How do preseason practices build up in the heat?

Question

Accepted Answer

The NATA-led Inter-Association Task Force guidelines for secondary school athletes set a 14-day heat-acclimatization period at the start of preseason. Many state associations have adopted their own versions, so the exact schedule can vary by state. Days Practice limits Football equipment 1-2 One practice a day, max 3 hours Helmet only 3-5 One practice a day, max 3 hours Helmet and shoulder pads; sleds and dummies allowed 6-14 Double-practice days allowed Full pads; full-contact drills can begin on day 6 Days 1-5: a walk-through of up to 1 hour is allowed, with at least 3 hours of recovery between it and practice. Double-practice days must be followed by a single-practice day. Each practice is max 3 hours, total max 5 hours, with at least 3 hours of rest in a cool place between. After 6 straight days of practice, you get one full rest day. Joining late? You still go through the full 14 days.

Days	Practice limits	Football equipment
1-2	One practice a day, max 3 hours	Helmet only
3-5	One practice a day, max 3 hours	Helmet and shoulder pads; sleds and dummies allowed
6-14	Double-practice days allowed	Full pads; full-contact drills can begin on day 6