PIAA releases "return to play" guidelines for fall sports

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association has released guidelines and a timeline for a potential return to play for Fall sports including football, field hockey, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball and water polo. 

The PIAA released the following official statement, which outlines a tentative timeline for when Fall sports can begin for regular start dates, alternative schedules and a hybrid schedule. 

A link to the full, 25-page set of guidelines can be found here. These guidelines cover specific considerations for all sports, as well as detailed specifications for each individual sport. The PIAA also references considerations for officials and coaches, along with pre-game and post-game changes for sporting events. 

Official PIAA release:
The PIAA is committed to maximizing the athletic opportunities for students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In addressing the COVID-19 crisis and how it has affected the 67 counties differently, PIAA understands the flexibility needed by school districts to make localized measured decisions, rather than a “one size fits all” approach in addressing interscholastic athletics. To aid our school districts who have varied approaches to their return to school plans, PIAA has offered flexibility to schools, leagues, and/or conferences to begin contests after the first contest date, as shown below. As we continue to move forward, PIAA will
remain flexible in considering that certain sports may be impacted differently and post-season play may need to be modified.

For Fall 2020:
Regular Start:

First date for heat acclimatization is Monday, August 10.
First practice date is Monday, August 17.
First Contest Date Golf: Thursday, August 20
First Contest Date Girls’ Tennis: Monday, August 24.
First Contest Date Football: Friday, August 28 (Week “0”)
First Contest Date Remaining Fall Sports: Friday, September 4 (CC, GVB, FH, SOC, WP).

If an Alternate schedule is desired, the following schedule is recommended:
Alternate Start:

First date of heat acclimatization no earlier than, Monday, August 10.
First practice date is no earlier than, Monday, August 17.
Each sport must have the minimum length of preseason completed (3 weeks is the minimum for all sports
except golf (3 days) and tennis (1 week) before competition is permitted).
First Contest Date: Monday, September 14 (GOLF, GT, CC, GVB, FH, SOC, WP)
First Contest Date: Friday, September 18 (Football)

Hybrid Start:

As part of an alternative schedule, competition for fall sports should begin no later than Monday, October 5 or
may be later with a request to the respective District Committee. Any combination of the established start
dates or the alternative schedule must comply with the established pre-season practice guidelines and may be
utilized to accommodate the needs of each local school, community, and sport.
These alternative plans can be varied from sport to sport.
The PIAA Board of Directors is committed to meet again prior to the start of fall contests to monitor schools
preseason participation and any issues that may arise from the start of the fall sports season.