Monday marked the first official day of football practice for the Mississippi High School Activities Association, and MHSAA Executive Director Rickey Neaves is reminding coaches to factor in the hot temperatures as players take to the fields.
“I caution everyone to be very careful, especially our outdoor sports with the wetbulb globe temperature,” he said in a video posted to the MHSAA website.
Wetbulb globe temperature measures heat stress when in direct sunlight and takes into account the angle of the sun, clouds, humidity, wind speed and temperature, according to the National Weather Service. Neaves said coaches should know the wetbulb globe temperature and make allowances for it during practice.
Coaches are encouraged to have plenty of water and electrolytes on hand to help student athletes stay hydrated, Neaves said, as well as having cold tubs available in the event of an emergency.
According to a warning sent earlier this week by the National Federation of State High School Associations, coaches are advised to pay close attention to offensive and defensive linemen as they are more susceptible to heat-related illness than some of their other teammates, Neaves said.
“Let’s be careful out there with our young student athletes as we progress through this heat wave that we’re in,” he said.
As fall sports get underway, Neaves said coaches and players of winter and spring sports are reminded no practices can be held before or after school.
“If they have a practice period during the regular school day, they are allowed to do that,” he said, “But no more before or after school practices.”