the 3-hour practice time. Practices are timed from the time the student-athletes report to the
field until they leave the field.
(2)
Required Practice - A student-athlete must participate in at least eight (8) separate days of
team football practice (not military training, summer track, etc.) before participating in a
football contest or scrimmage with outside competition (exception: student-athletes from
other sports who play only as kickers). Three of these practices must be in full pads and in
clude body to body contact.
(i)
If a student-athlete misses five (5) or more consecutive days of practice due to injury
or illness, he/she must participate in at least three (3) separate days of practice be
fore returning to competition.
(ii)
Student-athletes absent for other reasons (e.g., funeral, quarantine, school suspen
sion, etc.) are not subject to this rule.
(3)
Contact Practice - The time when student-athletes may “hit” or have body to body contact;
these drills may begin the day following the five (5) days used for acclimatization and physical
conditioning; the use of all football protective equipment is required.
(4)
Football Drill Categories
(i)
Non-live Action (Allowed at any time outside of established dead periods and Sun
days)
(A)
Level 0 (Air) - Student-athletes run a drill unopposed without contact
(B)
Level 1 (Bags) - Student-athletes run a drill against a hand-held bag or anoth
er soft-contact surface.
(C)
Level 2 (Control) - Student-athletes run a drill at coach-assigned speed with
one student-athlete the predetermined "winner" by the coach and contact re
mains above the waist with student-athletes staying on their feet.
(ii)
Restricted Non-Live Action (Limitations in place for off-season skill development)
(A)
Level 3 (Bump) - Student-athletes run a drill at competitive speed with no
wrapping up of a ball carrier. There is no predetermined "winner" and con
tact remains above the waist with student-athletes staying on their feet and a
quick whistle ending the drill.
(B)
Allowed during the spring skill development period for football (between
April 15th and the last ten (10) student days of second semester. May be
used for a maximum of 60 minutes total during this period and a limit of 15
minutes per day.
(C)
Allowed during in-season practices once acclimatization mandates are met
with no daily or weekly time limitations.
(iii)
Live Action (Allowed during in-season practices once acclimatization mandates are
met)
(A)
Level 4 (Full Live Action Contact) - Drill is run in game-like conditions and is
the only time that student-athletes are allowed to be taken to the ground.
(5)
Scrimmage - Informal sports contest or practice match engaged in for practice purposes; may
occur on Day 9 of the pre-season period. During this time, student-athletes may engage in
hitting.
(6)
Walk-Through - A teaching opportunity with the student-athlete not wearing protective equip
ment (e.g. helmets, shoulder pads, catcher’s gear, shin guards) or using other sport-related
equipment. The walk-through is not part of the 3 hour practice period, can last no more than 1
hour per day, and does not include conditioning or weight room activities. In football, a one (1)
hour maximum walk-through is permitted during the 1st twelve (12) days of pre-season prac
tice.
(7)
Cool Down Period - The three (3) hour time period between the end of (1) one practice or
walk-through and the beginning of the next practice or walk-through. During this time, ath
letes should rest in a cool environment—helmets off, not in direct sunlight—with no sport or
conditioning related activity permitted (e.g. speed or agility drills, strength training, condi
tioning, or walk-through). Treatment with the athletic trainer is permissible.
(c)
Conditioning Requirements - The first five (5) days of practice are required to be used for physi
cal conditioning according to the following provisions - The NCHSAA emphasizes the importance of
these regulations for safety.
(1)
On the first two (2) days, headgear, non-padded shorts and football shoes constitute accept
able dress. On days three (3), four (4) and five (5), shoulder pads may be added, but abso
lutely no body-to-body contact is permitted [See Rule 3.3.6 (d)(10)]. Practice during the first
five-day period shall be limited to three (3) hours, including flex time (stretching) and breaks.
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