Tennessee High School rule on participation during High School sports season
Independent-Game Participation
Section 21. Once a student's name is listed on the school eligibility report, if a student participates in an
independent game in that sport before the season has closed or his/her name has been removed from the
eligibility report at the request of the school principal, the student shall be ineligible as explained below.
Any organized game in which players not registered with TSSAA participate – regardless of whether admission is
charged - is considered as an independent game. Violation of this rule will render the student ineligible for 25% of
the number of contests allowed in that sport by the sports calendar or for the remainder of the season in that
sport, whichever number is the least. Violation of this rule a second time in the same sport in the same season will
render the student ineligible in that sport for the remainder of the season.
A student's name may be removed from the school's eligibility list upon written request of the principal. After such
a request has been filed with the state office, a student may then participate as an independent without penalty. If
a principal requests the state office to remove a student's name from the school's eligibility list, such student may
not again be certified during the season of that sport.
This rule does not apply to bowling, golf, and tennis.
Q. May a player participate in a scrimmage, practice game or game with an independent team after being
registered with TSSAA in that sport?
A. No. The student shall be ineligible immediately in the sport in which the violation occurs.