Similar to guidelines used by the NCAA, they call for a three-day acclimatization period, a limit of five hours of total practice time per day (including warmup, stretching, conditioning, and weight training periods), a ban on consecutive days with more than three hours of practice, and at least two hours of recovery time between practices.

Football coaches have complained that the rules are overly restrictive and unnecessary, since there have been few health problems resulting from preseason practices in the state. They wonder why all practices are treated the same regardless of the weather conditions and worry that decreased opportunities to teach blocking and tackling skills will leave players at greater risk for injuries during the season.

They're also upset that the guidelines are only recommendations, leaving it up to conferences and individual schools whether to make them rules. As a result, some teams will have the opportunity to practice more often than others.

However, most athletic trainers are applauding the guidelines and urging all schools to follow them. "The schools and coaches that choose to ignore this, I think, might be walking down a dangerous road," Phil Hossler, Head Athletic Trainer at East Brunswick (N.J.) High School told The Asbury Park Press, "not only for the health of the athletes but also the fact that there has been a recommendation made and you are ignoring it."

Oregon is the only state that regulates preseason practice schedules, although several states have recommended guidelines and Kentucky prohibits outdoor practices when the heat index exceeds 104. Oregon's rules are based on the heat index, allowing teams to practice up to five hours per day when the heat index remains below 95. The rules limit teams to three hours of practice when the index reaches 95 and recommend that practices be cancelled when the heat index exceeds 100.