Pac-12 approves virtual meetings between coaches and players

The Pac-12 announced on Monday that they have become the latest conference to adjust and adhere to the social distancing and safer at home orders by approving new rules that allow for coaches and players to hold virtual meetings. The Pac-12, though just a bit behind the SEC and Big 12, becomes the third Power-5 conference to ratify such adjusted rules after social distancing has become such widely understood phrase.

Though they’ve limited all in-person activity until the end of May (at least), this now allows programs to send players workout gear, equipment and nutrition bars, but after that, nothing else.

The policy now allows football coaches up to two hours a week of virtual group activities like film study while other sports receive up to four hours. The Pac-12 will be working with the NCAA to extend the football hours to match the other sports as well.

The full release:

The Pac-12 announced today that following a meeting of its CEOs, it has made the decision to extend its previously announced suspension of organized team activities through May 31, with certain limited exceptions based upon student-athlete well-being, and with periodic re-evaluations over the coming weeks should circumstances warrant a change in policy.

Key elements of the suspension include the following:

-No organized, in-person team activities of any type;

-No in-person voluntary workouts, film study sessions, meetings, technique drills or practices of any type;

-Virtual or online supervised voluntary workouts and skill instruction are not permitted, regardless of location;

-Virtual group activities, including film study, are permitted to two (2) hours per week for football and four (4) hours per week for all other sports. We are appealing to the NCAA to increase the two-hour football limit in the near future;

-Coaches can recommend written, self-directed workout plans, and taped demonstration videos on workout plans are allowed in order to demonstrate proper form and technique;

-In-person, on-campus nutrition may be provided in circumstances where student-athletes are unable to leave campus, and off-campus nutrition is limited to distribution of products normally available on campus;

-It is fully permissible to provide non-athletically related support to student-athletes, including sports medicine treatments, physical therapy and rehabilitation; academic support; and mental health and wellness support;

-It is permissible for institutions to provide off-campus student-athletes with apparel and personal equipment that is regularly available to student-athletes when they are on campus for conditioning workouts. It is not permissible to rent, purchase or arrange for conditioning or strength training equipment or machines.

Also, as it comes at no surprise, the Pac-12 release comes just moments ahead of UCLA head coach Chip Kelly officially ‘cancelling’ the 2020 spring game that was scheduled for April 18.