14 Del. Admin. Code § 1035-3.0 - Sports Seasons

3.1 Fall Sports Season

3.1.1 For the high school level, the fall sports season shall begin on the Monday 3 weeks before Labor Day and end with the start of the state championship tournament in that sport. Any regular season contest that was postponed must be rescheduled and played before the beginning of the state tournament in that sport. A conference championship game must also be completed before the start of the state tournament in that sport. Practice for any fall sport shall not begin earlier than the Monday 3 weeks before Labor Day. The first allowable Competition date in the fall sports season shall be the first Wednesday after Labor Day.

3.1.2 For the middle school level, the fall sports season shall begin on the Monday 1 week before Labor Day and end not later than December 1. Practice for any fall sport shall not begin earlier than the Monday 1 week before Labor Day. The first allowable Competition date for the fall sports season shall be on the first Monday 2 weeks after Labor Day.

3.1.3 For football Practices at the middle and high school levels, the first three days of Practice shall be primarily for the purpose of physical conditioning and shall be restricted to noncontact activities. Coaches may introduce offensive formations and defensive alignments, run plays "on air," Practice noncontact phases of the kicking game, and teach noncontact positional skills. Protective equipment shall be restricted to helmets, mouth guards, and shoes on the first day of Practice. Shoulder pads may be added on the second and third day of Practice. The use of dummies, hand shields, and sleds in contact drills is prohibited until the fourth day of Practice. Blocking, tackling, and block protection drills which involve any contact between players are also prohibited until the fourth day of Practice.

3.1.4 No Member School shall participate in spring football games nor shall a Member School conduct football Practice of any type outside of the regular fall sports season except when participating in the state tournament. "Organized football" or "organized football practice" shall be defined as any type of sport which is organized to promote efficiency in any of the various aspects of football. Touch football, featuring blocking, tackling, ball handling, signaling, etc. shall be considered "organized football" and shall be illegal under the intent of this rule.

3.2 Winter Sports Season

3.2.1 For the high school level, the winter sports season shall begin with the first approved day for Practice and end with the start of the state championship tournament in that sport. Any regular season contest that was postponed must be rescheduled and played before the beginning of the state tournament in that sport. Conference championships must also be completed before the start of the state tournament in that sport. Practice for any winter sport shall begin on the Monday of the 19th week of the NFHS standardized calendar. Competition for the winter sports season shall begin on the Wednesday of the 22nd week of the NFHS standardized calendar.

3.2.2 For the middle school level, the winter sports season shall begin on the Monday of the 19th week of the NFHS standardized calendar and end not later than March 1. Practice for any winter sport shall not begin earlier than on the Monday of the 19th week of the NFHS standardized calendar. The first allowable Competition date in the winter sports season shall be on the Wednesday on the 22nd week of the NFHS standardized calendar.

3.3 Spring Sports Season

3.3.1 For the high school level, the spring sports season shall begin on the Monday of the 35th week of the NFHS standardized calendar and ends with the start of the state championship in that sport. Any regular season contest that was postponed must be rescheduled and played before the beginning of the state tournament in that sport. Conference championships must also be completed before the start of the state tournament in that sport. Practice for any spring sport shall not begin earlier than the Monday of the 35th week of the NFHS standardized calendar. Competition for the spring sports season shall begin on the Monday of the 38th week of the NFHS standardized calendar.

3.3.2 For the middle school level, the spring sports season shall begin on the Monday of the 35th week on the NFHS standardized calendar and end not later than the last School Day. Practice for any spring sport shall not begin earlier than the Monday of the 35th week on the NFHS standardized calendar. The first allowable Competition date in the spring sports season shall be on the Monday on the 38th week of the NFHS standardized calendar.

3.4 A Member School that participates in a game prior to the first allowable date or after the start of the state championship shall be required to forfeit the contest and be assessed a $500.00 fine per each illegal contest. The school shall be referred to the DIAA Sportsmanship Committee for consideration of further action.

3.5 A Member School that conducts Practice prior to the first allowable date shall pay a fine of $500.00 per each illegal Practice. The school shall be referred to the DIAA Sportsmanship Committee for consideration of further action.

3.6 No Member School shall participate in a post-season contest without the written approval of the Executive Director.

Notes

14 Del. Admin. Code § 1035-3.0

26 DE Reg. 202 (9/1/2022) (Final)