Coaches & Administrators

IHSAA Handbooks & Manuals

Handbooks and manuals are updated annually, and outline IHSAA member school policies and procedures for IHSAA-sanctioned sporting events.

Publications

• 2022-23 IHSAA Handbook
• 2023-25 Junior High Sports Manual
• Student-Athlete Certificates (Protected)
• Hosting Postseason Events
  • No Alcohol / Tobacco 
  • No Drones 
  • No Pets
• Media Policies

Organizational

• Classifications
• Manuals

Sports Eligibility Information

Transfer, open enrollment, foreign exchange, public and non-public, and collegiate eligibility resources.

Eligibility rules and interpretations per IAC 281–36.15.

The “Student Eligibility Checklist” is recommended for completion by member school administrators upon registration of students interested in participating in varsity competition and new to their respective districts.

General

• Student Eligibility Checklist
• Guidance on Scholarship Rule
• Students Open Enrolling Due to Bullying & Harassment
• Eligibility of Students with Learning Disabilities

Foreign Exchange 

• Foreign Exchange Student Participation Form
• Council on Standards for International Educational Travel

Non-Public School Eligibility 

• Assurance of Eligibility of a Student Under Competent Private Instruction (CPI)
• Request for Participation in Extra-Curricular Activities at a Non-Public School via CPI

District Reorganizations & Sharing

• Eligibility in District Reorganization
• Public School Eligibility – District Dissolution, Reorganization, Sharing
• Non-Public School Eligibility – District Dissolution, Reorganization, Mergers
• Cooperative Sharing & Student Participation

College Eligibility

• NJCAA Eligibility Center
• NCAA Eligibility Center
• NCAA Division I
• NCAA Division II
• NCAA Division III
• NAIA Eligibility Center

IHSAA Calendars

Calendars for IHSAA key dates, postseason events, Unified activities, and more.

• ​IHSAA Online Calendar
• Unified Calendar
• Key Dates Calendar
• 2024_2025_Academic Scholarship Rule Starting Dates
• Athletic Director Printable 2021-36

Coach & Administrator Organizations

Professional or sport-specific associations for coaches and administrators. 

Coaches

• IHSBCA (Baseball) 
• IBCA (Basketball) 
• IBC (Bowling) 
• IATC (Cross Country, Track & Field)
• IFCA (Football)
• IAHSSCA (Soccer)
• IHSSCA (Swimming) 
• IWCOA (Wrestling) 

Administrators

• IHSADA (Iowa)
• NIAAA (National) 

General School Guidelines

School staff and parent resources from the Iowa Department of Education, National Federation of State High School Associations, and more.

Iowa Department of Education

• Student Activities Fund FAQs
• Student Participation Fees
• Use of School Transportation
• Use of School Property, Equipment
• Public Employees Gift Law

NFHS

• Legal Perspectives on State Concussion Laws – NFHS
• Disabled Student Participation Information – NFHS, OCR

Weather Information

Prepare for inclement weather with guides and procedures for lightning, tornadoes, severe weather, and more.

Calendars for IHSAA key dates, postseason events, Unified activities, and more.

• Hazardous Weather Guidelines
• Severe Weather Preparedness Guide
• Cold Weather Guidelines
• Tornado Preparedness Tips
• Coaches and Officials Guide on Lightning
• Lightning Safety Tips and Resources
• Lightning Detector/Heat and Humidity Gauge Order Form
• NFHS Guide on Lightning Safety

Critical Incident Planning

In the case of unforeseen circumstances, the Iowa High School Athletic Association member schools have plans and procedures in place to keep students and participants safe at all times.

• Bus Bomb Threat
• Bus Chemical Spill/Attack
• Bus Fire/Explosion
• Bus & Hazardous Weather
• Bus Medical Emergency
• Contact Information
• Crowd Crisis
• Emergency Action Planning
• Event Bomb Threat
• Event Chemical Spill/Attack
• Event Fire/Explosion
• Event Hazardous Weather
• Medical Emergency
• Missing Student/Abduction
• Power Outage
• Violence Prevention Guidelines