ARTICLE 5

GENERAL RULES

500. AUTHORIZED PARTICIPATION

A. All athletic activities in sports approved by the CIF involving two or more member schools must be held under rules and regulations of the California Interscholastic Federation Section in which it is held and of the Federated Council of the California Interscholastic Federation.

B.  Ineligible students shall not compete as representatives of the school in any competition involving  CIF member schools.

C.  In any CIF competition, only the following person (s) shall be permitted to participate:

        (1)   An attached athlete (representing a member school)

        (2)   An official entrant (earning points for a CIF member school).

D.  "Exhibition" competition (such as, but not limited to, 5th quarter, open lane and open court competition) involving CIF member schools may be allowed as an adjunct to regular CIF competition, provided that:

                 (1)    Duly appointed coaches (as specified in bylaw 506) and contest officials are present and supervising the activity, AND

                (2)    Such contests count toward the competing individual's allowable maximum number of contests; AND

                (3)    A team score is not kept or recorded; AND

 (4)    Such team competition is not conducted concurrently with the regulation CIF competition ( * see note below); AND

                (5)     Such team competition is held at the same site, immediately preceding or following the regulationcompetition ( * see note below); AND

(6)   Such team competition is shorter in duration than the regulation competition in that sport ( * see note below); AND

                (7)    Participants in such competition shall not compete in any regulation competition in the same sport during the same day or event; AND

(8)   Participants in such competition represent their own school of enrollment (i.e., competition on a  "rainbow" team and/or a team made up of students representing two or more schools is prohibited); AND

                (9)   Written permission is granted for such competition by the principals of all schools involved; AND

              (10)  Participants in such competition meet all eligibility requirements of the State CIF, CIF Section, and league. (revised February 2001 Federated Council)

    NOTE: For purposes of this rule, team sports are designated as the following: baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball, and water polo.

        QUESTION: May a coach, in a practice swim or track meet, permit an ineligible athlete to compete if he places the athlete in an outside lane and does not count the athlete's points?

        ANSWER: No. An ineligible athlete may not participate in any capacity in an interscholastic athletic contest. They may, however, practice with the team if allowed to by the school/school district.

501. CONTESTS SUBJECT TO CIF ELIGIBILITY RULES

A. All California Interscholastic Federation eligibility rules apply in all games including practice games.

B. With section approval, each school year a school may engage in one interschool play day activity per CIF-approved sport with any students not involved in that sport's interscholastic athletic program, as long as the schools involved agree in writing to indemnify and hold harmless CIF Sections and the State CIF and willingly accept full and complete responsibility for the health and safety of their students involved in the aforementioned activity. DEFINITION OF A PLAY DAY: An organized recreational activity involving teams from two or more high schools wherein the participants are not currently participating or have not been participating as a member of their school interscholastic team in that sport during the previous twelve calendar months preceding the date of the play day.

502. OUTSIDE TEAMS

A. No school belonging to the California Interscholastic Federation shall compete, scrimmage or practice with any team outside the jurisdiction of the Federation without the consent of the California Interscholastic Federation Section involved. A school disregarding this rule may be barred from participation in that sport during the following season.

B. In order to grant athletic opportunities to students who attend schools that, for a limited amount of time cannot afford to offer a sport, an "outside team" consisting of students from these schools may be formed and may scrimmage or practice against a CIF member school provided the following:

(1)   A district board or private school governance board states that a program is not affordable for a limited time to be designated by the district board or the private school board.

(2)   A district board or private school governance board requests participation for its students.

(3)   The league against which these teams plan to compete grants approval prior to section approval.

(4)   Approval of the section is granted.

(5)   It is understood by the officials of the requesting school (s) that this request is granted for up to a two-year term. If a request to continue is granted, it may be granted for additional terms if all provisions are met.

(6)  That schools and districts recognize that such "outside teams" are not granted status as league members nor do they qualify for league, section or state playoffs or championships.

(7)   An administrator of one of the requesting schools agrees to accept responsibility and supervision of the team and agrees that students will meet eligibility requirements expected of students in CIF member schools.

            QUESTION: Is it permissible for an athletic team representing a Central Section member school to schedule a scrimmage or practice game with a team representing an outside organization such as a college, junior college, Y.M.C.A., Boys/Girls Club, A.A.U., etc?

            ANSWER: No. Teams representing member schools may not schedule scrimmages, games, practices or workouts with teams representing outside organizations.

503. SUSPENDED SCHOOLS

When a school in any section is suspended from participating in any sport, that school is not to play with any other school in the Federation in that sport during the period of suspension. Any team competing with the offending school shall be subject to disciplinary action by the Federated Council.

504. NON-CIF COMPETITION

If a California Interscholastic Federation high school team competes against a non-California Interscholastic Federation team in any approved competition, the activity shall be played under the high school rules for that sport.

505. OUTSIDE TEAM AGE REQUIREMENT

High school students or teams shall not compete or practice against other individuals or teams in football or wrestling unless the players or such teams meet the age requirements of the California Interscholastic Federation.

506. WHO MAY COACH

       A.             All public school teams must be coached by a person who meets the requirements of the California Education Code and the California Code of Regulations Title V.

                B.            A non-public school coach shall be considered a member of the school’s staff. A non-public school coach must be certified by the governing board or highest school administrator as competent to coach. This certification must take place on an annual basis for each sport coached by that individual. Certification is required for coaches whether in paid or unpaid status. (Revised May 2003 Federated Council)  See also Bylaw 22.B.(9) for Coaching Education requirement mandatory for all coaches (public and private) as of December 31, 2008.

507.  COACHING COMPENSATION

A coach shall not be reimbursed for coaching services from any source other than the school funds without the approval of the school's governing board, nor be subject to any bonus arrangement dependent upon the success of the school's team.

            QUESTION: In what manner is the payment of coaches specifically permitted?

            ANSWER: Coaches may be paid by way of district office/and or student body accounts. Outside groups such as boosters clubs may make a donation to the school district's athletic programs, but they can not specify that the money specifically be utilized for Coach A or Coach B.

508. OUT-OF-STATE COACHING CERTIFICATION

Teams of affiliated California Interscholastic Federation member schools must be coached by staff members certified in their own state (for certain schools outside California).

509. PENALTY FOR NON-CERTIFICATION AND IMPROPER COMPENSATION

Any team, coached by an uncertified person, or by any person receiving any part of the salary for coaching from other than school funds without the approval of the school's governing board, is ineligible under California Interscholastic Federation rules.

510. UNDUE INFLUENCE

                UNDUE INFLUENCE, PRE-ENROLLMENT CONTACT AND FAILURE TO DISCLOSE PRE-ENROLLMENT  CONTACT

NOTE: Undue influence is any act, gesture or communication (including accepting material or financial inducement to attend a CIF-member school for the purpose of engaging in CIF competition regardless of the source) which is performed personally, or through another, which may be objectively seen as an inducement, or part of a process of inducing a student, or his or her parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, by or on behalf of, a member school, to enroll in, transfer to, or remain in, a particular school for athletic purposes.

A.            Pre-Enrollment Contact

                Any and all pre-enrollment contact of any kind whatsoever with a student must be disclosed by the student, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and the schools to the Section office on a completed CIF Pre-Enrollment Contact Affadavit (CIF Form 510). Pre-enrollment contact may include, but is not limited to: any communication of any kind, directly or indirectly, with the student, parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver, relatives, or friends of the student about the athletic programs at a school; orientation/information programs, shadowing programs; attendance at outside athletic events or the like by anyone associated* with the school to observe the student; participation by the student in programs supervised by the school or its associates before enrollment in the school.

                                Pre-enrollment contact may be considered prima facie evidence (“sufficient evidence”) that the student enrolled in that school in whole or in part for athletic reasons (See Bylaw 200) and cause the student to be ineligible for participation in high school athletics for a period of one year from the date of enrollment at the new school in all those sports in which the student participated at the former school. Athletically motivated pre-enrollment contact of any kind by anyone from, or associated* with, a school or its athletic programs to which a student may transfer or move into the attendance area is not permitted.

B.            Failure to disclose Pre-Enrollment Contact

                A failure to disclose pre-enrollment contact may be considered prima facie evidence (“sufficient evidence”) of recruiting or undue influence to attend the school and may cause the student to be ineligible for high school athletics and shall jeopardize the standing of the high school in the CIF.           

                When there is failure to disclose pre-enrollment contact, the student shall be ineligible under the provisions of Bylaw 202 to represent the new school in interscholastic athletic competition for a period of one calendar year from the date of the student’s enrollment in the new school unless sufficient proof is presented to the satisfaction of the Section Commissioner that rebuts or disproves the evidence of undue influence/recruiting for athletic reasons.        

C.            Transferring to a School after Participating on a Non-School Athletic Team Associated with the School

                A transfer of a student from his or her current school of attendance with or without a corresponding change of residence to any high school where the student participates or participated, during the previous 24 months, on a non-school athletic team, (i.e. AAU, American Legion, club team, etc.) that is associated* with (See definition in “A.”) the new school in the sports previously participated in shall be considered prima facie evidence (“sufficient evidence”) of undue influence/recruiting by the school to which the student transfers. Such transfers may be considered prima facie evidence (“sufficient evidence”) that the student enrolled in that school in whole or in part for athletic reasons. A team associated with a school is one that is organized by and/or coached by any member of the coaching staff at, or any other person associated* with (See definition in “A.”), that school; and/or, on which the majority of the members of the team (Participants in practice and/or competition) are students who attend that school.

                When a prima facie case (“sufficient evidence”) of undue influence/recruiting exists, the student shall be ineligible to represent the new school in interscholastic athletic competition for a period of one calendar year from the date of the student’s enrollment in the new school unless sufficient proof is presented to the satisfaction of the Section Commissioner that rebuts or disproves the evidence of undue influence/recruiting for athletic reasons.

                NOTE:  This shall apply to the sport(s) played at the previous school coached by the new coach in the previous 24 months.

                D.            Transferring to a School Where a Former High School Coach has Relocated

                A student at any grade level who transfers to a new school within one calendar year of the relocation of his/her high school coach to that school with or without a corresponding change in residence shall be considered prima facie evidence (“sufficient evidence”) of undue influence/recruiting by the school to which the student transfers or may be considered prima facie evidence (“sufficient evidence”) that the student enrolled in that school in whole or in part for athletic reasons. The student shall not be eligible to participate in interscholastic competition for one calendar year from the date of enrollment in the new school in all sports in which the student participated at the former school.

                When a prima facie case (“sufficient evidence”) of undue influence/recruiting exist, the student shall be ineligible to represent the new school in interscholastic athletic competition for a period of one calendar year from the date of the student’s enrollment in the new school in all sports in which the student participated at the former school unless sufficient proof is presented to the satisfaction of the Section Commissioner that rebuts or disproves the evidence of undue influence/recruiting for athletic reasons.

E.             A student shall become ineligible for CIF competition and shall be penalized according to Bylaw 213 for accepting material or financial inducement to attend a CIF-member school for the purpose of engaging in CIF competition, regardless of the source.

F.             All transfer students shall submit a completed CIF Pre-Enrollment Contract Affidavit (CIF Form 510) with the appropriate transfer application(s) as required by their respective Section under Bylaw 207 and/or Bylaw 209.

NOTE: CIF Form 510 is available through the local Section Office.

(Revised May 2008 Federated Council)

        QUESTION: Is it within the rules for the parents of an eighth grade student who is interested in attending a private school to contact the principal of the school to learn about the course of study, tuition charges, transportation and other school matters?

        ANSWER: Yes. Such contact by the parent is not a violation and is they only way to make such contact, not through any athletic coach or other school official.

        QUESTION: Is it legal for a member of a private or public school's booster club to initiate contact with the parents of a student for the purpose of informing them about the school?

        ANSWER: A student's eligibility would be in jeopardized by such action on the part of the booster member.

        QUESTION: A member of a booster club is contacted by the parents of a student interested in attaining information about a school. What should the booster do?

        ANSWER: The booster member should advise the parents to contact the school principal for information about the school.

        QUESTION: Is it permissible for a school to invite student athletes from its feed er school to practices or games?

        ANSWER: No. It is not permissible for member schools, booster club representatives, coaches or other agents or school personnel to invite potential student-athletes to attend contests or practices. It would be permissible for the Principal to invite the ENTIRE student body of a feeder school to an individual contest. The invitation must be open to every student of the feeder school.

511. SEASON OF SPORT DEFINITION

The season of sport for a school is that period of time which elapses between the first interscholastic contest and the final contest for that particular sport. The season of a sport for any individual student is that period of time which elapses between the student’s first participation in an interscholastic contest and the student’s final contest for that particular sport.

A.             The “season of sport” shall be established for each sport by the highest CIF component level in which championship competition is conducted (i.e., State, Section or league) in that sport. To participate in state-level competition for any particular sport, a Section must comply with the CIF adopted “season of sport.”

                B.            The basic sports seasons are:

                                Fall - August through November

                                Winter - November through February

                                Spring - February through June

                                Exact dates may vary from year-to-year and between Sections within the above specified basic seasons.

                                Championship competition may extend beyond these limits.

                C.            Sections have the responsibility to work toward equity relative to length of season, number of contests, and number of opportunities for participation by students. The “season of sport” for State championships are:

                                Fall - Football (boys)                                                     Winter - Basketball (boys and girls)

                        Fall - Volleyball (girls)                                    Winter - Wrestling (boys and girls)

                                Fall - Cross Country (boys and girls)                        Spring - Track (boys and girls)

                                Fall - Golf (girls)                                                            Spring - Golf (boys)                                              

                                 Fall - Tennis (girls - NorCal Regionals only)         Spring - Tennis (boys - NorCal Regionals only)                          

                                Winter- Soccer (boys & girls--So Cal Regionals only)

512. LEAGUE REALIGNMENT CYCLE

Leagues that use a two-year cycle of alignment shall realign on even years only. Leagues that realign every year or "upon demand" are not to be affected by this rule.

513. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SEASONS

A student shall not participate in more than four seasons of sanctioned CIF competition in any given sport in a four-year high school or three seasons of sanctioned CIF competition in any given sport in a three-year high school. Activities in the summer are exempt.

514. ONE SEASON OF SPORT

Each student shall be limited to one season of a particular sport for each school year.

515. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Each section shall adopt policies and/or establish procedures which will promote within its jurisdiction, equal opportunities for all students regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin or physical disability.

516. SUPPLEMENTAL CROSS-LEAGUING

Each section shall allow the formation of cross leagues for schools in which a sport or sports are not available through its immediate league.

517. SEASONS OF SPORT

A. Sections and/or leagues shall set seasons of sport so that they provide year-round equal opportunity for all students to participate, including intersectional competition and state championships in like sports, and softball and baseball.

B. Section and/or leagues are encouraged to conduct all sports during the state-approved season.

C. Member schools, through their league or section, shall either:

(1) Schedule identical sports, and baseball and softball, with seasons of the same number of weeks regardless of the season of the year in which the sport is played; OR

(2) Schedule all sports in a particular season of the year to be an equal number of weeks.

D. Each section which participates in state championships in a sport shall conduct section playoffs, if any, during the season immediately preceding such state championships.

E. State and sections shall conduct playoffs in such a manner that teams in like sports, and in baseball and softball, during the same season are afforded equitable opportunity to participate in evening and weekend competition.

518. EQUAL REPRESENTATION IN STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sections shall participate in an equal number of sports for boys and girls in state championships, with a minimum of one entry per section. All sections shall have representation in all playoffs.

519. NUMBER OF ALLOWABLE CONTESTS

A. Each section and/or league which establishes a maximum and/or minimum number of allowable contests for member schools shall establish the same number of allowable contests for teams in identical sports, and in baseball and softball.

B. When practical and sufficient interests exists, the number of events offered in a contest in identical sports for boys and girls shall be equal except where the rules are written by a recognized rules writing body that provides for a different number of events.

520. EQUAL ASSIGNMENT OF PLAYOFF FACILITIES

Assignment of facilities for competition in state and section playoffs shall be based on sex-neutral factors for all teams in identical sports, and in baseball and softball.

521. EQUAL ASSIGNMENT OF OFFICIALS

Officials for all interscholastic contests shall be assigned and compensated on a sex-neutral basis.

522. GENDER EQUITY

Any question or concern involving practices or procedures that affect perceived bias on the basis of sex will be reported in writing to the State CIF Office within 10 working days. A form will be sent to the individual, which must be returned to register the inquiry and resolution (if any). Any registered complaints or inquiries will be investigated and reported to the Federated Council and State Board of Education with copies to the person who filed the original concern. If the problem is not resolved to the satisfaction of the individual, the appeals procedure of CIF shall be consulted and implemented at the discretion of the "complainant."

NOTE: see pages 45-46 for Gender Equity Complaint and Appeal Procedure.

523.      STEROID PROHIBITION

                As a condition of membership, all schools shall adopt policies prohibiting the use of androgenic/anabolic steroids and dietary supplements banned by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, as well as synephrine, without a written prescription from a licensed health care practitioner to treat a medical condition. Participating students and their parents/caregivers must sign a notification form regarding these restrictions. (See Article 1-12.A.(14) (Revised February 2006 Federated Council)