1. Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2014 Cross Country Rules Changes Major Editorial Changes Points of Emphasis

2. Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations

3. Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations OSSAA STATE RULES MEETING OFFICIALS/COACHES

4. Welcome All head coaches are required to participate in an OSSAA Rules Meeting either on-line or in a face-to-face meeting for each OSSAA Athletic Activity.

5. Credit for On-Line Meeting The process by which officials and head coaches confirm they have fulfilled the rules meeting requirement is outlined here. Once all the slides have been viewed and the quiz questions have been completed successfully, you will click the button which will take you to a confirmation page. Once the button is clicked, an email will be sent to the OSSAA confirming your completion of the presentation, you will receive a reply indicating OSSAA’s receipt of your completion. You should print the confirmation page and keep for your records..

6. Presentation Guidelines Periodically throughout the presentation there will be short quizzes. In order to advance through the presentation you will need to answer all questions in the quiz. You may not “bypass” a question. After completion of the last quiz you will be directed to a confirmation page. If you need to stop during the presentation, you may stop the slideshow at any time and when you return, pick up where you left off..

7. Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations Concussion Management

8. NFHS Rule  In compliance with the NFHS Concussion Rule found in each NFHS rule book---“Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional.”

9. Oklahoma State Law As of July 1, 2010, Oklahoma Statute 24-155 of Title 70 further states that after the player has been removed from participation the player “may not participate until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to participation from that health care provider.” The NFHS rule does not require written clearance but Oklahoma Law does require written clearance.

10. Written Clearance  The official is NOT responsible for the “written clearance” that must be completed to re-enter the contest. The decision for the athlete to re-enter the contest and the “written clearance” to document return to play is the responsibility of the acting head coach.

11. Video  The OSSAA recommends that all game officials and coaches view the free 20- minute video on concussions, “Concussion in Sports: What You Need to Know”, located at the NFHS website, www.nfhslearn.com. www.nfhslearn.com

12. Additional Information Additional information and examples of documentation for distribution, can be found on the OSSAA website home page at www.ossaa.comwww.ossaa.com

13. Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations EXTREME HEAT

14. EXTREME HEAT POLICY Beginning July 1, 2013, the OSSAA Board of Directors implemented an Extreme Heat Policy (XLIX). Coaches are required to view the heat Acclimatization Video at WWW.NFHSLEARN.COM

15. Additional Information Additional information with regard to concussion management and extreme heat and examples of documentation for distribution, can be found on the OSSAA website home page at www.ossaa.comwww.ossaa.com

16. OSSAA Website Pages & Contact Information Please check the OSSAA website frequently for updates on the OFFICIALS page and on the respective activity page under the SPORTS link on the horizontal bar at the top of the page. Coaches and officials should direct questions to the OSSAA staff member responsible for that sport David Jackson: Football, Track/Field, 5A/6A Basketball Amy Cassell: Swimming, Softball, Cheerleading Mike Clark: Volleyball, Wrestling, Soccer Mike Whaley: Baseball David Glover: Cross Country, Tennis, Golf, B-4A Basketball

17. Contact Information Phone: 405-840-1116 Fax: 405-840-9559 Email: David Jackson—djackson@ossaa.com Amy Cassell—acassell@ossaa.com Mike Whaley—mwhaley@ossaa.com Mike Clark—mclark@ossaa.com David Glover—dglover@ossaa.com

18. Games Committee-Video Replay Rule 3-2-7  Video replay or television monitoring equipment, other than the official equipment approved by the games committee prior to the start of competition, shall not be used to make decisions related to the meet

19. Games Committee-Video Replay Rule 3-2-7  The games committee has authority to approve the use of pictures/video equipment, prior to competition, to assist in the final decision of place finish in races Must identify equipment to be used Must determine location of equipment Must identify intended purpose to assist in final decision of place finish Not for coaches to use for protesting judgment of official(s)

20. Cross Country Course Rule 9-1-1  The cross country course shall be 2,500 to 5,000 meters (1.5 to 3.1 miles) in length, as determined by the games committee  Measurement of the course shall be along the shortest possible route a runner may take

21. Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2014 Cross Country Points of Emphasis

22. Points of Emphasis – Application of “Design of Uniform” for Relays and Cross Country  Rules 4-3 (Track Relay Teams) and 9-6 (Cross Country Team) require team members to be wearing uniforms of the same “design”  “Design” refers to a pattern of colors used in the uniform  Both relay teams and cross country teams are competing as a team similar to a volleyball or basketball team  Uniforms being worn must be able to clearly identify the competitor, at a glance, as a member of a certain team

23. Points of Emphasis – Application of “Design of Uniform” for Relays and Cross Country  Examples of style: Team members are in black uniform top and black uniform bottom – traditional shorts One member wears knee length black uniform bottom - LEGAL style Team members are in one piece black uniform One team member wears black shorts over the one piece uniform - LEGAL style When the shorts were added, the legs of the one piece became visible undergarments

24. Proper coaching requires staying up-to-date on rules and techniques  Coaches have the responsibility to study the rules, attend in-person and online clinics, read current sport literature on training and new equipment and learn from others to stay current with the advancement and opportunities in the sport  Just as it is a goal for our athletes to continue to get better, much of that advancement is contingent upon the coach staying up-to-date on rules, techniques and risk minimization in the sport

25. Coaches “getting it right” with uniforms  Track and field is a sport which traditionally has colorful uniforms and styles that serve different purposes for performance  Having the athletes show up for competition in a legal uniform starts with the coach  Any time there is a violation due to uniforms, it is a violation that could have been avoided  The officials do not have the responsibility for putting athletes in legal uniforms, but do have the responsibility to enforce the rules

26. Competitor’s Uniform Rules 4-3-1,2 and 9-6-1,2 Penalties Coach and competitor have primary responsibilities for competitor to report to event in legal uniform Preventive officiating continues to be very important to avoid unnecessary violations pertaining to uniforms Should a competitor need to change the uniform, such action should take place in an appropriate area and not cause a delay in the progress of the meet

27. Uniform – Foundation Garment Rules 4-3-1c(7), 4-3-1c(7) NOTE, 9-6-1c(7) NOTE 2  Any visible garment(s) worn underneath the uniform bottom and extending below the knees shall be unadorned and of a single, solid color  Any garment worn underneath the uniform bottom and that terminates above the knees is considered a foundation garment and not subject to being a single, solid color

28. Uniform – Foundation Garment Rules 4-3-1c(7), 4-3-1c(7) NOTE, 9-6-1c(7) NOTE 2 Visible undergarment LEGAL Visible undergarments Both must be same color ILLEGAL Foundation garment LEGAL Foundation garments LEGAL

29. Uniform – Foundation Garment Rules 4-3-1c(7), 4-3-1c(7) NOTE, 9-6-1c(7) NOTE 2 Extends below knees Visible Undergarment Garment terminates above knees Foundation Garment Garment terminates below knees Visible Undergarment

30.  All garments terminate above the knees; thus, all are foundation garments and not subject to single, solid color requirement Uniform – Foundation Garment Rules 4-3-1c(7), 4-3-1c(7) NOTE, 9-6-1c(7) NOTE 2 A, B, C LEGAL A B C

31. Uniform – Foundation Garment Rules 4-3-1c(7), 4-3-1c(7) NOTE, 9-6-1c(7) NOTE 2  SITUATION: Following the clerk of the course providing instructions regarding the race to the field of competitors in the 400-meter dash, he/she observes a competitor a) with his boxer shorts exposed under the uniform shorts; b) with a large manufacturer’s logo on a garment under the uniform shorts; and c) with the school mascot on a garment under the uniform shorts. All items terminate above the knees. The clerk has no objections. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: These items are all considered foundation garments. Boxers Manufacturer’s logo School mascot

32. Uniform – Foundation Garment Rules 4-3-1c(7), 4-3-1c(7) NOTE, 9-6-1c(7) NOTE 2  Relay team members wearing foundation garments are not required to wear the same color foundation garment  The foundation garment does not have to be a single, solid color  This rule also applies to cross country teams RELAY UNIFORMS

33. A BOY REPORTS FOR THE START OF THE CROSS COUNTRY RACE IN THE FOLLOWING UNIFORM: LEGAL LEGAL OR ILLEGAL? SHORTS Compression shorts that are above the knee when worn under the uniform bottom will now be considered a foundation garment.

34. A RELAY TEAM REPORTS IN THE FOLLOWING UNIFORMS: LEGAL LEGAL OR ILLEGAL? SHORTS Compression shorts that are above the knee when worn under the uniform bottom will now be considered a foundation garment.

35. A RELAY TEAM REPORTS IN THE FOLLOWING UNIFORMS: LEGAL LEGAL OR ILLEGAL?

36. LEGAL  ALL FOUR COMPETITORS ARE WEARING THE SAME COLOR AND DESIGN OF SCHOOL UNIFORM. THE UNDERGARMENTS WORN BY THE SINGLE COMPETITOR ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 4-3-2b.

37. A RELAY TEAM REPORTS IN THE FOLLOWING UNIFORMS: ILLEGAL LEGAL OR ILLEGAL?

38. ILLEGAL  ALL FOUR COMPETITORS ARE WEARING THE SAME COLOR AND DESIGN OF SCHOOL UNIFORM. HOWEVER,THE UNDERGARMENTS WORN BY THE COMPETITORS ARE NOT THE SAME COLOR AS REQUIRED IN 4-3-2b.

39. A RELAY TEAM REPORTS IN THE FOLLOWING UNIFORMS: ILLEGAL LEGAL OR ILLEGAL?

40. ILLEGAL  ALL FOUR COMPETITORS ARE NOT WEARING THE SAME COLOR AND DESIGN OF SCHOOL UNIFORM.

41. A RELAY TEAM REPORTS IN THE FOLLOWING UNIFORMS: LEGAL LEGAL OR ILLEGAL? SHORTS

42. LEGAL  ALL FOUR COMPETITORS ARE WEARING THE SAME COLOR AND DESIGN OF SCHOOL UNIFORM. EVEN THOUGH ONE COMPETITOR HAS CHOSEN TO WEAR SHORTS OVER THE ONE-PIECE UNIFORM, THE COLOR IS THE SAME AS THE COLOR OF THE ONE-PIECE UNIFORM.

43. Illegal Undergarment If Visible

44. Multiple Logos ILLEGAL as a uniform bottom but LEGAL as an undergarment.

45. Extreme Logos

46. Visible Undergarment Rules 4-3-1b(8), 4-3-1c(7), 9-6-1b, 9-6-1c  Visible undergarments displaying seams stitched on the outside of the garment in a visible contrasting color to the single, solid color of the undergarment and function as actual seams for garment construction are legal Legal Visible Undergarment

47. LEGAL  ANY VISIBLE TOP(S) WORN UNDER THE UNIFORM MUST BE UNADORNED EXCEPT FOR A MANUFACTURER’S LOGO AND OF A SINGLE COLOR AND HUE.

48. UNIFORMS  SINGLE SOLID-COLORED HEADBANDS (SOFT SWEATBANDS) ARE LEGAL.

49. UNIFORMS  UNIFORMS MUST BE WORN AS INTENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE WAISTBAND OF A CONTESTANT’S SHORTS SHALL BE WORN ABOVE THE HIPS. JERSEYS SHALL TOUCH THE SHORTS IN A STANDING POSITION (NO BARE MIDRIFF)

50. SPORTSMANSHIP  SPORTSMANSHIP SHALL BE SHOWN DURING AND AFTER THE RACE (INCLUDING THE FINISH CHUTE)

51. JUDGES DECISION  THE JUDGES DECISION SHALL BE FINAL

52. GENERAL GUIDELINES  STAY A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE COURSE (COACHES, MANAGERS, FANS, PARENTS)  PACING (5 OR MORE STRIDES) IS ILLEGAL.  AFTER THE RACE, RUNNERS SHALL KEEP THEIR SPOT AND CONTINUE MOVING THROUGH THE FINISH CHUTE.  EACH TEAM IS RESTRICTED TO NO MORE THAN 7 RUNNERS AT THE REGIONAL AND STATE MEETS.

53. Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations www.nfhs.org Thank You for your support of High School Athletics!