IGHSAU issues COVID guidelines

The Iowa Girl High School Athletic Union has issued guidelines for the play of volleyball matches this season in regard to the coronavirus.

Many of the general guidelines are those issued by the Iowa High School Athletic Union for other sports.

Those include public address announcement at the start of each match to encourage social distancing, wearing face coverings whenever possible, staying home if feeling sick or running a temperature, and prohibiting postgame handshakes.

While it may seem overboard for each sport to put out its own precautionary guidelines, id it means playing or not playing, anything is worth doing.

'This season we all need to do our part to keep us safe and able to play utilizing our COVID-19 guidelines,” Fairfield head volleyball coach Diana Drish said.

For volleyball, the coin toss is limited to one coach from each team, one captain from each team, first referee and second referee. All six individuals must maintain a social distance. Face coverings are strongly encouraged to be worn by all pre-match conference attendees.

Teams are required to bring their own volleyballs (marked for identification) to use for warm-ups for away matches. Teams are not allowed to warm-up outside of the court near their opponents while their opponents have the court for the six-minute portion of the 5-6-6 warm-up protocol. It is permissible for teams to share the court for the five-minute ball-handling portion of warm-up as teams will be socially distanced by the net.

Schools must eliminate spectator seating in the first two rows if possible.

Some tournaments may be affected by the guideline that playing matches simultaneously on side-by-side courts should be avoided if possible.

Teams are not to switch benches between sets. Although if there is a clear and distinct disadvantage, teams may switch sides, observing all social distancing protocols. Officials will determine if a disadvantage is present.

Coaches, players and other bench personnel should social distance and are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings.

All players are allowed to stand near the bench area (not just those in the active rotation) to help with social distancing if needed.

All players must sanitize their hands before and after warm-ups, at all timeouts, between sets and anytime they leave the playing court. Coaches are strongly encouraged to sanitize their hands as often as possible as well.

Host schools must have at least three volleyballs to use for the in-game ball rotation to allow for volleyballs to be sanitized while not in use. Volleyballs should be removed from play and sanitized frequently and any time a volleyball is touched by a spectator.

Cloth face coverings, gloves, long sleeves and long pants on players are permissible. Under garments are permissible, but must be unadorned and of a single, solid color similar in color to the predominant color of the uniform top or bottom.

Teams should consider conducting practices in 'pods” of same students to ensure more limited exposure if someone develops an infection. Keep accurate records of those athletes and staff who attend each practice in case contact tracing is needed.

Student should be responsible for their own supplies (water bottle, hand sanitizer, face covering, towel, etc.) and individual clothing/towels should be washed and cleaned after every workout immediately upon returning home. Personal items should be clearly labeled.

Match officials are not responsible for monitoring activities on the sidelines, such as social distancing, hand sanitizing, symptoms of illness and other such issues. This monitoring remains with the coaching staff and school personnel.