New rule limits Indiana high school football contact during practice

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) – Indiana high school football administrators have created a rule that limits contact during practice to twice a week.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association and Indiana Football Coaches Association created the rule for the upcoming season’s practices, which begin Monday, the Evansville Courier & Press reported.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association prohibits full-pad contact at practice until Thursday, and such practices will be limited to twice per week after the first game.

Mike Goebel, a coach at Mater Dei High School, said that the new rule’s intent is to address overall safety concerns, particularly concussions.

“What they now know about concussions and injuries in general, it’s almost a necessity,” Goebel said.

He says that the number of contact practices per week used to be up to the coach’s discretion. He added that the new rule doesn’t change his team’s routine, as they already limit contact practices to twice a week.

Last year, the two associations limited workouts with helmets and shoulder pads to 12 workouts per summer.

“This was done with player safety in mind,” said Doug Hurt, Castle High School football coach. “It is quite a grind for the players and coaches throughout the summer. Like anything, there is give and take. Football in the state of Indiana is light years ahead of where it was back then in terms of on-the-field play and coaching. However, it does require a large time commitment by the players and coaches involved.”

Hurt said that both the on-the-field and weight room practices are necessary to be competitive in the fall.