The WIAA‘s Board of Control voted unanimously to approve measures to limit the amount of contact for high school football teams throughout
the season. The new rules regarding practices will take effect for the upcoming 2014 season.
The new player-on-player contact regulations were originally created by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association, the WIAA sports medical advisory council and WIAA executives Dave Anderson and Wade Labecki.
Under the plan, during the first week of practice, only drill/contact is allowed and it is unlimited. In Week 2, Drill/contact is unlimited. Competition/full contact is limited to 75 minutes per week (excluding a scrimmage). In Week 3, Drill/contact is unlimited. Competition/full contact is limited to 60 minutes per week (excluding games).
The new regulations come at a time where the awareness about the dangers of head injuries are at an all-time high and questions remain about the safety of the sport.
Hockey Replay
The WIAA’s Board of Control also voted unanimously to use video replays at its state hockey tournaments beginning next season to review questionable goals and correct time on the score clock.
Under the measure, two referees on the ice and a replay official at a secluded location will review the plays and arrive at a decision together. The new measure is modeled after systems used by the NHL and NCAA.
Basketball Challenge
The board alsu unanimously supported the addition of a three-point challenge for the boys and girls state basketball tournaments next season. It will be held Saturday before the state championship games. The players involved will come from teams that did not qualify for state.