PIERRE – On Wednesday in a special meeting, the South Dakota High School Activities Association Board of Directors unanimously approved a plan for fall sports and activities put forth by a task force set to determine the safety of conducting events. It includes consistent COVID-19 testing for participants across the state, numerous rules modifications, and contingency plans in case of another outbreak.
During the meeting, there was a brief discussion about fan attendance, but SDHSAA Executive Director Dr. Dan Swartos said that would be left up to local districts and schools.
The plan includes a recommendation, but not a requirement, to have seating charts on buses to help with contact tracing and to help determine numbers of confirmed close contact. There is also the recommendation that all who ride buses wear masks.
Other notable changes include football players being allowed to wear clear visors that connect to face masks. However, cloth masks and face coverings will not be allowed to be worn. Also, charged time-outs and quarter breaks will be 120 seconds in length and conferences must be held on the field and not on the sideline. The chain crew must operate from the home team sideline and cannot enter the playing field. If a measurement is needed, the officials should deliver the chain to the field.
In volleyball, teams can switch sides between sets, but they cannot switch benches. Also, the coin toss to determine who serves first is suspended. This season, the visiting team will always serve first. Teams are also asked to consider avoiding tournament play during the regular season.
Handshakes will not be allowed between captains for the football coin toss or between volleyball players.
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