[bear claw]

I am not against kids being kids, trust me I have two that are in the middle of this, but my question I guess was who is taking the advantage of the three weeks before the dead period. I mean, basketball plays a FULL season in the month of June and they are not the next sport in line but I guess that is the KHSAA and basketball...this is a basketball state...all be it the ONLY state in the SEC that is a basketball state. I guess what I am saying is that I want my kids to work as much and as hard as anyone in the state. I am all for making the dead period the whole month of JUNE but you and me and everybody else knows that, that will NEVER happen because of basketball. So, as a parent I want my kid to have as much work as they can to make them better. I don't care if it is only three weeks. As a matter of fact, I don't care if it is only one week. Just my opnion and that and 90 cents will buy you a cup of coffee....my how times have changed. I remember when I could buy coffee for less than 50 cents.

[Belfry0304]

Requirements suck for kids. When kids have the drive to go out and do it themselves, those aren't the kids you worry about. Numbers are a big deal. Say you require practices through June, your bottom 15 kids may quit. Is it worth it? Let them be kids, the ones who want to win figure it out. Requirements suck, we as adults know this, why should it be different for kids?

[Fly Like a Duck]

I am not against kids being kids, trust me I have two that are in the middle of this, but my question I guess was who is taking the advantage of the three weeks before the dead period. I mean, basketball plays a FULL season in the month of June and they are not the next sport in line but I guess that is the KHSAA and basketball...this is a basketball state...all be it the ONLY state in the SEC that is a basketball state. I guess what I am saying is that I want my kids to work as much and as hard as anyone in the state. I am all for making the dead period the whole month of JUNE but you and me and everybody else knows that, that will NEVER happen because of basketball. So, as a parent I want my kid to have as much work as they can to make them better. I don't care if it is only three weeks. As a matter of fact, I don't care if it is only one week. Just my opnion and that and 90 cents will buy you a cup of coffee....my how times have changed. I remember when I could buy coffee for less than 50 cents.

You said it all with the whole "play" thing for basketball.

That's the trump card.

If football allowed 7v7 in June, or a 2-3 game June pre season, you'd see a lot more involved. Same goes for spring practice..some to our south (TN and FLA) each get a spring game vs outside competition.

Which brings me back to one of my original points, football already practices/works out MORE and plays LESS than the remaining 2 of the 'Big 3' sports...making 3 weeks in June more than what it is, IMO, can hurt a lot of programs. Sounds to me like the 2 day a week thing in Harlan County is just right.

[Fly Like a Duck]

Since you brought up dead period, I'd personally like to see ALL of July as the Dead Period & football practice not start until Aug 1, thus moving the start of the season back to Labor Day weekend (could take out the bye week and still finish the 1st weekend of December).

.....calling Old Jumper....calling Old Jumper?!?!

[Old Jumper]

Since you brought up dead period, I'd personally like to see ALL of July as the Dead Period & football practice not start until Aug 1, thus moving the start of the season back to Labor Day weekend (could take out the bye week and still finish the 1st weekend of December).

.....calling Old Jumper....calling Old Jumper?!?!

I totally agree that no pads should be worn and no mandatory team activities should be held until August 1st. Season openers should also be limited to the first weekend in September, IMO.

Does anyone know for sure when/why the term "dead period" entered our lexicon? Back when I played (late 70s, early 80s), I honestly don't think there was such a thing. Best I recall, the weight room and track were open/available for voluntary workouts throughout both June/July, and then we cranked things up August 1.

I think that system worked fine; not sure what prompted the need to legislate it out of existence.

[Bobcat_Dad]

I totally agree that no pads should be worn and no mandatory team activities should be held until August 1st. Season openers should also be limited to the first weekend in September, IMO.

Does anyone know for sure when/why the term "dead period" entered our lexicon? Back when I played (late 70s, early 80s), I honestly don't think there was such a thing. Best I recall, the weight room and track were open/available for voluntary workouts throughout both June/July, and then we cranked things up August 1.

I think that system worked fine; not sure what prompted the need to legislate it out of existence.

Summer basketball got totally out of hand with some teams playing up to 75+ games In a summer then going straight to football. The dead period is a good thing IMO.

[mysonis55]

I like the optional workout idea with emphasis placed on getting there and hitting the weights on a regular basis. I think they shouldn't start practiced until around mid July being that the first games are around mid to late august.

[Fly Like a Duck]

^^^I know some who are pulling back some, and only going 3 days a week until that 1st week of August.

Smart if you ask me.

Football is unlike any other sport as we all know. It takes kids being cut from a different kind of cloth...While not jeopardizing the integrity of what makes the sport so great, I think things like this are smart.

Nobody enjoys practicing 6-7 weeks, 5 days a week before their first game...half of that time when school is still out and it's 95 degrees in the shade.

Where WE as adults lost sight of that, I have no idea.

[Fly Like a Duck]

Bobcat dad said it. Dead period came in place bc of the baseball and basketball nazis who literally never stop, and wouldn't if not made.

[mysonis55]

I really fail to understand what you gain by practicing through the entire summer.

[bear claw]

Good question 55. I think some coaches and players think the 3 weeks help them out a lot and some not. I just wish the KHSAA would make the whole month of June and heck I am no even opposed to June and July but it has to be across the board. With that being said we all that will never happen because that would interfere with basketball playing their second full season

[mysonis55]

I think our coaches figure if these boys haven't figured out the plays by the time the get to high school they never will. I can see staying in shape, but that's all you need to worry about.

[Fly Like a Duck]

Gonna tell you why people do it. Perception.

That. Is. It.

[cougarpride08]

I think it is a good idea if you need to loose some weight. I guess it really shows which sport the athlete is dedicated to more.

[panther nation]

I know that the panthers are practicing 5 days a week they have their choice of either 8am or 5pm.

[mysonis55]

Is that actual practice or just weights?

[panther nation]

Mainly weights and conditioning,

[Brooks4Prez]

I know that the panthers are practicing 5 days a week they have their choice of either 8am or 5pm.

Have known of some teams who do this and I like it. Gives kids opportunity to make it no matter what their situation.

[Spirit100]

Dixie Heights is in the weight room/ track from Monday-Thursday. Normally on the field at least three out of four of those days.

[EKUAlum05]

Interesting debate.

I would like to see an overall picture of the results from teams who practice 2-3 times per week in June vs. teams that practice none.

I also would like to see a comparison of the Current Top 25 programs in the State and what their philosophy is:

Trinity
Highlands
St. X
Male
Mayfield
Bowling Green
Covington Catholic
Beechwood
NewCath
Boyle County
Central
Belfry
Scott County
LexCath
Bell County
Collins
John Hardin
Paducah Tilghman
Somerset
Pulaski County
DeSales
DuPont Manual
Hazard
Frankfort
Warren Central

[mysonis55]

First off, I don't think most of these teams are actually practicing. That is why I kept asking the question whether it was practice or just weights. They most always said mostly weights and conditioning. That is not practice. Practice would mean that they are going over plays, running routes, actually having contact and similar things. Just hitting the weights and running is conditioning, not practice.

[Fly Like a Duck]

Interesting debate.

I would like to see an overall picture of the results from teams who practice 2-3 times per week in June vs. teams that practice none.

I also would like to see a comparison of the Current Top 25 programs in the State and what their philosophy is:

Trinity
Highlands
St. X
Male
Mayfield
Bowling Green
Covington Catholic
Beechwood
NewCath
Boyle County
Central
Belfry
Scott County
LexCath
Bell County
Collins
John Hardin
Paducah Tilghman
Somerset
Pulaski County
DeSales
DuPont Manual
Hazard
Frankfort
Warren Central

Would be fun to see for sure, but Ill just go ahead and say it....of the top 10 reasons as to why these programs are what they are ( for the vast majority), June "practice" will be arouns #14.

[gridirondaddy]

Interesting discussion... Part of me agrees with Duck - make the whole month of June a "dead period." Kids, AND coaches, need time off. There are lots of coaches' wives who are more or less single parents from July to December.

At the same time, I think the argument could be made that the strength & conditioning aspect of June might prevent injuries and/or heat illnesses... There are a lot of facets to this argument.

Of course, the 800 lb gorilla in the room, which many of you have discussed, is basketball... Kids play 30+ games in June. Forget baseball, which is truly year round. Spring season, summer ball, fall ball, and winter workouts.

[TigerBlues]

Interesting discussion... Part of me agrees with Duck - make the whole month of June a "dead period." Kids, AND coaches, need time off. There are lots of coaches' wives who are more or less single parents from July to December.

At the same time, I think the argument could be made that the strength & conditioning aspect of June might prevent injuries and/or heat illnesses... There are a lot of facets to this argument.

Of course, the 800 lb gorilla in the room, which many of you have discussed, is basketball... Kids play 30+ games in June. Forget baseball, which is truly year round. Spring season, summer ball, fall ball, and winter workouts.

And thus the question, why play basketball in June if it doesn't matter ?

[RunItUpTheGut]

^^^I know some who are pulling back some, and only going 3 days a week until that 1st week of August.

Smart if you ask me.

Football is unlike any other sport as we all know. It takes kids being cut from a different kind of cloth...While not jeopardizing the integrity of what makes the sport so great, I think things like this are smart.

Nobody enjoys practicing 6-7 weeks, 5 days a week before their first game...half of that time when school is still out and it's 95 degrees in the shade.

Where WE as adults lost sight of that, I have no idea.

DEAD on.
This is right on the money. I loved football when I was in school. It was my favorite thing to do. But practicing 5 and 6 times a week, twice a day, in 90+ heat made me hate it. It wasn't the sport I hated, it was the practice. We could have done several things without being outside in dangerous heat, but that was always accepted as the thing to do. You can go out and hit and run all you want, but doing things the kids enjoy at least some of the time is what separates having a good time and hating it. Theres no question practicing like we did made us a pretty good team, but we had that philosophy for every year, and if that was what was making us better, we should have won games every year.
In other words, practicing like idiots in 90 degree heat with 2 water breaks in 3 hours (wish it was like the kids got it now) is just ridiculous. I do think if any kid ever ask for water he should get it. I don't know why adults thought for so many years that water breaks were for rewarding. I liked what I see a couple of teams do over there years of having a piece of pipe with water holes constantly squirting out of them for players to drink. We never had that luxury, and im not sure what schools do now.

[RunItUpTheGut]

We could make this easier by ending basketball and baseball all together and extending the football season....

[Real Badman]

We could make this easier by ending basketball and baseball all together and extending the football season....

Play two football seasons. Genius!

[HDE]

I am not against kids being kids, trust me I have two that are in the middle of this, but my question I guess was who is taking the advantage of the three weeks before the dead period. I mean, basketball plays a FULL season in the month of June and they are not the next sport in line but I guess that is the KHSAA and basketball...this is a basketball state...all be it the ONLY state in the SEC that is a basketball state. I guess what I am saying is that I want my kids to work as much and as hard as anyone in the state. I am all for making the dead period the whole month of JUNE but you and me and everybody else knows that, that will NEVER happen because of basketball. So, as a parent I want my kid to have as much work as they can to make them better. I don't care if it is only three weeks. As a matter of fact, I don't care if it is only one week. Just my opnion and that and 90 cents will buy you a cup of coffee....my how times have changed. I remember when I could buy coffee for less than 50 cents.

I hear that a lot, but I think football gets as much work with their players as basketball, especially considering the weight programs that are such a crucial part of the success of programs like Harlan County.
Basically, the three weeks in June are the only time the basketball team gets to work with their full team until football ends in late November (if you are in the playoffs late, like Harlan County for the past several years).

[topnotch]

I learned early in making rules, to be careful study and diasect it very carefully. I promise you, you will face it again, where it will hurt you the worst.

[mysonis55]

Is it football time yet?