With last week's Georgia High School Association decision to allow student-athletes to resume activity, schools around the state are putting together a plan of attack.
The GHSA's ban of athletic-related activities is set to end on June 8, but school administrators, coaches and athletes will have to follow strict guidelines.
The guidance allows athletes to condition and workout only within the same group, meaning if one works out with a football group, he or she cannot work out with the basketball team or vice versa. The rules, however, are pretty straight forward.
It's all voluntary and follows strict social distancing policies. It also provides guidance on indoor workouts, although some schools have a phase-in process for going inside, like Gainesville.
The guidelines allow schools to be more restrictive but not less. Gainesville Athletics Director Adam Lindsey said last week that they'll be a little more restrictive.
"We have a three-phase plan that for now is a little more restrictive than what the GHSA has," he said. "Phase 1 for us will be a coach and 9 players with all the activities outside. We're not sure how long we will be in this phase but we're going to monitor the kids for at least a week, maybe more, and then take a look at things."
Most coaches around northeast Georgia are just excited to be allowed back.
"I am just happy to get to physically lay eyes on our players," Chestatee football coach Shaun Conley said. "I think now is the time to be a bit more safe than sorry, but I am excited for the opportunity to get back at it and hopefully, continue to a normal season."
Flowery Branch football coach Ben Hall said he's looking forward to getting back together.
"Even though we will be working in a limited capacity for at least 2 weeks, I consider it a step in the right direction," he said. "The time away has led to a greater sense of appreciation for even a simple routine involving only a fraction of the team per session."
Stan Lewis, Director of Community Relations and Athletics for Hall County, said last week they would be meeting this week to finalize plans.
"It is our intent to begin on June 8 but right now, I don't know if we'll be more restrictive than what has been put out there," Lewis said. "We're getting with all the high school and middle school ADs to look at the guidelines and discuss the restrictions put in place. I feel confident that we'll be having some kind of activity on June 8."
But there are some school systems that will wait at least a week later to return. Fulton County Schools said they are aren't ready to bring athletes back just yet and are shooting for June 15.
As for the state's two largest systems, Cobb and Gwinnett, they haven't made any announcements on delaying.
Forsyth County Director of Athletics Nathan Turner said last week that he will do everything possible to start on June 8.
"We are working hard to make plans and coordinate all safety precautions within the GHSA guidelines and be ready to go on June 8," he said.
Below are the guidelines for returning to conditioning on June 8, 2020:
-- All summer work is voluntary
-- Schools/School systems may be more restrictive than the GHSA but not less
-- Workouts are conditioning only, no balls or sport-specific equipment
-- Member schools should prepare and infectious disease prevention plan prior to staff and athletes returning to conditioning.
-- It is recommended that staff and athletes are screened prior to each workout
-- Signage should be posted on-site with the following:
• Do you or have you had a fever in the last week?
• Have you been diagnosed with COVID-19?
• Have you been in contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19?
• Have you traveled to a hot spot for COVID-19?
-- Groups of 20, including coaches, for workouts per sport at any given time at campus or facility.
-- Groups should be the same individuals, including coaches, for each session to limit risk of exposure. Students or coaches CANNOT change groups for the duration of this guidance.
-- No use of locker rooms or shower facilities. Students should report to the facility dressed to condition and shower at home.
-- Weight equipment should be cleaned prior to each workout and sanitized between use by each student.
-- Hand sanitizer should be plentiful and readily available.
-- Each student should have their own personal water bottle. No use of water fountains or "water cows" is allowed.
-- Side spots only in the weight training, safety bars are preferred.
-- Social distancing should be adhered to always and masks/face covering are recommended for the weight room.
-- At least 15 minutes should be scheduled between groups to allow for disinfecting the facility.
-- There is no competition allowed between schools.
-- No visitors are allowed at conditioning sessions.
