NFHS Revises Guidance on COVID Transmission in High School Sports

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (February 2, 2021) – After evaluating experiences of schools participating in high school sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) has revised its May 2020 guidance document with a new “Statement on Risk of COVID-19 During High School Sports.”  Highlighting the revised guidance … Continued

Study Analyzes Impact of Girls High School Lacrosse Headgear

SPARKS, MARYLAND (January 7, 2021) – Findings from a new research study measuring the effects of headgear in high school girls lacrosse indicate headgear is associated with a reduction in the magnitude of overall impacts, but not a change in the rate of impacts, how they occur, or how penalties were administered for impacts sustained during … Continued

STOP Sports Injuries Analyzes Exercising in the Cold, Condensed Youth Seasons

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (January 22, 2021) – STOP (Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention) Sports Injuries provided some medical analysis on the effects of exercising in cold weather and condensed youth and school sports seasons as a result of COVID-19. The white paper “Exercising in the Cold” looks at the encouragement by the CDC (Centers for Disease … Continued

NJCAA Announces Four Emerging Sports

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA (December 18, 2020) - During the December 2020 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Board of Regents meeting, the board considered increasing the association’s sports offerings following a survey to membership to gauge interest. Following the Board of Regents’ vote, the NJCAA will formally recognize competitive cheer (co-ed), clay target shooting (co-ed), men’s volleyball and women’s wrestling as emerging sports … Continued

Virginia High School Athletes Not Required to Wear Masks in Games, Practices

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA (December 14, 2020) – On December 10, the Virginia High School League (VHSL) announced it “is requiring each school to follow the recommendations of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)” that students and coaches wear masks while participating in sports. This requirement was issued in response to information that the … Continued

US Lacrosse Commotio Cordis Chest Protector Rules for Goalkeepers Begin in 2021

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (November 20, 2020) – The US Lacrosse rule that all chest protectors for goalies meet NOCSAE standard ND200 and have an SEI certification mark will go into effect January 1, 2021. This will be mandatory in the boys/men and girls/women rules for US Lacrosse, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) … Continued

Volleyball Officiating with Electronic Whistle Video Released by NFHS

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (November 17, 2020) – As part of its continued effort to educate officials on new procedures and protocol in officiating, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has debuted a new instructional video on the online NFHS Learning Center – “Official Volleyball Signals Using an Electronic Whistle.” The “Official Volleyball Signals Using … Continued

University of Wisconsin Study Shows High School Sports Didn’t Increase COVID Infections in Athletes

STEVENS POINT, WISCONSIN (October 23, 2020) – A study conducted by the Department of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health concluded participation in high school sports in Wisconsin has not led to an increase in COVID-19 infections among high school student-athletes. The COVID-19 in Wisconsin High School Athletics study conducted by … Continued

NAIA Passes Landmark Name, Image, Likeness Legislation

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI (October 6, 2020) – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) passed the first legislation of its kind in college sports to allow its student-athletes the opportunity to be compensated for use of their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). The legislation approved today by NAIA membership follows a year-long discussion on the topic … Continued

NCAA Baseball Rule Changes for 2020-21

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (September 16, 2020) – The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved baseball rules changes and the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee clarified visual bat inspection protocols since the panel delayed implementation of regular-season bat barrel compression testing in Divisions II and III due to budget constraints from the COVID-19 pandemic. The protocols are: Ensure the … Continued