As the NFL continues to grapple with the long-term effects of head injuries, Illinois high schools could soon be prohibited from having live contact at summer practices.
IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman is drafting a proposal with state Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) that would ban full-speed tackling at summer practices and require coaches to teach safe tackling fundamentals. Specifics are still being laid out, but the IHSA is set to vote on the proposal Feb. 19.
From the Daily Herald:
[Hickman] said some contact would still be allowed, but the proposal would eliminate “full-contact and tackles to the ground” over the summer.
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Meanwhile, Sente plans to try for a second time to pass legislation to regulate high school sports.
Last year her proposal to limit tackling at football practices to twice a week during the season was denied by lawmakers.
This year, Sente wants the IHSA to create an online certification system that she said would teach coaches and players of all high school sports to reduce dangerous hits.
Read the full article at dailyherald.com.
