By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
GREAT BEND — Like many plans of reopening from the effects of coronavirus, the Kansas State High School Activities Association is easing back into sports for the upcoming fall season. KSHSAA announced their 2020 summer workout guidelines.
Many students have not had the opportunity to train on a regular basis this spring, so a gradual acclimation to physical activity has been shown to lower risk of injury.
Starting June 1, high school coaches can begin summer programs with a maximum of three hours of activity per student per day in the first week.
Great Bend schools superintendent Khris Thexton says social distancing and gathering restrictions are still implemented during the conditioning drills.
"We have talked to our staff to tell them even though we have plans, do not think they are set in stone," Thexton said. "We have seen things change and they change rather quickly."
Beginning the second calendar week of summer activity, each student can work out up to five hours per day. The restrictions become looser following the second week based on the State of Kansas restriction guidelines. Football players must complete three weeks of conditioning with limited drills before camps and contact drills can take place.
"We want to make sure we are working with our local health department and making sure we are following the state guidelines," said Thexton. "We want to make sure children are taken care of and being watched to keep them safe."
One camp is allowed for football teams but it will consist of only two total schools and limited to a maximum of two days. Traditional fall school practices begin Aug. 17.
"We understand the frustration that people want to get out and back to what they have been doing, but we are taking every precaution we can," said Thexton.