The plan is to begin the high school football season on time, according to the IHSAA, but the next two months will be crucial as teams gear up for the fall. Guidance from the Indiana High School Athletic Association has been sent to head football coaches around the state regarding a phased re-entry plan for the 2020 season.
There is no wiggle room for our football community, Robert Faulkens, IHSAA assistant commissioner, said in an email to Indiana football coaches. “How we respond to this challenge will go a long way towards making our communities comfortable with a ‘return to normalcy. We cannot afford a setback in this re-entry.
Phase one of the re-entry plan begins on July 6, when teams are allowed two activity days per week. The activity days are limited to one three-hour block of time, and the use of footballs and shields is permitted, but the use of protective equipment such as helmets and shoulder pads is not. Players are limited to T-shirts, shorts and shoes during phase one, social distancing is to be practiced and cohorts are limited to 10-15 students.
Tony Sonsini, Richmond High School head coach, said the re-entry plan gives the Red Devils ample time to prepare for the upcoming season, but it’ll be a learning process for everyone. Phase one for RHS will look a lot like what the spring was supposed to look like. Scheme installs, individual position and technical work will be the focus of phase one’s two-week period.