Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union offers COVID-19 guidance for 2020 volleyball season

The following information is to be considered recommendation from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) for member schools to participate in the 2020 Iowa high school volleyball season. These recommendations may be updated before and during the fall 2020 season as situations warrant.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Schools are asked to read a Public Address Announcement at the start of each match to encourage social distancing (arm test) and to remind spectators to do their part in keeping their student-athletes on the court. People (players, coaches, officials, spectators, etc.) feeling sick or that have been exposed to someone sick, should not attend or participate in competitions or practices.

The IGHSAU strongly encourages all participants and spectators to practice social distancing and to wear face coverings whenever possible.

Attendees for the coin toss are limited to one coach from each team, one captain from each team, first referee and second referee. All six individuals must maintain a social distance of three to six feet. Face coverings are strongly encouraged to be worn by all pre-match conference attendees.

Rosters are to be submitted directly to the officials’ table before the 10-minute mark. Roster submission at the pre-match conference is suspended indefinitely.

Teams are required to bring their own volleyballs to use for warm-ups for away matches. Volleyballs must be marked to help with identification purposes when traveling with volleyballs.

Teams are not allowed to warm-up outside of the court near their opponents while their opponents have the court for the six-minute portion of the 5-6-6 warm-up protocol, unless there is another court area for them to utilize. It is permissible for teams to share the court for the five-minute ball handling portion of warm-up as teams will be socially distanced by the net.

Eliminate spectator seating in the first two rows if possible. Avoid playing matches simultaneously on side-by-side courts if possible.

Pre- and postgame handshakes between teams are prohibited. Teams should acknowledge their opponents with a wave, bow, etc. after introductions and/or after the match.

Teams are not to switch benches between sets. In the event there is a clear and distinct disadvantage, teams may switch sides, observing all social distancing protocols. Officials will determine if a disadvantage is present.

Bench personnel should observe social distancing as much as possible. Coaches, players and other bench personnel are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings while on the bench. All players are allowed to stand near the bench area (not just those in the active rotation) to help with social distancing if needed.

All players must sanitize their hands before and after warm-ups, at all timeouts, between sets and anytime they leave the playing court. Coaches are strongly encouraged to sanitize their hands as often as possible as well.

Host schools must have at least three volleyballs to use for the in-game ball rotation to allow for volleyballs to be sanitized while not in use. The host school will be responsible for sanitization of the in-game volleyballs in the rotation. Volleyballs should be removed from play and sanitized frequently and any time a volleyball is touched by a spectator.

Players and coaches should practice social distancing of three to six feet when addressing the second referee and during substitutions. Players are encouraged to utilize the substitution zone closer to the attack line rather than nearer the net for social distancing purposes between players and the second referee.

In consideration of player uniforms and equipment, cloth face coverings are permissible, gloves are permissible, long sleeves are permissible and long pants are permissible. Under garments are permissible, but must be unadorned and of a single, solid color similar in color to the predominant color of the uniform top or bottom.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Communicate guidelines in a clear manner to students and parents. Consider conducting workouts in “pods” of same students always training and rotating together in practice to ensure more limited exposure if someone develops an infection. Keep accurate records of those athletes and staff who attend each practice in case contact tracing is needed.

Social distancing from other teams is strongly recommended at tournaments. This would be a good reminder for parents as well.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR ATHLETES
Consider making each student responsible for their own supplies (water bottle, hand sanitizer, face covering, towel, etc.). Students should wear their own appropriate workout clothing (do not share clothing), and individual clothing/towels should be washed and cleaned after every workout immediately upon returning home.

Hand sanitizer should be plentiful at all contests and practices. Athletes should tell coaches immediately when they are not feeling well. Cloth face coverings are permissible and athletes should bring their own water bottle.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR PARENTS
Provide personal items for athletes and clearly label them. The use of cloth face coverings is strongly encouraged. In addition, social distancing is strongly encouraged as much as possible for non-participants, parents, coaches, officials and other event volunteers.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION
Encourage social distancing when teams/spectators gather off the court before and after matches (ex: tournament gathering locations… lunchrooms, commons areas, etc.) Officials are not responsible for monitoring activities on the sidelines, such as social distancing, hand sanitizing, symptoms of illness and other such issues. This monitoring remains with the coaching staff and school personnel.

Avoid playing matches simultaneously on side-by-side courts if possible. Consideration should be given to which facilities are going to need sanitization, how often sanitization will be needed, who will be doing the sanitizing.

Consideration should be given to options that would allow social distancing for the athletes, coaches and spectators. Consider other alternatives such as not having awards ceremonies and strongly recommending the use of cloth face coverings for any individuals attending the awards ceremonies if there are no alternative options.

Potential options may be considered regarding the Regional and State Tournament matches depending upon the status of COVID-19. Locker rooms may be utilized; however, the Department of Public Health guidelines must be adhered to. Admission may be taken using sanitization practices or a free-will donation container is an option as well.

For additional COVID-19 guidance, contact the Iowa Department of Public Health at 515-281-7689 or visit their website at idph.iowa.gov.