The high school football season began officially last Wednesday for Banks County High School. The Leopards plan to have their players in full pads on August 1, the first day they are permitted to do so under a new policy being implemented by the Georgia High School Association to guard against heat related injuries.
The GHSA’s new Practice Policy for Heat and Humidity was approved by the organization’s executive committee in March. Though two Georgia high school football players died last year during summer workouts.
Forest Jones of Locust Grove and DJ Searcy of Fitzgerald, who died while participating at a team camp at a facility in north Florida. The rule was crafted based largely on data collected during a three-year study which concluded at the beginning of this year.
The Leopards coaches and trainers have the wet bulb equipment that measures the heat index and humidity readings. A reading under 82 is considered normal and all activities for that day can continue as planned as long as a provision for at least three separate rest breaks each hour of minimum duration of 3minutes each during workout is observed.
A reading of 82-86.9 calls for the coaching staff to use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise; watch at-risk players carefully and provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour of a minimum of four minutes duration each.
When a reading reaches 87-89.9 the practice is limited to a two hour maximum and for football the players are restricted to helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts during practice. All protective equipment must be removed for conditioning activities. For all sports: Provide at least four separate rest breaks each hour of a minimum of four minutes each.
At the 90-92 reading the maximum length of practice is one hour, no protective equipment may be worn during practice and there may be no conditioning activities. There must be 20 minutes of rest breaks provided during the hour of practice.
A reading over 92 concludes practice and all workouts must stop until a cooler WBGT reading occurs.
Rest time should involve both unlimited hydration intake (water or electrolyte drinks) and rest without any activity involved. For football, helmets should be removed during rest time.
The site of the rest time should be a “cooling zone” and not in direct sunlight. When the WGBT reading is over 86, Ice towels and spray bottles filled with ice water should be available at the “cooling zone” to aid the cooling process.
Cold immersion tubs must be available for practices for the benefit of any player showing early signs of heat illness.
Each coach at BCHS is required to take the necessary time to explain the new rule to all participating athletes and their parents. Regular readings before and during practice is executed by the staff. The equipment necessary for the new rule will cost $150.00 to $300.00 each and multiple manufacturers offer the equipment for sale.
