COMPETITION

Section Sponsored Competition

At least six teams must participate in a sport in order for Section XI to sanction the sport, form a league, and provide schedules.

All league contests will take precedence over non-league commitments.

When scheduling non-league contests, schools owe first allegiance to other member schools in all sports.

Levels of Competition

Varsity level contests take precedence over junior varsity contests.  Junior varsity contests take precedence over junior high school level contests.  An athlete may not compete in any combination of varsity, junior varsity or junior high school levels in one day.

Limitation of Competition

All athletes will be limited in competition to one sport per season.  After 50% of the season is completed, the athlete may not switch to a different sport.

Qualifying for Competition Beyond the Section Level

To qualify for NYSPHSAA Championship Competition, an athlete  must participate and qualify at the qualifying competition designated by Section XI.


Contest Interruption - approved 5/24/01

1. Whenever weather or other conditions cause the official(s) to interrupt a contest, the officials(s) shall make every reasonable effort to resume and complete the contest, with full consideration of the weather and site conditions (as they affect safety and playing conditions). The official(s) shall wait a minimum of 30 minutes from the time of the interruption before considering the cessation of play.

2. When thunder is identified at the site of an outdoor contest, the official(s) will suspend play immediately and wait a minimum of 30 minutes from the time of the interruption before considering the cessation of play. The official(s) will then make a decision whether to cease play for that day or resume the contest.

3. If lightning is observed at the site of an outdoor contest by the official(s) 15 or fewer minutes prior to the scheduled start of that contest, the official(s) and the responsible school authorities shall not permit that contest to be played on that date.

4.  If lightning is observed at the site of an outdoor contest by the official(s) during the playing of the contest, the official(s) shall immediately cease play for the day. The rules of the particular sport shall determine whether the contest is "official" or must be resumed at a later date.

NYSPHSAA THUNDER AND LIGHTNING POLICY - approved 3/14/06 

The following policy will be in effect during Section championships and state qualifiers under the direction of the Executive Director, Sports Chair or designee:

1.  Thunder and lightning necessitates that contests be suspended.  The occurrence of thunder and/or lightning is not subject to interpretation - thunder is thunder, lightning is lightning.

    * With your site administrator, set up a plan for shelter prior to the start of any contest.

2.  When thunder is heard and/or when lightning is seen, the following procedures should be adhered to:
    a.  Suspend play and direct participants to go to shelter, a building normally occupied by the public or if a building is unavailable, participants should go inside a vehicle with a solid metal top (e.g. bus, van, car).

    b.  Do not permit people to stand under or near a tree; and have all stay away from poles, antennas, towers and underground watering systems.

    c.  After thunder and/or lightning have left the area, wait 30 minutes after the last boom is heard or strike is seen before resuming play or competition.  (Revised 10/20/08 NYSPHSAA Executive Committee Meeting)