High school athletic teams are allowed to start practicing together this week as part of phase one of the recommendations set by the state’s education and health departments.
During the first phase, teams will be allowed to meet fifteen hours per week. For six hours, split between two days of the week, teams can practice using the tools of their sport – and the other nine hours are allotted for conditioning.
Practicing with tools means for those six hours of the week, a volleyball team could use a net, ball and court.
Robert Faulkens is the assistant commissioner for the Indiana High School Athletic Association. He said the IHSAA helped set the timeline for phases of team practice, and that more specific decisions will be left up to school districts and local health departments.
“We can’t make blanket applications across the state because what works in your community," Faulkens said. "That certainly may not work in Fort Wayne. The coaches are different. The rivalries are different. So, we have to keep that in mind.”
One example of decisions that will be left up to local officials is how athletes and coaches will be screened before practice.
Screenings could range from answering a few questions about COVID-19 symptoms to temperature checks, Faulkens said.
Faulkens said it’s important to resume activities slowly so that people’s safety and health aren’t put at risk.
Phase two of high school athletic practices will start July 20.
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