Out-of-Season Guidelines

It is recognized that student-athletes need to work at their specific sport off-season in order to be competitive. However, it is also recognized there must be limitations and controls established to govern off-season programs in order to protect the student- athlete.

The PIAA has established in-season and out-of-season rules and regulations, which must be obeyed. These rules and regulations can be referred to in the back of this handbook. The following summary of these rules is also provided.

A. Consistent with the concept that interscholastic athletics are a part of the educational process, and consistent with the established goals of health, safety, and sportsmanship, the following guidelines are set forth:

1. The basic responsibility of all administrators and coaches is to provide student-athletes, who are participating in interscholastic athletics, with a worthwhile, educational experience.
2. All sports have a defined season, and no sport shall operate to the detriment of any other sport.
3. The student-athlete should have the opportunity to participate in as many interscholastic athletic experiences as is reasonably possible, and anything that serves to prevent this opportunity is contrary to the philosophy of the PIAA.

B. Outside of the defined season for sports, member schools may not sponsor teams, but member schools and coaches and/or student-athletes of member schools may be involved with sports activities such as training programs, recreational activities, “open gyms”, clinics and camps provided that any participation by coaches and/or student-athletes acting as private citizens, and on a voluntary basis, may participate on teams that are not affiliated with their school or other member schools during the out-of-season period as described below.

Any sports activity outside the jurisdiction of the PIAA except as set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph and as follows:

1. The coach or other personnel representing the school shall not require the athlete to participate in a sport or a training program for a sport outside of the PIAA defined sports season. The participation of the student-athletes in any sports activity that occurs outside of its defined season must be voluntary.
2. The school’s blocking/tackling dummies and blocking/tackling sleds may not be used by schools, community, organizations and groups, coaches and student-athletes outside the PIAA defined football season.
3. The school’s name, nickname, uniform, equipment, and first aid supplies may not be used by community organizations and groups. The school’s name, nickname, and uniforms may not be used by student-athletes, however, the athletic director may permit students to use the school’s interscholastic equipment and the school’s interscholastic first aid supplies.

These additional interpretations may be helpful to high school student-athletes and coaches.

• Tryouts may not be held outside the PIAA defined season.
• Attendance in out-of-season programs or camps does not guarantee that a student-athlete will make a team during the defined season.
• Failure to attend out-of-season programs or camps may not be held against student-athletes who try out for teams.
• Attendance in all out-of-season athletic programs or camps are to be purely voluntary in all regards.