Ask a Question

Emails will be answered as time permits, with the highest priority given to emails from VHSL member school administrators and officials association leaders.  All emails must include the sender's full name, affiliation and contact phone number.  Emails pertaining to local issues will be forwarded to the appropriate school.  Anonymous emails will be deleted.

About VHSL Rules*

"VHSL Rules" are those rules contained in the VHSL Handbook and Policy Manual and apply to all member schools.  They include, but are not limited to rules governing the following:

Membership Requirements

Governance (Districts, Regions, Groups, Executive Committee, Principal's Responsibility)

Student Eligibility (Grade Rule, Age Rule, Semester Rule, Transfer Rule, etc.)

Eligibility Appeals

Sports Seasons (first practice date; first contest date; district, region and state deadlines; contest limitations)

Championship Events

*Member schools may make rules at the local level that are more restrictive than those in the VHSL Handbook.  For example, a local school may impose a minimum grade point average as an additional eligibility requirement.

Local Rules

The VHSL Handbook does NOT contain rules governing

Playing time of individual players

Tryout procedures (player requirements, number of days of tryouts, who selects the team, how the team is selected, etc.)

Team composition (how many players; 9th graders on varsity teams; seniors on JV teams)

Number of teams a school sponsors in each sport

Number of cheerleaders

Which sports have cheerleaders

Number of sports in which a student may participate

Attendance Policies (does a player have to be in school on the day of a contest in order to play?)

Team/School Policies (practice requirements, curfews, codes of conduct)

Hiring/Firing of coaches

I have a concern or a question - what should I do?

If you have a question or concern and you are not a school administrator or an officials association leader, you should attempt to resolve the issue at the local level.  School administrators are well-versed in the rules contained in the VHSL Handbook.  Local rules are just that -- local rules.  Generally speaking, in addressing concerns you might have regarding local issues, the best place to start is with the appropriate coach at your school.  If you are unable to resolve the issue by working with the coach, ask for a conference with the coach and athletic director.

Complaints about officials are best resolved at the local level.  Schools and officials associations typically work very cooperatively to resolve any problems should they occur.  VHSL staff will assist school administrators and association officers when necessary, but generally will not respond to complaints about officials from parents, students or the general public.

Emails pertaining to local issues will be forwarded to the appropriate school.  Anonymous emails will be deleted.