April – August:
REGISTRATION
for Pennsylvania League teams happens in April. At this time anyone who intends to coach a team should register with the League so that they are covered under our insurance. League teams are limited to the number of weeks they can have pre-season practice. In addition, teams are not insured outside of these limits.
Below is NICA’s official rules about the season:
TEAM TRAINING LIMITS
NICA has strict training limits for NICA League Teams and NICA Indie Clubs. These limits protect student-athletes and create a supportive environment, as well as reduce exposure to physical risk and burnout. While NICA is 100% committed to supporting its students and coaches who suffer injuries, insurance coverage applies only to the allowable activities described below. League teams and clubs are limited to the number of weeks during which they can participate in, and conduct the allowable activities described below. Insurance coverage is not provided for any activities outside of these time limits.
Each year is divided into a pre-season, a regular season, and an off- season.
Unless otherwise specified for a particular league, Fall Leagues are leagues with races in the fall, and Spring Leagues have races in the spring.
PRESEASON • Start Date. Teams and clubs can commence limited preseason team activities on the following dates: Fall Leagues April 1 Spring Leagues October 15
• Allowable Activities. The team, club, and coaches must be registered with NICA to participate in, and conduct activities. Only the following pre-season activities are permitted and must be pre-approved by the league director (approval form attached below):
1. Bike checks, equipment inspections, and bike fit;
2. Mechanical workshops;
3. All-inclusive fun rides; and
4. Skills clinics
• Activities Limit.
The maximum number of pre-season activities is: Fall Leagues 6 Spring Leagues 6 Idaho* 8 *Due to unpredictable inclement weather conditions in mountain and high desert regions.
2019 Rules & Guidelines 73
Appendix B — Team Training Limits
REGULAR SEASON
• Start Date. Regular training, to include up to four practices per week, may commence on the following dates: Fall Leagues Spring Leagues Tennessee July 1 December 1 Monday of the Week after the Week of July 4*
• Racing Limits. Teams and clubs may participate in races only during the regular season.
• End of Season. No team or club rides, or any other training activities, may take place following the 14th consecutive day after the final League race of the season. Special post-season activities and rides after this two-week period may be approved and allowed by the league director (use the approval form below). *The two-week period including the week prior to the week of July 4 and the week of July 4 is defined as the Summer Dead Period under the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Handbook, during which no regular season or pre-season or activities may take place, and is part of the Tennessee League’s off-season.
OFF-SEASON
The off-season is defined as periods not within the applicable pre- season and regular season periods. Organized team rides and races are strictly prohibited during the off-season. The following activities during the off-season will jeopardize a team or club’s eligibility:
1. A league team racing under the school name;
2. Using the school jersey at races as a team;
3. Having practices that meet on school grounds;
4. Having regular meetings at school that organize activity for off-season training and racing;
5. Using any league team property without a letter of permission from school administration; and
6. Using the same league team website as an outlet for organizing off-season practices or racing.
2019 Rules & Guidelines
Appendix B
— Team Training Limits NICA respects off-season non-league related racing activities. However, all off-season coaching activity must be done under a separately organized, insured, and named team. Teams found to be racing as a high school team during the off-season will be ineligible to compete in League races the following season.