Vision Statement

The Vermont Principals' Association (VPA) is committed to fostering an educational athletics environment that promotes student well-being, skill development, and multi-sport participation while providing clear guidelines for coaches and schools.

Policy Purpose

This policy establishes guidelines for:

• Supporting student-athletes' participation in multiple sports
• Defining appropriate out-of-season contact between coaches and student-athletes
• Ensuring equitable opportunities across all schools
• Establishing clear boundaries and expectations for coaches

Core Definitions

• Out-of-Season Period: Any time outside a sport's official VPA-designated season, excluding summer recess
• Summer Recess: The period between the last day of school and the Sunday before the first fall practice date per the VPA calendar
• Skills and Drills Instruction: Any organized activity focused on sport-specific skill development
• Coach: Any individual designated as a coach for a school's athletic program during the current or upcoming school year
• Voluntary Activity: Athletic activity where participation is entirely optional, with no consequences for non-participation

Year-Round Principles

The following principles apply at all times:

• Multi-sport participation must be actively encouraged and supported
• No activity may ever be mandatory outside the official sport season
• Participation or non-participation in out-of-season activities shall never impact team selection, playing time, or standing
• No coach may pressure or incentivize sport specialization
• In-season sports always take priority over out-of-season activities

School-Year Out-of-Season Guidelines

During the academic year (outside summer recess), coaches may:

• Provide voluntary skills and drills instruction to students enrolled at their school if:
  • Activities are open to all eligible students
  • No school uniforms, logos, or branding are used
  • No school transportation is provided
  • No formal rosters are maintained
  • Activities are approved by the Athletic Director
  • For contact sports: no contact drills or scrimmages are permitted
• Operate open gyms that are:
  • Unstructured and genuinely open to all

Summer Recess Guidelines

During summer recess:

• Coaching restrictions are lifted, allowing for organized team activities
• All activities must remain strictly voluntary
• Participation shall not influence team selection or playing time during the regular season

Club, Youth, and Non-School Program Guidelines

School coaches may coach in non-school programs (AAU, club, recreation) provided:

• These programs operate independently of the school
• No school resources, branding, or transportation are used. Use of facilities permitted at school’s discretion.
• Participation remains entirely voluntary
• Coaches clearly communicate that these programs are not school-affiliated
• Coaches do not discourage athletes' participation in other sports or activities

Prohibited Practices

• The following practices are explicitly prohibited:
• Using out-of-season participation as a factor in team selection or playing time
• Excluding athletes based on skill demonstrated in out-of-season activities
• Making statements implying athletes should prioritize one sport over another
• Creating consequences for non-participation in out-of-season activities
• Scheduling out-of-season activities that conflict with in-season sports

Accountability System

To ensure compliance:

• Each school must submit an annual Assurance Form signed by both the Principal and Athletic Director
• Athletic Directors are responsible for approving and monitoring all out-of-season activities
• Schools may implement additional guidelines that align with this policy
• Egregious or repeated violations will be reviewed by the VPA Activity Standards Committee

Local Authority

Schools maintain the authority to:

• Implement stricter guidelines than outlined in this policy
• Determine appropriate facilities usage and scheduling
• Address concerns regarding coach conduct or program priorities

This policy supersedes all previous VPA out-of-season coaching guidelines and takes effect immediately upon adoption.