CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – With high school fall sports tryouts and practices starting over the next couple of weeks, the Virginia High School League has issued practice health and safety guidelines to schools. Golf starts July 28; football and cheer start July 31; and cross country, field hockey, and volleyball start August 4. The advisory says, “Member schools are reminded to take all necessary precautions when dealing with high heat and humidity.  It is important in all practice situations to offer plenty of hydration opportunities and to know the basic early warning signs of heat distress.”

The advisory includes a number of links guidelines and resources, as well as health and safety courses from the National Federation of High Schools Learning Center.

The guidelines phase in practice lengths for the first six days, then into weeks two and three. The first six days, practice sessions are limited to three hours, with no more than five hours total practice time per day. Weeks two and three allows two full practices a day, not to exceed three hours in a single session and five hours in a day, and no more than three full practices may be conducted in two consecutive calendar days.

Football is phased in over the first six days, as well with helmets only allows on days 1-through-3, helmets and shoulder pads only days 4- and-5, and finally full pads day 6 and beyond.

Golf tees off first with first contests August 4, and the other sports begin contests August 25.

The guidelines have been sent to all superintendents, principals, and athletics/activities directors to share with appropriate staff.