions. This rule applies to all games. Teams that end regulation time in a tie will remain in a tie. Each team must carry a minimum of 17 athletes. Coaches are encouraged to keep as many team members as possible. If the minimum number of 17 is not met, the game will be played but the team committing the violation will forfeit the match. The team that violates any participation rule and the home team reporting the score should report the violation to the athletic office the following day. Wrestling The head coach for the feeder pattern is responsible for the organization of the program. The middle school coach is responsible for organizing the program based on the high school system. The high school coach will assist the middle school coach in arranging practice sessions. There will be no mixing of grade levels for weight class competitions. Wrestling Participation Rule Wrestling is a no-cut sport. All students who tryout should be given the opportunity to participate. Wrestling Weight Classes (lbs.) Boys 78, 86, 94, 102, 110, 118, 126, 134, 142, 165, 185, 250 Girls 65, 76, 85, 96, 108, 121, 134, 154, 165, 176, 186, 198

Each school will try to maximize the number of athletes on the wrestling team. Multiple athletes in the same weight class will be allowed. During scheduled meets each athlete must wrestle at least one match, but more than one match is preferred. Each match will be bases on 3, 1 minute periods. During all practice sessions and meet matches all participants must wear proper head gear and mouth piece. Basketball (7-29-15) National Federation Basketball rules will be observed by boys and girls with UIL and EPISD modifications. All games will use composite balls. Each team will provide one basketball. There will be two officials per game. Playing time will be eight-minute quarters for 8th and 7th grade, one minute between quarters and five minutes between halves. There will be an eight minute pre-game warmup between 7 th and 8 th grade games. Coaches should discourage zone defense and encourage man-to-man defense. The home team will wear light-colored uniforms. Coaches should check with opponents for possible conflict. The home team will be responsible for furnishing an adult scorekeeper (book) and adult timekeeper. The division standings will be used to determine Division champions and seeding for the Division Tournament. If there is a tie for Division champions all teams tied will be declared co-champions. If there is a tie in the division standings the following will be used as a tie-breaker for seeding in the Division tournament play: 1. head-to-head competition 2. coin flip done by athletic office Basketball Participation Rule (7-29-15) Each team must carry a minimum of 14 athletes. Coaches are encouraged to keep as many team members as possible. If the minimum number of 14 is not met, the match will be played out in its entirety. However, the team committing the violation will forfeit the match. If neither team meets the 14 minimum player requirement, both teams records will reflect forfeits (or losses). The Participation Rule will be in effect for all games except the Division Tournament. The team that does not meet all participation requirements must inform the athletic office the day preceding the contest. The team is divided into two equal units. 1 st Unit plays 1 st Quarter 2 nd Unit plays 2 nd Quarter Example: If you have 14 members divide one unit into 7 and the other into 7. You may combine them any way you like during their quarter and they play as much as possible. You may not pull players from the first unit to the 2 nd unit unless you have less than 10 players. If you have less than 10 players, the opposing coach will randomly draw a player from the first unit to play with the second unit. This must be done prior to the game. (It is potentially possible with 20 kids, divided equally in each quarter of the first half; for each kid to play as much as 4 minutes)

First Half You must submit your squads for the first half prior to the start of the game. You may not change your line-up once it has been submitted. It will be the responsibility of the official book keeper and the coaches to monitor each other. The bookkeeper should notify the coach immediately in order to rectify the mistake. If he chooses to keep the wrong players in the game, it should be noted and reported to the athletic office the following morning. This infraction will lead to a forfeit. It is important that an adult be the official bookkeeper to help monitor this rule. Home team must provide both the scorekeeper and bookkeeper (adult preferred) Second Half There are no restrictions. Basketball Press Rule A team shall stop the press (of any kind) immediately if they are 20 points ahead of the opposing team. This is a great opportunity for more players to participate and also to work on other aspects of the game. 1 st Notice -Verbal Warning. 2 nd Notice -If a team does not adhere to the warning the coach will be reported to the Athletic department and further administrative action could be taken. Track and Field National Federation rules with UIL and El Paso Independent School District modifications will be observed. Order of events: 2400 Meter Run High Jump 400 Meter Relay Long Jump 800 Meter Run Shot Put (7 th boys and girls will use 6 lbs. Girls 100 Meter Hurdles (30 ) 4 Kilo Shot (8th) Boys110 Meter Intermediate Hurdles (36") Junior Discus-1 Kilo 100 Meter Dash (wooden or rubber) 800 Meter Relay Triple Jump 400 Meter Dash Girls 200 Meter Low Hurdles with 300 marks (30 ) 200 Meter Low Hurdles with 300 marks (33 ) 200 Meter Dash 1600 Meter Run 1600 Meter Relay Rules Clarifications The 400 Meter Relay will be four consecutive legs of 100 meters each with appropriate staggers. The 800 Meter Run will be run with a half-stagger. The 400 Meter Dash will be run in lanes. The 800 Meter Relay will be run in lanes with a double stagger. The first leg of the 1600 Meter Relay will be run in lanes with appropriate staggers. Number-two person will break for the pole after he/she has run one turn in his/her lane (same as high school).

The length of the baton will not exceed 11 1/2 inches. The use of tape in wrapping the baton is prohibited. Shoes must be worn and only racers or short spikes may be used. Hats, headbands, and jewelry are not allowed. Starting blocks will be used up through the 200 Meter Dash, to include 400 and 800 relay The 200 Meter Hurdles for boys will be 33" high, girls will be 30", and will start at 200 meter marks and use the 300 meter hurdle lines (6 hurdles). Only three (3) trials in the field events will be given, except in the final meet where eight qualifiers will be given four (4) trials. Track Participation Rule A contestant may participate in only four events. (No more than 3 running and/or field events.) Three contestants from each school per event may be entered. A contestant may run only two open events of 400 meters or more. This does not prohibit him/her from running a leg in the 1600 Meter Relay. Track is a no-cut sport for EPISD Middle School Programs. Track Meets A school may enter three contestants in the individual running events and one team in a relay. An extra heat of runners may be allowed if the host school agrees to do so prior to the meet. This heat will not count toward team points. These runners must be designated at the seeding meeting. In the field events, each school may enter three contestants. The divisional meet will be held to determine the winner of each division and to qualify for the District finals. Top four in each division will advance to the District Finals Scoring Scoring will be 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 for the individual events and 20, 16, 12, 8, 4 and 2 for the relays. TRANSPORTATION Bus transportation will be provided for all local competition. Coaches should order buses from the Transportation Department prior to the beginning of the season. Bus Travel Protocol: Only team members, coaches, approved volunteers, and Administrators may ride the bus. No one else should be on the bus without prior Principal approval. Coaches should monitor the students at all times during the bus trip. It is recommended that one coach sit in the front and one coach sit in the rear of the bus. While in route from point A to point B if a situation arises that you feel you and your students safety is a risk call (911). (Bus Driver can radio dispatch and alert EPISD Police Services)

If at any time while in route it is determined that there is a safety concern that requires the bus to pull over and stop; assess the situation and if needed call (911) and have a police officer meet you at the site. Pull over at a safe location and do not allow any unauthorized individual on the bus. (Bus Driver can radio dispatch and alert EPISD Police Service) If at any time anyone other than a uniformed police officer in a marked police car is requesting that a bus pull over call (911) and request assistance. (Bus driver should radio dispatch and alert EPISD Police Services) Do not assume that any individual including those with a badge that are not in uniform and are not in a marked police vehicle have you or your students best interest in mind. If it is deemed necessary to pull over, do so at a safe location, assess the situation before opening bus doors, and meet the person outside the bus. If needed wait for police officers to arrive and do not allow unauthorized individuals on the bus. (Bus Driver can radio dispatch and alert EPISD Police Services) 9/27/06 AWARDS Awards to Individuals: A participant school may not give and a student may not accept awards for participation in interschool competition in excess of $10 per year (total for all UIL school activities). Certificates will be awarded as recommended by the principal and coach. EQUIPMENT Coaches will adhere to the equipment purchasing and distribution policies in the general section of this handbook. Equipment colors may not be altered. Colors of jerseys, pants, and especially helmets must remain as they are when issued. Numbering used for identification purposes should be marked on the inside surface of the equipment. OFFICIALS All officials will be assigned by the officials' association. Reviewed/revised July 2015