UIL loosens summer guidelines for Texas athletes, including indoor workout capacity
After only two days of summer strength and conditioning for high school athletics, the University Interscholastic League announced expanded guidelines on Tuesday.
High schools and sports have been shut down since mid-March amid the novel coronavirus, but Monday was the first day athletes and coaches could be together in-person after the three-month hiatus.
Per the UIL, starting June 22, teams can have indoor workouts at 50% capacity, up from 25%.
The UIL also expanded groups outdoors from 15 to 25 and indoors from 10 to 15.
Kennedale, Keller, Carroll, Mansfield, Burleson, Joshua, Cleburne and Aledo were among the Fort Worth-area school districts that began workouts Monday.
Burleson’s volleyball team started off with skill-specific workouts inside while others began outside with conditioning. The Elks separated into six groups of 10. The basketball teams also began on the court.
The UIL went on to say that there will no longer be a coach-to-athlete ratio. Teams were required to have one staff member to 20 athletes. That rule will be effective immediately.
School districts required athletes to do a pre-screening test, fill out a medical form and take a temperature check. Arlington schools will require temperature checks every day.
Others will have temperature checks at the start of every week of workouts, per the UIL.
Also on Monday, athletes were required to stay 6-10 feet apart to practice social distancing, and bring their own water bottles. Any weights or balls used were to be disinfected after sessions.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 6:27 PM.
