Football Practices Open With New Contact Rules; New Coach For Northview

August 2, 2016

High school football practices opened across the North Escambia area Monday, with new practice rules for everyone and a new head coach for one school.

At Northview High School, it was the first practice under new head coach Derek Marshman, who was named to the position just last Friday following the resignation of Sid Wheatley. The Chiefs were the last team in Escambia County to bring home a state title, having won a state championship in 2012 under Wheatley and then-assistant coach Marshman.

For more photos, click here.

Monday also marked the first day new Florida High School Athletic Association procedures that limit live contact at every member school in the state in an effort to improve player safety.

During the regular season, live contact will be restricted to 30 minutes per day and 80 minutes total per week. Live contact, defined as drills with game-like conditions where players are taken to the ground, will not occur on more than two consecutive days and may not exceed three practice days per week.

“Player safety has and will always be the number one goal of the FHSAA,” FHSAA executive director Dr. Roger Dearing said. “Protecting our student-athletes is paramount in growing the game of football and this administrative procedure is a step in the right direction.”

From day six through Monday of the first regular season game, live contact at all schools will be limited to 40 minutes each day, with no more than two straight days of live contact. During two-a-days, only one practice shall include live contact and it shall not surpass 40 minutes.

“The game of football will always come with some inherent risk, but we will never stop working to try and make one of the greatest team sports on earth safer,” FHSAA Football Administrator Frank Beasley said. “We will continue our efforts to educate and teach coaches on the Drive to December about how to run effective practices while using the limited-contact procedures.”

Pictured top: New Northview Coach Derek Marshman held practice Monday, just day after being named head coach. Pictured inset and below:  The Chiefs open practice Monday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

6 Responses to “Football Practices Open With New Contact Rules; New Coach For Northview”

  1. Kristi on August 3rd, 2016 3:00 pm

    These rules follow guidelines provided by USA Football. Even at the youth level they are teaching safer football and focusing more on controlling the drills so that they are performed correctly.

  2. John on August 2nd, 2016 9:11 pm

    All of you talking know nothing about the game. Guess what football has evolved and athletes today are much better today and perform at a higher level than ever before. Take it from someone who has played at the college level, coached and is now an athletic trainer/strength coach, so I know a thing or two about having an athlete in the best possible condition for game time. Taking care of and preserving your body is key to success. This is a good call.

  3. Nathaniel on August 2nd, 2016 2:37 pm

    This is ridiculous. Watch for the ratings of these recruits to drop for the entire state. You have to practice like you play. Point blank. What does limiting the time do? I can understand limiting the back to back days due to recovering aspects for your body…I don’t agree with it but I can understand it to a point. It’d the only way to get acclimated for game situations. I’m all for safer practices, but come on, 40 mins???

  4. Derek R on August 2nd, 2016 11:42 am

    Back when I played getting hit over and over made you tuff it made you ready for Friday night’s you to be ready for giving hit’s and receiving hit’s if they don’t want you to get hit let’s just wrap a lot of bubble wrap around the kids and play I think the rules are ridiculous

  5. rob on August 2nd, 2016 11:21 am

    Well I guess football is a changing game…When I played at Northview we took pride in out hitting and out hustling every team we faced. It’s a contact sport you need to learn to hit and how to take a hit.. back in 1999 we played teams that were way bigger..but we hit harder. football is suppose to turn boys into men. Its not a sport for everyone. Work hard or go home..

  6. Billy D on August 2nd, 2016 6:52 am

    I can see taking it a little easier on your own guys in training camp but with all this crap going on in a few years football will all be “touch” football. Golly, it’s soooo violent…..and they’ll all be wearing HAANS devices and padded airsuits so they just bounce off of each other. Or maybe we should try virtual football……nobody even had to touch anything then. Fat kids, skinny kids….doesn’t matter because everyone gets a trophy right? Training camp is supposed to toughen you up for the season……..guess it’s not that way any more. Wow