7/22/2022

Regular Season

The participation of bands at a school football contest is an exciting aspect of the event.  The band contributes to the event by increasing the level of excitement to the contest.  In order to maintain a proper perspective and to insure equity in competition for the participatings teams, certain guidelines indicating when to play must be followed.   Band directors are reminded that as a courtesy to the teams and sideline cheerleaders, the performances by the band should be limited to a certain schedule.  The guidelines listed below include an appropriate playing schedule for the band.

The band may play:

  • before the contest begins;
  • during the contest, up until the center touches the ball or the kicker strikes the ball on a free kick;
  • during time-outs; except injury time-outs;
  • between quarters;
  • at halftime of the contest;
  • at the end of the contest;

Any band that plays or continues to produce sound on instruments can be considered an 'unfair act' under NFHS Football Rule 9-9-1 and could result in a 15-yard penalty being assessed to the head football coach of the offending school for unsportsmanlike conduct.

When band wants to warm-up prior to half-time, director should arrange this so that it is done in an area that is not a distraction to the contest.  NOTE:  No whistles may be used while the game is in progress.

Halftime is 15 mintues in length unless the host school determines otherwise.  The band may take the field as soon as the teams have cleared the field.  The band should be off the field when there is 3-minutes remaining on the clock.  The host school should notify the opposing school administration if halftime is being extended past 15 minutes.  The football teams should not enter the field until the band is finished and off the field.

Because the band acts as a spirit group, members should always act in a positive manner and must not do anything to distract or negatively affect the opposing team.  It is the director's responsibility to prevent his/her band from playing at inapprorpiate times, playing inappropriate music, or taunting the opposing team and/or contest officials.  The band must display courtesy and respect toward the players, cheerleaders, and fans.  To do anything else is not only a distraction from the contest but also reflects negatively on the band, the director and the school.  Support your school and team in a positive manner.

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MSHSAA Playoff Contests

Half-time intermission shall be limited to a maximum of 15 minutes (12 minutes max for one band) plus the 3 minute warm-up prior to the start of the second half (20 minutes if both bands are performing; 7 minutes each band).

Option 1 - One Band Performing:  The band performance shall be limited to a maximum of 12 minutes at half-time including marching onto the field, performing and marching off the field.  The band director shall consult the game manager concerning arrangement for half-time and pre-game activities.  A schools' dance team may perform during the 12 minute allotted the school.

Option 2 - Two Bands Performing:  Each band performance shall be limited to a maximum of 7 minutes at half-time including marching onto the field, performing and marching off the field.  The band director shall consult the game manager concerning arrangements for half-time and pre-game activities.  A schools' dance team may perform during the 7 minutes allotted each school.

Schools will be expected to follow the information in 'Guidelines for Band during Regular Season Football Contest' regarding when to play during the contest.

NOTE:  Contact should be made with the host school if a pep band is coming to perform at any MSHSAA playoff game.  This will avoid confusion and performance issues at the site.