Athletic Placement Process

 

There is great diversity among student athletes throughout New York State. The Athletic Placement Process was implemented to assess a student’s physical and emotional maturation, physical fitness, and sportskill, so that a student may be placed at a level of competition that should result in increased opportunity, a fairer competitive environment, minimized risk, and greater personal satisfaction. The APP is to be used only when an individual athlete’s athletic skills warrant moving to the commencement or intermediate sport competition level. Students do not mature at the same rate, and there can be tremendous developmental differences between students of the same age. The APP is not to be used to fill positions on teams, provide additional experience, or to reward a student. Instead, it is aimed at the few, select students who can benefit from such placement because of their level of readiness.

Athletic Placement Process Procedure

1. Sign up for a modified sport at the middle school

2. When you turn in your consent form, please inform the middle school nurse’s office that you are interested in trying out for a High School sport

3. Turn in the Parental Consent form to the Athletic Office 

4. Ask a current Lancaster Modified, JV or Varsity Coach Head Coach to fill out the recommendation form

5. The School's Medical Director will determine if the student athlete is physical mature enough to play at a higher level

6. NYS Physical Performance Test - administered by the Physical Education Staff 

7. Try Out Process

If your child successfully meets the requirements of the APP, he/she will be allowed to try out for competitive high school athletics during 7th and/or 8th grade(s), Under normal circumstances, a student is eligible for senior high school athletic competition in a sport for only four consecutive seasons, beginning with the student’s entry into the ninth grade. However, by meeting the Athletic Placement Process requirements established by NYSED, your child’s eligibility can be extended to permit: 

a) participation during five consecutive seasons in the approved sport after entry into the eighth grade;

 or

 b) participation during six consecutive seasons in the approved sport after entry into the seventh grade.

It is important for you and your child to understand that, once the requirements are met and if he/she is accepted as a member of the team, he/she cannot return to a lower-level team (modified) in that sport in that season. Remember, at the higher level of play your child will be exposed to the social atmosphere that is common among older students in a high school environment. Therefore, it is important to take into account your child’s ability to handle the additional demands. Please feel free to contact me regarding this program or to discuss any aspect of your child’s athletic placement.