Open Gyms/Fields Rules and Guidelines

Open Gyms and Open Fields

Open gyms and open fields may be sponsored by NCS member schools during the period of the first NCS authorized conditioning or practice date of the fall season through the last June 1 under the following conditions:

1. The open gym or open field is open to all community members regardless of age or gender.

2. The school must, at the very least, advertise an invitation for participation of all community members in its daily bulletin.

3. During open gym or open field, attendees may work on individual skills.

4. During the open gym or open field there cannot be any coaching or practice as defined by NCS Sports & General Rulings Bylaw 200H, 201H.a, 202H, 203H, 205H and 206H. School personnel, including paid and volunteer coaches, may supervise a facility and may participate in activities (ex. pick up games) as long as they do not instruct students in the skills and/or strategies of the sport.(NCS Board of Managers 1/17/03)

5. Open gym/open field may not be conducted on a Sunday or day of respite, during the school year.

Examples of what coaches may do at open gym or open field:

1. Coaches may sit in the stands or bleachers and supervise the community members who attend the open gym or open field.

2. Coaches may unlock gates or doors to allow community members access to the field or gym.

3. Coaches may participate in pick up games or practice their own skills if they choose (ex. field baseballs, shoot baskets, high jump, etc.).

4. Coaches may make fixed or immovable school equipment necessary for the activity available for use by any community members who attend (ex. volleyball nets and standards, high jump pits, etc.). This does not include school bats, balls, protective equipment or other items designed for individual use.

Examples of what coaches may not do at open gym and open field:

1. Open gym/open field may not be conducted on a Sunday or day of respite, during the school year.

2. Coaches may not conduct open field or open gym as a practice.

3. Coaches may not conduct sport specific drills of any kind.

4. Coaches may not bark orders, blow a whistle, and give sport specific instructions, etc. as if they were conducting practice.

5. Coaches may not separate the community members who have attended the open gym or open field from potential team members for any activities during open gym and open field.

6. Coaches may not correct players when they make mistakes in shooting, pitching, fielding, etc.

7. Coaches may not throw passes, set for spikes, hit infield ground ball or outfield fly balls, or otherwise assist students in skill development.

8. Coaches may not reserve space or courts for the use of potential high school team members.