Daily Madden: High School Football Practice Limits Need More Study
SAN FRANCSICO (KCBS) - A bill awaiting Governor Brown's signature would place strict limits on high school football practice.
"I know there has to be a safe environment," John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew, "but I'm not sure that they put a lot of thought and a lot of science into this."
Under the bill, high school players would be limited to full-contact practices for 90 minutes twice a week. Two-a-day practices on consecutive days would be prohibited, as would off-season full-contact drills.
"They do have to have some parameters on high school practice," Madden said, noting they have practice rules in the NFL and in college.
But some coaches say the proposed restrictions may affect player readiness.
"The NFL is struggling with it," Madden said. "You talk to coaches and players and they're having a tough time developing players. That's kind of what high school is about."
Madden said there should be no debate about the concussion rules in the bill.
"If someone has a concussion, you take them off the field, you wait at least a week and they have to have a doctor's clearance to come back." (7:05)
(Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.)