Extreme Heat Forces Georgia High School Football Teams to Rethink Practice

Record-setting summer temperatures and an earlier football season are forcing Georgia high schools to reconsider when — and how — athletes practice.

Some programs have moved practices to early mornings or evenings, while others maintain afternoon schedules with additional precautions. Regardless of timing, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) readings have become critical for determining when conditions require modifications or a complete shutdown.

At Crisp County High School, head Athletic Trainer JP Hamilton monitors conditions during outdoor activities and football practices.

“We don’t go by the heat index any longer, which only factors two things: humidity and temperature,” Hamilton said. “The WBGT is made up of the four following factors: temperature, humidity, direct sunlight, and wind.”

Under Georgia High School Association guidelines, outdoor activities must stop when WBGT reaches 92.0 and remains there for 15 minutes. Readings between 90 and 92 require practice limitations.

Hamilton’s presence also highlights a larger concern. According to the original report, only about 40% of Georgia high schools have access to a full-time Athletic Trainer.

Crisp County football coach Justin Newman recognizes the advantage his program has.

“We are lucky to have an amazing athletic trainer in JP Hamilton, who ensures we have everything we need,” Newman said.

Other programs are finding different solutions. Tift County is preparing to use a covered practice facility that coach Jeff Littleton said can be 15 to 20 degrees cooler than direct sunlight. Meanwhile, Worth County coach Jeff Hammond avoids early practices because some athletes would have to drive long distances on rural roads before sunrise.

As schools balance practice time with dangerous summer conditions, Athletic Trainers and WBGT monitoring are playing an increasingly important role in helping programs make informed decisions about athlete safety.