Page 324 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020

No. This would not be a violation because the coach is a paid supervisor of the open gym setting. However, the coach
may not be involved in direction or actively coaching during this open gym setting otherwise, this will count as practice time
towards the eight-hours permitted per week during the off season.

Scrimmages
Case 1
Outside Competition

Any athletic contact either by a team or an individual representing an NJCAA member college must either be categorized
as an official contest or a scrimmage. It is impossible to have athletic contact with another team or individual who is not enrolled
at your institution without it being either an official contest or a scrimmage.
Case 2
Scrimmage Dates are Required to be Posted on the Official Schedule
SITUATION:
Is it mandatory to post scrimmages to the regular schedule?
ANSWER:
Yes. All scrimmages must be included and designated as such on the official schedule as published by the intercollegiate
department. The official schedule is interpreted as the college’s website as well as the NJCAA website for the member college.

Case 3
First Scrimmage Date

SITUATION:
When can the first scrimmage occur for a sport?
ANSWER:
As per the NJCAA Sport Procedures, the first scrimmage may occur as per the “start date” listed in the NJCAA Sport
Procedures for that sport.

Case 4
Classifying Scrimmages
SITUATION:
There is an early season “competition” between the soccer programs at Community College A and Community College B.
Can Community College A call the competition a scrimmage and Community College B call the same competition a regular
season game?
ANSWER:
No. Both colleges must classify the competition in the same manner – scrimmage or regular season competition. This
should be agreed to by both colleges prior to the start of the competition.

Case 5
Ineligible Student-Athlete Participating in Scrimmages
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R, currently enrolled in 12-credit hours as a freshman at Community College A, has not graduated from
high school nor has he passed his GED. Would the student-athlete be eligible to compete in a basketball scrimmage scheduled
in the last week of October?
ANSWER:
Yes. Student-Athlete R may compete in the scrimmage; however, he/she will not be eligible for regular season play until
official documentation of the passing of the GED. Also, the student-athlete must have a valid physical on file in order to
participate in a scrimmage.
NOTE: The NCAA could deem participation in a scrimmage as a year of eligibility.

Case 6
Scrimmages – Participation Requirements
SITUATION:
Student-athletes are required to have physicals on file and must be enrolled at the college in order to practice at the
college. Are these the same requirements necessary for student-athletes to participate in scrimmages?
ANSWER:
Yes. Student-Athletes must be enrolled at the college and must have valid physicals on file in order to practice, compete
and scrimmage with a member NJCAA college.

Case 7
Scrimmages Against Non-Member Colleges/Teams
SITUATION:
Community College A begins basketball practice on October 1. A local NAIA college team would like to join Community
College A once a week for a combined practice. Would this activity constitute a scrimmage date for Community College A?
ANSWER:
Yes. Participation versus any outside and or organized program would qualify as a scrimmage date even if the participation
is strictly practice oriented.