Return to Athletics – 2020-2021
GGUSD’s modified athletics program is aligned to the guidelines from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS),Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC), and California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which align with Orange County Healthcare Agency COVID-19 Phasing Guidelines. GGUSD will return to athletics in a modified capacity beginning September 7, 2020, bringing athletes back in two groups (Groups A, B) to limit the number of students on campus. Groups will be divided to align with the CIF SS Return to Competition groupings. Group A (Boys and Girls Cross Country, Boys and Girls Volleyball, Boys and Girls Water polo, Cheer, Football)) will begin outdoor-only conditioning the week of September 7, 2020. Group B (Baseball, Girls and Boys Basketball, Boys and Girls Soccer, Boys and Girls Swim, Boys and Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Track and Field, Boys and Girls Wrestling, Softball, Cheer) will begin on September 21, 2020. Athletes will be limited to participating in only one sport to reduce exposure. Student Participation is voluntary and based on parent discretion. Current NFHS/SMAC guidelines do not recommend vulnerable individuals to participate.
PHASE 1
- All coaches and students should be screened for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 prior to any workout. Passive screening is allowed which includes the coach or student self-screening by doing a temperature check.
- If temperature is above 100.3, the athlete/coach will be sent home and the Athletic Director and an Administrator needs to be notified.
- Any person with positive symptoms reported should NOT be allowed to take part in workouts
- If an athlete reports not feeling well and or displays symptoms associated with COVID-19, the student’s parent/guardian will be contacted for immediate pick-up and be asked to follow-up with their primary care provider. The student will be required to present a doctor’s note releasing them to return to athletics.
- Vulnerable individuals should not oversee or participate in any workouts during PHASE 1
- No gathering inside allowed until CDPH and Orange County Health Care has cleared fitness centers and gyms to reopen. Up to 50 individuals may gather outdoors for workouts.
- Workouts should be conducted in “groups” of students with the same 5-10 students working out together. This ensures more limited exposure if someone develops an infection.
- Locker-rooms should not be used. Students should report to practice in proper gear and immediately return home to shower at the end of practice.
- Workout will be CONDITIONING ONLY (running, swimming, agilities, stretching), no equipment will be used in PHASE 1.
- There must be a minimum distance of 6 feet between each individual at all times.
- Rigorous cleaning will occur daily at each athletic facility.
- Individuals should wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before touching any surface or participating in any workout.
- Hand sanitizer will be available to individuals during athletics activities.
- Students must be encouraged to shower and wash their workout clothing immediately upon return to home.
- There shall be no sharing of items (towels, clothing, shoes, and water bottles) between students.
- Students should arrive in appropriate workout gear. Individual clothing/towels should be washed and cleaned after every workout.
- All students shall bring their own water bottle. Water bottles may NOT be shared.
- Hydration stations (water cows, water troughs, water fountain, coolers, etc.) CANNOT be utilized.
PHASE 2 & 2.5
- All coaches and students should be screened for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 prior to any workout. Passive screening is allowed which includes the coach or student self-screening by doing a temperature check
- If temperature is above 100.3, the athlete/coach will be sent home and the Athletic Director and an Administrator needs to be notified
- Any person with positive symptoms reported should NOT be allowed to take part in workouts
- If a coach reports being sick or displays symptoms associated with COVIS-19, notify the Athletic Director who will notify an administrator. The coach will be sent home and asked to follow-up with their PCP. The coach will need a doctor’s note releasing them back to duty
- If an athlete reports not feeling well and or displays symptoms associated with COVID-19, the student’s parent/guardian will be contacted for immediate pick-up and be asked to follow-up with their PCP. The student will be required to present a doctor’s note releasing them to return to school
- Vulnerable individuals should not oversee or participate in any workouts during PHASE 2
- Gym/weight rooms will be allowed at 10 % of the maximum capacity.
- Outdoor workouts may be permitted as long a 6 ft. physical distancing can be maintained.
- Workouts should be conducted in “groups” of students with the same 5-10 students working out together. This ensures more limited exposure if someone develops an infection
- Locker-room should not be used. Students should report to practice in proper gear and immediately return home to shower at the end of practice
- There must be a minimum distance of 6 feet between each individual at all times
- Adequate cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all athletic facilities to mitigate any communicable diseases. (AD/Administrator will work with custodians)
- Prior to an individual or groups of individuals entering a facility, hard surfaces within that facility should be wiped down and sanitized. (AD/Administrator will work with custodians)
- Individuals should wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with warm soap and water or use hand sanitizer before touching any surface or participating in any workout
- Hand sanitizer should be plentiful and available to individuals as they transfer from place to place
- Weight equipment should be wiped down thoroughly before or after an individual’s use of equipment
- Any equipment such as balls, bats, rackets used must be wiped down thoroughly before and after each individual’s use
- Students must be encouraged to shower and wash their workout clothing immediately upon return to home
- There shall be no sharing of items (towels, clothing, shoes, and water bottles) between students
- Students should arrive in appropriate workout gear. Individual clothing/towels should be washed and cleaned after every workout
- All athletic equipment, including balls, should be cleaned after each use and prior to the next workout
- Students may now share equipment while maintaining physical distancing of 6ft. with the same cohort of students. Equipment will need to be cleaned frequently.
- Individual drills require the use of athletic equipment are permissible, but the equipment should be cleaned prior to use of the next individual
- Weight room is limited to 10 % maximum capacity. Maximum lifts should be limited and power cages should be used for squats and bench presses. Spotters should stand at each end of the bar. Safety measures of all forms must be strictly enforced in the weight room
- A basketball player can shoot with a ball(s), but a team should not practice/pass a single ball among the team where multiple players touch the same ball
- A football player should not participate in team drills with a single ball that will be handed off or passed to other teammates. Contact with other players is not allowed, and there should be no sharing of tackling dummies/donuts/sleds
- A volleyball player should not use a single ball that others touch or hit in any manner
- Softball and baseball players should not share gloves, bats, or throw a single ball that will be tossed among the team. A single player may hit in cages, throw batting practice (with netting as backstop, no catcher). Prior to another athlete using the same balls, they should be collected and cleaned individually
- Cheerleaders may not practice/perform partner stunts or building (Chants, jumps, dances without contact are permissible)
- Tennis players may do individual drills, wall volleys and serves
- Runners should maintain the recommended 6 feet of distancing between individuals
- All students shall bring their own water bottle. Water bottles may NOT be shared
- Hydration stations (water cows, water troughs, water fountain, coolers, etc.) CANNOT be utilized
A 6 ft. physical distancing must be maintained at all times
Football
- A football player may pass/warm-up, play-catch with a ball to a maximum of 2 other teammates/coaches. The ball must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to any individual outside that group of 3.
- A center may hike the ball to a QB and the QB can then pass to a receiver.
- If a QB is a passing to more than 1 receiver, ball MUST be cleaned after each pass and before the QB handles the ball again.
- A football player should not participate in team drills with a single ball that will be handed off. Contact with other players is not allowed, and there should be no sharing of tackling dummies/donuts/sleds
Volleyball
- A volleyball player may bump/warm-up using a single ball with a maximum of 2 other teammates/Coaches.
- A volleyball player/coach can throw the ball to the setter, the setter can set to a hitter. The ball must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to any individual outside that group of 3.
- If a player is a throwing/setting to more than 1 hitter, the ball MUST be cleaned after each pass/hit and before the thrower/setter handles the ball again.
Water Polo
- A water polo player may warm-up/pass/shoot a ball with a maximum of 2 other teammates/coaches. The ball must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to any individual outside that group of 3.
- A water polo player can pass ball to a teammate and then that teammate can shoot the ball into a net with a goalie.
Cross Country Runners
- Cross Country runners should maintain the recommended 6 feet of distancing between individuals
Cheerleaders
- Cheerleaders may not practice/perform partner stunts or building (Chants, jumps, dances without contact are permissible)