Return To Interscholastic Athletics

In response to questions and concerns expressed by member schools, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, has released a overview/ guild line on how schools may consider returning to interscholastic athletics.

As NYSPHSAA and its 11 member sections continue to gather information pertaining to the COVID-19 virus and receive continued feedback the contents of this document may be revised. NYSPHSAA is committed to maximizing the interscholastic athletic opportunities for students across the state. Furthermore, NYSPHSAA will remain flexible in considering that certain sports may be impacted differently, and play may need to be modified at some point during the season.

In accordance with NYSDOH guidance (Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Sports and Recreation), the ability to participate in sports and recreation ac

tivities is determined by a combination of the risk for COVID-19 transmission (1) inherent in the sport or recreation activity itself and (2) associated with the “type of play” (e.g. individual practice vs. game). Sports and recreation activities are categorized by NYSDOH as “low” risk, “moderate” risk, and “high” risk.

Low Risk

Lower risk sports and recreation activities are characterized by:

Greatest ability to maintain physical distance and/ or be performed individually;

Greatest ability to (1) avoid touching of shared equipment, (2) clean and disinfect any equipment between uses by different individuals, or (3) not use shared equipment at all. Examples of “low risk”

• Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Girls, Swimming & Diving, Girls Tennis

• First official practice date is September 21st

• Games and scrimmages may be played following the completion of 10 practices; 12 for the sport

• of Gymnastics.

Moderate Risk

Moderate risk sports and recreation activities are characterized by:

Limited ability to maintain physical distance and/ or be done individually;

• Limited ability to: (1) avoid touching of shared equipment, (2) clean and disinfect equipment between uses by different individuals, or (3) not use shared equipment at all...

High Risk

Higher risk sports and recreation activities are characterized by:

• Least ability to maintain physical distance and/

or be done individually;

• Least ability to: (1) avoid touching of shared equipment, (2) clean and disinfect equipment between uses by different individuals, or (3) not use shared equipment at all... Examples of “high risk”

• Cheerleading, Football, Volleyball

• May practice

• May not participate in games

• In accordance with approved NYSPHSAA rules, seven consecutive day rule waived starting on October 12th

• Game/ Contest limits – no change

• Modified/ Junior Varsity – individual school district decision

Further, lower- and moderate-risk sports (e.g., tennis, soccer, cross country, field hockey, and swimming) may practice and play, effective September 21, 2020. However, travel for practice or play is prohibited outside of the school’s region or contiguous regions/counties until October 19, 2020. Higherrisk sports (e.g., football, wrestling, rugby, hockey, and volleyball) may practice, effective September 21, 2020, but not play until authorized at a later date, but no later than December 31, 2020; in accordance with the State-issued guidance, such practices are limited to individual or group, no- to low-contact training (e.g., skills development) whereby contact between players may only be incidental and any activities that are specifically designed to promote close physical contact are prohibited. If school is closed for in-person education during the school year due to an increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases, schoolsponsored sports must be suspended until in person education is resumed; provided, however, that this restriction does not apply to schools that are conducting only remote instruction.”

Student-athletes

In accordance with NYSDOH guidance (Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Sports and Recreation) responsible parties must ensure a distance of at least six feet is maintained among individuals at all times, whether indoor or outdoor, unless safety or the core activity (e.g. practicing, playing) requires a shorter distance. If a shorter distance is required, individuals must wear acceptable face coverings, unless players are unable to tolerate a face covering for the physical activity (e.g. practicing, playing); provided, however, that coaches, trainers, and other individuals who are not directly engaged in physical activity are required to wear a face covering.

• Students should tell coaches immediately when they are not feeling well.

• No hugging, high fives, shaking hands, or fist bumps.

Coaches

In accordance with NYSDOH guidance (Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Sports and Recreation), responsible parties must ensure a distance of at least six feet is maintained among individuals at all times, whether indoor or outdoor, unless safety or the core activity (e.g. practicing, playing) requires a shorter distance. If a shorter distance is required, individuals must wear acceptable face coverings, unless players are unable to tolerate a face covering for the physical activity (e.g. practicing, playing); provided, however, that coaches, trainers, and other individuals who are not directly engaged in physical activity are required to wear a face covering.

• Set clear expectations for student-athletes from day one.

• Communicate guidelines in a clear and consistent manner to students and parents.

• No hugging, high fives, shaking hands, or fist bumps.

Parents/ Spectators

As per NYSDOH guidance (Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Sports and Recreation), spectators must maintain six feet of physical distance between individuals and/or family/household units at all times and all spectators must wear face coverings when they are in common areas and situations where six feet of distancing is not able to be maintained, so long as they are over the age of two and medically able to tolerate such covering.

• Disinfect student’s personal equipment after each game or practice.

Officials

Officials are responsible for game management, which does not include monitoring activities on the sidelines, such as social distancing, face coverings, hand washing, symptoms of illnesses and other such issues. This monitoring obligation remains with the responsible parties.

In accordance with NYSDOH guidance (Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Sports and Recreation), responsible parties must ensure a distance of at least six feet is maintained among individuals at all times, whether indoor or outdoor, unless safety or the core activity (e.g. practicing, playing) requires a shorter distance. If a shorter distance is required, individuals must wear acceptable face coverings, unless players are unable to tolerate a face covering for the physical activity (e.g. practicing, playing); provided, however, that coaches, trainers, and other individuals who are not directly engaged in physical activity are required to wear a face covering.

For more information, please visit nysphsaa.org.