rules and regulations

The Rules and Regulations established by ESHSL, Inc. are designed to guarantee that games are played and conducted with integrity and fairness. All players, team managers, schools, and owners must follow these rules and regulations to provide a competitive environment free from discrimination or harassment.
ESHSL, Inc. will be responsible for organizing and managing the League as well as implementing the official rules of the League.
1. Code of Conduct
1. Public behavior
1. All team members and owners must display the highest standards of personal integrity and good sportsmanship and act in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the League. These standards also apply to interactions with other competitors, league officials, members of the League Office, the media, sponsors, fans, and students.
2. There will be zero tolerance for violence, threats, or intimidation (physical or nonphysical). Violence is forbidden at any time or place or against anyone, including competitors, fans, referees, and officials.
3. Players, league members, and league officials shall behave in a professional and sportsmanlike way. This includes that players and team managers are punctual and ready to compete in all games, matches, and tournaments in the league schedule.
4. The League does not discriminate. It is a place for players from different cultures and backgrounds to come together to compete and share their passion for ESHSL. The League encourages and supports a diverse and inclusive community.
2. Insults and offensive behavior
1. There may be no use of offensive or indecent behavior in tags, player handles, game chat, live play communications, interviews, or other public-facing communications of any kind. These rules apply to English and all other languages and include abbreviations or vague references.
2. Player Eligibility Requirements
1. Age. All players must be at least eighteen years old on or before November 1, 2022, to be eligible to compete in the ESHSL 2022-2023 season. If a player is under eighteen at the date of the Player Agreement, a legal guardian must sign on the player’s behalf, and the player must then sign the Player Agreement after turning eighteen. The League reserves the right to alter this condition to reflect national and international standards applicable to players competing in U.S. and international events.
2. Acceptance of Official Rules. All players must accept the Official Rules and remain in compliance with the Official Rules.
3. Player Agreement. Each player must sign a Player Agreement with their team, which the ESHSL has approved prior to the competition. Furthermore, players must agree to abide by and follow ESHSL rules and regulations.
4. Ineligible Players. A player whose Player Agreement has been terminated will not be allowed to compete in any ESHSL competitions or until the ESHSL has determined otherwise.
5. Maintaining Eligibility. Maintaining the eligibility to compete in the ESHSL requires participants to follow the rules and regulations established by the League. In addition, a player must be in good standing with the team they are a participant and remain in compliance with the Player Agreement.
6. Uniforms
1. All participating players in events must wear official team uniforms.
2. Uniforms shall include the player name (or nickname) on the back.
3. Schools are free to choose the uniform’s design, colors, and shapes.
4. Brand exposure to team sponsors is allowed, as long as such sponsors are permitted according to the Esports.
5. The uniforms will also include the ESHSL logo. The League will determine the position and size.
6. Uniforms should not have any offensive messages or graphics.
3. Ongoing Education
1. Purpose. The League has created the League to help further educational opportunities for students interested in continuing and obtaining a higher education.
2. Attendance. The ESHSL requires that all esport athletes attend the mandatory hours needed for semester courses.
3. Grades. The ESHSL requires students to hold grades classified as in Good Standing.
4. Each ESHSL player must have only one account to play. If a player can not access their account for any reason, the player can create a new account. If a new account is created, players must write to the gaming administration informing and explaining why they can no longer access the original account.
5. The ESHSL administration forbids teams from partnering or obtaining sponsorship from partners or sponsors known for pornography, drug use, or other adult mature themes or products.
6. League Format and Schedule
1. League Conferences and Divisions
1. Breakdown of divisions —> review CC directory.
2. Match Structure
3. Game Setting
4. Equipment Rules. The League is prepared to provide the following hardware to each player:
1. Gaming PC
2. Monitor
3. Headset with microphone
4. Esport pod
5. Chair
6. Modem
5. Gaming Administration. If a player commits any inappropriate act in or out of an event, the gaming administration may take disciplinary actions against the player, including cautions, warnings, forfeits, or expulsion. The gaming administration can arrange corrective measures if additional measures are necessary.
6. Promotional Activities and Events.
7. Team Composition
1. Minimum Player Requirement. Teams must have a minimum of XXxxxx registered players on their roster. Teams that cannot meet these requirements may seek approval from the gaming administration prior to the start of the season.
2. Pre-Match Roster Submission. Team rosters must be submitted no later than XXXxxxx before the Esport season starts. Late submissions will not be considered.
3. Substitutions. Teams are allowed additional substitutes for games and matches. These substitutions must be submitted for approval prior to the date the player is meant to substitute. In addition, substitutes must also sign a Player Agreement provided by the ESHSL.
8. Transfer Window.
1. The Transfer Window is the time that teams can make trades involving teams or sign new players. The Transfer Window is the only time teams can make these changes during the season.
2. The Transfer Window is open from XXXXxxxx to XXXxxxx.
7. Cheat and Game Integrity
1. The League will not tolerate any form of cheating by any player, team manager, or owner. All are prohibited from influencing or manipulating any game or match. Examples of cheating or behavior impacting game integrity include:
1. Collusion, matching fixing or any other action to alter the results of the game, match or tournament.
2. Attempts to interfere with another player’s connection to the game service.
3. Allowing an individual not registered to use the game service or esport pod to play in a game is registered to someone else.
4. Bot use, spot timing (e.g., not throwing the game, just timing a shot so bettors win), wintrading, drophacking, queue sniping and soft play on the ladder, ghosting (i.e. A game spectator illegally provides information about a match, and receives leaked footage and/or confidential information of another team.
5. Misuse or hacking of game servers.
6. Violent or threatening behavior in any game of the league setting.
7. Possession of a weapon at a league or team facility or any other league setting.
8. Inappropriate use of league equipment.
9. Any other actions that threaten to undermine the integrity of the League and its teams.
2. Other unauthorized offenses
1. Gambling
2. Match-Fixing Sanctions
3. Doping. ESHSL, Inc. prohibits any kind of doping.
8. Illegal and/or Detrimental Conduct
1. Players, team managers, and owners are required to comply with applicable laws and may not engage in any activity or practice that brings him or her into public scandal or ridicule or that derogates from his or her public image, which could reflect badly on the ESHSL. A list of such types of conduct include:
1. Actual or threatened violence toward a person.
2. Sexual assault and other types of sexual offenses.
3. Illegal possession of a weapon.
4. Possession, use or distribution of a performance-enhancing substance.
5. Animal cruelty.
6. Theft and other property crimes.
7. Crimes involving dishonesty.
9. Anti-Harassment
1. The League is committed to providing a competitive environment that is free of harassment and discrimination.
2. Players, team members, team managers and owners are prohibited from engaging in any sort of harassment or discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other class or characteristics.