Central Coast Section
GENERAL TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

The following information is applicable to all CCS Championships.  Each event is conducted under these guidelines, procedures and regulations.  Responsible school personnel must be familiar with these aspects of our program and are expected to conform to the practices and policies set forth in this section.  "Sport-specific" details of individual events are contained in the respective sport bylaws which follow.

ADMINISTRATION

All post-season competition is held under the auspices of the CCS Board of Managers, which has established the rules and regulations set forth herein.  The Commissioner, staff, and event managers are answerable to the Board, and are charged and empowered to administer all events within established policies.  When established policies do not specifically address the circumstances, the CCS Commissioner has the authority to make a determination.  The CCS Commissioner may delegate that responsibility and authority to staff or events managers whenever necessary.  Any such determinations made involving CCS Play-offs are considered final, and no appeal may be made in the interest of the reasonable, timely operation of the CCS Tournament for the participants involved.

 AWARDS
Awards will be presented according to the following CHART OF AWARDS (the CCS Awards Committee is responsible for periodic review and recommendations for modification):

 BANDS
Participation by school bands is encouraged at Championship events.  Except for Football, bands are generally limited to 18 members. However, by school request, the Commissioner may approve additional members.  Band members with instruments will be admitted without charge upon verification by the school Band Director at the admission gate.

CHEERLEADERS/SPIRIT GROUPS
Spirit groups in school uniform will be admitted without charge at admission gates.  "Unofficial" groups or individuals will not be admitted without charge.  All activities of spirit groups, either in uniform or "unofficial," are expected to be supervised by participating school personnel.  School banners are encouraged.  Signs with positive, supportive messages are allowed.  DEROGATORY SIGNS ARE PROHIBITED AND WILL BE REMOVED.  Routines, skits, and other activities of spirit groups are reflections of the school and the CCS; therefore, good taste is expected!  The Guidelines outlined in the National Federation Cheerleaders Guide shall be followed.

COACHES ATTENDANCE AT ALL COMPETITIONS
All participants must be under the supervision of credentialed or certified coaches.  Unaccompanied athletes shall not compete (CIF By-laws 307 and 506; Admin. Code, Title V).
1.    The coach of either a public school or private school team or athlete must be the coach of record for that school for the current season and must comply with all requirements of CIF Bylaw 506:
        A.    All public school teams must be coached by persons who meet the requirement of the California Education Code and the California Administrative Code, Title V.
        B.    In the case of a non-public school, persons engaged by that school on a yearly contract basis as regular members of the school coaching or teaching staff and certified by the administrator of that school as competent for the position held.
2.    In the case of an emergency ONLY, the principal of the school may designate an alternate coach, as long as it is done in writing prior to the contest and submitted to the League Commissioner for all pre-season and League contests, and the CCS Commissioner for CCS Play-off contests. Any alternate coach MUST be an individual who meets all the conditions required in 1A. above in the case of a public school; and 1B. above in the case of a non-public school.
3.    Students who are not accompanied by a coach meeting the above requirements at any CIF contest WILL BE CONSIDERED INELIGIBLE and will not be allowed to compete.
        (See CCS By-Laws, Article VI, Section 3. and Section 9.)

COACHES MEETINGS
In most team sports, a pre-game meeting with contest officials is required.  In Football, a pre-Tournament meeting is held for participating coaches and administrators with CCS Staff.  (See "sport-specific" sections of this Tournament Guide and the CCS Participant Information Bulletins for details)

ENTRY INFORMATION
Team and individual entries for Championship competition are based upon by-laws recommended by the CCS Sports Committees and approved by the Board of Managers.  Generally, participation is limited to players who have engaged in season-long league school team competition in the respective sport.  Novice, all-comer, non-varsity and/or exhibition competition is prohibited.  Generally, team competition is limited to League Champions and Runners-up.  Exceptions must be approved by the CCS Board of Managers.

Individual entrants must have qualified through League Championships or must have met qualifying standards through season-long CIF/CCS competition.

At-Large teams, when previously approved by the CCS Board of Managers, shall be selected by objective criteria (except in the sports of basketball and boys golf) published in advance of the selection meeting or entry application deadline.  (See "sport-specific" sections for entry information in the respective Championships.)

ELIGIBILITY
Only currently eligible athletes may participate.  Ineligible students shall not compete in any school contest.  Any contest in which an ineligible student competes, either intentionally or unintentionally, in all sports, shall be forfeited.  Additional sanctions may be imposed on the school or the sports programs involved if determined to be necessary by the appropriate CCS or League governance body (See CCS Bylaws, Article 6 Section 9)

The knowing, and/or intentional, use of an ineligible athlete in either team or individual competition is a very serious violation of the CIF and CCS regulations, and may subject the school to suspension of all membership privileges for an indefinite period.

FILMING/VIDEO TAPING
Filming or taping games for future use, other than commercial use, is permitted.  Coaches may exchange films/tapes or secure films/tapes from any source for scouting purposes.  Commercial use of films or video tapes is subject to control of the CCS.  (See RADIO-TV ARRANGEMENTS later in this section of "GENERAL TOURNAMENT INFORMATION.")

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
All revenue and expenses associated with CCS Championship contests are administered by the CCS office:
    *   Team Tournament Expenses:  Travel in team sports is subsidized as a game expense.
        (See Appendix:  TEAM SPORTS TRAVEL SUBSIDY FORM)

        In Football only, team travel and an additional expense subsidy are provided.
        (See Appendix: TEAM TRAVEL FOOTBALL SUBSIDY FORM)

    *   Individual Tournament Expenses:  No subsidy is provided.

    *   Management Expenses:  Necessary personnel to administer contests, other than for student
        supervision, are paid by the CCS.

    *   Net Revenues:  All net revenue from CCS Championships is allocated according to the Financial
        Policies of the Section, as approved by the CCS Board of Managers.  Generally, revenue is used
        to offset non-contest related expenses of operations, as necessary.

FORMAT OF COMPETITION

o        Per CCS Board Policy, only single-elimination, Varsity Championship competition is allowed in team sports.

o        All individual competition is also single-elimination, except that heats may be conducted in Track & Field and Swimming Trials, with non-winning competitors advancing to Finals.

o        Division (enrollment categories) competition is approved leading to multiple Champions in given sports -- See "sport-specific" sections of this Tournament Guide for identification.

o        Only CCS Runner-up teams will be nominated for At-Large entry to CIF State Championships. Teams eliminated in Semi-Final contests will not be nominated.

o        Each Sport Advisory Committee recommends specific bracketing, At-Large, and Seeding procedures for use in the various Tournaments to the CCS Board of Managers for adoption.  The latest approved format shall continue to be used until changed by the Committee and approved by the CCS Board of Managers.  Proposals for FORMAT CHANGE should generally follow the sample time-line provided below, from proposal to approval:

FRAUDULENT ENTRY INFORMATION- (from CCS By-Laws, Article VI, Section 8.):
2.    QUALIFICATION FOR CCS PLAY-OFFS
        (a)    Individual Student(s)
                (1)    If it is determined that fraud or false information has been used by any student(s) or persons associated with the student(s) in order for an individual student to meet qualification standards for participation in any CCS Playoff Event, that student shall become immediately ineligible for competition at any CCS member school in that sport for a minimum period of time of 12 calendar months from the date that it was determined that false or fraudulent information or practices were used.  If it is  determined that someone associated with a student (coach, parents, friend, etc.) provided false information or used fraud in order for that student to meet qualification standards for participation in any CCS Play-off Event, with or without the students knowledge, that student shall become immediately ineligible for competition at any CCS member-school in that sport for a minimum period of time of 12 calendar months from the date it was determined that false or fraudulent information or practices were used.
                (2)    Any contests in which this student participated subsequent to the use of false nformation or fraud shall be forfeited according to the guidelines set forth in Article VI, Section 9. (Ineligible Players).
   (b)    Teams
                (1)    If it is determined that someone associated with a school (including, but not limited to a coach) knowingly participates in either providing false information or using fraud, or knowingly allows others to do so, in order for a team to meet qualification standards in any CCS Play-off Event, that team will become immediately ineligible for further competition in that sport that season.
                (2)    Any contests in which that team has participated based on the false information or fraud shall be forfeited and any trophies or awards earned shall be returned.

3.    SCHOOL PERSONNEL INVOLVEMENT
        If any school personnel (including but not limited to a coach) knowingly participates in either providing false information or allowing others to provide false information in order to gain favorable eligibility status for a student, or team information to meet qualification standards for participation in any CCS Play-off Event, sanctions may be imposed on the school, including but not limited to; probationary status, prohibitions against Play-off participation, forfeitures, revoking of CCS membership, etc.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
Contests will be held as announced, unless cancelled by the CCS office in consultation with Site Directors.  If in doubt, schools should check the CCS web page or contact the CCS office prior to departure for contest sites.  Such decisions will normally be made at least two hours prior to the beginning of the competition, or by NOON of the day of competition and posted on the web page. 

MUSIC
All music used at CCS playoff events shall have no lyrics except for the National Anthem, school fight songs and school alma maters.

NATIONAL FEDERATION (NF) RULES
All contests are conducted under NF rules, when such are available.  Exceptions, if any, are set forth in the "sport-specific" sections of this Tournament Guide.

In the case of "State Adoptions" allowed in the NF Rulebook, please see "sport-specific" sections of this Tournament Guide for CCS/CIF "Adoptions."

In sports for which there are no NF rules written, the rules of the amateur governing body of those respective sports are used.

OFFICIALS
The CCS Commissioner shall contract with local accredited Officials Associations for officials to work throughout the Tournaments.  Only officials from officials organizations that are currently certified by the CIF shall be contracted to officiate any CCS Play-off contest.

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION BULLETINS
A Participant Information Bulletin will be sent to principals, athletic directors, coaches, media, and officials, as well as being posted on the CCS web-site, approximately three weeks prior to each Section Tournament in which a school or official is involved.

Specific Tournament information is included in this Tournament Guide and in the Participant Information Bulletins.  These documents are essential to the participants and should be shared with coaches and players.  They must be carefully and thoroughly read in order to have complete understanding of the specific Tournament.  It is expected that all such information, rules, and regulations are followed by all coaches, spectators, and athletes.

It is the responsibility of the schools involved to insure all appropriate parties are aware of pertinent Tournament information.  Violation of any Tournament rules and/or non-compliance with such regulations may result in suspension of the privilege of participation in CCS Play-offs for that school.

PASSES
Only CCS and CIF passes will be honored at Section Play-off events.  Passes from Leagues, schools, officials associations, colleges, booster clubs, and others will not be honored.  Improperly utilized CCS passes will be confiscated and forfeited.

CCS PASS GATE LIST POLICY provides for admission of faculty supervision.  For Football and Basketball, 12 supervisors will be admitted.  In all other sports, six (6) admissions will be provided, unless a school principal requests additional admissions.  (See SUPERVISION & ADMISSION OF SUPERVISORS below in this "GENERAL TOURNAMENT INFORMATION" section for additional information.)

The following procedure will be followed for all CCS events for admission and identification of faculty supervisors:

• The school shall supply a written list of supervisors assigned to the contest, signed by the
  principal.  (See Appendix for PASS GATE LIST FORM (football & basketball) or PASS GATE LIST FORM (all other sports))
• This list must be presented at the admission gate in time to admit those on the list.
• As an additional aid to schools, the Administrator in charge from each school at events will meet with his/her counterpart and the CCS Site Director at least 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time of the contest for identification and locations during the contest.  This meeting will be described in the Participant Information Bulletin.

PRACTICE AT COMPETITION SITES
No arrangements for practice at competition sites are approved by the CCS.

·         If the site of a future contest is open to public use (i.e., municipal tennis courts, public golf courses, etc.), they may be used for practice, subject to the control and policies of the owner/operator.  NO SPECIAL PERMISSION MAY BE SOUGHT.

• College and community sites SHALL NOT BE USED by any school team, except as noted above, or if the school has a contract throughout the season to use the site as its home facility.
• Use of another school's facility, once designated as a Tournament site, SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED!  PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR ANY SUCH USE!

NOTE:  These prohibitions are necessary for two significant reasons:
            1) We do not wish to inconvenience our hosts by additional usage; AND
            2) Near-by schools, with easier access to a particular facility, have a distinct advantage
                over distant schools.

PROGRAMS, TOURNAMENT ROSTER FORMS
Programs will be produced for sale at Tournament sites by the CCS, normally beginning at the Quarter-Finals in most sports.  Participant Information Bulletins and "sport-specific" Tournament Roster Forms will specify the due date for such information to be submitted, as required.
(See Appendix for CCS PLAY-OFFS DATES SHEET and "sport-specific" TOURNAMENT ROSTER FORMS.)

PUBLIC ADDRESS
Public address announcements are an important and occasionally over-looked portion of a well-run event.  Not only is contest and sponsorship information required, the announcer must also assist in establishing the tone and environment of the event.  Pre-contest time-outs and contest interludes provide important opportunities for sportsmanship, sponsorship, and game management messages.  If the responsibility for selection of announcers rests with a school, consideration should be given to using an announcer who can lend a professional and positive demeanor to this important aspect of the contest.

RADIO-TV ARRANGEMENTS
All broadcast rights to CCS events are reserved, and are subject to licensing and payment of broadcast/telecast fees.  The CCS reserves the right to approve all advertisers, as well as the date and time of all broadcasts/telecasts.  All such arrangements must be made well in advance, through the CCS Commissioner.

SPECTATOR/FAN BEHAVIOR AND ROOTING SECTIONS
Whether organized or spontaneous, the activities of rooting sections are important aspects of events.  Positive, supportive activities and cheers add to our programs; conversely -- rude, crude, and hostile behaviors detract from them and cannot be condoned.  Responsible school personnel must be vigilant and prepared to act in the event of unacceptable fan behavior.

SCHOOL/FACULTY SUPERVISORS VISIBILITY
It is the policy of the CCS that adequate school/faculty supervisors be admitted to the game free of charge.  Along with this complimentary admission, it is the expectation that these supervisors will work to insure a positive athletic experience for all by curtailing negative behavior by students and/or other spectators in attendance to watch their school's athletes compete.  Administrators and supervisors from participating schools should identify themselves to the Site Director prior to the beginning of any CCS contest and let him/her know where they will be located throughout the contest.  The Site Director may then call on the Administrators and supervisors to handle any inappropriate behavior of any fans associated with that school.

Many experienced school supervisors have found that visible positioning is important.  A vantage point in front of the rooters not only allows a supervisor to be seen, it allows the supervisor to see and hear the activities which may not be apparent when behind or adjacent to the spectators.

BANNERS & SIGNS which positively support ones own school are encouraged at all CCS contests.  Any negative signs are not allowed and will be removed.  Whenever such banners or signs are paraded in front of other rooting sections, this almost always evokes a hostile response, as do some band activities.  Pre-contest instruction by School Administrators/Faculty can avoid these potential problems.

SEATING POLICY:  In order that all persons may experience maximum enjoyment at CCS athletic events, and to enhance and encourage good public order, it is the policy of the CCS that all persons wishing to audibly cheer or support a particular team be seated in area designated for, or most closely identified with, the team in question.  Seating of persons audibly cheering for a particular team in the cheering section of, or areas most closely identified with, the opposing team is to be avoided wherever possible, and such persons shall be directed by staff to the appropriate seating location for their team.

Designated areas for rooters are generally provided or occur spontaneously; in such cases, the assistance of faculty supervisors and cheerleaders is very helpful in properly seating fans. Attempting to move established groups from one location to another invites trouble and can easily be avoided by following established seating plans.

SPORTSMANSHIP

All Championships are conducted with the highest expectation of 
GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP -- WE INSIST ON IT!

The CCS Board of Managers has adopted the Sportsmanship Policy included below.  Each school Principal is required to verify by signature on a Sportsmanship Contract for Fall, Winter, and Spring Sports that he/she has communicated and explained the CCS Sportsmanship Policy to all athletes, coaches, faculty members, boosters, band members, Athletic Directors, and anyone else associated with the school's Athletic Program.  A copy of each school's signed Sportsmanship Contract attesting to this fact must be on file in the office of the Central Coast Section before that school is allowed to participate in that respective season CCS Play-offs.  All who are associated with athletics in the Central Coast Section should read, understand, and adhere to this CCS/CIF SPORTSMANSHIP POLICY:

 The following behavior is unacceptable at all CIF/CCS High School contests:

1.    The following are expected to be role-models demonstrating sportsmanship at all times:
        a.    Principal/Administrative Staff;
        b.    Athletic Directors;
        c.    Coaches, Players, and Cheerleaders;
        d.    Faculty Members;
        e.    Booster Club Members;
        f.     Band Members and Band Directors.
2.    Coaches, players, and spectators will respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials.
3.    The conduct of coaches, players, and cheerleaders generally sets the tone for CCS/CIF school contests.  They will be expected to maintain the highest level of decorum at all CCS/CIF contests.
4.    The following action plans are recommended for implementation at all CCS/CIF school contests:
        a.    A script should be provided to the announcer, including:
               (1)    Welcome Statement;
               (2)    Sportsmanship Expectations;
               (3)    Acknowledgement and Introduction of Game Officials;
                        (NOTE:    There should be a short statement endorsing the officials as neutral persons who have been certified by the appropriate officials association.)
               (4)    Introduction of Players;
               (5)    Sponsorship Recognition (when appropriate).
        b.   Include the CIF Six Pillars of Character and/or 16 Operating Principles in the game programs (this is found in the CIF Constitutions & By-Laws).
        c.   Each participating school's administration is expected to emphasize sportsmanlike behavior at all CCS/CIF school contests:
              (1)     This shall be directed to coaches, players, cheerleaders, and spectators in the day(s) prior to the contest;
              (2)     Rallies, team meetings, faculty meetings, spirit club meetings, school bulletins, and PA announcements are all appropriate venues;
              (3)     Contact the principal or administrator-in-charge of the opponent's school at least one day prior to contests, as appropriate, to promote practical applications sportsmanship and to ensure
                        the proper environment for the contest.
        d.    It is the responsibility of the administration of each participating school to designate an administrative representative who will:
               (1)   Check in with the Site Manager 30 minutes prior to the game-time, and establish where he/she will be throughout the contest;
               (2)    Enforce the highest standards of sportsmanship within his/her own student body;
               (3)    Contact the administrative representative of the opponent's school to report any violations of sportsmanship by either school's supporters.

CCS PLAY-OFF CONTESTS:
Prior to each CCS Play-off contest, the CCS Site Director shall convene a meeting, wherein the CCS sportsmanship expectations shall be reviewed.  This meeting will include team captains, coaches, and administrators from participating schools, as well as the contest officials.

Coaches and team captains shall review the CCS sportsmanship expectations with participants prior to the start of play.

COACHES ROLE:
Coaches are expected to monitor player behavior, as well as their own personal behavior, and shall not allow any act, gesture, language, or behavior which is detrimental to these Championships.  Coaches must accept this responsibility and recognize that their own personal behavior sets the tone for players and spectators.  Specific reference is made to emotional control as regards officiating -- both during the contest and in any post-game commentary.

There are very high expectations of personal conduct on the part of players, coaches, officials, and others associated with our events.  No list could be long enough to stress the positive examples necessary to emphasize those expectations.

GUIDELINES OF EXPECTED BEHAVIOR DURING AWARDS CEREMONIES:
The members and coaches of the teams qualifying for the CCS Championship Finals have worked long and hard hours to accomplish that difficult achievement.  The CCS Board of Managers considers it extremely important to recognize and reward these efforts by conducting formal awards presentations in front of the parents, families, and friends of the Finals' participants at the conclusion of each sport's Championships.

The Board is equally concerned with appropriate sportsmanlike demeanor and citizenship being displayed by players and coaches following these often-times highly emotional Championship contests.  Winning with "class and respect" must be considered no less important than losing with "grace and dignity!"

To that end, therefore, coaches and/or designated school athletic administrators are responsible for reviewing with their respective team personnel, prior to all Championship contests, the following Guidelines of Expected Behavior During Championship Awards Ceremonies for all participants at Section events:

SUPERVISION & ADMISSION OF SUPERVISORS
All CCS Championship events are conducted as an extension of normal school activities.  Schools are expected to provide appropriate faculty supervision of students, just as would be the case at League or pre-season competition.  Security officers will often be provided for supervision of non-students; however, faculty members may be of great assistance in identification of problems.  Also, recent graduates frequently respond positively to school personnel.  In the absence of faculty supervisory assistance, students will be treated in the same manner as the general public.  In most cases, uncooperative students will be removed from the premises and are subject to arrest, if warranted.

(See PASSES above in this "GENERAL TOURNAMENT INFORMATION" section for more specific information.)