Michigan Winter Contact Sports Can Return Monday: What To Know

MICHIGAN — For many high school athletes around Michigan, today is the day they can return to participating in their winter sports seasons.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Tuesday that winter contact sports in Michigan could resume Monday, albeit with some health guidelines in place amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

But with new dates for when various tournaments will be played and with coronavirus requirements, it can all be a bit confusing. Here's a sport-by-sport breakdown of what to know for Michigan's resumed winter contact sports.

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Competition Begins Monday

Competition in girls and boys basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling will begin this week, with basketball and hockey able to play Monday and cheer and wrestling able to compete starting Friday.

Those four Winter contact sports have been able to practice since Jan. 16, but only with non-contact activities, MHSAA officials said. Tournament dates for all four sports previously were rescheduled into late March and early April to accommodate a later start to the regular season.

All testing will be coordinated between schools and MDHHS or their local health departments.

Girls Basketball

Michigan high school girls basketball players and coaches will be required to wear face coverings at all times, including practices and non-game activities as well as during games.

Testing negative for the coronavirus may allow participants to remove masks while in active participation on the floor.

Competition limit: Teams may play up to three games per week, Monday through Sunday.

First contest: Feb. 8

Districts: March 22, 24, 26

Regionals: March 29, 31

Quarterfinals: April 5

Semifinals: April 7

Finals: April 9

Boys Basketball

Masking/testing: All boys basketball participants will be required to wear face coverings at all times, including practices and non-game activities as well as during games.

Testing negative for the coronavirus may allow participants to remove masks while in active participation on the floor.

Competition limit: Teams may play up to three games per week, Monday through Sunday.

First contest: Feb. 8

Districts: March 23, 25, 27

Regionals: March 30, April 1

Quarterfinals: April 6

Semifinals: April 8

Finals: April 10

Competitive Cheer

Teams can participate without testing or face masks, but are required to wear face coverings at all times outside of active competition or practice.

Competition limit: Teams may participate in 12 days of competition, not counting MHSAA Tournament events.

First contest: Feb. 12

Districts: March 17-20

Regionals: March 23-24

Finals: March 26-27

Ice Hockey

All players and coaches are required to wear face coverings during all practices and non-game activities and during games. If participants test negative for the coronavirus on game day then they can participate in the game without wearing a mask.

Competition limit: Teams may play up to three games per week, Monday through Sunday. Teams also may play two games on one non-school day twice; during those two weeks, teams are allowed up to four games Monday through Sunday.

First contest: Feb. 8

Regionals: March 15-20

Quarterfinals: March 23-24

Semifinals: March 25-26

Finals: March 27

Wrestling

Testing is required for wrestling, but competitors will not be required to wear face coverings.

Competition limit: Teams may compete two days per week, Monday through Sunday, with no more than four teams at a site (with each individual competing in up to three matches per day.)

First contest: Feb. 12

Team Districts: March 17-18

Individual Districts: March 20

Team Regionals: March 24

Individual Regionals: March 27

Team Finals: March 30

Individual Finals: April 2-3