August 19, 2020
The Governor’s Official website put out a guideline for reopening sports back in July, and it divided the various sports into risk groups. Needless to say Basketball was grouped with other sports such as football and wrestling as “Higher-Risk Sports”.
As you can see in the chart, below, there are several higher contact level activities within each sport that are not allowed, such as “competitive team practices”, “organized leagues” and “pick up sports” and “competitive tournaments”. Interestingly, however, there are a couple activities that are allowed – they are: “individual or distanced group training or activities” and “organized no/low-contact group training (i.e.: camps/clinics)”.
It seems to me that a small, organized gathering of players who were at a venue for the purpose of training within the sport, and not there to compete (i.e. keep score) would be able to engage in activities resembling game simulations that were low contact.
I know of a couple such groups of our members who have, in a non-formal manner, met at outdoor parks with face masks, and played 3-on-3 half court. I still believe our best opportunity for resuming our league is in January/February of 2021 once a vaccine has been distributed. Having said that I am eager to learn how many of our members have been out shooting baskets and how many have participated in loosely arranged outdoor 3-on-3 play. Please respond to this post and let me know your experiences.
If it is something that holds enough interest perhaps we can contact an independent gym about renting court time to play some 3-on-3 half court.
