MA Fall Sports To Look Much Different Under Rules Modifications

MASSACHUSETTS — When high school athletes take the field in the sports that are allowed under Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association restrictions this fall many aspects of those sports they have played their entire lives will look different or be missing altogether.

Staggered starts in cross country running, the elimination of headers and throw-ins and socially distanced restarts in soccer, and a ban on penalty corners in 7-v-7 field hockey — as well as mandatory face mask requirements whenever athletes are within 10 feet of each other on the soccer field and volleyball court — are among the dramatic modifications the MIAA announced on Friday aimed to keep players as far away from each other as possible as they compete.

Individual leagues will now have to decide whether go ahead with makeshift seasons given the modifications, as well as other obstacles facing competition between communities, including transportation issues and differing learning systems between neighboring towns — with schools that begin the fall remotely needing school committee approval to have athletic competitions.

Football and competitive cheer have already been moved to late winter "wedge season" starting Feb. 22 across the state because they are considered "higher risk" sports.

Full guidelines can be found here.

Soccer

Games will be played in four quarters with two-minute breaks in between quarters and a 10-minute halftime. Players must wear masks on the sideline at all times and use hand sanitizer before checking into games as a substitute and following water breaks.

Masks must be worn on the sideline and field at all times whenever players are within 10 feet of another player.

Headers, throw-ins and shoulder-to-shoulder tackling are all prohibited, while players must be at least 6 feet away from each other and wearing masks during all restarts. Restarts must also be kicked on the ground at all times, while goal kicks are not allowed to be kicked past midfield.

Players cannot put their hands on another player at any time.

The traditional "wall" is prohibited. Players on a free kick must stand at least 10 feet away from the kick, and 6 feet from each other. Corner kicks will be played as an indirect kick.

Failure to adhere to any of the restrictions results in a free kick for the opposition and a yellow card for the violating player.

Timeouts are eliminated.

Field Hockey

Games will be played 7-v-7 with each team having just six players on the field, plus a goaltender. There are no penalty corners — with fouls committed inside the circle resulting in 25-yard free kicks.

Players must remain at least 5 feet away from each other on free hits, and contested restarts will be removed in place of alternating possessions.

Cross Country

Only dual meets will be allowed with the suggesting that girls and boys meets take place at separate locations to reduce the number of runners on the course at any one time.

For larger teams, staggered starts must be used where only eight to 10 runners are allowed in a cohort start at any one time, with at least three minutes between starts.

Runners are to remain at least 6 feet away from each other and 14 feet from the competing school at the start of the race. Pack running is not allowed as runners will be required to maintain 6 feet of distance between themselves and other runners throughout the race.

Runners must wear masks prior to the race and be prepared to put them immediately after the race. A finish line must be at least 28 feet wide with runners from different teams finishing on different sides of the finish line.

Popsicle sticks, or other traditional handouts, to confirm finishing order are not allowed. Teams are advised to videotape races to verify order of finish.

Volleyball

Players must wear masks throughout the competition when on the court and when within 10 feet of another player on the sideline.

There are no huddles or team celebrations that bring players closer together.

Players are not allowed to play the ball within 3 feet of the net to help prevent contact with players on opposing teams.

A new, cleaned ball should be put in play after every rally.

Golf

Tee times must be staggered and players must wear face masks when within 10 feet of other golfers at all times.

Swimming and Diving

Swimmers from different teams must remain on opposite sides of the pool deck, remain 3 to 6 feet apart and wear face masks when not competing. Swimmers from each team will not use alternate lanes, but instead have one team in lanes one through 3, and the other in four through six.

Group cheering is not permitted.

In all sports, players must not compete, and coaches must not be on the sideline, if they are experiencing any illness symptoms. Temperature checks are mandatory before all practices and games with anyone showing a temperature of 100.4 degrees or above required to sit out the contest.

Locker rooms may only be used at 50 percent of capacity and it is recommended, when possible, that players arrive to the school dressed for competition and leave the school without showering or changing immediately after the game or practice.

Team handshakes are not allowed, fans must remain socially distanced and media must contact the host school prior to attending any contest.

Spitting, nose clearing on the field, licking fingers, and spitting on gloves during practices and competitions is not permitted.

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