2020 FREEDOM RED DIVISION
RULE MODIFICATIONS AND
GAME PROTOCOLS DURING COVID-19
1. Press Box: The team box will be extended on both sides of the field to the 10 yard line for coaches and players to create more social-distancing for the teams.
2. Face Coverings: must be worn on the sidelines. Players may wear a helmet without a face covering/face guard if they are on the playing field or involved in game rotation. Coaches are required to wear a face covering - gator type face coverings are permitted at this time.
3. Sportsmanship Statement: The NJSIAA Sportsmanship Statement will be read to each team during the warm-up period in each team’s respective endzone.
4. Coin Toss: The coin toss will be limited to referee, umpire and one designated representative from each team in the center of the field with designated individuals maintaining social distance of 6 feet.
5. Officials: must maintain social distancing of 6 feet while performing all pregame responsibilities with all officiating crew members, game administration staff, line-to-gain crew, individuals handling the balls during the game and team personnel. Officials need to check in with the Home Team Trainer for a temperature check (NJSIAA COVID-19 daily screening form should be sent to the officiating crew beginning of the week).
6. Hand Shaking:
7. Locker Rooms: No locker rooms are available for either team or officials;
-
No indoor facilities during pregame, the contest, and postgame (unless emergency)
-
Endzone area, side field, outside courtyard set up for teams for pregame, halftime, and postgame. (benches, 2 porta-johns, the away team brings their own whiteboard and tent if needed). Must be equitable for both Home and Away teams.
8. Severe Weather: conditions teams move to the gym/large cafe area for halftime. NO locker room access is allowed.
9. Spectators:
-
Crowd will max out at 500 or school districts bleacher capacity using social distancing. (does not include participants in the contest; players, coaches, officials, home cheer, home band - corner of end zone). Families must arrive and remain at an approximate location.
-
Fans must follow all NJ Department of Health and NJSIAA COVID-19 guidelines including social distancing and the wearing of face masks. Home Teams will provide announcements and signage. Any fan who does not comply will be asked to leave the event.
10. Ticketing: Tickets/wristbands will be handled by each home team. Recommended that there are two tickets for each team member for both home and away teams;
-
No admission fee will be charged
-
Home tickets 350-380
-
Away tickets 120-150 / away AD must provide a staff member at the entrance to monitor away ticket holders (the actual number of home and away tickets may vary from school to school based on social distancing constraints)
-
No stamping hands or collecting tickets
-
No backpacks or open water/drink bottles
-
No concessions nor snackstand are permitted.
11. Home/Away Teams: Grades 10-12 unless Freshman on the Varsity Team.
12. Marching Band: No Visiting Team Band (as confirmed with Band Directors)
13. Cheer: Away Varsity Cheerleaders (24 max) may sideline cheer as long as the Home Team’s facility can safely accommodate the added numbers and the Away Cheerleaders have the approval of their administration. There will be No Away Team stunting nor halftime performance. All Away Cheerleaders will be socially distanced and masked for the duration of the event.
14. Security:
-
Home Administration responsible for security, managing social distancing, face mask policies, and emergency action plan for participants and fans. At least 2 police officers are required for each game to help provide security and follow NJ Department of Health and NJSIAA COVID-19 guidelines.
-
Away Administration must provide enough security to manage the sidelines and away bleachers (AD or school administrator and 2+ athletic workers).
15. Press Box: 1 announcer, 1 spotter, 1 clock official, 2 scouts each team, 1 film person home team (film must be shared). Visiting Team can film in the press box (if there is room) or bleachers as equally confirmed by the Home Athletic Director. Masks and social distancing must be followed. If there is not enough room for social distancing only the announcer, spotter, and clock operator will be allowed to use the press box with the coaches and film person setting up in a marked off area of the bleachers per NJSIAA recommendations.
16. Live scouting of opposing coaches: 2 coaches from next week's schedule may be allowed to live scout the game. The Athletic Directors from the schools that are requesting live scouting must email the Home Team Athletic Director with coaches' names by Tuesday of game week.
17. Media: All Media members need to check in with the Home Athletic Trainer for temperature check (NJSIAA COVID-19 daily screening form should be sent to media personnel attending the game at the beginning of the week to fill out and hand in to the trainer the day of the event). Media personnel will be located in the endzone area only. Post game media interview process is left to individual districts. Social distancing and face guards are required regardless of logistical set up.
SPORTSMANSHIP POLICY DEALING WITH BIAS INCIDENTS: There will be no tolerance for negative statements or actions between players and coaches. This includes taunting, baiting, berating opponents, “trash-talking” or actions which ridicule or cause embarrassment to them. Any verbal, written, or physical conduct related to race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or religion shall not be tolerated, and could subject the violator to ejection, and may result in penalties being assessed against your team. If such comments are heard, a penalty will be assessed immediately.