Team & Spectator Conduct Rules

The following rules apply to all Region and State events.  All member schools, conferences, etc. are encouraged to adopt these rules for all regular season contests.

• No flash photography
• Conduct of Spectators, Coaches, and Players
  • There must be sufficient planning by the tournament manager and by all participating schools which have qualified for the tournament, relative to appropriate crowd control during the duration of the event.
  • All participating schools will be expected to emphasize the necessity for proper crowd behavior. Administrators from member schools are expected to position themselves near their student cheering section whenever their team is playing.
  • Coaches will be expected, at all times, to display the type of conduct which contributes good sportsmanship and which does not incite the spectators in attendance.
  • Coaches will be expected to impress upon their athletes the importance of displaying good sportsmanship at all times, including players on the court, substitutes sitting on the bench, or following the conclusion of a game.
  • Administrators will be expected to impress upon their coaches the importance of displaying good sportsmanship at all times.
  • All fans will be expected to remain off the playing area until after the awarding of medals and trophies. NEW 2026 – Any fans who enter the playing area prior to the awarding of medals and trophies will be removed from the facility immediately. Any physical altercations between fans and players will be referred to security/law enforcement. No awards or trophies will be handed out until the floor is cleared. Fans will be allowed on to the playing floor following the presentation of all awards in facilities where this is allowed. Enforcement of this policy is the responsibility of each school’s administration at the event. The Board reserves the right to issue penalties to any school who blatantly disregards this policy. NOTE: This policy is applicable to football, volleyball, and basketball, soccer, and softball. No fans are allowed on the field at the football championships at any time per facility rules. In basketball, volleyball, soccer, and softball, fans are only allowed on the playing surface after the championship contest awards and only in facilities that allow it.
• Equipment and Facilities
  • Removal of the nets following the championship game will be under the direction and supervision of the tournament manager.
  • The breaking of a backboard will become the financial liability of the school whose student(s) caused the damage.
  • Vandalism to locker room facilities, motel rooms, etc. shall be the responsibility of the member school whose player/team was responsible for the damage.
• No Banners, Signs, Noisemakers, or pom poms
  • Temporary banners and signs of all kinds are prohibited except those displayed by the SDHSAA, the Association’s corporate partners, the tournament band, the arena, the tournament manager, and licensed radio and television stations. Cheer cards displayed by cheerleaders are permissible.
  • All types of noisemakers are prohibited. This includes plastic hand shakers, thunder sticks, as well as all sorts of projectiles.
  • Pom poms, paper confetti, and silly string are prohibited.
  • Balloons are prohibited.
  • Megaphones are prohibited except when used by a cheerleader.
  • Musical instruments are prohibited except when the band is performing.
  • Stereo tape decks and related radio equipment are prohibited during official tournament play. Host management may provide music that may be played during warm-ups, quarter/halftime breaks, or breaks in the action such as dead balls, etc.
• Hoops, Mini-Trampolines, and Tunnels
  • The use of “break-through” hoops, mini-trampolines, rebounding devices, and related pieces of equipment is prohibited.
  • Human tunnels created by student and/or adult fans are prohibited.
• Pennants, foam fingers, homer hankies, etc. are permitted. 
• Laser pointers are prohibited. If used, the laser pointers shall be confiscated.
• Re-Entry
  • As per local venue policy, individuals wishing to leave the venue during a session will receive a hand stamp/accommodation pass for re-admittance to the venue for that session only.
• Smoking is not allowed inside the venue.
  • As per local venue policy, adult smokers will be given a hand stamp/accommodation pass for re-admittance to the venue for that session only.
• Management will designate each participating team’s section of the bleachers. 
• Students are asked not to stand on the seats. Students may stand in the foot wells in the student section.
• Jumping up and down in unison is prohibited. 
• Adult cheerleaders are not permitted in the student cheering sections. However, adults will be permitted to sit in the student section if space allows.
• Cheerleaders, spirit, or yell leaders will be allowed, provided they are so designated by their school and appear in a school-approved uniform.
• All fans must wear shirts. Body paint is not allowed for either students or adults. Face paint is allowed.
• Face masks are prohibited. NOTE: Masks to prevent infectious disease are allowed.
• Gambling and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.