Rules for Pep Band at basketball games

[sidelines08]

I have heard two different stories as far as the rules for pep band at basketball games.

1. The students can't play their instruments while the ball is in play (time outs and between quarters is ok).

and

2. The students can't play their instruments at all during the game...only in before game and during half-time.

I know during football it was silence after the snap, but how is it supposed to work for bball? Back when I was in school the band and cheerleaders shared, but now it almost seems like the band should just stay home and let the sports bench use a CD player (like some schools do even when there is a pep band present).

Can someone please tell me what the "Official" rules are?

[route93]

I go to basketball games regularly and the pep band plays before and after the game, at halftime, and during timeouts. They've never been pentalized for playing during timeouts so I guess it's ok.

[sidelines08]

that's what I thought, but I'd heard that we weren't allowed to play so I thought I'd better check.

[whs11]

Pep bands are allowed to play before the game, during time-outs, at half-time, and at the end of the game.......basically anytime the ball isn't in play. However, time must be shared with the cheerleaders so some coordination of effort is needed.

[route93]

After last night, I'm confused. I was at the Valley - Oak Hill girls game and the pep band did a drum thing after every Oak Hill score and they beat along with the crowd cheering "Defense - (Boom Boom) - Defense - (Boom Boom)" while the ball was in play.

[whs11]

It's up to the game officials to enforce the rules. The drum beats are a "gray area" that, going by the letter of the rule shouldn't be allowed but are often overlooked by game officials.

[route93]

True.

Nothing against the bands, in fact I played all four years at my high school playing drums in pep band but rules are rules and they should be enforced. As I mentioned the Valley at Oak Hill game, a fan brought in and blew a whistle during play. That caused an quite an interruption during the game and the annpuncer asked them to stop. I don't think the drum thing is any different.

[sidelines08]

So it will be ok to use the drums...WITH the cheerleaders...when they lead chants to rally the crowd during time-outs and between the quarters. The band could even lead a few cheers if the timing was right

I had heard that the band couldn't play at all during the game...I am glad to hear that this was not true. If it was the case there wouldn't be any reason for the band to stick around once the Varsity game begins since half-time usually gets filled up with announcements.

[madpolecat]

I can imagine that at some schools where cheerleading is a really big deal, the presence of a pep band would almost be unwelcome because then they might lose their captive audience during time-outs and halftime.

[seofan_via_dublin]

My senior year at River Valley, we had a home game against Chesepeake for the season
finale. The pep band sat directly behind the visitors bench, on the stage opposite
of the crowd. For clarification, this is back when River Valley had a competition marching band
that played very well, and had 35-40 members of the pep band.

Chesepeake came into that game at 19-0. They left that game 19-1.

Now, I'm not about to take anything away from any of the players that won that game,
they played great all night. I did enjoy the frustration on Norm Person's face that night,
as he looked back to the band after every time out though.

[sidelines08]

The SG band played at the game on Tuesday night and we had a good time. The band is very young, and scheduling is a challenge, but we had a good time and the kids had a chance to grow. We are a very young group and I am proud the band because they have so much school spirit and they want to be a part of the sporting activities.

And again...I want to thank everyone for helping to clarify the rules for BB season!

[madpolecat]

I have said it before...

Bringing band back to SG was a great thing.

Didn't SG have an alumnus march with the Marching Thunder at Marshall a few years ago?

[sidelines08]

I know that many people in this area used to play and we welcome alumni to join us in the pep band. So many of the kids are young and it is sometimes limiting to help them all by myself. I welcome all the alumni support that we can get since we only have a few high school kids trying to lead the group.

We may even have a few music majors from MU coming to visit during some of the remaining games to help the kids experience the fun of a full band(we have very little low brass). This is also going to allow me to work with the drum-line since most of these kids are in junior high and full rehearsals are somewhat scarce.

The next three games will be a lot of fun and please e-mail me if you would like music so that you can sit in and help us re-build the rebel music program. We have a lot of great kids in the program and they love to cheer for their rebels....I'm looking forward to working with the kids as we continue to grow!

[boogerred]

I know that many people in this area used to play and we welcome alumni to join us in the pep band. So many of the kids are young and it is sometimes limiting to help them all by myself. I welcome all the alumni support that we can get since we only have a few high school kids trying to lead the group.

We may even have a few music majors from MU coming to visit during some of the remaining games to help the kids experience the fun of a full band(we have very little low brass). This is also going to allow me to work with the drum-line since most of these kids are in junior high and full rehearsals are somewhat scarce.

The next three games will be a lot of fun and please e-mail me if you would like music so that you can sit in and help us re-build the rebel music program. We have a lot of great kids in the program and they love to cheer for their rebels....I'm looking forward to working with the kids as we continue to grow!

That's more from Marshall than have ever come to see ANY athlete!

[sidelines08]

There will only be about 10 MU members, but it's going to be a great opportunity for the kids in band and it's going to make for an exciting Pep Band Squad!

[sidelines08]

Since the game was cancelled due to weather we will be taking another stab at Pep Band for tomorrow nights ball game (2/6). We have several music majors from MU coming down to support the Rebel Pep Band and sit in with the band for the game. Since so many of our band members are very young, this will be a great opportunity for them to enjoy a full pep band squad.

Any and all alumni are welcome to bring your instruments and help us rebuild the band program. We have a lot of great kids that work hard so tomorrow night's full band will be a great opportunity for the students and it should make for a electric atmosphere for the game.

The Marching Thunder band members are ready to become Rebel Fans and are looking forward to the game. I hope that everyone enjoys the game!

[bettis]

As for the rules of playing you need to check with your Athletic Director or Principal to see what is correct. You do not want to cost your team a technical.

[sidelines08]

I have checked with many people, and the actual rule on this is that we are not allowed to use our instruments while the ball is in play. This is the same rule that is in effect during football season and it is up to the director to make sure that the band's song selection doesn't run into game-time. We can play before the game, during time outs, between quarters & overtime, and after the game is complete.

At the game on Feb 6th the coached asked us not to play since we had such a big band sitting right behind his bench. I did not want to argue the rule because I didn't want to cause any trouble..especially in front of our guests from MU.

I received the rules directly from the athletic board during football season and I have received verification that this same rule applies for basketball. We have to be careful and stop playing before the offical hands the players the ball.....but we ARE allowed to play as long as the ball is not in play.