Heat Acclimization Policy

Pre Season August Day # # Practices Football-Duration of Practices Break Football Equipment Football Equipment
             
  1 1 practice 2.5 hours   Helmets  
  2 1 practice 2.5 hours   Helmets  
  3 1 practice 2.5 hours   Helmets & Shoulder Pads Tackling Dummy & Blocking Sled
  4 1 practice 2.5 hours   Helmets & Shoulder Pads Tackling Dummy & Blocking Sled
  5 1 practice 2.5 hours   Helmets & Shoulder Pads Tackling Dummy & Blocking Sled
  6 2 practice not to exceed 5 hrs combined 3 hours Full pads Full Contact & Full Go
    Off Off   Off Off
  7 2 practice not to exceed 5 hrs combined 3 hours Full pads Full Contact & Full Go
  8 1 practice 2.5 hours   Full pads Full Contact & Full Go
  9 2 practice not to exceed 5 hrs combined 3 hours Full pads Full Contact & Full Go
  10 1 practice 2.5 hours   Full pads Full Contact & Full Go
  11 2 practice not to exceed 5 hrs combined 3 hours Full Pads Full Contact & Full Go
  12 1 practice 2.5 hours   Full pads Full Contact & Full Go
    Off Off   Off Off
  13 2 practice not to exceed 5 hrs combined 3 hours Full pads Full Contact & Full Go
  14 1 practice 2.5 hours   Full pads Full Contact & Full Go
  15 First allowable football game        
             
 THERE ARE TWO "COUNTS" THAT HAVE TO OCCUR FOR FOOTBALL:      
First - Equipment/hitting schedule:          
  Day 1 & 2 - Helmets only.            
  Day 3 - 5 - Helmets and shoulder pads.   Contact with blocking sleds and tackling dummies may be initiated.    
  Day 6 - Full protective equipment and full contact may begin. First allowable 'coach controlled' scrimmage.    
Second - Days off/practice duration          
  Chalk talk is not included in 2 1/2 time period.  A 1 1/2 hour walkthrough (teaching opportunity with no running, no equipment) is allowed if
    separated by at least 3 hours on single practice days only.        
On single practice days 1/2 hour of lifting is permitted in addition to the 2 1/2 hour session.      
  Must have a day off after 6 days of practice.        
  Double practice days (beginning no earlier than practice day 6) must be followed by a single-practice day or day off  
  All practices and walk through sessions must be separated by three hours of continuous rest      
             
FOR SPORTS OTHER THAN FOOTBALL:  Day 1-5: Single practice session of 2.5 hours.  Day 6 and after:  Double practice sessions of 2.5 hours 
allowed with a 3 hour break in between sessions.    Must have a day off after 6 days of practice.  This allows for a standard of care for heat acclimatization to occur.  
On single practice days, 1/2 hour of lifting is permitted in addition to the 2 1/2 hour session.      
             
ALL SPORTS - ALL LATE PARTICIPANTS, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON, MUST START THEIR OWN ACCLIMATIZATION SCHEDULE - THEY CANNOT BE MIXED IN.
A PRACTICE IS DEFINED AS A PERIOD OF TIME A STUDENT-ATHLETE ENGAGES IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING  A COACH SUPERVISED, SCHOOL-APPROVED SPORTS 
  OR CONDITIONING-RELATED ACTIVITY, INCLUDING WARMING UP, STRETCHING, WEIGHT TRAINING AND COOL DOWN PERIODS.  
THE HEAT ACCLIMATIZATION PERIOD IS DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.  DAYS IN WHICH ATHLETES DO NOT PRACTICE DUE TO A SCHEDULED 
  REST DAY, INJURY, ILLNESS OR OTHER REASONS, DO NOT COUNT.         
             
Athletic Trainers are recommended to be on-site for double practice days.  Additional heat safety guidelines are in policy book.