BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — As the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) gives the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) more information, IHSA has updated guidelines for a return to play for low-risk sports.
The IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee helped determine how much practice is be needed for each sport before competing.
A plan was approved Tuesday that sets the number of practice days each sport will need:
Badminton: 7 practice days after first practice
Bowling: 7 practice days after practice
Competitive Cheer: 7 practice days after first practice
Competitive Dance: 7 practice days after first practice
Girls Gymnastics: 7 practice days after first practice
Boys Swimming and Diving: 7 practice days after first practice
Although some regions in the state have moved to Phase 4, IHSA said they are considering them along with Tier 1 due to IDPH having no Phase 4 guidance posted.
In normal circumstances, a student-athlete has to terminate contact with travel teams within seven days of their first high school practice.
However, since the entire state is under different mitigations, any low or medium-risk sports that are starting practice will not yet count toward the time when they must stop participation in non-school teams.
IHSA plans on announcing a universal start for the seven-day window after the next board meeting scheduled to take place on Jan. 27.
IHSA, after the next meeting, will also be providing more information related to number of athletes allowed in the weight room, Phase 4 guidance from IDPH and a more formalized schedule for the remainder of the year.
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