Texas Schools Move To 90-Minute Contact Limit
AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — While some states have explored the idea of banning high school football, the University Interscholastic League took a step to make it safer in Texas on Tuesday.
The UIL, which governs public high school sports, approved a 90-minutes-per-week limit on full-contact practice to limit concussions and other injuries. The measure now goes to the state education commissioner for approval before the start of preseason practice in August.
UIL athletic director Mark Cousins says the rule does not apply in spring drills or fall preseason practice, and kicks in the week of the first game.
The rule limits "game-speed tackling and blocking to the ground" and covers high school and middle school practices.
Cousins says the Texas rule tracks a growing trend in professional and college football to limit contact drills to reduce the number of injuries.
In February, a coalition of more than 100 groups convened in Washington D.C. to recommend that student athletes have access to health care professionals, better-trained coaches and up-to-date equipment.
The NFL is also battling to change the culture on concussions, introducing a number of rules to limit concussions.
(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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