06/15/18- Reminders about Off Season Football Practice, Workouts and Equipment

June 15, 2018 Athletic Department Blog Updates

Recently, the KHSAA office staff has received several inquiries about football camps and other activities. As the summer vacation period continues, it seems prudent to issue a few reminders to keep everyone informed. None of these procedures have changed (with the exception of the scrimmage limits once contact begins), but with the massive turnover in coaches and the plethora of inquiries and perhaps spreading of misinformation, these reminders are essential.

This is not intended to be all-inclusive as to the myriad of rules and regulations related to football practice. The complete regulations for football including per-day and per-week limitations are contained in the KHSAA bylaws at http://khsaa.org/handbook/bylaws/20172018/bylaw23.pdf

June 1-24

• This is a period where no activity can be required of a student in the sport of football as it is outside of the season as defined in Bylaw 23.
• No official team-based activities may be mandated or conducted (referenced in both Bylaw 23 and Bylaw 24).
• The helmet may be used on campus for activities if it is deemed in the best interest of safety given the surface of the activity.
• No other player equipment may be issued to a player for workouts involving the individual, school or team (NOTE: A player should not be in possession of school-owned equipment other than the helmet at any time between the conclusion of spring practice and the issuance of gear in the fall)
• Gear may be issued for a maximum of three individuals to attend a camp conducted at a third-party location (college, etc.) but may not be issued for any activity conducted on a member school campus or in the control of a member school; and this gear should be immediately returned following the activity.
• Nothing above Level 0-air may be conducted.
• There is no opportunity to engage an outside opponent in any manner. 
• There is no such thing as an “OTA” between schools. 

June 25 to July 9 (inclusive of both dates)

• This is a period where no activity can be required of a student in the sport of football.
• No on or off-campus activity may be conducted including the use of any training facilities (weights, etc.).
• The full limitations of Bylaw 24 are in place. See the full bylaw online at https://khsaa.org/handbook/bylaws/20172018/bylaw24.pdf
• Coaches are advised to be as far away from campus as possible to prevent allegations of impropriety.
• Students may not be issued member school owned football equipment during this period for any reason.
• When in doubt, the answer should be no as the period is intended to be a 15-day period where athletes and their families (as well as our coaches) are able to be apart.

July 10 to July 31

• This is a period to participate in non-contact simulations (7 on 7) wearing only a helmet.
• Only level “0-air”, “1-bags” and “2-control” activity can occur.
• By definition, level “2” activity stops at the moment of contact/impact. Period.
• During this time period, there are both practice (number) and practice time limitations contained in Bylaw 23.

July 22-31

• Is a period when shells (helmets, shoulder pads, shorts) can be worn. but only for those individuals who have had five days with the rest of the team members in helmets only after July 10. 
• During this time period, there are both practice (number) and practice time limitations contained in Bylaw 23.
• Once ANY gear is worn other than the helmet, there is no opportunity to engage an outside opponent. 
• There is no such thing as an “OTA” between any schools if anything other than the helmet is worn.

August 1

• Starts the contact practice period, and no further opportunity exists to engage another team in any way other than the two legal scrimmage periods. 
• During this time period, there are both practice (number) and practice time limitations contained in Bylaw 23.
• All practice (contact or non-contact) is required to use appropriate clothing and equipment, including but not limited to, current certification/re-certification of equipment as required by the manufacturer.
• Once ANY gear is worn other than the helmet, there is no opportunity to engage an outside opponent. 
• There is no such thing as an “OTA” between any schools if anything other than the helmet is worn.
• Once a coach allows any level “3-Thud” activity to occur during the July 22-July 31 period, there is no more opportunity to participate in a non-contact simulation this season.
• Any time level “3-thud” or level “4-live action” activities are conducted, that is “contact” practice. Schools may NOT conduct more than one practice each day that contains contact.

It is important that every coach and every athletic administrator review these important restrictions, especially the provisions about time limitations and what does and doesn’t count toward those limitations. This material will be reviewed again in detail during the required online rules clinic.