The MPA Sports Medicine Committee gave their recommendations in a meeting this morning. The MPA Interscholastic Management committee will consider the recommendations and vote on Thursday.
Below are some of the notes from today’s meeting courtesy of Travis Lee on Twitter.
The MPA Sports Medicine Committee meeting this morning. Ex.Director Mike Burnham says what comes out of this meeting is ‘only a recommendation’ and will be forwarded to Interscholastic Management Committee.
— Travis Lee (@TLee_WMTW) August 26, 2020
The committee made the following recommendations for cross country.
MPA Sports Medicine Committee cross country. Alterations widening to 6 feet at narrowest point. Runners should wear disposable face coverings at start line. No warm up gear at start line. Starters 6 feet apart, even in waves. Staggered, waves or interval starts. Finish corrals.
— Travis Lee (@TLee_WMTW) August 26, 2020
MPA Sports Medicine Committee Cross Country. Also a possibility to use cloth masks and athletes can hold during duration of meet. Meets will fall under the auspices of ‘mass gatherings’ guidelines, so large teams might need to limit participants.
— Travis Lee (@TLee_WMTW) August 26, 2020
MPA Sports Medicine Committee discussing how to best handle Cross Country finish lines as often times runners vomit, collapse, spit.
— Travis Lee (@TLee_WMTW) August 26, 2020
The committee made the following suggestions for field hockey.
MPA Sports Medicine Committee: Field Hockey. One player only in sub box—they can be without mask. Added time between periods to give time to put masks and water away. If a mouth piece’s touched, guard should be sanitized, ref can send player off. Players shouldn’t handle balls.
— Travis Lee (@TLee_WMTW) August 26, 2020
Soccer has been a high risk sport. The committee recommended that it be switched to moderate risk. Here is more about soccer.
Slide tackling is suspended if other players are within 6 feet,. Allowed to save balls. Kick ins, but unable to use as volley at net. Drop ball restart suspended. On free kicks, social distancing on field to eliminate using ‘walls’
— Travis Lee (@TLee_WMTW) August 26, 2020
Football is the highest risk of the fall sports and here are the recommendations from the committee.
MPA Sports Medicine Committee: Football. Recommendations: extending team box to 10 yard line. Limit sideline personnel. 3-4 balls per sideline. Face coverings for coaches, chain gang. Regional schedule.6-game regular season + preseason scrimmage. Teams come dressed in lowers.
— Travis Lee (@TLee_WMTW) August 26, 2020
MPA Sports Medicine Committee; Fred Lower Football Chair ‘ultimately we recommend 8-man and 11-man football be offered’
— Travis Lee (@TLee_WMTW) August 26, 2020
MPA Sports Medicine Committee; Dr. Heinz says he’s willing to put soccer in moderate risk category to follow NFHS model, he says that leaves Football as only high risk sport.
— Travis Lee (@TLee_WMTW) August 26, 2020
These recommendations will be voted on by the Interscholastic Management Committee on Thursday.
The MPA Sports Medicine Committee recommends all fall sports for the 2020 season. They will be approved or denied at the IMC meeting tomorrow. All sports had some guidelines introduced today–many have been public or rumored.
— Travis Lee (@TLee_WMTW) August 26, 2020