CINCINNATI — The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Friday morning it has removed the 10-day coaching limitation between June 1 and July 31, 2021.
That means coaches in the team sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball may coach students from their school teams without restriction between June 1 and July 31, 2021.
OHSAA executive director Doug Ute's office removed the limitation to ensure students can obtain coaching from their school coach during the pandemic, according to an OHSAA memo.
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Last spring, the OHSAA removed the regulation that limited coaches in those team sports to 10 coaching days between June 1 and July 31. The removal of that restriction was extended through Aug. 31, 2020.
In football, only non-contact (with helmets) is permitted from June 1 to July 31, 2021.
Earlier this week, the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association informed its members that June and July would not have limits to coaching.
Schools may fulfill two of the required five acclimatization days in July in advance of official practice beginning on Sunday, Aug. 1.
That means Aug. 1 is the official start of football practice where teams can start in helmets and shoulder pads for two days and then full gear "no contact" followed by full contact the next day, according to the OHSFCA and OHSAA.
"We expanded the days last summer because spring sports did not have a season and we wanted to give schools maximum flexibility to let their coaches work with athletes," OHSAA football administrator Beau Rugg told WCPO. "Since this involves nine different team sports, we have had a discussion on why we restrict and should the number of days be a school decision. Because of this crazy year, we decided to extend for this year and gather feedback on whether we want this to be permanent."
Two football scrimmages will be permitted between Aug. 6-14. Either or both of the scrimmages may be conducted as Jamboree games.
The first Friday of the football regular season is Aug. 20 and the regular season will conclude on Oct. 23, followed by six weeks of playoffs instead of five weeks.
State wrestling tournament
The OHSAA continues to work toward determining state tournament venuesfor boys and girls basketball, wrestling and ice hockey in March.
OHSAA wrestling administrator Tyler Brooks told WCPO Thursday he is in discussion with three Central Ohio high schools about the upcoming state wrestling tournament which is scheduled for March 12-14.
Each division will be a two-day event, Brooks said.
"Unless something goes sideways they will be in Central Ohio," Brooks said.
He said the tournament will be at three separates sites for the three divisions. He wants the tournament to remain centrally located after the Schottenstein Center was unavailable this year.
"We do anticipate being able to have at least two spectators per wrestler to start," Brooks said.
Brooks said for the second day he hopes four spectators will be allowed per wrestler as the field narrows.
"We're still working out the nitty-gritty on that," Brooks said. "We're aiming for streaming of all matches. That's still in the works. Nothing finalized there, but I'm really optimistic that we're going to be able to get that done at all three sites."
