Have heard some say that LENGTHENING the dead period to 4 or 5 weeks might help solve some of the heat-realated problems.

 

Saw a good argument against it that I've always agreed with posted elsewhere and thought I'd bring the discussion here.

 

It has long been my assertion that, as good an idea as a "Dead Period" is, the way we currently do it may be somewhat counter-productive. Let me preface by saying that I am NOT placing any kind of "blame" for these incidents on those in charge -- their intentions with the way we've got the dead period currently are ADMIRABLE...I just wonder if maybe doing it differently would help some.

 

Currently, the Dead Period is two SUCCESSIVE weeks at the END of June.

 

Football kids have been training to get stronger, quicker, and physically "in-shape" for many months straight with several ONE-WEEK "off-periods" mixed in there (Winter Breaks at some schools, Spring Break, etc.).

 

Smart coaches allow for ONE WEEK OFF periodically for recovery...and taking one week does NOT retard gains already made (I believe taking TWO does).

 

I believe we train kids pretty well all through June, they're in pretty good "physical shape" too.

 

Then, we give them two straight weeks off. Sure, we WANT our kids to train on their own to maintain what they've already achieved in strength/quickness/and conditioning, but only the MOST dedicated will.

 

Today's culture -- preponderance and better quality of video games, air conditioning in basically EVERY household, and fewer "stay-at-home" moms to push the kids out of the hose -- means a dead period that actually serves in many cases to DE-acclimate the kids to the heat they're going to be exposed to in just ONE week after returning from Dead Period.

 

But again, the CONCEPT of the "Dead Period" is GOOD! It gives the kids a "break" from some coaches that would otherwise go overboard and allows for important "family time" during the summer (vacations, etc.)...but there should be SEVERAL for only ONE WEEK in duration each time!! How many families actually take a full TWO-week vacation out of town?

Do this:

* 3 separate "Dead Periods" --

1: Last week of May

2: Last week of June

3: Last week of July

...this gives kids 4 straight weeks of work at a time to maintain strength/speed/conditioning built in off-season, with a full week totally off following it for "recovery" and for family vacations/being a kid.

 

* 1st mandatory football practice starts no earlier than 1st week of August.

-- first 5 days must be in NO helmets (most heat that escapes body is through the HEAD).

There's a LOT of conditioning and essential "mental work" that coaches can do that don't require helmets -- teaching stance and start, formations, alignment, footwork fundamentals, catching, ball-security, passing mechanics, etc.

 

-- because some schools have already started at this time, there should be a rule that only NON-FOOTBALL WORK can take place before 7pm (lifting, conditioning -- same set-up as in off-season). This would ensure that some teams NOT already in school can't get an advantage of having 2-a-days and getting more "football-work" than an opponent.

-- OR, say that all schools may have ONE week of 2-a-days one week in July-but must be HELMETS-OFF (just "mental work," conditioning, and fundamentals)...AND they must still observe having three one-week "dead periods" between end of May and beginning of school.

 

-- (this one will get some criticism, but I think makes great sense) NO ON-THE FIELD PRACTICE WITH HELMETS ON BEFORE 7pm until last week of August!!! We play most games at 7:30pm after all.

 

-- 2nd week of August: HELMETS-only Monday-Wednesday (with requirements that there must be a "helmets-off break" every 20 minutes).

SHOULDER PADS-and-HELMETS Thursday and Friday to gradually increase become acclimitized (keeping the every-20-minute "helmet-off" breaks).

 

--3rd and 4th week of August: Full pads practice (3rd week, must be AFTER 7pm; 4th week, depending on heat-index reading each day, could go earlier).

 

* NO GAMES until after Sept. 1.

-- This would give a NINE week regular-season (sorry, no open-week; kids' health is more important than having an open date) if keeping the same playoff format.

-- or, could go TEN week regular-season (no open dates) and have championships extend into the SECOND week of December (would actually help problem of "over-scheduling" at Papa Johns -- doubt UofL would have a home game that late).

People might complain about bowl games suffering...but I don't see why having bowl games in SEPTEMBER on Saturdays would be any different than bowl games in AUGUST (especially when a LOT of them are having to be delayed due to heat and not getting over until after midnight!!!).

 

As to the argument that the finals would be too cold the 2nd week of December...I say fine; remember, the idea is to save kids from HEAT injury--never heard of a football player dying due to FROSTBITE incurred at a game!

 

Some will argue that basketball will be hurt if football finals go one week later...I would ask those people what's more important -- possibly losing even ONE football player to heat-injury or their basketball team being without their football kids for ONE MORE WEEK than currently at the beginning of the season? (Plus, they pretty much get them ALL of June for 20 or 30 games and camps anyway!).

 

Either way, does ANY argument against (bowl games suffering or attendance at state finals suffering due to cold) supercede the importance of even ONE kid's life being at risk?

 

As much as we analyzed (and are still analyzing) coming up with the BEST proposal for classifications, it would seem that THIS issue -- being MUCH more important for what REALLY matters -- should get all our wheels turning even MORE to find the BEST way and be willing to undertake even a DRASTIC change in doing things.

 

Suggestions? Alternatives?

I like the thought you've put into this, CoachJ.

 

As a parent, I could go along with the concept of the dead period being one week at the end of June and one at the end of July. You would need a coach, though, who is willing to let a kid miss the Friday practice. Many families cut out on Friday to drive to their vacation. I know my many boys who are worried about the impact of missing one practice unless you're a)a stud or b)on a team without much depth.

 

CCH may object to the idea of no day practices until the last week of August.

 

Have any of these ideas been brought up at meetings? If so, how were they received?

Uhh, whatever happened to the kids actually going outside and doing some things on their own, like back in the day, before everyone had air conditioning and all the technology. Trust me it was just as hot back in the day as it is now. The difference is now the coaches literally have to stand over the kids to get them to lift, run and workout. In air conditioned, top of line weight rooms. What's wrong with taking a little initiative on their own? They should know how to stay in condition. Get outside and work and acclimate yourself to the conditions. I am for a longer dead period. Why, because everything comes together in the summer now, passing leagues, basketball camps, baseball, you name it. Kids are being tugged all over the place. I liked the days when you just went from one sport to another. Didn't have to worrying about making it to passing league after basketball practice then playing a baseball game, that sort of thing.

IMO being a current football player, I think this plan has its ups and downs. Ups would be a dead period once a month after school is out. This helps the kids that arent that dedicated to stay closer to where they were before dead period. Vacation is usually one week for most families. Now for the downs, no mandatory practice until the 1st of August. That would be the week of your first scrimmage! No full pads practice til the second week of August. IMO getting into full pads as soon as possible is good for us football players. Going through drills is a whole lot different without pads, it throws your fits off because all you have to grab is jersey, hitting is good! Having pads on makes sure you are working to get where you are instead of being able to go at it half-speed and not learn as much!

Do this:

* 3 separate "Dead Periods" --

1: Last week of May

2: Last week of June

3: Last week of July

...this gives kids 4 straight weeks of work at a time to maintain strength/speed/conditioning built in off-season, with a full week totally off following it for "recovery" and for family vacations/being a kid.

 

* 1st mandatory football practice starts no earlier than 1st week of August.

-- first 5 days must be in NO helmets (most heat that escapes body is through the HEAD).

There's a LOT of conditioning and essential "mental work" that coaches can do that don't require helmets -- teaching stance and start, formations, alignment, footwork fundamentals, catching, ball-security, passing mechanics, etc.

 

-- because some schools have already started at this time, there should be a rule that only NON-FOOTBALL WORK can take place before 7pm (lifting, conditioning -- same set-up as in off-season). This would ensure that some teams NOT already in school can't get an advantage of having 2-a-days and getting more "football-work" than an opponent.

-- OR, say that all schools may have ONE week of 2-a-days one week in July-but must be HELMETS-OFF (just "mental work," conditioning, and fundamentals)...AND they must still observe having three one-week "dead periods" between end of May and beginning of school.

 

-- (this one will get some criticism, but I think makes great sense) NO ON-THE FIELD PRACTICE WITH HELMETS ON BEFORE 7pm until last week of August!!! We play most games at 7:30pm after all.

 

-- 2nd week of August: HELMETS-only Monday-Wednesday (with requirements that there must be a "helmets-off break" every 20 minutes).

SHOULDER PADS-and-HELMETS Thursday and Friday to gradually increase become acclimitized (keeping the every-20-minute "helmet-off" breaks).

 

--3rd and 4th week of August: Full pads practice (3rd week, must be AFTER 7pm; 4th week, depending on heat-index reading each day, could go earlier).

 

* NO GAMES until after Sept. 1.

-- This would give a NINE week regular-season (sorry, no open-week; kids' health is more important than having an open date) if keeping the same playoff format.

-- or, could go TEN week regular-season (no open dates) and have championships extend into the SECOND week of December (would actually help problem of "over-scheduling" at Papa Johns -- doubt UofL would have a home game that late).

 

 

I agree that our season should be pushed back here in Kentucky but the KHSAA is in love with basketball and it is almost a terrible thought to think of pushing the football season into one more week of basketball.

 

But as for me I love the idea of starting a little later.

As a parent, I like two weeks. This way my family can take a longer vacation. With 3 kids in sports, family time suffers enough. Give me two weeks straight with my kids and by then I am MORE than ready to give them back!

I can appreciate people's PREFERENCE for a two-week dead period because they LIKE having two weeks off better...

 

...and I agree with the sentiment that the responsibility for getting out in the heat and getting acclimated SHOULD be on the child himself and his family...

 

BUT, if the COST of having two weeks off in a row means that some kids WITHOUT as much personal responsibility as they SHOULD have and/or parents around who make sure their kids do what they SHOULD do (what % of kids you think fall in either of THOSE two groups!?) is a heat-related death, shouldn't we try to make the rule fit what will help the MOST kids the MOST?

 

Isn't what we SHOULD do to protect kids more important than what simply fits our schedule best?

 

And, to SomersetJumper, this plan would push the scrimmages back as well. You'd still have two scrimmages before your first game (one at the end of the 3rd week of August -- following your 1st week in pads -- and the second scrimmage the following week).

 

To the point of getting pads on as soon as possible...I agree; as a coach I know that's good for getting ready to play sooner, but if ALL are required to put pads on later at about the same time -- as the weather cools, isn't preventing possible DEATHS more important than getting your plays down (keep in mind, all other teams would have to stay out of full pads later too, so nobody would have an advantage)?

 

Please...keep pointing out good and bad about this. Someone asked if this has been proposed in any meetings yet; nope...just thought of it this week in light of the tragedy in Henderson and our staff's conversations about it.

 

Thought bringing it up here would be a good start to find out what might make it better and what the ideas against would be since this is the place with the largest collection of passionate high school football people I know of.

 

Thanks again for the comments...keep 'em coming.

Still give them 2 weeks off - just make it at the end of the school year. Just like spring practice everyone's would not have to be the same. The dead period for each school starts the 1st day after students last day. That way kids can be involved with their programs throughout late June/early July and can gradually build up acclimation to heat.

 

I totally agreee there should be mandated gradual build up to "full equipment" practices. A lot of schools start out the 1st day in helmet and shoulder pads. There is no way a kid can get used to the heat if he is wearing an extra 15 lbs of equipment covering his head and chest the very 1st day.

Coach J,

I really like your proposal but I'm afraid it will never fly.

 

Why???

 

Makes too much sense and doesn't benefit the KHSAA or basketball programs financially.

I hope if this (or any different and better idea) really DOES make sense in terms of what's best for kids' health, that the powers-that-be won't put dollar signs or just what's "convenient" for others before what SHOULD be the top priority.

 

I'm confident that this IS a big enough issue to the KHSAA that they'll be willing to do what is necessary to come up with the BEST scenario possible to help kids. They've been diligent on requiring us to monitor heat index levels and setting guidelines for what to and not to do at different levels.

 

I'm not sure they'll see the length or placement of the dead period as a contributing factor, but as they did with the realignment, I hope they'll really listen to the input of the football coaches on the topic...I know I'm not the only coach that agrees with needing a dead period but disagrees with WHEN it occurs and the fact that it's two SUCCESSIVE weeks.

I hope if this (or any different and better idea) really DOES make sense in terms of what's best for kids' health, that the powers-that-be won't put dollar signs or just what's "convenient" for others before what SHOULD be the top priority.

 

I'm confident that this IS a big enough issue to the KHSAA that they'll be willing to do what is necessary to come up with the BEST scenario possible to help kids. They've been diligent on requiring us to monitor heat index levels and setting guidelines for what to and not to do at different levels.

 

I'm not sure they'll see the length or placement of the dead period as a contributing factor, but as they did with the realignment, I hope they'll really listen to the input of the football coaches on the topic...I know I'm not the only coach that agrees with needing a dead period but disagrees with WHEN it occurs and the fact that it's two SUCCESSIVE weeks.

 

 

Push it hard through the KFCA and who knows it may happen. Otherwise, its a non starter I'm afraid.

I think we are splitting hairs here. Two weeks doesnt hurt young athletes. Give a deserved break to kids from well meaning coaches (and sometimes parents) who push kids too hard. EVERYONE needs a no guilt vacation. My wish is that club ball also had to honor the dead time. Sometimes the intensity needs a little deflation.......They ARE children!

Instead of pushing the football season back a week, why just not cut out one week meaning one less regular season game? If it is this important of an issue, it is worth one week.

 

AND BEFORE everyone begins to jump on me as a basketball coach, I think the basketball season of Oct 15 to March is much, much too long. Personally, I think all sports should be able to go in June, than dead period leading up to the beginning of fall sports season and ONLY fall sports are playing.

 

No basketball leagues or camps in July. No volleyball leagues, etc, etc. Those are team related activities. AAU and such cannot be regulated by the schools. Anything to let the kids be kids in HS and play multiple sports is a good thing. At least to me, it is.