UIL says summer high school strength and conditioning workouts can resume June 8
The University Interscholastic League announced on Friday that high school summer strength and conditioning programs, along with marching band practices can resume on June 8.
Workout requirements, sports specific instruction, important dates and instructions for positive COVID-19 cases were provided. All Information and dates are subject to change.
It was advised that schools should take their local context into account when deciding whether to offer summer strength and conditioning on campus by monitoring the situation on the Texas Department of State Health Services dashboard.
Notable information includes staying six to 10 feet apart to practice social distancing, strength and conditioning for a maximum of two hours a day Monday through Friday, no sharing of clothing, towels, water or food, and to hold indoor workouts such as weight lifting to 25% capacity.
The UIL also provided information pertaining to COVID-19 symptoms and positive cases.
If a positive case is identified among a participant in these summer activities, the group to which that staff or student was assigned and in contact with must be removed from the sessions while all members of the group self-isolate.
If the confirmed individual regularly had close contact outside a single group, then all of the students and staff with whom the confirmed individual had close contact shall be removed from workouts for two weeks.
“We are cautiously optimistic about beginning summer strength and conditioning programs and marching band practices that safely allow students to get back to working with their coaches and directors in preparation for the 2020-2021 school year,” Dr. Charles Breithaupt, UIL’s executive director, said in a press release.
According to the UIL, schools may use discretion when considering whether or not to offer in-person programs and areas of the state facing COVID-19 related challenges should consult with local health officials to determine what additional restrictions, if any, should be added to these guidelines.
Schools deciding to move forward with offering in-person activities are encouraged to do so carefully and with vigilance, ensuring safety requirements outlined in this approach are closely adhered to in order to mitigate risk.
“While we are eager to resume UIL activities, we must do so carefully, deliberately and with an understanding that major adjustments are needed to ensure safety,” Breithaupt said.
Strength and Conditioning Workouts
- Strength and conditioning will last a maximum of two hours a day Monday-Friday for students in grades 7-12.
- Students will attend no more than one session per day.
- Students and staff must maintain at least six feet of distance from all sides when not actively exercising, except for reasonable safety considerations, such as spotting.
- When actively exercising, students and coaches must maintain at least 10 feet of distance from all sides.
- Schools should consider requiring students who are not actively exercising, but are spotting, to wear cloth face masks.
- Indoor workout activities can be conducted up to a maximum of 25% capacity.
- Schools should limit the total number of participants based on available space to allow for the appropriate distancing between students and staff.
Students may be placed in working groups no larger than 15 total students for outdoor activity.
- Workout stations must be spaced to allow for at least 10 feet of distance between them in all directions. Some exercises may require more than 10 feet of distance.
- Any equipment must be thoroughly disinfected before and after each use. If a student uses a piece of equipment, that equipment must be thoroughly disinfected before another student uses it. Schools should limit the use of equipment to further reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
Workout Requirements
- Students may not be given access to locker rooms or shower facilities.
- Students should report to workouts in proper gear and immediately return home to shower at end of the workout.
- During workouts, schools must have at least one staff member per 20 students in attendance to ensure appropriate social distancing, hygiene and safety measures are implemented.
Students may be placed in working groups no larger than 10 total students for indoor activity.
- Schools must have hand sanitizer or hand-washing stations readily available in the workout area. Students and staff should be encouraged to use it frequently.
- All surfaces in workout areas must be thoroughly disinfected throughout and at the end of each day.
- No clothing or towels may be laundered on site or shared during workouts.
- There can be no shared water or food.
- Before the start of summer workouts, and at the start of every week of summer workouts, schools should consider pre-screening all students for COVID-19 symptoms that they or others living in their house may experience. This can be completed by phone prior to the first day of workouts, in person or in writing. Students and staff must self-screen every day for COVID-19 symptoms for themselves and family members. Schools should consider taking the temperature of each student each day at the start of the conditioning sessions, if possible.
The announced measures come nearly 10 weeks after activities were suspended in mid-March. Last Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that gyms, youth sports, summer camps and professional sports could either reopen during the week or by the end of the month.
The news bought some excitement for area high school coaches.
“Any time that we’re allowed with our players is a win,” said Kennedale football coach Richard Barrett.
Coaches say that this is the first step back, but everyone involved should remain cautious.
Football, volleyball, tennis and cross country are projected to start the regular season in August.
“It’s a ray of hope for us in the fall,” said Burleson volleyball coach D’Anna Newton. “We know there are going to be restrictions, but these are the first steps to our new normal. We’re ready to see our kids face to face.”
Important Dates
- Junior high programs (incoming 7th and 8th graders) may run up to the day prior to the first day of school.
- High school programs (incoming 9th through 12th graders) may run up to the day prior to the first day of school or the first day of the sports season, whichever is earlier.
- For athletes that participate in a sport that may start prior to the first day of school (football, volleyball, tennis and cross country), those athletes may not attend a summer strength and conditioning program or sport specific skill session in any sport once their sport season has begun.
- No activity period (no school facilities may be open for student-athletes) on July 3, 7, 8, 20 and 21.
The UIL canceled the remainder of spring activities and state championships on April 17, a month after suspending the season. It was also the same day Gov. Abbott closed schools for the remainder of the academic year.
Spring sports affected included soccer, track, golf, tennis, softball, baseball and spring football. The state football 7-on-7 championship in the summer was also canceled, as well as the final 20 games of the boys basketball state tournament.
This story was originally published May 22, 2020 at 6:11 PM.
