As things presently stand, the Arizona Interscholastic Association is planning on having a fall sports season and recently released a schedule for all fall sports. But while it looks like there will be a season, the COVID-19 pandemic will force some changes to the way things are normally done.
As a way to limit the spread COVID, the AIA released a list of guidelines for all fall sports.
For sports that use a common ball, the ball[s] should be cleaned and sanitized throughout the game. Team areas like locker rooms or tents should be cleaned before use and large enough to allow social distancing. Contact not pertaining to the actual game [ie: pre/post game handshakes, high fives, fist bumps or hugs are not permitted]. Players, coaches and officials are encouraged to wash their hands as much as possible and bring a labeled drink container which is not to be shared.
Brief intermissions during games, like time outs and the time between scores or periods, could be extended to allow for hydration. Additionally, whenever possible, social distance is to be maintained.
Other regulations are more geared to the specific sport. For sports at Mingus Union High School [football, volleyball, cross country, golf and swimming] and Camp Verde High School [football, volleyball, cross country and soccer], the guidelines are as follows:
Football
- Team personnel must wear masks.
- Players must wear masks while traveling to games, during pregame whenever possible and after the game.
- One captain per team will go to midfield for the coin toss.
- The team box will be extended to the 10-yard lines for players. Coaches must remain in the normal box.
- Only cloth masks are allowed during play.
- If worn, face shields must be built into the helmet and transparent.
- Gloves are allowed but must comply to normal rules.
- Players, coaches and officials should have their own beverage container and not share.
- Sideline personnel is restricted to players, coaches, athletic trainers, athletic directors, administration, media and game administration personnel. All sideline personnel must be masked.
Volleyball
- Rather than a coin toss to determine who serves first, the visiting team will have the choice. The exception is if there is a deciding set, then a coin toss will take place with the team captains on either side of the net.
- The teams will not switch benches between sets, unless the officials determine there is a distinct advantage.
- Cloth face coverings, gloves, long sleeves and long pants are permissible.
- If possible, a five-ball rotation should be used as a way to keep the balls cleaned and sanitized.
Cross Country
- Masks are to be worn by everyone, except when athletes are warming up or racing.
- Coaches must wear masks when near racers or spectators, the latter of which will be permitted at the discretion of the host school.
- If an athlete interacts with a trainer or other medical personnel, he or she is to wear a mask.
- Teams may still do their team chants before races, but nobody other than the racers can be in the huddle and hand holding is not permitted.
- Team camp areas must be large enough for teams to spread out.
- Starting lines must be stretched out long enough for athletes to not touch.
- Number of teams and participants should be limited to allow for social distancing.
- Meet personnel at finish line must wear masks and gloves.
- Specific workers should be designated to help fallen runners and they should change gloves between races, if not more often.
- Cups should be single use. At the end of the race, they should be handed out by people wearing gloves. Cups grabbed by runners in the race should be spread out.
- Trainers and other medical personnel are to wear masks.
- Award presentations will be eliminated. Awards should be put in an envelope for the coach to pick up.
Golf
- Sanitizer should be available at first tee.
- Scores will be posted online; there will be no physical scoreboards.
- No award ceremonies. Awards should be mailed after the round.
- All personnel are asked to leave the course as soon as possible after the round.
- No rakes in bunkers. Preferred lies are allowed with players moving their ball within one club length of the original lie, no nearer the hole and still in the bunker.
- Players will not exchange scorecards. They’ll keep their own score.
- Spectators are not allowed on the practice area.
- Spectator carts must be pre-approved and unless the person who was approved cannot drive a cart, they are to be limited to one person per cart.
Soccer
- The pregame conference should be between only one coach and captain per team as well as the center referee.
- Sideline personnel is restricted to players, coaches, athletic trainers, athletic directors, administration, media and game administration personnel. All sideline personnel must be masked.
- Rather than the World Cup introductions, starters should go straight to their positions.
- Cloth face coverings, gloves, long sleeves and long pants are permissible.
- The officials’ table should be limited to the home team’s timer and scorer. Visiting teams timers and scorers may not be permitted at the table.
Swimming and Diving
- Swimmers should plan on arriving and leaving in their suits, as locker room services may not be available.
- Anyone not actively participating should be masked.
- In pre-meet warmups, no more than three athletes should be in a lane at a time and no more than two should be at either end of the pool.
- To allow for more social distancing, meets may run longer.
- Lap counters are to be limited to one person per lane.
A full list of the guidelines can be found at AIAonline.org.
