Last week the Rhode Island Interscholastic League unveiled its new COVID-19 modifications for the upcoming fall sports season.

For all sports, all players, coaches, officials, fans and media members will be required to wear face coverings at all times. For athletes, occasional breaks will be allowed when players are at least 10 feet apart from one another. All parties, whether it be on or off the field, will be required to maintain a distance of 6 feet apart from one another. Teams will no longer be doing post game handshakes and athletes on the same team will not be allowed to high five, hug or fist bump.

For soccer, the most notable rule change will be the exclusion of throw ins when the ball is out of play. For this season, the team with possession will instead be allowed to indirectly kick the ball back into play. Coaches or officials must also move the ball with their feet only.

Cross country hosts are encouraged to have staggered starts to begin each race. Instead of the normal start, which has all participants lined up simultaneously, teams will be taking off at different times and/or different locations on the course. Course set up will be managed by the host site.

The league will also limit dual meets to four teams with a limit of 12 runners per squad.

Like all other sports, tennis players will be required to maintain a safe distance from one another, including doubles pairings. Teams will be encouraged to disinfect balls regularly as well as any equipment used.

In cheerleading, pyramids, lifts and stunts will no longer be allowed and items such as pom-poms will not be shared.

Field hockey gameplay will be similar to the norm, with the only significant difference being the number of balls allowed on the sidelines. Teams will now be allowed to use four additional balls for when the game ball is hit out of play. All equipment must be disinfected regularly as well.