Practice times may look different for some student athletes across Southern California.
“We need to make sure our athletes are used to the temperatures in a given area and prepare to practice and play safely for those areas they’re living in,” said Mike West, CIF director of athletics for the Southern Section.
The California Interscholastic Federation is implementing new rules this year aimed at protecting athletes from the extreme heat. The new guidelines state that schools must schedule outdoor practice during cooler times like early morning or late evening. They also require schools to postpone or cancel practice during extreme heat.
“I think it’s a great rule,” said former student athlete Benjamin Vassrat. “The concern is overheating and you can pass out if you’re not hydrated enough but it’s still good to practice in the heat.”
“It makes sense because obviously it’s safety,” said student athlete Ryaan Khuwaja. “We have morning practice so it’s not as bad but obviously it affects us.”