During another hot Summer and Fall, the GHSA urges all coaches and players to please train smart and stay safe. During conditioning, fall practice and games this year, the GHSA would like to remind everyone of the heat and humidity policies that are in place for ALL sports and not just football.
Schools must follow the statewide policy for conducting practices, voluntary conditioning workouts (this policy is year-round, including during the summer) and games this year (see specific requirements for contests in each sports section of the 2023-24 GHSA Constitution) in all sports during times of extremely high heat and/or humidity that will be signed by each head coach at the beginning of each season and distributed to all players and their parents or guardians. The policy shall follow modified guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine in regard to:
(1) The scheduling of practices at various heat/humidity levels.
(2) The ratio of workout time to time allotted for rest and hydration at various heat/humidity levels.
(3) The heat/humidity levels that will result in practice being terminated.
A scientifically-approved instrument that measures the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature must be utilized at each practice to ensure that the written policy is being followed properly. WBGT readings should be taken every hour, beginning 30 minutes before the beginning of practice.
Practice Policy for Heat and Humidity
