Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Section 127-3-7 - Out-of-Season Coaching7.1. Philosophy -- A student should have the opportunity to engage voluntarily in school athletic activities provided that the student is eligible, that such activities do not interfere with the student's educational development and their activities do not conflict with the principles of wholesome amateur athletics. The WVSSAC discourages the exploitation of students by overzealous individuals and organizations who attempt to impose an obligation or pressure on the student. Athletic participation should be used for the pleasure and satisfaction that is derived from athletic competition in a variety of experiences.7.2. With principal approval, each sport program may use 32 flex-days from Monday of Week 49 through Friday of Week 48 of the next academic year. A flex-day is a day, outside the regular season and when a coach may have sport-specific contact with student athletes. Flex-days shall not be used during the first week of each high or middle school sport season. Use of any part of a day for an activity will count as a full day of activity. 7.2.a. These flex days shall be combined with all varsity and sub-varsity sports by teams. (A flex day used by a sport counts for all levels of that sport per school.) Participation must be open to all students, voluntary, and not required directly or indirectly for membership on a school team. Additionally, the (Sunday-Saturday) of July 4th and two weeks surrounding Christmas Day and New Year's Day (Sunday-Saturday) shall also be eliminated from flex day use.7.3. A coach or principal designee of each sport or activity may be present as an observer, lecture participant, staff member, [or in any capacity at any summer camp] during weeks established in §127-3-7.2 and §127-3-7.2.a.7.4. A coach or designee shall not work with individuals in any form of drills or practice of the grade level coaching assignment and preceding grade level except during those dates specified as the season for that specific sport or as designated in §§127-3-7.2, 127-3-7.2.a, and 127-3-7.3.7.5. Coaches may participate in a formal development program of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) involving students of the same sport as their coaching assignments. The formal development program must be under the official guidance of the USOC through the National Governing Body (NGB) of the sport. The NGB must assure in writing to the WVSSAC that coaches will receive formal orientation and that strict supervision and monitoring of coaches will ensure that no recruitment or inappropriate influence will be exerted on students.7.6. Conditioning/Recreation Programs -- Throughout the academic year, students who are not participating in a school's athletic program may voluntarily participate in an off-season conditioning program. This program also may occur during the summer, subject to county board of education or governing body approval and the following provisions:7.6.a. Participation in the program must be open to all students enrolled in the school providing the program.7.6.b. Participation is voluntary and is not required directly or indirectly for membership on a school team.7.6.c. Students will provide their own clothing (sweatsuit, shoes, etc.).7.6.d. Activities will be limited to running, weight training, and stretching exercises. Agility drills that do not involve specific skills of a given sport are permitted.7.6.e. Specific equipment pertaining to a given sport may not be used. This includes such items as footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, wrestling mats, discuses, etc.7.6.f. In cases where schools schedule all students into the last period of the school day, the guidelines in §§127-3-7.6.c, 127-3-7.6.d, and 127-3-7.6.e shall apply unless the class is considered a part of the physical education program and credit is earned. There shall be no teaching of sport specific skills in this case unless those same skills and course of study are taught in all physical education classes at this same time of the academic year.7.6.g. The county board of education may choose to compensate the supervisor or director of conditioning/recreation programs.7.7. Coaches may not promote, initiate, organize, supervise, or participate in out-of-season events involving students of the same sport as the grade level coaching assignment and preceding grade level except as specified in §§127-3-7.2, 127-3-7.2.a, and 127-3-7.3 until the student has aged out of the coach's assignment. A middle school coach may coach an 8th grade student in the same sport after the conclusion of the season. A high school coach may coach an athlete once the student has completed the senior season. The county board of education shall be authorized to approve a coach to organize and/or supervise a recreation program for students. However, this type assignment must be recreational in nature, include a variety of activities, and comprise no coaching or instruction of that same sport as the school coaching assignment. In addition to the above, gymnasiums or facilities opened for recreational activities must use the following requirements:7.7.a. The gymnasium or field is open to all students for participation.7.7.b. Various activities are available to students and are not limited to one sport or activity on a given day.7.7.c. Supervisor or director must be approved by the county board of education or governing body.7.7.d. There is no coaching or instruction in the skills and technique in any sport.7.7.e. Comparable opportunities are provided both sexes.7.7.f. Participation is voluntary and is not required directly or indirectly for membership on a school team.7.8. The principal is responsible for adherence to these requirements.7.9. Involvement in community-based youth league athletic programs (i.e. serving on a youth league board, serving as a director, booster, etc.) is permitted.