1. Protests and the Appeals Process
What can be protested?
How does the process work?
How does a Jury of Appeals function?

2. “I wanna file a PROTEST!!!”

3. NFHS Rule 3, Section 5 “Jury of Appeals” on page 16 will answer all these questions.
… Let’s take a look at our 3 questions and see how the NFHS rule book answers them.

4. What can be protested? Rule 3-5-3 items “a” through “d”
A) Misapplication of the rules which must be filed within 30 minutes after the announcement of event results.

5. What can be protested? Rule 3-5-3 items “a” through “d”
B) Correction of clerical or team scoring errors – which may be corrected up to 48 hours after the end of the meet unless another time period is specified in advance by the games committee or meet director.

6. What can be protested? Rule 3-5-3 items “a” through “d”
C) Correction of meet results involving an ineligible participant which may be made at any time when discovered.

7. What can be protested? Rule 3-5-3 items “a” through “d”
D) Failure to follow a procedure contained in the terms and conditions of competition announced in advance by the games committee or meet director. This would include such items as the time schedule, the number of qualifiers to advance, number of trials, etc.

9. Situations that are not subject to protest … (Rule 3-5-4 items a through c)
A) Any judgment decision pertaining to violations or alleged violations of the rules.
B) A decision made by the finish judges or timers that does not involve misapplication of a rule, or the terms and conditions of competition.
C) Whether a start is fair and legal.

10. Judgement Calls

11. Finish Judges/Timers

12. Legality of the Start

13. The Hierarchy of Appeals
Judge makes a call on basis of rules and judgment
Referee makes final ruling
Coach protests Referee’s ruling
Referee rules on the protest
Coach files an appeal if the protest is denied
Jury of Appeals decides the final outcome

14. How does the process work? NFHS Rule 3-5-2
A coach first protests to the referee. (A written protest with rule references is encouraged at this point). The referee then accepts the protest for correction or denies the protest.

15. “AW COME ON, Ref! You’re missing a good meet here!”

16. How does the process work? NFHS Rule 3-5-2
If the coach still feels that the terms and conditions of competition or the application of the rules have been misapplied or misinterpreted, a written appeal shall be made to the jury. (The written protest can be used for the appeal as well)

17. Helpful hints to Referees when rendering a decision
If at all possible, have your conversation with the coach in a private or semi-private setting.
Be firm, fair, and friendly in dealing with the situation.
Understand the coach’s position, especially if they are in a high pressure situation (a tight score).
Stay cool, calm, collected and be as detailed as you can be in explaining your decision (good evidence sure helps here).
When the coach walks away, while they may be angry/frustrated, you want them to have the feeling that your decision is nothing personal and that you have done your best to make sure they were heard fairly.

18. What if the coach wants to appeal your decision?
Remember, this is nothing personal between you or the coach, so be helpful, courteous, and cooperative in showing them how to file the appeal.
Offer them the use of a Rule Book to look up the rule reference for what rule they think was misapplied or misinterpreted.
Many times when a coach reads the rule and understands it more clearly, they will withdraw the idea of even making an appeal.
HELP to guide them through the process.

19. A suggested Protest Form that also can be used to file a written appeal to the Jury of Appeals.
This sample is in your packet of materials.

20. If there is NO Jury of Appeals appointed for the competition ...
The decision of the Referee is FINAL and without appeal!!

21. The Jury of Appeals

22. The Jury of Appeals
A jury of appeals, if appointed, shall serve as the final board of appeals.
WHO is on the jury should be announced to all.
The jury should consist of “disinterested”, impartial parties who have known integrity, some basic rules knowledge, and the respect of the athletics community.
3 to 5 members at most should serve. A good procedure is to use a panel of 5 to 7 people for a jury of 3 to hear appeals on a rotating basis. That also allows for a jury member to recuse themselves from deliberating any appeal where there might be any possible allegation of conflict of interest.

23. The Jury of Appeals
The referee(s) will explain the situation, the evidence they gathered to make their decision, and the rule basis reason for their ruling.
The referee(s) will then submit the written appeal of the coach to the jury for their consideration.
The referee(s) shall then leave the jury’s presence, but be readily available for any questions they might have.
The jury then deliberates on their own to arrive at their decision.
When they render their decision, it should be communicated to the parties involved in the protest/appeal, the meet director, the scorer, and lastly, the referee(s).

24. The Jury of Appeals
When an appeal goes to the jury, the responsibilities of the referee and other officials have ceased. They have done their jobs.
The final decision is the Jury’s and they are responsible for informing everyone of the outcome of their decision.
No one “keeps score” on whether the referee or the jury was right or wrong. Their decision is final and hopefully they employ wisdom in doing the right thing for the athletes.
Life goes on until the next Track Meet!

25. While no one “enjoys” Protests and Appeals …
It should be an unintimidating, transparent , and fair process.
While many coaches will try to protest judgment calls, don’t just dismiss them out of hand. Have them fill out a protest form alleging a mis-application of the rule where they actually have to look up and read the rule they are referring to. Loan them a book! After reading the rule, it is amazing how many of them withdraw their protest.
For many it is something they do for their kids so that they know that their coach “stuck up for” them.
This is a way to “vent” frustrations, and sometimes just allowing the process helps everyone to go home feeling less frustrated.
Be firm, fair, but also have some sympathy. Whether coach or referee, it’s no fun telling a kid he is DQ’d.

26. OK. Now …