Pre-Participation Physical Form Required for Athletics, Sideline Cheer and Dance

According to MSHSAA By-Laws 3.8.1 and 4.5.6, schools shall require every student participating in spirit activities (sideline cheer and dance teams) and athletics to present a pre-participation physical form stating that he or she is physicall able to participate in the first school conditioning practice.  These By-Laws do not allow for any exceptions to this requirement.

The MSHSAA Pre-Participation Physical form, or something similar, is to be completed prior to the first practice session and should be readily available during all practices and events.  It is suggested that schools make copies of the pre-participation form for all participants in these activities and have the forms on file in the school's central office in case the original forms are lost during a practice or an out-of-town event.  This will serve as a back-up for school personnel and prevent having the participants and physicians complete the form again.

It should be noted that any school physical issued on or after February 1, 2016, is valid for the 2016-17 school year.

By-Laws 4.5.6 includes tryouts as a recognized event for sideline cheer and dance teams.  School administrators and event sponsors should be certain all students involved in tryouts provide a pre-participation physical form stating the individual is physically able to participate in spirit (sideline cheer or dance) activities as required prior to participating in any activities in preparation for tryouts.