How MCSD head football coaches are preparing for practices in the COVID-19 age
Public school football teams in Muscogee County are gearing up for the return of high school sports activities to MCSD next week.
Spirits are high within Muscogee County School District teams, who have yet to start summer workouts. The Georgia High School Association allowed teams to begin training in early June.
“It’s been an adjustment for all of us,” Spencer coach Robert Sanders said. “What we’ve been doing so far is having Zoom meetings with the team: offensive Zoom meetings, defensive Zoom meetings ... to get everything set up for Monday.”
Monday marks the first day that MCSD fall sports teams can begin offseason workouts, with guidelines set by the district and the GHSA.
The good news for teams like Columbus and Spencer is that the GHSA’s limit of 50 people (players and coaches combined) at practices means more flexibility in scheduling workouts. The GHSA initially only allowed for 20 people total at workouts.
“A few of (the players), especially the seniors, are excited to get started on Monday,” Columbus coach Phil Marino said. “I have to remind them of the restrictions, what we can and can’t do. ... But the kids are excited. The ones I’ve spoke with, and the freshmen that are coming in, hopefully we can get them acclimated.”
All summer workouts are voluntary, according to both MCSD and the GHSA, and any students who do not feel comfortable returning to practice are encouraged to contact their coach and inform them. Masks and facial coverings are optional for athletes, and each participant must bring their own water bottle to practice.
Any equipment used during practices must be sanitized afterward, the district said. Columbus is using fog machines to disinfect equipment, Marino said Wednesday.
As of last week, GHSA schools are allowed to use sport-specific equipment such as balls. Marino does not plan much of that in the first week, instead opting for a conditioning-first approach. Sanders said similar things, saying that his staff will assess the group’s fitness level after one week of conditioning.
“We’re going to condition our guys the first week and lift weights,” Marino said. “We have freshmen that should’ve been in here June 1 lifting already, that we’ve got to teach them — some of them know how to lift already — but a lot of them don’t. So we’ve got to get that aspect going, and then the conditioning part.”
Once athletes are back somewhat in shape, then equipment such as balls will be used.
The GHSA recommends staff and athletes be screened for COVID-19 prior to each workout. Use of locker rooms and shower facilities is prohibited.
Social distancing should be adhered at all times, and masks or face coverings are recommended for the weight room. At least 15 minutes should be scheduled between workout groups to allow for disinfecting the facility.
At Columbus, one group will condition at Lakebottom Park, while the other remains in the weight room. At all MCSD schools, temperature checks must take place prior to workouts. Once everybody is cleared, Sanders said his Spencer team will split into two groups: One group will move to the weight room while the other stays outside for conditioning.
“Kids have got to bring their own water bottles and things like that,” Sanders said. “We want them to not share anything. Everything is going to pretty much be individualized.”
This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
