JV & varsity same night? At all? How often?

Question
How many games can a high school student play each night/week.
For instance, a Jr. Varisty players plays 3 games as a JV Player and will sub for a Varisty team. How many games would she be able to play?

Answer
Good afternoon and welcome to allexperts.com.   

I'm not going to be able to answer your question.  Reason:  I don't know the state, county, conference, etc. your child plays in.   The answer to your question always varies from state to state.  Most often, the answer varies within the state.   

For example, in Virginia a public school girl cannot play in both JV and varsity in a single night.  Yet, in some of the private schools, a girl may play in both; but, she is limited to 5 total sets.  Wow.  Then, those same private schools will allow a girl to play in as many middle school games and varsity games on the same night as she wishes.  Yes, I'm serious, I said middle and varsity!  I know of a school last year that did exactly that.... b/c there was no rule against it in their conference, region or state.  Huh.  

If you are a mom, your school's AD should know the answer.  When you get that answer, you may want to ask, "Is this a school rule, a conference rule, or a state rule?"

Warning:  I have known school administrators will tell people whatever they want to hear so that they will leave the office.  For example, I used to be told, "Eleventh graders cannot play JV."  I accepted that for about 10 years.  Then I discovered it was my administrations preference. Not a rule.  Same with being at school "half the day or you can't play". That was a school tradition.  It was not a rule.   

If you feel you're getting the "please get out of my office" treatment, then ask another AD in the same conference.  Then ask him the same follow up question.  The principals at the schools may know, or may not.  But the AD's should.    

If you're still skeptical, ask to see the school/conference/state rules.  Each AD and principal should have a copy.  The issue that you're concerned about should be addressed in black & white within those pages.  If not, I'd ask the person, "Why did you say there was a limit?  There's no limit stated in the rules that I've read."  

My advice:  Double check the answer you get with someone who is equally knowledgeable, yet not aware that you've asked anyone else.  

I'm sorry that I can't be of more help.
But I hope that you visit me at www.coachhouser.com! I think you will love the smiling faces!  
If I can ever help you again, please contact me here or at [email protected].   

Tom Houser  
Roanoke, Va