Bands and Performing Groups at Football Games
The NCAA Football Rules manual outlines the groups subject to the playing rules during contests. TAPPS observes the NCAA playing rules for football with no exception in regards to the actions of performing groups. Persons subject to the rules are defined in the NCAA rules as “…cheerleaders, band members (drumlines), mascots, public-address announcers, audio/video/lighting system operators, and other persons affiliated with the teams or institutions”. This includes those on the sidelines and in the stands.
The NCAA Football Rules state that “Persons subject to the rules, including bands and audio/video/lighting systems operators, shall not create any noise or distraction that prohibits a team from hearing its signals or obstructing play (Rule 1-1-6)”.
The following outline is provided to assist in planning performances and to make sure your performing groups and other auxiliaries are in compliance with the rules. Failure to comply can result in a penalty for the team on the field.
Bands are allowed to play prior to the contest, during pregame, during halftime, post game, during the quarter breaks, and time outs (excluding injury timeouts). Bands may play between plays provided that the music ends when the ball is ready for play. As a rule of thumb, this means when the team breaks the huddle the band must stop playing. If the team does not huddle, and the center is at the line of scrimmage, the bands may not play.
The band may play the school fight song, etc after a touchdown, field goal, extra point, or safety. However, the director must be sure to stop playing when the official blows the ready for play whistle to start the next play.
These rules are in effect during nondistrict, district and post season contests.
Should questions arise, please contact the TAPPS office at 254-947-9268 or info@tapps.biz.