K A N S A S S T A T E H I G H S C H O O L JANUARY 2012 - kshsaa

Coaches and administrators are urged to read carefully the
2011-12 KSHSAA Scholars Bowl Manual for further information
pertaining to regional and state tournament competition.
Spirit
Groups
State Basketball:
Halftime Request Procedure
Schools are welcome to provide halftime entertainment at KSH-
SAA state basketball tournaments. Request for a performance time
from the high school principal shall be made to the KSHSAA on
or after January 1, preceding the state basketball tournament.
Spirit groups will be considered and assigned, regardless of their
school’s having qualified a team for the state tournament. Note:
Schools are welcome to apply to sites outside of their classification
in an effort to reduce travel costs.
Spirit groups will perform only at the halftime of the
last game played on each of the four days. This policy is
necessary since participating basketball teams normally practice
at the halftime of the game preceding their contest in order to
adjust to the new surroundings of the state tournament site.
A maximum of two spirit groups may be allowed to perform at
the halftime of the last game which may necessitate extending
the halftime period. Each group will be limited to a maximum
five-minute performance, which includes the time necessary
for getting on and off the floor.
Cheer/Dance Rules Clarified
Regarding Glitter, Hair,
Jewelry, Fingernails
So often the most violated safety rules are the rules which are the
most easily fixed! National Federation of State High School Associations
(NFHS) Spirit Rules regarding gum, glitter, hair, jewelry,
and fingernails should be the easiest to enforce by our cheer/dance
coaches and they do not involve practice or stunt changes. It should
be easy for a coach to say: “Your hair is too long to be left down.
Please put it up in a pony tail so it is off your shoulders;” or “We
are stunting and your fingernails are too long;” or “I need you to
remove all jewelry before practices and performances. Period.”
If a coach explains that these are rules that have been set by the
NFHS and KSHSAA to prevent injury, perhaps cheerleaders
and dancers will realize the safety concerns. Coaches - be firm.
Enforce the rules for safety.
NF Rule 2-1-7: Participants are not permitted to chew gum or
have candy in their mouths during practice or performance.
NF Rule 2-3-1: Jewelry must not be worn except for religious
or medical medals, which shall be taped to the body (without
a chain) under the uniform.
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NOTE: Jewelry that is illegal includes any pierced body
parts (navel, eyebrow, tongue or any other piercing). There can
be no earrings worn on any part of the ear as well. The
"no jewelry" rule also pertains to ankle bracelets, watches,
rings, and necklaces.
12 KSHSAA Activities Association
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The NFHS also states that tongue piercing has been
determined by the physicians on their board to be such
a great safety hazard, that it is not allowed in any sport.
"Spacers" that are placed in the tongue or any other part
of the body while the stud has been removed have also
been determined by the physicians to be illegal. Students
will NOT be allowed to loop fish line through any pierced
area to keep it open or cover jewelry with tape.
NF Rule 2-3-2: Fingernails, including artificial nails, must be
kept at an appropriate length (short, near the end of the fingers)
to minimize risk for the participants. That means the nails are
not visible beyond the end of the fingers when viewed from the
palm side of the hands.
NOTE: Artificial nails are legal, provided they are the
CORRECT LENGTH.
NF Rule 2-3-3: The hair must be worn in a manner to minimize
risk for the participant. Hair devices, if worn, must be secure
and appropriate for the activity.
NOTE: The legal devices to hold hair away from the face
and off the shoulders include: bobby pins, small triangle
clips, flat (old fashioned) barrettes, rubber/elastic bands.
Claw clamps of any size are illegal, as are bobby pins
with jewels glued on the ends (jewelry rules), bump its, etc.
Only very tight fitting 3/8" or less headbands are legal.
The only purpose of a legal headband is to secure hair
away from the eyes. Any headband with sequins, jewels
or glitter is illegal.
Hair Adornment (Feathers, Tensile, Etc. Not Permitted)
Cheerleaders/Dancers will not be allowed to wear feather
hair extensions (latest trend in adding style and texture to
hair), tensile, etc. in their hair during practice and competition.
This is considered "ADORNMENT" and is not
permitted by the NFHS and KSHSAA rule. All KSHSAA
sports codes are consistent. Feathering will not be permitted
during any activities under NFHS rule jurisdiction.
NF Rule 2-3-7: Participants shall not wear glitter that does not
readily adhere on their hair, face, uniform, costume or the body
(If it can fall off, it is illegal).
NOTE: Glitter will also be illegal on signs used by cheerleaders
unless the signs have been completely laminated.
Spirit Groups Should Set and
Observe High Standards
If spirit groups do not exercise good taste in selecting yells and
signs in opposition to their opponents, they will bring discredit to
their schools. The KSHSAA Board of Directors adopted Citizenship/Sportsmanship
Rule 52 to give recommended guidelines
for your school spirit groups (pep club, cheerleaders, drill teams,
pompon squads, etc.).
To help define desirable and unacceptable behavior, refer to the
KSHSAA Sportsmanship/Citizenship Manual, pages 5-6 and
15-16. Additional recommendations for your spirit groups can
be found in the National Federation of State High School Associations'
Spirit Rules Book, available from the KSHSAA for $6.50.