We had a thread like this last year, and I thought it would be interesting to see what people say this year.

 

What is the one, or list of, things that would like to see changed about Kentucky High School Football?

 

Possible options to start:

Different number of classes.

Expanded Spring Practice period.

Spring Scrimmage to end Spring Practice period.

Earlier Start to season.

Later Start to season.

Fewer teams in playoffs.

All the teams in the playoffs.

Play-off reformat.

Or any other ideas that you may have.

Five classes, tops ... four was OK with me, too.

 

I don't mind starting the season in mid-August, although there are obviously some potential heat-related issues. I just think the season needs to be done by the first weekend in December, with the semifinals on Thanksgiving weekend.

 

If that means going back to two-teams-per-district in the playoffs, so be it.

 

And I absolutely hate the scheduling grid, with mandatory dates for district games. People that are just football fans and not tied into any one particular team simply have a tough time seeing much of the better games because everybody is playing district games the same week. Let each district set their own schedule and give teams more flexibility.

I would like to see the return of the June passing leauges. These games were fun to watch and were good for the kids.

1.) 15 days of spring practice. Must be done in the month of April (no more "first Monday after the basketball teams are eliminated" rule). 15th practice is a full scrimmage against another school.

 

2.) Top two teams in each district make the playoffs. (I understand the argument that in every other sport every team gets to participate in the post season, but I still feel like the top two, only, should go.)

 

3.) Change the rule on when the first day of contact in the summer is based on the first day of school. Pick one day for the whole state, regardless of the first day of school.

1.) 15 days of spring practice. Must be done in the month of April (no more "first Monday after the basketball teams are eliminated" rule). 15th practice is a full scrimmage against another school.

 

2.) Top two teams in each district make the playoffs. (I understand the argument that in every other sport every team gets to participate in the post season, but I still feel like the top two, only, should go.)

 

3.) Change the rule on when the first day of contact in the summer is based on the first day of school. Pick one day for the whole state, regardless of the first day of school.

 

 

Dang, you stole my thunder. Actually just for #1 and #2. I really have no opinion about the 3rd point but 1 and 2 are dead on. Actually I was told you can scrimmage another school in the spring, but it counts against you 2 for the current calender year. Should let them have a 3rd for the spring.

My question is this:

 

Why is football allowed so many days of spring practice, when no other sport is allowed to practice out of season during the school year?

Go back to four classes

 

Only the champion and runner-up make the playoffs

 

Go back to the state finals being held the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving

 

Move the running clock rule to 50 points

I'd say move back to 4 classes OR reduce the number of teams making the playoffs to the top two in the district. You'd actually have less teams with the latter proposal (96 in a 6 class system), but I would find the first more preferable.

My question is this:

 

Why is football allowed so many days of spring practice, when no other sport is allowed to practice out of season during the school year?

OK, I'll play along. I know the catch phrase is "during the school year", but basketball has open gyms all summer long and has other leagues to sharpen the players skills like AAU, I know that you are going to say AAU is not a part of the school, but coaches know that their players will get plenty of practice and sharpen their skills in the off season. Basketball is year around.

 

Baseball, though not school affiliated, it year around also, with summer leagues and fall leagues, again coaches know that their player will be sharpening their skills in the off season.

 

Football players do not have such opportunities outside of the school program. You can't go to the park and play a pick up football game, not two hand touch, but actual football. You can't play in leagues all over the place to get better. You have to get better with the school team, and practice time has to be allotted. That is the only time you get to practice football.

1. Improve Spring football, make all the teams have the same two or three weeks of practice and finish it off with a scrimmage with other schools, perhaps even have multiple teams scrimmage at one location and coordinate a referee clinic for the referees in that region and have the scrimmages be part of the referee clinic (hands on for the new refs).

 

2. June passing scrimmages reinstated, this was something that really ticked me off. These passing scrimmages were beneficial in getting teams ready for the season, acclimated to the weather, and used as a bonding tool. Should have never been cut out.

 

3. Top two teams from each district make the playoffs.

 

4. No more then 5 classes, I prefer 4, but could live with 5.

 

5. Make the State Championship a bigger event. Market it more, put as much energy into it as the Sweat 16. Make it an event that everyone wants to attend.

Go back to four classes

 

Only the champion and runner-up make the playoffs

 

Go back to the state finals being held the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving

 

Move the running clock rule to 50 points

 

Agree with your first three...

 

...but run the clock after 35 point differential in the second half.

OK, I'll play along. I know the catch phrase is "during the school year", but basketball has open gyms all summer long and has other leagues to sharpen the players skills like AAU, I know that you are going to say AAU is not a part of the school, but coaches know that their players will get plenty of practice and sharpen their skills in the off season. Basketball is year around.

 

Baseball, though not school affiliated, it year around also, with summer leagues and fall leagues, again coaches know that their player will be sharpening their skills in the off season.

 

Football players do not have such opportunities outside of the school program. You can't go to the park and play a pick up football game, not two hand touch, but actual football. You can't play in leagues all over the place to get better. You have to get better with the school team, and practice time has to be allotted. That is the only time you get to practice football.

For several years, football teams have had every opportunity to conduct summer workouts, including 7-on-7 competition. I now it's not full-contact football, but those kids are still working on their football skills.

5. Make the State Championship a bigger event. Market it more, put as much energy into it as the Sweat 16. Make it an event that everyone wants to attend.

It's never going to happen. This is still a basketball state, and you can't get very many casual fans to watch anywhere from 4-6 football games in December weather.

For several years, football teams have had every opportunity to conduct summer workouts, including 7-on-7 competition. I now it's not full-contact football, but those kids are still working on their football skills.

Yes, and I agree that was a good training tool, but it doesn't replace live football. I can't imagine basketball scrimmages with no one allowed in the paint, or baseball practice without an outfield.

 

The simple fact is, baseball and basketball is year a round if a player wants it to be. Football is year around as well, but just not regular football practice. I, personally, think that Spring practice can be productive, and I see it as a good thing. I know some will disagree with me, but that is how I see it.

Yes, and I agree that was a good training tool, but it doesn't replace live football. I can't imagine basketball scrimmages with no one allowed in the paint, or baseball practice without an outfield.

 

The simple fact is, baseball and basketball is year a round if a player wants it to be. Football is year around as well, but just not regular football practice. I, personally, think that Spring practice can be productive, and I see it as a good thing. I know some will disagree with me, but that is how I see it.

I'm not opposed to spring practice at all, but I get tired of hearing football coaches complain about the other sports when they get a state-sanctioned out-of-season practice period in the middle of the school year.