PAA VOLLEYBALL RULES

(Leagues – Junior Girls: 7th/8th Varsity, 7th/8th Jr. Varsity.

Lassie Girls: 5th/6th Varsity, 5th/6th Jr. Varsity)

1. ALL NFHS rules apply except in the following situations:
   • The officials’ association will assign one game official.
   • Member institutions shall provide two (2) line judges, preferably adults, at the request of the officials.
   • Teams shall be outfitted with numbered jerseys, which have logos/monograms to identify the sponsoring institution.
   • To inhibit runaway scoring, coaches shall substitute freely in accordance with game rules when scoring becomes lopsided.
   • Both divisions shall use only six players when the ball is in play.
   • The PAA shall sponsor a season-ending tournament for teams. Schools desiring to host the tournament should notify the Director’s office. See Bylaws Article III Membership Section 2 for eligibility requirements for new affiliate member teams.
   • A maximum of 20 matches may be played during the season – tournaments count as 2 games.
   • For the LASSIE DIVISION only, the serving line shall be 5 feet inside the regulation end line. The net height shall be exactly 7 feet.
   • Teams may elect to play using the Libero.
   • The Libero must wear a solid color numbered jersey that is in a contrasting color to the rest of the team.
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2. Balls:
   • Junior Division – NFHS Indoor approved ball
   • Lassie Division – Volley-Lite ball
3. Scoring:
   • Junior & Lassie Girls will use rally scoring
     • • 2 out of 3 games to 25 pts. no cap
       • Third game is to 15 – win by two- no cap.
       • A let serve will be playable.
4. Teams:
   • Schools may have Varsity or Jr. Varsity teams.  Schools must first create a Varsity team before a Jr. Varsity team is allowed to play.
   • If any player on a team has played club ball, the player, or team, must play in the Varsity division.
   • Players are not allowed to switch teams during the season.
     • • Varsity players may not play on Jr. Varsity teams.
       • Varsity players may not play on Varsity teams.
5. Concussions
   • Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems, shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until they have been evaluated by a licensed medical professional and received written clearance to return to sporting activities.
   • Any coach or parent insisting on returning the player to the game without approved clearance will result in the referee ending the game immediately.

GOLF RULES

1. Except as outlined below, all matches and tournaments will be conducted pursuant to the USGA Rules of Golf in effect at the time.
2. PAA Golf is open to all boys and girls in 5th through 8th grade.
3. No coed teams shall compete in league or tournament play.
4. Girls’ team:
   • Scores will be based on two players’
   • Girls’ teams may enter up to three players per match with the best two scores counting as the team score.
   • If a team has only 1 player the Players can still participate in the match, however there will be no team score. The team with only 1 player is not allowed to win the league team championship but may participate to win the individual player
5. Boys’ team
   • Scores will be based on four players’ scores.
   • Boys’ teams may enter up to five players per match with the best four scores counting as the team score.
   • If a team has less than the minimum number of players (4 four boys), the team can still participate in the match with the maximum score per hole being assigned for the missing player(s).
6. Member institutions shall provide one adult supervisor for each match who will be designated as the “Coach”. A Coach may offer assistance or advice to any player on his team. Advice to players is limited to Coaches only.
7. League matches shall be nine holes and shall be medal play. Foursomes shall be comprised of two players from team A and two players from team B, unless otherwise agreed by the Coaches.
8. Girls shall conduct their matches from tee boxes that set the course up to play 1,500-2,000 yards for nine holes, unless otherwise agreed by the Coaches. Boys shall conduct their matches from tee boxes that set the course up to play 2,000-2,500 yards for nine holes, unless otherwise agreed by the Coaches.
9. No riding carts are permitted for player use. Players may use pull carts.
10. To enhance the pace of play, a “triple bogey” stroke limit will be enforced.
11. All players must have in their possession his/her own golf bag and clubs – no sharing clubs.
12. Member institutions are responsible for paying green fees to the course at each match.
13. Players must be outfitted in collared shirts with logos/monograms which identify the sponsoring institution.
14. The PAA shall host a season-ending championship tournament for individuals and teams. The number and size of teams representing each school shall be determined by the Commissioner of Golf based upon the number of schools and teams participating in the league. The tournament shall be 18 holes and played over one day, weather
15. Parents and spectators must maintain a 50-foot distance from players during all matches and tournaments.
16. To enhance pace of play, balls that are “out of bounds” or “lost” or “unplayable” in areas designated by the coaches before a match, or by the PAA, will be treated as if they came to rest in a lateral hazard. The player will incur a one stroke penalty and then drop within one club length of where the ball last crossed the margin of the designated “hazard”.
17. In the case of inclement weather, if all players have finished 6 holes, the match will be complete and a winner will be declared. If not, the match results will be canceled, and the match must be rescheduled.
18. In order to enter a “team”, schools/churches are allowed to roster 5th graders if they deem necessary. 5th graders must meet all PAA handbook requirements.

SOCCER RULES

1.  
2. Divisions
   • 1st and 2nd grade
   • 3rd and 4th grade
   • 5th and 6th grade
   • 7th and 8th grade
3. Proper placement in divisions
   • Divisions will be offered in the above divisions for both boys and girls.
   • Boys are not allowed to play in the girls’ division. If a team is not able to enter both a boys’ and a girls’ team in a division, a girl may be permitted to play in the boys’ division. This should be noted on the roster when it is submitted. (Per PAA handbook – a student must play in his/her appropriate division and not play either up or down a division. Exclusions to this rule must be handled prior to the beginning of the season by requesting a hardship/appeal on this rule.)
4. Teams playing in multiple leagues
   • Teams are not allowed to play in another league during the PAA soccer season.
   • PAA does not dictate policy on individuals playing on dual teams with the exception that a player may not play on 2 teams that are in the PAA league. See Bylaws, Article VII, Section 24.
   • Schools/Churches are permitted to enforce their local policy.
5. Equipment
   • All players must wear soccer shin guards properly. Shin guards must be put on the foot first and then completely covered by socks. (do not put the sock on first, then the shin guard, then pull the sock over the top of the shin guard).
   • No player is allowed to wear any type of jewelry. Band-aids are not allowed to be placed over earrings.
   • Barrettes, bobby pins, plastic clips, metal clips or any type of hair accessory are not permitted. (Soft scrunchies, rubber bands, all fabric ponytail holders are acceptable). Nothing with metal or a hard surface/coating is allowed.
   • Soccer cleats are preferred but tennis shoes may be worn. Cleats must be soccer cleats (no football, baseball, cross-country). Toe-cleats may not be removed to try and make a different type of cleat a soccer cleat.
6. Schools/churches with multiple teams in one division
   • When a school/church enters more than one team in a division, all teams must be evenly balanced regarding age, grade, and ability.
   • If, in the opinion of the league office, a team is intentionally stronger than the others – the school/church will be given the option of redistribution of that team or withdrawing from the league.
7. Players “switching” teams
   • Players are not allowed to switch back and forth among teams (if school/church enters multiple teams in a division) during the season. The player must participate on the team that his/her name appears on the roster. See Bylaws, Article VII, Section 24.
8. Heading and Punting
   • In the 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th divisions no player shall be allowed to head the ball.
   • In the 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th divisions the goalie is not allowed to punt the ball. The ball must be placed on the ground or passed to another player.
   • These rules are established in agreement with US Soccer to reduce the risk of concussions in athletes 10 years of age or younger.
9. Concussions
   • Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems, shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until they have been evaluated by a licensed medical professional and received written clearance to return to sporting activities.
   • Any coach or parent insisting on returning the player to the game without approved clearance will result in the referee ending the game immediately.
10. Disqualified or ejected players
    • In the 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th divisions – a player who has been ejected (given red card) may not return to play in that game but can be replaced.
    • In the 5th/6th division, a player who has been ejected may not return to play in that game and may NOT be replaced.
    • In all divisions, a report should be filed with the League Office within 24 hours of the occurrence – a determination will be made after reviewing reports from teams and officials as to the length of the suspension the player will serve. (See Code of Conduct in PAA handbook. In some instances, a red card can be given in soccer when a 2-game suspension may not be warranted – these situations will be dealt with individually)
11. Disqualified coaches
    • Coaches must immediately leave the field and the site. Coaches should immediately notify their Athletic Director and provide a written report of the occurrence. Report should be forwarded to league office and will be reviewed. (See Code of Conduct in PAA handbook.)
    • If the team does not have an approved assistant coach on the sideline, the game will be stopped at the point of the disqualification of the coach.
12. Length of games
    • 1st/2nd grade – Four quarters of 12 minutes each
    • 3rd/4th grade – Four quarters of 12 minutes each
    • 5th/6th grade – Two halves of 30 minutes each
    • 7th/8th grade – Two halves of 35 minutes each
13. Size of ball
    • 1st/2nd grade – #3 soccer ball
    • 3rd/4th grade – #4 soccer ball
    • 5th/6th grade – #4 soccer ball
    • 7th/8th grade – #5 soccer ball
14. Substitution
    • Either team may substitute after a goal, between periods, after an injury, or before a goal kick.
    • Only the team in possession may substitute; after the ball goes out-of-bounds at the touch line.
    • Once that team has stopped play for a substitution, the other team can then also substitute.
15. Team/Coaches boxes and spectator restraining lines
    • Coaches’ area (boxes) will be established not to exceed 1/3 the length of the field (approximately 30 yards) and no closer than 3 feet from the touch line. All substitute players and coaches must remain in the box.
    • Spectators shall sit or stand no closer than 3 yards from the touch line.
    • Persistent, illegal coaching from the touch line outside of team and coaches’ box shall result in a warning by the referee the first time and an indirect free kick thereafter awarded by the referee, from the point of play.
    • Any coach who enters the field of play without permission of the referee, for any reason except in the case of an injured player, will be issued an automatic yellow card. A second such occurrence in the same game will result in an automatic red card, and the coach must leave the field and site. In the event of such an occurrence, the referee shall not have the option of whether or not to issue the card.
16. Goals
    • 1st/2nd grade thru 5th/6th grade will measure 6’ x 16’ (inside dimensions).
    • Goals for 7th/8th grade will be 8’ x 24’ (inside dimensions).
    • Goals for all divisions will be equipped with regulation nets and if padded, must be properly padded & secured.
17. Penalty shots
    • 1st/2nd grade thru 5th/6th grade penalty shots will be taken from a distance of 8 yards.
    • 7th/8th grade penalty shots will be taken from a distance of 10 yards.
18. Fifty percent/equal play rule. See Article VII section 32. 
    • The coach must make a good faith effort to keep track of the player’s time to ensure compliance with the “minimum 50%/equal playing rule” each game. It is the responsibility of each school/church to monitor all their teams’ compliance with this rule.
    • Coaches/teams not complying with rule are subject to league sanctions.
    • To report violations of this rule – a written report should be filed with the league office and a copy sent to the offending institutions athletic director. The report should contain as much information as possible so that the athletic director can conduct an investigation into the matter. Violations should be reported within 48 hours of the game. As stated above, the league office will deal with the offending teams athletic director and pastor/principal – a reply will not be made to the team/person who turned in violator.
19. Rescheduled games
    • After school/church has submitted intent to enter league or the deadline to submit the information has passed – games will not be rescheduled except for rare occasions.
    • The league office will determine whether or not a game will be rescheduled.
    • Fines will be assessed for all games rescheduled, even with the league’s approval. Fines will also be assessed for any team who does not show for a game.
    • If for any reason the league office schedules a team on a date that was submitted on the intent to enter league form – that game will be rescheduled at no cost to the teams involved.
20. Inclement weather
    • It is the duty of each institution’s Athletic Director to determine whether or not that institution’s field will be playable on game day. See Constitution and Bylaws, Article VII sections 29-32.
    • At the time a decision is made, it is the responsibility of the Athletic Director to notify the Official’s Coordinator as soon as possible and no later than 1 hour prior to the beginning of the first game on game day.
    • Each coach will be responsible for contacting his/her team.
    • Once it has been determined that the field is playable, it shall be solely the discretion of the designated referee as to whether or not a game shall be played, or, if in progress, halted, due to inclement weather or dangerous playing conditions
21. Referees
    • Grades 5/6 and 7/8 shall have 2 parent volunteers as line judges.
22. Coaches
    • Only 1 coach is allowed to give tactical advice to players and that advice must be given from the coaching area (30 yards either side of center, 1 yard from touchline).
    • No coach may enter the field of play without the referee’s permission (except in the case of an injured player).
23. Spectators
    • The spectator restraint line is parallel to and at least 9 feet from touchline. All spectators, substitutes, and assistant coaches must remain behind this line.
    • No parent, spectator, sibling, assistant coach may coach/watch from touchlines or goal line.
24. Starting Game
    • 1st/2nd grade and 3rd/4th grade: The team LOSING the toss kicks off in quarters 1 and 2. The team WINNING the toss chooses the goal and kicks off quarters 3 and 4.
    • 5th/6th grade and 7th/8th grade: The team LOSING the toss kicks off 1st half. The team WINNING the toss chooses the goal and kicks off 2nd half.
25. Field dimensions and goal width

• • 1st/2nd grade thru 5th/6th grade fields – the absolute minimum width is 94 feet (goal of 16 feet plus penalty areas of 36 feet outside each goal plus three feet between penalty area and touchline). Absent severe space restrictions, the minimum width is 120 feet (40 yards).
  • 1st/2nd grade thru 5th/6th grade, the penalty area is a rectangle 88 feet wide centered on the goal, extending 36 feet into the field.
  • The goal area is a rectangle 40 feet wide centered on the goal, extending 12 feet into the field.
  • The penalty mark is a spot 8 yards from the center of the goal (halfway between penalty area line and goal area line).
  • The penalty arc is drawn outside the top of the penalty area at a radius of 20 feet from the penalty mark.
  • 7th/8th grade fields – the absolute minimum width is 50 yards.
  • The penalty area is a rectangle 132 feet wide centered on the goal, extending 54 feet into the field.
  • The goal area is a rectangle 60 feet wide centered on the goal, extending 18 feet into the field.
  • The penalty mark is a spot 12 yards from the center of the goal (halfway between penalty area line & goal area line).
  • The penalty arc is drawn outside the top of the penalty area at a radius of 30 feet from the penalty mark.
  • Each field shall have a centerline, with a center circle of radius 20 feet for 1st/2nd grade thru 5th/6th grade and center circle of radius 30 feet for 7th/8th grade divisions.

1. Number of players

1. Games Ending in Ties
   • Regular season games that are tied at the end of regulation – will end as a tie. The 5th – 8th grade divisions traditionally have an end of the year tournament upon completion of the regular season. Because a winner must be determined to advance to the next round, the following procedure will be followed:
     • One 5-minute overtime period. If the score is not tied, the one with the larger number of goals will be declared the winner.
     • If the score is still tied at the end of the first 5-minute overtime, the teams will play a second 5-minute overtime. If the score is not tied at the end of the second overtime, the one with the larger number of goals will be declared the winner.
     • If the score is still tied at the end of the second 5-minute overtime, the teams will go into a shoot-out where 5 different players from each team will go one-on-one with the opponent’s goalie. This procedure will be continued until one team has broken the tie.
     • Please note that neither the overtime periods nor the shootouts are not sudden death where the 1st team to score wins. Each overtime period is to be played in full as well as each 5-player shoot-out per team is to be completed.

CROSS COUNTRY RULES

No PAA Cross Country for 2025 Season

PAA teams are encouraged to join MYA for this sport

Teams

• Divisions
  1. Middle School Division (6th – 8th) Course Distance is 2 Miles
  2. Elementary School Division (3rd – 5th) Course Distance is 1 mile
• Teams shall have a minimum of five runners for scoring in team competition
  1. Teams are allowed an unlimited number of runners
  2. Where teams consist of more than 5 runners, only the top five runners will be awarded points toward the team’s
  3. Runners 6 & 7 points will be used in the event of a tied score in the Team Competition
  4. The score of BOTH the 6th & 7th runners from each of the tied teams shall be summed. The lowest of these sums determines the “winner” of the
  5. In the rare case that a tie remains after summing the scores of the 6th & 7th runners, the position of each of the tied teams’ 6th runner shall be compared, the better finish of these determining the “winner” of the
  6. All runners shall be eligible for individual honors
  7. Exception: (junior division)
  8. To be implemented if there are less than four teams having the minimum 5 runners needed to score as a team
  9. Teams with a minimum of 3 runners will be able to score as a team

• Runners shall be outfitted in uniforms, which uniquely identify their sponsoring institution or team.

Meets

• PAA teams will compete in events sponsored by MYA, TMSAA, or elect to host their own event at a designated site sponsored by a PAA host school. When PAA schools are participating in events sponsored by MYA or TMSAA, all rules and policies of the host organization will govern the
• A maximum of 8 meets may be run during the
• When the number of teams in the league exceeds 8, multiple venues may be scheduled so that there are not a large number of teams at one
• Weekly meet schedule of
  1. 1st race Elementary Girls
  2. 2nd race Elementary Boys
  3. 3rd race Middle School Girls
  4. 4th race Middle School Boys
• A race official will be designated for each meet and assigned from the PAA office. This official will have the final say on all
• Each school may serve as host for a scheduled meet, as decided upon by the coaches at the rules meeting. (Host responsibilities may be assumed singly or jointly, when schools agree to share the )
• A championship meet will be held at the conclusion of the season sponsored by
  1. Each team must have at least 5 or more runners that have met the above requirement in order to compete for the team awards at the championship

Meet Scoring:

• Individual

1. 1st place = 1 point
2. 2nd place = 2 points
3. And so on

• Teams – Lowest number of points shall be meet
• Weekly meet scoring has no championship implications
• Championship meet will be scored same as weekly meets
• Tie-Breaker (See Above)

Participant Conduct/Disqualification

• No runner shall be unfairly aided or impeded by another runner, coach, parent, or spectator during the course of a race. Any such action may result in the disqualification of a competitor. The performance of a disqualified runner will not be considered in the results for Individual honors or Team scoring. Actions that are deemed improper include but are not limited to:
  1. Tripping, pushing, shoving, kicking, and blocking deemed by race officials to be deliberate and/or non- incidental, by any runner against another runner, shall result in immediate disqualification of the offender.
  2. Pacing, the accompaniment of a runner by another party in order to aid the competitor in achieving a better performance, is considered unfair aid and it is therefore forbidden. A runner who is paced by anyone NOT competing in the same race is subject to disqualification.6

PAA CHEERLEADER RULES

1. Member institutions shall select cheerleader sponsors and coaches who value their squads, first as church/school representatives for hospitality and sportsmanship and then, secondly, as competitive units.
2. Cheerleaders shall assume their responsibilities to help control crowds as they support their teams. Cheerleaders shall have knowledge of games they lead cheers for and shall always offer positive supportive cheers for their teams. Cheerleaders shall never resort to negative, degrading cheers directed toward opponents of their church/school teams.
3. The number of cheerleaders on a squad is a local decision. However, the organization of cheerleading squads shall not stipulate summer camp attendance or non-sports participation for inclusion in cheerleader programs. Participation in cheerleading must be financially accessible to all interested students.
4. Cheerleading activities shall be conducted within the framework of the association’s philosophy statement, (i.e. no interested student in grade 5 – 8 shall be denied the opportunity to participate on church/school cheerleading squads). However, member institutions may decide to limit local participation to grade 8 only.
5. Cheerleaders and pep squad members in uniform shall be admitted free to all PAA activities for which they will be actively cheering for.
6. It is recommended that cheerleaders in grades 5 – 6 use basic, low-cost uniforms and do not participate in competition versus other squads.
7. Any member institution may offer to host a cheerleading competition. Competition will be limited to one during the course of the school year. Contact the Director’s office if interested.
8. Cheerleader coaches and sponsors shall be responsible for the safety of their squad members. Difficult stunts shall be attempted only after adequate practice consisting of proper instruction and with necessary spotters and padding.
9. Pom-poms are not permitted for use at PAA indoor activities with the exception of the PAA competition.
10. Cheerleaders may not cheer on the playing floor of indoor activities while the ball is in play. Cheerleaders may not jump in bleachers or inhibit the view of spectators.