The NYSDOH has determined that Volleyball is a high-risk sport (Least ability to maintain physical distance and/or be done individually; least ability to: (1) avoid touching of shared equipment, (2) clean and disinfect equipment between uses by different individuals, or (3) not use shared equipment at all).
General Considerations:
- For pre-match conference, participants must all wear masks and each team is allowed one captain to attend.
- Suspend handshakes, fist bumps and similar gestures prior to and following the pregame conference.
- Players should sanitize hands between sets.
- Four (4) game balls should be available throughout the match.
- Substitutes may stand directly in front of the team bench, chairs or bleachers. (waiver of NCAA Rule approved by NYSPHSAA Officers 1-25-21)
- Teams are recommended to refrain from high fives and other similar celebrations following each point.
- Teams should remain on the same bench area throughout the match (waiver of NCAA Rule approved by NYSPHSAA Officers 1-25-21)
- Officials Table - Limit essential personnel which includes home team scorer, libero tracker and timer to maintain social distance between individuals. Visiting team personnel (scorer, statisticians, etc.) are not deemed essential personnel and will need to find an alternative location. All table help must wear masks.
- Uniform - Long sleeves and long pants are permissible.
- Uniform - Under garments are permissible, but must be unadorned and of a single, solid color similar in color to the predominant color of the uniform top or bottom.
- Schools should consider protocols for supplying their own equipment for warm-ups.
- Considerations for Officials:
- Officials are responsible for game management, which does not include monitoring activities on the sidelines, such as social distancing, face coverings, hand washing, symptoms of illnesses and other such issues. This monitoring obligation remains with the responsible parties.
- Bring personal hand sanitizer. Wash hands frequently.
- Do not share equipment.
- Follow social distancing guidelines.
- Long-sleeved, all-white collared polo shirt/sweater are permissible.
- Electronic whistles are permissible.
- Gloves are permissible.
- Considerations for Coaches:
- Communicate your guidelines in a clear manner to students and parents.
- Consider conducting workouts in “pods” of same students always training and rotating together in practice to ensure more limited exposure if someone develops an infection. Keep accurate records of those athletes and staff who attend each practice in case contact tracing is needed.
- Considerations for Students:
- Consider making each student responsible for their own supplies.
- Students should wear their own appropriate workout clothing (do not share clothing), and individual clothing/towels should be washed and cleaned after every workout immediately upon returning home.
- Hand sanitizer should be plentiful at all contests and practices.
- Bring your own labeled water bottle.
- Considerations for Parents:
- Provide personal items for your child and clearly label them.
- In accordance with NYSDOH guidance (Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Sports and Recreation), only two spectators per participant if permitted.