Rule changes affecting student-athlete transfers and summer football practices were approved Monday by the Minnesota State High School League's Representative Assembly.
Student-athletes who transfer will be ineligible for varsity competition for 15 calendar days, during which time they can determine whether the move is a good fit. If not, they can return to their previous school without losing a year of eligibility. The 15-day trial run can be used once per calendar year.
Minnesota's rules on summer football practices will no longer be the nation's most liberal after restrictions were made on physical contact. During June and July, teams may run a maximum of six contact practices. Other rules call for a three-day acclimatization period before contact, and a 2½-hour limit on practice time.
The Representative Assembly voted 40-6 in favor of the summer football practice rules.
The group voted against a 14-day heat acclimatization period for football practices leading into the season.
Five other amendments to the league's governing bylaws passed unanimously. They dealt with issues related to amateur status, expansion of the prohibited use of chemicals to include e-cigarettes and other substances, non-school competition, team penalties for an ineligible student, and player limits for daily/season participation.
In other rule changes, member schools can no longer play non-member teams, such as the Shattuck-St. Mary's in boys' and girls' hockey, and daily limits on game action for football players will be applied.
All approved amendments go into effect Aug. 1.
