IHSA revises return-to-play rules, won’t allow any physical contact at summer practices

Notre Dame’s coaching staff looks on during practice on July 6. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

The Illinois High School Association has amended its return to play rules and will no longer allow any physical contact between athletes.

The changes to Phase 4 rules were announced on Thursday afternoon in an email sent to school administrators. Schools had been operating under the original rules since Monday. Several local schools conducted drills with physical contact and full scrimmages over the last three days. The rule changes have not yet been announced publicly by the IHSA.

The amended rules also require athletes and coaches to wear masks at all times. The IHSA’s email says it is “working to determine if this includes outside while social distancing.”

The changes put an end to basketball leagues and football 7-on-7 competitions that had been hastily scheduled over the last week.

The Illinois Department of Public Health approved the IHSA’s Phase 4 plan last week. Each individual school district must approve the move into the next phase. Chicago Public Schools have not allowed athletes to workout in any capacity so far.

Notre Dame’s Sonny Williams practices on July 6, 2020.

On Wednesday CPS sent an email to principals, athletic directors and coaches announcing it would allow practices to rest restart on Monday, July 13. But it has not responded to a request for confirmation and canceled a scheduled meeting on Thursday to with coaches and athletic directors to discuss the protocols.

CPS says it will provide two masks for each student and coach. Each school will decide if it has the “capacity to implement these requirements.”