NJSIAA’s Winter Plan
If this were a normal winter sports season and there has been nothing normal in 2020, high school sports teams would be beginning winter sports seasons this week.
Usually opening day for basketball would be the third Friday in December, with wrestling beginning the next day.
This year, New Jersey high school athletes in those two sports have yet to begin practicing.
Most sports aren’t practicing until at least January, but ice hockey was able to start Dec. 14 but only with either virtual or outdoor practices. Indoor practices for ice hockey can begin on Jan. 3
Other various winter sports have different starting dates. Here are the NJSIAA guidelines.
Basketball, Fencing and Bowling
These three sports begin practice on Jan. 11. The season will start Jan. 26 and end March 6.
Competition will be limited to three events per week. The total maximum events will be 15 during the season, which according to the NJSIAA, includes league or conference tournaments. Teams may only compete in one event per day. There will be no NJSIAA sponsored post-season. Post-season play may be hosted locally by participating leagues and conferences at their discretion.
Multi-team, multi-game and invitational events are prohibited in basketball and fencing. Multiple bowling contests may take place in the same bowling alley at the same time, however, the capacity limits set forth in Executive Order 196 must be followed.
Swimming, Winter Track and Field
Practice will begin Feb. 1 The season will start on Feb. 16 and end on March 27. Competition will be limited to three events per week. The total maximum events will be 15 events during the season, which includes league or conference tournaments. Teams may only compete in one event per day.
There will be no NJSIAA sponsored post-season. Post-season may be hosted locally by participating
leagues and conferences at their discretion.
Currently, all competition will be limited to two teams only, but this is subject to change, according to the NJSIAA, which says it will consult with the New Jersey Department of Heath to determine if multi-team or invitational events will be permissible.
There will also be no out of state competition.
Gymnastics, Girls’ Volleyball and Wrestling
Practice begins March 1, with the season starting March 16 and ending April 24.
Gymnastics and Girls’ Volleyball were moved from the fall because the NJSIAA didn’t feel having indoor sports would be appropriate then. Competition will be limited to three events per week. The total maximum events will be 15 events during the season, which includes league or conference tournaments. Teams may only compete in one event per
Currently, all competition will be limited to two teams only, but this is subject to change. The NJSIAA will continue to consult with the NJ Department of Health to determine if multi-team or multi-game events will be permissible. The NJSIAA says it doesn’t expect decisions on expanding the scope of participants and/or teams to be made until closer to the start of the season.
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Author: Marc Narducci
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