The TSSAA heat policy for Tennessee high school football will come into effect with temperatures soaring across the state.
Middle Tennessee is under a “major to extreme heat risk” through Sept. 5, according to the National Weather Service in Nashville. The NWS forecasted a high of 101 degrees on Sept. 3 and 100 degrees on Sept. 4.
The heat index could reach 110 degrees in that span, which is why some TSSAA football Week 3 kickoff times have been pushed back from the traditional 7 p.m. slot. Several high school games in Knoxville have already seen changes in start times.
The TSSAA restricts outdoor football activity when the heat reaches a certain level.
Here’s a rundown of the TSSAA heat policy.
high school season
What is the TSSAA heat policy for football?
The NFHS, which sets rules standards for state associations like the TSSAA, takes these kinds of temperatures seriously.
The TSSAA heat policy is a comprehensive guide for how schools should conduct practice and competition when the wet-bulb globe temperature and heat index reach a certain point.
Here's where football games will be effected: The policy states that unless an appropriate health care professional “with access to a cold water immersion tub or other rapid on-site cooling method” is available, then outdoor competition is not allowed if the wet bulb globe temperature reading is above 92.0 or if the heat index is above 104 degrees.
“Interscholastic competitions, including preseason scrimmages and jamborees, must be postponed,” in that situation, according to the policy.
Forecasts show Tennessee will be flirting with those numbers the next three days.
Tennessee high school football weather forecast Week 3
For Sept. 3 games, there’s a 10% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. but otherwise expect heat. The high will be near 101 with heat index values as high as 112, with a 5-mph breeze from the south/southeast. The temperature will slowly drop to 77, so the late third quarter and most of the fourth quarter should be a little more tolerable.
For Sept 4., there’s a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms mostly between 4-5 p.m., according to the NWS, but the heat remains. The high will be near 100, heat index values up to 111 and a little breeze.
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
He also contributes to The Tennessean's high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSSAA heat policy could affect Tennessee high school football. What’s the rule?
