CIF Practice and Conditioning Rules

The outline below is meant to give schools a guide to determining what is, and is not, a violation of the NCS bylaws and policies concerning practice during the season of sport, outside the season of sport, and during the defined summer months. The NCS Commissioner of Athletics has the power of interpretation of the definition of practice. Questions regarding practice, sport specific conditioning activities, general conditioning activities, weight training, etc. should be directed to the NCS Office in writing.

Definition of Season of Sport

Season of sport is defined as the time period between the first day of practice and the final date of competition, according to the dates set by the Board of Managers on a yearly basis. An individual student’s season of sport is defined as the time period, between their first participation in an inter-school competition and their final date of competition for the school team, up to and including the North Coast Section and/or CIF championships.

The first day of practice and the final date of competition can be found in the NCS Championship Schedule, a three-year calendar of dates updated each year by NCS staff and approved by the Sports Advisory Committee and Board of Managers. Be aware that the Board of Managers, at any of their three meetings each year, may change these dates. The NCS Championship Schedule may be viewed and printed from the NCS web site, www.cifncs.org. In the left hand column click on

Calendars, then click on NCS Championship Schedule - 3 year, then click on the current year’s or following year’s calendar.

During the season of sport, NCS member schools are allowed to practice, scrimmage and compete against other high school teams according to NFHS, CIF, NCS, league and school guidelines. NCS

practice and season of sport guidelines can be found in the NCS Sports & General Rulings Handbook

Approved Sport Specific Conditioning

If a school sport, other than football, conducts specific sport conditioning as a team or individuals prior to the start of the season, that school is in violation of NCS bylaws. Sport specific conditioning sessions by a school are prohibited outside the season of sport during the school year.

Weight Training and Other Allowable General Conditioning Activities

Weight training is not a CIF sport. Potential team members may weight train anytime during the course of the year with school approval. However, when weight training is moved from the weight room to the

outside and drills involve the use of specific sport equipment, then the school is in violation of season of sport rules. Allowable general conditioning activities include plyometrics, stretching exercises, running or other aerobic exercises, non sport specific agility activities and rope climbing. General conditioning activities do not include activities that use equipment specific to the sport (ex. balls, blocking dummies, rebounders, etc.), running plays, discussing strategies, working on individual or team defense or offense and viewing sport specific videotape or leadership training with potential team members.

Association with a School Coach

NCS rules were never written to limit the association of a student athlete with a certified school coach. Outside the season of sport rules were written to limit the liability of the schools.

Therefore, it is not illegal for a high school coach to work with an individual student athlete or with two or more student athlete during the summer time, or in their capacity as a club coach during the school year and outside the high school season of sport. During the school year and outside the high school season of sport the coach must follow the guidelines for coaching an outside team as it pertains to the use of school facilities or school equipment. Violations of the outside the season of sport rules may involve the use of school facilities, school equipment, etc. and favoritism of the high school towards the coach in providing access to facilities or equipment.