Font ResizeStarting August 17, high school football teams across the state can officially begin organized practices. That means the return of two-a-days -- a summer rite of passage as ingrained in football culture as helmets and pads.
But a new study by the National Athletic Trainers Association has called the two-a-day tradition into question, while reintroducing the issue of heat-related injuries among high school athletes.
"They (have guidelines) at the pro level, at the college level," said David Csillan, one of the co-authors of the study released earlier this year. "The biggest group of athletes we have is at the high school level, and yet we have no guidelines for them."
Csillan's study calls for rules similar to those the NCAA imposed in 2003, which mandate football teams begin summer practice with five days of single-session workouts to adjust to August's often-smothering heat and humidity. The study -- which extends to sports other than football -- also advises that once two-a-days start, they should be followed by a single practice the next day.
Area coaches say they're taking every precaution to protect players from the heat, and most remain hesitant to cut two-a-days from their summer schedule.
"I truly do think it's unfair to make a universal rule that they're going to apply across the country, when the people who are talking about that, they really
The issue of heat-related illness is nothing new. At least 29 high school athletes have died from such incidents since 1995, according to an Associated Press story.
Csillan, an athletic trainer at Ewing High School in New Jersey, has used the guidelines at Ewing the last three years. Since then he hasn't seen a single symptom of heat-related illness among the school's athletes.
Still, some worry shunning two-a-days would leave athletes ill-conditioned for the start of the season.
"The trainers for these studies -- I understand them and I appreciate them because I'm concerned about the same things every other high school coach is -- but, I don't think they take into account the pads, getting used to them," said West York coach Ron Miller. "I think by cutting it down to one practice a day, we're going to do more harm than we are good."
South Western coach Don Seidenstricker goes beyond the two-a-day schedule. For the last four seasons, his Mustangs have endured six three-a-day sessions during the first two weeks of camp.
That schedule may not be as brutal as it sounds. Each session is short -- between an hour and an hour, 45 minutes -- and timed to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Only one of those sessions involves heavy conditioning, a 7 a.m. workout done without pads.
"I can remember practices in the summer that were two-and-a-half, three hours long," Seidenstricker said. "I think you want to watch that."
Seidenstricker and New Oxford coach Matt Muller said they weigh their athletes before and after practice to check hydration. Each of the four coaches said they have trainers on site to monitor players, and make adjustments based on the weather.
"If I see its 95 degrees, I'm going to make some alterations. I'd be an idiot not to do that," said Muller, president of the YAIAA's football coaches.
The coaches also cited an increase in summer conditioning programs that leave their athletes better prepared to handle the start of training camp. Miller said he has players either practicing or working out 50 weeks of the year.
"I think at the high school level we're more physically prepared for the demands of the heat," he said.
Csillan isn't convinced.
"What about the athlete that hasn't been to those workouts?" he said. "What about the kid who decides a day before camp to tryout? That's who we have to look out for."
No rule changes appear imminent to adhere to the NATA study. Brad Cashman, the PIAA's executive director, said the PIAA has examined the possibility of restricting two-a-days, but no new rules are likely in the near future. The PIAA does prohibit junior high teams from donning pads the first three practice days.
Still, Csillan hopes his outline prevents any more tragedies.
"Now that there are guidelines, coaches are accountable," Csillan said. "All it takes is one kid dropping, and a lawyer can pick up these guidelines and say, 'Hey, here are these guidelines. They aren't mandated, but they exist.'"
jclayton@ydr.com; 771-2045
