7.1. Philosophy - Students 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 students’ educational development and the activities do not conflict with the principles of wholesome amateur athletics. The WVSSAC wishes to enhance that opportunity while at the same time discouraging the exploitation of students by overzealous individuals and organizations who attempt to impose an obligation or pressure on the student. There has been growing evidence of commercialism and specialization of secondary school students. Experience has revealed that such occurrences tend to divide the allegiance of students, undermine respect for coaches and officials, and encourage the type of adulation which gives students an exaggerated sense of importance of their own athletic prowess. Rather, athletic participation should be used for the pleasure and satisfaction that is derived from athletic competition in a variety of experiences.

7.2. School organized out-of-season practice or related activities shall only be permitted with principal approval during Weeks 50, 51, and 52 of the National Federation Standardized Calendar. Participation by students must be open to all students, voluntary, and not required directly or indirectly for membership on a school team. Participation by students during these weeks does not meet Practice Rule 127-2-13.4.

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 50, 51, and 52 of the National Federation Standardized Calendar.

7.4. A coach or surrogate shall not work with individuals in any form of drills or practice of the coaching assignment except during those dates specified as the season for that specific sport or as designated in Rules 7.2 and 7.3.

7.5. Coaches may participate in a formal development program of the U.S. 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 - Students throughout the school year who are not participating in a school’s athletic program may voluntarily participate in an off season conditioning program. This program may also occur during the summer subject to county board of education or governing body approval and the following provisions:

7.6.1. Participation in the program must be open to all students enrolled in the school providing the program.

7.6.2. Participation is voluntary and is not required directly or indirectly for membership on a school team.

7.6.3. Students will provide their own clothing (sweatsuit, shoes, etc.).

7.6.4. 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.

7.6.5. Specific equipment pertaining to a given sport may not be used. This includes such items as footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, wrestling mats, discus, etc.

7.6.6. In those cases where schools schedule all students into the last period of the school day, the guidelines in items (c), (d), and (e) shall apply unless the class is considered a part of the physical education program and credit is given. 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 school year.

7.6.7. The county board of education may choose to compensate the supervisor or director.

7.7. Coaches may not promote, initiate, organize, supervise, or participate in out-of-season events involving students of the same sport as the coaching assignment except as specified in §127-3-7.2 and §127-3-7.3. 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 guidelines:

7.7.1. The gymnasium or field is open to all students for participation.

7.7.2. A variety of activities is available to students and is not limited to one sport or activity on a given day.

7.7.3. Supervisor or director must be approved by the county board of education or governing body.

7.7.4. There is no coaching or instruction in the skills and technique in any sport.

7.7.5. Comparable opportunities are provided both sexes.

7.7.6. Participation is voluntary and is not required directly or indirectly for membership on a school team.