HS outdoor track season and masks

California - no masks while competing

MO - no masks while competing

WA - no masks required while competing

bump.. anyone else?? how about some east coasters??

Maryland- no masks while competing

anonymous Washington HS runner wrote:

WA - no masks required while competing

Washington State allows HS athletes to remove masks not only for competition, but also for training activities for low-risk outdoor sports. That includes all T&F events.

IA- no masks while competing in running events, field events depend on the meet you are attending

Pennsylvania:

Coaches, athletes, and spectators must wear face coverings if they cannot maintain sustained physical distance from persons outside of their household. This includes while actively engaged in workouts, competition, and on the sidelines. If sustained six-foot distancing can be maintained, face coverings may be removed when outdoors (mask only required then when passing a competing runner unless passing at least six feet to the side of the runner?).

Additionally:

TRACK & FIELD CONSIDERATIONS:

o SP, DT, JT should enforce social distancing for all athletes and officials.

▪ To limit contact: athletes can provide their own implements (that pass inspection) and retrieve

their own implements after all throws.

▪ If athletes cannot provide their own implements, then it is recommended that implements be

sanitized between each use.

o LJ, TJ, HJ, PV should enforce social distancing for all athletes and officials.

▪ To limit contact: athletes should not share vaulting poles.

o Sprint, Hurdle, relay events run entirely in lanes, may use every other lane to assist with distancing.

▪ Blocks should be disinfected after each heat / race.

▪ Recommend not using baskets at start line for apparel.

o Middle Distance and distance races on the track of 800m and longer (any event not run entirely in

lanes) are considered moderate risk activities. To minimize contact, events are recommended to be

run in alleys or minimally one turn staggers.

RULE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS:

(States should abide by all NFHS rules as a default, adjusting relevant rules as needed to allow for COVID-19

risk mitigation factors where necessary for this year.)

o Rule 5-10-5 Current rule: The baton is the implement which is used in a relay race and is handed by

each competitor to a succeeding teammate. Gloves are not permitted in relay events.

▪ The use of disposable gloves for the 2021 season by relay participants is permitted.

▪ Schools can bring their own batons, or they should be disinfected after each heat/race.

o Rules 6-4-11 and 6-5-24: Schools may consider alternate ways to conduct the vertical jumps. Lowering

the cross bar after competition has begun may be one-way states may modify rules. With small

numbers of competitors, schools may wish to jump each athlete to completion.

o Point of Emphasis: Rule 4-2-4a. In dual meets, each school is entitled to enter three contestants in

individual events, but it is recommended each school be permitted to enter as many contestants as

conditions warrant.

▪ This permits additional sections to be run to maximize participation in the event. Schools

should communicate the anticipated number of additional sections with their opponent and

officials in advance of the meet for planning purposes.

Iowa - No masks competing, but seems its required at practice

I coach in PA, nobody is wearing masks while competing.

A good number of athletes are when not competing but when everyone is spaced out at a track meet there’s not much enforcement, so kids aren’t really wearing them while warming up either

OR - Masks at all times during a meet.

If you have a good mask for running, it's really not that bad. Annoying, yes, but I've had a great xc season wearing a mask at every race.

What mask do you have? We will be wearing them during races this spring.

Massachusetts:

Masks on at all times including races.

I would highly recommend buying a silicone cup to put into your mask it basically negates any effect the mask has. Just dropped a 7 second pr in the 1k with a mask. I do think the mask gets worse the longer the distance is and I haven't raced longer than a mile so take everything I've said with a grain of salt.

Also, to clarify, in MA we are racing indoor events outdoors in the early part of spring (March-April) w/ no invitationals and then we have a real outdoor season starting in late April going to early July

Bump. I'd really like to know more and see if anyone else has found certain masks or products that make it more bearable to race in one.

hrpowers wrote:

Massachusetts:

Masks on at all times including races.

I would highly recommend buying a silicone cup to put into your mask it basically negates any effect the mask has. Just dropped a 7 second pr in the 1k with a mask. I do think the mask gets worse the longer the distance is and I haven't raced longer than a mile so take everything I've said with a grain of salt.

Also, to clarify, in MA we are racing indoor events outdoors in the early part of spring (March-April) w/ no invitationals and then we have a real outdoor season starting in late April going to early July

What do you mean by a silicone cup in your mask? My athletes will be forced to race and even train in masks so looking at all solutions.

I will do my best to describe it- there's this cup shaped disc that basically creates space between your mouth and the mask, I don't know if there's a name for it.

western mass wrote:

I will do my best to describe it- there's this cup shaped disc that basically creates space between your mouth and the mask, I don't know if there's a name for it.

Like this one?

In Delaware you must mask during your race.

NJ - no masks while competing.