MIAA approves football, other high school sports to start in 3 weeks

The Massachusetts Inter-School Athletic Association conducts the parade in an orderly manner, does not require the Hail Mary Pass, and can bring high scores to high school football players, coaches and fans across the state.

The MIAA board of directors unanimously approved safety changes to football, as well as indoor track and field and uniform basketball at a special meeting on Friday, paving the way for the fall II season sports scheduled for February 22nd. Until April 25.

The list of football modifications developed by the Football Committee, the Sports Medicine Committee and the COVID-19 Working Group and in compliance with the guidelines of the National Energy and Environmental Affairs Executive Office is very extensive.

However, unlike some sports-think of a seven-point seven hockey game or a virtual swimming game-football looks like football, which means tackles and blocks. There is no doubt that this will comfort those involved in contact sports.

MIAA Deputy Director Richard Pearson said: “There was extensive discussion about this. This is the liaison of the Football and Sports Medicine Committee.” “I think it all revolves around the fact that The ball will remain in the design like a tackle.

"Also, once the player starts to play and gets close when playing multiple times in the game, then other modifications may not be necessary for the same."

A major, game-changing discussion involves creating space between the lines by pushing the defender a few yards back from the melee line.

However, it failed to change the way the game is played and the safety issues that may arise, so it failed to get people's attention.

Grafton principal Jim Pignataro said: “We’re talking about athletes’ concerns about speeding up to the line of scrimmage.” “So this is also a problem. Most importantly, it’s a problem. A game of obstacles and challenges."

There are still modifications. Here are some worth noting:

• Whether in the wild or on the sidelines, you must always wear a face cover. Leggings are not allowed, but balaclava-style masks are allowed.

• When arranging the game, up to 30 minutes of full-contact training per week; 45 minutes of the game is not scheduled in a week.

• The upper limit of the game day roster is 45 players and 6 coaches.

• The team box for each sideline will be expanded to the 10-yard line to help maintain a 6-foot social distance between players.

• Disorganized. Instead, all players will face one direction at a certain distance.

• The time out and rest between groups is two minutes. Half time is 10 minutes.

One item that was extensively discussed during the 85-minute meeting was not a proposed modification, but an existing MIAA rule, which requires 15 days of practice time, and the first three days are specifically adjusted before the game can be played.

There is concern that the weather may cause some teams to take a month to meet this requirement, especially since the EEA does not allow indoor football activities.

Duxbury Sports Director Tom Holdgate (Thom Holdgate) and St. John's University Foundation Principal Keith Crowley (co-chair of the COVID-19 Working Group) will begin in the fall of the second season Some clarifications were obtained with the European Economic Area (EAA).

(For example: Is strength training and fitness exercise indoors considered a football activity?)

"In any case, the whole fact that we are trying to play football will be a struggle," Hodgate said. "We may not be able to make appropriate adjustments as required, which may delay the start of certain schools. If we are to play football, and to comply with the current EEA guidelines that may occur.

"But please understand that we are trying to get the kids to play football, and we may encounter some hits. If that means you didn't play until the fourth week because you didn't participate in 15 practice sessions, then the kids will still be fascinated. live.

Other board members pointed out that the start of certain autumn and winter sports seasons is delayed by teams and/or leagues, and in the spring, this is usually the norm, not the exception.

The following are important improvements in other sports. Some of these schools and/or leagues will be postponed from the fall and will be played in Fall II:

• Indoor track: The start staggered between the participants and the lane separation is much.

• Hockey: Free throws are now allowed

•Football: A game recovers from three quarters to two halves. When on site, you must always wear the necessary masks. Previously, players could put down their masks when they were at least 10 feet away from the defender.

• Volleyball: Remove the three-foot line on either side of the net, and clean the ball after each game instead of after each point. The maximum number of players on the game day roster is 15.

The board also announced that it is officially-at the recommendation of the game management committee last month, not surprisingly-that in the fall of the second season there will be no more regional and state competitions sponsored by MIAA.

Central Massachusetts is represented by Pat Mara, Assistant Principal of Millbury; Grafton Principal Jim Pinataro (District 2); Westboro Principal Brian Callaghan; and Quabbin District AD Mark Miville (District 3).